Take Five: NFL Draft steals and busts

IF THE HISTORY of the NFL Draft has proven anything, it is that accurately identifying the best college football talent is a rather inexact science.

While the league’s general managers study stats and charts all day in an attempt to select the next Peyton Manning rather than the next Ryan Leaf, we’ve had a bit more time on our hands.

So, here’s a rundown of some of the draft’s more notable hits and misses.

Take Five: NFL Draft steals and busts

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5. Terrell Davis (Sixth-Round Pick #196)
Source: DAVID ZALUBOWSKI/AP/Press Association Images
4. Dan Marino (First-Round Pick #27)
Source: AP Photo/Kathy Willens
3. Jerry Rice (First-Round Pick #16)
Source: AP Photo/Andrew Innerarity
2. Joe Montana (Third-Round Pick #82)
Source: AP Photo/Atkins
1. Tom Brady (Sixth-Round Pick #199)
Source: AP Photo/Paul Sancya
And now, the busts ...
Source: CHRIS SZAGOLA/LANDOV/Press Association Images
5. Lawrence Phillips (First-Round Pick #6)
Source: BRIAN BAER/AP/Press Association Images
4. Akili Smith (First-Round Pick #3)
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer
3. Tony Mandarich (First-Round Pick #2)
2. Ryan Leaf (First-Round Pick #2)
Source: HENRY BARGAS/AP/Press Association Images
1. JaMarcus Russell (First-Round Pick #1)
Source: AP Photo/Paul Sakuma