Harry Fodder: Best Gators of the Last 10 NFL Drafts
Tuesday, April 26, 2016 | Football, Chris Harry
With the 2016 NFL Draft set for Thursday, we rank the 10 best UF products since 2006.
CHARTING THE GATORS
UF's Best of the Last 10 Drafts
When Commissioner Roger Goodell drops the gavel on the 2016 NFL Draft, it shouldn't be more than a couple hours before cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III becomes the 49th player in University of Florida history to be taken in Round 1. Some panned out (like the guy in the photo who tops our list below), some did not (see Harvey, Derrick), some didn't get the chance (See Fowler, Dante).
It's worth noting that over the last 10 drafts, the Gators have had more first-round selections (13) than second- and third-rounders combined (12). Anyway, all the number crunching got me to thinking: Who's the best UF product to be drafted the last decade (dating to the 2006 event)?
Commence tweeting your complaints. I can take it.
| Rank | Player | Pos. | Round | Team | Year | Comment |
| 1 | Joe Haden | CB | 1st | Cleveland | 2010 |
One of the elite CBs in NFL; 2nd-team All-Pro in '13, plus two-time Pro-Bowler; 329 tackles, 89 passes defended, 16 INTs, 4 forced fumbles; signed $68 million extension in '15. |
| 2 | Maurkice Pouncey | C | 1st | Pittsburgh | 2010 |
62 career games, 62 starts; 2-time first-team All-Pro, 4-time Pro-Bowler; signed 5-year, $44 million extension in '14. |
| 3 | Mike Pouncey | C | 1st | Miami | 2011 |
3-time Pro-Bowler; one of only three Dolphins in history to make Pro Bowl at two positions (center/guard); signed $52 million extension in '14. |
| 4 | Percy Harvin | WR | 1st | Minnesota | 2009 |
Incredible rookie year playing with Brett Favre, but signature play is Super Bowl KO return for TD for Seattle; just couldn't stay healthy, retired this offseason; 350 catches, 3,802 yards, 21 TDs. |
| 5 | Carlos Dunlap | DE | 2nd | Cincinnati | 2010 |
Coming off career-high 13.5 sacks in '15; has 21.5 the last two years, 49 for career. |
| 6 | Marcus Gilbert | OT | 3rd | Pittsburgh | 2011 |
Has started 62 of 63 games, plus four playoff games for high-powered Steelers offenses. |
| 7 | Jordan Reed | TE | 3rd | Washington | 2013 |
Best active offensive skill-position Gator in league; tremendous breakout season in '15 w/87 catches, 915 yards, 11 TDs. |
| 8 | Reggie Nelson | S | 1st | Jacksonville | 2007 |
8 career INTs; coming off finest season (52 tackles, 8 INTs) in Cincinnati; signed FA deal w/Oakland. |
| 9 | Riley Cooper | WR | 5th | Philadelphia | 2010 |
Those 169 catches, 2,418 yards, 18 TDs pretty decent for 5th-rounder. |
| 10 | Tim Tebow | QB | 1st | Denver | 2010 |
Obviously, this one will generate some reaction (if not outrage), but he is one of only two Gator quarterbacks ever to win a playoff game; that TD pass in OT vs Steelers was epic. |
