Tom Brady was drafted in the sixth round 15 years ago today

The New England Patriots got some good value for the No. 199 overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft.

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On April 16, 2000, the New England Patriots selected quarterback Tom Brady with the No. 199 pick in the NFL draft, changing franchise history and shaping the course of the NFL for the next decade plus.

New England were awarded five compensatory picks, including No. 199, for losing four free agents, including punter Tom Tupa. Consider the Patriots the winner of that deal.

The unheralded sixth-round selection paid off almost immediately for New England. After incumbent quarterback Drew Bledsoe was seriously injured in Week 2 of the 2001 season, Brady took over as the starter and promptly led the Patriots to a Super Bowl title.

Three more titles, 53,258 passing yards and 392 touchdowns later, Brady has a claim as the greatest quarterback in NFL history. With where he was selected, Brady is certainly the greatest draft pick ever.

Brady had a decent senior season at Michigan, but teams may have been turned off from him due to this picture, via Sports Anniversaries.

On this day in 2000, in the 6th round (199 overall), the Patriots drafted QB Tom Brady, out of Michigan. pic.twitter.com/UCEq6hL50P
— Sports Anniversaries (@SportsAnnys) April 16, 2015

Just how good of a value was Brady in the draft? The subsequent No. 199 overall picks should provide some clues.

2001: Adam Haayer, OT, Tennessee Titans

The Titans were unable to start a string of successful No. 199 overall picks the next season. Haayer bounced between four teams in five NFL seasons, appearing in 20 games.

2002: Adrian Peterson, RB, Chicago Bears

No, not that Adrian Peterson. This Adrian Peterson is more known for shattering several Division I-AA records than the 1,210 yards he produced in nine NFL seasons.

2003: Willie Ponder, WR, New York Giants

The Giants are the only team who can stop Brady in the Super Bowl, but were unable to find a N0. 199 overall pick as successful as him. Ponder recorded eight NFL receptions and now plays for the semi-professional Oklahoma Thunder. The Thunder came into existence the same year as the NBA team, leaving the question of who ripped who off in the naming department.

2004: Clarence Moore, WR, Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens and Patriots have had numerous memorable playoff battles since Brady was drafted. Moore didn’t figure into them, totaling 353 yards in his three-year career.

2005: Khari Long, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Many players drafted in the sixth round don’t ever make an NFL roster. Long appeared in one game, so at least he has that going for him.

2006: Charlie Johnson, OT, Indianapolis Colts

The best No. 199 pick since Brady, Johnson went on to have a decent career and is still active, although currently searching for a team. Johnson has started 115 games and played a role in the Colts’ Super Bowl XLI victory.

2007: Drew Mormino, C, Miami Dolphins

Mormino never appeared in an NFL game, but is one of the most prominent people to hail from Palmer, Alaska.

2008: Robert Henderson, DE, New York Giants

Henderson was also unable to crack the lineup in an NFL game. He was rostered on four different practice squads in four years, so at least a few teams believed he had some talent.

2009: Stryker Sulak, DE, Oakland Raiders

Sulak was cut two months after the draft and never appeared in an NFL game. Cool name, though.

2010: Joe Webb, QB, Minnesota Vikings

Webb will be remembered most for unfortunately being forced to start in the 2012 playoffs against the Green Bay Packers to disastrous effect. At least Webb has 853 passing yards and 273 rushing yards to his name, which is a lot more than most people on this list.

2011: Jerrell Powe, DT, Kansas City Chiefs

Powe has recorded a sack in his career and is active as a member of the Houston Texans. Maybe playing next to J.J. Watt getting triple teamed will free him up for more.

2012: Jason Slowey, OT, San Francisco 49ers

Slowey was unable to make an NFL roster and never appeared in a game. Still, making it from Western Oregon University to the draft should be applauded.

2013: Theo Riddick, RB, Detroit Lions

Riddick has been modestly productive as receiver rather than running back, totaling 316 yards and four touchdowns. Could end up being one of the best players on this list.

2014 Garrett Scott, OT, Seattle Seahawks

Scott never played in an NFL game, but still has a good story. After doctors discovered a heart condition, the team payed Scott his full signing bonus even though it was forced to cut him.

Teams aren’t going to expect stars or even rotational players that low in the draft, but Brady shows you just never know.

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