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It is said that NFL teams are built through the draft. It is also said that a draft class shouldn't be judged until after three years.
Well, for the class of 2006 which featured Mario Williams, Reggie Bush, Vince Young, Matt Leinart, and others, Judgment Day is here.
Today, I am looking at the NFC West. This division features the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals but is also a division that won a total of nine games against non-division opponents.
Arizona Cardinals
1. 10 Matt Leinart QB USC
-Inconsistent. Looks great one week. Throws multiple interceptions the next.
-Injured in fifth game of 2007 when he broke his collarbone. Early in the season, he had been alternating series with Kurt Warner.
2. 41 Deuce Lutui G USC
-Started every game at right guard for the Cards in 2008 and started 15 in 2007.
3. 72 Leonard Pope TE Georgia
-Has fewer than 50 career receptions and less than 500 yards. Only nine catches in 2008.
4. 107 Gabe Watson DT Michigan
-After making little impact in 2007 as full-time starter, he has been demoted to second string.
5. 142 Brandon Johnson LB Louisville
-Made a total of four tackles in two seasons.
-Joined the Bengals in 2008 and had 83 tackles as a part-time starter.
6. 177 Jonathan Lewis DT Virginia Tech
-Played a total of four games in 2006.
-Did not appear in a game in 2007 and 2008.
-Now with the Jags.
7. 218 Todd Watkins WR Brigham Young
-Never played a down for the Cardinals.
-Currently a reserve receiver for the Raiders.
-Has never caught a pass in the NFL.
Recap: The Cardinals drafted Leinart, who they thought would be their franchise quarterback.
Instead, he lost his job to Kurt Warner and likely won’t regain it for another two years unless Warner gets injured.
Three players no longer play for the team.
Best Pick: Deuce Lutui. Since teams are built in the trenches, it always good to draft a guy who can make 31 starts in two seasons.
Worst Pick: Leonard Pope. They could have had Owen Daniels instead. Daniels has already been to the Pro Bowl for Houston. Daniels’ second best season is better than Pope’s career combined numbers.
Grade: D
1. 6 Vernon Davis TE Maryland
-He is ultra-talented, but also a malcontent.
-Thrown out of a game against the Seahawks in 2008 by Mike Singletary for unsportsman-like play and attitude.
-Has hardly lived up to being the No. 6 selection in the draft.
-Best season was in 2007, when he had 509 yards and four touchdowns.
1. 22 Manny Lawson OLB North Carolina State
-Best known for good coverage skills.
-He is a decent pass rusher.
-He doesn’t play the run as well as the pass, but doesn’t need to, because he often lines up on the same side as Patrick Willis.
-Tore ACL in third game of 2007 and missed the rest of the season.
3. 84 Brandon Williams WR Wisconsin
-Has never caught a pass in three NFL seasons.
-He now plays for the Rams and is a decent kick returner.
4. 100 Michael Robinson RB Penn State
-Has dropped to third on the depth chart behind Frank Gore and Deshaun Foster.
-Only contributes in spot duty and hasn’t scored a touchdown since his rookie season.
5. 140 Parys Haralson DE Tennessee
-Drafted as a defensive end but was switched to outside linebacker opposite Lawson.
-Had his best pro season in 2008 when he started 11 games and recorded eight sacks.
6. 175 Delanie Walker TE Central Missouri State
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