On August 6th, teams identified their keeper selections for the 2006 season. Each team was allowed to retain the services of one rookie (if they had one on the roster at the end of the 2005 season) and one other player. Keepers for 2006 are as follows:

Arizona Hellcats: RB Shaun Alexander, RB Ronnie Brown (R)
Casper Big Dogs: WR Marvin Harrison, RB JJ Arrington (R)
Detroit Enforcers: RB Steven Jackson, WR Matt Jones (R)
Iowa Corn Snakes: QB Peyton Manning
Kentucky Crunch: RB Julius Jones, RB Frank Gore (R)
Las Vegas Lightning: QB Carson Palmer, RB Marion Barber (R)
New York Knights: RB Edgerrin James, RB Tyson Thompson (R)
North Carolina Tigers: WR Chris Chambers, TE Heath Miller (R)
Novato Firesouls: RB Larry Johnson, RB Carnell Williams (R)
Portland Pirates: RB Corey Dillon, QB Alex Smith (R)
Rhode Island Riddlers: RB Rudi Johnson, QB Kyle Orton (R)
San Diego Storm: RB Clinton Portis, no rookie
South Bend Quasimodos: RB LaDanian Tomlinson, WR Braylon Edwards (R)
Washington Warriors: WR Steve Smith, RB Cedric Benson (R)

A total of 16 running backs were protected, seven of which were rookies, while five wide receivers were protected. Four quarterbacks were retained, while only one tight end, North Carolina Tigers former rookie Heath Miller, will play through on the same team.

With keeper picks announced, the next step is the 2006 draft which will take place starting at 4:00 p.m. (Arizona time) on Saturday, August 26th. The Iowa Corn Snakes hold the first pick and are now officially on the clock. The full first round draft order is listed below:
1. Iowa Corn Snakes (3-9)
2. Kentucky Crunch (4-8)
3. San Diego Storm (4-8)
4. Portland Pirates (4-8)
5. North Carolina Tigers (5-7)
6. Las Vegas Lightning (5-6-1)
7. Casper Big Dogs (6-6)
8. Minneapolis Blizzard (6-6)
9. Washington Warriors (6-6)
10. South Bend Fubar'd Quasimodos (7-5)
11. Rhode Island Riddlers (7-5)
12. New York Knights (7-4-1)
13. Arizona Hellcats (9-3)
14. Novato Firesouls (10-2)