The War Room
May 01, 2006
By
James Butler
Hopefully by now we have all recovered from what is unquestionably the most visually compelling television event of the year - the NFL draft.
Short of hiring Ben Stein to emcee the event and actually drafting a player named Bueller, I honestly cannot think of a better way to make the NFL more boring to even its most passionate of couch potato fans.
When you wake up dazed and in torpor, with the nachos cold and soggy, to hear that the Falcons have selected (from the 49ers, through the Broncos, through the Packers) a defensive back from Virginia Tech that likely won't make the team only to realize it will be another 15 minutes before the Raiders make their next selection (some linebacker from UTEP), it makes you wonder why you even watched in the first place. Especially considering the Houston Texans announced their first selection (and blunder of biblical proportions) the night before the draft even started, revealing the true winner of the Reggie Bush sweepstakes without so much as a spoiler alert.
Regardless, from a fantasy perspective, it's never too early to look at the results of the draft position by position with an eye towards the upcoming season.
Quarterback
Bearing in mind quarterbacks rarely make an immediate fantasy impact and generally spend their rookie seasons learning their new system, it's generally wise to avoid them in a fantasy draft. However, considering the quality of the first three quarterbacks drafted and the propensity of injury in the modern NFL, these first rounders could have an impact sooner rather than later.
*Vince Young (Texas) 3rd to Tennessee Titans - Young has the playmaking ability to step right in where outgoing Titan quarterback Steve McNair left off. He is big (6'5, 225), fast and agile and has the ability to make people miss. Detractors point to the fact that he did not play in a pro style offense at Texas, but the Tennessee line is experienced in blocking for a mobile quarterback. Although Billy Volek is capable of taking the reins for the time being, it won't be too long before the fans will be chanting Vince's name and pressuring head coach Jeff Fisher to give him a shot.
*Matt Leinart (USC) 10th to Arizona Cardinals - Most scouts think Leinart is ready to make an immediate impact at the NFL level, and considering his familiarity with a pro-style offense and his penchant for winning it's difficult to argue with them. Leinart throws a very catchable ball and makes few mistakes, which makes him a very nice fit in Dennis Green's offense, especially with new backfield mate Edgerrin James and the lethal wideout combination of Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. Kurt Warner is entrenched as the starter at quarterback going into training camp, but considering his age and injury history, it is a safe bet that Leinart will be taking the snaps at some point this season. Given the offensive weapons at his disposal, he makes for a nice selection, especially in keeper leagues.
*Jay Cutler (Vanderbilt) 11th to Denver Broncos - Cutler has seen his stock soar over the last season, culminating in his selection by Denver. Generally regarded as more of a project than the other first round picks, he does have a couple of things going for him that head coach Mike Shanahan likes, namely his size and toughness. Although Cutler might need a bit more time before making an impact, he also has that luxury as Jake Plummer enters the season as the starter. This provides a nice comfort zone for him to learn the system and familiarize himself with the playbook, which incidentally includes wide receiver Javon Walker, obtained in a draft day trade with the Packers.
Kellen Clemens (Oregon) 49th to New York Jets, Tarvaris Jackson (Alabama State) 64th to Minnesota Vikings, Charlie Whitehurst (Clemson) 81st to San Diego Chargers, and Brodie Croyle (Alabama) 85th to Kansas City Chiefs all were selected in the second and third rounds and figure to be carrying clipboards or learning new positions with little fantasy significance.
Running Back
*Reggie Bush (USC) 2nd to New Orleans Saints - I don't care who's house his parents live in, soon the New Orleans Superdome will be HIS house. Consider this a gift from the Houston Texans, who passed on Bush with the top overall pick. Temper your expectations for Bush for 2006, however, considering he enters a backfield which is suddenly saturated with Deuce McAllister, Michael Bennett and Aaron Stecker, and remember that Bush isn't in the workhorse mold. Comparisons abound between Bush and Gale Sayers, but I see more similarity to Eric Metcalf at this early stage of his career. Regardless, Bush could stand out as one of the few instant fantasy impact players.
*Laurence Maroney (Minnesota) 21st to New England Patriots - Maroney is the little girl with the curl. And that is not a knock on his hairstyle. Quite simply, when he is good, he is very, very good. But when he is bad, ... well. The tailback came out after his junior year and has earned praise for his explosiveness and athleticism, but has also taken some knocks for his inability to block and for not always putting forth his best effort. Not exactly the type of player most people associate with Bill Belichick, but there is definitely a big upside here if he does blossom under the Patriots system. One of the best rumors heard on draft day was that New England actually drafted Maroney despite not being taken with him solely because they knew the Indianapolis Colts coveted him. Personally I don't think Bell Belichick drafts anyone he doesn't want to draft, but it's another example of the great trash you hear talked this time of year.
*DeAngelo Williams (Memphis) 27th to Carolina Panthers - *Spoiler Alert - If you do not want to know who will win the 2006 NFC offensive Rookie of the Year, stop reading now* ... Okay, maybe the rookie of the year is asking a bit much, but I do think that Williams is set to make an immediate impact. Considering Stephen Davis' departure and DeShaun Foster's inability to walk down a flight of stairs without ending up on the trainer's table, Williams could get a lot of carries right away behind an offensive line that makes even Nick Goings look good the two games each year he gets to start. The doubters point to Williams' size, as he is admittedly small by NFL standards, but the Panthers might just be crazy like John Fox, as Williams could turn out to be the steal of the draft, especially with Steve Smith and new addition Keyshawn Johnson stretching defenses vertically.
*Joseph Addai (LSU) 30th to Indianapolis Colts - After Bush, Maroney and Williams. Addai was simply the best remaining player to fill the Colts' immediate need following Edgerrin James' departure. Projecting more as a third down and change of pace back, excellent blocking ability makes him a good fit in a system designed to protect Peyton Manning.
*LenDale White (USC) 45th to Tennessee Titans - "Thunder" to Reggie Bush's "Lightning" landed in Tennessee and joins Chris Brown and Travis Henry in the backfield with Rose Bowl opponent Vince Young. This could be a very interesting backfield down the road with the potential for Young's escapability and outside running and White's ability to pound the ball inside. Although he might struggle to get a lot of carries in this crowded backfield, White could emerge as a solid goal line option and should be viewed as a potential fantasy sleeper this season.
*Maurice Drew (UCLA) 60th to Jacksonville Jaguars - A great athlete and dangerous return man, injuries have limited Drew's potential. Not likely to make a fantasy impact at this point, but considering Fred Taylor's injury woes and the fact that Jacksonville was forced to feature fullback Greg Jones at tailback several times last season (not to mention LaBrandon Toefield and Alvin Pearman) it's certainly not out of the realm of possibility to see Drew getting a shot at carrying the rock at some point for the Jaguars.
Wide Receiver
*Santonio Holmes (Ohio State) 25th to Pittsburgh Steelers - Holmes, who entered the draft following his junior year, has the "can't miss" label attached to him. Many felt he slid quite a bit on draft day, but the Steelers are glad he did. He's not the tallest wideout, and occasionally has been plagued by poor judgment when returning kicks, but all in all a solid target for Ben Roethlisberger. Holmes provides another gamebreaker at wideout and should complement Hines Ward nicely.
*Chad Jackson (Florida) 36th to New England Patriots - Another junior wideout making the jump to the NFL, Jackson doesn't possess the explosiveness of Santonio Holmes, but just being on the roster with Tom Brady virtually guarantees at least two catches per game. Even third string linemen find a way to catch passes from Brady. What Jackson lacks in world class speed he makes up for in elusiveness and can handle kick return duties if need be.
*Sinorice Moss (Miami) 44th to New York Giants - At this point, I think Kate Moss could be drafted if she came out of Miami. Santana's little brother is seen by many to be undersized at receiver, but he is fast enough to catch rabbits, and could end up becoming a talented kick returner, despite the fact that he was not the primary return man at Miami.
*Devin Hester (Miami) 57th to Chicago Bears - Speak of the devil. Devin Hester WAS the primary return man at Miami, and could become a good one for the Bears, although catching passes for them will be difficult since the Bears absolutely refuse to field a quarterback that can throw the ball downfield far enough to reach a wideout (see also: Muhsin Muhammed).
Tight End
*Vernon Davis (Maryland) 6th to San Francisco 49ers - Easily the class of the tight end market, Davis is good enough to make an immediate impact in fantasy drafts that require a tight end. He could be a top five NFL tight end right now, he's simply that good. After Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez, Davis should be on most draft charts with a great upside, and a young quarterback in Alex Smith that is desperate for a talented safety valve.
*Mercedes Lewis (UCLA) 28th to Jacksonville Jaguars - Great upside and fantastic hands make Lewis an intriguing case. Unfortunately, his blocking can be questionable and his play, although fantastic at times, remains inconsistent. If he can block well enough to keep his hands in the game, he can be a viable goal line threat. If not, his fantasy viability goes out the window.
Placekicker
*Stephen Gostkowski (Memphis) 118th to New England Patriots - Adam Vinatieri has bolted to the Indianapolis Colts, leaving a vacancy for the Pats at placekicker. The odds on favorite to replace him is Gostkowski, who is expected to beat out Martin Gramatica for the position.
*Kurt Smith (Virginia) 188th to San Diego Chargers - The only other placekicker selected in the draft, Smith could compete with Nate Kaeding for placekicking duties, but more than likely will simply assume kickoff duties.
Undrafted
*Marcus Vick (Virginia Tech) Not selected - After being dismissed from the Virginia Tech Hokies following the 2006 Gator Bowl in which he intentionally stomped on the leg of Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumerville (who incidentally was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round) Vick declared himself eligible for the draft. His recent arrests include driving on a suspended or revoked license and three counts of brandishing a firearm, for which he could receive up to a year in jail if convicted. Surprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys, who need a quarterback and appear willing to deal with Terrell Owens, did not select him.
San Quentin is on the clock.
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Apparently, it is simply James Butler. Look at his author profile.
had me LOL-ing