NFL Draft: 30th Pick Brings Big Names into the League

The Tennessee Titans have received the 30th pick in the NFL Draft this year. At first glance, this pick is a terrible end of the first round draft.

All the big names get drafted within the first 20 picks right?

The actual outcome of the drafts say different. Here are the 30th overall picks from the last 10 years:

1999—Patrick Kerney DE, Atlanta Falcons

Kerney was a huge part of the Atlanta defense for six years before signing with the Seahawks. In 2007, he had his best season with 60 tackles and 14.5 sacks.

Defensive Ends taken before him: Jevon Kearse, Ebenezer Ekuban, Lamar King, and Dimitrius Underwood.

2000—Keith Bulluck LB, Tennessee Titans

Bulluck is now the leader of the Titans defense, which ranked first last year in points allowed. Bullock has averaged over 110 tackles a season.

Linebackers taken before him: LaVar Arrington, Brian Urlacher, Julian Peterson, and Rob Morris.

2001—Reggie Wayne WR, Indianapolis Colts

Reggie Wayne is now the No. 1 receiver for the Colts after the departure of Marvin Harrison. He has put up at least 1000 yards the last five seasons.

Wide Receivers taken before him: David Terrell,  Koren Robinson,  Rod Gardner, Santana Moss, and Freddie Mitchell.

2002—Kendall Simmons G, Pittsburgh Steelers

It's hard to judge the outcome of an offensive lineman, but Simmons is still playing for the Steelers.

2003—Sammy Davis CB, San Diego Chargers

Okay, this may be one of the bad 30th overall picks. Davis started every game his first season with the Chargers and played well, but after that he fell off the map.

2004—Kevin Jones RB, Detroit Lions

This guy was a great running back who was drafted to a bad team. In his first year with the Lions, Jones put up 1,000 yards.

2005—Heath Miller TE, Pittsburgh Steelers

This guy has been the starter in Pittsburgh since he was drafted. He puts up around 500 yards a year and has been snagging close to 50 receptions a year over the last two seasons. Miller was the first tight end taken in 2005.

2006—Joseph Addai RB, Indianapolis Colts

This starting running back for the colts has played great. During each of his first two seasons in the league, Addai was a 1000-yard back.

Unfortunately, Addai suffered injuries in 2008, but more should come out of this guy in the future.

2007—Craig Davis WR, San Diego Chargers

This guy is unproven so far, but he has only been in the league for two years. Reggie Wayne wasn't much in his first two seasons either.

2008—Dustin Keller TE, New York Jets

An immediate go-to tight end for the Jets, Keller put up 48 receptions and 500 yards in his first year.

Hopefully, the 2009 NFL Draft will work out for the Titans the way it has for some of these teams.