Need a receiver in the third round? The Bills needed one in 1985 and grabbed a guy named Andre Reed 86th overall.
Need a left tackle in the third round? The Rams needed one in 1976 and came away with Jackie Slater.
Two teams, two needs, two Hall of Famers with the same overall pick. Piece of cake, eh?
The Vikings will be the latest team to look for relatively hidden talent with the 86th pick when the NFL draft resumes with Rounds 2-3 tonight.
Here's a historical peek at the 86th pick:
Here is the list of the last 10 players to be selected 86th overall:
- 2015: David Johnson, RB, Cardinals
- 2014: Josh Huff, WR, Eagles
- 2013: Hugh Thornton, G, Colts
- 2012: Sean Spence, LB, Steelers
- 2011: Allen Bailey, DE, Chiefs
- 2010: Daniel Te'o-Nesheim, DE, Eagles
- 2009: Asher Allen, CB, Vikings
- 2008: Tom Zbikowski, S, Ravens
- 2007: Marshal Yanda, G, Ravens
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2006: David Thomas, TE, Patriots
The good: Yanda is a good one on his way to being a great one. He has started 120 games and counting, made the past five Pro Bowls and is a two-time first-team All-Pro. Johnson had a standout rookie year with more than 1,000 yards from scrimmage and 13 total touchdowns.
The bad: Spence didn't play as a rookie and has 13 career starts in three years.
The ugly: Sorry, but Allen probably fits this category as well as any of these 10 choices. He was a nice kid, but he lasted only three seasons, making 21 starts, before surprising the team by retiring because of concussion concerns.
Having the Vikings ever picked 86th? Yes, twice. Besides Allen, they picked Notre Dame defensive back Mike Townsend in 1974. He never played in the NFL, according to Pro Football Reference.
Best 86th pick in NFL history? Two Hall of Famers have been picked 86th overall. In 1976, the Rams took left tackle Jackie Slater. In 1985, the Bills grabbed Andre Reed. The Saints did OK in 1982 when the reached for a kicker named Morten Andersen. Andersen played 25 seasons for several teams and remains the league's career scoring leader. If I had to choose, which I guess I do, I'd take Reed as the best 86th pick ever.
Big thanks to Pro Football Reference for their invaluable Draft Finder tool.
