Fantasy impact: NFL draft's Rounds 3-7
2008 NFL Draft
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Running back remains the best spot for a rookie to make a fantasy splash. Many times it depends on opportunity and caliber of competition to land a starting role in the first season. Detroit's Kevin Smith has the best chance to be a featured back of these following picks. Steve Slaton will compete for playing time in Houston's unsettled running back spot.
But other rookie running back selections will serve as backups to current established stars like San Diego's Jacob Hester (LaDainian Tomlinson), Kansas City's Jamaal Charles (Larry Johnson), Arizona's Tim Hightower (Edgerrin James), Indianapolis' Mike Hart (Joseph Addai) and Jacksonville's Chauncey Washington (Maurice Jones-Drew).
Review the projected 2008 role and fantasy impact for the players chosen at the fantasy significant positions of quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.
Round 3
64. Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit
2008 role: He's the favorite to be Detroit's featured back among an unspectacular running back group of Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun. His biggest question is if he can withstand the rigors of the NFL with an extensive load.
2008 fantasy impact: If he wins the starting position, Smith can serve as a fantasy No. 3 running back.
69. Jacob Hester, RB, San Diego
2008 role: He's the top candidate to be Tomlinson's backup.
2008 fantasy impact: If he wins the backup spot, he'll be late-round insurance for Tomlinson's owners.
70. Earl Bennett, WR, Chicago
2008 role: A physical possession receiver, Bennett can eventually emerge as a starter or receive extensive playing time as Chicago lost both its starting wideouts in the off-season. He'll be competing with veterans Marty Booker, Brandon Lloyd, Devin Hester, Rashied Davis and Mark Bradley for playing time. It may be difficult to win the starting job as a rookie. However, he offers the ability to catch passes across the middle, unlike many of the Bears' wideouts on the roster.
2008 fantasy impact: Wide receivers rarely make a great impact in their rookie season. He will reside on the waiver wire unless he's given a starting position and produces.
73. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City
2008 role: He'll likely be the backup to Johnson, ousting Kolby Smith as the No. 2 running back.
2008 fantasy impact: He will be picked in the late rounds as insurance for Johnson, who missed eight games last year with a foot injury. He will produce as a starting fantasy running back if Johnson becomes injured again.
81. Early Doucet, WR, Arizona
2008 role: The departure of Bryant Johnson leaves Arizona's No. 3 wideout spot open. In addition, if Anquan Boldin is eventually traded, Doucet will groomed to replace him. However, it will be difficult for Doucet to receive numerous receiving chances with both Larry Fitzgerald and Boldin as Arizona's starting wideouts.
2008 fantasy impact: Doucet will need an injury to Fitzgerald or Boldin to have a realistic chance of producing as a fantasy starter in his rookie season. He won't be a reserve unless he wins the No. 3 spot and post solid games.
84. Harry Douglas, WR, Atlanta
2008 role: He'll be competing for a playing time behind Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, Joe Horn and Laurent Robinson.
2008 fantasy impact: He'll be learning the position next season as a backup and will need to oust the competition to be starter. The drafting of Matt Ryan signals that Atlanta will have a proficient passing game as early as 2009 when Douglas will be ready to possibly start or be featured as a third wideout.
89. Steve Slaton, RB, Houston
2008 role: His best chance to contribute is to be the complementary back to Ahman Green or even Chris Brown. Both Green and Brown are injury prone. Slaton will be competing against Darius Walker for playing time as well. Slaton offers more big-play ability than those three backs, but isn't equipped to be the full-time runner.
2008 fantasy impact: If he wins a spot in Houston's committee of runners, he'll have a chance to contribute to fantasy teams as a spot starter. His biggest questions will be staying healthy and receiving enough touches to accumulate significant yardage and scoring chances.
91. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay
2008 role: He'll be competing with Tory Humphrey for the backup spot behind Donald Martin.
2008 fantasy impact: If he becomes Green Bay's No. 2 tight end, he could be a spot fantasy starter. But it's likely he'll need at least one season of learning the position at the pro level to receive regular playing time and be a consistent target.
95. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants
2008 role: He'll reside behind Amani Toomer and be groomed to replace him. He'll be competing with recent high picks Steve Smith and Sinorice Moss for playing time this season and beyond.
2008 fantasy impact: It's unlikely he will receive enough playing time to be a fantasy factor, especially at a deep position for the Giants.
97. Andre Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati
2008 role: He's a candidate to receiving playing time if Chad Johnson leaves or sits out. With the release of Chris Henry, he also can compete for Cincinnati's No. 3 wide receiver slot, a productive fantasy position in the past.
2008 fantasy impact: He'll be competing with fellow rookie Jerome Simpson to be Cincy's No. 3 wideout. If Johnson isn't playing, Caldwell could have value as a fantasy spot starter with extensive playing time.
Round 4
105. Will Franklin, WR, Kansas City
2008 role: The Chiefs have one of the weakest group of wideouts after Samie Parker and Eddie Kennison left via free agency. Franklin will be competing with Jeff Webb and Devard Darling to be the Chiefs' No. 2 wideout behind Dwayne Bowe.
2008 fantasy impact: Even if Franklin wins the role opposite of Bowe, he will be hard-pressed to produce as a fantasy starter behind both Tony Gonzalez and Bowe as the team's top two receiving targets.
106. Marcus Smith, WR, Baltimore
2008 role: Both Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are Baltimore's two starting receivers. Smith will be competing with the disappointing Demetrius Williams and Yamon Figurs for playing time as the Ravens' No. 3 wideout.
2008 fantasy impact: Even if he wins the No. 3 role, he'll have difficulty producing worthy stats in Baltimore's anemic passing attack.
122. Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas
2008 role: He'll likely be the No. 3 back behind Marion Barber and Felix Jones. Only Alonzo Coleman is the only other true running back on the roster (prior to the NFL draft).
2008 fantasy impact: He will only be a fantasy factor if Barber or Jones becomes injured, and he subsequently becomes part of Dallas' dual running back system.
126. Lavelle Hawkins, WR, Tennessee
2008 role: He enters a crowded receiving situation with Roydell Williams, Justin McCareins, Justin Gage and Brandon Jones. It will be difficult for him to receive extensive playing time as a rookie, even with a non-descript group like the Titans.
2008 fantasy impact: Minimal, unless he wins a starting role. Tennessee's wideouts are only spot fantasy starters at best in a conservative, run-oriented offense.
127. Jacob Tamme, TE, Indianapolis
2008 role: The departure of Ben Utecht leaves a void at Indy's No. 2 tight end spot behind Dallas Clark. Tamme will be competing with last year's No. 3 tight end Bryan Fletcher for Indy and fellow rookie Tom Santi to be the backup.
2008 fantasy impact: While more productive than many teams, the No. 2 tight end slot remains waiver-wire material as Utecht caught just 31 passes for 364 yards and a score last year. Only if Clark becomes injured will Tamme have a chance to make an impact in fantasy.
132. Derek Fine, TE, Buffalo
2008 role: He will be competing with Robert Royal for playing time at tight end unless he plays a fullback.
2008 fantasy impact: The Bills lack a proficient receiver at tight end, so Fine has the potential to be a spot fantasy starter. He'll need Buffalo to involve the tight end/fullback more in its passing attack for this to happen.
Round 5
136. Kenneth Moore, WR, Detroit
2008 role: If Roy Williams is traded, Moore will have a strong chance to be a No. 2 receiver. But it's likely Williams will remain with the team, leaving Moore to battle for the No. 3 receiving role. In his favor, he's more of a possession receiver than Williams, Calvin Johnson or Shaun McDonald.
2008 fantasy impact: He will be hard-pressed to produce stats worthy of a fantasy starter behind Williams and Johnson, especially considering Mike Martz and his pass-happy offense departed for San Francisco.
137. John David Booty, QB, Minnesota
2008 role: He will likely sit behind Tavaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte in his rookie season. But he owns solid passing skills but lacks great athleticism and mobility.
2008 fantasy impact: If both Jackson and Frerotte are ineffective, Booty could be productive in Minnesota's offense with its strong offensive line and powerful running game to help keep pass rushers away from him. Already experienced in a pro offense at USC, Booty could be fantasy reserve if he earns the starting role.
139. Ryan Torain, RB, Denver
2008 role: The Broncos have had great success selecting 1,000-yard rushers in the late rounds like Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary and Mike Anderson. He'll be competing against injury-prone Travis Henry, Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Mike Bell for playing time. His physical style fits well with Denver's zone-blocking scheme.
2008 fantasy impact: If he wins the starting role, Torain will be a fantasy starter. Otherwise, if he becomes the backup or No. 3 runner, he could be chosen in the late rounds as insurance against a starter being injured or ineffective.
141. Gary Barnidge, TE, Carolina
2008 role: Jeff King is currently the Panthers' No. 1 tight end and produced adequate stats (46 receptions for 406 yards and two scores) last season. But Barnidge could provide more explosiveness at the position.
2008 fantasy impact: If Barnidge ousts King to be Carolina's featured receiving tight end, then he'll have a chance to be spot fantasy starter. However, it's difficult for rookie tight ends to make a significant impact in their first year.
149. Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona
2008 role: The Cardinals lack a strong backup running back with Marcel Shipp and J.J. Arrington competing for playing time behind the extensively used James last season. He'll have a chance to be James' top backup.
2008 fantasy impact: If he wins the backup role, he could be drafted as insurance for James' owners in the late rounds. Otherwise, he will be waiver-wire fodder.
158. Kellen Davis, TE, Chicago
2008 role: This impressive physical specimen has the tools to be a featured in Chicago's tight-end friendly system. He'll be learning behind Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark in his first season.
2008 fantasy impact: He will only have an impact if Olsen and Clark become injured next season.
162. Erik Ainge, QB, New York Jets
2008 role: He'll learn behind Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens in his rookie season. However, beyond that, he could compete for the starting position if both Pennington and Clemens falter next season.
2008 fantasy impact: None. Even if he becomes the Jets' starting quarterback because of injury, he'll have a learning curve in his first season.
166. Marcus Thomas, RB, San Diego
2008 role: He'll be competing with fellow rookie Hester for the backup slot behind Tomlinson.
2008 fantasy impact: If he wins the backup job, he'll be worth considering drafting as insurance for Tomlinson in the late rounds. Becoming San Diego's featured back would immediately make Thomas a fantasy starter.
Round 6
172. Thomas Brown, RB, Atlanta
2008 role: He'll be competing with Jason Snelling to be Atlanta's No. 3 running back.
2008 fantasy impact: If Michael Turner or Jerious Norwood become injured, Brown could receive regular playing time in Atlanta's dual back system. He would be worth a waiver claim, but Atlanta's running game is suspect now until progress is shown.
176. Jalen Parmele, RB, Miami
2008 role: The trade of Lorenzo Booker to Philadelphia and the departure of Jesse Chatman to the Jets leave Parmele as a third option (along with Patrick Cobbs) behind Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.
2008 fantasy impact: He'll be worth claiming if he becomes a backup to Brown, who missed nine games last year with a torn ACL.
179. Xavier Omon, RB, Buffalo
2008 role: He'll be competing with Dwayne Wright to be the No. 3 running back behind Marshawn Lynch and backup Fred Jackson.
2008 fantasy impact: If he somehow wins the backup spot behind Lynch, he'll be a valuable pick in the late rounds. But from a Division II school, it's likely that he'll need a year of pro experience to become acclimated to the higher level.
186. Colt Brennan, QB, Washington
2008 role: He'll be learning behind Jason Campbell and Todd Collins in his rookie season.
2008 fantasy impact: If Campbell shows little progress next season and Brennan defies low expectations placed upon him, Campbell could be replaced by Brennan as the team's quarterback of the future.
196. Tom Santi, TE, Indianapolis
2008 role: The departure of Utecht leaves a void at Indy's No. 2 tight end spot behind Clark. Santi will be competing with last year's No. 3 tight end Bryan Fletcher for Indy and fellow rookie Tamme to be the backup.
2008 fantasy impact: While more productive than many teams, the No. 2 tight end slot remains waiver-wire material as Utecht caught just 31 passes for 364 yards and a score last year. Only if Clark becomes injured will Santi have a chance to make an impact in fantasy.
202. Mike Hart, RB, Indianapolis
2008 role: He enters an enviable spot of being the top candidate to be Addai's backup. Both Kenton Keith (who had an off-season legal incident) and Clifton Dawson lack the college production that Hart brings to the position.
2008 fantasy impact: If Hart wins the backup spot behind Addai, he is worth drafting in the late rounds as insurance for Addai. Indy's starter missed one game last season, and his backup Keith totaled 158 yards and two touchdowns when replacing Addai in Week 5.
Round 7
209. Matt Flynn, QB, Green Bay
2008 role: He'll be competing with Brian Brohm to be the backup behind Aaron Rodgers.
2008 fantasy impact: Only if he becomes the starter will Flynn be worth claiming, but his effectiveness would be questionable as a rookie. He'll likely need at least 1-2 years of experience to learn this difficult position in the pros.
213. Chauncey Washington, RB, Jacksonville
2008 role: He becomes Jacksonville's No. 3 running back behind Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor in their dual back system. While Greg Jones would be the more likely backup behind Fred Taylor, Washington would fit better as the backup behind Jones-Drew.
2008 fantasy impact: He's worth drafting as insurance in the late rounds. If either Jones-Drew or Taylor becomes injured, Washington becomes a waiver claim in Jacksonville's very productive offense for running backs.
227. Peyton Hills, FB, Denver
2008 role: He has excellent skills as a runner, receiver and blocker and could be used as a short-yardage runner or goal-line scorer. He'll likely be competing with Cecil Sapp and Paul Smith at fullback.
2008 fantasy impact: If he becomes Denver's goal-line back, he'll have some value as a fantasy reserve. Otherwise, he'll be waiver-wire material.
237. Adrian Arrington, WR, New Orleans
2008 role: He'll need to oust a deep group of wideouts (Marques Colston, David Patten, Lance Moore, Terrance Copper and Devery Henderson), in addition to last year's No. 1 pick Robert Meachem, to receive playing time. It's likely he'll be put on the practice squad.
2008 fantasy impact: None, unless he makes the team and is promoted to a No. 3 or 4 wideout as the result of an injury.
240. Allen Patrick, RB, Baltimore
2008 role: He'll be competing with P.J. Daniels and Cory Ross to be Baltimore's No. 3 running back behind starter Willis McGahee and backup and fellow rookie Ray Rice.
2008 fantasy impact: He'll only have fantasy value if he wins the backup spot and serve as insurance for McGahee or Rice (if he becomes the starter with a McGahee injury).
246. Mario Urrutia, WR, Cincinnati
2008 role: He'll be competing with fellow rookie receivers Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson for spots on the roster. If Johnson remains disgruntled, another slot could open. Unproven veterans Doug Gabriel, Antonio Chatman and Glenn Holt will be competing for the No. 3 wideout spot behind T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Johnson.
2008 fantasy impact: None, unless he climbs the depth chart quickly in his first season and receives a chance to play.
248. Marcus Monk, WR, Chicago
2008 role: If he makes the team, he'll be competing with Chicago's veteran wideouts and fellow rookie Bennett for playing time. He offers the same physical attributes as former first-rounder and fellow Arkansas player Matt Jones but has more experience and proven college production at wide receiver.
2008 fantasy impact: He'll only have value if he becomes a starter at wide receiver in Chicago's open battles for starting positions and placement on the depth chart. But that's unlikely as he will need more seasoning and experience at the pro level before receiving much playing time.
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