Pundits and NFL draft experts skewer executives retrospectively over poor draft picks (see Matt Millen). However, many of these after-slighted draft picks reflected both conventional wisdom and the prevalent guru opinion. Thankfully, ESPN has offered links to its draft coverage from previous years, so we can unearth a few skeletons from Mel Kiper Jr.’s overly coiffed closet. Here a few gems from Mel Kiper’s 2005 Draft grades.

Detroit Lions: C+ Give the Lions credit for going away from their biggest needs to take receiver Mike Williams, who was clearly the best player available at No. 10 overall, but you have to wonder if they got enough help for the defense. Williams gives Detroit perhaps the best young receiving corps in the league

Both Mike Williams and Charles Rogers were rated in the top two on Mel’s big board. They were both wide receivers and both drafted by Detroit in the top 10. Both were also colossal failures. Both are now out of football.

New England Patriots: C Guard Logan Mankins was a reach in the first round but the Patriots obviously like his size and nastiness, and he will help fill the void left by Joe Andruzzi’s departure via free agency. Ellis Hobbs has good size but not enough skill to be more than a nickel back, and safety James Sanders was a teammate of Mankins at Fresno State and both were helped by the relationship between Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Fresno State coach Pat Hill. Tackle Nick Kaczur could play guard as well but came off the board a little early and Matt Cassel is a big project at quarterback.

Batting at the bottom of the order, the Patriots took two starting offensive linemen and a starting cornerback for a team that went undefeated during the regular season. They also got a starting quarterback in the 7th round.

Chicago Bears: A- Cedric Benson has all the makings of a star running back and Mark Bradley fills a need at wide receiver while also bringing excellent special-teams skills to the table.

Cedric Benson had as many touchdowns as intoxication arrests in 2008, and not for the Bears. Mark Bradley has 68 receptions for 963 yards and 7 touchdowns, in four seasons.

San Francisco 49ers: B A good first day but an average second day. There were no trade opportunities compelling enough that San Francisco wanted to give up the No. 1 overall pick, but quarterback Alex Smith is a player who’s easy to like.

Totally trust this guy when he claims you’re an idiot for not taking Matthew Stafford #1 overall.