We keep talking about Jerry Hughes being a bust because he was a first round pick. If you look at the 10 picks after Hughes, however, you see a list of decent but not outstanding players. Are any of them #31 pick guys?

Gronkowski was the #42 pick, but we were not going TE in that draft after Clark earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.

So, excluding Gronkowski, who in the league has proved themselves worthy of the #31 pick in that draft? There are a couple of starters in the secondary here, and Saffold had a nice rookie year (not as solid since). I know Hughes is called a bust, but we could have done worse. Picks 25-32 are really hit or miss, year in and year out. I think Hughes's production this year is about right for a 31 pick in his third year. This group is not necessarily better, and with the injuries to Freeney and Mathis this year, you could argue he fills a big need right now.