Ryan Sims is not far from a multimillion-dollar contract. He’s hanging out with rapper P. Diddy, has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated and Ebony, and is working on his TV persona as host of a kids show on Nickelodeon.
On the football field, he’s 310 pounds of fury, a three-year starter for North Carolina who had six sacks last season, tough to do as a defensive tackle.
One more thing: Sims is better known as the Tar Heels’ other defensive lineman.
“It’s always been the Julius Peppers defense,” Sims said at the NFL combine, referring to his fellow North Carolina defensive lineman likely to be selected No. 2 overall, by Carolina, in this weekend’s draft. “He’s a great player. You can’t blame them. I always just knew that if I kept playing hard, I’d get noticed, that my time would come.”
Don’t fret for Sims. In a draft rich with talented defensive linemen, he’s near the top of the class. His stock has been soaring in recent weeks and no one would be surprised if he were among the top 10 players chosen.
The surprising thing about this cluster of top-notch defensive linemen is how three pairs of them were college teammates. In addition to Peppers and Sims, there are Albert Haynesworth and John Henderson of Tennessee; and Eddie Freeman and Bryan Thomas of Alabama Birmingham. All could hear their names called Saturday in the first round.
“How many 6-foot-5, 300-pound human beings are out there who can run the 40 in 4.9 seconds?” Arizona Cardinals coach Dave McGinnis asked. “There just aren’t many. It’s still a big-man’s game, so when a crop of them comes along, like this year and last (when seven of the first 13 picks were defensive linemen), everybody wants one. It’s simple supply and demand.”
Of the top 12 picks, half could be defensive linemen.
“It all starts up front,” New Orleans defensive coordinator Rick Venturi said. “You’ve got to be able to stop the run in this league or you don’t have a chance.”
It’s not unheard of to have two defensive linemen from the same school drafted in the opening round.
A year ago, it happened to Georgia’s Richard Seymour (picked sixth by New England) and Marcus Stroud (eighth by Jacksonville). In 1998, the tandem was North Carolina’s Greg Ellis (eighth by Dallas) and Vonnie Holliday (19th by Green Bay).
Haynesworth, a 320-pound defensive tackle, said he reaped the benefits of playing shoulder to shoulder with 305-pound Henderson, who won the Outland Trophy as a junior in 2000. Scouts who came to catch a glimpse of Henderson wound up checking out both players.
“It also helped me that when I did flourish, (blockers) still had to worry about John,” said Haynesworth, who decided to forgo his senior year even though he started only one full season. “They really couldn’t double-team both of us at the same time.
“As far as the game goes, it was fun because they didn’t really know who to block. The quarterback kind of had his head on a swivel. Also, if I had a question on the field, I could go right to him and he would know the answer.”
A third Tennessee defensive lineman, Will Overstreet, is expected to go in the second or third round. He’s light at 258 pounds–some teams see him as an outside linebacker-but scouts say he plays bigger.
Tennessee had an embarrassment of riches on the defensive line last season, and the Tar Heels would have been that way had they done more to recruit defensive end Kalimba Edwards, who wound up playing for South Carolina. His father is a North Carolina professor.
Thomas, a defensive end at Alabama Birmingham, had 10 sacks last season and, at 250 pounds, could easily be converted into an NFL linebacker. His teammate, Freeman, played nose guard in college and had good speed when he wasn’t hampered by foot problems.
Other defensive linemen to watch are Wisconsin’s Wendell Bryant, Notre Dame’s Anthony Weaver, Syracuse’s Dwight Freeney, Georgia’s Charles Grant, Kentucky’s Dennis Johnson and UCLA’s Kenyon Coleman.
Team-by-team top draft picks since 1980
(Round selected other than first in parentheses)
Bears
1980: Otis Wilson, LB, Louisville
1981: Keith Van Horne, T, Southern Cal
1982: Jim McMahon, QB, Brigham Young
1983: Jimbo Covert, OT, Pittsburgh
1984: Wilber Marshall, LB, Florida
1985: William Perry, DT, Clemson
1986: Neal Anderson, RB, Florida
1987: Jim Harbaugh, QB, Michigan
1988: Brad Muster, RB, Stanford
1989: Donnell Woolford, DB, Clemson
1990: Mark Carrier, DB, Southern Cal
1991: Stan Thomas, T, Texas
1992: Alonzo Spellman, DE, Ohio St.
1993: Curtis Conway, WR, Southern Cal
1994: John Thierry, LB, Alcorn St.
1995: Rashaan Salaam, RB, Colorado
1996: Walt Harris, DB, Mississippi St.
1997: John Allred, TE (2), Southern Cal
1998: Curtis Enis, RB, Penn St.
1999: Cade McNown, QB, UCLA
2000: Brian Urlacher, LB, New Mexico
2001: David Terrell, WR, Michigan
Arizona Cardinals
1980: Curtis Greer, DE, Michigan
1981: E.J. Junior, LB, Alabama
1982: Luis Sharpe, T, UCLA
1983: Leonard Smith, DB, McNeese St.
1984: Clyde Duncan, WR, Tennessee
1985: Freddie Joe Nunn, LB, Mississippi
1986: Anthony Bell, LB, Michigan St.
1987: Kelly Stouffer, QB, Colorado St.
1988: Ken Harvey, LB, Calfornia
1989: Eric Hull, LB, Louisiana St.
1990: Anthony Thompson, RB (2), Indiana
1991: Eric Swann, DE, No College
1992: Tony Sacca, QB, Penn St.
1993: Garrison Hearst, RB, Georgia
1994: Jamir Miller, LB, UCLA
1995: Frank Sanders, WR (2), Auburn
1996: Simeon Rice, DE, Illinois
1997: Tom Knight, DB, Iowa
1998: Andre Wadsworth, DE, Florida St.
1999: David Boston, WR, Ohio St.
2000: Thomas Jones, RB, Virginia
2001: Leonard Davis, OT, Texas
Atlanta Falcons
1980: Junior Miller, TE, Nebraska
1981: Bobby Butler, CB, Florida St.
1982: Gerald Riggs, RB, Arizona St.
1983: Mike Pitts, DE, Alabama
1984: Rick Bryan, DT, Oklahoma
1985: Bill Fralic, T, Pittsburgh
1986: Tony Casillas, NT, Oklahoma
1987: Chris Miller, QB, Oregon
1988: Aundray Bruce, LB, Auburn
1989: Deion Sanders, DB, Florida St.
1990: Steve Broussard, RB, Washington St.
1991: Bruce Pickens, DB, Nebraska
1992: Bob Whitfield, T, Stanford
1993: Lincoln Kennedy, OT, Washington
1994: Bert Emanuel, WR (2), Rice
1995: Devin Bush, DB, Florida St.
1996: Shannon Brown, DT (3), Alabama
1997: Michael Booker, DB, Nebraska
1998: Keith Brooking, LB, Georgia Tech
1999: Patrick Kerney, DE, Virginia
2000: Travis Claridge, OT (2), Southern Cal
2001: Michael Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
Baltimore Ravens
1996: Jonathan Ogden, T, UCLA
1997: Peter Boulware, DE, Florida St.
1998: Duane Starks, DB, Miami
1999: Chris McAlister, DB, Arizona
2000: Jamal Lewis, RB, Tennessee
2001: Todd Heap, TE, Arizona St.
Buffalo Bills
1980: Jim Richter, C, North Carolina St.
1981: Booker Moore, RB, Penn St.
1982: Perry Tuttle, WR, Clemson
1983: Tony Hunter, TE, Notre Dame
1984: Greg Bell, RB, Notre Dame
1985: Bruce Smith, DE, Virginia Tech
1986: Ronnie Harmon, RB, Iowa
1987: Shane Conlan, LB, Penn St.
1988: Thurman Thomas, RB (2), Okla. St.
1989: Don Beebe, WR (3), Chadron, Neb.
1990: James Williams, DB, Fresno St.
1991: Henry Jones, DB, Illinois
1992: John Fina, T, Arizona
1993: Thomas Smith, DB, North Carolina
1994: Jeff Burris, DB, Notre Dame
1995: Ruben Brown, G, Pittsburgh
1996: Eric Moulds, WR, Mississippi St.
1997: Antowain Smith, RB, Houston
1998: Sam Cowart, LB (2), Florida St.
1999: Antoine Winfield, DB, Ohio St.
2000: Erik Powers, DE, Arizona
2001: Nate Clements, DB, Ohio St.
Carolina Panthers
1995: Kerry Collins, QB, Penn St.
1996: Tim Biakabutuka, RB, Michigan
1997: Rae Carruth, WR, Colorado
1998: Jason Peter, DT, Nebraska
1999: Chris Terry, T (2), Georgia
2000: Rashard Anderson, DB, Jackson St.
2001: Dan Morgan, LB, Miami
Cincinnati Bengals
1980: Anthony Munoz, T, Southern Cal
1981: David Versar, WR, Kansas
1982: Glen Collins, DE, Mississippi St.
1983: Dave Rimington, C, Nebraska
1984: Rick Hunley LB, Arizona
1985: Eddie Brown, WR, Miami
1986: Joe Kelly, LB, Washington
1987: Jason Buck, DE, Brigham Young
1988: Ricky Dixon, DB, Oklahoma
1989: Eric Ball, RB (2), UCLA
1990: James Francis, LB, Baylor
1991: Alfred Williams, LB, Colorado
1992: David Klingler, QB, Houston
1993: John Copeland, DE, Alabama
1994: Dan Wilkinson, DT, Ohio St.
1995: Ki-Jana Carter, RB, Penn St.
1996: Willie Anderson, T, Auburn
1997: Reinard Wilson, LB, Florida St.
1998: Takeo Spikes, LB, Cincinnati
1999: Akili Smith, QB, Oregon
2000: Peter Warrick, WR, Florida St.
2001: Justin Smith, DE, Missouri
Cleveland Browns
1980: Charles White, RB, Southern Cal
1981: Hanford Dixon, CB, Southern Miss
1982: Chip Banks, LB, Southern Cal
1983: Ron Brown, WR (2), Arizona St.
1984: Don Rogers, DB, UCLA
1985: Greg Allen, RB (2), Florida St.
1986: W. Slaughter, WR (2), San Diego St.
1987: Mike Junkin, LB, Duke
1988: Clifford Charlton, LB, Florida
1989: Eric Metcalf, RB, Texas
1990: Leroy Hoard, RB (2), Michigan
1991: Eric Turner, DB, UCLA
1992: Tommy Vardell, RB, Stanford
1993: Steve Everitt, C, Michigan
1994: Antonio Langham, DB, Alabama
1995: Craig Powell, LB, Ohio St.
1999: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
2000: Courtney Brown, DE, Penn St.
2001: Gerard Warren, DT, Florida
Note: Team moved to Baltimore in 1996
Dallas Cowboys
1980: Bill Roe, LB (3), Colorado
1981: Howard Richards, T, Missouri
1982: Rod Hill, DB, Kentucky St.
1983: Jim Jeffcoat, DE, Arizona St.
1984: Billy Cannon, Jr., LB, Texas A&M
1985: Kevin Brooks, DE, Michigan
1986: Mike Sherrard, WR, UCLA
1987: Danny Noonan, DL, Nebraska
1988: Michael Irvin, WR, Miami
1989: Troy Aikman, QB, Miami
1990: Emmitt Smith, RB, Florida
1991: Russell Maryland, DT, Miami
1992: Kevin Smith, DB, Texas A&M
1993: Kevin Williams, WR (2), Miami
1994: Shante Carver, DE, Arizona St.
1995: Sherman Williams, RB (2), Alabama
1996: Kavika Pittman, DE (2), McNeese St.
1997: David LaFleur, TE, LSU
1998: Greg Ellis, DE, North Carolina
1999: Ebenezer Ekuban, DE, North Carolina
2000: Dwayne Goodrich, DB (2), Tennessee
2001: Quincy Carter, QB (2), Georgia
Denver Broncos
1980: Rulon Jones, DE (2), Utah St.
1981: Dennis Smith, DB, Southern Cal
1982: Gerald Willhite, RB, San Jose St.
1983: Chris Hinton, G, Northwestern
1984: Andre Townsend, DE (2), Mississippi
1985: Steve Sewell, RB, Oklahoma
1986: Jim Juriga, OT (4), Illinois
1987: Ricky Nattiel, WR, Florida
1988: Ted Gregory, NT, Syracuse
1989: Steve Atwater, DB, Arkansas
1990: Alton Montgomery, DB (2), Houston
1991: Mike Croel, LB, Nebraska
1992: Tommy Maddox, QB, UCLA
1993: Dan Williams, DE, Toledo
1994: Allen Aldridge, LB (2), Houston
1995: Jamie Brown, OT (4), Florida A&M
1996: John Mobley, LB, Kutztown
1997: Trevor Pryce, DT, Clemson
1998: Marcus Nash, WR, Tennessee
1999: Al Wilson, LB, Tennessee
2000: Deltha O’Neal, DB, California
2001: Willie Middlebrooks, DB, Minnesota
Detroit Lions
1980: Billy Sims, RB, Oklahoma
1981: Mark Nichols, WR, San Jose St.
1982: Jimmy Williams, LB, Nebraska
1983: James Jones, FB, Florida
1984: David Lewis, TE, California
1985: Lomas Brown, T, Florida
1986: Chuck Long, QB, Iowa
1987: Reggie Rogers, DE, Washington
1988: Bennie Blades, DB, Miami
1989: Barry Sanders, RB, Oklahoma St.
1990: Andre Ware, QB, Houston
1991: Herman Moore, WR, Virginia
1992: Robert Porcher, DE, S. Carolina St.
1993: Ryan McNeil, DB (2), Miami
1994: Johnnie Morton, WR, Southern Cal
1995: Luther Elliss, DT, Utah
1996: Reggie Brown, LB, Texas A&M
1997: Bryant Westbrook, DB, Texas
1998: Terry Fair, DB, Tennessee
1999: Chris Claiborne, LB, Southern Cal
2000: Stockar McDougle, OT, Oklahoma
2001: Jeff Backus, OT, Michigan
Green Bay Packers
1980: Bruce Clark, DT, Penn St.
1981: Rich Campbell, QB, California
1982: Ron Hallstrom, G, Iowa
1983: Tim Lewis, DB, Pittsburgh
1984: Alphonso Carreker, DE, Florda St.
1985: Ken Ruettgers, T, Southern Cal
1986: Kenneth Davis, RB (2), TCU
1987: Brent Fullwood, RB, Auburn
1988: Sterling Sharpe, WR, South Carolina
1989: Tony Mandarich, T, Michigan St.
1990: Tony Bennett, LB, Mississippi
1991: Vinnie Clark, DB, Ohio St.
1992: Terrell Buckley, DB, Florida St.
1993: Wayne Simmons, LB, Clemson
1994: Aaron Taylor, T, Notre Dame
1995: Craig Newsome, DB, Arizona St.
1996: John Michels, T, Southern Cal
1997: Ross Verba, T, Iowa
1998: Vonnie Holiday, DT, North Carolina
1999: Antuan Edwards, DB, Clemson
2000: Bubba Franks, TE, Miami
2001: Jamal Reynolds, DE, Florida St.
Indianapolis Colts
1980: Curtis Dickey, RB, Texas A&M
1981: Randy McMillen, RB, Pittsburgh
1982: Johnie Cooks, LB, Mississippi St.
1983: John Elway, QB, Stanford
1984: Leonard Coleman, DB, Vanderbilt
1985: Duane Bickett, LB, Southern Cal
1986: John Hand, DL, Alabama
1987: Cornelius Bennett, LB, Alabama
1988: Chris Chandler, QB (3), Washington
1989: Andre Rison, WR, Michigan St.
1990: Jeff George, QB, Illinois
1991: Shane Curry, DE (2), Miami
1992: Steve Emtman, DT, Washington
1993: Sean Dawkins, WR, California
1994: Marshall Faulk, RB, San Diego St.
1995: Ellis Johnson, DT, Florida
1996: Marvin Harrison, WR, Syracuse
1997: Tarik Glenn, T, California
1998: Peyton Manning, QB, Tennessee
1999: Edgerrin James, RB, Miami
2000: Rob Morris, LB, Brigham Young
2001: Reggie Wayne, WR, Miami
Jacksonville Jaguars
1995: Tony Boselli, OT, Southern Cal
1996: Kevin Hardy, LB, Illinois
1997: Renaldo Wynn, DT, Notre Dame
1998: Fred Taylor, RB, Florida
1999: Fernando Bryant, DB, Alabama
2000: R. Jay Soward, WR, Southern Cal
2001: Marcus Stroud, DT, Georgia
Kansas City Chiefs
1980: Brad Budde, G, Southern Cal
1981: Willie Scott, TE, South Carolina
1982: Anthony Hancock, WR, Tennessee
1983: Todd Blackledge, QB, Penn St.
1984: Bill Maas, DT, Pittsburgh
1985: Ethan Horton, RB, North Carolina
1986: Brian Jozwiak, OT, West Virginia
1987: Paul Palmer, RB, Temple
1988: Neil Smith, DE, Nebraska
1989: Derrick Thomas, LB, Alabama
1990: Percy Snow, LB, Michigan St.
1991: Harvey Williams, RB, Louisiana St.
1992: Dale Carter, DB, Tennessee
1993: Will Shields, G (3), Nebraska
1994: Greg Hill, RB, Texas A&M
1995: Trezelle Jenkins, OT, Michigan
1996: Jerome Woods, DB, Memphis
1997: Tony Gonzalez, TE, California
1998: Victor Riley, OT, Auburn
1999: John Tait, T, BYU
2000: Sylvester Morris, WR, Jackson St.
2001: Eric Downing, DT (3), Syracuse
Miami Dolphins
1980: Don McNeal, CB, Alabama
1981: David Overstreet, RB, Oklahoma
1982: Roy Foster, G, Southern Cal
1983: Dan Marino, QB, Pittsburgh
1984: Jackie Shipp, LB, Oklahoma
1985: Lorenzo Hampton, RB, Florida
1986: John Offerdahl, LB (2), W. Michigan
1987: John Bosa, DE, Boston College
1988: Eric Kumerow, DE, Ohio St.
1989: Sammie Smith, RB, Florida St.
1990: Richmond Webb, T, Texas A&M
1991: Randall Hill, WR, Miami
1992: Troy Vincent, DB, Wisconsin
1993: O.J. McDuffie, WR, Penn State
1994: Tim Bowens, DT, Mississippi
1995: Billy Milner, OT, Houston
1996: Darryl Gardener, DT, Baylor
1997: Yatil Green, WR, Miami
1998: John Avery, RB, Mississippi
1999: James Johnson, RB (2), Mississippi St.
2000: Todd Wade, OT (2), Mississippi
2001: Jamar Fletcher, DB, Wisconsin
Minnesota Vikings
1980: Doug Martin, DT, Washington
1981: Mardye McDole, WR (2), Miss. St.
1982: Darrin Nelson, RB, Stanford
1983: Joey Browner, DB, Southern Cal
1984: Keith Millard, DE, Washington St.
1985: Chris Doleman, LB, Pittsburgh
1986: Gerald Robinson, DE, Auburn
1987: D.J. Dozier, RB, Penn St.
1988: Randall McDaniel, G, Arizona St.
1989: David Braxton, LB (2), Wake Forest
1990: Mike Jones, TE (3), Texas A&M
1991: Carlos Jenkins, LB (3), Michigan St.
1992: Robert Harris, DE (2), Southern U.
1993: Robert Smith, RB, Ohio St.
1994: Dewayne Washington, CB, N.C. St.
1995: Derrick Alexander, DE, Florida St.
1996: Duane Clemons, DE, California
1997: Dwayne Rudd, LB, Alabama
1998: Randy Moss, WR, Marshall
1999: Duante Culpepper, QB, C. Florida
2000: Chris Hovan, DT, Boston College
2001: Michael Bennett, RB, Wisconsin
New England Patriots
1980: Roland James, DB, Tennessee
1981: Brian Holloway, T, Stanford
1982: Ken Sims, DT, Texas
1983: Tony Eason, QB, Illinois
1984: Irving Fryar, WR, Nebraska
1985: Trevor Matich, C, Brigham Young
1986: Reggie Dupard, RB, SMU
1987: Bruce Armstrong, OT, Louisville
1988: John Stephens, RB, NW St., La.
1989: Hart Lee Dykes, WR, Oklahoma St.
1990: Chris Singleton, LB, Arizona
1991: Pat Harlow, T, Southern Cal
1992: Eugene Chung, T, Virginia Tech
1993: Drew Bledsoe, QB, Washington St.
1994: Willie McGinest, DE, Southern Cal
1995: Ty Law, DB, Michigan
1996: Terry Glenn, WR, Ohio St.
1997: Chris Canty, DB, Kansas St.
1998: Robert Edwards, RB, Georgia
1999: Damien Woody, C, Boston College
2000: Adrian Klemm, T (2), Hawaii
2001: Richard Seymour, DT, Georgia
New Orleans Saints
1980: Stan Brock, T, Colorado
1981: George Rogers, RB, South Carolina
1982: Lindsay Scott, WR, Georgia
1983: Steve Korte, G (2), Arkansas
1984: James Geathers, DE, Wichita St.
1985: Alvin Toles, LB, Tennessee
1986: Jim Dombrowski, OT, Virginia
1987: Shawn Knight, DL, Brigham Young
1988: Craig Heyward, RB, Pittsburgh
1989: Wayne Martin, DE, Arkansas
1990: Renaldo Turnbull, DE, West Virginia
1991: Wesley Carroll, WR (2), Miami
1992: Vaughn Dunbar, RB, Indiana
1993: Willie Roaf, T, Louisiana Tech
1994: Joe Johnson, DE, Louisville
1995: Mark Fields, LB, Washington St.
1996: Alex Molden, DB, Oregon
1997: Chris Naeole, G, Colorado
1998: Kyle Turley, OT, San Diego St.
1999: Ricky Williams, RB, Texas
2000: Darren Howard, DE (2), Kansas St.
2001: Deuce McAllister, RB, Mississippi
New York Giants
1980: Mark Haynes, DB, Colorado
1981: Lawrence Taylor, LB, North Carolina
1982: Butch Woolfolk, RB, Michigan
1983: Terry Kinard, DB, Clemson
1984: Carl Banks, LB, Michigan St.
1985: George Adams, RB, Kentucky
1986: Eric Dorsey, DT, Notre Dame
1987: Mark Ingram, WR, Michigan St.
1988: Eric Moore, T, Indiana
1989: Brian Williams, G, Minnesota
1990: Rodney Hampton, RB, Georgia
1991: Jarrod Bunch, RB, Michigan
1992: Derek Brown, TE, Notre Dame
1993: Michael Strahan, DE (2), Texas So.
1994: Thomas Lewis, WR, Indiana
1995: Tyrone Wheatley, RB, Michigan
1996: Cedric Jones, DE, Oklahoma
1997: Ike Hilliard, WR, Florida
1998: Shaun Williams, DB, UCLA
1999: Luke Petitgout, T, Notre Dame
2000: Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin
2001: Will Allen, DB, Syracuse
New York Jets
1980: Johnny Jones, WR, Texas
1981: Freeman McNeil, RB, UCLA
1982: Bob Crable, LB, Notre Dame
1983: Ken O’Brien, QB, UC Davis
1984: Russell Carter, DB, SMU
1985: Al Toon, WR, Wisconsin
1986: Mike Haight, OT, Iowa
1987: Roger Vick, RB, Texas A&M
1988: Dave Cadigan, OT, Southern Cal
1989: Jeff Lageman, LB, Virginia
1990: Blair Thomas, RB, Penn St.
1991: Browning Nagle, QB (2), Louisville
1992: Johnny Mitchell, TE, Nebraska
1993: Marvin Jones, LB, Florida St.
1994: Aaron Glenn, DB, Texas A&M
1995: Kyle Brady, TE, Penn St.
1996: Keyshawn Johnson, WR, USC
1997: James Farrior, LB, Virginia
1998: Dorian Boose, DE (2), Washington St.
1999: Randy Thomas, G (2), Mississippi St.
2000: Shaun Ellis, DE, Tennessee
2001: Santana Moss, WR, Miami
Oakland Raiders
1980: Marc Wilson, QB, Brigham Young
1981: Ted Watts, DB, Texas Tech
1982: Marcus Allen, RB, Southern Cal
1983: Dave Mosebar, T, Southern Cal
1984: Sean Jones, DE (2), Northeastern
1985: Jesse Hester, WR, Florida St.
1986: Bob Buczkowski, DE, Pittsburgh
1987: John Clay, OT, Missouri
1988: Tim Brown, WR, Notre Dame
1989: Jeff Francis, QB (6), Tennessee
1990: Anthony Smith, DE, Arizona
1991: Todd Marinovich, QB, Southern Cal
1992: Chester McGlockton, DE, Clemson
1993: Patrick Bates, DB, Texas A&M
1994: Rob Fredrickson, LB, Michigan State
1995: Napoleon Kaufman, RB, Washington
1996: Rickey Dudley, TE, Ohio St.
1997: Darrell Russell, DT, Southern Cal
1998: Charles Woodson, DB, Michigan
1999: Matt Stinchcomb, T, Georgia
2000: Sebastian Janikowski, K, Florida St.
2001: Derrick Gibson, DB, Florida St.
Philadelphia Eagles
1980: Roynell Young, DB, Alcorn St.
1981: Leonard Mitchell, DE, Houston
1982: Mike Quick, WR, North Carolina St.
1983: Michael Haddix, RB, Mississippi St.
1984: Kenny Jackson, WR, Penn St.
1985: Kevin Allen, OT, Indiana
1986: Keith Byars, RB, Ohio St.
1987: Jerome Brown, DT, Miami
1988: Keith Jackson, TE, Oklahoma
1989: Jessie Small, LB (2), Eastern Kentucky
1990: Ben Smith, DB, Georgia
1991: Antone Davis, OT, Tennessee
1992: Siran Stacy, RB (2), Alabama
1993: Lester Holmes, OT, Jackson St.
1994: Bernard Williams, OT, Georgia
1995: Mike Mamula, DE, Boston College
1996: Jermane Mayberry, T, A&M-Kingsville
1997: Jon Harris, DE, Virginia
1998: Tra Thomas, OT, Florida St.
1999: Donovan McNabb, QB, Syracuse
2000: Corey Simon, DT, Florida St.
2001: Freddie Mitchell, WR, UCLA
Pittsburgh Steelers
1980: Mark Malone, QB, Arizona St.
1981: Keith Gary, DE, Oklahoma
1982: Walter Abercrombie, RB, Baylor
1983: Gabriel Rivera, DT, Texas Tech
1984: Louis Lipps, WR, Southern Miss
1985: Darryl Sims, DE, Wisconsin
1986: John Rienstra, G, Temple
1987: Rod Woodson, DB, Purdue
1988: Aaron Jones, DE, Eastern Kentucky
1989: Tim Worley, RB, Georgia
1990: Eric Green, TE, Liberty
1991: Huey Richardson, DE, Florida
1992: Leon Searcy, OT, Miami
1993: Deon Figures, DB, Colorado
1994: Charles Johnson, WR, Colorado
1995: Mark Bruener, TE, Washington
1996: Jamain Stephens, T, N.C. A&T
1997: Chad Scott, DB, Maryland
1998: Alan Faneca, G, LSU
1999: Troy Edwards, WR, Louisiana Tech
2000: Plaxico Burress, WR, Michigan St.
2001: Casey Hampton, DT, Texas
St. Louis Rams
1980: Johnnie Johnson, DB, Texas
1981: Mel Owens, LB, Michigan
1982: Barry Redden, RB, Richmond
1983: Eric Dickerson, RB, SMU
1984: Hal Stephens, DE (5), East Carolina
1985: Jerry Gray, DB, Texas
1986: Mike Schad, OT, Queens Coll.
1987: Donald Evans, DE (2), Win.-Salem St.
1988: Gaston Green, RB, UCLA
1989: Bill Hawkins, DE, Miami
1990: Bern Brostek, C, Washington
1991: Todd Lyght, DB, Notre Dame
1992: Sean Gilbert, DE, Pittsburgh
1993: Jerome Bettis, RB, Notre Dame
1994: Wayne Gandy, T, Auburn
1995: Kevin Carter, DE, Florida
1996: Lawrence Phillips, RB, Nebraska
1997: Orlando Pace, T, Ohio St.
1998: Grant Wistrom, DE, Nebraska
1999: Torry Holt, WR, N. Carolina St.
2000: Trung Canidate, RB, Arizona
2001: Damoine Lewis, DT, Miami
San Diego Chargers
1980: Ed Luther, QB (4), San Jose St.
1981: James Brooks, RB, Auburn
1982: Hollis Hall, DB (7), Clemson
1983: Billy Ray Smith, LB, Arkansas
1984: Mossy Cade, DB, Texas
1985: Jim Lachey, G, Ohio St.
1986: Leslie O’Neal, DE, Oklahoma St.
1987: Rod Bernstine, TE, Texas A&M
1988: Anthony Miller, WR, Tennessee
1989: Burt Grossman, DE, Pittsburgh
1990: Junior Seau, LB, Southern Cal
1991: Stanley Richard, DB, Texas
1992: Chris Mims, DE, Tennessee
1993: Darrien Gordon, DB, Stanford
1994: Isaac Davis, G (2), Arkansas
1995: Terrance Shaw, DB (2), S.F. Austin
1996: Bryan Still, WR (2), Virginia Tech
1997: Freddie Jones, TE (2), North Carolina
1998: Ryan Leaf, QB, Washington St.
1999: Jermaine Fazande, RB (2), Oklahoma
2000: Rogers Beckett, DB (2), Marshall
2001: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, TCU
San Francisco 49ers
1980: Earl Cooper, RB, Rice
1981: Ronnie Lott, DB, Southern Cal
1982: Bubba Paris, T (2), Michigan
1983: Roger Craig, RB (2), Nebraska
1984: Todd Shell, LB, Brigham Young
1985: Jerry Rice, WR, Mississippi Valley St.
1986: Larry Roberts, DE (2), Alabama
1987: Harris Barton, OT, North Carolina
1988: Danny Stubbs, DE (2), Miami
1989: Keith DeLong, LB, Tennessee
1990: Dexter Carter, RB, Florida St.
1991: Ted Washington, DT, Louisville
1992: Dana Hall, DB, Washington
1993: Dana Stubblefield, DT, Kansas
1994: Bryant Young, DE, Notre Dame
1995: J.J. Stokes, WR, UCLA
1996: Israel Ifeanyi, DE (2), Southern Cal
1997: Jim Druckenmiller, QB, Virginia Tech
1998: R.W. McQuarters, DB, Oklahoma St.
1999: Reggie McGrew, DT, Florida
2000: Julian Peterson, LB, Michigan St.
2001: Andre Carter, DE, California
Seattle Seahawks
1980: Jacob Green, DE, Texas A&M
1981: Kenny Easley, DB, UCLA
1982: Jeff Bryant, DE, Clemson
1983: Curt Warner, RB, Penn St.
1984: Terry Taylor, DB, Southern Illinois
1985: Owen Gill, RB, Iowa
1986: John L. Williams, RB, Florida
1987: Tony Woods, LB, Pittsburgh
1988: Brian Blades, WR (2), Miami
1989: Andy Heck, T, Notre Dame
1990: Cortez Kennedy, DT, Miami
1991: Dan McGwire, QB, San Diego St.
1992: Ray Roberts, T, Virginia
1993: Rick Mirer, QB, Notre Dame
1994: Sam Adams, DE, Texas A&M
1995: Joey Galloway, WR, Ohio St.
1996: Pete Kendall, T, Boston College
1997: Shawn Springs, DB, Ohio St.
1998: Anthony Simmons, LB, Clemson
1999: Lamar King, DE, Saginaw Valley
2000: Shaun Alexander, RB, Alabama
2001: Koren Robinson, WR, N.C. State
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1980: Ray Snell, G, Wisconsin
1981: Hugh Green, LB, Pittsburgh
1982: Sean Farrell, G, Penn St.
1983: Randy Grimes, C (2), Baylor
1984: Keith Browner, LB (2), Southern Cal
1985: Ron Holmes, DE, Washington
1986: Bo Jackson, RB, Auburn
1987: Vinny Testaverde, QB, Miami
1988: Paul Gruber, T, Wisconsin
1989: Broderick Thomas, LB, Nebraska
1990: Keith McCants, LB, Alabama
1991: Charles McRae, T, Tennessee
1992: Courtney Hawkins, WR (2), Mich. St.
1993: Eric Curry, DE, Alabama
1994: Trent Dilfer, QB, Fresno St.
1995: Warren Sapp, DT, Miami
1996: Regan Upshaw, DE, California
1997: Warrick Dunn, RB, Florida St.
1998: Jacquez Green, WR (2), Florida
1999: Anthony McFarland, DT, LSU
2000: Cosey Coleman, G (2), Tennessee
2001: Kenyatta Walker, OT, Florida
Tennessee Oilers
1980: Angelo Fields, T (2), Michigan St.
1981: Michael Holston, WR (3), Morgan St.
1982: Mike Munchak, G, Penn St.
1983: Bruce Matthews, G, Southern Cal
1984: Dean Steinkuhler, T, Nebraska
1985: Ray Childress, DE, Texas A&M
1986: Jim Everett, QB, Purdue
1987: Alonzo Highsmith, RB, Miami
1988: Lorenzo White, RB, Michigan St.
1989: David Williams, T, Florida
1990: Lamar Lathon, LB, Houston
1991: Mike Dumas, DB (2), Indiana
1992: Eddie Robinson, LB (2), Alabama St.
1993: Brad Hopkins, T, Ilinois
1994: Henry Ford, DE, Arkansas
1995: Steve McNair, QB, Alcorn St.
1996: Eddie George, RB, Ohio St.
1997: Kenny Holmes, DE, Miami
1998: Kevin Dyson, WR, Utah
1999: Jevon Kearse, DE, Florida
2000: Keith Bulluck, LB, Syracuse
2001: Andre Dyson, DB (2), Utah
Washington Redskins
1980: Art Monk, WR, Syracuse
1981: Mark May, T, Pittsburgh
1982: Vernon Dean, CB, San Diego St.
1983: Darrell Green, CB, Texas A&I
1984: Bob Slater, DT (2), Oklahoma
1985: Tory Nixon, RB (2), San Diego St.
1986: Marcus Koch, DE, Boise St.
1987: Brian Davis, DB, Nebraska
1988: Chip Lohmiller, K (2), Minnesota
1989: Tracy Rocker, DT (3), Auburn
1990: Andre Collins, LB (2), Penn St.
1991: Bobby Wilson, DT, Michigan St.
1992: Desmond Howard, WR, Michigan
1993: Tom Carter, DB, Notre Dame
1994: Heath Shuler, QB, Tennessee
1995: Michael Westbrook, WR, Colorado
1996: Andre Johnson, T, Penn St.
1997: Kenard Lang, DE, Miami
1998: Stephen Alexander, TE (2), Oklahoma
1999: Champ Bailey, DB, Georgia
2000: LaVar Arrington, LB, Penn St.
2001: Rod Gardner, WR, Clemson
x-choice lost due to ineligibilty
