2006 NFL mock draft

This is the official mock draft for the 2006 NFL Draft on April 29-30. Brandon and I have spent many hours coming up with what we truly believe will happen this weekend. Obviously, we can't predict any trades that will occur, and we both agree that there will be several trades involving first round picks. That being said, we'll offer the mock draft as the order sits now, and update accordingly.

1. Houston Texans -- Reggie Bush/RB/USC -- What else is there left to say that you haven't already heard? He's simply too good to pass up... and although the Texans don't necessarily need a RB, Bush makes any team better.

2. New Orleans Saints -- Mario Williams/DE/NC State -- Williams is clearly the best defensive player in the draft, but this pick could end up outside the Big Easy, and then it's anyone's guess. If they keep it, Williams is the best option and shouldn't be passed on.

3. Tennessee Titans -- Matt Leinart/QB/USC -- The deciding factor turns out to be Titans Offensive Coordinator Norm Chow, who coached Leinart at USC. Tennessee can't screw this one up no matter if it's Leinart or Vince Young.

4. New York Jets -- D'Brickashaw Ferguson/OT/Virginia -- He's the best offensive lineman in the draft and the Jets decide to pass on a quarterback in favor of bolstering the line. Ferguson will be on their line for the next 10-15 years, and this pick might dictate what they do at #29.

5. Green Bay Packers -- A.J. Hawk/LB/Ohio State -- This is probably the only pick in the top 5 that we are sure about. It would be hard for the Pack to pass on Hawk, who gives them the option to move Nick Barnett outside, or play them side-by-side. Either way, he's an impact player on a defense that needs one.

6. San Francisco 49ers -- Vernon Davis/TE/Maryland -- Davis is probably the best athlete pound-for-pound in the draft, and he immediately makes Alex Smith better. The 49ers will probably look to the defense with their pick at #22, so they grab Davis now.

7. Oakland Raiders -- Vince Young/QB/Texas -- Raise your hand if you thought Young would be available at #7 an hour after the Rose Bowl? We didn't either, but that's how it looks like it will play out. There are questions about his throwing motion, but as long as he can throw the jump ball to Moss, who cares what the motion looks like?

8. Buffalo Bills -- Brodrick Bunkley/DT/Florida State -- He's more athletic than Haloit Ngata, and figures to be an immediate impact player in Dick Jauron's defense. Bunkley had strong numbers in 2005 against NFL-caliber linemen and will anchor the Bills for many years.

9. Detroit Lions -- Michael Huff/DB/Texas -- Huff has the ability to play safety or cornerback in the NFL. The Lions will probably misuse him, but his immense talent will shine through, and he will be an impact in 2006.

10. Arizona Cardinals -- Haloti Ngata/DT/Oregon -- The Cards pass on Cutler and plug a hole at DT with the 6'4" 340lb lineman. Ngata will be an impact player from day one, and he will complement Darnell Dockett well.

11. St. Louis Rams -- Ernie Sims/LB/Florida State -- The Rams make the first reach of the draft and select the undersized Sims. He's a phenomenal athlete who became a tackling machine at FSU, but there were better options here.

12. Cleveland Browns -- Kamerion Wembley/DE/Florida State -- Wembley fits well into Cleveland's 3-4 defense and should be an immediate force rushing the QB from the outside. The Browns are also looking at Manny Lawson here, but they fill a hole with Wembley.

13. Baltimore Ravens -- Winston Justice/OT/USC -- Justice had off-field problems during the 2004 season that probably cost him a chance at being a top-6 pick this year. He's a huge right tackle who should complement Jonathan Ogden well, and then switch to left tackle once Ogden retires.

14. Philadelphia Eagles -- Chad Greenway/LB/Iowa -- This is one of the major boom or bust picks... the Eagles pass on a receiver to upgrade their linebacking corps. Greenway is a big, physical backer who possesses below average strength for a top-tier LB. If he can improve his lower body drive, he'll be a stud.

15. Denver Broncos -- Chad Jackson/WR/Florida -- Ashley Lelie will be traded, and Jackson could step in as the star immediately. Rod Smith is older than dirt, but should be a good mentor to Jackson. He needs more experience, but he'll be thrown into the mix right away in Denver.

16. Miami Dolphins -- Jimmy Williams/CB/Virginia Tech -- Miami has their choice of any CB in the draft, and chooses Williams, who at 6'2", is the tallest of the top-5 corner prospects. Scouts question his focus, so if Nick Saban can keep his head straight, Williams will produce.

17. Minnesota Vikings -- Jay Cutler/QB/Vanderbilt -- Cutler watched himself become a first round pick almost overnight by being the only big name QB to work out at the combine. I still think he's overrated, but the Vikings have no choice but to draft him, if he falls this far.

18. Dallas Cowboys -- Demeco Ryans/LB/Alabama -- He just looks like a Parcells guy... Ryans is a hard-hitting OLB, who could stand to add 15-20 pounds to his 6'1" 225lb frame. He is a good tackler, and should step in to start week 1 for Dallas.

19. San Diego Chargers -- Tye Hill/CB/Clemson -- It was between Hill and Antonio Cromartie, and the Chargers choose to draft the athlete rather than the shut down corner. Hill is only 5'9" and has poor technique, but he's a phenomenal talent and will definitely be used as a nickel corner, if not more.

20. Kansas City Chiefs -- Antonio Cromartie/CB/Florida State -- The biggest question mark in the first round, Cromartie could turn out to be the best player from this draft. Cromartie missed the entire 2005 season due to injury, but his workouts have been great, and he's ready to become a starter in the NFL.

21. New England Patriots -- Manny Lawson/DE/NC State -- Simply a speed rusher, Lawson offers little to run defense and zone coverage. He's exceptionally quick, and would play on the outside in a 3-4 scheme. His college resume includes 10.5 sacks and 4 INT in 2005.

22. San Francisco 49ers -- Mathias Kiwanuka/DE/Boston College -- Kiwanuka is another speed rusher who is bigger than Lawson, but with less moves. He creates matchup problems because of his height (6'7") and with a little more strength, he could develop into a superstar. This is a steal at 22...

23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- Santonio Holmes/WR/Ohio State -- Holmes probably shouldn't have fallen this far, but Tampa doesn't mind. His size will be questioned, but he has the rare combination of deep speed and over-the-middle hands and route running. He scored 25 touchdowns in his three seasons at OSU.

24. Cincinnati Bengals -- Tamba Hali/DE/Penn State -- Hali is the typical jack-of-all-trades, master of none. He's a gifted athlete that has no true weakness. His motor is always running, and he's one of the hardest workers in the draft. He'll be a good pro, but never a superstar.

25. New York Giants -- Eric Winston/OT/Miami -- The Giants get good value here, and Winston has the versatility to play either side of the line. With the signing of LaVar Arrington, they were able to look to the line, and Winston will be a starter for many years.

26. Chicago Bears -- Marcedes Lewis/TE/UCLA -- The Bears would be better off trading down and stockpiling picks, because there are better values at TE in the middle to late second round. Lewis has great hands and quickness, and creates matchup problems in the red zone. He still shouldn't be a first-round pick.

27. Carolina Panthers -- Laurence Maroney/RB/Minnesota -- Maroney is the best RB prospect in this draft not named Bush. He can take it to the end zone on every play, and has great leg strength. It's hard to see why the Panthers would draft a top back after signing DeShaun Foster, but all indications are that they will.

28. Jacksonville Jaguars -- Bobby Carpenter/LB/Ohio State -- The Jags love Carpenter, but they could probably trade down to the 35-40 range and still draft him. His stock rose tremendously over the last year, and he's still improving. That being said, there were several better options.

29. New York Jets -- DeAngelo Williams/RB/Memphis -- The Jets complement their earlier pick of D'Brickashaw Ferguson by giving him a runner to block for. The problem is that they picked the wrong guy. Williams is a gifted athlete and runner, but the Jets could have added a top CB here or moved down and drafted a RB in the second round.

30. Indianapolis Colts -- Ashton Youboty/CB/Ohio State -- Youboty is too good to fall this far, so the Colts snatch him and will reap the benefits. They were hoping Maroney would fall, but they'll look to RB in the second or third round. Youboty has great size and speed, and could start right now for 20 NFL teams.

31. Seattle Seahawks -- Donte Whitner/S/Ohio State -- This is a great pick for the Seahawks, who need a healthy, hard-hitting safety. Whitner is still developing his skills and he could be a Pro-Bowler early in his career. He has the skill set and attitude to make an immediate impact.

32. Pittsburgh Steelers -- Jason Allen/CB/Tennessee -- Allen can play corner or safety in the NFL, and has the size and speed to excel at either position. It's hard to believe he's a first-round pick, but the Steelers seem to know what they are doing with secondary selections.