Brian Thomas Jr. sets multiple Jaguars rookie receiving records
Brian Thomas Jr. set new all-time rookie receiving yard and touchdown records for the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first quarter against the New York Jets on Sunday.
Thomas surpassed Justin Blackmon’s 2012 record of 865 yards on a four-yard reception on the game’s first drive.
He ended the series with a three-yard touchdown catch to take sole possession of Jacksonville’s rookie receiving touchdown record, after tying the six Allen Hurns produced in 2014 against the Houston Texans in Week 13.
Thomas had 869 yards and seven touchdowns on the season, with more than three games left, and four catches for 18 yards and the score against the Jets at press time.
Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson expressed Monday that while Thomas has shined throughout his first NFL season, he believes the rookie still has room to develop into one of the league’s best pass-catchers.
“I think he still is learning the game, learning different techniques by corners, [defensive backs], the leverage, just understanding his triangle of coverage,” Pederson said. “It’s corner, safety and next inside defender, and just learning how to run off of that and run routes that way, and then just use his ability with his speed.
“So, I think there’s still a lot that he can continue to improve. As good as he is right now, that’s exciting that he can continue to get better and potentially be one of the top receivers in this league.”
Highlights: Four former Jaguars entering CFB Hall of Fame
Four former Jaguars, including wide receiver Justin Blackmon and linebacker Paul Posluszny, will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December.
The National Football Foundation is celebrating the Class of 2024 electees, sharing available highlight compilations of incoming Hall of Fame members via social media, including the following videos of Blackmon with Oklahoma State and Posluszny with Penn State.
Watch the highlights below.
Justin Blackmon was DIFFERENT. Congratulations on becoming an electee for the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame.
Blackmon will be inducted on Dec. 10, 2024, in Las Vegas.
— National Football Foundation (@NFFNetwork) July 9, 2024
Blackmon became Jacksonville’s first-round, No. 5 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft after his two-time unanimous All-American career with the Cowboys. He caught 253 passes for 3,564 yards and 40 touchdowns over three seasons at Oklahoma State.
Blackmon’s explosive debut campaign with the Jaguars, in which he led the team with 64 receptions and all rookie wide receivers with 865 yards, was thought to be the beginning of an uber-productive NFL career.
But multiple suspensions and arrests on offenses related to substance abuse between 2012-14, resulting in fines, placement in the NFL’s substance abuse program and eventually probation, effectively brought his career to an end after four appearances in 2013.
Blackmon was denied reinstatement by the league in 2015 while on the Jaguars’ reserve/suspended list. He was never officially removed from the list.
Posluszny, a two-time consensus All-American at Penn State, racked up 372 tackles including for loss, nine sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles over 37 games with the Nittany Lions, before his second-round draft selection by Buffalo in 2007.
Posluszny signed with Jacksonville as a free agent in 2011 and spent seven seasons with the Jaguars before he retired from the NFL in 2018. He accumulated 816 tackles with 45 for loss, 13 sacks, 11 interceptions, 36 defended passes and four forced fumbles in that stretch and earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2013.
Additionally, former Jaguars defensive back Deon Figures (Colorado) and running back Toby Gerhart (Stanford) will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame later this year.
Bridges was a first-round pick by Pittsburgh in 1993 and spent four years with the Steelers before signing with Jacksonville in 1997. He recorded five interceptions in his first season with the Jaguars and logged another two picks the following campaign, his last in the NFL.
A second-round pick by Minnesota in 2010, Gerhart signed with the Jaguars in 2013 after four seasons with the Vikings. He rushed for 370 yards and two touchdowns and caught three passes for 23 yards in 21 games with Jacksonville before his release and exit from pro football in 2016.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ duo of Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk have high expectations, but how will they rank against former Jaguars receiving pairs?
Ahead of the 2022 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars invested in the Trevor Lawrence era in a big way. The Jaguars gave former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk a four-year, $72 million contract to give Lawrence his biggest target to date.
The move was met with criticism, but Kirk was crucial to Lawrence’s development into a projected 2023 Most Valuable Player candidate. The Jaguars then made a move for the future ahead of the 2022 trade deadline.
Jacksonville sent a 2023 fifth-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick that could become a second-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons for wide receiver Calvin Ridley.
The former Falcons receiver became the featured target in Atlanta due to Julio Jones’ decline and departure. However, he dealt with injury during the 2021 and only played five games because of a fractured foot and time off to address his mental health.
Ridley was then suspended for the entire 2022 season for violating the league’s gambling policy. If he can return to form following his nearly two-year-long break from football, Ridley and Kirk will likely form one of the best duos in Jaguars history.
Based on production in a single season, Jacksonville hasn’t seen many dominant receiver pairings in its short history. Ridley and Kirk will automatically be one of the most talented duos Jacksonville has seen, but how do they stack up compared to past Jaguars pairs?
5) 2012: Justin Blackmon and Cecil Shorts III
Heading into the second year of Blaine Gabbert’s tenure in Jacksonville, the Jaguars decided to give him the top receiver in the 2012 NFL Draft. They selected wide receiver Justin Blackmon with the fifth overall pick.
Blackmon didn’t have a great career, but he looked the part of the fifth overall pick in his one full season. The former Oklahoma State Cowboys star earned 132 targets and tallied 64 catches for 865 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie year.
Blackmon quickly became Gabbert’s favorite target, but Cecil Shorts III — who was in his second season in Jacksonville — was the second half of a solid receiving duo. The reliable Shorts had the best season of his career in 2012.
Shorts garnered 105 targets and capitalized on them for 55 receptions, 979 yards and seven touchdowns.
The duo of Blackmon and Shorts didn’t last long in Jacksonville, but their production in the 2012 season ranks among the best single-season receiving duos in Jaguars history.
Blackmon and Shorts combined for 119 catches, 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns.
4) 2010: Marcedes Lewis and Mike Thomas
In a season in which the Jaguars went 8-8 and missed the playoffs, the 2010 pairing of Marcedes Lewis and Mike Thomas made the season somewhat memorable. Lewis is now a Jaguars legend, but in 2010, he was in only his fifth of 12 seasons in Jacksonville.
He is most known as a blocking tight end, but Lewis had his most productive receiving season in 2010. The former Jaguar pulled in 58 passes for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns to earn his first and only career Pro Bowl appearance.
Outside of the Jags legend’s best season, 2010 also featured the heroics of Mike Thomas. The receiver made the Jaguars’ play of the year when he caught a deflected hail mary to beat the rival Houston Texans on Nov. 14.
Thomas contributed 66 catches for 820 yards and four touchdowns in total during the best season of his career.
Lewis and Thomas combined for 124 catches, 1,520 yards and 14 touchdowns in the season.
3) 2022: Christian Kirk and Zay Jones
Few expected Kirk and Zay Jones to form one of the most productive wide receiver duos in Jaguars history when they first joined the team in 2022. However, by the end of the season, it was hard to deny their impact.
Kirk’s contract distracted NFL fans from the player Jacksonville was adding to their roster. He was a consistent contributor for the Cardinals throughout his four seasons with the team.
The former Cardinals receiver spent the first three seasons of his NFL career in the shadows of Larry Fitzgerald and then DeAndre Hopkins. However, Hopkins was suspended to start the 2021 season, and Kirk produced his best season to date, tallying 77 catches for 982 yards and five touchdowns.
In one season in Jacksonville, Kirk quickly proved his worth. He registered 84 catches for 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns as Lawrence’s featured receiver.
However, he had plenty of help from another misunderstood route runner. Former Buffalo Bills and Las Vegas Raiders receiver Zay Jones had been in the league for five years. His best season came in his sophomore year when he produced 56 catches, 652 yards and seven touchdowns.
Despite his career slowing down, the Jaguars brought Jones into Jacksonville, and he quickly became the No. 2 option. Jones caught 82 passes for 823 yards and five touchdowns.
Jones and Kirk helped Lawrence transform into one of the league’s top young quarterbacks. The pair combined for 166 receptions, 1,931 yards and 13 touchdowns.
2) 2015: Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns
The 2015 season was former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles’ second year in the league, and his surrounding cast lifted him to the best season of his career. Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns formed a highly productive duo to help Bortles achieve 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns.
Robinson looked the part of a true No. 1 option and is still trying to replicate the numbers he produced in 2015. He reeled in 80 passes for 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns in his second season in the NFL.
His yards were the second best single-season total in franchise history, and his 14 touchdowns stand as the most in a single season in Jaguars history.
Hurns played the perfect partner alongside Robinson. He was a dynamic second option that turned 64 catches into 1,031 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Robinson and Hurns combined for 144 receptions, 2,431 yards and 24 touchdowns. They are one of two pairs in Jaguars history to each have 1,000 receiving yards in a season.
1) 1996-2001: Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell
And if there was ever any doubt, Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell are the best receiving pair in Jaguars history. It was impossible to pick just one season for them, as their six seasons together would all rank in the top 10 receiving seasons in Jaguars history.
They are the only other duo in Jacksonville’s history to each contribute 1,000 receiving yards in the same season; they did it four times in six seasons.
Smith and McCardell are also the only duo to have sustained success for more than just one or two seasons.
Smith is easily the best receiver in Jaguars history. He leads the franchise in career targets, receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns and was a Jaguar from 1995 to 2005.
McCardell checks in as the second best receiver in franchise history. He is second in franchise history in targets, catches and receiving yards and is third in receiving touchdowns.
Smith and McCardell played together from 1996 to 2001 and consistently got open for former Jaguars quarterback Mark Brunell. Smith never had less than 1,200 receiving yards during the stretch, and McCardell never had less than 800.
The Jaguars legends combined for 1,061 catches, 14,365 and 71 touchdowns during their six years together.
Where will Ridley and Kirk rank?
Assuming Ridley and Kirk are healthy for the entire season, they will likely become at least a top-three receiving duo. Ridley’s past suggests he’s a clear upgrade from Jones. If Kirk plays the same as he did in 2022 and Ridley returns to form, they will surpass Kirk and Jones’s production in 2022.
Ridley’s 2020 season showed his ability to excel in the No. 1 receiver role. He produced 90 receptions, 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020, so he could give Robinson’s 2015 season a run for its money.
If Kirk reproduces his 2022 numbers, he and Ridley would pass Robinson and Hurns for the second-best receiving duo in Jaguars history. While it isn’t impossible for them to put up numbers similar to Smith and McCardell, they likely won’t catch them unless they stick together for a long time in Jacksonville.
It’s entirely possible for Ridley and Kirk to become the second-best duo in Jaguars history, but they have much to prove in their first season together.
Paul Posluszny, Kevin Hardy, and eight other former Jaguars players are among the nominees for the College Football Hall of Fame.
The College Football Hall of Fame released its list of candidates for the Class of 2024 and the Jacksonville Jaguars are well-represented on the ballot.
Ten players who spent time with Jacksonville during their respective NFL careers are among the list of nominees (years with Jaguars):
Aaron Beasley, cornerback, West Virginia (1996-2001)
Justin Blackmon, wide receiver, Oklahoma State (2012-2013)
Marco Coleman, defensive end, Georgia Tech (2002)
Jarett Dillard, wide receiver, Rice (2009-2011)
Vaughn Dunbar, running back, Indiana (1995)
Deon Figures, cornerback, Colorado (1997-1998)
Toby Gerhart, running back, Stanford (2014-2015)
Kevin Hardy, linebacker, Illinois (1996-2001)
John Jurkovic, defensive end, Eastern Illinois (1996-1998)
Paul Posluszny, linebacker, Penn State (2011-2017)
The 18 players inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame last year included Tim Tebow, a former Denver Broncos and New York Jets quarterback who spent one offseason at tight end with the Jaguars.
Beasley, Blackmon, Dillard, and Hardy were all drafted by the Jaguars. Posluszny stands as the franchise’s all-time leading tackler and Beasley is second in team history in interceptions.
Voting for the Class of 2024 will happen through the remainder of June, but the inductees won’t be announced until January of next year.
Who stands out as the best first-round selections ever made by the Jaguars, and which players were the worst?
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a far from stellar track record when it comes to the NFL draft. It hasn’t all been bad, though.
Nearly three decades into the franchise’s existence, there are a handful of players who stand out as spectacular first-round choices by the Jaguars. Of course, there are plenty who stand out as especially poor selections.
It’s a little premature to judge the picks made by general manager Trent Baalke, although the early returns on Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne sure look great. But for the sake of the exercise, we’ll exclude players picked in the last three years.
Here are the five best first-round picks ever made by the Jaguars and the five worst:
Looking at some of the best rookies in the league through ten weeks of the season.
Earlier this week, ESPN writers released their countdown of the top ten rookies in the NFL this season.
It… got some attention.
Putting together any kind of list like that is destined to become a lightning rod, because trying to encapsulate the top players around the league, whether rookies or veterans, is something that everyone can drop an opinion on.
Including us here at Touchdown Wire.
So not to be outdone, here is Touchdown Wire’s Top 12 rookies this season. This is based primarily on film study of the league over the entire season to date. Because there are many deserving players, we also included an Honorable Mention section for those who are worthy of mention but did not quite make the cut.
Former Jags veteran Will Blackmon started in over 10 games at corner but was close to seeing some time at receiver, too, under Gus Bradley
For both players and fans of the Jacksonville Jaguars, there weren’t many fun times to reflect on during the Gus Bradley era as the team garnered a 14–48 (.226) record in just under four full seasons. The team was one plagued with draft busts from the past tenure alongside the infancy of Bradley’s head coaching career and Dave Caldwell’s general manager career.
There were also times where off the field things like Justin Blackmon’s trouble with the law and injuries hurt the roster, which pretty much needed to be at 100% (or close to it) to win games. In fact, there was a point where the Jags were so bad off in terms of receiver availability to the point where they gave cornerback Will Blackmon practice snaps at receiver for an emergency situation.
In a Twitter post by the former Jags veteran, Blackmon reflected on his time at receiver and jokingly went into details of how he struggled with the arm strength of then quarterback Blaine Gabbert.
Fun Fact: I know this cold take isn’t about me. But When Justin Blackmon was suspended & our other WRs were injured, due to my WR history, Gus Bradley had me stay after practice & catch passes from Blaine Gabbert. They then created an emergency receiver package for me lol. https://t.co/jPoKgelO8A
I just remember Blaine Gabbert’s arm was so damn strong, he had zero chill on his passes. Had me after practice running routes like 😂 pic.twitter.com/BQaYnR4j2u
Thankfully, Blackmon didn’t have to line up at receiver but at least we know Bradley was prepared for anything.
Ultimately, Blackmon registered five career punt returns in Jacksonville and 12 starts at cornerback. Afterward, he spent time with the Washington Football team where he registered 16 more starts from 2015-16.
Listen to the latest from Jags Wire’s own James Johnson and Phil Smith on their podcast “Bleav in the Jags.” Subscribe via Apple Podcasts and check out our archived episodes via Bleav Podcasts.
Who was the best No. 1 overall pick during this decade?
As the decade comes to a close, we wanted to take a look at the NFL draft through the last ten years. In this case, we’ve decided to evaluate all 10 drafts to find best and work pick at each selection. This isn’t necessarily a look at the best or worst picks of the decade, but rather a cross-section examination of each draft position in the first round.
There are slots where teams seemed to have staggering and surprising success, like at 27th overall. And then there were draft positions where teams couldn’t seem to get it right. Interestingly, 26th overall was one of the least fruitful spots over the last 10 years. Here’s what else we found.
First overall
Best: Cam Newton, QB, Panthers, 2011
He’s a former MVP and he appeared in the Super Bowl. Carolina might be done with him, but for the better part of the decade, Newton was dominant as a passer and runner. Maybe Andrew Luck is deserving, too, but his retirement and injuries give Newton the edge.
Worst: Sam Bradford, QB, Rams, 2010
Jared Goff could overtake Bradford if Goff continues to struggle over the next few years. But the young quarterback is showing room for growth. Bradford, meanwhile, put together just one solid season, in 2016 with the Vikings (71.6 completion percentage, 3,877 yards, 20 TDs, 5 INTs). He was otherwise a fringe starter.
Second overall
Best: Von Miller, DE, Broncos, 2011
He has over 100 sacks on his career to go with seven Pro Bowl nods, a Defensive Player of the Year award and a Super Bowl win. This one is easy. Miller trumps the likes of Ndamukong Suh, Saquon Barkley and Nick Bosa.
Worst: Greg Robinson, OT, Rams, 2014
Robinson has been on three different teams, and has been a headache for whatever team hopes he’ll be its starter at left tackle. For example, in 2016, he showed up to Rams camp 15 pounds overweight before drawing 12 penalties in 10 games. At that point, L.A. benched him. Quarterbacks Robert Griffin III and Mitchell Trubisky deserved careful consideration at this spot, but Robinson feels like the best choice here. Griffin had a terrific rookie season, but struggled with injuries past that. With a recent uptick, Trubisky may not be quite as bad as he has seemed earlier this year.
Third overall
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Best: Gerald McCoy, DT, Buccaneers, 2010
He plays a position that isn’t amenable to becoming a well-known personality in the NFL, and he began his career with an organization that didn’t get much attention. After nine seasons with the Bucs, McCoy signed with the Panthers in 2019. He’s had 28 or more tackles and five or more sacks each year. He logged a career-high 9.5 sacks in 2013.
Worst: Trent Richardson, RB, Browns, 2012
Richardson averaged 3.3 yards per carry on 614 rushes. He was actually a decent pass-catcher with 113 career receptions for 912 yards and two touchdowns. But the Alabama product could never find space to run between the tackles, which made him one of the biggest busts of the 2010s.
Fourth overall
Best: Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Cowboys, 2016
Elliot tops an impressive group, which includes Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, A.J. Green, Amari Cooper, Leonard Fournette and Denzel Ward. It seems fourth overall is a good place to pick — after teams make a mistake and reach on a quarterback.
Worst: Matt Kalil, OT, Vikings, 2012
He actually had one Pro Bowl season in his rookie year, which goes to show how strong this draft slot has been over the decade. But his career has been marred by injuries, which makes him the worst pick in a group of good ones.
Fifth overall
Best: Patrick Peterson, CB, Cardinals, 2011
An incredible draft slot that produced Khalil Mack, Eric Berry and Jalen Ramsey. But Peterson’s longevity as one of the league’s top corners has been impressive. His return abilities have been enormous. He’s also likely to have earned more national recognition in any market other than Arizona.
Worst: Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars, 2012
A historically bad bust, Blackmon played just three seasons while recording 0 receptions in his final season in 2014. His best season came in 2012, his rookie year, with 64 catches for 865 yards and five touchdowns. The NFL suspended him for substance abuse in 2013, and he couldn’t get back on the field.
Sixth overall
Best: Julio Jones, WR, Falcons, 2011
He’s an absolute monster, so far logging 767 catches, 11,747 receptions and 55 touchdowns. Jones’ career has been defined by his freakishly large catch radius and his oversized but graceful frame.
Worst: Barkevious Mingo, DE, Browns, 2013
He hasn’t had a terrible career — just the worst of his peers at sixth overall. He was thought to be a decent pass-rusher, but recorded his career-high five sacks in his rookie season. He is playing for the Houston Texans in 2019 (after time with the Browns, Patriots and Colts), but has never recorded more than 50 tackles.
Seventh overall
Best: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers, 2017
Evans may have a reputation for being injury prone, but he has never finished with fewer than 1,000 yards in his six NFL seasons. He comes in ahead of Joe Haden and Mike Williams.
Worst: Kevin White, WR, Bears, 2015
Cardinals guard Jonathan Cooper was a close second. Both players had a career marred by injury. Neither player found a way to contribute in the NFL, and are among the biggest busts of their class — and of the decade.
Eighth overall
Best: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Panthers, 2017
He’s the best pass-catching back of his generation, who also happens to have rushed for over 1,000 yards two of his first three seasons.
Worst: Justin Gilbert, CB, Browns, 2014
The Browns bailed on Gilbert after two unimpressive seasons, and traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round pick. He struggled just as much for the Steelers in 2016, and his NFL career ended with a suspension for substance-abuse. No one signed him after that.
Ninth overall
Best: Tyron Smith, OT, Cowboys, 2011
He’s one of the best left tackles in football, and has been for practically his entire career.
Worst: Dee Milliner, CB, Jets, 2013
He got benched three times in his rookie season. Then a rash of injuries kept him off the field for the following three years. After the Jets cut him in 2016, no one signed him.
10th overall
Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Best: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs, 2017
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore was also selected in this slot by the Bills, and is the best cornerback in football now for the Patriots. But Mahomes is one of the most physically gifted quarterbacks of a generation. He won the NFL MVP and shattered passing records in his first season as a starter. His 2019 season has been a bit of a regression after he suffered a knee injury. But there’s little doubt he’ll get back on track.
Worst: Blaine Gabbert, QB, Jaguars, 2011
Gabbert’s staying power in the NFL is impressive, if only because he’s never been very good. He showed some semblance of competency at the position in San Francisco in 2015 when he had a 3-5 record while completing 63.1 % of his passes for 2,031 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. But his career completion percentage is 56% and his yards per attempt is 6.1. He never justified Jacksonville’s selection.
11th overall
Best: J.J. Watt, DE, Texans, 2011
When he’s healthy, he’s one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. In his first five NFL seasons, he had two years when he had 20.5 sacks. But he has played just eight games in three of the last four seasons. Injuries are the only thing keeping Watt from the Hall of Fame.
Worst: Anthony Davis, OT, 49ers, 2010
No, not the Lakers star. This Anthony Davis retired after the 2014 season. He did what was right for him — he called it a career to “let his brain and body heal.” That brought an end to his quiet career.
12th overall
Best: Deshaun Watson, QB, Texans, 2017
There was some anxiety about what the NFL would do without Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Philip Rivers. It seems the league will be just fine with talents like Watson, Mahomes and Russell Wilson, among others.
Worst: Christian Ponder, QB, Vikings, 2011
Ponder is definitely not in that group of next-generation quarterbacks. His career completion percentage finished at 59.8 and he threw almost as many interceptions (36) as he did touchdowns (38) during his four seasons as a starter. Minnesota cut ties with him, and he worked as a journeyman backup for a few more years.
13th overall
Best: Aaron Donald, DT, Rams, 2014
He’s the best defensive player in the NFL. So, yeah, he’s also the best player selected at 13th overall.
Worst: Haason Reddick, LB, Cardinals, 2017
The No. 13 selection has actually produced a number of solid players. So Reddick gets the “worst” label, even if his career hasn’t been that disastrous. He had 80 tackles and four sacks in 2018, and is on pace for something similar in 2019. It’s not great — and not terrible.
14th overall
Best: Earl Thomas, S, Seahawks, 2010
Between Baltimore and Seattle, Thomas has put together a number of seasons where he’s the best safety in the NFL. Need a hard-hitter? He’ll put up 100 tackles. Need takeaways? He’s posted three five-interception seasons.
Worst: Karl Joseph, S, Raiders, 2016
He had one strong season in 2018, but has been hurt and inconsistent in the others. Typically, that wouldn’t warrant the “worst” label but the other competitor for this spot is Star Lotulelei, who has been solid during his career. The 14th overall slot is impressive.
15th overall
Best: Mike Pouncey, C, Dolphins, 2011
He’s a four-time Pro Bowler, who has long been exceptional in his role. My major hesitation to put him here was his role in Bullygate.
Worst: Corey Coleman, WR, Browns, 2016
The Browns bailed on Coleman after just two seasons. He’s currently with the Giants, where he’s at the bottom of a shallow depth chart.
16th overall
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Best: Zach Martin, G, Cowboys, 2014
This group boasts Lions left tackle Taylor Decker and Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmonds. But Martin is probably the best guard in football, and has five Pro Bowls. He earns the honors for this slot.
Worst: E.J. Manuel, QB, Bills, 2013
The NFL gave up on Manuel too quickly, which is why I only begrudgingly give him this ignominious label. Manuel finished his career playing 30 games over five seasons with 3767 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and 16 interceptions with a 58.1 completion percentage.
17th overall
Best: Derwin James, S, Chargers. 2018
He suffered a stress fracture in his foot which seems to have slowed his development in 2019. But in his rookie season, he earned a Pro Bowl nod, which was clearly justified by his strong play in L.A.’s secondary.
Worst: Jarvis Jones, LB, Steelers, 2013
He played just four NFL seasons, with six sacks and 129 tackles. That’s not the production a team hopes for from a first-round pick.
18th overall
Best: Maurice Pouncey, C, Steelers, 2010
The Chiefs took Marcus Peters in this slot, which worked out nicely (until they traded him). But Pouncey has been the picture of consistency (six Pro Bowls) when he’s not kicking and punching Myles Garrett in the head.
Worst: Calvin Pryor, S, Jets, 2014
Yet another safety with a strong first season. And yet another safety who failed to build off that first season in a meaningful way. The Jets traded him away to the Cleveland Browns, who dropped Pryor after he got in a fight with Ricardo Louis. He spent a few months with the Jaguars in 2018 before getting bounced out of the league.
19th overall
Best: Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Cowboys, 2018
For whatever reason, the 19th overall spot hasn’t produced a great number of gems, with the exception Vander Esch and tackle Ja’Waun James. But Vander Esch has proven to be the sideline-to-sideline linebacker the Cowboys wanted him to be. He’s at the core of their defense.
Worst: Cam Erving, C, Browns, 2015
This slot hasn’t produced many duds either. The Browns moved Erving from guard to center, which didn’t work out. So Cleveland traded him to the Chiefs for a fifth-round pick. He is actually now a depth option on the offensive line in Kansas City. Erving isn’t a failure, per se. But he’s probably had a worse career than cornerback Prince Amukamara, another option at this spot.
20th overall
Best: Kyle Long, G, Bears, 2013
He’s a three-time Pro Bowler. He’s not a future Hall of Famer, he has long been a reliable starter in the NFL (so long as he’s healthy, which he hasn’t been this season). The No. 20 spot produced a number of solid pros, even if they weren’t terrific. (Though Broncos tight end Noah Fant may be a star in the making.)
Worst: Nelson Agholor, WR, Eagles, 2015
Who would you rather: Kendall Wright or Agholor? That’s the conundrum for the worst player at this slot. Wright exceeded 1,000 yards in one of his NFL seasons. Agholor has lasted longer, but has never managed that kind of production.
Who? By his fourth season in Cleveland, he recorded six tackles and no sacks. He then bounced from Denver in 2016 to Washington in 2017. He never made much of an impact on any defense.
22nd overall
Best: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos, 2010
He and Peyton Manning were key cogs in one of the NFL’s most prolific passing attacks. Thomas served as the No. 1 option for the Broncos. He had five consecutive seasons with 1,000 yards or more.
Worst: Brandon Weeden (2012), Johnny Manziel (2014), Browns, QB
Man, the Browns are not good at this. They can’t draft quarterbacks. They can’t draft. They can’t.
23rd overall
Best: Dee Ford, DE, Chiefs, 2014
This has been a pretty brutal draft position during the last decade. Ford finishes in first, just ahead of Packers guard Bryan Bulaga, Patriots tackle Isaiah Wynn (who has been good but oft-injured), and Giants tight end Evan Engram (also good but oft-injured). I’ll pick Ford because of his potential, even if Bulaga has had impressive staying power in the NFL.
Worst: Danny Watkins, G, Eagles, 2011
Even Eagles general manager Howie Roseman would admit it: the “innate toughness” Watkins showed at Baylor never carried to the NFL. Vikings defense tackle Shariff Floyd may have been just as bad as Watkins. Or maybe Vikings receiver Laquon Treadwell? Again, this was a rough draft spot in the 2010s.
24th overall
Best: Cameron Jordan, DE, Saints, 2011
This proved a solid spot with Steelers guard David DeCastro and Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant. But Jordan is one of the most consistent defensive linemen in the league, and he does more than just rush the passer. He is currently in his fifth season with 10 or more sacks.
Worst: Bjoern Werner, DE, Colts, 2013
He recorded 6.5 sacks and 80 tackles in three years in the NFL. That is all.
25th overall
Best: Xavier Rhodes, CB, Vikings, 2013
Rhodes has been a two-time Pro Bowler and an integral member of the Vikings’ defense for years. Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower and Seahawks tackle James Carpenter were in consideration.
Worst: Artie Burns, CB, Steelers, 2016
Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow would have been a fun person to put into this spot. But in earnest, Burns’ career is likely to be worse than Tebow’s. After Burns failed to earn a starting role, the Steelers declined his fifth-year option, and it’s hard to imagine he’ll have success elsewhere.
26th overall
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Best: Whitney Mercilus, DE, Texans, 2012
Mercilus has never been statistically special. His career-high in sacks is 12, and it’s the only time he logged double digit sacks. But this draft slot hasn’t paid out. Mercilus edged out falcons receiver Calvin Ridley.
Worst: Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Chiefs, 2011
This slot features more busts than any other: defensive lineman Datone Jones, linebacker Marcus Smith, receiver Breshad Perriman and quarterback Paxton Lynch. But Baldwin was worst of all: he played three NFL seasons with 607 career receiving yards and two touchdowns.
27th overall
Best: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans, 2013
The 26th spot was terrible. The 27th spot was amazing. Patriots safety Devin McCourty, Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White and Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones all went in this slot. But “Nuk” is the best receiver in the NFL, and is therefore the best player drafted at this position.
Worst: Rashaad Penny, RB, Seahawks, 2018
He came in with big expectations, and then Chris Carson exceeded them. Penny has been an efficient ball-carrier when he gets the ball, but he’s the clear No. 2 behind Carson. That’s probably not what Seattle hoped from their first round pick.
28th overall
Best: Mark Ingram, RB, Saints, 2011
6,894 rushing yards. 59 touchdowns. And counting.
Worst: Joshua Garnett, G, 49ers, 2016
He made 11 starts during his rookie season, and spent 2017 on injured reserve. He spent most of the following season dealing with injuries, and the team ultimately cut him before the start of the 2019 season.
29th overall
Best: Harrison Smith, S, Vikings, 2012
The four-time Pro Bowler has never finished with fewer than 58 tackles in a season, and that was because he played just eight games. He’s been one of the best safeties in the NFL since his rookie season.
Worst: Dominique Easley, DT, Patriots, 2014
He barely played for the Patriots because of knee issues. He played in L.A., but wasn’t particularly good.
30th overall
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Best: T.J. Watt, LB, Steelers, 2017
He’s a versatile linebacker who can do it all: defend the run, rush the passer and work in coverage. It doesn’t hurt he’s recorded over 25 sacks in 2019 and 2018.
Worst: A.J. Jenkins, WR, 49ers, 2012
What cracks me up about Jenkins is that the 49ers and Chiefs made a swap of busted receivers when both teams realized their picks stunk. They swapped Jenkins and Baldwin (also shown on this list). The thought was that a change of scenery might help them play better. It did not.
31st overall
Best: Travis Frederick, C, Cowboys, 2013
Another Cowboys offensive lineman? That’s right. Jerry Jones knows how to pick his offensive linemen.
Worst: Stephon Anthony, LB, Saints, 2015
Anthony is actually still in the NFL, if you can believe it. After recording 112 tackles in his rookie season, he has recorded a total of 38 tackles over the following four seasons.
32nd overall
Best: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens, 2018
Electric.
Worst: David Wilson, RB, Giants, 2012
He played just two and a half seasons before he had to retire due to concussion issues. He finished his career with 546 yards from scrimmage.
