THREAD

With the #NFLDraft coming up soon and nothing else going on, I’m starting a thread of some of my favorite draft stuff I’ve collected through the years, organized by player. Will update sporadically. No particular order.

Randy Moss (1998) (Tweet 1/3)

Moss was one of the draft’/ best talents but slipped to 21 b/c of concerns of past legal issues. Jerry Jones has expressed regret for passing on him.

Many teams explicitly said that Moss was off their board, and columnists warned to stay away.

Randy Moss (1998) (Tweet 2/3)

“I’m not against him. I just can’t justify to our people drafting a person w/ continual problems.”- Dick Vermiel (STL Times Dispatch)

Vermiel had been burned by Lawrence Phillips who flamed out quick after Rams picked him #6 two years earlier

Randy Moss (1998) (Tweet 3/3)

Dolphins HC Jimmy Johnson, who traded the 19th pick, tried to justify passing on Moss, by gassing up his 3rd round pick: WR Larry Shannon.

Jay Mariotti was ecstatic the Bears picked Curtis Enis over Randy Moss & admitted he had “Enis Envy.”

1996 Ravens Draft (Jonathan Ogden & Ray Lewis 1st round)

There were a few people who gave Baltimore a grade on the “C” line, including Len Pasquarelli who really thought the Ravens should have picked Lawrence Phillips number 4 overall instead of Ogden.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.thecomeback.com/freezingcoldtakes/nfl/1996-len-pasquarelli-gives-ravens-bad-grade-drafting-jonathan-ogden-ray-lewis.html

JJ Watt (2011) (Tweet 1/2)

The crown jewel of the JJ Watt collection is Houston Culture Map article w/ headline “Texans will rue the night they took Pizza Boy JJ Watt over Nick Fairley, Houston lover”

Also, Texans fans reacting to pick on FB is fun.
https://houston.culturemap.com/news/sports/04-29-11-texans-will-rue-the-night-they-took-pizza-boy-watts-over-nick-fairley-houston-lover/#slide=0

JJ Watt (2011) (Tweet 2/2)

Also, reaction from @HoustonTexans fans in 2011 after they picked Watt w/ the 11th pick overall #NFLDraft

Robero Aguayo (2016)

The Bucs traded up to pick Aguayo in the second round.

Jimmy Clausen (2010)

His personal coach once called him the “LeBron James for football.”

Of course, Mel Kiper said he’d retire if Clausen was not successful. A great @RapSheet classic in the collection as well.

Lamar Jackson (2018)

Tony Mandarich (1989)

There may not ever have been greater collective hyperbole uttered about a prospect in the history of the draft.

Mandarich only lasted 3 years w/ the Packers, & has recently admitted he was on steroids throughout the dominant portion of his college career

Geno Smith (2013)

Peyton Manning/Ryan Leaf (1998)

The Buffalo News article with the headline “Colts may like Manning's Head, But Leaf's Arm Will Capture Their Hearts" is the best of the bunch, but there are some other good ones here...

Luke Kuechly (2012)

Johnny Manziel (2012) (Tweet 1/3) There are so many to choose from here. @realDonaldTrump and @SkipBayless are highlighted.

Also, some great comparisons.

Johnny Manziel (2014) (Tweet 2/3)

Compilation of Browns draft parties reacting to Manziel pick.

Johnny Manziel (2014) (Tweet 3/3)

Compilation of Jon Gruden pushing hard for Johnny during the 2014 Draft.

Russell Wilson (2012)

Included is the infamous B/R Article giving the Seahawks an F for the 2012 Draft https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1165320-2012-nfl-draft-grades-power-ranking-teams-that-failed-on-draft-day

Nathan Peterman (2017)

Here’s a compilation I put together of random bytes of quarterback hyperbole from analysts from draft broadcasts