2013 NFL Draft: Looking Back at the 106th Pick Since the Year 2000

December 16, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Seattle Seahawks kick returner Leon Washington (33) returns a kick against the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

As fourth round picks go, the guy to the right is a pretty good one, huh? Leon Washington was chosen by the Jets with the 117th pick overall in the 2006 NFL draft. In a year that gave us Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, and Brad Smith, adding Leon Washington to that crop made it a pretty great draft class for Tannenbaum and company.

Why do I bring up Leon Washington? As you know, we have been going back through history, looking at the Jets’ upcoming selections in the draft, and looked back at how they have fared since the year 2000. We have reviewed the 9th pick, the 39th pick, and the 72nd pick. Now, we are up to the Jets next selection, the 106th pick overall. Being a later round pick, we are going to look at the choices here in one post instead of breaking it up into multiple. Let’s get to it:

2000: LB Antonio Wilson

After being selected by the Vikings in 2000, Wilson recorded only 20 tackles in a career that took him out of the league by the year 2002.

2001: QB Chris Weinke

After winning the Heisman trophy in 2000, Weinke never lived up to expectations, remaining in the league through 2007 as a career backup. He does run a successful camp for up and coming QBs though.

2002: LB David Thornton

Here’s a guy that could be considered a mid-round diamond in the rough. After being chosen by the Colts, David Thornton started nearly every game from 2003-2009, recording over 700 tackles in his career.

2003: WR Shaun McDonald

McDonald was chosen by the Rams with the 106th pick of the 2003 draft. In six full seasons as a backup WR for the Rams and Lions, McDonald posted 200 receptions and 11 TDs.

2004: QB Luke McCown

McCown was drafted by the Browns in 2004, and he has spent a still-active career as a backup, never throwing for more than 137 passes in a season during his career.

Nov 22, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Kyle Orton (18) on the sidelines during the game against the Washington Redskins during a game on Thanksgiving at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

2005: QB Kyle Orton

Kyle Orton has had some starting success, with the Bears and with the Denver Broncos. His career passer rating to date is 79.7, which isn’t terrible. On the other hand, Kyle did eventually lose his job to Tim Tebow. Just pointing that out.

2006: RB Garrett Mills

Mills was drafted by the Patriots as a running back in 2006. He eventually switched to tight end, and although remained in the league through 2009, he only recorded 9 receptions.

2007: DB Tanard Jackson A low pick that turned into an excellent one for Tampa Bay. Tanard Jackson started nearly every game he played from when he was chosen through 2011. He recorded 239 tackles and 10 INT’s during that time.

2008: WR Marcus Smith He may have been chosen in 2008, and was out of the league almost as quickly as Vernon Gholston, not recording one catch in his brief three year career.

2009: C Jonathan Lugis  Lugis could never get out of his own way, and his active career lasted 8 games in 2009.

2010: G Bruce Campbell Here is another pick that was kind of in the middle, not great, not bad. He never started a game for the Raiders or Cardinals over the three year period.

2011: DT Christian Ballard

Ballard has been active, although not a starter, for the 32 regular season games that Ballard has been in the league for. A serviceable backup, but nothing more.

2012: RB Robert Turbin

Turbin performed well as a rookie, averaging 4.4 per carry last season. He was ready to go if Marshawn Lynch was injured, or underperforming. Lynch has been terrific, but that doesn’t take away the fact that Turbin was more than an able-bodied backup.

This pick is an interesting one to read through. With the random successes sparsed in amongst the failures at this spot, you see how really subjective the draft is. The scouts can say what they like but they are all guessing.