NFL Re-DRAFT 2006*2007*2008

[Gas2No99]

NFL Draft: Take Two
By Rick Reilly


Some of us can't help fixing things.

Long ago we took the 1979 Best Picture Oscar from "Kramer vs. Kramer" and gave it to its rightful owner, "Apocalypse Now."

Halle Berry has now won Miss World 1986; forget the talk about her finishing sixth.

And don't even get us started on Jennifer Hudson.

Yet nothing needs fixing more than the NFL draft, which is the only monster event in American sports that gets breathless coverage and yet declares no winner and no loser. It's all poseurs and no closures.

Everybody leaves Radio City Music Hall giddy as a Girl Scout that they've drafted the greatest team since the 1972 Dolphins. Yet within three years, those drafts look like they were conducted by drunk chickens. But nobody ever calls them on it.

Until now.

With America's first-ever Official First Round Re-Draft, we figure out which teams know the draft and which are just daft. Talking to draft experts and using our own eyes, you'll find below the re-drafts of the first rounds of 2006, 2007 and 2008. Each draft was conducted as if you were drafting right now with the same pool of players, but now you have three years of watching them in the bank.

Maurice Jones-Drew isn't going to last long in the 2006 re-draft, but you can bet Matt Leinart will.

LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell may have gone first in the first 2007 draft, but at the Official Re-Draft, his phone never rings. (We finally had to sneak him out the back.)

The first five in the 2008 re-draft look pretty sweet now, don't they? Matt Ryan, Chris Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Ray Rice and Jamaal Charles. You remember Mel Kiper's mock draft having that?

Below you'll find re-drafts of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 first rounds. Each re-draft shows the player's new draft position, his old draft position, and how far he rose or fell. For instance, if a player (like Tennessee DB Cortland Finnegan) went 215th in the first draft but would go 15th now, he'd have a plus/minus score of +200. Some players, like former Jets DE Vernon Gholston, wouldn't be drafted at all now. So he falls from sixth overall to the last pick possible, 252nd, for a plus-minus of -246. Plus, you'll also see how your team ranked in the team plus/minus re-totals

2006

1 Mario Williams Texans DE 1 0
2 Haloti Ngata Ravens DT 12 +10
3 M.Jones-Drew Jaguars RB 60 +57
4 Nick Mangold Jets C 29 +25
5 D'Brick Ferguson Jets OT 4 -1
6 Santonio Holmes Steelers WR 25 +19
7 Jahri Evans Saints G 108 +101
8 Devin Hester Bears WR 57 +49
9 Greg Jennings Packers WR 52 +43
10 Elvis Dumervil Broncos DE 126 +116
11 Jay Cutler Broncos QB 11 0
12 Kamerion WimbleyBrowns LB 13 +1
13 DeMeco Ryans Texans LB 33 +20
14 Johnathan Joseph Bengals CB 24 +10
15 Cortland Finnegan Titans CB 215 +200
16 Tamba Hali Chiefs DE 20 +4
17 Brandon Marshall Broncos WR 119 +102
18 Marcedes Lewis Jaguars TE 28 +10
19 Vernon Davis 49ers TE 6 -13
20 Chad Greenway Vikings LB 17 -3
21 A.J. Hawk Packers LB 5 -16
22 A. Cromartie Chargers CB 19 -3
23 DeAngelo Williams Panthers RB 27 +4
24 Marcus McNeill Chargers OT 50 +26
25 Eric Winston Texans OT 66 +41
26 Davin Joseph Bucs G 23 -3
27 Ray Edwards Vikings DE 127 +100
28 Antoine Bethea Colts S 207 +179
29 Brad Smith Jets WR 103 +74
30 Owen Daniels Texans TE 98 +68
31 Andrew Whitworth Bengals OT 55 +24
32 Reggie Bush Saints RB 2 -30

First-round picks and where they'd be drafted now (255 picks in 2006 draft)

Pick Player Team Position Original Pick Change
38 Michael Huff Raiders S 7 -31
93 Joseph Addai Colts RB 30 -63
99 Manny Lawson 49ers LB 22 -77
118 Vince Young Titans QB 3 -115
129 Donte Whitner Bills S 8 -121
160 Ernie Sims Lions LB 9 -151
172 Mathias Kiwanuka Giants DE 32 -140
182 Jason Allen Dolphins S 16 -166
206 Bobby Carpenter Cowboys LB 18 -188
219 Brodrick Bunkley Eagles DT 14 -205
241 Kelly Jennings Seahawks CB 31 -210
Undrafted Matt Leinart Cardinals QB 10 -245
Undrafted Tye Hill Rams CB 15 -240
Undrafted L. Maroney Patriots RB 21 -234
Undrafted John McCargo Bills DT 26 -229

And what do we learn from all this?

We learn that there's a reason the re-draft champions, the New Orleans Saints, have finally become a power. They stopped wasting first-round picks (their worst, WR Robert Meachem, only fell 44 spots) and they've found more bargains than Yelp (linemen Carl Nicks and Jahri Evans, to name two -- a combined +243 -- both of whom would be first-rounders now).

We learn that the Seattle Seahawks draft like the Iraqi navy. They're the re-draft chumps, with three first-round picks who fell 160 places or more: DE Lawrence Jackson (-167), CB Kelly Jennings (-210) and Kentwan Balmer (-223). Balmer wouldn't even be drafted today.

We learn that one of the biggest thefts of those three years was the Denver Broncos' choice of RB Peyton Hillis, who jumped 221 places, from the seventh round to sixth overall. Hillis was like finding the crown jewels in a Goodwill store. Too bad the Broncos then hocked the crown for a Glad bag full of dirt by trading Hillis (and two picks!) to Cleveland for the nearly extinct Brady Quinn (-233).

Easy come, hard go.

We learn that Houston Texans DE Mario Williams may have gone first in the 2006 draft, but in the -- wait, he goes first in the re-draft, too.

Lastly, we find out that over this three-year period, USC has the best publicity department in college football. The Trojans may have had a lot of players taken in those three first rounds, but no school's picks underperformed worse (Leinart, Reggie Bush, Keith Rivers and Sedrick Ellis fell a combined -382). Then again, Mark Sanchez and Clay Matthews will be counted when we get to fixing 2009-11.

Next up: U.S. presidential elections.

[Gas2No99]

2007

Pick Player Team Position Original Pick Change


1 Adrian Peterson Vikings RB 7 +6
2 Darrelle Revis Jets CB 32 -25
3 Patrick Willis 49ers LB 11 +8
4 Calvin Johnson Lions WR 2 -2
5 Joe Thomas Browns OL 3 -2
6 LaRon Landry Redskins DB 6 0
7 Dwayne Bowe Chiefs WR 23 +16
8 Sidney Rice Vikings WR 44 +36
9 LaMarr Woodley Steelers LB 46 +37
10 David Harris Jets LB 47 +37
11 Marshal Yanda Ravens OT 86 +75
12 Ahmad Bradshaw Giants RB 250 +238
13 Leon Hall Bengals CB 18 +5
14 Michael Griffin Titans S 19 +5
15 Jon Beason Panthers LB 25 +10
16 Kevin Kolb Eagles QB 36 +20
17 Zach Miller Raiders TE 38 +21
18 Steve Smith Giants WR 51 +33
19 Charles Johnson Panthers DE 83 +64
20 Leroy Harris Titans OL 20 0
21 Lawrence TimmonsSteelers LB 15 -6
22 Aaron Ross Giants CB 20 -2
23 Brandon Meriweather Pats S 24 +1
24 Paul Posluszny Bills LB 34 +10
25 Mike Sims-Walker Jags WR 79 +54
26 Doug Free Cowboys OT 122 +96
27 Jermon Bushrod Saints OT 125 +98
28 Steve Breaston Cards WR 142 +114
29 Brent Celek Eagles TE 162 +133
30 Mason Crosby Packers PK 193 +163
31 Desmond Bishop Packers LB 192 +161
32 Levi Brown Cardinals OT 5 -27

First-round picks and where they'd be drafted now (255 picks in 2007 draft)

Pick Player Team Position Original Pick Change

34 Reggie Nelson Jaguars S 21 -13
38 Anthony Spencer Cowboys LB 26 -12
45 Greg Olsen Bears TE 31 -14
46 Joe Staley 49ers OT 28 -18
60 Ben Grubbs Ravens G 29 -31
65 Marshawn Lynch Bills RB 12 -53
71 Robert Meachem Saints WR 27 -44
77 Amobi Okoye Texans DT 10 -67
100 Adam Carriker Rams DE 13 -87
121 Anthony Gonzalez Colts WR 32 -89
141 Jamaal Anderson Falcons DE 8 -133
143 Ted Ginn Jr. Dolphins WR 9 -134
208 Craig (Buster) Davis Chargers WR 30 -178

Undrafted JaMarcus Russell Raiders QB 1 -254
Undrafted Justin Harrell Packers DT 16 -239
Undrafted Jarvis Moss Broncos DE 17 -238
Undrafted Brady Quinn Browns QB 22 -233
Deceased Gaines Adams Bucs DE 4 N/A

[Gas2No99]

2008

Pick Player Team Position Original Pick Change
1 Matt Ryan Falcons QB 3 +2
2 Chris Johnson Titans RB 24 +22
3 DeSean Jackson Eagles WR 49 +46
4 Ray Rice Ravens RB 55 +51
5 Jamaal Charles Chiefs RB 73 +68
6 Peyton Hillis Broncos RB 227 +221
7 Ryan Clady Broncos OT 12 +5
8 Jerod Mayo Patriots LB 10 +2
9 Pierre Garcon Colts WR 205 +196
10 Jake Long Dolphins OT 1 -9
11 Joe Flacco Ravens QB 18 +7
12 Tracy Porter Saints CB 40 +28
13 Matt Forte Bears RB 44 +31
14 Steve Johnson Bills WR 224 +210
15 Aqib Talib Bucs CB 20 +5
16 Brandon Flowers Chiefs CB 35 +19
17 Jason Jones Titans DT 54 +37
18 Terrell Thomas Giants CB 63 +45
19 Jermichael Finley Packers TE 91 +72
20 Cliff Avril Lions DE 92 +72
21 Brandon Carr Chiefs CB 140 +119
22 Carl Nicks Saints OT 164 +142
23 Darren McFadden Raiders RB 4 -19
24 Sam Baker Falcons OT 21 -3
25 Rashard Mendenhall Steelers RB 23 -2
26 Chris Long Rams DE 2 -24
27 Glenn Dorsey Chiefs DT 5 -22
28 Jonathan Stewart Panthers RB 13 -15
29 Jeff Otah Panthers OT 19 -10
30 Duane Brown Texans OT 26 -4
31 Antoine Cason Chargers CB 27 -4
32 Dustin Keller Jets TE 30 -2

First-round picks and where they'd be drafted now (252 picks in the 2008 draft)

Pick Player Team Position Original Pick Change

33 Kenny Phillips Giants S 31 -2
36 Sedrick Ellis Saints DT 7 -29
50 D.Rodgers-Cromartie Cardinals CB 16 -34
71 Felix Jones Cowboys RB 22 -49
87 Keith Rivers Bengals LB 9 -78
101 Leodis McKelvin Bills CB 11 -90
152 Branden Albert Chiefs OL 15 -137
164 Mike Jenkins Cowboys CB 25 -139
181 Chris Williams Bears OT 14 -167
195 Lawrence JacksonSeahawks DE 28 -167
220 Derrick Harvey Jaguars DE 8 -212

Undrafted Gosder Cherilus Lions OT 17 -235
Undrafted Vernon Gholston Jets DE 6 -246
Undrafted Kentwan Balmer Seahawks DE 29 -223

[Gas2No99]

NFL Re-Draft2006 | 2007 | 2008 | Team Totals
Rank Team Plus/Minus
1 New Orleans Saints 266
2 Green Bay Packers 224
3 Indianapolis Colts 223
4 Denver Broncos 206
5 Tennessee Titans 149
6 Minnesota Vikings 139
7 New York Giants 172
8 Baltimore Ravens 112
9 Kansas City Chiefs 67
10 Houston Texans 58
11 Carolina Panthers 53
12 Pittsburgh Steelers 48
13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2
14 Washington Redskins 0
15 Philadelphia Eagles -6
16 Cincinnati Bengals -39
17 San Francisco 49ers -100
18 Chicago Bears -101
19 New York Jets -101 - Gholston who was -246 ALONE
20 Jacksonville Jaguars -104
21 Atlanta Falcons -134
22 San Diego Chargers -159
23 Arizona Cardinals -192
24 New England Patriots -231
25 Cleveland Browns -234
26 Buffalo Bills -273
27 Oakland Raiders -283
28 Dallas Cowboys -292
29 Miami Dolphins -309
30 Detroit Lions -316
31 St. Louis Rams -351
32 Seattle Seahawks -600

The REAL ideal draft was 2006. The Jets currently have 5 of the top players who should have gone in the 1st round speaks VOLUMES about our scouts and Tanny striking gold on trades.

Overall, the Jets have done rather well and I think are taking too much of a hit for the Gholston pick to be ranked 19th. If it weren't for Gholston we'd be at a +145 rating placing us in 6th ahead of Minnesota and only 4 points beneath Tenn for 5th. Pats, for all their draft picks throughout the years have produced crap and barely make the cut above the 25% bad-draft teams from 2006-2008.

Thoughts?

[Much ado about Nothing]

Only read 06 to poke a hole...vernOn Davis goes higher than h
That. Dudes a monster.

[Gas2No99]

Originally Posted by Much ado about Nothing

Only read 06 to poke a hole...vernOn Davis goes higher than h
That. Dudes a monster.

I don't think so. He' still a 1st rounder, but drafting him at #6 overall is QUITE the high expectation (see Gholston). Vernon is really good, but all those players listed ahead of him I think do produce more for their team than Davis does - he's more of a highlight reel player.

[MTJets]

Why did the Jets get a "-" from drafting Revis?

[Gas2No99]

Originally Posted by MTJets

Why did the Jets get a "-" from drafting Revis?

That HAS to be a typo - b/c it states the "original pick" was #32 and

WE ALL KNOW that Revis was selected #14 overall and the Jets traded up from #24 overall.

So it SHOULD BE +12 since the writer thinks he should have been #2 overall and that would affect the Jets -101 to improve to -89; only further bolstering my point that Jets took too much of a hit for missing on Gholston.

[King Koopa]

Originally Posted by Gas2No99

I don't think so. He' still a 1st rounder, but drafting him at #6 overall is QUITE the high expectation (see Gholston). Vernon is really good, but all those players listed ahead of him I think do produce more for their team than Davis does - he's more of a highlight reel player.

More of a highlight reel player?? LOL

He's the 2nd best overall TE in the league behind Gates.....20 TD's the last 2 seasons, close to 2000 yards with horrible QB play

Alot of great players in the 06 draft, but Vernon Davis I'd put at 7 overall

[Much ado about Nothing]

Originally Posted by King Koopa

More of a highlight reel player?? LOL

He's the 2nd best overall TE in the league behind Gates.....20 TD's the last 2 seasons, close to 2000 yards with horrible QB play

Alot of great players in the 06 draft, but Vernon Davis I'd put at 7 overall

This. He's also probably the best run blocking TE of all the up and coming TEs. He'll be labeled the best TE in the game within the next 3 years.

[AFCEastFan]

The fact that Carolina is rated in the top 3rd of the league and that there are 171 players that would supposedly have been drafted ahead of Kiwanuka in 2006 are two of many reasons that this analysis is idiotic.

[titanbuoy]

Just read the same article and it has the Titans ranked second... but it's pretty meaningless, as others have stated, some of his re-draft rankings are hard to justify.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=6528474

1 New Orleans Saints 266
2 Tennessee Titans 244
3 Green Bay Packers 224
4 Indianapolis Colts 223
5 Denver Broncos 206
6 Minnesota Vikings 139
7 New York Giants 172
8 Baltimore Ravens 112
9 Kansas City Chiefs 67
10 Houston Texans 58
11 Carolina Panthers 53
12 Pittsburgh Steelers 48
13 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2
14 Washington Redskins 0
15 Philadelphia Eagles -6
16 Cincinnati Bengals -39
17 Chicago Bears -101
18 New York Jets -101
19 Jacksonville Jaguars -104
20 Atlanta Falcons -134
21 San Diego Chargers -159
22 Arizona Cardinals -192
23 New England Patriots -231
24 Cleveland Browns -234
25 Buffalo Bills -273
26 Oakland Raiders -283
27 Dallas Cowboys -292
28 Miami Dolphins -309
29 Detroit Lions -316
30 San Francisco 49ers -323
31 St. Louis Rams -351
32 Seattle Seahawks -377

[jetsfanmack]

I would like to see someone other than Rick Reilly make the re-picks (I assume he did them) and have an actual draft expert to it, but it's a good idea for analysis.

That said, I doubt Gholston would go undrafted if that entire draft was redone today. He was a terrible bust, but at least he lasted three years. I'm sure there were guys drafted who are already out of the league. And Revis should be the #1 pick in 07, but that's nitpicking.

[49ersJetsfan]

Originally Posted by King Koopa

More of a highlight reel player?? LOL

He's the 2nd best overall TE in the league behind Gates.....20 TD's the last 2 seasons, close to 2000 yards with horrible QB play

Alot of great players in the 06 draft, but Vernon Davis I'd put at 7 overall

Originally Posted by Much ado about Nothing

This. He's also probably the best run blocking TE of all the up and coming TEs. He'll be labeled the best TE in the game within the next 3 years.

Agreed. Don't forget he pass blocks like an elite left tackle. The only reason he hasn't produced multiple 1000 yard seasons yet (so far he's only put up multiple 900 yard seasons and tied Gates for the most single season TDs ever by a TE) is because he's been playing with the worst QB in the entire league since day one. Anyone that is labeling him a bust or only highlight reel material have no idea what they are talking about. He's the best all-around TE in the league, and at this point the third or fourth best receiving TE after the likes of Gates, Witten and Clark (and a better blocker than all of them by a huge amount).

[King Koopa]

Originally Posted by 49ersJetsfan

Agreed. Don't forget he pass blocks like an elite left tackle. The only reason he hasn't produced multiple 1000 yard seasons yet (so far he's only put up multiple 900 yard seasons and tied Gates for the most single season TDs ever by a TE) is because he's been playing with the worst QB in the entire league since day one. Anyone that is labeling him a bust or only highlight reel material have no idea what they are talking about. He's the best all-around TE in the league, and at this point the third or fourth best receiving TE after the likes of Gates, Witten and Clark (and a better blocker than all of them by a huge amount).

Yup....One of my favorite players in the NFL. Love the intensity, physicality, and overall beastness he brings every game. Ever since around that "Can't win wit em" rant by Singletary, Vernon Davis has been amazing. I would take him right now over any TE in the league if I were starting a franchise, and its not even close (He's 4 or 5 years younger than Gates). He's a highlight reel TE similar to how Andre Johnson is only a highlight reel WR

Forgot to mention that in that 06 draft I was one of the only Jets fans who really wanted Vernon at 4....D'Brick is obviously an awesome pick as well, but that would have been pretty cool to have him in our offense