2006 Draft Revisited

Since everyone is giving out draft grades I thought it would be fun to join the party. Only, I won't be foolishly grading this year's draft. I'll take a look at the 2006 draft, now that three years has passed and that seems like ample time to get a reasonable grade. The 2006 draft for the Dolphins can be summed up rather quickly.

Worst. Draft. Ever.

1st Round, #16 Overall: Jason Allen, CB

He entered as a hybrid CB/S who was thought of as a gifted athlete. Well, it turns out his NFL career has resembled this classic youtube. In his rookie year, he bounced from corner to safety often and never found a role. He struggled for playing time and didn't make a good first impression. In his second year, the 1-15 disaster, it took injuries to five different safeties before he got a start. He had one good game against Philadelphia, but was still underwhelming. Last year he saw some more consistent playing time, but only in nickel and dime packages. All the while he has played some special teams but even in that regard, I recall more mistakes than anything.

This is a classic first round bust. First rounders should be consistent starters and contributors and perhaps even pushing for pro bowls. Worse than the fact he hasn't panned out is actually the money he has received and may continue to get. He got a six year deal (final year is voidable) with $8 million in guarantees. I'm no salary cap expert but I'm pretty sure even if he is cut this instant, he'd still have an effect on this and next year's cap number. The contract has probably been the biggest reason he has stuck around, and that's never good. I'd say with the three new corners and two new safeties, his days are numbered.

Notable DB still on the board: Antonio Cromartie, Kelly Jennings

2nd Round: Traded to Minnesota for Daunte Culpepper

We all know how that turned out. This was yet another wasted trading of a high draft pick.

3rd Round, #82 Overall: Derek Hagan

Derek Hagan set records at Arizona St. and in the Pac 10, most of which have been ecplipsed, but his draft stock fell after the Senior Bowl and combine. The Dolphins grabbed him because we needed receiver help and he was expected to be a contributor. But, poor Hagan had the drops in his first year and was never able to climb the depth chart and make an impact. 2007 brought a better opportunity with a coaching change and the trades of Wes Welker and later Chris Chambers. Still though, production was at a minimum. The third year is usually when it clicks for receivers but Hagan never got it going in 2008 and was lost amongst a below-avergage corps of pass catchers. He was released mid season.

I'm not sure third round picks can be busts, but this is pretty close. He was in the top 100 after all and the sixth receiver taken. Plus, it's not like he was stuck behind solid veterans and pro bowlers. Miami's receiving corps were awful in his years here and he still couldn't crack the starting lineup, save for one game. My final verdict is a definite miss and a mini-bust.

Notable WR still on the board include Brandon Marshall and Domenick Hixon

4th Round, # Overall: Joe Toledo, OL

A mid round picked was used here on an offensive tackle, but he started out playing some guard. Injuries plagued Joe however and he spent a good time on the PUP list. He was released following the 2007 season. This pick was a swing and a miss.

5th Round: Pick forfeited due to use in 2005 Supplemental Draft

We lost this pick due to the selection of the infamous Manuel Wright in the previous year's supplemental draft. You may remember Manny as being out of shape and crying after a Nick Saban verbal lashing. Predictably, he barely played and was released shortly after the Cam Cameron experience started. Another miss here.

7th Round, #212 Overall: Fred Evans, DT

He made the team but was mostly inactive. In the following season he was arrested for an off field incident and released shortly after. Miss.

7th Round, #226 Overall, Rodrique Wright, DT

Amazingly, this has been the best pick of this draft (which is not saying much). He fell in the draft because he had a bad rotator cuff and he missed all of 2006. He did make the 2007 Cam Cameron Dolphins and had a handful of starts. In 2008 he has survived but only as an inactive player. His prospects are similar for 2009 and he once again must fight to make the team. I guess this pick was a mini-hit. Seventh rounders usually don't make the team but he has survived, for now.

7th Round, #233 Overall, Devin Aromashodu, WR

Miami took a small gamble on a local kid and it didn't work out. Devin did not make the team in 2006. Miss.

Final Thoughts

I don't think much more explanation is needed for how awful this draft was. Only one tiny tick mark in the win column and huge amount on the other side. No gems were found, not even a consistent or fringe starter in the NFL. This is one of a several drafts this decade that set back the development of this team and was the major contributor towards the downfall of the franchise. This most definitely deserves and has earned an F-.