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Footballguy
From USA Today
not only ranks the teams, but ranks every player drafted
Most of it makes sense, but Tennessee is a top 5 team? WTF? How can they draft so well and suck so much?
Best Five Picks
1. J.J. Watt, Texans, 11th pick in 2011 Draft
It didn’t take long for Watt to become the most dominant defensive player in the league. The former Wisconsin Badger won the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year in his second season and could have won another in 2013 if not for the Texans’ poor record. When you can get one of the best players in the league with a pick outside of the top-10, it’s a steal.
2. Russell Wilson, Seahawks, 75th pick in 2012 Draft
Wilson’s height dropped him down to the third-round. But in just two seasons, Wilson has proven his height will not be an issue. He may have benefited from a spectacular supporting cast, but Seattle has a franchise quarterback and it didn’t take a high pick to get him.
3. Geno Atkins, Bengals, 120th pick in 2010 Draft
If Watt is the NFL’s most dominant defender, Atkins is not far behind. The fourth-round pick was having another all-pro year in 2013 before going down with an ACL tear. Getting that type of talent that late in the draft is rarely done.
4. Von Miller, Broncos, 2nd pick in 2011 Draft
Miller was the second overall pick in the 2011 draft, yet he’s still considered one of the most valuable picks. That’s a testament to how disruptive Miller has been to opposing offenses. Miller had trouble staying on the field in 2013, but the Broncos have to be happy with their pick.
5. NaVorro Bowman, 49ers, 91st pick in 2010 Draft
Bowman has slowly become one of the best inside linebackers in the game. In 2013 he emerged from Patrick Willis’ shadow and had a dominating year. The 49ers got Bowman in the third round of the draft, while peers like Willis and Luke Kuechly were taken in the first.
Worst Five Picks
1. Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars, 10th pick in 2010 Draft
Gabbert compiled a 66.4 QB rating in three seasons with the Jaguars before being shipped off to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick. Gabbert has all the physical tools to be a franchise QB, but his pocket presence has been downright awful.
2. Mark Sanchez, Jets, 5th pick in 2009 Draft
Sanchez is the poster child for the theory that QB win-loss records are a tad overrated. After helping the Jets to two straight AFC title games, Sanchez imploded when the talented around him dipped. A 68-to-69 TD-INT ratio is not going to cut it in the NFL.
3. Jason Smith, Rams, 2nd pick in 2009 Draft
The Rams drafted Smith with the idea of the former Baylor Bear becoming a dominant pass protector. That never materialized and Smith went to the Jets before sitting out the 2013 season.
4. Sam Bradford, Rams, 1st pick in 2010 Draft
Bradford hasn’t played poorly in St. Louis, but he also hasn’t lived up to the hype of being the No. 1 pick. After a good rookie campaign, Bradford has struggled with consistency and injuries. Getting a large contract before the new CBA was signed hasn’t helped his value either.
5. Aaron Curry, Seahawks, 4th pick in 2009 Draft
The player who was supposed to be the 2009 draft’s safest bet turned out to be one of its biggest busts. Curry never made an impact with the Seahawks and has since bounced around multiple teams’ training camps.
not only ranks the teams, but ranks every player drafted
Most of it makes sense, but Tennessee is a top 5 team? WTF? How can they draft so well and suck so much?
Best Five Picks
1. J.J. Watt, Texans, 11th pick in 2011 Draft
It didn’t take long for Watt to become the most dominant defensive player in the league. The former Wisconsin Badger won the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year in his second season and could have won another in 2013 if not for the Texans’ poor record. When you can get one of the best players in the league with a pick outside of the top-10, it’s a steal.
2. Russell Wilson, Seahawks, 75th pick in 2012 Draft
Wilson’s height dropped him down to the third-round. But in just two seasons, Wilson has proven his height will not be an issue. He may have benefited from a spectacular supporting cast, but Seattle has a franchise quarterback and it didn’t take a high pick to get him.
3. Geno Atkins, Bengals, 120th pick in 2010 Draft
If Watt is the NFL’s most dominant defender, Atkins is not far behind. The fourth-round pick was having another all-pro year in 2013 before going down with an ACL tear. Getting that type of talent that late in the draft is rarely done.
4. Von Miller, Broncos, 2nd pick in 2011 Draft
Miller was the second overall pick in the 2011 draft, yet he’s still considered one of the most valuable picks. That’s a testament to how disruptive Miller has been to opposing offenses. Miller had trouble staying on the field in 2013, but the Broncos have to be happy with their pick.
5. NaVorro Bowman, 49ers, 91st pick in 2010 Draft
Bowman has slowly become one of the best inside linebackers in the game. In 2013 he emerged from Patrick Willis’ shadow and had a dominating year. The 49ers got Bowman in the third round of the draft, while peers like Willis and Luke Kuechly were taken in the first.
Worst Five Picks
1. Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars, 10th pick in 2010 Draft
Gabbert compiled a 66.4 QB rating in three seasons with the Jaguars before being shipped off to San Francisco for a sixth-round pick. Gabbert has all the physical tools to be a franchise QB, but his pocket presence has been downright awful.
2. Mark Sanchez, Jets, 5th pick in 2009 Draft
Sanchez is the poster child for the theory that QB win-loss records are a tad overrated. After helping the Jets to two straight AFC title games, Sanchez imploded when the talented around him dipped. A 68-to-69 TD-INT ratio is not going to cut it in the NFL.
3. Jason Smith, Rams, 2nd pick in 2009 Draft
The Rams drafted Smith with the idea of the former Baylor Bear becoming a dominant pass protector. That never materialized and Smith went to the Jets before sitting out the 2013 season.
4. Sam Bradford, Rams, 1st pick in 2010 Draft
Bradford hasn’t played poorly in St. Louis, but he also hasn’t lived up to the hype of being the No. 1 pick. After a good rookie campaign, Bradford has struggled with consistency and injuries. Getting a large contract before the new CBA was signed hasn’t helped his value either.
5. Aaron Curry, Seahawks, 4th pick in 2009 Draft
The player who was supposed to be the 2009 draft’s safest bet turned out to be one of its biggest busts. Curry never made an impact with the Seahawks and has since bounced around multiple teams’ training camps.
