We did a little quick research yesterday, examining which players were drafted with the No. 17 overall selection over the past decade:
2008 — Detroit, T Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
In his rookie season, Cherilus played in 16 games for the winless Lions and made 13 starts. The big lineman, who might be Matt Stafford's RT this season, has to get more consistent and improve his pass protection.
2007 — Denver, DE Jarvis Moss, Florida
A third-year player, Moss has to make a huge transition to 3-4 outside 'backer this season because the Broncos will have a familiar New England look under Josh McDaniels. Moss totaled 39 tackles and 3.5 sacks over his first two seasons combined.
2006 — Minnesota, LB Chad Greenway, Iowa
Greenway has rebounded nicely from a disastrous start to his pro career. After he tore the ACL in his left knee back in the 2006 preseason, he returned and had six takeaways in '07. Then last season, the former Hawkeyes standout led the 'Vikes with 150 tackles and added 5.5 sacks. In each of the last two seasons, Minnesota has been the NFL's top defensive unit against the run.
2005 — Cincinnati, LB David Pollack, Georgia
A three-time All American at UGa, Pollack held out to start his career and then only made five starts at linebacker. His career came to an unfortunate end on Sept. 17, 2006, when he broke his neck (sixth cervical vertebra) while tackling Reuben Droughns during a game against the Cleveland Browns.
2004 — Denver, LB D.J. Williams, Miami
A versatile 'backer, Williams has played strongside, middle and weakside during his career. He was slowed by a knee injury last year and played in a career-low 11 games.
2003 — Arizona, WR Bryant Johnson, Penn State
Having never eclipsed 50 catches in a season, Johnson never developed into a top target. After starting a career-high 12 games with the 49ers last season, he left for the Lions in free agency.
2002 — Oakland, CB Phillip Buchanon, Miami
Buchanon, a journeyman just added by Detroit, has 18 career interceptions for his first three teams, most recently Tampa Bay.
2001 — Seattle, G Steve Hutchinson, Michigan
Hutchinson is the most acclaimed player on our list. He is simply one of the best linemen in football, having been named All-Pro first team in 2003, '05, '07 and '08 and second team in '04 and '06. Now a Viking (after that clever poison pill contract to get him out of the Pacific Northwest), Hutch has blocked for a 1,000-yard RB in each of his eight seasons.
2000 — Oakland, K Sebastian Janikowski, Florida State
This is the year the Jets had four first-round picks and the Green & White tabbed Marshall QB Chad Pennington with the 18th overall selection. But many people in the country fell off their rockers when Da Raiders tabbed the "Polish Powderkeg" just moments before the Jets' pick.
A career 77.2 percent field goal kicker, Janikowski was good on just 22 of his 32 kicks as a rookie. But the 31-year-old, who's preparing for his 10th season in Oaktown, has an incredibly strong (if not always accurate) left leg. He broke the hearts of Jets Nation last October, booting a career-long 57-yarder to defeat the Jets in OT.
And with the 17th selection in 1999, the New England Patriots grabbed Boston College C Damien Woody.
