The Initial Bloom 100 (1 Viewer)

[LHUCKS]

This is one of the highest rankings I've seen for Brandon Jackson, whom I personally like a lot. Why do you like him?

quality burst, acceleration, efficient lateral movement, combines crisp cuts upfield with good vision (ZBS runner?) gets low pretty easily, runs hard (thru arm tackles)...Overall he just pops out as a determined, little wasted movement runner with a second gear. Bradshaw seems similar but less explosive. Pittman is similar, but more proven.

I kind of feel like Pittman is grossly overrated and that Brandon Jackson's style is better suited for the NFL.As for Jackson, I agree completely his lateral movement never stood out to me, but I guess that is why it's "efficient." There are some mocks out there that don't even have Jackson in the first two rounds which would make him an absolute steal if he somehow slides to the third. It'll be interesting to see what the combine does for him.

 

[coolnerd]

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

This is one of the highest rankings I've seen for Brandon Jackson, whom I personally like a lot. Why do you like him?

quality burst, acceleration, efficient lateral movement, combines crisp cuts upfield with good vision (ZBS runner?) gets low pretty easily, runs hard (thru arm tackles)...Overall he just pops out as a determined, little wasted movement runner with a second gear. Bradshaw seems similar but less explosive. Pittman is similar, but more proven.

I kind of feel like Pittman is grossly overrated and that Brandon Jackson's style is better suited for the NFL.

can you go into more detail as to why you think Pittman is less suited for the NFL?

 

[EBF]

This is one of the highest rankings I've seen for Brandon Jackson, whom I personally like a lot. Why do you like him?

quality burst, acceleration, efficient lateral movement, combines crisp cuts upfield with good vision (ZBS runner?) gets low pretty easily, runs hard (thru arm tackles)...Overall he just pops out as a determined, little wasted movement runner with a second gear. Bradshaw seems similar but less explosive. Pittman is similar, but more proven.

I kind of feel like Pittman is grossly overrated and that Brandon Jackson's style is better suited for the NFL.As for Jackson, I agree completely his lateral movement never stood out to me, but I guess that is why it's "efficient." There are some mocks out there that don't even have Jackson in the first two rounds which would make him an absolute steal if he somehow slides to the third. It'll be interesting to see what the combine does for him.

I'm not really sure if Jackson could be considered a steal in the third round. He really doesn't look any better than Norwood, Calhoun, Moats, etc.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Brendan Hill, S/LB, Virginia Tech

Did I miss him, or is he just not quite that impressive?

As for the QBs, I like Zabransky, but I see "journeyman backup" written all over him.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Brendan Hill, S/LB, Virginia TechDid I miss him, or is he just not quite that impressive?As for the QBs, I like Zabransky, but I see "journeyman backup" written all over him.

He's an interesting tweener. Im waiting to see where he lands to have a better idea of his role.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Brendan Hill, S/LB, Virginia TechDid I miss him, or is he just not quite that impressive?As for the QBs, I like Zabransky, but I see "journeyman backup" written all over him.

He's an interesting tweener. Im waiting to see where he lands to have a better idea of his role.

You know where I'm coming from here He's a Day 2 guy I believe, but I'll stick with 31 and 36 for now....

 

[LHUCKS]

This is one of the highest rankings I've seen for Brandon Jackson, whom I personally like a lot. Why do you like him?

quality burst, acceleration, efficient lateral movement, combines crisp cuts upfield with good vision (ZBS runner?) gets low pretty easily, runs hard (thru arm tackles)...Overall he just pops out as a determined, little wasted movement runner with a second gear. Bradshaw seems similar but less explosive. Pittman is similar, but more proven.

I kind of feel like Pittman is grossly overrated and that Brandon Jackson's style is better suited for the NFL.

can you go into more detail as to why you think Pittman is less suited for the NFL?

He strikes me as a guy that needs space. In a lot of the Ohio State games I watched this year he either made plays against inferior athletes or was running through huge holes in the NFL he'll likely not have either luxury. Also, I think he'll be better suited as a third down back given his size and think he should be ranked/drafted as such.

 

[LHUCKS]

This is one of the highest rankings I've seen for Brandon Jackson, whom I personally like a lot. Why do you like him?

quality burst, acceleration, efficient lateral movement, combines crisp cuts upfield with good vision (ZBS runner?) gets low pretty easily, runs hard (thru arm tackles)...Overall he just pops out as a determined, little wasted movement runner with a second gear. Bradshaw seems similar but less explosive. Pittman is similar, but more proven.

I kind of feel like Pittman is grossly overrated and that Brandon Jackson's style is better suited for the NFL.As for Jackson, I agree completely his lateral movement never stood out to me, but I guess that is why it's "efficient." There are some mocks out there that don't even have Jackson in the first two rounds which would make him an absolute steal if he somehow slides to the third. It'll be interesting to see what the combine does for him.

I'm not really sure if Jackson could be considered a steal in the third round. He really doesn't look any better than Norwood, Calhoun, Moats, etc.

I definitely like him more than Moats and Calhoun coming out of college.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Bloom, thanks a bunch. Could you clarify something for me? To me, the top 2 TE's in this draft - who you have in the late teens- are just guys. I really don't see them as strong FF TE prospects. They look like fringe produces that are always available on the waiver wire. I think you could easily trade a second round pick for a better TE prospect. I think that you would be much better off gambling on a RB or even taking a more sure thing wr (with less upside) like Gonzalez.

What am I missing? What gives them the potential to be early/mid second round rookie picks.

 

[msommer]

Ahhh, the off season and Bloom's 100

Happy days.

Thanks Bloom for the hard work, now get your nose to the grindstone and give us some more!

 

[Athletic Supporter]

Just like Christmas! Thanks Bloom!

 

[BigTex]

Blooming Season!

 

[ditka85]

Bloom, CC or anyone else for that matter: Which RB's after AD & Lynch would best fit Denver's zone scheme?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

6 receivers in the top9 - this draft is absolutely loaded at that position.

Bloom - any chance the Steelers go WR at #15 despite spending a 1st rounder on Holmes last year? I've contended all along they might, and now with Arians talking about utilizing a lot more 4 WR sets on first and second down, I think this becomes more of a possibility.

 

[phthalatemagic]

I wonder if Rice @ 6 is because he really likes Rice that much? Or if that's just a "best of the rest" selection?

 

[lord_helmet]

Bloom, CC or anyone else for that matter: Which RB's after AD & Lynch would best fit Denver's zone scheme?

I'll give this one a shot.. Dwayne Wright and Brandon Jackson, both could excell in a ZBS

 

[WampusCat43]

Jeff Smith, QB, Georgetown (KY)

GB ya. My home town. The whole school only covers two blocks. They've got a great NAIA program, but we'll probably never see something like this again.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Bloom, CC or anyone else for that matter: Which RB's after AD & Lynch would best fit Denver's zone scheme?

I'll give this one a shot.. Dwayne Wright and Brandon Jackson, both could excell in a ZBS

Nice shot. Wright is RB3 in my rankings ahead of all but Lynch and Peterson. He runs like Mike Anderson but with more zip through the lanes. Jackson also runs with the authority to translate nicely to a zone scheme. In the end this question is really asking who doesn't dance and create, imo. Or who are the decisive runners. So eliminating Booker, Taylor and Wolfe leaves you with a longer list of guys who would be most coachable in Denver. Lynch might not be cut out for cut and go running, btw.

 

[lord_helmet]

Bloom, CC or anyone else for that matter: Which RB's after AD & Lynch would best fit Denver's zone scheme?

I'll give this one a shot.. Dwayne Wright and Brandon Jackson, both could excell in a ZBS

Nice shot. Wright is RB3 in my rankings ahead of all but Lynch and Peterson. He runs like Mike Anderson but with more zip through the lanes. Jackson also runs with the authority to translate nicely to a zone scheme. In the end this question is really asking who doesn't dance and create, imo. Or who are the decisive runners. So eliminating Booker, Taylor and Wolfe leaves you with a longer list of guys who would be most coachable in Denver. Lynch might not be cut out for cut and go running, btw.

I have Wright up there too , but really I'm in the minority who thinks the Denver backfield will be fine as it is, and that no big name RBs will be brought in to compete. But of course I realize this is Shanny we're talking about here, so they might bring in someone or spend a 3rd rounder on Wright. Not sure even Shanahan knows at this point...

 

[kook178]

 

[Mr. Peterson]

Any chance Gary Russell could jump up in the ranks if he has a big combine day? Was he even invited to the combine?

The reason I'm asking is because I liked what I saw while playing but the time off could have killed him like BMW or Clarett. I always thought that his skill set could translate well in the pros.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Any chance Gary Russell could jump up in the ranks if he has a big combine day? Was he even invited to the combine?

The reason I'm asking is because I liked what I saw while playing but the time off could have killed him like BMW or Clarett. I always thought that his skill set could translate well in the pros.

Yes he was invited:Combine Players

He was also in the Tx. vs. The Nation game, but didn't stand out.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Any chance Gary Russell could jump up in the ranks if he has a big combine day? Was he even invited to the combine?

The reason I'm asking is because I liked what I saw while playing but the time off could have killed him like BMW or Clarett. I always thought that his skill set could translate well in the pros.

Yes he was invited:Combine Players

He was also in the Tx. vs. The Nation game, but didn't stand out.

He had Jerome Bettis abs.

 

[jgb95]

Great Job!!!!

You really see the first DE that low?

45 Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson

46 Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Great Job!!!!You really see the first DE that low?45 Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson46 Jamaal Anderson, DE, Arkansas

thats really scoring system specific. In a league where sacks are 3X tackles, I could see either going as high as 30-35.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Any chance Gary Russell could jump up in the ranks if he has a big combine day? Was he even invited to the combine?

The reason I'm asking is because I liked what I saw while playing but the time off could have killed him like BMW or Clarett. I always thought that his skill set could translate well in the pros.

Yes he was invited:Combine Players

He was also in the Tx. vs. The Nation game, but didn't stand out.

He had Jerome Bettis abs.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Bloom, CC or anyone else for that matter: Which RB's after AD & Lynch would best fit Denver's zone scheme?

Jackson and Wright are good calls. I also think Irons would be good and probably Pittman.

 

[Yitbos69]

great stuff....Bloom=money

 

[trader jake]

Bloom, CC or anyone else for that matter: Which RB's after AD & Lynch would best fit Denver's zone scheme?

Jackson and Wright are good calls. I also think Irons would be good and probably Pittman.

Green Bay also runs the zone blocking scheme and could be in the market for a rookie RB. Ahman Green is on his last legs and Vernand Morency is best suited as a 3rd down back.During last years draft the Packers snapped up an offensive lineman in the 2nd round who was familiar with the zone blocking scheme from college...maybe this year Ted Thompson grabs one of these RB's sometime after the 1st round?

 

[Kit Fisto]

 

[Dope]

The Bloom 100 is one of my FF highlights of the year. Not just for the list, but the commentary. It also brings out some serious college football acumen...Chaos Commish immediately comes to mind.

It gives me enough info to make informed opinions on guys and which guys to research a lot more.

Last year I picked up Brandon Marshall in both my leagues because of the Bloom 100. I am pretty happy about that right now.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Last year I picked up Brandon Marshall in both my leagues because of the Bloom 100. I am pretty happy about that right now.

Obligatory EEEEEEFYI, Chaos Commish was just as high as I was on Marshall, if not higher, and he watched the Hula Bowl before I did, so he was first - but really anyone who watched the Hula Bowl could have seen that Marshall had a shot to be a special player.*fingers crossed* that he doesn't mess it up, but he's off to great start!

 

[EBF]

IDP Sleeper:

LB Michael Okwo from Stanford. Stanford players have struggled in recent years due to bad coaching and weak supporting talent, but Okwo has been a strong player on the defensive side of the ball. He was named First Team All-Pac 10 last season after compiling 95 tackles in just 10 games. He was tied for first in the conference in tackles per game and was 15th in the nation in that category. He was invited to the Senior Bowl, but didn't participate (I don't know why).

Anyhow, Kiper had him in his top 5 OLBs the last time I checked. He should be a first day pick with a decent combine and could easily go on to a productive career. He's a big hitter with plenty of instincts and athletic ability.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Bloom, thanks a bunch. Could you clarify something for me? To me, the top 2 TE's in this draft - who you have in the late teens- are just guys. I really don't see them as strong FF TE prospects. They look like fringe produces that are always available on the waiver wire. I think you could easily trade a second round pick for a better TE prospect. I think that you would be much better off gambling on a RB or even taking a more sure thing wr (with less upside) like Gonzalez.What am I missing? What gives them the potential to be early/mid second round rookie picks.

Self bump for Bloom or anyone who sees something I am missing.

 

[jgb95]

Can we pin this thread????

 

[cscmtp]

I can honestly say Bloom is THE reason i'm on this site daily/weekly. And yes, thanks to you Bloom, I have Brandon Marshall in 6 of my 8 dynasty leagues...and in each league, got him for an early 3rd round rookie pick. Keep up the good work bud!!!

 

[coolnerd]

Bloom, thanks a bunch. Could you clarify something for me? To me, the top 2 TE's in this draft - who you have in the late teens- are just guys. I really don't see them as strong FF TE prospects. They look like fringe produces that are always available on the waiver wire. I think you could easily trade a second round pick for a better TE prospect. I think that you would be much better off gambling on a RB or even taking a more sure thing wr (with less upside) like Gonzalez.What am I missing? What gives them the potential to be early/mid second round rookie picks.

Self bump for Bloom or anyone who sees something I am missing.

Not Bloom (obvious) but. Personally, I see these guys somewhere around Heath Miller. Very late 1st on high end and 2nd round more likely in the NFL draft. Depending on scoring Miller was a borderline starter (12iish overall). I could see the two rookies go off the board around 20 in many leagues, especially if they land in a favorable spot. Bloom is only a couple of spaces of ahead of that, not enough for me to argue about.

 

[beto]

Nice job Bloom.

I found it interesting that you included Samardjia. I think where you placed him makes some sense as well. He has talent, but probably won't be drafted, but has some value for those of us who like to take those kind of chances.

 

[Jeff Pasquino]

Last year I picked up Brandon Marshall in both my leagues because of the Bloom 100. I am pretty happy about that right now.

Obligatory EEEEEEFYI, Chaos Commish was just as high as I was on Marshall, if not higher, and he watched the Hula Bowl before I did, so he was first - but really anyone who watched the Hula Bowl could have seen that Marshall had a shot to be a special player.

*fingers crossed* that he doesn't mess it up, but he's off to great start!

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Bloom, thanks a bunch. Could you clarify something for me? To me, the top 2 TE's in this draft - who you have in the late teens- are just guys. I really don't see them as strong FF TE prospects. They look like fringe produces that are always available on the waiver wire. I think you could easily trade a second round pick for a better TE prospect. I think that you would be much better off gambling on a RB or even taking a more sure thing wr (with less upside) like Gonzalez.What am I missing? What gives them the potential to be early/mid second round rookie picks.

Self bump for Bloom or anyone who sees something I am missing.

Not Bloom (obvious) but. Personally, I see these guys somewhere around Heath Miller. Very late 1st on high end and 2nd round more likely in the NFL draft. Depending on scoring Miller was a borderline starter (12iish overall). I could see the two rookies go off the board around 20 in many leagues, especially if they land in a favorable spot. Bloom is only a couple of spaces of ahead of that, not enough for me to argue about.

Thanks coolnerd. I appreciate it. I won't be surprised to see them go there. However, as we invest more thought into dynasty rankings, I think there is more room for serious consideration about average TE value. I think having a marginal one with limited upside is not much better than having a back-up kicker. It gets even dicier when you consider that many TE's take time to develop. There is no point in drafting anyone in rounds 1 or 2 in dynasty unless you are willing to hold them for a couple years.I don't see someone who projects as a TE 12 like a Heath Miller (and I think it is hard to project them as much better) as draftable in the mid second when there are always waviver wire guys available that will score within 2 points of that per game. Miller at TE 13 was less than 1 pt per game better than TE 19 Bo Scaife and less than 2 points per game better than TE 28 Steve Heiden. The Steve Heiden's of the world are always available.A player withing the 2 ppg of baseline starters at other positions is generally not available on the waiver wire. They are rostered. So my premise is that if you don't project a TE as having top 5-7 potential, they should move down your draft board.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Rabidfire, in my first comments, I said I wouldn't have a TE in the top 40 this year, and just running a mock draft, I doubt I would draft one until very late in the third round.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Rabidfire, in my first comments, I said I wouldn't have a TE in the top 40 this year, and just running a mock draft, I doubt I would draft one until very late in the third round.

Thanks, in my first post, before my computer seized up, I cited your point. Then I forgot to include it when I retyped, and I apologize.

 

[el centro]

Joe B... give this man a raise before he ends up bolting for an NFL gig! Good work SB!

 

[coolnerd]

Bloom, thanks a bunch. Could you clarify something for me? To me, the top 2 TE's in this draft - who you have in the late teens- are just guys. I really don't see them as strong FF TE prospects. They look like fringe produces that are always available on the waiver wire. I think you could easily trade a second round pick for a better TE prospect. I think that you would be much better off gambling on a RB or even taking a more sure thing wr (with less upside) like Gonzalez.What am I missing? What gives them the potential to be early/mid second round rookie picks.

Self bump for Bloom or anyone who sees something I am missing.

Not Bloom (obvious) but. Personally, I see these guys somewhere around Heath Miller. Very late 1st on high end and 2nd round more likely in the NFL draft. Depending on scoring Miller was a borderline starter (12iish overall). I could see the two rookies go off the board around 20 in many leagues, especially if they land in a favorable spot. Bloom is only a couple of spaces of ahead of that, not enough for me to argue about.

Thanks coolnerd. I appreciate it. I won't be surprised to see them go there. However, as we invest more thought into dynasty rankings, I think there is more room for serious consideration about average TE value. I think having a marginal one with limited upside is not much better than having a back-up kicker. It gets even dicier when you consider that many TE's take time to develop. There is no point in drafting anyone in rounds 1 or 2 in dynasty unless you are willing to hold them for a couple years.I don't see someone who projects as a TE 12 like a Heath Miller (and I think it is hard to project them as much better) as draftable in the mid second when there are always waviver wire guys available that will score within 2 points of that per game. Miller at TE 13 was less than 1 pt per game better than TE 19 Bo Scaife and less than 2 points per game better than TE 28 Steve Heiden. The Steve Heiden's of the world are always available.A player withing the 2 ppg of baseline starters at other positions is generally not available on the waiver wire. They are rostered. So my premise is that if you don't project a TE as having top 5-7 potential, they should move down your draft board.

I am going argue that we have to be careful about mixing two different issues. I about to contradict my first post at a level, but for me ranking players and drafting players are different. The 18th ranked player does not mean that he should be the 18th drafted player, largely because of the type issues that you suggest. When I read rankings of players, I really only want to know who is the next best player, not who I should draft 18. Especially, once you get past the top 12-15 players in most rookie drafts, the perceived talent gap is not that great, so there is good justification for passing on that 18th ranked TE for the 25 ranked RB at spot 20. Honestly, I am not sure if Bloom makes these list by talent or should be drafted at, but i read them by talent. In a dynasty league, iI am going to suggest that most team carry two if not three TEs on their roster because they have the room and that 21st ranked TE is not sitting around ready to claimed. Even if he is there is competition with 11 other owners for that player, so at a specific time I may not be able to get that player. While I understand, that the gap is relatively small, as an owner I want as many of the 1 to 1.5 point advantages that my roster can hold (ignoring development players, handcuffs, etc for this example).

 

[Chaos Commish]

but for me ranking players and drafting players are different. The 18th ranked player does not mean that he should be the 18th drafted player, largely because of the type issues that you suggest. When I read rankings of players, I really only want to know who is the next best player, not who I should draft 18.

I agree, with qualifiers. The approach should probably be stated up front. I looked at the Rookie 100 last year as a draft guide, and I think Sig's focus, to his credit, has always been on fantasy. The low ranking of solid DEs designates this list as a fantasy draft guide. I'm sure we can all agree Adams and Anderson belong in the top 20 if this is based on talent alone. I get myself confused because my being an NFL fan first makes your preference, ranked by talent, generally where my head is and why I appreciate Bloom having his head permanently in fantasy land. IF that makes sense, then I would not rank a TE in this draft higher than most of this top 50, and I base that on talent and as a draft guide. I think I would slip a couple into the top 50, and another couple into the next 50 and just not bother with the rest.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Rabidfire, in my first comments, I said I wouldn't have a TE in the top 40 this year, and just running a mock draft, I doubt I would draft one until very late in the third round.

Thanks, in my first post, before my computer seized up, I cited your point. Then I forgot to include it when I retyped, and I apologize.

No need to apologize. Just wanted to let you know you weren't alone in the anti-TE thinking.

 

[coolnerd]

but for me ranking players and drafting players are different. The 18th ranked player does not mean that he should be the 18th drafted player, largely because of the type issues that you suggest. When I read rankings of players, I really only want to know who is the next best player, not who I should draft 18.

I agree, with qualifiers. The approach should probably be stated up front. I looked at the Rookie 100 last year as a draft guide, and I think Sig's focus, to his credit, has always been on fantasy. The low ranking of solid DEs designates this list as a fantasy draft guide. I'm sure we can all agree Adams and Anderson belong in the top 20 if this is based on talent alone. I get myself confused because my being an NFL fan first makes your preference, ranked by talent, generally where my head is and why I appreciate Bloom having his head permanently in fantasy land. IF that makes sense, then I would not rank a TE in this draft higher than most of this top 50, and I base that on talent and as a draft guide. I think I would slip a couple into the top 50, and another couple into the next 50 and just not bother with the rest.

When I putting together my draft strategy for a specifc league, I am actually looking for places where that gap exist between a ranking and where the person will actually be drafted. Trust me I like getting a player who can be ranked as high as 20 and can give me a little something with a 3rd or even 4th round rookie pick. I just don't want to confuse supply and demand issues with ability and future expectations. For me at least, it is easier to manage player ranking on one part of my brain and the dynamics of a specific rookie draft on another.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Another great year for WRs

 

[Keg]