2006 NFL Offseason Winners & Losers

2006 NFL Offseason Winners & Losers
By Rich Carlson
Posted: 5:30 am PDT 2006-06-08

With teams across the NFL in the midst of their offseason workout programs, coaches and general managers will get their first true chance to evaluate their recent draft picks and free agent signings. Some teams made dramatic improvements to their rosters, while other teams failed to address any of their critical needs. Let's examine some of the big winners and losers of the 2006 NFL offseason.

WINNERS

Denver Broncos

2005 record: 13-3 (1st place -- AFC West)
2005 total offense rank: 5th (360.4 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 15th (312.9 yards per game)

Reason for improvement: Good draft picks, great trade

Denver coach Mike Shanahan was in full-fledge wheel and deal mode on draft day, as he traded up in the first round to grab Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler, who was listed on some teams' draft boards as the top QB in the draft. Shanahan also traded for Packers All-Pro WR Javon Walker, who will make an immediate impact on the offensive side of the ball and could make Denver an odds-on favorite to win the AFC. In the second round, Denver selected versatile TE Tony Scheffler from Western Michigan, who could be an H-type back in Denver's offensive scheme. DE Elvis Dumervil from Louisville, who recorded 20 sacks last year, was selected in the fourth-round and will be a valuable addition to Denver's nickel package. Denver added depth to the offensive line by drafting T Chris Cooper and C Greg Eslinger.

Arizona Cardinals

2005 record: 5-11 (3^rd place -- NFC West)
2005 total offense rank: 8th (348.4 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 8th (295.6 yards per game)

Reason for improvement: Good draft picks

Many draft pundits ranked the Cardinals' draft as the best in the league in 2006. In a draft day shocker, Heisman trophy winner and national championship QB Matt Leinart from USC fell into the Cardinals' lap at No. 10 in the first round. Leinart is Arizona's quarterback of the future and will benefit from the tutelage that two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner can provide. Taitusi Lutui, a massive guard from USC, will help anchor Arizona's offensive line for years to come, and TE Leonard Pope is another weapon for Warner and the offense to utilize. Arizona added much-needed depth on the defensive side of the ball by drafting two defensive ends, Gabe Watson from Michigan and Jon Lewis from Virginia Tech, and added a solid linebacker in Brandon Johnson from Louisville.

Carolina Panthers

2005 record: 11-5 (tied for 1^st place -- NFC South)
2005 total offense rank: 21st (309.4 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 3rd (282.6 yards per game)

Reason for improvement: Good draft picks and free agent signings

The Panthers managed to improve their already dominant defense in the offseason by signing free agent DT Maake Kemoeatu, DT Damione Lewis and S Shaun Williams. FA WR Keyshawn Johnson is a valuable possession receiver who should take some of the defensive pressure off of Steve Smith. Carolina drafted the most productive RB in the draft, DeAngelo Williams from Memphis, who will fit in nicely alongside DeShaun Foster. DB Richard Marshall from Fresno State will help solidify the secondary, and LB James Anderson from Virginia Tech will be asked to take the place of departed LB Will Witherspoon. The Panthers will be many sportsbooks' choice as the NFC preseason favorites.

Miami Dolphins

2005 record: 9-7 (2nd place -- AFC East)
2005 total offense rank: 14th (324.9 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 18th (317.4 yards per game)

Reason for improvement: Good draft picks and free agent signings

Anytime you can add All-Pro QB Daunte Culpepper to your squad, you have had a successful offseason. To give Culpepper more weapons on offense, Miami drafted Auburn WR Devin Aromashodu and Arizona State WR Derek Hagan, who averaged over 100 yards receiving per game last year. Miami revamped its secondary by signing FA cornerbacks Andre Goodman, Will Allen and Renaldo Hill, and added LB Sedrick Hodge to replace aging Junior Seau. The Dolphins also acquired QB Joey Harrington from Detroit to backup Culpepper and provide some insurance in case Culpepper's rehabilitation from a knee injury takes longer than expected.

Cleveland Browns

2005 record: 6-10 (last place -- AFC North)
2005 total offense rank: 16th (316.8 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 18th (317.4 yards per game)

Reason for improvement: Good draft picks and free agent signings

Coach Romeo Crennel made wholesale changes to the Browns offensive line in the offseason by signing C LeCharles Bentley, LT Kevin Shaffer and G Bob Hallen. The Browns also added veteran DL Willie McGinest from New England and DT Ted Washington from Oakland to strengthen the defense. Sure-handed WR Joe Jurevicius was signed to replace inconsistent WR Antonio Bryant. The Browns had a very solid draft as well, as they addressed needs on both sides of the ball. DE Kamerion Wimbley from Florida State could be the pass rusher the Browns have lacked, and linebackers Leon Williams from Miami and 2005 ACC Defensive Player of the Year D'Qwell Jackson from Maryland should flourish in the Browns' 3-4 defensive scheme. The Browns were able to add potential firepower to their offense by drafting RB Jerome Harrison from Washington State, who led the Pac-10 in rushing last season.

LOSERS

San Diego Chargers

2005 record: 9-7 (3rd place -- AFC West)
2005 total offense rank: 10th (347.9 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 13th (309.2 yards per game)

Reason for decline: Risky draft picks, lost valuable players to free agency

The Chargers' offseason got off to a bad start when they decided to let QB Drew Brees leave without getting any compensation. Valuable LB Ben Leber was signed by Minnesota, and the Chargers waited until the fifth round to draft his replacement, Tim Dobbins from Iowa. Coach Marty Schottenheimer took a high risk/high reward attitude with the draft, as he rolled the dice in the first-round by selecting Florida State CB Antonio Cromartie, who only played in one game last year before injuring his knee. Auburn tackle Marcus McNeill, San Diego's second-round pick, also has a history of knee problems. Inconsistent Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was selected in the third-round to compete with A.J. Feeley for the backup quarterback position. If Cromartie and McNeill can stay healthy, this draft could end up being successful for San Diego. That may be a big if.

Chicago Bears

2005 record: 11-5 (1st place -- NFC North)
2005 total offense rank: 29th (256.3 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 2nd (281.8 yards per game)

Reason for decline: Failure to address offensive needs

When your team's defense ranks No. 2 in the NFL in total yards allowed per game, while your offense is ranked 29th (out of 32) in total offense per game, you would think improving the offense would be a major focus of your offseason activities. Not so with the Bears and Coach Lovie Smith. Four out of their first five draft picks were spent on defensive players, and the only offensive player taken was return specialist Devin Hester from Miami (who will play cornerback). Instead of signing big name free agents to upgrade their offense, Chicago chose to sign RB Tony Hollings, WR Bryan McClendon and WR Mark Philmore. Haven't heard of them? Neither have I. It's a good bet that it will be another long year for Rex Grossman and the Chicago offense.

Minnesota Vikings

2005 record: 9-7 (2nd place -- NFC North)
2005 total offense rank: 25th (288.3 yards per game)
2005 total defense rank: 21st (323.3 yards per game)

Reason for decline: Numerous poor draft picks

Does everybody remember the 2003 draft debacle that was the Minnesota Vikings? After having months to prepare, the Vikings were not able to come to a decision as to their first-round pick, their allotted time to make the pick expired, and two other teams quickly submitted their picks before the Vikings could. The 2006 draft wasn't as bad as 2003, but some questionable picks were made by first-year coach Brad Childress and the Vikings' front office. Many scouts felt that the Vikings first-round pick, LB Chad Greenway, lacked the necessary top speed and quickness to be successful in the NFL. The Vikings took New Mexico center Ryan Cook in the second-round, when he would have been available in the fifth or sixth round. Minnesota wanted to draft Oregon QB Kellen Clemens in the second round, but lost him to the Jets, and instead gambled on Alabama State QB Tarvaris Jackson, who many draft experts felt would not be selected until the sixth or seventh round.

NFL Football Betting At Wager Web Sportsbook

NFL Football Betting Line, Upcoming Game Previews & More

Online NFL Football Betting Sites