Labeled as one of the thinner drafts in recent memory, the 2003 NFL Draft still provided some surprise, excitement and emotion. Now the 32 franchises wait and hope that their often expensive selections can bring their team to the next level and avoid the brand of \draft bust.""
The top three picks left few surprised. Southern California quarterback Carson Palmer, fresh off signing a contract with his team-to-be, became the newest member of the Cincinnati Bengals, a franchise whose recent top quarterback selections include the likes of Akili Smith and David Klingler.
Michigan State's phenom receiver Charles Rogers made the short trip from East Lansing to Detroit to become the newest wideout for the Lions. Fellow receiver Andre Johnson of Miami brings his game-breaking speed to the Houston Texans, which picked him third overall to help complement last year's No. 1 pick David Carr.
The most unusual point in the draft came with the Minnesota Vikings' seventh overall selection. Minnesota let their 15 minutes run out, paving the way for Jacksonville and Carolina to quickly put forth their selections before the seemingly lost Vikings.
It has been suggested that Minnesota was listening to trade offers and did not resolve their situation before time ran out. Adding to Minnesota's debacle, assembled Viking fans threw hats, raised their arms in confusion and cursed the TV after their team picked Oklahoma State defensive tackle Kevin Williams, who most believed was not the best player left at his position.
Also on the local front, the Bears used their two selections to take Penn State defensive end Michael Haynes and Florida quarterback Rex Grossman. Green Bay shocked many by passing up on highly rated linebackers E.J. Henderson and Boss Bailey to select the relatively unknown Nick Barnett of Oregon State.
Among the more emotional stories of the weekend was the selection of Miami running back Willis McGahee by the Buffalo Bills. McGahee, a projected top five pick before a severe leg injury in the national championship Fiesta Bowl, was reduced to tears after hearing his name at the 23rd spot. McGahee worked furiously in rehab in an attempt to show the NFL that he not only could make a return to football but he was worthy of a first-round pick.
The University of Wisconsin saw four of its own move on to the next level this weekend. Senior center Al Johnson became the first Badger selected when the Cowboys took him with the 38th overall pick.
""I'm happy,"" Johnson said. ""I am going to play for a coach [Bill Parcells] who has won pretty much everywhere he has been. I am happy to go in the top 40, happy to go play for a proven coach and see what I can do. I'll try to crack the starting lineup but, more importantly, I'll be trying to just get my feet wet and learn from the veterans.""
Joining Johnson in Dallas will be senior cornerback B.J. Tucker, who was nabbed in the sixth round.
Though the subject of much debate in Madison, senior quarterback Brooks Bollinger convinced the New York Jets that he was worthy of going No. 200 in the draft. The final Badger selected was senior offensive tackle Ben Johnson, who follows in the footsteps of former Wisconsin tackle Aaron Gibson in being drafted by Detroit.
With the conclusion of the 2003 NFL Draft, only time will tell who will be the diamond in the rough, the next franchise cornerstone and the next Ryan Leaf.
