The Class of 1996? The Class of 2001 is just as good. What am I talking about? Wide Receivers and the NFL Draft of course. Today, I’ll let you know the guys who turned out amazing, into megabusts, and the guy who doesn’t go in any of these categories.

Here are the guys who turned out right:

·         Santana Moss (Round 1, Pick 16) – Now he might not be as good as some of the guys below him, but he wasn’t a bust either. Moss had 1,483 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns in 2005.

·         Reggie Wayne (Round 1, Pick 30) – Wayne is the present, Marvin Harrison is the past. With Harrison (who was ironically a part of the Class of 96’) injured much of last year, Wayne is the new Harrison for Peyton Manning.

·         Chad Johnson (Round 2, Pick 5) – OK, now he might not be liked by everybody, but as a receiver, and just a receiver, he is amazing. Without Ocho Cinco, the Bengals really wouldn’t be much.

·         Chris Chambers (Round 2, Pick 21) – Chambers had a solid career with Miami, and I was shocked when he was traded to San Diego. Now, he is flanker for the Bolts and the leader of a mediocre receiving corps, besides Antonio Gates.

·         Steve Smith (Round 3, Pick 12) – Today, Smith is arguably the best receiver in the league despite being only 5’9”. What he does need to improve is on is his anger management.

·         T.J. Houshmandzadeh (Round 7, Pick 4) – Just looking at his name, you would never guess he's a football player. But he is, and he was the steal of the draft. He’s not as good as Johnson, but he’s still one hell of a player.

·         Drew Bennett (Undrafted) – Unless you’re a big NFL fan, you won’t know who Bennett is. But at 6’5”, Bennett had a quality career with the Titans including 1,247 receiving yards and 11 TD’S in 2004. He’s now with the Rams and is about to take legend Isaac Bruce’s place at split end.

Here are the guys who weren’t so fortunate (the megabusts). Ironically, a number of the following guys seemed extremely promising (at one point at least):

·         Koren Robinson (Round 1, Pick 9) – As a former member of our beloved Hawks, Robinson made 1,240 receiving yards in just his second season with Seattle. After that, let’s just say he was never the same again.

·         Rod Gardner (Round 1, Pick 15) – Just like Robinson, Gardner had 1,006 receiving yards and 8 TD’S in only his sophomore year, and then, he jumped from team to team. Following a 2-reception 2006 season, he is waiting to sign with a team.

·         Freddie Mitchell (Round 1, Pick 25) – Unlike Robinson or Gardner, Fredex NEVER had a good season in his entire career with Philadelphia.

·         Quincy Morgan (Round 2, Pick 2) – Morgan is the unknown of this list. Still, he was an early 2nd round draft pick of the Browns, and managed 964 receiving yards and 7 TD’S in, you guessed it, his second season. Morgan is currently a free agent.

·         Ron Dixon (Round 3, Pick 11) – In the regular season, Dixon does not have a single career reception. What he will be remembered is his 97-yard kickoff return touchdown in Super Bowl XXXV versus Baltimore. Dixon left football after 2002 due to an injury.

Oh, and then there’s this guy:

·         Justin McCareins (Round 4, Pick 29) – After being drafted by the Titans, McCareins had a solid stretch of 700 & 800 receiving yards seasons between 2003 and 2005 with Tennessee and the New York Jets. Following two great campaigns in his first two seasons with the Jets, he started slowing down. He has since returned to Tennessee and is hoping to provide the Titans with more of a veteran receiver for Vince Young.

Let me know what you think.

Jets Bubba Franks (2000, 14th OVR): Franks had a good college career at Miami and is known as a strong and consistent blocker. He had success early in his career making 3 Pro Bowls in his first 4 seasons. However, the emergence of Donald Lee in Green Bay (the team Franks was drafted by) forced him to be released.

Giants Jeremy Shockey (2002, 14th OVR): Shockey has had an excellent career with the Giants as the 4-time Pro Bowler. Shockey has nice & soft hands and is a consistent blocker as well. However, a season-ending injury in 2007 forced him to miss his team's Super Bowl win. Shockey may be traded.

Browns Kellen Winslow II (2004, 6th OVR): Winslow Jr. had a brilliant college career at the U. Injuries forced Winslow to a slow pro start, but now has shown he is following in the footsteps of his father, who was also an excellent tight end with the Chargers.

Bills Kevin Everett (2005, 86th OVR): Everett had a good and promising career at the U. However, injury concerns forced Everett into the 3rd round. Injuries have hurt Everett pro career as well.

Bears Greg Olsen (2007, 31st OVR): Olsen was a versatile tight end at the U, and even though many considered Zach Miller to be the best tight end of the 2007 Draft (went in the 2nd round to Oakland), Olsen went prior and played well towards the latter half of the 2007 NFL season.