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The Cincinnati Bengals selected Carson Palmer with the top overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. Palmer joined the Bengals after winning the Heisman Trophy while at USC in 2002. Despite being taken at the top of the 2003 NFL Draft, Palmer didn’t play at all during his rookie season. He became the full-time starter in Cincinnati in 2004.

Palmer was one of 13 quarterbacks selected in the 2003 NFL Draft.

Top Ten Picks of the 2003 NFL Draft

The Detroit Lions held the second overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft and used it to select wide receiver Charles Rogers. Another wide receiver went at number three, as the Houston Texans took Miami’s Andre Johnson. At number four, the New York Jets selected Kentucky defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman went fifth to the Dallas Cowboys.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. New Orleans Saints – Jonathan Sullivan (DT, Georgia)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars – Byron Leftwich (QB, Marshall)
8. Carolina Panthers – Jordan Gross (OT, Utah)
9. Minnesota Vikings – Kevin Williams (DT, Oklahoma State)
10. Baltimore Ravens – Terrell Suggs (DE/LB, Arizona State)

Several future Pro Bowlers were selected outside the top 10 in the first round, including Troy Polamalu, Jeff Faine, Willis McGahee, Dallas Clark, Larry Johnson and Nnamdi Asomugha. The second round was responsible for producing seven future Pro Bowlers. Charles Tillman, Jon Stinchcomb, Rashean Mathis, E.J. Henderson, Ken Hamlin, Anquan Boldin and Osi Umenyiora all went in round two.

Notes from the 2003 NFL Draft

A total of 262 picks were made in the 2003 NFL Draft, a whopping 49 of which were defensive backs. Another 36 picks were wide receivers, while 30 linebackers, 24 defensive ends, 24 defensive tackles and 23 running backs came off the board. “Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2003 NFL Draft was wide receiver Ryan Hoag, who was selected by the Raiders with the 262^nd overall pick.

Several notable future Pro Bowlers went undrafted in 2003, including quarterback Tony Romo. Tight end Antonio Gates, linebacker Brandon Ayanbadejo and safety Quintin Mikell were also undrafted free agents after the 2003 NFL Draft.

Download: 2003 NFL Draft

The 2004 NFL Draft will forever be remembered for the trade between the San Diego Chargers and the New York Giants. With the top overall pick, the Chargers selected quarterback Eli Manning, who did not want to play in San Diego. After the Giants selected quarterback Philip Rivers fourth overall, the teams brokered a deal to swap signal-callers. The Chargers also received draft picks from the Giants, which they later used to select Shawne Merriman and kicker Nate Kaeding.

Manning and Rivers were two of a whopping 17 quarterbacks that were selected in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Top Ten Picks of the 2004 NFL Draft

Seven future Pro Bowlers were selected in the first eight picks of the 2004 NFL Draft. The only one that wasn’t was offensive lineman Robert Gallery, who was taken second overall by the Oakland Raiders. The Arizona Cardinals selected wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald at number three, while safety Sean Taylor went to Washington Redskins at number five.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. Cleveland Browns – Kellen Winslow Jr. (TE, Miami)
7. Detroit Lions – Roy Williams (WR, Texas)
8. Atlanta Falcons – DeAngelo Hall (CB, Virginia Tech)
9. Jacksonville Jaguars – Reggie Williams (WR, Washington)
10. Houston Texans – Dunta Robinson (CB, South Carolina)

Just outside the top 10, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected future Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger at number 11. Other future Pro Bowlers that went in the first round include Jonathan Vilma, Tommie Harris, Shawn Andrews, Will Smith, Vince Wilfork, Steven Jackson and Jason Babin.

Six players who went on to appear in the Pro Bowl were taken in the sixth round, including Darnell Dockett, Chris Cooley and Matt Schaub.

Notes from the 2004 NFL Draft

A total of 255 players were selected in the 2004 NFL Draft, including an astounding 48 defensive backs. Thirty-two wide receivers, 28 linebackers, 26 offensive tackles and 24 defensive ends also came off the board.

“Mr. Irrelevant” of the 2004 NFL Draft was linebacker Andre Sommersell, who was selected by the Raiders with the 255^th overall pick.

Several notable players went undrafted in 2004, including wide receiver Wes Welker. Willie Parker, Tommy Kelly, Jason Peters, Cullen Jenkins and Vonta Leach also went undrafted.

Download: 2004 NFL Draft

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 24^th 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:

6. Tennessee Titans – Adam “Pac-Mac” Jones (CB, West Virginia)
7. Minnesota Vikings – Troy Williamson (WR, South Carolina)
8. Arizona Cardinals – Antrel Rolle (CB, Miami)
9. Washington Redskins – Carlos Rogers (CB, Auburn)
10. 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 255^th 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

The 2006 NFL Draft will best be remembered for the great debate over who the Houston Texans should select with the top overall pick. While many believed Houston would take Texas quarterback Vince Young or USC running back Reggie Bush, the Texans ultimately selected North Carolina State Mario Williams. In fact, Williams agreed to a deal with the Texans the night before the 2006 NFL Draft.

2006 NFL Draft Top Ten

After the Texans selected Williams, the other two big names came off the board quickly. Bush went to the New Orleans Saints at number two, while the Tennessee Titans took Young third overall. At number four, the New York Jets selected offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson. The Green Bay Packers rounded out the top five with the selection of linebacker A.J. Hawk.

The top 10 was rounded out by:

6. San Francisco 49ers – Vernon Davis (TE, Maryland)
7. Oakland Raiders – Michael Huff (S, Texas)
8. Buffalo Bills – Donte Whitner (S, Ohio State)
9. Detroit Lions – Ernie Sims (LB, Florida State)
10. Arizona Cardinals – Matt Leinart (QB, USC)

A number of future Pro Bowlers were taken in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, including Jay Cutler, Haloti Ngata, Chad Greenway, Antonio Cromartie, Tamba Hali, Davin Joseph, Jonathan Joseph, DeAngelo Williams, Marcedes Lewis, Nick Mangold and Joseph Addai.

Other notable Pro Bowlers selected in the second round include Greg Jennings, Devin Hester, and Maurice Jones-Drew. Six future Pro Bowlers also went undrafted in 2006, including Miles Austin, Matt Prater and Brent Grimes.

Notes from the 2006 NFL Draft

A total of 255 players were selected in the 2006 NFL Draft, including 33 wide receivers. Thirty-one linebackers, 26 safeties, 23 defensive tackles and 23 cornerbacks also came off the board. “Mr. Irrelevant” was Maine wide receiver Kevin McMahan, who was taken by the Raiders with the 255^th pick. McMahan never appeared in an NFL regular season game.

Download: 2006 NFL Draft

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.

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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