Who are the best draft picks of the century from the most prominent programs in college football? College Football 24/7 set out to answer this question by ranking the top draft picks since 2000 from the 30 schools that have produced the most picks since that year.
Players were ranked through a formula in which they received points for honors they've acquired in their NFL career, including being selected to the (including as injury replacements) and being selected first-team All-Pro. Players were also rewarded relative to where in the draft they were selected. First-round picks benefited least because a strong career would be expected; seventh-round picks benefited most. In some cases, a bonus for longevity or outstanding play was granted. See the full formula below the list of top picks.
We continue our series with Miami, which has produced 104 picks since 2000, second only to Ohio State (115). Miami's impact on the NFL draft in the early years of the century -- 19 first-round picks from 2001-2004 -- was on another level than any other school. Not surprisingly, three of the Hurricanes' top five picks of the century came from that remarkable stretch. The depth of quality pros from UM since 2000 is stunning, as well; a total of 23 former Hurricanes drafted since 2000 have reached the at least once. In fact, the list is so deep that players likely to be considered for the when they are eligible, like , finished just outside of the top five on the list.
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Best picks of the century from Miami
1. , safety
Points: 47.3
Drafted by:Ravens, No. 24 overall pick (Round 1), 2002
Skinny: Reed will be eligible for the in the 2019 induction class, and his case for the game's highest honor is awfully strong. His resume includes a championship, nine Pro Bowls and 64 career interceptions. He also was selected to the NFL's All-Decade team of the 2000s.
2. Devin Hester, wide receiver
Points: 21.5
Drafted by:Bears, No. 57 overall pick (Round 2), 2006
Skinny: Hester will go down as one of the most feared return specialists in NFL history. He strongly hinted in January that he's , but not before breaking Deion Sanders' league record .
3. , wide receiver
Points: 20.9
Drafted by:Texans, No. 3 overall pick (Round 1), 2003
Skinny: Johnson played for three clubs in his career, but he'll always be known as a Houston Texan, where he logged seven 1,000-yard seasons in 12 years, and all seven of his Pro Bowls. By the time , Johnson piled up 14,185 career receiving yards, more than a lengthy list of Hall of Famers including Cris Carter, Andre Reed, Steve Largent and Michael Irvin.
4. Jimmy Graham, tight end
Points: 14.3
Drafted by:Saints, No. 95 overall pick (Round 3), 2010
Skinny: Graham, a former Hurricanes basketball player, had only season of college football experience when he entered the draft, and proved to be a steal for the Saints, giving Drew Brees a dynamic target in the middle of the field for five seasons. After making a limited impact as a rookie, he exploded for 4,312 yards and 46 TDs over the next four years. Graham and fifth-ranked Jeremy Shockey totaled the same number of points, but Graham ranks as the better pick as the lower-drafted player of the two.
Honorable mention: WR (13.2 points), DL Vince Wilfork (12.1), LB (11.0), RB (9.6), RB Frank Gore (9.1), TE (5.5), TE Greg Olsen (3.3), LB (3.3), CB (3.3), OL (3.2), DL Calais Campbell (2.4), S (2.2), RB (2.2), S (2.2), WR (1.1), LB (1.1), OL (1.1), TE (1.1).
Total number of picks from Miami since 2000: 104
2017 draft picks from Miami (9): TE David Njoku, Browns (Round 1, No. 29 overall); S Rayshawn Jenkins, Chargers (Round 4, No. 113); CB Corn Elder, Panthers (Round 5, No. 152); OG Danny Isidora, Vikings (Round 5, No. 180); DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, Saints (Round 6, No. 196); QB Brad Kaaya, Lions (Round 6, No. 215); WR Stacy Coley, Vikings (Round 7, No. 219); DB Adrian Colbert, 49ers (Round 7, No. 229); FB Marquez Williams, Jaguars (Round 7, No. 240).
The Formula: MVP (7 points), Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year (6 points), first-team All-Pro selection (5 points), Offensive/Defensive Rookie of the Year (4 points), selection within first two years of career (3 points), other selections (1 point).
Draft multiplier: Total points for first-round picks x 1.1; second-round picks x 1.2; third-round picks x 1.3; fourth-round picks x 1.4; fifth-round picks x 1.5; sixth-round picks x 1.6; seventh-round picks x 1.7.
Tiebreaker: Ranking edge to lower-drafted player within same round.
Specialists and fullbacks: For players honored primarily as specialists or fullbacks, their total points were devalued. Kickers and punters were not included in this exercise.
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