Ten-year NFL Draft snapshot: Minnesota

Minnesota has had one of the more underrated defenses in the Big Ten in recent years. And that has manifested itself in recent NFL drafts.

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Since 2014, the Golden Gophers have had eight NFL draft picks. And six of those have been defensive players. The last 10 years, defensive back has been the most popular position, as four Gopher secondary players have been tabbed.

Despite the modest draft success, Minnesota hasn?t had a player picked in a draft four times in the last 10 years (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013). And it hasn?t had a first-rounder since running back Laurence Maroney went No. 21 overall to the Patriots in 2006. The Gophers also haven?t had an offensive lineman picked since center Greg Eslinger and guard Mark Setterstrom went in 2006. The last Minnesota quarterback selected? You have to go back to 1972, when Craig Curry went in the eighth round.

MINNESOTA DRAFT: 2007-2016
Highest pick: DT Ra?Shede Hageman, second round, 37th overall, 2014, Falcons
Most fertile draft: 2015, four picks
Total first-round selections: 0
Total picks: 12

Position breakdown:
? Defensive back: 4
? Linebacker: 3
? Tight end: 2
? Defensive line: 1
? Running back: 1
? Receiver: 1

2007
Third Round: TE Matt Spaeth, Steelers

2008
Sixth Round: FS Dominique Barber, Texans

2009
None

2010
Third Round: WR Eric Decker, Broncos
Fifth Round: LB Nate Triplett, Vikings

2011
None

2012
None

2013
None

2014
Second Round: DT Ra?Shede Hageman, Falcons
Fourth Round: SS Brock Vereen, Bears

2015
Second round: TE Maxx Williams, Ravens
Fourth round: LB Damien Wilson, Cowboys
Fifth round: RB David Cobb, Titans
Fifth round: DB Cedric Thompson, Dolphins

2016
Fourth round: CB Eric Murray, Chiefs
Fourth round: LB De?Vondre Campbell, Falcons