2000 NFL Draft

The first round of the 2000 NFL Draft started on April 15, 2000 at a cram -packed Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

The Number one overall pick was the coveted Penn State star Courtney Brown by the Cleveland Browns. His former Nittany Lion teammate LaVar Arrington went number two to the Washington Redskins. The Washington Franchise also held the third overall pick.

An injury-plagued second season, though, derailed the trajectory of the young player, and his stock value fell sharply. The Brown’s kept Courtney on their roster for five seasons, and then he played one final year in Denver before his playing career ended, according to the Pro Football Reference website.

The New York Jets set a record when they wheeled and dealed their way into four first-round draft picks.

✦ Top Ten Selected in the 2000 NFL Draft

1 Cleveland Browns Courtney Brown DE Penn State
2 Washington Redskins LaVar Arrington LB Penn State from New Orleans[R1 - 1]
3 Washington Redskins Chris Samuels OT Alabama from San Francisco[R1 - 2]
4 Cincinnati Bengals Peter Warrick WR Florida State
5 Baltimore Ravens Jamal Lewis RB Tennessee from Atlanta[R1 - 3]
6 Philadelphia Eagles Corey Simon DT Florida State
7 Arizona Cardinals Thomas Jones RB Virginia
8 Pittsburgh Steelers Plaxico Burress WR Michigan State
9 Chicago Bears Brian Urlacher LB New Mexico MWC
10 Baltimore Ravens Travis Taylor WR Florida

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame Players from 2000 NFL Draft

To date, only one player selected in the 2000 NFL Draft has been enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brian Urlacher, a linebacker from New Mexico, was taken 1st round, 9th overall by the Chicago Bears. His bronze bust was placed in the Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2018.