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The $3 Billion Mistake: Revisiting Tom Brady's 2000 NFL Draft Pick And The Six QBs Chosen Before The GOAT

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The story of Tom Brady’s draft pick remains one of the most compelling and enduring narratives in sports history, a stark reminder that even the most expert talent evaluators can miss the mark on a generational talent. As of the current date in late 2025, the tale of the 199th overall selection is not just a historical footnote; it is the definitive origin story for the greatest quarterback of all time (GOAT), underscoring the razor-thin margin between obscurity and unparalleled success.

This deep dive revisits the 2000 NFL Draft to analyze the precise reasons why 32 teams passed on the future seven-time Super Bowl champion, detailing his uninspiring combine performance, the brutal scouting reports, and, most notably, the careers of the six quarterbacks who were inexplicably chosen ahead of him.

Tom Brady: Biography and Draft Profile Snapshot

Before he became a household name synonymous with championships, Tom Brady was a determined but physically unheralded prospect from the University of Michigan.

  • Full Name: Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr.
  • Date of Birth: August 3, 1977
  • Hometown: San Mateo, California
  • College: University of Michigan (1996–1999)
  • Draft Year: 2000 NFL Draft
  • Draft Round: 6th Round
  • Draft Pick Number: 199th Overall
  • Drafting Team: New England Patriots
  • College Career Highlights: Led Michigan to a 20-5 record as a two-year starter, including an Orange Bowl victory in 2000.
  • NFL Career Highlights: 7x Super Bowl Champion, 5x Super Bowl MVP, 3x NFL MVP, 15x Pro Bowl selection, NFL all-time leader in passing yards and touchdowns.

The Infamous 2000 NFL Scouting Combine: Why Brady Fell

The primary reason Tom Brady plummeted down the draft board was his performance at the 2000 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, coupled with a series of critical scouting reports that highlighted his perceived physical limitations. Brady’s combine numbers were historically poor for a quarterback prospect, leading to a lasting, unflattering image that has become a viral meme in retrospect.

The Disastrous Combine Metrics

Brady’s metrics did little to inspire confidence from NFL general managers and scouts. His performance suggested a lack of elite athleticism, which was becoming increasingly valued in the league.

  • 40-Yard Dash: 5.28 seconds. This was the second-slowest time among all quarterbacks at the 2000 Combine, a number that screamed "immobile."
  • Vertical Jump: 24.5 inches. This is considered exceptionally low for a professional athlete.
  • Weight: 211 pounds. He was considered to be "frail" and lacking the physical stature to withstand the rigors of the NFL.
  • The Photo: An iconic, unflattering picture of a skinny, pale Brady standing shirtless at the Combine is often circulated as the physical embodiment of why he was overlooked.

The Brutal Scouting Report

The New England Patriots' own scouting report, which ultimately led to the selection, was filled with more caution than praise. The criticisms were harsh and focused on physical and athletic shortcomings.

The report noted that Brady "lacks great physical stature and strength" and "can get pushed down more easily than you'd like." Crucially, it stated he "lacks mobility and ability to avoid the rush," suggesting he would struggle in the pocket against NFL pass-rushers.

Ultimately, scouts saw a player with good intelligence, a solid arm, and leadership qualities, but one whose physical ceiling was too low to warrant a high draft pick. The consensus, even among draft experts like Mel Kiper Jr., was that he was a late-round pick at best.

The Six Quarterbacks Drafted Before Tom Brady

The most shocking element of the 2000 NFL Draft is not that Brady was picked 199th, but that six other quarterbacks were selected before him. The collective careers of these six signal-callers pale in comparison to Brady’s individual accomplishments, highlighting one of the greatest evaluation errors in professional sports history.

The New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns all took a quarterback before the New England Patriots finally selected Brady in the sixth round.

1. Chad Pennington (Pick 18, Round 1, New York Jets)

Pennington was the only first-round quarterback and the consensus top passer in the class. He had a respectable NFL career, twice winning the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, but injuries severely limited his potential.

2. Giovanni Carmazzi (Pick 65, Round 3, San Francisco 49ers)

Carmazzi is often cited as the biggest bust on the list. He never played a snap in a regular-season NFL game and eventually left football to become a yoga instructor and goat farmer, an extraordinary career pivot that underscores the draft’s unpredictability.

3. Chris Redman (Pick 75, Round 3, Baltimore Ravens)

Redman spent nearly a decade in the league, primarily as a backup for the Ravens and Falcons. He started only 12 games in his entire career, a stark contrast to Brady’s 333 regular-season starts.

4. Tee Martin (Pick 163, Round 5, Pittsburgh Steelers)

Martin, a national champion at Tennessee, was another bust. He played in just three NFL games before moving on to the Canadian Football League (CFL) and eventually becoming a successful college football coach.

5. Marc Bulger (Pick 168, Round 6, New Orleans Saints)

Bulger is the most successful of the six after Pennington. Though he was initially drafted by the Saints, he was later claimed by the St. Louis Rams, where he became a two-time Pro Bowler. His career, while solid, lasted only 12 seasons.

6. Spergon Wynn (Pick 183, Round 6, Cleveland Browns)

Wynn was the last quarterback selected before Brady. He started only three games in his NFL career before also moving to the CFL. The Browns, who selected Wynn, are often the focus of "what if" scenarios, as they desperately needed a franchise quarterback.

The Legacy of the 199th Pick: Topical Authority and the GOAT Status

The selection of Tom Brady at the 199th spot is now universally regarded as the greatest value pick in the history of the NFL Draft. The sheer volume of his accomplishments—seven Super Bowl rings, more than any franchise in NFL history, and over 89,000 career passing yards—has made the "Sixth-Round Pick" a core part of the Brady legend.

The moment of the pick itself was so unremarkable that the New England Patriots’ scouting department had to convince then-head coach Bill Belichick to take him. The Patriots already had a franchise quarterback in Drew Bledsoe, and Brady was initially seen as a developmental project, the fourth QB on the depth chart.

The story serves as a constant piece of topical authority in the sports world, a lesson in finding potential where others see only flaws. Every year during the NFL Draft, the 199th pick is highlighted, and every late-round gem is immediately compared to Brady. The contrast between his poor combine metrics and his unparalleled career success is the ultimate proof that heart, intelligence, and relentless dedication can shatter the perceived limitations of a scouting report.

Tom Brady's journey from an unathletic, "frail" prospect to the unquestioned GOAT is the definitive underdog story, forever etched into NFL lore as the $3 billion mistake—the estimated value of the championships, media, and franchise success the other 31 teams missed out on.

tom brady draft pick
tom brady draft pick

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