2006 NFL Draft Analysis - AFC

As promised, here is my analysis on the effects the NFL draft may have on your fantasy draft for the AFC. I will post the NFC next week, then post an update after the June 1^st release frenzy, and then give my final fantasy draft analysis in early August.

AFC Teams

1. Baltimore Ravens: The draft didn’t really do much to help any Raven’s enhance their draft day value. Demetrius Williams could make an impact on the return team, but he is a project type wideout that will need a couple of seasons. Haloti Ngata should help the Raven’s D score a few more sacks, and PJ Daniels may wind up being the goal line guy. Derrick Martin should inject some energy into the secondary. Outlook: Upgrade the team defense a few notches.
2. Buffalo Bills: Nothing gained in the draft offensively. Donte Whitner should help increase interception totals on team defense. Outlook: No major impacts here.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Whitworth should help the running game, especially the power game. A.J. Nicholson will help the defense with his range and interception ability. Ethan Kilmer and Bennie Brazell will upgrade the return game. Outlook: Running game should be more effective in the red zone this ear, and the teams defense should get a bump up on the depth chart.
4. Cleveland Browns: Travis Wilson may be good enough to start, but would most likely be a second half player. Jerome Harrison should figure in the running back situation with his cutting abilities. Outlook: Minimal impact here by the rookies.
5. Denver Broncos: Jay Cutler was a great pick in the draft, but his impact will not be felt for a few years, barring injury to Jake Plummer. The draft day trade for Javon Walker is the big story for this team should he be healthy. Brandon Marshall could push Ashlie Lelie for the 3^rd wideout job, and Domenick Hixon should make an impact on the return team. Chris Kulper and Greg Eslinger add depth to the Bronco’s o-line. Outlook: A very good draft for the Broncos. The running game will be the same as last year, but the o-line additions should make the running game less impacted by o line injuries. The return team gets a boast, so I’d upgrade the Broncos defense right away. Walker and Hixon gives the Broncos arguably the best 4 man wide receiver group in the NFL.
6. Houston Texans: Ah, the team that passed on Reggie Bush. The pick of Mario Williams boasts the sack potential of this team defense. DeMeco Ryans is a hard hitting run defender of a linebacker, and could make teams choose their poison with the Texan’s defense. The additions of Charles Spencer and Eric Winston should help create a few more holes for Domanick Davis, as well as keep David Carr off of his rump a little more. Owen Daniels is a good pass catching TE, and could be worth a look in the later rounds. David Anderson will make an immediate impact on the return side of the ball, and should figure in the WR rotation as the season progresses. Outlook: The teams defense is now almost in the top 10 of team defenses. The o-line additions immediately upgrade Davis, Carr, and company a few spots.
7. Indianapolis Colts: Joseph Addai will be a good running back, but will be a bottom third of the draft pick. They still do have 1000yd rusher Dominic Rhodes after all. Only other player of note is TJ Rushing. He could be a dominant return man and has the skills to pick off more than his share of balls. Outlook: Not much immediate impact here. Addai is worth a late round pick, and the Colts return teams should be a bit better.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Drew will push for time as Fred Taylor’s backup, but not worth considering in the draft at this time. Not much else of note here. Outlook: Look elsewhere for impact rookies.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Great draft for the team, just not a big impact on this seasons’ draft. Tamba Hali and Bernard Pollard will upgrade the defense. Brodie Croyle is a good young QB that played in a similar system with Alabama. Jeff Webb has average at best speed and seems destined to be a possession receiver. Outlook: Defense may be improved, but not by enough to jump up the defense rankings by draft time. Not much impact here.
10. Miami Dolphins: Jason Allen could have an impact on defense as the year progresses. Derek Hagen isn’t quick, but he runs crisp routes and could supplant Marty Booker as the teams number 2 guy. Outlook: Derek Hagen could be worth a look in the 2^nd half of the draft. Watch his progress closely during training camp.
11. New England Patriots: Laurence Maroney and Chad Jackson could have immediate impacts on the offense. Steve Gostomski has the inside track to replace Adam Vinitieri. Garrett Mills is a great pass catching TE but will be buried on the depth chart this year. Willie Andrews will improve the kick return game. Outlook: If you draft Corey Dillon, make sure to draft Maroney as well. Jackson will be the number 2 receiver by the end of camp and should be ranked accordingly. No improvement on defense or return teams. Kicker is a huge question mark.
12. New York Jets: They passed on what could have been this seasons starting QB. D’Brickshaw Ferguson greatly upgrades the o-line, as does C Nick Mangold. Kellen Collins enters the QB mix, but is probably not starter material. Brad Smith is a fast receiver, but can’t catch the ball. Outlook: Stay away from the Jets if you want to win this year.
13. Oakland Raiders: Michael Huff improves defense. Thomas Howard and Darnell Bing are make or break prospects. Paul McQuisten could make an impact on the o-line. Outlook: See the Jets. Oakland’s defense could be a great in season pickup, though.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Santonio Holmes will start the season as the number 3 reciever. Anthony Smith and Orien Harris will add youth and depth to the defense. Marvin Philip adds center depth, and Willie Reid should replace Randle-El without a dropoff. Outlook: Holmes is worth a look late in the draft, earlier in deeps leagues. The defense will be better with more depth and a deeper rotation and should be ranked a little higher on the depth chart. The return game will not miss a beat.
15. San Diego Chargers: Antonio Cromartie will increase the defense’s interceptions. Outlook: As you can tell. There’s not much else here that will help your team this season. The team defense may be worth bumping up a notch.
16. Tennessee Titans: Does Vince Young start or does he sit behind Billy Volek? Regardless, Vince Young is the QB of the future in Nashville. LenDale White is a running back in the Eddie George mold and could start. Calvin Lowry, Stephen Tulloch, and Terna Nande are going to make this a top 15 defense. Jonathan Orr will add to the receiver corps and could be the number 3. Quinton Ganther could be the teams goal line back to start the year. Outlook: Even if Young starts, it is doubtful that he’ll have an impact this season. White should start, and should be grabbed in the 6^th round or so. The defense moves into the top half of the league on the depth chart. Orr would be a good late round pick in any league.