2006 MOCK NFL DRAFT

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Welcome to VIP Sports Edge's 2006 NFL Mock Draft. We take this process seriously, most recently finishing 10th in accuracy out of 112 mock drafts. That includes the big boys like ESPN's Mel Kiper and the SportingNews "War Room".

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UPDATED 3/1/06

1) Houston: Reggie Bush, RB, USC (6-0, 200)

Houston has been rumored to be shopping this pick, possibly to a team trying to get Matt Leinart. The opinion here is that chance is remote at best and Bush will be a Texan. Bush has been compared to Marshall Faulk in terms of speed and elusiveness, but Bush has more size. He is still the clear cut number one pick in the draft.

2) New Orleans: Matt Leinart, QB, USC (6-5, 225)

Leinart is at the top of most team’s quarterback draft boards, and is the safest pick among himself, Vince Young and Jay Cutler. He is also great for a team from a marketing perspective. Leinart passed up an opportunity to be a top five pick in last year’s draft. His character and leadership abilities are unquestionable, but he does lack elite arm strength.

3) Tennessee: Vince Young, QB, Texas (6-5, 233)

Young scored very low on his Wonderlic test and there has been a correlation historically between the test score and play on the field. Still, Tennessee would be a great place to learn under Steve McNair. Young really improved his passing skills last year, but he does have an unorthodox throwing motion. At 6’5” and 230 pounds, he has the size and the running skills of a young Randall Cunningham.

4) NY Jets: D’Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia (6-5, 295)

This is a wild card position as the Jets could go quarterback or even Mario Williams to replace the soon to be departed, John Abraham. A dominant left tackle is also a great choice. Ferguson is a franchise left tackle who was considered the best at his position after last season. He has started for Virginia since his freshman season, and relies on quickness and technique.

5) Green Bay: Mario Williams, DE, NC State (6-7, 290)

Most people believe this pick will be between Williams and A.J Hawk, and Williams may have answered the question with a tremendous show of athletic ability at the combine. Williams set NC State records with 13 sacks and 23.5 tackles for losses this season. He has similar size to Carolina’s Julius Peppers, and is rated comparably to him at the same stage.

6) San Francisco: A.J Hawk, OLB, Ohio State (6-1, 240)

San Francisco won the coin flip over the Raiders which puts them in position to take Hawk. Hawk could step right into free agent, Julian Peterson’s spot at outside linebacker. Hawk is the latest in a line of great OSU linebackers (Gradishar, Cousineau Spielman, Katzenmoyer). He is also a tackling machine who ran a 4.59 40 time at the combine.

7) Oakland: Michael Huff, DB, Texas (6-1, 205)

Oakland needs an impact player on the defensive side of the ball, and they would have loved to have landed Hawk. Now, the pick could come between Huff and defensive tackle, Haloti Ngata. Huff is a fifth year defensive back who has played both safety and cornerback, but his best NFL position is still to be determined. Huff ran a 4.34 40 time at the combine.

8) Buffalo: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon (6-5, 345)

Buffalo will be holding their breath when the Raiders pick, as Ngata is a possible selection. The Bills were 31st in the NFL against the run this past year, really missing run stuffer Pat Williams. Ngata is the perfect fit for a nose tackle in the increasingly used 3-4 defense. He also has the athleticism to be very effective inside on the 4-3. He is fully recovered from an 8/03 ACL tear.

9) Detroit: Winston Justice, OT, USC (6-6, 300)

The Lions franchised tackle, Jeff Backus which opens this pick for a safety, pass rusher or quarterback. Offensive coordinator, Mike Martz wants to salvage Joey Harrington, but that will be a failed experiment. Cutler has the arm strength, athletic ability and confidence that the scouts love. Next to tight end, Vernon Davis, he has risen as fast as any player in this draft.

10) Arizona: LenDale White, RB, USC (6-2, 235)

Arizona has a great passing attack, but no running game to speak of. This pick is a message to 2005, second round pick J.J. Arrington that he will need to compete for playing time. At 6’2” and 235 pounds, White is the only true power back among the first round candidates. With his size and resume, all White needs to do is prove his speed at the USC Pro Day.

11) St. Louis: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland (6-3, 253)

The Rams can use help at defensive end, linebacker or in the secondary, However, they might find Davis too tempting to pass up after running an amazing 4.38 40 at the combine. Davis is an ultra athletic, receiving tight end in the mold of the Patriots’ Ben Watson. He averaged almost 16.5 yards per reception over 80 catches in his last two seasons at Maryland.

12) Cleveland: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa (6-3, 244)

The Browns need a nose tackle for their 3-4 defense, but Ngata will be gone. Linebacker is a good alternative for Coach Romeo Crenell, who is a defensive minded coach. Greenway is a sideline to sideline linebacker who has very good speed, and is best suited to playing on the outside. He has enough size where he could move inside as well.

13) Baltimore: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis (5-10, 217)

The Ravens do not have any gaping holes in their lineup except for running back. Both Jamal Lewis and Chester Taylor are free agents, and at least one will not return to Baltimore. Williams is one of the best kept secrets in college football. He has 5,788 career rushing yards, behind only Ron Dayne, Ricky Williams and Tony Dorsett on the all-time list.

14) Philadelphia: Winston Justice, OT, USC (6-6, 300)

Philadelphia needs a wide-out, but should get one in free agency. Another pass rusher is also a possibility, but an offensive lineman is the pick given the free agent status of Jon Runyan. Justice played right tackle at USC protecting Matt Leinart’s blindside, but he can play either side. He started as a freshman in 2002, and red-shirted in 2004 due to a conduct violation.

15) Atlanta: Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-3, 215)

Atlanta’s offensive passing game is still struggling, but they have plenty of talented young wide receivers. The best pick here is either in the secondary or at the defensive end position. Williams is a shutdown cornerback with great size and strength to play the run as well. He is still learning the position after playing safety his first two college seasons.

16) Miami: Eric Winston, OT, Miami (6-7, 312)

Offensive left tackle is a big need for this team and the free agent class is weak. The Dolphins also do not have a lot of salary cap room to maneuver with. Winston is a converted tight end who tore his ACL in the fourth game of 2004. He was predicted to be a top 10 pick before the injury, and he is on the upswing again after a great 40 time at the combine.

17) Minnesota: DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-2, 230)

Minnesota used a lot of different running backs last year, and they could consider one here. Offensive line and linebacker would be two other solid choices as well. Ryans is an all-around linebacker who played on the strong-side at Alabama, but he needs to add bulk to play that position in the NFL. He is a tremendous student with a 3.7 GPA.

18) Dallas: Marcus McNeil, OT, Auburn (6-9, 338)

Dallas needs offensive line help, especially if the immobile Drew Bledsoe is back at quarterback. A safety to play next to Roy Williams is another intriguing choice. McNeil has the one attribute you can not teach, size. He has enough athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL, and has shown to be a very good run blocker as well.

19) San Diego: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State (5-11, 190)

The Chargers really need help along the offensive line. Safety help is another possibility as well as wide receiver, especially if Keenan McCardell leaves via free agency. Holmes is not a physical specimen size-wise, but has elite speed. He also excels at blocking and as a kick returner, and has a nose for the end-zone with 24 career touchdown receptions.

20) Kansas City: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 267)

Kansas City always needs defense and this year is no exception, specifically on the defensive line. Wide receiver and offensive line depth are potential needs on that side of the ball. Hali is a hard worker, with a non-stop motor that helped him get 11 sacks last year. He doesn’t have the size that the scouts drool over like a Mario Williams or Mathias Kiwanuka.

21) New England: Darnell Bing, S, USC (6-2, 220)

The Patriots can use an inside linebacker for the 3-4. Wide receiver is another possibility with David Givens being a free agent, and strong safety given Rodney Harrison’s injury situation. Bing, a junior, has started at strong safety for three years. He could play at free safety in the NFL, but with his toughness and run support skills, he is better suited at strong safety.

22) Denver: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-7, 262)

The Broncos will be looking for a defensive end, but also a receiver and strong safety with Rod Smith turning 36 years old and John Lynch right behind him at 35. Kiwanuka’s stock has been slipping, but a 4.75 40 at the combine stabilizes his draft position. He had 9 1/2 sacks last year to lead Boston College, but he is also big enough to be a factor against the run.

23) Tampa Bay: Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State (6-0, 220)

Tampa Bay doesn’t have one big glaring need but offensive line and defensive end are two possibilities. Age is also creeping up on the linebackers and Sims would be a good fit. Sims has the athletic ability of a safety, but was strong enough to play strong-side at FSU. Size may force him to play weak-side in the NFL. Sims ran a 4.50 40 time at the combine.

24) Cincinnati: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State (6-3, 285)

Cincinnati can use an active player in the middle as they keep rebuilding their defense. Defensive end, Justin Smith led the team in sacks with just six, and he also needs some help. Bunkley created a stir at the combine with 44 reps of lifting 225 pounds and a 4.95 40 time. Bunkley’s performance moves him to the top of the defensive tackles after Ngata.

25) NY Giants: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson (5-10, 180)

The Giants could use an outside linebacker and some safety help. Cornerback is also a concern with Will Allen a free agent and Will Peterson a question mark due to injury. Hill doesn’t have the prototypical size for an NFL corner, but speed is not a question. He is an accomplished track star at Clemson and ran a 4.30 40 time at the combine.

26) Chicago: Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State (6-1, 190)

Tight end is a very logical pick here for Chicago with Leonard Pope being a possibility. They can also use a cornerback to add to Nathan Vasher and Charles Tillman. Youboty is a cover corner who is also not afraid to come up against the run. He is a two year starter who has the size and speed at cornerback that the NFL scout wants.

27) Carolina: Leonard Pope, TE, Georgia (6-7, 250)

Carolina needs some insurance at defensive tackle and on the offensive line, but they need to get more production from receivers other than Steve Smith and at tight end. Pope led Georgia in receiving yards with 491, but didn’t improve much on his sophomore numbers. Pope has great size which he uses in his blocking skills. Pope ran a 4.62 40 time at the combine.

28) Jacksonville: Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State (6-3, 255)

Jacksonville is not desperate at one position, but tight end and cornerback are potential selections. Outside linebacker is a third need that would be greatly enhanced by Carpenter. Carpenter is big, rangy and physical player with good athletics skills. He was overshadowed at OSU by playing with A.J. Hawk. Father (Rob) played 10 years in the NFL at running back.

29) Denver: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida (6-1, 205)

Having already addressed defensive end earlier in round one, Denver will likely turn their attention to either wide receiver or strong safety to bolster the secondary. Jackson has good height, can run after the catch, and had 88 receptions last year at Florida. Jackson’s blistering 4.32 40 time at the combine makes him an extremely intriguing prospect.

30) Indianapolis: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota (5-11, 210)

The Colts think they have a 50-50 chance of bringing back Edgerrin James. If James is gone, then running back is a huge need, and Maroney would be a great compliment even if James does return. Maroney is often compared to fellow Golden Gopher Marion Barber, who slipped to the 4th round for Dallas last year, although he is a little quicker and smaller than Barber.

31) Seattle: Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (5-8, 182)

Seattle did a great job adding to their defense last year with second round pick, Lofa Tatupu. Now they focus on wide receiver, where they can really use another difference maker. Moss has similar size and speed as his brother, Santana, although he can not match his college receiving numbers. Sinorice is a riser who ran a 4.38 40 at the combine.

32) Pittsburgh: Manny Lawson, DE, NC State (6-6, 245)

This is not a team with a glaring weakness as evidenced by their Super Bowl win. Wide receiver is a need, but it would be hard to turn down a talent like Lawson who they could slowly groom. Lawson is a tweener defensive end and outside linebacker, and ran a 4.44 at the combine. Lawson’s psychical tools have him compared to Dallas’ Demarucs Ware.

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