2013 NFL Draft: Looking Back at the 9th Pick Since the Year 2000, Part I

The draft is just 13 days away, beginning on Thursday night in the great Radio City Music Hall in New York. So far we have written and reviewed mock drafts. We have profiled specific players that might be good fits with the team. Now, we are going to go ahead with a different type of “look back” today.

What we are doing today, is going back to the year 2000, to view the history of the 9th pick in the draft. How good have the players been that were chosen in this selection? Not that it is a guarantee to work out for the Jets to be the same, but it is interesting to see who was taken 9th in the past.

So let’s go! In part one, we cover the years 2000-2003:

Dec 2, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher (54) during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

The first choice at #9 in the new millenium needs very litte introduction, as he is long time Bears’ middle linebacker, Brian Urlacher.

No matter what happens with the end of his career, he was a great player for the Bears for many years. Take a look:

He’s a keeper from the #9th pick, wouldn’t you say?

Koren Robinson was the 9th overall selection of the 2001 draft.

One year later, 2001, Koren Robinson was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks with the 9th overall selection. Robinson was a wide receiver out of North Carolina State, and had an up and down career. Take a look:

A journeyman player would probably be the best way to describe Robinson, but he did have years with over 60 and over 70 receptions.  He was too, a talented performer to come out of this spot.  He just never got a foot hold as a real dominant receiver, so he was ended up being over-valued at this spot.  In my opinion at least.

Dec. 4, 2011; Miami, FL, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive tackle John Henderson (79) during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

In 2002, the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted John Henderson, NT out of Tennessee, with the the number 9th pick overall. Not a household name was Henderson, but a consistent one. He started nearly ever game for the Jags from 2002-2009, before moving on to Oakland for 2 seasons. Take a look at his steady numbers at nose tackle:

Clearly, a solid player.

Dec 23, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Kevin Williams (93) against the Houston Texans during the first quarter at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

2003 yielded one of the Williams’ brothers with the 9th pick. Kevin Williams was chosen by Minnesota with the 9th pick overall on the 2003 draft, and we know how good he has been. Here are his stats to refresh everyone’s memory:

Four years, four talented football players at #9. Tomorrow we will move ahead 3-4 more years for Part II