The 2006 NFL Draft

The 2006 NFL draft was supposed to be one of the deepest drafts in recent memory.  It was packed with Heisman trophy winners, national champions,  and players that were supposed to dominate at the next level.  7 years later it appears Mel Kiper Jr, Todd McShay, and countless other experts got it all wrong.  The class of 2006 has been a major disappointment filled with drama queens and underachievers.  There are several franchises (Arizona, Tennessee, Oakland) that still haven't fully recovered from the selection they made that year.  Let's take a look at the first 10 players selected.

1.  Mario Williams.  The highest paid defensive player in NFL history.  That being said Mario has never really become what the Texans thought he would be.  Not sure what Buffalo was thinking giving him all that money.

2.  Reggie Bush.  The comparisons to Gayle Sayers and the notoriety that came from winning a national championship and a Heisman painted a bulls eye on his back from the start.  Although he's shown flashes of brilliance he's not an every down back and most teams would rather not take the chance on him considering he has durability issues.

Vince Young.  Vince recently wrote former coach Jeff Fisher a letter apologizing for his immature attitude and lack of preparation during his years in Tennessee.  Although I'm sure it was heart felt it's probably too little too late.  HE was supposed to be what Cam Newton and RGIII have become.  What could have been.

4.  D'Brickashaw Ferguson.  Anyone seen Key and Peele's skit on the East/West game?  This guy was the inspiration for that.  The only true perennial Pro Bowler of the bunch.  The Jets got their money's worth.

5.  A.J. Hawk.  There was a lot of hype surrounding A.J when he came out of Ohio State and occasionally he looks the part.  Most of the time however he looks like a 4th rounder in a battle to keep his job every week. 

6.  Vernon Davis.  Vernon didn't really start to turn things around until Mike Singletary got in his ass for being soft and wasting his talent.  Since then He's a top 5 tight end in the league.  He was on the cusp of being labeled a bust, but for now it looks like he's turned the corner.

7.  Michael Huff.  The Raiders were expecting an impact player.  They ended up with Michael Huff.  To say they are disappointed would be an understatement.

8.  Donte' Whitner.  If you don't watch the NFL network religiously or live in San Francisco you've never heard of this guy. 

9.  Ernie Sims.  A top 10 pick?  I think not.

10.  Matt Leinart.  Heisman trophy winner.  National champion.  The pretty boy with charisma.  Too bad none of that has translated to winning football games on the field.  Arizona is still looking for their quarterback of the future.  If things had gone according to plan Leinart would be in the prime of his career instead of holding a clipboard for fellow USC alum Carson Palmer in Oakland.