2008 Rookie Draft - In Progress
2008 Dynasty Rookie Draft
With the 2008 NFL draft in the books, that also means that my primary
Dynasty league, consisting of 10 highly competitive coaches, formally
begins.
Our league consists of 10 teams, 30 roster positions w/IDP and no PPR.
Thus, RBs tend to be a bit higher ranked than are WRs. As soon as the
first pick in the NFL draft is taken, the coach with the first pick in
our league is free to choose at any point. We have no "clock"
until the official start day in June, but our draft has never lasted more
than a few weeks from the first pick in the NFL draft and the official
clock has never been started.
As picks are made, I will post them here for all to see ... with team
names omitted to protect the innocent and the guilty. Note that this our
actual draft, this is not a mock nor a prediction.
Round 1
1.01 Darren McFadden RB OAK
1.02 Jonatahn Stewart RB CAR
1.03 Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT
1.04 Felix Jones RB DAL
1.05 Matt Forte' RB CHI
1.06 Chris Johnson RB TEN
1.07 Kevin Smith RB DET
1.08 Matt Ryan QB ATL
1.09 Devin Thomas WR WAS
1.10 Ray Rice RB BAL
The first round did not offer many surprises or reaches. McFadden, Stewart
and Mendenhall will likely be 1-3 in nearly every draft. The fun and strategy
begins at pick 4, where every RB still on the board has at least one glaring
red flag. This also would appear to be where the first QB, Ryan, would
be taken if there was need by any team. If not, there is remains enough
intrigue with remaining RBs Jones, Forte', Johnson and Smith to make for
a full 8-deep RB first round. Kevin Smith, who would appear to have the
best chance at an immediate starting position fell to number pick 7 because
of Forte's draft situation and better combine and the allure of hte speed
Chris Johnson in TEN. The coach a 1.06 had a conversation with a friend
in TEN and was encouraged by what he heard, leading to the pick. The same
coach owned picks 9 and 10 in this draft and needed a youthful WR. Ray
Rice may not be in an immediate starting situation but could get meaningful
touches within two years.
Round 2
2 .01 Jamal Charles RB KC
2 .02 Jacob Hester RB SD
2 .03 Limas Sweed WR PIT
2 .04 Chad Henne QB MIA
2 .05 Malcolm Kelly WR WAS
2 .06 Brian Brohm QB GNB
2 .07 Curtis Lofton LB ATL
2 .08 James Hardy WR BUF
2 .09 Joe Flacco QB BAL
2 .10 Jordy Nelson WR GNB
Well, there were certainly some shockers here in the second round. Some
real reaches in my opinion while greater talent inexplicably slipped.
Jamal Charles at 2.01 was a bit of a bargain as I expected him to be gone
by 1.09 or 1.10. The real circus began at 2.02 where a coach living in
San Diego was looking for, what he hopes is, Michael Turner #2 ... in
this case known as Jacob Hester. I am not a Hester fan but that is not
to say that he doesn't have skills. But by any measurement, it is reach
... unless it pans out in which case it is pure brilliance.
Picks through 2.06 were not shocking and were purely based on individual
coach rankings and need. Curtis Lofton at 2.07 is a bit early but goes
to a team that needed some defensive starters. In ATL, Lofton has a chance
to eventually take over the Mike with aging backer Keith Brooking slowing
down. Like Hester though, Lofton, while having good size, is not dynamic
or speedy in a way that projects quality MLB play. That said, starting
in the middle at any point allows for possible success and the middle
second round is not a bad place to take that gamble. 2.08 and 2.09 were
Xmas presents in the form of James Hardy and Joe Flacco, respectively.
Hardy was expected to leave the board as early as potentially #10 or #11
but fell due to team needs. The same team picked at 2.08 and 2.09 was
obviously quite happy to get both at an extremely attractive position.
2.10 is a judgment call in the selection of Nelson. Not a flashy WR, Nelson
has decent speed, nice hands and a great work ethic. He could get a bit
lost in the GNB receiver depth but could see the field in certain situations.
Nelson's value won't be known until year 3 at the earliest in all likelihood.
Round 3
3.01 Dustin Keller TE NYJ
3.02 Keith Rivers LB CIN
3.03 Eric Ainge QB NYJ
3.04 Steve Slaton RB HOU
3.05 Donnie Avery WR STL
3.06 Josh Johnson QB TB
3.07 Ryan Torain RB DEN
3.08 Jerod Mayo LB NE
3.09 DeSean Jackson WR PHI
3.10 Mario Manningham WR NYG
Now the real fun starts and deeper research can pay off. Eric Ainge may
be a bit of a reach but his situation in New York is a good one for the
NW product. Steve Slaton dropped a bit further than I expected and I believe
he is in a good situation in HOU. But it is obvious that he is seen as
nothing other than a 3rd down or situational back at this point. I believe
his upside is greater than his draft position in this case. The biggest
value may be that of Ryan Torain at 3.07. Our league detests the Shanahan
and his use of RBs. Simply put, I have as good a chance to start for Denver
as does any of the other RBs, so take your pick. In all seriousness though,
Torain becomes this year's version of Selvin Young, Reuben Droughns, Mike
Bell, Olandis Gary, Tatum Bell, etc. He can be drafted for upside impact
and then be sure to immediately trade him when his value appears to be
at its highest.
Rounding out the third rounder, the pick of Mario Manningham (by the same
coach taking Torain) is a nice value pick. Manningham dropped too far,
at least relating to talent, and has a good situation in New York. With
a chip on his shoulder, Manningham has something to prove. I myself was
even attempting to trade up to this area in order to potentially take
Manningham ... but lost out to another DLF partner.
Round 4
4.01 Xavier Omon RB BUF
4.02 Marcus Thomas RB SD
4.03 John Carlson TE SEA
4.04 Jordon Dizon LB DET
4.05 Tavares Gooden LB BAL
4.06 Jerome Simpson WR CIN
4.07 Chris Taylor RB HOU
4.08 Mike Hart RB IND
4.09 Earl Bennett WR CHI
4.10 Roydell Williams WR TEN
Let the "shot in the dark" round begin. Not really a lot worth
mentioning here . John Carlson is in a great spot to see immediate playing
time in Seattle. Dizon is under-sized but has a good motor and looks like
he will be at the Mike to begin the season ... worth a late shot. Mike
Hart falling to 4.08 is a bit of a surprise but he could be the #2 in
Indi should Addai go down with an injury. Hart is a tough runner and a
great leader so his situation fits him perfectly. Bennett is perhaps the
biggest value to fall to the 4th. Bennett played in a horrible Vandy offense,
has okay size, decent speed but is a great route runner. He reminds me
a lot of Greg Jennings. The biggest upside may be Chris Taylor at 4.07.
The HOU coaching staff loves Taylor and there are a lot of reasons why
Taylor could be a major sleeper in 08 or 09.
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