Winners from yesterday’s first round [yes, I'm aware it takes 3 years to fully grade a draft class]:
Niners – baffling for them to move up 2 slots and grab a guy that likely would’ve been available to them anyway, but they got two prospects who look to massively overhaul our offensive line, which was like a sieve last year. Very happy. Fantasy implications: Frank Gore [REALLY up], Alex Smith [up], Michael Crabtree/Josh Morgan/Vernon Davis [up].
Jets – their offseason moves have been extremely aggressive; picking up Holmes and Marshall, and Jason Taylor, as well as moving for Cromartie. Now, with the addition of Kyle Wilson [who I love], they have a deadly nickel package, and potentially a shut down guy in a few years to pair alongside Revis. Either way, I’m pegging them for an AFCCG. Maybe a Super Bowl appearance. Colts better watch out. Fantasy implications: Every offensive team playing against the Jets [down].
Packers – Got great value with one of the highest ranked OTs in the draft falling to them at 23. Should help out massively, as Aaron Rodgers took the most sacks in the NFL last year…and in a division that now boasts Ndamukong Suh, Julius Peppers, and Jared Allen/Ray Edwards…that can only be good. Fantasy implications: Aaron Rodgers [about even. Best fantasy QB in the league last year. Can't get any better than that.], Packers passing game [up], Ryan Grant [slightly up].
Lions – Ndamukong Suh. What more is there to say on this guy? Possibly the best player available in the draft, just a dominant freak that plays defensive tackle. Should help. Perhaps more interestingly, they moved back into the first round to grab Jahvid Best, as well. Is he perhaps injury prone? Yeah, but I think he’s healthy now, and he’s a really explosive gamebreaker that they can pair with Megatron. Fantasy implications: Best [average. I'd target him first out of any offensive rookie this year, though...Ryan Mathews has no line - seriously, the Charger run game sucks...and CJ Spiller has nothing to work with in Buffalol. So, Best is gonna get carries. Trust on that.]
-Note: I see the Lions winning four games this year.
Seahawks – new OT to replace Walter Jones, and a player I’m very high on in Earl Thomas. Both look to be starters for a long time. Good work up there by Carroll.
Losers:
What the hell is going on in Denver? Josh McDaniels has gotten rid of Marshall [fine, he's a cancer, I get that, wants to get paid, all that good stuff.]…and replaced him with a guy from a triple option offense. He traded down three times, and then back up a fourth time last night. Now, I can subscribe to the philosophy of stockpiling picks, sure. But you’re not the Patriots West, Josh…Belicheck has Tom Brady. You have Neckbeard. That’s the difference. He’s a winner. You are not. Most baffling was the decision to reach for Tim Tebow, an obvious project, at 25. Sure, Tebow won’t start for a few years – maybe not ever. Sure, he’s a Wildcat option and all that good stuff. But you could’ve easily gotten him in the second, maybe even third round. If you wanted a real QB, Clausen – and even McCoy – would’ve gone here. In short, I am not sure what he’s planning. Outside of an okay Knowshon Moreno [978 on 3.8YPC], I don’t see many weapons there. Eddie Royal’s gone M.I.A. Scheffler is gone.
So what the hell are you doing? I have yet to figure out. Oh well. You’re not getting past the Chargers. And I haven’t forgotten how your team melted down last year, either. Playoff position right into 8-8.
Jaguars – massive reach for Tyson Alualu. I love Cal players. I loved Tyson Alualu. But he would’ve been available in the second, most likely. They don’t exactly have the best luck with DL prospects, either…See: Derrick Harvey/Quentin Groves.
Buffalol – CJ Spiller enters a 3 headed back situation with Fred Jackson [who I thought had a solid lock on becoming the starter after last year], and Marshawn Lynch, who they invested a first rounder in too. Not gonna get that many touches, probably not much of a factor this year. Maybe an X-factor in the return game…but unless Lynch moves, I don’t think Spiller’s gonna rock anyone’s world next year. I thought they really could’ve used a QB – I had Clausen here. But they wanna roll with Fitzgerald, fine by me.
Dallas – I know Dez Bryant is a tremendous talent, I’m just baffled as to why they would pick him. They have TONS of weapons – Marion Barber, Felix Jones, Tashard Choice, Jason Witten, Roy E. Williams [who is rumored to be coming to an end], Miles Austin, Patrick Crayton.. – not enough footballs to go around. Probably going to turn into a winner pick in a few years, I just don’t know how it’s gonna work out.
As far as my Eagles go…I was so excited to see them move up…I thought it was going to be Earl Thomas. I had visions of our safeties finally being able to tackle, finally not chasing Miles Austin or Jason Witten down from behind. It was Brandon Graham. I have no problem with him personally – and I see the logic behind the pick – they don’t think Ju’qua is gonna cut it, fine…I just felt that safety help would be more important. Still, Nate Allen and Taylor Mays are on the board… [I really hope it's not Taylor Mays...and maybe even Myron Rolle...? <3]. Offensive line help [particularly at guard] would be nice too.
The Niners for later today: I just really don't want to see Jimmy Clausen. It'd be a nice value pick here, but we've handed the keys to Alex Smith. Let him keep them. No, I think safety help would be nice too. Or a corner. Though I'm not sure any top flight corners are left…I wouldn't mind Sergio Kindle, either.
Yeah, that's it from me.
