As part of our continuing analysis of the impact of the draft on NFL rosters we have taken a look at the 2009 playoff teams. The graphic above shows the relation between the different teams, the average of their overall draft picks and the number of team drafted players on the current active roster using data from the 2002 through 2009 drafts.
From this we can draw a few observations:
Cincinnati, Baltimore and Dallas are the playoff teams with the greatest number of “homegrown” players on their roster.
Indianapolis, which has a moderate amount of players drafted by the team on their active roster, has the lowest overall draft pick average. Given the Colts success in the Manning era this isn’t surprising.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, the New York Jets have the fewest number of players drafted by the team on their roster despite having the highest overall draft pick average. Their starting offensive line alone boasts four first round drafts picks; however, only two of them (D’Brickshaw Ferguson, Nick Mangold; 2006) were drafted by the team.
When you also consider the Jets’ 36-44 record over the past five seasons (including two 4-12 seasons) and success with first round picks like Dustin Keller (2008) and Darrelle Revis (2007) their rankings seem appropriate.
One thing we expected was the New England Patriots sitting in the middle of the pack in terms of average overall draft pick considering Bill Belichick’s predilection for draft day trading. Routinely trading down to amass picks, he even traded out of the first round altogether in 2009.
Running back Laurence Maroney, who finished the season on the bench for his goal line fumbling problems, is the only remaining member of the team’s disastrous 2006 draft class. Additionally, the 2007 draft picks utilized in trades for Randy Moss (4th round, Oakland) and Wes Welker (2nd round, Miami) are big reasons why the Patriots have the fewest number of players drafted by the team on their current active roster.
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