Let's just say we didn't nail too many of the picks for the first round right on the head, but did get quiet a few of the positions taken correct in our NFL mock draft. What did we learn from this? That we are much better at picking fantasy players than figuring out what NFL teams will do with their draft picks. We wrap up the first round in this article and make a few fantasy comments when appropriate. We hope you enjoy our wrap up of the first round of the 2006 NFL draft.
What we said: 1. Houston: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
To the Texans, it won’t matter whether Bush was involved with any NCAA violations or not. They will take this opportunity to draft one of those rare players that might be able to make a real difference to their team. With this acquisition, the Texans new head Coach, Gary Kubiak, will have plenty of offensive weapons to try and turn this struggling franchise around. From a fantasy point of view, the additions of Reggie Bush, Eric Moulds, and Jeb Putzier could make this roster a spot for some fantasy gems. If David Carr can’t make things happen with this kind of talent around him, he is in deep trouble. What really happened: Mario Williams, DE, NC State
COMMENTARY: It doesn’t look good for your mock draft when you know it is wrong about 12 hours before the actual draft even starts! The Texans announced on Friday night that they had agreed to a deal will Williams and that he would be the #1 pick of the draft. We can understand why the Texans passed on Bush, but we don’t agree with it. We think that they could have made some sweet music in Texas. SO ANYWAY, scratch our fantasy talk about how explosive the Texans offense could be with the addition of Bush. The Texans will once again be lucky to win 4 or 5 games. We don’t see this franchise recovering from this anytime soon. The big fantasy winner in this is Domanick Davis. We suspect that Davis must have felt like the death row inmate who just got that call from the governor at the last second. If you own Davis in a dynasty league, you probably feel that way too. Not only did the non-selection of Bush get Davis all pumped up, but the Texans also selected two tackles with the first two picks of the 3rd round, Charles Spencer of Pittsburgh and Eric Winston of Miami. We though that Winston would be a first round selection, so we are very happy about what this will mean to Davis. The Williams selection has almost no fantasy impact in non-IDP leagues except for the fact that Bush will reside somewhere else.
What we said: 2. New Orleans: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
The Saints have two decent defensive ends in Will Smith and Charles Grant. However, their offensive line was in the bottom half of the league in both passing protection and run blocking. That sounds like an obvious gap the team will need to fill. The team just paid Drew Brees a pile of cash and we suspect that they would like to keep him healthy (if he actually gets healthy between now and the start of the season). On the fantasy side of things, this would help the entire offense of the Saints, but it will especially help the team’s running back. The Saints have added Michael Bennett just incase Deuce McAllister can’t carry the full load. One or both of these players could have some fantasy impact in 2006. What really happened: Reggie Bush, RB, USC
COMMENTARY: New Orleans felt like a 5 year-old on Christmas morning when they found out that they had been given the rights to the best player in this year’s NFL Draft. Obviously, Reggie Bush being available made this pick a no brainier, assuming the Saints didn’t get blown away by any trade offers. The one thing you will notice about this selection is that the Saints now have WAY too many big names on their roster at running back. In addition to Bush, they also have Michael Bennett and Deuce McAllister. All three of these running backs were selected in the first round (Bush this year and the other two in 2001). If we were the Saints, we would try to trade either McAllister or Bennett. However, McAllister is coming off of an injury and Bennett has pretty much been a bust so far in the NFL. All of these RBs should be good news for Drew Brees if he can return to health for the 2006 season. We suspect that all three of these running backs will be drafted in most fantasy leagues, but it will be hard to tell which one will be the most productive at this point, but it is clear that Bush has the most upside of the 3 for 2006.
What we said: 3. Tennessee: Matt Leinart, QB, USC
The Titans must be blowing smoke about VinceYoung. The rumor is that they love Young and want to take him. There is no way they would leak this information unless it was a diversion. Would you broadcast who you were going to take before your fantasy draft? Exactly! These people have their careers on the line and you can bet that they are playing it “close to the vest.” Rookie QBs are not the place to make your fantasy investments in redraft leagues. In a keeper league, Leinart could have some value in the near future. He knows his OC, Norm Chow, very well and he knows his schemes, so it wouldn’t be a stretch to see Leinart come along quickly. What really happened: Vince Young, QB, Texas
COMMENTARY: The funny thing about this year’s draft is that teams are getting so complex with their mind games that they are actually telling the truth to throw other teams off the track! We feel like Vizzini in the 1987 film The Princess Bride trying to guess which glass has the poison in it. ”But it's so simple. All I have to do is divine from what I know of you: are you the sort of man who would put the poison into his own goblet or his enemy's? Now, a clever man would put the poison into his own goblet, because he would know that only a great fool would reach for what he was given. I am not a great fool, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of you. But you must have known I was not a great fool, you would have counted on it, so I can clearly not choose the wine in front of me.” The Texans did something similar as well by saying that they were considering Mario Williams. Most of the world thought that they were using Williams as a bargaining chip, but they actually wanted Williams instead of Bush. NFL teams telling the truth … what has the world come to now! We actually like the Young pick by the Titans, but we just didn’t think that they had the guts to do it. We feel like Young will help get the struggling Titans back on top in no time. However, we don’t like Young’s chances of making a big fantasy impact in 2006.
What we said: 4. N.Y. Jets: Mario Williams, DE, N.C. State
The Jets have been leaking information about how they like Jay Cutler and how they like Matt Leinart and how they like Vince Young and even how they like Brodie Croyle. With all of this QB talk we can only draw one conclusion; they are NOT going to take a QB with their first pick. More smoke screens from the NFL teams are par for the course when it comes to the NFL draft. Keep these tricks in mind when doing your own fantasy draft later this year. Let it leak out that you really like Daunte Culpepper in the first round because you think he is going to go back to his 2004 stats. Then you can grab the running back you wanted all along. Mario Williams is a special freak of nature and that is just the type of player that NFL teams cannot wait to get their hands on. The team parted ways with John Abraham and they need to fill that position. The Jets D should be improved over last season, but you probably won’t want to own them in 2006. Speaking of Abraham, the Falcons are going to have to be considered one of this year’s big winners in the first round of the NFL draft despite the fact they no longer have a first round pick. The acquisition of Abraham should help return the Falcons fantasy D back to relevance. What really happened: D'Brickashaw Ferguson, OT, Virginia
COMMENTARY: With Mario Williams, Reggie Bush, and Vince Young already gone, the Jets were forced to make a sensible pick that will actually make their team much better. They needed offensive line help in a big way and that is what they got in the form of Ferguson. We liked this pick and we liked their second selection of the first round even more. We have a feeling that someone will be running for some solid yardage in 2006 behind this revamped offensive line. Martin will start out as the guy, but who knows how long he will last.
What we said: 5. Green Bay: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
We have seen everyone and their brother predict A.J. Hawk for this spot, but we are going to get crazy and go for Davis. We think Hawk would be a “safe” pick at this spot, but the Packers could use something else to make Brett Favre happy. No doubt that the Packers would love to get their hands on D'Brickashaw Ferguson, but we can think of few scenarios that would land Ferguson in their lap. From a fantasy perspective, this would be a very exciting pick. If the Packers don’t take Davis, it is likely that the 49ers will take him. We feel a WHOLE lot better having Favre tossing passes to this rookie rather than Alex Smith. Davis could have a big impact in Green Bay. The Packers do have Bubba Franks, but he can’t even come close to stretching the field like Davis can. We don’t expect to see Javon Walker catching passes for the Packers in 2006, so another set of hands would help Favre out substantially. What really happened: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
COMMENTARY: We still wish that the Packers would have taken Davis, but it wasn’t in the cards. They had to be all “sensible” and “safe” with their first pick. The Packers D looks like it should be much better in 2006. We hope this means that Favre won’t be forced to make so many interceptions while trying to carry the team on his own. This said, we probably wouldn’t recommend owning the Packers’ D in most fantasy scoring formats.
What we said: 6. San Francisco: Michael Huff, DB, Texas
They would have like to have gotten Vernon Davis, but the 49ers need defensive help in a bad way and Huff would be a great selection. They pass on A.J. Hawk here because they plan on getting a linebacker with their other 1st round pick. What really happened: Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland
COMMENTARY: Davis was still on the board and it was a great pick for the 49ers. We knew they wanted him, but we just wanted to Packers to step up and make the pick before the 49ers got the chance. Davis will make Alex Smith much better. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Smith use Davis as a crutch in 2006. This could help make Davis a good fantasy player at TE. However, you should be careful about getting too excited about Davis because the 49ers offense looked pretty bad in 2006 and Davis will be relying on Smith to get him the ball. If they don’t have any other weapons, NFL defenses will key on Davis and take him out of games.
What we said: 7. Oakland: Vince Young, QB, Texas
Al Davis will probably throw out his back jumping for joy if Young becomes a Raaaaaiiiiiider. We don’t think this is the best place for Young, but he won’t be expected to start right away because the team recently acquired Aaron Brooks. Brooks has exhibited a lot of immaturity during his NFL career, so don’t be surprised if you see Young take the field at some point this season. Young is a leader who we think will do very well in the NFL. Young doesn’t have much fantasy value in 2006, but he should have some nice future value in keeper leagues. If your keeper league gives bonuses for rushing yards and TDs by QBs, Young’s value should be even higher. What really happened: Michael Huff, S, Texas
COMMENTARY: With Vince Young gone, the Raiders take his former Texas teammate. Huff is a solid pick for the Raiders. This should help improve one of the worst defenses in the NFL from 2005.
What we said: 8. Buffalo: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
Bunkley is another one of those physical freaks that the NFL loves. Bunkley was beastin’ at the NFL combine. He ran his two 40s in 4.91 and 4.98 at 6’2” and 306 lbs. He had vertical jump of 32 ½”, and a 9’5” long jump. His shuttle and three cone drills were impressive as well, but let’s get to this jokers bench press. He benched 225 lbs 44 times. After his workouts, they pulled out the branding iron and stamped “USDA-NFL BEEF / DO NOT OPEN UNTIL 1ST ROUND” on his hip. Oh yeah. He is a player, and the Bills defense needs some help. What really happened: Donte Whitner, S, Ohio State
COMMENTARY: The Bills went defense, but they went with a guy that they could have had much later in the draft. We are surprised that they didn’t trade down with someone.
What we said: 9. Detroit: A.J. Hawk, LB, Ohio State
Finally, the Lions will take something other than a WR with their top 10 first round pick. Just for history’s sake, can you remember who went right after the Lions’ selection of Mike Williams in the 2005 draft? DeMarcus Ware and Shawne Merriman. Things that make you go … “that’s why the Lions stink.” This time around the Lions will take a defensive player with their top 10 pick. Hawk is a football player who will make the Detroit defense better. What more do you need? The Lions D should be in the top half of the league in fantasy rankings for 2006. What really happened: Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State
COMMENTARY: The Lions did go linebacker as we thought, and Hawk was already gone. Sims is a solid pick with lots of upside. Let’s hope that this version of the Lions can ACTUALLY develop some of this talent.
What we said: 10. Arizona: Winston Justice, OT, USC
Let’s take a look back at who Dennis Green’s teams have drafted in the first round when he was the head coach: Robert Smith(RB), DeWayne Washington(CB), Todd Steussie(T), Derrick Alexander(DE), Korey Stringer(T), Duane Clemons(DE), Dwayne Rudd(OLB), Randy Moss(WR), Daunte Culpepper(QB), Dimitrius Underwood(DT), Chris Hovan(DT), Michael Bennett(RB), Larry Fitzgerald(WR), Antrel Rolle(CB). About 43% of Green’s picks have been on either the offensive or defensive line. A lot of people say Jay Cutler here, but we think Green will surprise with a big man. The Cardinals had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last year and they need to do something about it. Cutler would be a nice future plan, but Green wants to win now. Justice would be a great fantasy boost for the entire Cardinals offense. Hopefully Justice can keep Kurt Warner off his back in 2006. If he can’t, the Cardinals have John Navarre and Rohan Davey ready to take over. Don’t count the Cardinals out for a later QB pick in this draft either. What really happened: Matt Leinart, QB, USC
COMMENTARY: Our first thought was, “What a savvy move by Dennis Green and company in Arizona.” Our second thought was, “Man, Kurt Warner can’t buy a break.” Warner should be able to hold onto his job this season until an injury knocks him out. Leinart is a winner and a smart QB, so if Warner struggles, gets injured, or the team is out of the playoff race, Leinart could see the field this season. Poor Leinart had to be the last guy in the green room in NY and he had to wait until he was drafted at 10. Let’s see if we have this straight: 1) Leinart was just named one of the world’s 50 most beautiful people by People magazine. 2) He will be a multimillionaire shortly. 3) He is going to be in the nice weather of Phoenix where there are plenty of sun kissed young lasses. 4) He will only have to wait for a few weeks before “Mr. Glass” gets his 13th concussion. 5) He will have to throw the ball to Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, Edgerrin James, and Leonard Pope(recently drafted). 6) He will be playing in a brand new stadium. Coming out of college, one of the knocks that people liked to throw on Leinart was that he only looked so good at USC because he has so much talent around him. Critics wanted to see what he could do without some of the best players at his level. Well, the world may never know the answer to this question because he will be surrounded by some of the best offensive talent in the NFL. He also just might help make Arizona a winner. Leinart could be worth a flyer in redraft leagues if he gets into training camp early and your league is fairly deep.
What we said: 11. St. Louis: Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech
The Rams need a cornerback in a bad way. They will take one here. They may be considering Tye Hill, but we think that the athletic ability of Williams will lure Jim Haslett into making this pick. The Saint Louis fantasy defense was terrible last season and they could use some help. What really happened: Denver (from St. Louis) selects Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
COMMENTARY: Denver got their strong armed QB of the future. Culter has almost no fantasy value for 2006, but he is a guy you might be able to use in larger keeper leagues. This is a good pick for the Broncos and we will be interested to see how this year’s QB class develops in the future.
What we said: 12. Cleveland: Manny Lawson, OLB, N.C. State
Romeo Crennel is trying to create “Patriots West” in Cleveland. He will need lots of ability in his linebacker corps to do this, so look for him to add the versatile Lawson. He can rush the passer and cover in passing situations. Keep an eye on the Browns fantasy defense. They were in the bottom half of the league in 2005, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the top half of fantasy defenses in 2006. What really happened: Baltimore (from Cleveland) selects Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
COMMENTARY: We knew that the only teams that would want Ngata would be the ones that run a 4-3 defense. The Ravens do just that, so Ngata is a great fit there. This should help boost the Ravens D up in the fantasy standings in 2006. They are one fantasy D you don’t want to let slide too far in your draft because they are so much better when Ray Lewis is allowed to roam freely and make big plays. Ngata is bulky and strong enough to soak up a few offensive linemen and that should make a world of difference to Lewis.
What we said: 13. Baltimore: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
Hill will help bolster the strength of the Ravens, their defense. The defense could use some help in the secondary, and Hill can provide that. Jay Cutler might be a nice selection here, but Brian Billick is going to go down with the Kyle Boller ship. Boller did start to show a spark at the end of last season and that should be enough to keep the team from spending a first round pick on one this season. From a fantasy perspective, this should help the Ravens improve on their disappointing fantasy performance in 2005. What really happened: Cleveland (from Baltimore) selects Kamerion Wimbley, DE/LB, Florida State
COMMENTARY: We knew that Romeo Crennel would be looking for a big fella to play the outside linebacker position, but we picked the wrong one. Crennel passed on Manny Lawson and went for Wimbley. We won’t argue with him in his choice and we feel pretty confident that the Browns D will be on the rise in the 2006 fantasy rankings.
What we said: 14. Philadelphia: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
The Eagles like to dominate with their offensive line. The will continue to build on that tradition by selecting the best center in the draft. This pick has Any Reid written all over it. Look for the Eagles offense to surprise a lot of people and still find success even without all-world WR Terrell Owens. What really happened: Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State
COMMENTARY: You know how the Eagles stunk up the joint last year and how they missed the playoffs? Well, don’t count on a repeat performance. We think that the Eagles will be fighting their way back into contention this year and a solid monster like Bunkley will help them do just that. The Eagles fantasy D will be one that you should keep an eye on in 2006.
What we said: 15. Denver: Chad Jackson, WR, Florida
The Broncos need someone to replace Rod Smith because he is going to start collecting social security soon and Ashley Lelie isn’t the answer. The Broncos could think about a running back here, but they will likely plan on grabbing one later in the draft. Jackson could have slight fantasy impact in 2006, but we wouldn’t bank on it. What really happened: St. Louis (from Atlanta through Denver) selects Tye Hill, CB, Clemson
COMMENTARY: We thought that the Rams would take a CB, but they fooled us on which one it would be. We can’t complain about Tye Hill because the Rams D needed some serious help.
What we said: 16. Miami: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State
Miami needs some secondary help and Cromartie can provide just that. His combination of size and speed won’t last long in the first round and this is where we are predicting him to go. We hope this will help the Dolphins improve on their fantasy defense rank of 15 from last season. What really happened: Jason Allen, CB/S, Tennessee
COMMENTARY: Another correct prediction on the position, but another miss on the guy. The Dolphins must believe that Allen is healthy, so we will trust Nick Saban on this pick because he knows his SEC players.
What we said: 17. Minnesota: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt
The Cutler slide ends in Minnesota. We think that the Vikings will be very pleased with this pick and they will hope that they have their QB of the future. Culter will likely not see much of the field in 2006, so don’t by any fantasy stock in him in redraft leagues. In keeper leagues, he could have some great value if he is anything like his hype. What really happened: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa
COMMENTARY: With all of the high profile QBs gone, Greenway was a nice selection for the Vikings. Wow, all of these defenders don’t leave much room for us to talk about fantasy impact.
What we said: 18. Dallas: Kamerion Wimbley, OLB, Florida State
Bill Parcells need a big boy to come off the other corner opposite of DeMarcus Ware and Wimbley would be the perfect fit. Makes us get all dreamy eyed and think of LT and Carl Banks. We are sure that is what Parcells and the Cowboy nation will be dreaming of as well. The Cowboys D’s fantasy value should continue to rise in 2006. What really happened: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State
COMMENTARY: Wimbley was gones, so Parcells goes with another outside linebacker. We are sure that Carpenter will be fetching water for the Tuna in no time.
What we said: 19. San Diego: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina
What team in the NFL couldn’t use a corner? San Diego needs someone to help bolster their defense, because their new QB, Phillip Rivers, will need all the help he can get if the team plans on thinking about the playoffs. What really happened: Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida St.
COMMENTARY: Another Corner correctly picked and YET another miss on which one was taken. Cromartie was probably a nice surprise for the Chargers at the 19th pick.
What we said: 20. Kansas City: Haloti Ngata, DT, Oregon
Ngata slides in our prediction because the teams above either had other needs or they didn’t run a defense that isn’t suited to his talents. Kansas City should be running a 4-3 and Ngata will be a nice fit here at 6’4”, 338 lbs. The Chiefs D has been its weak point for years and we expect Herman Edwards to address that need with this pick. What really happened: Tamba Hali, DE, Penn State
COMMENTARY: They did go after a lineman, but we are surprised about which one they took. Too bad that the Chiefs couldn’t move down and grab Hali a few picks later. This said, he should be a solid player for the defensively anemic Chiefs.
What we said: 21. New England: Bobby Carpenter, OLB, Ohio State
We could see Carpenter or Greenway with this pick because both have Bill Belichick written all over them. The Patriots defense was uncharacteristically terrible last season and we have a feeling that the Evil Genius will get to work at putting his winning machine back together again. What really happened: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
COMMENTARY: This was a bit of a shock to us, but it was a pleasant one. We thought that the Patriots would bolster their defense, but they too can see the writing on the wall, “Corey Dillon is nearing the end of the line.” Maroney will probably be mixed in with Dillon throughout the year in an effort to try and keep Dillon fresh. However, if Dillon were to miss significant time during the season, Maroney could be a great fantasy pick. Unlike last year’s crop of RBs, this year’s crop has plenty of formidable competition to deal with before they can reach stud status.
What we said: 22. San Francisco: Ernie Sims, OLB, Florida State
The 49ers need someone to play outside linebacker and Sims could be their man. He has speed to burn and solid tackling ability. The 49ers are starting to look a lot better on defense already. That should help them improve on last season’s terrible record. What really happened: Manny Lawson, DE/LB, NC State
COMMENTARY: Right position guessed, but wrong player. Lawson was a great grab for the 49ers at this point. We like the way things are going for the 49ers here in this first round of the 2006 draft.
What we said: 23. Tampa Bay: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
The Buccaneers need a playmaker and that is just what they get in Holmes. Joey Galloway can’t be counted on for too long because of his age and injury history, so Holmes could help set the foundation for the future of the Bucs. Holmes will have a little fantasy value in 2006. What really happened: Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma
COMMENTARY: We will never argue with an offensive line selection and this is a great pick if you own Cadillac Williams. Williams had a great rookie year in 2005, and additions like this will help make his 2006 even better.
What we said: 24. Cincinnati: Chad Greenway, OLB, Iowa
Greenway would be a great fit to play weak side linebacker for the Bengals. The defense still has some work to do if it wants to get up to Marvin Lewis’ standards. Greenway is a linebacker that just makes plays with a great motor. What really happened: Johnathan Joseph, CB, South Carolina
COMMENTARY: This is a good pick for the Begals because their secondary wasn’t that good in 2005 and they gave up too many big games to their opposition.
What we said: 25. N.Y. Giants: Eric Winston, OT, Miami
With LaVar Arrington in the fold, the Giants can look other places. We are sure that the Giants offensive line is not up to where they would like it to be and that makes Winston a nice selection at this point in the draft. Making a pick to help protect Eli Manning, wouldn’t be a bad idea. What really happened: Pittsburgh (from N.Y. Giants) selects Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State
COMMENTARY: Great pick for the Steelers and they will soon forget that Randel El guy in no time. Holmes will hopefully take some pressure off of Hines Ward. We also expect increased fantasy production from Ben Roethlisberger in 2006 thanks to this additional offensive weapon at his disposal.
What we said: 26. Chicago: Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State
What a great name. We think Youboty will be just what the Bears are looking for at corner. Azumah is no longer with the team, so a corner makes perfect sense for the Bears. What really happened: Buffalo (from Chicago) selects John McCargo, DT, N.C. State
COMMENTARY: We will trust Lovie Smith on this one, but we think he could have traded down and still gotten the third DL taken from N.C. State in the first round. With all of these N.C. State lineman taken in the first round, we are shocked that NCST didn’t do better in the ACC last season. We have seen these three dominate in person and they are “pretty good.”
What we said: 27. Carolina: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
If you take a look at the Panthers’ RB depth chart, it is clear that this team needs a running back with their first pick. Williams would be a great grab for the Panthers because that love to pound that rock. DeShaun Foster probably won’t be able to make it through the season without a little help and Williams could be just that. Williams could have a fantasy impact as early as this season. Foster is one of the more brittle running backs in the NFL, so an injury that would allow Williams to take the spotlight is not out of the question. What really happened: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis
COMMENTARY: Ding, ding, ding. We get a cookie for getting this one right. Williams is definitely a fantasy factor to keep an eye on in 2006. Foster gets hurt often and he will probably see the trainer sometime in 2006. That scenario would be just the thing to help make Williams a prime time player in 2006 because the Panther love to run the ball. However, he probably won’t be able to steal the job from Foster outright. That means that he doesn’t have a very high fantasy draft value this fall.
What we said: 28. Jacksonville: DeMeco Ryans, OLB, Alabama
Ryans will be just what the Doctor ordered for the Jaguars. Former NFL linebacker and Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio will be more than happy to add a player like Ryans to his defensive roster. What really happened: Marcedes Lewis, TE, UCLA
COMMENTARY: The Jaguars need a pass catching TE. Lewis should help improve Byron Leftwich’s stats in 2006 and Lewis will have some fantasy value in redraft leagues that require a TE.
What we said: 29. N.Y. Jets: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota
Curtis Martin is nearing the end of a great career, so the Jets will need to find someone to replace him. Maroney could be the successor that they are looking for to replace this NFL great. Maroney was a workhorse at Minnesota and could have fantasy value in 2006. If he is drafted here, he should probably be drafted late in deep fantasy drafts as well because this could be Martin’s last season. What really happened: Nick Mangold, C, Ohio State
COMMENTARY: Way to go Jets. You picked the best tackle and the best center in the same draft. Curtis Martin or someone will be running behind this line. Martin can’t be counted on the whole season, but he could have a nice season if he recovers from his 2005 injury. Once the season gets closer, we will let you know who Martin’s backup will be so that you can get your hands on him. Right now it looks like it will be Cedric Houston.
What we said: 30. Indianapolis: Davin Joseph, OG, Oklahoma
The Colts would have loved to have grabbed Maroney and they will let LenDale White slide, so they will now try to solidify their offensive line that had “some protection problems” at the end of 2005. Taking care of the O-line will help take care of Peyton Manning and everyone knows that Manning is the Colts’ meal ticket. What really happened: Joseph Addai, RB, LSU
COMMENTARY: Well, well, well, what do we have here? It looks like we might have just found the most direct fantasy impact all the way down here at the 30th pick of the first round. Addai will be fighting Dominic Rhodes for the starting running back position. The fact that the Colts drafted a running back with their first pick lets you know that they believe that Rhodes cannot handle the job by himself. It is also important to note that Rhodes does have an injury history to be accounted for when evaluating this pick. Rhodes fantasy value takes a major hit thanks to this selection, and Addai will be an interesting fantasy choice this fall in your draft.
What we said: 31. Seattle: Jason Allen, S, Tennessee
Allen has potential that is on pace with Michael Huff, but his health lets him slide to the 31st pick. Seattle will be thrilled to grab Allen at this point. As we said earlier, what team couldn’t use a good cornerback? What really happened: Kelly Jennings, CB, Miami
COMMENTARY: They took a defensive back, but it wasn’t the one we thought it would be. This is a solid pick for the defending NFC champions. Don’t expect to see this team just fade away like previous Super Bowl runner-ups have in the past few years. We think that the Seahawks have a very good chance of making some noise in 2006.
What we said: 32. Pittsburgh: LenDale White, RB, USC
The Steelers stop White from falling out of the first round. The departure of Jerome Bettis left a BIG hole in the hearts of the Steelers. White will be called on to help fill that hole. The Steelers want to pound the ball and that will require more than Willie Parker. White could become the Steelers’ TD vulture and that makes him valuable in most fantasy leagues. What really happened: N.Y. Giants (from Pittsburgh) selects Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College
COMMENTARY: The Giants already have solid defensive ends and Kiwanuka will just add to that strength. The Giants defense should be one that catches your eye in fantasy drafts this fall thanks to all of their sack potential.
