2006 NFL draft

71st annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible players

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.

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

First overall pick Mario Williams was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time All-Pro defensive end.

Quarterback Jay Cutler enjoyed a 12-year career in the league, receiving one Pro Bowl invite.

Wide receiver Devin Hester was drafted in the second round and holds several NFL records as a return specialist.

Zach Strief was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round and part of the offensive line which won the Madden Most Valuable Protectors Award twice.

Owen Daniels was a fourth round pick and a two-time Pro Bowl selection.

Kyle Williams was a fifth round pick, six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time All-Pro for the Buffalo Bills

Despite being a 4th round pick, Stephen Gostkowski holds many franchise and NFL records, including most consecutive Extra points, has been named to 4 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pros, and is a 3-time Super Bowl champion, during his 13 year career with the New England Patriots.

Marques Colston was a bottom-five seventh round pick but went on to win Super Bowl XLIV with the New Orleans Saints and set a string of franchise records for receiving yards and touchdowns.

Supplemental draft selections

For each player selected in the Supplemental Draft, the team forfeits its pick in that round in the draft of the following season.

Notable undrafted players

Hall of Famers

• Devin Hester, wide receiver from Miami (FL), taken 2nd round 57th overall by the Chicago Bears.

Inducted: Professional Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Trades

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. No. 13: Baltimore → Cleveland (D). see No. 12: Cleveland → Baltimore.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. No. 26: Chicago → Buffalo (D). Chicago traded pick #26 to Buffalo in exchange for their second (42nd) and third (73rd) round picks.
8. 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.
9. No. 32: Pittsburgh → NY Giants (D). see No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh.

Round two

1. No. 34: New Orleans → Cleveland (D). The Saints traded pick #34 to Cleveland in exchange for their second round (43rd) pick and Jeff Faine.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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).
6. No. 42: Buffalo → Chicago (D). see No. 26: Chicago → Buffalo.
7. No. 43: Cleveland → New Orleans (D). see No. 34: New Orleans → Cleveland.
8. 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).
9. No. 45: Philadelphia → Tennessee (D). see No. 39: Tennessee → Philadelphia.
10. No. 47: Atlanta → Green Bay (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta.
11. 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.
12. No. 51: Miami → Minnesota (PD). The Dolphins traded pick #51 to Minnesota in exchange for Daunte Culpepper.
13. No. 52: New England → Green Bay (D). see No. 36: Green Bay → New England.
14. 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.
15. No. 56: NY Giants → Baltimore (D). see No. 44: Baltimore → NY Giants.
16. No. 64: Pittsburgh → Minnesota (D). The Vikings traded picks #83 and #95 to Pittsburgh in exchange for pick #64.

Round three

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. No. 73: Buffalo → Chicago (D). see No. 26: Chicago → Buffalo.
5. 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.
6. No. 76: Philadelphia → NY Jets (D). see No. 71: NY Jets → Philadelphia.
7. No. 80: Dallas → Jacksonville (D). The Cowboys traded pick 80 to Jacksonville in exchange for their third and fourth round picks (92 and 125).
8. No. 83: Minnesota → Pittsburgh (D). see No. 64: Pittsburgh → Minnesota.
9. No. 87: NY Giants → Baltimore (D). see No. 44: Baltimore → NY Giants.
10. No. 92: Jacksonville → Dallas (D). see No. 80: Dallas → Jacksonville.
11. 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.
12. No. 96: Pittsburgh → NY Giants (D). see No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh.

Round four

1. No. 119: Washington → Denver (PD). see No. 22: Washington → Denver.
2. No. 125: Jacksonville → Dallas (D). see No. 80: Dallas → Jacksonville.
3. No. 129: Pittsburgh → NY Giants (D). see No. 25: NY Giants → Pittsburgh.

Round five

1. No. 134: Houston → Buffalo (PD). The Texans traded pick #134 to the Bills in exchange for wide receiver Eric Moulds.
2. No. 139: Green Bay → Atlanta (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta.
3. No. 148: Atlanta → Green Bay (D). see No. 37: Green Bay → Atlanta.

Round six

1. No. 181: Baltimore → Cleveland (D). see No. 12: Cleveland → Baltimore.
2. 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

1. No. 211: NY Jets → Dallas (D). see No. 49: Dallas → NY Jets.
2. No. 220: Philadelphia → NY Jets (D). see No. 71: NY Jets → Philadelphia.

Miscellaneous

• 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 2023, Marcedes Lewis, who was drafted 28th overall in the 1st round, is currently the sole active player remaining from the draft.

Notes

1. Players are identified as a Hall of Famer if they have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

References

1. "NFL Draft Locations". FootballGeography.com. October 2, 2014. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2014.
2. 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.
3. "Who's No. 1? Texans, Williams sign contract". April 29, 2006. Archived from the original on May 6, 2006. Retrieved April 29, 2006.
4. Players are identified as a Pro Bowler if they were selected for the Pro Bowl at any time in their career.
5. 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.
6. Matt Leinart, 2004 Heisman Trophy winner "2004 Heisman Trophy winner". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 28, 2011.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. Pasquarelli, Len (July 15, 2006). "Former George Mason hoops star ends NFL dream". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
10. Pasquarelli, Len (April 30, 2006). "UConn basketball player Nelson signs with Rams". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
11. Associated Press (April 7, 2004). "WR/skier still fighting endorsement ban". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
12. Pasquarelli, Len (May 3, 2006). "Undrafted Hokie QB will get look from Dolphins". ESPN. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
13. Associated Press (May 15, 2005). "Dolphins sign Marcus Vick". USA Today. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
14. Associated Press (May 2, 2006). "St. Louis Rams Sign Denzel Washington's Son". Fox News. Retrieved April 29, 2013.

External links

• "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.