Post-Draft Dynasty Stock Market
Posted: 6/12/09 The NFL draft has come and gone, and that’s
changed the fortunes of many key fantasy contributors. Many dynasty league
owners were on pins and needles in the hopes their players weren’t
adversely affected by the draft. Let’s see who made out well and
who didn’t.
DRAFT WINNERS
Jamal Lewis RB CLE
It’s truly amazing that Cleveland didn’t address the RB position
earlier in the draft. While the selection of James Davis could challenge
Lewis’ time down the road, it’s unlikely to happen this year.
I fully expect the Browns to be in the market for a featured RB in next
year’s draft. For the upcoming season, it’s clear we’ll
see a heavy dose of Lewis.
Steve Slaton RB HOU
Slaton owners could be the biggest winners of them all. The talk all offseason
was that Houston really wanted a goal-line and short yardage back to create
a RBBC. They didn’t do it. While they signed Arian Foster and Jeremiah
Johnson, neither figure to threaten Slaton’s touches even if they
make the team.
Pierre Thomas RB NO
We’re seeing a theme here, eh? New Orleans apparently attempted
to trade up in the draft to get Chris Wells, but were unable to secure
a deal. They now say that RB was a “want,” not a “need.”
Regardless, Thomas gets his shot as a starting RB for an entire season.
Reggie Bush will eat into his workload, but Bush is much more of a hybrid
player and Thomas will get most of the goal-line work. Don’t expect
PJ Hill to do much.
Donovan McNabb QB PHI
TWO offensive players taken by Andy Reid…and they’re not lineman!?!
It must feel like Pacman Jones is making it rain in Philly!
Michael Crabtree WR SF
You didn’t go to the Raiders.
Julius Jones RB SEA
How you kept your job, I will never know.
Cedric Benson RB CIN
Raise your hand if you thought he’d be an unquestioned featured
back at this time last season. If you’re raising your hand, you’re
either a liar or Cedric Benson.
Maurice Jones-Drew RB JAX
For all those players who wanted to see what he could do in an entire
season of individual work, you’re about to get your wish.
Miles Austin WR DAL
He should be on every roster now. Dallas could have (and probably should
have) addressed this position, but chose not to. Surprising, but great
for Austin.
Marc Bulger QB STL
I guess that plane ticket they bought for Sanchez was a bit of a smokescreen,
eh. He goes from possibly losing his job to getting a brand new tackle.
Nice.
Jason Campbell QB WAS
Nice show of confidence to Campbell pre-draft, eh!?! Now they have to
repair that relationship in a big way. Regardless, he’s the unquestioned
starter.
DRAFT LOSERS
Joseph Addai RB IND
I was a little surprised the Colts took Donald Brown, but I’ve been
saying for years that Addai is overrated and regressing. He’ll need
a super season to hold on to the Lion’s share of the carries in
Indy. His leash is really short now.
Tim Hightower RB ARI
From the penthouse to the outhouse. While I still see him getting some
short yardage touches, I don’t see him as a fantasy factor anymore.
His fall from grace is reminiscent of Troy Hambrick. He goes from the
waiver wire darling to the can in the span of six months.
Edgerrin James RB FA
The good news: you’re a free agent, just like you wanted. The bad
news: you may stay that way.
Brian Westbrook RB PHI
LeSean McCoy is the first RB who has a legitimate shot at stealing some
of his work. Good for reality. Bad for fantasy.
Denver RBs
Knowshon Moreno should be the feature back that Denver has been searching
for since Clinton Portis left. The other guys, ugh.
Kellen Clemens QB NYJ
Kellen, meet Mark Sanchez.
Luke McCown QB TB
Luke, meet Josh Freeman….though McCown should at least get a chance
to showcase his skills. That’s more than we should expect from Clemens.
Brady Quinn / Derek Anderson QBs CLE
Guys, meet each other…and Brett Ratliff. Who knows how this is going
to actually shake out.
Darrius Heyward-Bey WR OAK
If I were you, I’d take a deep route in practice and just keep going
until you made it to Utah.
Mark Sanchez QB NYJ
Quick, name the last great NYJ fantasy QB. That’s what I thought.
It’s pretty windy there and they play in a cold weather division.
Couple that with a pretty poor WR corps and I’m not getting what
the fuss is about.
Reggie Brown WR PHI
Remember when he was an up and coming WR? He’s now gone or going.
So, that’s a quick look at the fortunes of many fantasy players.
While some made out surprisingly well, others saw their stock tumble like
your 401K.
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