Miami Hurricanes alums Craig Erickson and Melvin Bratton were drafted twice
Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Craig Erickson and running back Melvin Bratton have the unusual distinction of being selected in the NFL Draft twice. Coming off injuries late in their Miami Hurricanes careers, Bratton and Erickson chose to reenter the NFL Draft after not being happy with where they were initially selected.
Bratton was initially selected 154th overall in the sixth round by the Dolphins in the 1988 NFL Draft. Coming off a severe knee injury suffered in the Orange Bowl victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl Bratton was going to miss the entire 1988 season. Bratton was a potential first-round pick before the injury.
When Bratton and the Dolphins could not agree to a contract, he went back into the NFL Draft. The Denver Broncos selected Bratton with the 180th pick overall in the event round of the 1989 NFL Draft. Bratton played two seasons in Denver rushing for 190 yards and four touchdowns and adding 39 receptions for 345 yards and four TDs.
In the final regular-season game of his career, Bratton had career highs of seven carries for 27 yards and added a TD in a 22-13 win versus Green Bay. Bratton had five carries for seven yards and two TDs and two receptions for 21 yards in three playoff games in the 1989 and ’90 seasons for Denver.
Both of the TDs came in the Broncos’ 24-23 victory over Pittsburgh in the 1989 playoffs. Bratton played with the Broncos in Superbowl XXIV. Following his playing career Bratton became a scout with the Atlanta Falcons and worked in the front office with Washington before becoming a sports agent.
Erickson entered the 1991 NFL Draft after suffering a knee injury in the Hula Bowl after his Miami Hurricanes career ended. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Erickson with the 131st pick overall in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL Draft. Without agreeing with Erickson on a contract, the Eagles lost the rights to Erickson.
The Eagles tried negotiating with Erickson up until the 1992 NFL Draft. When they were unable to agree to a contract, Erickson was reentered into the draft. The risk for Erickson paid off. Tampa Bay selected Erickson with the 86th pick overall in the fourth round of the 1992 NFL Draft. Erickson had a successful NFL career.
In six seasons in the NFL, Erickson made 35 starts. Erickson finished his NFL career throwing for 7,625 yards, 41 TDs and 38 interceptions. A year before Erickson was set to reach free agency and with Trent Dilfer on their roster, Tampa Bay traded Erickson to the Indianapolis Colts for a first-round pick.
Next. Miami became QB U during the 1980s NFL Drafts. dark
Erickson played one season in Indianapolis before finishing the final two seasons of his NFL career with the Dolphins. Without other options like many other sports, the likelihood of players sitting out a year and reentering the NFL Draft is an extreme rarity. With Name, Image and Likeness, that might change.