What teams had the best Drafts

[Drunkmasterflex]

What teams do you think had the best draft?

I really like what Houston, Tennessee, Dallas, Pittsburgh, San Francisco and Arizona have done.

Houston seems like they really are going to solidify their lines with this draft.  Arizona may have the best draft of anybody they got some real players later in the draft. 

[NGM]

I would say:

San Fran
Philly
Arizona
Houston
Dallas.

I would also like to point out that both Seattle and Carolina seemed to have fairly mediocre drafts.   

[Sgt PSN]

I really don't like what Houston did with the #1 pick simply for the fact that when you're picking first overall, you need to pick someone who's going to sell jerseys and tickets.....preferably tickets.  Bush would have done that, Williams won't. 

[Drunkmasterflex]

I would say:

San Fran
Philly
Arizona
Houston
Dallas.

I would also like to point out that both Seattle and Carolina seemed to have fairly mediocre drafts.   

I didn't put Philly there because I think that has been thoroughly discussed in the Eagles Talk section.  What I should have said other than the Eagles...

[BigEd76]

Really liked Arizona's draft.  They could win the West this year...

[NGM]

Vinnie Iyer from The Sporting News:

Upon further review: Day 1 of the draft
April 30, 2006

Day 1 of the 2006 NFL draft was one long day, so I had to sleep on all that happened to figure out which teams' picks I liked the most. Here they are:

Eagles: They were aggressive at the right times to move up to get some inexplicably dropping players. Defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and offensive tackle Winston Justice fill immediate needs. Defensive end Chris Gocong has great potential.

Steelers: Ohio State's Santonio Holmes can be a terrific big-play receiver, and they made Ben Roethlisberger happier by getting another good wideout value in Florida State's Willie Reid. The front office also has proved in the past it has an eye for safeties, so don't be surprised if Syracuse's Anthony Smith beats out Ryan Clark for the free safety job.

Panthers: They brought in solid depth at cornerback, outside linebacker and offensive tackle, but what makes their day brilliant is Memphis running back DeAngelo Williams. He's my early pick for rookie of the year -- he'll carry a significant load for Carolina as its most durable, versatile back in the John Fox era.

Patriots: What, a Bill Belichick-coached team going for nothing but offense? They just thought it was about time Tom Brady got a refreshing mix of youngsters around him. Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney, Florida wide receiver Chad Jackson and Texas tight end David Thomas all have big-game experience playing in tough conferences -- much like Brady did when he came into the league.

Jets: While injuries derailed them from playoff contention in 2005, that also helped them get plenty of good picks in Day 1, starting at the top with elite Virginia tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson. Ferguson and Ohio State center Nick Mangold will be formidable anchors for their front five, with promise to outshine the Jason Fabini-Kevin Mawae combo. Oregon quarterback Kellen Clemens, Ohio State linebacker Anthony Schlegel and Michigan State safety Eric Smith are what I call "futures" -- good special projects for beyond 2006.

[phattymatty]

Really liked Arizona's draft.  They could win the West this year...

I feel like I've been saying that on draft day for the last several years.

[BigEd76]

True, but this year is different.  New stadium, and they actually spent money in free agency for a RB...

[Feva]

Yeah, it's hard to argue with Arizona... they got a number of players who not only fill needs for them, but who dropped a lot farther than most might have expected (Linehart, Pope, Watson).

Really liked Arizona's draft. They could win the West this year...

If the Super Bowl hangover holds true... they're definitely in a position to do it.

[PoopyfaceMcGee]

Stat of the Week II

Josh and Daniel Bullocks are twins who played safety at Nebraska and left the Cornhuskers one year apart. Josh last year, Daniel this year.

Josh was picked 40th by New Orleans. Daniel was picked 40th by Detroit.

Weird.

[PhillyGirl]

CT is still banned, right?

[Father Demon]

I really don't like what Houston did with the #1 pick simply for the fact that when you're picking first overall, you need to pick someone who's going to sell jerseys and tickets.....preferably tickets.  Bush would have done that, Williams won't. 

I agree, Sarge...   I heard a lot of pinheads on TV saying it was what was needed, but I think it was a mistake to squander that first pick.

[Father Demon]

Actually, I just found this on Yahoo (Pompei from Sporting News)

Grading The Draft

Grading the 2006 draft

Green Bay Packers -- A+
With linebackers A.J. Hawk and Abdul Hodge, the Packers have the beginnings of a defense that could dominate the NFC North for years.

Arizona Cardinals -- A
QB Matt Leinart at No. 10 was one of the best value picks because he had the pedigree to be chosen first. The Cardinals got value with each selection.

Philadelphia Eagles -- A
The Eagles got defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and didn't have to move up. They get high value marks for offensive tackle Winston Justice, guard Max Jean-Gilles and wide receiver Jason Avant.

Baltimore Ravens -- A-
Typical Ravens draft, as they'll get multiple starters. One of the best picks of the weekend was wide receiver Demetrius Williams in the fourth round.

New Orleans Saints -- A-
The Saints were smart to take running back Reggie Bush even though they don't need him. Their other picks were OK, though wide receivers Mike Hass and Marques Colston have potential.

Buffalo Bills -- B+
I'd like to beat up the Bills for reaching on safety Donte Whitner, but they redeemed themselves with picks such as defensive tackle John McCargo, cornerback Ashton Youboty and defensive tackle Kyle Williams.

Cleveland Browns -- B+
This was a need-driven draft, and the Browns filled their holes. They got decent value throughout the draft.

New York Jets -- B+
The Jets reeled in arguably the two best offensive linemen in the draft. They can be second-guessed for passing on QB Matt Leinart and overdrafting LB Anthony Schlegel.

Oakland Raiders -- B+
This was a solid draft throughout, with the best value probably being safety Darnell Bing in the fourth round.

St. Louis Rams -- B+
The roster is considerably more talented than it was a week ago. Defensive tackle Claude Wroten is a wonderful player, but he was a risk in the third because of character.

San Francisco 49ers -- B+
Taking DE Manny Lawson in the first was high in my book, but it was in line with a lot of draft boards. Tight end Vernon Davis should be a star.

Atlanta Falcons -- B
Getting cornerback Jimmy Williams in the second round was a nice move. If you considered defensive end John Abraham as part of the draft, the Falcons would get a higher grade.

Carolina Panthers -- B
The Panthers had a decent first-day haul. Running back DeAngelo Williams and cornerback Richard Marshall should be able to contribute this year.

Dallas Cowboys -- B
Looks like another solid draft for the Cowboys. Taking outside linebacker Bobby Carpenter in the first round should complete the transition to the 3-4 defense.

Detroit Lions -- B
The Lions' recent classes have looked better on draft day than during the season, but there isn't much to dislike about whom they took.

Kansas City Chiefs -- B
The defensive rebuilding continues, but the offense might be starting to crumble soon. That's why the Chiefs took QB Brodie Croyle in the third round.

New England Patriots -- B
The Patriots nicely filled needs with their early picks, but my favorite selections were tight ends Dave Thomas and Garrett Mills in the third and fourth rounds.

Pittsburgh Steelers -- B
The Steelers didn't draft until 25th but still ended up with the highest-rated receiver (Santonio Holmes). All in all, it was another solid draft.

San Diego Chargers -- B
The Chargers are rolling the dice with cornerback Antonio Cromartie. If offensive tackle Marcus McNeill stays healthy, he should be a starter soon. QB Charlie Whitehurst was a nice value pick.

Seattle Seahawks -- B
I liked their second-round pick (defensive end Darryl Tapp) better than their first (cornerback Kelly Jennings), but Seattle should have four starters out of this draft within two years.

Chicago Bears -- B-
Return men Danieal Manning and Devin Hester should provide immediate impact. My favorite pick: Defensive end Mark Anderson in the fifth.

Indianapolis Colts -- B-
In time, running back Joseph Addai should be a fine replacement for Edgerrin James. The Colts might have taken cornerback Tim Jennings and inside linebacker Freddie Keiaho higher than they had to.

Jacksonville Jaguars -- B-
It wasn't a very flashy draft, but it should yield a few starters. The key will be whether second-round running back Maurice Drew can be an every-down back.

New York Giants -- B-
I'm more excited about the second-round pick, wide receiver Sinorice Moss, than the first, defensive end Mathias Kiwanuka. The Giants took some chances.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- B-
The Bucs improved themselves, particularly in Rounds 2 through 5. But they reached a bit to take guard Davin Joseph in the first round.

Cincinnati Bengals -- C
They might have taken the best cornerback in the draft in Johnathan Joseph. The Bengals continue to gamble too much on players who are character risks.

Miami Dolphins -- C
Safety Jason Allen could be a star if he stays healthy. The team didn't get much after him, though enigmatic seventh-round defensive tackle Rodrique Wright has the ability of a much higher pick.

Minnesota Vikings -- C
Outside linebacker Chad Greenway should help, but the Vikings probably could have gotten center Ryan Cook and QB Tarvaris Jackson much later than the second round.

Tennessee Titans -- C
The Titans should have taken Matt Leinart, who would have fit well with their offense. They also took a big risk on running back LenDale White in the second round.

Washington taterskins -- C
There weren't many picks to work with, but the taterskins did OK getting outside linebacker Rocky McIntosh in the second. Safety Reed Doughty in the sixth was a nice sleeper pick.

Denver Broncos -- D
The trade for wide receiver Javon Walker was smart. But they paid too much to get QB Jay Cutler, especially because they need players who can help now.

Houston Texans -- D
The Texans really should have taken RB Reggie Bush or QB Matt Leinart with the first overall selection instead of defensive end Mario Williams.

[MadMarchHare]

A little early to say they squandered it, isn't it?  If he turns out to be the next Reggie White, that will look brilliant.  Let the guy show his stuff first...

[Father Demon]

Sorry..   by squandered, I meant the fact that they could have taken a big name player that would help identify the new team.

I didn't mean talent-wise.