2006 NFL draft
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| 2006 NFL draft | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General information | |
| Date | April 29–30, 2006 |
| Time | Noon EDT (April 29) 11:00 am EDT (April 30) |
| Location | Radio City Music Hall in New York City, NY |
| Networks | ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, NFL Network |
| Overview | |
| 255 total selections in 7 rounds | |
| League | NFL |
| First selection | Mario Williams, DE Houston Texans |
| Mr. Irrelevant | Kevin McMahan, WR Oakland Raiders |
| Most selections (12) | Green Bay Packers |
| Fewest selections (5) | Atlanta Falcons |
| Hall of Famers | 1
|
The 2006 NFL draft, the 71st in league history, took place in New York City, New York, at Radio City Music Hall on April 29 and April 30, 2006.[1][2] For the 27th consecutive year, the draft was telecast on ESPN and ESPN2, with additional coverage offered by ESPNU and, for the first time, by NFL Network. Having signed a contract with the Houston Texans on the evening before the draft, Mario Williams, a defensive end from North Carolina State, became the draft's first pick.[3] The selection surprised many commentators, who predicted that the Texans would draft Southern California running back Reggie Bush or Texas quarterback Vince Young. Ohio State produced the most first round selections (five), while Southern California produced the most overall selections (eleven). Twenty-seven compensatory and supplemental compensatory selections were distributed amongst seventeen teams; Tampa Bay, Baltimore, and Tennessee each held three compensatory picks. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft and before the regular season.
As of 2025, only two players from the 2006 class remain active in the NFL: Broncos tight end Marcedes Lewis and Bills placekicker Matt Prater.
The 255 players chosen in the draft were composed of:
- 33 Wide receivers
- 31 Linebackers
- 26 Safeties
- 23 Defensive tackles
- 23 Cornerbacks
- 22 Defensive ends
- 22 Offensive tackles
- 20 Offensive guards
- 16 Tight ends
- 14 Running backs
- 13 Quarterbacks
- 9 Centers
- 3 Fullbacks
- 2 Kickers
- 2 Punters
Player selections
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Supplemental draft selections
[edit]For each player selected in the Supplemental Draft, the team forfeits its pick in that round in the draft of the following season.
| Rnd. | Pick No. | NFL team | Player | Pos. | College | Conf. | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | – | Cincinnati Bengals | Ahmad Brooks † | LB | Virginia | ACC |
Notable undrafted players
[edit]| † | = Pro Bowler[4] |
Hall of Famers
[edit]- Devin Hester, return specialist and wide receiver from Miami (FL), taken 2nd round 57th overall by the Chicago Bears.
- Inducted: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Trades
[edit]In the explanations below, (PD) indicates trades completed prior to the start of the draft (i.e. Pre-Draft), while (D) denotes trades that took place during the 2006 draft.
- Round one
- ^ No. 11: St. Louis → Denver (D). The Rams traded their first round pick (11th) to Denver in exchange for their first (15th) and third round (68th) picks.
- ^ No. 12: Cleveland → Baltimore (D). The Browns traded pick their first round pick (12th) to Baltimore in exchange for their first (13th) and sixth round (181st) picks.
- ^ No. 13: Baltimore → Cleveland (D). see No. 12: Cleveland → Baltimore.
- ^ No. 15: multiple trades:
No. 15: Atlanta → Denver (PD). Atlanta traded their first round pick to Denver in exchange for Denver's first (29th) and third (93rd) round picks and fourth round pick in 2007.
No. 15: Denver → St. Louis (D). see No. 11: St. Louis → Denver. - ^ No. 22: multiple trades:
No. 22: Washington → Denver (PD). Denver traded their first round pick in 2005 to the Redskins in exchange for their third round pick in 2005, their first round pick and their fourth round pick (119th)
No. 22: Denver → San Francisco (PD). Denver traded pick 22 to San Francisco in exchange for their second round (37th) and third round (68th) picks. - ^ No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh (D). The Giants traded pick #25 to Pittsburgh in exchange for their first round (32nd), third round (96th) and fourth round (129th) picks.
- ^ No. 26: Chicago → Buffalo (D). Chicago traded pick #26 to Buffalo in exchange for their second (42nd) and third (73rd) round picks.
- ^ No. 29: multiple trades:
No. 29: Denver → Atlanta (PD). see No. 15: Atlanta → Denver.
No. 29: Atlanta → NY Jets (PD). The Falcons traded pick #29 to the Jets in exchange for John Abraham. - ^ No. 32: Pittsburgh → NY Giants (D). see No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh.
- Round two
- ^ No. 34: New Orleans → Cleveland (D). The Saints traded pick #34 to Cleveland in exchange for their second round (43rd) pick and Jeff Faine.
- ^ No. 35: NY Jets → Washington (D). The Jets traded pick #35 to Washington in exchange for their second round (53rd) pick, sixth round (189th) pick and their second round pick in 2007.
- ^ No. 36: Green Bay → New England (D). The Packers traded pick #36 to New England in exchange for their second round (52nd) pick and their third round (75th) pick.
- ^ No. 37: multiple trades:
No. 37: San Francisco → Denver (PD). see No. 22: Denver → San Francisco.
No. 37: Denver → Green Bay (D). The Broncos traded pick #37 to Green Bay in exchange for Javon Walker.
No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta (D). The Packers traded picks #37 and #139 to Atlanta in exchange for their second round (47th) pick, their third round (93rd) pick and their fifth round (148th) pick. - ^ No. 39: Tennessee → Philadelphia (D). The Titans traded pick #39 to Philadelphia in exchange for their second round (45th) pick and their fourth round pick (116th).
- ^ No. 42: Buffalo → Chicago (D). see No. 26: Chicago → Buffalo.
- ^ No. 43: Cleveland → New Orleans (D). see No. 34: New Orleans → Cleveland.
- ^ No. 44: Baltimore → NY Giants (D). The Ravens traded pick #44 to the Giants in exchange for their second round (56th) pick and their third round pick (87th).
- ^ No. 45: Philadelphia → Tennessee (D). see No. 39: Tennessee → Philadelphia.
- ^ No. 47: Atlanta → Green Bay (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta.
- ^ No. 49: Dallas → NY Jets (D). The Cowboys traded pick #49 to the Jets in exchange for their second round (53rd) pick, sixth round (189th) pick and seventh round (211th) pick.
- ^ No. 51: Miami → Minnesota (PD). The Dolphins traded pick #51 to Minnesota in exchange for Daunte Culpepper.
- ^ No. 52: New England → Green Bay (D). see No. 36: Green Bay → New England.
- ^ No. 53: multiple trades:
No. 53: Washington → NY Jets (D). see No. 35: NY Jets → Washington.
No. 53: NY Jets → Dallas (D). see No. 49: Dallas → NY Jets. - ^ No. 56: NY Giants → Baltimore (D). see No. 44: Baltimore → NY Giants.
- ^ No. 64: Pittsburgh → Minnesota (D). The Vikings traded picks #83 and #95 to Pittsburgh in exchange for pick #64.
- Round three
- ^ No. 66: New Orleans → Houston (PD). The Texans and Saints swapped first round picks in last years draft, while the Saints traded this pick to Houston.
- ^ No. 68: multiple trades:
No. 68: San Francisco → Denver (PD). see No. 22: Denver → San Francisco.
No. 68: Denver → St. Louis (D). see No. 11: St. Louis → Denver. - ^ No. 71: NY Jets → Philadelphia (D). The Eagles traded their third round (76th) and seventh round (220th) picks to the Jets in exchange for pick #71.
- ^ No. 73: Buffalo → Chicago (D). see No. 26: Chicago → Buffalo.
- ^ No. 75: multiple trades:
No. 75: Baltimore → New England (PD). The Ravens traded this pick to New England along with their third and sixth round picks in 2005 in exchange for their second round pick in 2005.
No. 75: New England → Green Bay (D). see No. 36: Green Bay → New England. - ^ No. 76: Philadelphia → NY Jets (D). see No. 71: NY Jets → Philadelphia.
- ^ No. 80: Dallas → Jacksonville (D). The Cowboys traded pick 80 to Jacksonville in exchange for their third and fourth round picks (92 and 125).
- ^ No. 83: Minnesota → Pittsburgh (D). see No. 64: Pittsburgh → Minnesota.
- ^ No. 87: NY Giants → Baltimore (D). see No. 44: Baltimore → NY Giants.
- ^ No. 92: Jacksonville → Dallas (D). see No. 80: Dallas → Jacksonville.
- ^ No. 93: multiple trades:
No. 93: Denver → Atlanta (PD). see No. 15: Atlanta → Denver.
No. 93: Atlanta → Green Bay (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta. - ^ No. 96: Pittsburgh → NY Giants (D). see No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh.
- Round four
- ^ No. 119: Washington → Denver (PD). see No. 22: Washington → Denver.
- ^ No. 125: Jacksonville → Dallas (D). see No. 80: Dallas → Jacksonville.
- ^ No. 129: Pittsburgh → NY Giants (D). see No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh.
- Round five
- ^ No. 134: Houston → Buffalo (PD). The Texans traded pick #134 to the Bills in exchange for wide receiver Eric Moulds.
- ^ No. 139: Green Bay → Atlanta (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta.
- ^ No. 148: Atlanta → Green Bay (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta.
- Round six
- ^ No. 181: Baltimore → Cleveland (D). see No. 12: Cleveland → Baltimore.
- ^ No. 189: multiple trades:
No. 189: Washington → NY Jets (D). see No. 35: NY Jets → Washington.
No. 189: NY Jets → Dallas (D). see No. 49: Dallas → NY Jets.
- Round seven
- ^ No. 211: NY Jets → Dallas (D). see No. 49: Dallas → NY Jets.
- ^ No. 220: Philadelphia → NY Jets (D). see No. 71: NY Jets → Philadelphia.
Miscellaneous
[edit]- This would be the final draft that Paul Tagliabue would preside over as Commissioner of the National Football League, as he retired on September 1.
- Two individuals declared for the draft never having played college football: Jai Lewis, a power forward for the George Mason basketball team that reached the semifinals of the 2006 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament; and Ed Nelson, a power forward for the Connecticut basketball team. Lewis signed after the draft as a free agent with the New York Giants to play offensive tackle but subsequently pursued a professional basketball career,[9] while Nelson signed with the St. Louis Rams to be a tight end.[10] Nelson later turned to professional basketball himself.
- Having been banned in 2004 from playing college football at Colorado for having accepted endorsements while a member of the United States Ski Team,[11] wide receiver and kick returner Jeremy Bloom was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick, who was dismissed from the Hokies team in January 2006 for repeatedly violating team rules, was undrafted; Vick, the younger brother of former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, later accepted an invitation to attend a Miami Dolphins minicamp[12] and ultimately signed a contract with the team as a wide receiver.[13] He was then released the following season.
- Running back John David Washington, son of actor Denzel Washington, went undrafted out of the Division II school Morehouse College, where he rushed for 1,198 yards in his senior season, setting a school record; Washington was signed as a free agent by the St. Louis Rams.[14]
- As of 2025, Marcedes Lewis, who was drafted 28th overall in the 1st round, is currently the sole active player remaining from the draft.
Notes
[edit]- ^ Players are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
References
[edit]- ^ "NFL Draft Locations". FootballGeography.com. October 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
- ^ Salomone, Dan (October 2, 2014). "NFL Draft headed to Chicago in 2015". Giants.com. New York Giants. Archived from the original on September 30, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ "Who's No. 1? Texans, Williams sign contract". April 29, 2006. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2006.
- ^ a b Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
- ^ Reggie Bush was named the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner, but the award was forfeited due to issues with Bush's college eligibility"Reggie Bush to forfeit Heisman". ESPN.com. September 14, 2010. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
- ^ Matt Leinart, 2004 Heisman Trophy winner "2004 Heisman Trophy winner". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
- ^ The Chiefs transferred the 117th overall pick to the Jets as compensation for permitting Herman Edwards to leave the Jets to become the Chiefs head coach.
- ^ Cincinnati forfeited their third-round selection in the 2007 draft. "Cincinnati Bengals Pick Ahmad Brooks in NFL Supplemental Draft". University of Virginia Athletics. July 13, 2006. Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (July 15, 2006). "Former George Mason hoops star ends NFL dream". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (April 30, 2006). "UConn basketball player Nelson signs with Rams". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (April 7, 2004). "WR/skier still fighting endorsement ban". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ Pasquarelli, Len (May 3, 2006). "Undrafted Hokie QB will get look from Dolphins". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (May 15, 2005). "Dolphins sign Marcus Vick". USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (May 2, 2006). "St. Louis Rams Sign Denzel Washington's Son". Fox News. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
External links
[edit]- "NFL draft history: 2006 full draft". Official NFL website. Archived from the original on October 24, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- "2006 NFL draft". ESPN website. Retrieved May 10, 2006.
- "Pro Football Draft History: 2006". Pro Football Hall of Fame website. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- "2006 NFL Draft". pro-football-reference.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
- "2006 NFL Player Draft". databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2008. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
2006 NFL draft
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Background and Preparation
Pre-Draft Expectations
The 2005 NFL season significantly shaped the draft order for 2006, with the league's worst-performing teams securing the highest selections based on reverse order of regular-season records. The Houston Texans finished with a 2-14 mark, the poorest in the league, granting them the No. 1 overall pick after a disappointing campaign that included heavy losses and offensive struggles under head coach Dom Capers.[10] The New Orleans Saints (3-13) and Tennessee Titans (4-12) rounded out the top three, their records reflecting challenging years marked by injuries and defensive inconsistencies, which heightened anticipation for transformative rookie additions.[11] Media coverage and expert analysis in the lead-up to the draft generated substantial hype around elite offensive talents, positioning them as likely top selections amid a perceived need for skill-position playmakers across the league. Predictions frequently spotlighted USC running back Reggie Bush, fresh off a dominant college season, and Texas quarterback Vince Young, whose dual-threat ability drew comparisons to NFL stars, as the frontrunners for the first pick, with many outlets projecting one of them to the Texans to ignite their stagnant offense.[12] North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams emerged as a notable dark horse, praised for his pass-rushing potential but often overshadowed in discussions favoring high-profile offensive weapons that could provide immediate star power.[13] Mock draft trends from prominent analysts reinforced this offensive bias, with projections emphasizing running backs and quarterbacks over defensive linemen in the early rounds. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., in his first 2006 mock draft released in January, slotted Bush to Houston at No. 1 overall, followed by USC quarterback Matt Leinart to New Orleans and Young to Tennessee, underscoring a league-wide expectation that teams would prioritize dynamic skill players to address scoring woes from the prior season.[14] Other ESPN contributors echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the 2005 college season's standout offensive performances—particularly Bush's versatility—elevated expectations for an offense-heavy draft class capable of reshaping struggling franchises. Reggie Bush's accolades from the 2005 college football campaign further fueled the pre-draft excitement, as his Heisman Trophy victory in December 2005 (vacated in 2010 due to NCAA violations but reinstated in 2024) cemented his status as the consensus top prospect and a generational talent. Awarded the Heisman for leading USC to an undefeated regular season with over 2,800 all-purpose yards, Bush's win amplified media narratives about his potential to be an instant NFL impact player, drawing parallels to past Heisman winners who succeeded in the pros.[15]Top Prospects and Rankings
The 2006 NFL Draft featured a deep class of prospects, particularly at quarterback, running back, and defensive end positions, with many players showcasing exceptional college production and athletic testing results. Leading the group was Reggie Bush, a running back from the University of Southern California, who rushed for 1,740 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2005 while earning unanimous All-American honors.[16] Vince Young, the quarterback from the University of Texas, was another standout, completing 212 of 325 passes for 3,036 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2005, while adding 1,050 rushing yards and 12 scores, culminating in an MVP performance in the national championship game.[17] Mario Williams, a defensive end from North Carolina State, recorded 14.5 sacks and 24.0 tackles for loss in 2005, positioning him as a top pass-rushing talent.[18] Other prominent offensive prospects included Matt Leinart, USC's quarterback who threw for 3,815 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2005 despite a national title win the prior year, and LenDale White, a USC running back with 2,405 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns over his final two seasons.[19][20] On the offensive line, offensive tackles like D'Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia (6'6", 313 lbs, with 42 starts and first-team All-ACC honors) and Winston Justice from USC (6'6", 320 lbs, protecting Leinart's blind side effectively) were highly regarded for their size and technique. Defensively, Shawne Merriman from Maryland tallied 9.5 sacks in 2004, while linebackers like Chad Greenway from Iowa (156 tackles in 2005) and middle linebacker Ernie Sims from Florida State (72 tackles) brought speed and tackling prowess.[21][22] Additional top talents included running back Joseph Addai from LSU (911 rushing yards in 2005), wide receiver Santonio Holmes from Ohio State (1,526 receiving yards over two seasons), and cornerback Michael Huff from Texas (4 interceptions in 2005).[23][24] At the 2006 NFL Scouting Combine held in February in Indianapolis, prospects demonstrated their athleticism through drills, with Mario Williams impressing by running a 4.70-second 40-yard dash and recording a 40.5-inch vertical jump at 6'7" and 295 pounds.[25] Vince Young measured 6'5" and 229 pounds, completing a 4.48-second 40-yard dash and showing strong arm strength in throwing sessions, though his passing mechanics drew some scrutiny.[25] Reggie Bush, at 5-11" and 201 pounds, ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and broad jumped 10 feet, highlighting his elite speed and explosiveness.[25] Pro days at colleges further solidified evaluations; for instance, at USC's pro day, Matt Leinart threw accurately to receivers, addressing concerns about his arm velocity post-injury. D'Brickashaw Ferguson excelled in agility drills at Virginia's pro day, reinforcing his status as a top tackle prospect. Consensus big boards from pre-draft analysts emphasized the talent at quarterback (e.g., Young and Leinart often ranked in the top five) and offensive tackles (Ferguson and Justice frequently top-10), reflecting NFL teams' needs for franchise passers and pass protection amid a league-wide emphasis on mobile offenses. NFL Draft Countdown's final mock draft ranked Bush No. 1 overall, followed closely by Williams and Young, with a focus on defensive ends like Williams due to the position's premium value. Sports Illustrated's rankings highlighted the depth at running back, with Bush, White, and Addai all projected as first-rounders, while noting the class's strength in versatile linebackers like Greenway and Sims to address run defenses. The pool was overwhelmingly composed of U.S. college players, with no notable international prospects entering the draft that year.Draft Proceedings
Venue, Dates, and Format
The 2006 NFL Draft, the 71st in league history, took place over two days, April 29 and 30, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. This marked the first time the event was hosted at the iconic venue, which provided a grand stage for the proceedings and allowed for an expanded production compared to prior years.[26] The draft followed a two-day format, with Rounds 1 through 3 conducted on Saturday, April 29, and Rounds 4 through 7 on Sunday, April 30, resulting in a total of 255 selections across seven rounds. The selection order was determined by each team's reverse finishing record from the 2005 season, with ties broken by strength of schedule and other league criteria; teams could trade picks at any time, subject to NFL approval. To compensate for unrestricted free agent losses from the prior offseason, the league awarded 32 additional compensatory picks to 19 teams, distributed in Rounds 3 through 7, bringing the total beyond the standard 224 picks (32 teams times 7 rounds). Round 1 featured the usual 32 picks, one per team.[27][28] Broadcast coverage was led by ESPN, with Rounds 1-3 airing live on the main ESPN network and Rounds 4-7 on ESPN2; Chris Berman served as the on-site host, guiding the telecast from the venue. A key feature of the Radio City setup was the inclusion of live player interviews on stage immediately following first-round selections, enhancing the event's theatrical elements and allowing draftees to address the audience and media in real time.[29][30]Key Events and Surprises
The 2006 NFL Draft, held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, began with immediate controversy when the Houston Texans selected defensive end Mario Williams from North Carolina State as the No. 1 overall pick, bypassing highly touted prospects Reggie Bush and Vince Young despite widespread expectations to the contrary.[12][31][4] The announcement by new NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, in his first draft on the job, was met with loud boos from the crowd, reflecting fan disappointment over the decision to prioritize defensive line help amid the team's ongoing quarterback struggles.[32][33] Williams, visibly surprised on stage, accepted the Texans' hat amid the negative reaction, marking one of the draft's most memorable moments of tension.[13] With Bush still available, the New Orleans Saints selected the USC running back with their No. 2 overall pick, providing a significant morale lift for the franchise still recovering from Hurricane Katrina's devastation the previous year.[34][35] Bush's selection was celebrated enthusiastically on stage, with Goodell handing him the Saints' helmet as the crowd's energy shifted to applause, highlighting the pick's symbolic importance for the city's rebuilding efforts.[36] The Tennessee Titans followed at No. 3 by drafting Texas quarterback Vince Young, fulfilling a narrative of selecting a local hero whose college heroics in the Rose Bowl had captivated the region.[36] Young's on-stage appearance was marked by broad smiles and a firm handshake with Goodell, contrasting the earlier boos and energizing Titans fans who saw him as the successor to Steve McNair.[30] This pick aligned with pre-draft buzz around Young as a top prospect, though it came after the Texans' unexpected choice had reshuffled expectations for the quarterbacks.[31] Further surprises emerged when the New York Jets, holding the No. 4 pick, opted for offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia instead of pursuing a quarterback like USC's Matt Leinart, drawing scrutiny from fans eager for an offensive spark.[37][38] Ferguson's selection, announced by Goodell, prompted mixed reactions on stage, with the lineman expressing gratitude but the crowd showing some confusion over bypassing the more glamorous position.[39] Minor incidents, such as brief delays in player transitions on stage due to the heightened emotions, added to the draft's unpredictable atmosphere, though no major disruptions occurred.[34]Main Draft Selections
First Round Picks
The first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, held on April 29 at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, saw teams prioritize defensive reinforcements and quarterback prospects amid a class rich in athletic talent but light on immediate offensive line depth. With 32 picks, the selection emphasized edge rushers and secondary players to address league-wide trends in pass-oriented offenses, while offensive selections focused on skill positions to spark stagnant attacks. Notable trades reshaped the middle of the round, including the Denver Broncos acquiring the 11th pick from the St. Louis Rams to select quarterback Jay Cutler, and the Baltimore Ravens moving up to the 12th pick from the Cleveland Browns for defensive tackle Haloti Ngata.[1][40] The Houston Texans, entering the draft with the worst record from 2005 and newly hired head coach Gary Kubiak emphasizing a balanced roster, chose defensive end Mario Williams first overall to address their league-worst pass defense, which allowed 42 touchdown passes the prior season. General manager Charley Casserly highlighted Williams' explosive first step and point-of-attack strength as ideal for immediate impact on a rebuilding unit, despite fan backlash favoring USC running back Reggie Bush.[41][32] Draft experts like those at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette lauded the value, noting Williams' superior upside over Bush in a league devaluing pure runners, though the decision sparked debate on forgoing offensive firepower.[42] Other teams mirrored defensive priorities, with the Tennessee Titans selecting quarterback Vince Young third overall to pair with an aging roster and solidify the pocket presence lacking since Steve McNair's prime. The New York Jets, seeking stability for a young quarterback room, invested in offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson at fourth to protect the blindside. In the trade for the 12th pick, the Ravens targeted Ngata to fortify their interior line under defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, trading a future sixth-rounder in a cost-effective move praised by analysts for adding a disruptive force without excessive future assets.[1][40][42]| Pick | Team | Player | Position | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston Texans | Mario Williams | DE | North Carolina State[1] |
| 2 | New Orleans Saints | Reggie Bush | RB | USC[1] |
| 3 | Tennessee Titans | Vince Young | QB | Texas[1] |
| 4 | New York Jets | D'Brickashaw Ferguson | OT | Virginia[1] |
| 5 | Green Bay Packers | A.J. Hawk | LB | Ohio State[1] |
| 6 | San Francisco 49ers | Vernon Davis | TE | Maryland[1] |
| 7 | Oakland Raiders | Michael Huff | S | Texas[1] |
| 8 | Buffalo Bills | Donte Whitner | S | Ohio State[1] |
| 9 | Detroit Lions | Ernie Sims | LB | Florida State[1] |
| 10 | Arizona Cardinals | Matt Leinart | QB | USC[1] |
| 11 | Denver Broncos | Jay Cutler | QB | Vanderbilt (from St. Louis Rams)[1][40] |
| 12 | Baltimore Ravens | Haloti Ngata | DT | Oregon (from Cleveland Browns)[1][40] |
| 13 | Cleveland Browns | Kamerion Wimbley | DE | Florida State[1] |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins | Vernon Carey | OT | Miami (FL)[1] |
| 15 | St. Louis Rams | Tye Hill | CB | Clemson[1] |
| 16 | Miami Dolphins | Jason Allen | CB | Tennessee[1] |
| 17 | Minnesota Vikings | Chad Greenway | LB | Iowa[1] |
| 18 | Dallas Cowboys | Bobby Carpenter | LB | Ohio State[1] |
| 19 | San Diego Chargers | Antonio Cromartie | CB | Florida State[1] |
| 20 | Kansas City Chiefs | Tamba Hali | DE | Penn State[1] |
| 21 | New England Patriots | Laurence Maroney | RB | Minnesota[1] |
| 22 | San Francisco 49ers | Manny Lawson | DE | NC State (from Washington via Denver)[1][40] |
| 23 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | John McCargo | DT | Clemson[1] |
| 24 | Cincinnati Bengals | Johnathan Joseph | CB | South Carolina[1] |
| 25 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Santonio Holmes | WR | Ohio State[1] |
| 26 | Houston Texans | DeMeco Ryans | LB | Alabama[1] |
| 27 | Chicago Bears | Mark Anderson | DE | Oklahoma[1] |
| 28 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Marcedes Lewis | TE | UCLA[1] |
| 29 | New York Jets | Nick Mangold | C | Ohio State[1] |
| 30 | Indianapolis Colts | Joseph Addai | RB | LSU[1] |
| 31 | Seattle Seahawks | Kelly Jennings | CB | Miami (FL)[1] |
| 32 | New York Giants | Mathias Kiwanuka | DE | Boston College[1] |