The Bombers head into the 2017 National Draft with picks 48, 67, 85 and 103, which means the Dons will have to wait until the third round to make their first selection. 

Since the introduction of the National Draft in 1986, the Bombers have shown they can find a late gem.

Here is a look back at some of the talent plucked late in the Draft.

1990 Pick 79, James Hird

Games: 253

Goals: 343

Honours: 1993 & 2000 premiership player, 1996 Brownlow Medalist, 2000 Norm Smith Medalist, 5x Crichton Medalist, 3x ANZAC Day Medalist, Essendon FC Captain, AFL Hall of Fame Inductee

1992 Pick 87, Damien Hardwick

Games: 153

Goals: 13

Honours: 1998 Crichton Medalist, 2000 premiership player, 2000 All Australian 

1994 Pick 62, Justin Blumfield

Games: 129

Goals: 86

Honours: 2000 premiership player 

2007 Pick 54, Cale Hooker*

Games: 153

Goals: 69

Honours: 2014 All Australian, 2015 Crichton Medalist

2012 Pick 53, Martin Gleeson*

Games: 69

Goals: 5 

2013 Pick 55, Orazio Fantasia*

Games: 47

Goals: 70

Honours: 2016 Bruce Heymanson Best Team Player, 2017 22Under22 Team 

*Current players