NFL MOCK 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".

UPDATED 1/11/06

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

Houston needs an offensive lineman to keep David Carr upright, and they already have Domanick Davis, but you can’t pass up one of the highest ranked prospects of the last decade. Bush reminds a lot of people of a young Marshall Faulk in terms of speed and elusiveness, but Bush has more size. He is the clear cut number one pick in the draft.

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

Aaron Brooks is a free agent, and likely won’t return. Leinart is a safer pick than Vince Young, and can play right away. However, there are whispers than Leinart may not want to play for the Saints. 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 for the next level.

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

The long term future of Steve McNair is in question, and backup Billy Volek is not the answer. McNair is good friends with Young and he wouldn’t have object to being his mentor. Young is a junior candidate who has really improved his passing skills over the last 12 months. 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)

Given Chad Pennington’s injury situation, the Jets would have to consider Leinart if he slipped down to them. Getting an offensive tackle who grades this high is also a very solid 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)

Green Bay needs to improve their defense first if they want to be a playoff team. Defensive line and linebacker are both big needs, and this pick could be between Williams and A.J Hawk. 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 just slightly below him at the same stage.

6) San Francisco: Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech (6-3, 215)

San Francisco could use another wide receiver to pair with Brandon Lloyd. Offensive tackle would be another good choice, but cornerback is the call as they rebuild their defense. 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.

7) Oakland: A.J Hawk, OLB, Ohio State (6-1, 240)

Oakland needs an impact player on the defensive side of the ball, preferably a defensive end or linebacker. They could also use a cornerback with Charles Woodson being a free agent. Hawk is the latest in a line of great OSU linebackers (Gradishar, Cousineau Spielman, Katzenmoyer). He is also a tackling machine with a 40 time that will turn heads.

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

Buffalo needs help across the offensive line, but defense is the bigger hole. The Bills were 31st in the NFL against the run this 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: Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College (6-7, 262)

The one definite about this first round pick is that it won’t be a wide receiver for the 4th year in a row. The Lions do need help at offensive tackle and also at defensive end. Kiwanuka is a solid citizen, whose grandfather was the first Prime Minister of Uganda. He had 9 1/2 sacks to lead the Eagles, but he is also big enough to be a factor against the run.

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

Arizona has a great passing attack, but no running game to speak of. This pick solidifies the fact that 2004 second round pick, J.J. Arrington is a bust. 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.

11) St. Louis: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa (6-3, 244)

The Rams will have a new coach, and once again need a lot of help on defense. It could come down to the best available player at cornerback, defensive end, or linebacker. 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 in a pinch.

12) Cleveland: DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-2, 230)

The Browns need a nose tackle for their 3-4 defense, but Ngata should be gone. Linebacker is a good alternative for Coach Romeo Crenell, who is a defensive minded coach. 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.

13) Baltimore: Winston Justice, OT, USC (6-6, 300)

The Ravens do not have any gaping holes in their lineup, surprising for a 6-10 team. Offensive tackle is a need though, and the second best one could still be on the board here. Justice played right tackle at USC protecting Matt Leinart’s blindside, but he could move to left. He started as a freshman in 2002, and red-shirted in 2004 due to a student conduct violation.

14) Philadelphia: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 267)

Philadelphia has a hole at wide receiver due to Terrell Owens, but they may fill it during free agency. A pass rusher opposite Jevon Kearse is also a priority that could be addressed here. 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.

15) Atlanta: Michael Huff, DB, Texas (6-1, 205)

Atlanta’s passing game is still struggling, but they have plenty of talented young wide receivers. The best pick here is in the secondary, with safety the top priority. Huff is a fifth year defensive back who has played both safety and cornerback, but his best NFL position is still to be determined. He has been a playmaker since his freshman season.

16) Miami: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (6-4, 230)

Gus Frerotte is a short term solution, and Sage Rosenfels might not make the team next year. Coach Nick Saban is very familiar with Cutler from his time spent in the SEC. Cutler has the arm strength and athletic ability the NFL scouts love, more so than USC’s Leinart. He is a gunslinger in the mold of Brett Favre, but he needs to work on his mechanics.

17) Minnesota: LenDale White, RB, USC (6-2, 235)

Minnesota used a lot of different running backs last year, but they could use a pounder like White. That would leave Mewelde Moore as the 3rd down back where he is most productive. At 6’2” and 235 pounds, White is the only true power back among the first round candidates. With his size and resume, his stock will skyrocket with a good 40 time at the combine.

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

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. 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, but his stock has dropped somewhat in 2005.

20) Kansas City: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State (5-11, 190)

Kansas City always needs defense and this year is no exception, specifically on the d-line. Wide receiver is another need, especially with Eddie Kennison not getting any younger. 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.

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

The Patriots can also use an inside linebacker for the 3-4 defense. Secondary help is another possibility and Bing would be great insurance in case Rodney Harrison is not fully healed. 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: Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 202)

The Broncos will be looking for a defensive end, but also for another receiver. Veteran, Rod Smith is still great, but he will be 36 years old before the start of next season. Hagan has the size for a number one receiver in the NFL, but not the burner speed. Production and durability have been his lynchpins, as he re-wrote a lot of the ASU record books.

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 other possibilities. Age is 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 is the former number one recruit in the nation.

24) Cincinnati: Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville (6-0, 256)

Cincinnati can use a run stuffer in the middle, and Rodrique Wright is a possibility. Defensive end, Justin Smith leads the team in sacks with just six, and he needs some help. Dumervil is an undersized first team All-American, who had a whopping 20 sacks last season. His stock has increased with comparisons to the Indianapolis Colts’ Dwight Freeney.

25) NY Giants: Thomas Howard, OLB, UTEP (6-3, 244)

The Giants could use some safety help and cornerback depth. They could also use an outside linebacker who can help supplement the pass rush. Howard is a high character guy with an impressive combination of size and speed. He entered college as a 6’1” 230 pound safety. His father played nine years in the NFL.

26) Carolina: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland (6-3, 253)

Carolina needs some insurance at defensive tackle and on the offensive line, but getting another viable passing option besides Steve Smith is a must. Davis is an athletic, receiving tight end in the mold of the Patriots’ Ben Watson. He averaged almost 16.5 yards per reception over 80 catches his last two seasons.

27) Chicago: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA (6-6, 256)

The Bears have a championship level defense, but they need more targets for quarterback Rex Grossman. Chicago drafted receiver Mark Bradley last year, now comes the tight end. Lewis was the 2005 Mackey Award winner. At 6’6” and 256 pounds, he has great receiving skills, but he also has enough blocking ability to be considered an all-around tight end.

28) Pittsburgh: LaRon Landry, S, LSU (6-2, 204)

Pittsburgh proved that they are not afraid to draft safeties in the first round when they took Troy Polamalu in 2003. Landry would make a terrific compliment to him. Landry is the leader of the secondary for the nation’s 5th leading defense. He is a ball-hawking free safety with nine interceptions in just three years, but he can also make the big hit.

29) Jacksonville: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson (5-10, 180)

Jacksonville already has a very good defense, but their cornerbacks can use some added help. Rashean Mathis mans one side, and Hill would look great on the other. 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 having been the ACC champion in the 60m and 100m.

30) Seattle: Orien Harris, DT, Miami (6-2, 300)

Seattle did a great job adding to their defense last year with second round pick, Lofa Tatupu. With middle linebacker squared away, it is time to look at defensive tackle. Harris is a quick, psychical player who can function as a run stuffer, but also can generate a pass rush from the interior. He constantly faced double teams in college, and he has a lot of upside for the pros.

31) Denver: Manny Lawson, DE, NC State (6-6, 245)

Having already addressed the wide receiver need earlier in round one, Denver turns their attention to the pass rush. No one on the Broncos had more than four sacks this year. Lawson is a tweener defensive end and outside linebacker, and he will have to bulk up to play DE in the NFL. Lawson’s psychical tools have him compared to Dallas’ Demarucs Ware.

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

This team is loaded on both sides of the ball, so you are really talking about “best player available.” Maroney will provide great insurance to Edgerrin James. Maroney is often compared to fellow Golden Gopher Marion Barber, who slipped to the 4th round for the Cowboys last year. Maroney is a little quicker and smaller than Barber.

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