Every National Football League Draft has its share of boons and busts, but the 2005 NFL Draft produced some of today's biggest stars. Furthermore, players selected in 2005 are having a huge impact across the league this season. Here are five such players.
DeMarcus Ware (LB), Dallas Cowboys — Ware, who the Cowboys selected out of Troy with the 11th overall pick in 2005, is the premiere pass-rushing linebacker in the NFL. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, he led the league in sacks in 2008 and 2010, and he's close to doing it again. Ware has the Cowboys (8-6) in contention for the NFC East title and a playoff birth.
Roddy White (WR), Atlanta Falcons — Atlanta (9-5) selected White out of Alabama-Birmingham with pick No. 27. I'd say it has worked out well for the Faclons, who are in the playoff mix. He led the league in receptions in 2010 and is in the midst of his fifth straight seasons with more than 1,100 receiving yards. White had a pair of touchdown grabs in Atlanta's 41-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, December 15.
Frank Gore (RB), San Francisco 49ers—Gore slipped all the way to the first pick of the third round where he was snapped up by the 49ers. Including this season, the hard-charging running back out of Miami has rushed for more than 1,000 yards five times. With Gore having one of his finest seasons, San Francisco is 10-3 and on top of the NFC West.
Alex Smith (QB), San Francisco 49ers — Smith, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2005 Draft, was on his way to becoming a bust before this season. But the former Utah quarterback has enjoyed a career season with 2,565 passing yards and 15 touchdown tosses against only five interceptions. Behind the steady play of its reborn quarterback, San Francisco will make its first playoff appearance since 2002.
Aaron Rodgers (QB), Green Bay Packers — The Packers, who selected Rodgers out of California with the 24th selection of the 2005 Draft, didn't hand the team over to him until 2008. It was worth the wait. He led them to victory in Super Bowl XLV and has them undefeated (13-0) and favored to repeat. Rodgers, who has the inside track on the NFL MVP, has a league-best 39 touchdown passes.
Other Impactful Picks: Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 30 overall), Logan Mankins, New England Patriots (No. 32 overall), Cory Webster, New York Giants (No. 43 overall), Nick Collins, Green Bay Packers (No. 51 overall), Justin Tuck (No. 74 overall).
Adam Martini is a freelance sports writer who proudly wears his Rodney Hampton jersey on Sundays during the football season. He grew up in Queens, N.Y. rooting for the Giants despite being surrounded by Jets fans.
