January 4, 2012

Greg's Top Ten Most Overrated Players From the 2006 NFL Draft:

1. Vince Young - QB, Texas - Drafted 1st Round, 3rd overall by Tennessee: The word overrated was created for people like Vince Young. I love it when people say he's a "winner" because he has a 31-19 record as a pro. Yeah, because winners have a lifetime QB Rating of 74, quit on their team, divide locker rooms, get in trouble off the field and end up playing backup to Michael Vick. Please.

2. Matt Leinart - QB, USC - Drafted 1st Round, 10th overall by Arizona: The only good thing about Matt Leinart is that his terrible play and lack of dedication as a pro quarterback paved the way for future Hall of Famer, and former Leinart understudy, Kurt Warner to enjoy one of the greatest career rebirths in NFL history. Since getting benched in 2007, Leinart has started only two games as a pro.

3. Broderick Bunkley - DT, Fla. St. - Drafted 1st Round, 14th overall by Philadelphia:
Taken 14th overall means you're supposed to be a starter and impact player upon arrival. Since his rookie year in 2006 Bunkley has recorded just six sacks, averaging one sack per season as a pro. Bunkley earned over $10 million for the Eagles during his five years with the Eagles. So, that's nearly $2 million per sack. Nice investment!

4. Reggie Bush - RB, USC - Drafted 1st Round, 2nd overall by New Orleans: Up until this year, his first with the Miami Dolphins, Bush was by most accounts a NFL bust. Sure, his numbers are decent for a situational running back, but many thought Bush would be the next Barry Sanders - or at least the next Dalton Hilliard. He was neither, often finding himself on the bench while less touted prospects like undrafted Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory started ahead of him.

5. Tye Hill - CB, Clemson - Drafted 1st Round, 15th overall by St. Louis: Here's all you need to know about Tye Hill - since being drafted in the middle of the first round by the Rams he has played for four NFL teams and is currently an unsigned free agent. Pro Bowl corners Antonio Cromartie and Jonathan Joseph were selected several picks after Hill.

6. Laurence Maroney - RB, Minn. - Drafted 1st Round, 21st overall by New England: Usually the Patriots are rock solid when it comes to their scouting of potential talent. This wasn't one of their brightest success stories. Maroney was cut traded to the Denver Broncos for a fourth round selection in 2010. One year after playing with Denver he was released and hasn't played in the NFL since.

7. John McCargo - DT, NC State - Drafted 1st Round, 26th overall by Buffalo: Most draft experts expected McCargo to go in the 2nd or 3rd round of the 2006 Draft. To say he was overrated would be an understatement. McCargo didn't even play up to 2nd or 3rd round pick standards accumulating a mere 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks over six seasons with two teams.

8. Chad Jackson - WR, Florida - Drafted 2nd Round, 36th overall by New England: Jackson was supposed to boost what was a weak position in the Patriots offense in the pre-Wes Welker/Randy Moss era. Instead, he consistently found himself in Bill Belichick's doghouse and rarely found his way on the field. His lifetime NFL statistics read like a typical day at the office for Wes Welker - 14 receptions, 171 yards and 3 TDs. Since being drafted in 2006, Jackson has played for 6 professional teams most recently the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.

9. Sinorice Moss - WR, Miami (FL) - Drafted 2nd Round, 44th overall by NY Giants: Santana Moss' little brother was anything but spectacular - amassing just 39 receptions over his six year career. Though he won a Super Bowl ring with the Giants in his second season, he was waived by the Giants in 2010 only to sign a future's contract with division rival Philadelphia. He was released by the Eagles shortly after being signed and has not played a down in the NFL since.

10. LenDale White - RB, USC - Drafted 2nd Round, 45th overall by Tennessee:
Sure, White had some bright moments as an NFL pro including a 1,000-yard campaign in 2007 and a 15-touchdown season in 2008, but he's more well known for off-field issues and failure to live up to what could have been a strong NFL career. His list of transgressions range from spitting on a teammates face during a 2006 practice, drawing ire from his teammates, receiving citations for destruction of property and interference and failing NFL drug tests. He has not played in the NFL since being cut by the Denver Broncos, his third team, in 2011.