Re-Examining the 2006 Draft Class: Picks 1-10
Each year Draft Day rolls around and there’s excitement and anticipation and picks – as well as the obligatory League Articles that grade the picks before they have played a down. So for this article let’s step back and re-evaluate see how the 2006 draft has held up. Each grade reflects the value of the pick at its slot, based on production through 16 games of 2006 and what they’ve done so far in 2007, and how each player stacks up against others at his position from the class. The plan is to do this as part of a three part series, so picks 11-20 and 21-32 are still to come (hopefully).
1.1 MLB DeMeco Ryans, Panthers
The Panthers hit the jackpot with the first overall pick. Ryans has 204 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 2 interceptions and 15 pass deflections in his career to date, which puts him third in the league in tackles among every defender since 2006, behind only Lance Briggs and Alfred Fincher, who have been at it far longer. Among the league's top 20 tacklers since coming in the league, only Kawika Mitchell has more tackles for loss. The rest of the class's first-round middle linebackers all trail: A.J. Hawk has 149 tackles, D'Qwell Jackson 134 and Gerris Wilkinson 128.
GRADE: A
1.2 CB Antonio Cromartie, Cardinals
Cromartie's rookie year was quiet (53 tackles, 1 interception), but he is seeing more productivity in 2007. He has 3 interceptions this year, and they've gone for 139 yards and a touchdown. His career line is 100 tackles, 4 interceptions, 164 interception return yards, 36 pass deflections and a defensive score, and the 100 tackles are the most of any corner in the class. He is a legitimate 90 OVR now, and his acceleration and awareness are still climbing.
The knock is that the ball production hasn't matched the rating yet. Johnathan Joseph, taken seven picks later, has the class lead in interceptions, and Jimmy Williams matched Cromartie's 4 picks. Still, Cromartie looks to be a future shutdown cornerback.
GRADE: A-
1.3 WR Brandon Marshall, Vikings
Marshall is the most productive wide receiver in the league since 2006, and it isn't especially close. His 149 catches lead all receivers in that span, including the veterans, and his 2,764 yards are ahead of Donte Stallworth (2,616) and Chad Johnson (2,527). In addition he has 22 touchdowns in that season and a half. This season is even better than last: 1,436 yards, a 20.2 yards per catch average and 14 touchdowns, up from 8 as a rookie.
The only other first-round receiver in the class, Greg Jennings, is very good himself (95 catches, 2,150 yards, 15 touchdowns), but Marshall has 54 more catches and 614 more yards. He's worked on his hands and his speed, and both show up on tape. A star at a premium position.
GRADE: A+
1.4 ROLB Chad Greenway, Giants
Greenway has been solid but never spectacular. He has 118 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions and 10 pass deflections in his first two seasons. Since coming into the league his overall rating jumped from 85 to 90, and his awareness has grown steadily with playing time.
That's a good player, but so far it's not entirely what you want from the fourth pick when other outside linebackers in the class are making more plays. For example, Clint Ingram of the Chiefs has 123 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Greenway has the higher rating, but the numbers say the Giants left some value on the table.
GRADE: B+
1.5 QB Vince Young, Vikings
Young has the highest OVR rating in the Top Ten at 95, up from 87 as a rookie, with a big arm and improved awareness. The production hasn't caught up to his attributes so far. He has completed 45.3 percent of his passes, and has a 70.2 rating. Young has been productive however with 4,518 yards, 29 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. His 7.94 yards per attempt shows the big-play ability is real, and his rookie year (75.1 rating) was better than this year's 65.9. However, QBs take longer to improve in this league so the future is still bright.
The Vikings also turned him into something bigger. He was the centerpiece of the mega deal with Denver that brought in Peyton Manning, who continues to be a force. Young is now a Bronco, and if the results improve he'll look like a steal for someone. For now, the pick is a mixed bag.
GRADE: B
1.6 LT DBrickashaw Ferguson, Jets
The Jets found a franchise left tackle with this pick. Ferguson has 149 pancakes in his two seasons, tied with Bryant McKinnie for second among all linemen since 2006, behind only Orlando Pace, and he did it as a rookie who made the Pro Bowl. Pass protection has been even better this year: 2 sacks allowed on 62 pancakes, compared with 9 sacks allowed in 2006.
His overall rating climbed from 86 to 93, and he's worked on his pass blocking and run blocking along the way. Winston Justice, another first-round tackle in the class, has 94 pancakes and 10 sacks allowed, so Ferguson stands out even from his own draft class. Expect Ferguson to anchor the line in New York for years to come.
GRADE: A+
1.7 QB Jay Cutler, Jaguars
Cutler has played a ton in his time in Jacksonville and continues to grow as does his production. In his time in the league he has so far 5,570 yards and 38 touchdowns, tenth in yards among the league's quarterbacks, but he also has managed 37 interceptions and 95 sacks taken. His 70.4 rating, while not ideal, is ahead of Young, and he completes 48 percent of his passes.
However, there are positives. His rating is up from 69.7 to 71.5 this season, his overall has climbed from 76 to 84, and his arm strength and awareness have both improved. The Jaguars have a starter with room to grow and the Jags are hoping that their franchise QB will ultimately live up to the high draft pick.
GRADE: B+
1.8 TE Leonard Pope, Raiders
Since coming into the league Pope has been a quietly productive tight end. He has 79 catches for 1,169 yards and 7 touchdowns, and he's also a useful blocker, with 53 pancakes and only 1 sack allowed. He's been a steady 40-catch player in both seasons, and his hands have improved a lot as his overall rating went from 71 to 79.
Vernon Davis, the only other tight end drafted in the first round, has 72 catches for 1,069 yards and 7 touchdowns, so Pope has a slight edge. You don’t see a lot of top ten picks spent on tight ends. But if you’re going to Pope isn’t a bad one to start with.
GRADE: B
1.9 CB Johnathan Joseph, Saints
Joseph has quietly been arguably the best corner in the first round. His 7 interceptions lead all 2006 corners, and he's added 35 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles, 82 tackles and a pick-six this season, when he was also targeted heavily. His interception yards (108) are second among class corners, and his awareness has grown from 65 to 75 with playing time.
His OVR rating went from 84 to 90, and he's worked on his acceleration to go with elite agility. Cromartie has more tackles, but Joseph has made more plays on the ball, and the Saints got him at the ninth pick.
GRADE: A-
1.10 DT Haloti Ngata, Jets
Ngata has been a solid producer for the Jets in his first two seasons. He has 62 tackles, but that doesn't tell the story, since he also has 13 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. His sack total has gone from 5 as a rookie to 7 in so far this year, a good sign for the future of him as a long term stud for the team.
GRADE: B+
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