Edit: I copied this from Mocking the Draft's series on the top 10 best and worst picks from the last 10 years (1999-2008)
Over the next few weeks, we'll evaluate the best and worst top 10 picks in a 10-year span from 1999-2008. We capped this at 2008 because it's unfair to judge first- or second-year players. Today, the pick nine success.
Pick: Nine overall
The player: Kevin Williams | DT | Minnesota Vikings (2003)
With the ninth pick between 1999 and 2008, there were a few quality choices. Brian Urlacher (2000) and John Henderson (2002) were both hits
Neither has had a career like Williams, however. Williams rocketed up draft boards during his senior season after an ordinary first three years at Oklahoma State. He really turned his draft stock around at the Senior Bowl.
If you remember, this is the draft where Minnesota held the seventh pick and didn't get it in on time. Jacksonville jumped ahead with Byron Leftwich and Carolina ran the pick of Jordan Gross to the podium. Williams has been better than both.
Since he was drafted, Williams has arguably been the league's best three-technique tackle. It's not normal for interior linemen to get sack numbers like Williams does. He has 49.5 for his career, though 22 came in his first two seasons. Still, Williams has been an anchor for the Vikings.
Kevin Williams definately faced some tough competition from Brian Urlacher for this list. In fact many of the posters were disappointed with the Williams pick. No one can argue that Urlacher has had some fantastic seasons in Chicago. Nor can they argue his importance to that team. I just think that KWill is the best player at his position in the entire NFL. The same cannot be said for Urlacher as I would rank Ray Lewis and Patrick Willis ahead of him.
Note: Urlacher is a New Mexico product who I am very proud of, so I am not just being a Viking homer with my opinion.
Poll
Who is the better #9 overall selection of the past 10 years?
Kevin Williams, DT Oklahoma St. (76 votes)
Brian Urlacher, SS/LB University of New Mexico (16 votes)
92 total votes



There are 7 Comments. Load Now.
Shortcuts to mastering the comment thread. Use wisely.
C - Next Comment
X - Mark as Read
R - Reply
Z - Mark Read & Next
Shift + C - Previous
Shift + A - Mark All Read
Comment Settings
Live comment alert: Hide it!
Comments for this post are closed.