2006 NFL Mock Draft

As we get closer to the 2006 NFL Draft, now is the time where I usually do my "mock draft". I find these things to be utterly useless, as it's impossible to get into the heads of NFL personnel men. Kudos to the sites (Stevenson's, Great Blue North) and people (Mel Kiper, Mike Mayock) that earn a living off this. They're right alongside weathermen in terms of earning a comfortable living, despite being wrong 75% of the time.

# 1 - Houston Texans - Reggie Bush, RB, USC - No real surprise here. He's so athletically-gifted, the Texans can't pass him up. However, with Domanick Davis signed for the long-term, where they'll play him is up in the air. #1 picks usually don't return kicks and punts, as they have an actual position.

#2 - New Orleans Saints - D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia - He's a classic left tackle, and since the Saints just dealt Wayne Gandy to the Falcons, Ferguson would be a great protector for Drew Brees. They could be crafty and trade down a few slots, and it's likely Ferguson will be there.

#3 - Tennessee Titans - Vince Young, QB, Texas - They really seemed to like him during his Uncle Rico impersonation (credit to PFT.com for that reference), and with Steve McNair nearing retirement, Young or Leinart appears to be their guy. I have them taking Young because of his signability. Leinart is probably the smarter pick, but he really wants to play in the Big Apple, and might prove to tough for the Titans to sign. This is another example of why the NFL really needs to slot the rookie salaries.

#4 - New York Jets - Matt Leinart, QB, USC - I see the Jets trading up to the Saints spot to take Leinart, but I already detailed how Leinart could "slide" to 4th. He's a marketable guy, going to a team that really needs a QB since Chad Pennington's shoulder is wrecked.

#5 - Green Bay Packers - Mario Williams, DE, NC State - The best defensive player in the draft, and by a wide margin. Williams isn't quite Julius Peppers, but he's close.

#6 - San Francisco 49ers - Michael Huff, S, Texas - There isn't one area where the 49ers don't need help, so I have the 49ers taking the best defensive player remaining.

#7 - Oakland Raiders - AJ Hawk, OLB, Ohio State - I'm not sold on the guy, but everyone seems to think he's going to be a great pro. The question I have is whether or not he's another Chris Speilman, or another Andy Katzenmoyer.

#8 - Buffalo Bills - Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland - He's a game-changing talent at the TE position, and Buffalo's anemic offense needs help. He could be a great safety valve for JP Losman.

#9 - Detroit Lions - Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon - Though I'm sure Millen would love to add another WR, but adding a run-stuffing DT takes priority. They could go offensive line here, but I don't see an offensive lineman available that would merit a Top 10 pick.

#10 - Arizona Cardinals - Winston Justice, OT, USC - Since he's not worth a Top 10 pick, how can Arizona resist him? Justice is a fine player, a definite 1st rounder, but the offensive line is the one thing keeping the Cardinals from becoming a contender. Adding Justice will help, but it's still a reach.

#11 - St. Louis Rams - Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State - Once again, the Rams will use a 1st round pick on a DT. They've done it multiple times in the last few years, and none have panned out. Bunkley, however, is more athletic than Ngata, who I have going 2 spots earlier.

#12 - Cleveland Browns - Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa - He's a versatile LB, and that's just what Romeo Crennel's defense needs.

#13 - Baltimore Ravens - Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Florida State - He'd be a perfect fit alongside Ray Lewis. He's big and fast, very much in line with how the Ravens like their players.

#14 - Philadelphia Eagles - Chad Jackson, WR, Florida - They added Reggie Brown in the 2nd round last year, and I think he's going to be a good #2 WR in the NFL. Jackson is a guy who can play split end and get deep, which is something they're lacking with T.O. out of the picture.

#15 - Denver Broncos - Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State - As tempting as taking a RB usually is to this group, addressing the WR position is a must.

#16 - Miami Dolphins - Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State - I'm sure they would've loved to see Chad Jackson here, but adding youth to that defense is probably a good idea. Seau, Thomas and Taylor aren't getting any younger.

#17 - Minnesota Vikings - Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State - They did a nice job of adding Darren Sharper a year ago, but they'd be well-served to inject some youth into that secondary.

#18 - Dallas Cowboys - Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt - After tinkering with Drew Henson, the replacement for Drew Bledsoe falls into their lap. And why wouldn't the Cowboys steal some headlines by taking a QB many thought could go in the Top 10?

#19 - San Diego Chargers - Jimmy Williams, S, Virginia Tech - As impressive as their front 7 is, the secondary for the Chargers is awful. Adding Williams is an instant upgrade.

#20 - Kansas City Chiefs - Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan - Watson is a huge, run-stopping DT. Something KC desperately needs.

#21 - New England Patriots - LenDale White, RB, USC - There may be questions about his work ethic, but don't think the Patriots will be scared off by that. He's a big RB with a nose for the end zone. Think of him as a bigger version of Corey Dillon, who is close to the end.

#22 - Denver Broncos - DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis - You knew that Denver couldn't resist taking a RB. Williams is a complete back, something Denver never seems to have.

#23 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State - Tampa Bay is another defensive-minded team with aging personnel, so getting a young and versatile defender is their top priority.

#24 - Cincinnati Bengals - Jason Allen, DB, Tennessee - The team has addressed the defensive side of the ball the last few years, and I expect that to continue.

#25 - New York Giants - Demeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama - This was a position that was in dire straits late last year, and unless they jump back into the Lavar Arrington sweepstakes, they'll target a LB in round 1. If Carpenter is here, they'd take him over Ryans.

#26 - Chicago Bears - Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami - Whoever emerges as this team's starting QB won't have many weapons to throw to. Adding Moss addresses that need.

#27 - Carolina Panthers - Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State - Currently, the team is without a center. Mangold could step in right away and start.

#28 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Ahston Youboty, CB, Ohio State - CB was a weakness for the Jags in '05.

#29 - New York Jets - Tye Hill, CB, Clemson - CBs are drafted in bunches, and with Mangini's background, and the loss of Ty Law, the Jets go for another Tye with their 2nd pick in round 1.

#30 - Indianapolis Colts - Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota - RBs tend to slip in round 1, and the Colts could consider themselves lucky to have Maroney fall to them here.

#31 - Seattle Seahawks - Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College - After using a 3-man rotation at the DE position a year ago, Seattle could certainly use some help at that position. Kiwanuka gives them a dynamic, and at 6-7 a physically imposing, option at DE. Another option at this position is DB.

#32 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina - Ike Taylor is developing into a quality CB, but Pittsburgh needs to improve in that area.