Today's Draft Data Dump

[The Gipper]

Here is the list of all designated DEs drafted in the top 5 of the draft since 1970

Jadeveon Clowney South Carolina

Dion Jordan Oregon

Ezekiel Ansah BYU

Tyson Jackson LSU

Chris Long Virginia

Gaines Adams Clemson

Mario Williams North Carolina St.

Julius Peppers North Carolina

Justin Smith Missouri

Courtney Brown Penn St.

Andre Wadsworth Florida St.College Stats

Simeon Rice Illinois

Cedric Jones Oklahoma

Willie McGinest USC

John Copeland Alabama

Steve Emtman Washington

Keith McCants Alabama

Neil Smith Nebraska

Jon Hand Alabama

Bruce Smith Virginia Tech

Chris Doleman Pittsburgh2

Kenneth Sims Texas

Bruce Clark Penn St.

Mike Bell Colorado St.

Dan Hampton Arkansas

Art Still Kentucky

Eddie Edwards Miami (FL)

Gary Jeter USC

Lee Roy Selmon Oklahoma

Mack MitchellHouston

Too Tall Jones Tennessee St.

John Matuszak Tampa

Walt Patulski Notre Dame

Sherman White Californiats

Richard Harris Grambling St.

Al Cowlings USC Mr. White Bronco himself

I have highlighted in red those who I consider to have been basically busts. What I see is about half of them can be certified as such A few changed position (like McGinest). The guys in green I think its too soon to properly evaluate.

[The Gipper]

Note: all three Alabama DEs on this list are bustoids. (no OSU guys)

[Flyin J]

I dont know if Id call Chris Long a bust...

[The Gipper]

@flyin-j said:

I dont know if Id call Chris Long a bust...

You may be right....though he hasn't been up to Top 5 draftee status the way you think he should. But he does have a fair number of sacks. I will say solid, not bust.

[One Post]

Wadsworth was a complete bust. By the looks of your list it's seems like a shakey deal drafting a DE early.

[gftChris]

Ziggy Ansah has 30 sacks over three years, including 14.5 and a pro bowl in 2015. Too early to tell? I'm going out on a limb and saying success.

Dion Jordan has three career sacks over three years, of which he's missed 22 games through suspension. Maybe too early to tell, and maybe he goes somewhere else and has success, but for the dolphins, I'm definitely calling bust.

[The Gipper]

@gftchris said:

Ziggy Ansah has 30 sacks over three years, including 14.5 and a pro bowl in 2015. Too early to tell? I'm going out on a limb and saying success.

Dion Jordan has three career sacks over three years, of which he's missed 22 games through suspension. Maybe too early to tell, and maybe he goes somewhere else and has success, but for the dolphins, I'm definitely calling bust.

I basically took the position of wait and see on any guys under 3 years....as I was thinking of Clowney's injury issues....though otherwise you may be right.

[The Gipper]

One Post From the Truth said:

Wadsworth was a complete bust. By the looks of your list it's seems like a shakey deal drafting a DE early.

Its about 50/50.....which may actually better than the percentages on Quarterbacks.

[Tour2ma]

Once again on behalf of the Color-Blind Coalition...

One Post From the Truth said:

By the looks of your list it's seems like a shakey deal drafting a DE early.

Certainly not many high impact names there...

[The Gipper]

@tour2ma said:

Once again on behalf of the Color-Blind Coalition...

Certainly not many high impact names there...

4 Hall of Famers plus one certain future HOF: Hampton, Smith, Selmon, Doleman in. Peppers certain to be in. A couple of borderline.

Compare QBs: of the first 5 picks in the draft since 1970....only 3 in: Bradshaw, Elway, Aikman.....plus one certain: Peyton, plus a couple of borderline.