With just two days before the start of the 2011 NFL Draft, let's continue on with our countdown of the top ten draft 'successes' and 'busts' of the Kevin Colbert era. We're down to the top three in each category now. I debated putting Clark Haggans, the No. 4 'success', ahead of current Steelers pass-rushing LB extraordinaire LaMarr Woodley, but ultimately, the 2007 second rounder out of Michigan gets the nod at No. 3.
Woodley has recorded double digit sacks in each of the past three seasons, and is just a half sack shy of reaching 40 for his career. Woodley also has taken three turnovers to the house for scores (one INT; two fumble recoveries). Anyway, no real need to rehash how productive Woodley has been for the Steelers since being drafted as the 46th overall pick in the '07 Draft, but it is worth noting how well he's played in the postseason. In pact, his playoff productivity is what convinced me to put him over Haggans on this list. Woodley recorded two sacks in his first four postseason games, an NFL record that has a great shot at standing for quite some time. Woodley saw that streak come to an end in this year's postseason, but he certainly didn't disappear in the '10 playoffs. In fact, he extended his streak to seven postseason games with at least one sack. He currently has an impressive 11 QB take-downs in postseason play.
For me, the real interesting question is what happens next in Woodley's career. For the time being, Woodley has the Franchise Tag applied to him. If '11 turns out to be his last season in Pittsburgh, then he'll definitely tumble down this list some in future renditions. If Woodley is re-signed to a long term deal and ends up starring on great defenses for years to come, well then he could find his way to the very top of the list. But as those of you know who have read BTSC for some time, I'm not sure that he's worth paying mega bucks to for the next five years. And frankly, I'm not sure that he's going to be that interested in being paid less than what his market value might be elsewhere.
We'll see. For now, let's just be glad that the Michigan Wolverines grad had his name called during the 2007 draft when the Steelers were on the lock in the second round.
Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Successes'
No. 4: LB Clark Haggans, 5th Round, 2000
No. 5: WR Mike Wallace, 3rd Round, 2009
No. 6: OT Willie Colon, 4th Round, 2006
No. 7: LB Larry Foote, 4th Round, 2002
No. 8: OG Chris Kemoeatu, 6th Round, 2005
No. 9: OT Marvel Smith, 2nd Round, 2000
No. 10: WR Antonio Brown, 6th Round, 2010
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Kevin Colbert's Top 10 Draft 'Busts'
No. 3: LB Alonzo Jackson, 2nd Round, 2003
No. 4: DT Kendrick Clancy, 3rd Round, 2000
No. 5: WR Willie Reid, 3rd Round, 2006
No. 6: WR Limas Sweed, 2nd Round, 2008
No. 7: OLB Bruce Davis, 3rd Round, 2008
No. 8: OLB Thaddeus Gibson, 4th Round, 2010
No. 9: WR Plaxico Burress, 1st Round, 2000
No. 10: OG Kendall Simmons, 1st Round, 2002
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