OT: Players Still in NFL by Draft Year

[everlong]

1996: Vinatieri (UDFA) is still active
1997: Tony Gonzalez retired in 2013
1998: Peyton Manning, Charles Woodson and Matt Hasselbeck retired in 2015
1999: Champ Bailey and Brandon Stokley retired in 2013
2000: The Goat is still active
2001: Drew Brees is still active
2002: Julius Peppers and Josh McCown (maybe) retired in 2018.
2003: Terrell Suggs is Still active.

2004 is where there starts to be a lot still active with 7 players: Eli, Roethlisberger, Larry Fitzgerald, Philip Rivers, Ben Watson, Matt Schaub, Andy Lee (P), Donnie Jones (P). I only call these out because the Patriots drafted two of the remaining players and I don't know if it's been pointed out but the Watson signing now means there's another player from the first part of the dynasty on the roster. Throw in Adam and it's amazing they have 3 left in the league.

2005: 12
2006: 13
2007: 16, but three may retire and one Ryan Khalil did.

 

[jboston19]

Phil Dawson, k. 1999, was active in 2018.

 

[everlong]

Phil Dawson, k. 1999, was active in 2018.

Thanks. The UDFAs are much harder to find.

 

[Sicilian]

I know kicker is a completely different animal, but Vinatieri still being around is pretty impressive to me. Ghost likely still has a lot of years in him if he wants them, but given the fickle nature of kicking, there's a chance Adam is still playing even after the guy drafted to replace him in NE retires. Hats off to him, for that and our early Super Bowls, obviously.