2006 NFL Mock Draft
The NFL Draft is predicted by tons of so-called experts every year, but it is simply unpredictable. I am by no means one of those experts since I have zero credentials as an NFL Draft prognosticator (neither does Mel Kiper if you ask me).
You can see all the parity in the mock drafts by looking at this page. Prisco has Vernon Davis at 6 while Dodd has him at 24. Predicting the draft is comparable to doing your NCAA Bracket, you get a few right and then there are a few that you couldn’t be any more off.
Anyway, I’m gonna give it a try but I would be surprised if I got more than 7 of these right. Here’s how I think the first round will go down:
1. Texans – Reggie Bush, RB from USC
Houston is locked in here with Reggie. You can’t pass up a talent like Bush no matter what trade offer comes in.
2. Saints – Mario Williams, DE from NC State
The Saints want Williams or A.J. Hawk real bad but not necessarily at this spot. They would ideally like a team to trade up to grab Leinart and move down to a spot where they can still get Williams or Hawk. Mario has the potential to be the next Peppers or Freeney. Good speed coming around the end. He’s my early pick for Rookie Defensive Player of the Year with 10 plus sacks.
3. Titans – Matt Leinart, QB from USC
Leinart makes a good fit here cause the Titans want him and he wants to go there. Leinart’s former offensive coordinator at USC, Norm Chow, now is the Titans’ offensive coordinator so he wants Leinart on his team again.
4. Jets – D’Brickshaw Ferguson, OT from Virginia
Ferguson is the size of a freight train, and he plays like one. He could be taken at the 2 spot if the Saints decide to pass on Williams or Hawk. Here’s some more info about D’Brickshaw.
5. Packers – A.J. Hawk, LB from Ohio State
The Saints really like Hawk but they will probably take Williams which leaves Hawk available here at the 5 spot. Green Bay needs to upgrade its defense, and since they couldn’t get Arrington I think they will draft Hawk here. Here’s an article about A.J.
6. 49ers – Vernon Davis, TE from Maryland
San Fran has tons of needs that need to be addressed and I think they can now pick the player they truly want, Vernon Davis, since they now have 2 picks in the 1st round (6,22). If they didn’t acquire the 22nd pick (where they will draft a defensive player) then I think they would go with Huff here.
7. Raiders – Michael Huff, S from Texas
Raiders could grab Vince Young or Jay Cutler here, but I think they won’t let a potential all-pro safety in Michael Huff slip past them. More information about Huff.
8. Bills – Broderick Bunkley, DT from Florida State
The Bills could go a few ways here depending on what happens with the Raiders pick. If Oakland grabs Young and Huff is still available then they will take Michael Huff. But I think Oakland won’t do that so my guess is that Buffalo will solidify their defensive line by adding Bunkley (Sidenote: Buffalo also likes DT Haloti Ngata as well, possibly even more than Bunkley). Bunkley’s stock has risen quite high recently.
9. Lions – Winston Justice, OT from USC
Justice had a great career out in SoCal and has been connected with the Eagles. I don’t think Winston will drop down to 14 so the Eagles may have to trade up to grab him.
10. Cardinals – Vince Young, QB from Texas
It’s hard to predict where exactly Young will end up since most of the top selection teams don’t really have a pressing need at QB. I think he may end up in Arizona which wouldn’t be terrible for him considering they added Edjerrin James. Here’s a reason why Vince Young could be a top 5 pick.
11. Rams – Haloti Ngata, DT from Oregon
Ngata is a somewhat unknown DT from Oregon and is one of the players that seems to suffer from the East Coast bias in that he got very little national attention on television. Ngata isn’t as agile as DT Bunkley but is just as fierce and dominant.
12. Browns – Chad Greenway, OLB from Iowa
Cleveland should upgrade their D and adding Greenway would be a great move for their organization. Greenway is one of the top linebackers in the draft and could potentially drop down to the Eagles if some of these teams decide to go after a prospect on the offensive side of the ball.
13. Ravens – Kamerion Wimbley, OLB from Florida State
There are rumors that Vince Young will end up in Baltimore but I don’t think he will make it this far and I also don’t think they are gonna give up on Kyle Boller quite yet (although they should). Wimbley is a good young prospect and his stock has risen steadily over the last few months.
14. Eagles – Ernie Sims, OLB from Florida State
The Birds could go several ways with this pick such as an OLB, OT, WR, or DE. I think if Sims is available here they will take him off the board. Sims is a great talent that would definitely improve the linebacking corps. Read up about Ernie Sims here, I think Eagles fans will like what they see. Also, here’s what I said 2 months ago for the Eagles biggest needs on Draft Day.
15. Broncos – Chad Jackson, WR from Florida
Denver really wants to add another receiving threat on the other side of Rod Smith. They are currently trying to acquire Javon Walker from Green Bay and if they do so then they definitely won’t take Jackson here.
16. Dolphins – Jimmy Williams, CB from Virginia Tech
Miami will most likely go after a defensive back with this mid-round pick. I could also see them going after WR Jackson if he is available or Santonio Holmes.
17. Vikings – Jay Cutler, QB from Vanderbilt
Cutler looks to be this year’s Aaron Rodgers in that he was a good college QB who could fall down in the draft due to the low need for QBs. Cutler could go as early as 7 to the Raiders and and maybe even later than this 17 pick if the Vikings go after a D-lineman. Check out Ron Jaworski’s analysis of Cutler.
18. Cowboys – Jason Allen, S from Tennessee
Dallas will most likely address their need at free safety by taking Allen here. He would be a nice complement to one of the best safeties in the league in SS Roy Williams.
19. Chargers – Santonio Holmes, WR from Ohio State
Keenan McCardell can only stay in the league for so long, and since he will eventually need a replacement I think they should draft a WR. Holmes would make a good fit for San Diego.
20. Chiefs – Donte Whitner, S from Ohio State
The Chiefs have struggled on D the last few years so I think they will probably go after a defensive back here. Whitner or one of the other cornerbacks would be good for them.
21. Patriots – DeAngelo Williams, RB
I think it’s either Williams or Laurence Maroney here, and I think Williams would provide a great change of pace for Corey Dillon. Here’s a highlight reel of one of Williams’ touchdowns.
22. 49ers (Acquired from Denver on 4/19) – Tye Hill, CB from Clemson
This pick depends on what San Fran does with the 6th overall pick. If they get Davis, look for them to go after CB Johnathan Joseph or CB Tye Hill. This cornerback from Clemson would help their team after he gets a year under his belt. Here’s an article about Tye.
23. Buccaneers – Johnathan Joseph, CB from South Carolina
The Bucs will try to upgrade their defense in the first round, most likely at defensive back.
24. Bengals – Ashley Youboty, CB from Ohio State
Cincinatti may try to upgrade their secondary a little here by going after a guy like Youboty. I think he would be a good pick at this point.
25. Giants – Marcus McNeill, OT from Auburn
My guess is that the Giants will try and beef up their offensive line to help keep their franchise player, Eli Manning, off the ground. There will be plenty of OT’s available here and I would say that McNeill is the best one they could grab.
26. Bears – Marcedes Lewis, TE from UCLA
I’m not sure what the Bears will do with this pick, but I think they might go for the best available player at this point. I believe that player is DeMeco, and he would be a good partner in crime for Urlacher.
27. Panthers – LenDale White, RB from USC
White’s stock has plummeted within the last few weeks due to his weak combine effort and individual workouts. He was originally suggested as a top 15 pick and now he could fall into the 2nd round. Even with his bad workout, personally I can’t see a guy like LenDale being passed up by all the teams in the first round.
28. Jaguars – Tamba Hali, DE from Penn State
I don’t think Tamba Hali will slip out of the first round, and I can see him heading to Jacksonville with this pick. Penn State fans would be happy to see Hali head to the Jags. He has a bright future ahead of him.
29. Jets – Nick Mangold, C from Ohio State
With the Jets 2nd pick in the first round, I think they will attempt to replace C Kevin Mawae. But if Mangold is gone at this point, then they will wait a round or two to address the hole at center.
30. Colts – Laurence Maroney, RB from Minnesota
Edge is gone and this team seems stacked at every other position so I think they will go after a RB here. Maroney would make a good fit with their offense, and so would UCLA’s Maurice Drew.
31. Seahawks – DeMeco Ryans, OLB from Alabama
I’m not sure where the Seahawks will go with this pick. At this point, it’s kind of picking the best player available out of what’s left rather than addressing a need. DeMeco is a good young player that could slip into the 2nd round and even as far as the Eagles 2nd round pick at 45. Another possible option for Seattle would be drafting WR Sinorice Moss to replace Joe Jurevicius who went to Cleveland as a free agent.
32. Steelers – Eric Winston, T from Miami
As reigning Super Bowl champions, the Steelers can do anything with this pick really. I think they should try and improve their protection for Roethlisberger by grabbing an offensive tackle or guard. Another recommendation for this pick comes from a big Steelers fan that goes by the name of Regius McKenzie, who is my friend’s dad. His exact recommendation was that the Steelers should draft Michael Robinson in the first round to replace Antwaan Randle El. As ludicrious as this may sound, you never know with Bill Cowher who drafted Randle El in the 2nd round with the 30th pick back in 2002.
Players that could easily sneak into the first round (Also keep an eye on them as good value 2nd round picks): CB Antonio Cromartie, G Deuce Lutui, DE Mathias Kiwanuka, WR Demetrius Williams, TE Leonard Pope, WR Sinorice Moss and LB Bobby Carpenter
We’ll see how the NFL Draft truly turns out starting April 29th.
What do you want the Eagles to do with the 1st round pick?
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Posted on April 24, 2006 by Kyle Garis | Filed Under Eagles, Philadelphia
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Great job guys…