Who are the best draft picks of the century from the most prominent programs in college football? College Football 24/7 set out to answer this question by ranking the top draft picks since 2000 from the 30 schools that have produced the most picks since that year.
Players were ranked through a formula in which they received points for honors they've acquired in their NFL career, including being selected to the Pro Bowl (including as injury replacements) and being selected first-team All-Pro. Players were also rewarded relative to where in the draft they were selected. First-round picks benefited least because a strong career would be expected; seventh-round picks benefited most. In some cases, a bonus for longevity or outstanding play was granted. See the full formula below the list of top picks.
Next up in the series is Georgia, which has placed the eighth-most players in the draft (95) of any school since 2000. Twelve former Bulldogs in that span have reached at least one Pro Bowl, with former Patriots star Richard Seymour leading the way with seven. It's a deep group that is heavy on defense.
Best picks of the century from Georgia
1. Richard Seymour, defensive lineman
Points: 26.4
Drafted by:Patriots, No. 6 overall pick (Round 1), 2001
Skinny: Seymour proved to be everything the Patriots could have hoped for with a top-10 pick, providing a versatile and effective presence along the defensive front as a part of three Super Bowl-winning teams. After eight years in New England, the Patriots traded him to the Raiders for a first-round pick. Over a 12-year career, he was selected to seven Pro Bowls and was a first-team All-Pro selection for three years in a row from 2003-2005.
2. Geno Atkins, defensive tackle
Points: 23.8
Drafted by:Bengals, No. 120 overall pick (Round 4), 2010
Skinny: It's draft picks like Atkins, who blow away all expectations as a mid- or late-round pick, that can really help turn franchises around. Atkins has been a stellar interior pass rusher in Cincinnati, and with 20 sacks over the last two years, he's showing no signs of slowing down. You want durability? He hasn't missed a start since 2013. Atkins proved to be a draft gem for the Bengals by any measure.
3. Justin Houston, linebacker
Points: 14.3
Drafted by:Chiefs, No. 70 overall pick (Round 3), 2011
Skinny: Although a knee injury has slowed Houston's career arc the last couple of years, he notched an incredible 22 sacks in 2014, just half a sack shy of Michael Strahan's NFL single-season record. Houston was selected first-team All-Pro that year and was named to one of four Pro Bowls on his resume.
4. A.J. Green, wide receiver
Points: 11.0
Drafted by:Bengals, No. 4 overall pick (Round 1), 2011
Skinny: It doesn't get any more consistent than what Green has done with the first six years of his career, delivering production befitting a No. 1 receiver in every season. Last year, the six-time Pro Bowler recorded career lows in yardage (964) and TDs (4), but that was due to a hamstring injury that cost him six games.
5. Thomas Davis, linebacker
Points: 8.8
Drafted by:Panthers, No. 14 pick (Round 1), 2005
Skinny: Somehow, Davis seems to be getting better with age. The longtime Panther (11 years) made his first two Pro Bowls in 2015 and 2016, and was a first-team All-Pro on Panthers' NFC championship team in 2015. He's also overcome knee injuries to miss only one start over the last four years.
Honorable mention: LB Kendrell Bell (8.4 points), RB Todd Gurley (7.7), DT Marcus Stroud (3.3), CB Tim Jennings (2.4), S Reshad Jones (2.4), OT Jon Stinchcomb (1.2), QB Matthew Stafford (1.1).
Total number of picks from Georgia since 2000: 95
2017 draft picks from Georgia (1): WR Isaiah McKenzie, Broncos (Round 5, No. 172 overall).
Draft multiplier: Total points for first-round picks x 1.1; second-round picks x 1.2; third-round picks x 1.3; fourth-round picks x 1.4; fifth-round picks x 1.5; sixth-round picks x 1.6; seventh-round picks x 1.7.
Tiebreaker: Ranking edge to lower-drafted player within same round.
Specialists and fullbacks: For players honored primarily as specialists or fullbacks, their total points were devalued. Kickers and punters were not included in this exercise.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
