2006 NFL Draft Report Card-AFC West

Denver Broncos

Round 1 #11 QB Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt
Round 2 #61 TE Tony Scheffler, Western Michigan
Round 4 #119 WR Brandon Marshall, Central Florida
Round 4 #126 DE Elvis Dumervil, Louisville
Round 4 #130 WR Domenik Hixon, Akron
Round 5 #161 G Chris Kuper, North Dakota
Round 6 #198 C Greg Eslinger, Minnesota

Overall Grade: A+

Fantasy Outlook: Denver was able to get a No. 1 wide receiver (Javon Walker via trade with the Green Bay Packers), a No. 3 wide receiver (Brandon Marshall), and their quarterback of the future (Jay Cutler) all in the same draft. Cutler and Marshall warrant strong fantasy consideration in keeper leagues. Eslinger was a steal in the sixth round and will help the Broncos in their already solid running game.

Kansas City Chiefs

Round 1 #20 DE Tamba Hali, Penn State
Round 2 #54 S Bernard Pollard, Purdue
Round 3 #82 QB Brodie Croyle, Alabama
Round 5 #154 CB Marcus Maxey, Miami
Round 6 #186 G Tre’ Stallings, Mississippi
Round 6 #190 WR Jeff Webb, San Diego State
Round 7 #228 S Jarrad Page, UCLA

Overall Grade: C+

Fantasy Outlook: Hali and Pollard should be starters on a defense that deserves a look in fantasy.  The best pick of their draft could be Croyle as he gets the luxury to learn behind Trent Green before being thrown into action.  Croyle might be worth the investment in fantasy keeper leagues.

Oakland Raiders

Round 1 #7 S Michael Huff, Texas
Round 2 #38 LB Thomas Howard, Texas-EL Paso
Round 3 #69 G Paul McQuistan, Weber State
Round 4 #101 S Darnell Bing, USC
Round 6 #176 OT Kevin Boothe, Cornell
Round 7 #214 C Chris Morris, Michigan State
Round 7 #255 WR Kevin McMahan, Maine

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: This appeared to be one of the better drafts for the Raiders in recent memory as this time they did not reach on very many players. Huff, Howard, and Bing were all outstanding picks, and they could make Oakland a popular choice as a fantasy defense.

San Diego chargers

Round 1 #19 CB Antonio Cromartie, Florida State
Round 2 #50 OT Marcus McNeill, Auburn
Round 3 #81 QB Charlie Whitehurst, Clemson
Round 5 #151 LB Tim Dobbins, Iowa State
Round 6 #187 OT Jeromey Clary, Kansas State
Round 7 #225 DT Chase Page, North Carolina
Round 7 #227 C Jimmy Martin, Virginia Tech

Overall Grade: B-

Fantasy Outlook: Cromartie will be the barometer on how good the draft was for the Chargers.  Cromartie and Dobbins should see significant playing time on a respectable fantasy defense. McNeil was a solid selection and should help pad the stats for LaDanian Tomlinson. 

Technorati Tags: 2006 NFL Draft, 2006 NFL Draft Report Card, 2006 NFL Draft Grades