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Every year we see draft analysts review the draft just after it happens and give their insight on how the draft will turn out. In this article we will be taking a different way of reviewing the draft…by an in depth review of the 2006 draft three years afterwards (a good timetable for seeing whether a player will or won’t succeed in the long run) and give the first round a detailed pick-by-pick analysis of how the draft went based on performance and play since the draft.
Coming off maybe the best college game of all time the 2006 Draft was headlined by Reggie Bush, Vince Young, and Matt Leinart, all supposedly cant miss prospects with huge upside and star qualities. None of them have lived up to their billing and have been huge disappointments. The Texans choice was met with continuous mocking and laughter. Who's laughing now? Mario Williams has arguably been the best player in the draft, which should not be surprising seeing as that he was picked #1 overall, but honestly who among us really thought he would be worth the gamble.This class had as much, if not more hope and promise as any other class in draft history, but all in all it has been a disappointment.
This has been a very good pick for the Texans. As mentioned most people mocked the Texans for passing on Reggie Bush for a defensive end who had been an underachiever. But anybody who knows Football knew it wasn't too far a stretch. The Texans wanted him because they needed somebody to put pressure on Peyton Manning two times a year. After starting off slow in his rookie season, Super Mario has developed into one of the most feared defensive ends in the NFL making All-pro in 2008 and a building block to their emerging defense.
The Heisman Trophy winner was over hyped coming into the 2006 draft where many believed he should be the number one pick for the Texans. Well when the Texans passed on him in favor of Mario Williams the Saints jumped all over Bush. The Saints used Bush as a complement to Duece McAllister, as a slot receiver, and a punt returner. He enjoyed a successful rookie season helping the Saints to the NFC Championship game. However since his rookie season Bush has been a flop. Has yet to eclipse 600 yard rushing. He has not been the every-down back that they needed and he hasn't produced big numbers in the return game. We can’t blame the Saints for taking him but Bush has not lived up to the hype.
Vince Young has had a very interesting pro career, just like Bush came in with much hype, and in his first year he lived up to it, he let the Titans to an 8-8 record, despite Vince's sub par stats and inconsistent passing, but his playmaking ability and leadership couldn't have been better, just missed out on a playoff spot by 1 game, Vince was also named offensive ROY. And things could not have looked better. Vince's problems started with landing the Madden 08 cover (not really)(or did they?), In the 2008 Season Vince got the Titans to a 10-6 season record and a playoff berth, but his passing stats were awful 9 TD 17 INT's, and the questions started to pop up. But those have not been his real problems, after reportedly contemplating retirement after his rookie season, and a tumultuous beginning to the 09 season, culminating in Vince getting hurt, losing his job, and a police search for him, as his mom feared he might commit suicide. At the very least we have drawn the conclusion that Vince cannot mentally handle the pressure of being a NFL QB.Once again, cannot fault the Titans for taking him, but Vince's future is not promising.
Was implanted as the starter at LT from day one, and has started every game since then. Which is good, but he has never progressed to being the dominant, nasty, LT that you expect pick #4. A good player with potential but so far has not lived up to the Top 5 billing.
No Brainer here for the Packers rebuilding their defense, Hawk too has been an everygame starter at Weakside backer for them since being drafted. Great rookie season with 119 tackles, but never really improved off that, 07 129 tackles, 08 121 tackles. As the Packers switch to a 3-4 defense A.J will move inside, we will see how the transition goes. But all things considered a good pick.
Vernon, was the ultimate workout warrior his stock was soaring after his posted a 4.3 40 time at the combine. His production was not very high at Maryland though. He has been a disappointment with the 49ers so far. His best numbers where in his second season with 52 catches for 509 yards and 4 touchdowns. His other two years have been nothing close. Not good enough for the number six pick in a draft.
Huff was a ballhawking safety at Texas, great intangibles, and ran a 4.4, but has been on the block for 2 years now, never produced in the NFL and he is running the risk of being cut this year. He started everygame his first two years improving very little, in year three his tackles where cut by more than half and still only has one interception in his three years.
The Bills were hammered for supposedly "reaching", Whitner was widely considered a late first round selection, a strong player with not a ton of upside, after his rookie 100 tackle season Whitner looked like he might emerge into an elite safety, but he has lived up to his initial billing, with only 2 career INT's and his tackles have dropped consistently since his rookie year. A solid starter in this league but nothing more. Not as bad a pick as initially thought but not exactly Top 10 worthy.
#9 Detroit Lions- Ernie Sims OLB Florida State
The lone bright spot on the worst defense in league history. Ernie Sims' unbelievably bad teammates have overshadowed how good he has been, with some halfway decent players on the defense now, he should blossom into an elite linebacker.
The former Heisman Trophy winner would have been the first pick in the draft in 2005, but decided to come back. His rookie season he came in as a injury replacement and played well, but didn't win too many games. In his second season he was used in a rotation with Warner before getting hurt and then giving way to the former MVP. In his third season Leinart watched as Kurt Warner led the Cardinals to the Super Bowl and then sign a new contract in the offseason. His former back up Matt Cassell has enjoyed more success than Leinart.
The 3rd of the top 3 QB prospects has ended up to be the best. Denver traded up to get Cutler, who started for five games in his rookie season. He has completed over 60% of his passes in each season, and throwing for over 4,500 yards last season. Mike Shannahan was fired and Cutler became upset when new coach Josh McDaniels tried to trade the former Pro Bowler to get Matt Cassell. Cutler then was traded to the Bears to give them their first franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman.
The Ravens struck gold again drafting a defensive linemen. He is another player that has started since day one. His stats don't overwhelm you, but as 3-4 nose tackle he does an excellent job taking on blockers and freeing up Rey Lewis and the rest of the linebackers, and has grown into one of the best nose tackles in the game.
The former defensive end was drafted to be a rush linebacker in the Browns 3-4 defense. He showed a lot of promise in his rookie season netting 11 sacks and was expected to build on it. However he hasn't gotten more than 5 sacks in his next two seasons. His fourth year under new coach Eric Mangini will be the telling point if he is going to be a bust or not.
Bunkley played in 15 games his rookie season before taking over in year two, and has started ever since. His stats aren't eye popping, but he has been a big part the Eagles pressure defense with his great mix of strength, size, and quickness.
The Rams were looking for a shut down corner and took Hill who was ranked as the top corner. He played fine as a rookie, starting ten games with 50 tackles and 3 interceptions. However he has been a disappointment ever since, playing only 12 games in the next two years with 1 INT.
Allen suffered a season ending injury in his last year at Tennessee, but was still drafted in the first round. He played in all 16 games as a reserve in his rookie season. In his second year we saw some improvement, starting in ten games and netting 62 tackles and 3 interceptions. He dropped off in his third season playing in 15 games, but only starting 2 games and only having 1 interception and 36 tackles, and is an afterthought on a weak Miami defense.
Greenway lost his entire rookie season because of a knee injury during a preseason game. However he has bounced back to win the starting weakside linebacker spot and play a big part in the Vikings impenetrable front 7.
A rare first round bust for Bill Parcells, Carpenter was thought to be a perfect fit to for the 3-4 as an outside linebacker. However he has been injured and hasn't played well when on the field, netting only 50 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 3 years.
Cromartie entered the draft after missing his whole junior season with a knee injury, but his athleticism made him a Top 20 pick, and that really is what has made him one of the best corners in the game now. Has played in every game in his pro career, his second year was his breakout year with 10 INT's in only 8 starts. The Chargers gambled and won here.
Hali had two solid seasons rushing the passer opposite of Jared Allen. He netted 8 and 7.5 sacks in those seasons. However Allen was traded to the Vikings and in the first year without his pass rushing partner Hali only netting 3 sacks. This year should be interesting for Hali as the Chiefs move to the 3-4.
Maroney has had good success rushing for 745 and 835 and 6 TD's in each of his first 2 years, but he has been injury prone. He only played in three games during the 2009 season. This will be a break or bust year for Maroney.
Lawson was a former defensive end coming out of college who was to transition to a rush linebacker in the 3-4 defense. He showed promise in his rookie season netting 57 tackles and 2.5 sacks. But he missed 14 games in 2007 and only got 3 sacks in 2008. The Niners are looking for big things out of him in 2009 or they will be looking for a new rush linebacker.
You don't see a ton of Guards get drafted in the first round but the Bucs made a real nice pick here, Joseph has started almost every game in his career and made the Pro-bowl this past year as a substitute.
Joseph has had an alright career so far. He took over the starting spot halfway through his rookie season. He really improved his second year with four interceptions and 62 tackles. Injuries cut his third season in half but Joseph is a solid corner. Since he's a Bengal he's obligated to get arrested and suspended, J.J did his part and picked up a nice Ganja Conviction.
2009 Super Bowl MVP
This was one of those moments when everybody's like "Who?". The Bills were desperate for defensive tackle help and definitely reached for McCargo. He only registered six tackles in his rookie season. In his second season he continued to struggle only notching 2.5 sacks and 29 tackles. In his third season he played in seven games, but failed to register a tackle. The Bills tried to trade him to the Colts, but he failed his physical.
Williams was looking likely to be a bust until this season when he unexpectedly exploded for 1,515 yards and 18 TD's. After not producing much at all in his first 2 seasons, the Panthers used their 13th pick last year on RB Jonathan Stewart to take over, Williams improved so much he kept his job and formed one of the best rushing attacks in the game today.
The Jags where looking for an athletic tight end to give quarterback Byron Leftwich a target. Lewis failed to make an immediate impact in his rookie season only 13 catches for 126 yards. His production did increase the next two seasons gaining 391 and 489 yards. The Jaguars were hoping that he would provide a red zone threat, but he has only caught five touchdown in his three years.
The Jets traded back into the first round to continue to rebuild their offensive line. Mangold has started every single game since his arrival. And become one of the better Centers in the game.
Another great pick by the Colts front office, rushed for 1,000 yards in each of his first 2 years and played a big part in the Colts 2007 Super Bowl championship, slowed by injuries this past year but should continue an excellent start to his career
When the Seahawks drafted Jennings they were looking for somebody to start opposite of Marcus Trufant. Jennings though has been a disappointment, getting beat at key times, and only recording 1 career Interception.
The selection of Kiwanuka was a bit of a surprise because they already had Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora at defensive end. However the Giants moved Kiwanuka to strongside linebacker where made a solid transition and now is the starter.
DeMeco Ryans (#33).
LenDale White (#45)
Marcus McNeill (#50)
Greg Jennings (#52)
Devin Hester (#57)
Maurice Drew-Jones (#60)
Owen Daniels (#98)
Leon Washington (#117)
Brandon Marshall (#119)
Dawan Landry (#146)
Antoine Bethea (#207)
Cortland Finnegan (#215)
Marques Colston (#252)
Best Pick: Tennessee Titans Cortland Finnegan CB from Samford at pick #215
Worst Pick: Buffalo Bills DT John Mccargo at pick 26
Best draft class: Houston Texans- get 3 Pro-Bowlers in Super Mario, Demeco Ryans, and Owen Daniels
Worst Draft class: St. Louis Rams- only 3/10 still on the roster and their names are Tye Hill, Klopfenstein, and Adeyanju so........
There you have it, we have closed the book on the 2006 NFL Draft, all in all it was a big disappointment, we hope you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you all back throughout the Season.
Special Thanks to: Brian Johannes, Mike Labeouf, Matt Rocchio, Brent Ball
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