The Decade's Seven Best Seventh Round NFL Draft Selections

285 career receptions, 4,074 receptions, 33 touchdowns, top ten in receiving touchdowns and 1,000+ yards in three different seasons.

Colston effortlessly surpassed expectations for elite rookie receivers, delivering 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns in 2006. Colston's contributions culminated in the Saints' stunning Super Bowl victory, while continuing production as one of the NFL's most consistent receivers, during the past four seasons. Colston remarkably leads all receivers drafted since 2006 in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, in spite of starting merely six games in 2008, due to a thumb injury. Additionally, Colston impressively holds the record for most receptions in a player's first two seasons, with 168.

2. Jay Ratliff, NT, Auburn, selected No. 224 by Dallas in 2005.

All-Pro in 2009, two-time Pro Bowler, 21.5 career sacks, 10 fumble recoveries, 142 tackles.

Ratliff astonishingly ranks amongst the league's most talented nose tackles, while starting in the Pro Bowl for the second consecutive season in 2009. The former Auburn Tiger spearheaded Dallas' talented defense to its best rushing defense ranking (No. 4) since 2003. Nose tackles possessing the array of skills possessed by Ratliff remain rare in the NFL, regardless of draft selection. Subsequently, expect Ratliff to continue to perform as a perennial All-Pro defender for the foreseeable future in Dallas.

3. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, OregonState, selected No. 204 by Cincinnati in 2001.
Pro Bowl in 2007, 586 career receptions, 6,693 receiving yards, 40 receiving touchdowns, No. 1 in receptions in 2007 (112), three 90+ catch seasons.

Undoubtedly, Houshmandzadeh serves as one of the decade's finest seventh round selections. The Bengals selected Oregon State's talented duo, Chad Johnson and Houshmandzadeh, in 2001, paving the way for 15,000+ combined receiving yards. Ultimately, Houshmanzadeh remains one of the NFL's most productive possession receivers, recording 70+ receptions and 900+ yards for the sixth consecutive season, with the Seahawks in 2009.

4. Cortland Finnegan, CB, Samford, selected No. 215 by Tennessee in 2006.

All-Pro and Pro Bowl in 2008, 47 starts, 11 career interceptions, 48 passes deflected, 298 total tackles.

Finnegan has stunningly emerged as one of the NFL's most complete cornerbacks, while currently serving as the Titans' most valuable defensive player. After scouts regarded the Samford product as undersized and a questionable tackler, Finnegan's blazing speed (4.33 40-yard dash) and game-changing prowess have profoundly silenced previous critics. Finnegan contributed tremendously to the Titans' 13-win season in 2008, in addition to Tennessee's resurgence in '09, after returning from an early season hamstring injury.

5. Matt Cassel, QB, USC, selected No. 230 by New England in 2005.

14-16 as a starter (10-5 in NE), 6,870 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, 29 interceptions.

The Patriots received tremendous value from the Trojans' backup quarterback, who remarkably only attempted 33 total passes in four seasons at USC. After Brady's unfortunate season-ending injury, Cassel proved a proficient starter, ranking in the league's top ten in completions, passing yards, touchdowns, and passer rating in 2008. Cassel's successful season led the Chiefs to trade a second-round pick for the promising young quarterback. Ultimately, a depleted offensive line and a limited stable of playmakers rendered Cassel's inaugural season in Kansas City, invariably inconsistent.

6. Mark Tauscher, OT, Wisconsin, selected No. 224 by Green Bay in 2000.

128 career starts, Walter Payton Man of the Year and Ed Block Courage Award in 2008.

Tauscher's career remarkably spanned the entire decade, serving as a productive bookend tackle for the Packers. Tauscher incredibly returned from multiple knee injuries, most notably, following a 2002 injury with 57 consecutive starts. Tauscher helped the Packers' offensive line set a franchise record in 2004, allowing merely 14 total sacks.

7. Raheem Brock, DE, Temple, selected No. 238 by Philadelphia in 2002.

104 career starts, 13 forced fumbles, 15 fumble recoveries, 294 total tackles.

Ironically, the Eagles cut Brock prior to the 2002 season. Subsequently, Brock emerged as a productive counterpart, starting opposite of the Colts' dominant pass rusher, Dwight Freeney. The former Temple Owl has remarkably started in 12 playoff games, including a second Super Bowl appearance in 2009.

Honorable Mention: Kevin Walter, Derrick Ward, Bobby McCray, Danny Clark, Rob Meier, Marlon McCree, Eric Johnson, Ahmad Bradshaw, Kynan Forney, Renaldo Hill, Eric Heitmann, Kevin Shaffer, Tully Banta-Cain, Scott Shanle, Scott Wells, Shane Olivea, Patrick Crayton, Julian Edelman, Chris Horton, Michael Johnson.

References:

All stats and draft results as reflected on NFL.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com.

Packers.com, "Mark Tauscher." http://www.packers.com/team/players/tauscher_mark/.

Titans Online, "Cortland Finnegan." http://www.titansonline.com/team/roster/Cortland-Finnegan/9663967a-740f-45df-8ac0-313b3dfddb6b.