2006 NFL Draft Analysis - NFC

As promised, here is my analysis on the effects the NFL draft may have on your fantasy draft for the NFC. I will post an update after the June 1^st release frenzy, and then give my final fantasy draft analysis in early August.

NFC Teams

1. Arizona Cardinals: Matt Leinart was a great pick for the franchise, though his impact is of little value for this season. Taitsui Lutui(G) and Leonard Pope (TE) are both good blockers and should help pave the way for Edgarrin James. Not much grabbed on defense or special teams. Outlook: The o-line has been upgraded, so the running game should get going this season. Pope is a good pass catching TE, and could put up decent numbers. Leinart is a good late round pick for keeper leagues.
2. Atlanta Falcons: Jimmy Williams could help the Atlanta’s defense interception numbers. Otherwise, not much of note. Outlook: No real impact for draft day.
3. Carolina Panthers: DeAngelo Williams, given DeShaun Foster’s durability issues, will be a starter before the year is out. Rashad Butler and Will Montgomery help the o-line, and should help the running game. Pretty much a wash on defense and special teams. Outlook: DeAngelo Williams is a solid mid round draft pick at this point, especially if you are eyeing up Foster. Either way, the running game in Carolina looks strong.
4. Chicago Bears: Danieal Manning and Devin Hester could make the Bears defense a must pick in the 3^rd to 5^th rounds. Neither has played against strong competition, though. Surprisingly, the Bears ignored the offense. Outlook: The Bears stay in the top 5 of overall defenses this year. No impact on offense or special teams.
5. Dallas Cowboys: Bobby Carpenter should contribute to the defense immediately, and is a perfect fit for the 3-4 defense that Dallas deploys. Anthony Fasano is a good pass catching TE and should post solid numbers. Skyler Green is a quick runner with good hands and upgrades the Dallas return unit. Outlook: The Dallas defense will be a top 10 defense this year. Fasano will be good for about 5 TD’s, likewise for the Dallas kick return team.
6. Detroit Lions: Ernie Sims and Daniel Bullocks upgrade the defense with their respective playmaking abilities. Brian Calhoun could be good in the red zone. The Lions picked up some solid depth on both sides of the ball in Fred Matua, Jonathan Scott, and Dee McCann. They are draftable players in standard leagues, but their presence will enhance other’s play on the field. Outlook: The defense should be drafted on draft day…definitely top 15. Hold off with Calhoun, to see how he is used. Could see 4-7 TD’s in red zone action.
7. Green Bay Packers: The Packers secondary is suddenly a force with the additions of A.J. Hawk and Abdul Hodge. Daryn Colledge and Jason Spitz add depth to an o-line that was weak last season. Cory Rodgers could be the return threat the Packers have been without since Desmond Howard left town. Outlook: This defense and special teams is a top 10 unit. Watch how Colledge and Spitz do in the preseason before looking to rank the Packers offensive players.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Not much added here. Greg Blue and Cedric Griffin could enhance the return team, and enable Marcus Robinson to move off of special teams. Outlook: Improved return team, but that’s about it.
9. New Orleans Saints: Reggie Bush is most certainly destined to be a #1 pick in most drafts in the next few seasons, just not this year. Jahri Evans could be a premier run blocker on the offensive side of the ball, giving Bush bigger holes to dance through. Mike Haas and Marques Colston blosters the receiver corps. Outlook: Draft Bush in accordance to Duece McAllister’s status. If McAllister is starting or they are platooned, Bush is a mid round pick. Now that Joe Horn has Haas and Colston to help, the Saint’s receivers are very much in play.
10. New York Giants: Mathias Kiwanuka should help add to the team’s sack totals. Sinorice Moss gives Manning another target to hit, and Moss’s speed should lead to a lot of long TD catches. Outlook: Bump of the team’s defense a few notches for draft day. Moss is worth a mid round draft pick.
11. Philadelphia Eagles: Though the Eagles didn’t draft any impact players this year, the grabbed quite a few players that could help the team. The most notable for fantasy purposes is WR Jason Avent, who has a good chance at becoming the teams’ number 3 receiver. DT Broderick Bunkley and OT Winston Justice look to contribute on their respective sides of the ball. Outlook: Avent may be worth a taxi squad or very late pick. The running game should be a little better, as should the team’s defense.
12. ST Louis Rams: The Rams drafted two TE’s that could make an immediate fantasy impact. Dominique Byrd looks to be used in the red zone, and Joe Klopfenstein could see time in the slot as well as fullback. DE Victor Adeyanju and CB Tye Hill should upgrade the defense. Late round picks Mark Setterstrom and Tony Palmer are both good run blocking guards that should help Stephen Jackson’s running game. Outlook: Tight End looks to be a strong position for this team, so grab one if you can. The upgraded o-line should bump up Stephen Jackson’s stats a notch or two. The teams’ defense should also be bumped up a notch.
13. San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis looks to be a top-5 TE this season. WR Brandon Williams could start when training camp breaks. RB Michael Robinson could be a goal line go-to guy. Manny Lawson, Parys Haralson, Marcus Huson, Melvin Oliver, and Vickiel Vaughn upgrade the defense. Outlook: Offensively, Davis is a top third of the draft pick. Williams is a great late round round. The defense, though improved in the draft, probably isn’t going to be worth owning.
14. Seattle Seahawks: A bunch of minor type of additions in the draft. Outlook: No one really stands out in this group. Mainly backups and projects here.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Offensive line is much improved with the drafting of Davin Joesph and Jeremy Trueblood. Maurice Stovall should make the team as at least the 3^rd receiver. Defense has more depth this year in the secondary with the picks of Alan Zemaitis and Justin Phinisee. QB Bruce Gradkowski looks like a good prospect, but not for this year. Outlook: The running game should find more holes to run through. Stovall is a good mid to late round pick in deep and shallow leagues, respectively.
16. Washington Redskins: They did not draft any players on offense. On defense, LB Rocky McIntosh should help bolster the defense. Outlook: The teams’ defense is a little higher on the depth chart, but nothing significant otherwise.

2006 NFL Draft Analysis - AFC

As promised, here is my analysis on the effects the NFL draft may have on your fantasy draft for the AFC. I will post the NFC next week, then post an update after the June 1^st release frenzy, and then give my final fantasy draft analysis in early August.

AFC Teams

1. Baltimore Ravens: The draft didn’t really do much to help any Raven’s enhance their draft day value. Demetrius Williams could make an impact on the return team, but he is a project type wideout that will need a couple of seasons. Haloti Ngata should help the Raven’s D score a few more sacks, and PJ Daniels may wind up being the goal line guy. Derrick Martin should inject some energy into the secondary. Outlook: Upgrade the team defense a few notches.
2. Buffalo Bills: Nothing gained in the draft offensively. Donte Whitner should help increase interception totals on team defense. Outlook: No major impacts here.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrew Whitworth should help the running game, especially the power game. A.J. Nicholson will help the defense with his range and interception ability. Ethan Kilmer and Bennie Brazell will upgrade the return game. Outlook: Running game should be more effective in the red zone this ear, and the teams defense should get a bump up on the depth chart.
4. Cleveland Browns: Travis Wilson may be good enough to start, but would most likely be a second half player. Jerome Harrison should figure in the running back situation with his cutting abilities. Outlook: Minimal impact here by the rookies.
5. Denver Broncos: Jay Cutler was a great pick in the draft, but his impact will not be felt for a few years, barring injury to Jake Plummer. The draft day trade for Javon Walker is the big story for this team should he be healthy. Brandon Marshall could push Ashlie Lelie for the 3^rd wideout job, and Domenick Hixon should make an impact on the return team. Chris Kulper and Greg Eslinger add depth to the Bronco’s o-line. Outlook: A very good draft for the Broncos. The running game will be the same as last year, but the o-line additions should make the running game less impacted by o line injuries. The return team gets a boast, so I’d upgrade the Broncos defense right away. Walker and Hixon gives the Broncos arguably the best 4 man wide receiver group in the NFL.
6. Houston Texans: Ah, the team that passed on Reggie Bush. The pick of Mario Williams boasts the sack potential of this team defense. DeMeco Ryans is a hard hitting run defender of a linebacker, and could make teams choose their poison with the Texan’s defense. The additions of Charles Spencer and Eric Winston should help create a few more holes for Domanick Davis, as well as keep David Carr off of his rump a little more. Owen Daniels is a good pass catching TE, and could be worth a look in the later rounds. David Anderson will make an immediate impact on the return side of the ball, and should figure in the WR rotation as the season progresses. Outlook: The teams defense is now almost in the top 10 of team defenses. The o-line additions immediately upgrade Davis, Carr, and company a few spots.
7. Indianapolis Colts: Joseph Addai will be a good running back, but will be a bottom third of the draft pick. They still do have 1000yd rusher Dominic Rhodes after all. Only other player of note is TJ Rushing. He could be a dominant return man and has the skills to pick off more than his share of balls. Outlook: Not much immediate impact here. Addai is worth a late round pick, and the Colts return teams should be a bit better.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars: Maurice Drew will push for time as Fred Taylor’s backup, but not worth considering in the draft at this time. Not much else of note here. Outlook: Look elsewhere for impact rookies.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: Great draft for the team, just not a big impact on this seasons’ draft. Tamba Hali and Bernard Pollard will upgrade the defense. Brodie Croyle is a good young QB that played in a similar system with Alabama. Jeff Webb has average at best speed and seems destined to be a possession receiver. Outlook: Defense may be improved, but not by enough to jump up the defense rankings by draft time. Not much impact here.
10. Miami Dolphins: Jason Allen could have an impact on defense as the year progresses. Derek Hagen isn’t quick, but he runs crisp routes and could supplant Marty Booker as the teams number 2 guy. Outlook: Derek Hagen could be worth a look in the 2^nd half of the draft. Watch his progress closely during training camp.
11. New England Patriots: Laurence Maroney and Chad Jackson could have immediate impacts on the offense. Steve Gostomski has the inside track to replace Adam Vinitieri. Garrett Mills is a great pass catching TE but will be buried on the depth chart this year. Willie Andrews will improve the kick return game. Outlook: If you draft Corey Dillon, make sure to draft Maroney as well. Jackson will be the number 2 receiver by the end of camp and should be ranked accordingly. No improvement on defense or return teams. Kicker is a huge question mark.
12. New York Jets: They passed on what could have been this seasons starting QB. D’Brickshaw Ferguson greatly upgrades the o-line, as does C Nick Mangold. Kellen Collins enters the QB mix, but is probably not starter material. Brad Smith is a fast receiver, but can’t catch the ball. Outlook: Stay away from the Jets if you want to win this year.
13. Oakland Raiders: Michael Huff improves defense. Thomas Howard and Darnell Bing are make or break prospects. Paul McQuisten could make an impact on the o-line. Outlook: See the Jets. Oakland’s defense could be a great in season pickup, though.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Santonio Holmes will start the season as the number 3 reciever. Anthony Smith and Orien Harris will add youth and depth to the defense. Marvin Philip adds center depth, and Willie Reid should replace Randle-El without a dropoff. Outlook: Holmes is worth a look late in the draft, earlier in deeps leagues. The defense will be better with more depth and a deeper rotation and should be ranked a little higher on the depth chart. The return game will not miss a beat.
15. San Diego Chargers: Antonio Cromartie will increase the defense’s interceptions. Outlook: As you can tell. There’s not much else here that will help your team this season. The team defense may be worth bumping up a notch.
16. Tennessee Titans: Does Vince Young start or does he sit behind Billy Volek? Regardless, Vince Young is the QB of the future in Nashville. LenDale White is a running back in the Eddie George mold and could start. Calvin Lowry, Stephen Tulloch, and Terna Nande are going to make this a top 15 defense. Jonathan Orr will add to the receiver corps and could be the number 3. Quinton Ganther could be the teams goal line back to start the year. Outlook: Even if Young starts, it is doubtful that he’ll have an impact this season. White should start, and should be grabbed in the 6^th round or so. The defense moves into the top half of the league on the depth chart. Orr would be a good late round pick in any league.