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.