1999 NFL Draft Report


© Chuck Bednar
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Apr 20, 1999


On Saturday, the heroes of the 1998 college football season bid a final farewell to their college days as Tim Couch, Ricky Williams, and a host of others were selected in the 1999 National Football League entry draft.

Couch was the first pick in the Draft. The former Kentucky quarterback was selected No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Browns, just hours after he agreed to a reported seven-year, $48 million deal with the team. The 6-foot-4, 227-pound Couch was a first-team All-American at Kentucky last season. The junior passed for 4,275 yards and 36 touchdowns, throwing for at least 300 yards and a score in each game.

Couch was the first of five quarterbacks taken in the first round. Philadelphia selected Syracuse QB Donovan McNabb second overall, and the Bengals tapped Akili Smith from Oregon at No. 3. Minnesota took Central Florida quarterback Dante Culpepper with the 11th pick, and UCLA star Cade McNown went to the Chicago Bears with the 12th selection.

Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams experienced a day of ups and downs. Not only wasn't the University of Texas star not the first player taken in the draft, but he wasn't even the first running back selected.

With the fourth pick, the Indianapolis Colts chose former Miami Hurricanes' running back Edgerrin James. Mike Ditka and the New Orleans Saints wasted little time in trading all their picks in this draft, along with a 1st and 3rd in 2000, to the Washington Redskins for a shot to draft the all-time leading rusher in Division I-A history.

Here are the complete first round selections:

  1. Cleveland: Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
  2. Philadelphia: Donovan McNabb, QB, Syracuse
  3. Cincinnati: Akili Smith, QB, Oregon
  4. Indianapolis: Edgerrin James, RB, Miami (Fla.)
  5. New Orleans: Ricky Williams, RB, Texas
  6. St. Louis: Torry Holt, WR, North Carolina State
  7. Washington: Champ Bailey, DB, Georgia
  8. Arizona: David Boston, WR, Ohio State
  9. Detroit: Chris Claiborne, LB, USC
  10. Baltimore: Chris McAlister, DB, Arizona
  11. Minnesota: Daunte Culpepper, QB, Central Florida
  12. Chicago: Cade McNown, QB, UCLA
  13. Pittsburgh: Troy Edwards, WR, Louisiana Tech
  14. Kansas City: John Tait, OL, Brigham Young
  15. Tampa Bay: Anthony McFarland, DL, Louisiana State
  16. Tennessee: Jevon Kearse, LB, Florida
  17. New England: Damien Woody, OL, Boston College
  18. Oakland: Matt Stinchcomb, OL, Georgia
  19. New York Giants: Luke Petitgout, OL, Notre Dame
  20. Dallas: Ebenezer Ekuban, DL, North Carolina
  21. Arizona: L.J. Shelton, OL, Eastern Michigan
  22. Seattle: Lamar King, DL, Saginaw Valley State (Mich.)
  23. Buffalo: Antoine Winfield, DB, Ohio State
  24. San Francisco: Reggie McGrew, DL, Florida
  25. Green Bay: Antwan Edwards, DB, Clemson
  26. Jacksonville: Fernando Bryant, DB, Alabama
  27. Detroit: Aaron Gibson, OL, Wisconsin

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Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages
2.   Apr 23, 1999 9:37 PM
Treetoad:

You hit the nail right on the head -- because he's a lot like Cunningham. Also, I understand he's a local boy -- originally from the Philly area. Maybe they think he can sell some tickets ...

-- posted by Chuck
1.   Apr 20, 1999 11:33 AM
Why did the Eagles go for McNabb over other qbs. the only reason I can think of is that NcNabb reminds them of Cunningham, who they dearly wish they had back. McNabb was Choke player of the year for ...

-- posted by Treeman



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