Randy White;3287765 said:
New England Patriots, G: John Hannah, (4th overall) of the 1973 NFL Draft.
SLATEmosphere;3287708 said:
Hannah was obviously longer than 10-15 years ago.
But here is the history in the first round during that time frame:
2007 - 29th overall Ben Grubbs to Baltimore
2006 - 23rd overall Davin Joseph to Tampa Bay
2005 - 32nd overall Logan Mankins to New England
2002 - 32nd overall Kendall Simmons to Pittsburgh
2001 - 17th overall Steve Hutchinson to Seattle
1998 - 26th overall Alan Faneca to Pittsburgh
1997 - 10th overall Chris Naeole to New Orleans
1996 - 21st overall Pete Kendall to Seattle; 23rd overall Jeff Hartings to Detroit; 25th overall Jerome Mayberry to Philadelphia
1995 - 14th overall Ruben Brown to Buffalo
1993 - 19th overall Lester Holmes to Philadelphia
Historically, guard is undervalued versus the tackle position. Most of the time college programs put the better athletes at tackle because it is so crucial.
You will also notice there is a very low bust ratio involved with picking the position in the first. Normally, those taken in the first tend to have long and productive careers. Several of these were perennial All Pros/Pro Bowlers (Hutchinson, Faneca, Brown).
I have a feeling that Iupati will be next. Whether he makes it to our choice is rather iffy.