Jay
05-24-2006, 03:59 PM
Rookie Draft Analysis (First Day)
Off-season strategy -- It has long been a known situation within the Rage front office that the departure/retirement of any one of the three aging Rage veterans would trigger a full-blown rebuilding effort. Without any one of Favre/Martin/Horn, it was unrealistic for the team to compete. Cutting Favre in the off-season triggered this process. Day 1 went a long way toward building a foundation along youthful lines.
Acquisitions
1) DeAngelo Williams -- Looking like a young Curtis Martin, Williams will be asked to anchor the running game in the rebuilding effort. He certainly doesn't have the best current situation, going to a crowded backfield in Carolina, but he has a complete set of inside and outside
running skills and excellent hands to provide optimal fantasy opportunities.
2) Vince Young -- Young has the look of a prototypical fantasy football quarterback. With ever-improving passing efficiency, including very good accuracy and a nice deep ball, Young has potential as a passer. His exceptional value comes in the ability to score points on the ground.
Tennessee is already putting together some goalline packages to take advantage of his unique abilities to score points on the goalline. There is some definite downside, but at a fantasy position where difference-makers are few, Young has the opportunity to deliver.
3) Demetrius Williams -- A bit of a wildcard pick. Williams has the height, speed and playmaking ability to be a #1 receiver. He needs some more bulk, and he needs some coaching on his route-running to fulfill his potential. He is in a good future situation in Baltimore,
but one has to question the opportunity to develop on a team that has not been good at developing
wide receivers in the recent past.
4) LJ Smith -- Athletic, talented tight end that has produced fantasy points in bunches when healthy.
He has struggled with injuries so far in the NFL, but the potential to be a top-5 producer is definitely
there, especially with the off-season departure of Owens. More catches are available.
5) Drew Henson -- Flashed some ability in NFL Europe and Was considered a top prospect three years
ago. Long-shot chance to eventually take over for aging Drew Bledsoe.
6) Onterrio "The Whizzenator" Smith -- Smith has squandered more opportunities than most players
get in their careers. He's the latest version of Lawrence Phillips. He has NFL ability, but it will be at least a year before he's even eligible to contribute. Long-shot throw-in.
7) Jarrett Payton -- grocery bagger
*2007 2nd round pick
Departures
1) Brett Favre -- A premature off-season cut cost the Rage an additional pick via trade. Favre is not long for the NFL, but losing something and getting nothing in return is never good.
2) Curtis Martin -- The 33-year-old Martin is coming off of knee surgery in the off-season. It will likely take the young Jets offensive line a year or two to really gel, so there isn't much of a future here. As a starter, he still holds value as a number two running back, but not for long.
3) Joe Horn -- A yearly top-10 producer at WR, the 34-year-old Horn fought through nasty injuries last year. A true warrior, Horn has been fighting chronic knee problems for the past few years. Age has to take its final toll eventually. He might not be around when New Orleans turns
the corner. He certainly wouldn't have been around when the Rage turn the corner.
4) Najeh Davenport -- This talented but brittle back could have an opportunity to take the Green Bay starting job this year if his ankle heals in time. However, there is talk that the Packers would like to move him back to fullback. That's tough to imagine, considering the
Packer depth problems at running back. Either way, it's hard to imagine Davenport staying healthy long enough to take advantage of the opportunity. The Rage will miss Davenport's legendary ability to conjure unique injuries, including, among others, a fractured eye socket.
5) Andrew Walter -- Young, strong-armed quarterback that is well-suited to a vertical offense that has been Oakland's staple. He could get an opportunity if Brooks falters, but it's a bit of a long shot. Oakland isn't known for developing QBs, and Turner isn't around to make it happen any
more.
Overall First Day synopsis -- Quarterback, running back and tight end got the biggest boons in terms of youth and talent. Wide receiver is still a disaster. Finding a way to secure a young wide receiver would have been the ideal situation. Overall first day grade = B
Off-season strategy -- It has long been a known situation within the Rage front office that the departure/retirement of any one of the three aging Rage veterans would trigger a full-blown rebuilding effort. Without any one of Favre/Martin/Horn, it was unrealistic for the team to compete. Cutting Favre in the off-season triggered this process. Day 1 went a long way toward building a foundation along youthful lines.
Acquisitions
1) DeAngelo Williams -- Looking like a young Curtis Martin, Williams will be asked to anchor the running game in the rebuilding effort. He certainly doesn't have the best current situation, going to a crowded backfield in Carolina, but he has a complete set of inside and outside
running skills and excellent hands to provide optimal fantasy opportunities.
2) Vince Young -- Young has the look of a prototypical fantasy football quarterback. With ever-improving passing efficiency, including very good accuracy and a nice deep ball, Young has potential as a passer. His exceptional value comes in the ability to score points on the ground.
Tennessee is already putting together some goalline packages to take advantage of his unique abilities to score points on the goalline. There is some definite downside, but at a fantasy position where difference-makers are few, Young has the opportunity to deliver.
3) Demetrius Williams -- A bit of a wildcard pick. Williams has the height, speed and playmaking ability to be a #1 receiver. He needs some more bulk, and he needs some coaching on his route-running to fulfill his potential. He is in a good future situation in Baltimore,
but one has to question the opportunity to develop on a team that has not been good at developing
wide receivers in the recent past.
4) LJ Smith -- Athletic, talented tight end that has produced fantasy points in bunches when healthy.
He has struggled with injuries so far in the NFL, but the potential to be a top-5 producer is definitely
there, especially with the off-season departure of Owens. More catches are available.
5) Drew Henson -- Flashed some ability in NFL Europe and Was considered a top prospect three years
ago. Long-shot chance to eventually take over for aging Drew Bledsoe.
6) Onterrio "The Whizzenator" Smith -- Smith has squandered more opportunities than most players
get in their careers. He's the latest version of Lawrence Phillips. He has NFL ability, but it will be at least a year before he's even eligible to contribute. Long-shot throw-in.
7) Jarrett Payton -- grocery bagger
*2007 2nd round pick
Departures
1) Brett Favre -- A premature off-season cut cost the Rage an additional pick via trade. Favre is not long for the NFL, but losing something and getting nothing in return is never good.
2) Curtis Martin -- The 33-year-old Martin is coming off of knee surgery in the off-season. It will likely take the young Jets offensive line a year or two to really gel, so there isn't much of a future here. As a starter, he still holds value as a number two running back, but not for long.
3) Joe Horn -- A yearly top-10 producer at WR, the 34-year-old Horn fought through nasty injuries last year. A true warrior, Horn has been fighting chronic knee problems for the past few years. Age has to take its final toll eventually. He might not be around when New Orleans turns
the corner. He certainly wouldn't have been around when the Rage turn the corner.
4) Najeh Davenport -- This talented but brittle back could have an opportunity to take the Green Bay starting job this year if his ankle heals in time. However, there is talk that the Packers would like to move him back to fullback. That's tough to imagine, considering the
Packer depth problems at running back. Either way, it's hard to imagine Davenport staying healthy long enough to take advantage of the opportunity. The Rage will miss Davenport's legendary ability to conjure unique injuries, including, among others, a fractured eye socket.
5) Andrew Walter -- Young, strong-armed quarterback that is well-suited to a vertical offense that has been Oakland's staple. He could get an opportunity if Brooks falters, but it's a bit of a long shot. Oakland isn't known for developing QBs, and Turner isn't around to make it happen any
more.
Overall First Day synopsis -- Quarterback, running back and tight end got the biggest boons in terms of youth and talent. Wide receiver is still a disaster. Finding a way to secure a young wide receiver would have been the ideal situation. Overall first day grade = B