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2005 NFL Draft · Rd 1, Pick 18 · #18 overall

Erasmus James Wisconsin Draft

Erasmus James was drafted No. 18 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin. 28 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 6 career approximate value

Overall pick
#18
Round
1
Draft class
2005
NFL games
28
Years as starter
1
Career AV
678th at Wisconsin

The pick

How Erasmus James came off the board in 2005.

Drafted by

Minnesota Vikings

Rd 1, Pick 18 · #18 overall · NFC North

Full 2005 draft class (255 picks)
Position
Defensive end DE
College
Wisconsin Big Ten at the draft
Measurables
6'4" · 266 lbs
Pre-draft board
No. 17 prospect93.0 grade
Side of the ball
Defense

NFL career

28 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 6 career approximate value

Games played
28
Seasons as a starter
1
Career approximate value
678th among Wisconsin picks
AV with the drafting club
6100% of career value
Final season
20083 years after the draft

Around pick 18

Who came off the board on either side of Erasmus James.

#16 Travis Johnson DT · HOU Florida State #17 David Pollack LB · CIN Georgia #19 Alex Barron T · LAR Florida State #20 Marcus Spears DE · DAL LSU

Wisconsin in the 2005 draft

Teammates who went in the same class.

#87 Scott Starks DB · JAX Wisconsin #107 Dan Buenning G · TB Wisconsin #148 Jonathan Welsh DE · IND Wisconsin #175 Anttaj Hawthorne DT · LV Wisconsin #193 Jason Jefferson DT · NO Wisconsin #243 Anthony Davis RB · IND Wisconsin

Other DE picks from Wisconsin

The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.

#11 J.J. Watt DE · HOU · 2011 Wisconsin · 5× All-Pro · 5× Pro Bowl #71 Matt Shaughnessy DE · LV · 2009 Wisconsin #130 O'Brien Schofield DE · ARI · 2010 Wisconsin #20 Darryl Sims DE · PIT · 1985 Wisconsin #83 Tom Burke DE · ARI · 1999 Wisconsin #156 Isaiahh Loudermilk DE · PIT · 2021 Wisconsin

About this draft profile

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Erasmus James in the 2005 NFL Draft

Erasmus James is a Defensive end out of Wisconsin selected No. 18 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 NFL Draft. 28 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 6 career approximate value Wisconsin has produced 164 NFL draft picks since 1980.

Where this data comes from

Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.

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Frequently asked questions

Where was Erasmus James drafted?

Erasmus James was selected No. 18 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2005 NFL Draft (Rd 1, Pick 18). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2005/erasmus-james.

What college did Erasmus James play for?

Erasmus James played college football at Wisconsin in the Big Ten. See every Wisconsin draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/wisconsin-badgers.

How did Erasmus James's NFL career turn out?

28 regular-season games · 1 seasons as a starter · 6 career approximate value Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2005/erasmus-james.