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If you know anything about Pro Football Weekly, you know that we spend a lot of time
covering the fantasy football landscape.
Obviously training camp will change these players' fantasy football outlook, but if you
are a diehard fantasy player you want answers right now about today’s first-round
draft choices. Thus, here are some very initial (and I mean VERY initial) thoughts on
skill position players taken in the first round of this draft (all ratings are based on
10- or 12-team leagues):
QB Michael Vick, Falcons — Intriguing value in a keeper league,
but I don’t see him doing much as a rookie. Thus, I wouldn’t take him in
traditional scoring and yardage leagues unless you draft a ton of players.
RB LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers — The offensive line is nothing
to get excited about, but I still like Tomlinson a lot as a fantasy-football prospect for
this year. Doug Flutie will provide enough of a spark in the passing game to keep defenses
honest. That will let Tomlinson run the ball effectively. Also, the Chargers defense
should be much improved, so the offense will get the ball more than it did last year. I
see Tomlinson as a quality No. 2 running back in fantasy football leagues.
WR David Terrell, Bears — My early opinion is that this is a guy
who’ll be a late No. 3 wide receiver on a fantasy football team. If the light bulb
goes on for QB Cade McNown, Terrell moves up the charts. But McNown hasn’t proven
anything yet, and the Bears’ other QB options don’t excite. The Bears running
backs look adequate but not exciting, so it remains to be seen how much pressure they can
take off the passing game. Also, Marcus Robinson is a quality TD threat, so unless the
Bears’ offense really takes off, can Terrell be a huge TD option as a rookie?
WR Koren Robinson, Seahawks — Robinson has a better QB situation
than Terrell and a better offensive system for a passing game than Terrell. Thus, I view
Robinson as an early No. 3 or late No. 2 wide receiver on a fantasy football team.
I’m not necessarily saying he’ll be better than Terrell — that debate will
rage for years to come I suspect — but I think he has more initial fantasy football
upside than Terrell. I don’t think Darrell Jackson will take as many TD passes from
Koren Robinson as Marcus Robinson will take away from Terrell. Also, Robinson will have a
better running game to set him up than Terrell will.
WR Rod Gardner, Redskins — I have my reservations about how well
the Jeff George experiment will play out in Washington. Also, how well does Michael
Westbrook return from injury? If the answer is not well, can Gardner produce in a big way
as a No. 1 pick? Furthermore, RB Stephen Davis gobbles up a lot of touchdowns. For now, I
see Gardner as a fantasy football No. 4 wide receiver.
WR Santana Moss, Jets — RB Curtis Martin will be the centerpiece
of the offense. The wide receivers will get what’s left. Moss and Chrebet give the
Jets good balance at the WR spots — except for the fact that they are both very
short. I look for Chrebet to be more of the go-to guy next season. I think Moss is a No. 4
fantasy football receiver.
RB Deuce McAllister, Saints — If he’d gone to a team where
he could be the starter, he’d be a No. 2 fantasy football starter. With Ricky
Williams in place, though, it’s impossible to rate McAllister too high. Maybe a late
No. 3 or early No. 4 fantasy football running back. On the plus side, if you take a flyer
on McAllister keep in mind the fact that Williams has been injury prone.
WR Freddie Mitchell, Eagles — He was an excellent value pick for
the Eagles. The Eagles have some decent No. 2 and No. 3 wide receivers. If Mitchell can
become a No. 1 wide receiver, and his rookie season may be a year too early to expect him
to play at that level, he could provide some nice fantasy football value. On the downside,
the Eagles were not the most dynamic passing team last year, so how much improvement can
we expect to see in just one year? With so many decent options at wide receiver, Mitchell
is a guy you will really need to watch in training camp to see what his role is. I think
we’re looking at a No. 4 fantasy wideout.
RB Michael Bennett, Vikings — Bennett steps into a tremendous
fantasy football opportunity. The Vikings’ offense is incredibly high powered. With
Robert Smith having retired, Bennett gets the opportunity to do a lot despite being a late
first round pick on draft day. I think he can be a No. 2 fantasy football running back.
WR Reggie Wayne, Colts — The Colts have been looking for a No. 2
wide receiver to fill the role opposite of Marvin Harrison for a while. If Wayne can take
the bull by the horns and wins that starting spot, he can be a No. 3 fantasy football
wideout thanks to the presence of superstar QB Peyton Manning. There are a lot of
candidates for the Colts’ No. 2 WR spot (E.G. Green, Jerome Pathon, Terrence
Wilkins), however, and if the situation is still murky when you draft your fantasy
football team, Wayne will be a No. 5 fantasy football option at best.
TE Todd Heap, Ravens — Once you get past the first few tight ends
on a fantasy football draft board, everyone pretty much has the same boring value. Plus,
Heap will be backing up Shannon Sharpe. You’re probably looking at Heap as a No. 3
tight end because of the Sharpe factor.
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