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.
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| Lloyd reached five Pro Bowls in his 11-year Steelers career. (Mitchell Layton/Getty) |
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.
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| Carmichael was famously tall, standing at 6'8". (Anthony Neste/Getty) |
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.
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| Birk was severely underrated during his career. (David Sherman/Getty) |
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!
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| Sawyer almost got Brett Favre down once. (Andy Manis/Associated Press) |
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.
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| Belser could play against the best. (Andy Lyons/Getty) |
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.
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| Rivera won a Super Bowl in his rookie season. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty) |
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!
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