Carolina Panthers Poole was selected by the
Carolina Panthers in the first round (22nd overall) of the
1995 NFL draft out of
Fort Valley State University. He was the second draft choice in Panthers history behind
Kerry Collins. He spent three years anchoring the Panthers' secondary.
Indianapolis Colts Poole was traded to the
Indianapolis Colts in 1998 in exchange for a second-round selection in the
1999 NFL draft. He played three years for the Colts, starting almost every game.
First stint with Broncos Poole signed with the
Denver Broncos as a
free agent before the 2001 season, however, he spent the entire
2001 NFL season on the reserve squad. He returned to full-time play for the
2002 season.
New England Patriots Poole signed with the
New England Patriots before the
2003 NFL season. The Patriots finished with a 14–2 record and had a victory in
Super Bowl XXXVIII over the
Carolina Panthers. Poole started the
2004 season again as a starting cornerback, but injured his knee in a Week 6 matchup with Seattle. Poole returned briefly for a few snaps near the end of a Week 14 game against Cincinnati, but was shut down after this and did not play again for the rest of the season. Still, the Patriots went on to win
Super Bowl XXXIX, giving Poole his second Super Bowl ring, even though Poole did not play in the game due to his knee injury. For the
2005 season, Poole once again began the season as a starting cornerback. However, after playing against Oakland in Week 1, he injured his ankle and would not play again all season. The Patriots were eliminated in the divisional round and Poole parted ways with New England.
Oakland Raiders Poole signed with the Oakland Raiders in the 2006 offseason where he saw action as a reserve player. He was released after the
2006 season.
Houston Texans Poole was signed by the
Houston Texans during the
2007 preseason. However, he was released by the team during final cuts.
Second stint with Broncos Poole signed with the
Denver Broncos on August 13, 2008, but was released on August 30.
Tennessee Titans Poole was signed by the
Tennessee Titans on November 22, 2008, after
cornerbacks
Reynaldo Hill and
Eric King were placed on
injured reserve. ==NFL career statistics==