On The Receiving End: A Look Back At Last Decade's First Round Receivers

"Ugh, I can't believe we passed on a receiver."

That's the sentiment many NFL Fans express every year when their favorite team passes on the superstar receiver of that year's draft.

In 2010, 21 teams passed on the prospect of selecting a wide receiver in the first round.

Demaryius Thomas, a junior from Georgia Tech, was taken with the No. 22 selection by the Broncos while Dez Bryant went just two picks later to the Cowboys.

That's right, just two first-round receivers in this year's NFL Draft.

It's surprising considering the NFL is evolving into a pass-heavy league nowadays.

You can blame it on the talent available at wide receiver this year or you could possibly blame it on the lack of success of so many recent first round receivers.

Yes, the dreadful bust syndrome spares no position, but it has especially taken it's toll on the wide receivers selected in round one recently.

Last decade produced a lot of stinkers as far as first-round receivers go but it also had its fair share of success.

Let's take a look at how each player fared.

2000: Peter Warrick - Cincinnati Bengals - Pick #4

The Dillard's arrest probably should have been a clue to the Bengals that great things weren't on the horizon for Peter Warrick.

After five ho-hum seasons in Cincinnati which saw Warrick catch a total of 18 TDs, the former Seminole star headed off to Seattle as the Bengals gained new found love for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who oddly enough also found himself heading to the Seahawks a few years later.

After being cut by the Seahawks after one season, Peter got looks from teams in the lower-level leagues but never found a place to stick.

He is currently 32 and out of football.

2000: Plaxico Burress - Pittsburgh Steelers - Pick #8

Plax, along with Hines Ward, gave the Steelers a solid receiving combo for the better part of five years.

Still, there came a point after the 2004 season that the big 6'5 pass catcher felt like he needed to move on.

Burress left for the pay day the Giants offered him and the Steelers promptly went on to add their fifth Super Bowl to the trophy case.

Not to be outdone, Plaxico hauled in the game winning touchdown pass in a Super Bowl XLII victory against the undefeated Patriots. It was a win that cemented Plaxico's early week prediction of an improbable defeat.

His career would never be the same after that glorious moment, though.

In November 2008, Burress accidentally shot himself in a New York night club. The fall out from the incident now leaves the receiver currently incarcerated in prison.

2000: Travis Taylor - Baltimore Ravens - Pick #10

When the highlight of your NFL career is being part of the Minnesota Love Boat scandal, it's safe to say things didn't go as planned.

Travis Taylor failed to make a substantial impact for the Ravens and bounced around from Minnesota, Oakland, St. Louis, Carolina, and Detroit before finding his way out of the NFL.

Total career numbers: A little over 300 catches and 4,000 yards spread over an 11-year career.

2000: Sylvester Morris - Kansas City Chiefs - Pick #21

Sylvester Morris became one of the rare players from a lower-level school to make it into the first round.

Although it's safe to say he failed to make the same kind of impact as players such as Jerry Rice (Mississippi Valley State) and Terrell Owens (Chatanooga).

The Jacksonville State product finished his career after just one season in the NFL. It was one in which he totaled 48 receptions and 3 TDs for the Chiefs.

Recurring knee problems cut Sylvester's career short before it really got a chance to get off the ground.

2000: R. Jay Soward - Jacksonville Jaguars - Pick #29

Who?

You mean to tell me you don't remember Jaguars first round selection R. Jay Soward?

It's OK, few outside of Jacksonville probably do.

The USC product would catch just one TD pass during his disappointing NFL career before alcohol and drug problems forced him out of the league.

He made a brief yet successful return to football for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League where he won a Grey Cup Championship.

He was released by the team after the 2006 season and is currently out of football.

2001: David Terrell - Chicago Bears - Pick #8

Coming out of Michigan, the 6'3 David Terrell looked like he had the stuff to become a difference-making wide receiver in the NFL.

The only difference ended up being the change in his level of play from his days in college to his time in the NFL.

After four below-average seasons with the Bears, Terrell was cut and went relatively unheard from again except for the occasional failed tryout with a team.

2001: Koren Robinson - Seattle Seahawks - Pick #9

Koren Robinson is proof that sometimes a man's demons can trump his talents.

After four successful seasons in a Seahawk uniform, Koren's substance abuse finally got the better of him and he was released by the team in June 2005.

After two largely unheard from seasons in Green Bay, Robinson improbably returned to Seattle for the 2008 season. He caught 31 balls for 400 yards and three TDs during his comeback season.

He was cut in the offseason and has yet to play a down in the NFL since.

2001: Rod Gardner - Washington Redskins - Pick #15

Rod Gardner's four-year tenure in Washington could be characterized as quiet but successful.

The former Clemson receiver had his best season in 2002 when he topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first and only time in his career.

Gardner was one of the few consistent bright spots during Steve Spurrier's first year as head coach.

The return of Joe Gibbs would spell the end for Gardner's time in Washington, though. He was traded to the Carolina Panthers before the 2005 season.

Rod was barely heard from again, catching 15 balls for three different clubs over the next three years before exiting the league after the 2006 season.

2001: Santana Moss: New York Jets - Pick #16

Santana Moss, the Miami Hurricanes all-time leading receiver, came into the 2001 draft as one of the fastest prospects and substantiated it by running a 4.28 at the league's annual scouting combine.

His speed was enough to impress the Jets, who took him with the 16th selection that year.

The team had high hopes for Moss and knew they could need a down-the-line replacement for Laveraneus Coles if he opted to sign with another team during free agency.

After a quiet rookie season, Moss had a solid three years as a Jet before being traded to the Redskins, ironically enough for his former teammate Coles.

Moss has been a strong force for an up and down Redskins squad, topping the 70 catch mark three times and the 1,000 yard receiving mark twice during his time there.

The recent HGH allegations against Santana have brought some scrutiny his way over the last few weeks and it should be interesting to see how he handles it in 2010.

Devin Thomas and Maclolm Kelly are finally looking for their time to shine in Washington and that could spell the end for the 31-year-old Moss.

2001: Freddie Mitchell - Philadelphia Eagles - Pick #25

Freddie Mitchell can claim one cool thing in his career. He was the one on the receiving end of the famous 4th-and-26 play in the 2004 NFL Divisional Playoff game against the Packers.

Outside of that, there's not much to be proud of.

Mitchell failed to ever materialize into a go-to option in Andy Reid's offense and he let his talking speak louder than his play.

Mitchell's constant yapping, boisterous personality, and silly antics rubbed many the wrong way and he eventually found his way out of Philadelphia after their loss in Super Bowl 39.

Freddie got a quick look from the Kansas City Chiefs before heading out of the league.

His career totals for the Eagles: 90 catches, 1,263 receiving yards, and 5 TDs.

2001: Reggie Wayne - Indianapolis Colts - Pick #30

Wayne was part of an unprecedented string of first-round Miami Hurricanes during the early part of the millennium.

He went from playing alongside current Texans star Andre Johnson at Miami to playing alongside future NFL Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis.

Reggie learned enough from Harrison to eventually take over as Peyton's go-to receiver after Marvin and the team parted ways following the 2008 season.

Wayne continues to be one of the top receiving options in the league and now looks to tutor young Colts receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie the way Marvin Harrison tutored him.

2002: Donte Stallworth - New Orleans Saints - Pick #13

Stalloworth broke onto the scene as one of the top rookies in the league during the 2002 season catching 8 touchdown passes in his first season for the Saints.

He failed to regain his rookie form until 2005 though and it would end up being his final season with the club.

Stallworth was subsequently traded to the Eagles were he would spend just one season after failing to adequately replace the departed Terrell Owens.

After his short stint with the Eagles, Donte joined on with the Patriots and the Browns for the next two seasons but failed to make a major impact for either club.

Stallworth was suspended the entire 2009 season after killing an elderly Miami man with his car last March.

The receiver is now looking for a shot at a return with the Baltimore Ravens this season.

2002: Ashley Lelie - Denver Broncos - Pick #19

Lelie, a one time star on the islands of Hawaii, failed to make the same kind of name for himself on the mainland, only catching twelve TDs for the Broncos in his four seasons there.

After short lackluster stints with the Falcons, 49ers, and Raiders, Lelie found himself on the outside of the league looking in.

2002: Javon Walker - Green Bay Packers - Pick #20

Walker's one season of note came in 2004 when the 6'3 receiver became one of the top targets for Brett Favre.

He amassed over 1,300 receiving yards catching balls from the Mississippi gunslinger.

Sadly, after a torn knee ligament early the next season, Walker's career would never be the same.

He was traded to the Broncos in 2006 where he regained some of his form but quickly fell out of favor with the coaching staff.

Javon was one of the Broncos involved in the infamous Darrent Williams shooting along with fellow Bronco receiver Brandon Marshall.

Walker was close to his fallen teammate, even holding his lifeless body in his arms after he was shot.

In 2008, Walker left Denver for the Raiders and a brand new $55 million contract.

He failed to live up to his end of the deal and never made a considerable impact with Jamarcus Russell at the helm.

Walker is now a free agent.

2003 Charles Rogers - Detroit Lions - Pick #2

Charles Rogers would turn out to be one of the many blunders committed by Matt Millen during his time as Lions GM.

The one-time Michigan State star quickly saw his career dissolve due to injuries, substance abuse, and lack of effort.

During his three seasons for the Lions, Rogers totaled just 36 catches and 4 TDs.

2003: Andre Johnson - Houston Texans - Pick #3

Right now, Andre Johnson is a consensus top five wide receiver in the NFL and some will tell you he should be considered No. 1.

The former Miami Hurricane uses his 6'3 225 pound frame to his advantage week in and week out for the Texans hurling in pass after pass.

The big target became the Texan's player to watch in the passing game since the day he put on the uniform.

Johnson has three 100-catch and four 1,000-yard seasons under his belt already and has led the league in the latter category the past two years.

2003: Bryant Johnson - Arizona Cardinals - Pick #17

Bryant Johnson quickly became an afterthought for the Cardinals following the emergence of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

He stayed in the desert for five years but only averaged 2 TDs per season during that time.

After a brief stop in San Francisco, Johnson finds himself back in the shadows once again, this time to Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions.

2004: Larry Fitzgerald - Arizona Cardinals - Pick #3

The top receiver on this list.

After four Pro Bowls and over 7,000 yards of receiving, Fitzgerald lived up to his top three selection and then some.

2004: Roy Williams - Detroit Lions - Pick #7

Roy Williams was the best of Matt Millen's "Big Three" but that isn't saying much considering who is accomplices were.

The former Texas Longhorn actually had a quality stay in Detroit and was one of the few MIllen picks to actually reach their potential with the team.

Roy's best season came in 2006 when he caught 82 balls for over 1,300 yards. His efforts earned him a spot on the 2007 Pro Bowl team.

Williams has never been able to match that production in the year's since though.

Upon returning to his home state to join the Cowboys, Williams received much fanfare but hasn't yet backed it up with his play.

After the breakout season of Miles Austin and the addition of first round receiver Dez Bryant, things aren't looking up for the 28 year old Williams.

2004: Reggie Williams - Jacksonville Jaguars - Pick #9

Another Jaguar receiver who enjoyed his fair share of weed.

Reggie's best year for the Jags came in 2007 when he caught 10 TD passes.

His career outside of that has been largely disappointing.

Williams sat out the 2009 season but is currently looking for a comeback with the Seahawks along with fellow receiving bust Mike Williams (no relation).

2004: Lee Evans - Buffalo Bills - Pick #13

Lee Evans may be the most under appreciated receiver in the NFL.

The 5'10 former Badger has spent his entire career on a non contender with below average quarterback play but that doesn't mean he should go unnoticed.

Evans has still worked his way to two 1,000 yard seasons and has remained a consistency on an otherwise ever changing Bills offense.

2004: Michael Clayton - Tampa Bay Bucs - Pick #15

After a standout rookie season, Michael Clayton has had a "fall off the map" type career since.

Clayton has never caught more than 40 balls in a season following his rookie year.

He has talent but the seventh year receiver has some new competition coming in. He will have to battle for a spot near the top of the depth chart this season.

2004: Mike Jenkins - Atlanta Falcons - Pick #29

Michael Jenkins has yet to come up with a true breakthrough season so far but that doesn't mean he he hasn't been dependable for the Falcons.

After a slow start to his career, Jenkins has settled in as a solid third option in the passing game behind Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez.

Matt Ryan found Jenkins 50 times in each of the last two seasons.

With Harry Douglas returning from injury, it wouldn't be shocking to see Mike's production take a bit of a hit this season.

2004: Rashaun Woods - San Francisco 49ers - Pick #31

Just start shaking your head right now and you'll come close to understanding the feeling 49ers fans get when looking at a picture of Rashaun Woods.

2005: Braylon Edwards - Cleveland Browns - Pick #3

Heads up, Braylon Edwards just dropped another catch.

Besides Braylon's 2007 Pro Bowl year, he has yet to live up his top three selection.

His career has been marred by dropped passes and awkward confrontations so far.

Now a member of the Jets, Edwards has a make or break type season in front of him for 2010. Mark Sanchez needs Braylon to step up and become a consistent threat in the passing game.

2005: Troy Williamson - Minnesota Vikings - Pick #7

Speaking of dropped passes..........

"Randy's Replacement" had his fare share in Minnesota.

Troy lasted just three years in Minnesota before being traded to the Jaguars.

In 2007, the Vikes took a gamble on another Gamecock receiver, Sidney Rice, and luckily it payed off for them that time.

2005: Mike Williams - Detroit Lions - Pick #10

Anytime you feel like taking the evaluations of Mel Kiper to heart, remember that he was one of the few to declare Mike Williams the top player in the 2005 draft.

Almost Mel, almost.

After two "less than best" seasons in Detroit, Williams was moved to Oakland, the place were receivers go to die.

He caught just seven passes for the Silver and Black before eating his way out of football.

Williams is now currently one of Pete Carroll's many reclamation projects in Seattle.

2005: Matt Jones - Jacksonville Jaguars - Pick #21

It was definitely one of the more off the wall selections of the 2005 NFL Draft.

Like many college QBs do every year, Matt Jones was making the transition to WR for the pros. Unlike many of those athletes, Jones was able to find his way into the first round.

So what did he have going for him to set him apart from the rest?

A 4.4 40 yard dash at 6'6 235 pounds.

Jones may have had the size and speed but he was never able to fully put it together during his four years in a Jag uniform.

He also dealt with cocaine and alcohol troubles while there, which never seems to help things.

The Jags released Jones in March of 2009.

Now with the Bengals, he is looking to make a comeback in 2010.

2005: Mark Clayton - Baltimore Ravens - Pick #22

Lacking a true number one weapon at the receiving position, the Ravens drafted Mark Clayton with the hope he could provide a spark to the passing game.

The one time Oklahoma All American has had the label of solid but underwhelming up to this point in his career.

Clayton may find it hard to breakout this season with Anquan Boldin now expected to take over as the number one target for the team.

2005: Roddy White - Atlanta Falcons - Pick #27

White has been the model of consistency over the last three seasons.

Averaging 85 catches and 1,200 yards during that time, White has become one of the top receivers in the NFC and looks to keep creating magic with franchise QB Matt Ryan for years to come.

2006: Santonio Holmes - Pittsburgh Steelers - Pick #25

Peaks and valleys is an apt description for Santonio's last few seasons.

After winning MVP honors with his game winning catch in Super Bowl XLIII, Holmes would find his way into trouble just a year later.

The Steelers, who were running low on patience due to the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault charges, opted to trade Holmes.

He now looks to keep his career going with Rex Ryan's New York Jets.

2007: Calvin Johnson - Detroit Lions - Pick #2

A once in a lifetime receiver is how many evaluators viewed Calvin Johnson coming out of Georgia Tech in 2007.

His size-speed-skills combination was a true rarity.

He was too enticing for the Lions to pass up with the second pick.

It would be the team's fourth first round receiver of the decade but they sold it to their fan base by saying that this time "they got a good one."

While CJ has been formidable thus far, he has yet to take over the league like many predicted he would.

That all could change this year now that he seems to have a strong connection with Lions second year QB Matt Stafford.

Big things could be on the horizon for the big man.

2007: Ted Ginn Jr. - Miami Dolphins - Pick #9

Many may have thought Miami was going to select their franchisee signal caller of the future in the form of Brady Quinn, but that was not the case.

With the ninth pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Cam Cameron and the Dolphins reached for return specialist/receiver Ted Ginn of Ohio State.

Ginn may have possessed Olympic speed but he was far from a polished product.

His lack of receiving skills came to the forefront during his time in Miami and eventually Bill Parcells became fed up and traded Ginn to the 49ers before this year's draft.

2007: Dwayne Bowe - Kansas City Chiefs - Pick #23

Dwayne Bowe has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently. His importing allegations have gained him some harsh critics in the last few weeks and it seems to have made him the pariah of the team.

Bowe needs to bring his focus to the game and become the star his potential warrants.

If he can stay locked in, Dwayne has a chance to be one of the top receivers in the game.

It's a big if though.

2007: Robert Meachem - New Orleans Saints - Pick # 27

In 2009, Robert Meachem finally took steps towards coming out of Marques Colston's shadow.

After a 9 TD performance last year, It looks like Meachem is ready to step up for Drew Brees and the Saints.

He must first make sure his tow is completely healed for the upcoming season.

2007: Buster Davis - San Diego Chargers - Pick #30

Even A.J. Smith is allowed a mistake every now and then.

So far into his career, that's exactly what Craig Davis looks like.

A mistake.

He is currently buried on San Diego's receiving depth chart.

I was one of the few that wrongly praised the pick, I expected much more out of the former LSU Tiger than what he has given so far.

2007: Anthony Gonzalez - Indianapolis Colts - Pick #32

It looked as if Gonzalez was on track to becoming one of Peyton Manning's go to receivers before a torn ACL cost him his 2009 season.

Gonzalez is ready to go but he now has new found competition with last year's breakout receivers Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie stepping into the limelight.

2009: Darrius Heyward-Bey - Oakland Raiders - Pick #7

Al Davis went out on a limb with the athletic Maryland speedster and it certainly didn't pay off in 2009.

Heyward-Bey has to make big strides if he wants to live up to his top ten selection.

2009: Michael Crabtree - San Francisco 49ers - Pick #10

Especially if the man picked three slots later really starts putting it all together.

After a long contract hold out to begin 2009, MIchael Crabtree showed glimpses that he has the chance to be something special with a full season's work.

Crabtree should be Alex Smith's top target by mid season.

2009: Jeremy Maclin - Philadelphia Eagles - Pick #19

The Eagles did the NFC no favors by drafting Jeremy Maclin out of Missouri.

Teamed with Desean Jackson and the rest of the Eagles playmakers, Maclin poses a formidable threat any time he steps on the field.

If defenses start paying a little too much attention to his offensive buddies, Maclin will make them pay.

2009: Percy Harvin - Minnesota Vikings - Pick #22

Last year's ultimate weapon.

If Brett Favre returns, expect another big year for the speedster out of Florida.

For the next five years, Harvin and Desean Jackson could consistentyl battle it out for the honors of most dangerous player in the conference.

2009: Hakeem Nicks - New York Giants - Pick #29

Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, and Mario Mannigham form one of the best young receiving groups in football.

Nicks has the speed and strength to set himself apart from his talented teammates this year as Eli's main man.

2009: Kenny Britt - Tennessee Titans - Pick #30

Kenny Britt may have been a bit of an afterthought when it came to rookie wide receivers last year, nonetheless, he still showed he was another solid selection by the Jeff Fisher regime.

The former Rutgers star took advantage of a Justin Gage injury to start six games last year and posted solid numbers for a rookie.

In his second year, Britt now looks mature enough to take over as Vince Young's top receiver.