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The Eagles hold the 4th overall pick in this month's upcoming draft and I thought it might be interesting to look back on the history of that pick.
So here's a look at every player taken with the #4 pick in the last 10 years.
Year | Name | Pos | College | Team |
2012 | Matt Kalil | OT | USC | Vikings |
2011 | A.J. Green | WR | Georgia | Bengals |
2010 | Trent Williams | OT | Oklahoma | Redskins |
2009 | Aaron Curry | LB | Wake Forest | Seahawks |
2008 | Darren McFadden | RB | Arkansas | Raiders |
2007 | Gaines Adams | DE | Clemson | Buccaneers |
2006 | D'Brickashaw Ferguson | OT | Virginia | Jets |
2005 | Cedric Benson | RB | Texas | Bears |
2004 | Phillip Rivers | QB | NC State | Giants |
2003 | Dewayne Robertson | DT | Kentucky | Jets |
As you'll see, the pick is far from a sure thing. Dewayne Robertson earned the dubious distinction of being named #8 on the Jets all time draft bust list by GGN. Cedric Benson was a huge bust for the Bears, but did have a couple decent seasons later in his career with the Bengals. Still not close to being worth where he was picked. Gaines Adams wasn't a having a great career before he surprisingly died in January 2010, just a few months after the Bears traded a 2nd round pick for him.
The #4 pick has not been kind to the Bears in the last decade.
Darren McFadden is a bust. He's had just one season over 800 yards in his career. Aaron Curry, who was proclaimed to be the safest pick of the 2009 draft was a clear bust as well.
So of the last 10 players selected at #4, half have been busts. However, the hits have been notable.
Of the 5 non-busts, 4 have been Pro Bowlers and the one who hasn't, Matt Kalil, was named as an alternate last season (his rookie year). He certainly seems to be well on his way to star status. Combined, those 5 non busts have 10 Pro Bowls between them.
So, the #4 pick has been "boom or bust" to say the least. However, if you wanted to look at one potentially telling thing, of the 5 non-busts, 3 are offensive tackles.