Sinrman
Footballguy
Gutsy picks. Especially the Bush one, of course. Definitely don't agree with it, but hey, putting your neck on the line is always fun...The Best 2006 Mock Draft In The History Of The World, Ever.
January 29, 2006 4:02p.m. EST
M.L. Brandow, Random Internet Site Columnist
I'll bet you $10,684 that neither Reggie Bush, Vince Young or Matt Leinart will be wearing a Houston Texans uniform on draft day for longer than an hour, if at all. They're going home with D'Brickashaw Ferguson, D'Qwell Jackson and Kevin Boothe, three impact starters at Left Tackle, Inside Linebacker, and Left Guard, respectively--and they'll do it because Gary Kubiak knows what the hell he's doing.
That and Santonio Holmes is a lock for Detroit. They need more talent at receiver because Joey Harrington is the best Quarterback in the universe and he just needs more playmakers around him so he can lob the ball in the air and always throw a touchdown. Mark my words, he'll throw 50 TDs next year. And he'll do it blindfolded. I'm cool.
Note that there are no trade projections (yet), because it's just far too early to disclose to you that Baltimore is going to leap-frog Cleveland in the draft, or that the Broncos are going to try and trade down every time they come up on the board in attempt to stockpile 24 7th Round picks, so he can draft the entire Colorado Crush football team.
Yadda, Yadda, Yadda here it comes:
1. HOU - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT Virginia
I don't think you could sell me on the Kubiak spending the top overall pick on Reggie Bush when they've already got RB Domanick Davis (who was on pace for over 2000 yards from scrimmage last year), and pro bowl return man Jerome Mathis. They also will be hard-pressed to take Leinart or Young here, because Carr hasn't yet had the surrounding cast to succeed. Ferguson fills a dire need position here for the Texans and presents the most value for them if they aren't able to trade the pick, which isn't very likely to happen unless they can find a team to bite on Leinart or Young.
2. NO - Matt Leinart, QB USC
It's safe to say that New Orleans will be taking a Quarterback here: Leinart or Young. This offense is well-built and possesses everything needed for a young pocket passer to come in and succeed. Leinart is the most NFL ready of the draft class.
3. TEN - Jay Cutler, QB Vanderbilt
Many people would pencil in Vince Young here to be a successor to Steve McNair, but after spending all week with Jay Cutler at the Senior Bowl, you can bet Norm Chow wouldn't mind this silver medal if Leinart goes to the Saints.
4. NYJ - Reggie Bush, RB USC
Eric Mangini isn't about to mortgage his draft to trade up to the No.1 pick. Belichick has taught him at least that. At that, Bush to the Jets is a win/win situation. Maybe he won't even be booed at MSG on draft day.
5. GB - LenDale White, RB USC
Hearing Mike McCarthy talk about what he has planned for this offense, he's got his head set on drafting LenDale White with this pick. He wants to run a smashmouth offense that's quarterback friendly and relies on the run to setup the pass. With Ahman Green and Najeh Davenport hitting the free agent market, and both having durability concerns, expect the Pack to fill the hole at RB with this pick.
6. SF - AJ Hawk, OLB Ohio St.
With the potential departure of Julian Peterson destined for this offseason, Nolan will be looking to replace him and provide a gamechanging OLB presence. Any defensive pick here would be good, since the 9ers have needs across the board, so don't rule out a Mario Williams or Michael Huff here.
7. OAK - Mario Williams, DE NC St.
The Raiders will continue to get younger and meaner on defense with this pick. A dominating Defensive End with an attitude problem? Couldn't pencil this pick in any easier. The next Courtney Brown or the next Julius Peppers?
8. BUF - Haloti Ngata, Oregon
Right now, Ngata to Buffalo is a popular pick, and I agree completely. Buffalo has a real need at QB and DT, and JP Losman has already burned most of his bridges with this organization after only one season, but it would be difficult to justify spending two successive first round picks on QBs.
9. DET - Vince Young, QB Texas
Detroit is really only a QB, a few minor defensive tweaks and a WR coach away from being a Super Bowl contender. While Young won't be ready to compete at the NFL level for at least a season, maybe two, they can groom him behind a sure-armed veteran like veteran FA Jon Kitna.
10. ARI - DeAngelo Williams, RB Memphis
There is a lot of talk about "LenDale in Glendale", but truth be told, if both White and Williams were available here, Denny Green would take Williams. He is the prototypical runner for his offense and can immediately step in and be what they had hoped JJ Arrington would be. He immediately upgrades a rushing unit that was last in the NFL in '05.
11. STL - Jimmy Williams, CB Virginia Tech
The Rams have a gaping hole at cornerback and Williams is the top CB prospect in this year's draft. Should start immediately opposite developing 2nd year CB Ronald Bartell, Jr. In a few years, The Rams may have the best pair of lockdown corners in the NFL.
12. CLE - Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
Hybrid DE/OLB with a high motor that fits perfectly with Crennel's 3-4 system.
13. BAL - Tamba Hali, Penn St.
Baltimore had a lot of trouble adjusting to the legendary 46 Defense that the '85 Bears ran. Mainly they lacked a penetrating DE. Hali can push for a starting job immediately and provide an instant double-digit sack boost to this unit.
14. PHI - Winston Justice, OT USC
With 10-year veteran ORT Jon Runyan headed out via free agency and OLT Tra Thomas going into his 9th year, the Eagles suddenly have a need at what has been probably their most stable position over the Andy Reid reign. When your star offensive players all go down with season-ending injuries, it's time to upgrade.
15. ATL - Michael Huff, SS Texas
Dynamic safety with an Ed Reed-esque nose for the ball (and the endzone). The Falcons would love to land VT star Jimmy Williams here to start opposite fellow alumn DeAngelo Hall, but if he's unavailable, Huff would make a great addition and immediate impact in the secondary.
16. MIA - Eric Winston, OT Miami(FL)
Miami needs a lot of help on the OL, and Dolphin scouts surely have seen a lot of the local UMiami Tackle.
17. MIN - Laurence Maroney, RB Minnesota
Michael Bennett, Moe Williams, Mewelde Moore, Ciatrick Fason, Onterrio Smith... Laurence Maroney? Surely Minnesota is overstocked at RB? Well, Bennett and Williams are UFAs that likely won't be brought back, and Onterrio Smith may well be on his way out as well after last year's "Whizzinator" incident. That leaves injury-prone Mewelde Moore and unproven Ciatrick Fason to battle it out for the starting job. Enter Maroney.
18. DAL - Santonio Holmes, WR Ohio St.
The Cowboys' starting receivers have 20 years between them, and the Cowboys need and infusion of young talent at WR. Holmes is the consensus top WR prospect in the draft and should come into a gamebreaker as Glenn/Keyshawn fade out.
19. SD - DeMeco Ryans, OLB Alabama
There is a lot of age at Linebacker (Steve Foley 8, Donnie Edwards 10, Randall Godfrey 10) minus 2005 Defensive Rookie of the Year Shawne Merriman and Randall Godfrey will be playing his last season in 2006.
20. KC - Ashton Youboty, Ohio St.
No doubt Kansas City will need more Defensive help again this year. Youboty comes from a solid pedigree of Ohio State CBs that have developed into standouts in the NFL. May win a starting job in training camp.
21. NE - Marcus McNeill, OT Auburn
The Patriots need to protect Tom Brady, and they will continuing to upgrade their offensive line again this year. Don't rule out a Chad Jackson/Derek Hagan pick here, as the Patriots clearly will need help at WR if David Givens departs.
22. DEN (f/WAS) - Claude Wroten, DT LSU
After importing the legendary Browns DL last year, it's safe to say they still need some help. Wroten is a dominating one-gap DT that draws some comparisons to Warren Sapp in his hayday.
23. TB - Davin Joseph, OG Oklahoma
Joseph is a player that Gruden targeted last year in the draft, and studied up heavily on until he announced he'd stay for his senior season. The Bucs have some issues on all parts of the line and backup center Sean Mahan was forced into the starting RG role all of last year. Look for them to get Joseph and perhaps get him into the starting role like last year's Dan Buenning, who started all 16 games at LG.
24. CIN - Vernon Davis, TE Maryland
At this point, Davis is just too good to pass up for the Bengals who could use a gamechanging TE to make their offense completely unstoppable. If Davis and/or Mercedes Lewis were unavailable here, there's a good chance they would go after USC Safety Darnell Bing.
25. NYG - Rodrique White, DT Texas
While the Giants have two of the most dominating DEs in the league in Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan, adding a high-motor DT into the mix will give nightmares to opposing offenses.
26. CHI - Max Jean-Gilles, Georgia
Chicago could really use some upgrades on the offensive line. Jean-Gilles is a massive OG/ORT prospect who could add a depth and develop into a pro bowl lineman in a few years.
27. CAR - Mercedes Lewis, TE UCLA
Carolina needs a big Muhsin Muhammad-type target to complement Steve Smith.
28. JAX - Tye Hill, CB Clemson
CB is obviously their biggest need. While Hill is a little small, he presents the best CB value for the Jaguars with this pick.
29. DEN - Chad Jackson, WR Florida
While the running game has never been a problem in Denver, the passing game has been suspect ever since Elway and McCaffrey retired (and soon to be Rod Smith). Jackson should develop into a solid No.2 receiver for the Broncos.
30. IND - Chad Greenway, OLB Iowa
High-intensity Linebacker who is a steal at this point in the draft. Will provide depth for the Indy LB corps and replace SSLB David Thornton, who is due to hit Free Agency.
31. SEA - Thomas Howard, OLB UTEP
One of the most athletic LBs in a long time. A slightly bigger Derrick Johnson. Can immediately come in and start at the SSLB position for the 'Hawks and shore up a LB corps that features dominating rookies Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill last season.
32. PIT - Derek Hagan, WR Arizona St.
Pittsburgh needs more offensive weapons for Ben Roethlisberger. A sure-handed possession receiver that may be considered a poor man's Marvin Harrison.
I do agree that Lendale White will go MUCH earlier than most people have him predicted.I would be happy as a clam if Vince Young were to fall to my team, Detroit. But I highly highly doubt he will..
, especially about Greenway. He's from Iowa so a lot of people haven't seen him, but he's a dominating LB and it's not too often that a guy like him comes around. His 40 speed is probably over-rated and I think he'll run about 4.6-4.65, but he's quick enough to chase down anyone. He seems suited to be a 3-4 ILB and there's probably little chance of him slipping past NE at #21.
