The Oakland Raiders made quarterback JaMarcus Russell the top overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. The 6’6, 265-pound Russell entered the NFL after going 21-4 as a starter at LSU. However, Russell would go on to become one of the worst top overall picks ever, as evidenced by his 7-18 record as a starter in Oakland.

Russell appeared in 31 games over three seasons with the Raiders, throwing for 4,083 yards, 18 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. Russell was jettisoned from Oakland following the 2009 season.

Russell was one of 11 quarterbacks taken in the 2007 NFL Draft.

2007 NFL Draft Top Ten

A future Hall of Famer was selected immediately after one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history came off the board. With the second overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected wide receiver Calvin Johnson. At number three, the Cleveland Browns took future Pro Bowl offensive tackle Joe Thomas. With the fourth pick, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers chose defensive end Gaines Adams. The Arizona Cardinals followed by taking offensive tackle Levi Brown at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. Washington Redskins – LaRon Landry (S, LSU)
7. Minnesota Vikings – Adrian Peterson (RB, Oklahoma)
8. Atlanta Falcons – Jamaal Anderson (DE, Arkansas)
9. Miami Dolphins – Ted Ginn Jr. (WR, Ohio State)
10. Houston Texans – Amobi Okoye (DT, Louisville)

Three future Pro Bowlers were taken just outside the top ten, as linebacker Patrick Willis went to the 49ers at 11, running back Marshawn Lynch went to the Bills at 12 and cornerback Darrelle Revis went to the Jets at 14.

One of the most fascinating stories of the 2007 NFL Draft was the freefall of quarterback Brady Quinn. Once projected to go as high as the top overall pick, the Notre Dame product tumbled to the Browns with the 22^nd overall pick. The Browns made a trade with the Cowboys in order to take Quinn.

Notes from the 2007 NFL Draft

A total of 255 players were selected in the 2007 NFL Draft, 34 of which were wide receivers. Thirty-three linebackers, 30 cornerbacks and 25 defensive ends were also drafted. A pair of future Pro Bowlers went undrafted in 2007. Return specialist Eric Weems and long snapper Matt Overton signed as undrafted free agents after the draft.

Download: 2007 NFL Draft

Offensive tackle Jake Long was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the first overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. There wasn’t any suspense surrounding the top pick in 2008, as the Dolphins declared their intent to select Long weeks before the draft. Long agreed to a contract with the Dolphins four days before the 2008 NFL Draft began. Long earned Pro Bowl honors in his rookie season.

2008 NFL Draft Top Ten

Unrelated to Jake, the St. Louis Rams chose defensive end Chris Long out of Virginia with the second overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan went to the Atlanta Falcons at number three. The Oakland Raiders chose running back Darren McFadden fourth overall, while the Kansas City Chiefs took defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. New York Jets – Vernon Gholston (DE, Ohio State)
7. New Orleans Saints – Sedrick Ellis (DT, USC)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Derrick Harvey (DE, Florida)
9. Cincinnati Bengals – Keith Rivers (LB, USC)
10. New England Patriots – Jerod Mayo (LB, Tennessee)

Several future Pro Bowlers were selected after the top 10 in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, including Ryan Clady, Branden Albert, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Aqib Talib, Chris Johnson, Mike Jenkins and Duane Brown.

Notes from the 2008 NFL Draft

A total of 252 players were selected in the 2008 NFL Draft, including a whopping 35 wide receivers. However, no wide receivers were taken in the first round. Meanwhile, 27 offensive tackles, defensive ends and linebackers were also taken in the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Patriots were forced to forfeit their first round pick in the 2008 NFL Draft due to the “Spygate” scandal. The Pats kept the 10^th overall pick because it was acquired in a trade with the Saints, but had to relinquish what would have been the 31^st overall selection.

“Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2012 NFL Draft was David Vobora. The Idaho linebacker was selected by the St. Louis Rams with the 252^nd and final pick.

A handful of future Pro Bowlers went undrafted in 2008, including Dan Carpenter, Mike Tolbert, Clifton Smith and Marcel Reece.

Download: 2008 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions made Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford the top overall pick of the 2009 NFL Draft. All of the drama surrounding the top pick was eliminated when Stafford agreed to a deal with the Lions the day before the draft. Injuries limited Stafford to 10 games in his rookie season. He finished the year with 2,267 yards, 20 interceptions and 13 touchdowns.

Stafford was one 11 quarterbacks selected in the 2009 NFL Draft.

2009 NFL Draft Top Ten

Many of the top 10 players taken in the 2009 NFL Draft have yet to live up to their potential. In fact, only one player in the top 10 has ever been named to the Pro Bowl. With the second pick, the St. Louis Rams selected Baylor offensive tackle Jason Smith. At number three, the Kansas City Chiefs selected defensive end Tyson Jackson. Linebacker Aaron Curry went number four to the Seattle Seahawks, while the New York Jets traded up to take USC quarterback Mark Sanchez at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. Cincinnati Bengals – Andre Smith (OT, Alabama
7. Oakland Raiders – Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR, Maryland)
8. Jacksonville Jaguars – Eugene Monroe – (OT, Virginia)
9. Green Bay Packers – B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College)
10. San Francisco 49ers – Michael Crabtree (WR, Texas Tech)

Raji is the only player from the top 10 to be selected to a Pro Bowl.

Notes from the 2009 NFL Draft

Of the 256 players selected in the 2009 NFL Draft, 36 were cornerbacks. A total of 34 wide receivers, 23 defensive ends and linebackers, and 20 tight ends, running backs, offensive tackles and defensive tackles were also selected.

The most notable undrafted free agent following the 2009 NFL Draft is running back Arian Foster, who went on to become a Pro Bowler with the Houston Texans. Other notable undrafted players include running backs Michael Bennett and Issac Redman, quarterback Brian Hoyer, and wide receiver Kevin Ogletree.

“Mr. Irrelevant” was kicker Ryan Succop, who was taken by the Kansas City Chiefs with the 256^th overall pick. Succop made the Chiefs’ roster and went on to be named to the 2009 NFL All-Rookie Team. In 2012, Succop booted six field goals for the Chiefs in a single game.

Download: 2009 NFL Draft

Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford was taken by the St. Louis Rams with the top overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. The 2008 Heisman Trophy winner went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2010. Bradford ended the season as only the third rookie quarterback to start all 16 games and throw for over 3,000 yards.

2010 NFL Draft Top Ten

Bradford was the first of four consecutive players selected from Big 12 conference schools in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft. The Detroit Lions chose Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh second overall, while Oklahoma’s Gerald McCoy and Trent Williams went third and fourth, respective, to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Washington Redskins. The Kansas City Chiefs rounded out the top five with Tennessee safety Eric Berry.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. Seattle Seahawks – Russell Okung (OT, Oklahoma State)
7. Cleveland Browns – Joe Haden (CB, Florida)
8. Rolando McClain – (LB, Alabama)
9. C.J. Spiller – (RB, Clemson)
10. Tyson Alualu – (DT, Cal)

In all, 30 players were selected from the Big 12. A total of 49 were picked from the SEC.

Notes from the 2010 NFL Draft

In all, 255 players were selected in the 2010 NFL Draft, 33 of which were cornerbacks. A total of 30 defensive ends, 29 linebackers, 27 wide receivers and 25 defensive tackles were also selected.

Several future Pro Bowlers were selected after the first round, including Dexter McCluster, T.J. Ward, Rob Gronkowski, Zane Beadles, Daryl Washington, NaVorro Bowman, Jimmy Graham, Alterraun Verner, Geno Atkins and Aaron Hernandez.

“Mr. Irrelevant” was wide receiver Tim Toone, who was taken by the Detroit Lions with the 255^th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft.

A number of notable players signed as undrafted free agents following the 2010 NFL Draft, including wide receiver Victor Cruz, running backs Joique Bell, LeGarrette Blount and Chris Ivory, tight end Logan Paulsen, and cornerback Sam Shields.

The 2010 NFL Draft was the last before the rookie pay scale was instituted in 2011.

Download: 2010 NFL Draft

Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Cam Newton was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The Auburn product was selected by Carolina just months after winning the national championship. Newton would go on to become the first rookie to throw for 4,000 yards en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Newton was one of 12 quarterbacks selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.

2011 NFL Draft Top Ten

Five of the first six picks in the 2011 NFL Draft came from the SEC. After the Denver Broncos selected linebacker Von Miller from Texas A&M with the second overall pick, the next four would come from the SEC. The Buffalo Bills took Alabama defensive end Marcell Dareus at number three, Georgia wide receiver A.J. Green went to the Cincinnati Bengals at number four, while the Arizona Cardinals picked LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. Atlanta Falcons – Julio Jones (WR, Alabama)
7. San Francisco 49ers – Aldon Smith (LB, Missouri)
8. Tennessee Titans – Jake Locker (QB, Washington)
9. Dallas Cowboys – Tyron Smith (OT, USC)
10. Jacksonville Jaguars – Blaine Gabbert (QB, Missouri)

In all, a total of 38 players were taken from the SEC.

Notes from the 2011 NFL Draft

The 2011 NFL Draft took place during a league-imposed lockout. As part of the lockout, teams were unable to trade any players on their roster for draft picks. Teams also couldn’t trade draft picks after they had already been selected.

A total of 254 players were selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, 39 of which were cornerbacks. A total of 32 linebackers, 28 wide receivers, 27 defensive ends and 24 running backs were also selected. Every player taken in the first seven picks has been named to at least one Pro Bowl. In all, 20 players from the draft have been named to the Pro Bowl.

In the fifth round, the Seattle Seahawks drafted Stanford cornerback Richard Sherman, who helped lead the team to a Super Bowl title during the 2013 season.

“Mr. Irrelevant” was defensive end Cheta Ozougwu, who was selected by the Houston Texans with the 254^th and final pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Download: 2011 NFL Draft

The 2012 NFL Draft marked the 77^th edition of the league’s annual selection meeting. The draft will forever be remembered for the quarterback Andrew Luck taking the torch from Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. After going 2-14, the Colts selected Stanford’s Luck with the top overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Luck was far from the only notable quarterback taken in the 2012 NFL Draft. The Washington Redskins made a deal with the St. Louis Rams to select Baylor’s Robert Griffin III with the second overall pick. Both Luck and Griffin III were named to the Pro Bowl in their rookie season.

2012 NFL Draft Top Ten

With the third overall pick, the Cleveland Browns selected Alabama running back Trent Richardson. His stint in Cleveland wouldn’t last long, as the Browns later traded Richardson to the Colts during 2013 season. The Minnesota Vikings selected offensive tackle Matt Kalil at number four. The Jacksonville Jaguars completed the top five with the selection of Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon.

Here’s how the top 10 unfolded:

6. Dallas Cowboys – Morris Claiborne (CB, LSU)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mark Barron (S, Alabama)
8. Miami Dolphins – Ryan Tannehill (QB, Texas A&M)
9. Carolina Panthers – Luke Kuechly (LB, Boston College)
10. Buffalo Bills – Stephon Gilmore (CB, South Carolina)

Notes from the 2012 NFL Draft

A pair of notable quarterbacks taken in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft have gone on to have early success. Russell Wilson, who was taken by the Seahawks with the 75^th overall pick, has already led Seattle to a Super Bowl title. With the 88^th overall pick, the Philadelphia Eagles took Nick Foles, who guided the team to the NFC East title during the 2013 season.

Of the 253 players taken in the 2012 NFL Draft, 33 linebackers and 33 wide receivers were selected. A total of 31 cornerbacks and 23 defensive tackles were also chosen. Twelve players from the 2012 NFL Draft have already been named to at least one Pro Bowl, including Luck, Griffin III, Wilson, Foles, Doug Martin, Alshon Jeffery, and Alfred Morris.

“Mr. Irrelevant” was taken by the Colts, who made quarterback Chandler Harnish the 253^rd pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Download: 2012 NFL Draft

The Kansas City Chiefs held the top overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Chiefs selected Eric Fisher, marking the fourth time an offensive lineman was taken with the first pick. The Central Michigan product became the first player from the MAC ever selected number one. Fisher appeared in 14 games in 2013, making 13 starts.

2013 NFL Draft Top Ten

The run on offensive lineman continued in the top five picks of the 2013 NFL Draft. With the second pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Texas A&M tackle Luke Joeckel. After the Miami Dolphins took Oregon defensive end Dion Jordan with the third pick, the Philadelphia Eagles scooped up Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Jordan at number four. The Detroit Lions made BYU defensive end Ezekiel Ansah the fifth overall selection.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. Cleveland Browns – Barkevious Mingo (DE, LSU)
7. Arizona Cardinals – Jonathan Cooper (G, North Carolina)
8. St. Louis Rams – Tavon Austin (WR, West Virginia)
9. New York Jets – Dee Milliner (CB, Alabama)
10. Tennessee Titans – Chance Warmack (G, Alabama)

A record-tying nine offensive lineman were taken in the first round.

Notes from the 2013 NFL Draft

For the first time in NFL history, no running backs were selected in the first round. North Carolina’s Giovani Bernard was the first running back taken off the board by the Cincinnati Bengals with the fifth pick in the second round (37^th overall).

The New Orleans Saints forfeited their second round pick as part of their punishment for their involvement in a player bounty program. The Browns also relinquished their second round pick after taking wide receiver Josh Gordon in the 2012 Supplemental Draft.

Of the 254 players selected in the 2013 NFL Draft, 30 were defensive end, which led all positions. A total of 29 cornerbacks, 28 wide receivers and 27 linebackers were also selected. Four players were named to the Pro Bowl in their first season: San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid, Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cordarrelle Paterson, and Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy.

“Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2013 NFL Draft was tight end Justin Cunningham, who was taken by the Indianapolis Colts with the 254^th pick.

Download: 2013 NFL Draft

The Houston Texans made Jadeveon Clowney the top-overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft. After weeks and months of speculation and questions about Clowney’s work ethic, the Texans ultimately chose the defensive end out of South Carolina. Clowney collected several honors during his collegiate career, including being named the 2012 SEC Defensive Player of the Year. Clowney was also named a First Team All-American in 2013.

2014 NFL Draft Top Ten

Clowney headlines a star-studded list of players who were selected in the top ten of the 2014 NFL Draft. With the second pick, the St. Louis Rams took Auburn offensive lineman Greg Robinson. The Rams acquired the second-overall pick in the deal that helped the Redskins get Robert Griffin III in 2012.

At number three, the Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many by selecting UCF quarterback Blake Bortles. The surprises continued as the Buffalo Bills made a deal with the Cleveland Browns in order to select Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins fourth overall. The Oakland Raiders rounded out the top five by selecting Buffalo linebacker Kahlil Mack.

Picks 6-10 included:

6. Atlanta Falcons – Jake Matthews (OT, Texas A&M)
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Mike Evans (WR, Texas A&M)
8. Cleveland Browns – Justin Gilbert (CB, Oklahoma State)
9. Minnesota Vikings – Anthony Barr (LB, UCLA)
10. Detroit Lions – Eric Ebron (TE, North Carolina)

2014 NFL Draft: Johnny Manziel

Unquestionably the most intriguing storyline of the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft was the freefall of Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel. Projected by many to be the first quarterback selected in the 2014 NFL Draft, Manziel was still on the board 15 picks into the first round. The intrigue reached a fever pitch when the draft order got to Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys at the 16^th overall pick. Dallas ultimately passed on Manziel in favor of offensive lineman Zack Martin.

Manziel was still on the board when the Browns made a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that allowed them to take the signal-caller with the 22^nd overall pick.

Manziel wouldn’t be the last quarterback taken in the first round. The Minnesota Vikings made a trade with the Seattle Seahawks in order to select Louisville’s Teddy Bridgewater with the final overall pick in the first round. Bortles, Manziel and Bridgewater were the only quarterbacks selected in the first round.

Download: 2014 NFL Draft

NFL cheerleaders have become an integral part of America’s most popular professional sports league. For more than 70 years, NFL cheerleaders have been on the sidelines for some of the league’s biggest and most memorable games. Today, NFL cheerleaders continue to be an enormous part of the gameday experience.

History of NFL Cheerleaders

The Baltimore Colts were the first team to have NFL cheerleaders. In 1954, the cheerleaders joined forces with the Baltimore Colts Marching Band. By the 1960s, many teams added cheerleading squads, including the St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings and Washington Redskins.

Easily the most recognizable of all NFL cheerleaders are on the sidelines for the Dallas Cowboys, who have had a cheerleading squad every year since their inception in 1960. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have appeared in everything from calendars and movies to reality television. The Cowboys’ squad is largely considered to be the gold standard when it comes to NFL cheerleaders.

Several teams use nicknames for their respective cheerleading squads, including:

• Carolina Topcats (Panthers)
• Chicago Honey Bears (Bears)
• Cincinnati Ben-Gals (Bengals)
• Jacksonville ROAR (Jaguars)
• New Orleans Saintsations (Saints)
• New York Jets Flight Crew
• Oakland Raiderettes (Raiders)
• San Francisco Gold Rush (49ers)
• Seattle Sea Gals (Seahawks)

NFL cheerleaders have been entertaining American troops for decades. Cheerleaders from the Cowboys, 49ers and many more regularly appear as part of USO shows for United States Armed Forces members serving overseas.

In addition to their regular duties during practice, games and training camp, NFL cheerleaders regularly appear at schools and charity functions around the country. Many teams also release calendars featuring their cheerleaders every year.

Teams without NFL Cheerleaders

There are several teams that do not have NFL cheerleaders roaming their sidelines. As of the 2014 season, the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers do not have cheerleaders.

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are arguably the most famous and recognizable cheerleading squad in the world. For over 50 years, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have been roaming the sidelines in Texas. While the Cowboys have been unable to duplicate their previous Super Bowl success in recent years, the popularity of the cheerleading team has continued to grow.

History of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders

The first Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad actually consisted of both men and women. Dubbed the “CowBelles & Beaux”, the first incarnation of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders made their debut on the sidelines in 1960, which was also the Cowboys’ first season in the NFL. The cheerleading team was made up of local high school students. Men were a part of the group until 1969.

It was Cowboys general manager Tex Schramm who decided the image of the squad needed to be changed after a professional stripper caused a stir in the stands during a game in 1967. Schramm decided the cheerleaders needed new uniforms and wanted the squad to focus more on dance routines.

The squad began undergoing a makeover in 1970. The “CowBelles & Beaux” name was dropped and the “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” were born. Since 1972, the squad has consisted of only women 18 years and older. The change in personnel allowed the Cowboys to be more risqué with their outfits and attire.

The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders began to garner even more attention when they began showing up on television in 1978. The made-for-TV moving titled “The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders” starring Jane Seymour first aired in January 1979.

The cheerleaders went on to appear in a number of television shows and specials, including “The Love Boat”, “Family Feud”, “Hard Knocks”, “Saturday Night Live, “Late Show with David Letterman”, and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Today

Today, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders are as popular as they’ve ever been. In 2006, a reality television show centered on making the team was launched. “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team” documents the annual process of auditioning for the team.

The 36-member team also releases a swimsuit calendar every year. The current director of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders is Kelli Finglass, who was also a member of the squad from 1984-89.

Download: Dallas Cowboys Schedule