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2006 NFL Draft Talk (1 Viewer)

Aaron Rudnicki

Aaron Rudnicki

Keep Walking™
Staff member
2006 NFL Draft Talk

Part VIII: Defensive Backs

Interested in starting up some discussion on who some of the top players will be in this year's draft class.

Feel free to share any information, opinions, scouting reports, etc. on players who you think will be available during the NFL draft in April. This would also be a good place to ask questions about players who you might be having trouble finding good information on.

This obviously will help dynasty owners begin to prepare for the offseason and upcoming rookie drafts, but will also help to improve our overall knowledge and awareness of the incoming talent pool.

Links to all draft threads: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, LB, DB

 
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Tonight I will be watching Michael Huff and Darnell Bing...they both have been as high as 10 in mocks I have seen. As a KC fan I would like to see one of them fall to 20.I think this is a great test for these two to see who might be the #1 DB heading into the Combine, etc.

 
Huff will go high. He's versatile, could play corner or safety at the next level. Excited to see both he and Bing play tonite. I like LSU's LaRan Landy if he declares. Also will keep an eye on Ohis State's Donte Whitner if he declares. Like Ryans (in my LB post) missed out on watching Alabama's Roman Harper in the Cotton Bowl. Hear he is one of those ball-hawking safety's. Georgia's Greg Blue may be simialr to Thomas Davis in terms of his coverage skills, or lack ther-of. While not as talented as Davis, Blue has issues with his coverage ability and is a bit small to play LB. Georgia has a couple of decent corners in DeMario Winters and Tim Jennings.

 
this was from wrap edition of ear to the ground dynasty IDP column... though just from in-depth profile section and year end...SafetiesMichael Huff, FS/CB, Texas (6'1" 205) - Mid-Late First Round +'s... The consensus top DB in the nation (Jim Thorpe Award winner)... outstanding athleticism and versatility for a DB... has experience and excelled at both safety and CB. Freshman All-American and two-time All-American who ran track in 2004... playmaker with a nose for the ball... outstanding combo of ball skills (breaks on the ball as well as anybody in the nation) coupled with hard-nosed run support capability (fundamentally sound tackler)... telepathic instincts and field awareness to rarely be out of position and the range to make up for mistakes. -'s... Hasn't really mastered either S or CB as his positional reps and experience have been divided... somewhat of a tweener... doesn't have prototypical safety size and may not have the natural hip flip to become an elite NFL CB. Forecast... Has the ability to succeed at FS or CB, but is probably more NFL-ready at FS... his lack of experience at CB could cause his to be relatively raw in fundamentals and technique at that position, where he could rely on his admittedly awesome and formidable natural ability (he shut down Ohio State star Ted Ginn to 9 yards on 2 receptions earlier in the season)... whereas even his limited CB experience should enable him to help out in coverage right away at the FS position... for instance, Huff would look really good next to Cowboys SS Roy Williams... could also be a force against the run and rare productive tackling CB if his NFL coaches decide he is a better fit or more needed there. Darnell Bing, SS, USC (6'2" 220) - Mid-Late First Round +'s... One of the most highly recruited athletes in the nation as a prep... arrived with high expectations (was given USC Athletic Director and former Heisman Trophy winner Mike Garrett's #20) and promptly proceeded to live up to them by becoming a Freshman All American and defensive leader... prototypical size... good speed and coverage ability for a SS, but his real forte is bringing the pain in run support... with NFL coaching (more NFL coach, as USC HC Pete Carroll is a two time NFL HC), reps and experience, could be the total package, with size, strength, speed, coverage and hitting ability... plays hurt and made first team All American his junior year despite lingering and nagging injuries... the best defensive player on a team in the midst of a winning streak of epic, historic proportions, and one of the best draft eligible prospects to emerge on defense in the past three seasons from one of the best, strongest and most consistent programs in NCAA history. -'s... Seems to be dinged a lot... checkered medical history (multiple leg and shoulder injuries) could be a red flag and raise legitimate durability concerns... Bing will no doubt be probed, poked and prodded remorselessly by league doctors before being vetted and greenlighted for NFL team's scouting and coaching staffs to select with a high draft pick... doesn't possess elite coverage skills, but that could be said of nearly all SSs (veteran as well as rookie), and he otherwise has few holes in his game. Forecast... Represents the leading edge of a lineage of outstanding USC DBs that went on to become distinguished NFL safeties (Ronnie Lott, Joey Browner, Dennis Smith, Tim McDonald & Mark Carrier, to cite a few)... injuries appear to be the only thing capable of being an obstacle to stardom and preventing him from fulfilling his seeming destiny as one of the top safeties in the NFL. Honorable Mention... LSU Laron Landry is probably the top FS prospect after Huff (who may end up at CB)... he is a willing hitter despite being on the thin side... best attributes are his aerial skills... he is a ballhawk and a playmaker.

 
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Who might the Giants target late first or (if they are crazy enough to not take a DB in the first) second rounds?Any guys who because of injury or other reasons will drop to 3-4th round, that a team like the Giants would take a shot on (maybe as a 2nd DB in the draft for that team)

 
Article on Charles Gordon-- looks like he's entering the draft

According to the article he is CB#7 and #77 overall. So, I guess he projects to the end of the second or early third. CBs tend to move up a little based on demand at the position. Gordon's stock slipped a bit during the season. The article discusses him playing WR and CB and how it effected his numbers. He was often spoken of in the very top of the second tier of CB prospects before this season, somewhere between 2nd and 4th, but now he's slipped. Not a bad choice where he is currently projected considering the circumstances that have downgraded him. He's a damn good football player.

Jimmy Williams is pretty clearly the top DB in the draft. He's played corner all year, and he's played well, but he has experience at safety and safety size. His Combine invite listed him as a safety. The difference could be huge for IDP purposes.

Antonio Cromartie is another corner with a very good chance of going 2nd. He's a 6-3 track star with incredible athleticism. He's coming out early after missing a season due to knee surgery, so his workouts will decide his fate, but by recent accounts, he is back to 100%.

If Cromartie goes before Michael Huff, no one else should. Huff is my favorite DB prospect in this draft. Like Williams he can play anywhere in the secondary, and I have no idea if he'll end up on the corner or back at safety, but he's going to be a great pro.

I think LaRon Landy will be the next off the clock. He's a pure free safety and may not be the best IDP, but his range in the secondary will be very helpful to whoever drafts him.

Seldom talked about, but someone who may belong in the conversation with Huff and Williams is Ko Simpson. He is an eligible sophomore and indications suggest he is coming out. This is another great athlete, great tackler and playmaker.

After all of these we arrive at Darnell Bing. He does have prototypical size, but this has not been a good year for him. He made a great play against Fresno State, but other than that he's just been steady. The big hits haven't beent there, and frankly he's been torched several times. He is a great athlete, and I suspect once reviewing his present grade that he will opt to stay at USC. Carroll preaches staying if you can increase your value, and Bing has seen his fall this year. There is also talk of him getting the kick return job next year, and even talk of him playing some offense. All of this and his mediocre season may convince him that he'll be millions ahead by staying in school and moving up in the 07 draft.

 
Dee Webb entering Draft

Wow this is a surprise. With Cromartie and Webb declaring this can no longer be called a weak year for DBs (or CBs). Webb has been the best DB at Florida for a couple years, and he has excellent measureables, 4.4, 38 inch verticle, etc. He would have been a guaranteed first round next year barring injury. I think the draft is too deep for him to get into the first round this year, but a bunch of corners just slipped a spot to make room for him. Second rounder.

 
Article on Charles Gordon-- looks like he's entering the draft

According to the article he is CB#7 and #77 overall. So, I guess he projects to the end of the second or early third. CBs tend to move up a little based on demand at the position. Gordon's stock slipped a bit during the season. The article discusses him playing WR and CB and how it effected his numbers. He was often spoken of in the very top of the second tier of CB prospects before this season, somewhere between 2nd and 4th, but now he's slipped. Not a bad choice where he is currently projected considering the circumstances that have downgraded him. He's a damn good football player.
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As a KU fan, I'm following Gordon's career and use, and frankly I don't know where he'll play except that he should be a return specialist at least. IMHO he isn't an elite ####-down CB, but a good nickel back, or a slot WR. Maybe he'll fill a slash role for a team while providing most of his value as the PR/KR specialist... great talent, but it will take a good coach to use him properly. My hope is he lands either in New England or Cleveland.
 
Richard Marshall going Pro

Goodness, the DB class is suddenly VERY STRONG! This kid is possibly the best pure corner in the draft. He doesn't have some of the interesting measureable of others-- kind of a standar 5-11 200 pounder, but he is a great corner. Antoine Winfield with superb hands and cover skills. Probably a late first rounder, but I hear he got a 2nd round grade and decided to test the waters anyway. He probably knows something we don't, like HC Pat Hill has been talking to his buddy Bill Belichik... just speculating.

eta to chang Antoine Smith to Winfield--- :lmao:

Antoine Smith would be interesting at cornerback.

 
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Ko Simpson is entering according to espn's bottom line
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NICE.this class just gets better and better. we could get 4 or 5 safeties in the first 50 picks if Bing and Laron Landry enter. i think thats almost unprecedented as safety is usually a less valued position in the draft.

 
This is turning into quite a solid [on paper] defensive back class. Maybe no super studs at the top [depending on whether Jimmy Williams answers the call], but a deep class where teams should find "value" throughout Day One.

 
This is turning into quite a solid [on paper] defensive back class. Maybe no super studs at the top [depending on whether Jimmy Williams answers the call], but a deep class where teams should find "value" throughout Day One.
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Wait a sec. I know Jimmy is projected to come into the NFL as a tweener and probably will be the first DB taken this year, but does the deep CB class push his stock down in favor of Safties such as Huff, Simpson and Blue? Is he necessairily the first DB taken this year?
 
I figure Dallas will be looking for a ball-hawking FS in round 2 so who are the FS's in this draft outside of Landry and Simpsonalso... Derek Martin CB Wyoming declared

 
I figure Dallas will be looking for a ball-hawking FS in round 2 so who are the FS's in this draft outside of Landry and Simpson

also... Derek Martin CB Wyoming declared
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Martin will be a free safety if he makes it at all. He had a bad year on a bad team. You ask a good question. Most of the safeties, after the first rounders, are not the best FS prospects. One of my favorites, who could move to FS because of his speed, is Greg Blue. He is a big hitting SS in college, but he can cover a lot of ground too. Both Penn State corners, Zemaitis and Philips, may be better off at free safety. Cedrick Griffin (cornerback) from Texas is a candidate to play FS. Charles Gordon and Will Blackman are very athletic sort of multipupose players who might end up at safety. Again, good question. There's plenty of SS, and plenty of corners, but Landry/Simpson where are the free safeties? Landry could play free or strong and so could Ko. In fact, I think Ko is slow. He had been hyped to the point that I really wanted check him out, and man Brad Smith and Steve Slaton made him look awful.

 
I figure Dallas will be looking for a ball-hawking FS in round 2 so who are the FS's in this draft outside of Landry and Simpson

also... Derek Martin CB Wyoming declared
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Martin will be a free safety if he makes it at all. He had a bad year on a bad team. You ask a good question. Most of the safeties, after the first rounders, are not the best FS prospects. One of my favorites, who could move to FS because of his speed, is Greg Blue. He is a big hitting SS in college, but he can cover a lot of ground too. Both Penn State corners, Zemaitis and Philips, may be better off at free safety. Cedrick Griffin (cornerback) from Texas is a candidate to play FS. Charles Gordon and Will Blackman are very athletic sort of multipupose players who might end up at safety. Again, good question. There's plenty of SS, and plenty of corners, but Landry/Simpson where are the free safeties? Landry could play free or strong and so could Ko. In fact, I think Ko is slow. He had been hyped to the point that I really wanted check him out, and man Brad Smith and Steve Slaton made him look awful.
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What about Pat Watkins? Do you see him as a SS prospect only?
 
I figure Dallas will be looking for a ball-hawking FS in round 2 so who are the FS's in this draft outside of Landry and Simpson

also... Derek Martin CB Wyoming declared
Click to expand...
Martin will be a free safety if he makes it at all. He had a bad year on a bad team. You ask a good question. Most of the safeties, after the first rounders, are not the best FS prospects. One of my favorites, who could move to FS because of his speed, is Greg Blue. He is a big hitting SS in college, but he can cover a lot of ground too. Both Penn State corners, Zemaitis and Philips, may be better off at free safety. Cedrick Griffin (cornerback) from Texas is a candidate to play FS. Charles Gordon and Will Blackman are very athletic sort of multipupose players who might end up at safety. Again, good question. There's plenty of SS, and plenty of corners, but Landry/Simpson where are the free safeties? Landry could play free or strong and so could Ko. In fact, I think Ko is slow. He had been hyped to the point that I really wanted check him out, and man Brad Smith and Steve Slaton made him look awful.
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What about Pat Watkins? Do you see him as a SS prospect only?
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Haven't checked in over here in a couple weeks, but I guess Watkins answered the question at the Senior Bowl. He's a pretty nice looking FS. Very rangy (tall), but still has the hips and fluid athleticism to cover. He got nice reviews all week, but I didn't see much from the game. One nice break-up/near interception, iirc.
 
Post Combine Top 20

This is going to be tough. Bloom, Wood, anyone, if you don't like these rankings, I'm wishy washy as all get out on these guys. Just change my mind for me. :)

It's very difficult even to choose positions for a bunch of these tweeners, so rather than ten at CB and ten at S... top 20 of both will have to do.

1. Michael Huff

2. Jason Allen

3. Jimmy Williams

4. Tye Hill

5. Donte Whitner

6. Darnell Bing

7. Richard Marshall

8. Antonio Cromartie

9. Daniel Bullocks

10. Ko Simpson

11. Ashton Youboty

12. Pat Watkins

13. Danieal Manning

14. Roman Harper

15. Darrell Hunter

16. Bernard Pollard

17. Cedrick Griffin

18. Kelly Jennings

19. Dee Webb

20. DeMario Minter

 
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