TRACKING 2006 1ST-ROUNDERS

[SoFlaJets]

1. Mario Williams, DE, Texans:

His 2 sacks have come in Houston's two wins. But his impact has been negligible, and Gary Kubiak has expressed disappointment with his play.

2. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints:

The stats might not be sexy, but he's among the league leaders in receptions, and his impact on the offense and in the city has been profound.

3. Vince Young, QB, Titans:

Claimed the top job in Week 4, nearly stunned the Colts in Week 5, then engineered an upset of the Redskins in Week 6. Still needs polish but progressing.

4. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Jets:

Was temporarily benched in Week 1 for false starts but has shown the skills that project him as a franchise tackle. A talented work in progress.

5. A.J. Hawk, LB, Packers:

He's racking up tackles (43) but has yet to solidify a shaky Green Bay defense.

6. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers:

Had five catches and a TD in Week 1. Didn't catch another ball before breaking his leg in Week 3.

7. Michael Huff, S, Raiders:

Not a major presence yet, but the Raiders have bigger problems to worry about.

8. Donte Whitner, S, Bills:

Despite a lengthy holdout, has done a respectable job in Buffalo's secondary after injuries quickly forced him into the starting lineup.

9. Ernie Sims, LB, Lions:

Has emerged as the Lions' leading tackler, amassing 59, while avoiding the injuries that cast doubt about his durability.

10. Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals:

He's justified his advance billing as the most polished quarterback in the draft. With some help from his teammates, he would've won his first two starts.

11. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos:

Looked awesome in preseason, but team hasn't needed him. Could be calling shots in 2007.

12. Haloti Ngata, DT, Ravens:

Not showing up in the stat sheet, but this mountain of a man has helped anchor a Ravens run defense that is ranked No. 1 in the AFC.

13. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Browns:

He's provided the pass rush the Browns sought while learning from Willie McGinest.

14. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Eagles:

Has emerged as valuable component on what is arguably the best and deepest defensive front in the league.

15. Tye Hill, CB, Rams:

He's still learning, but St. Louis' injuries have thrust him into the starting lineup.

16. Jason Allen, S, Dolphins:

Offseason holdout hurt him badly, and he didn't even get onto the field until Week 7.

17. Chad Greenway, LB, Vikings:

Will miss the entire year after suffering a preseason knee injury.

18. Bobby Carpenter, LB, Cowboys:

Playing time can be tough to come by for rookies on Bill Parcells-coached teams.

19. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Chargers:

The Chargers invested in a freakish physical talent with a worrisome medical history.

20. Tamba Hali, DE, Chiefs:

The Chiefs needed a pass rush. Hali's 3 sacks have certainly helped.

21. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots:

Leading rusher among all rookies despite splitting carries with Corey Dillon.

22. Manny Lawson, DE, 49ers:

Mike Nolan has praised his progress. Should be a cornerstone for future 49ers defenses.

23. Davin Joseph, G, Bucs:

First guard taken in draft earned starting job in camp. But injuries delayed debut until Week 6.

24. Johnathan Joseph, CB, Bengals:

A non-factor on a defense that needs impact players.

25. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers:

Slowly becoming a bigger cog in Pittsburgh's pass attack.

26. John McCargo, DT, Bills:

Landed on IR after breaking his foot. Fellow rookie DT Kyle Williams was outplaying him.

27. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers:

Showed flashes as DeShaun Foster's understudy before injuring his ankle.

28. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars:

Has been hampered by high-ankle sprain since training camp.

29. Nick Mangold, C, Jets:

Replacing Kevin Mawae, an all-time-great center, is daunting but Mangold is holding his own.

30. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts:

Addai and Dominic Rhodes are slowly getting Indianapolis' revamped ground game into gear.

31. Kelly Jennings, CB, Seahawks:

Has brought depth to a Seattle secondary that sorely needed it. Could be starting soon.

32. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Giants:

Hasn't recorded a sack but is studying under Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora.

[bitonti]

excellent posts

my constructive feedback:

1. Mario Williams, DE, Texans:

His 2 sacks have come in Houston's two wins. But his impact has been negligible, and Gary Kubiak has expressed disappointment with his play.

agreed - just to add the sack he had last week the QB had already fallen down and he applied the touch.

3. Vince Young, QB, Titans:

Claimed the top job in Week 4, nearly stunned the Colts in Week 5, then engineered an upset of the Redskins in Week 6. Still needs polish but progressing.

Travis Henry gained almost 200 yards against the skins. He is what he is - a runner - beater of very bad defenses but throws Ints. Put it another way if the Titans had Leinart or Cutler the Jets probably lose week 1.

5. A.J. Hawk, LB, Packers:

He's racking up tackles (43) but has yet to solidify a shaky Green Bay defense.

i don't know if you can put that mess on any one player. Hawk is as they say a beeeeaast out there.

7. Michael Huff, S, Raiders:

Not a major presence yet, but the Raiders have bigger problems to worry about.

I'd say recording a safety in the team's first win (week 7!) is pretty big time presence.

10. Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals:

He's justified his advance billing as the most polished quarterback in the draft. With some help from his teammates, he would've won his first two starts.

yes he started hot but anyone else notice how he has been playing worse as he gets beat up? Not sure he will last too long getting brutalized by NFL defenses behind a piss poor OL. This was a team that was projected to be in the playoffs by all the so called pundits - even Las Vegas got suckered in their setting their projected win total. The Cards just aren't a good franchise. It might be a Vinny T situation where Leinart gets his glory in the right situation after a change or three.

all others i agree - very nice thread

[Ten]

I'm pretty sure DBrick wasn't benched in week 1,i'm pretty sure he hasn't been benched all season.

[doggystyle]

1. Mario Williams, DE, Texans:

His 2 sacks have come in Houston's two wins. But his impact has been negligible, and Gary Kubiak has expressed disappointment with his play.

2. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints:

The stats might not be sexy, but he's among the league leaders in receptions, and his impact on the offense and in the city has been profound.

3. Vince Young, QB, Titans:

Claimed the top job in Week 4, nearly stunned the Colts in Week 5, then engineered an upset of the Redskins in Week 6. Still needs polish but progressing.

4. D'Brickashaw Ferguson, T, Jets:

Was temporarily benched in Week 1 for false starts but has shown the skills that project him as a franchise tackle. A talented work in progress.

5. A.J. Hawk, LB, Packers:

He's racking up tackles (43) but has yet to solidify a shaky Green Bay defense.

6. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers:

Had five catches and a TD in Week 1. Didn't catch another ball before breaking his leg in Week 3.

7. Michael Huff, S, Raiders:

Not a major presence yet, but the Raiders have bigger problems to worry about.

8. Donte Whitner, S, Bills:

Despite a lengthy holdout, has done a respectable job in Buffalo's secondary after injuries quickly forced him into the starting lineup.

9. Ernie Sims, LB, Lions:

Has emerged as the Lions' leading tackler, amassing 59, while avoiding the injuries that cast doubt about his durability.

10. Matt Leinart, QB, Cardinals:

He's justified his advance billing as the most polished quarterback in the draft. With some help from his teammates, he would've won his first two starts.

11. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos:

Looked awesome in preseason, but team hasn't needed him. Could be calling shots in 2007.

12. Haloti Ngata, DT, Ravens:

Not showing up in the stat sheet, but this mountain of a man has helped anchor a Ravens run defense that is ranked No. 1 in the AFC.

13. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Browns:

He's provided the pass rush the Browns sought while learning from Willie McGinest.

14. Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Eagles:

Has emerged as valuable component on what is arguably the best and deepest defensive front in the league.

15. Tye Hill, CB, Rams:

He's still learning, but St. Louis' injuries have thrust him into the starting lineup.

16. Jason Allen, S, Dolphins:

Offseason holdout hurt him badly, and he didn't even get onto the field until Week 7.

17. Chad Greenway, LB, Vikings:

Will miss the entire year after suffering a preseason knee injury.

18. Bobby Carpenter, LB, Cowboys:

Playing time can be tough to come by for rookies on Bill Parcells-coached teams.

19. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Chargers:

The Chargers invested in a freakish physical talent with a worrisome medical history.

20. Tamba Hali, DE, Chiefs:

The Chiefs needed a pass rush. Hali's 3 sacks have certainly helped.

21. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots:

Leading rusher among all rookies despite splitting carries with Corey Dillon.

22. Manny Lawson, DE, 49ers:

Mike Nolan has praised his progress. Should be a cornerstone for future 49ers defenses.

23. Davin Joseph, G, Bucs:

First guard taken in draft earned starting job in camp. But injuries delayed debut until Week 6.

24. Johnathan Joseph, CB, Bengals:

A non-factor on a defense that needs impact players.

25. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers:

Slowly becoming a bigger cog in Pittsburgh's pass attack.

26. John McCargo, DT, Bills:

Landed on IR after breaking his foot. Fellow rookie DT Kyle Williams was outplaying him.

27. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers:

Showed flashes as DeShaun Foster's understudy before injuring his ankle.

28. Marcedes Lewis, TE, Jaguars:

Has been hampered by high-ankle sprain since training camp.

29. Nick Mangold, C, Jets:

Replacing Kevin Mawae, an all-time-great center, is daunting but Mangold is holding his own.

30. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts:

Addai and Dominic Rhodes are slowly getting Indianapolis' revamped ground game into gear.

31. Kelly Jennings, CB, Seahawks:

Has brought depth to a Seattle secondary that sorely needed it. Could be starting soon.

32. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Giants:

Hasn't recorded a sack but is studying under Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora.

why don't u give credit to whoever wrote up this analysis

[adamprez2003]

mario williams will be a great pick in three years time. He's come around. Throw away the first four weeks and focus on what he's done lately. It's not amazing statwise but if you watch his game you can see a great Defensive End learning how to play the position. This is a guy who may not get the 15 sack seasons but he's going to be impossible to run against and give you 6-10 sacks a year in a year or two.

Bush is Michael Pittman. Too small to ever be a 25 carry back

Vince Young best case becomes Steve McNair but right now he's nothing

You guys bagged a nice draft for yourselves in the Brick and Mangold. They need another year of strength training cause they could use some push but you got the makings of a nice line for a long time to come

Jason Allen - who knows. he looked decent for his first action. Raw. too early to reach a conclusion