To help build interest in the late rounds of every draft, the NFL points out that the Patriots found quarterback Tom Brady in round six.
In the future, the league probably shouldn’t mention as each selection process approaches the fate of the fifth round of the 2009 draft.
Tipped off by a league source to the high rate of failure from round five a year ago, we pulled up the full list and checked the website of each team. By our count, 18 of the fifth-round selections currently aren’t on the 53-man roster or injured reserve list for the teams that picked them.
That leaves only 19 (including five supplemental picks) who are on either the roster or IR.
Gone from the rosters are Falcons defensive back William Middleton (No. 138 overall), Chiefs tackle Cody Brown (No. 139), Cowboys defensive back DeAngelo Smith (No. 143), Bills linebacker Nic Harris (No. 147), Ravens tight end Davon Drew (No. 149), Giants quarterback Rhett Bomar (No. 151), Eagles tight end Cornelius Ingram (No. 153), Bears linebacker Marcus Freeman (No. 154), Buccaneers tackle Xavier Fulton (No. 155), Eagles defensive back Macho Harris (No. 157), Redskins linebacker Cody Glenn (No. 158), Eagles tackle Fenuki Tupou (No. 159), Rams receiver Brooks Foster (No. 160), Packers tackle Jamon Meredith (No. 162), Cardinals guard Herman Johnson (No. 167), Steelers defensive back Joe Burnett (No. 168), Steelers running back Frank Summers (No. 169), and Patriots tackle George Bussey (No. 170).