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NFL Mock Draft 2009 Draft of 2009 Lacks Star Power NFL Draft 2009: Getting Started Super Bowl Well Worth Tuning In For
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Prospects On Center Stage NBA Preview 2008/09: Final Call
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2008 Fantasy Preview: Rookie Impact By Ron Jumper As has become the tradition here at Sports Overload, we kick off our transition to Fantasy Football coverage by taking a look at the rookie class and what impact they will have on the upcoming draft. Last season (which you can see here), I was pretty accurate. My top Fantasy rookies were Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch, and Dwayne Bowe. They finished in that exact order at season’s end. Hopefully, this season will bring similar success. One can hope… For starters, I think it is always best to start at the top: Matt Ryan, Falcons Ryan was taken 3rd overall and will be very good someday, but that day is a few seasons away. Don’t draft him, but keep an eye on the waiver wire once it gets later in the season just in case he comes on strong down the stretch. Of course, I’m assuming he is still in one piece at that time, which isn’t certain when you look at that offensive line. Darren McFadden, Raiders Lightning usually doesn’t strike twice, so simmer down if you are one of those guys that thinks McFadden will have a similar impact as what Adrian Peterson did as a rookie. If you do draft him, it needs to be with no intentions of him being one of your starters and more of a bonus, low risk-high reward type of pick. Now that I’ve addressed the big money picks, which Roger Goodell finds “ridiculous,” it is time to move on to my rankings: Top 5 Rookies To Draft: 1. RB Jonathon Stewart, Panthers: Stewart is a very nice back. He has the size and speed to be an every down running back, something DeAngelo Williams has struggled with. I also look at that division (Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Atlanta) and I’m just not seeing any scary run defenses, as none of the three were in the top 10. They also have Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, Denver, and Oakland on the schedule, as none of these teams ranked higher than 23rd in rush defense. Feel very safe with him as your 3rd back, depending on what point in the draft you take him, and don’t be surprised if he is outperforming your 2nd back by midseason. 2. RB Matt Forte, Bears: Most people have no idea who he is, but the rookie out of Tulane is a very good young running back. The Bears have no depth at running back and reports are indicating that he will start from day 1. A starting running back on a team that really wants to the run the football could lead to nice fantasy numbers. Be ecstatic if he falls to the 5th round, but don’t be afraid to grab him if you need a running back. 3. WR James Hardy, Bills: While most places have Hardy going either undrafted or very late in the draft, I really like the upside he has and the opportunity to play early. The Bills have Lee Evans, who is a small and speedy wide receiver, so adding Hardy gives them another dimension because of his size and strength. Hardy could grow into the role of possession receiver and a big target in the redzone. Scoop him up late in the draft and don’t look back. 4. RB Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: Willie Parker is the main man in Pittsburgh… for now. Mendenhall is a big time player and is much more complete. Expect them to split carries and possibly for Mendenhall to get a lot more of the short yardage carries, including redzone and goalline carries. Parker is coming off an injury, which might open the door even more for Mendenhall. 5. WR Donnie Avery, Rams: Going into the draft, no one would have ever guessed that Donnie Avery would be the first wide receiver off the board. However, I can’t complain about the pick and I actually think he will fit into this offense perfectly. Avery has impressive quickness and should be able to work the slot very well. Also, when looking at the Rams’ depth chart, there isn’t much there after Tory Holt and Drew Bennett. It drops off to Dane Looker (Who???) and fellow rookie Keenan Burton, so Avery should be able to solidify himself as the 3rd receiver if he performs up to par. Avery will be on the waiver wire to start the season, but is worth hanging on to on the bench just in case you have a starter that is injured or on a bye week. Top 5 Players To Keep An Eye On 1. RB Darren McFadden, Raiders: (See Above) 2. RB Felix Jones, Cowboys: With Jones, it depends on what his role is. If he is strictly a 3rd down back and kick returner, then his value isn’t nearly as good. However, if he is used as a change-of-pace, thunder/lightning combo where he basically splits carries with Barber then suddenly you have some Fantasy value. Every time Jones touches the ball, he is a threat to go the distance. 3. WR Harry Douglas, Falcons: Simply put, the Falcons are limited in terms of weapons on the outside. If they decide to start playing the young guys, they would certainly look to making sure their rookie QB and rookie WR got some reps together. 4. RB Kevin Smith, Lions: The Lions don’t have much talent at running back, making Smith a likely candidate to play early. If he can grasp the offense and become a nice receiver out of the backfield, he could get close to Fantasy worthy production. 5. WR Earl Bennett, Bears: I don’t feel like getting creative so I’ll just say it: Rex Grossman sucks. However, he has to throw to someone and complete a pass every once in a while. That guy could be Bennett, as there is no Bernard Berrian or Muhsin Muhammed anymore. Top 5 Guys To Stay Away From: 1. QB Matt Ryan, Falcons (See Above) 2. QB Joe Flacco, Ravens For starters, you never want a rookie QB in Fantasy. Secondly, I just don’t think Flacco is any good or he would have stayed in Pittsburgh. Lastly, he is a project with a cannon. 3. RB Chris Johnson, Titans He is in the stable with the rest of the Titans young second round running back picks (LenDale White and Chris Henry) so don’t plan on him putting up any kind of numbers early on in his career. He will contribute mostly on special teams, as he just might be a dangerous kick returner. 4. WR Limas Sweed, Steelers He is one of those guys that everyone always talks about good he is going to be, but never actually seems to do much. With Hines Ward and Santanio Holmes in place, don’t expect him to get a lot of balls his way. 5.(Tie) QB Brian Brohm and QB Chad Henne Both are talented young quarterbacks. Both could potentially earn the starting job. However, both are still rookies and will not be in a good position to put up Fantasy numbers. July 7, 2008 |
| NCAA Football | |
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Be Careful What You Wish For
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| NCAA Basketball | |
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Jumpology: My Bracket Jumpology: Scouting The Heavyweights Jumpology: Reviewing The Bracket
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