Looking ahead to the 2006 NFL Draft…

With the 2005 NFL Draft only a couple weeks old, it is time to start looking ahead to the 2006 NFL Draft, by the way it is only less than a year away.The 2005 NFL Draft was said to be a weaker one yet very talented, the QB’s were questionable, the RB’s were locked and loaded at the top (having 3 in the top 5 picks) and as usual WR’s and CB’s were called often and early in the 1st round.  The 2006 draft as of now is known for 3 main things. A pair of highly talented players from USC,an array of very talented offensive lineman, and a talented and deep set of LB’s.  

Two of the most flashy players in the 2006 draft will be Matt Leinart QB and Reggie Bush RB(if he declares, which many signs point to yes as he should be a top 5 pick). Both from USC trying to 3-peat this year as National Champs.  Leinart is probably the most highly coveted QB’s to come out of college in quite some time, possibly since Peyton Manning came out in 98.  He would of been the for sure 1st overall pick this year to the 49ers had he come out.  Bush will be a Heisman favorite this year with his versatile ability to run the ball, catch passes, and return kicks/punts.  He is the most exciting player in college football and pro scouts love his versatility.  He’s got decent size with a 6’0 frame and over 200 pounds which he can build on.  Both these players should be Heisman finalists and top five picks in next year’s draft.

While only four OL went in the 1st round this year there should be almost doubled that next year.  The OT class is very deep and very talented up top.  In fact two players that considered entering the 2005 draft and would have been top ten picks this year are D’Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia (who chose to stay for his Sr. year) and Eric Winston from Miami (who was injured therefore was not able to enter the draft).  Alongside Ferguson who should be the no. 1 OL taken next year and Winston, another 1st round pick, comes massive Marcus McNeil from Auburn and Jon Scott from Texas.  McNeil has a massive 6’7 frame weighing over 330.  He was part of the key success of Auburn’s running game with Brown and Williams.  Scott was also a key contributor to Texas’ running game of Benson and Young for the most part.  All four of these guys should be top 20 picks.  Followed by OT’s Andrew Whitworth LSU, Winston Justice USC, and OG/OT Max Jean-Gilles from Georgia all should hear their names called by the end of the 1st or early 2nd.  

The last storyline of the 2006 draft class is the talented LB’s.  The top prospect here is Senior AJ Hawk from Ohio State.  Hawk wowed the pro scouts at Ohio State’s pro day where he chose to put on a clinic at the 40 yard dash.  He ran 40 times in the 4.48-4.52 which is simply amazing for a LB.  He possesses great hands and sideline-to-sideline tackling, he is always around the ball and has been a true leader for Ohio State’s defense since his freshman year.  After Hawk comes a pair of LB’s from Iowa, OLB Chad Greenway and ILB Abdul Hodge.  Both are very athletic and Greenway has drawn comparisons to Brian Urlacher.  While Hodge is a bit small at 235 pounds, muscle can definitely be added.

The last top senior is D’Quell Jackson from Maryland,  While scouts loved Maryland LB Shawne Merriman in this year’s class, they are said to be even higher on this guy.  After these four seniors come some underclassmen that should declare barring any injuries.  First off is Ahmad Brooks ILB from Virginia.  With a solid season and no injuries Brooks may be the no. 1 LB taken.  He was one of the most sought after players coming out of High School. He has a massive 6’4 250 pound frame and might have been the 1st LB taken in this year’s draft had he declared.  After Brooks comes Ernie Sims from Florida State, although small at 6’0 230 he has room to grow and plays with a lot of heart.  He is the biggest hitter of this bunch (once shortening a player in H.S. by 3 inches due to hitting him so hard and breaking his vertebrae. Sims also is sidelined at practice sometimes for passing out concussions to his teamates with crushing hits. ) Coach Bobby Bowden has said that Sims is the most ferocious LB’s hes ever coached (This coming from a guy whos coached Derrick Brooks, Peter Boulware, and all the other great FSU LB’s).

Some other names to watch:
Jimmy Williams CB Va. Tech – very big for a CB at 6’3 215, may project as a safety in the pros but could play CB with his 4.45 speed.

Antonio Cromartie CB Florida St. – Only a Jr. but with so many underclassmen now declaring you have to believe most good ones that can go in the 1st will, another big CB at 6’3 200 pounds with good hands.  A much better prospect than his former teammate CB Bryant McFadden who went to Pittsburgh in the 2nd round in 05.  

Santonio Holmes WR Ohio State – The no. 1 rated WR in the 06 draft as of now, small at 5’11 but very fast and very tough.  Can go over the middle for balls but also is a deep threat.  Always seems to come through in the big games.

DeAngelo Williams RB Memphis – Will be the no. 1 RB taken if Bush does not declare.  Regardless he should be a top ten pick.  Would have been the 4th RB taken and a 1st rounder in this years draft had he not gotten hurt in their bowl game.  It’s said he was going to declare, but the unfortunate injury caused him to wait till next year.

Mathias Kiwanuka DE Boston College – Was close to entering the 2005 Draft but decided to return for his Senior year where he should be one of the most dominant defensive players in the country.  Has amazing quickness and power to get into the backfield for sacks and tackles behind the line.  Look for him to dominate OL all year long and be one of the leaders in sacks and tackles for loss this year.  This guy can dominate games, look for him to be a top ten pick in 06.

Look for the 2006 draft to be much more talented but similar amount of depth to the 05 draft, I can already feel it creeping around the corner…