Post by MGB01 on Nov 21, 2006 17:46:06 GMT -5
Postseason grades for the 2006 selections.
Birmingham Bolts
1. Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (FL)
2. Vernon Davis, TE, Georgia
3. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
4. Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville
5. Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
6. Tautusi Lutui, OG, USC
7. Connor Hughes, K, Virginia
8. Rashon Powers-Neal, FB, Notre Dame
Draft grade: C+
Low grade because half the group bolted (no pun intended) for the NFL. However Dumervil might have made the Bolts' draft a success by himself, with a team-leading 12 sacks. With the Bolts going back to the standard 4-3, Dumervil and Igor Olshansky are a monstrous pair of ends. The little-used Powers-Neal will see more time on the field in 2007 with Tony Hollings now in Vegas and Cedric Cobbs over at halfback.
Carolina Colonels
1. Manny Lawson, DE, North Carolina State
2. Claude Wroten, DT, LSU
3. Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State
4. Dusty Dvoracek, DT, Oklahoma
5. Kevin Boothe, OG, Cornell
6. Jeremy Trueblood, OT, Boston College
7. Derek Morris, OT, North Carolina State
8. Patrick Ross, C, Boston College
Draft grade: B
Lawson, Wroten, and Dvoracek were all the big splashes in '06, and, along with '05 draft star George Gause, will form one of the more talented d-lines in the league going into '07. Ross paid immediate dividends as well, as the slow-starting rushing game blasted off upon Ross' insertion into the starting lineup in week three. Colledge and Boothe will join Ross in the starting lineup in '07.
Chicago Enforcers
1a. Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas
1b. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP
2. Roger McIntosh, LB, Miami (FL)
3a. Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
3b. Cedric Griffin, CB, Texas
4. Maurice Stovall, WR, Notre Dame
5. Darryl Tapp, DE, Virginia Tech
6. Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado
7. Matt Bernstein, FB, Wisconsin
8. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State
Draft grade: B+
A top-heavy draft with most of the bottom half bypassing the Enforcers for the NFL, but the Enforcers mostly got what they needed with the exception of Wright, who missed the '06 season with a shoulder injury. But Jacobs saved the Enforcers at the end of the season, being largely responsible for keeping alive their string of playoff appearances--which is now five straight. Howard finished in the top five balloting for DROY and replaces Jimmy McClain at WLB. Griffin will become the team's nickel back in '07 as the Enforcers once again restructure the secondary.
Dallas Lonestars
1a. Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas
1b. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
2. A.J. Nicholson, LB, Florida State
3. Brad Smith, QB, Missouri
4. Will Allen, OG, Texas
5. Travis Leffew, OT, Louisville
6. Ben Obomanu, WR, Auburn
7. Darrell Hunter, CB, Miami (OH)
8. Tyrone Culver, S, Fresno State
Draft grade: B+
After a rocky start, Holmes showed the Lonestars why they weren't wrong to go for a WR in the first round for the third straight year, especially after Jerome Mathis was injured in the opener and missed the rest of the season. The athletic Nicholson, who also had attitude questions, proved to be a good pick as well. Scott and Allen will both start in '07. Smith looks destined to move over to WR after the Lonestars kicked off the free agency period by signing Seneca Wallace.
Detroit Mustangs
1. Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
2. Travis Wilson, WR, Oklahoma
3. Stephen Tulloch, LB, North Carolina State
4. Jarvis Herring, S, Florida
5. Marvin Philip, C, California
6. Josh Betts, QB, Miami (OH)
7. Jeremy Bloom, WR, Colorado
8. Will Montgomery, OG, Virginia Tech
Draft grade: B
The big noise was Watson, who stood out on a defensive line that otherwise looked old and slow, Philip asserted himself as the starter at center almost from day one, and Wilson could be in line to move into the starting lineup depending on what happens with Justin Gage.
Jacksonville Bulls
1. Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
2. Stanley McClover, DE, Auburn
3. Troy Bergeron, WR, Georgia Force (AFL)
4. Dan Stevenson, OG, Notre Dame
5. T.J. Williams, TE, North Carolina State
6. Brian Iwuh, LB, Colorado
7. Anthony Cannon, LB, Tulane
8. Khalid Naziruddin, CB, Texas Tech
Draft grade: A-
The Bulls' conitinuing problem of being stuck on 7-5 isn't Jackson's fault, as he showed he can easily become the #1 WR and replace Troy Edwards in that spot--although the Bulls re-signed him last month. Bergeron was a success as the team's punt returner--also replacing Edwards in that role, and Williams will be the team's new starting TE after Patrick Hughes signed with the Hitmen, but Williams acquitted himself nicely (17 rec, 163 yds, 2 TD) while Hughes was injured so the Bulls won't be hurt there. McClover, who's been compared to a young Simeon Rice, took successful first steps on the journey there, and Iwuh possibly can give the Bulls insurance if they lose John Leake as a free agent.
Kansas City Monarchs
1. LenDale White, RB, USC
2a. Darnell Bing, S, USC
2b. Richard Marshall, CB, Fresno State
3. Devin Hester, CB, Miami (FL)
4. Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
5. Garrett Mills, FB, Tulsa
6. Mark Setterstrom, OG, Minnesota
7. Martin Nance, WR, Miami (OH)
8. Michael Robinson, QB, Penn State
Draft grade: A-
On the surface, White didn't really look like much of an upgrade over Rashaan Shehee, gaining just 43 more yards and averaging 0.2 yards more per carry. But White's presence helped Anthony Calvillo and the Monarchs' offense roll to a first playoff spot in '06 after winning five more games than in their first two seasons combined--isn't that the bottom line? Having said that, more is expected from L-Train in '07, including from himself, which might be something to be wary of if you're on the Monarchs '07 schedule. Bing missed all but a few plays of the '06 season with a pinched nerve in his neck. But Hester stole the show in '06, averaging 18.4 yards per return--breaking the record held by Stepfret Williams, who averaged 18.2 with the Glory in '04. Actually, the biggest noise didn't come from the draft, it came from undrafted free agent Daniel Bullocks, who led the team with 117 tackles and also picked off four passes.
Las Vegas Outlaws
1. Eric Winston, OT, Miami (FL)
2. Devan Long, DE, Oregon
3. Jerome Harrison, RB, Washington State
4. Tim Day, TE, Oregon
5. Roman Harper, S, Alabama
6. Jeff Webb, WR, San Diego State
7. Nick Mihlhauser, C, Washington State
8. Harrison Smith, CB, California
Draft grade: A-
Winston didn't need to wait until '07 to make impact, he did it in '06 and, after a rough start, helped solidify the offensive line. He should only get better in '07. Long also burst on the scene and was second to linemate and brother Rien in sacks. Harrison had a good game in the X-Bowl and should be a factor in the Outlaws' retooled running game in '07, even with the arrival of Tony Hollings.
Los Angeles Xtreme
1. Maurice Drew, RB, UCLA
2. Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
3. Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami (FL)
4. Demetrius Williams, WR, Oregon
5. Spencer Havner, LB, UCLA
6. Anwar Phillips, CB, Penn State
7. Hank Baskett, WR, New Mexico
8. Travis Lulay, QB, Montana State
Draft grade: B
The Xtreme would like better production from Drew in '07 so they can feature him more with Sultan McCullough as a 1-2 punch. But Phillips was the big noise here, with a team-leading five INTs. Williams also made impact in '06 with 35 catches and a team-leading six TDs. Fasano had 18 catches, just as many as free-agent signee Antoine Harris. Havner is an excellent backup LB.
Memphis Maniax
1. Andrew Whitworth, OT, LSU
2. Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
3. Charles Gordon, CB, Kansas
4. Erik Meyer, QB, Eastern Washington
5. Ryan O’Callaghan, OG, California
6. David Pittman, CB, Northwestern State
7. Drouzon Quillen,WR, Louisiana-Monroe
8. Bernard Pollard, S, Purdue
Draft grade: B+
The loss of Melvin Paige didn't hurt the Maniax anywhere near as expected thanks in part to Whitworth, whose impact from day one on the offensive line was nearly enough to offset it. O'Callghan will have his chance in year two after the Maniax survived with veteran Tyson Walter at left guard in '06. Gordon and especially Simpson will be cornerstones in the Ax' secondary for '07 especially after Abdual Howard went to Pittsburgh in free agency.
New York Hitmen
1. Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
3. Greg Lee, WR, Pittsburgh
4. Kwakou Robinson, DT, Virginia
5. Jahmile Addae, S, West Virginia
6. Josh Lay, CB, Pittsburgh
7. Charles Bennett, DE, Clemson
8. Pierre Woods, LB, Michigan
Draft grade: B+
While the Hitmen continue to sort out their problems at RB--Rashaan Shehee did not deliver and now it looks like the job is Bobby Purify's to lose, the draft was very good to them in other areas. Robinson was chosen because he reminded most in the Hitmen FO of former Hitmen great Israel Raybon, then he went out and showed it with a team-leading ten sacks. Lay, team leader in INTs, and Lee, who averaged over 16 yards per punt return, had great debuts as well.
Orlando Rage
1. Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
2. Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma
3. Rashad Butler, OT, Miami (FL)
4. Mark Anderson, DE, Alabama
5. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
6. Tre’ Stallings, OT, Mississippi
7. Aaron Harris, LB, Texas
8. Javon Nanton, DE, Miami (FL)
Draft grade: C
With Cromartie and Joseph both defecting and Addai being traded this draft had disaster written all over it. But the Rage were able to get a strong #2 corner for Addai (Domonique Foxworth) and also got a strong contribution from Anderson--seven sacks. Nanton could get a shot at the DE rotation in '07.
Pittsburgh Ironmen
1. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
2. Charles Spencer, OG, Pittsburgh
3. Abdul Hodge, LB, Iowa
4. Orien Harris, DT, Miami (FL)
5. Troy Reddick, OT, Auburn
6. Drew Olson, QB, UCLA
7. Frostee Rucker, DE, USC
8. Alan Zemaitis, CB, Penn State
Draft Grade: A
As bleak as things have been for the I-Men the last few years, the lights are about to get brighter--though Ironmen fans would settle for dimly lit at this point. Chris Canty and James Sanders were big-time pickups in '05, and the top half of the draft served the Ironmen very well in '06. After a slow start Williams rebounded fairly well, and especially benefitted from an improved offense in the second half of the season. Hodge was a great pickup for the defense, and Harris could be moved to DE in the 3-4 set. Spencer made third-team all-XFL playing left tackle, which he played at Pitt as a junior but could move back to left guard if the Ironmen go there in either free agency or the draft.
San Francisco Demons
1. Gerald Riggs Jr., RB, Tennessee
2. Donnie McCleskey, S, California
3. Manase Hopoi, DT, Washington
4. Donovan Raiola, C, Wisconsin
5. David Thomas, TE, Texas
6. Freddie Keiaho, LB, San Diego State
7. John Walker, CB, USC
8. Anthony Schlegel, Ohio State
Draft Grade: B+
Keiaho was the definite star here, coming out of nowhere and tying for the league lead in sacks. Hopefully he doesn't decide to start going by his given name (Naivote Taulawakeiaho) again. Also they got strong contributions from Hopoi and McCleskey. Bigger things are expected from Riggs in '07, although there's no telling how bad the running game would have been if he wasn't there.
Seattle Reign
2. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
3. Mike Hass, WR, Oregon State
4. Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State
5. Dominique Byrd, TE, USC
6. Marcus Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
7. Will Derting, LB, Washington State
8. Fred Matua, OG, USC
Draft Grade: B
Even with the loss of Hill, and both Hagan and Byrd's sparingful use, this was a good draft. Hass--reminiscent to most Reign fans of a more famous Seattle receiver that wasn't physically threatening, he just caught the ball, then various records, then the Hall of Fame, then Congress--could make more a dent in '07 (even more than his team-leading 53 grabs) after the Reign failed to bring Nate Burleson home. Hagan should be in the mix more as the team looks to get the young guys more involved. Homestate product Derting had a great 2006 and will push both Gilbert Gardner and even Caspor Stiles, who had a disappointing first year in Seattle. Matua moved into the starting lineup at right guard and performed well.
Washington Glory
2. D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland
4. Victor Adenjayu, DE, Indiana
5. Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota
6. Rob Sims, OG, Ohio State
7. Barrick Nealy, QB, Texas State
8. Danieal Manning, CB, Abilene Christian
Draft Grade: C
This could really be more of an incomplete, as pretty much all the principals involved (other than Manning and Nealy--who finished last season on the Vipers' practice squad) will have their shot beginning in '07. Jackson will replace Mike Smith at MLB, Sims is in the mix at both of the guard spots, Eslinger could force the Glory to move Todd Wike to right guard if healthy, and Adenjayu could also be a factor on the defensive line.
Birmingham Bolts
1. Sinorice Moss, WR, Miami (FL)
2. Vernon Davis, TE, Georgia
3. Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
4. Elvis Dumervil, DE, Louisville
5. Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
6. Tautusi Lutui, OG, USC
7. Connor Hughes, K, Virginia
8. Rashon Powers-Neal, FB, Notre Dame
Draft grade: C+
Low grade because half the group bolted (no pun intended) for the NFL. However Dumervil might have made the Bolts' draft a success by himself, with a team-leading 12 sacks. With the Bolts going back to the standard 4-3, Dumervil and Igor Olshansky are a monstrous pair of ends. The little-used Powers-Neal will see more time on the field in 2007 with Tony Hollings now in Vegas and Cedric Cobbs over at halfback.
Carolina Colonels
1. Manny Lawson, DE, North Carolina State
2. Claude Wroten, DT, LSU
3. Daryn Colledge, OT, Boise State
4. Dusty Dvoracek, DT, Oklahoma
5. Kevin Boothe, OG, Cornell
6. Jeremy Trueblood, OT, Boston College
7. Derek Morris, OT, North Carolina State
8. Patrick Ross, C, Boston College
Draft grade: B
Lawson, Wroten, and Dvoracek were all the big splashes in '06, and, along with '05 draft star George Gause, will form one of the more talented d-lines in the league going into '07. Ross paid immediate dividends as well, as the slow-starting rushing game blasted off upon Ross' insertion into the starting lineup in week three. Colledge and Boothe will join Ross in the starting lineup in '07.
Chicago Enforcers
1a. Rodrique Wright, DT, Texas
1b. Thomas Howard, LB, UTEP
2. Roger McIntosh, LB, Miami (FL)
3a. Omar Jacobs, QB, Bowling Green
3b. Cedric Griffin, CB, Texas
4. Maurice Stovall, WR, Notre Dame
5. Darryl Tapp, DE, Virginia Tech
6. Joe Klopfenstein, TE, Colorado
7. Matt Bernstein, FB, Wisconsin
8. Kamerion Wimbley, DE, Florida State
Draft grade: B+
A top-heavy draft with most of the bottom half bypassing the Enforcers for the NFL, but the Enforcers mostly got what they needed with the exception of Wright, who missed the '06 season with a shoulder injury. But Jacobs saved the Enforcers at the end of the season, being largely responsible for keeping alive their string of playoff appearances--which is now five straight. Howard finished in the top five balloting for DROY and replaces Jimmy McClain at WLB. Griffin will become the team's nickel back in '07 as the Enforcers once again restructure the secondary.
Dallas Lonestars
1a. Jonathan Scott, OT, Texas
1b. Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
2. A.J. Nicholson, LB, Florida State
3. Brad Smith, QB, Missouri
4. Will Allen, OG, Texas
5. Travis Leffew, OT, Louisville
6. Ben Obomanu, WR, Auburn
7. Darrell Hunter, CB, Miami (OH)
8. Tyrone Culver, S, Fresno State
Draft grade: B+
After a rocky start, Holmes showed the Lonestars why they weren't wrong to go for a WR in the first round for the third straight year, especially after Jerome Mathis was injured in the opener and missed the rest of the season. The athletic Nicholson, who also had attitude questions, proved to be a good pick as well. Scott and Allen will both start in '07. Smith looks destined to move over to WR after the Lonestars kicked off the free agency period by signing Seneca Wallace.
Detroit Mustangs
1. Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
2. Travis Wilson, WR, Oklahoma
3. Stephen Tulloch, LB, North Carolina State
4. Jarvis Herring, S, Florida
5. Marvin Philip, C, California
6. Josh Betts, QB, Miami (OH)
7. Jeremy Bloom, WR, Colorado
8. Will Montgomery, OG, Virginia Tech
Draft grade: B
The big noise was Watson, who stood out on a defensive line that otherwise looked old and slow, Philip asserted himself as the starter at center almost from day one, and Wilson could be in line to move into the starting lineup depending on what happens with Justin Gage.
Jacksonville Bulls
1. Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
2. Stanley McClover, DE, Auburn
3. Troy Bergeron, WR, Georgia Force (AFL)
4. Dan Stevenson, OG, Notre Dame
5. T.J. Williams, TE, North Carolina State
6. Brian Iwuh, LB, Colorado
7. Anthony Cannon, LB, Tulane
8. Khalid Naziruddin, CB, Texas Tech
Draft grade: A-
The Bulls' conitinuing problem of being stuck on 7-5 isn't Jackson's fault, as he showed he can easily become the #1 WR and replace Troy Edwards in that spot--although the Bulls re-signed him last month. Bergeron was a success as the team's punt returner--also replacing Edwards in that role, and Williams will be the team's new starting TE after Patrick Hughes signed with the Hitmen, but Williams acquitted himself nicely (17 rec, 163 yds, 2 TD) while Hughes was injured so the Bulls won't be hurt there. McClover, who's been compared to a young Simeon Rice, took successful first steps on the journey there, and Iwuh possibly can give the Bulls insurance if they lose John Leake as a free agent.
Kansas City Monarchs
1. LenDale White, RB, USC
2a. Darnell Bing, S, USC
2b. Richard Marshall, CB, Fresno State
3. Devin Hester, CB, Miami (FL)
4. Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
5. Garrett Mills, FB, Tulsa
6. Mark Setterstrom, OG, Minnesota
7. Martin Nance, WR, Miami (OH)
8. Michael Robinson, QB, Penn State
Draft grade: A-
On the surface, White didn't really look like much of an upgrade over Rashaan Shehee, gaining just 43 more yards and averaging 0.2 yards more per carry. But White's presence helped Anthony Calvillo and the Monarchs' offense roll to a first playoff spot in '06 after winning five more games than in their first two seasons combined--isn't that the bottom line? Having said that, more is expected from L-Train in '07, including from himself, which might be something to be wary of if you're on the Monarchs '07 schedule. Bing missed all but a few plays of the '06 season with a pinched nerve in his neck. But Hester stole the show in '06, averaging 18.4 yards per return--breaking the record held by Stepfret Williams, who averaged 18.2 with the Glory in '04. Actually, the biggest noise didn't come from the draft, it came from undrafted free agent Daniel Bullocks, who led the team with 117 tackles and also picked off four passes.
Las Vegas Outlaws
1. Eric Winston, OT, Miami (FL)
2. Devan Long, DE, Oregon
3. Jerome Harrison, RB, Washington State
4. Tim Day, TE, Oregon
5. Roman Harper, S, Alabama
6. Jeff Webb, WR, San Diego State
7. Nick Mihlhauser, C, Washington State
8. Harrison Smith, CB, California
Draft grade: A-
Winston didn't need to wait until '07 to make impact, he did it in '06 and, after a rough start, helped solidify the offensive line. He should only get better in '07. Long also burst on the scene and was second to linemate and brother Rien in sacks. Harrison had a good game in the X-Bowl and should be a factor in the Outlaws' retooled running game in '07, even with the arrival of Tony Hollings.
Los Angeles Xtreme
1. Maurice Drew, RB, UCLA
2. Anthony Fasano, TE, Notre Dame
3. Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami (FL)
4. Demetrius Williams, WR, Oregon
5. Spencer Havner, LB, UCLA
6. Anwar Phillips, CB, Penn State
7. Hank Baskett, WR, New Mexico
8. Travis Lulay, QB, Montana State
Draft grade: B
The Xtreme would like better production from Drew in '07 so they can feature him more with Sultan McCullough as a 1-2 punch. But Phillips was the big noise here, with a team-leading five INTs. Williams also made impact in '06 with 35 catches and a team-leading six TDs. Fasano had 18 catches, just as many as free-agent signee Antoine Harris. Havner is an excellent backup LB.
Memphis Maniax
1. Andrew Whitworth, OT, LSU
2. Ko Simpson, S, South Carolina
3. Charles Gordon, CB, Kansas
4. Erik Meyer, QB, Eastern Washington
5. Ryan O’Callaghan, OG, California
6. David Pittman, CB, Northwestern State
7. Drouzon Quillen,WR, Louisiana-Monroe
8. Bernard Pollard, S, Purdue
Draft grade: B+
The loss of Melvin Paige didn't hurt the Maniax anywhere near as expected thanks in part to Whitworth, whose impact from day one on the offensive line was nearly enough to offset it. O'Callghan will have his chance in year two after the Maniax survived with veteran Tyson Walter at left guard in '06. Gordon and especially Simpson will be cornerstones in the Ax' secondary for '07 especially after Abdual Howard went to Pittsburgh in free agency.
New York Hitmen
1. Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
3. Greg Lee, WR, Pittsburgh
4. Kwakou Robinson, DT, Virginia
5. Jahmile Addae, S, West Virginia
6. Josh Lay, CB, Pittsburgh
7. Charles Bennett, DE, Clemson
8. Pierre Woods, LB, Michigan
Draft grade: B+
While the Hitmen continue to sort out their problems at RB--Rashaan Shehee did not deliver and now it looks like the job is Bobby Purify's to lose, the draft was very good to them in other areas. Robinson was chosen because he reminded most in the Hitmen FO of former Hitmen great Israel Raybon, then he went out and showed it with a team-leading ten sacks. Lay, team leader in INTs, and Lee, who averaged over 16 yards per punt return, had great debuts as well.
Orlando Rage
1. Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
2. Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma
3. Rashad Butler, OT, Miami (FL)
4. Mark Anderson, DE, Alabama
5. Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
6. Tre’ Stallings, OT, Mississippi
7. Aaron Harris, LB, Texas
8. Javon Nanton, DE, Miami (FL)
Draft grade: C
With Cromartie and Joseph both defecting and Addai being traded this draft had disaster written all over it. But the Rage were able to get a strong #2 corner for Addai (Domonique Foxworth) and also got a strong contribution from Anderson--seven sacks. Nanton could get a shot at the DE rotation in '07.
Pittsburgh Ironmen
1. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
2. Charles Spencer, OG, Pittsburgh
3. Abdul Hodge, LB, Iowa
4. Orien Harris, DT, Miami (FL)
5. Troy Reddick, OT, Auburn
6. Drew Olson, QB, UCLA
7. Frostee Rucker, DE, USC
8. Alan Zemaitis, CB, Penn State
Draft Grade: A
As bleak as things have been for the I-Men the last few years, the lights are about to get brighter--though Ironmen fans would settle for dimly lit at this point. Chris Canty and James Sanders were big-time pickups in '05, and the top half of the draft served the Ironmen very well in '06. After a slow start Williams rebounded fairly well, and especially benefitted from an improved offense in the second half of the season. Hodge was a great pickup for the defense, and Harris could be moved to DE in the 3-4 set. Spencer made third-team all-XFL playing left tackle, which he played at Pitt as a junior but could move back to left guard if the Ironmen go there in either free agency or the draft.
San Francisco Demons
1. Gerald Riggs Jr., RB, Tennessee
2. Donnie McCleskey, S, California
3. Manase Hopoi, DT, Washington
4. Donovan Raiola, C, Wisconsin
5. David Thomas, TE, Texas
6. Freddie Keiaho, LB, San Diego State
7. John Walker, CB, USC
8. Anthony Schlegel, Ohio State
Draft Grade: B+
Keiaho was the definite star here, coming out of nowhere and tying for the league lead in sacks. Hopefully he doesn't decide to start going by his given name (Naivote Taulawakeiaho) again. Also they got strong contributions from Hopoi and McCleskey. Bigger things are expected from Riggs in '07, although there's no telling how bad the running game would have been if he wasn't there.
Seattle Reign
2. Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
3. Mike Hass, WR, Oregon State
4. Derek Hagan, WR, Arizona State
5. Dominique Byrd, TE, USC
6. Marcus Vick, QB, Virginia Tech
7. Will Derting, LB, Washington State
8. Fred Matua, OG, USC
Draft Grade: B
Even with the loss of Hill, and both Hagan and Byrd's sparingful use, this was a good draft. Hass--reminiscent to most Reign fans of a more famous Seattle receiver that wasn't physically threatening, he just caught the ball, then various records, then the Hall of Fame, then Congress--could make more a dent in '07 (even more than his team-leading 53 grabs) after the Reign failed to bring Nate Burleson home. Hagan should be in the mix more as the team looks to get the young guys more involved. Homestate product Derting had a great 2006 and will push both Gilbert Gardner and even Caspor Stiles, who had a disappointing first year in Seattle. Matua moved into the starting lineup at right guard and performed well.
Washington Glory
2. D’Qwell Jackson, LB, Maryland
4. Victor Adenjayu, DE, Indiana
5. Greg Eslinger, C, Minnesota
6. Rob Sims, OG, Ohio State
7. Barrick Nealy, QB, Texas State
8. Danieal Manning, CB, Abilene Christian
Draft Grade: C
This could really be more of an incomplete, as pretty much all the principals involved (other than Manning and Nealy--who finished last season on the Vipers' practice squad) will have their shot beginning in '07. Jackson will replace Mike Smith at MLB, Sims is in the mix at both of the guard spots, Eslinger could force the Glory to move Todd Wike to right guard if healthy, and Adenjayu could also be a factor on the defensive line.