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The Composition of a Super Bowl Winning Team

Inspired by the 2011 NFL Draft Commercial (the one outlining the Packers draft picks), I thought it would be interesting to take a look at the composition (as far as what round they were drafted in, and the team who originally drafted them) of the 5 past Super Bowl winners, and compare them to the Eagles team that was, for the most part, on the field as starters last year. Keep in mind that I'll only be doing starters (trying do this for the full 53-man rosters would take forever, and I wanted to get this done before the draft), and this doesn't include Special Teams.

2006 Indianapolis Colts

Offense

Reggie Wayne - WR - 1st Round
Tarik Glenn - LT - 1st Round
Ryan Lilja - LG - UDFA (Kansas City)
Jeff Saturday - C - UDFA (Baltimore)
Jake Scott - RG - 5th Round
Ryan Diem - RT - 4th Round
Dallas Clark - TE - 1st Round
Marvin Harrison - WR - 1st Round
Peyton Manning - QB - 1st Round
Joseph Addai - RB - 1st Round
Ben Utecht - TE - UDFA

Defense

Robert Mathis - LE - 5th Round
Anthony McFarland - LDT - 1st Round (Tampa Bay)
Raheem Brock - RDT - 7th Round (Philadelphia)
Dwight Freeney - RE - 1st Round
Rob Morris - LOLB - 1st Round
Gary Brackett - MLB - UDFA
Cato June - ROLB - 6th Round
Nick Harper - LCB - Canadian Football League (I'm just going to consider this as UDFA)
Jason David - RCB - 4th Round
Antoine Bethea - SS - 6th Round
Bob Sanders - FS - 2nd Round

Composition of Team:

1st Rounders (9) - Reggie Wayne (WR), Tarik Glenn (LT), Dallas Clark (TE), Marvin Harrison (WR), Peyton Manning (QB), Joseph Addai (RB), Anthony McFarland (LDT), Dwight Freeney (RE), Rob Morris (LOLB)
2nd Rounders (1) - Bob Sanders (FS)
3rd Rounders (0) - None
4th Rounders (2) - Ryan Diem (RT), Jason David (RCB)
5th Rounders (2) - Jake Scott (RG), Robert Mathis (LE)
6th Rounders (2) - Cato June (ROLB), Antoine Bethea (SS)
7th Rounders (1) - Raheem Brock (RDT)
Undrafted FA (5) - Ryan Lilja (LG), Jeff Saturday (C), Ben Utecht (TE), Gary Brackett (MLB), Nick Harper (LCB)

Notes:

This team was pretty much headlined by it's first-round selections; with players like Manning, Clark, Harrison, Wayne, and Freeney. That said, UDFAs Saturday and Brackett were huge contributors to this team and it's title run. It's rather interesting to see that this team's starters were mostly comprised of 1st Rounders and UDFAs. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.



2007 New York Giants

Offense

Plaxico Burress - WR - 1st Round (Pittsburgh)
David Diehl - LT - 5th Round
Rich Seubert - LG - UDFA
Shaun O'Hara - C - UDFA (Cleveland)
Chris Snee - RG - 2nd Round
Kareem McKenzie - RT - 3rd Round (New York Jets)
Kevin Boss - TE - 5th Round
Amani Toomer - WR - 2nd Round
Eli Manning - QB - 1st Round (San Diego)
Brandon Jacobs - RB - 4th Round
Michael Matthews - TE - UDFA

Defense

Michael Strahan - LE - 2nd Round
Barry Cofield - LDT - 4th Round
Fred Robbins - RDT - 2nd Round (Minnesota)
Osi Umenyiora - RE - 2nd Round
Reggie Torbor - LOLB - 4th Round
Antonio Pierce - MLB - UDFA (Washington)
Kawika Mitchell - ROLB - 2nd Round (Kansas City)
Sam Madison - LCB - 2nd Round (Miami)
Corey Webster - RCB - 2nd Round
James Butler - SS - UDFA
Gibril Wilson - FS - 5th Round

Composition of Team:

1st Rounders (2) - Plaxico Burress (WR), Eli Manning (QB)
2nd Rounders (8) - Chris Snee (RG), Amani Toomer (WR), Michael Strahan (LE), Fred Robbins (RDT), Osi Umenyiora (RE), Kawika Mitchell (ROLB), Sam Madison (LCB), Corey Webster (RCB)
3rd Rounders (1) - Kareem McKenzie (RT)
4th Rounders (3) - Brandon Jacobs (RB), Barry Cofield (LDT), Reggie Torbor (LOLB)
5th Rounders (3) - David Diehl (LT), Kevin Boss (TE), Gibril Wilson (FS)
6th Rounders (0) - None
7th Rounders (0) - None
Undrafted FA (5) - Rich Seubert (LG), Shaun O'Hara (C), Michael Matthews (TE), Antonio Pierce (MLB), James Butler (SS)

Notes:

It's doesn't really get much more rag-tag than this. Take into account that they went up against the Patriots, who were aiming for perfection, and it really makes you wonder how the heck this team won. Either way, this team's starters were mostly 2nd Rounders and UDFAs. And this is perhaps something that should be noted, but 8 players came from other teams.



2008 Pittsburgh Steelers

Offense

Hines Ward - WR - 3rd Round
Max Starks - LT - 3rd Round
Chris Kemoeatu - LG - 6th Round
Justin Hartwig - C - 6th Round (Tennessee)
Darnell Stapleton - RG - UDFA
Willie Colon - RT - 4th Round
Heath Miller - TE - 1st Round
Santonio Holmes - WR - 1st Round
Ben Roethlisberger - QB - 1st Round
Willie Parker - RB - UDFA
Carey Davis - FB - UDFA (Indianapolis)

Defense

Aaron Smith - LE - 4th Round
Casey Hampton - NT - 1st Round
Brett Keisel - RE - 7th Round
LaMarr Woodley - LOLB - 2nd Round
James Farrior - ILB - 1st Round (New York Jets)
Larry Foote - ILB - 4th Round
James Harrison - ROLB - UDFA
Ike Taylor - LCB - 4th Round
Bryant McFadden - RCB - 2nd Round
Troy Polamalu - SS - 1st Round
Ryan Clark - FS - UDFA (New York Giants)

Composition of Team:

1st Rounders (6) - Heath Miller (TE), Santonio Holmes (WR), Ben Roethlisberger (QB), Casey Hampton (NT), James Farrior (ILB), Troy Polamalu (SS)
2nd Rounders (2) - LaMarr Woodley (LOLB), Bryant McFadden (RCB)
3rd Rounders (2) - Hines Ward (WR), Max Starks (LT)
4th Rounders (4) - Willie Colon (RT), Aaron Smith (LE), Larry Foote (ILB), Ike Taylor (LCB)
5th Rounders (0) - None
6th Rounders (2) - Chris Kemoatu (LG), Justin Hartwig (C)
7th Rounders (1) - Brett Keisel (RE)
Undrafted FA (5) - Darnell Stapleton (RG), Willie Parker (RB), Carey Davis (FB), James Harrison (ROLB), Ryan Clark (FS)

Notes:

This team is actually relatively balanced compared to the first two; 6 1st Rounders, 4 4th Rounders, and once again, 5 UDFAs all made their mark as starters on the team. That said, however, the 6 1st Rounders are all top-tier talent in the NFL, while out of the 4th Rounders and UDFA, I would probably say only James Harrison can stand up there with the 1st Rounders.



2009 New Orleans Saints

Offense

Marques Colston - WR - 7th Round
Jermon Bushrod - LT - 4th Round
Carl Nicks - LG - 5th Round
Jonathan Goodwin - C - 5th Round (New York Jets)
Jahri Evans - RG - 4th Round
Jon Stinchcomb - RT - 2nd Round
Jeremy Shockey - TE - 1st Round (New York Giants)
Devery Henderson - WR - 2nd Round
Drew Brees - QB - 2nd Round (San Diego)
Pierre Thomas - RB - UDFA
Reggie Bush - RB - 1st Round

Defense

Bobby McCray - LE - 7th Round (Jacksonville)
Sedrick Ellis - NT - 1st Round
Will Smith - RE - 1st Round
Scott Fujita - LOLB - 5th Round (Kansas City)
Marvin Mitchell - ILB - 7th Round
Jonathan Vilma - ILB - 1st Round (New York Jets)
Scott Shanle - ROLB - 7th Round (St. Louis)
Jabari Greer - LCB - UDFA (Buffalo)
Tracy Porter - RCB - 2nd Round
Roman Harper - SS - 2nd Round
Darren Sharper - FS - 2nd Round (Green Bay)

Composition of Team:

1st Rounders (5) - Jeremy Shockey (TE), Reggie Bush (RB), Sedrick Ellis (NT), Will Smith (RE), Jonathan Vilma (ILB)
2nd Rounders (6) - Jon Stinchcomb (RT), Devery Henderson (WR), Drew Brees (QB), Tracy Porter (RCB), Roman Harper (SS), Darren Sharper (FS)
3rd Rounders (0) - None
4th Rounders (2) - Jermon Bushrod (LT), Jahri Evans (RG)
5th Rounders (3) - Carl Nicks (LG), Jonathan Goodwin (C), Scott Fujita (LOLB)
6th Rounders (0) - None
7th Rounders (4) - Marques Colston (WR), Bobby McCray (LE), Marvin Mitchell (ILB), Scott Shanle (ROLB)
Undrafted FA (2) - Pierre Thomas (RB), Jabari Greer (LCB)

Notes:

For the most part, another rag-tag crew that went up against a perennial favorite (Indianapolis), but this team is again pretty balanced (a little top round heavy tough), and is a team that didn't see as much contribution from UDFAs like the first 3 teams had (2 UDFAs only, 5 each for the first 3 teams). And just like the New York Giants of 2007, 8 players came from other teams.



2010 Green Bay Packers

Offense

Aaron Rodgers - QB - 1st Round
Greg Jennings - WR - 2nd Round
Chad Clifton - LT - 2nd Round
Daryn Colledge - LG - 2nd Round
Scott Wells - C - 7th Round
Josh Sitton - RG - 4th Round
Bryan Bulaga - RT - 1st Round
James Starks - RB - 6th Round
James Jones - WR - 3rd Round
Donald Driver - WR - 7th Round
Jordy Nelson - WR - 2nd Round

Defense

B.J. Raji - NT - 1st Round
C.J. Wilson - DE - 7th Round
Clay Matthews - LOLB - 1st Round
A.J. Hawk - ILB - 1st Round
Desmond Bishop - ILB - 6th Round
Frank Zombo - ROLB - UDFA
Charles Woodson - LCB - 1st Round (Oakland)
Tramon Williams - RCB - UDFA (Houston)
Nick Collins - FS - 2nd Round
Howard Green - RDE - 6th Round (Houston)
Ryan Pickett - LDE - 1st Round (St. Louis)

Composition of Team:

1st Rounders (7) - Aaron Rodgers (QB), Bryan Bulaga (RT), B.J. Raji (NT), Clay Matthews (LOLB), A.J. Hawk (ILB), Charles Woodson (LCB), Ryan Pickett (LDE)
2nd Rounders (5) - Greg Jennings (WR), Chad Clifton (LT), Daryn Colledge (LG), Jordy Nelson (WR), Nick Collins (FS)
3rd Rounders (1) - James Jones (WR)
4th Rounders (1) - Josh Sitton (RG)
5th Rounders (0) - None
6th Rounders (3) - James Starks (RB), Desmond Bishop (ILB), Howard Green (RDE)
7th Rounders (3) - Scott Wells (C), Donald Driver (WR), C.J. Wilson (DE)
Undrafted FA (2) - Frank Zombo (ROLB), Tramon Williams (RCB)

Notes:

Of all the teams listed, this is the only team to have one half (offense or defense) of it's team composed entirely of players that they themselves drafted; in this case, it's Green Bay's offense. That said, for the most part, it's best players come from the 1st and 2nd Rounds. And like the 2008 Pittsburgh Steelers and the 2006 Indianapolis Colts, this team has only 4 player coming from other teams.

And now, for some fun stats!



Percentage of Players (in the Past 5 Years) on Super Bowl Winning Teams who were Drafted:

In the First Round (29/110) = 26.4%
In the Second Round (22/110) = 20.0%
In the Third Round (4/110) = 3.4%
In the Fourth Round (12/110) = 11.0%
In the Fifth Round (8/110) = 7.3%
In the Sixth Round (7/110) = 6.4%
In the Seventh Round (9/110) = 8.2%
Went Undrafted (19/110) = 17.3%

Came from other teams (28/110) = 25.4%

Now, let's take a look at the 2010 Philadelphia Eagles.

2010 Philadelphia Eagles

Offense

Michael Vick - QB - 1st Round (Atlanta)
LeSean McCoy - RB - 2nd Round
Owen Schmitt - FB - 5th Round (Seattle)
DeSean Jackson - WR - 2nd Round
Jeremy Maclin - WR - 1st Round
Brent Celek - TE - 5th Round
Jason Peters - LT - UDFA - (Buffalo)
Todd Herremans - LG - 4th Round
Mike McGlynn - C - 4th Round
Max Jean-Gilles - RG - 4th Round
Winston Justice - RT - 2nd Round

Defense

Juqua Parker - LE - UDFA (Tennessee)
Mike Patterson - LDT - 1st Round
Antonio Dixon - RDT - UDFA (Washington)
Trent Cole - RDE - 5th Round
Ernie Sims - LOLB - 1st Round (Detroit)
Stewart Bradley - MLB - 3rd Round
Moise Fokou - ROLB - 7th Round
Asante Samuel - LCB - 4th Round (New England)
Dimitri Patterson - RCB - UDFA (Washington)
Kurt Coleman - FS - 7th Round
Quintin Mikell - SS - UDFA

1st Rounders (4) - Michael Vick (QB), Jeremy Maclin (WR), Mike Patterson (LDT), Ernie Sims (LOLB)
2nd Rounders (3) - LeSean McCoy (RB), DeSean Jackson (WR), Winston Justice (RT)
3rd Rounders (1) - Stewart Bradley (MLB)
4th Rounders (4) - Todd Herremans (LG), Mike McGlynn (C), Max Jean-Gilles (RG), Asante Samuel (LCB)
5th Rounders (3) - Owen Schmitt (FB), Brent Celek (TE), Trent Cole (RDE)
6th Rounders (0) - None
7th Rounders (2) - Moise Fokou (ROLB), Kurt Coleman (FS)
Undrafted FA (5) - Jason Peters (LT), Juqua Parker (LE), Antonio Dixon (RDT), Dimitri Patterson (RCB), Quintin Mikell (SS)

Notes:

Now, what's the first thing you notice about this team? This is the most balanced team (in terms of draft round selection). It's best contributors can be found all over the place; heck, 4 of the team's best players were UDFAs (Peters, Parker, Dixon, and Mikell). Another thing to note, the Eagles have 8 players that came from other teams (like the 2007 Giants and 2009 Saints), so this team seems closer to the "rag-tag bunch" than anything else.

But when you look at the whole picture, this was a team that was "supposed" to be in rebuilding last year, and yet, they went out and won the division and got into the playoffs, when everyone was expecting the exact opposite before the season began. Not bad for a "rag-tag bunch", eh?

In any case, I'm curious to see what other people can discern from this information. There's a lot more I could write on about all the information I put up, but instead, I'd like to see what everyone around here can come up with (that, and I'm getting lazy). Here's to some fun, intriguing discussion leading up to the draft!