Data Points: Teams used to Day 1 anxiety
NFL.com Staff | Tags: Data Points, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Edgerrin James, NFL Draft
Day 1 of the NFL draft obviously brings much anticipation — and anxiety — centering around who is going where in tonight’s first round.
Employees and fans of teams picking in the top 10 will surely feel the nervous energy of expectations — Who’s my team getting? Is it the right fit? Could they have traded down?
Frankly, some fan bases are a lot more used to those feelings than others. Detroit has had many a high-stakes pick in the last few years, with more top-10 choices than any other organization over the last 10 years.
On the flip side, some teams haven’t had a pick that high in forever. The Colts haven’t drafted in the first 10 slots since selecting University of Miami running back Edgerrin James fourth overall in 1999. But that’s nothing compared to the Broncos, who haven’t had a pick in the top 10 since 1991, when they selected linebacker Mike Croel (No. 4 overall), who might’ve been eligible for the Hall of Mediocre after an eight-year career.
Below are the teams trailing the Lions in high draft picks over the last 10 years. The figures include the 2011 draft. And, in case you’re wondering, Denver finally is near the front of the line, sitting pretty in the two-hole in the first round — unless the two Johns (Elway and Fox) somehow manage to trade down.
– Elliot Harrison



