Nice comments. So far, here are the "Expert" commentaries that have been written so far... enjoy!
- Smitty
FFXtreme
===================================
Smitty from FantasyFootballXtreme.com
1. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of bigger name guys slipping
too far (pick 3)?
Smitty posted on 6-11-06:
1. Reggie Bush (Rotoworld at 2.1)
In a Dynasty League, I feel Bush should have been one of the first six players off the board. Bush is an amazing talent and has landed in a situation where he will most likely start and end the 2006 season as the Saints' starter. I do not think McAllister will be ready to start the season. If he is, it will be 50/50 situation anyway. While McAllister is still in the picture for the Saints long-term, I predict that he will never be the same and will continue to struggle with injuries throughout his career. Deuce already struggled to remain healthy through 16 games, I just don't see him ever bouncing back to a 1,500 yard/10+ TD rusher.
2. Santana Moss (FantasyFootballXtreme at 4.12)
Moss just turned 27, so he has at least six or more top years left in fantasy leagues. He has produced top 10 numbers in two of the last three seasons, yet people still want to doubt his year to year potential. I think Santana Moss will finish in the top six this year and will remain inside the top 12 for years to come. We were very pleased to land the speedster as our number 1WR with the very last pick in the 4th round. Great value!
3. Chad Johnson (FFToolbox at 3.02)
I was going to say Reggie Wayne here, but Chad Johnson should not have fallen into the 3rd round in a Dynasty League. We were very close to taking the receiver with the last pick in the 2nd round, but couldn't pass up on our bold prediction of last year, Carson Palmer. FFToolbox got a middle second round WR at the cost of a 3rd rounder. Nice work, fellas!
4. DeAngelo Williams (FantasyFootballXtreme at 3.10)
We thought we'd thrown in a fourth, and of course it is one of our guys. Williams holds the NCAA all-time record in all-purpose yards with an insane 7,573. He also has the most 100-yard rushing games in NCAA history with 34 and won the NCAA rushing title lasts year with 1,964 rushing yards and an impressive 178.55 yards per game average. While so many experts continue to label the runner small, he is NOT! He is a bit short at 5-9, but he isn't small. What he lacks in height he makes up for in quickness, speed and vision. We truly believe that Williams has the ability to excel at the next level and so does Carolina - they just proved that as they invested a late first round draft pick on the kid. We predict that Williams will be a 2nd round draft pick, at least, in 2007 fantasy drafts. We believe Foster is a very, very talented runner, but he will almost definitely get injured and DeAngelo will never let go of the job once he has it in his grip.
2. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of lower-end guys (pick 3 total)?
Smitty posted on 6-11-06:
1. Chris Perry (FantasyFootballXtreme at 6.11)
Perry is our biggest deep sleeper runner in 2006. While Rudi Johnson has done nothing but prove doubters wrong over the past two fantasy seasons, we firmly believe that what Rudi Johnson can do Chris Perry can do better. If Rudi (knees) can remain healthy all season, we do not see Perry working his way into the starting line-up, yet he will still steal carries away from number 32. If Rudi does get hurt, Perry will produce like a top 10-12RB - we hope Perry gets his chance for more than a couple games.
2. Ben Roethlisberger (XpertSports at 6.06)
We believe that Big Ben is is going to be a great fantasy quarterback as early as this year. He has showed flashes of brilliance thus far and will only get better. Everyone keeps saying that the Steelers run way too much, but as Roeth progresses, they will throw plenty. If that were not the case, the Steelers wouldn't have invested the 25th overall pick on Santonio Holmes in this year's NFL Draft. Nice pick XpertSports! Enjoy the production and tell Big Ben to turn Holmes into a stud as quick as possible!s
3. Reggie Brown (FantasyTailgate at 9.11)
Reggie Brown doesn't have a long NFL resume, but his upside is awesome. McNabb is more than a solid QB and many people forget how good he was last year before his hernia slowed him down. One of those Eagle WRs is going to make a splash in 2006, and we feel it will be Reggie Brown. The second year player has the height and good enough size to be a big play threat. McNabb should get him the ball plenty in '06.
3. What pick (by another) was very bold, but a great move and likely to work out?
Smitty's posted on 6-11-06:
Roy Williams (XpertSports at 3.07)
Drafting Roy Williams at 3.07 was early, but we love the pick and we believe it will work out real well for Adam from Xpertsports. Williams has the ability to be a top 5WR in fantasy leagues for years and years to come. Williams has the size, the hands and definitely the right system to get into that top 5 in WRs as early as this season. At the very least, expect Williams to have a cup of coffee in the top 8 for fantasy WRs in 2006.
4. What pick (by another owner) was very bold, but very unlikely to work out?
Smitty posted on 6-11-06:
1. Brian Westbrook (FantasyTailgate at 2.02)
Westbrook is a horse when healthy, but I feel that 2.02 was a bit too high to take the runner in a Dynasty format. Could it work out for FantasyTailgate? Absolutely, but our money is on Westbrook getting banged up and Ryan Moats benefiting, which is why we took the youngster at 8.03. Despite his lack of size, Moats is an every down runner with immense strength and vision. He has great cut-back ability, can catch the ball out of the backfield and has the work ethic to get the job done at the next level. If Westbrook gets banged up, which is very likely in my opinion, Moats will be a phenomenal flex player for the value.
2. Matt Jones (Huddlegeeks at 5.09)
While we like Matt Jones in a Dynasty league, we can't see spending a 5th rounder on him. We shall see how the passes get divided up over there in JAX, but our guess is that it will be Wilford that gets the most targets in 2006, not Jones.
5. Who are the busts of 2006 (pick two) and who are the busts of the future (pick two)?
Smitty posted on 6-11-06:
2006 Busts:
1. Ahman Green (FantasyFootballCafe at 6.07)
Ahman isn't even running yet and our money is on Gado.
Future Busts:
1. Reuben Droughns (FantasySharks at 3.08)
We're not sold on Droughns as a long-term answer to Cleveland's rushing attack.
6. List the top two teams in this Dynasty League for THIS YEAR and who are the top two in terms of the FUTURE YEARS (commentary optional)?
Smitty posted on 6-11-06:
This Year:
1. FantasyFootballXtreme.com
Carson Palmer, Larry Johnson and Santana Moss will carry us through the 2006 season. We drafted a lot of our 2006 sleepers, so we anticipate a monster finish this year.
2. Footballguys.com
McGahee, Edge, Moss and Ward are going to be a tough team to beat in 2006.
Future Years:
1. FantasyFootballXtreme.com
If DeAngelo Williams and our rookies WRs (Moss and Holmes) end up developing into future fantasy studs, we will be tough to beat for years. Even if all three don't work out like we are planning on, we still think the foundation of our team is solid enough to compete.
2. Footballguys.com
Again, Footballguys_Smith has some major talent in all areas - the scary part is that all of his players still have some gas left in the tank.
7. What pick did YOU make that other owners will wish they had made and why?
Smitty posted on 6-11-06:
1. Chris Perry (6.12)
Like we said above, Perry is the kind of sleeper that could put our 2nd runner on the bench come week eight. Rudi may stay healthy, but if he doesn't Perry is going to be as productive as a top 10-12 running back.
2. DeAngelo Williams (3.10)
We were very pleased to land both Foster and DeAngelo, but DeAngelo is the future of that Carolina rushing attack. Either way, we believe we will get some monster production out of the starting runner in Carolina.
8. Rank the top 5QBs, top 5RBs, top 5WRs and top 3TEs heading if forced to rank right now, as of 6-10-06:
Smitty's from FantasyFootballXtreme.com posted on 6-11-06:
Top Five Dynasty QBs
1. Carson Palmer
2. Peyton Manning
3. Donovan McNabb
4. Eli Manning
5. Tom Brady
Top Five Dynasty RBs
1. Larry Johnson
2. LaDainian Tomlinson
3. Shaun Alexander
4. Ronnie Brown
5. Reggie Bush
Top Five Dynasty WRs
1. Steve Smith
2. Chad Johnson
3. Larry Fitzgerald
4. Torry Holt
5. Roy Williams
Top Three Dynasty TEs
1. Antonio Gates
2. Alge Crumpler
3. Jeremy Shockey
Evan Silva from Rotoworld.com
1. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of bigger name guys slipping
too far (pick 3)?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
1. Clinton Portis (FantasySharks at No. 8)
Analysis: I had Portis ranked as the third-overall dynasty player. The Redskins’ offense improved tremendously this offseason and Portis is still just 24. His goal-line work at the outset of his career in Washington was less than stellar, but with G Randy Thomas returning healthy, WRs Antwaan Randle El and Brandon Lloyd around for the long-term, and new play-caller Al Saunders set to open up the ‘Skins’ attack, Portis’ value, I feel, is better than that of soon-to-be 29-year-old Shaun Alexander. Greg Allen did well to get him at 8.
2. Chester Taylor (RotoWorld at No. 37)
Analysis: Get used to me touting my own picks throughout this draft review. Taylor enters an ideal situation in Minnesota. Brad Childress’ West Coast offense will utilize the ex-Ravens’ backup to the best of all his versatile abilities. I rated Chester No. 27 overall and right behind Brian Westbrook for RBs. Taylor has fresh legs, is still just 26, and won’t be supplanted by injury-prone Mewelde Moore. He should be money in the bank.
3. Reggie Wayne (FFToolbox at No. 47)
Analysis: Wayne may never repeat his 2004 performance and probably won’t be the Colts’ No. 1 receiver for another three years. But this was very late for a consistently reliable WR2. Indy’s run game is suspect, which could accommodate increased red-zone passing. Wayne, 27, should put up 7-10 TDs along with 1200 yards for the next six seasons.
2. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of lower-end guys (pick 3 total)?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
1. Chris Henry (RotoWorld at No. 180)
Analysis: Alright, so Henry can’t stay out of trouble. He might even get cut. But there’s no reason a guy with Randy Moss-type gifts who’s one small injury from starting on arguably now the NFL’s highest-powered offense should not have lasted this long. And Charlie Rogers went ahead of him. Come on now.
2. Brian Calhoun (XpertSports at No. 114)
Analysis: So Calhoun ran a 4.6 at the Combine and fell to the third round on NFL draft day. Who cares? Anyone who saw this guy in college knows he’ll be special at the next level. With his receiving ability and playing behind oft-injured Kevin Jones, Calhoun should become an instant Mike Martz favorite. I had him queued up for a little later because I thought he’d last longer, but Adam Lasik got a keeper in the tenth.
3. Roddy White (RotoWorld at No. 132)
White’s one of the guys we at RotoWorld are talking up this year. There may not be a player in the league with a better chance to break out. Finding a go-to wide receiver for Michael Vick has proven a tall task, but the speedy 24-year-old White has Killer Deep Threat written all over him. He was definitely worth a middle-round flier.
3. What pick (by another) was very bold, but a great move and likely to work out?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
Brian Calhoun (Xpert Sports at No. 114)
Obviously, I’m high on Calhoun. He followed his Combine 4.6 with a 4.3 forty at Wisconsin’s pro day; he does not lack speed. I’d like to see him become the Lions’ third-down back as a rookie and at least succeed Kevin Jones when Jones’ rookie contract expires. Better yet, I don’t think it’s beyond the realm that Calhoun becomes the starter sooner rather than later. He can do it all.
4. What pick (by another owner) was very bold, but very unlikely to work out?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
Warrick Dunn (TheFootballExpert at No. 44)
It appears a T.J. Duckett deal is imminent, so Dunn’s value could be strong in 2006. Dunn was extended through 2008 in April, but with his aching body, I don’t see him being the Falcons’ full-time starting tailback after ’07. I’m not a huge fan of Jerious Norwood, but Atlanta seems to think the former Mississippi State Bulldog could be Dunn’s heir apparent. MAbramowitz would be smart to sell Dunn high after a productive showing this season.
5. Who are the busts of 2006 (pick two) and who are the busts of the future (pick two)?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
1. Domanick Davis (Xpert Sports at No. 18)
I’d almost hesitate to call Davis a true “bust” after his miserable 2005 performance. He’s been slow to recover from offseason knee surgery and recently had a setback in his rehab. Davis was thoroughly hands-off to me. Lasik took him at No. 18. Granted, the projected Texans starting RB is young. But Antowain Smith could immediately take over goal-line work and, quite possibly, Davis’ place atop the depth chart soon enough.
2. Darrell Jackson (FantasyFootballCafe at No. 43)
Café got a fine value with D-Jax at 43. I just don’t see him playing more than ten games in 2006. He missed ten last season due to a bum knee and needed surgery again this offseason. And the ‘Hawks grabbed Nate Burleson as insurance. Jackson, who’s questionable for training camp, is nearing the prone-to-injury label in his own right.
Busts of the Future
1. Joseph Addai (FantasyFootballStarters at No. 28)
As I see it, Russ “Red-Zone” Bliss’ third-round pick is an overrated workout wonder. His performance at the pre-draft Combine was stunning, but Addai wasn’t all that impressive as at LSU and wouldn’t even have started had Alley Broussard been healthy. He certainly enters a great situation in Indianapolis. But the Colts will go with a committee this season and Addai reminds me of fellow carry-sharer James Mungro. He went way too high in both the NFL and Xperts drafts.
2. DeAngelo Williams (FantasyFootballXtreme at No. 66)
In a typical case of one owner being high on a player and another (me) not, Williams appears to me a weak long-term starting bet. He certainly has plenty of skills, but lacks size and every-down capability, in my opinion. Xtreme and I spoke on the subject. He loves DeAngelo and did well to insure the pick by taking 26-year-old starter DeShaun Foster with his following selection. But Williams is competing with three other young guys for carries, and definitely has his work cut out to be a marquee fantasy back.
6. List the top two teams in this Dynasty League for THIS YEAR and who are the top two in terms of the FUTURE YEARS (commentary optional)?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
1. RotoWorld (Evan Silva)
Who else? Mike Vick will be a top-three QB in 2006. Chester Taylor, Samkon Gado, Thomas Jones, and Reggie Bush will “compete to start” in an extremely deep backfield. Larry Fitzgerald, Marvin Harrison, and Drew Bennett give me three possible WR1s and Roddy White and Chris Henry are ridden with potential. TEs Chris Cooley and Alex Smith will be pass-catching machines for years. Nate Kaeding will be the best fantasy kicker in the league this year. Having the Bears’ defense is an enormous advantage.
2. FFToolbox (Dan Labert)
Barring injury, Jake Plummer is a fine bet to put up solid numbers at quarterback. LaDainian Tomlinson is my top-rated player, for 2006 and beyond. Frank Gore and Deuce McAllister could be fine RB2s. Chad Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Anquan Boldin, Jerry Porter, and Troy Williamson encompass the second-best (wink) receiving corps in the Xperts league. At tight end, Todd Heap is a top-three performer. David Akers can hit from beyond 50, with accuracy. The Eagles’ defense should be okay.
Best Dynasty Teams for the Future
1. RotoWorld (Evan Silva)
You guessed it. Reggie Bush and Larry Fitzgerald will be the top players at their respective positions for years to come. Marvin Harrison is the only RotoWorld player over 27. I drafted alarming value and upside at every position with every single pick I made. Also see late-rounders Michael Robinson, Chris Henry, Jason Campbell, Eric Shelton, and Bucs TE Alex Smith. This league gone.
2. FantasyFootballXtreme (Smitty)
The league’s commissioner took a draft route different than any other owner and it could really pay off for the future. After filling his starting lineup (and trading up for Larry Johnson), Xtreme used mid- to late-round picks on talented backups Ryan Moats, Chris Perry, DeAngelo Williams, Jerome Harrison, and Cedric Cobbs, all of whom could be shipped off at high values if the starters in front of them get injured. Heck, I’ve seen this method used to win a re-draft league. While I don’t think Xtreme will be a title winner in 2006, his future is bright.
7. What pick did YOU make that other owners will wish they had made and why?
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
Drew Bennett (No. 84)
After busting loose towards the end of 2004 with Billy Volek at the helm, many had the Titans’ 6-5 white wideout projected for a Pro Bowl ’05 campaign. He disappointed, fading into a possession receiver towards the end of last year. RotoWorld later found out Bennett had been nursing a nagging knee injury for the second half of the season, explaining a lot. With McNair in Baltimore, Volek steadfastly atop the depth chart, and his knee surgically repaired and healthy, I see Bennett as a legitimate WR2, bordering on WR1. He gets deep, has tremendous size, and is only 27. And when Vince Young – who loves tall targets – takes the reigns, Bennett will remain Tennessee’s go-to target. I had him No. 51 overall for dynasty and got him 33 picks later. In my estimation, getting Bennett here was the biggest score of the draft.
8. Rank the top 5QBs, top 5RBs, top 5WRs and top 3TEs heading if forced to rank right now, as of 6-10-06:
Evan Silva posted on 6-10-06:
Top Five Dynasty QBs
1. Peyton Manning
2. Carson Palmer
3. Michael Vick
4. Tom Brady
5. Eli Manning
Top Five Dynasty RBs
1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Larry Johnson
3. Clinton Portis
4. Steven Jackson
5. Shaun Alexander
Top Five Dynasty WRs
1. Larry Fitzgerald
2. Steve Smith
3. Torry Holt
4. Randy Moss
5. Chad Johnson
Top Three Dynasty TEs
1. Antonio Gates
2. Jeremy Shockey
3. Todd Heap
Mike from TheFootballExpert.com
1. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of bigger name guys slipping
too far (pick 3)?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
1. Reggie Wayne, 4.11
On the verge of becoming one of the elite receivers
in the league. With his new contract, you know he will be in the Colts
high powered offense for awhile.
2. Fred Taylor, 7.1
He may only have a few more good years left, but he
is still a solid starter, and getting him in the seventh round is a steal.
Getting any starting running back in the seventh round is a steal, but at
least Taylor has the track record.
3. Chad Johnson, 3.2
One of the elite in the games. Chad Johnson has
been consistent each year and does not have the off the field issues Owens
has and Owens was drafted ahead of him. Johnson also has a guy name
Carson Palmer throwing to him, so the future looks bright with Chad a
probable Pro Bowler for the next five years.
2. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of lower-end guys (pick 3 total)?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
1. Brandon Lloyd, 13.4
Lloyd was the best talent on a bad 49ers team last
year. Lloyd has been kind of under the radar because his bad team. With
Lloyd being on the Redskins look for him to be a great complement to
Santana Moss. Lloyd has a chance to be a star, he just need a quality
team to be on.
2. Jerramy Stevens, 18.12
Last pick of the draft, our Mr. Irrelevant.
Stevens had a breakout year, and showed why he was a first round pick.
Stevens seems to be a top ten tight end in this league. Getting him with
the last pick was a total steal.
3. Mark Bradley, 16.7
Mark Bradley showed some flashes last year as a rookie. Look for Bradley
to be the Bears number two target next year. Bradley could be a quality
starter by his third year. Most of Bradley's progress will be based on
the Bear's quarterback position.
3. What pick (by another) was very bold, but a great move and likely to work out?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
Terrell Owens, 2.9
Is there anybody else. Owens has all the tools on the
field, but none of them off the field. If he shuts his mouth, he will be
a fantasy stud, if he and Drew Rosenhaus does a you know what, then good
night Alice. I think Parcells will shut him up.
4. What pick (by another owner) was very bold, but very unlikely to work out?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
Marc Bulger, 5th round
Bulger was one of the first quarterbacks drafted.
I question how he will rebound from his inury. I just don’t think he
will ever come back to his old form. Anyways, at round 9 or 10 I might
have taken a risk, but I thought there were too many better quarterbacks
on the board.
5. Who are the busts of 2006 (pick two) and who are the busts of the future (pick two)?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
Busts of 2006:
1. Kevin Jones RB
high draft pick, on a horrible team. I just do not
know how many fantasy points you can earn on a bad team.
2. Reuban Droughns RB
Off the field he has been in trouble. Very stubborn, I expect him to share carries with Lee Suggs and Jerome Harrison.
Future Busts:
1. LenDale White RB
He will either become a star or bust out. There was
a reason he dropped to the second round. I hope he does not become a
bust, but the odds are not all these rookie running backs will become
stars and I am not betting against Reggie Bush.
2. Julius Jones RB (I think too injury prone)
Always felt he was too fragile. I just do not think
him ever playing a whole 16 game season. Plus I really like Marion Barber
III. I think Barber could be a stud.
6. List the top two teams in this Dynasty League for THIS YEAR and who are the top two in terms of the FUTURE YEARS (commentary optional)?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
THIS YEAR:
1. FootballGuys - Edgerrin James, McGahee, Taylor- solid RB core. Moss and
Ward make a great WR group. Also, they have Hassleback.
2. FFToolbox - The WR group is sick with Chad Johnson, Reggie Wayne and
Anquan Boldin. Oh yeah they have LT!
FUTURE YEARS
1. FantasyFootballXtreme - Got a lot of youth on this team. Palmer, Larry
Johnson and DeAngelo Williams could be studs for years.
2. FFToolbox - most of its studs are young, so this team should compete
this year and beyond.
7. What pick did YOU make that other owners will wish they had made and why?
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
Torry Holt - I think my Torry Holt pick was probably my one pick that
everyone probably liked. I think most of my picks would have been
disliked by some owners. Holt still has a lot of years left and has been
one of the most consistent WRs in the game.
8. Rank the top 5QBs, top 5RBs, top 5WRs and top 3TEs heading if forced to rank right now, as of 6-10-06
Mike posted on 6-11-06:
Top Dynasty 5QBs in your opinion:
1. Peyton Manning
2. Carson Palmer
3. Tom Brady
4. Eli Manning
5. Ben Roethlisberger
Top 5RBs in your opinion:
1. LaDainian Tomlinson
2. Larry Johnson
3. Carnell Williams
4. Shaun Alexander
5. Clinton Portis
Top 5WRs in your opinion:
1. Steve Smith
2. Chad Johnson
3. Larry Fitzgerald
4. Torry Holt
5. Randy Moss
Top 3TEs in your opinion:
1. Antonio Gates
2. Jeremy Shockey
3. Tony Gonzalez
Russ Bliss from FantasyFootballStarters.com
1. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of bigger name guys slipping
too far (pick 3)?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
1. Randy Moss, 3.01
Leaving alone any of my own picks and thinking only in the short term for the 2006 season…Randy Moss as the 5th WR taken and sliding into the 3rd round was a surprise. Moss is still an exceptional talent and showed last year that he’ll play through an injury. He was supposed to miss a couple of weeks with the groin/pelvis/rib injury he suffered early in the 2005 season, but ended up playing in all 16 games. Before the injury, he was putting up his usual great numbers. Now that’s he’s had the time to properly heal up, I don’t see why he shouldn’t be back to his normal self. Granted, Aaron Brooks throwing to him is a concern, but if Joe Horn can be a stud WR with Brooks throwing to him, why can’t Moss?
2. Corey Dillon, 6.10
Corey Dillon going with the 10th pick of the 6th round was sick. Dillon missed 4 games last year and was hindered with injury in several others, but still managed to score 12 TD’s. I know the Pats took Maroney in the 1st round, but I think there’s still some good football in Dillon and for him to slide this far was wrong. I almost took him instead of Chris Brown with the 9th pick in that round, but since this is a dynasty league, I wanted the upside of young legs in a contract year.
3. Kurt Warner, 13.09
Kurt Warner with the 9th pick in round 13. I know he’s only got a year or two, but when you look at his numbers in games he started last year and he was one of the top fantasy QB’s. Problem is he can’t stay healthy, but considering Huddlegeeks had only Eli Manning and Matt Leinart, seeing Warner sitting there in round 13 had to be like a mini-Xmas.
2. Who were the steals of this draft in terms of lower-end guys (pick 3 total)?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
1. Ernest Wilford, 7.10
Again, not including anyone from my own team and who will outperform expectations in 2006…Ernest Wilford went with the 10th pick of round 7, and with the departure of Jimmy Smith, Wilford becomes the most reliable target for Byron Leftwich. I think Wilford, especially because of his years with Leftwich, will have a lot more value than many expect.
2. Michael Jenkins, 13.01
Michael Jenkins went with the 1st pick of round 13 and should easily outperform that draft position. Jenkins is entering his 3rd year, and that’s usually when the game starts becoming easier for WR’s. I liked that pick a lot.
3. Phillip Rivers, 10.12
Phillip Rivers with the last pick of the 10th round was an exceptional pick. Rivers has been given what every NFL coach would love to give a rookie QB: 2 years of sitting and watching while getting more used to the speed and complexities of the NFL game before being handed the reigns. Rivers has an elite RB who not only will take pressure off of him, but is also one of the best pass catching RB’s in the league. He also has an elite TE to throw the ball to, and a group of decent but unspectacular WR’s. In a dynasty league, Rivers provides an excellent immediate backup QB who likely steps up in the next couple of years as a solid starting fantasy QB.
3. What pick (by another) was very bold, but a great move and likely to work out?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
Larry Fitzgerald, 1.12
The boldest pick of the entire draft was Larry Fitzgerald with the last pick of the 1st round (and the 1st WR taken). But I am a big Fitzgerald fan and think he’s probably a top 5 fantasy WR for the next 8 years.
4. What pick (by another owner) was very bold, but very unlikely to work out?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
Brian Westbrook, 2.02
Brian Westbrook with the 2nd pick of the 2nd round was gutsy considering he’s never played in all 16 games of a season in his career. No one denies Westbrook has explosive capabilities, but he’s not likely to ever be the type of RB who gets 300 combined touches in a season. I doubt if he can stay injury free long enough to do it because of the pounding he’d take.
5. Who are the busts of 2006 (pick two) and who are the busts of the future (pick two)?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
Busts of 2006:
1. Ahman Green, 6.07
Ahman Green: His quad injury appears to be severe enough that he won’t be practicing until training camp and he’s had a long time already to recover from it. With the return of Najeh Davenport and Samkon Gado, Green is a prime candidate for having little value this season.
2. Kevin Jones, 2.05
I’m not sold on Jones being the type of RB who excels in Mike Martz’s offense. Martz RB’s rarely get 20 carries in a game and while Jones is a decent pass catching RB, he lacks the explosive potential to take it all the way on a dump off. That’s why the Lions selected Brian Calhoun. Calhoun is a better fit in Martz’s offense and while not big enough to be a feature RB, will likely eat into Jones’ production.
For the future:
1. Julius Jones, 2.10
Jones hasn’t shown he’s capable of staying healthy and there’s a good chance Marion Barber might just take the starting job away from him in the next year. Jones has talent, but Barber probably has just as much.
2. Aaron Rodgers, 15.06
Rodgers problem isn’t so much that I doubt he could develop into a good NFL QB, but I think when you follow up a player like Brett Favre, unless you are an exceptional player, you never live up to the expectations placed on you. It’s what I call “Jay Fiedler Syndrome”. Fiedler wasn’t a great QB, but he wasn’t a bad one either. He was just never going to be appreciated in Miami since he wasn’t Dan Marino. And after enough years, I think it gets into a player’s head. I can see the same thing happening to Rodgers.
6. List the top two teams in this Dynasty League for THIS YEAR and who are the top two in terms of the FUTURE YEARS (commentary optional)?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
It’s too early to really say, and there are several excellent choices I could make very good arguments for both for 2006 and beyond. But for now I’ll say:
THIS YEAR:
1. FantasyFootballStarters - Cadillac Williams will be ready for a full 16 games. Daunte Culpepper will be big this year. Terrell Owens wasn’t drafted for 4 years down the road, he was drafted to be an immediate impact fantasy WR. Solid starters and depth across the top 3 positions.
2. FFToolbox - LT, Chad Johnson, Anquan Boldin, and Reggie Wayne are a solid four to throw out there every week.
FUTURE YEARS
1. FantasyFootballXtreme - The keys to being successful in a dynasty league are having top fantasy producers with a young QB and young RB. Carson Palmer and Larry Johnson are an excellent example of this.
2. FantasyFootballStarters - I built this team to be good now, and to be good for years to come. In Cadillac and Joseph Addai, I should have two of the top 10 fantasy RB’s for several years to come.
7. What pick did YOU make that other owners will wish they had made and why?
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
Joseph Addai - Joseph Addai in round 3. Addai is a great fit in the Colts offense and will be the feature guy for Indy for years. The Colts passing attack makes life a lot easier on RB’s as witnessed by the success Rhodes and James Mungro have had in prior seasons when Edgerrin James was injured. Addai is a better RB than both Rhodes and Mungro. Daunte Culpepper in round 7 was a close second.
8. Rank the top 5QBs, top 5RBs, top 5WRs and top 3TEs heading if forced to rank right now, as of 6-10-06:
Russ Bliss posted on 6-13-06:
Top Dynasty 5QBs in your opinion:
1. Peyton Manning
2. Eli Manning
3. Carson Palmer
4. Tom Brady
5. David Carr
Top 5RBs in your opinion:
1. Larry Johnson
2. LaDainian Tomlinson
3. Carnell Williams
4. Shaun Alexander
5. Clinton Portis
Top 5WRs in your opinion:
1. Larry Fitzgerald
2. Chad Johnson
3. Torry Holt
4. Reggie Wayne
5. Chris Chambers
Top 3TEs in your opinion:
1. Antonio Gates
2. Jeremy Shockey
3. Tod Heap
If everything did shake out the way you stated above, I still like my team better the way it is...
rew Bledsoe
