With the NFL draft in a just a few days I had a thought, why not try a series of posts looking back at drafts. Everyone projects the next draft, gives grades right after, but hardly ever do people go back 2, 5, or even 10 years to see the effect a draft had on a team. I'm going to try to do this everyday but don't hold your breath. So here is my first installment of Draft Revisited.
2004 had a lot of intrigue, Eli Manning didn't want to play for the San Diego Chargers, and he was the consensus #1 overall pick, I think we all remember how that worked out. Eli got traded from San Diego to New York after he had to awkwardly hold the Chargers jersey. In return San Diego got Phillip Rivers the 4th overall pick, they also got a pick they used on Nate Kaeding in the 3rd round. I would say that draft worked out almost even, San Diego got 2 pro bowlers and Rivers has been the face of the franchise for the last decade. Manning has 2 rings but also an assload of interceptions since then. Ok fine New York won. Let's look back at the whole Top 10 and then the notable players selected.
#1 San Diego-Eli Manning-Mississippi, traded to New York Giants, 2 rings later, both of which came at Tom Brady's expense, the guy is ok. Not my favorite but I don't think they win with Rivers.
#2 Oakland-Robert Gallery-Iowa, Never panned out at tackle like he was supposed too. Eventually got moved to guard and was serviceable, just not 2nd pick great, especially when guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Sean Taylor, Jonathan Vilma, and Ben Roethlisberger were available. Another miss in Oakland I say.
#3 Arizona-Larry Fitzgerald-Pittsburgh, in my eyes probably the best player in this draft. The guy is a good QB away from being the best WR in the game. Has been to one Super Bowl and honestly should have better numbers.
#4 New York Giants-Phillip Rivers-NC State, traded to San Diego. He's good, could be better, not sure Big Ben would be better in SD, probably the right call for them, Eli was never going to play there. Only thing getting Rivers did was push Drew Brees out the door, which may be a mistake.
#5 Washington-Sean Taylor-Miami (FL), could've been the best safety in the game, guy had an attitude but was starting to fix it until his untimely death. The Redskins were really set back by his death considering it's not like they get a do over and can get another game changing safety in the top 5. My 2nd favorite Redskins player ever.
#6 Cleveland-Kellen Winslow II-Miami (FL), the guy is out of the league, was a decent player for a few years. I would say another whiff in Cleveland, you don't draft in the top 10 all the time when you make the right picks.
#7 Detroit-Roy Williams-Texas. Well this is the theme Detroit had for a few years, taking a WR in the first round. They whiffed with Charles Rogers, sort of hit with Williams until eventually hitting a home run with Calvin Johnson. I will admit that I loved Roy Williams coming out of Texas, I wanted him for the Skins. However I was wrong, and he is now out of the league.
#8 Atlanta-DeAngelo Hall-Virginia Tech. Dude is a decent player, not as good as he thinks he is, but he's been in the league for 10 years now. He eventually left Atlanta, went to Oakland and is now in Washington. He's found a home with the Skins, he's been very servicable.
#9 Jacksonville-Reggie Williams-Washington. Who? That's right, he's been out of the league for 4 years now, amassed a total of 18 TD's, yeah Jacksonville whiffed bad, imagine Ben in Florida.
#10 Houston Texans-Dunta Robinson-South Carolina. He's still in the league, one of my favorite players in Madden since he always seems to get better. He plays in Atlanta now, he's alright, always been a starter or a nickel back since coming in the league. Once again you can't help but wonder what Ben could do in Houston with Andre Johnson.
That's the top 10 let's look at some other notable picks in the 1st round.
I've mentioned him about 5 times but Big Ben went 11 to Pittsburgh, the rest is 2 rings history.
Jonathan Vilma went 12 to the Jets, he of course was in the middle of the bounty gate in New Orleans, along with #18 pick Will Smith.
Vince Wilfork went to the Patriots and Steven Jackson went to the Rams. Those are about the best picks of the first round.
Some of worst picks are Gallery and of course Reggie Williams. Some other questionable guys Micheal Clayton to Tampa, and JP Lossman to Buffalo. But for sure Williams was the biggest bust. I would say though this first round shook down pretty well, and this class actually stood up for itself, hell they have 4 rings at QB in 9 seasons, that's pretty good.
Let's look at the later rounds, I won't dwell too long here. Colts got Bob Sanders got in the 2nd, he's out of the league now but he did win one defensive player of the year.
The Bears were very focused on the on the front 4, taking Tommie Harris in the 1st and Tank Johnson in the 2nd. They also got Nathan Vasher who a lot of Bears fans loved for a few year.
San Diego had a great draft getting Rivers, Kaeding, Nick Hardwick, Shaun Phillips, and Micheal Turner, probably some of the best players. All of whom have played in Pro Bowls.
Kansas City got Jarred Allen in the late 4th. Probably one of the biggest steals, too bad he didn't pan out for them, but he dominated in Minnesota.
The Redskins took another of my favorite all time players in Chris Cooley in the 3rd.
Matt Schaub was also in the class going in the 3rd to Atlanta.
Gotta give love to Green Bay getting Scott Wells with about 5 picks left in the draft, he worked out alright for them.
Now who do you think is the biggest snub of this draft? Wes Welker went undrafted and signed with guess who, San Diego, further separating themselves as my best draft. Too bad they didn't turn that into a Super Bowl.
Hopefully I'll do a few more before Thursday. Follow me on twitter @derekbredeson
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