Best of the First (Picks 32-17)
Around this time every year, we realize that some of these players have been in the NFL for a few years now. Can you believe that Andrew Luck is going into his fifth season under center for the Colts? More importantly, we ask, "how is what's his face doing?" Not every first round pick is set to be a franchise player. Look at the 2013 first round alone. It was pretty bad. But we do still have some of the best players in the NFL come out of this first round. The top talent from college.
In this four-part story, we are going to look at the best and worst picks at each number in the NFL Draft over the past 10 years. Some of these could end up being offensive linemen that people do not know, but they still will count.
Here we go with picks 32-17:
32. QB Teddy Bridgewater - 2014 - Minnesota Vikings
Other Options: S Kenny Phillips (2008), CB Patrick Robinson (2010)
Teddy Bridgewater fell in the 2014 NFL Draft due to a poor Wonderlick score. He had scored lowest of the quarterbacks in his draft class and very close to the lower side of all quarterbacks. Since getting drafted by the Vikings, he has been their guy. Despite not getting his first start until week three of his rookie season, the Minnesota Coaching Staff never looked back.
Bridgewater helped the Vikings to reach the playoffs in his rookie season. He has thrown 28 touchdowns and has averaged a 87.0 QBR.
31. C Travis Frederick - 2013 - Dallas Cowboys
Other Options: DE Jerry Hughes (2010), RB Doug Martin (2012), TE Greg Olsen (2007)
There were some great options here at 31, but the overall best has to go to Travis Frederick. This is not just because I am a Cowboy fan. Frederick is one of the top centers in the league and has helped cement the Cowboys as having the best offensive line in football. Hughes came into his stride late, Martin had two very down and injury ridden seasons, and Olsen wasn't a game changer until his last two seasons.
Frederick has played every game he has been in the NFL for and contributed to DeMarco Murray's 2014 OPOY award.
30. DE Muhammuad Wilkerson - 2011 - New York Jets
Other Options: S Demarious Randall (2015), RB Joseph Addai (2006)
This big, bad defensive end fell to number 30? Turns out, this was a great class for defensive linemen. Wilkerson has been one of the focal points of the New York defense for the past few years and has just signed his multi-year deal with the team.
Wilkerson only missed three games in his career due to suspension in 2014. He posted 300 tackles, 36 sacks, and nine forced fumbles in his five years in the league.
29. C Nick Mangold - 2006 - New York Jets
Other Options: S Harrison Smith (2012), WR Hakeem Nicks (2009)
This was a tough one at first. One of the best safeties versus another top center. When you look at the fact that Mangold has been to seven Pro-Bowls and is a two-time first-team All-Pro, you can't go anywhere else with this selection. Mangold was a constant even when the Jets were the laughing stock of the NFL. He was the highest paid center at one time before being passed by Ryan Kalil and Alex Mack.
Nick Mangold allowed 0.5 sacks in his rookie year. He has started every game he has ever played in.
28. OT Joe Staley - 2007 - San Francisco 49ers
Other Options: WR Kelvin Benjamin (2014), RB Mark Ingram (2011)
Another tough call here. Especially between Ingram and Staley. Pro-Bowls and Second-Team selections win once again. Staley has started in every game he has played like Mangold. He is one of the best left tackles in the game today, minus the fact that he is on the destructive 49ers squad.
27. WR DeAndre Hopkins - 2013 - Houston Texans
Other Options: CB Devin McCourty (2010), DeAngelo Williams (2006)
I picked Hopkins over McCourty for one reason: quarterbacks. Hopkins has been in the league for three seasons and has been thrown to by seven different signal callers. It will be eight come week one of this year. Despite the constant changes under center, Hopkins has put together back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons and posted 19 touchdowns in his three years.
McCourty may have the stats and the ring. Hopkins has the talent and the X-factor on the other hand.
26. LB Clay Matthews - 2009 - Green Bay Packers
Other Options: DE Whitney Mercilus (2012), LB Marcus Smith (2014)
Clay Matthews is a monster on the field. Since making his debut in 2009, Matthews has been one of the top five linebackers in the league. He has even been the best. Matthews won Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, the same year he got his Super Bowl ring with the Packers.
A Six-time Pro-Bowler and constantly shown in commercials, Matthews is not only one of the best players, but most recognizable athletes today.
25. CB Vonte Davis - 2009 - Miami Dolphins
Other Options: WR Santonio Holmes (2006), Xavier Rhodes (2013), LB Dont'a Hightower (2012)
Davis is the only bright spot on the horrific Indianapolis defense from the past few years. He is physical and not afraid to take down or take on any player. I can personally say this guy ruined my fanatsy season two years ago when he put Giovanni Bernard out of commision for a few weeks.
A Two-time Pro-Bowler and amounting 21 interceptions over his 7 year career. Davis is a force to be feared.
24. WR Dez Bryant - 2010 - Dallas Cowboys
Other Options: DE Cameron Jordan (2011), RB Chris Johnson (2008), S Brandon Meriweather (2007)
Dez is one of the most passionate players we have seen in the past few years. He is vocal on the sidelines with his teammates and has become a leader for the Dallas offense. Even though his last season was cut short due to injury, he will be back this fall. Many people even say he is one of the top five receivers today.
Accumulating 59 touchdowns and over 5,800 receiving yards in six seasons. Dez Bryant is a hell of a match-up for any corner.
23. OT Michael Oher - 2009 - Baltimore Ravens
Other Options: DE Sharrif Floyd (2013), WR Dwayne Bowe (2007)
Yes, "The Blind Side" guy makes this list. Oher is one of the offensive reasons the Ravens were so dominant in the last two decades. Him and their amazing defense. Oher blocked for Ray Rice and Joe Flacco his entire Ravens career before joining the Titans and then Panthers. His abilities on the line made him a highly coveted commodity.
He also led the NFL in most penalties for a season. He just wanted Flacco protected.
22. WR Demaryius Thomas - 2010 - Denver Broncos
Other Options: CB Desmond Trufant (2013), WR Percy Harvin (2009)
Barring this past season, Thomas has been one of the biggest threats on offense. He is a crisp route runner with impressive speed. He has broken away from many corners to make some incredible catches and proceeds to take them to the house. While his hands are in question, there is no need for specuation on his playmaking ability.
Thomas is a Super Bowl Champion, three-time Pro-Bowler, and two-time second team All-Pro. in his six seasons, Thomas collected over 6,600 receiving yards and 47 touchdowns.
21. C Alex Mack - 2009 - Cleveland Browns
Other Options: DE Chandler Jones (2012), TE Tyler Eifert (2013)
Hey look! The Browns did something right! Mack is currently the highest paid center in the league thanks to the Falcons (Oops, spoke too soon Browns). He was the only consistant piece of a broken and battered Cleveland team with a revolving door of players at every position. Except at center. Mack is still one of the best centers in the league and will now be protecting for DeVonta Freeman and Matt Ryan.
20. CB Aqib Talib - 2008 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Other Options: LB Tamba Hali (2006), G Kyle Long (2013)
How did the Bucs let this guy go? Easily one of the top five corners in the league today, Talib has been difficult for quarterbacks to say the least. His ability to read a quarterback's motions make him deadly when in zone coverage. His speed can match up with anyone in man as well. This guy is a monster in the secondary.
Talib has amounted 350 tackles, 30 interceptions, and eight touchdowns in his nine seasons spread between the Bucs, Patriots, and Broncos.
19. CB Antonio Cromartie - 2006 - San Diego Chargers
Other Options: WR Jeremy Maclin (2009), S Michael Griffin (2007)
This cornerback has been one of the top guys for the past few years. Cromartie and Revis Island were the best cornerback pairing for three years. Even when he left the Big Apple for the Cards, he was still a force to be reckoned with on defense.
Cromartie was a four time Pro-Bowler and was the NFL Alumni Defensive Player of the Year in 2007. In his 10 seasons, Cromartie accumulated 361 tackles, 31 interceptions and six touchdowns.
18. QB Joe Flacco - 2008 - Baltimore Ravens
Other Options: CB Marcus Peters (2015), C Maurkice Pouncey (2010)
He may not be your favorite, but you cannot argue with a Super Bowl MVP. Flacco is a good player, he has the body of work to show for it too. He has missed the playoffs twice in his entire career. That is a stat that cannot be argued. He has also won at least one game in every postseason he has played in. While he may not be elite, he is still one of the top guys today.
Flacco has never been selected to a Pro-Bowl, but was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year in 2008 and won Super Bowl XLVII, along with the MVP.
17. LB Chad Greenway - 2006 - Minnesota Vikings
Other Options: CB Dre Kirkpatrick (2012) LB C.J. Mosley (2014), G Mike Iupati (2010)
This was the toughest one of the day. All of these guys are deserving of this spot. But Greenway is just slightly better than the rest. Greenway is a two-time Pro-Bowler. He has over 1,000 tackles in his career. He also has 18 sacks, 10 interceptions, 31 pass defenses, and eight forced fumbles.
The main reason that Greenway wins here is that he has a bigger body of work to show opposed to the other contenders.
Tomorrow, I will release the best players picked 16-1.
