What can you get with the No. 8 pick?

Published on: 04/22/07

The Falcons have the No. 8 pick in the NFL Draft, which will be held Saturday and Sunday. History suggests that they'll have a chance to select a good player, but over the years teams in the No. 8 spot have also passed over some pretty good players.

Here's a look at No. 8 pick over the past 20 drafts:

• 2006, Buffalo — Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State. Buffalo could have solved its quarterback issues with Matt Leinart or Jay Cutler, who went 10th and 11th to Arizona and Denver, respectively.

• 2005, Arizona — Antrel Rolle, CB, Miami. Arizona didn't need a defensive end and passed on Shawne Merriman (27 sacks his first two seasons), whom San Diego took 12th.

• 2004, Atlanta — DeAngelo Hall, CB, Virginia Tech. Ben Roethlisberger went to Pittsburgh at No. 11 and led the Steelers to the Super Bowl.

• 2003, Carolina — Jordan Gross, T, Utah. The Steelers picked safety Troy Polamalu at No. 16.

• 2002, Dallas — Roy Williams, SS, Oklahoma. Indianapolis took defensive end Dwight Freeney, who was considered a 'tweener, at 11 and Baltimore got safety Ed Reed at No. 24.

• 2001, Chicago — David Terrell, WR, Michigan. CB Nate Clements went to Buffalo at 21 and RB Deuce McAllister to New Orleans at 23.

• 2000, Pittsburgh — Plaxico Burress (right), WR, Michigan State. Chicago didn't waste any time picking LB Brian Urlacher with the next pick. DE John Abraham went to the Jets at 13 and RB Shaun Alexander to Seattle at 19.

• 1999, Arizona — David Boston, WR Ohio State. This was a weak draft, but Patrick Kerney was still available when the Falcons picked 30th.

• 1998, Dallas — Greg Ellis, OLB, North Carolina. Another weak draft, though Falcons got LB Keith Brooking four picks later.

• 1997, New York Jets — James Farrior, ILB, Virginia. RB Warrick Dunn went to Tampa Bay four picks later and TE Tony Gonzalez to Kansas City at 13.

• 1996, Carolina — Tim Biakabutuka (left), RB, Michigan. Eddie George went to Houston with the 14th pick and had a much more productive career. Also, WR Marvin Harrison went 19th to Indianapolis and LB Ray Lewis 26th to Baltimore.

• 1995, Seattle — Joey Galloway, WR, Ohio State. GM Rich McKay came up big as Tampa Bay got DT Warren Sapp at 12 and LB Derrick Brooks at 28.

• 1994, Seattle — Sam Adams, DT, Texas A&M. Current Falcons tackle Wayne Gandy went to the L.A. Rams at 15.

• 1993, New Orleans — Willie Roaf, LT, Louisiana Tech. Jerome "The Bus" Bettis goes to L.A. Rams at No. 10.

• 1992, Atlanta – Bob Whitfield, LT, Stanford. Right before Cleveland takes "Touchdown" Tommy Vardell at No. 9.

• 1991, Philadelphia – Antone Davis, T, Tennessee. Another weak draft with no glaring misses. (QB Brett Favre was taken by Atlanta in Round 2, 33rd overall.)

• 1990, New England — Chris Singleton, LB, Arizona. Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith went to Dallas at No. 17.

• 1989, San Diego — Burt Grossman, DE, Pittsburgh. Hard-hitting safety Steve Atwater goes to Denver at No. 20.

• 1988, New York Jets – Dave Cadigan, G, Southern Cal. WR Michael Irvin, who goes into the Hall Fame this summer, went to Dallas at No. 11.

• 1987, Buffalo — Shane Conlan, LB, Penn State. Rod Woodson went two picks later to Pittsburgh. He was named to the NFL's 75th anniversary team in 1994.