7 DRAFT DAYS - DAY 4 - DRAFT FROM THE PAST - 2001
2001 NFL Draft - The Calm Before The Storm
The 2001 NFL Draft was a small footnote in a crucial transitionary period for the NFL. Fireworks and excitement were limited to a few players as the bigger questions were about the overall direction of the league. The Texans and realignment were on the horizon a year later, the old guard of QBs and dominance were gone or had a foot out the door. The League had just seen its greatest offense in 1999, and greatest defense in 2000 become world champions. Would the Ravens continue to dominate? Would the Greatest Show on Turf return to push for dynasty status?
Other than a few very bright stars and horrible trades these questions would pull focus away from a draft that had two of the greatest players of all time, and one who would change the football world forever, both on the field and off.
Despite the lack of accolades in this group of 246 – They would serve another crucial purpose in the NFLs history. They would have the honour and the burden of taking the field after the monumental 9/11 attacks. Acting as hope and the perseverance of America in that crucial time can never be understated.
Here is a breakdown of the First-round picks, and other notable moves for each team from 2001, as we get ready for what should be a memorable 2021 Draft.
With the first pick the San Diego Chargers select….
NOT SO FAST MY FRIENDS
Imagine trading away the first round pick the day before the draft. San Diego could not get a contract done with Vick, so they were forced to trade down to 5 which gives Atlanta the franchise changer they needed. Michael Vick – Fireworks and controversy from Day negative 1.
Ok with that out of the way – on to the reason you are here.
#1 – Atlanta - Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
Honestly, this whole article could be dedicated to Vick and his affects and accolades. Revolutionised the position. Ran a rumoured 4.25 forty. Was worth the price of admission on his own. Vick upgraded the term mobile quarterback. Vick also changed the way people looked at athletes in how they handled themselves off the field.
Injuries and off the field issues probably cost us one of the greatest, but he was still one of the greatest to watch. 4 time All pro. NFL comeback player of the year in 2010. Still holds the record for most rushing yards by a QB in a career, and Yards Per carry of ANY position.
Other Notable picks – TE Alge Crumpler, 4x pro bowl TE drafted in Round 2.
Davis was a great pick at the time as a lone standout lineman in a defensive top-heavy draft. In his five years with Arizona, he was handicapped with injuries to fellow linemen, and a move from guard to tackle that he was not suited for being a larger guard. In 2007 the Cowboys would make him the highest paid guard and move him back to that position where he would contribute to their top tier offensive line and earn himself Three pro Bowls.
Other Notable picks: Kyle Vanden Bosch, Bill Gramatica. Vanden Bosch would follow Davis and play his best years in Tennessee, and Bill could not live up to Cousin Martin’s pedigree, mostly known as the kicker who tore his ACL from celebrating.
Gerard was a victim of Cleveland struggles. Despite above average numbers he was eventually traded for a 4th round pick. He was on the Browns team that made the playoffs in 2001 – something they would not do again for 20 years, and he was a spot starter/rotation player for the 2011 Patriots that went 16-0/19-1
Other Notable picks: None
Smith had incredible numbers in each season in Cincy. Breaking rookie records, team records, playing almost every game in the 7 seasons he was there. The pick was the right one for the Bengals, if they would have only held on to Smith – he went to SF via free agency and earned 5 and a defensive player of the year award in 2011, playing in the super bowl in the 2012 season.
Other Notable Picks: Chad Johnson/Ochocinco (Infamous character, 6x pro bowler) TJ Houshmandzadeh (1x, 2007 rec. leader)
It's not often, or ever, that you lose out on your biggest need with the first pick. Just to trade down to end up landing the greatest Running Back of all time. The only player to ever make you think, even just momentarily, when the nickname LT is mentioned. 9 years of top running back status with records galore, some that still stand to this day.
Other Notable picks: Just Drew Brees. Two Hall of Famers, one draft. On paper it is a miracle the chargers were not the next dynasty. LT had more success with Rivers, and Brees became a legend in New Orleans. Oh, what could have been. Amazing drafting after losing the first pick, however.
7-time pro bowler, 3-time super bowl champion. The Anchor of the first Patriots Dynasty fresh into the league. Only injured significantly once in 11 seasons. Seymour embodied a Belichek defense and with Tom drafted the year prior – he would be a key part in starting the dynasty as a rookie.
Other Notable picks: Matt Light (3x, 3x super bowl champion)
Carter was a great pick that fell victim to various schemes. San Fran moved him to linebacker which limited him, but he was still a Sack Machine. He would eventually lend his talents to Washington, and New England getting a Pro Bowl and the Patriot record for most sacks in one game. 4 years of double-digit sacks showed this pick played out well
Other notable picks - None
Terrell was all world at Michigan – so the pick made sense. Chicago would draft the Offensive rookie of the year in this draft, but unfortunately it was not Terrell. 3.5 years of playing time for the bears and he never had more than 45 catches or 700 yards in a season. Became a practice squad guy for a few teams after that – but hey, at least he is not on the NFL list of 101 worst draft picks
Other notable picks – The 2001 Rookie of the year – Anthony “A-train” Thomas
17 – Seattle – Steve Hutchinson, OG, Michigan
Seattle gets a pass here on benefitting from the robbery trade with the Dallas Cowboys. Robinson showed flashes of greatness in his sophomore season and made the Pro Bowl as a kick returner in 2005 – memorable name, but hardly first round wide out results. Hutch however was one of the best O-linemen of the 00s and all time. The 2020 Hall of Famer started 169 games, blocked for two RB greats in Alexander (Seahawks) and Peterson (Vikings) Made 7 pro bowls, 5 times first team all pro.
Other notable picks – Ken Lucas, Heath Evans, and Orlando Huff were common names said by announcers, but none reached accolade level outside of their teams’ success.
Pack fans probably already ignored this article. Pre-draft they shipped Future star Matt Hasslebeck to Seattle to move up from 17 for Reynolds. Seahawks got a Hall of Fame player and an All-Star QB. Packers ended up with Jamal here who only ended up with three Career sacks. The packers tried to rectify this by trading Jamal to the colts in 2003 – but it was voided due to a failed physical and he was cut soon after.
Other notable picks – None, at least none with a positive reputation. Outside of Dallas, Green Bay may have had the worst draft weekend
The “U” was just getting started in another college run at the top and Morgan was a big key to this. Great pick, and overall draft by the panthers – Dan would have outstanding numbers and one Pro Bowl for them before succumbing to injuries in 2006 and 2007 that cut his career short.
Other notable picks – Steve Smith (5x pro bowl, face of the franchise pre-Cam Newton) Chris Weinke (when a 28-year-old QB gets drafted – its notable)
20 – St. Louis – Adam Archuleta, SS, Arizona State
29 – St. Louis – Ryan Pickett, DT, Ohio State
Rams’ fans had to be excited for this – one year removed from becoming the greatest show on turf, all the pieces returning AND three first round draft picks. Scary is an understatement. Unfortunately, the Rams would strike out on three attempts. Lewis under produced and was injured throughout his 9-year career. Archuleta was a standout run defensive and blitzing safety for 2-3 years, but after leaving the Rams he was forced to play coverage more and was an afterthought. Pickett would have 5-6 solid years in tackles and leadership – earning him an eventual Super Bowl, with the Packers.
Other notable picks - None
The Jags played this one nearly perfect. Stroud would net three Pro Bowls for Jacksonville – and they were able to deal him for draft picks right as his production in reaching the QB started to taper off.
Other notable picks - None
14 – Tampa Bay – Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
Solid, reliable tackle. Started 73 games in 5 seasons for Tampa.
Other notable picks - None
Gardner was a solid deep threat/Gadget play wideout for his 4 years in Washington. Lack of a solid offense around him hampered his potential. After being traded he was virtually never heard of again, no explanation to his statistical disappearance.
Other notable picks- Fred Smoot (16 ints in 4 seasons with Washington)
The Jets would get two big seasons out of Moss here – before trading him to Washington for Lavernieus Coles who had similar numbers but is generally considered the lesser of the two. Moss would go on to set multiple Washington records in 2005. He would provide average to good production for the remainder of his tenure until 2014.
Other notable picks – Kareem Mckenzie – Solid for the Jets but more known to be a key lineman in both Giants Superbowl victories over New England.
O-line from the Big 10 is always low risk, high reward. Backus will not show up on many accolades, but he started 191/192 games for Detroit over 12 seasons. Well worth the pick.
Other notables – Shaun Rodgers – 3x Pro Bowl Defensive tackle for the Lions. Like Backus, this guy just did a solid job. The big man would get a rare big man pick 6 with a 66-yard int return in 2007.
Steelers and Defense. Always. Hampton will go down as one of the best Steelers ever. Steady tackling production and consistency led Casey to 5 Pro Bowls and two of the Steelers Super Bowls in his 13 years on the team.
Other notable picks – Kendrell Bell – not bad getting him for his Defensive rookie of the year season, but injuries kept him from being on all pro level of linebackers at the time.
6-year starter – never missed a game for Buffalo, crime he was only named to one Pro Bowl. In 2007 the Niners made him the highest paid defensive player (at the time) And although he would produce, it would be just shy of the havoc he was bringing in Buffalo. A plus pick.
Other notable – Aaron Schobel (2x Pro Bowler, 78 sacks in 9 years with the bills) Travis Henry (1x Pro Bowl, multiple thousand-yard rushing seasons)
Played the position well enough to start for 5 years and garner a reputation as one of the better coverage corners before the Giants wanted an upgrade – the interceptions never came to Allen. Injuries would lead him to irrelevance with the Dolphins
Other notable - None
Four 1000-yard seasons for Deuce, injuries hampered him in several seasons. Added incredible value with leadership and in the New Orleans community. Won one Super Bowl with the Saints in 2009.
Other notable - none
The Broncos whiffed in this late round grab. Willie rarely made it onto the field as a reserve. Backup player for 5 years.
Other notable - None
Under-performing Slot receiver that was labelled as an X factor making plays and late game heroics. For the numbers, it's clearly not worth the pick, but who can argue against the legend of Fred X. He could not repeat his success after leaving the Eagles in 2004.
Other notable picks – Derreck Burgess – Oft injured for the Eagles broke out in 2005 for Oakland and earned 2 Pro Bowls. The pick would have been a steal if not for the pain.
High hopes college prospect that would eventually become an NFL Journeyman. Left Miami after 3 seasons and played for 4 other teams until leaving the league in 2009. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.
Other notables – Chris Chambers, Travis Minor
Bennett was a potential stud finally not hidden behind Wisconsin legend Ron Dayne and the Vikes put him on the field. He had a great rookie season and made the Pro Bowl his second year before injuries downgraded him to Journeyman reserve status where he bounced around to 6 teams the next 6 years
Other notables - None
Uneventful pick and draft here for the Raiders. Gibson was mostly on the reserves in their secondary, when he did have stints as starter, he was a target for other offenses.
Other notables - None
The Chargers landed the best RB and QB of this draft, but the Colts had a real steal with this all time great in Wayne. With Manning at the helm, it did not matter if he was WR2, 3, or 10. He was getting his catches, yards, and TDs. Lead the league in yards in 2007. I'll take a 6x Pro Bowler at pick 30 any day.
Other notable picks - none
A Mainstay during the strong defense period of the Ravens. 2x pro bowler at a time where the top TE was constantly locked up (Gates, Gonzalez)
Other notable picks - None
No first-round pick
Still reeling from the Joey Galloway trade that set them back from recovering, Dallas would not draft any relevant players. Quincy Carter drafted in the second round would serve as short term QB solution before leaving the league 2 years later.
The Titans would not draft anyone relevant this year, however their first-round pick was traded to the Rams for Kevin Carter, and he gave Tennessee 4 Stellar years on the Defensive line, so it was not a total loss.
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