Fantasy Football: NFL Draft Preview

NFL Draft 2006
What: 2006 NFL Draft
When: April 29-30
Where: New York City
Rounds: Seven rounds

Here's my selections and rankings for the 2006 NFL draft coming up on April 29th in New York. This of course is after carefully pouring over all the statistics that have come in over the last week from the NFL Scouting Combine. This is not necessarily a prediction of the order they will be selected, rather a prediction of which players in my opinion will be the best at the next level.

12. Cleveland - Chad Greenway, LB
School: Iowa
Status: Senior
Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Strengths: Chad Greenway is a top-of-the-line tackler anywhere on the field; he will rarely miss a tackle. His speed allows him to drop back into coverage as well as anyone, and he can run with any tight end in the league. Greenway should be a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the NFL. Chad was a potential low-end first-round selection for the 2004 NFL draft, but he elected to remain with Iowa as they attempt to win the Big 10 title

13. Baltimore - Tamba Hali, DE
School: Penn St.
Status: Senior
Height: 6-3 Weight: 265
Strengths: An experienced pass rusher, Tamba Hali might be the most polished of all defensive ends in the 2006 NFL Draft. He is a natural athlete with good size and speed to match up at the next level. Hali sprung to the top of the draft board with his phenomenal senior campaign. He is a leader and a workhorse. Hali has put up big sack numbers and was a main reason for Penn State’s success this past season. Tamba Hali is an outstanding defensive presence and will really put pressure in the backfield.

14. Philadelphia - Winston Justice, T
School: USC
Status: Senior
Height: 6-6 Weight: 300
Strengths: Has great size and long arms...Still has room to bulk up his large frame...A tremendous natural athlete...Very strong and powerful...An outstanding run blocker...Great pass blocker who protected the blindside of lefty quarterback Matt Leinart...Mobile and quick with good feet...Has 3 years of starting experience...Has only begun to scratch the surface of his potential and still has a ton of upside. Has the ability and talent to be a premier NFL offensive tackle.

15. Atlanta - Jimmy Williams, DB Virginia Tech
School: Virginia Tech
Status: Senior
Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Strengths: Chad Greenway is a top-of-the-line tackler anywhere on the field; he will rarely miss a tackle. His speed allows him to drop back into coverage as well as anyone, and he can run with any tight end in the league. Greenway should be a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the NFL. Chad was a potential low-end first-round selection for the 2004 NFL draft, but he elected to remain with Iowa as they attempt to win the Big 10 title

16. Miami - Ashton Youboty, CB
School: Ohio St.
Status: Junior
Height: 6-1 Weight: 187
Strengths: Ashton Youboty has good size and exceptional athletic ability. He is a solid cover man and shows good footwork that will allow him to play the position well. He went up every day in practice against Santonio Holmes and Ted Ginn, Jr, which shows he has the talent to cover top players at the position. He also has good ball skills and should prove to be a top corner in the league some day. He comes into the league much like Chris Gamble did in 2003, raw, but his upside is that of an elite player in the league.

17. Minnesota - LenDale White, RB
School: USC
Status: Junior
Height: 6-2 Weight: 235
Strengths: LenDale White is a freight train ready to run defenders over. He is a load to bring down and has solidified himself as one of the best power runners in college football. Leading the way for that potent rushing attack of the Trojans, he has been a consistent force in the backfield. He has a great combination of size and speed, and an underrated sense of vision. Many people forget what a great receiver he is. This quality will help him greatly in the draft.

18. Dallas - Marcus McNeill, T
School: Auburn
Status: Senior
Height: 6-9 Weight: 335
Strengths: Marcus McNeil is a colossal tackle with a punishing style of play, and he is more willing to lay his man out than contain him. Even if someone manages to survive the first contact on his feet, McNeil has the ability to hold them at bay with his massively long arms. He is quite possibly the best run blocker in the upcoming draft. He was named to the first-team All-SEC squad by several media outlets.

19. San Diego - Santonio Holmes, WR
School: Ohio St.
Status: Junior
Height: 5-11 Weight: 190
Strengths: At 5'11 and 190 pounds, Holmes is not a possession receiver. He possesses excellent deep speed with very good hands. He won't drop a lot of balls, consistently catching away from his body. He can be a major player in the return game at the next level. Not afraid to go over the middle and can take the hit. He needs a lot more work than can be seen with the naked eye. The talent is there, he just really needs to step up.

20. Kansas City - Tye Hill, CB
School: Clemson
Status: Senior
Height: 5-10 Weight: 180
Strengths: Although Hill may not be getting the kind of press that fellow corners Jimmy Williams and Jason Allen get, he should be. Hill is having no problem replacing Justin Miller at Clemson. He has developed into a very solid corner with plenty of room to improve. His raw skills and potential alone should net him plenty of attention from scouts.

21. New England - Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
School: Minnesota
Status: Junior
Height: 5-11 Weight: 205
Strengths: A complete running back with an amazing combination of size, speed, and power, Laurence Maroney is an explosive runner with great vision. He is very patient and is very mature when waiting for blocks to develop. Maroney has extremely quick feet and never stops moving his legs which allows him to break tackles and pick up extra yardage. He has average receiving skills and is a decent blocker. Maroney will be doubted because of the system he comes from, but his physical skills cannot be ignored.

22. Denver (from WSH) Mathias Kiwanuka, DE
School: Boston College
Status: Senior
Height: 6-4 Weight: 245
Strengths: Much like Rodrique Wright, Kiwanuka has a very fast first step. Combine this fact with his speed and he will constantly be in the backfield recording sacks. He has a motor that never stops, which allows him to be around and/or involved in every play. He's a very smart player, which allows him to eliminate the stupid mistakes that many players make. Will more than likely be a top 15 pick this year.

Click Here For Part 1 of the 2006 NFL Draft Preview...
Click Here For Part 3 of the 2006 NFL Draft Preview...

More Fantasy Football Articles...