NFL Modern Era Draft: Draft Picks Only Thread

[NameOnTheCake]

Round 1, pick 15, John Elway



I'm taking him at age 33, during his bonkers 1993 season.

Dude owns car dealerships.

I'm at work and don't have time to do a write up this second, I'll edit it in later.

[SHARK DOCTOR]

Round 1, Pick 16

RANDY MOSS


Unfair advantage for Moss imo...




Aside from missing out on Champ, Im really satisified with who Im taking now. I think it was important to take a 'special' player in the first round...someone who brings something different that cannot be picked up in the later rounds. Since you only get one chance to take that special player - Im taking the best playmaker of them all....Randy Moss.

Randy is considered the #2 WR of all time in most peoples opinions (hard to argue with what was Jerry Rice and what were his numbers)...but Moss can easily be considered pound for pound the number 1 Wideout of All Time...yes - you read that correctly! Where Jerry had 2 HOF QBs throwing to him during his entire prime, Randy did not...until he finally teammed up with Tom Brady last year...and surprise surprise...broke some records! I can take Randy at any age - cuz he was always lethal, but naturally I must take him (officially) from the 2007-'08 season, when he caught for a record 23 TDs while splitting defenses at will. Was it a coincidence that Daunte Culpeppers career went to ruins after Moss and He parted ways? Absolutely NOT!

Im not trying to conjur up a Jerry vs Randy debate here...but then again - maybe I am.

There are a lot of What-if questions...like what if Moss and Culpepper hadnt had a falling out? What-if Brady and Moss had been teammates from the begining? My point? If Moss ever has a competent QB who can wail it down field (with or without precision)...he will be dangerous...and Im certain I will have no problem picking one up later in this draft.

Also - I didnt find it neccessary to write down all his stats and accolades...you can click on his name above to be directed to his pro-football-reference page. Also - just to make it clear right now - Moss has only missed 3 games his entire career

Ok people, I leave you with the Doylism of the Day: "Moss is the greatest deep threat since Linda Lovelace!"

[Zimmer4141]

Round 1 Pick 17

JONATHAN OGDEN, LT





I wanted to build my offense around a great LT, and I can't think of a better guy than Ogden to start with. He was an absolute hulk of a man at 6-9 340 lbs, which is why I think him vs. Munoz is debatable. According to what I've seen, Munoz was 6-6 and below 300 for most of his career. Ogden played 12 seasons in the NFL, made the Pro Bowl every season except for his rookie year, and was a first team all pro 4 times.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm possibly the youngest person in this draft at 19, so I haven't been watching the NFL as long as a lot of you guys have, but everything I've read points to Ogden being far and away the best LT besides Munoz in this draft. He was part of a Super Bowl Championship team (although obviously that offense wasn't the reason they won) and also helped a RB have one of the best all time seasons. I feel like he can anchor my offensive line, provide consistently excellent run blocking as well as phenomenal blindside protection. I haven't decided what age to take him at, I might have him be a younger and probably slightly quicker OT, or I might select him to be a more veteran leader of my O-Line.

If I had Elway here, I would've built around him, but I think besides QB, LT is the other offensive position to build around, and I think Ogden is as good a guy to build around than anybody.

Steroid Boy, you are on the clock.

[Steroid Boy]

Round 1 Pick 18

BRETT FAVRE, QB





“I’m the greatest. You’re the latest. Welcome to the Legends club.”

-Muhammad Ali about Brett Favre

I was originally going to build my team in a different way but Brett Favre is Brett Favre. One of the best QBs of all-time and is still kicking at the ripe age of 39. He holds pretty much every conceivable record for QBs and injuries are not a concern. He can make every throw imaginable and some that aren’t. Quite Frankly (Hi Steven A) his is the BPA imo.

"He's the best, bar none. Whenever God was making them, He put a little extra in him." Undrafted Player

Honors and awards
• Favre won the Associated Press's MVP Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award three times, all in consecutive years (1995, 1996, and 1997; the last shared with Barry Sanders).
• Favre was selected to play in the Pro Bowl nine times in his career.[73]
• Favre was a seven-time All-Pro selection.
• Favre was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
• Favre received the NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor 12 times.

Records and milestones

Favre currently possesses most of the well-known NFL career records for quarterbacks, including:
• Most AP NFL MVP awards: 3 (1995, 1996, 1997)
• Most consecutive starts by a quarterback: 257 (279 including playoffs)
• Most games started by a quarterback: 257 (279 including playoffs
• Most wins by a starting quarterback regular season career : 162 (Regular season record: 162-95)[4]
• Most career passing touchdowns: 454
• Most career passing yards: 62,590
• Most career pass completions: 5,464
• Most career pass attempts: 8,882
• Most career interceptions thrown: 292
• Most career games with at least three touchdowns: 65
• Favre is one of only 4 QBs to lead the league in TD passes 4 times.
The others are Johnny Unitas, Len Dawson and Steve Young.
In the playoffs, Favre stands behind only Joe Montana in pass completions, passing touchdowns, passing yards and passing attempts.

In addition, Favre owns a number of team records, having printed his name into almost every passing category in the annals of Green Bay Packers history, most recently setting the team record for consecutive completions with 20 on November 22, 2007, against the Detroit Lions. With 38 "come-from-behind" 4th quarter wins & 2 more overtime victories, Brett Favre is the Green Bay Packers record holder and second only to John Elway's 47 4th quarter or OT "come-back wins", in NFL history.

[SMIGLET]

Round 1 Pick 19

Walter Jones, LT



Imo a great offensive line can make all the difference. it doesnt matter who you have at the skill positions if you dont have a line, and left tackle is obv most important.

walter jones is currently the best LT in football, and many might argue that hes every bit as good as ogden or better. at 6-5 329 lbs he pretty much always physically outmatches his opponents.

he was selected 6th in the first round of the 1997 draft, and was immediately plugged in as starter in training camp. in october that season, he was named the NFLs offensive rookie of the month, something no other offensive lineman has done. he has consistently shut down premiere pass rushers, while also a force in the running game. he is everything you want in a left tackle

8 pro bowls, 4 first team all pro selections

i will take him in his 05 season...when he helped sean alexander run for 1880 yards, 5.1 y/c, and oh ya, 27 touchdowns

[Myrmidon7328]

1.20 Brian Urlacher, MLB



Coming from a tiny town in eastern New Mexico, nobody expected Brian Urlacher to be a great football player. He attended the University of New Mexico, where Urlacher flourished as a LB/Safety hybrid.

He was drafted with the 9th overall pick of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. His first season, he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, and was selected to the Pro Bowl. He has been selected to six pro bowls so far through his career.

My main reason for picking Urlacher is because he was the center of the now-dominant Chicago Bears defense. He is the team's true captain, and has the raw athleticism, combined with field smartness, to be a leader for the defense.

Here are a few more highlights:
* 6x Pro Bowl selection (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007)
* 4x All-Pro selection (2001, 2002, 2005, 2006)
* 2000 Male Athlete of the Year (UNM)
* 2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
* 2001 Football Digest Defensive POY
* 2005 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year
* Defensive Player-of-the-Week (4)
* Special Teams Player of the Week
* NFL Rookie Defensive Player of the Month (10/2000)
* Brian Piccolo Award (2007)
* Led the NFL in fumble return yards in 2001
* Most tackles in a season (UNM)
* Most tackles in a season (Bears)

As I'm only 19, I haven't seen a lot of football (at least not before Super Bowl XXXI), but I truly think that he is an elite linebacker. I will take Urlacher from the 2001 season, when the world was still not used to this monster in the middle.

kkcountry, you're on the clock!

[kkcountry]

round 1 pick 21

WARREN MOON QB


Arguably the most underrated QB of all time, often dismissed as a "system" Quarterback, Warren Moon is my first pick. The guy put up some undeniably sick numbers consistently throughout his long, HOF career. In addition to his numbers, he's also a proven winner (only QB in this draft with FIVE rings) and an outstanding person and a positive to have in the locker room.

As far as the year/age I'm going with moon, I'll take his 1990 season, when he had one of the sickest individual seasons of all time and was 3 years into a period where he made 8 straight pro-bowls.



Regardless of the system, you've still got to make the plays, and Moon sure as hell did that.

[LurchySoprano]

Round 1, Pick #22: Bruce Smith, DE

Year Selected: Age 27 (1990)







Awards & Honors for Bruce Smith

* - NFL all time career sacks leader with 200.0
* - 2-Time NFL defensive player of the year (1990 & 1996)
* - 8-Time NFL All Pro (1987, 1988, 1990, 1993-1997)
* - 11 Pro Bowls (1987-1990, 1992-1998)
* - 13 seasons with 10.0+ sacks

wiper and I are both thrilled that Bruce Smith lasted to the 22nd pick and became the first member of our team. In all honesty, I thought about Smith around pick 10 and was very impressed when I looked at his #'s and read up more about his career I became convinced that he probably wouldn't fall to us. If Brett Favre or John Elway had been around, this would have been a more difficult choice but it was made much easier when they both were selected before the 22nd pick.

First off, we'll get out of the way what Bruce Smith is known for and that is being an elite pass rusher. He hold the NFL's all time sack record and is without a doubt one of the top few pass rushers in NFL history. Despite being the focus of many opposing teams game plans, Smith still managed 10 or more sacks every year from 1986-1998 with the exception of his injury shortened 1991 season. Since we are picking Smith as a 27 year old, it is worth nothing that Smith was the NFL's defensive player of the year at the age, notching 19 sacks, 4 forced fumbles and an astounding 101 tackles.

As others have noted, Smith's accomplishments seem that much more impressive when you realize that he played in the 3-4 system for most of his career. During his Buffalo years, Smith never played with another all pro along the defensive line. Smith obviously feels he's the best DE to ever play the game as seen by the first article below.

Quotes

- "His greatest asset is his ability to adjust, to use his momentum to his advantage," says Cincinnati Bengal tackle Anthony Munoz. "His quickness reminds me of Lee Roy Selmon and Fred Dean, but they were 15 to 30 pounds lighter. You can tell he'd be a great basketball player." -- Anthony Munoz

- "You're talking about a guy who is stronger than a 300-pounder and faster than a linebacker, His speed around the corner is unreal. And if you move out, he'll take one step upfield, spin inside and he's gone. I think he's double-jointed. He'll line up over me, and I'll try to hit him, and there's nothing there—he's going back and coming forward at the same time. I can't even explain it. There's no way a human being should do what he does." -- All-Pro Teammate


Articles:

1.) http://myespn.go.com/blogs/afceast/0...t-ask-him.html

[vixticator]

1.23 Michael Strahan, LDE




If I cannot luckbox into the all-time sack leader, Michael Strahan isn't a bad consolation prize. He holds the single season sack record, thanks to Brett Favre, with an absurd 22.5. Guess which year I want him? One of the greatest defensive lineman of all-time by any measure. Strahan could not only rush the passer, he was strong against the run as well.


Honors and awards:
7x Pro Bowl selection (1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005)
6x All-Pro selection (1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005)
Super Bowl XLII champion
2001 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
2x NFC Defensive Player of the Year (2001, 2003)
NFL Record 22.5 sacks in single season

[SarcasticRat]

1. 24 Rod Woodson, DB







With my first pick, I wanted to draft a player who could be a cornerstone to a strong defense. Especially with the ridiculous quarterbacks and wide receivers that will be on every team, I felt a shutdown corner would be a good place to start, and there isn't much better than Rod Woodson.

Woodson started his long career in Pittsburgh, which is the era in which I will be taking him (1993). He quickly established himself as a dominant shut-down corner, and one who could also defend well against the run. He had amazing longevity, and throughout his lengthy career was always an incredible playmaker. His 71 career interceptions rank him 3rd all time, and he has the most interception returns for touchdowns and most interception return yardage in NFL history.

Later in his career Woodson converted to safety, and was also a force at that position even as he aged. He won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, and is sure to be a first ballot hall of famer when he becomes eligible in 2009. He was elected to 11 pro bowls, the most ever by a defensive back.

I feel like Woodson will give me a chance to compete against the juggernaut pass offenses that are likely to surface in this draft, and also maybe score my team some touchdowns as a bonus.

Accolades:
11x Pro Bowl selection (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
9x First Team All Pro (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002)
1993 NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Super Bowl XXXV Champ

[metsandfinsfan]

Round 1, Pick 25 Eric Dickerson, RB






I am proud to draft Eric Dickerson with my first round pick. In his first 4 season in the NFL with the Rams, Eric Dickerson made 62 starts, and rushed for 7000 yards, an average of over 112 yards per game, and 4.8 yards per attempt. He had almost 8000 yards from scrimmage in those 4 years. On January 4, 1986 he rushed for 248 yards on 34 attempts to lead his team to the NFC championship game, one of the most amazing performances by a running back ever. He is a 6 time probowler, and a 5 time starter in the probowl, all before the age of 30. He was inducted into the hall of fame in 1999. He led the league in rushing 4 times, including an NFL record 2,105 yards in 1984. He is 6th all time in rushing yards with 13,259. He is 12th all time in rushing touchdowns. He also led the league in touches 3 times, and is 11th all time in only an 11 year career, which shows that he is a workhorse.


I will take him at 26 years old in 1986, where he led the league with 1821 rushing yards and 113.8 yards per game, and was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year. In his only playoff game that year, he ran for 158 yards on 26 carries, for an average of 6.1 yards per carry. This is right in the middle of his prime years, as he made the pro bowl in 83, 84, 86, 89, 88, and 89.

Accomplishments:

1983 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year
1986 AP Offensive Player of the Year
6 probowls before the age of 30
Led the league in rushing 4 times, including a record 2105 yards in 1984
6th place all time rushing yards
Led the league in rushing yards per game 5 times
6th place alltime in rushing yards per game
4.9 yards per attempt in 7 postseason games
248 yards rushing in a playoff game
Seventh back to gain more than 10,000 yards and the fastest ever to do so, reaching the milestone in just 91 games
Hall of Famer

[capone0]

Pick #26

Capone0 selects:

Bruce Matthews

Seeing that all the big time QBs have been whored already and the best pass rushers of this era has gone, I’ll go for a guy who can protect the blind side of my QB. He is arguably one of the best lineman of all time and easily the most consistent. 12 time all-pro, 14 time pro-bowler and only HOFer from the Titans.

My goal will be to have great lines because winning in the trenches is more important than winning at skill positions to me.

Not a huge fan of him coming out of USC, but otherwise had a sick consistent career and will be the mainstay of my team. Obviously I think he’s more valuable in an extended term league but I still wanted the guy.

I honestly think he’s the best o-lineman in the draft, but Munoz, Jones aren’t bad by any means. I’ll surround him with more talent than his real teams had and Munoz and Jones had.

Achievements:

First team all-pro 9 times
All-pro team 12 times
Pro-bowler 14 times
1990 All Decade Team
Most games ever played by an o-lineman
296 games in total
HOFer

[Needle77]

Larry Allen





My #1 on my list of offensive lineman. The absolute perfect foundation to my offensive line and offensive theory. Allen’s pure power is something that may never be rivaled in the NFL. Quite possibly the all-around strongest player to play the game by bench pressing 225 over 43 times and squatting 900 pounds. Allen gets off the ball faster than most other lineman I have seen and has terrific leverage to get a tremendous push on any DL put in front of him.

I’m not afraid to let it known that my offensive scheme is going to be based around a ball-control offense that will lead to many 1 on 1 blocks. Lined up against a DL that slants or can be cop and coppered I will have 100% faith in Allen to reach the second level and create holes at this level for my backs to read.

With his rush block ability being fundamentally sound I have even more faith in Allen to protect my QB from pass rushers. Any pass blocking scheme I put in I know Allen will perform it with HoF ability.

Allens Accolades:

Pro Bowler 11 out of 13 seasons(Including in his 2nd to last season)
All-Pro 8 times- 7 times at guard and once at Tackle (Bruce Matthews also accomplished this feat)
1990's All Decade Team

I'll be playing Allen at his age during the 1997 season(26)

[Seadood228]

Pick 1:28 Warren Sapp / DT - 2000





I decided to go with a defensive tackle who could both stuff the run and get enough pressure up the middle to demand a double teams, as well as get double digit sacks on his own. That's extremely rare for a DT, and I feel this type of player really improves the entire DLine against both the run and pass. Imo, Warren did this better than anyone in his 2000 season.

Even though he actually won the DPOY in 1999, I decided to go with his 2000 campaign where his numbers were better.

2000 stats:

16.5 Sacks / 43 Tackles / 9 AST

Accolades:

7 Pro Bowls
4 times 1st team All Pro
1 Defensive Player of the Year
1 Super Bowl Ring

[battschr]

Pick 1:29- Orlando Pace

Taking him at, say, 25. I'll try and get a longer writeup edited in later...didn't want to hold up this thread now. Pace is a stud though, and I'm pumped to have him.