What Rookies Should I Deal with In My 2008 Fantasy Football Draft?

The NFL Draft has just concluded. Lots of analysts take lifetime outside at this date of the year (usually because other than the Arena League, there even-handed isn't any football to talk about!) to cede grades to each bunch based on their drafts. However, for us fantasy enthusiasts, we de facto don't annoyance about how well each team drafted. We want to be versed what's important: who can lift me gain my fantasy football league championship adjacent year?

Therefore, I've absent concluded all the draft picks, team-by-team, to bring you the draft useful players for next year. If you're a serious fantasy football player, you probably won't be drafting any defenses too early, nor testament you be beguiling any tight ends as well early, so I won't seat on either of those. Below are a folder of the noteworthy offensive skill players who were drafted who could get an impact on your inquisition for a championship next season.

Grades:
A - This is a player that should DEFINITELY be drafted in every fantasy league
B - This is a possible late round gamble or early season free agent pickup
C - This is a player who should cook his road onto a fantasy roster before season's end

If I don't information 'em, you shouldn't consider 'em. There's always the chance that we'll gaze some behind round draft choice or autonomous agent player come out of nowhere in training camp or predispose an opportunity due to injury, but for my money, these are the players who should be relevant next year. (listed in alphabetical order)

Quarterbacks (remember, guys: these are 1st year QBs, so don't expect much):


1. Erik Ainge (NY Jets): 6'6", 225. Forthcoming elsewhere of Tennessee, Ainge has great size and skills, and received excellent coaching. He besides lands in a city that really doesn't have a kosher established #1 QB. Ainge could emerge as the beyond compare of the Jets' bunch before the extent of the season. Grade: C+
2. John David Booty (Minnesota): 6'3", 213. Booty (gotta adulation the name) was simply a winner, although you might argue that he was surrounded with the first-class talent in the amusement over his college career. He heads to Minnesota where the incumbent (Tavarius Jackson) is not by oneself incompetent, nevertheless injury prone. Great opportunity here that could shake out early in the season provided Booty is a fast learner. Grade: C+
3. Brian Brohm (Green Bay): 6'3", 227. Brohm was rated as the #1 can't miss QB ultimate before last season, then it all came crumbling down. He didn't play the best against top competition, but this guy has dimensions and skills. Whether Aaron Rogers doesn't conclude his prime Brett Favre impersonation, Brohm could be waiting in the wings before season's end to select his place. Grade: C
4. Joe Flacco (Baltimore): 6'7", 236. Tallest QB in the group, and though he went to a tiny school (Delaware), the guy can flat out play. Not the most athletic QB, on the other hand how athletic does he hold to be to beat out Kyle Boller? Exactly. This battle may not last past training camp, as the Ravens are going no where this season and have minor to lose. Grade: C+
5. Chad Henne (Miami): 6'2", 225. This is a Parcels pick. A smart guy with admirable skills who can call upon a game. Great arm, which is capital because he'll demand to be getting rid of the ball quickly in Miami. Great chance that he'll be under centre before year's end, but who knows how good he can be on this team next year. Might be price a late season spot start. Grade: C
6. Matt Ryan (Atlanta): 6'5", 224. I watched this guy play at BC, and condign wasn't besides impressed. Looks approximating he could be the abutting David Carr to me. However, he'll entertain the chance to prove he belongs in the confederation while exorcising the ghosts of Michael Vick in Atlanta. Also deficient he doesn't have even of a string or receiving core to throw to. He may get the most snaps next year under center of all the guys listed here, so if you're looking for quantity, he's your guy. As for quality . . . don't expect much. Should be decent at best. Grade: C+

Running Backs (uh oh . . . more platoons are on the way!):

1. Matt Forte (Chicago): 6'2", 222. Thanks, Mr. Benson. We hardly knew you. Matt Forte was built to play in Chicago, and Benson will have a tough time carefulness him off the field next year. Canny chicamin is on Forte at least forcing a platoon before mid-season, and possibly enchanting Benson's labour for good before the end of the year. Grade: B+
2. Chris Johnson (Tennessee): 5'11", 197. Johnson will immediately contour the bottom line "thunder and lightning" backfield with LenDale Ghastly in Tennessee. Johnson has quickness to burn, and should get a chance to be a legit home-run threat in the Titans backfield. Grade: C
3. Felix Jones (Dallas): 6'0", 200. Jones is the absolute compliment to Marion Barber in the Cowboys backfield. He had a tremendous yards per carry average in college, and is lightning quick in the open field. He'll spell Barber for at least 10-12 carries a game, and should hold some exciting fantasy games this year. Grade: B+
4. Darren McFadden (Oakland): 6'2", 210. Is there any doubt that this guy won't create this year? He has one Justin Fargas to beat away (sorry Lamont Jordon, but your period in Oaktown is done), and he's a high 1st round pick. He is growth compared to Adrian Peterson in terms of skill level, and should not disappoint adjacent year. Grade: A+
5. Rashard Mendenhall (Pittsburgh): 5'11", 210. Move over, Fast Willie! Here comes another running back split! With Parker nursing injuries over the offseason, he may find himself looking at the supporting role instead of the lead when he returns. Many rated Mendenhall as the crowing of the draft, and he has the talent and the opportunity to build an bang attached year in Pittsburgh. Grade: A
6. Shaft Rice (Baltimore): 5'8", 199. If you adage any Scarlet Crusader games, you'd know that this guy can apartment lodgings absent play. Willis McGahee is always just an injury away from giving this bairn a huge opportunity, and he, too, may turn this backfield into much another committee. Should see at least 10-12 carries a game as a change of pace, and could be remodelled fantasy worthy later in the year. Grade: C+
7. Steve Slaton (Houston): 5'9", 197. Who knows how much more fitting that OL will be in Houston, on the contrary someone has to emerge in that backfield, so Slaton will get his chance. He's too small to be an every down back, but should bend his chances before the season is over. Grade: C-
8. Kevin Smith (Detroit): 6'1", 217. Finished situation for Kevin Smith, where the offensive will become exceeding traditional with the absence of Mike Martz, and no real competition, since Tatum Bell has proven he's augmented of a change of pace guy. Not sure about that sieve of an OL, but Smith could surprise alongside year. Grade: B+
9. Jonathan Stewart (Carolina): 5'11", 235. This guy is a load, and is perfect for what Carolina wants to do: pound the football. Just when you thought (again) that DeAngelo Williams would be fantasy relevant, you get all the more another running back committee. Expect Stewart to get the bulk of the carries and be a serviceable #2 back next year in this offense that has to be better with a healthy Delhomme back. Grade: A
10. These guys are only fantasy worthy next year as handcuffs to your studs: Jamal Charles (Kansas City - Larry Johnson), Tashard Choice (Dallas - Marion Barber), Marcus Thomas (San Diego - LaDainian Tomlinson), & Mike Hart (Indianapolis - Joseph Addai) Grades: C

Broad Receivers (like with 1st year QBs, character your expectations with this congregation . . . greatly!):

1. Earl Bennett (Chicago): 6'0", 209. The sure-handed former Commadore landed in a great position in Chi-town, where they are desperate for guys who can catch the ball. Great befalling for fantasy production here (for a 1st year receiver, that is). Grade: C+
2. Early Doucet (Arizona): 6'0", 212. Doucet flashed big-time skills at LSU, and should obtain at least limited opportunities to make Leinert or Warner study good. Grade: C-
3. DeSean Jackson (Philadelphia): 6'0", 178. Mind you, Jackson HIMSELF said he is UP TO 178 pounds! Everyone knows that for some reason, receivers moxie to Philadelphia to die, however Jackson is a burner, and if he can just avoid getting hit, he might be able to excel in the slot. He doesn't accept yet competition ahead of him, so he might make next year. Grade: C-
4. Malcolm Kelly (Washington): 6'4", 218. Big, talented guy with issues, which is why he fell to the 2nd round. He has a big opportunity in Washington to stand gone where they desperately essential a receiver, and has the extent to be a great red-zone threat. Toss up between he and Devin Thomas as to who the best receiver with the bad opportunity might be next year. Grade: B+
5. Mario Manningham (NY Giants): 6'0", 181. Another acceptable guy with issues, which also caused his inventory to blop on draft day. If he gets his sense on right, he could excel opposite Plaxico Burress in NY. Grade: C
6. Limas Sweed (Pittsburgh): 6'4, 212. Love this guy (Hook 'em Horns!). He has size, speed, and extreme hands. Doesn't always have the best concentration, and continuance will divulge what sort of chemistry he develops with Roethlisberger, but he could cusp up vitality the elite out of this class. Just not next year. Grade: B-
7. Devin Thomas (Washington): 6'2", 215. Another big, productive guy out of Michigan. #1 rated receiver in the draft, and he has a fat convenience to practise in Washington (with Kelly). One of these guys may break out coming year in a big way for a 1st year receiver (just not sure which). Grade: B

Man, is it time for familiarity camps yet? Constitute sure you stopwatch how these guys perform in practice camp, as some of them will either win or lose positions outright and make your draft decisions a lot easier.

Study you in the winner's circle.

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