Reviewing the 2006 NFL Draft: NFC South

It’s been 4 years since the 2006 NFL Draft and those selected have had time to make an impact on their respective teams.  In this new series of articles the writers at NFLMocks will be breaking down each team division by division and grading their drafts.  We will identify the top busts and the biggest sleepers and would love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comment section of each post.

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons

Grade: D-

I wanted to be a lenient grader but it’s hard not to give the Falcons anything better than a D-. The 2006 draft has only produced one starter in Quinn Ojinnaka, an offensive lineman out of Syracuse. Jerious Norwood, a 3rd round pick out of Mississippi State, has shown some promise as a complementary back to Michael Turner but an injury plagued 2009 season allowed Jason Snelling to make an impact. D.J. Shockley, the 7th pick out of Georgia, is the only other remaining player on the Falcons but he has since been relegated to the practice squad. The Falcons first pick in the 2006 draft was a second rounder in defensive back Jimmy Williams out of Virginia Tech. Williams has become a habitual violator of the NFL’s substance abuse policy and is currently suspended. Atlanta also selected Adam Jennings, a 6thround receiver out of Fresno State, who is currently a free agent after only managing six receptions during his tenure in Atlanta. It wasn’t a very good draft for the Falcons in the first place, with their secondary needing the most help. Drafting Jimmy Williams in the second round almost seemed like a steal but in hindsight it would be a wasted pick.

Carolina Panthers

Grade: B

It took a couple of years and the addition of Jonathan Stewart, but the Panthers’ first round pick,  running back DeAngeloWilliams from Memphis has finally found his legs. A fantasy football hero in 2008, DeAngelo has proven his worth in the Panthers’ two headed monster at the running back position. He was selected as the Most Improved player by the  Professional Football Writer’s of America with his 20 touchdowns and1,636 total offensive yards in 2008. He was the first Panthers’ running back in history to rush for consecutive 1,000 yard seasons. Carolina selected Richard Marshall from Fresno State with their second pick and he has been a mainstay in the Panthers’ secondary. He has played in every single game since his rookie season and has cemented his role as a starter at corner. The 3rd round pick, linebacker James Anderson from Virginia Tech, has been a fixture as the strongside linebacker. He is a consistent performer but has shown to be weak against the run. The Panthers’ were also able to select another starter in TE Jeff King from Virginia Tech in the 5thround. He has  maintained the starting role since 2007 and although he doesn’t post eye-popping stats, he is an effective blocker. The other four picks, Rashad Butler (OT, Miami), Nate Salley (S, Ohio State), Will Montgomery (C, Virgina Tech), and Stanley McClover(DE, Auburn) have found themselves on other teams or out of the league.

New Orleans Saints

Grade: A

It was hard to grade the Saints’ draft class because one player has yet to meet expectations and another one has tremendously exceeding it. Reggie Bush (RB, USC) was the #2 overall pick and injuries have hampered his overall effectiveness. He has shown glimpses of what he is capable of with his return skills and the ability to break the big run like he did against the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs during the Saints’ 2009 Super Bowl run. But he has yet to run for over 1,000 yards and has since had his load lightened with the running back by committee in New Orleans. The biggest surprise would have to go to Marques Colston, a 7th round pick from Hofstra. Colston has been the leading Saints receiver and has built an incredible rapport with quarterback Drew Brees and is the Saints’ #1 receiver. The Saints were also able to draft a starting safety from ‘Bama in the second round in Roman Harper. He has been a mainstay in the Saints’ secondary. The Saints were also able to find a gem in D-II offensive lineman from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in Jahri Evans. A perennial Pro Bowler, Evans converted from tackle to guard and has started since his rookie season. The Saints rewarded Evans with a multi-year contract making him the highest paid guard in the NFL.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: C-

The Buccaneers were only four years removed from the Super Bowl and had a slew of picks in the 2006 NFL draft but have only been able to keep three out of their ten draft picks. They were able to draft  in the first round, Pro Bowler Davin Joseph, an offensive lineman from Oklahoma. Joseph was able to signficantly contribute his rookie season and essentially be the anchor of the offensive line. The Bucs also drafted another lineman, Jeremy Trueblood from Boston College, in the second round. Trueblood currently starts at right tackle but has had a problem of false starts. The third round pick for Tampa Bay netted Maurice Stovall, a wide receiver from Notre Dame. Stovall has battled injuries for most of his career but still shows promise with his athleticism and overall size. Tampa Bay was able to draft a temporary starter at quarterback in the sixth round with Bruce Gradowski from Toledo. Unfortunately Gradowski finished his career as a Buccaneer with a 3-8 record. He is currently in a much heated competition for the starting quarterback role in Oakland.

Top Bust Candidates: Some would argue that Reggie Bush is deserving of a top bust but he was a major contributor in the Saints Super Bowl run and has shown flashes of greatness. I would give the top bust candidacy nod to Jimmy Williams. He “fell” to the second round to the Falcons but couldn’t resist getting “high”. He had tremendous potential but couldn’t stay out of trouble.

Top Sleeper Candidates: 7th round pick Marques Colston. Experts felt he could make the transition to tight end but found his role as the Saints’ #1 and most productive receiver.