Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, April 15, 2016
The NFL draft has not been kind to Maryland of late. To wit: The Terps have had a total of only eight players drafted in the last six years.
This year?s draft doesn?t offer much hope to bolster those meager draft numbers from College Park. The top prospect? It?s probably end Yannick Ngakoue, a fierce pass rusher who turned pro early. Brad Craddock could be the rare specialist who is drafted, as he is hailed by most as the top kicker in the draft. And keep an eye on defensive back Sean Davis, a physical force with lots of upside.
Remember when Maryland was a cradle of quarterbacks, producing the likes of Boomer Esiason, Stan Gelbaugh, Frank Reich, Scott Milanovich, Scott Zolak, Neil O?Donnell and Shaun Hill of recent vintage? The Terps haven?t had a signal-caller drafted since Zolak was taken in the 1991 draft.
Here is a breakdown of how Maryland has fared in the last 10 NFL drafts.
MARYLAND DRAFT (2006-15)
Highest pick: TE Vernon Davis, 6th overall, 2006/49ers
Most fertile draft: 2009, five picks
Total first-round picks: 2
Total picks: 20
Position breakdown
Defensive back: 5
Receiver: 4
Offensive line: 3
Defensive line: 2
Linebacker: 2
Tight end: 2
Running back: 1
Punter: 1
Year by Year
2006
1st round TE Vernon Davis, 49ers
2 LB D?Qwell Jackson, Browns
7 DB Gerrick McPhearson, Giants
2007
2 CB Josh Wilson, Seahawks
4 P Adam Podlesh, Jaguars
5 OT Jared Gaither, Ravens
2008
4 DT Dre Moore, Buccaneers
2009
1 WR Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
3 DB Kevin Barnes, Redskins
7 LB Moise Fokou, Eagles
7 G Jaimie Thomas, Colts
7 TE Dan Gronkowski, Lions
2010
4 G Bruce Campbell, Raiders
5 CB Nolan Carroll, Dolphins
2011
2 WR Torrey Smith, Ravens
7 RB Da?Rel Scott, Giants
2012
None
2013
7 WR Kevin Dorsey, Packers
2014
3 CB Dexter McDougle, Jets
2015
5 WR Stefon Diggs, Vikings
6 NT Darius Kilgo, Broncos