| Cheat
Sheets & Rankings For NFL Rookies |
1.
Calvin Johnson
(WR - Detroit) |
Another
new Lions WR taken in the draft. I'm
thinking he'll be the opposite of Mike
Williams and Charles Rogers though. OC
Mike Martz's offense and wide open philosophy
ensures lots of opportunities for the
sure handed Johnson. Calvin
Johnson should step in and start alongside
Roy Williams right away. (2
Thumbs Up) |
| 2.
JaMarcus Russell (QB - Oakland) |
What
a boost this is for the horrible Raiders
offense, and what a jolt of excitement
this rookie should bring to the Oakland
area. The question is When? If he isn't
ready right away it will either be Josh
McCown or Andrew Walter. Has to show accuracy
and understanding of NFL defenses to
make him a valuable fantasy asset.
Oh and the Raiders need an offensive
line to protect him. (1
Thumb Down) |
| 3.
Adrian Peterson (RB - Minnesota) |
I
like many of the other top draft guru's
pegged AP as the most ready RB in the
draft class of 2007. But problem is he
may not be fantasy ready if Chester Taylor
remains the Vikings primary back. Beware
of RBBC with AP in 2007 folks. Of
course, it's the long term we care about
the most--and can predict the least. (2
Thumbs Up) |
4.
Brady Quinn
(QB - Cleveland) |
#22
overall?? Are you kidding me? Man was
that ever funny to watch. That aside
there's little question he's going to
eventually be DAMAN in Cleveland. His
experience in a pro style offense under
Charlie Weis at Notre Dame could accelerate
his learning curve. He has the arm, mobility
and brains to excel, and he's surrounded
by skill talent. (Thumbs
1/2 Way Up) |
| 5.
Marshawn Lynch (RB - Buffalo) |
AP
got the most pre-draft ink, but Lynch
and Jackson (#6) step into situations
where they may become useful to both
fantasy and reality teams right from
the get go. Keep an eye on training camp
and see how Lynch is making it out in
the battle with the A-Train. This
first-rounder is explosive, and
generates power for his size
(5'11",
217). (Thumbs
Up) |
| 6.
Brandon Jackson (RB - Green
Bay) |
Second
round pick Jackson will compete with
Morency for touches in the Packers offense.
He fits the teams zone scheme and has
better hands and size than Morency for
starters so I think he'll be the man
by week 5. With
a bit more bulk and polish, he can be
a complete back. To boot Farve
has mentioned that he loves this kid. (Thumbs
Up) |
7.
Dwayne Bowe
(WR - Kansas City) |
Expect
first round pick Bowe to challenge
Sammy Parker for a ton of playing time.
He is the most refined WR on the team
already in my opinion. He is tough,
physical, and makes sharp cuts, has
quick feet and tackle-breaking ability.
I'm just not sure if he is
ready to be a steady NFL starter just
yet, so he's not exactly what you need. (Thumbs
1/2 Way Up) |
| 8.
Robert Meachem (WR - New Orleans) |
Was
the 27th overall pick out of Tennessee.
He has speed and size but is there room
for him in the New Orleans offense? If
there is you show me?! Bush, McAllister,
Colston, Copper, Henderson, TE Johnson..where
does he fit in?? Due
to iffy technique, he probably isn't
ready to do more than stretch the field
as a rookie. (Thumbs
Down) |
| 9.
Anthony Gonzalez (WR - Indianapolis) |
The Colts view
first round pick Gonzalez as a younger
faster version of slot man Brandon Stokely.
Gonzalez
is a similar player--with more ability. He
should beat out Aaron Morehead for the
#3 job catching balls from Manning, but
watch the camp battle. Gonzalez
should come up with some bigtime
plays like he did at Ohio St. but the
rest of his game isn't refined enough
for him to be a regular threat. (1
Thumb Up) |
10.
Tedd Ginn Jr.
(WR - Miami) |
Tell
me if you agree with me on my prediction
of how Ginn plays out in his first
year in Miami. He has unreal
speed and that should pay immediate
dividends on punt and kick returns,
so grab him for individual leagues
awarding pts for special teams plays.
But he's green at receiver and
could feel early pressure as the Guy
Miami Picked Instead of Brady Quinn.
At 180 lbs his ability to stay healthy
is a concern. (1
Thumb Down) |
11.
Craig Davis
(WR - San Diego) |
He wasn't drafted
to look pretty standing on the sidelines
but how many balls will there be for
Davis after LT and Gates get theirs?
You decide! I think there will be enough
IF he is a starter, so watch the camp
battle. He could contribute immediatly
if his route running is more precise.
I just don't know how he's a red zone
target with Osgood and Floyd around in
the mix at WR as well. (1
Thumb Down) |
12.
Drew Stanton
(QB - Detroit) |
The
Lions tabbed local boy Stanton in the
second round to be their QB of the
future. His disappointing senior season
at Michigan State cost him a spot in
the first round. But with the arm,
size and mobility of an NFL starter,
Stanton just needs seasoning, and to
improve his consistency and accuracy.
He could play for the Lions this year. (Thumbs
1/2 Way Up) |
13.
John Beck
(QB - Miami) |
Beck is a smart
young kid, knows where to go with the
ball and has all the make up of a top
young QB prospect. The key word
there though, prospect. With Green and
Lemon ahead of him on the depth chart.
I don't see him making a fantasy
impact this year. I could be wrong though,
he knows all the tricks of the trade
and could play sooner. (Thumbs
Down) |
14.
Michael Bush
(RB - Oakland) |
Fourth
round pick Bush has great size and vision
and a ton of potential. But will he
see the field in the crowded situation
there in Oakland with Jordan and super
bowl winner Dominic Rhodes in town? A
broken leg wiped out his senior season
at Louisville. If
he returns at 100%, Bush gives Oakland
a huge, versatile back. (Thumbs
Down) |
15.
Dwayne Jarrett
(WR -
Carolina) |
The
longterm solution to releasing Keyshawn
after the draft is clearly Jarrett.
He just may take some time to adjust
to the pro game. Which means vet
Drew Carter could steal his touches.
He's not a speedster, but he can
flat out win the ball in the air.
The Panthers clearly expect Jarrett
to start, and soon. With his size
(6'5"),
he deserves a late look on draft
day, so take a flyer on him. (Thumbs
Up) |
| Best
Of The Rest: |
Steve
Smith (WR - Nyg), Tony Hunt (RB -
Phi), Greg Olsen (TE - Chi), Zach Miller
(TE- Oak), Brian Leonard (RB/FB - St.L),
Kenny Irons (RB - Cin), Dwayne Wright
(RB - Buf), Garrett Wolf (RB - Chi),
Kevin Kolb (QB - Phi) |
