22 December 2020

#Top100of2020

For a substantial stretch of time, I thought I had finished tracking Billboard's weekly Hot 100 charts to come up with year-end lists. Then quarantine happened and I got bored at home. I'm certainly not going as in depth as I have in the past, but I have come up with yet another year-end music list. 

Without further ado, the top 100 songs of 2020:


Some highlights:

The song of 2020, and it's not close, is Blinding Lights by The Weeknd.

The lights were blinding, but he still could take off his shades. (Pari Dukovic/trunkarchive.com)

The Weeknd also earns Clayton's Universe: Blog Style Artist of the Year honors for the second time. He only placed two singles on the year-end list, so it wasn't quite as runaway as his 2015 top artist recognition. Between the unprecedented success of Blinding Lights and the less- but still moderately-prolific Hot 100 tenure of number 35 single Heartless, I still felt The Weeknd more deserving of Artist of the Year than anyone else.

2020's Best New Artist is Roddy Ricch. The first number one single of the year, Ricch's The Box finished the year at number seven. He was also the main artist on number 33 single High Fashion, and featured on three other songs in this year's list. His most prominent single as a featured artist was alongside DaBaby on number four Rockstar.

Here is the #Top100of2019. I didn't write anything up for this one, so it's just the Spotify playlist.

I also have lots of other Billboard-related playlists on my Spotify page, that I may or may not do write-ups on at some point in the next 30 years. Follow me and you might just see some of those playlists!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

25 April 2020

The All-Time NFL Draft (Rounds 10-12)

Round 10

328. Green Bay - Melvin Jackson, G, Southern Cal (1976)
Jackson's career highlight is a touchdown he caught in his rookie season. He started all of the 1978 season and was a Packer for five years.

329. LA Chargers - Chuck Ehin, DL, Brigham Young (1983)
The former BYU Cougar recorded 9.5 sacks in his five-year career. He started at both left end and nose tackle for the Chargers.

330. Dallas - Herbert Scott, G, Virginia Union (1975)
Scott spent a decade in Dallas. He reached three Pro Bowls in his seven years starting at left guard. He was the Cowboys' left guard in their Super Bowl XII victory.

331. Philadelphia - Ray Ellis, DB, Ohio State (1981)
Starting at strong safety for two years and playing two more full seasons as a situational defensive back, Ellis played five years with the Eagles. He intercepted a career-high seven passes in 1984.

332. Washington - Frank Grant, WR, Colorado State-Pueblo (1972)
Grant was a serviceable receiver in Washington. In his seven-year career he amassed 2374 receiving yards and caught 18 touchdown passes.

333. Cleveland - Billy Andrews, LB, Southeastern Louisiana (1967)
Andrews didn't miss a game in six of his eight seasons as a member of the Browns. Spending three years starting at right side linebacker, Andrews picked off three passes in 1971.

334. Denver - Tyrone Braxton, DB, North Daktoa State (1987)
Braxton became a franchise great in his 12 years roaming the Broncos' defensive backfield. He played all but one of his NFL seasons in Denver; after joining the Dolphins for the 1994 season, Braxton had his best season in 1996. Picking off nine passes that year, the fourth-leading interception master in Broncos history made his one Pro Bowl appearance following the season.

Braxton ended his career with back-to-back championship trophies. (Jim Mone/Associated Press)
335. Dallas - Mark Washington, DB, Morgan State (1970)
Washington was a utility defensive back in most of his career, but was the regular starter at left corner in 1975. He picked off Craig Morton in the turnover-fest that was Super Bowl XII.

336. LA Rams - John Morrow, C, Michigan (1956)
Morrow was more successful as a Brown, but he started his career by being a starter in two of his four seasons in Los Angeles.

337. Washington - Dennis Johnson, DE, Delaware (1973)
Johnson started in three of his five seasons in Washington. He picked off a pass and recovered three fumbles in 1976.

338. Dallas - Jean Fugett, TE, Amherst (1972)
A four-year member of the Cowboys, Fugett was drafted right after the Cowboys' first Super Bowl win and left the team two years before their second. Nonetheless, he was good for 810 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in his Dallas career.

339. Tennessee - Ron Lou, C, Arizona State (1973)
Lou spent three years in Houston. He made nine appearances as a rookie for the Oilers, didn't play at all in 1974, then appeared in each regular season game in 1975 and 1976.

340. New Orelans - Bobby Scott, QB, Tennessee (1971)
Drafted 338 picks after Archie Manning, Scott served as Manning's backup from 1973 until 1981. He went 2-6 in a relief role as the Saints' starter in 1976.

341. New Orleans - Paul Fersen, OT, Georgia (1973)
Fersen appeared in four games over two seasons with the Saints.

342. New England - Ray Hamilton, DL, Oklahoma (1973)
Hamilton immediately started at defensive end for the Patriots, before he moved inside to play nose tackle for the last eight seasons of his consistent career.

343. Cincinnati - Mike Wilson, OT, Dayton (1969)
Cincinnati's starting right tackle in 1970 only lasted two years with the Bengals.

344. Buffalo - Merv Krakau, LB, Iowa State (1973)
In five full seasons as a Bill, Krakau appeared in all but four games. He recovered six fumbles in 1976, his finest year in Buffalo.

Krakau (52) played a game in New England in 1978 before resurfacing in the USFL in 1983. (Bruce Bennett/Getty)
345. Chicago - Dave Juenger, WR, Ohio (1973)
Juenger made just one NFL appearance. He had no statistical relevance in week 11 of his rookie season, a 31-13 loss at Minnesota. As we continue in today's post, I will stop giving descriptions for players like this who only made the list because they were the only selection at their spot to have any NFL action whatsoever, however minimal that action may have been.

346. Green Bay - Larry Hefner, LB, Clemson (1972)
A four-year member of the Packers, Hefner played full seasons in 1973 and 1974.

347. Chicago - Dick Klein, OT, Iowa (1955)
Although drafted in 1955, Klein didn't play until 1958. After two full seasons with the Bears, he spent five more years in Dallas, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Oakland.

348. Minnesota - Jim Hargrove, LB, Howard Payne (1967)
Hargrove averaged just under 11 games per season in his three years as a Viking, missing the entire 1968 season but returning in time to win the last ever NFL Championship in the 1969 season.

349. NY Jets - Joe Fields, OL, Widener (1975)
The Jets got a rare 14th-round gem when they drafted Fields. An interior lineman who played mostly at center, he also appeared in significant action as the Jets' right guard. Fields made two Pro Bowls and eventually played in the eighth-most games in the history of the Jets franchise.

350. Denver - Tommy Lyons, G, Georgia (1971)
Lyons started at guard in five of his six seasons as a Bronco. He played three full years and appeared in at least 10 games in each of his other three seasons in Denver.

351. LA Chargers - John Lee, DE, Nebraska (1976)
Lee made 48 appearances in his five seasons as a Charger, mostly in a reserve role.

352. Cleveland - Rick Kingrea, LB, Tulane (1971)
Kingrea played in eight total NFL seasons, but only two of those were with the Browns.

353. NY Giants - Bryan Kelley, LB, California Lutheran (1973)
In 11 seasons, Kelley was about as good as a linebacker could be without making a single Pro Bowl roster. He started as a middle linebacker starting in 1974, moving outside in 1977. When Ray Perkins took over and instituted a 3-4 defense, Kelley stayed outside but eventually became an inside 'backer again to make room for Lawrence Taylor in 1981.

354. Pittsburgh - Ed Kissell, DB, Wake Forest (1952)
Kissell was a safety who also kicked for the Steelers. In 1954, he converted eight of nine extra point attempts and went two-for-six on field goals.

355. LA Rams - Larry Brooks, DT, Virginia State (1972)
Brooks made five Pro Bowls in his 11 years as a Ram. The outstanding defensive tackle was at his best in 1979, being named to the All-Pro first team.

356. Dallas - Scott Laidlaw, RB, Stanford (1975)
Laidlaw played primarily as a fullback in Dallas. He gained 1649 yards from scrimmage in his five years as a Cowboy, earning a Super Bowl XII ring along the way.

357. Denver - Marlin Briscoe, QB, Nebraska-Omaha (1968)
Briscoe played in 11 games for the Broncos. He went 2-3 as a starter, passing for 1589 yards and 14 touchdowns in a time when African Americans typically were not given the chance to play quarterback. He lasted eight more seasons, but didn't get another shot to play quarterback with any of the five other teams he played for.

Briscoe played as a wide receiver for most of his NFL career (Bill Johnson/Denver Post)
358. NY Jets - John Little, DT, Oklahoma State (1970)
Starting for three years, Little never missed a game during his five seasons as a Jet. He went on to play for the Oilers and Bills for three more seasons.

359. N/A
This is the first pick in this project in which no player selected had any NFL experience.

360. LA Rams - Bob Geddes, LB, California Los Angeles (1970)
We also are starting to see picks in which no player selected played any games with his drafted team. The first is Geddes, who didn't play a down for the Rams, but was a Bronco in 1972 and a Patriot from 1973 to 1975.

361. Buffalo - Chuck DeVleigher, DT, Memphis (1968)
DeVleigher didn't play in 1968, but appeared in four games for the Bills in 1969.

362. Cleveland - Sisto Averno, G, Muhlenberg (1951)
The Browns never played Averno. He spent 1951 with a now-defunct team called the New York Yanks, then 1952 with the defunct Dallas Texans and the 1953 and 1954 seasons with the new Baltimore Colts.

363. Pittsburgh - Lou Harris, DB, Kent State (1968)
Harris only played one season with the Steelers, but he appeared in all 14 games in 1968. He returned six punts and a kickoff in his short career.

364. NY Jets - Roger Finnie, OT, Florida A&M (1969)
Finnie started at right tackle as a rookie, but only appeared in 10 games over the next two seasons. He played a full season in 1972, but the Jets moved on from him after that. Finnie moved on to St. Louis, where he played for the next six seasons.

Round 11

365. Tennessee - Billy Johnson, WR, Widener (1974)
Nicknamed "White Shoes," Johnson was a prolific return man in his seven years as an Oiler. In seven years, he set franchise career records for both punt return yards and touchdowns; he also has the fourth-most kickoff return yards in Oilers/Titans history.

366. Atlanta - Jim Weatherford, DB, Tennessee (1969)
Weatherford lasted one year in Atlanta; starting 10 games as a safety, he intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. Weatherford was named the Defensive Player of the Week in the fifth week of his only season.

367. Atlanta - Jim Robinson, WR, Georgia Tech (1975)
Robinson never took the field for the Falcons, but spent four years as a Giant and one in San Francisco.

368. Tennessee - Andy Hopkins, RB, Stephen F. Austin (1971)
Hopkins played in the first and last games of the 1971 season for Houston.

369. Buffalo - Joe Rizzo, LB, Kings Point (1973)
A member of the Broncos for seven years, Rizzo never made the Bills' active roster.

370. Chicago - Don Rives, LB, Texas Tech (1973)
Rives played every game in five of his six seasons as a Bear. He picked off two passes in 1978, his final season.

371. LA Chargers - Jim Campbell, LB, West Texas A&M (1968)
Campbell appeared in just one game in his NFL career, and made the most of it. In the Chargers' final 1969 contest, Campbell picked off Buffalo quarterback Tom Sherman during a 45-6 rout of the Bills.

372. LA Chargers - Gary Parris, TE, Florida State (1973)
Parris caught three passes over 23 games in his two-year Chargers career.

373. Denver - Calvin Jones, DB, Washington (1973)
In five years with the Broncos, Jones started in 44 games as a cornerback. He picked off 12 passes in his career, including a career-high five interceptions in 1974.

374. New England - Sam Hunt, LB, Stephen F. Austin (1974)
Not to be confused with the country singer, Hunt was a member of the all-rookie team in his first season. He started at inside linebacker in all six of his years with the Patriots.

375. Kansas City - Robert Holmes, RB, Southern (1968)
In the same season that the Chiefs won their first Super Bowl, Holmes made the Pro Bowl as their starting fullback. He scored a touchdown in the 1969 AFL championship, but was limited to five carries for just seven yards in Super Bowl IV.

376. Tennessee - Richard Stotter, LB, Houston (1968)
A hometown pick for the then-Houston Oilers, Stotter played just three games in the Luv Ya Blue.

377. Chicago - Roger Lawson, RB, Western Michigan (1972)
Lawson played 22 games over two seasons for the Bears. He picked up 172 rushing yards and 180 receiving yards in his career, scoring once on the ground.

378. Philadelphia - Tom Sullivan, RB, Miami-FL (1972) 
Sullivan is 11th all-time on the Eagles' career rushing yards list after six seasons with the team. He just missed out on a 1,000 yard season, rushing for 968 yards in 1973.

379. NY Giants - Don Hermann, WR, Waynesburg (1969)
Hermann started at flanker and wide receiver for five years. He caught five touchdowns in two different seasons.

380. Green Bay - Mike Carter, WR, Sacramento State (1970)

381. NY Giants - Carl Schaukowitch, G, Penn State (1973)
Schaukowitch saw no action with the Giants, but he surfaced for an 11-game stretch in 1975 with the Broncos.

382. San Francisco - Mike Bettiga, WR, Humboldt State (1973)
Bettiga appeared in 10 games in 1974 for the 49ers.

383. N/A

384. Cleveland - Dave Sullivan, WR, Virginia (1973)
Playing one game as a rookie, Sullivan saw some action in 1974. He caught five passes for 92 yards in his Browns career.

385. New England - Art McMahon, DB, North Carolina State (1968)
McMahon played in 43 games over four seasons. He missed the entire 1971 season, but was back to play in every Patriots game in 1972.

386. N/A

387. Kansas City - Larry Marshall, DB, Maryland (1972)
Marshall racked up 1549 yards as a kick and punt returner for the Chiefs. He played in 1972 and 1973, spent time in Minnesota and Minnesota, then spent two more games in Kansas City during the 1978 season.

388. Minnesota - Jeff Wright, DB, Minnesota (1971)
Seven-year Viking Jeff Wright was born in Minnesota, went to college in Minnesota, and played his entire NFL career in Minnesota. The strong safety played 83 games as a Viking, picking off 12 passes over his career.

389. LA Rams - Bill Lange, G, Dayton (1950)
Lange didn't play in his draft year, but put in two good seasons with the Rams in 1951 and 1952 before spending time as a Colt and Cardinal.

390. Denver - Larry Evans, LB, Mississippi College (1976)
Evans played every game in his first four seasons as a Bronco, but didn't become a starter until late in the 1979 season. He maintained his starting role through 1982.

391. N/A

392. New Orleans - Howard Stevens, RB, Louisville (1973)
Stevens played just two seasons as a return specialist, but made an impact. With 2379 combined return yards, he stands ninth among all Saints punt returners and has the franchise's 10th-most kickoff return yards of all time.

393. Atlanta - Steve Knutson, G, Southern Cal (1975)
Knutson never played for Atlanta. He put in three seasons of work in Green Bay and San Francisco.

394. Cleveland - John McKay, WR, Southern Cal (1975)
The son of legendary USC Coach John McKay, J.K. didn't play in Cleveland. He did join his father with the expansion Buccaneers in 1976, playing there through the 1978 season.

395. NY Jets - Jazz Jackson, RB, Western Kentucky (1974)
Jackson played in 33 games in his three-year career, recording 101 yards rushing and 359 yards on kick returns.

396. NY Giants - McKinley Boston, DE, Minnesota (1968)
Boston played in all but one game in his two-year Vikings career.

397. New Orleans - Edd Hargett, QB, Texas A&M (1969)
Hargett helped paved the way for Archie Manning at the Saints' quarterback position. In four seasons in New Orleans, the former Aggie threw for 2727 yards and 11 touchdowns.

398. New Orleans - Don Coleman, LB, Michigan (1974)
Coleman played in all but one game during his two seasons with the Saints.

399. Denver - Jack Lentz, DB, Holy Cross (1967)
A starting safety in both of his seasons with the Broncos, Lentz intercepted four passes in 1967. He was named a defensive player of the week in the 12th week of his rookie season.

400. Green Bay - Bob McCaffrey, C, Southern Cal (1975)

401. Miami - Lloyd Mumphord, DB, Texas Southern (1969)
Mumphord started at cornerback in his first two years with the Dolphins; by 1971 he played mostly in a relief or as a nickel back. Miami still needed him; he started in both of the Dolphins' Super Bowl wins.

402. Green Bay - Mark Cooney, LB, Colorado (1974)

403. LA Chargers - Bob Wells, OT, Johnson C. Smith (1968)
Wells had 20 appearances in his three years as a Charger, including a full slate of games in 1969.

404. Denver - Darrell Austin, G, South Carolina (1974)
Austin ended up playing six NFL seasons, but none of them were with Denver.

Round 12

405. Tennessee - Loyd Wainscott, LB, Texas (1969)
Wainscott played in 25 games for Houston, including a full season as a rookie.

406. San Francisco - Bob Hoskins, DT, Wichita State (1969)
In seven seasons as a 49er, Hoskins started 43 games. He was a valuable reserve player at first, taking over the starting right defensive tackle spot in 1973.

407. Cleveland - Preston Anderson, DB, Rice (1974)
Anderson played the entire 1974 season, but nothing more.

408. Indianapolis - Jack Maitland, RB, Williams
Playing in every game of the Colts' Super Bowl V championship season, Maitland carried the ball 74 times for 209 yards and a touchdown in his Baltimore career.

409. N/A

410. Arizona - Philip Spiller, DB, Los Angeles State (1967)
Spiller returned 15 punts and 10 kickoffs in his lone season with the Cardinals.

411. Chicago - Jerry Meyers, DE, Northern Illinois (1976)
A solid bench player in four seasons with the Bears, Meyers played in 47 games and got a quarterback sack during a 1977 playoff loss against eventual Super Bowl champion Dallas.

412. N/A

413. Dallas - Gene Killian, G, Tennessee (1974)

414. Minnesota - Neil Graff, QB, Wisconsin (1972)
Not appearing in any games for the Vikings, Graff reappeared in 1974 with the Patriots. He played in two seasons, then finished his career in Pittsburgh.

415. Kansas City - Dave Rozumek, LB, New Hampshire (1976)
Rozumek played four years in Kansas City. He started a full slate of games in 1978, recording two interceptions and a fumble recovery in his best season as a Chief.

416. NY Jets - George Nock, RB, Morgan State (1969)
Nock played in three seasons for the Jets. He had a full season in 1970, rushing for 402 yards and five scores.

417. Pittsburgh - Rocky Bleier, RB, Notre Dame (1968)
Bleier was a 16th-round pick who appeared in 10 games as a rookie. Missing out on both the 1969 and 1970 seasons while serving in Vietnam, the multi-talented tailback returned in 1971 and became an important part in the Steelers' 1970s dynasty. Bleier appeared in all four Pittsburgh Super Bowls, catching a seven-yard touchdown in Super Bowl XIII against Dallas.

Bleier has appeared in multiple documentaries discussing the Steelers dynasty. (Margaret J. Krauss/90.5 WESA)
418. LA Chargers - Charles DeJurnett, DT, San Jose State (1974)
A late bloomer, DeJurnett didn't play for the Chargers until 1976. He ended up playing in 66 games over his five seasons in San Diego before spending an additional five years with the Rams.

419. NY Giants - Steve Crosby, RB, Fort Hays State (1974)
Crosby played in 15 games in his three seasons as a Giant. The majority of his production came as a rookie, gaining 99 yards from scrimmage in that time.

420. New Orleans - Danny Abramowicz, WR, Xavier (1967)
The fifth leading receiver in Saints history, Abramowicz gained 1015 on a league-high 73 receptions in his breakout 1969 season. 

421. Cleveland - Dave Graf, LB, Penn State (1975)
Graf appeared in every game in four of his five seasons with the Browns. Despite this, he never started a game in Cleveland.

422. New Orleans - Greg Westbrooks, LB, Colorado (1975)
Playing in every game as a rookie, Westbrooks started at right side linebacker in 14 total games over his three-year career.

423. LA Chargers - Oscar Dragon, RB, Arizona State (1972)
Perhaps the greatest football name you've never heard, this Targaryen played in 13 games in his only NFL season.

424. N/A

425. LA Chargers - Dick Farley, DB, Boston University (1968)
Farley played 24 games in his two years as a Charger, starting five games at right safety as a rookie.

426. New Orleans - Doug Wyatt, DB, Tulsa (1970)
Wyatt picked off eight passes in his three years with the Saints. A cornerback as a rookie, he moved to free safety in 1971, where he played for two seasons.

427. N/A

428. Dallas - Larry Cole, DL, Hawaii (1968)
Cole was a staple on the Cowboys' defensive line throughout the 1970s, playing for both Dallas Super Bowl champions in that decade. He was a starter in all but one of his 12 seasons with the Cowboys.

429. N/A

430. Tennessee - Hank Autry, C, Southern Mississippi (1969)
As a reserve player, Autry played in every game of his two-years Oiler career.

431. LA Rams - Jimmy Raye, DB, Michigan State
Raye didn't play with the Rams, but he did serve as the team's offensive coordinator in 1983 and 1984.

432. Green Bay - Larry Krause, RB, St. Norbert (1970)
Krause played five seasons in Green Bay. He returned 35 kickoffs in his career, scoring once.

433. N/A

434. LA Chargers - Larry Rentz, DB, Florida (1969)

435. LA Rams - Joe Sweet, WR, Tennessee State (1971)
Missing his draft season entirely, Sweet ended up playing 19 games for the Rams over the next two seasons. 

436. Detroit - Gordon Jolley, G, Utah (1971)
Like Sweet, Jolley didn't play in 1971. He ended up playing in 59 total games over the next four seasons with the Lions.

437. N/A

438. Indianapolis - Stan White, LB, Ohio State (1972)
White emerged from the 17th round of the draft as one of the Colts' best defensive players in the 1970s. He had a career-best eight interceptions in 1975; after eight years in Baltimore, White set the Colts career record for fumble return yards.

439. Cleveland - Ben Davis, DB, Defiance (1967)
Davis reached one Pro Bowl in seven seasons with the Browns. In his second season, he had 162 interception return yards, the best mark in the NFL that year.

440. New England - Bobby Nichols, TE, Boston University (1967)
Nichols appeared in 15 games over a two-season career. His highlight was a 19-yard reception in a 48-14 home loss against the Raiders in 1967.

441. Minnesota - Bobby Lee, QB, Pacific (1968)
A career backup at quarterback, Lee shone as a punter in 1971. No one in the league punted the ball as much - or for as many yards - as Lee, who spent two years in Atlanta before returning to the Vikings for the last three years of his career.

442. Miami - Charlie Wade, WR, Tennessee (1973)
Wade never played for the Dolphins. He appeared with the Bears in 1974, Packers in 1975, and the Chiefs in 1977.

443. San Francisco - Reggie Lewis, DE, San Diego State (1976)
Lewis was out of the league entirely until 1982, when he began a three-year stint with the Saints.

444-445. N/A

446. Washington - Frank Bosch, DL, Colorado (1968)
Bosch played in 39 games over a three-year stretch in Washington. 

447. Arizona - Bobby Lee, WR, Minnesota (1968)
448. N/A

449. San Francisco - Dennis Patera, K, Brigham Young (1968)

450-462. N/A

463. LA Chargers - Clarence Sanders, LB, Cincinnati (1976)
Sanders didn't play in San Diego. He played with the Chargers' divisional rival Chiefs in 1978 and 1980.

464-471. N/A

472. Kansas City - Pat McNeil, RB, Baylor (1976)
As a rookie, McNeil played in 12 of the Chiefs' 14 games. He had touched the football 10 times, gaining 59 yards from scrimmage. He also returned two kickoffs for a total of 21 yards. In his second and final year, McNeil only had one appearance without any statistical relevance.

Thus concludes this insane project. I appreciate the folks at pro-football-reference.com, from whom I received every quantitative stat I included. I also appreciate you, if you've read through this whole thing. I've done this out of my own curiosity, but it's nice to have others validate my curiosity by reading my posts.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and stay at home!

24 April 2020

The All-Time NFL Draft (Rounds 7-9)

Round 7

215. New England - Mosi Tatupu, RB, Southern Cal (1978)
Tatupu was an exceptionally valuable pickup for the Patriots. The fullback mostly came in off the bench, but from his rookie season until 1988 he played in every Patriots game.

Tatupu's son Lofa was an excellent linebacker with the Seahawks in the late-aughts. (John Tlumacki/Boston Globe)
216. Kansas City - Eric Warfield, DB, Nebraska (1998)
Warfield was a starting cornerback in the Chiefs' defense for five of his eight seasons. He recorded four interceptions in every year from 2001 through 2004.

217. LA Rams - Dick Daugherty, G, Oregon (1951)
In his six seasons with the Rams, Daugherty started at every interior line position and as a linebacker. He reached the 1957 Pro Bowl after missing the 1954 and 1955 seasons serving in the Air Force.

218. Denver - Tom Nalen, C, Boston College (1994)
Nalen is a legend in Denver. The 14-year Bronco was the team's starting center for 11 years, reaching five Pro Bowls and anchoring an offense that won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1997 and 1998.

219. Chicago - Mark Bortz, G, Iowa (1983)
Like Nalen, Bortz was an offensive line staple for a Super Bowl champion. The Super Bowl XX winner spent 10 of his 11 seasons in Chicago starting at left guard.

220. Pittsburgh - Andy Russell, LB, Missouri (1963)
Before the Steel Curtain, Russell was the greatest defensive player in Steelers franchise history. At outside linebacker, the seven-time Pro Bowler started 162 of the 168 regular season games in his 13-year career. Russell lasted just long enough to help the Steelers win their first set of back-to-back titles; he retired after Pittsburgh's win in Super Bowl X.

221. NY Giants - Billy Ard, G, Wake Forest (1981)
Super Bowl-winning interior lineman seem to be a theme in this area of picks. Ard started at left guard for seven years in New York, including a 1986 season that ended in a Super Bowl XXI victory.

222. Denver - Paul Smith, DL, New Mexico (1968)
Smith was a versatile lineman who made back-to-back Pro Bowls as a tackle in 1972 and 1973. He played 11 seasons as a Bronco before finishing his career with a two-year stint in Washington.

223. Miami - Mark Clayton, WR, Louisville (1983)
Along with Mark Duper, Clayton was part of the famed "Marks Brothers" receiving duo who both helped and benefited from Dan Marino's impressive statistical career. The five-time Pro Bowler had more catches and receiving touchdowns than Duper or any other Dolphin player, but ranks just behind Duper with the second-most receiving yards in franchise history.

224. Dallas - Jay Ratliff, DT, Auburn (2005)
Ratliff reached four Pro Bowls as the Cowboys' starting nose tackle. The seventh-round draft pick finished his career in Chicago after eight years plugging up the middle for Dallas.

225. Miami - Brandon Fields, P, Michigan State (2007)
In an eight-year career, the AFC's Pro Bowl punter in 2013 punted for more yards than any player in Dolphins history.

226. Arizona - Stump Mitchell, RB, The Citadel (1981)
Mitchell made an immediate impact for the Cardinals as a return specialist and transitioned into an above-average all-purpose running back by the time the franchise moved to Phoenix. He's the franchise's all-time leading kick returner and is second-best in Cardinals history when ranked by rushing yards.

Mitchell is entering his 19th season as an NFL running backs coach in 2020. (Tim DeFrisco/Getty)
227. Washington - Ray Lemek, OL, Notre Dame (1956)
Lemek missed just one game during his six years in Washington. Playing both at right tackle and left guard, Lemek reached the Pro Bowl in 1961.

228. LA Rams - Andy Robustelli, DE, Arnold (1951)
Robustelli spent the majority of his Hall of Fame with the Giants, but he reached two Pro Bowls and won a championship in his five seasons with the team that gave him his NFL start.

229. NY Jets - Jason Ferguson, DT, Georgia (1997)
Ferguson spent eight solid seasons with the Jets. His best season came in 2003, when he won a Player of the Week honor in October.

230. Miami - Vern Den Herder, DE, Central College (1971)
The Dolphins' stellar starting left end was probably the best name on the No-Name Defense. He missed seven games in his entire 12-year career in Miami, and was a valuable part of the 17-0 1972 Dolphins as well as the statistically superior 1973 team that also won the Super Bowl.

231. Cincinnati - Bruce Kozerski, OL, Holy Cross (1984)
A center who also played at left guard and right tackle at various times in his career, Kozerski played in the third-most games of any Bengals offensive lineman.

232. Indianapolis - Raymond Berry, WR, Southern Methodist (1954)
By the time Berry's illustrious 13 years in Baltimore were over, he was the greatest receiver the NFL had ever produced. The Hall of Fame split end didn't play at all in the season he was selected in the 20th round of the draft, but by the time he put up 1298 receiving yards in 1960, it was obvious he was the greatest pass-catcher of his era.

233. Philadelphia - Clyde Simmons, DE, Western Carolina (1986)
On a defense line highlighted by tackle Jerome Brown and all-time football great Reggie White, Simmons was a two-time Pro Bowler at right end. An expert at tackling the quarterback behind the line, the eight-year Eagle led the league in sacks in 1992 and recorded the third-most sacks in franchise history.

234. Philadelphia - Jim Parmer, RB, Oklahoma State (1948)
As a rookie, Parmer was on the Eagles roster for the 1948 champs, but didn't play in that season's championship game. He carried the ball 15 times for 43 yards in Philadelphia's title defense the following season, and took over as the team's starting fullback in 1951. He rushed for 1636 yards in his nine years.

235. Arizona - Fred Wallner, LB, Notre Dame (1951)
Wallner only spent four seasons with the Cardinals. His final year in Chicago, the versatile linebacker reached the 1955 Pro Bowl. After several years out of football, Wallner joined the Houston Oilers in 1960, winning the first AFL championship in his final season as a player.

236. Atlanta - Tom Pridemore, DB, West Virginia (1978)
A six-year starter at safety, Pridemore played in Atlanta until 1985. 35 years later, he ranks in the top 10 in Falcons history in both interceptions and interception return yards.

237. Atlanta - Todd McClure, C, Louisiana State (1999)
After taking over the starting center position in his third season, McClure became one of the Falcons' all-time iron men. He played in all but four games between 2001 and his final season in 2012 and is the fourth most-tenured player in Atlanta franchise history.

Number 62 was underrated among his contemporaries. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty)
238. Pittsburgh - L.C. Greenwood, DE, Arkansas Pine Bluff (1969)
Perhaps the flashiest member of the famed Steel Curtain defense, Greenwood is a member of the Steelers' Hall of Honor after his 13 seasons on the team. With six Pro Bowl invitations and four Super Bowl rings, Greenwood is also considered one of the best players not yet enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

239. Miami - Jeff Cross, DE, Missouri (1988)
Cross was exceptionally reliable on the Dolphins' defense during Don Shula's final years coaching the team. Despite only reaching one Pro Bowl, Cross was a seven-year starter who missed just three games in his eight-season Miami career.

240. Cleveland - Chuck Noll, LB, Dayton (1953)
The legendary Hall of Fame coach for the Steelers got his NFL start with a rival franchise. Noll won two championships as a player with the Browns, picking off a career-best five passes in 1955.

241. Arizona - Larry Stallings, LB, Georgia Tech (1963)
Coming out of Evansville, Indiana, Cardinals legend Larry Stallings finished his 14 seasons with the seventh-most games played of anyone in that franchise's history. Stallings made the Pro Bowl in 1970, in the midst of an 11-season stretch during which he missed just one game.

242. Pittsburgh - Brett Keisel, DE, Brigham Young (2002)
As famous for his beard as he was for his on-field production, Keisel won two Super Bowls as a member of the Steelers. Keisel's finest season was 2010; his only appearance in the Pro Bowl came after a memorable 79-yard interception return touchdown against Tampa Bay early in that season.

243. Indianapolis - Jeff Herrod, LB, Mississippi (1988)
The Colts' all-time franchise leader in tackles spent the first nine seasons of his career in Indianapolis. After playing in Philadelphia in 1997, he was back with the Colts for his last year.

244. Atlanta - Jason Snelling, RB, Virginia (2007)
Snelling was the Falcons' regular fullback for seven seasons. Starting just six games, he appeared in 96 contests for Atlanta, helping to pave the way for Michael Turner's two Pro Bowl campaigns.

245. Washington - Chris Hanburger, LB, North Carolina (1965)
Hanburger was a senior Hall of Fame inductee in 2011. Reaching nine Pro Bowls in 14 years, the 1970s all-decade team member has the second highest approximate value (as determined by Pro-Football-Reference) of any player to don the burgundy and gold since 1960.

246. Chicago - Charles Leno, OT, Boise State (2014)
One of the most recent draft picks to make this list, Leno reached his first - and so far only - Pro Bowl in 2018. The five-year starter will be entering the free agency market next year, so it will be interesting to see how much this unsung member of the Bears ends up being valued.

247. Miami - Bruce Hardy, TE, Arizona State (1978)
Hardy played the majority of his 12 seasons with the Dolphins at the tight end position, but also split wide at times. The utility player ended his career with 25 touchdown receptions over 151 games in Miami.

248. Philadelphia - John Bunting, LB, North Carolina (1972)
At the time a 10th-round draft pick, Bunting remained with the team who drafted him for 11 seasons. He was a reliable starter at outside linebacker, and a primary starter at the position for seven of his years in Philadelphia.

249. San Francisco - Dwight Clark, WR, Clemson (1979)
The hands that made one of the most memorable catches in NFL history were attached to a man who reached two Pro Bowls in his nine seasons in San Francisco. Passing away from ALS two years ago, Clark remains revered among his franchise's all-time greats.

This is the most famous of Clark's 554 catches as a 49er. (Walter Iooss, Jr./Sports Illustrated)
250. Minnesota - Scott Studwell, LB, Illinois (1977)
Studwell made two Pro Bowls during his 14 years with the Vikings. A full-time starter for 11 of those seasons, the inside linebacker played in the fifth-most games in Minnesota franchise history.

251. Green Bay - Scott Wells, OL, Tennessee (2004)
Wells was an interior lineman who primarily played center. He followed up victory in Super Bowl XLV with his only appearance in the Pro Bowl at the end of the 2011 season.

252. New Orleans - Marques Colston, WR, Hofstra (2006)
The Saints' all-time receiving leader didn't make a Pro Bowl in his 10-year career. That didn't keep Drew Brees from throwing the ball his way to the tune of 711 receptions and 9759 yards, with an additional 788 postseason yards and a Super Bowl XLIV victory.

253. Indianapolis - Chris Goode, DB, Alabama (1987)
The Colts' Goode started six seasons at left cornerback. He intercepted seven passes in his seven-year career.

254. Arizona - Vai Sikahema, RB, Brigham Young (1986)
Sikahema played just five years in St. Louis and Phoenix, but returned more punts than any player in the NFL in two different years during his career. He remains the Cardinals' franchise leader in career punt return yards.

255. Green Bay - Don Majkowski, QB, Virginia (1987)
The Magic Man was six years into a promising career when he sustained a major ankle injury in 1992. Before being replaced by the great Brett Favre, though, Majkowski was the NFL's leading passer in 1989 and quite possibly could have been just as meaningful to the Packers as his replacement had he remained healthy.

Round Eight

256. Kansas City - Ryan Succop, K, South Carolina (2009)
A pick dubbed "Mr. Irrelevant" when the draft had one more pick than it does this year, Succop has had the most successful overall career of any 256th selection. In his five years with the Chiefs, Succop made all of his 160 extra point attempts and was a respectable 119/147 when attempting a kick for three points.

257. Washington - Rock Cartwright, RB, Kansas State (2002)
Cartwright played five full seasons at fullback during his eight years in Washington. In his second year, before Clinton Portis came to town, Cartwright was the closest he ever came to being a featured back in the Washington offense, touching the ball a career-best 125 times and scoring a team-high four rushing touchdowns.

258. Tennessee - Curtis Duncan, WR, Northwestern (1987)
One of Warren Moon's favorite targets with the Oilers, Duncan reached the Pro Bowl in 1992. In seven seasons, Duncan caught 322 balls, good for ninth best in franchise history.

259. Las Vegas - Steve Sylvester, OL, Notre Dame (1975)
Sylvester was a reliable backup lineman who was on all three Raiders Super Bowl teams in his nine-year career. He did pick up 15 starts throughout his career at center and was Oakland's starting right guard for the entire 1979 season.

260. Minnesota - Stu Voigt, TE, Wisconsin (1970)
Starting for six seasons, Voigt is the third-most tenured tight end in franchise history after a career which ended in 1980.

Voigt caught a touchdown in a losing effort during Super Bowl XI. (Charles Bjorgen/Minneapolis Star Tribune)
261. Detroit - Jim David, DB, Colorado State (1952)
The Lions' fifth all-time leading interceptor never missed a game in his eight-season career. A three-time NFL champ, the defensive halfback started 90 of the 96 games in the stretch from 1952 until 1959.

262. Atlanta - Jeff Van Note, C, Kentucky (1969)
Very few players could claim to compete with Van Note for the title of Greatest All-Time Falcon. The six-time Pro Bowl selection was a starter at center for 16 years of his 17-season career and has played in more games for Atlanta than all but his offensive line teammate Mike Kenn.

263. Washington - Mark Schlereth, G, Idaho (1989)
Schlereth joined the Hogs after Washington had already won two Super Bowls and played the majority of his career in Denver. Still, the Super Bowl XXVI champ reached a Pro Bowl in his six seasons in Washington.

264. Arizona - Roy Shivers, RB, Utah State (1965)
Shivers played in 73 games as a member of the Cardinals. His most memorable season was 1966, his first year in St. Louis. Among his highlights that year was a 94 year kickoff return for a touchdown.

265. Seattle - Ron Essing, OT, Grand Valley State (1980)
Essing was his team's primary starter at left tackle for five of his six seasons in Seattle. He notably caught two touchdown passes on gadget plays in his rookie season.

266. Washington - Cas Witucki, G, Indiana (1950)
Witucki spent seven seasons in Washington. He started at right guard for three of those years.

267. Seattle - Robert Hardy, DT, Jackson State (1979)
"Heart Burn" Hardy was a starter at left defensive tackle for all four of his seasons in Seattle.

268. Pittsburgh - Mike Wagner, DB, Western Illinois (1971)
Mel Blount was the star of the Steelers' defensive backfield, but Wagner was just as reliable at safety during the Steel Curtain dyansty. The two-time Pro Bowler intercepted the sixth most passes in franchise history, including a career-best eight in 1973.

269. Chicago - Ralph Kurek, RB, Wisconsin (1965)
Kurek was a role player in the late 60s for the Bears. He played in every game for the first five seasons of his six-year career, but only started in 12 of those contests.

270. Chicago - Herman Lee, OT, Florida A&M (1954)
Lee didn't play his first NFL game until 1957, as a member of the Steelers. He returned to Chicago in 1958, where he became the team's starting left tackle until 1966. He was a member of the Bears team that won the 1963 NFL Championship.

271. Minnesota - Milt Sunde, G, Minnesota (1964)
Born in Minneapolis, Sunde graduated from Bloomington High School and the University of Minnesota before spending his entire 11-year NFL career with the Vikings. Sadly, Sunde died three days ago at the age of 78 in his lifelong home of Bloomington. He'll be missed in Minnesota and beyond.

272. San Francisco - John Thomas, G, Pacific (1957)
Thomas was an excellent two-way player in the early years of the 49ers franchise. Playing at guard, tackle and linebacker, Thomas reached the Pro Bowl in his penultimate 1966 season.

273. Pittsburgh - Joe Gilliam, QB, Tennessee State (1972)
Initially drafted as a backup to 1970 first overall selection Terry Bradshaw, Gilliam was pressed into action for a six-game stretch as a starter in 1974. He went 4-1-1 during that time, which was instrumental in helping the Steelers get to their second straight Super Bowl title.

1975 was Gilliam's last season with the Steelers (George Gojkovich/Getty)
274. LA Rams - Duval Love, G, California Los Angeles (1985)
Love played in 94 games as a Ram. In seven seasons, he was Los Angeles's starting right guard for three years. He made his only Pro Bowl as a member of the Steelers.

275. Atlanta - Greg Brezina, LB, Houston (1968)
Brezina made the Pro Bowl in his second season before missing all of 1970 with a knee injury. For the rest of the 1970s, he appeared in all but three Falcons games.

276. Cincinnati - Tim Krumrie, DT, Wisconsin (1983)
Krumrie was a constant at the nose tackle position for the Bengals. In 12 seasons, he never missed a game, making two Pro Bowls along the way.

277. Las Vegas - Marv Hubbard, RB, Colgate (1968)
Once assuming the Raiders' starting fullback role in 1971, Hubbard made three straight Pro Bowl squads. He remains the fifth-leading rusher in franchise history.

278. NY Giants - Homer Jones, WR, Texas Southern (1963)
Jones reached two Pro Bowls in his seven years playing for the Giants. He caught more touchdowns than anyone else in the league in 1967, and is New York's sixth all-time leading receiver.

279. Washington - Keith Griffin, RB, Miami-FL (1984)
Griffin was the primary kickoff returner for Washington in 1987. He missed most of the playoffs that season, but did get one two-yard carry in Washington's Super Bowl XXII win over Denver before playing his last season with the team in 1988.

280. Cleveland - Earnest Byner, RB, East Carolina (1984)
Byner is the Browns' sixth all-time leading rusher. Most famous for fumbling the ball in the 1987 AFC Championship, Byner left Cleveland for Washington in 1989. After two Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl ring, he returned to the Browns for their last two seasons in Cleveland and first two years as the Baltimore Ravens.

281. NY Jets - Pat Ryan, QB, Tennessee (1978)
Ryan spent 11 years backing up the likes of Richard Todd and Ken O'Brien. He did get 19 starts in his Jets career, most notably leading the team to a 6-5 record while throwing for 1939 yards and 14 touchdowns during an 11-game stretch in 1984.

Ryan's 31 career touchdowns are 12th most for a Jets passer. (George Gojkovich/Getty)
282. Green Bay - Patrick Scott, WR, Grambling State (1987)
Scott played just two seasons with the Packers, recording 354 career receiving yards during eight games as a rookie and a full 16-game slate in 1988.

283. San Francisco - Billy Wilson, WR, San Jose State (1950)
Another forgotten gem from the pre-dynasty era of 49ers football, Wilson reached six Pro Bowls in his 11 seasons playing end in San Francisco. He led the league in catches three different times and, close to 60 years after playing his last game, is still fifth-all time on the 49ers' career receiving list.

284. Green Bay - Terry Jones, DT, Alabama (1978)
Jones recorded four sacks in 1984, his final seasons as the Packers' nose tackle. He was the primary starter at the position for three of his seven seasons in Green Bay.

285. Cincinnati - Robert Jackson, DB, Central Michigan (1981)
Jackson recorded 15 interceptions during his nine-year Bengals career. The free safety's best season came in 1985, when he picked off six passes, returning them for a combined 100 yards and one score.

286. Minnesota - Curtis Rouse, OL, Chattanooga (1982)
Rouse was the primary starter for two years on the left side of the Viking's offensive line. He played guard for most of 1984 and tackle in 1985. His last season in Minnesota was 1986.

287. NY Jets - John Galvin, LB, Boston College (1988)
Galvin played in 41 games as a member of the Jets. He played in Minnesota for 1989, but returned for two more years in New York in 1990 and 1991

288. Miami - Bert Weidner, G, Kent State (1989)
Weidner didn't play in his draft year, making his first appearance for the Dolphins in 1990. A two-year starter at right guard, he played in 81 games during his Miami career.

289. San Francisco - Jesse Sapolu, OL, Hawaii (1983)
One of only a few players to win four Super Bowls during the 49ers' run, Sapolu only missed out on San Francisco's Super Bowl XVI run. Starting at both guard and center during his 15 years, Sapolu reached two Pro Bowls representing San Francisco.

Sapolu (61) is active within the 49ers alumni association. (George Rose/Getty)
290. Washington - Raleigh McKenzie, OL, Tennessee (1985)
A 16 year NFL vet, McKenzie played 10 seasons of his career in Washington. In that time he was a part of two Super Bowl winning teams, starting at every interior line position for at least one year each.

291. Chicago - Doug Plank, DB, Ohio State (1975)
Plank recorded 15 interceptions through his eight seasons with the Bears. He started at strong safety for two years, and at free safety for five more.

Round 9

292. Atlanta - Elbert Shelley, DB, Arkansas State (1987)
In 10 years as a Falcon, Shelley established himself as one of the early perennial Pro Bowl "special teamers." He reached four all star games in a general special teams capacity.

293. Pittsburgh - Justin Strzelczyk, OL, Maine (1990)
Strelczyk was a valuable commodity on the right side of the Steelers' offensive line for most of the 1990s. He played in every game in the first seven of his nine years in Pittsburgh, splitting his time between the guard and tackle positions.

294. Las Vegas - Bruce Davis, OT, California Los Angeles (1979)
Davis was a role player on the offensive line during the two most recent of the Raiders' championship runs. In seven of his nine seasons Davis played every game, taking over the starting left tackle position in 1982 and not relinquishing it until he left for Houston midway through the 1987 season.

295. LA Chargers - Ray Preston, LB, Syracuse (1976)
Preston spent nine seasons in San Diego. His best season came in 1979, when he intercepted five passes.

296. NY Jets - Lawrence Pillers, DE, Alcorn State (1976)
The Jets' primary starter at left end in four of his five seasons, Pillers went on to win two Super Bowls as a member of the 49ers.

297. LA Rams - John Pergine, LB, Notre Dame (1968)
Playing primarily on special teams, Pergine was a solid reserve player for the Rams. He appeared in 50 games over the five seasons he was on the team.

298. Denver - Gene Lang, RB, Louisiana State (1984)
Lang was a utility back for four years. Starting out as the Broncos' primary kick returner in his rookie season, he recorded a career-high 859 all purpose yards in 1985 and was the team's main fullback in 1987.

299. Seattle - Dwayne Harper, DB, South Carolina State (1988)
For five years, Harper was the starting left cornerback in Seattle. He only missed two games in his six seasons as a Seahawk, intercepting a total of 13 passes in that span.

300. NY Jets - Garry Puetz, OL, Valparaiso (1973)
Puetz was a versatile lineman who started at right guard as well as right and left tackle. He spent six seasons with the Jets, not missing a game from 1974 through 1977.

301. Cincinnati - Bob Trumpy, TE, Utah (1968)
The greatest tight end in Bengals history, when ranked by total receiving yards and touchdowns, Trumpy was vital to his team. The four-time Pro Bowler was the primary starter in all 10 of his seasons in Cincinnati, and became a prominent TV and radio broadcaster for decades after his playing days were over.

302. NY Jets - Randy Rasmussen, G, Nebraska-Kearney (1967)
Few players have been more valuable to the Jets than Rasmussen. Through his 14 seasons, the left guard played in the second-most games of any player in franchise history.

303. San Francisco - Chet Brooks, DB, Texas A&M (1988)
Brooks's tenure with the 49ers was short but impactful. He won two Super Bowls in his three seasons in San Francisco. The team's starting strong safety in 1989, he intercepted two passes during that season's playoffs.

304. Washington - Johnny Williams, DB, Southern Cal (1951)
Williams picked off 11 passes in his three seasons as a defensive halfback and safety for Washington. He also returned two punts for touchdowns in 1952.

305. New Orleans - Jim Wilks, DL, San Diego State (1981)
The Saints inducted Wilks into their franchise Hall of Fame after a 13-year career in which he recorded 45.5 career sacks as a defensive end and nose tackle for the team.

306. Dallas - Dennis Thurman, DB, Southern Cal (1978)
Thurman played free safety and cornerback for the Cowboys. He was prolific at returning interceptions. Though fourth on the team's all-time interceptions list, he returned more picks for touchdown than any other player in Cowboys history.

307. Tampa Bay - David Logan, DT, Pittsburgh (1979)
Logan was the Buccaneers' starting nose tackle for seven of his eight seasons in Tampa. He played in every single game from 1980 until 1986.

308. Green Bay - Larry McCarren, C, Illinois (1973)
McCarren spent 12 seasons playing for the Packers. He reached two Pro Bowl games, and has been the color man on Packers' radio broadcasts since 1995.

309. Buffalo - Charles Romes, DB, North Carolina Central (1977)
Buffalo's fourth-most accomplished interceptor of all time started nine full years at cornerback for the Bills. Romes played 10 years in Buffalo, never missing a game.

310. Denver - Karl Mecklenburg, LB, Minnesota (1983)
Chosen in the 12th round, Mecklenburg became one of the greatest players not yet in the Hall of Fame. He made six Pro Bowls in his 12 years as a Bronco.

Mecklenburg helped the Broncos defense win three AFC Championships in four seasons (Al Messerschmidt/Associated Press)
311. Green Bay - Cliff Lewis, LB, Southern Mississippi (1981)
Lewis played four seasons without missing a game for the Packers. He only started one of those games. His best statistical season was 1983, in which he recorded just two sacks.

312. Pittsburgh - Carlton Haselrig, G, Pittsburgh-Johnstown (1989)
Haselrig played four years with the Steelers. After missing all of 1989, the Pennsylvania native played every game from 1990 until 1992, making the Pro Bowl in the last of those years.

313. LA Rams - Frank Fuller, DT, Kentucky (1952) 
It took Fuller until 1953 to make the Rams' active roster. He played at both left and right tackle until 1958, eventually making the Pro Bowl as a member of the Cardinals.

314. Philadelphia - Wade Key, OL, Texas State (1970)
Key was an immediate starter at left tackle for the Eagles. He moved to guard in 1973, and ultimately played in at least 12 games in nine of this 10 seasons in Philadelphia.

315. Miami - J.B. Brown, DB, Maryland (1989)
In eight seasons as a Dolphin, Brown intercepted 16 passes. After leaving Miami, he spent four more seasons in the league.

316. Cleveland - Paul Farren, OT, Boston University (1983)
Farren played nine years for the Browns. His tenure as Cleveland's starting left tackle included Cleveland's four playoff runs in the 1980s.

317. Las Vegas - Rod Martin, LB, Southern Cal (1977)
The Raiders' ball-hawking linebacker reached two Pro Bowls in his 12-year career. Martin picked off the Eagles and Ron Jaworski a record three times in Super Bowl XV, and has the second-most career pick-sixes in Raiders franchise history.

318. Minnesota - Jesse Solomon, LB, Florida State (1986)
Solomon played in Minnesota for four seasons. After leading the league in combined tackles in 1987 and intercepting four passes in 1988, he was part of the massive group of players and draft picks the Vikings sent to Dallas in exchange for Herschel Walker.

319. San Francisco - Antonio Goss, LB, North Carolina (1989)
Goss was a regular season bench player during the last two seasons San Francisco won the Super Bowl, although he missed the team's postseason roster each time the 49ers made the playoffs.

320. Dallas - Larry Brown, DB, Texas Christian (1991)
In six seasons as a member of the Cowboys dynasty, Brown cemented his legacy by earning Super Bowl XXX MVP honors. He spent 1996 and 1997 in Oakland before returning to play his final season with the Cowboys.

Brown returned two picks for a touchdown during the 1995 regular season (Susan Ragan/Associated Press)
321. Green Bay - Phil Epps, WR, Texas Christian (1982)
Epps was a three-year starter as a wide receiver in Green Bay, and the team's main punt returner in 1983 and 1984. He combined his talents in 1985, gaining a career-best 1211 all purpose yards.

322. NY Giants - Rosey Brown, OT, Morgan State (1953)
A nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Brown spent 13 years starting at left tackle for a Giants team that won the 1956 NFL championship. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1975.

323. LA Rams - Harold Jackson, WR, Jackson State (1968)
After his rookie season in Los Angeles, Jackson played five seasons with the Eagles. Upon returning to the Rams, all Jackson did was lead the league in receiving touchdowns for the 1973 season. He remained in L.A. until 1977.

324. LA Rams - Dan Towler, RB, Washington & Jefferson (1950)
Towler was a statistical wonder in his six-year Rams career. He reached four Pro Bowls, winning the 1952 rushing title and scoring a career-best 11 touchdowns in 1954.

325. Arizona - Lonnie Young, DB, Michigan State (1985)
Young started at free safety for all six of his seasons as a Cardinal. He picked off two passes and recorded 111 tackles in his career-best season of 1990.

326. Detroit - Rob Rubick, TE, Grand Valley State (1982)
Playing for seven years with the Lions, Rubick was primarily utilized as a blocker. He recorded 511 receiving yards in his career, with a career-high 188 yards on 14 receptions in 1984.

327. Cleveland - Mike Seifert, DE, Wisconsin (1974)
Seifert only gave the Browns one year, recovering one fumble over nine games as a starting defensive end.

This behemoth of a project concludes tomorrow!

23 April 2020

The All-Time NFL Draft (Rounds 5-6)

Round 5

147. Arizona - Mel Gray, WR, Missouri (1971)
One of the better pass catchers of the 1970s, Gray made four Pro Bowl squads in 12 years for St. Louis. He also has top-10 marks in Cardinals' history for receiving yards and touchdown.

148. Washington - Dick Farman, G, Washington State (1939)
Farman was a member of the Washington team that won the 1942 NFL Championship. Individually, Farman was named to one Pro Bowl and an All-Pro team in his five years with the team that drafted him.

149. Pittsburgh - Elbie Nickel, TE, Cincinnati (1947)
Steelers' end Elbie Nickel was a player I was surprised never to have heard about before beginning this project. A member of Pittsburgh's Hall of Honor, Nickel went to three Pro Bowls and - 63 years after his final season with the Steelers - still ranks seventh in franchise history in catches and eighth in receiving touchdowns.

150. Pittsburgh - Greg Lloyd, LB, Fort Valley State (1987)
Lloyd was an early master of the forced fumble once the stat was officially tracked in 1993. He led the league in forcing fumbles twice in his last five seasons with the Steelers, and is the franchise's career leader in fumbles forced as well.

Lloyd reached five Pro Bowls in his 11-year Steelers career. (Mitchell Layton/Getty)
151. Chicago - Larry Strickland, C, North Texas (1954)
Before Joe Greene changed the identity of North Texas football forever, one of the school's earlier stars had already been a solid pro player. Strickland was the Bears' starting center for four of his six seasons with the team, earning a Pro Bowl invitation in 1956.

152. Indianapolis - Bruce Laird, DB, American International (1972)
Laird was a two-way threat in Baltimore. He returned more punts than any other player in his rookie season in addition to being a challenge to throw against. Even today Laird ranks in the top 10 in Colts franchise history in interceptions, kick returns, and fumble recoveries.

153. Kansas City - Dante Hall, WR, Texas A&M (2000)
Three of the best special teams players of the last 25 years were selected 153rd overall. Jermaine Lewis, a return specialist for Baltimore who took a kickoff to the house in Super Bowl XXXV, and perennial Patriots Pro Bowl "special teamer" Matthew Slater, just lost out to Dante Hall. Hall had multiple return touchdowns in three of his seven seasons with the Chiefs. He was honored on the 2000s all-decade team as both a kick and punt returner.

154. Miami - Zach Thomas, LB, Texas Tech (1996)
Thomas is a player who isn't in the Hall of Fame, but may end up in Canton eventually. He reached seven Pro Bowls with the Dolphins, and has recorded the fifth most tackles of any NFL player since the stat was officially recorded beginning in 1994.

155. Seattle - Michael Sinclair, DE, Eastern New Mexico (1992)
Sinclair spent 10 years with the Seahawks. In 1998, he led the NFL in sacks. He remains Seattle's franchise leader in forced fumbles and is second all-time for the team in fumble recovery yards.

156. Miami - Ed Newman, G, Duke (1973)
It took Newman a while to get going in Miami. He was a participant in the Dolphins' Super Bowl VIII win as a rookie, but didn't take over the primary starting left guard position until 1979. He switched to right guard in 1980, and ended each his last four seasons in Miami - 1981 until 1984 - with an invitation to the Pro Bowl.

157. Arizona - Bob DeMarco, C, Dayton (1961)
DeMarco was a 15-season NFL veteran, but only nine of them came as a member of the Cardinals. During his time in St. Louis, DeMarco reached three Pro Bowls and was a two-time All-Pro.

158. Washington - Clyde Shugart, G, Iowa State (1939)
Shugart was an NFL Champion in 1942. Joining Washington as part of the same draft class that produced Farman, Shugart managed to stay with the team until 1944.

159. Miami - Jake Scott, DB, Georgia (1970)
If you know any of the members of Miami's famed No-Name defense that helped the Dolphins go 17-0 in 1972, it might just be the MVP of that year's Super Bowl. Scott played just six seasons in South Florida, but the safety is still Miami's career leader in interceptions and punt returns.

160. Indianapolis - Ordell Braase, DE, South Dakota (1954)
Though he didn't see the field until 1957, Braase spent 12 years in Baltimore. He was part of the Colts team that won back-to-back NFL championships in 1958 and 1959, and then won the league title in Braase's last season only to be upset in Super Bowl III.

161. Philadelphia - Harold Carmichael, WR, Southern (1971)
There wouldn't have been a single Hall of Fame member selected with a pick that is in the fifth round this weekend if Carmichael hadn't been named a member of this year's Hall of Fame Class. The Eagles' all-time leading receiver was initially a seventh-round pick, but made four Pro Bowls in his 13 seasons and earned Man of the Year honors in 1980.

Carmichael was famously tall, standing at 6'8". (Anthony Neste/Getty)
162. Pittsburgh - Brady Keys, DB, Colorado State (1960)
In seven seasons with the Steelers, Keys was the starting right cornerback for five full years. He reached the Pro Bowl after a four-interception season in 1966.

163. Cincinnati - Lemar Parrish, DB, Lincoln (1970)
Two of the Bengals' all-time best interception artists were both seventh-round draft selections. The first of these, Parrish was recognized as a first-team player for the 1970's all-decade team. He played eight seasons in Cincy, reaching six Pro Bowls and has the third-most interceptions in franchise history.

164. New England - Dan Koppen, C, Boston College (2003)
Koppen was an immediate starter for the Patriots, and he was good at his job. He played in every game as New England won two straight Super Bowls in his first two seasons. After missing half of 2005, Koppen was back to form, starting in all but one Patriots game from 2006 until 2011 and making a Pro Bowl roster in 2007.

165. Pittsburgh - Tunch Ilkin, OT, Indiana State (1980)
In addition to having one of my more favorite football names, Ilkin was perhaps the best modern-era Steelers player to never reach a Super Bowl with the team. A full-time starter for nine of his 13 seasons, Ilkin made the Pro Bowl twice but left Pittsburgh three years before their 1995 AFC championship.

166. Philadelphia - Bobby Walston, TE, Georgia (1951)
Walston was a key contributor on both offense and special teams for over a decade in Philadelphia. In addition to scoring more points than any Eagle not named David Akers, the right end was the NFL's most accurate placekicker in both 1957 and Philadelphia's 1960 championship season.

167. Minnesota - Bobby Bryant, DB, South Carolina (1967)
In 14 seasons, Bryant recorded the second-most interceptions of any player in Vikings history. He reached two Pro Bowls and all four of Minnesota's Super Bowl losses.

168. Cincinnati - Max Montoya, G, California Los Angeles (1979)
Part of what took the Bengals to two Super Bowls in the 1980s was their exceptional offensive line. Headlined by the legendary Anthony Munoz, the line's inside featured Montoya at right guard. In his 11 seasons, Montoya was named to three Pro Bowls and joined Munoz on the NFL's all-decade team for the 1980s.

169. NY Giants - Spider Lockhart, DB, North Texas (1965)
A two time Pro Bowler, Spider Lockhart has another of my favorite football names. He led the NFL with eight interceptions in 1968; after 11 seasons in New York Lockhart had picked off 41 passes, good for third place in franchise history.

170. Philadelphia - Norm Willey, DE, Marshall (1950)
Willey spent eight seasons on the Eagles' defensive line. A starter for six of those years, Willey ended up in the Pro Bowl twice and was honored as an All-Pro player in 1954.

171. NY Jets - John Elliott, DT, Texas (1967)
The Jets held the Colts to just seven points in Super Bowl III. Part of their defensive squad behind that effort was a seventh-rounder who ended up making the Pro Bowl three times in his seven seasons with the team.

172. Green Bay - Derrel Gofourth, G, Oklahoma State (1977)
Gofourth also makes my growing list of amazing football names. He spent six years in Green Bay, serving as the Packers starting left guard in all but one of those years.

173. Minnesota - Matt Birk, C, Harvard (1998)
Birk made six Pro Bowls as a member of the Vikings. After 11 years in Minnesota, Birk switched to a different shade of purple. With the Ravens, the consummate pro was named 2011 Man of the Year and ended his career with victory in Super Bowl XLVII.

Birk was severely underrated during his career. (David Sherman/Getty)
174. Chicago - Harlon Hill, WR, North Alabama (1954)
Hill was an early star pass-catcher before the NFL was anything close to a pass-happy league. In seven years, Hill was a thousand-yard receiver twice and caught more touchdowns than any NFL player in two different seasons.

175. San Francisco - Fred Quillan, C, Oregon (1978)
The early part of the 49ers' 1980 dynasty was made possible in part by the contributions of their starting center. Quillan made two Pro Bowls in his 10 seasons with San Francisco. He started in both Super Bowls XVI and XIX, blocking as Montana and company did their thing to win both championships.

176. Arizona - Ernie McMillan, OT, Illinois (1961)
McMillan was a staple at the right tackle position in St. Louis for over a decade. In 14 seasons, he played in the ninth-most games of any player in Cardinals history.

177. Arizona - Justin Bethel, DB, Presbyterian (2012)
Bethel played just six seasons in Arizona. He was the NFC's special teams ace in three straight Pro Bowls, starting in his second season.

178. NY Giants - Perry Williams, DB, North Carolina State (1983)
Williams was the starting right cornerback when the Giants won Super Bowl XXI. He was a valuable bench player four years later in Super Bowl XXV. Spending seven total seasons as the G-men's starting right corner, Williams played his entire 11-year career in New York.

179. Minnesota - Steve Jordan, TE, Brown (1982)
Steve Jordan was one of the 80s' best tight ends. He reached six Pro Bowls as a Viking over 13 seasons. When his career ended following the 1994 season, he set the bar as Minnesota's all-time best receiving tight end.

Round 6

180. Kansas City - Dave Szott, G, Penn State (1990)
A seventh-round pick in 1990, Szott was an immediate contributor in Kansas City. He made the all-rookie team in the first of his 11 years with the Chiefs, and remained the team's regular starter at left guard for the entire 1990s decade.

181. Cincinnati - Joe Walter, OT, Texas Tech (1985)
The recently-deceased Willie Davis was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman chosen 181st overall in 1956; he only spent two seasons in Cleveland before dominating as a member of the 1960s Packers. In comparison, Walter was a Bengal for 13 years, starting at right tackle for eight of those seasons.

182. Dallas - Rayfield Wright, OT, Fort Valley State (1967)
The Cowboys of the 1990s had the Great Wall of Dallas. In their 1970s Super Bowls, they had Rayfield Wright. The Hall of Fame tackle reached six Pro Bowls and was a member of the 1970s' all-decade team.

183. Cleveland - Cody Risien, OL, Texas A&M (1979)
Risien began his Browns career at guard. He was an all-rookie team selection at left guard. He made his main impact in Cleveland at the right tackle position, spending nine seasons starting there. Risien's two Pro Bowl seasons coincided with the Browns' two AFC Championship Game losses to Denver.

184. Indianapolis - Alex Sandusky, G, Clarion (1954)
Starting at right guard, Sandusky played in all but two of the Colts' 168 possible regular season games during his 13 year career. He was in his prime as Baltimore won back-to-back championships in 1958 and 1959.

185. Minnesota - Talance Sawyer, DE, Nevada-Las Vegas (1999)
After a run on offensive linemen to start this round, we move to the defensive side of the ball. Sawyer, with just 11 career sacks in five years, headlines a list featuring a plethora of 185th overall picks who ended up being traded before making any impact. Funnily enough, Sawyer only ended up with Minnesota after the Vikings received the 185th selection originally belonging to Baltimore in 1999 in a trade with Tampa Bay!

Sawyer almost got Brett Favre down once. (Andy Manis/Associated Press)
186. LA Rams - Deacon Jones, DE, South Carolina State (1961)
Born David D., the loquacious Jones quickly became the face of the Rams' legendary Fearsome Foursome. In his 14 year career, the Hall of Fame defensive end made seven Pro Bowls and has been credited for coining the term "quarterback sack."

187. Cincinnati - Louis Breeden, DB, North Carolina Central (1977)
Before what would become Lemar Parrish's final season in Cincinnati, the Bengals spent another seventh-round pick on a cornerback. Breeden spent 11 years in Cincinnati, and is now has the second-most interceptions and interception return yards in Bengals franchise history.

188. San Francisco - Andy Lee, P, Pittsburgh (2004)
Lee quickly established him as one of the greatest punters of all time. He made three All-Pro teams as a 49er. His last year in San Francisco was 2014, but the veteran is still active heading into the 2020 season, with the fourth-most yards amassed by any punter in NFL history.

189. Arizona - Tom Banks, OL, Auburn (1970)
Banks was a versatile interior lineman in St. Louis. In 11 seasons wearing Cardinals red, he reached four Pro Bowls. He made four Pro Bowls at center, but was also the Cards' starting left guard for all of 1973.

190. Las Vegas - George Atkinson, DB, Morris Brown (1968)
Anyone who's watched any NFL Films coverage featuring the Oakland Raiders of the 1970s knows George Atkinson. Butch was a two-time Pro Bowler as a return specialist, in addition to making the phrase "immaculate DEception" famous. He stands fourth all-time in Raiders' history for punt return yards, and fifth all-time with interceptions.

191. Philadelphia - Jason Kelce, C, Cincinnati (2011)
One of the best centers currently active, Kelce has made three Pro-Bowls in his decade with the Eagles. He was key in helping Philadelphia win Super Bowl LII, and instrumental in its post-championship celebration.

192. Denver - Shannon Sharpe, TE, Savannah State (1990)
The 1990s Broncos scored on two Hall of Fame offensive talents with late-round draft selections. The greatest pass-catching tight end in NFL history at the time he retired, Sharpe was a seventh-round pick. He spent all but two years of his illustrious 14-season career in Denver.

193. Green Bay - Mason Crosby, K, Colorado (2007)
Entering his 14th season in Green Bay, Crosby has never played for another team - rather rare for an elite player in the NFL's free agency era. He's his franchise's all time leader in points, field goals, and extra points.

194. Detroit - Leonard Thompson, WR, Oklahoma State (1975)
Thompson was a reliable receiver during a 12-year stretch in which the Lions only reached the postseason twice. Nonetheless, he is third all-time in receptions and fifth in yards for his franchise.

195. Pittsburgh - Antonio Brown, WR, Central Michigan (2010)
A sixth-round selection with a first-round personality, Brown emerged as one of the best wide receivers of the 2010s. An all-decade nod proves this, and he'd be a sure-fire Hall of Fame inductee if he could get his act together mentally.

196. Denver - Terrell Davis, RB, Georgia (1995)
A sixth-round pick, Davis only needed seven years to create his Hall of Fame legacy. T.D. was Super Bowl XXXII's most valuable player, and earned league MVP honors the next season after rushing for 2008 yards.

197. Indianapolis - Jason Belser, DB, Oklahoma (1992)
The Colts struggled mightily in the 1990s before starting to turn things around with some quarterback from the University of Tennessee. One of their bright spots pre-Manning was their starting free safety. In nine seasons, Belser recorded the fourth-most solo tackles in Colts franchise history.

Belser could play against the best. (Andy Lyons/Getty)
198. New England - Troy Brown, WR, Marshall (1993)
The Patriots had precedent for picking well in the 190-something range. One of the top-five wide receivers in franchise history was an eighth round pick. He only made one Pro Bowl, but his 15 years with the Patriots made him one of the great later-round selections.

199. New England - Tom Brady, QB, Michigan (2000)
Here he is. The GOAT. The reason I started this stupid project in the first place. Watching the draft one Saturday five or six years ago, I realized they always call 199 "the Brady pick." So I wanted one player after whom to name every draft selection. That's what eventually led to this list. So thanks, Tom.

200. Green Bay - Bart Starr, QB, Alabama (1956)
Before Brady, before Montana, there was Starr. The MVP of the first two Super Bowls was a Packer for 16 years as a player. The Hall of Fame quarterback won three other championships and made four Pro Bowls during his illustrious career.

201. Atlanta - Jamal Anderson, RB, Utah (1994)
Atlanta had great success with running backs named Anderson. Jamal Anderson was a four-time 1000-yard rusher who holds the Atlanta single-season rushing yards record, gaining 1846 yards on the ground in 1986.

202. Cincinnati - Bobby Kemp, DB, Cal State-Fullerton (1981)
Adding to the legacy of the Bengals' late-round success at drafting defensive backs, Kemp was a solid starter at strong safety for five of his six seasons. He was the team's starting free safety in the other year.

203. Chicago - Richard Dent, DE, Tennessee State (1983)
The Bears got a Hall of Fame talent in the eighth round of the 1983 draft. The Super Bowl XX MVP has the all-time franchise sack record for Chicago.

204. LA Rams - Rich Saul, C, Michigan State (1970)
Rich Saul spent 12 years playing in almost every game for the Rams. For seven of those he was the starting center in Los Angeles. He reached six Pro Bowls, all in the last half of his Rams career.

205. Indianapolis - Eugene Daniel, DB, Louisiana State (1984)
In 1984, the Colts were fresh off a move from Baltimore. Their first draft representing Indianapolis was close to being an unmitigated disaster. The one bright spot from that draft class, Daniel was a 13-year starter at right cornerback who played in the fifth-most games in franchise history and picked off the third most passes of any Colt.

206. Dallas - Kevin Gogan, OL, Washington (1987)
Gogan emerged as a solid member of the Great Wall of Dallas during the Cowboys' first two Super Bowls of the 1990s. He played at three different line positions during his stretch in Dallas, but wasn't a Pro Bowler until he left the team following the 1993 season.

207. NY Giants - Jessie Armstead, LB, Miami-FL (1993)
Armstead was an immediate success after joining the Giants' elite linebacking corps. He made the all-rookie team in 1993, and eventually made five Pro Bowl squads in his nine years in New York.

208. Green Bay - Marco Rivera, G, Penn State (1996)
Rivera was an eight-year starter at guard for the Packers. He played on both the right and left sides of the offensive lines, making three Pro Bowls along the way.

Rivera won a Super Bowl in his rookie season. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty)
209. LA Chargers - Shane Olivea, OT, Ohio State (2004)
Olivea played just four years in San Diego, but was a full-time starter for that whole stretch. He was named to the all-rookie team in 2004, but his last game with the Chargers was his last football game.

210. Minnesota - Wade Wilson, QB, Texas A&M-Commerce (1981)
Not to be confused with Deadpool, this Wade Wilson was a reliable journeyman quarterback for almost two decades. With the Vikings, Wilson was on the roster for 11 seasons, making the 1988 Pro Bowl after leading the league with the year's best completion percentage.

211. Philadelphia - Max Runager, P, South Carolina (1979)
Runager didn't play long in Philadelphia, but he was successful. Spending only five seasons with the Eagles, he ranks in the top 10 in franchise history in both punts and punting yards.

212. Miami - Mark Dennis, OT, Illinois (1987)
The Dolphins got a reliable lineman with pick 212. Dennis started two full seasons in Miami, and was a reliable relief player, appearing in every Dolphins contest from 1990 until his final season in 1993.

213. Green Bay - Donald Driver, WR, Alcorn State (1999)
Driver was a key member of the Packers for 14 years. He is the team's all-time leading receiver. Driver caught two balls in Super Bowl XLV, getting his long-awaited Super Bowl ring in his third-to-last season.

214. Tennessee - Ken Houston, DB, Prairie View A&M (1967)
It was a tight contest between who got this pick between Houston and Blaine Bishop. Bishop, drafted 214th overall in 1993, played nine seasons with the Oilers and Titans compared to Houston's six years. The Hall of Fame safety, despite playing the majority of his career in Washington, just slightly edged past the Hall of Good safety because he stands first on the Oilers/Titans all-time interceptions list, just above Bishop.

Enjoy the rest of tonight's first round!