| Thu 11/19 | |
|---|---|
| Dolphins | 24 |
| Panthers | 17 |
| Final | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Saints | - |
| Buccaneers | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Falcons | - |
| Giants | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Seahawks | - |
| Vikings | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Steelers | - |
| Chiefs | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Bills | - |
| Jaguars | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| 49ers | - |
| Packers | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Browns | - |
| Lions | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Redskins | - |
| Cowboys | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Colts | - |
| Ravens | - |
| 1 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Cardinals | - |
| Rams | - |
| 4:05 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Bengals | - |
| Raiders | - |
| 4:15 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Jets | - |
| Patriots | - |
| 4:15 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Chargers | - |
| Broncos | - |
| 4:15 p.m. ET | |
| Sun 11/22 | |
|---|---|
| Eagles | - |
| Bears | - |
| 8:20 p.m. ET | |
| Mon 11/23 | |
|---|---|
| Titans | - |
| Texans | - |
| 8:30 p.m. ET | |
As each skill player is selected during the first two rounds of the draft, Michael Blunda will provide instant analysis of how that player will affect his new team and what type of fantasy impact he can make in 2009.
TE Richard Quinn / Broncos / Round Two, Pick 64
The Broncos traded back into the second round to grab Quinn, so they obviously like him, but his role will be more as a blocker than a pass catcher. Josh McDaniels' offense doesn't utilize tight ends much in the receiving game, so it's likely he wanted to pick up Quinn to pair with Daniel Graham as strong-blocking tight ends to help the running game. From a fantasy standpoint, Quinn likely won't have any value this season.
RB LeSean McCoy / Eagles / Round Two, Pick 53
Badly needing someone to back up Brian Westbrook, the Eagles found a nice option in McCoy. A similar player to Westbrook in many ways, McCoy will give Philly a skilled receiver out of the backfield and someone who has the quickness to break off big runs. He might need a Westbrook injury to have serious fantasy value as a rookie, but the veteran back has been known to have trouble staying healthy. If you use an early pick on Westbrook, you better be sure to grab McCoy later on.
WR Mohamed Massaquoi / Browns / Round Two, Pick 50
After drafting WR Brian Robiskie earlier in the second round, the Browns add another polished receiver in Massaquoi. An impressive route runner with good size and athleticism, he can make tough catches and traffic and outjump defenders. In Cleveland's thin receiving corps, Massaquoi should see time right away, but the fact that Robiskie was also taken in Round Two could make it difficult for either one to have significant fantasy value as a rookie. In deep leagues, he's a decent possibility late.
QB Pat White / Dolphins / Round Two, Pick 44
White found a great home in Miami, as he'll be a perfect fit as a "Wildcat" QB/slot receiver. Since he'll only be playing in a part-time role, though, he's won't really be much of a fantasy option. He might have a big game every now and then, but he probably won't be consistent enough to put in your lineup.
WR Brian Robiskie / Browns / Round Two, Pick 36
Not only does Robiskie get to stay in-state, but he goes to a Browns team that is absolutely desperate for wide receivers. Even if they keep Braylon Edwards, Robiskie still looks like a Week One starter for them, which should translate to instant productivity. Even though he's not a great athlete, the Ohio State alum is smart and will work hard to improve his game. Since Edwards is currently Cleveland's only pass-catching threat, Robiskie should put up numbers right off the bat and isn't a bad guy to grab late.
RB Chris Wells / Cardinals / Round One, Pick 31
Things couldn't have worked out any better for the Cardinals, who get their back of the future without having to trade up. Wells is a big, powerful runner who also has the speed to break away from defenders in space. He should immediately become Arizona's starter, handling the bulk of carries on first and second down and maybe some goal-line work, although it's possible Tim Hightower could be inserted in short-yardage situations. As 2009 rookies go, few, if any, landed in a better spot to contribute right away than Wells. Even though the Cards don't run often, they do so enough to make the Ohio State product a nice No. 3 fantasy back in all fantasy leagues.
WR Kenny Britt / Titans / Round One, Pick 30
In dire need of another receiver, the Titans got a solid one in Britt. He is tall, physical and can make plays after the catch. He should quickly become a favorite for Kerry Collins and is a great complement to speedster Nate Washington. He might not take Justin Gage's starting spot in Week One, but it'll only be a matter of time before he's seeing a multitude of snaps for Tennessee. He has the potential to catch a fair amount of scores this season, but his yardage probably won't be very high in a conservative offense. He might be worth a shot in deep leagues.
WR Hakeem Nicks / Giants / Round One, Pick 29
If the Giants were hoping to replace Plaxico Burress with this pick, they found a similar player in Nicks. A physical specimen with incredible hands and the ability to make eye-popping grabs, Eli Manning will love having him around. Nicks isn't a burner, but Burress wasn't either. The rookie probably will split time with Domenik Hixon this season, so he might not be a fantasy stud right away. But don't forget about him if you're looking for young, high-upside players late on draft day.
RB Donald Brown / Colts / Round One, Pick 27
The Colts needed a back to help out Joseph Addai, and Brown looks to be just that guy. Rushing for more than anyone else in Division I last year while at Connecticut, he could play a role similar to the one Dominic Rhodes played in Indy in 2008. Considering the health issues Addai has experienced recently, Brown should see a fair amount of action in order to keep the veteran fresh and injury free. And if Addai goes down like he did last season, Brown is in for a significant workload. He's a solid mid-round pick and a must-have for Addai owners.
WR Percy Harvin / Vikings / Round One, Pick 22
Putting Harvin in the same offense as Adrian Peterson is a scary proposition. With incredible speed and the ability to run through tackles, he is a game-breaking talent who only fell this far because of character concerns. Even if Harvin doesn't crack the starting lineup right away, coach Brad Childress will find a way to get him on the field often, lining him up all over. Injuries have always plagued him, but Harvin's ceiling is incredibly high, especially playing alongside Peterson and Bernard Berrian. He is absolutely someone to target toward the latter part of your draft.
TE Brandon Pettigrew / Lions / Round One, Pick 20
It's been a long time since the Lions have had an impact player at tight end, but Pettigrew certainly gives them one. He is a physical player who should really help Detroit up front with his terrific blocking ability. Pettigrew should start right away, but he might not be a huge fantasy prospect, as he's more of a blocker than pass catcher. He's probably worth a late look in larger leagues or those that start two tight ends.
WR Jeremy Maclin / Eagles / Round One, Pick 19
After drafting DeSean Jackson last year, the Eagles add another lightning-fast wideout in Maclin. Very productive while at Missouri, he figures to be given a shot to contribute for Philly right away, as Andy Reid often deploys multiple receivers. Maclin isn't a huge target at just 6-0, but he's a natural playmaker who Donovan McNabb will enjoy throwing to. He probably won't find the endzone often, but Maclin could pile up a bunch of yardage as a rookie. He's a solid upside grab in the later rounds of your fantasy draft.
QB Josh Freeman / Buccaneers / Round One, Pick 17
The Bucs continue to stockpile QBs, but they must have had their eye on Freeman in order to trade up to get him. He is considered a very raw talent, so odds are he sits for most or all of this season while learning the offense. Tampa brought in a proven veteran in Byron Leftwich and re-signed Luke McCown, so it's not like the club was looking for a guy to start right away. Unless Freeman somehow emerges from training camp as the Bucs' No. 1 QB, he's not someone to consider drafting in yearly fantasy leagues.
RB Knowshon Moreno / Broncos / Round One, Pick 12
After signing three free-agent running backs this offseason, Denver creates an even larger backfield logjam by using the 12th pick on Moreno. Considering where they took him, it's likely that the rookie from Georgia will rapidly ascend to No. 1 on the Broncos' depth chart, especially since he possesses the combination of running and receiving ability that new coach Josh McDaniels covets. Moreno is talented enough to be an instant contributor, but having to give up touches to guys like Correll Buckhalter, LaMont Jordan and J.J. Arrington make him a less attractive fantasy option. Even if McDaniels uses him extensively this season, it'd be difficult to envision Moreno being anything more than a No. 3 fantasy back.
WR Michael Crabtree / 49ers / Round One, Pick 10
The Niners got a great value in Crabtree at No. 10. Of all the receivers in the 2009 class, he looks to be the most polished and most likely to make an instant impact. He goes to an offense that's lacking a true top target, something he could quickly become. If Shaun Hill goes into the season as the starting QB, Crabtree will have a decent passer getting him the ball, which should only help him produce right away. Whether or not he starts from Day One, he's guaranteed to see lots of playing time, with he and Josh Morgan appearing to be a formidable receiving duo for the future. It wouldn't be a stretch to think he could be a No. 3 fantasy wideout this season.
WR Darrius Heyward-Bey / Raiders / Round One, Pick Seven
Al Davis must have really loved Heyward-Bey, as he passed on both Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin to take him. An absolute speed demon, the Maryland product should provide QB JaMarcus Russell with the deep threat he's been missing in Oakland, finally giving the big-armed passer a chance to let loose. Heyward-Bey isn't a polished route runner, though, so it could take him quite a while to adjust to the pro game and assert himself on the next level. Much like Ted Ginn Jr. two years ago, D.H.B. looks like a guy who was probably drafted too high and isn't ready to contribute right away. The potential is there, but don't think about grabbing him until the final rounds.
QB Mark Sanchez / Jets / Round One, Pick Five
Sanchez lands with a franchise in the Jets that clearly wanted him, giving him a realistic opportunity to start from Day One. He goes to a team with a stout offensive line and solid running game - much like Joe Flacco did last year - meaning there won't be a ton of pressure on Sanchez to air it out all game long. WR Jerricho Cotchery gives him a reliable target outside, and TE Dustin Keller is a solid safety valve over the middle who will only improve in his second season. If Sanchez beats out Kellen Clemens in training camp, he has the upside to be worth a late-round flier on draft day and a guy who could give you some production down the line.
QB Matthew Stafford / Lions / Round One, Pick One
Stafford's fantasy impact this season could either be moderate or insignificant - it all depends on when he's inserted into the starting lineup. If he starts from Day One, which is very possible considering the Lions invested the top pick in him, he'll have some definite value. Even though he's probably not as NFL-ready as Matt Ryan was last year, Stafford has one of the league's best receivers at his disposal in Calvin Johnson, and Bryant Johnson isn't a bad second target. Once Stafford works the kinks out early on, the rookie could put up numbers worthy of being a No. 2 QB in larger leagues. However, if Detroit opts to ease him in and start Daunte Culpepper for a bulk of the 2009 campaign, Stafford wouldn't be much of a fantasy option, except in keeper leagues.