| 2006 NFL Draft summary/thoughts! |
[May. 3rd, 2006|07:28 pm] |
Houston Texans
First pick - Mario Williams (DE, North Carolina State) - #1
Well, as the vast majority of fans and experts alike have echoed, Williams wasn’t the best choice for the Texans at #1 overall. From a business standpoint, perhaps Reggie Bush and his agent were being too stubborn in terms of contract negotiations. Maybe they realized they already have a very capable back, or maybe it was something else. Regardless, the Texans should have done one of two things. Either take Reggie Bush, who has the potential to be an absolute game changer, or trade down and acquire more picks. There was a reason these guys were 2-14 last season. They have plenty of holes to fill. Trading down would have helped them immensely. With that said, the first few rounds of their draft went very well. They acquired Williams, of course, who will help their pass rush immediately. In the second they picked up OLB DeMeco Ryans, who should also be able to step in right away and help the Texans out on the defensive side of the ball. And they finally addressed one of their most pressing needs in the third round, that of the offensive line. They got two very good value picks in Charles Spencer and Eric Winston, who should be able to plug a few of the holes in the tackle positions.
New Orleans Saints
First pick - Reggie Bush (RB, Southern California) - #2
How can you not like the way the Saints’ draft went when they had the most talented player fall to them at #2? Deuce McAllister may be a great back, but he will be coming off a major injury from last season. Bush will help out the offense tremendously with his versatility. Brees will love a back that can lend him a hand like Tomlinson did in San Diego. He can run, he can catch, he can return, and he may even do some other things to surprise us all…throw a TD pass or two, perhaps? In any case, when he is on the field, defensive players will need to account for him at all times. The rest of the Saints’ draft addressed some other pressing needs, including Roman Harper at the free safety position and Jahri Evans at offensive tackle.
Tennessee Titans
First pick - Vince Young (QB, Texas) - #3
As rumored, the Texans passed up on Leinart and took Young with their 3rd overall pick. No one can question the athletic ability this guy has, but there are still plenty of questions surrounding how well he will transfer over to the NFL. His Rose Bowl performance was impressive, yes, but Young supporters often overlook the mediocre college defense that Young ran all over on that day. The game is much quicker at the next level and Young may not be able to move so easily through defenders when he can’t find a receiver. Obviously his upside is huge, but it is matched by his downside and potential to be a complete bust. Another potential problem is that the organization seems to be getting rid of their current star QB, Steve McNair. It seems odd to do so now when not only has he been the face of the franchise for so long but is also close with Vince Young and is interested in mentoring him. Young will certainly not be ready to start the 2006 season, so it will be interesting to see what the Titans do without McNair. The Titans took RB LenDale White with their second round pick, who has also had many questions surrounding him. A torn hamstring kept him from running the forty, and character issues are still beginning to arise. Still, at 45th overall White could end up being an absolute steal, and the Titans need somebody to take over the backfield in a big way.
New York Jets
First pick - D’Brickashaw Ferguson (OT, Virginia) - #4
The Jets stayed away from any sexy picks, including Leinart, and went with the stud tackle Ferguson. Guys this quick and talented don’t come along very often, and the Jets certainly need to start building from the inside out. With QB Chad Pennington coming off a second shoulder injury and RB Curtis Martin only getting older, the team needed to fortify their line for the present and for the future. They did so with both their first round picks, Ferguson and center Nick Mangold from Ohio State. Mangold will replace Kevin Mawae, and both players should help the team fairly quickly. In addition to helping the offensive line, they also drafted QB Kellen Clemens from Oregon in the second round. While they do need a younger quarterback if Pennington really cannot bounce back, Clemens at this point was probably a reach. Still, he showed lots of promise and could work out in their favor. Another good pick-up for the team was Anthony Schlegel, part of Ohio State’s elite LB group. Schlegel plays inside and should help new head coach Eric Mangini install a new 3-4 scheme if that is the direction he ultimately decides upon.
Green Bay Packers
First pick - A.J. Hawk (OLB, Ohio State) - #5
Speaking of elite OSU linebackers, here is the best of the best. Hawk has a nose for the ball you just can’t teach, and he is a playmaker, plain and simple. The Packers needed playmakers, especially in the area of LB, and they got two in this draft. They are the aforementioned Hawk, who will almost certainly emerge as a young leader for the team on defense, and Abdul Hodge, ILB from Iowa. Hodge could end up being a steal for the Packers in the third round. The team may have reached a little on WR Greg Jennings in the second round, but Daryn Colledge, OT from Boise State, will help their deteriorating front line. An odd pick was QB Martin Ingle from Furman in the fifth. Not only was this a reach, but do the Packers really need to invest in another quarterback at this point? Favre will be playing this season, and Aaron Rodgers is still waiting in the wings. You can’t give up on your first round pick from only a year ago, especially when he has hardly had any playing time.
San Francisco 49ers
First pick - Vernon Davis (TE, Maryland) - #6
The 49ers came into the draft looking for some much needed help for their young QB Alex Smith, and that is exactly what they got with Vernon Davis. He has been nothing but impressive and landing 6th overall certainly shows how much confidence the team has in him. He will immediately be a favorite target of Smith’s, and could even become one of the top tight ends in the league as a rookie. He has the talent and the attitude to do so. The team also drafted OLB Manny Lawson from North Carolina State. This addresses a major need and could even end up being a steal for the 49ers. The team also used up three mid-round picks on wide receivers, who will presumably fight for a prominent role on the team come September.
Oakland Raiders
First pick - Michael Huff (SS, Texas) - #7
The Raiders taking Huff comes as somewhat of a surprise, especially considering their needs at QB. Passing on Leinart could prove costly as Aaron Brooks is not the answer to their problems. Besides those concerns, though, Huff was a smart pick. The Raiders’ defense needed improvement, and the secondary in particular was due for some young talent now that Charles Woodson has landed himself in Green Bay. Huff is a versatile player that can help the defense right away. The Raiders used three of their first four picks on defense, adding OLB Thomas Howard in the second round and safety Darnell Bing in the fourth.
Buffalo Bills
First pick - Donte Whitner (SS, Ohio State) - #8
This has to be the first real shock of the 2006 draft. Not only did the Bills’ pass up on plenty of other players who could have helped some of their problem areas, they also reached way too far for Whitner. The mysteries continued when they actually traded up to select DT John McCargo in the late first round. Why they did this when they could have traded down later on to select him seems to be everyone’s question. Fortunately for the Bills, they acquired CB Ashton Youboty in the third round when many were looking at him as a first round or early second round pick. They also drafted FS Ko Simpson in the fourth round. In the end the Bills’ secondary will be improved, but the first round still has to make you scratch your head and wonder if Marv Levy really is too old for this job.
Detroit Lions
First pick - Ernie Sims (OLB, Florida State) - #9
What, no wide receiver? Okay, those jokes are starting to get old, but they were certainly deserved. The Lions finally move away from the offense in the first round and take Sims with the 9th overall pick. Perhaps a little high, but Sims is a monster on the field who should be an impact player on their defense right away. Having a strong LB core in the NFC North is important, and Sims should be able to help the Lions improve within their division in ’06. Staying with defense, they also drafted SS Daniel Bullocks from Nebraska in the second round. Interestingly enough, in the third round they decided to take a RB in Brian Calhoun. They have a young player already implanted at the position in Kevin Jones, but perhaps his injuries and lackluster numbers have forced the Lions’ hand in searching for another starter.
Arizona Cardinals
First pick - Matt Leinart (QB, Southern California) - #10
Everyone is discussing how much money Leinart lost by waiting to come out another year and therefore not being the first overall pick in 2005. This may be true, but football players make their money on their second contracts. What would Leinart have been able to produce in San Francisco? Probably not as much as he will be able to produce in Arizona. The Cards got a major steal here, and when Warner steps aside (or gets injured), Leinart will take the reigns of an offense that includes Edgerinn James at RB, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin at WR, and newly acquired TE Leonard Pope (the Cards’ third round selection). Not a bad way to start your NFL career. Despite a throwing arm that will not be among the strongest in the NFL, Leinart will have every weapon he needs to be a success, especially when you throw in all the intangibles and leaderships skills he showed off at USC. As if the pot wasn’t already sweet enough, the Cardinals drafted Taitusi Lutui in the second, G from USC. Leinart will even have a piece of his O-line with him! As mentioned before, Arizona picked up Pope in the third, which could prove to be a steal, as could their fourth round selection, DT Gabe Watson. You have to look at what the Cards did here and be pretty optimistic about their coming season. All this sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Sure, they were a sexy pick last year before the season, but what they did this year is really on a whole different level.
Denver Broncos
First pick - Jay Cutler (QB, Vanderbilt) - #11
In somewhat of a surprise, Denver is the team that moves up and takes Jay Cutler. Many had them taking Chad Jackson or Santonio Holmes, but they opt instead to go with Cutler. He is still very raw and will need work, but he can learn behind Jake Plummer from a very good coach in Mike Shanahan. He is certainly used to being knocked around, but may not even need to worry about it as much with Denver’s offensive scheme. The Broncos also acquired Javon Walker from the Packers in a trade as opposed to drafting Jackson or Holmes. Despite this, they did draft a tight end (Tony Scheffler) and two wide receivers (Brandon Marshall and Domenik Hixon). They also landed Elvis Dumervil in the fourth round, who has been criticized for being too small, but certainly has the quickness and instincts to be successful. Shanahan has also done impressive things with undersized linemen before, so Dumervil should be optimistic.
Baltimore Ravens
First pick - Haloti Ngata (DT, Oregon) - #12
Defense continues to be at the forefront of the Ravens’ thoughts. Ngata is a top notch tackle and will be a much appreciated addition to the defense, which has struggled a little bit more each season since winning the Super Bowl half a decade ago. Ngata will be able to plug up holes and take some pressure off of the team’s LBs, led by Rey Lewis. David Pittman, CB from Northwestern State, will also join the defense next season. The Ravens turned to the offensive side of the ball in three of their first five picks, though, selecting Chris Chester, C from Oklahoma in the second. They then drafted WR Demetrius Williams and RB P.J. Daniels in the fourth. Daniels is somewhat of an odd pick considering the Ravens now have both Mike Anderson and Jamal Lewis, but an extra insurance policy and a little youth at the position certainly won’t hurt, especially if Lewis cannot regain the form he held earlier this decade.
Cleveland Browns
First pick - Kamerion Wimbley (DE, Florida State) - #13
It came as quite a surprise that the Browns passed up on DTs Haloti Ngata (they traded with the Ravens and moved down a spot) and Brodrick Bunkley considering head coach Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 is in need of a top tackle for the middle. In any case, they went in a different direction here and picked up Wimbley. While very fast and athletic, Wimbley may be a little undersized for the position. That may work to Crennel’s benefit, though, as he could fit in well in the 3-4 as an outside LB. If that’s what they wanted to focus on during the draft, they did it well with their second pick, ILB D’Qwell Jackson. He is also a tad bit on the small side, but has lots of experience already and has great range. Jackson is also a smart player with good instincts that will fit in well with the 3-4.
Philadelphia Eagles
First pick - Brodrick Bunkley (DT, Florida State) - #14
The Eagles steal one here as they were actually considering moving up in the draft to take him earlier. Bunkley will fill the gap left in their defensive line by Corey Simon, who moved to Indy last season. While not the largest DT, he is plenty strong should be successful if he can stay healthy (which has been a problem in his past). The Eagles also had one of the major steals in the draft when they somehow landed OT Winston Justice with the 39th overall pick. This is a guy who was considered a top 10 pick not long ago. He may have character issues, but the reward here far outweighs the risk, and it plugs another hole the Eagles were looking to fill. Also of note is WR Jeremy Bloom, who the Eagles drafted in the fifth round. Bloom is an Olympic skier.
St. Louis Rams
First pick - Tye Hill (CB, Clemson) - #15
The Rams addressed one of their most pressing needs, their secondary. Hill may not be the tallest defensive back…far from it, actually, as he stands only 5’9”…but he has lightning fast speed and will be able to make plays for the Rams where they need it most. DT Claude Wroten will also help the Rams’ defense, as will OLB Jon Alston, both third round picks. In a very interesting move, the Rams actually selected two tight ends in the draft. Joe Klopfenstein from Colorado in the second round, and Dominique Byrd from USC in the third (one of the Rams’ three third round picks). While this may seem strange, the Rams are an offensive team first and foremost, and they were dedicated to improving the position this season. It looks like they have done just that with Klopfenstein and Byrd.
Miami Dolphins
First pick - Jason Allen (CB, Tennessee) - #16
The Dolphins’ once impressive secondary has now completely disappeared, going to places like Kansas City and New York. Nick Saban wanted to begin building a new secondary this year, and he starts with Allen. A very versatile player, Allen looks impressive at first, but there seems to be too many questions about his health to take him this high, especially with so many talented DBs in the draft this year. Allen looked great in workouts, but his hip injury from last season is still looming over him. For his sake and for the Dolphins’, he will hopefully be able to overcome it. In the third round the team looked for offensive help in the form of Derek Hagan, WR from Arizona State. He should add a nice possession target to compliment Chris Chambers and Randy McMichael.
Minnesota Vikings
First pick - Chad Greenway (OLB, Iowa) - #17
While Greenway slid up and down many draft boards, he truly does have the ability to become a top linebacker. He led one of the best groups in the nation (behind perhaps only OSU) at Iowa, and should be able to contribute greatly to the Vikings’ defense. The Vikings stayed on that side of the ball for their first pick of the second round (they had three), taking Cedric Griffin, CB from Texas. In a very odd move, they used their final pick in the second round to draft Alabama State QB Tarvaris Jackson. That could be one of the biggest reaches of the draft, but perhaps they know something nobody else does.
Dallas Cowboys
First pick - Bobby Carpenter (OLB, Ohio State) - #18
As we all know, Bill Parcells loves his athletic linebackers, and he found another one here in Bobby Carpenter. He could have even gone higher than this if it were not for an injury, but even so he was still one of the best at the position throughout his career at Ohio State, and helped the team to plenty of wins alongside A.J. Hawk. Carpenter will fit the 3-4 perfectly, and will turn their LB core into one of the youngest and brightest in the NFL. The team also addressed their concerns at safety with fifth round pick Pat Watkins from Florida State. Despite having Jason Witten at tight end, the team also selected Anthony Fasano from Notre Dame with their second round pick. Certainly Witten will not lose any playing time, but this could mean lots of two tight end formations from the Cowboys next season. With Owens also added to the team, their red zone offense could be very dangerous.
San Diego Chargers
First pick - Antonio Cromartie (CB, Florida State) - #19
By far one of the most athletically gifted players in the draft, Cromartie is still a big risk thanks to a knee injury. While he is fast, physical, and aware, he has very limited starting experience. The Chargers decided to take the risk, though, and if Cromartie can stay healthy he could develop into one of the top young CBs in the league. The team also added OT Marcus McNeill from Auburn to protect new starting QB Philip Rivers. Oddly enough, the team selected QB Charlie Whitehurst from Clemson. I guess they never get tired of having plenty of young competition at the QB position.
Kansas City Chiefs
First pick - Tamba Hali (DE, Penn State) - #20
The Chiefs looked to defense in the first two rounds, taking Hali in the first and SS Bernard Pollard from Purdue in the second. With all the talented defensive backs in the draft, it is a little surprising to see the Chiefs pass up that need to address DE with Hali, who was somewhat of a reach at 20th overall. Pollard should be a nice infusion of youth within their secondary, though. The real pick of interest here is Alabama QB Brodie Croyle, taken in the third round. He could be the predecessor to current QB Trent Green.
New England Patriots
First pick - Laurence Maroney (RB, Minnesota) - #21
For a team that struggled on defense constantly last season, the Patriots seemed to forget all that in the draft as they took offensive players (and a kicker) with their first six picks. In the first round they selected Laurence Maroney, which was a surprise in itself as they passed up on RB DeAngelo Williams. Still, this was a need as well as Corey Dillon has slowed down over the past year or two, and was injured for a good portion of last season. Maroney should be able to get into the swing of things as he splits carries with Dillon and Faulk in 2006. Despite a very good defensive class, the Patriots couldn’t pass up on Chad Jackson in the second round. The speedy wide receiver will make a very nice compliment to current #1 Deion Branch. In a very questionable move the Pats decided to take two tight ends in the third and fourth round. The position was certainly not a pressing issue in 2005, so one has to wonder why they decided to go this way and not to try and pick up some defensive backs, which is a huge need for the team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
First pick - Davin Joseph (G, Oklahoma) - #23
With a young QB in Chris Simms and a young RB in Carnell “Cadillac” Williams, the Bucs decided to work on their offensive line in the early rounds of the draft. Joseph and OT Jeremy Trueblood from Boston College will be able to grow with the young offense in the coming years. That wasn’t all the offense they added, though, as WR Maurice Stovall from Notre Dame was taken in the third round to give Simms another weapon. While their defense may be aging, it is still quite capable of playing at a high level, so it wasn’t really a surprise the Bucs decided to focus on the offensive side of the ball in the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals
First pick - Johnathan Joseph (CB, South Carolina) - #24
The Bengals once again went defense in the first round, taking Johnathan Joseph to help out their secondary. Joseph might have been somewhat of a reach here, especially with guys like Jimmy Williams still available. The Bengals reached again in the third round to take USC defensive end Frostee Rucker. In the second they fortified their offensive line with Andrew Whitworth, and in the fifth they took A.J. Nicholson, ILB from Florida State, despite his recent off the field problems. In perhaps the most intriguing move of the Bengals’ draft, they selected QB Reggie McNeal out of Texas A&M in the sixth round. It is doubtful he will ever see starting time at the position, though, as the Bengals’ have already likened him to a Randle El type player. He is quick and athletic, and may be moved to the WR position and used for trick plays. Only time will tell what the team may ultimately get out of him.
Pittsburgh Steelers
First pick - Santonio Holmes (WR, Ohio State) - #25
The Steelers addressed their needs almost perfectly in the draft. With Randle El leaving, the team needed more outside help for Ben Roethlisberger and a compliment to Hines Ward. They got just that with their first round pick after trading up with the Giants. He is fast and runs his routes very well. He will also replace Randle El in the return game. Willie Reid, WR from Florida State, was also chosen by the Steelers in the third round to put some depth at the position. In the second round they selected Anthony Smith, FS, which fills another need this offseason. The Steelers also landed potential steal Orien Harris, DT, in the fourth round.
Carolina Panthers
First pick - DeAngelo Williams (RB, Memphis) - #27
With Stephen Davis gone and DeShaun Foster constantly injured, the Panthers needed to look ahead and draft a RB for the future. They found that RB fall into their laps at #27 in the first round. DeAngelo Williams is small in stature, but makes up for it with his quickness and elusiveness. He may not be able to be that power back that some teams look for, but he’ll be able to make people miss and make plays with his vision. The team turned to the defensive side of the ball for their next two selections, taking CB Richard Marshall of Fresno State and OLB James Anderson of Virginia Tech.
Jacksonville Jaguars
First pick - Marcedes Lewis (TE, UCLA) - #28
The Jaguars were expected to address their offense in the draft, and they did just that. In the first round they took Marcedes Lewis, who will add a consistent weapon to the team for Byron Leftwich. In the second they decided to stick with UCLA and take RB Maurice Drew, the heir apparent to Fred Taylor, who isn’t getting any younger. With their final four picks they moved to the defensive side of the ball, taking OLB Clint Ingram from Oklahoma as well as two defensive ends and a cornerback.
Indianapolis Colts
First pick - Joseph Addai (RB, Louisiana State) - #30
With Edgerinn James off to Arizona, the Colts certainly needed a replacement to help Dominick Rhodes in the backfield. They got a very Edge-esque back in Joseph Addai. He is just the type of player the Colts’ offense works well with. While he doesn’t utilize his full power, he does have plenty of agility, and is a great pass catcher out of the backfield. Manning and the Colts would have missed that without Edge, but hopefully Addai can step into that role. The team also added Tim Jennings, CB from Georgia in the second round and Freddie Keiaho, OLB from San Diego State in the third round to help out their defense. They were much improved last season, but fell apart in the playoffs and lost some key players this offseason.
Seattle Seahawks
First pick - Kelly Jennings (CB, Miami (Fla) ) - #31
More help on defense was what the Seahawks needed, and that is what they got. Jennings may not become a star at the position, but he’s a solid player that will be able to contribute right away. They stuck with defense in the second round, selecting Darryl Tapp, DE from Virginia Tech. Rob Sims, G from Ohio State was their fourth round pick, and will hopefully be able to earn some playing time on the solid
New York Giants
First pick - Mathias Kiwanuka (DE, Boston College) - #32
The Giants traded down and added a few draft picks, which seemed like a great move since guys like Jimmy Williams and Chad Jackson fell to them at the bottom of the first. For some reason, though, they decided to go with another defensive end. Odd when you consider they already have the best duo in the league with Strahan and Umenyiora, and also have a capable back-up from last year’s draft, Justin Tuck. GM Ernie Accorsi has stated that you can never have too many home run hitters, though, and that’s what the defensive ends are to the defense. That may be true, but other needs should have been addressed. In the second round they took WR Sinorice Moss, who they hope will pan out like his older brother, Santana, despite his small frame. In the third they picked ILB Gerris Wilkinson to add some much needed depth to their LB core, and they also addressed needs at DT and SS with Barry Cofield in the fourth and Charlie Peprah in the fifth, respectively.
Washington Redskins
First pick - Roger McIntosh (OLB, Miami (Fla) ) - #35
With their only selection in the first four rounds of the 2006 draft, the ‘Skins decided to take an OLB in “Rocky” McIntosh. He should be able to ease into a defense that was pretty productive last season, save for a few games. The team stuck with defense for their next three picks as well, taking two defensive tackles and a strong safety. Not much to talk about here, though, as the Redskins traded away most of their picks during free agency.
Atlanta Falcons
First pick - Jimmy Williams (CB, Virginia Tech) - #37
The Falcons were looking to help DeAngelo Hall at CB with the draft, and they must have been dumbfounded to see Jimmy Williams fall all the way to them at #37. The team will now boast one of the youngest and brightest CB tandems in the league. They also infused some youth at the RB position with their third round pick, Jerious Norwood out of Mississippi State. In the seventh round many speculated that the Falcons may take QB Michael Vick’s younger brother, QB Marcus Vick out of Virginia Tech, but the troubled signal caller went undrafted. Instead the Falcons took Georgia QB D.J. Shockley.
Chicago Bears
First pick - Danieal Manning (SS, Abilene Christian) - #42
Just as the Patriots surprised everyone by focusing on their offense, the Bears surprised everyone by focusing on their defense. While they could have certainly added some weapons to the other side of the ball, the Bears decided instead to concentrate on what has worked for them. Manning was their first pick, followed by Devin Hester, also in the second round. Hester certainly has natural ability, but will probably be used mainly as a return man for now until he can prove himself as a true cornerback or wide receiver. Their first five picks were all defense, until finally in the sixth round they selected a fullback and an offensive guard. |
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