Posted By:Justin Bell on July 18, 2013

Draft Recap

The Rams had plenty of early picks to work with from their trade with Washington last year in the RG3 deal and made the first big fantasy splash in the draft, moving up to select West Virginia wide receiver Tavon Austin. It was a great move to fill a huge area of need–someone, ANYONE who can make a play–and they liked what they saw from WVU’s passing game so much that they took their other starting wideout Stedman Bailey in the 3rd round. The rest of the draft went to solidifying an improving defense with Georgia LB Alec Ogeltree being the standout name. I also like the selection of Alabama offensive lineman Barret Jones in the fourth round.

Fantasy Impact

Austin is going to get tones of touches, most of them will be as a slot receiver but he will take some handoffs and be used in the return game as well. He is sure to be an electric play maker (a la Desean Jackson and Percy Harvin) but he is under-sized and we will have to see how his body holds through an NFL season. This is a guy that you want to target, he has extra value in leagues that give points for return yards.

Bailey is a nice depth pick for the Rams, he actually caught more passes than Austin did last season, but is just not the exciting playmaker that his teammate is. I don’t expect to see huge fantasy numbers from Bailey this season, but if he gets the chance to see targets he will take advantage of them.

The defense got better with the addition of Ogletree and USC Safety T.J. McDonald, but it still is not more than a bye week fill in/matchup start.

Barrett Jones will not have a huge impact from a fantasy standpoint, but he gives quality depth to the line so an injury to a lineman will not have huge effect on the teams fantasy numbers.

Sam Bradford got some help here with two solid WRs and it should show in his fantasy numbers next season.

This draft also showed us that the Rams are convinced RB Daryl Richardson can carry the load for them. Richardson has shown that he can be a very effective runner when called upon. Rookie Zac Stacy and second year mad Isaih Pead will also compete for carries, but this should be Richardson’s job to lose. His draft stock will rise now and I expect him to deliver.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on July 9, 2013

Draft Recap

The rich just keep getting richer. Already with arguably the best roster in the NFL and having the most picks going into the draft, the niners were able to move around the board freely and address areas of need with the best options available. You probably won’t see any of the names in this draft class putting up big fantasy numbers but that is primarily because this roster is already so deep.

Fantasy Impact

The few areas of weakness on the defense were addressed very well by in this draft. LSU Safety Eric Reid is a fantastic player, and fits into the style of defense the 49ers play perfectly. Tank Carradine and Corey Lemonier add some quality depth and youth to the slightly aged Defensive Line.

Rice TE Vance McDonald will be able to step into the role vacated when Delanie Walker left for Tennessee. Obviously, he will not be taking targets away from Vernon Davis, but adds solid depth.

Keep an eye on Louisiana Tech WR Quinton Patton this summer. You may remember when he jumped on to the national stage last season, after an electric game against Texas A&M where he had 21 catches for 233 yards and 4 TDs. Patton is possibly the most polished route running in the draft class, but the knock on him is a lack of physicality and that may not fly when your coach is a Harbaugh. The competition is deep at WR for the 49ers so it is possible Patton could find himself buried on the depth chart, but he has the skills to rise to the top and become a weapon, something the team will need following the Achilles injury to Michael Crabtree.

Possibly the most interesting pick for the 49ers in this draft was South Carolina RB Marcus Lattimore. This was purely a luxury pick as there is plenty of depth on the roster already, but that works because everyone knows about the horrific knee injury that Lattimore suffered last season. Don’t expect anything significant from him this season from a fantasy stand point, but watch out in a year or two as he steps into replace Frank Gore.

Posted By:Justin Bell on July 2, 2013

Draft Recap

The Cardinals had two glaring weaknesses last year, quarterback and offensive line. They addressed the QB issue in free agency by dealing for Carson Palmer, and with their first pick they looked to find help on the line by selecting UNC guard Jonathan Cooper. The next three picks added solid depth on the defense, and the ever controversial Tyrann Mathieu gives them another element in the return game to take some of the pressure off Patrick Peterson. The Cards added another guard and then focused on the offensive skill positions in the later rounds.

Jonathan Cooper is not going to be putting up any fantasy points, but his presence will allow Carson Palmer the chance to get some passes off without being hit and will greatly benefit whoever winds up winning the running back job.

Fantasy Impact

Speaking of running backs, the Cards brought in Rashard Mendenhall to compete with Ryan Williams for that job, but they also added two quality backs to the competition in the draft. Stanford’s Stepfan Taylor is a solid all around runner, he doesn’t do much flashy but just gets the job done. Andre Ellington is a slightly smaller change of pace back who is best utilized through the screen and pass game. Mendenhall and Williams both have had problems staying healthy through their careers which could provide an opportunity for either of these rookies to excel.

Ryan Swope has an opportunity to get involved in the pass game working out of the slot when Arizona goes to their 3 and 4 WR sets, but is going to be a third option behind Fitzgerald and Floyd.

D.C. Jefferson is a project at TE and aside from the fact that he’s stuck behind Rob Housler, Jefferson projects to be more of a blocker than a threat in the Cards’ revamped aerial attack.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on June 18, 2013

Draft Recap

The new regime in San Diego came into this draft with a lot of needs to fill, and they did a great job addressing them. In fact they came away with three players that were each projected as top 15 picks at one time. Alabama OT D.J. Fluker and Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o will both step in as starters from day one. Cal WR Keenan Allen will have to earn his spot in a somewhat deep group, but he is talented and should get plenty of opportunities. The Chargers finished out the draft by adding depth on the defensive side of the ball and a developmental project in Southern Utah QB Brad Sorensen.

Fantasy Impact

Fluker is a powerful run blocker and will prove to be beneficial to Ryan Mathews, that is if Mathews can manage to stay healthy. Fluker is also a solid pass protector, so he should allow Philip Rivers to have more time in the pocket and let Antonio Gates release as a pass catcher more frequently.

Allen is a very talented player and an absolute a steal in the third round. Even though the Chargers are deep on the outside, Allen should quickly rise to the top of the depth chart and will be the perfect compliment to Denario Alexander down the road. Keep Allen on your radar, he’s got loads of upside and will be a popular sleeper pick this summer. As with any rookie wide receiver, it’s tough to expect a ton out of the gates, but Allen has the talent to succeed if given opportunity.

Te’o is a polarizing player with plenty of detractors after his tumultuous senior season, but he is also a proven winner and leader. Just put on the game tape, this guy is always around the ball, that takes hustle and recognition, two things that are hard to teach. I’m not saying that he will be the next Ray Lewis, but Te’o will have a positive impact on the Chargers defensive unit in his rookie season.

Draft results

Posted By:Justin Bell on June 12, 2013

Draft Recap

It seems like the Raiders entered the draft with need at virtually every position every year, and 2013 was no different. Oakland is in the midst of a major overhaul and they did a nice job focusing on rebuilding a talented core with this draft rather than trying to make a big splash. They traded out of the No. 3 overall spot to acquire extra picks and did a solid job building depth. This draft will make Oakland a better team, but you are not going to see much from a fantasy perspective.

Fantasy Impact

FSU OT Menelik Watson will be a solid addition to an offensive line that struggled to open up holes for the run game at times last season. Watson is a physical blocker and if Darren Mcfadden can manage to stay on the field he should benefit from the presence of Watson.

Matt Flynn is having nightmares about another rookie named Wilson taking his job, but I doubt we will see the kind of performance from Tyler Wilson  that let Russell beat out Flynn in Seattle last season.

Colorado TE Nick Kasa is a solid player who joins a roster with no set starter at the position. If Kasa wins the starting job in training camp he is worth taking a look at in deeper leagues. Still, he’ll need prove himself before being worth consideration as a late round flier.

The Raiders defense should be better from the additions they made in this draft, but the unit sis still lacking in playmakers who will rack up fantasy points. Sio Moore is an athletic, young linebacker who does just about everything well. He is perhaps a year or two away from making significant contributions on defense, but he’s a player IDP owners will want to keep an eye on. They also have to play Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers twice each, and a Kansas City offense loaded with weapons that can only improve with the presence of coach Andy Reid.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on June 11, 2013

Draft Recap

For having the number one pick the Chiefs did not have a lot of glaring needs to fill, thanks to trading their second round pick to the 49ers for quarterback Alex Smith. Kansas City filled plugged the biggest hole in thier offensive front, selecting Central Michigan OT Eric Fisher to kick off the draft, despite a number of outlets predicting that the Chiefs would go with Luke Joeckle out of Texas A&M. Fisher is more versatile and has a higher ceiling long term and we can’t rally question the pick. Their next two selections were both in the third round, and they were head-scratchers. Cincinnati TE Travis Kelce is a good player, but the Chiefs already have Tony Moeaki and Anthony Fasono on the roster. Arkansas RB Knile Davis makes more sense as they do need someone to compliment Jamaal Charles, but there were other more proven backs available at the time.

 Fantasy Impact

Fisher will prove beneficial to both Jamaal Charles in the run game and Alex Smith in pass protection, particularly as the team shifts to a pass-heavy apprach with new coach Andy Reid.

I don’t see Kelce having a huge impact, but Reid liked his brother in Philly and he could push for Kelce to get opportunities. He is not a draft target for fantasy onwers, but keep the name filed away in case he’s able to carve out a role in the offensel.

Davis was injury prone and fumbler in college, and those are the two quickest ways to lose your job as an NFL RB. He did show moments of great talent when he was healthy and could prove to be a great compliment to take some of the load off of Jamaal Charles. Still, don’t expect him to be making many fantasy rosters during his rookie season, he’s got a bit of growth to do first.

The Defense is going to be better with the additions of Alabama LB Nico Johnson and Georgia CB Sanders Commings. Johnson should be able to step in and start next to Derrick Johnson, while Commings adds solid depth and will likely see action in nickel and dime packages during his debut season.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on June 7, 2013

Draft Recap

Most of Denver’s needs coming into the draft were on defense, but Peyton Manning can hide a lot of weaknesses. Denver focused on improving their D early in this draft, taking three defenders in their first four picks. The pick in this draft that is most notable to fantasy owners is the second round selection of Wisconsin RB Montee Ball. Ball is a proven workhorse who does all the little things that Manning requires of his backs. Denver added Georgia WR Tavarres King in the 5th round and Miami (OH) QB Zac Dysert in the 7th as their only other offensive skill players taken in the draft.

Fantasy Impact

John Elway’s comparison of Montee Ball to Terrell Davis isa bit of a stretch, but expecting a rookie season similar to the top rookie RBs from last season may not be. Clearly, the organization has high expectations for Ball so he should be expected to get plenty of opportunities out of the gates. He has shown the ability to be consistently productive in college while playing in the Big Ten and as a Peyton Manning running back, he’ll gte the benefit of only six- or seven-man fronts, which should open up some running lanes. Expect Ball to be one of the higher drafted rookies in fantasy drafts this fall, and he is in position to provide good return on that investment as he climbs the depth chart this season.

Tavarres King has talent, but was not consistent in his career at Georgia. Still, Manning can make average WRs seem elite, but he will not stand for a lack of focus. If King can keep his head in the game and learn the offense he could eventually become a factor. However, with the depth at wide receiver that the Broncos currently have, targets could be few and far between during King’s rookie campaign. Keep an eye on him in dynasty formats, but this is not a guy you need to draft in redraft formats.

Denver had a somewhat underrated Defense last season, but also lost some key pieces in free agency. The unit got better in the draft with the additions of North Carolina DT Sylvester Williams and USF CB Kayvon Webster, while failing to get a premiere pass rusher to replace Elivs Dummerville.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on May 29, 2013

Draft Recap

The Vikings entered the draft with two first round picks, thanks to the Percy Harvin deal, and added another first round selection in a trade with the Patriots. Those three picks should all make an immediate impact. Florida DT Sharrif Floyd was a great value pick at No. 23 overall and will add some much needed youth and explosiveness to the aging D-Line. FSU CB Xavier Rhodes steps right in to a huge area of need and has the tools to become a pro-bowl caliber player. With the pick from New England, the Vikings took the wide receiver with the most upside in this draft, Tennessee’s Cordarrelle Patterson. Later, the Vikes added some depth… and a punter.

Fantasy Impact

Floyd and Rhodes will give the defense an immediate boost and make this defense a solid fantasy option. They also added quality depth to their linebacking corps with a couple of players out of Penn State: Gerald Hodges and Michael Mauti.

Cardarrelle Patterson is a boom or bust player; he has all the raw skills to dominate, but has been inconsistent and is also inexperienced with just one season playing at the FBS level. He will, however, have a solid mentor and running-mate in Greg Jennings and if Patterson “buys in,” he will be a top-20 fantasy wideout in no time.

The addition of Patterson should have a positive impact on scuffling QB Christian Ponder, who now has two legitimate threats on the outside. If the passing game can loosen up opposing defenses, RB  Adrian Peterson just might get those 2,500 yards he’s shooting for.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on May 28, 2013

Draft Recap

The Packers did a tremendous job of addressing their areas of need early in the draft and grabbed two players make an immediate impact in the starting lineup as soon as Week 1. Green Bay used their first round pick on UCLA defensive end Datone Jones to add some explosiveness to the front seven. Alabama’s Eddie Lacy is the most complete running back in this class, and the Packers were able to get him at the end of the second round as a few teams that also had need in the backfield passed on him. Through the rest of the draft the Packers managed to build some quality depth, with the most interesting being RB Jonathan Franklin out of UCLA.

Fantasy Impact:

Lacy is going be one of the top rookies on most fantasy draft boards this season, and the hype is warranted. The Packers have struggled to produce on the ground the last few seasons–Aaron Rodgers was their second leading rusher last year–and Lacy should be able to step right into the starting job. There have been health concerns throughout his collegiate career, but he played in the most physical conference in the NCAA and will be used to the type of pounding required of an NFL back. Lacy’s helath is not the biggest worry for us, but  more so is the presence of Aaron Rodgers. Obviously the Packers want to be better in the run game, but when you have a guy of Rodgers ability he needs the ball in his hands. Lacy will be the back to own out of training camp in Green Bay, but there is little chance that any Packers runner will finish in the top-10 among fantasy backs based on their pass heavy offense.

Johnathan Franklin is a very solid runner and can pass protect s well and he will get opportunities. If Lacy’s injury concerns become a true worry in the NFL  then Franklin is a guy you want on your roster, he will be a great handcuff if nothing else.

The Defense will see a boost from Jones and Iowa corner Micah Hyde, who work his way into some nickel and dime packages.

Draft Results

Posted By:Justin Bell on May 21, 2013

Draft Recap

Having already addressed their need on the O-Line in free agency, Chicago needed to find a middle linebacker and some offensive skill players in this draft. At number 20 they had their choice of the MLBs , Tyler Eifert, and some very good WRs, but chose to go offensive line instead taking Oregon OT Kyle Long. The Bears then used their next two picks to fill their need at LB, with Florida’s Jon Bostic and Khaseem Greene from Rutgers.  They did not take a skill position player until the 7th round where they selected WR Marquess Wilson out of Washington St.

Fantasy Impact

The addition of Kyle Long to the offensive line following the pickups OT Jermon Bushrod and G Matt Slauson during free agency, gives the once maligned unit in Chicago a revamped look. Jay Cutler and Matt Forte will be much better off next season with additional time to let plays develop and make decisions.

The Defense was solidified on the inside and the the Bears should be able to minimize the loss of Brian Urlacher up the middle. This unit is unlikely to be a suffocating, shut down D, but they should excel on making the big play.

The Bears actions in this draft tell me that the team believes that Alshon Jeffery is going to develop into a weapon opposite Brandon Marshall. Jeffery was a dominant player at South Carolina, but struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his rookie season with Chicago. With an offseason to heal, learn from Marshall and work with Cutler, expect Jeffery to put up solid fantasy numbers this season.

 Draft Results