CNN: Is 2005 draft NFL's worst?

[bbgun]

Posted: Sunday June 15, 2008 09:27AM ET

When the Bears released running back Cedric Benson last week, it highlighted how poorly the top draft selections from 2005 have fared in the NFL. Benson was the fourth selection in the draft, and he's now out of a job. Any of the league's other 31 clubs could have claimed him on waivers, and not one took the bait. Yet Benson isn't alone among top-10 picks looking to reemerge. Cornerback Pacman Jones (No. 6) and receivers Troy Williamson (No. 7) and Mike Williams (No. 10) are already with their second teams. Meanwhile, quarterback Alex Smith (No. 1) is in a battle to hold down the starting job in San Francisco, while Antrel Rolle (No. 8) is being moved to safety in Arizona after failing to excel at cornerback. It's difficult to criticize running backs Ronnie Brown (No. 2) and Cadillac Williams (No. 5) - as well as cornerback Carlos Rogers (No. 9) - who are attempting to come back from serious knee injuries that knocked them out in 2007. But at this point, other than Browns receiver Braylon Edwards (No. 3), this looks like the shakiest top 10 in recent memory. In a do-over, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (No. 11) would probably be the No. 1 pick.

 

[gbrittain]

That is what I am talking about!

 

[Dallas4ever]

Posted: Sunday June 15, 2008 09:27AM ET

In a do-over, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (No. 11) would probably be the No. 1 pick.

Yes he would. This time next year he will be the highest paid LB in the league and he'll be worth every penny.

 

[JohnL2288]

Posted: Sunday June 15, 2008 09:27AM ET

When the Bears released running back Cedric Benson last week, it highlighted how poorly the top draft selections from 2005 have fared in the NFL. Benson was the fourth selection in the draft, and he's now out of a job. Any of the league's other 31 clubs could have claimed him on waivers, and not one took the bait. Yet Benson isn't alone among top-10 picks looking to reemerge. Cornerback Pacman Jones (No. 6) and receivers Troy Williamson (No. 7) and Mike Williams (No. 10) are already with their second teams. Meanwhile, quarterback Alex Smith (No. 1) is in a battle to hold down the starting job in San Francisco, while Antrel Rolle (No. 8) is being moved to safety in Arizona after failing to excel at cornerback. It's difficult to criticize running backs Ronnie Brown (No. 2) and Cadillac Williams (No. 5) - as well as cornerback Carlos Rogers (No. 9) - who are attempting to come back from serious knee injuries that knocked them out in 2007. But at this point, other than Browns receiver Braylon Edwards (No. 3), this looks like the shakiest top 10 in recent memory. In a do-over, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (No. 11) would probably be the No. 1 pick.

I think that it is a little to early to write a lot of these guys off......Cadillac and Brown have both played very well and just got hit by the injury bug, they both could still recover and play well. Alex Smith will get one last chance to show what he can do and Pacman has the talent to be a top player if he can keep his nose clean.
Benson and Williams are probably the only total busts so far, so it is about average for a top 10.

 

[tomson75]

Edwards may turn out to be a special player too....but I love seeing Ware getting the respect he so truly deserves.

 

[dooomsday]

Not even close. Ware is by far the best of the group. Even if R Brown becomes a stud.

 

[AsthmaField]

Posted: Sunday June 15, 2008 09:27AM ET

When the Bears released running back Cedric Benson last week, it highlighted how poorly the top draft selections from 2005 have fared in the NFL. Benson was the fourth selection in the draft, and he's now out of a job. Any of the league's other 31 clubs could have claimed him on waivers, and not one took the bait. Yet Benson isn't alone among top-10 picks looking to reemerge. Cornerback Pacman Jones (No. 6) and receivers Troy Williamson (No. 7) and Mike Williams (No. 10) are already with their second teams. Meanwhile, quarterback Alex Smith (No. 1) is in a battle to hold down the starting job in San Francisco, while Antrel Rolle (No. 8) is being moved to safety in Arizona after failing to excel at cornerback. It's difficult to criticize running backs Ronnie Brown (No. 2) and Cadillac Williams (No. 5) - as well as cornerback Carlos Rogers (No. 9) - who are attempting to come back from serious knee injuries that knocked them out in 2007. But at this point, other than Browns receiver Braylon Edwards (No. 3), this looks like the shakiest top 10 in recent memory. In a do-over, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (No. 11) would probably be the No. 1 pick.

Must be an Auburn fan. He says Brown, Cadillac and Rogers should get a free pass and that Ware (born in Auburn) should have been #1.

Seriously though, Ware would be the #1 in a do-over and Merriman would be right behind him.

 

[2much2soon]

Merriman wasn't even mentioned?

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Merriman wasn't even mentioned?

Neither was Spears.....I'm shocked.

 

[2much2soon]

Neither was Spears.....I'm shocked.

LOL I thought about Spears when I was typing that

 

[CrazyCowboy]

bENSon is a BIG FAT mistake

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

Yeah only three players I would take in that draft in the top 3, Ware, Edwards and Merriman...

 

[kinderwords51]

Im surpised no one has mentioned Heath Miller, Roddy White, Thomas Davis, or Marlin Jackson(who has played in all but 3 games in his career)

Not only that, but Barrett Rudd would be a top 10 pick.

 

[Da Hammer]

Ware alone made it one of our best drafts ever! everyone else for the most part was screwed... lol

 

[TwoCentPlain]

How about a little love for Jerry Jones who picked up the best player in the draft of '05 with the 11th pick. And remember, according to rumor, Parcells wanted to take Spears with the 11th pick. But, Jerry said, "No way, Jose."

 

[the kid 05]

Not even close. Ware is by far the best of the group. Even if R Brown becomes a stud.

before trying to make a tackle off an interception thrown by his qb Brown was leading the leauge in rushing, so its pretty safe to say if he returns to forum he will be a top 10 running back

 

[burmafrd]

More urban legend. BP (and a LOT of others) thought SPears was the better pick untill after the Combine when Ware just exploded. After that there was a consensus that we could not wait untill 20 as Ware would be gone.

 

[joseephuss]

Leading up to that draft, a lot of people thought Rolle was better suited to play safety. I don't consider him a bust because the Cardinals were forcing him to play corner back instead of what is probably his better position.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

Hindsight......Ware did fall into our laps.

 

[Sarge]

Posted: Sunday June 15, 2008 09:27AM ET

When the Bears released running back Cedric Benson last week, it highlighted how poorly the top draft selections from 2005 have fared in the NFL. Benson was the fourth selection in the draft, and he's now out of a job. Any of the league's other 31 clubs could have claimed him on waivers, and not one took the bait. Yet Benson isn't alone among top-10 picks looking to reemerge. Cornerback Pacman Jones (No. 6) and receivers Troy Williamson (No. 7) and Mike Williams (No. 10) are already with their second teams. Meanwhile, quarterback Alex Smith (No. 1) is in a battle to hold down the starting job in San Francisco, while Antrel Rolle (No. 8) is being moved to safety in Arizona after failing to excel at cornerback. It's difficult to criticize running backs Ronnie Brown (No. 2) and Cadillac Williams (No. 5) - as well as cornerback Carlos Rogers (No. 9) - who are attempting to come back from serious knee injuries that knocked them out in 2007. But at this point, other than Browns receiver Braylon Edwards (No. 3), this looks like the shakiest top 10 in recent memory. In a do-over, Cowboys outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware (No. 11) would probably be the No. 1 pick.