Kenny Britt signed with the Rams yesterday, getting a second chance at resurrecting his career with the former head coach of the team that drafted him. Britt was part of a highly regarded class of wideouts that produced a whopping 6 first-round picks back in 2009. He's also the fourth of those picks to change teams at least once.
This is actually the seventh time since 2000 that at least four wide receivers have been drafted in the first round. (It could happen again in 2014.) Does quantity equal quality? It doesn't look like it.
The table below shows the first-round wideouts selected in those seven draft years. By our reckoning, roughly two-thirds of those players turned out to be busts (26 of 40); on a couple, the jury is still out.
Oh sure, there are a few 1,000-yard seasons in there from those players we're labeling busts, and a couple of instances where off-field issues or injuries have damaged otherwise promising careers. Some of those players have gone on to have fairly long (if not particularly distinguished) careers. But few of those players would be selected in the first round if the various drafts were held again.
| 4-PLUS FIRST-ROUND WRS, 2000- | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Player, Team | Bust? |
| 2012 | Justin Blackmon, Jac | ?? |
| 2012 | Kendall Wright, Tenn. | No |
| 2012 | Michael Floyd, Ariz. | No |
| 2012 | A.J. Jenkins, S.F. | Yes |
| 2009 | Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oak. | Yes |
| 2009 | Michael Crabtree, S.F. | No |
| 2009 | Jeremy Maclin, Phil. | ?? |
| 2009 | Percy Harvin, Minn. | No |
| 2009 | Hakeem Nicks, NYG | No |
| 2009 | Kenny Britt, Tenn. | ?? |
| 2007 | Calvin Johnson, Det. | No |
| 2007 | Ted Ginn Jr., Mia. | Yes |
| 2007 | Dwayne Bowe, K.C. | No |
| 2007 | Robert Meachem, N.O. | Yes |
| 2007 | Craig Davis, S.D. | Yes |
| 2007 | Anthony Gonzalez, Ind. | Yes |
| 2005 | Braylon Edwards, Clev. | Yes |
| 2005 | Troy Williamson, Minn. | Yes |
| 2005 | Mike Williams, Det. | Yes |
| 2005 | Matt Jones, Jac. | Yes |
| 2005 | Mark Clayton, Balt. | Yes |
| 2005 | Roddy White, Atl. | No |
| 2004 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ariz. | No |
| 2004 | Roy Williams, Det. | Yes |
| 2004 | Reggie Williams, Jac. | Yes |
| 2004 | Lee Evans, Buff. | No |
| 2004 | Michael Clayton, T.B. | Yes |
| 2004 | Michael Jenkins, Atl. | Yes |
| 2004 | Rashaun Woods, S.F. | Yes |
| 2001 | David Terrell, Chi. | Yes |
| 2001 | Koren Robinson, Sea. | Yes |
| 2001 | Rod Gardner, Wash. | Yes |
| 2001 | Santana Moss, NYJ | No |
| 2001 | Freddie Mitchell, Phil. | Yes |
| 2001 | Reggie Wayne, Ind. | No |
| 2000 | Peter Warrick, Cin. | Yes |
| 2000 | Plaxico Burress, Pitt. | No |
| 2000 | Travis Taylor, Balt. | Yes |
| 2000 | Sylvester Morris, K.C. | Yes |
| 2000 | R. Jay Soward, Jac. | Yes |
--Andy Richardson