Re-Drafting the 2005 NFL Draft Using Advanced Analytics
What Should've Happened
If we were to take into account each player selected in the draft and his production through his career to this point, this is what the top ten would look like.
| Pick | Team | Player | Position | CarAV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco 49ers | Aaron Rodgers | QB | 124 |
| 2 | Miami Dolphins | Logan Mankins | G | 102 |
| 3 | Cleveland Browns | DeMarcus Ware | LB | 100 |
| 4 | Chicago Bears | Roddy White | WR | 88 |
| 5 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Frank Gore | RB | 86 |
| 6 | Tennessee Titans | Alex Smith | QB | 80 |
| 7 | Minnesota Vikings | Derrick Johnson | LB | 80 |
| 8 | Arizona Cardinals | Vincent Jackson | WR | 76 |
| 9 | Washington Redskins | Trent Cole | DE | 70 |
| 10 | Detroit Lions | Thomas Davis | LB | 67 |
It turns out that, in our hypothetical situation, the 49ers would most certainly have gone quarterback after all. Rodgers has the highest CarAV and is still building on that total. He's outlasted so many others and he, along with Smith, are both in the playoffs again
Beside the quarterbacks, Mankins was great before retiring this past year. He's one of only three players with a CarAV of 100 or better. He played 11 seasons in the league with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, being an All-Pro six occasions.
None of the wide receivers selected in the first would re-enter the top 10 after 11 years. The only two receivers worthy are Roddy White and Vincent Jackson, who were selected 27th and 61st overall, respectively.
And speaking of skill position players, Frank Gore is the only running back that would be taken the second time around. His CarAV of 86 is more than double that of any of the three running backs actually drafted in the top 10.
Contrary to the actual top 10, this group is full of great pass-rushers. Two -- DeMarcus Ware and Derrick Johnson -- are great pass-rushers from the linebacker spot, while Trent Cole has done so via his defensive end position.
