PICKS 1 thru 16
01. Houston – Reggie Bush (RB) USC
The marquee name in the draft outside of Vince Young – the Texans need a big playmaker. The problem is that Bush is Barry Sanders part II – and that type of back won’t win Championships.
Time for Reggie to bring some excitement to a wretched Texans team
02. New Orleans – Vince Young (QB) Texas
Many see Matt Leinart going to New Orleans but two things will occur prior to the April draft that will change this. One – is that Leinart will make it clear he’s not excited about the New Orleans instability and Two – Vince Young will be hyped like Michael Vick with more polish.
03. Tennessee – Matt Leinart (QB) USC
Leinart coaxes his way to a reunion with Norm Chow and the Titan coaching staff. This is a great fit to sit a year while Steve McNair officially decays into retirement.
04. NY Jets – D’Brickashaw Ferguson (T) Virginia
An absolute monster who can allow Adrian Jones to move to the right side and let Gragg move on.
Ferguson will dominate at the NFL level and while the Jets have needs at RB, WR and multiple other spots, he’ll anchor the line for a decade
05. Green Bay – Mario Williams (DE) N.C. State
Williams is a sack specialist and paired with KGB will bring the Packers fans some much needed hype on defense. With Kampman destined to leave via free agency – this makes a ton of sense. Still many more needs on the o-line and if Ferguson is still here the Pack will jump for joy – but Mario is a monster.
06. Oakland – A.J. Hawk (LB) Ohio St.
The Raiders defense has been just awful for awhile. They consider Jimmy Williams and Mathias Kiwanuka here but end up with a boom or bust player in Hawk. They need this kind of a leader on Defense.
Hawk will fit in perfectly with the Raider Nation. But is he Bozworth/Katzenmoyer – or is he Ray Lewis?
07. San Francisco – LenDale White (RB) USC
The first major surprise of the day is from the futile San Francisco 49ers. Mike Nolan wants defense but the Niners brass wants the local RB talent to team with Alex Smith for years. White is a real nice back – but this is high for him.
08. Buffalo – Haloti Ngata (DT) Oregon
The lack of Wide Receiving talent in this draft is really amazing. The Bills are dying for a young wideout to play with Lee Evans and JP Losman but there is no 1st round talent and definitely not this high. They like the big DT in Buffalo – and they get one here. Ngata smells like a bust to me, however.
09. Detroit – Jimmy Williams (DB) Virginia Tech
Williams has been dropping on many draft lists, but the Lions need help at corner. They are tempted to go with Tamba Hali or Mathias Kiwanuka (Both DE’s) here – but the truth is that Kalimba Edwards has them scared to pick DE ever again this high. Matt Millen is continually in over his head and while a wide receiver joke fits here – let’s just say he picks the top corner available.
Williams is a bonafide playmaker – can he follow in the footsteps of DeAngelo Hall?
10. Arizona – Jay Cutler (QB) Vanderbilt
Dennis Green will do everything he can to get Daunte Culpepper – but ultimately the Cardinals brass will take Cutler to bring in a new exciting ERA of Cardinals football. (Does that even make sense?) Anyway – Cutler is skyrocketing up charts and along with Boldin and Fitzgerald, he will be a great fit.
11. St. Louis – Chad Greenway (LB) Iowa
Somewhat of a surprise here, but Greenway’s stock rises before draft day and the Rams need help at the LB position. Another team who needs a WR just can’t justify picking from the junk that’s there.
12. Cleveland – Mathias Kiwanuka (DE) Boston College
One of the worst defensive lines in the NFL gets a boost with a high motor sack man. He’s shown signs of being less than dominant at times but the Browns need to take the risk that he’s a potential stud.
“Kiwi” is an athletic marvel. The Browns and Romeo want to overhaul the defense
13. Baltimore – Marcus McNeill (T) Auburn
The Ravens offensive line woes have killed any chance they’ve wanted to evaluate Kyle Boller. McNeill is an absolute stud and will create nice bookends with Ogden.
14. Philadelphia – Vernon Davis (TE) Maryland
The Eagles had targeted Greenway, McNeill and Kiwanuka. All three go before they pick. However that means that the Tight End version of the “Freak” comes to Philadelphia and gives McNabb another weapon to overcome the departure of Terrell Owens. The need for defensive line and offensive line help will have to wait.
Vernon Davis is no joke – he’ll instantly give McNabb a major threat and will mix in at WR and TE for the Birds
15. Atlanta – DeMeco Ryans (LB) Alabama
The Falcons need major help on defense as well. Ryans is considered a top 10 “Football Player” but a second round talent. He’ll be a nice pro and a good fit in Atlanta to take over as starter for Michael Boley. A trio of RYANS – BROOKING – WILLIAMS would be outstanding.
16. Miami – Michael Huff (DB) Texas
Huff plays from day one as Saban tries to make up for the loss of Sam Madison and add to a weak secondary.
Michael Huff has top 10 talent – this is a steal for the Fins at #16
…stay tuned for #’s 17 thru 32 next week
3 replies on “2006 NFL Mock Draft (Feb ’06 Version) – Part 1 of 2”
comment Call me crazy, but:
Houston already committed to taking Bush. (Well, according to ESPN “reports” anyway.)
A little off In an article this morning, Leinart said he would play for any team that drafted him. He would take his talents and go.
The Saints will take Leinart and Young will go third.
7th, high for LenDale White! No way! He is a top 5 overall pick hands down. He is a back that will win you championships.
Cutliff won’t go 10th. No way. Look at Campbell from Auburn last year. His team went undefeated and he was drafted 24th. Vanderbilt didn’t even make a bowl. He will probably go in the twenties.