The 1990 NFL Draft

[Mr. Scot]

The 1990 NFL Draft

Every year as the Annual Player Selection Meeting approaches, I often find myself going back and looking at old drafts. In this case, I was checking out the 1990 draft, and it's a fun one.

Top selection: Jeff George. All the athletic ability in the world managed by a somewhat less than perfect brain.

Second overall pick: Blair Thomas. The Jets (oh, the Jets and the Draft) picked him ahead of an inferior back by the name of Emmitt Smith, who was taken at number seventeen (I forget by who).

Later in the draft (Round Five) another RB by the name of Brian Mitchell went to the Redskins. I'd call that one a major steal.

Others taken in this draft: Cortez Kennedy, longtime guard Dave Szott, Justin Strzelczyk, Renaldo Turnbull, Eric Green, Shannon Sharpe and the late Junior Seau. John Randle went undrafted after twelve rounds but was picked up as an undrafted free agent by Minnesota.

Also worth noting this was a twelve round draft. You think it's a lot of work putting together a draft board now? Imagine that!

The most interesting part of this draft for me though? Beginning with Thomas (who was a Panther temporarily at one point) there are several names in the first few rounds that Panther fans will find familiar.

They include...

DE/OLB Lamar Lathon (1, 15, Houston Oilers)

DE/OLB Darion Conner (2, 27, Falcons)

RB Anthony Johnson (2, 36, Colts)

RB Leroy Hoard (2, 45, Browns)

S Pat Terrell (2, 49, Rams)

DE Mike Fox (2, 51, Giants)

CB Eric Davis (2, 53, 49ers)

WR Ricky Proehl (3, 58, Phoenix Cardinals)

G Jeff Davidson (5, 111, Broncos)

T Derrick Graham (5, 124, Chiefs)

RB Barry Foster (5, 128, Steelers)

WR Willie Green (8, 194, Lions)

And this guy...

DT Bill Goldberg (11, 302, Falcons)

(we cut him right away; don't think he ever did much of anything)

In Round 6, Chicago also drafted a DB named John Mangum. He never played for us, but his younger brother Kris was a tight end with us for a while.

So why remember all these guys?

Besides the fact that there were a lot of very fun players to watch taken in this draft, it's good to remember that at that point in time nobody knew who these guys would be. Guys who we now think of as great players and Hall of Famers were just college kids looking for a shot to play in the NFL.

Like the players we discuss now, all these guys had pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, people who thought they'd be legends and people who knew for certain they'd be busts. Going back to look at their draft analyses would probably make for a fascinating read (I wouldn't touch that Seau guy; he misses too many tackles).

So when this year's draft comes, take in the moment. It's that place where potential meets opportunity and the future is limitless. Stars are born, busts are made, and all in all a lot of fun is had by a bunch of guys way too obsessed with football.

It's just over a month away.

Heck, maybe someday you'll be telling your kids, "You know, I remember when that guy was drafted."

[bababoey]

I thought John Randle was not drafted at all and was picked up as an UDFA.  Another guy that was in this draft that never played for the panthers but was our first running back - Barry Foster in the 5th round by the Steelers

[wud35]

great drive down the memory lane, doesn't seem that long ago. 

[panther252]

Nice. I always reminisce like this too for the 1995 draft. Looking back, besides a few exceptions, it's crazy how much bigger and freakier players have become today compared to before. 

[Mr. Scot]

58 minutes ago, bababoey said:

I thought John Randle was not drafted at all and was picked up as an UDFA.  Another guy that was in this draft that never played for the panthers but was our first running back - Barry Foster in the 5th round by the Steelers

Yeah, Randle was undrafted but came into the NFL that year (I should have added that; I'll fix it). I also forgot to add the link.

Crazy to think someone that good got no takers after 12 rounds.

[outlaw4]

The 1990 Draft? I can barely remember the 2010 draft.

...

Actually, given our draft choices for 2010, maybe that's why I've forgotten.

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, outlaw4 said:

The 1990 Draft? I can barely remember the 2010 draft.

...

Actually, given our draft choices for 2010, maybe that's why I've forgotten.

I used to tell people that if I ever got to the point where I was actually watching the NFL Draft, I'd seek professional help.

That reminds me, I need to see if Daniel Jeremiah has anything new up.

[Doyle]

From Elway to Marino is a must see 30 for 30 for lovers of how the draft plays out.   

[Carl Spackler]

Blair Thomas also played for the Panthers

[arbnranger]

Good stuff man . 

I remember thinking during that time period that there was no other name more bad ass than Lamar Lathon. Not sure why, other than it is a bad ass name and he was a bad ass. 

Thanks for the good memories man. OG