Deputy Nutz
05-02-2006, 01:42 PM
Here is the deal. It is nearly impossible to judge this draft class in 2006, it is even harder to be precise 5 hours after the draft is completed. These are my opinions and nobody else’s. Have fun with them and feel free to respond.
Winners – Teams that did well in the draft.
Arizona Cardinals
Best Pick: Matt Leinart
Worst Pick: Brandon Johnson
1. 10 Leinart, Matt QB 6-5 224 Southern California
2. 41 Lutui, Taitusi 'Deuce' G 6-4 333 Southern California
3. 72 Pope, Leonard TE 6-7 257 Georgia
4. 107 Watson, Gabriel DT 6-3 340 Michigan
5. 142 Johnson, Brandon OLB 6-5 227 Louisville
6. 177 Lewis, Jon DT 6-1 310 Virginia Tech
7. 218 Watkins, Todd WR 6-2 201 Brigham Young
The Cardinals got a huge break as the most NFL ready quarterback Matt Leinart had a free fall all the way to the 10 spot in the draft. Depending on how much rope Dennis Green gives Kurt Warner, you could possibly see Arizona starting Leinart at the beginning of the season. The Cardinals could have used some more help on one of the weakest offensive lines in the NFL to protect both Leinart and newly acquired running back Edgerin James, but they made a key selection in the second round taking hometown boy Deuce Lutui from Mesa Arizona and the college teammate of Leinart. Lutui is a big man that has played both tackle and guard in college and he will be a welcomed addition at either spot on the Cardinals offensive line. He is a bit limited athletically, but has the natural strength to power his way through defenders. He is a competitor who can block well in a small space, once he gets his hands on a defender, they are finished. Arizona was also able to pick up another offensive weapon in Leonard Pope. Pope who was a first round projection before the start of the draft fell to the Cardinals with the 72nd pick. Bad news for Pope, good news for the Cardinals. Pope is a large target at almost 6-8 and 265 pounds. Some teams shied away from Pope because he is no longer the prototypical tight end. The fact is, he still is a fantastic football player and has the ability even at 6-8 to split the seam. In the 4th round the Cardinals were also able to land another player with a first round grade by some scouts in defensive tackle Gabe Watson from Michigan. A career underachiever at Michigan some teams decided not to have that headache, but apparently Dennis Green is willing to work with the mammoth run stuffer. Brandon Johnson out of Louisville is an outside linebacker that is a work in progress but has unbelievable measurements. If the Cardinals can give this guy some coaching he could be a player in a couple of years. With the 177th pick the Cardinals pick up another value selection in Jon Lewis a defensive tackle out of Virginia Tech. Lewis helps fill out a defensive line that has had its share of busts and misfortunes. Lewis is athletic and has an amazing first step. His only question is whether he is going to be tall enough and be able to get bigger to be a force against the run. If Lewis can add some weight he will have the package to become a starter in this league. The Cardinals selected Todd Watkins out of BYU to round out their draft. Watkins could have the most potential out of any receiver in this draft, but the light has to come on for this youngster if he is ever going to play in the NFL. Watkins was a good pick because if he doesn’t pan out it was only a seventh round pick, but if he manages to realize his potential and ability and make the roster, it is a fantastic pick.
Bottom line, the Cardinals managed to get the most value on paper for their picks. They have chosen players on the first day of the draft that can come in and compete for not only roster spots but for starting positions. Their players on the second day will all have a great chance to make this roster, but also improve the roster as wells. It is only the night after the draft, but the Cardinals did the most with their 7 picks to improve their rosters.
Houston Texans
Best Pick: Eric Winston
Worst Pick: Mario Williams
1 1 Williams, Mario DE 6-7 294 North Carolina St
2 33 Ryans, DeMeco OLB 6-1 235 Alabama
3 65 Spencer, Charles OT 6-5 351 Pittsburgh
3 66 Winston, Eric OT 6-6 311 Miami (Fla.)
4 98 Daniels, Owen TE 6-3 243 Wisconsin
6 170 Lundy, Wali RB 5-11 213 Virginia
7 251 Anderson, David WR 5-10 193 Colorado State
The Texans still manage to get on the winners list even though they past on Reggie Bush for Courtney Brown, I mean Mario Williams. All joking aside if Williams can even live up to ¾ of the expectations laid upon his shoulders this should be a really good draft for the Texans. They were able to address severe needs in the draft and got good value with guys like Eric Winston and Demeco Ryans. Charles Spencer brings the ability to play both tackle and guard on the offensive line. So now with Spencer and Winston the Houston Texans have added much needed depth to unit that regularly gives up 70 sacks a season. Even in the later round the Texans where able to shore up some holes and areas of concern. They started the 4th round by taking Owen Daniels from Wisconsin, who is going to give the Texans a pass catching threat at tight end. Daniels isn’t going to impress anyone with his blocking but he does have the skills and the smarts to read a defense and find the soft part of the zone. Wali Lundy was one of the bigger running backs in the draft and if he makes the roster he can provide some much needed depth behind Dominick Davis. Lundy was a good value in the 6th round. Receiver David Anderson provides a toughness that you don’t normally see out of receivers. He is a hard worker and makes a strong case to make this roster as 7th round selection.
Even with passing on the most dynamic player in the draft, the Texans were still able to upgrade their roster and get a couple of core players in Williams, Ryans, Spencer, and Winston. If these four picks pan out to their potential they could go a long way into building this franchise into a winner.
Dallas Cowboys
Best Pick: Pat Watkins
Worst Pick: EJ Whitely
1 27 Williams, DeAngelo RB 5-9 213 Memphis
2 58 Marshall, Richard CB 5-11 188 Fresno St
3 88 Anderson, James OLB 6-3 230 Virginia Tech
3 89 Butler, Rashad OT 6-5 292 Miami (Fla.)
4 121 Salley, Nate FS 6-1 219 Ohio State
5 155 King, Jeff TE 6-5 256 Virginia Tech
7 234 Montgomery, Will G 6-3 300 Virginia Tech
7 237 McClover, Stanley DE 6-2 261 Auburn
Like Arizona I have a hard time finding anything wrong with the Cowboys’ draft. They were able to find value in their picks but also fill some holes on their roster. I love the Bobby Carpenter pick, and for Carpenter to reach his potential, I think that he needed to be in an attacking 3-4 style defense. Carpenter could be a potential 10 sack 100 tackle type player under Parcels. Anthony Fassano provide good solid depth and a double option at tight end. Fassano is fast enough to split the safeties and make plays down field, but he is big enough to bang with linebackers in the short possession routes. Fassano was a good value selection at #53, and was part of 8 tight ends going on the first day. Jason Hatcher was a bit of a sleeper but he will be a perfect fit at defensive end in the 3-4. He will be able to bang with tackles and defeat double teams. He might have been a bit of a reach in the third round, but he has good feet and quick hands and will provide excellent depth for the Cowboys. Skyler Green from LSU is going to impact the Cowboys more as a kick returner early on, but he has all the making of a superb 3rd wide receiver. The only thing Green does not have is size, but with the new enforcement of the contact rules size isn’t all that important as it once was. Green has the vision, hands, and speed to contribute some where in the passing game in 2006. Motavious Stanely and Pat Watkins where great value picks, and they will be two guys that impact this team in a big way come 2007 or 2008. Both are a little raw but neither is short on athleticism or talent for the game of football. Watkins will make a splash on special teams in 2006 going after punters and kickers.
Carolina Panthers
Best Pick: Deangelo Williams
Worst Pick: James Anderson
1 27 Williams, DeAngelo RB 5-9 213 Memphis
2 58 Marshall, Richard CB 5-11 188 Fresno St
3 88 Anderson, James OLB 6-3 230 Virginia Tech
3 89 Butler, Rashad OT 6-5 292 Miami (Fla.)
4 121 Salley, Nate FS 6-1 219 Ohio State
5 155 King, Jeff TE 6-5 256 Virginia Tech
7 234 Montgomery, Will G 6-3 300 Virginia Tech
7 237 McClover, Stanley DE 6-2 261 Auburn
Carolina was able to get a fantastic player in the first round in Deangelo Williams. Williams who was thought to be a top15 talent, Williams slipped to #27 overall. Williams really made this draft for Carolina, because they have very little at running back besides the oft injured DeShaun Foster and the slow footed Nick Goings. The Panthers were then able to secure Richard Marshall in the second round. Marshall has impressed a lot of NFL scouts, and was almost a lock to go in the first round. The Panthers had a questionable secondary and Marshall goes a long way into answering some of the holes at cornerback. James Anderson was the only reach on the first day, but he is athletic and a little coaching will do him well. In a few years he might be able to replace Will Witherspoon. Nate Salley was another boost to the Carolina secondary in the fourth round.
Losers-Teams that have questionable drafts on paper.
Seattle Seahawks
Best Pick: Rob Sims
Worst Pick: Darryl Tapp
1 31 Jennings, Kelly CB 5-11 179 Miami (Fla.)
2 63 Tapp, Darryl DE 6-1 251 Virginia Tech
4 128 Sims, Rob G 6-3 320 Ohio State
5 163 Kirtman, David FB 6-0 232 USC
7 239 Plackemeier, Ryan P 6-3 252 Wake Forest
7 249 Obomanu, Ben WR 6-1 206 Auburn
In a couple of years this might be a really good draft for the Seahawks, but for now it just doesn’t do it. Jennings in round one might be a starter in 2006, but most likely he will find a spot as a nickel back. Tapp was a reach in my opinion in the second round. He doesn’t have the height, weight, or speed to make an impact in the NFL as a pass rusher. Sims was a solid pick in the 4th round, and he could possibly slip in next to Walter Jones in 2006 and help rebuild the interior of the Seahawks offensive line. David Kirtman could have been taken later in this draft, and in fact he could have possibly been taken in free agency. After Kirtman the Seahawks take a punter in the 7th round, and realistically nobody likes to see their team take kickers or punters. There last pick was one of the better ones in the 7th round. Obomanu has the ability to get deep in a hurry and he has decent size. All in all, not to many picks, and only two on the first day, leads to little production from the 2006 draft.
Chicago Bears
Best Pick: Mark Anderson
Worst Pick: Dusty Dvoracek
2 42 Manning, Danieal SS 5-11 201 Abilene Christian
2 57 Hester, Devin WR 5-11 189 Miami (Fla.)
3 73 Dvoracek, Dusty DT 6-3 305 Oklahoma
4 120 Williams, Jamar ILB 6-0 250 Arizona State
5 159 Anderson, Mark DE 6-4 258 Alabama
6 195 Runnels, J.D. FB 5-11 237 Oklahoma
6 200 Reed, Tyler G 6-3 307 Penn State
The Bears decided to trade their 26th pick in the draft instead of taking a legit tight end or safety. They wait until the 42nd pick and take a project with a ton of ability in Daniel Manning. Manning isn’t ready to come in and start right away at safety, and his big selling point was that he was a kick returner, well if he was so good at returning kicks why did the Bears turn around and select Devin Hester 15 picks later? Hester is a tremendous athlete but he doesn’t have a position besides punt returner and kick returner. Then the Bears take Alcoholic Dusty Devoracek from Oklahoma in the 3rd round. The Bears have a deep front four and one wonders why a team that slaps their own back about taking players with good character would reach on a player like Devoracek that has had several off the field issues. The only Player that stands out on the second could be their most productive player in 2006, Mark Anderson is a hard working defensive end that needs to add about 15 pounds. Anderson could work his way into a very solid and deep defensive end rotation. Runnels could be a decent fullback, but without in any help at tight end you have to wonder why a fullback would make sense. Reed Tyler is just another guy, and will be lucky to make the roster.
Buffalo Bills
Best Pick: Ashton Youboty
Worst Pick: Donte Whitner
1 8 Whitner, Donte SS 5-10 203 Ohio State
1 26 McCargo, John DT 6-2 301 North Carolina St
3 70 Youboty, Ashton CB 6-0 188 Ohio State
4 105 Simpson, Ko FS 6-1 208 South Carolina
5 134 Williams, Kyle DT 6-1 298 Louisiana State
5 143 Butler, Brad OT 6-7 309 Virginia
6 178 Ellison, Keith OLB 6-1 229 Oregon State
7 216 Pennington, TerranceOT 6-7 325 New Mexico
7 248 Merz, Aaron G 6-3 346 California
The fact is, the Bills still got some pretty good players, but that could be more by luck than by realistic thinking. Apparently the Bills believed that they needed to seriously upgrade their defensive secondary, especially at safety, but totally ignored their major holes on their offensive line. Brad Butler, and Terrance Pennington offer very little in terms of starting material or even solid depth in 2006. Marv Levy needs to have his head examined for trading up into the first round and taking John McCargo. Sure he is a nice player, but one that the Bills could have had a realistic shot at in the second round. The only decent picks that the Bills made on the second day was Ko Simpson and Kyle Williams. If the Bills really wanted Whitner, why not make the trade with Denver that wanted to move up and take Leinart? I would believe that Whitner still would have been available at 15. Regardless of the first round blunders the Bills still managed to get 5 players that will challenge for starting spots.
Baltimore Ravens
Best Pick: Demetrius Williams
Worst Pick: Haloti Ngata
1. 12 Ngata, Haloti DT 6-4 337 Oregon
2. 56 Chester, Chris C 6-3 302 Oklahoma
3. 87 Pittman, David CB 5-11 182 Northwestern State
4. 111 Williams, Demetrius WR 6-2 198 Oregon
4. 132 Daniels, P.J. RB 5-10 210 Georgia Tech
5. 146 Landry, Dawan FS 6-1 219 Georgia Tech
5. 166 Sypniewski, Quinn TE 6-6 265 Colorado
6. 203 Koch, Sam P 5-11 225 Nebraska
6. 208 Martin, Derrick CB 5-10 201 Wyoming
7. 219 LaCasse, Ryan OLB 6-2 257 Syracuse
The Ravens believed that they had to take Ngata to protect Ray Lewis, and the fact is, if Ngata was consistent there wouldn’t even be a question here. Ngata could lead to constant frustration with is on again off again play. Lewis may become frustrated all the more/ Chris Chester was a reach in the second round, a reach that most teams could have fallen into. Chester simply doesn’t have the experience for a second round pick, and he doesn’t have the size that the Ravens like to use on the offensive line. Williams was the one bright spot. Williams fell in the draft, but more than anything teams just didn’t have the flavor for him. He needs to catch the ball better. The rest of the selection could have an impact in the future but for now they bring little but special team value. The Ravens ignored the quarterback position, taking at no one that could pressure Boller for the starting job. The offensive line had several holes, and the Ravens only chose to select one player. Daniels was a bit of a reach in the fourth round, he’s a plodder, and will offer little in change of pace from Jamal Lewis.
Winners – Teams that did well in the draft.
Arizona Cardinals
Best Pick: Matt Leinart
Worst Pick: Brandon Johnson
1. 10 Leinart, Matt QB 6-5 224 Southern California
2. 41 Lutui, Taitusi 'Deuce' G 6-4 333 Southern California
3. 72 Pope, Leonard TE 6-7 257 Georgia
4. 107 Watson, Gabriel DT 6-3 340 Michigan
5. 142 Johnson, Brandon OLB 6-5 227 Louisville
6. 177 Lewis, Jon DT 6-1 310 Virginia Tech
7. 218 Watkins, Todd WR 6-2 201 Brigham Young
The Cardinals got a huge break as the most NFL ready quarterback Matt Leinart had a free fall all the way to the 10 spot in the draft. Depending on how much rope Dennis Green gives Kurt Warner, you could possibly see Arizona starting Leinart at the beginning of the season. The Cardinals could have used some more help on one of the weakest offensive lines in the NFL to protect both Leinart and newly acquired running back Edgerin James, but they made a key selection in the second round taking hometown boy Deuce Lutui from Mesa Arizona and the college teammate of Leinart. Lutui is a big man that has played both tackle and guard in college and he will be a welcomed addition at either spot on the Cardinals offensive line. He is a bit limited athletically, but has the natural strength to power his way through defenders. He is a competitor who can block well in a small space, once he gets his hands on a defender, they are finished. Arizona was also able to pick up another offensive weapon in Leonard Pope. Pope who was a first round projection before the start of the draft fell to the Cardinals with the 72nd pick. Bad news for Pope, good news for the Cardinals. Pope is a large target at almost 6-8 and 265 pounds. Some teams shied away from Pope because he is no longer the prototypical tight end. The fact is, he still is a fantastic football player and has the ability even at 6-8 to split the seam. In the 4th round the Cardinals were also able to land another player with a first round grade by some scouts in defensive tackle Gabe Watson from Michigan. A career underachiever at Michigan some teams decided not to have that headache, but apparently Dennis Green is willing to work with the mammoth run stuffer. Brandon Johnson out of Louisville is an outside linebacker that is a work in progress but has unbelievable measurements. If the Cardinals can give this guy some coaching he could be a player in a couple of years. With the 177th pick the Cardinals pick up another value selection in Jon Lewis a defensive tackle out of Virginia Tech. Lewis helps fill out a defensive line that has had its share of busts and misfortunes. Lewis is athletic and has an amazing first step. His only question is whether he is going to be tall enough and be able to get bigger to be a force against the run. If Lewis can add some weight he will have the package to become a starter in this league. The Cardinals selected Todd Watkins out of BYU to round out their draft. Watkins could have the most potential out of any receiver in this draft, but the light has to come on for this youngster if he is ever going to play in the NFL. Watkins was a good pick because if he doesn’t pan out it was only a seventh round pick, but if he manages to realize his potential and ability and make the roster, it is a fantastic pick.
Bottom line, the Cardinals managed to get the most value on paper for their picks. They have chosen players on the first day of the draft that can come in and compete for not only roster spots but for starting positions. Their players on the second day will all have a great chance to make this roster, but also improve the roster as wells. It is only the night after the draft, but the Cardinals did the most with their 7 picks to improve their rosters.
Houston Texans
Best Pick: Eric Winston
Worst Pick: Mario Williams
1 1 Williams, Mario DE 6-7 294 North Carolina St
2 33 Ryans, DeMeco OLB 6-1 235 Alabama
3 65 Spencer, Charles OT 6-5 351 Pittsburgh
3 66 Winston, Eric OT 6-6 311 Miami (Fla.)
4 98 Daniels, Owen TE 6-3 243 Wisconsin
6 170 Lundy, Wali RB 5-11 213 Virginia
7 251 Anderson, David WR 5-10 193 Colorado State
The Texans still manage to get on the winners list even though they past on Reggie Bush for Courtney Brown, I mean Mario Williams. All joking aside if Williams can even live up to ¾ of the expectations laid upon his shoulders this should be a really good draft for the Texans. They were able to address severe needs in the draft and got good value with guys like Eric Winston and Demeco Ryans. Charles Spencer brings the ability to play both tackle and guard on the offensive line. So now with Spencer and Winston the Houston Texans have added much needed depth to unit that regularly gives up 70 sacks a season. Even in the later round the Texans where able to shore up some holes and areas of concern. They started the 4th round by taking Owen Daniels from Wisconsin, who is going to give the Texans a pass catching threat at tight end. Daniels isn’t going to impress anyone with his blocking but he does have the skills and the smarts to read a defense and find the soft part of the zone. Wali Lundy was one of the bigger running backs in the draft and if he makes the roster he can provide some much needed depth behind Dominick Davis. Lundy was a good value in the 6th round. Receiver David Anderson provides a toughness that you don’t normally see out of receivers. He is a hard worker and makes a strong case to make this roster as 7th round selection.
Even with passing on the most dynamic player in the draft, the Texans were still able to upgrade their roster and get a couple of core players in Williams, Ryans, Spencer, and Winston. If these four picks pan out to their potential they could go a long way into building this franchise into a winner.
Dallas Cowboys
Best Pick: Pat Watkins
Worst Pick: EJ Whitely
1 27 Williams, DeAngelo RB 5-9 213 Memphis
2 58 Marshall, Richard CB 5-11 188 Fresno St
3 88 Anderson, James OLB 6-3 230 Virginia Tech
3 89 Butler, Rashad OT 6-5 292 Miami (Fla.)
4 121 Salley, Nate FS 6-1 219 Ohio State
5 155 King, Jeff TE 6-5 256 Virginia Tech
7 234 Montgomery, Will G 6-3 300 Virginia Tech
7 237 McClover, Stanley DE 6-2 261 Auburn
Like Arizona I have a hard time finding anything wrong with the Cowboys’ draft. They were able to find value in their picks but also fill some holes on their roster. I love the Bobby Carpenter pick, and for Carpenter to reach his potential, I think that he needed to be in an attacking 3-4 style defense. Carpenter could be a potential 10 sack 100 tackle type player under Parcels. Anthony Fassano provide good solid depth and a double option at tight end. Fassano is fast enough to split the safeties and make plays down field, but he is big enough to bang with linebackers in the short possession routes. Fassano was a good value selection at #53, and was part of 8 tight ends going on the first day. Jason Hatcher was a bit of a sleeper but he will be a perfect fit at defensive end in the 3-4. He will be able to bang with tackles and defeat double teams. He might have been a bit of a reach in the third round, but he has good feet and quick hands and will provide excellent depth for the Cowboys. Skyler Green from LSU is going to impact the Cowboys more as a kick returner early on, but he has all the making of a superb 3rd wide receiver. The only thing Green does not have is size, but with the new enforcement of the contact rules size isn’t all that important as it once was. Green has the vision, hands, and speed to contribute some where in the passing game in 2006. Motavious Stanely and Pat Watkins where great value picks, and they will be two guys that impact this team in a big way come 2007 or 2008. Both are a little raw but neither is short on athleticism or talent for the game of football. Watkins will make a splash on special teams in 2006 going after punters and kickers.
Carolina Panthers
Best Pick: Deangelo Williams
Worst Pick: James Anderson
1 27 Williams, DeAngelo RB 5-9 213 Memphis
2 58 Marshall, Richard CB 5-11 188 Fresno St
3 88 Anderson, James OLB 6-3 230 Virginia Tech
3 89 Butler, Rashad OT 6-5 292 Miami (Fla.)
4 121 Salley, Nate FS 6-1 219 Ohio State
5 155 King, Jeff TE 6-5 256 Virginia Tech
7 234 Montgomery, Will G 6-3 300 Virginia Tech
7 237 McClover, Stanley DE 6-2 261 Auburn
Carolina was able to get a fantastic player in the first round in Deangelo Williams. Williams who was thought to be a top15 talent, Williams slipped to #27 overall. Williams really made this draft for Carolina, because they have very little at running back besides the oft injured DeShaun Foster and the slow footed Nick Goings. The Panthers were then able to secure Richard Marshall in the second round. Marshall has impressed a lot of NFL scouts, and was almost a lock to go in the first round. The Panthers had a questionable secondary and Marshall goes a long way into answering some of the holes at cornerback. James Anderson was the only reach on the first day, but he is athletic and a little coaching will do him well. In a few years he might be able to replace Will Witherspoon. Nate Salley was another boost to the Carolina secondary in the fourth round.
Losers-Teams that have questionable drafts on paper.
Seattle Seahawks
Best Pick: Rob Sims
Worst Pick: Darryl Tapp
1 31 Jennings, Kelly CB 5-11 179 Miami (Fla.)
2 63 Tapp, Darryl DE 6-1 251 Virginia Tech
4 128 Sims, Rob G 6-3 320 Ohio State
5 163 Kirtman, David FB 6-0 232 USC
7 239 Plackemeier, Ryan P 6-3 252 Wake Forest
7 249 Obomanu, Ben WR 6-1 206 Auburn
In a couple of years this might be a really good draft for the Seahawks, but for now it just doesn’t do it. Jennings in round one might be a starter in 2006, but most likely he will find a spot as a nickel back. Tapp was a reach in my opinion in the second round. He doesn’t have the height, weight, or speed to make an impact in the NFL as a pass rusher. Sims was a solid pick in the 4th round, and he could possibly slip in next to Walter Jones in 2006 and help rebuild the interior of the Seahawks offensive line. David Kirtman could have been taken later in this draft, and in fact he could have possibly been taken in free agency. After Kirtman the Seahawks take a punter in the 7th round, and realistically nobody likes to see their team take kickers or punters. There last pick was one of the better ones in the 7th round. Obomanu has the ability to get deep in a hurry and he has decent size. All in all, not to many picks, and only two on the first day, leads to little production from the 2006 draft.
Chicago Bears
Best Pick: Mark Anderson
Worst Pick: Dusty Dvoracek
2 42 Manning, Danieal SS 5-11 201 Abilene Christian
2 57 Hester, Devin WR 5-11 189 Miami (Fla.)
3 73 Dvoracek, Dusty DT 6-3 305 Oklahoma
4 120 Williams, Jamar ILB 6-0 250 Arizona State
5 159 Anderson, Mark DE 6-4 258 Alabama
6 195 Runnels, J.D. FB 5-11 237 Oklahoma
6 200 Reed, Tyler G 6-3 307 Penn State
The Bears decided to trade their 26th pick in the draft instead of taking a legit tight end or safety. They wait until the 42nd pick and take a project with a ton of ability in Daniel Manning. Manning isn’t ready to come in and start right away at safety, and his big selling point was that he was a kick returner, well if he was so good at returning kicks why did the Bears turn around and select Devin Hester 15 picks later? Hester is a tremendous athlete but he doesn’t have a position besides punt returner and kick returner. Then the Bears take Alcoholic Dusty Devoracek from Oklahoma in the 3rd round. The Bears have a deep front four and one wonders why a team that slaps their own back about taking players with good character would reach on a player like Devoracek that has had several off the field issues. The only Player that stands out on the second could be their most productive player in 2006, Mark Anderson is a hard working defensive end that needs to add about 15 pounds. Anderson could work his way into a very solid and deep defensive end rotation. Runnels could be a decent fullback, but without in any help at tight end you have to wonder why a fullback would make sense. Reed Tyler is just another guy, and will be lucky to make the roster.
Buffalo Bills
Best Pick: Ashton Youboty
Worst Pick: Donte Whitner
1 8 Whitner, Donte SS 5-10 203 Ohio State
1 26 McCargo, John DT 6-2 301 North Carolina St
3 70 Youboty, Ashton CB 6-0 188 Ohio State
4 105 Simpson, Ko FS 6-1 208 South Carolina
5 134 Williams, Kyle DT 6-1 298 Louisiana State
5 143 Butler, Brad OT 6-7 309 Virginia
6 178 Ellison, Keith OLB 6-1 229 Oregon State
7 216 Pennington, TerranceOT 6-7 325 New Mexico
7 248 Merz, Aaron G 6-3 346 California
The fact is, the Bills still got some pretty good players, but that could be more by luck than by realistic thinking. Apparently the Bills believed that they needed to seriously upgrade their defensive secondary, especially at safety, but totally ignored their major holes on their offensive line. Brad Butler, and Terrance Pennington offer very little in terms of starting material or even solid depth in 2006. Marv Levy needs to have his head examined for trading up into the first round and taking John McCargo. Sure he is a nice player, but one that the Bills could have had a realistic shot at in the second round. The only decent picks that the Bills made on the second day was Ko Simpson and Kyle Williams. If the Bills really wanted Whitner, why not make the trade with Denver that wanted to move up and take Leinart? I would believe that Whitner still would have been available at 15. Regardless of the first round blunders the Bills still managed to get 5 players that will challenge for starting spots.
Baltimore Ravens
Best Pick: Demetrius Williams
Worst Pick: Haloti Ngata
1. 12 Ngata, Haloti DT 6-4 337 Oregon
2. 56 Chester, Chris C 6-3 302 Oklahoma
3. 87 Pittman, David CB 5-11 182 Northwestern State
4. 111 Williams, Demetrius WR 6-2 198 Oregon
4. 132 Daniels, P.J. RB 5-10 210 Georgia Tech
5. 146 Landry, Dawan FS 6-1 219 Georgia Tech
5. 166 Sypniewski, Quinn TE 6-6 265 Colorado
6. 203 Koch, Sam P 5-11 225 Nebraska
6. 208 Martin, Derrick CB 5-10 201 Wyoming
7. 219 LaCasse, Ryan OLB 6-2 257 Syracuse
The Ravens believed that they had to take Ngata to protect Ray Lewis, and the fact is, if Ngata was consistent there wouldn’t even be a question here. Ngata could lead to constant frustration with is on again off again play. Lewis may become frustrated all the more/ Chris Chester was a reach in the second round, a reach that most teams could have fallen into. Chester simply doesn’t have the experience for a second round pick, and he doesn’t have the size that the Ravens like to use on the offensive line. Williams was the one bright spot. Williams fell in the draft, but more than anything teams just didn’t have the flavor for him. He needs to catch the ball better. The rest of the selection could have an impact in the future but for now they bring little but special team value. The Ravens ignored the quarterback position, taking at no one that could pressure Boller for the starting job. The offensive line had several holes, and the Ravens only chose to select one player. Daniels was a bit of a reach in the fourth round, he’s a plodder, and will offer little in change of pace from Jamal Lewis.