The following is the first of several 2006 NFL mock drafts from Jordan Adams, who will be handicapping on Doc's Sports site this coming NFL season.
1. Houston Texans - Reggie Bush, Running Back, USC
An offensive player,and probably the most aggressive and enterprising in the league. The Texans had a bad season in 2005 and they will need more than this from their backfield if they are looking for a playoff this year.
2. New Orleans Saints - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Offensive Tackle, Virginia.
The Saints are unlikely to select players like Jake Cutler or Vince Young, now that they have signed on Drew Brees. Their defensive unit has come under severe scrutiny, and not much favour and their best option now is to build on their new Ten million dollar Quarter back. His strength and stature will be an invaluable asset and they must make the most of him.
3. Tennessee Titans - Vince Young, Quarterback, Texas.
Young’s performance at the Rose Bowl confirms the potential of this quarterback and the Titans can not take a chance with any other player, and I refer to Jake Cutler. As good as he might be he can not match Vince’s running abilities. McNair is at his end and the importance of a quarterback like Vince Young to take over can not be overlooked.
4. New York Jets - Matt Leinart, Quarterback, USC.
If Leinart had entered the 2005 draft he would have been taken as number 1. His Heisman Trophy wining season proves this point. He is a winner. He came back for his senior year and with Bush, his backfield counterpart, dominated college football with his better numbers. Don’t let the East Coast weather bother you, he will be a winner for the Jets at no.4.
5. Green Bay Packers - A.J. Hawk, Linebacker, Ohio State.
The Packers drafted Aaron Rogers last season. They will have no need for Cutler. Last year their defense unit was pathetic and had very little ability to challenge their opponents. This season their aim will be to concentrate on their defense. Hawk, as a defensisive player, was a tower of strength while at Ohio. He is a proven player with a National Championship to back it. With his fellow linebacker Nick Barnett he will be of great benefit to the rest of the defensive unit.
6. San Francisco 49ers - Mario Williams, Defensive End, North Carolina State.
If you want a player that can dominate defense, then you look no further than the big six foot seven, 295 lb Mario Williams. This man is the best defense you can find and a player whose star is rising all the time. At the college level he showed that he was one of the best NFL prospects since Julius Peppers. He can neutralize most if not all offensive linemen and also cover any speedy receivers down field. From day one he will be in the top four.
7. Oakland Raiders - Jay Cutler, Quarterback, Vanderbilt.
The drafting of Cutler, following the release of Kerry Collins, gives Al Davis the opportunity to bring in a young man with a great arm. Oakland has one of the best receiving corps in the NFL and now they will have someone who can get them the ball. They have got the players like Jerry Porter, Doug Gabriel and Ronald Curry to do the job but they need the ball and someone who can deliver it to them consistently. The Raiders have other weaknesses but the addition of Cutler is the start and if they can sign a proven veteran like Aaron Brooks it will give Cutler a chance to see what has to be done.
8. Buffalo Bills - Winston Justice, Offensive Tackle, USC.
The Bill’s offensive is a big question mark and emphasizes the weakness of their line. The release of Mike Williams gives them the opportunity to find a new player and in Winston Justice they the man. The team needs to commit more to the run with Willis McGahee and with Justice they can show the way. Year after year, since Jim Kelly retired, they have been let down by lame quarterbacks.
9. Detroit Lions - Michael Huff, Defensive Back, Texas.
By drafting Huff from the Longhorns, the Lions will improve their secondary. Their trend of taking wideouts has been no advantage. He has the experience at both safety and cornerback and will be a major upgrade at whatever position he is placed.
10. Arizona Cardinals - Vernon Davis, Tight End, Maryland.
On paper the Cardinals have tremendous firepower on offensive. They will throw the ball a great deal and with Davis in their line up they would significantly improve their passing capabilities. He is a real big man who owned a weight room and his records at Maryland where he operated, prove his physical ability. There has not been a man of his size playing at this position, who is as fast, strong and athletic as Vernon Davis.
11. St. Louis Rams - Jimmy Williams, Cornerback, Virginia Tech.
The Rams could well trade up for Vernon Davis. His speed and ability would give the Rams probably an even faster line. This is not the route to go because it is the secondary they need to promote and this is where they should concentrate. They would be better off to trade down for Jimmy Williams. St.Louis has the athletes at cornerback but they don’t have the physical size that they need and to have Williams there in their defensive backfield is their best option.
12. Cleveland Browns - LenDale White, Running Back, USC.
Many agree that White would be a better NFL running back than Reggie Bush. White has the athletic build to be an instant success in the pros and he would fit in well to a new offensive line they will build. He has a better than good chance of keeping the job as a running back , something that Cleveland backs have up to now failed to achieve.
13. Baltimore Ravens - Ernie Sims, Linebacker, Florida State.
The Ravens have a problem. They need to improve on their linebacker. They lost Hartwell to the Falcons last season Boulware has faded. Ray Lewis has been just great these past years but he is injury prone and they can’t expect him to get them to the level of play they dominated at three years ago. Ernie Sims could be their answer. He is a strong and powerful athlete and could help them in their quest.
14. Philadelphia Eagles - Chad Jackson, Wide Receiver, Florida.
The draft pattern that the Phillies have adopted has been to concentrate on defense, with the result that they have missed out the opportunities to obtain players like Steven Jackson and Matt Jones. Chad Jackson impressed at the combine. He has a similar build to Terrell Owens. This is the year they need to change their ideas and get some serious advice. They would be well advised to consult with Donovan McNabb.
15. Denver Broncos - Laurence Moroney, Running Back, Minnesota.
Denver do not have this year, as they have previously had, a top class back. They have shown their ability to turn their backs into 1000 yard rushers. Morony is a top notch back and ready to go. He would be a great fit for them.
16. Miami Dolphins - Santonio Holmes, Wide Receiver, Ohio State.
Sam Madison has left. The Dolphins need a new cornerback to replace him. Santonio Holmes is a perfect fit for Miami. With Daunte Culpepper now with them, a player with one of the strongest arms in the game, the speed of Holmes would be so important to take the long ball. He would be very complimentary to Chris Chambers, Dolphin’s star position receiver.
17. Minnesota Vikings - DeAngelo Williams, Running Back, Memphis.
The Vikings have a problem. Culpepper is no longer with them. They don’t have anyone to throw the ball consistently and so they are going to have to change their game plan and rely on a running game. DeAngelo Williams has shown that size is not an issue. He proved this in his college career and he is the man they should take on to do the job.
18. Dallas Cowboys - Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle, Oregon.
Nagata has the physical size to get on to the field now. He will be an asset to the line which includes some key players from last year’s draft. Dallas need him, and Bill Parcels a coach with defense as his forte knows it.
19. San Diego Chargers - Donte Whitner, Safety, Ohio State.
For the Charger’s No. 19 slot, Whitner is a perfect choice. He is very capable , good in man to man coverage and has a reputation as a physical hitter. His talents on special teams will be more than useful to the team.
20. Kansas City Chiefs - Tamba Hall, Defensive End, Penn State.
Tamba Hall would be a great fit for the Chief’s team. As a senior he had a breakout season, he is explosive off the snap, and, he should be available to play right away either as a starter or rotating in off the bench. He fits well with the scheme of defensive play.
21. New England Patriots - Mathias Kiwanuka, Defensive End, Boston College.
This local star, given time, could dominate the game at the professional level. He is an “original” athlete with the right physical attributes, and the Patriots should not pass up the opportunity to sign him, that’s if he is still available.
22. Denver Broncos - Broderick Bunkley, Defensive Tackle, Florida State.
Don’t let the fact that Bunkley does not have the physical stature of most of the Defensive Tacklers, deter you. He does have the strength and he will add depth to a line that is a far better line than it was a couple of seasons ago.
23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus McNeil, Offensive Tackle, Auburn.
The Buccaneers tackles have fallen short of what is needed. Anthony Davis and Kenyatta Walker have been weak. McNeil will plug this hole. Chris Simms who is now their starting Quarterback needs protection and McNiel will be there.
24. Cincinnati Bengals - Ko Simpson, Safety, South Carolina.
The Bengal’s secondary got mauled this past season by teams like Pittsburgh and Indy., especially in the playoffs. If they are looking for help, Simpson is their man. Physically gifted and a tough character, he would add some muscle to the unit. He was exceptional during the period he spent at South Carolina
25. New York Giants - Tye Hill, Cornerback, Clemson.
The New York Giants need Tye Hill. He is the best available defensive back. He is not only a defensive back but capable in special teams. He will reinforce and help the Jets get going.
26. Chicago Bears - Leonard Pope, Tight End, Georgia.
This past season with quarterbacks who were inexperienced, the Bears have not had much if any success. They need to get some power behind them and Leonard Pope could be their answer. An excellent choice. A colossus of a man, who has exceptional speed for a man of his size. He will be a powerful asset.
27. Carolina Panthers - Gabe Watson, Defensive Tackle, Michigan.
Carolina seriously need a defensive Tackle. Buckner is not there and Jenkins is injury prone. Gabe Watson can take the place. He comes into this senior season at Michigan with a high reputation. He is a big strong player and uses his size to full advantage.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars - Chad Greenway, Linebacker, Iowa.
Greenway showed that he has talent at Iowa, and there is no reason why he should not continue to improve. He is not “star” material but he is a good all rounder and is capable of improving his pro game.
29. New York Jets - Ashton Youboty, Cornerback, Ohio State.
Youboty is a back who has speed. He is capable of covering a lot of ground. He is quick to the ball and shows good zone capability. He is a good pick for late in the first round, more so because of the fact Ty Law is not coming back.
30. Indianapolis Colts - Wali Lundy, Running Back, Virginia.
The departure of Edgerrin James has left a big hole for the Colts. Lundy might not be the best choice, but he can help to fill the hole and at least make up some for James. There are some other options, Oregans Terrance Whitehead and Texas’s Selvin Young.
31. Seattle Seahawks - Manny Lawson, Defensive End, North Carolina State.
It is hard to predict where the runners up in the Super Bowl XL will go. One thing is for sure Manny Lawson is a pick that will do well wherever he goes. Just like his college team mate Mario Williams he excelled on the line. Mannie has a chance now to get out of William’s shadow and make his mark on the NFL scene.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Sinorice Moss, Wide Receiver, Miami.
Pittsburg lost Randle-El. They very surely need speed and they have the answer in Sinorice Moss. This is his talent. His brother Santana has the ability to get drafted sooner. The Steelers would be very happy to get him. In the open field, he is deadly and because of his small size he is very elusive both with and without the ball. |