NFL Draft 2006: A Recap of the 2006 NFL Draft in the AFC North Division
2006 NFL Draft grade: B+
Baltimore Ravens- The Ravens, with pressure put on by superstar linebacker Ray Lewis, went after defensive needs early on in the 2006 NFL Draft. The twelfth selection overall in the 2006 NFL Draft, defensive tackle Haloti Ngata of Oregon, gives the Ravens defense some teeth in the middle and should allow Lewis to shed blockers and make plays. Offensive lineman Chris Chester, a second round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, gives some support to a floundering Ravens offense. Cornerback David Pittman (third round in the 2006 NFL Draft), wide receiver Demetrius Williams (fourth round in the 2006 NFL Draft), and safety Dawan Landry (fifth round in the 2006 NFL Draft) give them depth at the skill positions on offense and defense. But none of this matters if the Ravens can’t figure out the concept of the forward pass and Brian Billick’s attempts to get back to the playoffs may be dashed against the rocks.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B-
Cleveland Browns- The Cleveland Browns have begun to show Romeo Crennel’s tendencies in the 2006 NFL Draft by drafting several top flight defensive prospects early on. Kamerion Wimbley, taken with the 13th pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, gives them a solid pass rushing end to compliment Willie McGinest and others in the linebacking and interior line core. Linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, a second round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft from the prolific (at least in this draft) Maryland Terrapins, and fourth round pick in the NFL Draft Leon Williams, linebacker from Miami University, gives them two solid athletes at the second level. DeMario Minter, cornerback from Georgia and fifth round selection, gives them a project in the secondary. The Browns have solidified their defense in the 2006 NFL draft, it is only a matter of time until both offense and defense gel into cohesive units for Cleveland.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B
Pittsburgh Steelers- The Pittsburgh Steelers, coming off a great win in Superbowl XL against the Seattle Seahawks, had only a few positional needs in the 2006 NFL Draft. One was replacing Antwaan Randle-El as a receiver and return man and the Steelers moved up to take Ohio State receiver/returner Santonio Holmes with the 25th pick in the 2006 NFL pick. The third round picks for the Steelers in the 2006 NFL Draft, wide receiver Willie Reid and safety Anthony Smith, give them some solid players in reserve of their already great players at those positions. The Steelers look to reload for another Super Bowl run in 2006 and this draft may contribute to their continued success.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B
2006 NFL Draft Division Winner- The AFC North may have been the most even division in the 2006 NFL Draft, but the Bengals did the most to cement their place at the top of the division (and potentially the league). But everyone in this division filled need positions in the 2006 NFL Draft and this will be a hotly contested division come fall.
