Draft Review - AFC Conference
Wednesday, May 10th,
2006 - Page updated at 2:00pm
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2006 NFL FOOTBALL DRAFT - AFC Conference Draft Review
Line of Scrimmage: Grading the
NFL Draft - Part II: The AFC Teams
By Tony Moss, NFL Editor
Philadelphia, PA (My
Sportsbook) - The armchair general managers
are now on the clock.
With the 255 selections of the 2006 NFL draft in
the books, it is currently time for observers from
around the league to judge just how much the weekend's
festivities changed the balance of power among the
32 franchises. Did you think we'd let our opportunity
to weigh in remain elusive? Below we take a look at
the 2006 draft output of the 16 teams of the AFC,
highlighting the ramifications of their two-day haul
and assigning grades for their efforts. The My Sportsbook's
evaluations for the 16 teams of the NFC can be found
at: https://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c=sportsnetwork&page=
/nfl/news/ABN4018233.htm
AFC EAST
1 - Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State (5-10, 204); 1 -
John McCargo, DT, North Carolina State (6-1, 302)
- 3 - Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State (6-0, 189); 4
- Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina (6-1, 209); 5 - Kyle
Williams, DT, LSU (6-1, 299); 5 - Brad Butler, T,
Virginia (6-7, 310); 6 - Keith Ellison, LB, Oregon
State (6-1, 235); 7 - Terrance Pennington, T, New
Mexico (6-7, 325); 7 - Aaron Merz, G, California (6-3,
346)
Analysis: The selection of Whitner at No. 8 was a
major head-scratcher, since the secondary was not
seen as a major need area for the Bills and Whitner
was not rated above No. 20 by any major rating service.
The selection of McCargo fills a definite need for
a team that struggled mightily to stop the run in
2005, but some Bills fans would have preferred to
see the team take a higher- profile d-line talent
like Haloti Ngata or Brodrick Bunkley with the eighth
pick, rather than selecting Whitner. Youboty was probably
a steal in the third round, but again, Buffalo had
more significant needs on the offensive line and at
linebacker that went ignored until the second day.
All three of the o- linemen that the team took on
the second day are projects, and Ellison has no realistic
shot of unseating London Fletcher or Jeff Posey at
linebacker.
Bottom Line: It is very difficult to make sense of
the first draft of the Marv Levy GM era in Buffalo.
Grade: D
1 - Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee (6-1, 209); 3 - Derek
Hagan, WR, Arizona State (6-2, 208); 4 - Joe Toledo,
T, Washington (6-5, 337); 7 - Fred Evans, DT, Texas
State (6-3, 289); 7 - Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas (6-5,
300); 7 - Devin Aromashadu, WR, Auburn (6-2, 201)
Analysis: Nick Saban was unhappy with the play of
the secondary in 2005, so the selection of the versatile
Allen was hardly a surprise. The Dolphins might have
been better-served by taking an offensive lineman
with their second and final first-day pick, but Hagan
will have a chance to contribute right away. Toledo
was a decent pickup for the offensive line unit on
the second day, but the team really scored points
in the seventh round, as Wright was pegged as a first-day
guy by many and Aromashadu was considered to be among
the top 15 receiving talents in the draft.
Bottom Line: Couldn't add all of the necessary depth
with just six picks, but managed to get better regardless.
Grade: B
1 - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota (6-0, 217); 2
- Chad Jackson, WR, Florida (6-1, 213); 3 - David
Thomas, TE, Texas (6-3, 252); 4 - Garrett Mills, FB,
Tulsa (6-1, 241); 4 - Stephen Gostkowski, K, Memphis
(6-1, 214); 5 - Ryan O'Callaghan, OL, California (6-7,
334); 6 - Jeremy Mincey, DE/OLB, Florida (6-3, 259);
6 - Dan Stevenson, G, Notre Dame (6-5, 300); 6 - Le
Kevin Smith, NT, Nebraska (6-3, 316); 7 - Willie Andrews,
DB, Baylor (5-9, 193)
Analysis: The selection of Maroney in the first round
is probably an indictment of the injury problems of
Kevin Faulk more than the age of Corey Dillon, and
Maroney figures to (at least at first) serve in the
type of situational role previously filled by Faulk.
Jackson was believed by most to have first-round talent
and was a second-round steal for the Pats, but Thomas
was a bizarre choice for a team that already has Ben
Watson and Daniel Graham on the roster. Mills gives
New England the pure fullback it has lacked, and Gostkowski
should be able to win the kicking job from the recently-signed
Martin Gramatica. Where the Patriots failed to improve
themselves was at linebacker, as the only player they
took at that position, Mincey, was a late- round pick
and is a "'tweener" that will take some
time to develop. New England also struck out in finding
meaningful secondary depth.
Bottom Line: Helped themselves at the skill positions,
but are still going to struggle to put pressure on
the quarterback.
Grade: B-
1 - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Virginia (6-6, 305);
1 - Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State (6-4, 300); 2 - Kellen
Clemens, QB, Oregon (6-2, 219); 3 - Anthony Schlegel,
ILB, Ohio State (6-0, 250); 3 - Eric Smith, SS, Michigan
State (6-1, 209); 4 - Brad Smith, WR, Missouri (6-2,
213); 4 - Leon Washington, RB, Florida State (5-8,
201); 5 - Jason Pociask, TE, Wisconsin (6-3, 266);
6 - Drew Coleman, CB, Texas Christian (5-9, 173);
7 - Titus Adams, DT, Nebraska (6-3, 306)
Analysis: The Jets made two great picks in the first
round, adding two immediate starters in Ferguson and
Mangold. Whether one should consider Clemens a reach
or a steal is a matter of perspective, since the QB
was injured for much of 2005 but probably has a better
upside than other first-day QBs like Charlie Whitehurst
or Brodie Croyle. The two third-round picks, Schlegel
and Eric Smith, were reaches and will have to develop.
Brad Smith is an intriguing talent but the converted
quarterback will be something of a project. Washington
could help as a return specialist, and Pociask should
have an opportunity to see the field early for a team
that lacks a great tight end. The most significant
need that went unfilled for the Jets was at defensive
end or outside linebacker, where the team figures
to have major trouble putting pressure on the QB following
the departure of John Abraham.
Bottom Line: Didn't fill all of their needs by a
long shot, but the two first- round o-linemen should
at least ensure that the offense runs at a higher
level.
Grade: B
AFC SOUTH
1 - Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State (6-7, 295); 2
- DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama (6-1, 236); 3 - Charles
Spencer, OL, Pittsburgh (6-5, 352); 3 - Eric Winston,
T, Miami (FL) (6-7, 310); 4 - Owen Daniels, TE, Wisconsin
(6-3, 253); 6 - Wali Lundy, RB, Virginia (5-11, 213);
7 - David Anderson, WR, Colorado State (5-10, 192)
Analysis: Mouths are still agape over the Texans'
decision to draft Williams instead of Reggie Bush,
and it will probably be at least three years until
a fully-formed assessment of the choice can be offered.
It is indisputable that the selection of Williams
and Ryans upgrades a pass rush that has been one of
the league's worst in recent years. New Houston head
coach Gary Kubiak will need Spencer and Winston to
compete for starting jobs right away, in order to
help keep David Carr upright. Daniels will get a shot
at tight end for a team that has never been able to
find a playmaker at that position. Lundy might go
down in history as the running back Houston selected
instead of Reggie Bush, though his ability to even
make the team is a major question mark.
Bottom Line: The decision to draft Williams instead
of Bush will probably go down as a blunder, but overall,
the Texans did improve themselves significantly over
the weekend.
Grade: C+
1 - Joseph Addai, RB, LSU (5-11, 214); 2 - Tim Jennings,
CB, Georgia (5-8, 185); 3 - Freddie Keiaho, ILB, San
Diego State (5-11, 230); 5 - Michael Toudouze, T,
Texas Christian (6-6, 305); 6 - Charlie Johnson, T,
Oklahoma State (6-4, 304); 6 - Antoine Bethea, FS,
Howard (5-11, 203); 7 - T.J. Rushing, CB, Stanford
(5-10, 175)
Analysis: Addai was not viewed as a first-round talent
by many NFL scouts, and does not figure to be an every-down
rusher at the next level. The Colts will be extremely
lucky if Jennings works out as well as another undersized
second- round secondary pick, Bob Sanders, has. Keiaho
isn't a big-name player but could be in the running
to replace David Thornton at one of the linebacker
slots. On the second day, Indy went with a couple
of undersized linemen that would seem to fit their
system, and a couple of late-round d-backs that both
project as backups at best.
Bottom Line: Some intriguing selections, but is there
a bona fide impact player here?
Grade: C-
1 - Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA (6-6, 261); 2 - Maurice
Drew, RB, UCLA (5-7, 207); 3 - Clint Ingram, LB, Oklahoma
(6-2, 244); 5 - Brent Hawkins, DE/OLB, Illinois State
(6-2, 241); 7 - James Wyche, DE, Syracuse (6-5, 262);
7 - Dee Webb, CB, Florida (5-11, 183)
Analysis: One year after taking Matt Jones to be
a big target over the middle of the field, the Jaguars
selected a similar talent in Lewis, in turn foregoing
the running back and linebacker help they needed.
Jacksonville filled those needs to some extent with
its final two picks of the first day, though Drew
lacks every-down potential because of his size and
Ingram may have been a slight reach. On the second
day, Webb might be a seventh-round steal, but Hawkins
is a player the Jaguars could have had with one of
their seventh- round selections.
Bottom Line: Are they better than they were on Saturday
morning? Perhaps only slightly.
Grade: B-
1 - Vince Young, QB, Texas (6-5, 229); 2 - LenDale
White, RB, USC (6-0, 238); 4 - Calvin Lowry, S, Penn
State (5-11, 200); 4 - Stephen Tulloch, ILB, North
Carolina State (5-11, 241); 5 - Terna Nande, OLB,
Miami (OH) (6-0, 232); 5 - Jesse Mahelona, DT, Tennessee
(6-0, 311); 6 - Jonathan Orr, WR, Wisconsin (6-2,
198); 7 - Cortland Finnegan, S, Samford (5-9, 177);
7 - Spencer Toone, LB, Utah (6-1, 238); 7 - Quinton
Ganther, RB, Utah (5-9, 218)
Analysis: See ya, Jeff Fisher. It is extremely unlikely
that Young will develop quickly enough for the Titans
to be in playoff contention in 2006, and a third straight
dismal season for the franchise might mean the end
of the line for Fisher in Tennessee. It is believed
that the head coach and offensive coordinator Norm
Chow favored USC quarterback Matt Leinart with the
third pick, signaling that the Titans' front office
and ownership are not quite on the same page as the
coaching staff. The White pick was another gamble,
though the intriguing talent will have an opportunity
to see a wealth of carries early in his career. The
team's eight second-day picks were a bit of a mixed
bag, which is usually the case with second-day picks.
Of those selections, Lowry and all three linebackers
have the best chance to stick. That the Titans failed
to select an offensive lineman was something of an
upset.
Bottom Line: The grade for this draft should really
be marked "incomplete," since its evaluation
hinges greatly on the ability of Young and White to
develop as good pros.
Grade: B
AFC NORTH
Baltimore 1 - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon (6-4, 338);
2 - Chris Chester, C, Oklahoma (6-3, 303); 3 - David
Pittman, CB, Northwestern State (5-11, 182); 4 - Demetrius
Williams, WR, Oregon (6-2, 197); 4 - P.J. Daniels,
RB, Georgia Tech (5-10, 214); 5 - Dawan Landry, FS,
Georgia Tech (6-1, 220); 5 - Quinn Sypniewski, TE,
Colorado (6-6, 268); 6 - Sam Koch, P, Nebraska (5-11,
225); 6 - Derrick Martin, CB, Wyoming (5-10, 198);
7 - Ryan LaCasse, DE/OLB, Syracuse (6-2, 257)
Analysis: Ray Lewis got his wish with the selection
of Ngata, as the middle linebacker will once again
have a huge defensive tackle to make plays behind.
The selection of Chester seems to be less of a natural
fit, since the most glaring need along the offensive
line was not an interior lineman but a tackle to help
protect the quarterback. Pittman is an intriguing
talent who could make a lot of plays as a nickel corner
playing in a secondary with Ed Reed, Chris McAlister,
and Samari Rolle. Some considered Williams to be the
fourth- best receiver in the draft behind Santonio
Holmes, Sinorice Moss, and Chad Jackson, and thus
must be considered a steal in the fourth round. Of
the other second-day picks, the most interesting one
is Koch, who carried a high punting average as a senior
but was not widely considered to be one of the best
players available at that position.
Bottom Line: Still no right tackle candidates to
improve the offense, but Ngata gives the defense a
chance to be dominant again.
Grade: B+
1 - Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina (5-11, 193);
2 - Andrew Whitworth, T, LSU (6-7, 334); 3 - Frostee
Rucker, DE, USC (6-3, 237); 4 - Domata Peko, DT, Michigan
State (6-3, 307); 5 - A.J. Nicholson, OLB, Florida
State (6-1, 252); 6 - Reggie McNeal, QB/WR, Texas
A&M (6-2, 198); 7 - Ethan Kilmer, DB, Penn State
(6-0, 205); 7 - Benny Brazell, WR, LSU (6-1, 173)
Analysis: Joseph isn't Deltha O'Neal or Tory James
at this stage, but once he develops, has a good chance
to be one of the top cornerbacks in the league. Whitworth
won't unseat Willie Anderson or Levi Jones at the
tackle position, but is good insurance for both and
could be the heir apparent for the 31-year- old Anderson
on the left side. Rucker was a major reach in the
third round, as he's too small to be an every-down
pass rusher and lacks the coverage skills to be an
every-down linebacker. Nicholson, on the other hand,
could be a steal. McNeal wants to play quarterback
and walked into a good situation in that regard, but
if he doesn't pan out at that position, it's not likely
he'll be able to crack the Cincinnati depth chart
at receiver.
Bottom Line: Didn't aide the pass rush or the deficient
safety position to any great degree, but Joseph and
Whitworth could be lineup fixtures for years to come.
Grade: B
1 - Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Florida State (6-4, 248);
2 - D'Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland (6-0, 230); 3 -
Travis Wilson, WR, Oklahoma (6-2, 214); 4 - Leon Williams,
LB, Miami (FL) (6-3, 245); 4 - Isaac Sowells, G, Indiana
(6-3, 324); 5 - Jerome Harrison, RB, Washington State
(5-9, 201); 5 - DeMario Minter, CB, Georgia (5-11,
190); 6 - Lawrence Vickers, FB, Colorado (6-0, 245);
6 - Babitunde Oshinowo, DT, Stanford (6-2, 304); 7
- Justin Hamilton, SS, Virginia Tech (6-3, 230)
Analysis: That the Browns would take Wimbley to aide
a struggling pass rush was about the worst-kept secret
in the draft, and fills Cleveland's most pressing
need. Jackson has a chance to play a lot as well,
but will need to show more playmaking ability in the
3-4 than Andra Davis. Wilson is a good talent who
gives the team some pass-catching insurance in light
of the injury situations of Braylon Edwards and Kellen
Winslow. Harrison was a productive college player
who could push Reuben Droughns for some carries, and
Vickers was the top-rated fullback on many draft boards.
Bottom Line: An extremely productive offseason continues,
signaling that the Browns are about to take a step
up the AFC North ladder.
Grade: A-
1 - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State (5-11, 179);
3 - Anthony Smith, FS, Syracuse (6-0, 194); 3 - Willie
Reid, WR, Florida State (5-10, 188); 4 - Willie Colon,
OL, Hofstra (6-3, 320); 4 - Orien Harris, DT, Miami
(FL) (6-3, 298); 5 - Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
(6-4, 232); 5 - Charles Davis, TE, Purdue (6-5, 263);
6 - Marvin Philip, C, California (6-1, 307); 7 - Cedric
Humes, RB, Virginia Tech (6-1, 227)
Analysis: Many felt that the Steelers would end up
with a receiver, but few expected the team to trade
up to take Holmes, one of the top two wideouts on
the board. The Ohio State product will be penciled
into the role formerly held down by Antwaan Randle
El. Elsewhere on the first day, Smith will have an
opportunity to compete for a starting job at a position
that has been a bit troubling for the team, and Reid
could catch on as a fourth receiver. The second-day
choices are mostly projects, though Harris was believed
by some to have second-round talent and could replace
Kimo von Oelhoffen up front. Jacobs, another big quarterback
out of the MAC, lacks polish and has "NFL Europe"
written all over him. There weren't a wealth of Jerome
Bettis-sized running back talents in the draft, so
it's not a surprise that the defending champs waited
until the seventh round to address that position.
Bottom Line: Filled some important holes, but the
expectations heaped upon Holmes could be unrealistic.
Grade: B+
AFC WEST
1 - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt (6-3, 226); 2 - Tony
Scheffler, TE, Western Michigan (6-5, 254); 4 - Brandon
Marshall, WR, Central Florida (6-4, 229); 4 - Elvis
Dumervil, DE/OLB, Louisville (5-11, 257); 4 - Domenik
Hixon, WR, Akron (6-2, 200); 5 - Chris Kuper, G, North
Dakota (6-4, 301); 6 - Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota
(6-3, 292)
Analysis: The Broncos again went against convention,
foregoing their needs at defensive end and trading
up to take their quarterback of the future in Cutler.
The first interception Jake Plummer throws in 2006
will have Denver fans calling for the rookie. Denver
filled a major need by trading for Javon Walker, which
overshadowed most of the rest of the day's draft news,
but also added a solid tight end in Scheffler in the
second round. On the second day, Dumervil is the name
that jumps out, and his presence certainly can't hurt
a team that was weak in its pass-rushing exploits
last season. Marshall has a big body, and his development
will be worth nothing. Kuper and Eslinger both fit
the mould of Broncos' linemen, and will have a chance
to make the team as backups.
Bottom Line: The news surrounding Cutler and Walker
ensured draft-day headlines, but where is the first-rate
pass rusher they so desperately needed?
Grade: B-
1 - Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State (6-3, 263); 2 - Bernard
Pollard, S, Purdue (6-2, 224); 3 - Brodie Croyle,
QB, Alabama (6-2, 205); 5 - Marcus Maxey, CB, Miami
(FL) (6-1, 198); 6 - Tre' Stallings, G, Mississippi
State (6-3, 311); 6 - Jeff Webb, WR, San Diego State
(6-2, 211); 7 - Jarrad Page, SS, UCLA (6-3, 239)
Analysis: The first draft of the Herman Edwards era
in Kansas City brought mixed rewards. The club needed
a pass rusher to complement Jared Allen, but Hali
is the same type of undersized end as Allen is and
it is uncertain that both can be on the field at the
same time. Kansas City needed secondary help following
the departure of Eric Warfield and Dexter McCleon,
but Pollard is a safety when a cornerback would have
fit in more seamlessly. Croyle will have the opportunity
to be groomed by Trent Green, but is not physically
ready to be an NFL quarterback and figures to struggle
if Green endures any injury problems in 2006. Potential
trouble spots at guard and wide receiver were not
addressed until the second day, and the chances of
Stallings and/or Webb making the team are about even-money
at this stage.
Bottom Line: They drafted some talent, but did the
Chiefs properly address their needs?
Grade: C+
1 - Michael Huff, S, Texas (6-0, 204); 2 - Thomas
Howard, OLB, UTEP (6-3, 239); 3 - Paul McQuistan,
OL, Weber State (6-6, 312); 4 - Darnell Bing, SS,
USC (6-2, 227); 6 - Kevin Boothe, OL, Cornell (6-5,
316); 7 - Chris Morris, C, Michigan State (6-3, 299);
7 - Kevin McMahan, WR, Maine (6-2, 196)
Analysis: Kudos to Al Davis for forgetting about
making a big draft-day splash and drafting players
that can actually improve his team. Huff fills the
void left by Charles Woodson in the secondary, and
is likely to be a better pro than Woodson. Howard
is the pure outside linebacker that the Silver and
Black have lacked, and Bing was a productive college
player that was among the steals of the second day.
McQuistan is something of an unknown, but Boothe was
rated by some as possessing first-day talent. Some
will question the Raiders' decision to pass up a quarterback
in the draft, but with the experienced Aaron Brooks
in the fold and the promising Andrew Walter still
something of an unknown commodity, that was the prudent
approach.
Bottom Line: Looks like the Raiders have re-committed
themselves to defense, and their draft day strategy
immediately makes them a team on the rise.
Grade: A
1 - Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State (6-2, 208);
2 - Marcus McNeill, T, Auburn (6-8, 336); 3 - Charlie
Whitehurst, QB, Clemson (6-5, 223); 5 - Tim Dobbins,
LB, Iowa State (6-1, 246); 6 - Jeromey Clary, OL,
Kansas State (6-6, 309); 6 - Kurt Smith, K, Virginia
(6-0, 180); 7 - Chase Page, DT, North Carolina (6-4,
285); 7 - Jimmy Martin, T, Virginia Tech (6-5, 303)
Analysis: The
Chargers have struck out on first-round corners before
(see Quentin Jammer, Sammy Davis), but you can hardly
fault them for drafting the big and gifted Cromartie.
McNeill was another high-value choice, and should
be in the mix to start right away. Whitehurst is a
big quarterback with a strong arm and will push A.J.
Feeley for the No. 2 job. On the second day, Smith
was brought into push the inconsistent Nate Kaeding,
but was not among the best- regarded kickers on most
draft boards. The only major quarrel to be made with
the Bolts' draft was that the team didn't add any
running backs, receivers, or tight ends to help Philip
Rivers.
Bottom Line: Cromartie joins Shawne Merriman as a
potential linchpin of the San Diego defense for years
to come, and McNeill and Whitehurst have a chance
to be good pros as well.
Grade: B+
Grading
The NFC Draft
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