Fantasy Football Draft Winner| Jason Campbell

The Wide Receiver group was overshadowed by the Running Back this year in the NFL Draft. So much in fact that the first WR was not picked until the top of the second round when the Rams took Donnie Avery. With the ball catchers falling there was a team lurking in the second round that made out like bandits.

The Washington Redskins ran away with two of the Top Ranked WR’s on most “experts” boards. They were able to grab Devin Thomas the pick after the Rams took Avery. Jumping at opportunity, they also took Malcolm Kelly later in the round. Although Kelly’s stock had fallen in the weeks leading up to the draft this made for quite the young duo to suit up for the Skins.

Most WR’s don’t really have an impact until the second year right? So what does this have to do with fantasy football in 2008? The Redskins have just set up their QB, Jason Campbell, to climb on Dynasty and Keeper draft boards. Factor in the fact that new Head Coach Jim Zorn will like to use A LOT of 3-4 WR sets and you should see these young WR’s getting some reps in their first year. Currently both are listed behind Santana Moss on the depth chart at the “Z” position. Let’s be honest. Randel El would look much nicer in the slot once they go 3 plus WR’s. This will open the door for at least one of these guys, possibly both in 4 WR sets.

It may not be in 2008 but the staff have given him the weapons to raise his fantasy stock. So now would be the time to buy on Jason Campbell in Keeper/Dynasty leagues.

Want a little more? Sandwiched in between the two WR’s was the pick of USC Tight End, Fred Davis. We know Chris Cooley is the guy at Tight End. Adding Davis opens up the playbook for Zorn in turn giving Campbell more options. If Cooley continues to line up as an H-Back (Fullback) at times, could Davis lineup at TE? What about some 2 TE sets Jim? Besides all that formation fun there is the importance of depth behind Cooley.

So all of you Dynasty and Keeper guys that were hoping that Vince Young might get some help in this years draft…may be the time to hit up the Jason Campbell owner for a trade!

tag: NFL, Draft, Fantasy Football Tips, Dynasty, Keeper, Washington Redskins, Jason Campbell, Chris Cooley, Malcolm Kelly, Devin Thomas, footballjabber.com

NFL Draft Jabber 4/12/08

In The Fanhouse Mock Draft, David J. Warner has the Bucs taking Mike Jenkins at #20. I discussed CB in the Bucs draft with the guys at WhattheBuc.net last week and we agreed that you do not need to take a CB at pick #20 when the guy is going to be playing in a cover two, you just don’t need to take one with that high of a pick.

From the “What If” files over at USA Today, this is a pretty thought provoking read. Rewinding to a year ago they have a look at who the draft could have panned out differently.

The Fanhouse points out how the Bears and Lions are in love with Rashard Mendenhall and may look that direction while neglecting the needs on the O-Line.

Todd Archer at DallasNews.com ponders whether the Cowboys should draft or trade for a WR.

Mike Smith says that the Falcons will decide draft plans during their Vet Mini Camp.

“We’re going to be able to evaluate the guys who are healthy enough to go out and play,” Smith said at last week’s NFL meetings. “We’re going to be a young football team, enthusiastic. The early returns from our offseason workouts have been outstanding.”

CBSSportsline.com has a look at the TE class for the 2008 NFL Draft.

SICNN.com has a look at the five teams with the most riding on the draft this year.

The Dolphins Official Site has a pretty cool draft preview set up, check it out.

The Bears Official Site has the five players whose stock is rising…

ProFantasySports.com has a look at the possible gems to be found on day two.

Sporting News takes a look at how Malcolm Kelly’s tantrum can hurt him more than his 40 time.

tag: NFL, 2008 NFL Draft, Football, footballjabber.com, whatthebuc.net, Buccaneers, Bears, Cowboys, Dolphins, Falcons, Lions, Malcolm Kelly, Mike Jenkins

NFL Draft Jabber 4/10/08

Malcolm Kelly blames his slow 40 time on his school changing the surface…

“This is my life. You know what I’m saying? This ain’t no school. This ain’t no classroom. This ain’t got nothing to do with that,” Kelly said. “This has to do with me; my family. This is what I do. I play football. And I’m supposed to come out here and run as fast as I can.”

The Dolphins are talking with both Jake Long and Vernon Gholston trying to wrap up the #1 pick.

“Long and Gholston are believed to be two of the five prospects the Dolphins have thoroughly investigated in case they don’t trade away the top pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, which takes place on April 26-27.”

This would be interesting to see for all teams and makes me wish I kept my Draft mags. The Bears Official Site has a look at what the Draft Guides said about picks from their past.

The 49′ers Official Site has a look at QB prospect Joe Flacco in their “On the Clock” feature.

Want to do something a little more interesting to go along with your Hot Wings on draft day? Drop a wager. BETUS.com gives some tips on wagering on the NFL Draft Linemen.

Randy Hill at Fox Sports does a little run down on the draft needs for the also rans.

Bleacher Report evaluate their top 10 players.

Pro Football Weekly does a little reader mail Draft Q&A.

All of a sudden WR is becoming a major need along with the defense for the Bengals.

Pro Football Talk is slowly (by their own admission) putting together teams draft needs. The just posted Bengals and Saints with more to come.

Catch some video here of Mike Maylock’s picks for the draft…

1-10

11-20

21-31

We are also adding random draft related video to our Vod Pod found in the menu under “Video” above or the little video box on the side bar daily until the draft.

tag: NFL, 2008 NFL Draft, Bengals, Dolphins, Saints, Bears, 49′ers, Jake Long, Vernon, Gholston, Malcolm Kelly, Joe Flacco, Maylock, footballjabber.com

2008 NFL Draft Jabber 4/2/08

What not to do within a month of the biggest life changing day of your life…Adarius Bowman, WR for Oklahoma State was busted for having some pot. Simple misdemeanor but your under a microscope by people just looking for a reason not to like you at this point.

JJ Cooper at The Fanhouse has labeled the Big Ten as the land of the Running Back bust. Has some pretty interesting numbers to back it up.

Colt Brennan has already fallen drastically on Mock Draft boards since the end of the College Football season. Look for an all out slide now as he is going to have hip surgery that will cripple him for 2-3 months. He could easily be back by the season but with the NFL Draft within the month…how do they say…timing is everything, and this isn’t good timing. Of course it is better now than later. Could have been done sooner?

Malcolm Kelly’s agent is working double time to squash rumors that his client has a bum knee and lingering thigh issue. The Oklahoma WR is all healed up Chad Speck says.

“The intent of the letter is certainly to end speculation on Malcolm’s health status,” Speck said. “He is 100 percent healthy and as Dr. Hatrak states, has no further risk of injury.”

Hatrak diagnosed Kelly with the “slight quadriceps tear” on Feb. 14, and cleared the receiver for full training March 20. Kelly did not work out at the combine in February or at Oklahoma’s first Pro Day.

“The rumors that are currently circulating regarding his knees are irresponsible and untrue!” Speck wrote to NFL general managers and scouts.

Tennessee State CB, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, is the best player in the draft that only has one kidney.

USA Today just wants to know who is going to be the number one pick and they are taking you along for the ride.

Soooo…nobody told Rod Marinelli you are supposed to be all secret and stuff about your draft picks. I know this is old news already but here are the guys he is looking at…

• Defensive end: Florida’s Derrick Harvey and McNeese State’s Bryan Smith.

• Linebacker: Oklahoma’s Curtis Lofton, Tennessee’s Jerod Mayo and Purdue’s Cliff Avril.

• Offensive tackle: Vanderbilt’s Chris Williams, Boston College’s Gosder Cherilus and Kansas’ Anthony Collins.

• Running back: Central Florida’s Kevin Smith and Tulane’s Matt Forte.

RealGmFootball.com has a pretty good write up on the top of the WR class.

tag: 2008 NFL Draft, NFL Draft Prospects, Football, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Malcolm Kelly, Colt Brennan, Adarius Bowman, footballjabber.com

NFL Draft Prospects: Malcolm Kelly

Name: Malcolm Kelly
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Oklahoma
Year: Junior
Career stats: 144 rec 2285 rec yds 15.9 ypc 21 TDs
Ht: 6-4
Wt: 219
40: 4.47 (est)
Bench: N/A
Expected draft position: WR 1-6 1st - 2nd round
YouTube Linkage

Strengths: Able to use his size and hands to isolate defenders and make difficult catches. Good hands, rarely drops the ball. Very physical, is not afraid to go up strong and fight for the ball. Deceiving speed and shiftiness.

Concerns: One of the more complete receivers in the draft, the only concern with Kelly is that he has never completed one full season of football at the collegiate level. There is always slight injury concern with him although I doubt that it will affect his stock much if any.

Comments: Of the big receivers in the draft, I expect Kelly to be the most impactful. He always seems to play with a chip on his shoulder. He isn’t afraid to go up and make the tough catches. He is physical and fights for the ball. My kind of receiver. If he has a good combine, Kelly should go in the first round if he declares.

tag: NFL, Draft, Profile, Oklahoma, Football, Malcolm Kelly