Logging the top Palmetto draft coups

NFL draft forecasting is riskier than Rivers Avenue at rush hour. But rather than another roll call of first-overall busts — Tim Couch, Ki-Jana Carter and Steve Emtman, for embarrassing instance — take a look at the flip-side when scouting departments get lucky.

The top 10 Palmetto State bang-for-the-buck super value picks in NFL draft history (natives or players who played their final year of college football in South Carolina):

1. Harry Carson (S.C. State/Florence), New York Giants, fourth round, 1976 — Playing in Lawrence Taylor's shadow, this versatile Hall of Fame linebacker won a Super Bowl ring and made nine Pro Bowl teams.

2. Art Shell (Maryland State/Charleston), Oakland Raiders, third round, 1968 — Al Davis knew Shell would make a good tackle but could not have projected eight Pro Bowls and the Hall of Fame for the former Bonds- Wilson High School football and basketball leader.

3. Jimmy David (Florence), Detroit Lions, 22nd round, 1952 — A defensive back who attended defunct Chicora High School in Charleston and played at Colorado State, "The Hatchet" made six Pro Bowls and intercepted 36 passes playing for the Lions during their 1950s glory years. The late David later was an NFL assistant coach.

4. Dwight Clark (Clemson), San Francisco 49ers, 10th round, 1979 — Bill Walsh personally scouted the overlooked wide receiver while on a trip to Clemson to evaluate quarterback Steve Fuller. Clark wound up on the receiving end of "The Catch," a Joe Montana touchdown pass against Dallas that sent the 49ers on their way to their first Super Bowl. Led the NFL in catches in 1982.

5. Jimmy Orr (Seneca), Los Angeles Rams, 25th round, 1957 — A former Georgia wide receiver best known for catching enough Johnny Unitas passes to make two Pro Bowls playing for the Baltimore Colts. Played in Super Bowls III.

A Fun Bunch

6. Tom Addison (South Carolina/Lancaster), Baltimore Colts, 12th round, 1958 — The same year the Colts drafted Wofford wide receiver and current Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson, they snagged a tackle who eventually was converted to linebacker by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. Addison went on to play in four AFL All-Star Games.

7. Terry Allen (Clemson), Minnesota Vikings, ninth round, 1990 — A knee injury at Clemson made NFL teams wary but he stayed in the league for 11 years and 8,614 yards.

8. Charlie Brown (S.C. State, John's Island), Washington Redskins, eighth round, 1981 — Part of the Redskins' "Fun Bunch" of wide receivers, Brown played in a pair of Pro Bowls and caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl XVII to help the Redskins defeat Miami.

9. Bobby Bryant (South Carolina), Minnesota Vikings, seventh round, 1967 — Steady member of the Vikings' secondary for 13 seasons and on four Super Bowl teams.

10. Greg Davis (The Citadel), Tampa Bay Buccaneers, ninth round, 1987 — Stuck around for 12 seasons and kicked 224 field goals.

11. Troy Brown (Blackville), New England Patriots, eighth round, 1993 — Three Super Bowl rings for this wide receiver, who played at Marshall before an NFL career that has included 557 catches, action on defense and a Pro Bowl.

12. Ben Coates (Greenwood), New England Patriots, fifth round, 1991 — A tight end who made five Pro Bowls after playing at tiny Livingstone College.

13. Edwin Bailey (S.C. State), Seattle Seahawks, fifth round, 1981 — A solid 11-year career of blocking not entirely appreciated because this guard played in the opposite corner of the country.

The Duce

14. Charlie Waters (Clemson/North Augusta), Dallas Cowboys, third round, 1970 — Played safety for 11 years for Tom Landry's glory-era Cowboys. Three Pro Bowls.

15. Michael Dean Perry (Clemson), Cleveland Browns, second round, 1988 — Yes, he was picked early. But he should have been picked in the first round, like his more famous and less talented brother, The Refrigerator. Michael Dean made six Pro Bowls.

16. Marcus Robinson (South Carolina), Chicago Bears, fourth round, 1997 — Under-utilized at South Carolina, Robinson over nine NFL seasons caught 43 touchdown passes.

17. Ray Matthews (Clemson), Pittsburgh Steelers, seventh round, 1951 — A wideout and running back who scored 43 touchdowns and made three Pro Bowls over his 10-year career.

18. Duce Staley (South Carolina), Philadelphia Eagles, third round, 1997 — Not only did he run for 34 touchdowns over a 10-year career, he scored five times in the playoffs.

19. Bill Mathis (Clemson), San Francisco 49ers, eighth round, 1960 — Superb combination running back helped Joe Namath and the Jets win Super Bowl III. Played in two AFL All-Star Games.

20. Keith Adams (Clemson), Tennessee Titans, seventh round, 2001 — Continues to make a steady living as an NFL linebacker, having played for the Cowboys, Eagles, Dolphins and Browns.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com.