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The Best Teams at Finding Late Round Gems (1 Viewer)

Chadstroma

Footballguy
The period of evaluation got me thinking... Over the last 10-15 years, who are the best of the best and the worst of the worst at pulling the trigger on draft day? What makes them good and what makes them not so much?

Each team seems to have an identity at how they go about making decisions. Different personnel have different responsibilities and power in decision making. One team, the GM may be the main guy while another is the head coach and yet another is the owner of the team.

Is there a template that seems to work the best among the best and a common theme among the worst?

It drives me up the wall that my beloved team seems to always put together an all-Pro track team but maybe not the best football team. For the Raiders, it is no secret that Al Davis calls the shots and that he is in love with the stop watch. It has been a long road back to being a top team with more than our fair share of busts along the way. What about the other 31 teams?

 
I can't imagine that any team has done better in the late rounds than New England, but I'm willing to listen to arguments.

 
Do what the colts do. Always aim for UFA rookies because they are hungrier than top draft prospects :goodposting:

Low expectations

From my amaturish observation I think teams like NEP have strong coaches, and great leadership of vets seem to buffer the laziness of many players (one of the factors that might cause a player to become busts)

 
I can't imagine that any team has done better in the late rounds than New England, but I'm willing to listen to arguments.
Can you imagine if they could do a good job drafting RBs and WRs with their high picks?Laurence MaroneyChad JacksonBethel JohnsonD'oh!
 
Packers GM Ted Thompson is no slouch.

Since coming to the Packers:

2006

RD 7 (253) Dave Tollefson. DE Cut by Pack after rookie year, but has stuck with Giants, and is part of their DL rotation.

RD 6 (183) Johnny Jolly. DE Quality starter in 2009, missed 2010 due to league suspension. 50/50 to start in 2011 at DE. Will play plenty either way.

2007

RD 6 (192) Desmond Bishop. MLB Packers didn't miss a beat when Nick Barnett went down to injury this year. Bishop now has a fat contract and starts at MLB for the champs.

2008

RD 7 (209) Matt Flynn QB Filled in admirably for Rodgers vs NE this year, and will be a starter in either 2011 or 2012 for someone. Mark it down.

RD 4 (135) Josh Sitton OG Considered a reach at the time, now is a pro bowl guard, possibly the best one in the NFC.

RD 3 (91) Jermicheal Finley TE Yet to fully make his mark on the NFL, I firmly believe he has the talent to be the next Gates.

2009

TT missed late in this draft, but got two studs early in Clay Matthews and BJ Raji

2010.

RD 7 (230) CJ WIlson DE. Filled in admirably when injuries struck midseason. So far he looks like a decent pass rusher, with limited skills vs the run

RD 6 (193) James Starks RB. Took over the starting RB role and helped the Packers on their path to winning Super Bowl 45.

RD 5 (169) Marshall Newhouse OT Never played in 2010. Rumblings out of 1265 Lombardi Ave are suggesting he's looking like a legit NFL LT.

 
'Kitrick Taylor said:
Packers GM Ted Thompson is no slouch.Since coming to the Packers:2006 RD 7 (253) Dave Tollefson. DE Cut by Pack after rookie year, but has stuck with Giants, and is part of their DL rotation. RD 6 (183) Johnny Jolly. DE Quality starter in 2009, missed 2010 due to league suspension. 50/50 to start in 2011 at DE. Will play plenty either way.2007RD 6 (192) Desmond Bishop. MLB Packers didn't miss a beat when Nick Barnett went down to injury this year. Bishop now has a fat contract and starts at MLB for the champs.2008RD 7 (209) Matt Flynn QB Filled in admirably for Rodgers vs NE this year, and will be a starter in either 2011 or 2012 for someone. Mark it down. RD 4 (135) Josh Sitton OG Considered a reach at the time, now is a pro bowl guard, possibly the best one in the NFC.RD 3 (91) Jermicheal Finley TE Yet to fully make his mark on the NFL, I firmly believe he has the talent to be the next Gates.2009TT missed late in this draft, but got two studs early in Clay Matthews and BJ Raji2010.RD 7 (230) CJ WIlson DE. Filled in admirably when injuries struck midseason. So far he looks like a decent pass rusher, with limited skills vs the runRD 6 (193) James Starks RB. Took over the starting RB role and helped the Packers on their path to winning Super Bowl 45.RD 5 (169) Marshall Newhouse OT Never played in 2010. Rumblings out of 1265 Lombardi Ave are suggesting he's looking like a legit NFL LT.
Very "meh."
 
'Kitrick Taylor said:
Packers GM Ted Thompson is no slouch.

Since coming to the Packers:

2006

RD 7 (253) Dave Tollefson. DE Cut by Pack after rookie year, but has stuck with Giants, and is part of their DL rotation.

RD 6 (183) Johnny Jolly. DE Quality starter in 2009, missed 2010 due to league suspension. 50/50 to start in 2011 at DE. Will play plenty either way.

2007

RD 6 (192) Desmond Bishop. MLB Packers didn't miss a beat when Nick Barnett went down to injury this year. Bishop now has a fat contract and starts at MLB for the champs.

2008

RD 7 (209) Matt Flynn QB Filled in admirably for Rodgers vs NE this year, and will be a starter in either 2011 or 2012 for someone. Mark it down.

RD 4 (135) Josh Sitton OG Considered a reach at the time, now is a pro bowl guard, possibly the best one in the NFC.

RD 3 (91) Jermicheal Finley TE Yet to fully make his mark on the NFL, I firmly believe he has the talent to be the next Gates.

2009

TT missed late in this draft, but got two studs early in Clay Matthews and BJ Raji

2010.

RD 7 (230) CJ WIlson DE. Filled in admirably when injuries struck midseason. So far he looks like a decent pass rusher, with limited skills vs the run

RD 6 (193) James Starks RB. Took over the starting RB role and helped the Packers on their path to winning Super Bowl 45.

RD 5 (169) Marshall Newhouse OT Never played in 2010. Rumblings out of 1265 Lombardi Ave are suggesting he's looking like a legit NFL LT.
Very "meh."
You're so glowing about how your Patriots do. Tell me how these last few years have gone. Outside of Edelman and Cassel, what makes you so proud of your team's late-round steals?2010

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 150 Zoltan Mesko P Michigan

6 205 Ted Larsen G North Carolina State

7 208 Thomas Welch OT Vanderbilt

7 247 Brandon Deaderick DE Alabama

7 248 Kade Weston DT Georgia

7 250 Zac Robinson QB Oklahoma State

2009

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 170 George Bussey T Louisville

6 198 Jake Ingram C Hawaii

6 199 Stryker Sulak DE Missouri

6 207 Myron Pryor DT Kentucky

7 232 Julian Edelman WR Kent State

7 234 Darryl Richard DT Georgia Tech

2008

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 153 Matt Slater WR UCLA

6 197 Bo Ruud LB Nebraska

2007

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 171 Clint Oldenburg T Colorado State

6 180 Justin Rogers LB Southern Methodist

6 202 Mike Richardson DB Notre Dame

6 208 Justise Hairston RB Central Connecticut State

6 209 Corey Hilliard OT Oklahoma State

7 211 Oscar Lua LB USC

7 247 Mike Elgin G Iowa

2006

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 136 Ryan O'Callaghan T California

6 191 Jeremy Mincey LB Florida

6 205 Dan Stevenson G Notre Dame

6 206 Le Kevin Smith DT Nebraska

7 229 Willie Andrews CB Baylor

2005

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 170 Ryan Claridge LB Nevada-Las Vegas

7 230 Matt Cassel QB USC

7 255 Andy Stokes TE William Penn

2004

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 164 P.K. Sam WR Florida State

7 233 Christian Morton CB Illinois

 
Very "meh."
You're so glowing about how your Patriots do. Tell me how these last few years have gone. Outside of Edelman and Cassel, what makes you so proud of your team's late-round steals?2010

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 150 Zoltan Mesko P Michigan

6 205 Ted Larsen G North Carolina State

7 208 Thomas Welch OT Vanderbilt

7 247 Brandon Deaderick DE Alabama

7 248 Kade Weston DT Georgia

7 250 Zac Robinson QB Oklahoma State

2009

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 170 George Bussey T Louisville

6 198 Jake Ingram C Hawaii

6 199 Stryker Sulak DE Missouri

6 207 Myron Pryor DT Kentucky

7 232 Julian Edelman WR Kent State

7 234 Darryl Richard DT Georgia Tech

2008

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 153 Matt Slater WR UCLA

6 197 Bo Ruud LB Nebraska

2007

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 171 Clint Oldenburg T Colorado State

6 180 Justin Rogers LB Southern Methodist

6 202 Mike Richardson DB Notre Dame

6 208 Justise Hairston RB Central Connecticut State

6 209 Corey Hilliard OT Oklahoma State

7 211 Oscar Lua LB USC

7 247 Mike Elgin G Iowa

2006

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 136 Ryan O'Callaghan T California

6 191 Jeremy Mincey LB Florida

6 205 Dan Stevenson G Notre Dame

6 206 Le Kevin Smith DT Nebraska

7 229 Willie Andrews CB Baylor

2005

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 170 Ryan Claridge LB Nevada-Las Vegas

7 230 Matt Cassel QB USC

7 255 Andy Stokes TE William Penn

2004

Rd Sel # Player Position School

5 164 P.K. Sam WR Florida State

7 233 Christian Morton CB Illinois
Lol, they got Brady in the 6th round in 2000 draft so that makes them great in perpetuity. Seriously, that 'meh' Packers list blows the Pats away over the same time frame.

 
Titans have done alright in the late rounds.

2005 - Scaife 6th

2006 - Finnegan 7th

2010 - Mariani 7th

 
Seriously, that 'meh' Packers list blows the Pats away over the same time frame.
Honestly, I don't think finding late-round steals is all that great a measure of a team's effectiveness in the draft. If each fan looked over the last 10 years of their team's drafts and can find even 3 quality players who came out of the 5th round or later, that's pretty damn good. Or lucky. Or both.But, the bread and butter is made through Rds 1-4. Never seen any rubric for this, so I'll make one up. Use 2005-2009:

Count the *hits* and multiply by 3, 2, or 1 (3-studs, 2-excellent, and 1-adequate/contributing role players, respectively) and divide by the number of picks selected in Rds 1-4.

(This link is helpful/informative: NFL Draft History - By Team)

For example, I would give the Cowboys a score of 0.5 between 2005-2009 (11 pts / 22 players):

2009 - Dallas Cowboys

Rd Sel # Player Position School

3 69 Jason Williams LB Western Illinois

3 75 Robert Brewster T Ball State

4 101 Stephen McGee QB Texas A&M

4 110 Victor Butler DE Oregon State

4 120 Brandon Williams DE Texas Tech

2008 - Dallas Cowboys

Rd Sel # Player Position School

*2* 1 22 Felix Jones RB Arkansas

*1* 1 25 Mike Jenkins CB South Florida

*1* 2 61 Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M

*1* 4 122 Tashard Choice RB Georgia Tech

2007 - Dallas Cowboys

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 26 Anthony Spencer OLB Purdue

3 67 James Marten OT Boston College

4 103 Isaiah Stanback WR Washington

*1* 4 122 Doug Free OT Northern Illinois

2006 - Dallas Cowboys

Rd Sel # Player Position School

1 18 Bobby Carpenter LB Ohio State

2 53 Anthony Fasano TE Notre Dame

3 92 Jason Hatcher DE Grambling State

4 125 Skyler Green WR Louisiana State

2005 - Dallas Cowboys

Rd Sel # Player Position School

*3* 1 11 DeMarcus Ware OLB Troy State

*1* 1 20 Marcus Spears DE Louisiana State

2 42 Kevin Burnett LB Tennessee

*1* 4 109 Marion Barber RB Minnesota

4 132 Chris Canty DE Virginia

For the Patriots, I would give them a score of 0.48 (11/23).

2009 - New England Patriots

Rd Sel # Player Position School

2 34 Pat Chung DB Oregon

2 40 Ron Brace DT Boston College

2 41 Darius Butler DB Connecticut

*2* 2 58 Sebastian Vollmer T Houston

*1* 3 83 Brandon Tate WR North Carolina

3 97 Tyrone McKenzie OLB South Florida

4 123 Rich Ohrnberger G Penn State

2008 - New England Patriots

Rd Sel # Player Position School

*2* 1 10 Jerod Mayo ILB Tennessee

2 62 Terrence Wheatley CB Colorado

3 78 Shawn Crable OLB Michigan

3 94 Kevin O'Connell QB San Diego State

4 129 Jonathan Wilhite CB Auburn

2007 - New England Patriots

Rd Sel # Player Position School

*1* 1 24 Brandon Meriweather DB Miami (Fla.)

4 127 Kareem Brown DT Miami (Fla.)

2006 - New England Patriots

Rd Sel # Player Position School

*1* 1 21 Laurence Maroney RB Minnesota

2 36 Chad Jackson WR Florida

3 86 David Thomas TE Texas

4 106 Garrett Mills RB Tulsa

*1* 4 118 Stephen Gostkowski K Memphis

2005 - New England Patriots

Rd Sel # Player Position School

*3* 1 32 Logan Mankins G Fresno State

*1* 3 84 Ellis Hobbs CB Iowa State

3 100 Nick Kaczur T Toledo

4 133 James Sanders SAF Fresno State

Pats fans can correct me on the rankings, and they certainly raked in a haul in 2010, which I think is too early for the majority of teams/fans to make consistent judgments. At any rate, it would be kind of fun to see how teams rank out. By this rubric, anyway, it seems the Cowboys (surprisingly) have an equal or better ranking than the Pats (and keep in mind the Cowboys had a disaster of a draft in 2009).

 
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'Kitrick Taylor said:
Packers GM Ted Thompson is no slouch.Since coming to the Packers:2006 RD 7 (253) Dave Tollefson. DE Cut by Pack after rookie year, but has stuck with Giants, and is part of their DL rotation. RD 6 (183) Johnny Jolly. DE Quality starter in 2009, missed 2010 due to league suspension. 50/50 to start in 2011 at DE. Will play plenty either way.2007RD 6 (192) Desmond Bishop. MLB Packers didn't miss a beat when Nick Barnett went down to injury this year. Bishop now has a fat contract and starts at MLB for the champs.2008RD 7 (209) Matt Flynn QB Filled in admirably for Rodgers vs NE this year, and will be a starter in either 2011 or 2012 for someone. Mark it down. RD 4 (135) Josh Sitton OG Considered a reach at the time, now is a pro bowl guard, possibly the best one in the NFC.RD 3 (91) Jermicheal Finley TE Yet to fully make his mark on the NFL, I firmly believe he has the talent to be the next Gates.2009TT missed late in this draft, but got two studs early in Clay Matthews and BJ Raji2010.RD 7 (230) CJ WIlson DE. Filled in admirably when injuries struck midseason. So far he looks like a decent pass rusher, with limited skills vs the runRD 6 (193) James Starks RB. Took over the starting RB role and helped the Packers on their path to winning Super Bowl 45.RD 5 (169) Marshall Newhouse OT Never played in 2010. Rumblings out of 1265 Lombardi Ave are suggesting he's looking like a legit NFL LT.
Very "meh."
Okay, lets add non drafted FAs, and trades for late rounders.2006 Tramon Williams. One of the top CBs in the NFL. 6 picks in the regular season, 3 more in the postseason, including a pick 6 in ATL, and a game clincher in Philly. Charlie Peprah. Started a safety for most of 2010, and was a solid tackler (62 tackles and 2 picks)2010Sam Shields CB. His surprising play in 2010 allowed Dom Capers to let his CBs play 1 on 1 with WRs, which allowed him to run exotic coverages and blitzes everywhere throughout the defense. No small feat for an UDFA.Revolving door at ROLB, all played significant time at a key position in the 3-4, and played well enough. Zombo is tough vs the run, and has some pass rush, Walden is better vs the pass.Frank ZomboErik WaldenRobert Francois2004Cullen Jenkins DETalented DE that is going to get PAID again in FA this year.2007 Ryan Grant RB Packers acquired Grant for a 6th rounder in 2007.So that makes 8 of 22 starters that were acquired from picks RD 4 and well beyond. More than 1/3 of your SuperBowl Winning starters.
 
Since 1995, here is the team by team breakdown of "better" 6th and 7th round picks. I used players that have had a career average value of 30 or more as "better."

GBP 6: QB Matt Hasselbeck 78, WR Donald Driver 72, G Adam Timmerman 65, G Marco Rivera 56, T Matt Tauscher 55, G Scott Wells 32

ATL 4: T Ephraim Salaam 55, C Todd McClure 49, DT Travis Hall 41, T Kevin Shaffer 35

DEN 4: RB Terrell Davis 73, TE Desmond Clark 38, RB Mike Anderson 37, LB Nate Wayne 33

ARI 3: DT Chad Eaton 39, DB Renaldo Hill 37, G Reggie Wells 33

IND 3: LB Cato June 36, T Charlie Johnson 31, DB Antoine Bethea 31

JAX 3: DB Marlon McCree 42, LB Danny Clark 40, DE Rob Meier 31

PIT 3: DT Orpheus Roye 55, LB Carlos Emmons 54, DE Brett Keisel 40

TEN 3: DB Cortland Finnegan 38, DE Robaire Smith 38, C Justin Hartwig 35

BAL 2: LB Adalius Thomas 64, RB Chester Taylor 40

CHI 2: DB Chris Harris 38, LB Chris Draft 38

CIN 2: NT Kelly Gregg 58, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh 56

DAL 2: DE Jay Ratliff 42, WR Patrick Crayton 31

MIN 2: C Matt Birk 66, DT Jason Fisk 45

NEP 2: QB Tom Brady 116, QB Matt Cassel 36

NOS 2: QB Marc Bulger 57, WR Marques Colston 44

NYG 2: LB Dhani Jones 55, WR Kevin Walter 31

SFO 2: G Kyle Kosier 36, G Eric Heitmann 32

BUF 1: G Tom Nutten 31

CAR 1: DB Chad Cota 34

DET 1: G Chris Liwienski 37

KCC 1: DB Eric Warfield 30

NYJ 1: DT Jason Ferguson 50

OAK 1: DT Grady Jackson 58

PHI 1: DE Raheem Brock 43

SDC 1: T Shane Olivea 32

STL 1: LB Scott Shanle 36

TBB 1: DB Al Harris 56

CLE, HOU, MIA, SEA, WAS: 0

 
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Since 1995, here is the team by team breakdown of "better" 6th and 7th round picks. I used players that have had a career average value of 30 or more as "better."GBP 6: QB Matt Hasselbeck 78, WR Donald Driver 72, G Adam Timmerman 65, G Marco Rivera 56, T Matt Tauscher 55, G Scott Wells 32ATL 4: T Ephraim Salaam 55, C Todd McClure 49, DT Travis Hall 41, T Kevin Shaffer 35 DEN 4: RB Terrell Davis 73, TE Desmond Clark 38, RB Mike Anderson 37, LB Nate Wayne 33 ARI 3: DT Chad Eaton 39, DB Renaldo Hill 37, G Reggie Wells 33 IND 3: LB Cato June 36, T Charlie Johnson 31, DB Antoine Bethea 31 JAX 3: DB Marlon McCree 42, LB Danny Clark 40, DE Rob Meier 31 PIT 3: DT Orpheus Roye 55, LB Carlos Emmons 54, DE Brett Keisel 40 TEN 3: DB Cortland Finnegan 38, DE Robaire Smith 38, C Justin Hartwig 35 BAL 2: LB Adalius Thomas 64, RB Chester Taylor 40 CHI 2: DB Chris Harris 38, LB Chris Draft 38 CIN 2: NT Kelly Gregg 58, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh 56 DAL 2: DE Jay Ratliff 42, WR Patrick Crayton 31 MIN 2: C Matt Birk 66, DT Jason Fisk 45 NEP 2: QB Tom Brady 116, QB Matt Cassel 36 NOS 2: QB Marc Bulger 57, WR Marques Colston 44 NYG 2: LB Dhani Jones 55, WR Kevin Walter 31 SFO 2: G Kyle Kosier 36, G Eric Heitmann 32BUF 1: G Tom Nutten 31CAR 1: DB Chad Cota 34 DET 1: G Chris Liwienski 37 KCC 1: DB Eric Warfield 30 NYJ 1: DT Jason Ferguson 50 OAK 1: DT Grady Jackson 58 PHI 1: DE Raheem Brock 43 SDC 1: T Shane Olivea 32 STL 1: LB Scott Shanle 36 TBB 1: DB Al Harris 56 CLE, HOU, MIA, SEA, WAS: 0
:excited:
 
Dallas has some ok UDFAs. A couple of guys named Romo and Austin. Pro Bowlers.

Going off memory, their roster has a number of other UDFAs. WR Hurd and Ogletree, FB Gronkowski, a couple of OL, DE Stephen Bowen, An ILB, a couple of safeties. So about 10 UDFAs on their 53 man roster.

For 7th rounders, Ratliff, Crayton, Alan Ball, Jacque Reeves, DL Josh Brent, DL Sean Lissimore. Crayton and Reeves have moved on, but they spent several years in Dallas first.

All in all, about a quarter of the Cowboy roster is either a 7th round pick or a UDFA.

 
Dallas has some ok UDFAs. A couple of guys named Romo and Austin. Pro Bowlers.

Going off memory, their roster has a number of other UDFAs. WR Hurd and Ogletree, FB Gronkowski, a couple of OL, DE Stephen Bowen, An ILB, a couple of safeties. So about 10 UDFAs on their 53 man roster.

For 7th rounders, Ratliff, Crayton, Alan Ball, Jacque Reeves, DL Josh Brent, DL Sean Lissimore. Crayton and Reeves have moved on, but they spent several years in Dallas first.

All in all, about a quarter of the Cowboy roster is either a 7th round pick or a UDFA.
Unfortunately, I think this is an unfortunate fact--not a good one. Aside from a few gems (e.g., Dez, Ware, Felix), we're made up of way too many late-round guys. Ratliff is the only 7th rounder I'm at all pleased with. Hurd/Ogletree will be out of the league as soon as Dallas gives up on them. Gronkowski...poor kid...he closed the book on the 2010 season for us.
 
Dallas has some ok UDFAs. A couple of guys named Romo and Austin. Pro Bowlers.

Going off memory, their roster has a number of other UDFAs. WR Hurd and Ogletree, FB Gronkowski, a couple of OL, DE Stephen Bowen, An ILB, a couple of safeties. So about 10 UDFAs on their 53 man roster.

For 7th rounders, Ratliff, Crayton, Alan Ball, Jacque Reeves, DL Josh Brent, DL Sean Lissimore. Crayton and Reeves have moved on, but they spent several years in Dallas first.

All in all, about a quarter of the Cowboy roster is either a 7th round pick or a UDFA.
Unfortunately, I think this is an unfortunate fact--not a good one. Aside from a few gems (e.g., Dez, Ware, Felix), we're made up of way too many late-round guys. Ratliff is the only 7th rounder I'm at all pleased with. Hurd/Ogletree will be out of the league as soon as Dallas gives up on them. Gronkowski...poor kid...he closed the book on the 2010 season for us.
i was gonna say the same thing about Gronkowski, not sure too many cowboys fans are grateful for his contributions this past year
 
'Kitrick Taylor said:
Packers GM Ted Thompson is no slouch.Since coming to the Packers:2006 RD 7 (253) Dave Tollefson. DE Cut by Pack after rookie year, but has stuck with Giants, and is part of their DL rotation. RD 6 (183) Johnny Jolly. DE Quality starter in 2009, missed 2010 due to league suspension. 50/50 to start in 2011 at DE. Will play plenty either way.2007RD 6 (192) Desmond Bishop. MLB Packers didn't miss a beat when Nick Barnett went down to injury this year. Bishop now has a fat contract and starts at MLB for the champs.2008RD 7 (209) Matt Flynn QB Filled in admirably for Rodgers vs NE this year, and will be a starter in either 2011 or 2012 for someone. Mark it down. RD 4 (135) Josh Sitton OG Considered a reach at the time, now is a pro bowl guard, possibly the best one in the NFC.RD 3 (91) Jermicheal Finley TE Yet to fully make his mark on the NFL, I firmly believe he has the talent to be the next Gates.2009TT missed late in this draft, but got two studs early in Clay Matthews and BJ Raji2010.RD 7 (230) CJ WIlson DE. Filled in admirably when injuries struck midseason. So far he looks like a decent pass rusher, with limited skills vs the runRD 6 (193) James Starks RB. Took over the starting RB role and helped the Packers on their path to winning Super Bowl 45.RD 5 (169) Marshall Newhouse OT Never played in 2010. Rumblings out of 1265 Lombardi Ave are suggesting he's looking like a legit NFL LT.
Very "meh."
Okay, lets add non drafted FAs, and trades for late rounders.2006 Tramon Williams. One of the top CBs in the NFL. 6 picks in the regular season, 3 more in the postseason, including a pick 6 in ATL, and a game clincher in Philly. Charlie Peprah. Started a safety for most of 2010, and was a solid tackler (62 tackles and 2 picks)2010Sam Shields CB. His surprising play in 2010 allowed Dom Capers to let his CBs play 1 on 1 with WRs, which allowed him to run exotic coverages and blitzes everywhere throughout the defense. No small feat for an UDFA.Revolving door at ROLB, all played significant time at a key position in the 3-4, and played well enough. Zombo is tough vs the run, and has some pass rush, Walden is better vs the pass.Frank ZomboErik WaldenRobert Francois2004Cullen Jenkins DETalented DE that is going to get PAID again in FA this year.2007 Ryan Grant RB Packers acquired Grant for a 6th rounder in 2007.So that makes 8 of 22 starters that were acquired from picks RD 4 and well beyond. More than 1/3 of your SuperBowl Winning starters.
:cry:
 
At avoiding busts is easily Pittsburgh.

First round picks since 2000

2000 8 Burress, Plaxico

2001 19 Hampton, Casey

2002 30 Simmons, Kendall

2003 16 Polamalu, Troy

2004 11 Roethlisberger, Ben

2005 30 Miller, Heath

2006 25 Holmes, Santonio

2007 15 Timmons, Lawrence

2008 23 Mendenhall, Rashard

2009 32 Hood, Evander

2010 18 Pouncey, Maurkice

 
'Spike said:
'Adebisi said:
I can't imagine that any team has done better in the late rounds than New England, but I'm willing to listen to arguments.
Can you imagine if they could do a good job drafting RBs and WRs with their high picks?Laurence MaroneyChad JacksonBethel JohnsonD'oh!
Yeah and trading to get Chad Jackson with Green Bay who then tool Greg Jennings. I would still list NE and Pittsburgh as very good.
 
seems like whatever teams bust in the first couple rounds, do well with later picks. Not always, of course

 
I think a hard part is determining what constitutes a "gem" in the eyes of fans. Are we talking Pro Bowlers? All-Pros? What about if the player is merely a solid rotational part? Does that count for anything or nothing?

The Patriots haven't had "flashy" late round picks, which hurts them more in these kind of comparisons (comparing say to Dallas with Romo and Miles Austin for example). Also what about solid UDFAs like RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis? Do they count or is it only draft picks?

Zoltan Mesko was a solid punter this season, a position that's been unstable for the Patriots for a while. Brandon Deadrick proved to be a solid rotation guy along the DL. Myron Pryor from 2009 has also been a solid DL rotation guy. Again, not "flashy" but solid. Matt Slater's been a very effective ST guy, pretty much largely why he was selected. Ryan O'Callaghan and LeKevin Smith were both rotation guys along the trenches.

A lot of the Patriots' late round picks aren't expected to be Pro Bowl caliber guys. All of them are expected to at least be solid players, carve out a niche on the team, and be productive (usually in a rotational aspect).

 
Since 1995, here is the team by team breakdown of "better" 6th and 7th round picks. I used players that have had a career average value of 30 or more as "better."GBP 6: QB Matt Hasselbeck 78, WR Donald Driver 72, G Adam Timmerman 65, G Marco Rivera 56, T Matt Tauscher 55, G Scott Wells 32ATL 4: T Ephraim Salaam 55, C Todd McClure 49, DT Travis Hall 41, T Kevin Shaffer 35 DEN 4: RB Terrell Davis 73, TE Desmond Clark 38, RB Mike Anderson 37, LB Nate Wayne 33 ARI 3: DT Chad Eaton 39, DB Renaldo Hill 37, G Reggie Wells 33 IND 3: LB Cato June 36, T Charlie Johnson 31, DB Antoine Bethea 31 JAX 3: DB Marlon McCree 42, LB Danny Clark 40, DE Rob Meier 31 PIT 3: DT Orpheus Roye 55, LB Carlos Emmons 54, DE Brett Keisel 40 TEN 3: DB Cortland Finnegan 38, DE Robaire Smith 38, C Justin Hartwig 35 BAL 2: LB Adalius Thomas 64, RB Chester Taylor 40 CHI 2: DB Chris Harris 38, LB Chris Draft 38 CIN 2: NT Kelly Gregg 58, WR TJ Houshmandzadeh 56 DAL 2: DE Jay Ratliff 42, WR Patrick Crayton 31 MIN 2: C Matt Birk 66, DT Jason Fisk 45 NEP 2: QB Tom Brady 116, QB Matt Cassel 36 NOS 2: QB Marc Bulger 57, WR Marques Colston 44 NYG 2: LB Dhani Jones 55, WR Kevin Walter 31 SFO 2: G Kyle Kosier 36, G Eric Heitmann 32BUF 1: G Tom Nutten 31CAR 1: DB Chad Cota 34 DET 1: G Chris Liwienski 37 KCC 1: DB Eric Warfield 30 NYJ 1: DT Jason Ferguson 50 OAK 1: DT Grady Jackson 58 PHI 1: DE Raheem Brock 43 SDC 1: T Shane Olivea 32 STL 1: LB Scott Shanle 36 TBB 1: DB Al Harris 56 CLE, HOU, MIA, SEA, WAS: 0
What this list proves is that it's very difficult to find late round gems even for the good teams because the talent drop off is so steep at that point in the draft. GB looks best here with 6 hits out of a possible 30+. But almost every other team is batting under .100 for uncovering "better" gems, even model franchises like PIT, NE, and IND.
 
At avoiding busts is easily Pittsburgh.First round picks since 20002000 8 Burress, Plaxico2001 19 Hampton, Casey2002 30 Simmons, Kendall2003 16 Polamalu, Troy2004 11 Roethlisberger, Ben 2005 30 Miller, Heath 2006 25 Holmes, Santonio2007 15 Timmons, Lawrence 2008 23 Mendenhall, Rashard 2009 32 Hood, Evander 2010 18 Pouncey, Maurkice
That is pretty incredible considering they picked in the second half of the first round in most of those picks.
 
At avoiding busts is easily Pittsburgh.First round picks since 20002000 8 Burress, Plaxico2001 19 Hampton, Casey2002 30 Simmons, Kendall2003 16 Polamalu, Troy2004 11 Roethlisberger, Ben 2005 30 Miller, Heath 2006 25 Holmes, Santonio2007 15 Timmons, Lawrence 2008 23 Mendenhall, Rashard 2009 32 Hood, Evander 2010 18 Pouncey, Maurkice
Have to agree. Wow. That's why Pitt is one of the top franchises of the past decade, if not the franchise.
 

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