NFL Draft 2006: Overview of the 2006 NFL Draft in the AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs- The Kansas City Chiefs had a ho-hum draft, taking Tamba Hali out of Penn State with their first pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, who will be a great pass rusher but is too small to play every down. Quarterback Brodie Croyle out of Alabama, taken in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft, may be a solid quarterback in the future if he can avoid the injuries that beleaguered him in college. The Chiefs, in a seemingly permanent effort to improve their defense, drafted in the defensive secondary throughout the 2006 NFL Draft, including Marcus Maxey (fifth round) and Bernard Pollard (second round). But the Chiefs will need to live up to their potential in order to win, not hope for miracles from rookies in the 2006 NFL Draft.
2006 NFL Draft grade: C+
Denver Broncos- The Denver Broncos had one of the best drafts in the league, hands down. First selection, quarterback Jay Cutler, may be compared to heir apparent bust Tommy Maddox (the last first round pick at quarterback for the Broncos) but he has one of the highest talent ceilings in the 2006 NFL Draft. In the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, their best move of the draft, was to trade their pick away to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for erstwhile receiver Javon Walker. Walker, if healthy, will be a great target for Plummer (and in the future Jay Cutler) and is young enough to make for an excellent investment in the future. The Broncos used the rest of the 2006 NFL draft to solidify their tight end position (Tony Scheffer, 2nd round), defensive back (Domenik Hixon, 4th round), and defensive line (Elvis Dumervil, 4th round).
2006 NFL Draft grade: A
Oakland Raiders- The Oakland Raiders have traditionally been a poor selection of talent in the draft, but the 2006 NFL Draft may be the turning point for the franchise. In the past, selections like Stanford Routt and Fabian Washington have made football observers shake their heads in wonder at what Al Davis was thinking. However, the Man in Black may have gotten it right in the 2006 NFL Draft with solid selection Michael Huff, safety from Texas, at the number seven pick in the draft. Safety Darnell Bing from USC was a steal at the top of the fourth round, considering he was a probable second round pick. Bing and Huff will solidify the Raiders’ backfield and linebacker Thomas Howard of UTEP will give them a playmaker at the second level of the defense. With Art Shell back in the head coaching spot, quarterback Aaron Brooks ready to prove himself in a new setting, and a rejuvenated defense, observers may look back at the 2006 NFL Draft as one that made the Raiders a contender once again.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B+
San Diego Chargers-The Chargers had a strange 2006 NFL Draft, selecting an injured Antonio Cromartie with the 19th pick overall, behemoth offensive tackle Marcus McNeill (6’9, 337 lbs) in the second round, and quarterback Charlie Whitehurst in the third round. Cromartie may not be ready for the 2006 NFL season and could have been bypassed for someone like Johnathan Joseph or Kelly Jennings, both of whom are solid and ready to go in fall 2006. McNeill will provide good protection for young quarterback and Whitehurst will be under no pressure to be ready to play, with phenom Philip Rivers at the helm and A.J. Feeley deeply entrenched in the second quarterback spot.
2006 NFL Draft Grade: C+
2006 NFL Draft Division Winner- The Denver Broncos had the best draft in the division in 2006, and may have had the best 2006 NFL Draft period. Cutler may end up being the best quarterback long term in this draft and Walker will work hard to prove that he is not a prima donna.
