January 25, 2013; Ko Olina, HI, USA; AFC wide receiver Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans (80) looks on during practice at AFC media day for the 2013 Pro Bowl at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

With three days left until Roger Goodell is booed off the stage at the 2013 NFL Draft, I decided to analyze the number three picks of the last decade. Of course the Oakland Raiders are up to bat at number three in 2013, and Reggie McKenzie is set on finding a cornerstone.

2003 – WR, Andre Johnson (Miami (FLA))

Andre Johnson has been a polarizing figure for the Texans ever since he arrived. When people think of the Houston Texans, Johnson comes to mind. One of the league’s most talented players, Johnson has helped turn what was once a newborn expansion team into a formidable foe. Today Johnson battles injuries, but at full speed and equipped with a capable quarterback in Matt Shaub he is still as dangerous as a deathclaw in an elevator.

Fun Fact – Carson Palmer was the number one pick.

2004 – WR, Larry Fitzgerald (Pittsburgh)

This receiver has become a household name as one of the best at what he does. His great size and speed has made for some of the NFL’s best circus grabs ever. Whether it is Kurt Warner or Kevin Kolb at quarterback, Fitz makes plays. In 2009 the long time Arizona Cardinal brought his team to their first ever Super Bowl. Fitzgerald played outstanding, including a 64 yard touchdown snag and run. This receiver is sure to go down as one of the best, compared to the likes of Jerry Rice and Calvin Johnson Jr.

Fun Fact – Robert Gallery was picked at number two. Another great pickup Al.

2005 – WR, Braylon Edwards (Michigan)

With all these receiver picks, one would think the Detroit Lions draft third every year. This former Wolverine standout has not lived up to expectations. Drafted by the Browns, Braylon has bounced around the league and landed with the Vikings after his latest stint with the Jets. Edwards still has his day, but the number three pick has never played like a true number three pick.

Fun Fact – Antrel Rolle is probably the best pick in the top ten. He was number eight. #baddraftclass

2006 – QB, Vince Young (Texas)

This former Titan drafted quarterback, has had more issues then Playboy Magazine. Between mental breakdowns and throwing his shoulder pads into the crowd during games, Young has not lived up to his draft status. Ironically after a couple stints as a mediocre backup, Young has found himself in talks with the Raiders. The former Longhorn claims he has renewed his ability on the field but still proves to be a risk.

Fun Fact – Brandon Mashall fell to pick 119 in this draft.

2007 – OT, Joe Thomas (Wisconsin)

One of the best lineman in the NFL today, was selected by the Cleveland Browns at number three. The 6-time Pro Bowler has become a building stone for this franchise to work off of, and is one of very few players whom have made said Pro Bowl every year of their career. In 2012, Thomas protected quarterback Brandon Weeden and allowed a personal best, 3.5 sacks.

Fun Fact – The era of Jamarcus Russell.

2008 – QB, Matt Ryan (Boston College)

Matty Ice is another number three standout. The quarterback is currently a key part of one of the NFL’s deadliest offenses. A team that features an exciting young running back and in my opinion, the absolute best receiving corps in the league. Leave Matt Ryan 20 seconds on the clock and the Atlanta Falcons will find themselves in field goal range with 3 seconds left. This team will be a future contender for the Lombardi for the next decade with Matt Ryan at the helm.

Fun Fact – The first two picks both shared the name Long (Jake Long/Chris Long).

2009 – DE, Tyson Jackson (Louisiana State)

Jackson, who originally held out his rookie season, has not lived up to his draft status. This end was brought in to Kansas City to usher in the Chief’s new 3-4 defense. Mediocre play has lead to Jackson being labeled as a work in progress.

Fun Fact – Could have pick B.J. Raji who fell to the ninth pick.

2010 – DT, Gerald McCoy (Oklahoma)

McCoy was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In his rookie season McCoy tore his left bicep, resulting in his placement on the Injured Reserve. After fully recovering from his injury McCoy became a force to be reckoned with on the Buc’s defensive line. In 2012 he found himself being selected to his first ever Pro Bowl.

Fun Fact – Picked after Ndamukong Suh

2011 – DT, Marcell Dareus (Alabama)

Dareus became a threat for the Buffalo Bills. In his rookie season the defensive tackle recorded 5.5 sacks. However, in the 2012 season the Bill suffered tremendous tragedy when he lost his brother in a shooting. Dareus has yet to show if he will truly live up to his draft status as a number three overall pick.

Fun Fact – Picked in between Von Miller and A.J. Green

2012 – RB, Trent Richardson (Alabama)

Roll Tide. Another member of the Crimson tide was chosen at number three in 2012. Despite Dareus’s NFL career being a work in progress, Trent Richardson has most definitely lived up to his draft status. Running behind former number three pick Joe Thomas, this Cleveland Brown has made Cleveland rock again. His rookie season featured him pushing off fearsome defenses like the Steelers and Ravens. No easy task for a rookie. The future of this franchise will rely a lot on this kids shoulder pads.

Fun Fact – The top 4 draft picks of this class all proved their worth. (Andrew Luck, Robert Griffith 3, Trent Richardson, Matt Kalil)

Well, there you have it. A decade of the number three. Some good, some bad, some ugly. Just remember the good thing about picking third. At least Jamarcus Russell, Ryan Leaf, and David Carr are already picked.

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

What is it about halfway decent quarterbacks that makes otherwise smart men lose their common sense? Like an astrophysicist in a strip club, all the smarts go out the window the second a pair of knockers is exposed even if said knockers are sagging across the ground like a snowplow through Alaskan slush.

That’s about the only way I can describe my thoughts this morning when hearing Jay Glazer break the news that Andy Reid’s first move as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs was to trade for Alex Smith. In a mini Hue Jackson moment of madness Reid panicked when he realized Matt Cassel was his starting QB and coughed up two pretty valuable draft picks for a pretty pedestrian QB.

Yes, I’m fully aware that Reid didn’t go full Hue and mortgage the draft future of the franchise as Jackson did when he panicked and ponied up for Carson Palmer.

And yes I’m also knowing that Reid has worked wonders with many a middle-of-the-road quarterback in his day. Let’s not forget it was Reid who made the Arizona Cardinals pull a similar move of desperation as Ken Whisenhunt whizzed his pants in the ill-fated Kevin Kolb catastrophe.

But ultimately Reid’s decision will end the same way every other desperate QB trade ends – with his job listed as available two years from now.

Smith definitely gets credit for sticking in a league where guys like him normally go bust. Instead Smith fought the good fight by doing whatever it took to keep those NFL checks coming. He soon became a game manager of the highest level on Jim Harbaugh’s watch before he watched his job get snatched up by Colin Kaepernick.

Yes, Smith will benefit from the tutelage of Reid.

Yes, Smith is an upgrade over Cassel.

And yes if Smith were that good the 9ers wouldn’t have drafted Kaepernick in the first place.

Face it, Andy Reid, you just pulled a classic AFC West rookie mistake. Same as Josh McDaniels. Same as Hue Jackson. You should have gone to San Diego, Andy.

John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

It’s the bowl season in college football, that special time of year when the exploits of student athletes are on display for the profits of corporations. It’s also the time of year when pro teams either start looking at the immediate future (playoffs) or the distant future (the draft).

The Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs were never going to sniff the playoffs this year so in essence both teams have been building for next year and beyond long before this season began. But that’s nothing new for these two bitter rivals as both have been hitting the reset button often over the course of the last decade.

For the Chiefs it would appear as if they’re headed down the road paved by the Raiders. After this season Kansas City could be cleaning house starting with maligned GM Scott Pioli. From there roster changes are a certainty as the Chiefs will in all likelihood close the book on the failed Matt Cassel era.

For the Raiders it’s year one of yet another reboot. With first year GM Reggie McKenzie and rookie head coach Dennis Allen already in place it’s been a year of roster turmoil for the Silver and Black. More than half of the roster from last season is gone and plenty of in-season moves have made for a real revolving door in Oakland. And there is the promise of plenty more personnel moves once the offseason hits.

Hard to believe two years ago the Chiefs were the top team in the AFC West and the Raiders were nipping at their heels. Things have gone south in a hurry for both with this season being rock bottom…hopefully.

This Sunday the Rebuilding Bowl will take place in Oakland with the loser taking one step closer to earning the top pick in the 2013 draft. Of course that’s not exactly a great prize for the (un)lucky winner. Unlike previous drafts including last year’s quarterback bonanza there is no marquee player capable of turning the tide of a franchise seemingly over night.

But when it comes to Raiders-Chiefs bragging rights are always the priority. How much there is to brag of beating one of the NFL bottom dwellers is a matter of opinion. What’s fact is the sad state of these two struggling franchises. No telling what the future holds but at this point that’s all there is to look forward to.