A look back at the best and worst picks of the draft six years ago:
Steals
Willie Parker, RB, North Carolina
Steelers: Undrafted
Parker, who signed with the Redskins last week after six mostly productive years in Pittsburgh, was a real find for the Steelers in ’04 because he wasn’t even a starter in college. "Fast" Willie made a quick splash as the most explosive big-play back in Steelers history. His record 75-yard TD run in Super Bowl 40 helped them earn their fifth ring.
Wes Welker, WR, Texas Tech
Chargers: Undrafted
He has become the poster boy for the undersized, underrated receiver. After being cut by the Chargers early in his rookie year, he was picked up by Miami. He got on the field first as a special teams marvel, and his trade to New England in 2007 allowed him to become a superstar possession/slot receiver. In his three years as a frequent pass-catching Patriot, Welker tallied a ridiculous 346 receptions.
Michael Turner, RB, Northern Illinois
Chargers: Round 5, Pick 154
After sliding in the draft because of his small-school background, Turner is another San Diego steal who ended up helping another team. Once the ultimate backup to LaDainian Tomlinson, Turner emerged as a spinoff hit after signing with Atlanta two years ago. Following an injury-hampered 2009, he will return as the Falcons’ workhorse this season.
Jared Allen, DE, Idaho State
Chiefs: Round 4, Pick 126
Big Sky country isn’t known for being a pass-rusher factory, but Allen exploded for nine sacks as a rookie. In 2008, the Vikings were able to acquire him after whiffing on ends Kenechi Udeze and Darrion Scott, both taken before Allen in the 2004 draft.
Matt Schaub, QB, Virginia
Falcons: Round 3, Pick 90
The ’04 quarterback class is known for the Big 3—Eli Manning, Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger—but Schaub may be on the verge of joining that elite group. He did enough as a Falcons backup to impress the Texans, who acquired him in 2007. He broke though in 2009 as the league leader in passing yardage.
Stinkers
Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa
Raiders: Round 1, Pick 2
A change in positions—first to right tackle and then to guard—has allowed Gallery to have a decent career and kept him from being a complete washout. But considering he was supposed to be a franchise left tackle, he has been a major disappointment.
Reggie Williams, WR, Washington
Jaguars: Round 1, Pick 9
After Larry Fitzgerald (No. 3) and Roy Williams (No. 7) were selected, the ’04 wide receiver class didn’t offer much. Although Reggie Williams’ five-year stint in Jacksonville came with a high of a 10 touchdowns in ’07, it was overall filled with lows and further marred by off-field incidents.
J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane
Bills: Round 1, Pick 22
The Bills were in a tough position after Manning, Rivers and Roethlisberger were selected in the first 11 picks. They took a chance on Losman, who didn’t have the credentials of the others but had promising arm strength and athleticism. Unfortunately, concerns about a questionable work ethic came to fruition.
Ahmad Carroll, CB, Arkansas
Packers: Round 1, Pick 25
Carroll flashed the athleticism and big-play ability to become a great corner. However, major coverage lapses and a penchant for penalties irritated the Packers’ coaches, and he was released in the middle of the ’06 season.
Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma State
49ers: Round 1, Pick 31
Did we mention this draft wasn’t very good for wideouts? Woods was the quickest flameout, making only seven receptions for San Francisco as a rookie before losing ’05 to injuries. In 2006, Woods was traded for Chargers cornerback Sammy Davis, another first-round bust.
First Round
1. San Diego–Eli Manning, QB, Mississippi
2. Oakland–Robert Gallery, OT, Iowa
3. Arizona–Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Pittsburgh
4. N.Y. Giants–Philip Rivers, QB, North Carolina State
5. Washington–Sean Taylor, S, Miami (Fla.)
6. Cleveland–Kellen Winslow, TE, Miami (Fla.)
7. Detroit–Roy Williams, WR, Texas
8. Atlanta–DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech
9. Jacksonville–Reggie Williams, WR, Washington
10. Houston–Dunta Robinson, CB, South Carolina
11. Pittsburgh–Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Miami (Ohio)
12. N.Y. Jets–Jonathan Vilma, LB, Miami (Fla.)
13. Buffalo–Lee Evans, WR, Wisconsin
14. Chicago–Tommie Harris, DT, Oklahoma
15. Tampa Bay–Michael Clayton, WR, LSU
16. Philadelphia–Shawn Andrews, OT, Arkansas
17. Denver–D.J. Williams, LB, Miami (Fla.)
18. New Orleans–Will Smith, DE, Ohio State
19. Miami–Vernon Carey, OL, Miami (Fla.)
20. Minnesota–Kenechi Udeze, DE, USC
21. New England–Vince Wilfork, DT, Miami (Fla.)
22. Buffalo–J.P. Losman, QB, Tulane
23. Seattle–Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas
24. St. Louis–Steven Jackson, RB, Oregon State
25. Green Bay–Ahmad Carroll, CB, Arkansas
26. Cincinnati–Chris Perry, RB, Michigan
27. Houston–Jason Babin, DE, Western Michigan
28. Carolina–Chris Gamble, CB, Ohio State
29. Atlanta–Michael Jenkins, WR, Ohio State
30. Detroit–Kevin Jones, RB, Virginia Tech
31. San Francisco–Rashaun Woods, WR, Oklahoma State
32. New England–Benjamin Watson, TE, Georgia
Second Round
33. Arizona–Karlos Dansby, LB, Auburn
34. N.Y. Giants–Chris Snee, OL, Boston College
35. San Diego–Igor Olshansky, DT, Oregon
36. Kansas City–Junior Siavii, DT, Oregon
37. Detroit–Teddy Lehman, LB, Oklahoma
38. Pittsburgh–Ricardo Colclough, CB, Tusculum
39. Jacksonville–Daryl Smith, LB, Georgia Tech
40. Tennessee–Ben Troupe, TE, Florida
41. Denver–Tatum Bell, RB, Oklahoma State
42. Tennessee–Travis LaBoy, DE, Hawaii
43. Dallas–Julius Jones, RB, Notre Dame
44. Indianapolis–Bob Sanders, S, Iowa
45. Oakland–Jake Grove, C, Virginia Tech
46. San Francisco–Justin Smiley, G, Alabama
47. Chicago –Tank Johnson, DT, Washington
48. Minnesota–Dontarrious Thomas, LB, Auburn
49. Cincinnati–Keiwan Ratliff, CB, Florida
50. New Orleans–Devery Henderson, WR, LSU
51. Baltimore–Dwan Edwards, DT, Oregon State
52. Dallas–Jacob Rogers, OT, USC
53. Seattle–Michael Boulware, S, Florida State
54. Denver–Darius Watts, WR, Marshall
55. Jacksonville–Greg Jones, FB, Florida State
56. Cincinnati–Madieu Williams, S, Maryland
57. Tennessee–Antwan Odom, DE, Alabama
58. San Francisco–Shawntae Spencer, CB, Pittsburgh
59. Cleveland–Sean Jones, S, Georgia
60. New Orleans–Courtney Watson, LB, Notre Dame
61. Kansas City–Kris Wilson, TE, Pittsburgh
62. Carolina–Keary Colbert, WR, USC
63. New England–Marquise Hill, DE, LSU