The reality of the NFL Draft is that is an educated guessing game. Great college players end up as high draft picks, but struggle in the NFL for any number of reasons and end up as busts. Then there are the unheralded players who end up as some of the best in the NFL. While first round players are more likely to find NFL success, plenty end up busting each year.
It's been over 10 years since the 2007 NFL Draft, with only a few first round picks still in the NFL. That makes it the perfect time to go back and take a look at those first round picks. Here's each first round pick from the 2007 NFL Draft and where they are now.
1. Oakland Raiders: JaMarcus Russell, QB, LSU
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2009
There might not be a bigger draft bust in NFL history. Russell lasted just three years with the Raiders, struggling with his weight and his effort. He tried to make a few comeback efforts, but NFL teams were not interested. Russell had plenty of talent, but didn't put in the effort and reportedly approached 300 pounds during his NFL time.
2. Detroit Lions: Calvin Johnson, WR, Georgia Tech
Where He's At: Retired after 2015 season
Before retiring, Johnson was one of the best WRs in the NFL. For his career, Johnson racked up 731 catches for 11,619 yards and 83 TDs. His body took a beating during his time with Detroit, but Johnson lived up to his draft slot for the Lions.
3. Cleveland Browns: Joe Thomas, OT, Wisconsin
Where He's At: Starting LT for Browns
The Browns haven't had the best success in the first round. That wasn't the case with Thomas, however. For the past decade, Thomas has been one of, if not the, best LTs in the NFL. He likely has a few more years left in him if he wants as well.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Where He's At: Died in 2010 of cardiac arrest
Here's perhaps the saddest entry on the list. In 2010, Adams died of cardiac arrest as a result of an undiagnosed enlarged heart. Adams showed serious promise in his first two years with the Bucs, racking up 12.5 sacks. The Bucs then traded him in the middle of the 2009 season to the Bears for a second round pick. Adams only played in 10 games before his tragic death.
5. Arizona Cardinals: Levi Brown, OT, Penn State
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2013
Brown wasn't as good as Joe Thomas, but he had a decent career. He was a five-year starter for the Cardinals and although he struggled in pass protection, he was a good run blocker. Brown was never the same after a torn triceps in 2012. He struggled badly in 2013 before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers mid-year.
6. Washington Redskins: LaRon Landry, SS, LSU
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2015 suspension
Outside of injuries, LaRon Landry was decent starter in the NFL. He was a good strong safety for the Redskins before injuries cost him half of his final two years with the Redskins. He signed a prove-it deal with the New York Jets and did just that, making his lone Pro Bowl. He wasn't as good with the Colts and then things got out of hand. The Colts cut him after his first four-game suspension for PEDs and then Landry was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for PEDs. He won't be eligible to apply for reinstatement until late September 2017.
7. Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, RB, Oklahoma
Where He's At: RB for the Saints
Peterson was one of the better first round picks from this class. A four-time All-Pro, he's led the NFL in rushing three times and has had only two bad years. However, both have come in the past three years as a suspension and injuries have limited him. He's now out of Minnesota, signing with the Saints this offseason. He'll go from the focal back to rotation player, splitting work with Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2013
Anderson was a bust for the Falcons. A defensive end, Anderson was simply unable to generate pressure. He racked up only 7.5 sacks in his entire career. He played for the Falcons, Colts, Bengals and a very brief stint with the Bears in 2013.
9. Miami Dolphins: Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Ohio State
Where He's At: WR for the Saints
Ginn hasn't really lived up to his draft status (especially for the Dolphins), but he's had a productive career. Unlike many on this list, he's still playing in the NFL. He rejuvenated his career in Carolina and will now serve as Drew Brees' deep threat in New Orleans this year. He still provides return ability.
10. Houston Texans: Amobi Okoye, DT, Louisville
Where He's At: Hasn't played in NFL since 2012
Okoye has one of the stranger stories on this list. He was the youngest player ever drafted at just 19 years old. After a promising rookie year, Okoye struggled in his next three years for the Texans and was released. He again showed some promise with the Chicago Bears, but sat out the 2013 NFL season. Okoye was diagnosed with the incredibly rare anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis, which caused seizures that forced doctors to put him in a medically-induced coma. Okoye was told he was the first male ever diagnosed with the disease and has a 145-day gap in his memory as a result of the coma. The Cowboys signed him in 2014, but was released in 2015 after never playing a down.
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11. San Francisco 49ers: Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss
Where He's At: Retired after 2014 season
When Willis retired after the 2014 season, he went out as one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He was a seven-time Pro Bowler in just eight years, only missing out because of injuries in 2014. Willis was the best player for the 49ers for several years and his early retirement due to health concerns was a big blow.
12. Buffalo Bills: Marshawn Lynch, RB, California
Where He's At: RB for the Raiders
Lynch ended up living up to this draft selection, just not with the Bills. After a less-than-stellar time in Buffalo, the Bills sent him to Seattle for a 4th and a 5th round pick. With the Seahawks, Lynch truly became Beast Mode, topping 1,200 yards for his first four years. Injuries limited him in 2015 and he then retired. But he's unretired for the 2017 season and he'll play for his hometown Oakland Raiders.
13. St. Louis Rams: Adam Carriker, DL, Nebraska
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2012
Injuries helped stunt Carriker's career. He played only two years for the Rams, missing a third with injuries. He spent some time with the Washington Redskins, who netted him via a trade. Carriker had some interest after the 2015 NFL Veteran Combine, but didn't sign anywhere. He did find success after the NFL with various radio and TV spots.
14. New York Jets: Darrelle Revis, CB, Pittsburgh
Where He's At: Current free agent
Revis declined badly last year, but he's been one of the best CBs in the NFL in the last decade or so. He's played for the Jets, Bucs, Patriots and then Jets again. New York cut him this offseason and he's yet to sign with a new team. However, someone should take a chance on him this year on a cheap deal.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Lawrence Timmons, LB, Florida State
Where He's At: LB for the Dolphins
After spending his entire career with the Steelers, Timmons joined the Dolphins this offseason. He's not the same player he was in his prime, but Timmons can still help a defense. Originally drafted as an outside linebacker, Timmons played much better after moving inside.
16. Green Bay Packers: Justin Harrell, DT, Tennessee
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2010
Harrell was a massive bust. He started only three games for the Packers, never recording a sack. Injuries played a huge role in Harrell not living up to his draft status, but this pick did not work out in any way for Green Bay.
17. Denver Broncos: Jarvis Moss, DE, Florida
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2011
Here's another bust. Moss was a pass rusher, so only recording 6 sacks in his career is not a positive thing. Moss breaking his shin in his rookie year and shift to a 3-4 defense seemed to hurt his growth. He also played for the Raiders. Denver actually traded up to get him.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
Where He's At: Current free agent
Hall has turned in a very productive career. He spent nine years with the Bengals, picking off 26 career passes as one of their best defensive players of the years. He played for the New York Giants last year, but has yet to sign anywhere. This was one of the best first round picks of 2007.
19. Tennessee Titans: Michael Griffin, FS, Texas
Where He's At: Current free agent
Much like Leon Hall, Griffin has turned in a quality NFL career. He's spent most of his time with the Titans, before they released after the 2015 season following a decline in play. He joined the Vikings after the release, but was released and joined the Panthers. He served as a backup, failing to record a pick for the first season in his career.
20. New York Giants: Aaron Ross, CB, Texas
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2015
For the first five years of his career, save for a year limited by injuries, Ross was a solid corner. After 10 picks in that time frame, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars for what he later called a "a paid vacation to Florida" and struggled in his long year. He went back to New York, but barely played with a back injury. Then, a torn Achilles in 2014 essentially ended his career.
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21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Reggie Nelson, FS, Florida
Where He's At: FS for the Raiders
Nelson has developed into a very good starter, but it didn't happen in Jacksonville. After five picks his rookie year, Nelson struggled until being traded to the Cincinnati Bengals. He then picked off two passes for all six years he played in Cincinnati, capped off by eight in 2016. He had five last year for the Oakland Raiders.
22. Cleveland Browns: Brady Quinn, QB, Notre Dame
Where He's At: Out of the NFL since 2014
Pick No. 22 and the Cleveland Browns really don't get along well. Drafted as the future, Quinn lasted just three rough years with Cleveland. In 2010, the Browns shipped him out to the Broncos for Peyton Hillis and a late round pick swap. Quinn never played in two years for Denver, but got a chance to play with the Chiefs in 2012. He was awful in 10 games, completing 56.9 percent of his passes for 1,141 yards, 2 TDs and 8 picks. Quinn then was on the roster (or preseason roster), but never played a snap for the Seahawks, Jets, Rams and Dolphins. Quinn currently works as an analyst for Fox Sports.
23. Kansas City Chiefs: Dwayne Bowe, WR, LSU
Where He's At: Out of the NFL since 2015
Bowe was a solid player, but will likely be more known for two terrible contracts. The first came from Kansas City in 2013 after Bowe posted really good 2010 and 2011 seasons and a good enough 2012 year that was limited by a late-year injury. He received a 5-year, $56 million deal with $26 million guaranteed. But Bowe lasted just two years with Kansas City after that deal. Then the Brows gave him a two-year, $13 million deal with $9 million guaranteed deal. It was a stunning contract, which looked even worse in hindsight when Bowe caught five passes for 53 yards. He was cut after that year and hasn't played since.
24. New England Patriots: Brandon Meriweather, DB, Miami (Fla.)
Where He's At: Out of the NFL since 2015
Meriweather had a good, not great, career. He played for the Patriots, Bears, Redskins and finally the Giants. He made two Pro Bowls with the Patriots, but his violent style of play was phased out by the NFL with rule changes. He had 17 interceptions, nine forced fumbles and six sacks in his NFL career.
25. Carolina Panthers: Jon Beason, MLB, Miami (Fla.)
Where He's At: Retied after 2015 season
Beason had a really good NFL career, but injuries prevented it from being a truly great one. He played in all 16 games in his first four years, making three Pro Bowls. But after that, he played in more than five just once. He played his final three years with the New York Giants before retiring.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Anthony Spencer, OLB, Purdue
Where He's At: Out of the NFL Since 2015
In his first six years for the Dallas Cowboys, Spencer racked up 33 sacks. But then he suffered a knee injury in 2013, which would require micro-fracture surgery. He missed essentially all of the 2013 season and recorded just a half sack in 2014. He signed with the Saints for a year after that, but wasn't healthy. Unfortunately for Spencer, that knee injury cut short his career.
27. New Orleans Saints: Robert Meachem, WR, Tennessee
Where He's At: Out of the NFL since 2014
Meachem was a good deep threat for the Saints, but didn't become much more than that. He played four years for the Saints, producing some big plays, before signing a four-year, $25 million deal with the Chargers. He lasted just one year with the Chargers, before returning to the Saints. He never reached 750 yards in a season. He was also jailed for 30 days in 2017 for not paying child support.
28. San Francisco 49ers: Joe Staley, OT, Central Michigan
Where He's At: LT for the 49ers
Staley hasn't been Joe Thomas, but he's been a really good NFL left tackle. He's started every game he's played (there were some injuries) for the 49ers and continues to play at a high level. A five-time pro bowler, Staley hasn't slowed down much.
29. Baltimore Ravens: Ben Grubbs, OG, Auburn
Where He's At: Out of NFL since 2015
Grubbs was a five-starter for the Ravens, before the Saints swiped him. He was there for three years before the Saints traded him go to save cap space. Unfortunately, Grubbs only played half a year for the Chiefs because of a neck injury that has basically ended his career. With two pro bowls, Grubbs had a great NFL career.
30. San Diego Chargers: Craig Davis, WR, LSU
Where He's At: Out of the NFL since 2011
The other LSU WR was an even bigger bust. Limited in part by injuries, Davis played just 25 games (with two starts) in four years with the Chargers. He recorded 51 receptions for 558 yards and 2 TDs. He was signed by Buffalo before the 2011 season, but didn't make the roster.
31. Chicago Bears: Greg Olsen, TE, Miami (Fla.)
Where He's At: TE for the Panthers
Olsen has become one of the better TEs in the NFL, but not with Chicago. The Bears sold low on Olsen after four years of solid production, sending him to Carolina for a 3rd round pick. Olsen has since exploded, especially in the last three years. He's 1,000 yards in each and has been named to the Pro Bowl each time.
32. Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Ohio State
Where He's At: Out of the NFL since 2012
After a solid first two years, injuries ruined Gonzales career. He was limited to just five catches for 67 yards in his final three seasons with the Colts after 7 TDs in his first two years. He spent 2012 training camp with the Patriots, but was cut. He did graduate from the Stanford school of Business in 2012.
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