A Score of Sixth Picks That Run the Gamut

Randy's Radar

A Score of Sixth Picks That Run the Gamut

Published: Thu, April 24, 2008 - 11:35am EST
Eric Allen

By Eric Allen

Allen is the senior managing editor of newyorkjets.com. He is in his seventh season with the Jets.


File Under: draft, Richard Seymour, sixth overall selection, Lawrence Phillips, Johnathan Sullivan, David Klingler, Walter Jones, Tim Brown, Torry Holt

04/24 — The Jets own the sixth overall selection in this weekend’s draft. It got us thinking which player was selected in the same slot last year, and then we ultimately decided to examine the past two decades.

2007 — Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry, S, LSU

On their Website, the 'Skins tout Landry as “a Pro Bowl caliber safety.” The 6’0”, 213-pounder definitely impressed in his rookie campaign, totaling 97 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

2006 — San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland

A physical marvel, Davis registered career highs in receptions (52) and TD catches (four) in his second season.

2005 — Tennessee Titans: Adam “Pacman” Jones, CB, West Virginia

The statistic that has plagued Jones is six career arrests since being drafted. He is expected to meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before training camp to see if he can return for this season and play for his new team, the Cowboys. In 2006 Jones collected four interceptions and also tied for a league high with three punt-return TDs.

2004 — Cleveland Browns: Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami (Fla.)

After two injuries (including knee problems following a motorcycle accident) slowed him his first two seasons, Winslow has emerged as one of the NFL’s top targets. He followed up an 89-catch, 875-yard, three-TD campaign in 2006 with an 82-catch, 1,106-yard, five-TD season in ’07.

2003 — New Orleans Saints: Johnathan Sullivan, DT, Georgia

The Saints actually moved up to get to this spot, but they didn’t receive much of a return for their investment. Sullivan played three largely forgettable seasons with the Saints, then was traded to New England (for WR Bethel Johnson) in 2006 but never played for the Patriots. Back in June 2006, police picked Sullivan up in Georgia and charged him with a seatbelt violation, running stop signs, playing loud music and possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. He is not longer in the National Football League.

2002 — Kansas City Chiefs: Ryan Sims, DT, North Carolina

After five less-than-stellar years in Kansas City, Sims was traded to Tampa last year and was a reserve for the Bucs. He has totaled just 90 tackles and six sacks during his career.

2001 — New England Patriots: Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia

Jets fans know all too well how this versatile selection worked out for their divisional foes to the northeast. Seymour annually vacationed in Hawaii from 2002-06 and his five Pro Bowl trips are the most by any Pats lineman since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger.

2000 — Philadelphia Eagles: Corey Simon, DT, Florida State

Last October Simon retired from football due to a polyarthritis condition. In 95 games with three teams, he racked up 32 sacks along with 246 tackles, nine forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. Simon was an all-rookie performer for Philly back in 2000 (9.5 sacks) and also represented the Eagles at the Pro Bowl following the ’03 season (7.5 sacks).

1999 — St. Louis Rams: Torry Holt, WR, North Carolina State

Holt will go down as one of the most prolific receivers in NFL history. The 31-year-old just had another phenomenal year, quietly producing a stat line of 93 catches, 1,189 yards and seven scores. He was the first player in NFL history with six consecutive 1,300-yard receiving seasons and the fastest player to 10,000 receiving yards (116 games).

1998 — St. Louis Rams: Grant Wistrom, DE, Nebraska

The former 'Husker had a fine nine-year run in the NFL, tallying 53 sacks with the Rams and Seahawks. He picked up a career-high 11 sacks with the Rams in 2000 and appeared in two Super Bowls with St. Louis. After permanently removing the pads, Wistrom moved home to southwestern Missouri and became an assistant football coach at Springfield High School.

1997 — Seattle Seahawks: Walter Jones, T, Florida State

One of the best offensive linemen in NFL history. Jones has been entrenched at LT for the Seahawks since stepping into the league, starting all 168 games he has appeared in.

1996 —St. Louis Rams: Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska

Phillips rushed for 1,453 yards in 35 career games and reached the end zone 14 times. A great physical talent, he never could control his emotions off the field. After widely publicized troubles at Nebraska, he got an opportunity from the Rams and it didn’t work out. He eventually moved on to the CFL but couldn’t stay with a team because of constant strife. Then in August 2005, Phillips, 31 years old at the time, drove onto a field near the L.A. Coliseum and hit two young boys and a 19-year-old man. He was convicted on all seven counts of assault at his trial.

1995 — St. Louis Rams: Kevin Carter, DT, Florida

Now entering his 14th professional season, the former Gator has had a fantastic career. Carter’s 100.5 sacks are an impressive number and he reached double-digit sack totals four times. He re-signed in Tampa and will be back for another year with the Bucs.

1994 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trent Dilfer, QB, Fresno State

Despite never becoming the franchise quarterback many had projected him to be, Dilfer captured a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens back in 2000. He managed the offense as the Ravens defense had one of the most dominating seasons in NFL history. Now 36, Dilfer has played for five teams and has passed for 20,518 yards with more interceptions (129) than touchdowns (113). He is a free agent and it appears his playing days are coming to an end.

1993 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Eric Curry, DE, Alabama

The former Alabama star played seven NFL seasons and finished with just 12.5 sacks.

1992 —Cincinnati Bengals: David Klingler, QB, Houston

The Bengals thought they had found their replacement for Boomer Esiason but their hopes never materialized. Klingler, terrific running the run 'n' shoot for the Cougars, eventually lost his job to former Jet Jeff Blake. Retiring with a career passer rating of 65.1, he went to Dallas Theological Seminary and earned his master's degree in theology

1991 — Phoenix Cardinals: Eric Swann, DT, No College

Ruled academically ineligible at N.C. State, Swann played semipro ball in Massachusetts and the Cards took a flyer him. He played 10 seasons in the NFL and appeared in two Pro Bowls.

1990 — Chicago Bears: Mark Carrier, S, Southern Cal

Let’s just say Carrier didn’t wait to make a pro impact. He was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year after leading the NFL with 10 INTs, finished his career with 32 picks and went to the Pro Bowl three times with the Bears (1990-91, ’93). Carrier now serves as the Ravens' defensive backs coach.

1989 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Broderick Thomas, OLB, Nebraska

When he finished his playing career with the Cowboys in 1997, Thomas had tallied 47.5 career sacks. His best seasons came with the Bucs in 1990 (7.5 sacks) and ’91 (11 sacks).

1988 — Los Angeles Raiders: Tim Brown, WR, Notre Dame

Timmy played 16 years (15 with the Silver & Black), made nine Pro Bowls, caught 1,094 balls for 14,934 yards and scored 100 times. Good pick.

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CEDRIC Said:

Fri, April 25, 2008 - 11:25am EST

"For the record I never once called Baker unimportant, I called his position expendable, the player, my analogy is valid B'cuz a rookie cannot have ONE stellar year N demand a new contract, Chris Baker had ONE good year and just did a contract then wants it redone, where's the policy on that? There is always favoristism, I have One Child myself, a girl, but I know when I have a boy I cant treat..."

Offensive Comment?

CEDRIC Said:

Fri, April 25, 2008 - 11:31am EST

"Him the same as her, not as in the term better or worse, just different. I understand what u mean mishandled, consistency is the key to successful teams, but dont think for One second that even the most succesful team doesnt have ppl mad about their contract. Each player is different and they should deal with them as such, call it favoritism i call it fair."

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CEDRIC Said:

Fri, April 25, 2008 - 11:34am EST

"If Baker had 3 or 4 back to back of those kind of numbers then Maybe I would support the Idea, but not after one CAREER year of a SUB PAR career on a SUB PAR team. NO, i cant back him, the intangible value of Coles in the lockerroom is the only reason im happy they dealt with Coles, but not Baker Frank, Not Baker."

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