oldandslow
04-27-2006, 10:26 AM
http://www1.pressdemocrat.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060423/NEWS/60423006/1010/SPORT01
some interesting takes....
Chiefs are at 19....
1. STEELERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 36.
STARTERS: 10 (five on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: QB Ben Roethlisberger, 1st round, No. 11 (2004).
WORST PICK: DE Alonzo Jackson, 2nd round, No. 59 (2003).
SUMMARY: Despite averaging 11 victories the past five seasonss and regularly drafting late in the first round, the Steelers added players that helped bring them a Super Bowl title. Roethlisberger, the third QB selected in '04, was a perfect fit. SS Troy Polamalu (first round, '03) and NT Casey Hampton (first round, '01) have been selected to two Pro Bowls apiece. TE Heath Miller (first round, '05) added six TDs his rookie season.
2. COLTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 26 of 42.
STARTERS: 10 (four on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: DE Dwight Freeney, 1st round, No. 11 (2002).
WORST PICK: TE Ben Hartsock, 3rd round, No. 68 (2004).
SUMMARY: Indianapolis already had a great offense, so the focus on draft day has been defense. The Colts have drafted three Pro Bowl defenders since '02, led by Freeney. LB Cato June, a sixth-round steal in '03, and FS Bob Sanders (second round, '04) made their first Pro Bowl teams. DE Robert Mathis (fifth round, '03) isn't a starter, but led the team with 11.5 sacks. WR Reggie Wayne (first round, '01) had 82 catches for 1,055 yards.
3. PANTHERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 25 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (five on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: DE Julius Peppers, 1st round, No. 2 (2002).
WORST PICK: G Bruce Nelson, 2nd round, No. 50 (2003).
SUMMARY: Carolina produced four Pro Bowl players from these drafts. DE Julius Peppers (first round, '02) has made the Pro Bowl twice. The '01 draft provided the Panthers with Pro Bowl players with their first three picks: LB Dan Morgan (first round), DT Kris Jenkins (second round) and WR Steve Smith (third round).
4. CHARGERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 29 of 42.
STARTERS: Nine (four on offense; five on defense; plus kicker Nate Kaeding and punter Mike Scifres).
BEST PICK: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, 1st round, No. 5 (2001).
WORST PICK: CB Sammy Davis, 1st round, No. 30 (2003).
SUMMARY: The Chargers have come a long way since winning one game in 2000. The acquisition of Tomlinson, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, was huge. The club got fantastic seasons from QB Drew Brees (second round, '01) before his departure to New Orleans this offseason. Defense was the focus in 2005, and the Chargers landed immediate help from LB Shawne Merriman (No. 12 overall) and DE Luis Castillo (No. 28). CB Quentin Jammer (first round, '02) has not produced as expected.
5. BENGALS
PICKS ON TEAM: 27 of 40.
STARTERS: 11 (seven on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: RB Rudi Johnson, 4th round, No. 100 (2001).
WORST PICK: S Lamont Thompson, 2nd round, No. 41 (2002).
SUMMARY: Bengals won only four times in 2000, but thanks to their successes on draft day they have gradually risen to winning 11 games last season. QB Carson Palmer (first round, '03) made his first Pro Bowl last season. RB Rudi Johnson and WR Chad Johnson (second round, '01) each had more than 1,400 yards of offense while combining for 21 TDs. LB Odell Thurman (second round, '05) provided a huge lift with a team-leading 148 tackles.
6. SEAHAWKS
PICKS ON TEAM: 25 of 47.
STARTERS: Eight (three on offense; five on defense; plus kicker Josh Brown).
BEST PICK: LB Lofa Tatupu, 2nd round, No. 45 (2005).
WORST PICK: WR Koren Robinson, 1st round, No. 9 (2001).
SUMMARY: Aside from G Steve Hutchinson ('01), the Seahawks have not been all that spectacular with their first-round picks. But they've netted some key players in later rounds. LBs Tatupu and Leroy Hill became immediate starters. Four of their top five tacklers were drafted during this time frame. Their worst pick in this time, Robinson, got his act together last season in Minnesota, earning a Pro Bowl trip. Unherald Alex Bannister (fifth round, '01) has made it to the Pro Bowl as a special-teams contributor.
7. PATRIOTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 23 of 41.
STARTERS: 11 (five on offense, six on defense.
BEST PICK: DE Richard Seymour, 1st round, No. 6 (2001).
WORST PICK: TE Daniel Graham, 1st round, No. 21 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Patriots drafted one superstar and a good supply of players who fit roles nicely. Seymour has been to four Pro Bowls in five seasons, and recently signed a long-term extension. Half of the starters at the end of last season were draft choices the past five seasons. WR Deion Branch (second round, '02) was a Super Bowl MVP.
8. BEARS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (three on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: LB Lance Briggs, 3rd round, No. 68 (2003).
WORST PICK: T Marc Colombo, 1st round, No. 29 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Bears have built a fast and aggressive defense through the draft. Six starters were selected in the past four years, and three of them have made trips to the Pro Bowl. Briggs had a breakout season, as did DE Tommie Harris (first round, '04) and CB Nathan Vasher (fourth round, '04). Colombo was derailed by injuries, and WR David Terrell (first round, '01) did not do much in his 30 starts.
9. COWBOYS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (four on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: S Roy Williams, 1st round, No. 8 (2002).
WORST PICK: QB Quincy Carter, 2nd round, No. 53 (2001).
SUMMARY: Williams and TE Jason Witten (third round, '03) have combined for five trips to the Pro Bowl. There is a lot of talent here, including 2005 first-round picks LB DeMarcus Ware and DE Marcus Spears, as well as CB Terence Newman (first round, '03) and RB Julius Jones (second round, '04). Quincy Carter is now in the CFL.
10. FALCONS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 39.
STARTERS: 11 (seven on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: QB Michael Vick, 1st round, No. 1 (2001).
WORST PICK: RB T.J. Duckett, 1st round, No. 18 (2002).
SUMMARY: They were a four-win team in 2000. In the past five seasons, they have averaged eight victories. The Falcons have drafted three Pro Bowl players -- Vick, TE Alge Crumpler (second round, '01) and CB DeAngelo Hall (first round, '04). They made a remarkable seventh-round find in LT Kevin Shaffer ('02), but he received
$12 million guaranteed to sign with the Browns this offseason.
11. GIANTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 36.
STARTERS: Nine (four on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: DE Osi Umenyiora, 2nd round, No. 56 (2003).
WORST PICK: WR Tim Carter, 2nd round, No. 46 (2002).
SUMMARY: Technically, QB Eli Manning was not a draft pick because the Giants acquired him in a trade, but we're not going to quibble. Manning's development will ultimately determine how the Giants drafted during this period. The Giants have already produced three Pro Bowl players -- TE Jeremy Shockey (first round, '02) has been to three, Umenyiora and ST David Tyree one apiece.
12. EAGLES
PICKS ON TEAM: 27 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (five on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: S Michael Lewis, 2nd round, No. 58 (2002).
WORST PICK: WR Freddie Mitchell, 1st round, No. 25 (2001).
SUMMARY: Four of the Eagles' five past five drafts ranged from "nothing special" to "pretty bad." But 2002 was spectacular. The Eagles grabbed CB Lito Sheppard, Lewis, CB Sheldon Brown and RB Brian Westbrook in the first three rounds. But they could have avoided the Terrell Owens disaster if they had done better in 2001 when they chose Mitchell instead of Steve Smith, Chris Chambers, Reggie Wayne or Chad Johnson.
13. RAVENS
PICKS ON TEAM: 24 of 48.
STARTERS: Seven (four on offense; three on defense; plus punter Dave Zastudil).
BEST PICK: S Ed Reed, 1st round, No. 24 (2002).
WORST PICK: QB Kyle Boller, 1st round, No. 19 (2003).
SUMMARY: The Ravens have added Pro Bowl players TE Todd Heap (first round, '01), Reed and DE Terrell Suggs (first round, '03) to the mix. DE Anthony Weaver, a second-round pick in '02, just received $12 million guaranteed from the Texans. But what they've been lacking is competent play at QB. Boller has not shown much.
14. JAGUARS
PICKS ON TEAM: 26 of 46.
STARTERS: 12 (six on offense; six on defense; plus kicker Josh Scobee).
BEST PICK: DT Marcus Stroud, 1st round, No. 13 (2001).
WORST PICK: WR Reggie Williams, 1st round, No. 9 (2004).
SUMMARY: Hard to argue with the top three picks from '01 to '03. Stroud has made the Pro Bowl three times, DT John Henderson once. QB Byron Leftwich has taken the Jags to the playoffs. Jacksonville has used its past two No. 1 picks on WRs. If they had confidence in Williams, why grab QB-turned-WR Matt Jones at No. 21 last year?
15. CARDINALS
PICKS ON TEAM: 23 of 39.
STARTERS: 12 (Eight on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Anquan Boldin, 2nd round, No. 54 (2003).
WORST PICK: DT Wendell Bryant, 1st round, No. 12 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Cardinals' strategy of using high picks on receivers can be debated, but they have cultivated an impressive corps with Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson. Boldin and Fitzgerald have each made a Pro Bowl. The Cardinals used a second-round pick on DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who emerged in Tennessee last season.
16. SAINTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 36.
STARTERS: Eight (four on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: C LeCharles Bentley, 2nd round, No. 44 (2002).
WORST PICK: DT Johnathan Sullivan, 1st round, No. 6 (2003).
SUMMARY: The only bad thing about Bentley is that the Saints could not lock him up. A two-time Pro Bowl pick, he received $8.25 million to sign with the Browns this offseason. Of recent first-round picks, RB Deuce McAllister made a Pro Bowl, and WR Donte Stallworth and DE Will Smith are good -- albeit not spectacular.
17. BILLS
PICKS ON TEAM: 28 of 42.
STARTERS: Nine (three on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: CB Nate Clements, 1st round, No. 21 (2001).
WORST PICK: T Mike Williams, 1st round, No. 4 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Bills produced three Pro Bowl players from these years. RB Travis Henry, now with the Titans, was made expendable by Willis McGahee's selection in '03. Clements and return specialist Terrence McGee (fourth round, '03) were solid selections. The regrettable pick was T Mike Williams, who was released this offseason after four dreadful years. QB J.P. Losman, chosen in the first round in '04, has yet to show much.
18. VIKINGS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 37.
STARTERS: Eight (two on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: DT Kevin Williams, 1st round, No. 9 (2003).
WORST PICK: DE Kenechi Udeze, 1st round, No. 20 (2004).
SUMMARY: RB Michael Bennett (first round, 2001) and Williams have supplied the Vikings with a couple of players named to the Pro Bowl from these drafts. Bennett split time last season with Mewelde Moore, a fourth-round pick in '04. The Vikings received some contributions from last year's first-round picks, WR Troy Williamson and DE Erasmus James.
19. CHIEFS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 38.
STARTERS: Six (two on offense; four on defense; plus punter Dustin Colquitt).
BEST PICK: DE Jared Allen, 4th round, No. 126 (2004).
WORST PICK: DT Ryan Sims, 1st round, No. 6 (2002).
SUMMARY: It took RB Larry Johnson awhile, but he gave the Chiefs a return on their '03 first-round investment with 1,750 yards last year. Allen has been a real find with nine and 11 sacks in his first two seasons. LB Derrick Johnson, the team's top pick in '05, recorded 110 tackles as a rookie. Lack of output from Sims hurt a team trying to build a defense.
20. RAMS
PICKS ON TEAM: 30 of 46.
STARTERS: 12 (four on offense; eight on defense).
BEST PICK: LB Pia Tinoisamoa, 2nd round, No. 43 (2003).
WORST PICK: LB Robert Thomas, 1st round, No. 31 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Rams tried to build their defense with pillars at DT in '01, but Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett did not give them what they had hoped. Their top four picks from '01 are playing elsewhere -- Lewis (Panthers), Pickett (Packers), S Adam Archuleta (Redskins) and LB Tommy Polley (Ravens). They were lucky to find RB Steven Jackson with the No. 24 overall pick in '04.
21. JETS
PICKS ON TEAM: 25 of 36.
STARTERS: Nine (two on offense; seven on defense; plus kicker Mike Nugent).
BEST PICK: LB Jonathan Vilma, 1st round, No. 12 (2004).
WORST PICK: DE Bryan Thomas, 1st round, No. 22 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Jets chose two Pro Bowl players, though WR Santana Moss eventually made it there with the Redskins. Vilma made an immediate impact. Seven starters on the league's 12th-ranked defense were acquired through the past five drafts.
22. TITANS
PICKS ON TEAM: 33 of 47.
STARTERS: 10 (Four on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Justin McCareins, 4th round, No. 124 (2001).
WORST PICK: CB Rich Gardner, 3rd round, No. 92 (2004).
SUMMARY: The Titans did not have first-round picks in '01 and '04. When they selected CB Pacman Jones with the No. 6 pick last year it was the only time in this stretch they had a top-15 overall selection. It's difficult to come up with a really good pick or a really bad one. McCareins was chosen in the fourth round, then traded to the Jets for a second-rounder, which was used to pick starting DE Travis LaBoy.
23. PACKERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 38.
STARTERS: Six (two on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Javon Walker, 1st round, No. 20 (2002).
WORST PICK: DE Jamal Reynolds, 1st round, No. 10 (2001).
SUMMARY: Walker made a Pro Bowl before he wanted more money and demanded to be traded. He certainly has been the organization's most successful pick in the past five years, though LB Nick Barnett (first round, '03) and DE Aaron Kampman (fifth round, '02) have been solid players. Reynolds was an epic bust.
24. BRONCOS
PICKS ON TEAM: 17 of 40.
STARTERS: Five (three on offense; two on defense).
BEST PICK: LB D.J. Williams, 1st round, No. 17 (2004).
WORST PICK: RB Maurice Clarett, 3rd round, No. 101 (2005).
SUMMARY: The Broncos averaged 10 victories a season during this stretch, so the competition for rookies to make an impact was fierce. Williams shows signs of being a very good player for a long time. They've made mistakes, such as CB Willie Middlebrooks in the first round of '01, WR Ashley Lelie over Javon Walker in '02, and the whole Clarett debacle. They found another Pro Bowl RB in '02 when he picked Clinton Portis (now with the Redskins) in the second round.
25. DOLPHINS
PICKS ON TEAM: 17 of 35.
STARTERS: Seven (five on offense; two on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Chris Chambers, 2nd round, No. 52 (2001).
WORST PICK: CB Jamar Fletcher, 1st round, No. 26 (2001).
SUMMARY: Fewer than 50 percent of the players selected in this five-year span finished last season with the club, including Fletcher, who went to the Chargers as part of the David Boston trade. RB Ronnie Brown, the No. 2 pick last year, rushed for 907 yards and four TDs. Chambers easily has been the best player from these drafts.
26. BUCCANEERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 43.
STARTERS: Seven (six on offense; one on defense).
BEST PICK: RB Cadillac Williams, 1st round, No. 5 (2005).
WORST PICK: WR Marquise Walker, 3rd round, No. 86 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Bucs did not have first-round picks in '02 and '03 -- the price for prying coach Jon Gruden from the Raiders. WR Michael Clayton looked good as a rookie but fell off the face of the earth in 2005. QB Chris Simms (third round, '03) looks like a good value pick. Williams helped carry the team to the playoffs as a rookie.
27. 49ERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 29 of 46.
STARTERS: 12 (nine on offense; three on defense; punter Andy Lee).
BEST PICK: CB Shawntae Spencer, 2nd round, No. 58 (2004).
WORST PICK: WR Rashaun Woods, 1st round, No. 31 (2004).
SUMMARY: If QB Alex Smith develops into an upper-echelon player, then the 49ers will consider this era a huge success. The club added a lot of starters through the draft but is thin on star quality. That's why it was so difficult to name a "best pick" from the past five years. TE Eric Johnson (seventh round, '01) had 82 receptions in '04, but has been unable to stay healthy. In 2004, the 49ers could have had a number of good players at No. 16, but GM Terry Donahue traded back twice to end up with Woods and Spencer. Woods was dealt to San Diego, but Spencer looks as if he might develop into a good corner.
28. TEXANS
PICKS ON TEAM: 26 of 39.
STARTERS: 12 (six on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: RB Domanick Davis, 4th round, No. 101 (2003).
WORST PICK: RB Tony Hollings, 2nd round, supplemental (2003).
SUMMARY: Houston has not done a good job of capitalizing on its advantageous draft position. In the expansion club's fourth year, the Texans should've been in position to compete for a playoff spot. Instead, they recorded the worst record in the league. They have not given up on QB David Carr, the club's first pick. If he turns into a superstar, these drafts will look a whole lot better. WR Andre Johnson, the third pick in '03, has been to a Pro Bowl.
29. RAIDERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 41.
STARTERS: Eight (three on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: LB Kirk Morrison, 3rd round, No. 78 (2005).
WORST PICK: S Derrick Gibson, 1st round, No. 28 (2001).
SUMMARY: It still might be too early to judge their recent high picks, but certainly T Robert Gallery (No. 2, '04), DE Tyler Brayton (No. 32, '03) and CBs Nnamdi Asomugha (No. 32, '03) and Fabian Washington (No. 23, '05) have yet to distinguish themselves. Morrison, the club's leading tackler as a rookie, edges TE Courtney Anderson and WR Ronald Curry as the best pick during this period. The Raiders missed some great opportunities in '01 and '02. If they'd chosen TE Todd Heap, like Mel Kiper Jr. suggested before the '01 draft (instead of Gibson), they could have picked S Ed Reed the following year rather than LB Napoleon Harris.
30. REDSKINS
PICKS ON TEAM: 14 of 28.
STARTERS: Three (one on offense; two on defense).
BEST PICK: CB Fred Smoot, 2nd round, No. 45 (2001).
WORST PICK: QB Patrick Ramsey, 1st round, No. 32 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Redskins have plucked only three starters from the past five drafts. They have de-emphasized the draft, which might explain why they haven't found any continuity. They're hoping to wipe out the memory of Ramsey with the first-round selection of QB Jason Campbell in '05.
31. LIONS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 38.
STARTERS: Nine (six on offense; three on defense).
BEST PICK: DT Shaun Rogers, 2nd round, No. 61 (2001).
WORST PICK: QB Joey Harrington, 1st round, No. 3 (2002).
SUMMARY: Not only have they failed to net many good players, GM Matt Millen's strategy has been highly questionable. They've selected receivers Charles Rogers (No. 2), Roy Williams (No. 7) and Mike Williams (No. 10) in the past three drafts. Rogers has been a disaster on and off the field. And so was Harrington, who has officially worn out his welcome. It's no surprise the Lions have won only 21 games the past five seasons.
32. BROWNS
PICKS ON TEAM: 20 of 37.
STARTERS: Four (one on offense; three on defense).
BEST PICK: QB Charlie Frye, 3rd round, No. 67 (2005).
WORST PICK: DT Gerard Warren, 1st round, No. 3 (2001).
SUMMARY: The Browns have done a horrendous job. Warren was a bust, but moved on to Denver, where he played well last season. RB William Green was the No. 16 pick in '02 and hasn't performed. TE Kellen Winslow Jr. was more determined to be a motorcycle daredevil than a football player. Perhaps they found a player in Frye.
some interesting takes....
Chiefs are at 19....
1. STEELERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 36.
STARTERS: 10 (five on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: QB Ben Roethlisberger, 1st round, No. 11 (2004).
WORST PICK: DE Alonzo Jackson, 2nd round, No. 59 (2003).
SUMMARY: Despite averaging 11 victories the past five seasonss and regularly drafting late in the first round, the Steelers added players that helped bring them a Super Bowl title. Roethlisberger, the third QB selected in '04, was a perfect fit. SS Troy Polamalu (first round, '03) and NT Casey Hampton (first round, '01) have been selected to two Pro Bowls apiece. TE Heath Miller (first round, '05) added six TDs his rookie season.
2. COLTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 26 of 42.
STARTERS: 10 (four on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: DE Dwight Freeney, 1st round, No. 11 (2002).
WORST PICK: TE Ben Hartsock, 3rd round, No. 68 (2004).
SUMMARY: Indianapolis already had a great offense, so the focus on draft day has been defense. The Colts have drafted three Pro Bowl defenders since '02, led by Freeney. LB Cato June, a sixth-round steal in '03, and FS Bob Sanders (second round, '04) made their first Pro Bowl teams. DE Robert Mathis (fifth round, '03) isn't a starter, but led the team with 11.5 sacks. WR Reggie Wayne (first round, '01) had 82 catches for 1,055 yards.
3. PANTHERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 25 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (five on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: DE Julius Peppers, 1st round, No. 2 (2002).
WORST PICK: G Bruce Nelson, 2nd round, No. 50 (2003).
SUMMARY: Carolina produced four Pro Bowl players from these drafts. DE Julius Peppers (first round, '02) has made the Pro Bowl twice. The '01 draft provided the Panthers with Pro Bowl players with their first three picks: LB Dan Morgan (first round), DT Kris Jenkins (second round) and WR Steve Smith (third round).
4. CHARGERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 29 of 42.
STARTERS: Nine (four on offense; five on defense; plus kicker Nate Kaeding and punter Mike Scifres).
BEST PICK: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, 1st round, No. 5 (2001).
WORST PICK: CB Sammy Davis, 1st round, No. 30 (2003).
SUMMARY: The Chargers have come a long way since winning one game in 2000. The acquisition of Tomlinson, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, was huge. The club got fantastic seasons from QB Drew Brees (second round, '01) before his departure to New Orleans this offseason. Defense was the focus in 2005, and the Chargers landed immediate help from LB Shawne Merriman (No. 12 overall) and DE Luis Castillo (No. 28). CB Quentin Jammer (first round, '02) has not produced as expected.
5. BENGALS
PICKS ON TEAM: 27 of 40.
STARTERS: 11 (seven on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: RB Rudi Johnson, 4th round, No. 100 (2001).
WORST PICK: S Lamont Thompson, 2nd round, No. 41 (2002).
SUMMARY: Bengals won only four times in 2000, but thanks to their successes on draft day they have gradually risen to winning 11 games last season. QB Carson Palmer (first round, '03) made his first Pro Bowl last season. RB Rudi Johnson and WR Chad Johnson (second round, '01) each had more than 1,400 yards of offense while combining for 21 TDs. LB Odell Thurman (second round, '05) provided a huge lift with a team-leading 148 tackles.
6. SEAHAWKS
PICKS ON TEAM: 25 of 47.
STARTERS: Eight (three on offense; five on defense; plus kicker Josh Brown).
BEST PICK: LB Lofa Tatupu, 2nd round, No. 45 (2005).
WORST PICK: WR Koren Robinson, 1st round, No. 9 (2001).
SUMMARY: Aside from G Steve Hutchinson ('01), the Seahawks have not been all that spectacular with their first-round picks. But they've netted some key players in later rounds. LBs Tatupu and Leroy Hill became immediate starters. Four of their top five tacklers were drafted during this time frame. Their worst pick in this time, Robinson, got his act together last season in Minnesota, earning a Pro Bowl trip. Unherald Alex Bannister (fifth round, '01) has made it to the Pro Bowl as a special-teams contributor.
7. PATRIOTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 23 of 41.
STARTERS: 11 (five on offense, six on defense.
BEST PICK: DE Richard Seymour, 1st round, No. 6 (2001).
WORST PICK: TE Daniel Graham, 1st round, No. 21 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Patriots drafted one superstar and a good supply of players who fit roles nicely. Seymour has been to four Pro Bowls in five seasons, and recently signed a long-term extension. Half of the starters at the end of last season were draft choices the past five seasons. WR Deion Branch (second round, '02) was a Super Bowl MVP.
8. BEARS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (three on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: LB Lance Briggs, 3rd round, No. 68 (2003).
WORST PICK: T Marc Colombo, 1st round, No. 29 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Bears have built a fast and aggressive defense through the draft. Six starters were selected in the past four years, and three of them have made trips to the Pro Bowl. Briggs had a breakout season, as did DE Tommie Harris (first round, '04) and CB Nathan Vasher (fourth round, '04). Colombo was derailed by injuries, and WR David Terrell (first round, '01) did not do much in his 30 starts.
9. COWBOYS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (four on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: S Roy Williams, 1st round, No. 8 (2002).
WORST PICK: QB Quincy Carter, 2nd round, No. 53 (2001).
SUMMARY: Williams and TE Jason Witten (third round, '03) have combined for five trips to the Pro Bowl. There is a lot of talent here, including 2005 first-round picks LB DeMarcus Ware and DE Marcus Spears, as well as CB Terence Newman (first round, '03) and RB Julius Jones (second round, '04). Quincy Carter is now in the CFL.
10. FALCONS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 39.
STARTERS: 11 (seven on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: QB Michael Vick, 1st round, No. 1 (2001).
WORST PICK: RB T.J. Duckett, 1st round, No. 18 (2002).
SUMMARY: They were a four-win team in 2000. In the past five seasons, they have averaged eight victories. The Falcons have drafted three Pro Bowl players -- Vick, TE Alge Crumpler (second round, '01) and CB DeAngelo Hall (first round, '04). They made a remarkable seventh-round find in LT Kevin Shaffer ('02), but he received
$12 million guaranteed to sign with the Browns this offseason.
11. GIANTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 36.
STARTERS: Nine (four on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: DE Osi Umenyiora, 2nd round, No. 56 (2003).
WORST PICK: WR Tim Carter, 2nd round, No. 46 (2002).
SUMMARY: Technically, QB Eli Manning was not a draft pick because the Giants acquired him in a trade, but we're not going to quibble. Manning's development will ultimately determine how the Giants drafted during this period. The Giants have already produced three Pro Bowl players -- TE Jeremy Shockey (first round, '02) has been to three, Umenyiora and ST David Tyree one apiece.
12. EAGLES
PICKS ON TEAM: 27 of 41.
STARTERS: Nine (five on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: S Michael Lewis, 2nd round, No. 58 (2002).
WORST PICK: WR Freddie Mitchell, 1st round, No. 25 (2001).
SUMMARY: Four of the Eagles' five past five drafts ranged from "nothing special" to "pretty bad." But 2002 was spectacular. The Eagles grabbed CB Lito Sheppard, Lewis, CB Sheldon Brown and RB Brian Westbrook in the first three rounds. But they could have avoided the Terrell Owens disaster if they had done better in 2001 when they chose Mitchell instead of Steve Smith, Chris Chambers, Reggie Wayne or Chad Johnson.
13. RAVENS
PICKS ON TEAM: 24 of 48.
STARTERS: Seven (four on offense; three on defense; plus punter Dave Zastudil).
BEST PICK: S Ed Reed, 1st round, No. 24 (2002).
WORST PICK: QB Kyle Boller, 1st round, No. 19 (2003).
SUMMARY: The Ravens have added Pro Bowl players TE Todd Heap (first round, '01), Reed and DE Terrell Suggs (first round, '03) to the mix. DE Anthony Weaver, a second-round pick in '02, just received $12 million guaranteed from the Texans. But what they've been lacking is competent play at QB. Boller has not shown much.
14. JAGUARS
PICKS ON TEAM: 26 of 46.
STARTERS: 12 (six on offense; six on defense; plus kicker Josh Scobee).
BEST PICK: DT Marcus Stroud, 1st round, No. 13 (2001).
WORST PICK: WR Reggie Williams, 1st round, No. 9 (2004).
SUMMARY: Hard to argue with the top three picks from '01 to '03. Stroud has made the Pro Bowl three times, DT John Henderson once. QB Byron Leftwich has taken the Jags to the playoffs. Jacksonville has used its past two No. 1 picks on WRs. If they had confidence in Williams, why grab QB-turned-WR Matt Jones at No. 21 last year?
15. CARDINALS
PICKS ON TEAM: 23 of 39.
STARTERS: 12 (Eight on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Anquan Boldin, 2nd round, No. 54 (2003).
WORST PICK: DT Wendell Bryant, 1st round, No. 12 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Cardinals' strategy of using high picks on receivers can be debated, but they have cultivated an impressive corps with Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Bryant Johnson. Boldin and Fitzgerald have each made a Pro Bowl. The Cardinals used a second-round pick on DE Kyle Vanden Bosch, who emerged in Tennessee last season.
16. SAINTS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 36.
STARTERS: Eight (four on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: C LeCharles Bentley, 2nd round, No. 44 (2002).
WORST PICK: DT Johnathan Sullivan, 1st round, No. 6 (2003).
SUMMARY: The only bad thing about Bentley is that the Saints could not lock him up. A two-time Pro Bowl pick, he received $8.25 million to sign with the Browns this offseason. Of recent first-round picks, RB Deuce McAllister made a Pro Bowl, and WR Donte Stallworth and DE Will Smith are good -- albeit not spectacular.
17. BILLS
PICKS ON TEAM: 28 of 42.
STARTERS: Nine (three on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: CB Nate Clements, 1st round, No. 21 (2001).
WORST PICK: T Mike Williams, 1st round, No. 4 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Bills produced three Pro Bowl players from these years. RB Travis Henry, now with the Titans, was made expendable by Willis McGahee's selection in '03. Clements and return specialist Terrence McGee (fourth round, '03) were solid selections. The regrettable pick was T Mike Williams, who was released this offseason after four dreadful years. QB J.P. Losman, chosen in the first round in '04, has yet to show much.
18. VIKINGS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 37.
STARTERS: Eight (two on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: DT Kevin Williams, 1st round, No. 9 (2003).
WORST PICK: DE Kenechi Udeze, 1st round, No. 20 (2004).
SUMMARY: RB Michael Bennett (first round, 2001) and Williams have supplied the Vikings with a couple of players named to the Pro Bowl from these drafts. Bennett split time last season with Mewelde Moore, a fourth-round pick in '04. The Vikings received some contributions from last year's first-round picks, WR Troy Williamson and DE Erasmus James.
19. CHIEFS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 38.
STARTERS: Six (two on offense; four on defense; plus punter Dustin Colquitt).
BEST PICK: DE Jared Allen, 4th round, No. 126 (2004).
WORST PICK: DT Ryan Sims, 1st round, No. 6 (2002).
SUMMARY: It took RB Larry Johnson awhile, but he gave the Chiefs a return on their '03 first-round investment with 1,750 yards last year. Allen has been a real find with nine and 11 sacks in his first two seasons. LB Derrick Johnson, the team's top pick in '05, recorded 110 tackles as a rookie. Lack of output from Sims hurt a team trying to build a defense.
20. RAMS
PICKS ON TEAM: 30 of 46.
STARTERS: 12 (four on offense; eight on defense).
BEST PICK: LB Pia Tinoisamoa, 2nd round, No. 43 (2003).
WORST PICK: LB Robert Thomas, 1st round, No. 31 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Rams tried to build their defense with pillars at DT in '01, but Damione Lewis and Ryan Pickett did not give them what they had hoped. Their top four picks from '01 are playing elsewhere -- Lewis (Panthers), Pickett (Packers), S Adam Archuleta (Redskins) and LB Tommy Polley (Ravens). They were lucky to find RB Steven Jackson with the No. 24 overall pick in '04.
21. JETS
PICKS ON TEAM: 25 of 36.
STARTERS: Nine (two on offense; seven on defense; plus kicker Mike Nugent).
BEST PICK: LB Jonathan Vilma, 1st round, No. 12 (2004).
WORST PICK: DE Bryan Thomas, 1st round, No. 22 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Jets chose two Pro Bowl players, though WR Santana Moss eventually made it there with the Redskins. Vilma made an immediate impact. Seven starters on the league's 12th-ranked defense were acquired through the past five drafts.
22. TITANS
PICKS ON TEAM: 33 of 47.
STARTERS: 10 (Four on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Justin McCareins, 4th round, No. 124 (2001).
WORST PICK: CB Rich Gardner, 3rd round, No. 92 (2004).
SUMMARY: The Titans did not have first-round picks in '01 and '04. When they selected CB Pacman Jones with the No. 6 pick last year it was the only time in this stretch they had a top-15 overall selection. It's difficult to come up with a really good pick or a really bad one. McCareins was chosen in the fourth round, then traded to the Jets for a second-rounder, which was used to pick starting DE Travis LaBoy.
23. PACKERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 38.
STARTERS: Six (two on offense; four on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Javon Walker, 1st round, No. 20 (2002).
WORST PICK: DE Jamal Reynolds, 1st round, No. 10 (2001).
SUMMARY: Walker made a Pro Bowl before he wanted more money and demanded to be traded. He certainly has been the organization's most successful pick in the past five years, though LB Nick Barnett (first round, '03) and DE Aaron Kampman (fifth round, '02) have been solid players. Reynolds was an epic bust.
24. BRONCOS
PICKS ON TEAM: 17 of 40.
STARTERS: Five (three on offense; two on defense).
BEST PICK: LB D.J. Williams, 1st round, No. 17 (2004).
WORST PICK: RB Maurice Clarett, 3rd round, No. 101 (2005).
SUMMARY: The Broncos averaged 10 victories a season during this stretch, so the competition for rookies to make an impact was fierce. Williams shows signs of being a very good player for a long time. They've made mistakes, such as CB Willie Middlebrooks in the first round of '01, WR Ashley Lelie over Javon Walker in '02, and the whole Clarett debacle. They found another Pro Bowl RB in '02 when he picked Clinton Portis (now with the Redskins) in the second round.
25. DOLPHINS
PICKS ON TEAM: 17 of 35.
STARTERS: Seven (five on offense; two on defense).
BEST PICK: WR Chris Chambers, 2nd round, No. 52 (2001).
WORST PICK: CB Jamar Fletcher, 1st round, No. 26 (2001).
SUMMARY: Fewer than 50 percent of the players selected in this five-year span finished last season with the club, including Fletcher, who went to the Chargers as part of the David Boston trade. RB Ronnie Brown, the No. 2 pick last year, rushed for 907 yards and four TDs. Chambers easily has been the best player from these drafts.
26. BUCCANEERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 19 of 43.
STARTERS: Seven (six on offense; one on defense).
BEST PICK: RB Cadillac Williams, 1st round, No. 5 (2005).
WORST PICK: WR Marquise Walker, 3rd round, No. 86 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Bucs did not have first-round picks in '02 and '03 -- the price for prying coach Jon Gruden from the Raiders. WR Michael Clayton looked good as a rookie but fell off the face of the earth in 2005. QB Chris Simms (third round, '03) looks like a good value pick. Williams helped carry the team to the playoffs as a rookie.
27. 49ERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 29 of 46.
STARTERS: 12 (nine on offense; three on defense; punter Andy Lee).
BEST PICK: CB Shawntae Spencer, 2nd round, No. 58 (2004).
WORST PICK: WR Rashaun Woods, 1st round, No. 31 (2004).
SUMMARY: If QB Alex Smith develops into an upper-echelon player, then the 49ers will consider this era a huge success. The club added a lot of starters through the draft but is thin on star quality. That's why it was so difficult to name a "best pick" from the past five years. TE Eric Johnson (seventh round, '01) had 82 receptions in '04, but has been unable to stay healthy. In 2004, the 49ers could have had a number of good players at No. 16, but GM Terry Donahue traded back twice to end up with Woods and Spencer. Woods was dealt to San Diego, but Spencer looks as if he might develop into a good corner.
28. TEXANS
PICKS ON TEAM: 26 of 39.
STARTERS: 12 (six on offense; six on defense).
BEST PICK: RB Domanick Davis, 4th round, No. 101 (2003).
WORST PICK: RB Tony Hollings, 2nd round, supplemental (2003).
SUMMARY: Houston has not done a good job of capitalizing on its advantageous draft position. In the expansion club's fourth year, the Texans should've been in position to compete for a playoff spot. Instead, they recorded the worst record in the league. They have not given up on QB David Carr, the club's first pick. If he turns into a superstar, these drafts will look a whole lot better. WR Andre Johnson, the third pick in '03, has been to a Pro Bowl.
29. RAIDERS
PICKS ON TEAM: 21 of 41.
STARTERS: Eight (three on offense; five on defense).
BEST PICK: LB Kirk Morrison, 3rd round, No. 78 (2005).
WORST PICK: S Derrick Gibson, 1st round, No. 28 (2001).
SUMMARY: It still might be too early to judge their recent high picks, but certainly T Robert Gallery (No. 2, '04), DE Tyler Brayton (No. 32, '03) and CBs Nnamdi Asomugha (No. 32, '03) and Fabian Washington (No. 23, '05) have yet to distinguish themselves. Morrison, the club's leading tackler as a rookie, edges TE Courtney Anderson and WR Ronald Curry as the best pick during this period. The Raiders missed some great opportunities in '01 and '02. If they'd chosen TE Todd Heap, like Mel Kiper Jr. suggested before the '01 draft (instead of Gibson), they could have picked S Ed Reed the following year rather than LB Napoleon Harris.
30. REDSKINS
PICKS ON TEAM: 14 of 28.
STARTERS: Three (one on offense; two on defense).
BEST PICK: CB Fred Smoot, 2nd round, No. 45 (2001).
WORST PICK: QB Patrick Ramsey, 1st round, No. 32 (2002).
SUMMARY: The Redskins have plucked only three starters from the past five drafts. They have de-emphasized the draft, which might explain why they haven't found any continuity. They're hoping to wipe out the memory of Ramsey with the first-round selection of QB Jason Campbell in '05.
31. LIONS
PICKS ON TEAM: 22 of 38.
STARTERS: Nine (six on offense; three on defense).
BEST PICK: DT Shaun Rogers, 2nd round, No. 61 (2001).
WORST PICK: QB Joey Harrington, 1st round, No. 3 (2002).
SUMMARY: Not only have they failed to net many good players, GM Matt Millen's strategy has been highly questionable. They've selected receivers Charles Rogers (No. 2), Roy Williams (No. 7) and Mike Williams (No. 10) in the past three drafts. Rogers has been a disaster on and off the field. And so was Harrington, who has officially worn out his welcome. It's no surprise the Lions have won only 21 games the past five seasons.
32. BROWNS
PICKS ON TEAM: 20 of 37.
STARTERS: Four (one on offense; three on defense).
BEST PICK: QB Charlie Frye, 3rd round, No. 67 (2005).
WORST PICK: DT Gerard Warren, 1st round, No. 3 (2001).
SUMMARY: The Browns have done a horrendous job. Warren was a bust, but moved on to Denver, where he played well last season. RB William Green was the No. 16 pick in '02 and hasn't performed. TE Kellen Winslow Jr. was more determined to be a motorcycle daredevil than a football player. Perhaps they found a player in Frye.