Title

Taking a look at the (((2005))) NFL Draft

By TheDarkHorse

By Artie Fufkin and The Dark Horse

We thought it might interesting to see how NFL teams fared in the 1st round of the 2005 draft. As opposed to falling into the trap of prematurely judging this April’s draft, we felt that looking back five years was a fair amount of time to really assess who hit and who missed–with those drafted players (in some cases) hovering near the prime of their careers.

1. San Diego – Eli Manning, QB Mississippi
As we all know, Eli was shipped to the New York Football Giants for Philip Rivers and the Giants third-round pick in 2004, and their first and fifth round picks in the 2005 draft. Although the Chargers ended up getting Shawn Merriman and Nate Kaeding with the extra picks acquired, overall, this deal has worked out well for the Giants. They’ve gone on to win a Super Bowl with Eli Manning, so, that pretty much ends the debate.

2. Oakland – Robert Gallery, OT Iowa
He’s started 73 out of 74 games for the Oakland Raiders.  After being the most hyped OL prospect since Tony Mandarich, Gallery hasn’t lived up to the billing, but has settled in as a steady performer for the abysmal Raiders.

3. Arizona – Larry Fitgerald, WR Pittsburgh
Arguably the #1 talent on the board in this draft, Fitzgerald has emerged as one of the top-flight wide receivers in pro football, and helped lead the Cardinals to their first Super Bowl.

4. NY Giants – Philip Rivers, QB North Carolina State
Despite generally coming off as a royal douche, Rivers, for the Chargers, has been a solid quarterback.  After sitting behind Drew Brees for two seasons Rivers has started 48 consecutive regular season games.

5. Washington – Sean Taylor, S Miami (Fla)
Sean Taylor died of a gunshot wound in Miami, FL, on November 27, 2007. Previous to his death, he showed tremendous potential as a football player, and was one of the leagues brightest young talents.

6. Cleveland ( from Detroit) – Kellen Winslow Jr, TE Miami (Fla)
Following a disastrous, injury-plagued first two seasons in Cleveland, Winslow has transformed into a dominant and dangerous tight end who presents problems for opposing defenses. He was traded to Tampa Bay this offseason.

7. Detroit (from Cleveland) – Roy Williams, WR Texas
Now a Dallas Cowboy, Williams has more than 4,000 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns in the NFL. Some feel that Dallas paid way too high a price for him, but that cannot yet be judged.  Now that TO has left town, Williams will be Tony Romo’s go-to-guy, so this is a big year for him.

8. Atlanta – DeAngelo Hall, CB Virginia Tech
Hall, now a Redksin, is with his third team since 2004. Hall has superior talent as a cover corner, and is a 2-time Pro Bowler (2005, 2006).  But his hot temper has gotten him in trouble.  He has 22 career interceptions.

9. Jacksonville – Reggie Williams, WR Washington
A middle-tier wideout who has yet to post more than 700 receiving yards in any given season.  Known as an underachiever on the field and a loud-mouth off it, Jacksonville elected not to re-sign Williams this off-season.  Currently a free agent.

10. Houston – Dunta Robinson, CB South Carolina
Defensive rookie of the year in 2004.  Started his first 48 games in the league, but suffered a severe knee injury in 2007.  Houston used the franchise tag on Robinson this offseason, and in response Dunta is holding out.

11. Pittsburgh – Ben Roethlisberger, QB Miami (Ohio)
Two Super Bowls and the heart of the team. Pittsburgh drifted for years without a quarterback, but Ben has solved that problem entirely. Eli gets all the built-in hype, but Ben has been the best quarterback of this draft.

12. NY Jets – Jonathan Vilma, LB Miami (Fla)
The first linebacker off the board, Vilma was a 4-year starter for the Jets before having knee surgery. He came back to 16/16 games for the Saints in 2008, and is the leader of their LB corps.

13. Buffalo – Lee Evans, WR Wisconsin
Evans has been extremely solid for Buffalo, with 4,700 yards receiving and 32 touchdowns.  Will benefit from TOs presence as Trent Edwards’ #2 option.

14. Chicago – Tommie Harris, DT Oklahoma
Still a starting player with the Bears, Harris is one of the better pass-rushing DTs in the league, with 24.5 sacks in his career.  Has battled injuries for the last few years, and had a sub-par 2008.

15. Tampa Bay – Michael Clayton, WR LSU
As a 5-year wideout with the Bucs, Clayton has totaled 2,706 yards and 9 touchdowns. Had a breakout rookie year (1,193 yds) but his production has fallen off since due to injuries, and falling out of favor with John Gruden.  Just signed a new 5-year deal with Tampa Bay.

16. Philadelphia (from San Francisco) – Shawn Andrews, OT Arkansas
Starting Pro Bowl right guard. When healthy, he’s been a consistent starter for the Eagles. Diagnosed with depression, and missed last season with a back injury.  Could go either way.

17. Denver (from Cincinnati) – D.J. Williams, OLB Miami (Fla)
Versatile and athletic, Williams has played every LB position. A durable, consistent starter for the team with nearly 500 career tackles.

18. New Orleans – Will Smith, DE Ohio State
A Pro Bowl selection in 2006, Smith is establishing himself as one of the better DE in the league with 36.5 career sacks.  Signed a huge 6-year deal with the Saints in 2008.

19. Miami (from Minnesota) – Vernon Carey, G Miami (Fla)
Very solid player for the Dolphins, Carey has started every game the last three seasons at both tackle spots.  Signed a multi-year extension this off-season.

20. Minnesota (from Miami) – Kenechi Udeze, DE USC
After four productive seasons, Udeze was diagnosed by doctors with a form of Leukemia in February 2008, and missed the entire season. He is hoping to return.

21. New England (from Bal) – Vince Wilfork, DT Miami (Fla)
A centerpiece in the Patriots defense, Wilfork made the Pro Bowl in 2007, and has started 66 of 77 games with New England.  Another in a long line of great draft picks by Belichick and the crew.

22. Buffalo (from Dallas) – J.P. Losman, QB Tulane
The 4th and final QB taken in this draft, Losman started all 16 games in 2006 before being replaced by Trent Edwards in Buffalo.  Has generally not lived up to the hype, and is clearly the worst QB of the class.

23. Seattle – Marcus Tubbs, DT Texas
Started 12 games in the Seahawks’ 2005 Super Bowl run and was a key part of their defense. Plagued by injuries since. Currently a free agent who hasn’t played a game since 2006.

24. St. Louis (from Denver thru Cincinnati) – Steven Jackson, RB Oregon State
Jackson has shown that he can be brilliant, rushing for more than 5,000 yards and 37 touchdowns for the Rams. He’s also been moody and dramatic, but the Rams found the best 1st-round back in the draft in Jackson.

25. Green Bay – Ahmad Carroll, CB Arkansas
Carroll has floated in and out of the league, and even played a season with the Orlando Predators in 2007. He’s currently signed by the Jets.

26. Cincinnati (from St. Louis) – Chris Perry, RB Michigan
Perry played in just two games as a rookie, and managed only nine starts over four seasons with the Bengals, totaling 606 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals released him this off-season.

27. Houston (from Tennessee) – Jason Babin, DE Western Michigan
Babin has spent time with the Texans, Seahawks, and Chiefs, and is currently an unsigned free agent.

28. Carolina (from Philadelphia thru San Francisco) – Chris Gamble, CB Ohio State
Gamble was a rookie All-Pro for Carolina and has been a very productive player since. He’s still with the team and a big part of the Panthers defense.

29. Atlanta (from Indianapolis) – Michael Jenkins, WR Ohio State
An above-average WR in his five season with the Falcons, Jenkins has totaled 2,300 yards and 17 touchdowns.  Consummate blocking WR, could flourish with Matt Ryan at the helm.

30. Detroit (from Kansas City) – Kevin Jones, RB Virginia Tech
After an 1,100-yard rookie season, Jones faded in Detroit and ended up with the Bears last season. He played in 11 games, started none of them, and rushed for 109 yards and  zero touchdowns.

31. San Francisco (from Carolina) – Rashaun Woods, WR Oklahoma State
Woods played for San Francisco and San Diego without a major impact before landing in the Canadian Football League.

32. New England – Ben Watson, TE Georgia
Rumored to have scored a 41 on his Wonderlic (note: that’s VERY smart) Watson was the last first-rounder to sign, after holding out for 18 days (note: that’s NOT very smart).  Has been an average contributor at TE, and is entering the final year of his contract. Started 9/14 games in 2008.