In the spectrum of the NFL Draft’s No. 4 overall picks, the Cowboys will tonight select everywhere from a transcendent Hall of Famer to a compulsive gambler spending his life in prison.
Or somewhere in between.
With the Cowboys on the clock in Chicago tonight some of us are hoping they bolster their deficient defensive line by taking Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa. The history of the 4th overall pick suggests the pick will sway a franchise, either way.
For example, in 1975 the Bears drafted a running back named Walter Payton. But in 1982 the Colts thought they were picking their quarterback of the future in Art Schlichter. Payton is the NFL’s 2nd all-time leading rusher, while the former Ohio State quarterback is serving an 11-year sentence for scamming NFL fans in a ticket scheme.
Notable 4th overall picks have included multiple Pro Bowl players such as Charles Woodson, Jonathan Ogden, Derrick Thomas, Chris Doleman, John Hannah, Joe Greene, Desmond Howard, Bob Griese, Gale Sayers and Otto Graham. Some of the most high-profile flops have included former Buccaneers receiver Mike Williams, ’00 Bengals’ pick Peter Warrick and troubled linebacker Keith McCants.
Receiver seems to be a hot pick at No. 4, with Amari Cooper, Sammy Watkins and A.J. Green going in that spot over the last five years. The Cowboys already have a No. 4 overall pick on their roster, running back Darren McFadden (’08).
A native Texan who was born in Duncanville and graduated from UT-Arlington, Richie Whitt has been a mainstay in the Metroplex media since 1986. He’s held prominent roles on all media platforms including newspaper (Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Observer), radio (105.3 The Fan) and TV (co-host on TXA 21 and numerous guest appearances, including NBC 5). He lives in McKinney with his wife, Sybil, and two very spoiled dogs.
