Wide receiver Cris Carter (fourth round, Philadelphia, 1987); Carter
played 16 seasons in the league and ranks fourth in career receptions
(1,101) and eighth in both receiving yards (13,899) and overall
touchdowns (131). A five-time Hall of Fame finalist, Carter's
eight Pro Bowl appearances account for half of the all-star berths
earned by supplemental picks, and he played in more games (234) and
with more starts (209) than any supplemental choice. Obviously, he is
at the cream of the supplemental draft crop.
Here are the 10 other most notable supplemental picks:
• QB Bernie Kosar (Cleveland, first round 1985):
Essentially manipulated his way into the '85 supplemental draft, some
have suggested with the assistance of then-Browns general manager Ernie
Accorsi, and was essentially the face of the franchise for most of his
tenure in Cleveland. In 12 NFL seasons, he passed for over 23,000 yards
in 126 games, including 108 starts.
• DT Jamal Williams (San Diego, second round, 1998):
Three-time Pro Bowl defender who appeared in 164 games, with 134
starts, mostly for the Chargers. In his prime, was one of the NFL's
premier inside run-stuffers. Was never a big sack threat during a
13-year career, but could certainly anchor the middle.
• WR Rob Moore (N.Y. Jets, first round, 1990): Totaled 628
receptions for 9,368 yards and 49 touchdowns in stints with the Jets
and Cardinals. A physical wideout with solid speed and quickness, Moore
had 50-plus catches eight times in his career, and notched 70 or more
receptions three times.
• OL Mike Wahle (Green Bay, second round, 1998): The
rare Navy star to play in the NFL in recent years, Wahle played for
three teams in his career, and logged 152 games and 138 starts, mostly
at guard but occasionally at tackle. He was regarded as a solid inside
blocker and made a Pro Bowl appearance in 2005).
• DL Darren Mickell (Kansas City, second round, 1992): Played
for four teams during his career, and was a good, not great front four
defender at both end and tackle, and had most of his success in New Orleans. Had 26 of his career 63 starts with the Saints and, while
Mickell never registered more than seven sacks in a season, could
supply some pass-rush pressure, while playing the run pretty well.
• QB Dave Brown (N.Y. Giants, first round, 1992):
The former Duke standout played for 10 years and compiled 60 starts,
and probably never approximated his first-round status, but wasn't
nearly as horrible as some critics suggested. He finished his career
with more interceptions (58) than touchdown passes (44), and was not
the best decision-maker, but could be a serviceable starter at times.
Started 47 games for the Giants 1994-96.
• RB Bobby Humphrey (Denver, first round, 1989): His
career lasted only four seasons, and included just 27 starts, but he
posted 1,000-yard campaigns in each of his first two years with the
Broncos. Injuries and a decline in speed basically ended his career.
• LB Ahmad Brooks (Cincinnati, third round, 2006):
After compiling just eight starts the first five seasons in the league,
the former Virginia standout, whose college time included some
significant off-field issues, really resurrected his career in San
Francisco last year, starting 16 games in the 49ers' 3-4 front. He had
seven sacks in 2011, and the Niners thought enough of him to award him
a six-year, $44.5 million contract in February.
• OT Jared Gaither (Baltimore, fifth round, 2007): Another
player who revitalized a flagging career in 2011. Gaither started 26
times for the Ravens 2008-2009, then fell out of favor because of
weight and work-ethic problems. He stated the '10 season in Kansas
City, was released, then really rescued the injury depleted Chargers at
left tackle late in the year, with five starts. Signed a four-year,
$24.6 million extension in the spring.
• QB Dave Wilson (New Orleans, first round, 1981): In
eight seasons with the Saints, the former Illinois standout threw for
just shy of 7,000 yards, usually with pretty bad teams. He started 31
games.
Len Pasquarelli is a Senior NFL Writer for The
Sports Xchange. He has
covered the NFL for 33 years and is a member of the Pro Football Hall
of Fame selection committee. His NFL coverage earned recognition as the
winner of the McCann Award for distinguished reporting in 2008.
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