Players drafted while Rob Ryan was defensive coordinator (with analysis)

I wrote this up a week or so ago on another Saints forum and thought I'd post it here, especially given the other thread where this information was being requested. I hope it helps.

Note: I didn't attempt to make any projections from Ryan's draft history and how it might relate to who we take in New Orleans. I think there are too many variables in play for that. For example, at no time was he given the reigns to the organization with the freedom to draft whomever he wanted. Obviously, he was just a defensive coordinator and not a GM. I just researched and compiled this list out of sheer curiosity to see the players Ryan had a hand in drafting and coaching over his time. I hope you guys have as much fun with this as I did putting it together.



2004 Oakland Raiders

3rd Round: Stuart Schweigert, S, Purdue

Turned into an effective starter, improving in tackles and interceptions for three straight seasons before sustaining a nasty injury in 2007. Despite a promising career year in 2006 in which he amassed 107 tackles, he never fully recovered. Following his release from the Raiders in 2008, he never played past preseason with any other team.

6th Round: Shawn Johnson, DE, Delaware

Cut before the season began and never played a down in the NFL.

6th Round: Cody Spencer, LB, North Texas

Also cut before the season began. Signed by the Titans, then Jets. Spencer played sparingly on special teams for a few years before being released for good in 2008.




2005 Oakland Raiders

1st Round: Fabian Washington, CB, Nebraska

This pick is semi-famous and stands out a prime example of Al Davis's draft mishaps. Fabian Washington was drafted with the 23rd pick of the 1st round. The very next pick? Aaron Rodgers to the Packers. Washington, meanwhile, developed into a respectable corner back for the Raiders but never lived up to his first round potential. He was traded to the Ravens in 2008 for a 4th round draft pick before ultimately coming the Saints in 2011 where he ended his career on the Injured Reserve list.

2. Stanford Routt, CB, Houston

Routt enjoyed a decent amount of success with the Raiders, breaking into the starting line in his rookie season. He resigned by the organization to a $31.4M deal in 2011, but was released in a cap-saving measure in February 2012. The Chiefs acquired him in 2012 before the Texans signed him this past December. He remains a solid corner back.

3rd Round: Kirk Morrison, LB, San Diego State

An excellent value pick. During his five year tenure with the Raiders, Morrison thrived at his position. He started as a rookie and ended the season with 116 tackles. His second year he led the team with 128 tackles. In 2008 and 2009 he continued to place in the top 10 in the NFL in tackles, as well as adding numerous interceptions and forced fumbles for his team. He was traded following the 2009 season and has played with Jacksonville and Buffalo since this time.

6th Round: Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin

A collegiate stud with the talent to be an NFL superstar, Hawthorne saw his draft stock tumble after testing positive for marijuana at the 2005 NFL combine. Other teams noted his incredible athletic talent but questionable work ethic and apathetic disposition. He played for just two seasons in the NFL before being waived by the Raiders in 2007. No other team would sign him.

6th Round: Ryan Riddle, LB, California

Another disappointment. Amassed just 7 tackles in his two year NFL career.




2006 Oakland Raiders

1st Round: Michael Huff, S, Texas

Solid pick. Huff hasn't had the greatest numbers for an overall 7th pick of the draft, but he's been solid throughout his seven season career. He has been a locker room leader as well as a contributor on the field and was named the Raiders organization's 2012-3 Walter Payton Man of the Year. He was listed on the second team All-Pro in 2010.


2nd Round: Thomas Howard, LB, Texas-El Paso

Howard recorded 110 tackles his rookie season. In his second season he continued to shine. He grabbed four interceptions and returned two for touchdowns in his first four games. He had a productive career with the Raiders before being traded to Cincinnati, where he signed a two year, $6.5M deal in 2011. He's been a solid starter and contributor since being drafted.

4th Round: Darnell Bing, S, USC

Bing has not panned out as a reliable NFL player. After being released by the Raiders, 49ers, Jets and Lions, the former USC standout is now playing in the Canadian Football League with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders.




2007 Oakland Raiders

3rd Round: Quentin Moses, DE, Georgia

The Raiders didn't draft a defensive player until the 3rd round, as they were busy loading up JaMarcus Russell with an armored car full of cash in the first and Tight End Zach Miller in the second. Moses, the 65th overall pick of the 2007 draft, was cut before the season started and ended up playing four very lackluster years in Miami. Moses ended his NFL career with just 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks.

4th Round: John Bowie, CB, Cincinnati

The Raiders acquired this pick when they shipped Randy Moss to New England. Needless to say, the Patriots got slightly more production from Moss than the Raiders did from John Bowie. While Moss and Brady were setting records in Foxboro, Bowie was bouncing from practice squad to injured reserve before being cut for good in 2009 by the Bengals. Another bad pick.

5th Round: Jay Richardson, DE, Ohio State

An underwhelming pick for the Raiders. Richardson contributed but didn't break through in three seasons for the Black and Silver before being traded, signed and cut by several teams since 2010. He is currently a project of the Saints, who will try to resurrect his career after sitting out of football all together last year.

5th Round: Eric Frampton, S, Washington State

Drafted in April 2007, the Raiders cut him on September 1 of the same year. He subsequently signed with the Lions, Vikings and Cowboys, where he has become a special teams standout. He has carved out a role for himself and continues to enjoy regular playing time. For a 5th rounder, this has turned into a fair pick.




2008 Oakland Raiders

4th Round: Tyvon Branch, DB, Connecticut

One of just two defensive players drafted by the Raiders in 2008, Branch has demonstrated that he is a serviceable NFL starter. He broke into the lineup as a strong safety and has entrenched in the position for the past five seasons. For a 4th round pick, he has proven worth the selection.

6th Round: Trevor Scott, DE, Buffalo

Scott's career got off to a great start as he garnered 5.0 sacks his first season and 7.5 in his second before tearing his ACL in 2010. He did not play in 2011 but signed with the Patriots in 2012, recording 3.0 sacks coming off the bench. As a 6th rounder, this is about the production one could reasonably expect.


2009 Cleveland Browns

2nd Round: David Veikune, OLB, Hawaii

Ryan's first defensive player taken with the Browns did not amount to much in the NFL. He appeared in 10 games as a rookie, then was placed on the injured reserve in 2010. He never recovered and currently plays in the Canadian Football League. More was expected from this heralded linebacker.

4th Round: Kaluka Maiava, LB, USC

Maiva remains with the Browns as a 2nd string and special teams player. He has accumulated 99 tackles and 4.5 sacks in four seasons.

6th Round: Don Carey, DB, Norfolk State

Carey injured his shoulder during training camp in 2009 and was waived without playing a down for the Browns. He was picked up by Jacksonville and has played sparingly with both the Jaguars and Lions, who signed him in 2010. He remains with the Lions, primary as a strong safety and special teams player.

6th Round: Coye Francies, DB, San Jose State

The defensive back was projected as a 3rd or 4th round pick, but slow 40 times at the NFL Combine pushed him back to the 6th round. In his rookie season, he was involved in a locker room fight with a teammate and was waived in 2010. He has bounced around to several teams' practice squads since then, including stints with the Seahawks and Raiders.




2010 Cleveland Browns

1st Round: Joe Haden, CB, Florida

A great rookie season saw Haden intercept six passes, including a four game stretch where he snagged a pick in each game. He had a four game suspension in 2012 for prescription drug abuse, but overall he's been a quality first round pick on an up and coming Cleveland defense.

2nd Round: TJ Ward, S, Oregon

Ward has developed into a nice strong safety. He started in his rookie year and despite injuries in 2011, he responded last season with an interception and three forced fumbles while starting in 14 games.

3rd Round: Larry Asante, S, Nebraska

Asante agreed to terms with the Browns on July 16, 2010 for $1.96M, but was waived just weeks later before the start of the season and placed on the practice squad. He is currently a free agent and seeking an opportunity to make an NFL roster. More was expected from this 3rd rounder.

6th Round: Clifton Geathers, DE, South Carolina

A late round flyer, Geathers has been nothing more than a camp body in the NFL. He has served briefly with the Browns, Dolphins, Seahawks, Cowboys and Colts in the past three seasons.




2011 Dallas Cowboys

2nd Round: Bruce Carter, LB, UNC

Ryan saw just two defensive players drafted by the Cowboys in 2011. Of these two picks, this one is the most intriguing. It's still early, but Carter's injury plagued career has diminished what could be all-pro ability. After tearing his ACL during his last season at UNC, Carter rehabbed successfully and showed flashes of greatness for the Cowboys in 2011 and 2012. However, he ended up back on the injured reserve list at the end of last season with a dislocated left elbow. It remains to be seen how much of a star Carter can blossom into.

5th Round: Josh Thomas, CB, Buffalo

Thomas found himself playing for Carolina soon after being drafted by the Cowboys. Last year he saw significant time on special teams as he played in all 16 games, recording 35 tackles.




2012 Dallas Cowboys

1st Round: Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU

Obviously, it's tough to gauge a player after just one season, but it appears Claiborne is well on his way to proving why he was selected so early. He excelled in man to man coverage and overcame injuries to register a solid first season, intercepting one pass, forcing a fumble and scoring a touchdown while deflecting eight passes.

3rd Round: Tyrone Crawford, DE, Boise State

Crawford spent his rookie season as a situational pass rusher and special teams player, making 20 tackles behind more experienced starters. As with Claiborne, his true impact remains to be seen.

4th Round: Kyle Wilber, OLB, Wake Forest

Wilber has seen even less playing time and had just five tackles in 2012. His future with the organization remains in doubt.

4th Round: Matt Johnson, S, Eastern Washington

The safety from Eastern Washington battled hamstring injuries all year and spent most of the season on the injured reserve. He recorded no statistics for the season.

7th Round: Caleb McSurdy, ILB, Montana

This late round prospect was released before the season started in the preliminary training camp cuts. As of yet, has not been added to an active roster.