Don't Just Play, Win! Have you ever walked into your fantasy football draft unprepared? Carrying a …
17)Josh Freeman QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tampa has QB issues and has for a long time, that is why they were finalists in the Jay Cutler Sweepstakes. Josh Freeman, although a very effective college quarterback, is not redy to take the field in the NFL just yet. He is another underclassman with great athletic ability but his game is not really suited for QB in the NFL…yet. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders and with the right guidance, he may someday turn into a good QB ala Donovan McNabb. Time will tell. Zero fantasy impact.
18 ) Robert Ayers LB, Denver Broncos- Well Denver has decided to address their need positions!! Welcome to the party. Ayers is an outstanding athlete and will likely start right away. Unfortunately, it will not help one of the worst defenses in the league. Unless everyone else on the D-side decides to start playing real football, you should stay far away from the Denver D.
19) Jeremy Maclin WR, Philadelphia Eagles- Maclin is one of 2 receivers that should have been taken before Heyward-Bey and in my opinion the player most likely to be a fantasy stand out as a rookie. Maclin is a play making, strong receiver with speed and great hands. Philly is a team in great need of a strong receiver with great hands. Kismet! Steal of the draft. Since Kevin Curtis is more suited to be a slot receiver, look for Maclin to line up opposite Deshaun Jackson and take advantage of single coverage all day. Maclin will also make some noise in the return game. If your league gives you points for return yards, Maclin will be a great sleeper and possibly WR2 potential.
20) Brandon Pettigrew TE, Detroit Lions- The Lions (yet again) ignore their needs and take an offensive player. This move however was not a bad one. Pettigrew will give Stafford a sure handed big bodied safety net to look for when protecion breaks down. More importantly however, Pettigrew is a superb blocker and the Lions need all the protection they can get for their shiny new toy. Fantasy impact is nil.
21) Alex Mack C, Cleveland Browns- Cleveland was looking for reinforcements on the OL this pick will help. Mack will eventually help whomever the starter ends up being for the Browns he will also help clear the way for Jamal Lewis until he losses his job or gets hurt. Lewis is the oldest 29 year old in history. Fantasy impact will be felt next year and following.
22) Percy Harvin WR, Minnesota Vikings- Percy Harvin is a little like Michael Crabtree in the regard that he is not the biggest receiver on the field and he is not the fastest, but he has an inate ability to make plays. This makes him a great compliment to the burner Bernard Berrian. The problem is that Harvin also has an inate ability to sniff out off field trouble and step in it repeatedly. With a real quarterback throwing the ball in Minn, Harvin might be a nice late round flyer, if he can keep his nose clean.
23) Michael Oher OT, Baltimore Ravens- Oher should probably be on several other rosters but since he slipped it allowed the Ravens to move up and grab a plug for the hole left by Jonathon Ogden. This pick will make Joe Flacco happy for many years. Very little fantasy impact this season, watch for him to help Flacco’s numbers down the road.
24) Peria Jerry DT, Altanta Falcons- Although Jerry gives the Falcons a “3 technique” D Tackle which fits their system perfectly, this pick should not affect where Atlanta ranks in the grand scheme of things. They are still a decent middle of the road defense.
25) Vontae Davis CB, Miami Dolphins – Freakishly talented Vernon Davis’s little brother is also freakishly talented. Let’s hope he produces more then his big brother otherwise the Dolphins just picked a turd. Fantasy impact will be very little if any. Miami’s D was pretty good last year already so adding a CB to play in nickel situations for the year probably won’t change much.
26) Clay Matthews LB, Green Bay Packers – Green Bay conclude their great first round by trading up and adding Matthews to fit perfectly in their new 3-4 scheme defense. This pick should go a long way with BJ Raji to making the Packers transition to the 3-4 very successful.
27) Donald Brown RB, Inianapolis Colts – With Addai having some durability issues this pick makes sense. You would thinkthat a team probably wouldn’t use a first round pick on a backup, especially at a position where in the past they have said the players are interchangable, so look for a timeshare for the Colts backfield. If Brown shows promise this pick allows Indy to not resign Addai when he is due to a free agent and give great leverage in the event of a hold out for more money. With Brown’s own stats and the decrease of Addai’s fantasy production with his presents the fantasy impact is moderate and should be weighed when drafting.
28) Eric Wood C, Buffalo Bills – With the loss of Jason Peters the Bills are going to have to shuffle that O-line. Wood has the versatility to help with that. Although the fantasy impact won’t be huge, keep an eye on that offensive line situation as it will drastically effect all Buffalo’s offensive players.
29) Hakeem Nicks WR, NY Giants – Nicks should fill in nicely for Plaxico Burress. Let’s just hope he doesn’t injure himself with a concealed weapon. Unless the Giants pull the trigger for Braylon Edwards, Nicks should start and get a good share of the looks from Manning.
30) Kenny Britt WR, Tennessee Titans – The Titans are in desperate need of some help at the receiver position. It is never good when your top pass catcher is a mediocre tight end. At 6’3″, 218 Britt give Collins someone to look for that can make plays for them . . . provided they can get some stick’em on his hands. Any talent at the wide receiver position is going to be a huge impact for everyone on that offense.
31) Chris “Beanie” Wells RB, Arizona Cardinals – As soon as this was made the team started filling out Edgerrin James’s release papers and Tim hightower went from being “The Guy” to one for the guys. Wells should have decent fantasy production right out of the gate as he will split time with Hightower and vulture some goal line carries as well.
32) Evander Hood DT, Pittsburgh Steelers – Hood is a development player that may start in a couple of years. Fantasy Impact is zero.
