The Ultimate Value Round: The 6^th Round of the NFL Draft, 1994-2002

The restrictions imposed by the salary cap, combined with the constant roster turnover engendered by free agency, make good drafting of premium importance. Successful teams are ones who can pinpoint talent and value in every round. The second day of the draft, rounds 4 through 7, has been the place where wise personnel departments have stocked quality depth and, occasionally, found hidden gems. Indeed, the Patriots dynastic blueprint has included mining the lower rounds for starters and key contributors. Among the four second-day rounds, the 6^th round has stood out for its ability to produce first-round talent at discount pricing. Admittedly, striking gold in the 6^th round is the exception, rather than the rule. From 1994, when the NFL shortened its college draft to 7 rounds, to 2002, there have been 339 6^th round selections. The vast majority of these selections have made almost no impact on the face of professional football. The story is much the same for the other three second-day rounds. Yet for the teams who have taking their second-day selections seriously, the 6^th round has proved a relative gold mine. From 1994 to 2002, the likes of Tom Brady, Terrell Davis, Marco Rivera, Matt Birk, Adalius Thomas, and Jeb Putzier have been passed over during the first 5 rounds, only to have some shrewd team snatch them up in the 6^th. What follows is a brief breakdown of some key selections in the 6^th round from the 1994 draft to the 2002 draft. As you will see, the 6^th round can unequivocally be termed the ultimate value round. While it is still too early to consider the impact of 6^th round selections from 2003 onward, the early indication is that the trend will continue.

From 1994 to 1996, the 6^th round produced 10 multi-year NFL starters. There were steady and productive types like WR Bill Schroeder (1994), LB Lee Woodall (1994), P Mitch Berger (1994), DT Kimo von Oelhoffen (1994), FB Cory Schlesinger (1995), DT Travis Hall (1995), DT Orpheus Roye (1996), and FB Fred McCrary (1996). In 1996, the Green Bay Packers used their 6^th round selection on Penn State offensive lineman Marco Rivera. Rivera, a tough in-line mauler, went to multiple Pro Bowls before accepting a lucrative free agent contract from Dallas this offseason. The crown jewel of this period, however, is former Broncos RB Terrell Davis, selected 196^th overall out of University of Georgia in 1995. Davis earned his way to 3 Pro Bowl appearances in a Denver uniform, and his hard, courageous running propelled Elway and the Broncos to a pair of world championships. He finished his abbreviated career with 7607 yards on the ground and scored 60 touchdowns. Had he not been dogged by injury, Davis might very well have secured himself a place among the NFL’s all-time greats.

From 1997 to 1999, no team was lucky enough to locate a gem such as Davis in the 6^th round. There were many teams, however, who were able to pluck excellent value selections off the board. Important role players such as Itula Mili (1997), Ed Jasper (1997), Chris Draft (1998), Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (1998), Bobby Shaw (1998), and Kelly Gregg (1999) were selected in the 6^th round during this period. There were also a handful of choices who have either been All-Pro or who have been on the cusp at some point in their career. Comprised in this group are Al Harris (1997), Grady Jackson (1997), Matt Birk (1998), Fred Beasley (1998), and Matt Hasselbeck (1998). Indeed, Birk and Beasley are among the top players in the league at their respective position, and Hasselbeck would be also if he could fully translate his potential into productivity.

The third period in consideration, 2000 to 2002, produced by far the greatest bounty of prime value selections. The 6^th round of the 2000 draft, specifically, featured arguably the most synergistic combination of talent and value of any round is NFL draft history. The selection everyone remembers is Tom Brady, taken by the Patriots 199^th overall from the University of Michigan. Brady has emerged from obscurity to claim his position among the most clutch quarterbacks in NFL history. His playoff winning percentage is unmatched, and his ability to reach peak performance when the game in on the line is peerless. But Brady was not the only All-Pro quarterback taken in this round. The Saints drafted Marc Bulger, out of West Virginia, 31 spots before Brady. Although he was not highly thought of initially, Bulger has proven to be a very competent heir to Kurt Warner at the helm of “Greatest Show on Turf” offense, and has put up excellent numbers guiding the Rams to back-to-back playoff appearances. Some top defensive performers were also unearthed in the 6^th round of the 2000 draft. LB Dhani Jones, CB Mario Edwards, Pro Bowl special teams ace and LB Adalius Thomas, FS Matt Bowen, and DTs Cedric Woodard and Robaire Smith were all quality value selections at this point of the draft, though with the exception of Thomas, each has since changed teams at least once. It was also an excellent round for kickers. Neil Rackers and Paul Edinger have shown accuracy and range--especially Rackers, who had a superb 2004 season with the Arizona Cardinals. Other note-worthy selections include guard Jeno James (Panthers) and hard-running FB/RB Mike Anderson (Broncos). The 6^th round of the 2001 draft was disappointing when measured against the precedent set the previous season. Only sporadic contributors such as WR Cedrick Wilson (49ers), DE Ellis Wyms (Bucs), FB Jameel Cook (Bucs), and DE Rodney Bailey (Steelers) emerged from this round. But the 2002 6^th round crop recaptured the mix of talent and value that had been the hallmark of this particular round. Impact selections include Baltimore’s SS Chad Williams and RB Chester Taylor, Titans’ C Justin Hartwig, and emerging Broncos’ TE Jeb Putzier.

As mentioned above, it is too early to evaluate the 6^th round of the 2003 and 2004 drafts, but the performances turned in thus far by Rashad Moore (2003), Cato June (2003), and Clarence Moore (2004) certainly suggest that the fusion of talent and value that has become the hallmark of the 6^th round will be sustained. Although many 6^th rounders have gone on to have their best success with teams other than the ones that drafted them, organizations like the Broncos and the Ravens have helped themselves tremendously by stealing gems in the 6^th round. Indeed, a quick look at the 6^th round selections from the recently-competed 2005 draft reveals that Baltimore may have stolen themselves another one in titan-armed QB Derek Anderson, chosen 213^th overall out of Oregon State.