Factoid
Draft a franchise quarterback. Follow up that pick with somebody he can throw to.
That’s the way it’s tended to work in recent years. In the last 15 years, 19 quarterbacks have been selected with top-5 picks. Of those teams, 10 then went on and selected with a pass catcher in the second round – let those guys grow together.
It probably will work the same way this year. The Rams are expected to select Sam Bradford, and they’re woefully weak in terms of receiving targets. It’s a lead-pipe lock they’ll select either a wide receiver or a tight end before the end of the third round. There should be some nice values at the top of the second round.
QUARTERBACKS SELECTED WITH TOP-5 PICKS, 1995-
Quarterback selections, with documentation of pass catchers that followed in second or third round.
YEAR QUARTERBACK
1995 Steve McNair, Hou. (WR Chris Sanders in 3rd Rd)
1995 Kerry Collins, Car.
1998 Peyton Manning, Ind. (WR Jerome Pathon in 2nd Rd)
1998 Ryan Leaf, S.D. (WR Mikhael Ricks in 2nd Rd)
1999 Tim Couch, Clev. (WR Kevin Johnson in 2nd Rd)
1999 Donovan McNabb, Phil.
1999 Akili Smith, Cin.
2001 Michael Vick, Atl. (TE Alge Crumpler in 2nd Rd)
2002 David Carr, Hou. (WR Jabar Gaffney in 2nd Rd)
2002 Joey Harrington, Det.
2003 Carson Palmer, Cin. (WR Kelley Washington in 3rd Rd)
2004 Eli Manning, S.D.
2004 Philip Rivers, NYG
2005 Alex Smith, S.F.
2006 Vince Young, Tenn.
2007 JaMarcus Russell, Oak. (TE Zach Miller in 2nd Rd)
2008 Matt Ryan, Atl. (WR Harry Douglas in 3rd Rd)
2009 Matthew Stafford, Det. (TE Brandon Pettigrew in 1st Rd)
2009 Mark Sanchez, NYJ
—Ian Allan
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Posted by MICHAEL MAROHN | Apr. 21 at 08:45 AM
Based on the list of ten guys who were taken to pair up with the team's top pick, teams should use this strategy with great caution---not a single combo panned out! If the Rams do employ this strategy, I think Golden Tate would be a nice pick at the top of the second for them---his athleticism and after the catch skills would work nicely on the fast track in St. Louis...Bradford to Tate and Avery could be the start of bringing back the Greatest Show on Turf!!!