Lower pick, bigger benefit
If fullback has suited up for the last time, Mike Alstott succeeded far more than his draft number predicted.
By AARON GREENFIELD
Published August 11, 2007
BY AARON GREENFIELD Times Staff Writer
Mike Alstott, who will miss the 2007 season and could be done as an NFL player, turned out to be quite the bargain. Even if the 33-year-old never plays again, he has had a special career. ¶ But how many could foresee that special of a career? ¶ The A-Train lasted until the 35th pick (second round) of the 1996 draft, and the Bucs passed over him twice before taking him. The 34 players picked ahead of the fullback out of Purdue:
Pick | Player | Pos. | Team | Comment |
| 1 | Keyshawn Johnson | WR | Jets | 814 catches in 11-year career |
| 2 | Kevin Hardy | LB | Jaguars | 36 sacks in nine-year career |
| 3 | Simeon Rice | DE | Cardinals | Two sacks in 2006, 121 for his career |
| 4 | Jonathan Ogden | OT | Ravens | 10th straight Pro Bowl in 2006 |
| 5 | Cedric Jones | DE | Giants | 15 sacks in five-year career |
| 6 | Lawrence Phillips | RB | Rams | 1,453 rushing yards in four-year career |
| 7 | Terry Glenn | WR | Patriots | 70 catches for Cowboys in 2006, 593 for his career |
| 8 | Tim Biakabutuka | RB | Panthers | 2,530 yards in six-year career ended by knee injuries |
| 9 | Rickey Dudley | TE | Raiders | 221 catches in nine-year career |
| 10 | Willie Anderson | OT | Bengals | Sixth straight Pro Bowl in 2006 |
| 11 | Alex Molden | CB | Saints | 12 interceptions in eight-year career |
| 12 | Regan Upshaw | DE | Bucs | 341/2 sacks in nine-year career |
| 13 | Walt Harris | CB | Bears | Eight interceptions for 49ers in 2006, 28 for his career |
| 14 | Eddie George | RB | Oilers | 10,441 rushing yards, 68 touchdowns in nine-year career |
| 15 | John Mobley | LB | Broncos | 101/2 sacks, five interceptions in eight-year career |
| 16 | Duane Clemons | DE | Vikings | 50 sacks in 10-year career |
| 17 | Reggie Brown | LB | Lions | 21/2 sacks in two-year career |
| 18 | Eddie Kennison | WR | Rams | 53 catches for Chiefs in 2006, 535 for his career |
| 19 | Marvin Harrison | WR | Colts | 95 catches for Colts in 2006, 1,022 for his career |
| 20 | Daryl Gardener | DT | Dolphins | 19 sacks in eight-year career |
| 21 | Pete Kendall | G | Seahawks | Started 156 of 158 games, including 14 for Jets in 2006 |
| 22 | Marcus Jones | DE | Bucs | 24 sacks in six-year career |
| 23 | Jeff Hartings | C | Lions | Started 160 of 162 games, including 14 for Steelers in 2006 |
| 24 | Eric Moulds | WR | Bills | 57 catches for Texans in 2006, 732 for his career |
| 25 | Jermane Mayberry | G | Eagles | Played 11 games in 2005, spent 2006 on injured reserve |
| 26 | Ray Lewis | LB | Ravens | Super Bowl XXXV MVP; defensive player of the year twice |
| 27 | John Michels | OT | Packers | Appeared in 24 games in two-year career |
| 28 | Jerome Woods | FS | Chiefs | 15 interceptions in nine-year career |
| 29 | Jamain Stephens | OT | Steelers | Appeared in 40 games in five-year career |
| 30 | Andre Johnson | OT | Redskins | Released after one year |
| 31 | Alex Van Dyke | WR | Jets | 26 catches in five-year career |
| 32 | Leeland McElroy | RB | Cardinals | 729 yards in two-year career |
| 33 | Tony Brackens | DE | Jaguars | 54 sacks in eight-year career |
| 34 | Amani Toomer | WR | Giants | 32 catches for Giants in 2006, 561 for his career |