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Aaron Rodgers wouldn't have to wait so long in a possible re-draft of the 2005 class
By Mel Kiper
ESPN Insider
Aaron Rodgers would jump from No. 24 to No. 1. But Cameron Wake's jump is even greater.
Aaron Rodgers may have set the mark for the most excruciating wait at an NFL draft. Until Brady Quinn got there a few years later, it was Rodgers who may have stood alone as a guy who many thought could have gone within the top 5 but went much, much later. The Packers were so surprised Rodgers was still sitting there at No. 24, they grabbed him, even knowing their QB situation wasn't in need of an overnight fix.
Imagine Rodgers with the Niners? It could have been a perfect marriage. But we'll also never know if the incubation period Rodgers experienced as he waited behind Brett Favre was a big part of his current success. Regardless, with hindsight available, here's a look at how the draft could have played out if current results were all that mattered. Obviously, undrafted Robbie Gould going in a 2005 re-draft doesn't mean I'll ever peg a kicker to go in Round 1. It's just a fun excercise in results and, in many cases, what's still to come for a player.
1. San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Rodgers, QB
He was right nearby in Berkeley, and he likely changes everything for the 49ers.
2. Miami Dolphins: DeMarcus Ware, LB
The premier defensive player in the class even drew a few puzzled looks when he went to Dallas at No. 11.
3. Cleveland Browns: Roddy White, WR
Cleveland went with Braylon Edwards, but White has had a good career and is on fire now.
4. Chicago Bears: Trent Cole, DE
With 57 sacks since he arrived in Philly with the 146th pick, Cole has been an absolute steal.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Tuck, DE
Tuck didn't go until the 74th pick but is an All-Pro now, no longer behind Michael Strahan.
6. Tennessee Titans: Vincent Jackson, WR
There are few players harder to defend, and for several years the Titans couldn't find answers at wide receiver.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Cassel, QB
The one-time 230th overall pick attempted only 33 college passes but has thrown for 66 TDs and only 36 INTs, has an 83.9 rating and is improving. It's not just results -- Cassel is still on the rise.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Jay Ratliff, DT
Along with Cassel, Ratliff is perhaps the steal of the draft, a three-time Pro Bowl pick who went No. 224 overall.
9. Washington Redskins: Braylon Edwards, WR
He's been enigmatic and sometimes difficult, but when he's on his game Edwards is exactly what Washington has needed.
10. Detroit Lions: Ronnie Brown, RB
Detroit may have something in Jahvid Best, but before that, the running game was a mess. Even with Best, Brown is ideal.
11. Dallas Cowboys: Nick Collins, S
He went 51st out of Bethune-Cookman, and the three-time Pro Bowl safety has taken off.
12. San Diego Chargers: Jammal Brown, OT
Brown isn't a superstar, but the two-time Pro Bowl pick would have been a solid keeper on this O-line.
13. New Orleans Saints: Heath Miller, TE
Not a flashy pick, but Miller, the 30th pick in 2005, is among the most dependable tight ends in the game today.
14. Carolina Panthers: Mike Patterson, DT
Patterson has become integral to the Eagles. The 31st overall pick looks like a steal now.
15. Kansas City Chiefs: Lofa Tatupu, LB
The Chiefs got Derrick Johnson in this spot, but he's merely been OK. Tatupu is an upgrade.
16. Houston Texans: Michael Roos, OT
Quietly dependable, the field at Eastern Washington is now named after the former 41st overall pick and Pro Bowl tackle.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Frank Gore, RB
Gore could have helped balance the attack, something the Bengals lacked until they managed to get Benson going.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Antrel Rolle, S
Safety has been a revolving door in Minny, and Rolle, while not a star, would be an upgrade for the Vikes.
19. St. Louis Rams: Logan Mankins, G
The Rams finally have their line pretty well built, but Mankins would have sped up the process. One of football's best guards.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Cameron Wake, LB
Undrafted, Wake would have far more than his 19.5 sacks over the last two years if he hadn't dominated the CFL for the previous two.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Kemoeatu, G
A dependable mauler on the interior, Kemoeatu has developed into a top guard and fierce run-blocker.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Shawne Merriman, LB
His last two years have been a mess, but Merriman had a dominant stretch that has to be acknowledged.
23. Oakland Raiders: Kyle Orton, QB
I can hear the scoffs, but the former 106th pick has 59 TD throws in last three seasons and a rating that keeps rising. Was 87.5 in 2010.
24. Green Bay Packers: O.J. Atogwe, S
They'd miss out on Collins, but Atogwe has become a solid safety for the Rams.
25. Washington Redskins: Corey Webster, CB
He's not a star, but Webster has been a steady player in a sometimes unsteady Giants secondary for six seasons .
26. Seattle Seahawks: Barrett Ruud, LB
He's been unspectacular, but the former 36th pick is dependable. Started 95 of 96 possible games; 587 tackles.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Josh Cribbs, WR/KR
The undrafted Cribbs could almost certainly do more than asked. With Devin Hester, the league's best returner since he arrived in Cleveland.
28. San Diego Chargers: Cedric Benson, RB
Got off to a bad start in Chicago, but two straight 1,000-yard seasons say he's not a total bust.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Williams, WR
A one-time top player on the Big Board, Williams' talents are evident, and he could take off. Imagine if he'd worked with Manning as a rookie.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Robbie Gould, K
The undrafted Gould is one of the most accurate kickers ever, a force in bad weather. Welcome to Heinz Field.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Luis Castillo, DE
They don't get Patterson, but when healthy Castillo offers a lot and fits the scheme.
32. New England Patriots: Ron Bartell, CB
The physical Bartell has improved and would be a big help in the Patriots' secondary.
Close calls: Marion Barber, David Stewart, Kirk Morrison, Derrick Johnson, Thomas Davis, Brandon Jacobs, Darren Sproles, Michael Boley, Bo Scaife, Derek Anderson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Leonard Weaver, Jim Leonhard
By Mel Kiper
ESPN Insider
Aaron Rodgers would jump from No. 24 to No. 1. But Cameron Wake's jump is even greater.
Aaron Rodgers may have set the mark for the most excruciating wait at an NFL draft. Until Brady Quinn got there a few years later, it was Rodgers who may have stood alone as a guy who many thought could have gone within the top 5 but went much, much later. The Packers were so surprised Rodgers was still sitting there at No. 24, they grabbed him, even knowing their QB situation wasn't in need of an overnight fix.
Imagine Rodgers with the Niners? It could have been a perfect marriage. But we'll also never know if the incubation period Rodgers experienced as he waited behind Brett Favre was a big part of his current success. Regardless, with hindsight available, here's a look at how the draft could have played out if current results were all that mattered. Obviously, undrafted Robbie Gould going in a 2005 re-draft doesn't mean I'll ever peg a kicker to go in Round 1. It's just a fun excercise in results and, in many cases, what's still to come for a player.
1. San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Rodgers, QB
He was right nearby in Berkeley, and he likely changes everything for the 49ers.
2. Miami Dolphins: DeMarcus Ware, LB
The premier defensive player in the class even drew a few puzzled looks when he went to Dallas at No. 11.
3. Cleveland Browns: Roddy White, WR
Cleveland went with Braylon Edwards, but White has had a good career and is on fire now.
4. Chicago Bears: Trent Cole, DE
With 57 sacks since he arrived in Philly with the 146th pick, Cole has been an absolute steal.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Justin Tuck, DE
Tuck didn't go until the 74th pick but is an All-Pro now, no longer behind Michael Strahan.
6. Tennessee Titans: Vincent Jackson, WR
There are few players harder to defend, and for several years the Titans couldn't find answers at wide receiver.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Matt Cassel, QB
The one-time 230th overall pick attempted only 33 college passes but has thrown for 66 TDs and only 36 INTs, has an 83.9 rating and is improving. It's not just results -- Cassel is still on the rise.
8. Arizona Cardinals: Jay Ratliff, DT
Along with Cassel, Ratliff is perhaps the steal of the draft, a three-time Pro Bowl pick who went No. 224 overall.
9. Washington Redskins: Braylon Edwards, WR
He's been enigmatic and sometimes difficult, but when he's on his game Edwards is exactly what Washington has needed.
10. Detroit Lions: Ronnie Brown, RB
Detroit may have something in Jahvid Best, but before that, the running game was a mess. Even with Best, Brown is ideal.
11. Dallas Cowboys: Nick Collins, S
He went 51st out of Bethune-Cookman, and the three-time Pro Bowl safety has taken off.
12. San Diego Chargers: Jammal Brown, OT
Brown isn't a superstar, but the two-time Pro Bowl pick would have been a solid keeper on this O-line.
13. New Orleans Saints: Heath Miller, TE
Not a flashy pick, but Miller, the 30th pick in 2005, is among the most dependable tight ends in the game today.
14. Carolina Panthers: Mike Patterson, DT
Patterson has become integral to the Eagles. The 31st overall pick looks like a steal now.
15. Kansas City Chiefs: Lofa Tatupu, LB
The Chiefs got Derrick Johnson in this spot, but he's merely been OK. Tatupu is an upgrade.
16. Houston Texans: Michael Roos, OT
Quietly dependable, the field at Eastern Washington is now named after the former 41st overall pick and Pro Bowl tackle.
17. Cincinnati Bengals: Frank Gore, RB
Gore could have helped balance the attack, something the Bengals lacked until they managed to get Benson going.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Antrel Rolle, S
Safety has been a revolving door in Minny, and Rolle, while not a star, would be an upgrade for the Vikes.
19. St. Louis Rams: Logan Mankins, G
The Rams finally have their line pretty well built, but Mankins would have sped up the process. One of football's best guards.
20. Dallas Cowboys: Cameron Wake, LB
Undrafted, Wake would have far more than his 19.5 sacks over the last two years if he hadn't dominated the CFL for the previous two.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Kemoeatu, G
A dependable mauler on the interior, Kemoeatu has developed into a top guard and fierce run-blocker.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Shawne Merriman, LB
His last two years have been a mess, but Merriman had a dominant stretch that has to be acknowledged.
23. Oakland Raiders: Kyle Orton, QB
I can hear the scoffs, but the former 106th pick has 59 TD throws in last three seasons and a rating that keeps rising. Was 87.5 in 2010.
24. Green Bay Packers: O.J. Atogwe, S
They'd miss out on Collins, but Atogwe has become a solid safety for the Rams.
25. Washington Redskins: Corey Webster, CB
He's not a star, but Webster has been a steady player in a sometimes unsteady Giants secondary for six seasons .
26. Seattle Seahawks: Barrett Ruud, LB
He's been unspectacular, but the former 36th pick is dependable. Started 95 of 96 possible games; 587 tackles.
27. Atlanta Falcons: Josh Cribbs, WR/KR
The undrafted Cribbs could almost certainly do more than asked. With Devin Hester, the league's best returner since he arrived in Cleveland.
28. San Diego Chargers: Cedric Benson, RB
Got off to a bad start in Chicago, but two straight 1,000-yard seasons say he's not a total bust.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Mike Williams, WR
A one-time top player on the Big Board, Williams' talents are evident, and he could take off. Imagine if he'd worked with Manning as a rookie.
30. Pittsburgh Steelers: Robbie Gould, K
The undrafted Gould is one of the most accurate kickers ever, a force in bad weather. Welcome to Heinz Field.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Luis Castillo, DE
They don't get Patterson, but when healthy Castillo offers a lot and fits the scheme.
32. New England Patriots: Ron Bartell, CB
The physical Bartell has improved and would be a big help in the Patriots' secondary.
Close calls: Marion Barber, David Stewart, Kirk Morrison, Derrick Johnson, Thomas Davis, Brandon Jacobs, Darren Sproles, Michael Boley, Bo Scaife, Derek Anderson, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Leonard Weaver, Jim Leonhard