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2008 Draft: Winners and Losers
by Geoffrey Stein on April 28 2008
This year`s NFL Draft played a significant role in reshaping the upcoming fantasy football season -- more so than any in recent memory. As always, though, when the dust settled, there were clear cut winners and clear cut losers.
Listed below are the five winners from this weekend`s festivities:
QB Jason Campbell, Redskins -- As if getting rid of Brandon Lloyd this offseason wasn`t a big enough positive for Campbell, the Redskins added two of the draft`s top wide receivers in Devin Thomas and Malcom Kelly, and Fred Davis, a premiere tight end. The trio of pass-catching rookies mixed with veterans Chris Cooley, Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El gives the third-year quarterback plenty of talented down-field options.
RB Matt Forte, Bears -- When is going to a team with a running back they drafted No. 4 overall a mere three years ago a good thing? When that team is the Chicago Bears, and that back is Cedric Benson. Even though he was selected 44th overall, Forte has an equal -- if not better -- shot at making a fantasy impact than the five running backs selected ahead of him.
QB Rex Grossman, Bears -- Quick quiz, which of these teams didn`t draft a quarterback: A) Super Bowl Champion New York Giants; B) 18-1 New England Patriots; C) Da` Bears. Rest in peace Sid Luckman, your franchise passing records are safe.
WR James Hardy, Bills -- The 6-foot-6 Hardy immediately becomes red zone option No. 1 and 1A for Trent Edwards. Who else is going to get looks, 5-foot-10 receivers Lee Evans and Josh Reed? Remember, Edwards went to Stanford -- he`s smart enough to know Hardy is much taller.
RB Kevin Smith, Lions -- The only thing keeping the first pick of Round 3 from lining up behind Jon Kitna come Week 1: Tatum Bell. If past history holds true, Smith, the 2007 NCAA rushing champion, shouldn`t have any trouble cracking the starting lineup for a Lions` offense implementing a new zone blocking scheme.
However, for every winner, there must be a loser. Here are the five losers from this weekend`s festivities:
RB Michael Bush, Raiders -- That crying sound you here is the compilation of dynasty league Bush owners who thought they made a genius late-round selection last August. Sorry guys.
QB Rex Grossman, Bears -- Sure, the Bears didn`t draft a quarterback, but at the end of the day, he`s still Rex Grossman. Rest in peace Sid Luckman, your franchise passing records are safe.
RB Darren McFadden, Raiders -- With holes across the offensive line, an unproven quarterback and a receiving corps counting on Javon Walker and Ronald Curry to stay healthy, Oakland isn`t exactly the ideal landing spot for initial success. It`s fair to wonder if McFadden will be the first rookie selected in redraft leagues come August. Heck, with Jonathan Stewart in Carolina and Rashard Mendenhall in Pittsburgh, it`s fair to wonder if McFadden will be the third rookie selected.
RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina -- Here`s hoping the 27th selection of the 2006 NFL Draft enjoyed his 64 days as the Panthers` starting running back. Look on the bright side, though, at least this year someone with talent will be taking Williams` carries.
Those who play fantasy football -- Why is the 139th overall selection a significant one for fantasy footballers? Because with the fourth pick of Round 5, the Denver Broncos drafted ... gasp ... a running back, Ryan Torain from Arizona State University. Anyone with a year or more of fantasy football experience can tell you exactly where this one is heading.
Listed below are the five winners from this weekend`s festivities:
QB Jason Campbell, Redskins -- As if getting rid of Brandon Lloyd this offseason wasn`t a big enough positive for Campbell, the Redskins added two of the draft`s top wide receivers in Devin Thomas and Malcom Kelly, and Fred Davis, a premiere tight end. The trio of pass-catching rookies mixed with veterans Chris Cooley, Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El gives the third-year quarterback plenty of talented down-field options.
RB Matt Forte, Bears -- When is going to a team with a running back they drafted No. 4 overall a mere three years ago a good thing? When that team is the Chicago Bears, and that back is Cedric Benson. Even though he was selected 44th overall, Forte has an equal -- if not better -- shot at making a fantasy impact than the five running backs selected ahead of him.
QB Rex Grossman, Bears -- Quick quiz, which of these teams didn`t draft a quarterback: A) Super Bowl Champion New York Giants; B) 18-1 New England Patriots; C) Da` Bears. Rest in peace Sid Luckman, your franchise passing records are safe.
WR James Hardy, Bills -- The 6-foot-6 Hardy immediately becomes red zone option No. 1 and 1A for Trent Edwards. Who else is going to get looks, 5-foot-10 receivers Lee Evans and Josh Reed? Remember, Edwards went to Stanford -- he`s smart enough to know Hardy is much taller.
RB Kevin Smith, Lions -- The only thing keeping the first pick of Round 3 from lining up behind Jon Kitna come Week 1: Tatum Bell. If past history holds true, Smith, the 2007 NCAA rushing champion, shouldn`t have any trouble cracking the starting lineup for a Lions` offense implementing a new zone blocking scheme.
However, for every winner, there must be a loser. Here are the five losers from this weekend`s festivities:
RB Michael Bush, Raiders -- That crying sound you here is the compilation of dynasty league Bush owners who thought they made a genius late-round selection last August. Sorry guys.
QB Rex Grossman, Bears -- Sure, the Bears didn`t draft a quarterback, but at the end of the day, he`s still Rex Grossman. Rest in peace Sid Luckman, your franchise passing records are safe.
RB Darren McFadden, Raiders -- With holes across the offensive line, an unproven quarterback and a receiving corps counting on Javon Walker and Ronald Curry to stay healthy, Oakland isn`t exactly the ideal landing spot for initial success. It`s fair to wonder if McFadden will be the first rookie selected in redraft leagues come August. Heck, with Jonathan Stewart in Carolina and Rashard Mendenhall in Pittsburgh, it`s fair to wonder if McFadden will be the third rookie selected.
RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina -- Here`s hoping the 27th selection of the 2006 NFL Draft enjoyed his 64 days as the Panthers` starting running back. Look on the bright side, though, at least this year someone with talent will be taking Williams` carries.
Those who play fantasy football -- Why is the 139th overall selection a significant one for fantasy footballers? Because with the fourth pick of Round 5, the Denver Broncos drafted ... gasp ... a running back, Ryan Torain from Arizona State University. Anyone with a year or more of fantasy football experience can tell you exactly where this one is heading.
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