This week, College Football 24/7 takes a division-by-division look at the best and worst all-time NFL draft picks for every team, beginning today with the AFC East and NFC East teams.
For this exercise, where a player was selected in the draft and the sum of their NFL accomplishments (or, lack thereof) were taken into account.
Dallas Cowboys
Best pick:Roger Staubach (1964 NFL Draft, Round 10, No. 129 overall)
The lowdown: The Cowboys did have to wait five years before seeing Staubach in action in the team's familiar star-studded silver helmet. A four-year committment to the Navy after graduation put the start of his professional football career on hold. However, once Staubach did get to play, the Cowboysemerged as an NFL powerhouse. In his 11 seasons, the Cowboys reached five Super Bowls -- winning two. Staubach -- a six-time Pro Bowl selection -- was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
Worst pick:Bobby Carpenter (2006 NFL Draft, Round 1, No. 18 overall)
The lowdown: Two Ohio State linebackers were selected in the first round of the 2006 draft (the other was A.J. Hawk, who went No. 5 overall to the Green Bay Packers). While Hawk has enjoyed a lengthy NFL career and earned a Super Bowl ring with the Packers, it didn't quite work out for Carpenter. Carpenter would start just three games over four seasons with the Cowboys.
New York Giants
Worst pick:Cedric Jones (1996 NFL Draft, Round 1, No. 5 overall)
The lowdown: The Giants could have had a dangerous pass-rushing tandem featuring Michael Strahan and Jones. While Strahan emerged as one of the game's great pass rushers in the late 1990s, Jones failed to develop. Jones started 35 games for the Giants over five seasons and recorded just 15 sacks. If there is a positive, Jones did start 16 games for a Giants team that advanced to Super Bowl XXXV in the 2000 season.
Philadelphia Eagles
Best pick:Reggie White (1984 Supplemental Draft, Round 1, No. 4 overall)
The lowdown: In 1984, the NFL held a special draft for college seniors who had already signed with the rival USFL. Three of the first four selections in this supplemental draft went on to become Pro Football Hall of Famers. White was the only one to spend the majority of his career with the team that selected him. The Eagles had to wait a year before White could suit up for the team. After the USFL collapsed in 1985, White signed with the Eagles and immediately became one of the NFL's top defensive players. In eight seasons with Philadelphia, White registered 124 sacks and was twice the league's sack leader (1987 and 1988).
Worst pick:Jay Berwanger (1936 NFL Draft, Round 1, No. 1 overall)
The lowdown: In the NFL's inaugural selection meeting, the Eagles selected the 1935 Heisman Trophy winner out of the University of Chicago. After the Eagles were unable to meet Berwanger's salary demands, his rights were traded to the Chicago Bears. He didn't sign with the Bears, either. Berwanger never played a down in the NFL, unintentionally initiating a tradition of Heisman winners falling short of expectations as pros.
Washington Redskins
Best pick:Sammy Baugh (1937 NFL Draft, Round 1, No. 6 overall)
The lowdown: In addition to being the finest quarterback of his time, Baugh was one of the game's best defensive backs and punters. Baugh led the NFL in passing yards four times, interceptions once and punt average five times. Baugh led the Redskins to five NFL championship games, winning twice in 1937 and 1942, with the 1942 title representing the Redskins' last championship before winning Super Bowl XVII in the 1982 season. When Baugh retired, he owned every notable passing record and was the NFL's all-time leading punter; in fact, his 51.4 yards per punt in 1940 remains an NFL record.
Worst pick:Heath Shuler (1994 NFL Draft, Round 1, No. 3 overall)
The lowdown: After a stellar career at the University of Tennessee, the Redskins thought enough of Shuler as a potential franchise quarterback that the team spent the No. 4 overall pick on him. Shuler never panned out, and was eventually beaten out by sixth-round pick Gus Frerotte to be the team's starting quarterback. Shuler started 13 games for the Redskins over three seasons, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
And who was the greatest pick of them all?
Follow Jim Reineking on Twitter @jimreineking.
