This year was no exception with no less than 20 players that should be considered to be anything from an excellent value to a down-right steal where they were selected. Following are the players I feel were the biggest value picks listed by the round the were selected:
First Round
10. Terrell Suggs - Suggs was thought to be a top-five selection, but slid down to the Ravens because of slow 40 times in pre-draft workouts. Despite his slow track times, he still has the best first three steps off the line of any defensive lineman in the draft, and I think he will make the biggest impact of any rookie defender this season.
12. Jimmy Kennedy - Kennedy is another guy that was thought to be going in the top five, but his stock seemed to slip as the draft approached. He is a big run stuffer, and the Rams had to be thrilled he fell to them.
Second Round
34. Boss Bailey - Bailey is a tremendous athlete, and although there were concerns about his ability to wrap up tackles, he still warranted a mid-to-late first-round pick.
40. E.J. Henderson - There were questions about a back injury that has bothered Henderson, but he is a big time run stuffer and probably the best middle linebacker available this year.
48. Chris Kelsay - I had Kelsay projected to go anywhere from No. 20 to 30.
58. Mike Doss - I had projected the Colts to take Doss in the first round. I am sure they were ecstatic to see him still on the board when they picked in the second.
Third Round
65. Kelley Washington - Washington would have been a first-round pick, but injury concerns and a perceived attitude problem caused him to drop.
69. Jason Witten - I thought Witten was a borderline first-rounder, second rounder at the worst. There is no way this guy should have been around in the third.
73. Wayne Hunter - Hunter is a raw talent with a huge upside, and I thought he had a chance to go late in the first round.
79. Kenny Peterson - Peterson is another guy that was a first-round projection, which I thought might have been a little high, but there is no way he should have been around in the late third.
97. Chris Simms - Quarterbacks normally tend to rise up the charts on draft day, and Simms was expected to be an early-to-mid second rounder.
Fourth Round
98. Dennis Weathersby - Weathersby was the unfortunate victim of a drive-by shooting just days before the draft, but is expected to miss just one Bengals mini-camp. Should have been a second rounder at worst.
102. Montrae Holland - Holland is very effective in both pass and run blocking, and would have been a solid selection as early as the second round.
103. Bradie James - James has the versatility to play inside or outside, and should have gone late in the second round or early in the third.
115. Lee Suggs - Injury concerns caused Suggs to fall from a potential second-round pick.
126. Rien Long - Long was projected as a late-first round pick, but his stock dropped like a rock as the draft approached.
Sixth Round
190. Mike Nattiel - Nattiel is a bit undersized, but I thought he looked much more like a third rounder.
Seventh Round
216. Ben Johnson - It's not often you can pick up an offensive tackle of this quality in the final round.
231. Talman Gardner - Gardner may have serious character issues, but if he keeps his head on straight, he has the ability to be a solid NFL receiver.
262. Ryan Hoag - Hoag, out of Gustavus Adolphus, is still very raw, but he has great speed and shows great potential as a vertical receiver.