Best Draft Class of the Past Decade (2000-2008): 4/1/2010
Many may think this is an unfair question to ask considering some of the draft classes and players analyzed are just beginning their careers. For
instance, Matthew Stafford could go on to win multiple individual awards and Super Bowl titles, making a strong case for the 2009 draft class.
Conversely, the majority of the draft classes from 2000-2008 have players who are nearing retirement or are past their primes. The average NFL
career is only 4 to 5 years. Therefore, grouping all draft classes from the last decade together is not "unfair." Besides, we will eventually
re-analyze the draft classes again when the time comes.
Many can argue that as the NFL matures and grows, so do the players and their talent. Comparing draft classes and players from the late 80's
or early 90's to the players of today is somewhat unrealistic. Today's players are bigger, stronger and faster. When was the last time you had a
legitimate #1 wide receiver stand 6'5 and 240 pounds? Well, both Detroit and San Diego have one each (Johnson and Jackson). The 2010 draft
will showcase safety Taylor Mays; a 6'3 - 235 pound safety who is capable of running a sub 4.3 forty yard dash. Additionally, you have defensive
ends who are fast and athletic enough to convert to outside linebackers in the NFL; a much faster paced league than the NCAA. Its scary to think
what comes next as the human evolution is showcased to the extreme in the NFL.
With that, the past decade has produced some of the most productive NFL talents in the leagues history. Several NFL records have been
shattered since 2000 including: highest single season touchdown total (Ladanian Tomlinson); most passing touchdowns in a single season
(Tom Brady); most rushing yards in a single game (Adrian Peterson); and many others. It is hard to believe that these stats will ever be broken
again, but its inevitable as history has consistently proven.
The way drafthuddle.com has graded each draft class is based on the amount of Pro Bowl players produced in each draft class. A high point
value is provided to all Pro Bowlers drafted after the third round. Reason being, if a player was drafted and excelled in the NFL after round 3, it is
a good indication of how deep that draft class actually was. Additionally, a higher point value is given to players who receive individual NFL
honors: i.e. NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), and Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). These honors showcase the draft class as
individual talent is assessed. Lastly, we assess and down-grade a draft class for 1st round draft selections who are no longer on active NFL
rosters. We can not simply decide a player is a "bust" because he does not turn into a superstar. Some players enter the NFL with high
expectations but turn into role players: i.e. Marcus Spears - drafted 20th overall and has never made a Pro Bowl. Teams put the majority of their
stock into evaluating the first round and first round talent. The talent level is presumably higher along with the financial obligations. Because of
this, players are expected to be of an elite group. If a player who was drafted in the 1st round is no longer on an active NFL roster it diminishes
the value of the entire draft class. By our standards, it is not a good/productive draft class if 6 players make the Pro Bowl, 17 are still on active
rosters and 7 are no longer in the league. From 2006 through 2009, we will look at playing time and the percentage of snaps taken. If a
1st-rounder drafted from 2006-2009 does not take at least 50% of the teams snaps, than they are considered a bust based on our analysis.
This would equate to a poor first round draft pool for that particular year.
Draft Class Analysis from: 2000 - 2009
Based on our evaluation, the 2001 draft class makes a strong case for being the best/most complete draft class of the past decade. 25 players
out of 64 selections made the Pro Bowl, which is 9 more than any other draft class. Additionally, the 2001 draft class has produced 1 NFL MVP
(Tomlinson) and 2 Offensive Players of the Year (Brees & Tomlinson). One thing to take into consideration though is the amount of "1st round
busts" there were. The 2001 draft class has 8 first round busts, by drafthuddle.com's standards. Not far behind the 2001 class is the 2004 draft
class. 14 Pro Bowlers in the first 64 selections. More impressively is the amount of Pro Bowlers (7) drafted after the third round; proving how
deep the 04' draft class was. Also, there are only two draft busts from that class. A bold prediction is that in 3-4 years, the 2004 draft class will
surpass the 2001 draft class in overall productivity. At a later point, we will re-examine these draft classes and have a better look at the players
drafted from 2007 and up.
- Draft Huddle
Many may think this is an unfair question to ask considering some of the draft classes and players analyzed are just beginning their careers. For
instance, Matthew Stafford could go on to win multiple individual awards and Super Bowl titles, making a strong case for the 2009 draft class.
Conversely, the majority of the draft classes from 2000-2008 have players who are nearing retirement or are past their primes. The average NFL
career is only 4 to 5 years. Therefore, grouping all draft classes from the last decade together is not "unfair." Besides, we will eventually
re-analyze the draft classes again when the time comes.
Many can argue that as the NFL matures and grows, so do the players and their talent. Comparing draft classes and players from the late 80's
or early 90's to the players of today is somewhat unrealistic. Today's players are bigger, stronger and faster. When was the last time you had a
legitimate #1 wide receiver stand 6'5 and 240 pounds? Well, both Detroit and San Diego have one each (Johnson and Jackson). The 2010 draft
will showcase safety Taylor Mays; a 6'3 - 235 pound safety who is capable of running a sub 4.3 forty yard dash. Additionally, you have defensive
ends who are fast and athletic enough to convert to outside linebackers in the NFL; a much faster paced league than the NCAA. Its scary to think
what comes next as the human evolution is showcased to the extreme in the NFL.
With that, the past decade has produced some of the most productive NFL talents in the leagues history. Several NFL records have been
shattered since 2000 including: highest single season touchdown total (Ladanian Tomlinson); most passing touchdowns in a single season
(Tom Brady); most rushing yards in a single game (Adrian Peterson); and many others. It is hard to believe that these stats will ever be broken
again, but its inevitable as history has consistently proven.
The way drafthuddle.com has graded each draft class is based on the amount of Pro Bowl players produced in each draft class. A high point
value is provided to all Pro Bowlers drafted after the third round. Reason being, if a player was drafted and excelled in the NFL after round 3, it is
a good indication of how deep that draft class actually was. Additionally, a higher point value is given to players who receive individual NFL
honors: i.e. NFL MVP, Offensive Player of the Year (OPOY), and Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY). These honors showcase the draft class as
individual talent is assessed. Lastly, we assess and down-grade a draft class for 1st round draft selections who are no longer on active NFL
rosters. We can not simply decide a player is a "bust" because he does not turn into a superstar. Some players enter the NFL with high
expectations but turn into role players: i.e. Marcus Spears - drafted 20th overall and has never made a Pro Bowl. Teams put the majority of their
stock into evaluating the first round and first round talent. The talent level is presumably higher along with the financial obligations. Because of
this, players are expected to be of an elite group. If a player who was drafted in the 1st round is no longer on an active NFL roster it diminishes
the value of the entire draft class. By our standards, it is not a good/productive draft class if 6 players make the Pro Bowl, 17 are still on active
rosters and 7 are no longer in the league. From 2006 through 2009, we will look at playing time and the percentage of snaps taken. If a
1st-rounder drafted from 2006-2009 does not take at least 50% of the teams snaps, than they are considered a bust based on our analysis.
This would equate to a poor first round draft pool for that particular year.
Draft Class Analysis from: 2000 - 2009
Based on our evaluation, the 2001 draft class makes a strong case for being the best/most complete draft class of the past decade. 25 players
out of 64 selections made the Pro Bowl, which is 9 more than any other draft class. Additionally, the 2001 draft class has produced 1 NFL MVP
(Tomlinson) and 2 Offensive Players of the Year (Brees & Tomlinson). One thing to take into consideration though is the amount of "1st round
busts" there were. The 2001 draft class has 8 first round busts, by drafthuddle.com's standards. Not far behind the 2001 class is the 2004 draft
class. 14 Pro Bowlers in the first 64 selections. More impressively is the amount of Pro Bowlers (7) drafted after the third round; proving how
deep the 04' draft class was. Also, there are only two draft busts from that class. A bold prediction is that in 3-4 years, the 2004 draft class will
surpass the 2001 draft class in overall productivity. At a later point, we will re-examine these draft classes and have a better look at the players
drafted from 2007 and up.
- Draft Huddle
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