Happy Draft Day: The History of Number 23

And a joyous day it is. Of course it's 85 degrees and beautiful out so I'll try to make this quick. Admittedly, the #23 pick hardly fills most people's heads with thoughts of out-of-the-box superstars and Hall of Famers, but the #23 pick, as any draftnik will tell you, is nothing to throw away idly. This late in the first round it's usually hard to find the true superstars who don't come with some sort of baggage. The 20s of the first round are usually full of guys who have a glaring flaw, didn't have a great season, have some sort of injury problem, or are sub-par character guys. Now, with Belichick, you can guarantee the last group isn't coming anywhere near a blue and white jersey. The Patriots don't deal well with primadonnas so Percy Harvin, show yourself out. However there are a number of guys who bring a lot of value to the table for the Patriots who fill immediate needs. I've detailed who I think the Patriots could take. I've detailed who I think the Patriots should take. Now let's look at the guys other teams in the same position have taken (and which guys slipped past them in the first round who were arguably better). So here we go, here's the last 11 guys who were drafted at #23 (along with who that team passed up on in parentheses): 2008: Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois (passed on Chris Johnson) 2007: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Louisiana State (Patriots took Meriweather right afterward) 2006: Davin Joseph, G, Oklahoma (DeAngelo Williams and Joseph Addai) 2005: Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska (Aaron Rodgers and Logan Mankins) 2004: Marcus Tubbs, DT, Texas (Stephen Jackson) 2003: Willis McGahee, RB, Miami (Fl.) (Nnamdi Asomugha) 2002: Napoleon Harris, MLB, Northwestern (Lito Sheppard) 2001: Deuce McAllister, RB, Mississippi (Reggie Wayne) 2000: Rashard Anderson, FS, Jackson State (Keith Bulluck) 1999: Antoine Winfield, CB, Ohio State (Al Wilson, LB) 1998: Mo Collins, T, Florida (Alan Faneca) Now, when I was setting up to do this list, I figured we'd get a lot of fringe guys, guys who start but aren't really those household names. I have to say, I was surprised. There's always value in the first round, no matter where you draft, but knowing there's franchise guys like Nnamdi Asomugha (arguably the best defender in the league and certainly the best CB), Stephen Jackson, Joseph Addai, DeAngelo Williams, Reggie Wayne, and Alan Faneca in there. Well, that gets me a little more excited about the prospects of some of the talent this late in the draft, especially given how deep the group of OLB/DEs seems to be this year. So the Patriots might pull a draft day deal, slide up to #8 and try to get that franchise player but, looking at this list, if they do their homework and get a little lucky, they won't have to move at all.