The wait continues for NFL draft in April in Arlington, Texas. As we wait we are also looking back at some of the past drafts that are shaping our current NFL. If you want to take a look at previous draft reviews click to see 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 The next draft we are looking at is the 2007 draft and what made it one of the best in recent history; and somehow disappointing at the same time.
Here’s the deal, I need to reference an article recently put out by Tom Fornelli over at CBS Sports which he lists “the biggest NFL Draft quarterback busts of the BCS era.” So, you may know where I’m going with this. We start with the #1 pick in the 2007 draft. Why? Because if you know/see who the #1 pick was then you know what I’m talking about.
Fornelli’s #1 bust is Vince Young. His reasons to have Young #1 appear sound and quite legitimate (to him at least). I think there are 2 more likely answers to the question: Who’s the biggest QB bust ever? Most NFL fans, I feel, would have the same answers as me.
Still, even if I had not looked at Fornelli’s list my response would have been JaMarcus Russell then maybe Ryan Leaf. Russell was the #1 pick in the 2007 draft. I guess the Oakland Raiders felt like it was a good idea at the time. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say. Russell may have not been the worst quarterback to come out of this draft class, but with where he was drafted and how much he flaunted his own abilities prior to the draft; he may deserve the title of biggest bust.
“Mr. Irrelevant” in this draft was picked by the Detroit Lions with the 255th pick. They selected a defensive back from University of Alabama by the name of Ramzee Robinson. If you were unaware to which athletic conference the University of Alabama is a part of; it is in the Southeastern Conference. Robinson was drafted by the Detroit Lions, signed, cut, and then resigned to the Lions practice squad. Fortunately, for him, after some injuries to the Lions secondary he was able to make it to the active roster and see some playing time.
On December 28, 2008 the Lions were playing the Packers. Robinson taunted Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones after an incomplete pass thrown by Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers during the third quarter. Robinson danced around and pointed at Jones after the fourth-and-10 play, resulting in a 15-yard dead-ball penalty against Detroit. By the end of his NFL career he had started 26 games for the Lions, Cleveland Browns, and Philadelphia Eagles.
Why is that important?
This is the same game in which the Lions’ made history as the first NFL team to go winless in the modern 16-game regular season, which started in 1977. Was Robinson directly responsible to the resulting loss? Probably not, but it’s worth noting.
Now to the still active Pro Bowlers. To mark a “successful” career in this draft class I will list players who have been selected to multiple Pro Bowls and are still active. There are currently 11 players on that list. My list will have them by name, position and current/most recent team. As well as, the team that drafted them with the round number and pick they were.
Adrian Peterson – Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
– Minnesota Vikings, Round 1 Pick 7
Marshawn Lynch – Running Back, Oakland Raiders
– Buffalo Bills, Round 1 Pick 12
Darrelle Revis – Defensive Back, Kansas City Chiefs
– New York Jets, Round 1 Pick 14
Reggie Nelson – Defensive Back, Oakland Raiders
– Jacksonville Jaguars, Round 1 Pick 21
Joe Staley – Offensive Tackle, San Francisco 49ers
– San Francisco 49ers, Round 1 Pick 28
Greg Olsen – Tight End, Carolina Panthers
– Chicago Bears, Round 1 Pick 31
Eric Weddle – Defensive Back, Baltimore Ravens
– San Diego Chargers, Round 2 Pick 37
Ryan Kalil – Center, Carolina Panthers
– Carolina Panthers, Round 2 Pick 59
Marshal Yanda – Offensive Tackle, Baltimore Ravens
– Baltimore Ravens, Round 3 Pick 86
Zak DeOssie – Linebacker, New York Giants
– New York Giants, Round 4 Pick 116
Jermon Bushrod – Offensive Tackle, New Orleans Saints
– New Orleans Saints, Round 4 Pick 125
The 2007 draft is considered to be one of the best. When you see the first pick you question that, but when you see who came next it’s not so hard to believe. With superstar names like: Calvin Johnson, Joe Thomas, Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Darrelle Revis…then you include Marshawn Lynch, Jon Beason, Joe Staley, Eric Weddle, Ryan Kalil, Jacoby Jones, and Marshal Yanda. Consider too that there were 16 picks from the first round to make a Pro Bowl and another 17 players from the other rounds and undrafted free agents. Yeah, it adds up.
