Who had the best NFL Draft?
After a few too many weeks of hype, the 2006 NFL Draft is finally over, so I’ve decided to weigh in with my analysis on a few teams.
1. Detroit Lions — The Lions get a B for their draft, and mainly because they got jobbed by a few teams that snuck ahead of Detroit and snagged up some pretty good players.
Florida State linebacker Ernie Sims wasn’t a bad pick, but his health has been an issue. Though he didn’t miss any games with the Seminoles, the word concussion scares me.
I think the Lions could have traded down and received a few more picks, but not selecting Matt Leinart was the right thing to do.
I also like the selection of Wisconsin running back Brian Calhoun.
While the Lions are pretty solid with Kevin Jones, Artose Pinner and Shawn Bryson, Calhoun is a workhorse back from a predominantly strong running school.
2. Houston Texans — Interesting way of getting things done by taking Maryland defensive end Mario Williams with the first pick instead of USC’s all-everything Reggie Bush, but I don’t think it was a good selection, so they get a C-minus.
The Texans came into the league with a pretty strong defense, and though it’s wilted away over the last few years, one thing has never changed: David Carr gets sacked WAY too much.
That would be were you would take a promising offensive lineman with a great name, D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
Carr has been sacked more than any other quarterback over the last three years, so why wouldn’t you take the Brick?
If you’re not going to take the best player in the draft, i.e. Bush, at least help your quarterback earn a full year’s pay.
3. Arizona Cardinals — In my opinion, the best draft of any NFL team, so they get an A.
Getting Leinart at the 10 spot was a steal. He stays out west, he’s in a high-powered offense and he’s surrounded by great athletes in Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Edgerrin James.
That and the Cardinals also got a steal with Georgia tight end Leonard Pope, who will hopefully put to rest why analysts had him falling into the third round.
That’s all about offense, but the Cardinals also drafted a big man on defense with University of Michigan tackle Gabe Watson.
Watson’s work ethic and drive have been questioned by many, but if you can motivate him and keep him that way, he might be another Gilbert Brown.
5. New England Patriots — Bill Belichick is up to his old ways and is still trying to screw the Colts, so for this reason, the Pats get an A-minus.
Taking Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney was sheer genius, especially when he was high on Indy’s draft board.
You can have Adam Vinatieri Mr. Dungy.
The other steal came with Chad Jackson in the second round, a player that I think can be the best receiver of the bunch.
6. Cincinnati Bengals — A-plus plus plus. Why? They took Michigan State’s Domata Peko, the big-haired Spartan who can run like the wind. More like a slow-rolling fog.
|
