The Arizona Cardinals would enter the 2006 draft with the tenth overall pick after a 5-11 season. It would be Dennis Green's last draft to oversee.
First Round: Matt Leinart QB – USC
Two seasons into Leinart’s career he’s started a combined 16 games and while his stats aren’t eye popping by any means they’re not terrible for basically a season. With nearly 3,200 yards, 13 TDs, 16 INTs, a 56.0 % completion percentage and a QB rating of 71.2, he didn’t immediately become the Cardinals’ savior as we’d all hoped but he’s still young and it’ll be his second season in the same offense. He struggled in 2007 with a change in the coaching staff which isn’t all that uncommon for a young quarterback. Hopefully some consistency in the coaching staff and offensive system will help him reach a full potential not to mention his mix of explosive weapons.
Other possible picks: Jay Cutler, Haloti Ngata, Antonio Cromartie
Second Round: Deuce Lutui OG – USC
Other possible picks: LenDale White, Marcus McNeil, Kellen Clemens
Third Round: Leonard Pope TE – Georgia
Pope is a mountain of man at nearly 6'8 260 pounds and even though he's yet to stay healthy for a full season, he showed flashes of a dynamic red zone target with 5 touchdowns in 2007. His biggest weakness so far in his career has been an inconsistency in the running game but with former Steeler, Russ Grimm, instructing the offensive line, there's hope that he'll improve in that area and become a complete player. Together Pope and Ben Patrick should be a fairly versatile and effective one-two punch at the tight end position, if they can manage to stay healthy.
Other possible picks: Jerious Norwood, Anthony Smith, Brodie Croyle
Fourth Round: Gabe Watson DT –
Other possible picks: Leon Washington, Brandon Marshall, Willie Colon
Fifth Round: Brandon Johnson LB –
Other possible picks: Dawan Landry, Brad Butler
Sixth Round: Jonathan Lewis DT – Virginia Tech
Lewis would play in four games during his rookie season but would be cut during in August of 2007. Since then he ended the 2007 season on the Oakland Raiders' practice squad but wasn't resigned and has since signed with and been cut by the Seahawks. Shortly after being cut by the 'Hawks he signed a one year deal with the Lions.
Other possible picks: Lawrence Vickers, Antoine Bethea
Seventh Round: Todd Watkins WR – BYU
Watkins would spend most of the 2006 season on the practice squad after being a 'toolsy' prospect in the '06 draft. The 6'3 receiver had sub 4.4 speed but has yet to put it all together. He's bounced around from the Cardinals to the Falcons and was recently signed by the Raiders and he's yet to appear in an NFL game.
Other possible picks: DJ Shockley, Rodrique Wright
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Looking back it's hard to be too disappointed in a draft that has produced 4 players who've combined to start 78 games over the course of two seasons. Watson and Pope could eventually end up losing their jobs to but both are at the very least quality players who will help this team win in the future. Leinart and Lutui should both be solid starters and possibly Pro Bowl caliber players in the future and will be cornerstones for the offense for years to come. The continued progression of Leinart is critical to not only the Cardinals success in the future but also to the perceived view of this draft class. For now I'd have to give it a B.