Earlier, we looked over the 2005 draft for the Packers, which most people agree that we did pretty good at. 80% gave it higher than a B+. I’m back so that we can look at the 2006 NFL Draft. Again, the same rules apply for what I want you to consider.

1. Impact of the pick on our team

2. Availability of superior players at/around the same pick

3. Number of players still on our team

4. Misses

As before, I’ll show our pick, position in the round and draft overall, then I’ll show the next closest draft pick of that player’s similar position, as well as a look at the best player 10-15 picks after our guy was chosen. I think looking at those two things is a good indication of how good of a pick our player was. The players listed in the "available" and "Best Player in 10" spots aren’t necessarily better than the player we drafted. It is simply showing what was available around that player to put into comparison.

Round 1, Pick 5, ILB A.J. Hawk

Next Position Available, D’Quell Jackson (29 picks later)

Best Player in 10 picks, TE Vernon Davis

.

Round 2, Pick 47, G Daryn College

Next Position Available, Paul McQuistan (22 picks later)

Best Player in 10 picks, WR Greg Jennings

.

Round 2, Pick 52, WR Greg Jennings

Next Position Available, Travis Wilson (26)

Best Player in 10 picks, RB Maurice Jones-Drew

.

Round 3 , Pick 67, LB Abdul Hodge

Next Position Available, Chris Gocong (4)

Best Player in 10 picks, Jason Spitz

.

Round 3, Pick 75, OG Jason Spitz

Next Position Available, Max Jean-Gilles (24)

Best Player in 10 picks, QB Charlie Whitehurst

.

Round 4, Pick 104, WR Cory Rodgers

Next Position Available, Jason Avant (5)

Best Player in 10 picks, WR Jason Avant

.

Round 4, Pick 115, CB Will Blackmon

Next Position Available, Alan Zemaitis (7)

Best Player in 10 picks, DE Elvis Dumerville

.

Round 5, Pick 148, QB Ingle Martin

Next Position Available, Omar Jacobs (16)

Best Player in 10 picks, SS Charlie Peprah

.

Round 5, Pick 165, OG Tony Noll

Next Position Available, Kevin Booth (11)

Best Player in 10 picks, WR Jonathan Orr

.

Round 6, Pick 183, DT Jonny Jolly

Next Position Available, Kedrick Golston (13)

Best Player in 10 picks, QB Bruce Gradkowski

.

Round 6, Pick 185, DB Tyrone Culver

Next Position Available, Drew Coleman (4)

Best Player in 10 picks, QB Bruce Gradkowski

.

Round 7, Pick 253, DE Drew Tollefson

Next Position Available, None

Best Player in 10 picks, None

So, in looking at this draft, there has really only been one absolute hit in this draft, Greg Jennings. Hawk is debatable, but what isn’t is that the next linebacker picked after him has definitely outplayed him, as well as the best player picked around him. Something that stands out to me greatly in this draft as well is that we could have drafted both Jennings and Maurice Jones-Drew, thus making the whole Cutler tweet about being a quitter even more interesting as well as giving us an amazing running back. Another thing about this draft that surprises me is that teams passed on Dumerville at least 3 times before Denver took him.

I can’t consider Johnny Jolly a bust, especially considering how late he was picked and how little help the NFL PA has given him. I feel bad for the guy.

Again, only two players, I believe, are still on this team; however, they are bother starters and serious contributors for our Super Bowl Run. So. What grade do you give this draft?