NFL Draft 2005: The Curse

With the sheer amount of players drafted each year, you would think trends in the NFL are hard to find when thumbing through a draft class’s profile. Everyone has a few guys get hurt, a few guys boom, and few guys go bust. But 2005 was different. 2005 has had (very few) stars, many flops, numerous and severe injuries, arrests, and unfortunately, a pair of deaths. Here is a review of every first round pick from that year, as well as the other players who have been struck with the 2005 curse.


1. 49ers- Alex Smith, QB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Alex’s first effect from the curse came as soon as he was taken first overall, sending him to the lowly 49ers. His first season he struggled through a 1 TD, 11 interception campaign. Had a strong second season, but regressed awfully his third season, and he is now dealing with a potentially career ending shoulder injury.

2. Dolphins- Ronnie Brown, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Ronnie seemed to be a sure thing to start at running back, but Ricky Williams repeated and unexpected returns have loosened his hold on the position. The worst bite for Brown has been his torn ACL in 2007. He was in the midst of the best season of his career.

3. Browns- Braylon Edwards, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Missed most of his first season with a staph infection and torn ACL. Is having a poor season thus far in 2008, with a severe case of the drops. This preseason he suffered his worst case of bad luck, as a teammate sliced his foot open with his cleat.

4. Bears- Cedric Benson, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: His career started off on a bad foot when it was reported teammates were purposely trying to injure Benson during training camp. Thomas Jones grabbed the starting RB job and never gave it up, while Benson missed the end of the season with an MCL sprain. Got injured in the Super Bowl, and missed most of the game. Struggled in his only season as the starter, and missed most of the season with an ankle injury. 2008 was the ultimate Kiss of Death for Benson’s career, as he was arrested for drinking while boating in Texas. After vigorously defending his innocence, Benson was arrested for a DUI a short time after. He was subsequently released.

5. Buccaneers- Cadillac Williams, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Got off to a great start in 2005, winning rookie of the year. Still suffered minor injuries during that year. Regressed in 2006 statistically. Suffered a torn patellar tendon in 2007 and has not played a down since.

6. Titans- Pacman Jones, CB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Where to start. Had a tough rookie season, struggling to adapt to the NFL. Became a premier player in 2006, but couldn’t keep it clean off the field. After a strip club shooting involving Pacman, was suspended for 2007. Returned to the NFL this year in Dallas.

7. Vikings- Troy Williamson, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Has played poorly during his NFL career, and has been plagued by drops. May be renowned league wide as having the biggest penchants for drops, having 25 in 39 games. Was traded from Minnesota to Jacksonville this offseason for a 6th round pick.

8. Cardinals- Antrel Rolle, CB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Was having a solid rookie season but missed most of it with a torn knee ligament. Has struggled mightily in coverage, and was moved to safety this season.

9. Redskins- Carlos Rogers, CB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Perhaps our luckiest player yet, Carlos’ main kiss of death has been his unfortunate knee injury suffered in 2007. He tore both his ACL and MCL.

10. Lions- Mike Williams, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Williams has played as poor as any first round pick in this class, only 44 passes in his career. Has been known for his laziness and has been a healthy scratch on game day several times over his career. Suffered from the drops. Was released by the Titans this preseason.

11. Cowboys- DeMarcus Ware, OLB
Cursed? No
Beating the curse: Ware has been a pass rushing terror since the day he stepped foot in Dallas. He has been able to beat the injury curse while finding his way to the Pro Bowl twice.

12. Chargers- Shawne Merriman, OLB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Despite a monster career thus far statistically, Merriman has had two major effects of the 05 curse. A failed drug test led to a controversial four week suspension in 2006. Steroid rumors ran rampant. Merriman also suffered a severe knee injury in 2008, and tried to play on it despite doctor’s orders. Merriman succumbed to the pain and had the season ending injury after week one.

13. Saints- Jammal Brown, T
Cursed? No
Beating the curse: Despite minor nicks and bumps, Brown has had a fine NFL career thus far. He was a Pro Bowler in 2006.

14. Panthers- Thomas Davis, LB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Davis was cursed by being selected by the Panthers, as they tried him originally at his college position of safety. Despite struggling there, the team moved him to OLB and he starts there today.

15. Chiefs- Derrick Johnson, LB
Cursed? No
Beating the curse: Is not a premier LB, but has developed into a fine player. Has managed to avoid the injury bug and off the field problems well.

16. Texans- Travis Johnson, DT
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Has struggled in Houston. Has had his share of minor injuries and off the field problems, but his biggest claim to fame as a pro is his encounter with Trent Green. After Green was knocked out while trying to cut block Johnson, Johnson went on a tirade, using expletives while referring to Green. Was also called for taunting after the play.

17. Bengals- David Pollack, DE
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Despite a holdout his rookie season, was playing having a fine career until a tackle on Reuben Droughns. Pollack broke his sixth cervical vertebrate. Pollack had to wear a halo for three months and subsequently had to retire due to the injury.

18. Vikings- Erasmus James, DE
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Erasmus has been hindered by injuries most of his career. This was a main concern coming out of college, but James has struggled during the times he has played as well. Has a recurring hip injury.

19. Rams- Alex Barron, T
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Barron has one of the more noticeable and unique curses; penalties. Barron is known for his holding and false start infractions league wide. Has only developed into a so-so tackle. One of worst moments was in 2005 when Barron apparently forgot the play and tried to catch a screen pass destined for Steven Jackson.

20. Cowboys- Marcus Spears, DE
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Has struggled as a Cowboy, failing to develop like the team expected. Was on the trade block in 2008 offseason. 21. Jaguars- Matt Jones, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Has been plagued by the “lazy” tag during his whole career, and has struggled to perform. His darkest day as a pro was his cocaine arrest in 2008. Officers had to draw their weapons to get Jones to comply with their demands. Has not been found guilty of anything as of today.

22. Ravens- Mark Clayton, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Clayton has mainly been cursed with Kyle Boller, among other poor passers. Clayton’s stats have been hindered mightily by poor offenses.

23. Raiders- Fabian Washington, CB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Despite a solid start to his career, Fabian was traded to Baltimore this offseason. Fabian was also arrested in 2008 during a domestic dispute with his girlfriend.

24. Packers- Aaron Rodgers, QB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Rodgers is playing great now, but there is no doubt the young man has been cursed so far. Numerous injuries aside, the Brett Favre saga in 2008 was by far the worst thing to happen to Rodgers. Aaron is still trying to prove he has beaten the curse.

25. Redskins- Jason Campbell, QB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Almost escaped the curse, but following a late season knee injury in 2007 he was thrust into a QB controversy with Todd Collins. Has returned as the starter, but still trying to develop into an elite passer.

26. Seahawks- Chris Spencer, G
Cursed? No.
Beating the curse: Spencer has become a dependable offensive lineman for Seattle. He has avoided the injury bug and off the field problems very well.

27. Falcons- Roddy White, WR
Cursed? No.
Beating the curse: Roddy has developed into a legitimate starting WR despite an early case of the drops.

28. Chargers- Luis Castillo, DE
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Castillo was the first player to feel the curse, as he admitted at the combine he had taken steroids in college. Also missed six weeks in 2007 with a knee injury.

29. Colts- Marlin Jackson, CB
Cursed? No
Beating the curse: Jackson has emerged as a fine cornerback in Indianapolis.

30. Steelers- Heath Miller, TE
Cursed? No
Beating the curse: Miller has developed in a premier tight end.

31. Eagles- Mike Patterson, DT
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Was arrested in 2008 under suspicion of marijuana.

32. Patriots- Logan Mankins, G
Cursed? No
Beating the curse: Mankins has developed into a Pro Bowl player.

Other cursed players:
44. Cardinals- J.J. Arrington, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Has been an utter bust in Arizona. Now relegated to special teams duty.

48. Bengals- Odell Thurman, LB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: After a great rookie season, had several off the field incidents involving alcohol. Has not played a down in the NFL since 2005, and is suspended until at least 2009.

53. Ravens- Dan Cody, DE
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Has only played in two career games due to several knee injuries in his career.

54. Panthers- Eric Shelton, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Broke his foot his rookie season and never developed. Only got eight rushing attempts in his short career.

56. Broncos- Darrent Williams, CB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Was shot and killed on New Years Day 2007.

58. Packers- Terrence Murphy, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Suffered an injury on a helmet to helmet hit during his rookie season. Diagnosed with spinal stenosis, and had to retire.

83. Bengals- Chris Henry, WR
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Henry has been in trouble with the law several times, and has been suspended twice by the NFL. Currently suspended.

86. Bills- Kevin Everett, TE
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Suffered a life threatening injury on Opening Day 2007. Has recovered but will never play again.

101. Broncos- Maurice Clarett, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Was waived before the season began, and was arrested and convicted on charges of robbery in 2006. In 2007 was in a police chase and is currently incarcerated.

142. Titans- Damien Nash, RB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Passed away on February 24th, 2007.

152. Saints- Adrian McPherson, QB
Cursed? Yes
Effects: Despite being a project coming out of the AFL, McPherson’s NFL fate was sealed when a Titans mascot hit him with a golf cart. He was released a little over three weeks later.