Shoulda-been Top 5 - 2000 NFL Draft

Earlier, Chris discussed the top 5 busts from the first round of the 2000 NFL draft. With that in mind, and with the benefit of hindsight, I present my "Shoulda-been" list of the five players who should have been the top 5 picks in that draft. Note: I made my picks without consideration for which team was picking at the spot. My picks are "BOB" (best on board) selections.

Honorable Mention: Jamal Lewis - JLew has had a solid career with some very impressive numbers, but his criminal record and the fact that he's run behind a solid O-line throughout his career bumped him out of the top 5.

Honorable Mention: Plaxico Burress - Burress is arguably the best wideout to come out of the 2000 draft, but hasn't in my mind proven to be a top 5 pick. He's a guy with good height who's a big target in the red zone, but he doesn't have the speed to run away from people, making him better suited to a role as a #2 receiver. And the fact that you could get Laveranues Coles or Darrell Jackson in the third round caused Plax to slide out of the top 5.

Honorable Mention: Corey Simon - Simon was a monster in the middle of the Eagles' D-line, but his career was a short seven years. Everyone in my top 5 is still playing and, for the most part, still playing at a high level.

5. Adalius Thomas - Thomas was the second-best linebacker in the 2000 draft, behind the guy second on this list. He's a versatile player with speed, strength, and a nose for the ball, and after seven years, he still looks to have many good years ahead.

4. John Abraham - When healthy, Abraham has been one of the most feared pass-rushers in the league. He's consistently put up double-digit sack numbers... when he's been healthy. Were it not for that caveat, he'd be higher on the list.

3. Shaun Alexander - Alexander was once among the top 2 or 3 backs in the league, and used to reign supreme in fantasy drafts. Recently, his numbers have fallen off, but he's had about 300 more career rushing yards than Lewis on only 50 more carries, and has twice as many touchdowns. Five straight seasons of 1100+ rushing yards and a then-record 27 TD season make it hard to put Alexander this low, but the guys ahead of him are just too good.

2. Brian Urlacher - If you wanted to pick a guy to build your defense around in that draft, this is your guy. Urlacher's been one of the most consistent linebackers in the league, playing at an All-Pro caliber every year. You can pencil him in for 120 tackles, 5 sacks and a pick or two every year.

1. Tom Brady - Much as I hate to admit it, Brady is the best player to come out of the 2000 draft. Some (including myself) might argue he's not the best athlete, he doesn't have the best arm, he's a product of Belicheater's genius, but there's no arguing with the results he's had. Despite not having until last year a star wideout to throw to, Brady has put up impressive numbers every year (and we saw last year what he can do with a real receiving corps), and the most impressive number he's put up is the most important: 100 career wins (combined regular and post season), including three Super Bowls (most of them legitimate).