1999 NFL Draft A Group Filled with...

The 1999 version of the NFL Draft took place. University of Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch was the first pick by the expansion Cleveland Browns franchise. There were some pretty fantastic picks made too as Couch was followed by Syracuse’s Donovan McNabb to the Eagles, Cincy taking Akili Smith of Oregon, Hall of Fame back Edgerrin James went 4th to the Colts followed by Ricky Williams to New Orleans in the big trade by then coach Mike Ditka giving all of his 1999 picks for the opportunity to draft Williams. NC State Wideout Tory Holt went next to the St Louis Rams, Hall of Fame Defensive Back Champ Bailey was picked up by Washington, according to the Pro-Football-Reference.com.

The 1999 NFL Draft, held on April 17–18, 1999, at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City, was a significant event in professional football history. This draft is particularly notable for the many quarterbacks selected in the first round and a landmark trade involving the New Orleans Saints. Returning to the NFL as an expansion team, the Cleveland Browns held the first overall pick.

One of the most talked-about aspects of this draft was the New Orleans Saints' aggressive move to acquire the fifth overall pick. In a historic trade, the Saints sent all six of their draft picks to the Washington Redskins to select running back Ricky Williams from the University of Texas. This was the first and only time an NFL team has had just one pick in an entire draft. While Williams had a productive career, the sheer cost in draft capital is still debated.

The first round saw a flurry of quarterback selections, with five signal-callers taken in the top 12 picks. The Browns selected Tim Couch first overall, followed by Donovan McNabb to the Philadelphia Eagles (2nd), Akili Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals (3rd), Daunte Culpepper to the Minnesota Vikings (11th), and Cade McNown to the Chicago Bears (12th). While McNabb and Culpepper went on to have successful careers, reaching a Super Bowl and earning multiple Pro Bowl selections respectively, Couch, Smith, and McNown are often labeled as draft busts who did not live up to their high draft positions.

Beyond the quarterbacks, the first round also featured several other notable players, including running backs Edgerrin James (4th to the Indianapolis Colts) and Ricky Williams, wide receivers Torry Holt (6th to the St. Louis Rams) and David Boston (8th to the Arizona Cardinals), and defensive backs Champ Bailey (7th to the Washington Redskins) and Chris McAlister (10th to the Baltimore Ravens). These players formed the foundation of successful teams, and many achieved individual accolades throughout their careers.

The 1999 NFL Draft produced several players who would later be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recognizing their exceptional contributions to the sport. It also saw the selection of players honored in the College Football Hall of Fame for their outstanding collegiate careers.

✦ Top Ten Selections of the 1999 NFL Draft:

✦ 1. Tim Couch (QB) - Kentucky (Cleveland Browns)

✦ 2. Donovan McNabb (QB) - Syracuse (Philadelphia Eagles)

✦ 3. Akili Smith (QB) - Oregon (Cincinnati Bengals)

✦ 4. Edgerrin James (RB) - Miami (FL) (Indianapolis Colts)  

✦ 5. Ricky Williams (RB) - Texas (New Orleans Saints)

✦ 6. Torry Holt (WR) - North Carolina State (St. Louis Rams)

✦ 7. Champ Bailey (DB) - Georgia (Washington Redskins)

✦ 8. David Boston (WR) - Ohio State (Arizona Cardinals)

✦ 9. Chris Claiborne (LB) - USC (Detroit Lions)

✦ 10. Chris McAlister (DB) - Arizona (Baltimore Ravens)

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Players Drafted in 1999:

✦ Champ Bailey (Round 1, Pick 7 - Washington Redskins)

✦ Edgerrin James (Round 1, Pick 4 - Indianapolis Colts)

✦ Torry Holt (Round 1, Pick 6 - St. Louis Rams)

✦ College Football Hall of Fame Players Drafted in 1999:

✦ Tim Couch (Round 1, Pick 1 - Cleveland Browns)

✦ Donovan McNabb (Round 1, Pick 2 - Philadelphia Eagles)

✦ Champ Bailey (Round 1, Pick 7 - Washington Redskins)

✦ Torry Holt (Round 1, Pick 6 - St. Louis Rams)

✦ Other Notable Impact Players taken in 1999

✦ Al Wilson (Round 2, Pick 31 - Denver Broncos)

✦ Kevin Faulk (Round 2, Pick 46 - New England Patriots)

✦ Cade McNown (Round 1, Pick 12 - Chicago Bears)

✦ Matt Stinchcomb (Round 1, Pick 18 - Oakland Raiders)

✦ Jim Kleinsasser (Round 2, Pick 44 - Minnesota Vikings)