Utah quarterback Alex Smith was taken by the San Francisco 49ers with the top overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft. Smith was selected over Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who famously sat in the green room for hours until he was picked 24th overall by the Green Bay Packers.
Smith and Rodgers were two of the 14 total quarterbacks selected in the 2005 NFL Draft.
2005 NFL Draft Top Ten
With the second overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, the Miami Dolphins selected future Pro Bowl running back Ronnie Brown. The Cleveland Browns continued the trend for offense by selecting Michigan wide receiver Braylon Edwards.
The Chicago Bears also went offense at number four with running back Cedric Benson. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wrapped up the offensive top-five sweep with the selection of running back “Cadillac” Williams.
The top 10 was rounded out by:
- Tennessee Titans – Adam “Pac-Mac” Jones (CB, West Virginia)
- Minnesota Vikings – Troy Williamson (WR, South Carolina)
- Arizona Cardinals – Antrel Rolle (CB, Miami)
- Washington Redskins – Carlos Rogers (CB, Auburn)
- Detroit Lions – Mike Williams (WR, USC)
Several Pro Bowlers were selected in the first round outside of the top 10, including Rodgers, DeMarcus Ware, Shawne Merriman, Jammal Brown, Derrick Johnson, Roddy White, Heath Miller and Logan Mankins.
Four future Pro Bowlers were selected in the third round. Running back Frank Gore, defensive end Justin Tuck, guard Evan Mathis and center Richie Incognito all slipped to the third round.
Notes from the 2005 NFL Draft
A total of 255 picks were made in the 2005 NFL Draft, 36 of which were linebackers. Thirty-one wide receivers, 29 cornerbacks, 26 offensive tackles, 26 running backs and 20 safeties were also selected. Tight End Andy Stokes was “Mr. Irrelevant” in the 2005 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots selected Stokes with the 255th overall pick.
A number of Pro Bowlers went undrafted in 2005, including Josh Cribbs, Brandon Browner, Robbie Gould, John Kuhn and Cameron Wake.
Download: 2005 NFL Draft