Re-Doing the 2006 NFL Draft

Common wisdom holds that it takes three years to evaluate a draft class. So it's time to have a second look.

No doubt about it, the 2006 draft had plenty to offer: two Heisman Trophy winners, the QB from the national championship team, a plethora of pass rushers, some talented tight ends, and depth into the fourth round.

Plus, there was heated debate about the top pick. Many were handing it to Reggie Bush, but Mario Williams made a late push and got a six-year, $54 million deal a day before the draft.

Here is how I think the top 10 picks of the draft would have played out had the teams been able to see three years into the future.

NOTE: I was considering the needs of teams back in 2006, not current day.

Houston Texans- Mario Williams

Williams has become one of the top pass rushers in the league and one of the best overall defensive ends. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in 2008 after recording 12 sacks and helping the Texans to another 8-8 finish. I don't think the Texans would have done anything different with this pick. I loved the pick at the time, and it still makes a lot of sense.

New Orleans Saints- Antonio Cromartie

Cromartie was a phenomenal athlete coming out of Florida State. He declared as a junior despite tearing his ACL. He lit up the combine and showed off his athleticism by running a 4.3 40. He hasn't quite developed into a true shutdown corner, but he is a ball hawk and has tremendous ball skills. At 6'2", 215 pounds, Cromartie possesses the length, athleticism, and ball skills to be a top-flight corner in this league. The Saints' secondary has been pretty bad lately, and while Reggie Bush is a decent player Cromartie's upside would be too good here.

Tennessee Titans- Jay Cutler

The Titans were in great need of a QB in 2006. There were three elite QBs: Vince Young, the athletic marvel who single-handedly beat USC in the Rose Bowl national championship; Matt Leinart, one of the most decorated college QBs in recent memory, a Heisman Trophy winner, and two-time national champion; and Jay Cutler, a strong-armed kid from Vanderbilt who played for a mediocre team but put up good numbers. Who would have thought that Cutler would be the best out of the three? He made the Pro Bowl in 2008, despite the fact that Denver had an atrocious defense. After a ruffle with new head coach Josh McDaniel, Cutler is now a Chicago Bear. Meanwhile, Young and Leinart are riding the bench behind two savvy vets who have resurrected their careers, Kerry Collins and Kurt Warner.

New York Jets- Marcus McNeill

The Jets opted for D'Brickashaw Ferguson out of the University of Virginia. Ferguson was the prototypical LT with great feet and athleticism. However, he hasn't played up to his lofty selection. McNeill, on the other hand, fell on draft day because teams were concerned about his weight. He landed in an ideal situation in San Diego, became the immediate starting LT, and was a key contributor to LT's illustrious season. McNeill still holds down the spot and is one of the top young LTs in the game.

Green Bay Packers- AJ.. Hawk

This was a tough decision. I was really torn between him and DeMeco Ryans, but I feel like Hawk's tenacity and athleticism trump Ryans, who is pretty much just a tackling machine. He was an extremely productive college player and dubbed "the safest pick" by many draftniks.

San Francisco 49ers- Haloti Ngata

How good is Haloti Ngata? He plays the five-technique in the Ravens' 3-4 set. He's that athletic. He would have been a great piece in Mike Nolan's defense. Instead, the Niners opted for TE Vernon Davis, who has yet to really grasp the concept of blocking. Despite his athletic marvels, Davis has yet to establish himself as an elite TE. Even though Ngata doesn't pile up sacks, he frees up the linebackers to make plays and create havoc in the backfield, exactly what a 3-4 lineman should do.

Oakland Raiders- Vince Young

This would be a classic Al Davis pick, and I think the Raiders would have spent five seconds on the clock. Young broke into the starting lineup as a rookie and was dynamic, guiding the Titans to the playoffs and winning Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He's struggled the past two years because he can't protect the football. We'll see how the future pans out for the former Longhorn.

Buffalo Bills- DeMeco Ryans

Ryans is a leader and a sure tackler, something the Bills sure could use on their defense. Physically, there's nothing eye-popping about Ryans, but a lot of the time it's about how you play football. Ryans is a great football player. He is always in the right spot at the right time. He led the NFL in tackles as a rookie and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Detroit Lions- Maurice Jones-Drew

In a very deep running-back class, Jones-Drew has without a doubt been the most productive. Despite his short frame, Jones-Drew is built thickly and has a low center of gravity. He has added value as a returner and has a knack for finding the end zone. Plus, who can forget that shot he put on Shawne Merriman? The Lions could certainly use a play maker on an offense with no identity. I feel like he's a much better player than Reggie Bush.

Arizona Cardinals- Joseph Addai

Addai has proven to be one of the more versatile backs in this class. He's a blue-collar guy who comes to work and does his job. He doesn't have great size or speed, but he reads blocks extremely well, does a great job on jukes, and is a great pass protector.

Players Who Missed on the Top 10

Players That Would Be Next In Line for this Draft
11. Brandon Marshall
12. Marques Colston
13. Davin Joseph
14. Nick Mangold
15. Cortland Finnegan
16. Antoine Bethea
17. Owen Daniels
18. Dawan Landry
19. Donte Whitner
20. D'Brickashaw Ferguson

Honorable Mention: Reggie Bush, Matt Leinart