Philadelphia Eagles: Redrafting the 2006 NFL Draft
May 8, 2014; New York, NY, USA; A general view of a helmet and NFL shield logo before the start of the 2014 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
In part three of our series of the Philadelphia Eagles redraft, we examine the 2006 NFL Draft. There are currently zero members of this draft class still remaining on the team, with the last player having played for the organization being Jason Avant. We found this to be a very top-heavy draft, with very little left after the first couple rounds.
In this draft, half of the first round picks were Pro Bowlers at least once in their NFL career.
You can find all of our previous stories from this series below:
14th Overall Pick – Broderick Bunkley (DT)
The 6’2 tackle out of Florida State started fifty-two of the seventy-six games he played in with the Eagles. He got his first start in his second year and held that position through the 2010 season.
He compiled 144 total tackles in that time, as well as six sacks.
He remained healthy through his tenure until 2010 when he injured his elbow. He continued to play through that injury, but was traded to Denver in the offseason for a draft pick. Bunkley finished the 2014 season on the Saints IR.
Oct 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles inside linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) before the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Repick – DeMeco Ryans (LB), 33rd Pick by Houston
Originally drafted as an outside linebacker, Ryans would have started right away over Dhani Jones or Matt McCoy. He won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 2006 after finishing with 155 total tackles, one interception and three and a half sacks.
The Eagles would later acquire Ryans from the Texans before the 2012 season to anchor the middle linebacker position. Ryans tore his Achilles tendon during the 2014 season and his future with the Eagles is in doubt.
39th Overall Pick – Winston Justice (OT)
Justice did not play his rookie season, and never became a full-time starter until the 2009 season for the Eagles. With injury-prone Shawn Andrews in front of him, Justice got his spot starts throughout his career in Philly. Many questioned his aggressiveness as a football player and character questions led to his fall in the draft, despite his athleticism.
After being placed on IR in 2009, he was traded, along with a sixth round pick, to the Colts for their sixth round pick.
Repick – Devin Hester (WR/KR), drafted 57th by Chicago
Sep 7, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Devin Hester (17) celebrates their 37-34 overtime win over the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Hester is arguably one of the greatest return-men of all time after breaking Deion Sanders’ return touchdown record (20).
He was originally drafted as a cornerback who could be a return man, but switched to being a receiver, along with his return duties.
Next: Fixing the Offense