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.
Arkansas has placed 58 picks in the NFL draft since 2000, a total that ranks 23rd among all schools. But there's no getting around what have been uninspiring results from that group. Only two of those former Razorbacks have made a Pro Bowl in Shawn Andrews and Ken Hamlin. The most impressive career from an Arkansas player this century belongs to a player who didn't qualify for listing because he was undrafted: nine-time Pro Bowl OT Jason Peters.
Best picks of the century from Arkansas
1. Shawn Andrews, offensive guard
Points: 7.7
Drafted by:Eagles, No. 16 overall pick (Round 1), 2004
Skinny: The Eagles traded a second-round pick to the 49ers to move up 12 spots in the first round to take Andrews. He suffered a season-ending injury in the Eagles' opener in 2004, but he bounced back to start all but one game over the next three seasons. His career peaked in 2006 as a first-team All-Pro selection. Two years later, he announced that he was suffering from depression. Andrews was a two-time Pro Bowler, but his career was derailed by back injuries.
2. Ken Hamlin, safety
Points: 2.4
Drafted by:Seahawks, No. 42 overall pick (Round 2), 2003
Skinny: Hamlin started for four seasons in Seattle and another three as a Dallas Cowboy, making 15 career interceptions. His third pro season was cut short after he was hospitalized from head injuries stemming from a fight outside a Seattle nightclub, but he came back to start every game for the Seahawks the following season. He made his only Pro Bowl in 2007 when he achieved career highs in interceptions (5) and passes defensed (15) in his first year as a Cowboy.
3. David Barrett, defensive back
Points: 1.4
Drafted by:Cardinals, No. 102 overall (Round 4), 2000
Skinny:Barrett developed into a starting cornerback for the Cardinals over four seasons in Arizona before the New York Jets signed him to a six-year contract. In New York, he managed to nab a career-high five interceptions in a 2005 season in which he made just eight starts. Barrett played for nine seasons. Off the field, he was featured in 2006 on ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
4. Bobbie Williams, offensive guard
Points: 1.2
Drafted by:Eagles, No. 61 overall (Round 2), 2001
Skinny:After three seasons in Philadelphia, Williams became a long-term starter with the Cincinnati Bengals at right guard, logging 118 starts over eight years, and picked up a Super Bowl ring with the Baltimore Ravens in his final NFL season.
5. Darren McFadden, running back
Points: 1.1
Drafted by:Raiders, No. 4 overall (Round 1), 2008
Skinny:In part due to a series of injuries, McFadden never developed into the NFL star the Raiders were hoping for when they took him with the No. 4 overall pick. But he did post a pair of 1,000-yard seasons, one with the Raiders and another with the Cowboys, and at a position that generally offers players very short careers, McFadden's career is still alive entering his 10th year. He's now the backup to Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott.
Honorable mention: S Kenoy Kennedy (1.0 points), CB Chris Houston (1.0).
Total number of picks from Arkansas since 2000: 58
2017 draft picks from Arkansas (3): DL Deatrich Wise, Patriots (Round 4, No. 131 overall), TE Jeremy Sprinkle, Redskins (Round 5, No. 154 overall), DE Jeremiah Ledbetter, Lions (Round 6, No. 205 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*.
