Posted by ESPN.com's Mike Sando
Drafting at the very top of the first round doesn't necessarily increase a team's chances of finding productive players.
Nine of the 80 players drafted in the top 10 overall picks since 2000 earned Pro Bowl recognition today: Adrian Peterson, Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald, Terence Newman, Kevin Williams, Sean Taylor, Leonard Davis, LaDainian Tomlinson and Chris Samuels. This includes zero top-10 picks from 2002 and 2006. Heading into Week 15, there were 20 starters in the league drafted eighth overall or 13th overall, but only 10 starters drafted first or second.
Peyton Manning was the only No. 1 overall choice on the 2008 Pro Bowl team. Nine subsequent No. 1 overall choices did not earn Pro Bowl honors. They are: JaMarcus Russell, Mario Williams, Alex Smith, Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, David Carr, Michael Vick, Courtney Brown and Tim Couch. Mario Williams arguably deserved a spot on the AFC squad this season.
The Cowboys' Davis, drafted second overall by Arizona in 2001, was the only No. 2 overall choice to earn Pro Bowl honors this year. Other No. 2 overall picks over the last 10 drafts: Calvin Johnson, Reggie Bush, Ronnie Brown, Robert Gallery, Charles Rogers, Julius Peppers, LaVar Arrington and Ryan Leaf.
Drafting third has worked out more favorably in recent years. Three of the last eight No. 3 overall choices earned Pro Bowl honors this season. They are: Edwards, Fitzgerald and Samuels. Joe Thomas, the third pick in 2007, was arguably worthy of selection. Houston's Andre Johnson, chosen third overall in 2003, would have been a likely Pro Bowl choice had he been healthy.
Other No. 3 overall picks from the last 10 drafts: Vince Young, Joey Harrington, Gerard Warren, Akili Smith and Andre Wadsworth.
At the request of a reader: No. 8 overall players starting this season include Jamaal Anderson, Donte Whitner, Antrel Rolle, DeAngelo Hall, Jordan Gross, Roy Williams, Plaxico Burress, Greg Ellis, James Farrior and Joey Galloway. No. 13 overall starters would be Adam Carriker, Kamerion Wimbley, Jammal Brown, Lee Evans, Ty Warren, Donte Stallworth, Marcus Stroud (since injured), John Abraham, Takeo Spikes, Tony Gonzalez and Walt Harris. That's 20, without Stroud.
Check out all the top-10 picks since 2000 here.
