Top of page

Impressions of the seventh round

Quarterbacks, who had been largely neglected before new, started attracting attention in this round, as the 49ers selected Louisiana Tech’s Tim Rattay, the Broncos took Notre Dame’s Jarious Jackson and the Buccaneers chose Georgia Tech’s Joe Hamilton.

Although Rattay doesn’t have the physical tools that scouts are looking for, he’s a top competitor and tough guy with good instincts and intangibles. In other words, he’s the type of quarterback Bill Walsh likes for his West Coast offense.That’s why the 49ers gave up a sixth-round pick next year for the right to draft Rattay.

Jackson is considered an excellent athlete and has some skills as a passer, but he’s also erratic throwing the ball. Because he is so skilled athletically, Jackson may able to help Denver as a runner or a special-teamer while learning the nuances of the QB position.

Hamilton was a superproductive college player, and he is considered a winner, but his size (5-10, 190) is a huge concern. He’ll try to earn a roster spot for the Bucs, who have Shaun King and Eric Zeier ahead of him.

The Raiders made another interesting move in taking Miami’s Mondriel Fulcher, who could play tight end, H-back or fullback. He’s considered an all-around athlete, but he’s never found a position that truly fits him.

The Bills drafted a local college guy, WR Drew Haddad. He’s a natural receiver but has marginal athletic skills, similar to the Jets’ Wayne Chrebet.

Virginia Tech’s Shyrone Stith came out for the draft a year early in the hope of hitting the jackpot. Well, he barely got drafted. His height (5-7 3/8) and speed (4.6) didn’t impress scouts, but the Jaguars are hoping he can improve markedly as he matures.

Louisiana-Lafayette DB MikeGreen earned the coveted title of Mr.Irrelevant, being the final player chosen in the draft, by the Bears. Green will now be honored in a parade in Newport Beach, Calif., as the 25^th recipient of the Mr. Irrelevant award.

Teams tried to make up for the absence of trades in the first round with a bunch of deals in the final round. At least eight of the 48 picks in the seventh round were traded after the draft had begun. Besides the 49ers’ surrender of a sixth-rounder in 2001 to gain one of these coveted picks, the Raiders gave up a No. 6 next year to draft Southwest Texas State S Cliffton Black, and the Colts dealt their No. 6 in 2001 to Oakland for the right to select Alabama-Birmingham CB Rodregis Brooks.

In addition, the Bears, who were one of the most active traders on the second day of the draft, dealt pick No. 232 to Miami in exchange for P Brent Bartholomew. Bartholomew immediately becomes the favorite to win the Bears’ starting punting job, since Todd Sauerbrun wasn’t retained.

Top of page

Back to Draft Day index page