History of the 11th pick
Past 10 players selected: 2014, Taylor Lewan, T, Titans; 2013, D.J. Fluker, T, Chargers; 2012, Dontari Poe, DT, Chiefs; 2011, J.J. Watt, DE, Texans; 2010, Anthony Davis, T, 49ers; 2009, Aaron Maybin, DE, Bills; 2008, Leodis McKelvin, DB, Bills; 2007, Patrick Willis, ILB, 49ers; 2006, Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos; 2005, DeMarcus Ware, OLB, Cowboys
The good: Willis (above) recently retired with five first-team All-Pro selections and seven Pro Bowls. Ware earned first-team All-Pro honors four times and went to eight Pro Bowls. Watt just won his second Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award and has been first-team All-Pro three times while going to three Pro Bowls.
The bad: "Bad" is a stretch for Cutler, but considering the strength of this group, the heightened expectations that come with quarterbacks and how little he did for the team that picked him, we'll put Cutler here. In 2004, Ben Roethlisberger was the 11th overall pick. He has helped the Steelers win two Super Bowls. Two years later, Cutler was the 11th overall pick. Denver traded him after he went 17-20 in his first three years.
The ugly: Maybin lasted only two years with Buffalo, two with the Jets and was finished. He had one career start, with Buffalo in 2010, and six sacks, all of which came with the Jets in 2011.
Vikings at No. 11: They picked DE Derrick Alexander in 1995 and QB Daunte Culpepper in 1999. Alexander never made a Pro Bowl in five years. Culpepper played seven years with the team, making three Pro Bowls.
Best 11th pick in NFL history? Hall of Famers are receiver Michael Irvin (1988), receiver Fred Biletnikoff (1965), receiver Paul Warfield (1964), guard Billy Shaw (1961), defensive end Doug Atkins (1953), halfback Frank Gifford (1952) and defensive tackle Leo Nomellini (1950). I'd go with Nomellini, the former Gophers standout. He was first-team All-Pro six times and made 10 Pro Bowls in a 14-year career with the 49ers.
MARK CRAIG
