On draft day, second round as good as first (1 Viewer)

[kooldak]

By DAVE GOLDBERG/The Cape Cod Times

NEW YORK - A year ago, the Houston Texans bypassed the electric Reggie Bush and ignored hometown hero Vince Young to use the first pick in the NFL draft on defensive end Mario Williams. After a 6-10 season, they hear about it every day - more often as this year's draft approaches.

But the Texans still can brag about last year's draft - because of linebacker DeMeco Ryans, taken with the first pick of the second round. While Williams was bothered by injuries and made little impact, Ryans was the NFL's defensive rookie of the year. He was second in the league with 155 tackles, had 3½ sacks and developed into the leader of the defense, if not the team's leader.

It's too bad everyone focuses on the first round. Too bad, because almost as many stars emerge from the second round as the first, from Brett Favre in 1991 and Michael Strahan two years later to Ryans and Devin Hester last season.

Full Story - The Cape Cod Times