It is sometimes referred to as the first half of the draft but, in truth, what took place on Saturday wasn't even mathematically close to 50 percent of the work.
Of the 246 spots on the 2001 draft dance card just 95 of them, or less than 40 percent, were filled on the opening day of the doubleheader meat market. So when the teams reconvene Sunday for the second day of the lottery, they will find some solid players remaining on their boards.
And given that the salary cap now dictates that nearly every draft pick make the roster and serve as cheap labor, the middle- and late-round selections are more important than we sometimes make them out to be. With that in mind, here is a quick look at the 20 best prospects still available:
FS Hakim Akbar, Washington: Not very flexible, but a well-sized interior secondary player with better range than he sometimes demonstrates.
LB Carlos Polk, Nebraska: Plays too upright but still a solid run-stuffer who should be a special teams player, then maybe a two-down linebacker.
C Robert Garza, Texas A&M-Kingsville: Might have lasted so long because he is a pumped-up snapper, but he still should go early in fourth round.
OG Chad Ward, Washington: Straight-line speed is deceptive because he doesn't play as quick as his time indicates he should.
DT Mario Fatafehi, Kansas State: Undersized for the position and plays mostly a two-gap style, but has demonstrated consistent improvement.
OT Marques Sullivan, Illinois: Chronic underachiever with prototype size; has played in a sophisticated, NFL-style offense.
QB Jesse Palmer, Florida: Good size and pocket stature, strong but not always accurate arm, and survived playing for Steve Spurrier.
TE Tony Stewart, Penn State: Good size and has long arms and decent hands, a willing worker who will probably always be a No. 2 tight end.
OT Brandon Winey, LSU: Tremendous size and good enough footwork, should become a solid left-side pass protector in time.
LB Edgerton Hartwell, Western Illinois: Excellent intangibles figure to overcome lack of size and stopwatch speed for tough little 'tweener.
OG Kenyatta Jones, South Florida: Played left tackle for most of his four college seasons but will have to move inside to guard to make it in the league.
WR Ken-yon Rambo, Ohio State: The kind of size everyone wants, very inconsistent catching the ball and running pass routes.
DT Mario Monds, Cincinnati: Massive inside player who can be more than just a run-stuffer if he ever gets his motor revving the way it should.
QB Mike McMahon, Rutgers: Enjoyed a terrific postseason, especially in all-star games and in private workouts; will make some team's roster.
DE Cedric Scott, Southern Mississippi: Long, lean upfield pass rusher who had 21½ sacks over the past two seasons and has some explosiveness.
FS John Howell, Colorado State: Limited athlete but competes hard, plays the game with instinct and is a good open-field tackler.
DT Ennis Davis, Southern California: Coming off a poor senior season and unmotivated much of the time, but some team could get a real steal.
CB Jamie Henderson, Georgia: Has all the size and speed numbers and, while his productivity is lacking, he's worth a shot.
FB Dan Alexander, Nebraska: Fullback size and tailback speed, the classic in-between guy who has to learn how to block and catch.
WR Justin McCareins, Northern Illinois: Durable pass-catcher with very good size, should be a No. 3 possession-type guy for a long time.
