Five teams (Arizona, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit and Minnesota) were given at least a two-letter grade difference, while eight others (Denver, Houston, Kansas City, New Orleans, Philadelphia,
San Francisco, Seattle and St. Louis) had a one-letter grade difference.
Who knew the 10th overall pick, wide receiver Mike Williams, was going to be a bust in Detroit, or that fifth-round pick defensive end Trent Cole was going to be a Pro Bowler? These twists of fate are what make the draft worth watching, but they also are why it's tough to tell how good a team did on draft day until three years later.
15 quick hits about the 2005 NFL draft class
• Derek Anderson (grade out of college: 73), who was drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round, is the highest-rated quarterback in this class today. The Ravens waived him, and a day later the Browns claimed him. He was in the 2007 Pro Bowl, and the Ravens are still struggling to find a quarterback.
• 12 Pro Bowlers came out of the 2005 draft: LB Shawne Merriman (Chargers, current grade: 93), DE DeMarcus Ware (Cowboys, current grade: 93), WR Braylon Edwards (Browns, current grade: 88), OT Jammal Brown (Saints, current grade: 87), G Logan Mankins (Patriots, current grade: 87), LB Lofa Tatupu (Seahawks, current grade: 87), RB Frank Gore (49ers, current grade: 84), DE Trent Cole (Eagles, current grade: 79), RB Marion Barber (Cowboys, grade: 77), QB Derek Anderson (Browns, grade: 74), KR Justin Miller (Jets, current grade: 65), KR Jerome Mathis (Texans, current grade: 56).
• Only three running backs were drafted in Round 1, and Auburn had two running backs drafted in the top five -- Ronnie Brown (Dolphins) and Carnell Williams (Buccaneers).
• Adrian McPherson (current grade: 40) was the 10th quarterback taken in the 2005 draft and now is the backup for the Grand Rapids Rampage in the AFL.
• After the 49ers decided to take QB Alex Smith (grade out of college: 98) over QB Aaron Rodgers (grade out of college: 99) first overall, Rodgers dropped to 24th overall and was picked by the Packers.
• Falcons LB Michael Boley (fifth round, current grade: 85) is the highest-rated player drafted on Day 2.
• Two of the seven players Cincinnati drafted (WR Chris Henry and LB Odell Thurman) have been suspended by commissioner Roger Goodell for personal conduct reasons.
• DT Jay Ratliff (Cowboys, current grade: 65) is the highest-rated player drafted in the seventh round.
• Maurice Clarett (released by Denver) was the ninth running back drafted in 2005. He has more arrests than rushing yards in the NFL.
• DT Anttaj Hawthorne (Oakland, grade out of college: 89), from Wisconsin is the highest-rated player out of college who is no longer in the NFL.
• The Lions drafted a wide receiver in the first round for the third year in a row. Their pick, Mike Williams (current grade: 52), now plays in Tennessee.
• Fifty-three of the 255 players drafted are no longer in the league.
• Tampa Bay, Seattle, Indianapolis and Green Bay drafted the most players (four) who are no longer in the NFL.
• Only five teams' entire draft class remains in the NFL (Tennessee, N.Y. Giants, Miami, Houston and Baltimore).
• No team has all its drafted players from 2005.
Scouts Inc. watches games, breaks down film and studies football from all angles for ESPN.com.