2000's All Decade NFL Draft: Reliving the Best Picks at Numbers 1-32

The 2000-2009 decade is over, and I already miss it. From Jets LB Mo Lewis injuring the Patriots Drew Bledsoe to the Giants upsetting the Patriots in Super Bowl 42, there were a lot of memorable moments. A very large number of these were determined by each team's performance in the NFL Draft, particularly in the first 32 picks. Relive a small part of it with an analysis of the best player picked at each position in the draft from 2000-2009.

1. Houston Texans Select DE Mario Williams

Year Drafted: 2006

Other Notable Players: Eli Manning, Carson Palmer, Jamarcus Russell (hahahaha, just kidding)

Career Accolades:

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro

Notes: I swear, as I chose Williams, I could hear Manning's Super Bowl ring screaming at me. My inner Giants fan wanted to pick Eli, but Mario Williams has been among the elite in the NFL since he was drafted, Manning is just entering the ranks. 

2. Carolina Panthers Select DE Julius Peppers

Year Drafted: 2002

Other Notable Players: Leonard Davis, Lavar Arrington

Career Accolades: 

Five-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro

Two-time Second Team All Pro

2000's All Decade Team (Second String)

Notes: This one wasn't that tough, Peppers is elite.

3. Houston Texans Select WR Andre Johnson

Year Drafted: 2003

Other Notable Players: Larry Fitzgerald

Career Accolades: 

Four-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: Here's where the debate really starts. Fitzgerald and Johnson are the top receivers in the league right now, and choosing between them was a tough decision. Their stats and accolades are nearly identical, so I went the QB route. All of Fitzgerald's Pro Bowl and All Pro seasons have come under Kurt Warner, a first ballot Hall-of-Famer. None of Johnson's have.

4. New York Giants Select QB Philip Rivers

Year Drafted: 2004

Other Notable Players: D'Brickashaw Ferguson

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

Notes: This one wasn't that tough, either. Rivers is easily an elite quarterback in the league, and no other fourth-overall selection has had the impact he's had.

5. San Diego Chargers Select RB Ladainian Tomlinson

Year Drafted: 2001

Other Notable Players: Jammal Lewis, Sean Taylor, Terrance Newman

Career Accolades: 

Five-time Pro Bowl Selection

Four-time First Team All Pro

Two-time Second Team All Pro

2000's All Decade Team (Starter)

Notes: There's a lot of talent here, and I can't help feeling that Sean Taylor may have made a strong argument for this spot. However, Tomlinson is one of the best players of the decade, and a truly great running-back.

6. New England Patriots Select DT/DE Richard Seymour

Year Drafted: 2001

Other Notable Players: Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow JR., Corey Simon

Career Accolades: 

Five-time Pro Bowl Selection

Three-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro 

Notes: Not much debate here, Davis and Winslow are good, but neither make a push for this spot.

7. The Minnesota Vikings Select RB Adrian Peterson

Year Drafted: 2007

Other Notable Players: Thomas Jones

Career Accolades: 

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: I decided to go with the youthful talent over the established veteran. I have a lot of respect for Thomas Jones, but I have no doubt the Peterson will eventually surpass most if not all of Jones' career stats.

8. Dallas Cowboys Select S Roy Williams

Year Drafted: 2002

Other Notable Players: Jordan Gross, Deangelo Hall

Career Accolades: 

Five-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

Notes: Kind of a tough decision, as both Gross and Hall are very talented. I gave it to Williams because of his consistent play from 2003-2007.

9. Chicago Bears Select LB Brian Urlacher

Year Drafted: 2000

Other Notable Players: Kevin Williams, John Henderson

Career Accolades: 

Six-time Pro Bowl Selection

Four-time First Team All Pro

2000 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

2005 NFL Defensive Player of the Year

Notes: A lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball here. It ultimately came down to Williams vs. Urlacher, which was a draw every way I looked at it. I ended up giving it to Urlacher because of his stellar 2005 season in which he earned his Defensive Player of the Year award.

10. Baltimore Ravens Select LB Terrell Suggs

Year Drafted: 2003

Other Notable Players: Dunta Robinson

Career Accolades: 

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time Second Team All Pro

2003 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Notes: I'm a big fan of Dunta Robinson, but Suggs is simply the better player.

11. San Francisco 49ers Select LB Patrick Willis

Year Drafted: 2007

Other Notable Players: Dwight Freeney, Demarcus Ware, Ben Roethlisberger

Career Accolades: 

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro Selection

One-time Second Team All Pro Selection

2007 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year

Notes: This is when the hate mail starts. This was easily the most difficult pick for me, as Freeney and Ware are both on the All Decade squad and Big Ben already has two rings. However, Willis is the best LB in the game right now, and by pairing him with Coach Mike Singletary, the 49ers may have given him a chance to eventually challenge the all-time greats. Willis is still very young, and I am excited to see how much more he can progress. 

But please, give me a good debate in the comments box. Let me hear it, I love to argue football.

12. Baltimore Raven Select NT/DE Haloti Ngata

Year Drafted: 2006

Other Notable Players: Shawne Merriman, Ryan Clady, Shaun Ellis, Jonathan Vilma

Career Accolades: 

One-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: Despite his Pro Bowls and All Pro selections, Ngata is still an underrated player. Brian Baldinger of NFL Network recently named him one of the best players in the league, and rightfully so. Ngata has the size to play NT (345 lbs), yet I wouldn't be afraid to occasionally drop him back in coverage because of his immense athleticism. The selection of Ngata has allowed Ray Lewis to continue his great level of play well past most LB's expiration date.

13. New York Jets Select DE John Abraham

Year Drafted: 2000

Other Notable Players: Marcus Stroud, Jammal Brown, Brian Orakpo

Career Accolades: 

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: Abraham has been a consistent pass rushing threat for his entire soon-to-be eleven year career. Brian Orakpo's 11 sacks as a rookie lead me to believe he may push for this spot in a few years. Until then, the choice is Abraham.

14. New York Jets Select CB Darrelle Revis

Year Drafted: 2007

Other Notable Players: Jeremy Shockey, Bubba Franks, Tommie Harris

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

Hardy Evans Selection for the Mr. "I've been robbed of my Defensive Player of the Year" Award.

Notes: There has been some talent here with Shockey, Franks, and Harris. But Revis certainly beats them all out. His 2009 performance was simply phenomenal. Now he just needs to get his mind out of his wallet and onto the football field.

15. Tennessee Titans Select DT Albert Haynesworth

Year Drafted: 2002

Other Notable Players: None

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro

Notes: Not much competition here. Haynesworth has his issues, but his talent is undeniable.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers Select S Troy Polamalu

Year Drafted: 2003

Other Notable Players: Julian Peterson, Santana Moss

Career Accolades: 

Five-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

2000's NFL All Decade Team (Second String)

Notes: Another easy choice. As much as I like Peterson, Polamalu is certainly the more talented of the two.

17. Seattle Seahawks Select OG Steve Hutchinson

Year Drafted: 2001 

Other Notable Players: None

Career Accolades: 

Seven-time Pro Bowl Selection

Six-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro 

2000s NFL All Decade Team (Starter)

Notes: Think he looks scary in the picture? Try lining up across from him. Hutchinson sweeps the competition at number 17 away with ease.

18. Baltimore Ravens Select QB Joe Flacco

Year Drafted: 2008

Other Notable Players: Chad Pennington, Leon Hall

Career Accolades: 

2008 NFL Diet Pepsi Rookie of the Year

Notes: Here's a good one, Joe Flacco over Chad Pennington. Why? Because right now the Ravens are Super Bowl contenders because they've found a reliable franchise quarterback. Pennington's good, but the Jets are now even better without the two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year winner (I still haven't decided if that's a good thing).

This one should spark up some more debate, so bring it on.

19. Seattle Seahawks Select RB Shaun Alexander

Year Drafted: 2000

Other Notable Players: Casey Hampton, Antonio Cromartie, Michael Griffin

Career Accolades: 

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

2005 NFL Offensive Player of the Year

2005 NFL MVP

2000s NFL All Decade Team (Second String)

Notes: Casey Hampton is the only other player who really makes any push at all for this spot. Alexander has had a very successful career, and as a 32 year old free agent he can now retire happily (if he wants to).

20. Green Bay Packers Select Javon Walker

Year Drafted: 2002 

Other Notable Players: None

Career Accolades: 

One-time Pro Bowl Selection

Notes: Not a lot to work with here. Walker had a very good season in 2004 with 1,382 yards, and again in 2006 with 1,084 yards. He's been an average receiver with the exception of the aforementioned seasons, but he doesn't have a lot of competition at this spot.

21. New England Select NT Vince Wilfork

Year Drafted: 2004

Other Notable Players: Nate Clements

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: It's tough to find an able and willing NT in the NFL, even though it's the cornerstone of the 3-4. Clements has been good, but he doesn't beat out the big man.

22. Dallas Cowboys Select RB Felix Jones

Year Drafted: 2008

Other Notable Players: Percy Harvin

Career Accolades: 

None

Notes: Felix Jones has been sitting behind Marion Barber on the depth chart for way too long. "The Cat," so named for his quickness, is supposed to be getting the majority of carries in 2010. Combine this with he career 6.5 yards per carry, and he could produce some scary numbers. As a Giants fan, he makes me nervous.

Harvin's had a good 2009, but I think Jones has more potential as a starter.

23. New Orleans Saints Select RB Deuce McAllister

Year Drafted: 2001

Other Notable Players: Willis McGahee, Michael Oher, Rashard Mendenhall

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

Notes: It was a close choice between McAllister and McGahee, but I gave it to McAllister because he's been slightly more productive. Michael Oher may push for this spot in a few years.

24. Baltimore Ravens Select S Ed Reed

Year Drafted: 2002

Other Notable Players: Dallas Clark, Steven Jackson, Aaron Rodgers, Jonathan Joseph, Brandon Meriweather, Chris Johnson

Career Accolades: 

Six-time Pro Bowl Selection

Five-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: It's funny how this number is such a treasure trove of talent when others (see: slide 20) lack any elite players whatsoever. I went with Ed Reed mainly because he has played at such an elite level for his entire career. If CJ2K repeats, I promise I will come back and edit this slide just for him. Until then, Ed Reed is the winner.

25. Carolina Panthers Select LB Jon Beason

Year Drafted: 2007

Other Notable Players: Santonio Holmes, Mike Jenkins

Career Accolades: 

One-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: Beason has been recognized for his great play every year except his rookie season (2007), and rightfully so. Holmes and Jenkins are talented, but I'll take Jon Beason over them any day of the week.

26. Philadelphia Eagles Select CB Lito Sheppard

Year Drafted:

Other Notable Players: Clay Matthews

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

Notes: Injuries have limited the promising Lito Sheppard his entire career. If he doesn't return to his all-pro form, this spot will soon go to Clay Matthews.

27. Kansas City Chiefs Select RB Larry Johnson

Year Drafted: 2003

Other Notable Players: DeAngelo Williams, Roddy White

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

One-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: I was honestly tempted to give this to DeAngelo Williams over the work-horse like Johnson, but I need to see some more from him first. Johnson has been extremely productive over his career, rushing for 1,700-plus yards twice.

28. Carolina Panthers Select CB Chris Gamble

Year Drafted: 2004 

Other Notable Players: None

Career Accolades: 

None

Notes: No pro-bowler or all-pro player was drafted at this spot in the 2000s. However, Chris Gamble has been a consistent defender for the Panthers, and that earns him this award.

29. New York Jets Select C Nick Mangold

Year Drafted: 2006

Other Notable Players: Hakeem Nicks

Career Accolades: 

Two-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

Notes: The best center in the league has this spot locked down. I love the potential of the young Hakeem Nicks, but Mangold easily takes the cake.

30. Indianapolis Colts Select WR Reggie Wayne

Year Drafted: 2001

Other Notable Players: Keith Bulluck, Heath Miller, Joseph Addai

Career Accolades: 

Four-time Pro Bowl Selection

Two-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: Playing with Peyton Manning is sure to pad any receiver's stats, but Reggie Wayne deserves a lot of credit too. He has filled in valiantly for the now-released Marvin Harrison and, along with Dallas Clark, is Peyton Manning's favorite target.

31. Oakland Raiders Select CB Nnamdi Asomugha

Year Drafted: 2003

Other Notable Players: Todd Heap

Career Accolades: 

Three-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

Two-time Second Team All Pro

Notes: The Raiders' top shutdown corner doesn't have much competition for this spot. Asomugha is elite, and he deserves to be recognized for it.

32. San Diego Chargers Select QB Drew Brees

Year Drafted: 2001

Other Notable Players: Logan Mankins

Career Accolades: 

Four-time Pro Bowl Selection

One-time First Team All Pro

Two-time Second Team All Pro

2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year

2006, 2008, 2009 NFC Offensive Player of the Year

2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year

Super Bowl XLIV MVP

Notes: Interestingly, Brees was selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. However, he was still 32nd overall, making him eligible for this list. The leader of the Saints may be the easiest pick of the list. Logan Mankins is a very good lineman, but he is nowhere near the player Brees is.

Recap

1. Mario Williams
2. Julius Peppers
3. Andre Johnson
4. Philip Rivers
5. Ladainian Tomlinson
6. Richard Seymour
7. Adrian Peterson
8. Roy Williams
9. Brian Urlacher
10. Terrell Suggs
11. Patrick Willis
12. Haloti Ngata
13. John Abraham
14. Darrelle Revis
15. Albert Haynesworth
16. Troy Polamalu
17. Steve Hutchinson
18. Joe Flacco
19. Shaun Alexander
20. Javon Walker
21. Vince Wilfork
22. Felix Jones
23. Deuce McAllister
24. Ed Reed
25. Jon Beason
26. Lito Sheppard
27. Larry Johnson
28. Chris Gamble
29. Nick Mangold
30. Reggie Wayne
31. Nnamdi Asomugha
32. Drew Brees

I made some very difficult decisions (Patrick Willis over Ware, Freeney, and Big Ben) and some very easy ones (Drew Brees over Logan Mankins). If you disagree with any of them, I'd be glad to get into a good-hearted debate, so bring it on.