Surveying The Wreckage Of The Matt Millen Era

Barry Petchesky|published: Fri 9th July, 11:30 2010

Today, the Lions released Daniel Bullocks, the last player remaining from a 5-year stretch of drafts. That's 0-for-40. Here's what became of them all, and I warn you, it's not pretty.

I'm not going to name names (to protect those involved), but see if you can match up the fates of those 40 picks with this draft history:

2002: •Spent 4 solid seasons with Detroit. Traded for a 5th round pick. Hasn't played since 2007. •Out of the league. •Currently thriving in Denver. •Never played an NFL down. •Caught 5 passes in his 3 years with the Lions. •Out of the league. •Never played a down. •Out of the league. •Played one game in 3 years.

2003: •Legal troubles, character issues, washed out of the league in 2005. •Had a few good years in Detroit, now out of the league. •Started every game for four straight seasons. Then went to a good team, and doesn't start anymore. •Out of the league. •Out of the league. •In the CFL. •In the UFL. •Out of the league. •Cut by a CFL team. •Never made a team. •Never made a team.

2004: •Consistently underachieved. Now consistently underachieves in Dallas. •Had great rookie year. Never equaled it. •Had excellent rookie year. Never started again. Reigning UFL champion. •Started 5 games in 5 years with Lions. •Out of the league. •Played in Arena Football, CFL.

2005: •Spent 2 years with Lions. Traded as part of a package for a 4th round pick. •Spent 4 "meh" seasons with Lions. Left as a free agent. •Out of football. •Is Dan Orlovsky. •Managed to play 8 career games without recording a tackle. •Died in a motorcycle accident.

2006 •Had a good stint. Traded. •Injury-plagued. Released. •In the CFL. •Solid few years, after the Lions cut him. •Never played a down. •In the UFL. •Out of the league.

From five consecutive drafts, I count only two unqualified successes: Andre' Goodman and Ernie Sims. And of course, neither is plying their trade in Detroit anymore.

Just remember this list next time Matt Millen appears on your television, getting paid to analyze football.

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