Seventh pick could have more value than first overall by Gil Arcia February 16, 2014
The Buccaneers finished the 2013 season with a 4-12 record and due to certain processes for determining the draft order will be picking seventh overall. The pick is not a popular one among the masses, but taking a look at recent history shows there could be good value at that spot. TheBayCave.com went back to the 1997 draft which is when the longest tenured, 2013 active player was drafted — tight end Tony Gonzalez. The common misconception for the seventh pic is that it has to be a pick that is used to select a game changer. Reality is, that kind of player can be selected with any pick. It’s just a matter of if he will develop into that kind of player.The seventh pick has produced several serviceable players. Out of the last 17 seventh overall selections, 10 of them are still active and have a combined 136 seasons of NFL experience between them. Compare that to the last 17 first overall selections who have a combined 126 NFL seasons, 16 of them come from Peyton Manning alone.Here is the list of players that have been drafted seventh overall since 1997 and their respective teams that made the selection:1997 - Ike Hilliard, WR New York Giants1998 - Kyle Turley, OT New Orleans Saints1999 - Champ Bailey, CB Washington Redskins (Active with DEN)2000 - Thomas Jones, RB Arizona Cardinals2001 - Andre Carter, DE San Francisco (Active with NE)2002 – Bryant McKinnie, OT Minnesota (Active with MIA)2003 - Byron Leftwich, QB Jacksonville2004 - Roy Williams, WR Detroit2005 - Troy Williamson, WR Minnesota2006 - Michael Huff, S Oakland (Active with DEN)2007 - Adrian Peterson, RB Minnesota (Active)2008 - Sedrick Ellis, DT New Orleans2009 - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR Oakland (Active with IND)2010 - Joe Haden, CB Cleveland (Active)2011 - Aldon Smith, LB San Francisco (Active)2012 - Mark Barron, S Tampa Bay (Active)2013 - Jonathan Cooper, G Arizona (Active)The list includes several notable names who have played key roles in the teams they have played for. What’s interesting about the players above is that only seven of them started at least half of their rookie season games while the rest sat back and watched for a bit, further proving that the Buccaneers do not necessarily need to hit a “home run” on the popularity meter when it’s their turn to pick.So is it important for the Bucs or any other team to trade up with Houston to acquire the first overall pick? Not really. There can be value with staying put. If they want to mimic the previous 17 drafts where 12 of the first overall selections were quarterbacks, then it would be wise for them to make a move for that top spot if quarterback is high on their boards. If not, seven is just fine — whether they want to go offense or defense, odds are good they’ll draft a player that can make some kind of an impact.Follow Gil on Twitter: @GilArciaTBC http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/seventh_pick_could_have_more_value_than_first_overall/15798860?linksrc ="story_team_tampa_bay_buccaneers_auto_module_head_15798860"
Never go full Howell.
Top ten picks are valuable obviously. I think the poor value of the number one pick over the years has more to do with the quality of the front offices making the pick. There's usually a reason they are picking number one in the first place.
4 of those players on the list have played for the Bucs.
Top ten picks are valuable obviously. I think the poor value of the number one pick over the years has more to do with the quality of the front offices making the pick. There's usually a reason they are picking number one in the first place.
Well duh! The #1 pick team always has problems. That's no excuse for picking poorly though.
Yes it's more valuable.So tell Houston we are going to give them a really special deal and trade them this #7 pick straight up for theirs.
I read this thread after reading the one about NFL needing more writers where you MIGHT get paid. SMH
