Caught In The Draft: 1964

[sport historian]

Last night the NFL Network began a new series called "Caught In The Draft." The first episode concerned 1964 and runs this week. An interesting player was Dave Parks, who was the first player picked and was the top WR in the NFL during 1964-65 and the first player to play out his option.

In those days the NFL and AFL competed to sign their draftees.

 

[sport historian]

Tonight (Wednesday) the NFL Network features the 1974 draft in which Pittsburgh picked four hall of famers, Swann, Lambert, Stallworth, and Webster. It runs the rest of the week.

There will be three more episodes, 1984, 1994, and 2004.

 

[sport historian]

Tonight and the rest of the week, the NFL Network will air a program on the 2004 draft. It will feature the trade bringing Eli Manning to the Giants.

 

[sport historian]

Jared Allen was severely downgraded going into the 2004 draft, supposedly couldn't play. He ended up with by far the best career of any pass rusher from that draft.

Wes Welker went undrafted despite a very productive college career, has had a great pro career. The show credited his "heart and work ethic."

The NFL Network show sees this as "human beings make mistakes," meaning those doing the evaluating and drafting.