Throwback Thursday: The 2006 NFL Draft

July 28, 2012; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum walks off the field following training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

With the draft one week from tonight, we focus on a draft from our history. It’s time for another edition of “Throwback Thursday”.

Over the last few weeks, we have been going back to drafts from years gone by that have gone well. Yes, we actually have had ones that went well, despite the fact the Jets have been the butts of most of the NFL draft history jokes out there.

We have covered a couple of drafts from the seventies. Last week, we went through the notables from the 2001 NFL draft.

For this week, our final Throwback Thursday before draft day, we go back one more time. We go back to a draft engineered by a guy we love to hate, the one and only Mike Tannenbaum.

Let’s go ahead with the slideshow and you can remember back with all of us, the notable players chosen by the Jets in the 2006 NFL Draft.   Come, let’s reminisce:

There is no better way to rebuild an offense than to start with the offensive line, and the Jets did that, selecting D’Brickashaw Ferguson with the fourth pick overall in the draft. He has been a fixture on the blindside of Jets’ quarterbacks, starting every game at left tackle since being selected in the draft in 2006.

We know how good D’Brickashaw has been since he has been here.

Aug 1, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets center

(74) during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

The Jets continued rebuilding the offensive line with the selection of Nick Mangold at number 29 overall in the draft. Nick has been nearly as prolific as D’Brickashaw, missing only two games since entering the draft in 2006. Nick and D’Brick have shaped this team for years, thanks to be chosen together in the 2006 NFL draft.

Sept. 30, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; San Francisco 49ers wide receiver

(19) carries the ball as New York Jets free safety

(33) gives chase during the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

With the 96th pick overall in the draft, the Jets chose Eric Smith in 2006. Never a major star, but was a strong competitor and a great force on special teams. Eric recorded six interceptions while in the Green and White, in addition to posting 3.5 sacks.

Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver

(16) during the game against the New York Jets at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Remember this guy? I think we do. It’s Brad Smith, chosen in that draft with the 103rd pick. Never a star at wide receiver, but when you added together the elements that he added at WR, RB, and QB, you had a dynamic triple threat type of player.

Some of his best work was on special teams, running three kickoffs for touchdowns while in Green and White.

And this old fan favorite was chosen in the 2006 draft with the 117th pick overall. It’s none other than our good buddy Leon Washington. He, like Brad Smith, combined his weapons as a runner, wildcat QB, and pass catcher to make one of the more dangerous weapons in all of football.

Leon too made a huge special teams impact, with four kickoff return touchdowns for his Jets’ career.

All in all, one of the best drafts in recent memory.