[Tuesday late edition]
The NFL Draft: More Fantasy Recap
A Last Look....
There weren’t too many late drafting teams this year that caught everyone by surprise, but when you are looking for getting the most bang for your buck, ask the New York Giants, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Arizona Cardinals.
Saddled with the 29th pick in the first round the Giants went right for need and picked up a talented receiving prospect, Hakeem Nicks (North Carolina). Nicks is not going to be the next Plaxico Burress, but he’ll add considerable talent needed depth to the position. He’ll be a work, but one that could pay dividends surprisingly sooner than some might expect.
The Giants were already going to be good in 2009, but some might wonder would they be good enough. Their eight picks taken in this year’s draft may not guarantee, but the front office did what it was supposed to by adding quality players and needed depth. Linebacker Clint Sintim (Virginia) could be a name many will hear called quite often this coming season. While offensive tackle William Beatty (Connecticut) likely won’t see a lot of action this season as a starter, at 6’6” he’ll add insurance to an already good line.
The Ravens have found themselves a gem of a quarterback and team leader in Joe Flacco, last year’s first round pick. This year it only made sense to invest in your future and draft him some protection. With their first pick at number 23 the Ravens grab one of this year’s top offensive line prospects, Michael Oher (Mississippi). Oher will likely start 2009 from the sidelines, but at his size and with his talent he’ll add depth and a promising future for the Ravens offensive line.
In Arizona, the Cardinals were left with the 31st pick in the first round and quite honestly got the best value they could hope for. With Edgerrin James now released and left only with a less than impressive Tim Hightower, the Cards definitely needed to find some help in the backfield. Considering what was available in this year’s draft, they really got a bargain with their selection of Chris “Beanie” Wells. He’s likely to start camp playing behind Hightower, but he’s got a great shot and stealing some carries and eventually winning the job by the time the season starts.
Just some final thoughts…
There were some intriguing picks made early in this year’s draft, but not many that would jump off this page. However some notables that I think are worth mentioning for strictly fantasy purposes, the Chargers number 16 pick of linebacker Larry English (Northern Illinois). He may not start, but could still be worth draft in IDP leagues. The Colts selection of running back Donald Brown (Connecticut) could prove to be fantasy note worthy. With Addai showing many kinks in his armor, is very possible for Brown to emerge as a regular contributor in 2009. One last name worth mentioning is the Bengal’s second round draft pick Ray Maualuga (USC). Surprisingly the Trojan linebacker fell to the second round, but there’s no question he’s was huge steal for Cincinnati. He’ll likely start in the middle and should be a solid IDP play in 2009.
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