UPDATED Top Ten Mock Draft

[RedKingGold]

IMO, this is how the top 10 of the 2006 NFL Draft should go down:

#1-New York Jets (from Houston Texans) = RB Reggie Bush, USC
The Jets are having a hard off-season after the apparent "trade" of head coach Herman Edwards to the Chiefs. The Jets use the 4th round pick gained in the trade along with their first and second rounders to make a splash for their suffering fans this offseason. Bush gives Martin rest and adds a playmaker to a team that desperately needs one.

#2- New Orleans Saints = QB Vince Young, Texas
The Saints bite on the fastest moving player on draft boards. Young gives the Saints a player to build around and give marketing buzz for a team that needs it. The Saints could also choose Leinert, but would likely take the mobility of Young.

#3- Tennessee Titans = QB Matt Leinert, USC
Norm Chow and the Titan's cannot believe their luck as his former quarterback can be reunited with the offensive guru. Tennessee will jump at the chance to rebuild around Leinert and could trade Steve McNair (to the Dolphins or Cardinals) or keep him around to mentor the rookie.

#4- Houston Texans (from New York Jets) = OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Virginia
The Texans pick up extra picks and select the player they've wanted since last year. Ferguson finally gives them a tackle to protect David Carr and give him time to find other weapons in the Houston offense.

#5- Green Bay Packers = OLB A.J. Hawk, Ohio State
Green Bay snaps up the last of the certain playmakers in this draft. The Packers chances of making this pick will increase if a defensive coach is named the new head coach of the Cheeseheads. Injuries to Nail Diggs and other outside linebackers stress the need for this pick. They could also take DE Mario Williams or CB/S Jimmy Williams with this pick.

#6- Oakland Raiders- CB/S Jimmy Williams, Virginia Tech
Charles Woodson will see his release leaving a great void in the secondary. Al Davis jumps at the chance to take the trash-talking cornerback who can lay the big hit (a la Ronnie Lott). Oakland could also surprise people by attempting to trade up for Reggie Bush or Vince Young.

#7- San Francisco 49ers- DE Mario Williams, North Carolina State
San Francisco will be looking to trade down to get more picks. However, if Williams falls to their pick (the next Julius Peppers), coach Mike Nolan would be ecstatic. Other possibilities include TE Vernon Davis, CB/S Jimmy Williams, or DT Haloti Nagata.

#8- Buffalo Bills - DT Haloti Nagata, Oregon
With the losses and disapointments of Pat Williams and Sam Adams, Buffalo will be looking for a large run stopper to help out the linebackers and defensive backs. The Bills like Nagata's tuffness and ability to stop the run. The other teams in the AFC East look to feature the run and a run stopper is vital to current and future success.

#9- Detroit Lions - DE Mathias Kiwanuka, Boston College
If Detroit keeps this pick they will absolutely go defensive (especially if they keep Joey Harrington). Kiwanuka is a speed rusher who would kill the quarterback and would be an excellent addition to a great line with Shaun Rogers anchoring the middle. If Jimmy Williams falls to this pick, the Lions would be ecstatic.

#10- Arizona Cardinals - QB Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt
Contrary to popular belief, not many superstar quarterbacks (see Daunte Culpepper) will change teams this year. The best chance for Arizona to rebuild its offense is to get it a pocket passer who can deliver the ball to their three wide receivers. Other possible picks here include RB DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) and TE Vernon Davis (Maryland)

[QuikSand]

I would expect it to take more than a 2nd and 4th to get Houston to trade down from #1 to #4 overall...

Interesting write-up, though.

[ice4277]

I would expect it to take more than a 2nd and 4th to get Houston to trade down from #1 to #4 overall...

Agreed, especially as that would involve Texas giving up a shot at one of this year's "holy trinity" of prospects.

[RedKingGold]

I would expect it to take more than a 2nd and 4th to get Houston to trade down from #1 to #4 overall...

Interesting write-up, though.

1st (4th overall), 2nd (4th in round), and 4th (4th in round).

The 2nd rounder is almost the equivivalent of a low first rounder. Plus the Texans are only moving down two spots (if they move down further, they run the risk of missing out on Ferguson)

[ice4277]

1st (4th overall), 2nd (4th in round), and 4th (4th in round).

The 2nd rounder is almost the equivivalent of a low first rounder. Plus the Texans are only moving down two spots (if they move down further, they run the risk of missing out on Ferguson)
But again, I think the perceived value of one of those first 3 picks is MUCH higher than anybody below that.

[GoldenEagle]

I would expect it to take more than a 2nd and 4th to get Houston to trade down from #1 to #4 overall...

Interesting write-up, though. Especially with the amount of hype surrounding Bush. I think Houston needs offensive line help desperately but they are going to take the superstar of the draft. The only way I see them trading the pick is if they get a similar offer to what the Saints did for Ricky Williams.

[Shkspr]

The Texans have the higher pick, and don't NEED to trade it. Trade value has to favor them, not their partner. 4th rounder this year, the #4, and next year's #1 *might* get it done.

[stevew]

Chargers got #4, a first(next year), third, and fifth(next year) for moving down off of Eli Manning. My guess is that it would take a second(this year) pick #4 and a first the following year to move off of Bush(at least).

[GrantDawg]

Are the Titans really interested in a quarterback in the first round? I keep seeing that over and over, but everything I've heard says they love Volek. He is the heir-apparent, and it makes zero sense to draft someone high in the first round to be a back-up.

[Maple Leafs]

The Jets would need to give up more, but the trade scenario makes sense.

[Ramzavail]

I'd give this years and next years 1, this years 2 and this years 4 - and that might make the Texans bite.

[stevew]

Are the Titans really interested in a quarterback in the first round? I keep seeing that over and over, but everything I've heard says they love Volek. He is the heir-apparent, and it makes zero sense to draft someone high in the first round to be a back-up.

Yeah, i think the Titans would raffle off the selection at #3 if Leinart was still on the board. They could drop down to 6 with the raiders, or possibly 10 with the Cardinals. Either way they would be picking up an extra #2 at the minimum. When the cupboards are empty, you gotta try to stock them if you can.

[Travis]

Houston should have the ability to really upgrade their offensive line significantly this offseason. I'm hoping and praying they trade down (as you say, likely to the #4 spot) and pick up Ferguson, and I fully expect them to be one of the front runners for Steve Hutchinson if the Seahawks don't get him wrapped up beforehand. Either way, add one in the first, hopefully sign a premier free agent plus another later in the draft and another less heralded free agency pickup.

Be interesting to see Carr play behind a line that could give him time and see if he can be the QB he was supposed to be, but even moreso, just what could Domanick Davis accomplish with a true line ahead of him? Maybe his receiving numbers take a hit due to a better overall offense, but his rushing stats should take a healthy bump to make up for it.

[GrantDawg]

Yeah, i think the Titans would raffle off the selection at #3 if Leinart was still on the board. They could drop down to 6 with the raiders, or possibly 10 with the Cardinals. Either way they would be picking up an extra #2 at the minimum. When the cupboards are empty, you gotta try to stock them if you can.

You see, that is what I'm thinking, too. Over and over I am seeing "experts" picking them to draft a quarterback. I know McNair is long in the tooth and probably has one season at most left in Tennessee, but they are ignoring what the Titans have already committed to Volek. I'd say it is a 90% chance they are trading down.

[Surtt]

1st (4th overall), 2nd (4th in round), and 4th (4th in round).

The 2nd rounder is almost the equivivalent of a low first rounder. Plus the Texans are only moving down two spots (if they move down further, they run the risk of missing out on Ferguson)

According to "the chart"

1-1 = 3000


1-4 = 1800
2-4 = 540
4-4 = 100
--------
2440

[stevew]

According to "the chart"

1-1 = 3000


1-4 = 1800
2-4 = 540
4-4 = 100
--------
2440

Throw in a future first, which is counted at between 600-700 points and it makes more sense.

[Galaril]

You see, that is what I'm thinking, too. Over and over I am seeing "experts" picking them to draft a quarterback. I know McNair is long in the tooth and probably has one season at most left in Tennessee, but they are ignoring what the Titans have already committed to Volek. I'd say it is a 90% chance they are trading down.


As a longtime Oilers/Titans fan I would say it would be likely they trade down but only for an extra 1st round pick so maybe a team with two 1st round picks. I would say that the Titans problems are not exactly McNair's doing. There really is no supporting cast to help him . He has lost most of his weapons. They got zero running agme lats season and a young inexperienced defense that makes a ton of mistakes. I also, think they are more likely to trade Volek for a pick 1st or 2nd and keep Mcnair until a QB drafted this year is ready to go.

[Huckleberry]

I agree from a football perspective that the Texans should trade down and get more bodies. However, from a business perspective not taking Young would be ballsy. Perhaps crazy.

Vince Young is a god right now in Houston. Period. Drafting Earl Campbell, albeit the team was already good, brought the biggest uptick in fan interest in Oilers history. At some level you have to wonder if the football theory will really outweigh the financial reality.

At the same time Casserly has one year to prove himself and might not be willing to start over football-wise. But drafting Young might enable him to talk himself into more time with McNair.

What might not be clear to some people is that Vince Young was a Houston legend before he ever got to UT's campus. He took an inner-city school to the state semifinals with the help of one decent lineman (career backup at Texas) and a good running back (Courtney Lewis of Texas A&M). He threw for 2,545 yards and 35 TDs against 4 INTs his senior year in high school and ran for 1,274 yards and 24 TDs on 116 carries. In the state semifinal loss he threw for 400 yards and 5 TDs and ran for 92 yards and another TD. This was after they upset the #1 team in the state 61-58 earlier in the playoffs. They made it back to the playoffs this year for the first time since he left. 4 years later. 3 teams out of each district (96 statewide) make the playoffs in Texas in each classification.

Anyway, the point is that he was a city legend before. As big as any New York City basketball player has ever been in that arena. That was before the Rose Bowl. He's worth untold millions in revenue to the Texans in his first year even if he never plays a down.

http://images.chron.com/photos/2006/01/05/845683/311xInlineGallery.jpg

[GrantDawg]

As a longtime Oilers/Titans fan I would say it would be likely they trade down but only for an extra 1st round pick so maybe a team with two 1st round picks. I would say that the Titans problems are not exactly McNair's doing. There really is no supporting cast to help him . He has lost most of his weapons. They got zero running agme lats season and a young inexperienced defense that makes a ton of mistakes. I also, think they are more likely to trade Volek for a pick 1st or 2nd and keep Mcnair until a QB drafted this year is ready to go.

So you think they will trade Volek? Interesting. I wouldn't give a first for him, but a late second rounder maybe.

[moriarty]

Nice writeup. One question:


The Pack would also snap up Williams in a heartbeat if he were to fall to them.


According to your draft, Williams would fall to the Pack. So which one would they they AJ Hawk or Williams??

[Huckleberry]

One more thing. What I'm hearing is that Vince Young really likes playing college football. In fact, some people are saying that he may have already decided to come back if it weren't for the Texans' having the #1 pick.

There's a reasonable possibility that if the Texans don't commit to taking him #1 he won't come out. I haven't heard anything specific like he doesn't want to play for a certain team (e.g., New Orleans), though.

[GrantDawg]

As a longtime Oilers/Titans fan I would say it would be likely they trade down but only for an extra 1st round pick so maybe a team with two 1st round picks. I would say that the Titans problems are not exactly McNair's doing. There really is no supporting cast to help him . He has lost most of his weapons. They got zero running agme lats season and a young inexperienced defense that makes a ton of mistakes. I also, think they are more likely to trade Volek for a pick 1st or 2nd and keep Mcnair until a QB drafted this year is ready to go.

BTW, on this...I don't think anyone is suggesting that McNair is the problem. But financial reality says he cost a team in a rebuilding process way too much money. He is a luxury that the team cannot afford to keep much longer. Of course, there is the question of whether he actually wants to continue playing.

[Galaril]

Yes, you are correct in that but I think Eddie Georges premature and rapid demise . he cost them a bunch at the end. McNair is due a 50 million bonus this year.

[rkmsuf]

There's no logical reason to stay with McNair. Do you really see them making a big run in the next year or two? You want to argue loyalty and kind of a lifetime acheivement pass I guess. I don't sense fans down there would cause a huge stink if McNair was traded/cut.

Football wise I would think you'd get Volek in there and start building it back up.

[Schmidty]

I still despise the Kiwanuka pick. Makes no sense. We already have Kalimba Edwards and he sucks, so why take his clone?

[Daimyo]

Its likely the Titans fully expected Volek to be the quarterback of the future, but if they think Leinhart is the second coming of Peyton or Palmer they'd be foolish to stick to the Volek plan if he is available to them.

[rkmsuf]

I still despise the Kiwanuka pick. Makes no sense. We already have Kalimba Edwards and he sucks, so why take his clone?

by all accounts the bc guy didn't even have a very good year

[RedKingGold]

by all accounts the bc guy didn't even have a very good year

Also, I believe Edwards is a free agent. (So be happy :) )

[Honolulu_Blue]

Also, I believe Edwards is a free agent. (So be happy :) )
You are correct and he wont be coming back.

[Schmidty]

You are correct and he wont be coming back.

Yeah. So drafting his twin makes zero sense.

[stevew]

Especially with all the WR on the board.

[Schmidty]

Especially with all the WR on the board.

Do you carry around a portable laugh-track? I'd advise it.

[Raiders Army]

It's doubtful the Raiders would take a CB. Nnamdi Asomugha, Fabian Washington, and Stanford Routt all gained a lot of experience this year and looked pretty good (they're also 1st, 1st, and 2nd round picks respectively). I think the Raiders will take LB or Offensive Lineman in the first round.

[Butter]

Especially with all the WR on the board.

Still not old.

[ice4277]

Yeah. So drafting his twin makes zero sense.
Well, we are talking about Millen here.

[Logan]

I'd give this years and next years 1, this years 2 and this years 4 - and that might make the Texans bite.

While the Jets would love Bush, and could definitely use him...they have TONS of problems. They are in need of help at basically every position. That's a lot to give up when you need to reload so many starters.

[WrongWay]

IMO, this is how the top 10 of the 2006 NFL Draft should go down:

[B]#1-New York Jets (from Houston Texans) =


Anyone that posts a mock draft with a trade that has no basis in facts, should be shot on sight. It makes the rest of their draft meaningless and stupid.

Shame on you for this BS.

GOD, do I hate Mock drafts where people have undocumented trades. Complete Bullshit, if you ask me.

[st.cronin]

Anyone that posts a mock draft with a trade that has no basis in facts, should be shot on sight. It makes the rest of their draft meaningless and stupid.

Shame on you for this BS.

GOD, do I hate Mock drafts where people have undocumented trades. Complete Bullshit, if you ask me.

Have you considered yoga?

[WrongWay]

I guess I need to find my center. :)