Going into the 2006 NFL draft the phrase greatest draft ever was thrown about quite a few times, especially after the weak 2005 draft. With this in mind, here is my analysis of the first round of that draft, in retrospect.
1. Mario Williams, DE, North Carolina St. not really much to delve into here since we all know the story. Hes a star and will be starting in the Pro Bowl this year.
2. Reggie Bush, RB, USC more commercials that touchdowns and is proving to be injury prone, missing 10 games in the past two seasons. Hes a dangerous punt returner and receiver out of the backfield, but hes average at best as a RB. He may improve, but for now hes just-a-guy, and he has shown that he wasnt worth the second overall pick.
3. Vince Young, QB, Texas all he does is win. Hes a star! Seriously though, next year may be the make or break year for him.
4. DBrickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia He started out slow and allowed 23.25 sacks in his first two seasons but looked pretty good this year with Faneca playing next to him. Maybe he wont be the revolutionary OT some thought he would be, but theres no reason to believe that he wont continue to improve and become a fixture for many years on the Jets OL.
5. AJ Hawk, LB, Ohio St. Hes been pretty solid, but his numbers have dropped off since his rookie campaign. He will likely be much better off next season with Barnett returning from injury, allowing him to move back to his natural position of WLB. Decent pick.
6. Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland another guy who was supposed to revolutionize his position with his sub-4.4 40 time, but he has turned out to be a bit of a disappointment. Maybe with an NFL level QB, he will show everyone that he was worth this pick, but for now, hes just-a-guy.
7. Michael Huff, S, Texas after an up-and-down first two seasons in the NFL at SS, he was moved to his natural position of FS this season and struggled. He was benched after 5 games in favor of Hiram Eugene due to poor tackling. At this point, he looks like a bust.
8. Donte Whitner, S, Ohio St. I remember thinking this was a huge reach at the time, and the Bills were panned for this pick, but it has turned out very well for them as he has proven to be a pretty good SS.
9. Ernie Sims, LB, Florida St. Hes proven to be a very good LB in Marinellis Tampa-2 system, but one has got to wonder how he will fare once a new regime is put in place.
10. Matt Leinart, QB, USC Before being placed on IR in 2007, he had already began alternating snaps with Kurt Warner. Once he returned this past training camp, he was unable to regain the starting QB job. All of the weapons are in place for him to succeed, but he has been very unimpressive in his career.
11. Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt He kinda sucks, but my dad says he might be good some day [/South Park reference]. Two great years back to back and is in the Pro Bowl this year. So far, he is the best QB out of this class.
12. Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon this guy is a freaking beast. That INT against the Texans this year was amazing.
13. Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Florida St. He had a great rookie year, but his sack totals have tailed off over the past two seasons. His play against the run has improved a bit, but its not really tangible since the Browns finished the season ranked 28th in the NFL against the run.
14. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida St. Hes another guy who had a lot of hype going into the draft, but despite a rookie season that yielded only 9 tackles, the hype appears to be warranted as he has had two solid seasons back to back. He and Mike Patterson form a very solid tandem.
15. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson He has been solid when healthy, but he has been placed on IR the past two seasons.
16. Jason Allen, CB/S, Tennessee I thought he looked decent when the Texans played the Dolphins earlier this year, but apparently hell be cut soon, so that shows what I know.
17. Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa After missing the 2006 season due to a knee injury, Greenway has bounced back and had two very good seasons on two very good run defenses.
18. Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio St. He has not shown anything in three years and appears to be a bust at this point in time.
19. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida St. This was a risky pick at the time because Cromartie hadnt shown very much on the college level and was coming off an injury. 12 interceptions later, Ill say this was a good pick.
20. Tamba Hali, DE, Penn St. Thus far, Hali has had a very solid career. He plays well against the run and has 18.5 sacks in his career. Much like Mario, he would benefit greatly by having a speed rusher opposite him.
21. Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota He had two good seasons before being placed on IR this season with a shoulder injury. He is a great fit in New England and should bounce back and have a nice year splitting carries with either Sammy Morris, Lamont Jordan, or Kevin Faulk.
22. Manny Lawson, OLB, North Carolina St. The guy who some projected to be better than Mario has had a few injuries and hasnt necessarily dazzled when he has been on the field.
23. Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma Joseph came back from a broken foot this season to have a good year. I havent watched too much of him in the NFL, but my Buccaneer fan friends say hes a good run blocker who holds his own in the passing game and will be a fixture there for years. He's committed 10 penalties and allowed 6 sacks in 3 years, which is very good.
24. Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina Ive watched him play a few times and he appears to be solid but unspectacular. He was placed on IR this season due to an ankle injury.
25. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio St. A good, consistent WR who runs good routes and has breakaway speed. If he can quit breaking the law, he should be in the league for a long time.
26. John McCargo, DT, North Carolina St. Another purported draft day reach by the Bills, McCargo has not fared as well as his co-first round pick Donte Whitner. The buzz in Buffalo is that he will be released this offseason after a trade with the Colts was nixed due to a failed physical.
27. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis After a couple of solid seasons in Carolina, Williams broke out this year. He and Jonathan Stewart have the makings of a great duo for years to come.
28. Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA Lewis has improved every year he has been in the NFL and he still has loads of potential. He could explode next season if he is able to establish himself as the red zone threat that a 66, 275lb man should be.
29. Nick Mangold, OC, Ohio St. In three seasons, Mangold has only committed 8 penalties while allowing 4 sacks and helping the Jets in the run game. Hes also going to the Pro Bowl this year. Great pick.
30. Joseph Addai, RB, LSU This 2008 Pro Bowler had a spotty 2008 season after two very good seasons to begin his career. Hes still one of the more well-rounded backs in the NFL though and fits their offense perfectly.
31. Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami Jennings has had a disappointing career thus far culminating in him being benched this past season in favor of Josh Wilson. He has had technique issues and is looking like he will not live up to his first round billing.
32. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College This pick was a bit of a head-scratcher at the time, but it has obviously paid dividends. He is a force when rushing the passer, plays decent against the run, and has the ability to play LB when needed.
What does all of this add up to? For a draft that was so full of star power and hype, there has been a great deal of disappointment. Many of the players who were hyped beyond comprehension have struggled while many of those who flew under the radar have thrived. While the 2006 draft has produced the same number of first round Pro Bowlers as the 2005 draft, there seems to be quite a few solid yet unspectacular players who will manage to stick around for many years.
