Recap of AFC East in 2006 NFL Draft-
New England Patriots- The best team in the 21st century, the New England Patriots have been a wounded team in the past year. The Patriots have lost coordinators to the Cleveland Browns (Romeo Crennel), The University of Notre Dame (Charlie Weis) and the New York Jets (Eric Mangini). They have also lost a clutch kicker in Adam Viniateri and Willie McGinest to the Cleveland Browns. The 2006 NFL Draft gave the Patriots an opportunity to reload for another Super Bowl push, which is a luxury many teams do not have. Running back Laurence Maroney, the 21st selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, gives them a great young back behind veteran Corey Dillon. The Patriots also got receiver Chad Jackson in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft to replace David Givens and give them a deep threat for Tom Brady. While kickers in the NFL draft are typically risky business, their selection of Stephen Gostkowski in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft gives them a strong legged kicker who can develop into a great kicker.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B
New York Jets- The cavernous Radio City Music Hall was filled with boos when the New Orleans Saints took Reggie Bush with the second pick of the 2006 NFL Draft, not because of any animus towards Bush but because he was a fan favorite since the end of last season. However, Jets fans should be thrilled with their 2006 NFL draft class because it does what good football teams do: build up from the line and build outward. D’Brickshaw Ferguson, the fourth selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, and Nick Mangold, the 29th selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, provide an offensive line for the future (and one that may save Chad Pennington from further harm). Quarterback Kellen Clemens of Oregon, if healthy, could prove to be a good solid pickup for the Jets in the not-too-distant future. The Jets also mixed projects like quarterback Brad Smith of Missouri (who will play wide receiver) and solid defensive reserves like safety Eric Smith and linebacker Anthony Schlegel to provide promise for a winning future in the Big Apple.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B+
New England Patriots- The best team in the 21st century, the New England Patriots have been a wounded team in the past year. The Patriots have lost coordinators to the Cleveland Browns (Romeo Crennel), The University of Notre Dame (Charlie Weis) and the New York Jets (Eric Mangini). They have also lost a clutch kicker in Adam Viniateri and Willie McGinest to the Cleveland Browns. The 2006 NFL Draft gave the Patriots an opportunity to reload for another Super Bowl push, which is a luxury many teams do not have. Running back Laurence Maroney, the 21st selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, gives them a great young back behind veteran Corey Dillon. The Patriots also got receiver Chad Jackson in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft to replace David Givens and give them a deep threat for Tom Brady. While kickers in the NFL draft are typically risky business, their selection of Stephen Gostkowski in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft gives them a strong legged kicker who can develop into a great kicker.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B
New York Jets- The cavernous Radio City Music Hall was filled with boos when the New Orleans Saints took Reggie Bush with the second pick of the 2006 NFL Draft, not because of any animus towards Bush but because he was a fan favorite since the end of last season. However, Jets fans should be thrilled with their 2006 NFL draft class because it does what good football teams do: build up from the line and build outward. D’Brickshaw Ferguson, the fourth selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, and Nick Mangold, the 29th selection in the 2006 NFL Draft, provide an offensive line for the future (and one that may save Chad Pennington from further harm). Quarterback Kellen Clemens of Oregon, if healthy, could prove to be a good solid pickup for the Jets in the not-too-distant future. The Jets also mixed projects like quarterback Brad Smith of Missouri (who will play wide receiver) and solid defensive reserves like safety Eric Smith and linebacker Anthony Schlegel to provide promise for a winning future in the Big Apple.
2006 NFL Draft grade: B+
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