Where Are These 10 Players From The 1999 NFL Draft?

The 1999 NFL draft was a monumental one for many reasons. The obvious reason is that it was the last draft of a century, and closed out the 90s. However, beyond just the time-related reasons, the draft was important because it helped usher in a new generation of players, as many important figures were drafted in 1999.

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Decades later, the entire draft class is retired. However, while they're retired from playing on the football field, many players from that draft class are still heavily involved with the league. Others, have left their playing days behind them, and have made their name in other fields.

10 Tim Couch: Commentating

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Tim Couch was the first overall pick of the 1999 draft and is a somewhat complicated figure. As the first starting quarterback of the rebuilt Cleveland Browns, he had great moments. However, he also struggled with injuries and turnover issues.

While he retired in 2007 after a stint in Jacksonville, Couch is still around in Cleveland today. He's even moved to commentating on the team's games, mostly in the preseason.

9 Champ Bailey: Business and Public Speaking

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Champ Bailey is one of the greatest cornerbacks to ever step onto an NFL field. Mostly remembered for his stint in Denver, he is a multiple-time Pro Bowl selection and was even inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

Since retiring in 2014, Bailey has been busy. According to his website, he's a businessman who works with several companies. Along with that, Bailey is a public speaker.

8 Kirby Smart: Coaching

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Yes, Kirby Smart played in the NFL. Having played at the University of Georgia as a defensive back, he went undrafted as a member of the 1999 draft class. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts but wound up retiring after one season with the team.

Since then, Smart has famously gotten into coaching. A Nick Saban protégé, he headed back to his Alma mater as head coach in 2016. Since then, Smart has turned Georgia into a college football powerhouse, and national champion.

7 Brock Huard: Commentating

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Brock Huard is another player that is more remembered for his time off the field than on it. The former quarterback was selected in the third round by the Seattle Seahawks in 1999 but wound up only playing a few games in his career.

Huard retired after the 2004 season and got into commentating. He's now one of the top broadcasters for Fox Sports' coverage of college football and has also called XFL and NFL games as well.

6 Donald Driver: Charity and Foundation Work

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Donald Driver is remembered for his lengthy NFL stint as a member of the Green Bay Packers. The seventh-round wideout was drafted in 1999 and caught many passes from all-time great quarterbacks Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers.

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Driver retired after the 2012 season and has kept busy. He's published several books, as well as appeared on Dancing with the Stars. However, Driver's most impactful work comes with his 'Donald Driver Foundation', which he formed and operates.

5 Akili Smith: Coaching

Sadly, Akili Smith is mostly remembered for being one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. Having been drafted third overall in 1999, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback failed to live up to his hype and bounced around the league before retiring in 2007.

Since retiring from playing, Smith has stayed around in football. The former first-round pick is currently a part of the coaching staff at Maranatha High School in California. However, Smith has also had stints coaching in college as well.

4 Ricky Williams: Yoga and Cannabis Advocate

Ricky Williams is a part of the 10,000-yard club as an NFL running back. Having been drafted fifth overall in the 1999 draft class, he mostly lived up to the hype. However, he missed several years of his career due to marijuana suspensions.

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In retirement, Williams has continued his work as a cannabis advocate. However, he also has become a certified yoga instructor and co-founded a herbal wellness company dubbed 'Real', in 2018.

3 Jerry Azumah: Philanthropy

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These days, Jerry Azumah isn't remembered much outside of Chicago. A former Pro Bowl cornerback, he was drafted in the fifth round of the 1999 NFL draft. He ultimately spent his entire career with the team, retiring after the 2006 season.

Since retiring, Azumah has helped give back to the community. He's worked with several non-profit foundations, as well as joining the Board of Directors of Bear Care in 2006. Azumah also started the 'Azumah Student Assistance Program', which provides scholarships for disadvantaged students.

2 Daunte Culpepper: Charity and Foundation Work

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Daunte Culpepper is one of the more fondly remembered quarterbacks of the 2000s. Having been drafted by the Minnesota Vikings at 11th overall, he had an instant connection with Randy Moss. He helped the team to several playoff runs, but injuries derailed his career, as Culpepper retired in 2010 after several tough years.

Since retiring, Culpepper has helped himself stay active by being involved with several charities and fundraisers in his home state of Florida. He also owned a bar in the state, but the business has since been closed.

1 Torry Holt: Coaching and Commentating

Torry Holt was drafted 6th overall in the 1999 NFL draft by the St. Louis Rams. The wideout instantly became a star, and one of the key members of 'The Greatest Show on Turf'. A multiple-time Pro Bowl selection and Super Bowl champion, he retired in 2012.

Since retiring, Holt has become a fixture on the NFL Network as an analyst and commentator. He's also done some coaching, becoming the assistant and wide receiver coach for Heritage High School in North Carolina.