Pitt Football: Looking Back At Panthers Selected In The NFL Draft Since 2004

Feb 24, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (R) talks to Pittsburgh Panthers Aaron Donald (L) during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The NFL Draft will soon be here, and we all know that Pitt Panthers defensive lineman Aaron Donald will be selected in the first or second round, as ESPN has him ranked as the 11th-best overall prospect in the draft.

CBS Sports currently has 6-foot-4 quarterback Tom Savage as the ninth-best prospect at his position, and receiver Devin Street as the 19th-best prospect at his position.

As a refresher, here is a look at other Pitt players who have been selected since the 2004 Draft:

In the 2004 Draft, WR Larry Fitzgerald was drafted in the first round (third overall) by the Arizona Cardinals, and has been one of the best receivers in the game. DB Shawntae Spencer, from Woodland Hills, was drafted in the second round by the San Francisco 49ers and played with them until 2011; he also played for the Raiders. TE Kris Wilson was selected in the second round by the Kansas City Chiefs, and also played for the Eagles, Chargers, and Ravens. DE Claude Harriott was selected in the fifth round by the Chicago Bears, and also played for the Giants, Lions, and Chiefs.  P Andy Lee was selected in the sixth round by the 49ers and is considered the top punter in the NFL. RB Brandon Miree was selected in the seventh round by the Denver Broncos, and also played for the Packers.

In 2005, OT Rob Petitti was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round, and also played for the Saints, Rams, and Panthers.

In 2006, OT Charles Spencer was drafted by the Houston Texans in the third round, and also played for the Jaguars and Panthers. CB Josh Lay, from local Aliquippa High School, was selected in the sixth round by the New Orleans Saints and also played for the St Louis Rams.

In the 2007 Draft, CB Darrelle Revis, also from Aliquippa High School, was drafted in the first round (14th overall) by the New York Jets. Considered by many to be the best cornerback in the NFL, Revis has also played for the Buccaneers and was signed by the Patriots this offseason. LB Clint Session was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round and also played for the Jaguars. LB HB Blades was drafted in the sixth round by the Washington Redskins.

Moving to the 2008 Draft, OT Jeff Otah was drafted in the first round (19th overall) by the Carolina Panthers but was slowed down by knee injuries. C Mike McGlynn was drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles and also played for the Bengals and Colts. He is currently on the Redskins roster. CB Kennard Cox was drafted in the seventh round by the Buffalo Bills, and also played for the Packers, Jaguars, and Seahawks. He is currently on the Chiefs roster.

In the 2009 Draft, RB LeSean McCoy was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles and is now one of the best runners in the game, rushing for 1,607 yards and nine TDs and 539 receiving yards last season. Local LB Scott McKillop, from Monroeville, was drafted in the fifth round by the San Francisco 49ers and is currently on the Bills roster. RB LaRod Stephens-Howling was drafted in the seventh round by the Arizona Cardinals, and also played for the Steelers. WR Derek Kinder was selected in the seventh round by the Chicago Bears but was released and did not play in an NFL game.

In 2010, TE Nate Byham was drafted in the sixth round by the San Francisco 49ers and also played for the Buccaneers. TE Dorin Dickerson, from West Allegheny High School, was selected in the seventh round by the Houston Texans, and also played for the Steelers, Patriots, and Bills. He is currently on the Lions roster.

In the 2011 Draft, WR Jonathan Baldwin from Aliquippa High School was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round (26th overall), and he currently is on the 49ers roster. LB Jabaal Sheard (a DE at Pitt) was drafted in the second round by the Cleveland Browns and has been a starter every season. RB Dion Lewis was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round, and was traded to the Browns last year. OG Jason Pinkston was drafted in the fifth round by the Cleveland Browns and started all 16 games as a rookie. LB Greg Romeus was drafted in the seventh round by the New Orleans Saints.

In the 2012 and 2013 drafts, no Pitt Panthers were selected. That won’t be the case this May.