Published: Tuesday, April 22, 2008
NFL Draft: How the teams stack up over the last five years
A look at how NFL teams have fared in the draft, and on the field, over the past five years. Rankings are based on how each team’s draft picks have performed during that span.
Up to six points are awarded for each player. A player receives one point if:
A) He plays in half his team’s games;
B) He starts half his team’s games;
C) He was a starter at the end of 2007;
D) He goes to the Pro Bowl;
E) He is still on the team; and,
F) He is still in the league.
The total is then divided by the number of players drafted by that team.
Click on a team name to go to details about that team's performance.
Up to six points are awarded for each player. A player receives one point if:
A) He plays in half his team’s games;
B) He starts half his team’s games;
C) He was a starter at the end of 2007;
D) He goes to the Pro Bowl;
E) He is still on the team; and,
F) He is still in the league.
The total is then divided by the number of players drafted by that team.
Click on a team name to go to details about that team's performance.
| Team | 2007 record | Draft picks (still with team) | Starters/out of league | DRI |
| 1. Arizona | 8-8 | 33 (19) | 12/2 | 3.12 |
| 2. San Diego | 11-5 | 40 (24) | 10/5 | 3.10 |
| 3. Buffalo | 7-9 | 36(22) | 9/7 | 2.61 |
| 4. Baltimore | 5-11 | 42(26) | 11/7 | 2.60 |
| 5t. Atlanta | 4-12 | 37(21) | 9/6 | 2.54 |
| 5t. N.Y. Giants | 10-6 | 37(20) | 9/8 | 2.54 |
| 7. Dallas | 13-3 | 39(22) | 10/7 | 2.54 |
| 8. Indianapolis | 13-3 | 43(25) | 12/9 | 2.53 |
| 9. Jacksonville | 11-5 | 44(26) | 10/8 | 2.52 |
| 10. San Francisco | 5-11 | 46(28) | 9/6 | 2.52 |
| 11. Seattle | 10-6 | 39(22) | 9/7 | 2.46 |
| 12. Cleveland | 10-6 | 38(20) | 8/5 | 2.39 |
| 13. Tennessee | 10-6 | 50 (26) | 12/9 | 2.38 |
| 14. Minnesota | 8-8 | 36 (18) | 11/8 | 2.36 |
| 15. Cincinnati | 7-9 | 42 (22) | 11/8 | 2.36 |
| 16. Carolina | 7-9 | 40 (20) | 10/7 | 2.33 |
| 17. Chicago | 7-9 | 42 (24) | 7/9 | 2.31 |
| 18. N.Y. Jets | 4-12 | 39 (18) | 9/8 | 2.31 |
| 19. Kansas City | 4-12 | 38 (18) | 8/8 | 2.21 |
| 20. Oakland | 4-12 | 44 (23) | 10/11 | 2.18 |
| 21. Houston | 8-8 | 39 (18) | 10/13 | 2.18 |
| 22. New Orleans | 7-9 | 35 (16) | 10/10 | 2.17 |
| 23t. Miami | 1-15 | 38 (20) | 7/8 | 2.11 |
| 23t. Tampa Bay | 9-7 | 46 (24) | 7/9 | 2.11 |
| 25. Philadelphia | 8-8 | 43 (23) | 11/10 | 2.09 |
| 26. New England | 16-0 | 44 (18) | 10/11 | 2.09 |
| 27. Pittsburgh | 10-6 | 38 (19) | 8/9 | 2.08 |
| 28. Washington | 9-7 | 24 (11) | 4/6 | 2.04 |
| 29. Green Bay | 13-3 | 49 (25) | 10/13 | 2.04 |
| 30t. Detroit | 7-9 | 37 (18) | 5/10 | 2.00 |
| 30t. St. Louis | 3-13 | 47 (21) | 7/11 | 2.00 |
| 32. Denver | 7-9 | 37 (12) | 8/19 | 1.54 |
Best and worst
Most starters from past five drafts
12 (Indianapolis, Tennessee and Arizona)
Fewest starters from past five drafts
5 (Detroit)
Most players still on roster from past five drafts
28 (San Francisco)
Fewest players still on roster from past five drafts
11 (Washington)
Most players from last five drafts no longer in league
19 (Denver)
Fewest players from last five drafts no longer in league
2 (Arizona)
Best draft
San Diego Chargers, 2004
Top five picks included DT Igor Olshansky, K Nate Kaeding, C Nick Hardwick and DE Shaun Phillips. Also included Eli Manning, who was quickly traded for fourth overall pick QB Philip Rivers. RB Michael “The Burner” Turner came later.
Worst draft
Denver Broncos, 2003
Of their 10 picks, only two _ T George Foster, who was traded to Detroit, and DT Nick Eason, who is now with Pittsburgh _ are still playing in the NFL
Most successful position taken in Round 1
Tackle (DRI of 4.91)
Least successful position taken in Round 1
Wide receiver (DRI of 3.86)
12 (Indianapolis, Tennessee and Arizona)
Fewest starters from past five drafts
5 (Detroit)
Most players still on roster from past five drafts
28 (San Francisco)
Fewest players still on roster from past five drafts
11 (Washington)
Most players from last five drafts no longer in league
19 (Denver)
Fewest players from last five drafts no longer in league
2 (Arizona)
Best draft
San Diego Chargers, 2004
Top five picks included DT Igor Olshansky, K Nate Kaeding, C Nick Hardwick and DE Shaun Phillips. Also included Eli Manning, who was quickly traded for fourth overall pick QB Philip Rivers. RB Michael “The Burner” Turner came later.
Worst draft
Denver Broncos, 2003
Of their 10 picks, only two _ T George Foster, who was traded to Detroit, and DT Nick Eason, who is now with Pittsburgh _ are still playing in the NFL
Most successful position taken in Round 1
Tackle (DRI of 4.91)
Least successful position taken in Round 1
Wide receiver (DRI of 3.86)
Team details
ARIZONA CARDINALS
DRI (rank): 3.12 (1st)
Overall picks: 33
Still with team: 19
Starters at end of ’07: 12
2003: LB Calvin Pace (recently signed with NYJ), WR Anquan Boldin, LB Gerald Hayes, T Reggie Wells
2004: WR Larry Fitzgerald, LB Karlos Dansby, DT Darnell Dockett, DE Antonio Smith
2005: CB Antrel Rolle
2006: DT Gabe Watson
2007: T Levi Brown, TE Ben Patrick
Out of football: 2
QB John Navarre (2004, seventh) and LB Lance Mitchell (2005, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (L.Fitzgerald, K.Dansby, D.Dockett, A.Stepanovich, A.Smith, N.Leckey, J.Navarre)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (A.Rolle, JJ Arrington, E.Green, D.Blackstock, E.Brown, L.Mitchell, L.McCoy)
Best value pick: DT Darnell Dockett (third round, 2004)
Worst pick: RB J.J. Arrington (second round, 2005)
Overall assessment
Their 2003 and ’04 drafts are the heart of the team, while recent first-round picks Levi Brown, Matt Leinart and Antrel Rolle have potential to continue building foundation.
ATLANTA FALCONS
DRI (rank): 2.54 (5th-t)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 21
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: none
2004: CB DeAngelo Hall (recently traded to OAK), LB Demorrio Williams (recently signed with KC)
2005: WR Roddy White, DT Jonathan Babineaux, LB Michael Boley
2006: T Quinn Ojinnaka
2007: DE Jamaal Anderson, T Justin Blalock, DB Chris Houston
Out of football (6)
WR Jon Olinger (2003, fifth), WR LaTarence Dunbar (2003, sixth), DB Waine Bacon (2003, sixth), DE Demetrin Veal (2003, seventh), DT Chad Lavalais (2004, fifth), RB DeAndra Cobb (2005, sixth) and DT Darrell Shropshire (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (J.Anderson, J.Blalock, C.Houston, L.Robinson, S.Nicholas, M.Milner, T.Lewis, D.Irons, D.Datish, D.Stone, J.Snelling)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (B.Scott, J.Griffith, J.Olinger, L.Dunbar, W.Bacon, D.Veal)
Best value pick: LB Michael Boley (fifth round, 2005)
Worst pick: CB Jimmy Williams (second round, 2006)
Overall assessment
When CB DeAngelo Hall was traded to Oakland, it left the Falcons with no remaining starters from the 2003 and ’04 drafts. The 2007 draft had immediate contributors, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be long-time starters.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
DRI (rank): 2.60 (4th)
Overall picks: 42
Still with team: 26
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: DE Terrell Suggs, DT Jarret Johnson
2004: DT Dwan Edwards, WR Devard Darling
2005: T Adam Terry, G Jason Brown
2006: DT Haloti Ngata, DB David Pittman, S Dawan Landry
2007: G Ben Grubbs, G Marshall Yanda, QB Troy Smith
Out of football (7)
TE Trent Smith (2003, seventh), C Mike Mabry (2003, seventh), DB Antwoine Sanders (2003, seventh), WR Clarence Moore (2004, sixth), QB Josh Harris (2004, sixth), T Brian Rimpf (2004, seventh) and WR Derek Abney (2004, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (B.Grubbs, Y.Figurs, M.Yanda, A.Barnes, L.McClain, T.Smith, P.Burgess)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (D.Edwards, D.Darling, R.Green, J.Harris, C.Moore, D.Abney, B.Rimpf)
Best value pick: S Dawan Landry (fifth round, 2006)
Worst pick: QB Kyle Boller (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Ravens’ DRI was heightened by a 2007 draft class that got forced into action because of injuries to others. Time will tell whether the Troy Smiths of the world continue to get playing time for the Ravens.
BUFFALO BILLS
DRI (rank): 2.61 (3rd)
Overall picks: 36
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: DE Chris Kelsay, CB Terrence McGee
2004: WR Lee Evans
2005: none
2006: DT Kyle Williams, OL Brad Butler, LB Keith Ellison
2007: RB Marshawn Lynch, QB Trent Edwards
Out of football (7)
G Bob Sobieski (2003, fifth), DT Lauvale Sape (2003, sixth), T Dylan McFarland (2004, seventh), RB Jonathan Smith (2004, seventh), RB Lionel Gates (2005, seventh), G Aaron Merz (2006, seventh) and DE C.J. Ah You (2007, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (D.Whitner, J.McCargo, A.Youboty, K.Simpson, K.Williams, B.Butler, K.Ellison, T.Pennington, A.Merz)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (R.Parrish, K.Everett, D.Preston, E.King, J.Geisinger, L.Gates)
Best value pick: LB Keith Ellison (sixth round, 2006)
Worst pick: QB J.P. Losman (first round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The 2004 and 2005 drafts really set the team back, while the 2007 draft was spent trying to replace recent first-round picks like RB Willis McGahee and QB J.P. Losman.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
DRI (rank): 2.33 (16th)
Overall picks: 40
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: T Jordan Gross
2004: T Travelle Wharton, WR Drew Carter
2005: LB Thomas Davis, C Geoff Hangartner
2006: CB Richard Marshell, TE Jeff King
2007: LB Jon Beason, C Ryan Kalil, DE Charles Johnson
Out of football (7)
C Bruce Nelson (2003, second), DB Colin Branch (2003, fourth), WR Walter Young (2003, seventh), FB Casey Moore (2003, seventh), LB Sean Tufts (2004, sixth), QB Stefan Lefors (2005, fourth) and DB Ben Emanuel (2005, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (J.Beason, D.Jarrett, R.Kalil, C.Johnson, R.Robinson, D.Rosario, T.Shaw, C.J. Wilson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Gross, B.Nelson, M.Seidman, R.Manning Jr., C.Branch, K.Moorehead, W.Young, C.Moore)
Best value pick: C Geoff Hangartner (fifth round, 2005)
Worst pick: WR Dwayne Jarrett (second round, 2007)
Overall assessment
The Panthers have had success with fifth-round picks _ WR Drew Carter in 2004, C Geoff Hangartner in 2005, TE Jeff King in 2006 _ but haven’t had a big-time first rounder in a while. Jon Beason, the 2007 first-round pick, could change that.
CHICAGO BEARS
DRI (rank): 2.31 (17th)
Overall picks: 42
Still with team: 24
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: CB Charles Tillman, LB Lance Briggs
2004: DT Tommie Harris, WR Bernard Berrian (recently signed with Minn.)
2005: RB Cedric Benson, QB Kyle Orton
2006: S Danieal Manning
2007: none
Out of football (9)
DE Michael Haynes (2003, first), DT Tron Lafavor (2003, fifth), LB Joe Odom (2003, sixth), RB Brock Forsey (2003, sixth), G Bryan Anderson (2003, seventh), QB Craig Krenzel (2004, fifth), DB Alfonso Marshall (2004, seventh), WR Airese Currie (2005, fifth) and T Aaron Brant (2007, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (D.Manning, D.Hester, D.Dvoracek, J.Williams, M.Anderson, JD Runnels, T.Reed)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2007 (G.Olson, D.Bazuin, G.Wolfe, M.Okwo, J.Beekman, K.Payne, C.Graham, T.McBride, A.Brant)
Best value pick: LB Lance Briggs (third round, 2003)
Worst pick: DE Michael Haynes (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
They’ve been pretty good at finding third-round values, with LB Lance Briggs and WR Bernard Berrian being the most obvious examples. The jury is still out on 2005 class that included RB Cedric Benson and WR Mark Bradley.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
DRI (rank): 2.36 (15th)
Overall picks: 42
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: QB Carson Palmer, FB Jeremi Johnson
2004: LB Landon Johnson, DE Robert Geathers, T Stacy Andrews
2005: none
2006: CB Johnathan Joseph, T Andrew Whitworth, DT Domata Peko
2007: CB Leon Hall, S Marvin White, S Nedu Ndukwe
Out of football (8)
CB Dennis Weathersby (2003, fourth), LB Khalid Abdullah (2003, fifth), DE Elton Patterson (2003, seventh), DB Greg Brooks (2004, seventh), LB Odell Thurman (2005, second), WR Chris Henry (2005, third), QB Reggie McNeal (2006, sixth), LB A.J. Nicholson (2006, fifth) and DT Matt Toeaina (2007, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (J.Joseph, A.Whitworth, F.Rucker, D.Peko, AJ Nicholson, R.McNeal, E.Kilmer, B.Brazell)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (D.Pollack, O.Thurman, C.Henry, E.Ghiaciuc, A.Kieft, T.Perry, J.Fanene)
Best value pick: FB Jeremi Johnson (fourth round, 2003)
Worst pick: LB Odell Thurman (second round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The 2005 draft has been well-chronicled, with first-round pick David Pollack suffering a serious injury and fellow first-day picks Odell Thurman and Chris Henry getting into off-the-field trouble. Overall, the Bengals have been good picking in the fourth round, where they’ve found five starters in the past five years.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
DRI (rank): 2.39 (12th)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: none
2004: TE Kellen Winslow, S Sean Jones
2005: WR Braylon Edwards, S Brodney Pool
2006: LB Kamerion Wimbley, LB D’Qwell Jackson
2007: T Joe Thomas, CB Eric Wright
Out of football (5)
RB Lee Suggs (2003, fourth), DB Antonio Perkins (2005, fourth), LB Nick Speegle (2005, sixth), DT Andrew Hoffman (2005, sixth), DB Justin Hamilton (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (J.Thomas, B.Quinn, E.Wright, B.McDonald, M.Purcell, C.Pittman, S.Steptoe)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Faine, C.Thompson, C.Crocker, L.Suggs, R.Pontbriand, M.Lehan, A.Garay)
Best value pick: S Sean Jones (second round, 2003)
Worst pick: QB Charlie Frye (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Browns have been surprisingly effective on Draft Day, making solid picks and turning in consistent drafts. Eight of Cleveland’s last nine first- or second-round picks are current starters, with QB Brady Quinn being the lone exception.
DALLAS COWBOYS
DRI (rank): 2.54 (7th)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: CB Terence Newman, TE Jason Witten, LB Bradie James
2004: WR Patrick Crayton
2005: LB Demarcus Ware, DE Marcus Spears, RB Marion Barber, DE Chris Canty, DT Jay Ratliff
2006: TE Anthony Fasano
2007: none
Out of football (7)
WR Zuriel Smith (2003, sixth), G Justin Bates (2003, seventh), T Jacob Rogers (2004, second), DB Bruce Thornton (2004, fourth), DB Nathan Jones (2004, seventh), DB Justin Beriault (2005, sixth) and C E.J. Whitley (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2005 (D.Ware, M.Spears, K.Burnett, M.Barber, C.Canty, J.Beriault, R.Petitti, J.Ratliff)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (J.Jones, J.Rogers, S.Peterman, B.Thornton, S.Ryan, N.Jones, P.Crayton)
Best value pick: TE Jason Witten (third round, 2003)
Worst pick: T Jacob Rogers (second round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Cowboys have been successful finding value in the fourth round. They’ve been good on Day 2, with three starters coming from the second day of the 2005 draft alone.
DENVER BRONCOS
DRI (rank): 1.54 (32nd)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 12
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: none
2004: LB D.J. Williams
2005: G Chris Myers
2006: QB Jay Cutler, TE Brandon Scheffler, WR Brandon Marshall, DE Elvis Dumervil, G Chris Kuper
2007: DT Marcus Thomas
Out of football (19)
LB Terry Pierce (2003, second), RB Quentin Griffin (2003, fourth), DE Bryant McNeal (2003, fourth), C Ben Claxton (2003, fifth), WR Adrian Madise (2003, fifth), DE Aaron Hunt (2003, sixth), DE Clint Mitchell (2003, seventh), RB Ahmaad Galloway (2003, seventh), WR Darius Watts (2004, second), S Jeremy LeSueur (2004, third), DB Jeff Shoate (2004, fifth), WR Triandos Luke (2004, sixth), C Josh Sewell (2004, sixth), QB Matt Mauck (2004, seventh), RB Brandon Miree (2004, seventh), QB Bradlee Van Pelt (2004, seventh), CB Darrent Williams (2005, first) and RB Maurice Clarett (2005, third).
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (J.Cutler, T.Scheffler, B.Marshall, E.Dumervil, D.Hixon, C.Kuper, G.Eislinger)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (G.Foster, T.Pierce, Q.Griffin, N.Eason, B.McNeal, B.Claxton, A.Madise, A.Hunt, C.Mitchell, A.Galloway)
Best value pick: G Chris Kuper (fifth round, 2006)
Worst pick: RB Maurice Clarett (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
Denver has annually been the worst team on draft day, but the past two years have shown signs of improvement. Eight of the Broncos’ 10 picks from 2003 are out of the league, while only one player from the ’03 and ’04 drafts (LB D.J. Williams) is still in Denver.
DETROIT LIONS
DRI (rank): 2.00 (30th)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 5
2003: LB Boss Bailey, DE Cory Redding
2004: RB Kevin Jones
2005: none
2006: LB Ernie Sims
2007: WR Calvin Johnson, DB Gerald Alexander
Out of football (10)
WR Charles Rogers (2003, first), RB Artose Pinner (2003, fourth), DB James Davis (2003, fifth), T Ben Johnson (2003, seventh), DB Daniel Adams (2003, seventh), RB Brandon Drumm (2003, seventh), T Kelly Butler (2004, seventh), DE Bill Swancutt (2005, sixth), DE Jonathan Goddard (2005, sixth) and G Fred Matua (2006, seventh).
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Williams, K.Jones, T.Lehman, K.Smith, A.Lewis, K.Butler)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (M.Williams, S.Cody, S.Wilson, D.Orlovsky, B.Swancutt, J.Goddard)
Best value pick: DE Cory Redding (third round, 2003)
Worst pick: WR Charles Rogers (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
After the disasters of Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, the Lions have been more effective on Day 1 than one might assume. The Lions have struggled to get any value in the later rounds.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
DRI (rank): 2.04 (19th)
Overall picks: 49
Still with team: 25
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: LB Nick Barnett
2004: DT Corey Williams (recently signed with Cleve.), G Scott Wells
2005: DB Nick Collins
2006: LB A.J. Hawk, T Daryn Colledge, WR Greg Jennings, OL Jason Spitz
2007: DT Justin Harrell, WR James Jones
Out of football (13)
DT James Lee (2003, fifth), T Brennan Curtin (2003, sixth), WR DeAndrew Rubin (2003, seventh), WR Carl Ford (2003, seventh), LB Steve Josue (2003, seventh), CB Ahmad Carroll (2004, first), DT Donnell Washington (2004, third), P B.J Sander (2004, third), WR Terrence Murphy (2005, second), DB Michael Hawkins (2005, fifth), WR Craig Bragg (2005, sixth), G William Whitticker (2005, seventh), WR Cory Rodgers (2006, fourth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (AJ Hawk, D.Colledge, G.Jennings, A.Hodge, J.Spitz, C.Rodgers, W.Blackmon, I.Martin, T.Moll, J.Jolly, T.Culver, D.Tollefson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (N.Barnett, K.Peterson, J.Lee, H.Hillenmeyer, B.Curtin, C.Johnson, D.Rubin, C.Ford, S.Josue)
Best value pick: DT Corey Williams (sixth round, 2004)
Worst pick: CB Ahmad Carroll (first round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Packers have had good back-to-back drafts, particularly at the receiver position, in building an NFC contender. The most interesting draft pick, of course, is QB Aaron Rodgers, whose progress will be heavily scrutinized over the next couple years. From 2003 through 2005, the Packers got very little out of the draft.
HOUSTON TEXANS
DRI (rank): 2.18 (21st)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: WR Andre Johnson
2004: LB Charlie Anderson
2005: DT Travis Johnson, S C.C. Brown
2006: DE Mario Williams, LB DeMeco Ryans, T Eric Winston, TE Owen Daniels
2007: DT Amobi Okoye, DB Fred Bennett
Out of football (13)
QB Dave Ragone (2003, third), RB Domanick Davis (2003, fourth), QB Drew Henson (2003, sixth), DT Keith Wright (2003, sixth), DB Curry Burns (2003, seventh), C Chance Pearce (2003, seventh), DB Vontez Duff (2004, sixth), DB Jammal Lord (2004, sixth), DE Raheem Orr (2004, seventh), WR Sloan Thomas (2004, seventh), QB B.J Symons (2004, seventh), C Drew Hodgdon (2005, fifth), RB Wali Lundy (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (M.Williams, D.Ryans, C.Spencer, E.Winston, O.Daniels, W.Lundy, D.Anderson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (A.Johnson, B.Joppru, A.Peak, S.Wand, D.Ragone, D.Davis, D.Henson, K.Wright, C.Burns, C.Pearce)
Best value pick: LB DeMeco Ryans (second round, 20065)
Worst pick: TE Ben Joppru (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Texans have made good decisions with their first-round picks over the past five years, perhaps making fans forget the David Carr fiasco. DT Amobi Okoye, DE Mario Williams, DT Travis Johnson, CB Dunta Robinson and WR Andre Johnson have been solid picks for Houston.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
DRI (rank): 2.53 (8th)
Overall picks: 43
Still with team: 25
Starters at end of 2007: 12
2003: TE Dallas Clark
2004: S Bob Sanders, T Jake Scott
2005: DB Marlin Jackson, CB Kelvin Hayden, S Matt Giordano, LB Tyjuan Hagler
2006: RB Joseph Addai, LB Freddie Keiaho, T Charlie Johnson
2007: G Tony Ugoh, DE Keyunta Dawson
Out of football (9)
T Steve Sciullo (2003, fourth), LB Keyon Whiteside (2003, fifth), T Makoa Freitas (2003, sixth), LB Kendyll Pope (2004, fourth), K David Kimball (2004, seventh), DE Vincent Burns (2005, third), DE Jonathan Welsh (2005, fifth), C Robert Hunt (2005, fifth), RB Anthony Davis (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (J.Addai, T.Jennings, F.Keiaho, M.Toudouze, C.Johnson, A.Bethea, TJ Rushing)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (D.Clark, M.Doss, D.Strickland, S.Sciullo, R.Mathis, K.Whiteside, C.June, M.Freitas)
Best value pick: S Bob Sanders (second round, 2004)
Worst pick: DE Vincent Burns (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Colts have made a living off solid, non-flashy picks, particularly in Round 1. They’ve also stumbled on a ton of late-round gems, helping to build an offensive line that has generally been good at protecting Peyton Manning.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
DRI (rank): 2.52 (9th)
Overall picks: 44
Still with team: 26
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: DE Bobby McCray (recently signed with Atlanta)
2004: WR Reggie Williams, WR Ernest Wilford
2005: T Khalif Barnes
2006: TE Marcedes Lewis, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, LB Clint Ingram
2007: S Reggie Nelson, LB Justin Durant, G Uche Nwaneri
Out of football (8)
DE Brandon Green (2003, seventh), DB David Young (2003, sixth), T Marques Ogden (2003, sixth), RB Malaefou MacKenzie (2003, seventh), DB Chris Thompson (2004, fifth), T Sean Bubin (2004, fifth), WR Chad Owens (2005, sixth), DB Demetrice Webb (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (M.Lewis, M. Jones-Drew, C.Ingram, B.Hawkins, J.Wyche, D.Webb)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Williams, D.Smith, G.Jones, J.Cordova, A.Maddox, E.Wilford, J.Scobee, C.Thompson, S.Bubin, B.McCray)
Best value pick: RB Maurice Jones-Drew (second round, 2006)
Worst pick: WR Matt Jones (first round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Jaguars have been pretty successful with their second-round picks, nabbing RB Maurice Jones-Drew, T Khalif Barnes, LB Daryl Smith and CB Rashean Mathis over the years. They haven’t been as successful picking receivers, particularly when it comes to the first round.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
DRI (rank): 2.21 (19th)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: RB Larry Johnson
2004: DE Jared Allen
2005: LB Derek Johnson, T Will Svitek
2006: DE Tamba Hali, DB Bernard Pollard, QB Brodie Croyle
2007: WR Dwayne Bowe
Out of football (8)
DB Julian Battle (2005, third), T Brett Williams (2003, fourth), DT Montique Sharpe (2003, seventh), DB Willie Pile (2003, seventh), WR Jeris McIntyre (2004, sixth), DB Alphonso Hodge (2005, fifth), QB James Kilian (2005, seventh), DB Marcus Maxey (2006, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (T.Hali, B.Pollard, B.Croyle, M.Maxey, T.Stallings, J.Webb, J.Page)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (D.Johnson, D.Colquitt, C.Thorpe, B.Grigsby, A.Hodge, W.Svitek, K.Long, J.Kilian, J.Parquet)
Best value pick: DE Jared Allen (fourth round, 2004)
Worst pick: DT Junior Savii (second round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Chiefs’ lack of big-time talent, especially in the second and third rounds, has been a big reason behind their decline. Draft picks are starting and playing, but too often it’s because they’re the only options available.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
DRI (rank): 2.11 (23rd-t)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: none
2004: G Vernon Carey, C Rex Hadnot (recently signed with Cleve.)
2005: DE Matt Roth
2006: CB Jason Allen
2007: WR Ted Ginn Jr., G Samson Satele, RB Lorenzo Booker
Out of football (8)
LB Eddie Moore (2003, second), G Taylor Whitley (2003, third), WR J.R. Tolver (2003, fifth), DB Corey Jenkins (2003, sixth), T Tim Provost (2003, sixth), DT Davern Williams (2003, seventh), DB Will Poole (2004, fourth), DB Tony Bua (2004, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Brown, M.Roth, C.Crowder, T.Daniels, A.Alabi, K.Vickerson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (E.Moore, W.Smith, T.Whitley, D.Lee, JR Tolver, C.Jenkins, T.Provost, Y.Bell, D.Williams)
Best value pick: G/C Rex Hadnot (sixth round, 2004)
Worst pick: LB Eddie Moore (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Dolphins haven’t had any catastrophic drafts, but they haven’t hit any jackpots either. The jury is still out on first-round picks Ronnie Brown, Ted Ginn Jr. and Jason Allen. The NFL’s worst team needs to make better picks if the Dolphins are going to turn things around for the future.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
DRI (rank): 2.36 (14th)
Overall picks: 36
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: DT Kevin Williams, LB E.J. Henderson
2004: DE Kenechi Udeze (recently diagnosed with form of leukemia)
2005: WR Troy Williamson (has since been traded to Jacksonville)
2006: LB Chad Greenway, DB Cedric Griffin, OL Ryan Cook, QB Tarvaris Jackson
2007: RB Adrian Peterson, CB Marcus McCauley, DE Brian Robison
Out of football (8)
RB Onterrio Smith (2003, fourth), P Eddie Johnson (2003, sixth), LB Michael Nattiel (2003, sixth), WR Keenan Howry (2003, seventh), LB Rod Davis (2004, fifth), DB Deandre Eiland (2004, sixth), RB Ciatrick Fason (2005, fourth), DB Adrian Ward (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (C.Greenway, C.Griffin, R.Cook, T.Jackson, R.Edwards, G.Blue)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (T.Williamson, E.James, M.Johnson, D.Fox, C.Fason, CJ Mosley, A.Ward)
Best value pick: LB E.J. Henderson (second round, 20035)
Worst pick: WR Troy Williamson (first round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Vikings built their defense in the 2003 draft and added an offensive cornerstone in RB Adrian Peterson last year, but the years in between are still under development. The success of the Vikings may well depend on how the 2006 class continues to grow, particularly QB Tarvaris Jackson.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
DRI (rank): 2.09 (26th)
Overall picks: 44
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: DE Ty Warren, CB Asante Samuel (recently signed with Phil.), C Dan Koppen
2004: DL Vince Wilfork, TE Ben Watson
2005: G Logan Mankins, CB Ellis Hobbs, S James Sanders
2006: RB Laurence Maroney, G Ryan O’Callaghan
2007: none
Out of football (11)
WR Bethel Johnson (2003, second), QB Kliff Kingsbury (2003, sixth), TE Spencer Nead (2003, seventh), DE Marquise Hill (2004, second), S Guss Scott (2004, third), DB Dexter Reid (2004, fourth), RB Cedric Cobbs (2004, fourth), WR P.K. Sam (2004, fifth), LB Ryan Claridge (2005, fifth), TE Andy Stokes (2005, seventh), LB Oscar Lua (2007, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2005 (L.Mankins, E.Hobbs, N.Kaczur, J.Sanders, R.Claridge, M.Cassel, A.Stokes)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2007 (B.Meriweather, K.Brown, C.Oldenburg, J.Rogers, M.Richardson, J.Hairston, C.Hilliard, O.Lua, M.Elgin)
Best value pick: C Dan Koppen (fifth round, 2003)
Worst pick: WR Bethel Johnson (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The NFL’s top team has built the nuts and bolts of its engine through the draft, but recent picks have had to wait behind veterans for playing time. If the DRI is any indication, New England’s run could be nearing an end when the aging stars start retiring.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
DRI (rank): 2.17 (22nd)
Overall picks: 35
Still with team: 16
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: T Jon Stinchcomb
2004: DE Will Smith, WR Devery Henderson, FB Mike Karney
2005: T Jammal Brown, S Josh Bullocks
2006: RB Reggie Bush, DB Roman Harper, T Jahri Evans
2007: none
Out of football (10)
DT Johnathan Sullivan (2003, first), LB Willie Grant (2003, third), DE Melvin Williams (2003, fifth), WR Kareem Kelly (2003, sixth), WR Talman Gardner (2003, seventh), LB Courtney Watson (2004, second), LB Colby Bockwoldt (2004, seventh), QB Adrian McPherson (2005, fifth) and DB Josh Lay (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (R.Bush, R.Harper, J.Evans, R.Ninkovich, M.Hass, J.Lay, Z.Strief, M.Colston)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Sullivan, J.Stinchcomb, W.Grant, M.Holland, M.Williams, K.Kelly, T.Gardner)
Best value pick: WR Marques Colston (seventh round, 2006)
Worst pick: DT Johnathan Sullivan (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Had some success in first two rounds, but the Saints haven’t found many contributors in Round 3. New Orleans has been able to get production from late picks like WR Marques Colston. Last two first rounders, RB Reggie Bush and WR Robert Meachem, still have something to prove.
NEW YORK GIANTS
DRI (rank): 2.54 (5th-t)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: DE Osi Umenyiora, G David Diehl
2004: QB Eli Manning (drafted by SD but acquired on draft day), G Chris Snee, DE Reggie Torbor (recently signed with Mia.), S Gibril Wilson (recently signed with Oak.)
2005: RB Brandon Jacobs
2006: DT Barry Cofield
2007: CB Aaron Ross, TE Kevin Boss
Out of football (8)
DB Roderick Babers (2003, fourth), WR Willie Ponder (2003, sixth), DB Charles Drake (2003, seventh), C Wayne Lucier (2003, seventh), WR Jamaar Taylor (2004, sixth), T Drew Strojny (2004, seventh), DE Isaac Hilton (2004, seventh), DB Gerrick McPhearson (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (A.Ross, S.Smith, J.Alford, Z.DeOssie, K.Boss, A.Koets, M.Johnson, A.Bradshaw)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (W.Joseph, O.Umenyiora, V.Shiancoe, R.Babers, D.Diehl, W.Ponder, F.Walker, D.Tyree, C.Drake, W.Lucier, K.Walter)
Best value pick: RB Brandon Jacobs (fourth round, 2005)
Worst pick: DT William Joseph (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
It says a lot when the “worst” draft of the past five years included Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora, starting G Dave Diehl and Super Bowl hero David Tyree. The Giants haven’t had any bad drafts recently, which is a big reason why they took home the big prize in February. Even last year’s draft class made huge contributions as rookies.
NEW YORK JETS
DRI (rank): 2.31 (18th)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: DT Dwayne Robertson
2004: WR Jerricho Cotchery
2005: S Kerry Rhodes
2006: T D’Brickashaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold, QB Kellen Clemens, DB Eric Smith
2007: CB Darrelle Revis, LB David Harris
Out of football (8)
DB Derek Pagel (2003, fifth), DE Matthew Walters (2003, fifth), T Dave Yovanovits (2003, seventh), DB Derrick Strait (2004, third), T Marko Cavka (2004, sixth), DB Rashad Washington (2004, seventh), DB Andre Maddox (2005, fifth), RB Cedric Houston (2005, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (D.Revis, D.Harris, J.Bender, C.Stuckey)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (D.Robertson, V.Hobson, BJ Askew, D.Pagel, M.Walters, B.Bollinger, D.Yovanovits)
Best value pick: WR Jerricho Cotchery (fourth round, 2004)
Worst pick: CB Derrick Strait (third round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Jets, a playoff contender in 2006, had to force some of their young draft picks into action last year. The draft picks have contributed, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be long-term answers. The Jets have been pretty good drafting in the first round, with Jonathan Vilma, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis coming out of the past four drafts.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
DRI (rank): 2.18 (20th)
Overall picks: 44
Still with team: 23
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: CB Nnamdi Asomugha
2004: OL Robert Gallery
2005: DB Stanford Routt, LB Kirk Morrison
2006: S Michael Huff, LB Thomas Howard, G Paul McQuistan
2007: QB JaMarcus Russell, TE Zach Miller, DE Jay Richardson
Out of football (11)
DE Shurron Pierson (2003, seventh), T Dustin Rykert (2003, sixth), DB Siddeeq Shabazz (2003, seventh), WR Ryan Hoag (2003, seventh), WR Carlos Francis (2004, third), WR Johnnie Morant (2004, fifth), DE Shawn Johnson (2004, sixth), LB Andre Sommersell (2004, seventh), DT Anttaj Hawthorne (2005, sixth), DE Ryan Riddle (2005, sixth), WR Kevin McMahan (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (M.Huff, T.Howard, P.McQuistan, D.Bing, K.Boothe, C.Morris, K.McMahan)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Gallery, J.Grove, S.Schweigert, C.Francis, J.Morant, S.Johnson, C.Spencer, C.Anderson, A.Sommersell)
Best value pick: LB Kirk Morrison (third round, 2005)
Worst pick: TE Teyo Johnson (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Raiders haven’t had that big-time draft in recent years. The serviceable starters might not be playing for better teams. If recent picks like QB JaMarcus Russell, TE Zach Miller and S Michael Huff become Pro Bowlers, the Raiders could turn into a contender.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DRI (rank): 2.09 (25th)
Overall picks: 43
Still with team: 23
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: none
2004: DB J.R. Reed, FB Thomas Tapeh (recently signed with Minn.)
2005: DT Mike Patterson, WR Reggie Brown, T Todd Herremans, LB Trent Cole
2006: DT Brodrick Bunkley, DE Chris Gocong, LB Omar Gaither
2007: TE Brent Celek
Out of football (10)
DE Jamaal Green (2003, fourth), S Norman Lejeune (2003, seventh), QB Andy Hall (2004, sixth), G Adrien Clarke (2004, seventh), RB Bruce Perry (2004, seventh), C Dominic Furio (2004, seventh), T Calvin Armstrong (2005, sixth), DT Keyonta Marshall (2005, seventh) and LB David Bergeron (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2005 (M.Patterson, R.Brown, M.McCoy, R.Moats, S.Considine, T.Herremans, T.Cole, S.Young, C.Armstrong, K.Marshall, D.Bergeron)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (S.Andrews, M.Ware, JR Reed, T.Darilek, T.Tapeh, A.Hall, D.Wynn, A.Clarke, B.Perry, D.Furio)
Best value pick: TE L.J. Smith (second round, 2003)
Worst pick: DE Jerome McDougle (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Eagles have done a nice job building up both sides of the line, but are still relying on older players like Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb at the skill positions. The WR position has been particularly frustrating for Eagles fans, although Reggie Brown might develop into go-to guy. Sixth- and seventh-round picks have been somewhat useless.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
DRI (rank): 2.08 (27th)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 19
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: S Troy Polamalu
2004: QB Ben Roethlisberger, T Max Starks
2005: TE Heath Miller
2006: WR Santonio Holmes, S Anthony Smith, G Willie Colon, TE Charles Davis
2007: none
Out of football (9)
DE Alonzo Jackson (2003, second), RB J.T. Wall (2003, seventh), DE Nathaniel Adibi (2004, fifth), T Bo Lacy (2004, sixth), TE Matt Kranchick (2004, sixth), C Drew Caylor (2004, sixth), WR Fred Gibson (2005, fourth), QB Omar Jacobs (2006, fifth) and RB Cedric Humes (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (S.Holmes, A.Smith, W.Reid, W.Colon, O.Harris, O.Jacobs, C.Davis, M.Philip, C.Humes)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (B.Roethlisberger, R.Colcough, M.Starks, N.Adibi, B.Lacy, M.Kranchick, D.Caylor, E.Taylor)
Best value pick: T Max Starks (third round, 2004)
Worst pick: DE Alonzo Jackson (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Solid, but unspectacular drafts. Second rounders haven’t panned out like the third- and fourth-round picks have. Three first rounders between 2003 and 2005 helped bring Super Bowl title, but past two drafts are still works in progress.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
DRI (rank): 2.00 (30th-t)
Overall picks: 47
Still with team: 21
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: none
2004: RB Steven Jackson
2005: T Alex Barron, CB Ronald Bartell, S Oshiomogho Atogwe
2006: TE Joe Klopfenstein, DE Victor Adeyanju
2007: DT Adam Carriker
Out of football (11)
CB DeJuan Groce (2003, fourth), TE Dan Curley (2003, fifth), DB Shane Walton (2003, fifth), DB Kevin Garrett (2003, fifth), G Scott Tercero (2003, sixth), DB Jason Shivers (2004, fifth), QB Jeff Smoker (2004, sixth), TE Erik Jensen (2004, seventh), T Larry Turner (2004, seventh), G Claude Terrell (2005, fourth) and T Ken Shackleford (2007, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (T.Hill, J.Klopfenstein, C.Wroten, J.Alston, D.Byrd, V.Adeyanju, M.Hagans, T.McGarigle, M.Setterstrom, T.Palmer)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Kennedy, P.Tinoisamoa, K.Curtis, S.McDonald, D.Groce, D.Curley, S.Walton, K.Garrett, S.Tercero, S.Shanle, R.Angulo)
Best value pick: TE Joe Klopfenstein (second round, 2006)
Worst pick: DT Jimmy Kennedy (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
It’s never good when more draft picks are out of football (11) than are in the starting lineup (seven). The Rams just haven’t drafted well, for whatever reason. They’ve been more successful when they go for best player available (RB Steven Jackson, WR Kevin Curtis) than when they draft for need (DT Jimmy Kennedy, CB Tye Hill).
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
DRI (rank): 3.10 (2nd)
Overall picks: 40
Still with team: 24
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: LB Matt Wilhelm
2004: QB Philip Rivers (drafted by NYG but traded on draft day), DT Igor Olshansky, C Nick Hardwick, DE Shaun Phillips
2005: LB Shawne Merriman, DT Luis Castillo, WR Vincent Jackson
2006: CB Antonio Cromartie, T Marcus McNeill, T Jeromey Clary
2007: none
Out of football (5)
S Terrance Kiel (2003, second), G Courtney Van Buren (2003, third), T Carlos Joseph (2004, seventh), G Wes Sims (2005, sixth), K Kurt Smith (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (P.Rivers, I.Olshanski, N.Kaeding, N.Hardwick, S.Phillips, D.Ball, M.Turner, R.Krause, R.Bingham, S.Olivea, C.Joseph)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (S.Davis, D.Florence, T.Kiel, C.Van Buren, M.Wilhelm, M.Scifres, H.Milligan, A.Pinnock)
Best value pick: T Marcus McNeill (second round, 2006)
Worst pick: CB Sammy Davis (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Had the NFL’s best three-year span of drafts between 2004 and 2006, adding to a team that used to be LaDainian Tomlinson and not much else. San Diego has been particularly effective in Round 2 (two-time Pro Bowler Marcus McNeill, WR Vincent Jackson and DT Igor Olshansky) and has found some serviceable players in the seventh round as well.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
DRI (rank): 2.52 (10th)
Overall picks: 46
Still with team: 28
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: WR Arnaz Battle
2004: none
2005: C David Baas, RB Frank Gore, G Adam Snyder
2006: TE Vernon Davis, LB Manny Lawson
2007: LB Patrick Willis, T Joe Staley
Out of football (6)
DE Andrew Williams (2003, third), WR Rashaun Woods (2004, first), LB Richard Seigler (2004, fourth), QB Cody Pickett (2004, seventh), DT Christian Ferrara (2004, seventh), WR Rasheed Marshall (2005, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (P.Willis, J.Staley, J.Hill, R.McDonald, J.Moore, D.Goldson, J.Cohen, T.Brown, T.Clayton)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Woods, J.Smiley, S.Spencer, D.Hamilton, I.Sopoaga, R.Seigler, A.Lee, K.Lewis, C.Pickett, C.Ferrara)
Best value pick: RB Frank Gore (third round, 2005)
Worst pick: WR Rashaun Woods (first round, 2004)
Overall assessment
For all their picks over the years, the Niners have had a remarkably low number (six) of picks who are no longer in the league. They had a great draft last year, with two first-round picks who immediately contributed. The last three drafts have been a step in the right direction.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DRI (rank): 2.46 (11th)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: CB Marcus Trufant
2004: T Sean Locklear
2005: C Chris Spencer, LB Lofa Tatupu, LB Leroy Hill
2006: CB Kelly Jennings, DE Darryl Tapp, G Rob Sims
2007: DT Brandon Mebane
Out of football (7)
LB Solomon Bates (2003, fourth), RB Chris Davis (2003, fifth), WR Taco Wallace (2003, seventh), DE Jeb Huckeba (2005, fifth), TE Tony Jackson (2005, sixth), LB Cornelius Wortham (2005, seventh), T Doug Nienhuis (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (K.Jennings, D.Tapp, R.Sims, D.Kirtman, R.Plackemeier, B.Obomanu)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (M.Trufant, K.Hamlin, W.Hunter, S.Wallace, S.Bates, C.Davis, R.Moore, J.Brown, T.Wallace)
Best value pick: LB Lofa Tatupu (second round, 2005)
Worst pick: QB David Greene (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
For all the draft-day hits (Lofa Tatupu, Marcus Trufant), big trades (Matt Hasselbeck, Deion Branch) and free-agent signings (Patrick Kerney, Julian Peterson), the Seahawks’ future might be more about how some recent draft picks like Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, Ben Obomanu and Darryl Tapp improve.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
DRI (rank): 2.11 (23rd-t)
Overall picks: 46
Still with team: 24
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: none
2004: WR Michael Clayton
2005: TE Alex Smith
2006: G Davin Joseph, T Jeremy Trueblood
2007: DE Gaines Adams, T Arron Sears, S Tanard Jackson
Out of football (9)
T Lance Nimmo (2003, fourth), C Austin King (2003, fourth), CB Lenny Williams (2004, seventh), T Chris Colmer (2005, third), WR Larry Brackins (2005, fifth), DT Anthony Bryant (2005, sixth), RB Rick Razzano (2005, seventh), DB Alan Zemaitis (2006, fourth), TE T.J. Williams (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (G.Adams, A.Sears, S.Piscitelli, Q.Black, T.Jackson, G.Peterson, A.Hayward, C.Denman, M.Hamilton, K.Darby)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (D.White, C.Simms, L.Nimmo, A.King, S.Mahan, T.Cox)
Best value pick: TE Alex Smith (third round, 2005)
Worst pick: T Chris Colmer (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Buccaneers seem to have figure it out as they’ve gone along. Or, more likely, they’ve benefited from the higher picks that come with losing records. The last two drafts have brought some talent and three starters on the offensive line. But the Bucs have been snake-bit at the skill positions, where RB Cadillac Williams and QB Chris Simms have seen their careers derailed by injuries.
TENNESSEE TITANS
DRI (rank): 2.38 (13th)
Overall picks: 50
Still with team: 26
Starters at end of 2007: 12
2003: none
2004: DE Travis LaBoy (recently signed with Ariz.), C Eugene Amano
2005: T Michael Roos, T David Stewart, WR Roydell Williams, TE Bo Scaife
2006: QB Vince Young, RB LenDale White, DB Calvin Lowry, LB Stephen Tulloch, DB Cortland Finnegan
2007: S Michael Griffin
Out of football (9)
WR Tyrone Calico (2003, second), DT Rien Long (2003, fourth), G Todd Williams (2003, seventh), CB Rich Gardner (2004, third), DT Jared Clauss (2004, seventh), FB Damien Nash (2005, sixth), DT Jesse Mahelona (2006, fifth), LB Spencer Toone (2006, seventh) and DB Ryan Smith (2007, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (V.Young, L.White, C.Lowry, S.Tulloch, T.Nande, J.Mahelona, J.Orr, C.Finnegan, S.Toone, Q.Ganther)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (A.Woolfolk, T.Calico, C.Brown, R.Long, D.Nickey, T.Williams)
Best value pick: C Eugene Amano (seventh round, 2004)
Worst pick: CB Andre Woolfolk (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
With more picks than any other team in the past five drafts, Tennessee has fortified its roster. The Titans have found more good defensive backs in the later rounds than they have in Round 1 (Pacman Jones, Andre Woolfolk). The fourth and seventh rounds have brought some gems, but the Titans need more out of high picks like Vince Young.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
DRI (rank): 2.04 (28th-t)
Overall picks: 24
Still with team: 11
Starters at end of 2007: 4
2003: none
2004: TE Chris Cooley
2005: none
2006: DT Anthony Montgomery, S Reed Doughty
2007: S LaRon Landry
Out of football (6)
S Sean Taylor (2004, first), T Jim Molinaro (2004, sixth), RB Manuel White (2005, fourth), LB Jared Newberry (2005, sixth), G Kili Lefotu (2006, seventh) and LB Kevin Simon (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (S.Taylor, C.Cooley, M.Wilson, J.Molinaro)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (C.Rogers, J.Campbell, M.White, R.McCune, J.Newberry, N.Broughton)
Best value pick: TE Chris Cooley (third round, 2004)
Worst pick: WR Taylor Jacobs (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Washington has had to make the most out of very little, having dealt most of its picks away. The jury is still out on the 2005 draft that included CB Carlos Rogers and QB Jason Campbell, while the 2006-07 drafts have included some immediate contributors.
DRI (rank): 3.12 (1st)
Overall picks: 33
Still with team: 19
Starters at end of ’07: 12
2003: LB Calvin Pace (recently signed with NYJ), WR Anquan Boldin, LB Gerald Hayes, T Reggie Wells
2004: WR Larry Fitzgerald, LB Karlos Dansby, DT Darnell Dockett, DE Antonio Smith
2005: CB Antrel Rolle
2006: DT Gabe Watson
2007: T Levi Brown, TE Ben Patrick
Out of football: 2
QB John Navarre (2004, seventh) and LB Lance Mitchell (2005, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (L.Fitzgerald, K.Dansby, D.Dockett, A.Stepanovich, A.Smith, N.Leckey, J.Navarre)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (A.Rolle, JJ Arrington, E.Green, D.Blackstock, E.Brown, L.Mitchell, L.McCoy)
Best value pick: DT Darnell Dockett (third round, 2004)
Worst pick: RB J.J. Arrington (second round, 2005)
Overall assessment
Their 2003 and ’04 drafts are the heart of the team, while recent first-round picks Levi Brown, Matt Leinart and Antrel Rolle have potential to continue building foundation.
ATLANTA FALCONS
DRI (rank): 2.54 (5th-t)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 21
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: none
2004: CB DeAngelo Hall (recently traded to OAK), LB Demorrio Williams (recently signed with KC)
2005: WR Roddy White, DT Jonathan Babineaux, LB Michael Boley
2006: T Quinn Ojinnaka
2007: DE Jamaal Anderson, T Justin Blalock, DB Chris Houston
Out of football (6)
WR Jon Olinger (2003, fifth), WR LaTarence Dunbar (2003, sixth), DB Waine Bacon (2003, sixth), DE Demetrin Veal (2003, seventh), DT Chad Lavalais (2004, fifth), RB DeAndra Cobb (2005, sixth) and DT Darrell Shropshire (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (J.Anderson, J.Blalock, C.Houston, L.Robinson, S.Nicholas, M.Milner, T.Lewis, D.Irons, D.Datish, D.Stone, J.Snelling)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (B.Scott, J.Griffith, J.Olinger, L.Dunbar, W.Bacon, D.Veal)
Best value pick: LB Michael Boley (fifth round, 2005)
Worst pick: CB Jimmy Williams (second round, 2006)
Overall assessment
When CB DeAngelo Hall was traded to Oakland, it left the Falcons with no remaining starters from the 2003 and ’04 drafts. The 2007 draft had immediate contributors, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be long-time starters.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
DRI (rank): 2.60 (4th)
Overall picks: 42
Still with team: 26
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: DE Terrell Suggs, DT Jarret Johnson
2004: DT Dwan Edwards, WR Devard Darling
2005: T Adam Terry, G Jason Brown
2006: DT Haloti Ngata, DB David Pittman, S Dawan Landry
2007: G Ben Grubbs, G Marshall Yanda, QB Troy Smith
Out of football (7)
TE Trent Smith (2003, seventh), C Mike Mabry (2003, seventh), DB Antwoine Sanders (2003, seventh), WR Clarence Moore (2004, sixth), QB Josh Harris (2004, sixth), T Brian Rimpf (2004, seventh) and WR Derek Abney (2004, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (B.Grubbs, Y.Figurs, M.Yanda, A.Barnes, L.McClain, T.Smith, P.Burgess)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (D.Edwards, D.Darling, R.Green, J.Harris, C.Moore, D.Abney, B.Rimpf)
Best value pick: S Dawan Landry (fifth round, 2006)
Worst pick: QB Kyle Boller (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Ravens’ DRI was heightened by a 2007 draft class that got forced into action because of injuries to others. Time will tell whether the Troy Smiths of the world continue to get playing time for the Ravens.
BUFFALO BILLS
DRI (rank): 2.61 (3rd)
Overall picks: 36
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: DE Chris Kelsay, CB Terrence McGee
2004: WR Lee Evans
2005: none
2006: DT Kyle Williams, OL Brad Butler, LB Keith Ellison
2007: RB Marshawn Lynch, QB Trent Edwards
Out of football (7)
G Bob Sobieski (2003, fifth), DT Lauvale Sape (2003, sixth), T Dylan McFarland (2004, seventh), RB Jonathan Smith (2004, seventh), RB Lionel Gates (2005, seventh), G Aaron Merz (2006, seventh) and DE C.J. Ah You (2007, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (D.Whitner, J.McCargo, A.Youboty, K.Simpson, K.Williams, B.Butler, K.Ellison, T.Pennington, A.Merz)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (R.Parrish, K.Everett, D.Preston, E.King, J.Geisinger, L.Gates)
Best value pick: LB Keith Ellison (sixth round, 2006)
Worst pick: QB J.P. Losman (first round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The 2004 and 2005 drafts really set the team back, while the 2007 draft was spent trying to replace recent first-round picks like RB Willis McGahee and QB J.P. Losman.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
DRI (rank): 2.33 (16th)
Overall picks: 40
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: T Jordan Gross
2004: T Travelle Wharton, WR Drew Carter
2005: LB Thomas Davis, C Geoff Hangartner
2006: CB Richard Marshell, TE Jeff King
2007: LB Jon Beason, C Ryan Kalil, DE Charles Johnson
Out of football (7)
C Bruce Nelson (2003, second), DB Colin Branch (2003, fourth), WR Walter Young (2003, seventh), FB Casey Moore (2003, seventh), LB Sean Tufts (2004, sixth), QB Stefan Lefors (2005, fourth) and DB Ben Emanuel (2005, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (J.Beason, D.Jarrett, R.Kalil, C.Johnson, R.Robinson, D.Rosario, T.Shaw, C.J. Wilson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Gross, B.Nelson, M.Seidman, R.Manning Jr., C.Branch, K.Moorehead, W.Young, C.Moore)
Best value pick: C Geoff Hangartner (fifth round, 2005)
Worst pick: WR Dwayne Jarrett (second round, 2007)
Overall assessment
The Panthers have had success with fifth-round picks _ WR Drew Carter in 2004, C Geoff Hangartner in 2005, TE Jeff King in 2006 _ but haven’t had a big-time first rounder in a while. Jon Beason, the 2007 first-round pick, could change that.
CHICAGO BEARS
DRI (rank): 2.31 (17th)
Overall picks: 42
Still with team: 24
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: CB Charles Tillman, LB Lance Briggs
2004: DT Tommie Harris, WR Bernard Berrian (recently signed with Minn.)
2005: RB Cedric Benson, QB Kyle Orton
2006: S Danieal Manning
2007: none
Out of football (9)
DE Michael Haynes (2003, first), DT Tron Lafavor (2003, fifth), LB Joe Odom (2003, sixth), RB Brock Forsey (2003, sixth), G Bryan Anderson (2003, seventh), QB Craig Krenzel (2004, fifth), DB Alfonso Marshall (2004, seventh), WR Airese Currie (2005, fifth) and T Aaron Brant (2007, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (D.Manning, D.Hester, D.Dvoracek, J.Williams, M.Anderson, JD Runnels, T.Reed)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2007 (G.Olson, D.Bazuin, G.Wolfe, M.Okwo, J.Beekman, K.Payne, C.Graham, T.McBride, A.Brant)
Best value pick: LB Lance Briggs (third round, 2003)
Worst pick: DE Michael Haynes (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
They’ve been pretty good at finding third-round values, with LB Lance Briggs and WR Bernard Berrian being the most obvious examples. The jury is still out on 2005 class that included RB Cedric Benson and WR Mark Bradley.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
DRI (rank): 2.36 (15th)
Overall picks: 42
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: QB Carson Palmer, FB Jeremi Johnson
2004: LB Landon Johnson, DE Robert Geathers, T Stacy Andrews
2005: none
2006: CB Johnathan Joseph, T Andrew Whitworth, DT Domata Peko
2007: CB Leon Hall, S Marvin White, S Nedu Ndukwe
Out of football (8)
CB Dennis Weathersby (2003, fourth), LB Khalid Abdullah (2003, fifth), DE Elton Patterson (2003, seventh), DB Greg Brooks (2004, seventh), LB Odell Thurman (2005, second), WR Chris Henry (2005, third), QB Reggie McNeal (2006, sixth), LB A.J. Nicholson (2006, fifth) and DT Matt Toeaina (2007, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (J.Joseph, A.Whitworth, F.Rucker, D.Peko, AJ Nicholson, R.McNeal, E.Kilmer, B.Brazell)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (D.Pollack, O.Thurman, C.Henry, E.Ghiaciuc, A.Kieft, T.Perry, J.Fanene)
Best value pick: FB Jeremi Johnson (fourth round, 2003)
Worst pick: LB Odell Thurman (second round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The 2005 draft has been well-chronicled, with first-round pick David Pollack suffering a serious injury and fellow first-day picks Odell Thurman and Chris Henry getting into off-the-field trouble. Overall, the Bengals have been good picking in the fourth round, where they’ve found five starters in the past five years.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
DRI (rank): 2.39 (12th)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: none
2004: TE Kellen Winslow, S Sean Jones
2005: WR Braylon Edwards, S Brodney Pool
2006: LB Kamerion Wimbley, LB D’Qwell Jackson
2007: T Joe Thomas, CB Eric Wright
Out of football (5)
RB Lee Suggs (2003, fourth), DB Antonio Perkins (2005, fourth), LB Nick Speegle (2005, sixth), DT Andrew Hoffman (2005, sixth), DB Justin Hamilton (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (J.Thomas, B.Quinn, E.Wright, B.McDonald, M.Purcell, C.Pittman, S.Steptoe)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Faine, C.Thompson, C.Crocker, L.Suggs, R.Pontbriand, M.Lehan, A.Garay)
Best value pick: S Sean Jones (second round, 2003)
Worst pick: QB Charlie Frye (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Browns have been surprisingly effective on Draft Day, making solid picks and turning in consistent drafts. Eight of Cleveland’s last nine first- or second-round picks are current starters, with QB Brady Quinn being the lone exception.
DALLAS COWBOYS
DRI (rank): 2.54 (7th)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: CB Terence Newman, TE Jason Witten, LB Bradie James
2004: WR Patrick Crayton
2005: LB Demarcus Ware, DE Marcus Spears, RB Marion Barber, DE Chris Canty, DT Jay Ratliff
2006: TE Anthony Fasano
2007: none
Out of football (7)
WR Zuriel Smith (2003, sixth), G Justin Bates (2003, seventh), T Jacob Rogers (2004, second), DB Bruce Thornton (2004, fourth), DB Nathan Jones (2004, seventh), DB Justin Beriault (2005, sixth) and C E.J. Whitley (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2005 (D.Ware, M.Spears, K.Burnett, M.Barber, C.Canty, J.Beriault, R.Petitti, J.Ratliff)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (J.Jones, J.Rogers, S.Peterman, B.Thornton, S.Ryan, N.Jones, P.Crayton)
Best value pick: TE Jason Witten (third round, 2003)
Worst pick: T Jacob Rogers (second round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Cowboys have been successful finding value in the fourth round. They’ve been good on Day 2, with three starters coming from the second day of the 2005 draft alone.
DENVER BRONCOS
DRI (rank): 1.54 (32nd)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 12
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: none
2004: LB D.J. Williams
2005: G Chris Myers
2006: QB Jay Cutler, TE Brandon Scheffler, WR Brandon Marshall, DE Elvis Dumervil, G Chris Kuper
2007: DT Marcus Thomas
Out of football (19)
LB Terry Pierce (2003, second), RB Quentin Griffin (2003, fourth), DE Bryant McNeal (2003, fourth), C Ben Claxton (2003, fifth), WR Adrian Madise (2003, fifth), DE Aaron Hunt (2003, sixth), DE Clint Mitchell (2003, seventh), RB Ahmaad Galloway (2003, seventh), WR Darius Watts (2004, second), S Jeremy LeSueur (2004, third), DB Jeff Shoate (2004, fifth), WR Triandos Luke (2004, sixth), C Josh Sewell (2004, sixth), QB Matt Mauck (2004, seventh), RB Brandon Miree (2004, seventh), QB Bradlee Van Pelt (2004, seventh), CB Darrent Williams (2005, first) and RB Maurice Clarett (2005, third).
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (J.Cutler, T.Scheffler, B.Marshall, E.Dumervil, D.Hixon, C.Kuper, G.Eislinger)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (G.Foster, T.Pierce, Q.Griffin, N.Eason, B.McNeal, B.Claxton, A.Madise, A.Hunt, C.Mitchell, A.Galloway)
Best value pick: G Chris Kuper (fifth round, 2006)
Worst pick: RB Maurice Clarett (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
Denver has annually been the worst team on draft day, but the past two years have shown signs of improvement. Eight of the Broncos’ 10 picks from 2003 are out of the league, while only one player from the ’03 and ’04 drafts (LB D.J. Williams) is still in Denver.
DETROIT LIONS
DRI (rank): 2.00 (30th)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 5
2003: LB Boss Bailey, DE Cory Redding
2004: RB Kevin Jones
2005: none
2006: LB Ernie Sims
2007: WR Calvin Johnson, DB Gerald Alexander
Out of football (10)
WR Charles Rogers (2003, first), RB Artose Pinner (2003, fourth), DB James Davis (2003, fifth), T Ben Johnson (2003, seventh), DB Daniel Adams (2003, seventh), RB Brandon Drumm (2003, seventh), T Kelly Butler (2004, seventh), DE Bill Swancutt (2005, sixth), DE Jonathan Goddard (2005, sixth) and G Fred Matua (2006, seventh).
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Williams, K.Jones, T.Lehman, K.Smith, A.Lewis, K.Butler)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (M.Williams, S.Cody, S.Wilson, D.Orlovsky, B.Swancutt, J.Goddard)
Best value pick: DE Cory Redding (third round, 2003)
Worst pick: WR Charles Rogers (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
After the disasters of Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, the Lions have been more effective on Day 1 than one might assume. The Lions have struggled to get any value in the later rounds.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
DRI (rank): 2.04 (19th)
Overall picks: 49
Still with team: 25
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: LB Nick Barnett
2004: DT Corey Williams (recently signed with Cleve.), G Scott Wells
2005: DB Nick Collins
2006: LB A.J. Hawk, T Daryn Colledge, WR Greg Jennings, OL Jason Spitz
2007: DT Justin Harrell, WR James Jones
Out of football (13)
DT James Lee (2003, fifth), T Brennan Curtin (2003, sixth), WR DeAndrew Rubin (2003, seventh), WR Carl Ford (2003, seventh), LB Steve Josue (2003, seventh), CB Ahmad Carroll (2004, first), DT Donnell Washington (2004, third), P B.J Sander (2004, third), WR Terrence Murphy (2005, second), DB Michael Hawkins (2005, fifth), WR Craig Bragg (2005, sixth), G William Whitticker (2005, seventh), WR Cory Rodgers (2006, fourth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (AJ Hawk, D.Colledge, G.Jennings, A.Hodge, J.Spitz, C.Rodgers, W.Blackmon, I.Martin, T.Moll, J.Jolly, T.Culver, D.Tollefson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (N.Barnett, K.Peterson, J.Lee, H.Hillenmeyer, B.Curtin, C.Johnson, D.Rubin, C.Ford, S.Josue)
Best value pick: DT Corey Williams (sixth round, 2004)
Worst pick: CB Ahmad Carroll (first round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Packers have had good back-to-back drafts, particularly at the receiver position, in building an NFC contender. The most interesting draft pick, of course, is QB Aaron Rodgers, whose progress will be heavily scrutinized over the next couple years. From 2003 through 2005, the Packers got very little out of the draft.
HOUSTON TEXANS
DRI (rank): 2.18 (21st)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: WR Andre Johnson
2004: LB Charlie Anderson
2005: DT Travis Johnson, S C.C. Brown
2006: DE Mario Williams, LB DeMeco Ryans, T Eric Winston, TE Owen Daniels
2007: DT Amobi Okoye, DB Fred Bennett
Out of football (13)
QB Dave Ragone (2003, third), RB Domanick Davis (2003, fourth), QB Drew Henson (2003, sixth), DT Keith Wright (2003, sixth), DB Curry Burns (2003, seventh), C Chance Pearce (2003, seventh), DB Vontez Duff (2004, sixth), DB Jammal Lord (2004, sixth), DE Raheem Orr (2004, seventh), WR Sloan Thomas (2004, seventh), QB B.J Symons (2004, seventh), C Drew Hodgdon (2005, fifth), RB Wali Lundy (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (M.Williams, D.Ryans, C.Spencer, E.Winston, O.Daniels, W.Lundy, D.Anderson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (A.Johnson, B.Joppru, A.Peak, S.Wand, D.Ragone, D.Davis, D.Henson, K.Wright, C.Burns, C.Pearce)
Best value pick: LB DeMeco Ryans (second round, 20065)
Worst pick: TE Ben Joppru (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Texans have made good decisions with their first-round picks over the past five years, perhaps making fans forget the David Carr fiasco. DT Amobi Okoye, DE Mario Williams, DT Travis Johnson, CB Dunta Robinson and WR Andre Johnson have been solid picks for Houston.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
DRI (rank): 2.53 (8th)
Overall picks: 43
Still with team: 25
Starters at end of 2007: 12
2003: TE Dallas Clark
2004: S Bob Sanders, T Jake Scott
2005: DB Marlin Jackson, CB Kelvin Hayden, S Matt Giordano, LB Tyjuan Hagler
2006: RB Joseph Addai, LB Freddie Keiaho, T Charlie Johnson
2007: G Tony Ugoh, DE Keyunta Dawson
Out of football (9)
T Steve Sciullo (2003, fourth), LB Keyon Whiteside (2003, fifth), T Makoa Freitas (2003, sixth), LB Kendyll Pope (2004, fourth), K David Kimball (2004, seventh), DE Vincent Burns (2005, third), DE Jonathan Welsh (2005, fifth), C Robert Hunt (2005, fifth), RB Anthony Davis (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (J.Addai, T.Jennings, F.Keiaho, M.Toudouze, C.Johnson, A.Bethea, TJ Rushing)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (D.Clark, M.Doss, D.Strickland, S.Sciullo, R.Mathis, K.Whiteside, C.June, M.Freitas)
Best value pick: S Bob Sanders (second round, 2004)
Worst pick: DE Vincent Burns (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Colts have made a living off solid, non-flashy picks, particularly in Round 1. They’ve also stumbled on a ton of late-round gems, helping to build an offensive line that has generally been good at protecting Peyton Manning.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
DRI (rank): 2.52 (9th)
Overall picks: 44
Still with team: 26
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: DE Bobby McCray (recently signed with Atlanta)
2004: WR Reggie Williams, WR Ernest Wilford
2005: T Khalif Barnes
2006: TE Marcedes Lewis, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, LB Clint Ingram
2007: S Reggie Nelson, LB Justin Durant, G Uche Nwaneri
Out of football (8)
DE Brandon Green (2003, seventh), DB David Young (2003, sixth), T Marques Ogden (2003, sixth), RB Malaefou MacKenzie (2003, seventh), DB Chris Thompson (2004, fifth), T Sean Bubin (2004, fifth), WR Chad Owens (2005, sixth), DB Demetrice Webb (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (M.Lewis, M. Jones-Drew, C.Ingram, B.Hawkins, J.Wyche, D.Webb)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Williams, D.Smith, G.Jones, J.Cordova, A.Maddox, E.Wilford, J.Scobee, C.Thompson, S.Bubin, B.McCray)
Best value pick: RB Maurice Jones-Drew (second round, 2006)
Worst pick: WR Matt Jones (first round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Jaguars have been pretty successful with their second-round picks, nabbing RB Maurice Jones-Drew, T Khalif Barnes, LB Daryl Smith and CB Rashean Mathis over the years. They haven’t been as successful picking receivers, particularly when it comes to the first round.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
DRI (rank): 2.21 (19th)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: RB Larry Johnson
2004: DE Jared Allen
2005: LB Derek Johnson, T Will Svitek
2006: DE Tamba Hali, DB Bernard Pollard, QB Brodie Croyle
2007: WR Dwayne Bowe
Out of football (8)
DB Julian Battle (2005, third), T Brett Williams (2003, fourth), DT Montique Sharpe (2003, seventh), DB Willie Pile (2003, seventh), WR Jeris McIntyre (2004, sixth), DB Alphonso Hodge (2005, fifth), QB James Kilian (2005, seventh), DB Marcus Maxey (2006, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (T.Hali, B.Pollard, B.Croyle, M.Maxey, T.Stallings, J.Webb, J.Page)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (D.Johnson, D.Colquitt, C.Thorpe, B.Grigsby, A.Hodge, W.Svitek, K.Long, J.Kilian, J.Parquet)
Best value pick: DE Jared Allen (fourth round, 2004)
Worst pick: DT Junior Savii (second round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Chiefs’ lack of big-time talent, especially in the second and third rounds, has been a big reason behind their decline. Draft picks are starting and playing, but too often it’s because they’re the only options available.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
DRI (rank): 2.11 (23rd-t)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: none
2004: G Vernon Carey, C Rex Hadnot (recently signed with Cleve.)
2005: DE Matt Roth
2006: CB Jason Allen
2007: WR Ted Ginn Jr., G Samson Satele, RB Lorenzo Booker
Out of football (8)
LB Eddie Moore (2003, second), G Taylor Whitley (2003, third), WR J.R. Tolver (2003, fifth), DB Corey Jenkins (2003, sixth), T Tim Provost (2003, sixth), DT Davern Williams (2003, seventh), DB Will Poole (2004, fourth), DB Tony Bua (2004, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Brown, M.Roth, C.Crowder, T.Daniels, A.Alabi, K.Vickerson)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (E.Moore, W.Smith, T.Whitley, D.Lee, JR Tolver, C.Jenkins, T.Provost, Y.Bell, D.Williams)
Best value pick: G/C Rex Hadnot (sixth round, 2004)
Worst pick: LB Eddie Moore (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Dolphins haven’t had any catastrophic drafts, but they haven’t hit any jackpots either. The jury is still out on first-round picks Ronnie Brown, Ted Ginn Jr. and Jason Allen. The NFL’s worst team needs to make better picks if the Dolphins are going to turn things around for the future.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
DRI (rank): 2.36 (14th)
Overall picks: 36
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: DT Kevin Williams, LB E.J. Henderson
2004: DE Kenechi Udeze (recently diagnosed with form of leukemia)
2005: WR Troy Williamson (has since been traded to Jacksonville)
2006: LB Chad Greenway, DB Cedric Griffin, OL Ryan Cook, QB Tarvaris Jackson
2007: RB Adrian Peterson, CB Marcus McCauley, DE Brian Robison
Out of football (8)
RB Onterrio Smith (2003, fourth), P Eddie Johnson (2003, sixth), LB Michael Nattiel (2003, sixth), WR Keenan Howry (2003, seventh), LB Rod Davis (2004, fifth), DB Deandre Eiland (2004, sixth), RB Ciatrick Fason (2005, fourth), DB Adrian Ward (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (C.Greenway, C.Griffin, R.Cook, T.Jackson, R.Edwards, G.Blue)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (T.Williamson, E.James, M.Johnson, D.Fox, C.Fason, CJ Mosley, A.Ward)
Best value pick: LB E.J. Henderson (second round, 20035)
Worst pick: WR Troy Williamson (first round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Vikings built their defense in the 2003 draft and added an offensive cornerstone in RB Adrian Peterson last year, but the years in between are still under development. The success of the Vikings may well depend on how the 2006 class continues to grow, particularly QB Tarvaris Jackson.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
DRI (rank): 2.09 (26th)
Overall picks: 44
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: DE Ty Warren, CB Asante Samuel (recently signed with Phil.), C Dan Koppen
2004: DL Vince Wilfork, TE Ben Watson
2005: G Logan Mankins, CB Ellis Hobbs, S James Sanders
2006: RB Laurence Maroney, G Ryan O’Callaghan
2007: none
Out of football (11)
WR Bethel Johnson (2003, second), QB Kliff Kingsbury (2003, sixth), TE Spencer Nead (2003, seventh), DE Marquise Hill (2004, second), S Guss Scott (2004, third), DB Dexter Reid (2004, fourth), RB Cedric Cobbs (2004, fourth), WR P.K. Sam (2004, fifth), LB Ryan Claridge (2005, fifth), TE Andy Stokes (2005, seventh), LB Oscar Lua (2007, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2005 (L.Mankins, E.Hobbs, N.Kaczur, J.Sanders, R.Claridge, M.Cassel, A.Stokes)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2007 (B.Meriweather, K.Brown, C.Oldenburg, J.Rogers, M.Richardson, J.Hairston, C.Hilliard, O.Lua, M.Elgin)
Best value pick: C Dan Koppen (fifth round, 2003)
Worst pick: WR Bethel Johnson (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The NFL’s top team has built the nuts and bolts of its engine through the draft, but recent picks have had to wait behind veterans for playing time. If the DRI is any indication, New England’s run could be nearing an end when the aging stars start retiring.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
DRI (rank): 2.17 (22nd)
Overall picks: 35
Still with team: 16
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: T Jon Stinchcomb
2004: DE Will Smith, WR Devery Henderson, FB Mike Karney
2005: T Jammal Brown, S Josh Bullocks
2006: RB Reggie Bush, DB Roman Harper, T Jahri Evans
2007: none
Out of football (10)
DT Johnathan Sullivan (2003, first), LB Willie Grant (2003, third), DE Melvin Williams (2003, fifth), WR Kareem Kelly (2003, sixth), WR Talman Gardner (2003, seventh), LB Courtney Watson (2004, second), LB Colby Bockwoldt (2004, seventh), QB Adrian McPherson (2005, fifth) and DB Josh Lay (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (R.Bush, R.Harper, J.Evans, R.Ninkovich, M.Hass, J.Lay, Z.Strief, M.Colston)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Sullivan, J.Stinchcomb, W.Grant, M.Holland, M.Williams, K.Kelly, T.Gardner)
Best value pick: WR Marques Colston (seventh round, 2006)
Worst pick: DT Johnathan Sullivan (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Had some success in first two rounds, but the Saints haven’t found many contributors in Round 3. New Orleans has been able to get production from late picks like WR Marques Colston. Last two first rounders, RB Reggie Bush and WR Robert Meachem, still have something to prove.
NEW YORK GIANTS
DRI (rank): 2.54 (5th-t)
Overall picks: 37
Still with team: 20
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: DE Osi Umenyiora, G David Diehl
2004: QB Eli Manning (drafted by SD but acquired on draft day), G Chris Snee, DE Reggie Torbor (recently signed with Mia.), S Gibril Wilson (recently signed with Oak.)
2005: RB Brandon Jacobs
2006: DT Barry Cofield
2007: CB Aaron Ross, TE Kevin Boss
Out of football (8)
DB Roderick Babers (2003, fourth), WR Willie Ponder (2003, sixth), DB Charles Drake (2003, seventh), C Wayne Lucier (2003, seventh), WR Jamaar Taylor (2004, sixth), T Drew Strojny (2004, seventh), DE Isaac Hilton (2004, seventh), DB Gerrick McPhearson (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (A.Ross, S.Smith, J.Alford, Z.DeOssie, K.Boss, A.Koets, M.Johnson, A.Bradshaw)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (W.Joseph, O.Umenyiora, V.Shiancoe, R.Babers, D.Diehl, W.Ponder, F.Walker, D.Tyree, C.Drake, W.Lucier, K.Walter)
Best value pick: RB Brandon Jacobs (fourth round, 2005)
Worst pick: DT William Joseph (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
It says a lot when the “worst” draft of the past five years included Pro Bowler Osi Umenyiora, starting G Dave Diehl and Super Bowl hero David Tyree. The Giants haven’t had any bad drafts recently, which is a big reason why they took home the big prize in February. Even last year’s draft class made huge contributions as rookies.
NEW YORK JETS
DRI (rank): 2.31 (18th)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 18
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: DT Dwayne Robertson
2004: WR Jerricho Cotchery
2005: S Kerry Rhodes
2006: T D’Brickashaw Ferguson, C Nick Mangold, QB Kellen Clemens, DB Eric Smith
2007: CB Darrelle Revis, LB David Harris
Out of football (8)
DB Derek Pagel (2003, fifth), DE Matthew Walters (2003, fifth), T Dave Yovanovits (2003, seventh), DB Derrick Strait (2004, third), T Marko Cavka (2004, sixth), DB Rashad Washington (2004, seventh), DB Andre Maddox (2005, fifth), RB Cedric Houston (2005, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (D.Revis, D.Harris, J.Bender, C.Stuckey)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (D.Robertson, V.Hobson, BJ Askew, D.Pagel, M.Walters, B.Bollinger, D.Yovanovits)
Best value pick: WR Jerricho Cotchery (fourth round, 2004)
Worst pick: CB Derrick Strait (third round, 2004)
Overall assessment
The Jets, a playoff contender in 2006, had to force some of their young draft picks into action last year. The draft picks have contributed, but it remains to be seen whether they’ll be long-term answers. The Jets have been pretty good drafting in the first round, with Jonathan Vilma, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis coming out of the past four drafts.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
DRI (rank): 2.18 (20th)
Overall picks: 44
Still with team: 23
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: CB Nnamdi Asomugha
2004: OL Robert Gallery
2005: DB Stanford Routt, LB Kirk Morrison
2006: S Michael Huff, LB Thomas Howard, G Paul McQuistan
2007: QB JaMarcus Russell, TE Zach Miller, DE Jay Richardson
Out of football (11)
DE Shurron Pierson (2003, seventh), T Dustin Rykert (2003, sixth), DB Siddeeq Shabazz (2003, seventh), WR Ryan Hoag (2003, seventh), WR Carlos Francis (2004, third), WR Johnnie Morant (2004, fifth), DE Shawn Johnson (2004, sixth), LB Andre Sommersell (2004, seventh), DT Anttaj Hawthorne (2005, sixth), DE Ryan Riddle (2005, sixth), WR Kevin McMahan (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (M.Huff, T.Howard, P.McQuistan, D.Bing, K.Boothe, C.Morris, K.McMahan)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Gallery, J.Grove, S.Schweigert, C.Francis, J.Morant, S.Johnson, C.Spencer, C.Anderson, A.Sommersell)
Best value pick: LB Kirk Morrison (third round, 2005)
Worst pick: TE Teyo Johnson (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Raiders haven’t had that big-time draft in recent years. The serviceable starters might not be playing for better teams. If recent picks like QB JaMarcus Russell, TE Zach Miller and S Michael Huff become Pro Bowlers, the Raiders could turn into a contender.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
DRI (rank): 2.09 (25th)
Overall picks: 43
Still with team: 23
Starters at end of 2007: 11
2003: none
2004: DB J.R. Reed, FB Thomas Tapeh (recently signed with Minn.)
2005: DT Mike Patterson, WR Reggie Brown, T Todd Herremans, LB Trent Cole
2006: DT Brodrick Bunkley, DE Chris Gocong, LB Omar Gaither
2007: TE Brent Celek
Out of football (10)
DE Jamaal Green (2003, fourth), S Norman Lejeune (2003, seventh), QB Andy Hall (2004, sixth), G Adrien Clarke (2004, seventh), RB Bruce Perry (2004, seventh), C Dominic Furio (2004, seventh), T Calvin Armstrong (2005, sixth), DT Keyonta Marshall (2005, seventh) and LB David Bergeron (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2005 (M.Patterson, R.Brown, M.McCoy, R.Moats, S.Considine, T.Herremans, T.Cole, S.Young, C.Armstrong, K.Marshall, D.Bergeron)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (S.Andrews, M.Ware, JR Reed, T.Darilek, T.Tapeh, A.Hall, D.Wynn, A.Clarke, B.Perry, D.Furio)
Best value pick: TE L.J. Smith (second round, 2003)
Worst pick: DE Jerome McDougle (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
The Eagles have done a nice job building up both sides of the line, but are still relying on older players like Brian Westbrook and Donovan McNabb at the skill positions. The WR position has been particularly frustrating for Eagles fans, although Reggie Brown might develop into go-to guy. Sixth- and seventh-round picks have been somewhat useless.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
DRI (rank): 2.08 (27th)
Overall picks: 38
Still with team: 19
Starters at end of 2007: 8
2003: S Troy Polamalu
2004: QB Ben Roethlisberger, T Max Starks
2005: TE Heath Miller
2006: WR Santonio Holmes, S Anthony Smith, G Willie Colon, TE Charles Davis
2007: none
Out of football (9)
DE Alonzo Jackson (2003, second), RB J.T. Wall (2003, seventh), DE Nathaniel Adibi (2004, fifth), T Bo Lacy (2004, sixth), TE Matt Kranchick (2004, sixth), C Drew Caylor (2004, sixth), WR Fred Gibson (2005, fourth), QB Omar Jacobs (2006, fifth) and RB Cedric Humes (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (S.Holmes, A.Smith, W.Reid, W.Colon, O.Harris, O.Jacobs, C.Davis, M.Philip, C.Humes)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (B.Roethlisberger, R.Colcough, M.Starks, N.Adibi, B.Lacy, M.Kranchick, D.Caylor, E.Taylor)
Best value pick: T Max Starks (third round, 2004)
Worst pick: DE Alonzo Jackson (second round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Solid, but unspectacular drafts. Second rounders haven’t panned out like the third- and fourth-round picks have. Three first rounders between 2003 and 2005 helped bring Super Bowl title, but past two drafts are still works in progress.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
DRI (rank): 2.00 (30th-t)
Overall picks: 47
Still with team: 21
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: none
2004: RB Steven Jackson
2005: T Alex Barron, CB Ronald Bartell, S Oshiomogho Atogwe
2006: TE Joe Klopfenstein, DE Victor Adeyanju
2007: DT Adam Carriker
Out of football (11)
CB DeJuan Groce (2003, fourth), TE Dan Curley (2003, fifth), DB Shane Walton (2003, fifth), DB Kevin Garrett (2003, fifth), G Scott Tercero (2003, sixth), DB Jason Shivers (2004, fifth), QB Jeff Smoker (2004, sixth), TE Erik Jensen (2004, seventh), T Larry Turner (2004, seventh), G Claude Terrell (2005, fourth) and T Ken Shackleford (2007, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (T.Hill, J.Klopfenstein, C.Wroten, J.Alston, D.Byrd, V.Adeyanju, M.Hagans, T.McGarigle, M.Setterstrom, T.Palmer)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (J.Kennedy, P.Tinoisamoa, K.Curtis, S.McDonald, D.Groce, D.Curley, S.Walton, K.Garrett, S.Tercero, S.Shanle, R.Angulo)
Best value pick: TE Joe Klopfenstein (second round, 2006)
Worst pick: DT Jimmy Kennedy (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
It’s never good when more draft picks are out of football (11) than are in the starting lineup (seven). The Rams just haven’t drafted well, for whatever reason. They’ve been more successful when they go for best player available (RB Steven Jackson, WR Kevin Curtis) than when they draft for need (DT Jimmy Kennedy, CB Tye Hill).
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
DRI (rank): 3.10 (2nd)
Overall picks: 40
Still with team: 24
Starters at end of 2007: 10
2003: LB Matt Wilhelm
2004: QB Philip Rivers (drafted by NYG but traded on draft day), DT Igor Olshansky, C Nick Hardwick, DE Shaun Phillips
2005: LB Shawne Merriman, DT Luis Castillo, WR Vincent Jackson
2006: CB Antonio Cromartie, T Marcus McNeill, T Jeromey Clary
2007: none
Out of football (5)
S Terrance Kiel (2003, second), G Courtney Van Buren (2003, third), T Carlos Joseph (2004, seventh), G Wes Sims (2005, sixth), K Kurt Smith (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (P.Rivers, I.Olshanski, N.Kaeding, N.Hardwick, S.Phillips, D.Ball, M.Turner, R.Krause, R.Bingham, S.Olivea, C.Joseph)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (S.Davis, D.Florence, T.Kiel, C.Van Buren, M.Wilhelm, M.Scifres, H.Milligan, A.Pinnock)
Best value pick: T Marcus McNeill (second round, 2006)
Worst pick: CB Sammy Davis (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Had the NFL’s best three-year span of drafts between 2004 and 2006, adding to a team that used to be LaDainian Tomlinson and not much else. San Diego has been particularly effective in Round 2 (two-time Pro Bowler Marcus McNeill, WR Vincent Jackson and DT Igor Olshansky) and has found some serviceable players in the seventh round as well.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
DRI (rank): 2.52 (10th)
Overall picks: 46
Still with team: 28
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: WR Arnaz Battle
2004: none
2005: C David Baas, RB Frank Gore, G Adam Snyder
2006: TE Vernon Davis, LB Manny Lawson
2007: LB Patrick Willis, T Joe Staley
Out of football (6)
DE Andrew Williams (2003, third), WR Rashaun Woods (2004, first), LB Richard Seigler (2004, fourth), QB Cody Pickett (2004, seventh), DT Christian Ferrara (2004, seventh), WR Rasheed Marshall (2005, fifth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (P.Willis, J.Staley, J.Hill, R.McDonald, J.Moore, D.Goldson, J.Cohen, T.Brown, T.Clayton)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2004 (R.Woods, J.Smiley, S.Spencer, D.Hamilton, I.Sopoaga, R.Seigler, A.Lee, K.Lewis, C.Pickett, C.Ferrara)
Best value pick: RB Frank Gore (third round, 2005)
Worst pick: WR Rashaun Woods (first round, 2004)
Overall assessment
For all their picks over the years, the Niners have had a remarkably low number (six) of picks who are no longer in the league. They had a great draft last year, with two first-round picks who immediately contributed. The last three drafts have been a step in the right direction.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
DRI (rank): 2.46 (11th)
Overall picks: 39
Still with team: 22
Starters at end of 2007: 9
2003: CB Marcus Trufant
2004: T Sean Locklear
2005: C Chris Spencer, LB Lofa Tatupu, LB Leroy Hill
2006: CB Kelly Jennings, DE Darryl Tapp, G Rob Sims
2007: DT Brandon Mebane
Out of football (7)
LB Solomon Bates (2003, fourth), RB Chris Davis (2003, fifth), WR Taco Wallace (2003, seventh), DE Jeb Huckeba (2005, fifth), TE Tony Jackson (2005, sixth), LB Cornelius Wortham (2005, seventh), T Doug Nienhuis (2005, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (K.Jennings, D.Tapp, R.Sims, D.Kirtman, R.Plackemeier, B.Obomanu)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (M.Trufant, K.Hamlin, W.Hunter, S.Wallace, S.Bates, C.Davis, R.Moore, J.Brown, T.Wallace)
Best value pick: LB Lofa Tatupu (second round, 2005)
Worst pick: QB David Greene (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
For all the draft-day hits (Lofa Tatupu, Marcus Trufant), big trades (Matt Hasselbeck, Deion Branch) and free-agent signings (Patrick Kerney, Julian Peterson), the Seahawks’ future might be more about how some recent draft picks like Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, Ben Obomanu and Darryl Tapp improve.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
DRI (rank): 2.11 (23rd-t)
Overall picks: 46
Still with team: 24
Starters at end of 2007: 7
2003: none
2004: WR Michael Clayton
2005: TE Alex Smith
2006: G Davin Joseph, T Jeremy Trueblood
2007: DE Gaines Adams, T Arron Sears, S Tanard Jackson
Out of football (9)
T Lance Nimmo (2003, fourth), C Austin King (2003, fourth), CB Lenny Williams (2004, seventh), T Chris Colmer (2005, third), WR Larry Brackins (2005, fifth), DT Anthony Bryant (2005, sixth), RB Rick Razzano (2005, seventh), DB Alan Zemaitis (2006, fourth), TE T.J. Williams (2006, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2007 (G.Adams, A.Sears, S.Piscitelli, Q.Black, T.Jackson, G.Peterson, A.Hayward, C.Denman, M.Hamilton, K.Darby)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (D.White, C.Simms, L.Nimmo, A.King, S.Mahan, T.Cox)
Best value pick: TE Alex Smith (third round, 2005)
Worst pick: T Chris Colmer (third round, 2005)
Overall assessment
The Buccaneers seem to have figure it out as they’ve gone along. Or, more likely, they’ve benefited from the higher picks that come with losing records. The last two drafts have brought some talent and three starters on the offensive line. But the Bucs have been snake-bit at the skill positions, where RB Cadillac Williams and QB Chris Simms have seen their careers derailed by injuries.
TENNESSEE TITANS
DRI (rank): 2.38 (13th)
Overall picks: 50
Still with team: 26
Starters at end of 2007: 12
2003: none
2004: DE Travis LaBoy (recently signed with Ariz.), C Eugene Amano
2005: T Michael Roos, T David Stewart, WR Roydell Williams, TE Bo Scaife
2006: QB Vince Young, RB LenDale White, DB Calvin Lowry, LB Stephen Tulloch, DB Cortland Finnegan
2007: S Michael Griffin
Out of football (9)
WR Tyrone Calico (2003, second), DT Rien Long (2003, fourth), G Todd Williams (2003, seventh), CB Rich Gardner (2004, third), DT Jared Clauss (2004, seventh), FB Damien Nash (2005, sixth), DT Jesse Mahelona (2006, fifth), LB Spencer Toone (2006, seventh) and DB Ryan Smith (2007, sixth)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2006 (V.Young, L.White, C.Lowry, S.Tulloch, T.Nande, J.Mahelona, J.Orr, C.Finnegan, S.Toone, Q.Ganther)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2003 (A.Woolfolk, T.Calico, C.Brown, R.Long, D.Nickey, T.Williams)
Best value pick: C Eugene Amano (seventh round, 2004)
Worst pick: CB Andre Woolfolk (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
With more picks than any other team in the past five drafts, Tennessee has fortified its roster. The Titans have found more good defensive backs in the later rounds than they have in Round 1 (Pacman Jones, Andre Woolfolk). The fourth and seventh rounds have brought some gems, but the Titans need more out of high picks like Vince Young.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
DRI (rank): 2.04 (28th-t)
Overall picks: 24
Still with team: 11
Starters at end of 2007: 4
2003: none
2004: TE Chris Cooley
2005: none
2006: DT Anthony Montgomery, S Reed Doughty
2007: S LaRon Landry
Out of football (6)
S Sean Taylor (2004, first), T Jim Molinaro (2004, sixth), RB Manuel White (2005, fourth), LB Jared Newberry (2005, sixth), G Kili Lefotu (2006, seventh) and LB Kevin Simon (2006, seventh)
Best draft (starters in bold)
2004 (S.Taylor, C.Cooley, M.Wilson, J.Molinaro)
Worst draft (starters in bold)
2005 (C.Rogers, J.Campbell, M.White, R.McCune, J.Newberry, N.Broughton)
Best value pick: TE Chris Cooley (third round, 2004)
Worst pick: WR Taylor Jacobs (first round, 2003)
Overall assessment
Washington has had to make the most out of very little, having dealt most of its picks away. The jury is still out on the 2005 draft that included CB Carlos Rogers and QB Jason Campbell, while the 2006-07 drafts have included some immediate contributors.
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