NFL Draft: Fantasy winners and losers
2008 NFL Draft
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Draft tool kit
News
Analysis
- Czar: AFC draft grades | NFC
- Marvez: Another bumper crop for N.Y.?
- Kriegel: Why bad can be good in NFL
- Marvez: Best, worst drafts since '03
- Whitlock: 10 NFL Draft truths
- Hench: We don't have to love draft
Sights and sounds
Over the course of the summer, I'll be breaking down each team unit-by-unit to address the full impact of these 252 new entrants to the league. In the interim, let's break down some of the winners and losers from the draft, including a few veterans who need to prepare for battles in camp or can breathe a sigh of relief.
Winners
Ronnie Brown emerges as a clear winner as the result of Miami's selection of Jake Long to open the year. However, the player whose stock was lifted the most this weekend was Ricky Williams. Jesse Chatman signed a one-year deal with the Jets this off-season, and 2007 draft pick Lorenzo Booker was shipped off to the Eagles. The Fins later selected Jalen Parmale from Toledo in the sixth round, but Williams fits the system the Dolphins want to utilize.
Jason Campbell of the Redskins won big in the second round when the team utilized three straight picks to find playmakers for their third-year pro. Campbell received the gifts of super-athletic receiver Devin Thomas, who is raw but a possible star in the making. Washington then added tight end Fred Davis to work alongside Chris Cooley and another receiver in Malcolm Kelly, who was expected to be a first-round selection. I had him going to the Redskins with their first pick, so it must have been a shock to see him available at No. 51.
The Cowboys defense/special teams had already been bolstered by the addition of high-motor inside linebacker Zach Thomas. Now, they've got the explosiveness of return men Felix Jones and Adam "Pacman" Jones, provided he gets reinstated. Both players exhibit ridiculous skills in the return game, and "Pacman" is good for a handful of picks, including a possible return or two to the house. Add defensive back Mike Jenkins into the mix, and you've got a rapidly ascending defensive unit. Ratchet the Boys up few notches in your rankings.
The Bills exhibited great patience on day one and found James Hardy, a gigantic 6-foot-7 receiver from Indiana at pick No. 41. He was ultra-productive in college, racking up 36 touchdown receptions. He'll be immediately installed as the No. 2 option for Trent Edwards (I know, J.P. Losman is still there) opposite Lee Evans.
The Lions addressed needs on the offensive line with the selection of monstrous tackle Gosder Cherilus. I like the pick, even with the concerns about his ability to play left tackle on the table. The true winner here is Kevin Smith from Central Florida, who could immediately earn playing time as a rookie. Kevin Jones is no longer in Detroit, and Smith will receive every opportunity to push Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun for touches.
Felix Jones comes into a great situation in Dallas. Granted, he's simply the No. 2 man to Marion Barber, but that didn't stop Julius Jones from racking up 1,000 yards in 2006. Felix is a potential game-breaker who figures to see 10-12 carries per game. Barber remains the bulldozer at the goal-line. Felix excelled as the complementary back to Darren McFadden at Arkansas, so he'll acclimate well to his role in "Big D."
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| DeAngelo's Williams' value took a hit with the Panthers drafting Jonathan Stewart in the first round of the draft. (Streeter Lecka / Getty Images) |
Losers
The addition of Jonathan Stewart from Oregon forces DeAngelo Williams into another split workload scenario. It had been anticipated the Panthers would add a back in the draft to pair with Williams following the release of DeShaun Foster, but the use of a first-round pick on Stewart definitely limits Williams' upside. You're looking at a limited role as a pass-catcher and change-of-pace back for him now. It's too bad, too, as tackle Jeff Otah, added at pick No. 19, will open gaping holes.
Kevin Boss played well for the Giants down the stretch in place of Jeremy Shockey, but he remains a backup for 2008 as the Giants failed to strike a draft-day deal to move Shockey. There were reports of a deal to send him to New Orleans for a second-round pick. Ultimately, Sean Payton told insider Jay Glazer the deal unraveled.
The Raiders' addition of McFadden signaled the end of Dominic Rhodes' tenure in Oakland. Rhodes was released on Monday. It also hurts the fantasy stock of 2007 breakout star Justin Fargas, who's little at a timeshare or role as a third-down back. The Raiders possessed one of the most effective running games in all of football in 2007, and you know they'll lean heavily on McFadden's legs as JaMarcus Russell finds his. Owners who selected Michael Bush in their 2007 dynasty leagues are hoping he shines brightly this off-season and gets dealt.
The Bears turned to the offensive line in the first round with Chris Williams. They then found a backfield mate/competition for embattled running back Cedric Benson in the second round with the selection of Matt Forte, a 6-foot-1, 224-pound bulldozer who will push for the starting job in camp. If nothing else, Forte will own the goal-line work.
The Dolphins drafted Michigan quarterback Chad Henne on day two of the draft, which creates an open competition in camp with Josh McCown and last year's top draft pick, John Beck. Beck appeared in five games for the Dolphins, completing 56 percent of his attempts with one touchdown and three interceptions.
Rashard Mendenhall's fall to the Steelers limits his upside to open the year, although he provides great insurance should Willie Parker be slow to recover from his leg injury. Mendenhall strikes me as a potential third-down back with the possibility of closing things out at the goal-line. Parker's shown the ability to do so in the past, but will the Steelers switch things up following his 2007 injury? It'll be an interesting mix with Najeh Davenport still in the backfield as well.
I feel the need to include Chad Johnson in this slot. The fact that Cincinnati drafted three wide receivers in the draft (two in the first three rounds) indicates they mean business in this standoff with their outspoken wideout. Holding true to their stance come training camp is another story. In the end, I believe the need for him on the field as a playmaker trumps the squawking, but it makes for an interesting spring. I can't wait to head back to Kentucky this summer.
There's the opening shot of what will be an information-packed couple of months leading to fantasy football 2008. Obviously, fans of each NFL team have their own ideas of the good, bad and ugly from this weekend. Don't worry, we'll give you ample opportunities to voice your opinions as we build toward training camp.
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