What do Redskins greats Andy Farkas and Don Bosseler have in common with the Redskins' 2005 NFL Draft?
Farkas and Bosseler are two of only three Redskins draft picks to be selected with the ninth overall pick in the first round. On April 23, for just the fourth time in team history, the Redskins will once again have the ninth overall pick in the first round of the draft.
Farkas, one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, played for Washington from 1938-44 and led the Redskins in rushing and scoring in 1938-39 and 1942-43. He helped the Redskins win the NFL Championship in 1942.
Bosseler, also one of the 70 Greatest Redskins, played in Washington from 1957-64 and led the Redskins in rushing from 1958-59. A Pro Bowl selection in 1959, he left the Redskins in '64 as the team's all-time leading rusher.
The other ninth overall pick by the Redskins? Cal Rossi, a UCLA running back who was chosen by the Redskins with the ninth overall pick in 1946. But the pick was nullified because Rossi was still a junior in college. (The Redskins drafted Rossi again the following year, this time with the third overall pick in the draft. But Rossi decided not to pursue a pro football career and never played.)
In NFL history, the ninth overall draft selection has not produced many marquee players.
In 1982, Gerald Riggs was the ninth overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons. (Riggs would go on to play for Joe Gibbs and the Redskins later that decade.) A year later, the Houston Oilers took Bruce Matthews with the ninth pick in the first round. (Matthews was best known for his longevity, playing a remarkable 19 years.)
Starting in 1998, the ninth overall pick has produced several solid, if not spectacular, players in the draft:
1998: Fred Taylor, RB
The Jacksonville Jaguars' franchise running back has rushed for 7,580 yards in seven NFL seasons. Taylor has five 1,000-yard seasons and a 4.6 yards-per-carry career average.
1999: Chris Claiborne, LB
Selected by the Detroit Lions, Claiborne has been productive in his six seasons, playing in 87 games and recording 522 tackles. He played the last two years with the Minnesota Vikings, but signed with the St. Louis Rams this offseason.
2000: Brian Urlacher, LB
Urlacher has developed into a dominating and intimidating linebacker for the Chicago Bears. He has 576 tackles, seven interceptions and 26 sacks in five NFL seasons.
2001: Koren Robinson, WR
Robinson has had an up-and-down career with the Seattle Seahawks, but has been productive. In four NFL seasons, he has caught 213 passes for 3,167 yards and 12 touchdowns.
2002: John Henderson, DE/DT
Another Jaguar, Henderson has become a steady force along the Jacksonville defensive line. Playing mostly at tackle, he has 184 tackles, 15.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in three seasons.
2003: Kevin Williams, DT
Williams has been a dominating defensive tackle in his first two seasons. He has 121 tackles, 22 sacks and two interceptions in his young career, earning a Pro Bowl nod last year.
2004: Reggie Williams, WR
Yet another Jacksonville player, Williams showed plenty of promise in his rookie season, starting 15 games. He logged 27 receptions for 268 yards and one touchdown.
