FANTASY FOOTBALL ARTICLES

First Round - Just like in fantasy drafts, the NFL draft has seem some solid if not spectacular receivers taken in the first round. It has also seen some incredible busts come along – Sylvester Morris, R.J. Soward and David Terrell. Since this is a position that typically takes time to develop, looking at past drafts has to consider the two to three years that are expected for a receiver to come into his own. Other than Terrell, most of the disappointments have been the receivers taken late in the round.

Second Round - The nine receivers taken in this round during 1999-2001 have all become starters for their teams and all have been fantasy gems at least for a period of time. The 2002 class enters their magic third season but not one of them have had a breakout season as of yet. Andre Davis, Antwaan Randle El, Antonio Bryant and Deion Branch have flashed enough to keep them on fantasy radars but the others have either failed in their shot or never were given one.

Third Round - Four good receivers have emerged from this draft slot, but the 2002/2003 classes have not yet proven they have anyone capable of breaking out. Both Coles and Jackson had fine rookie campaigns but most receivers taken at this level were not intended to be more than developmental players. Most do not develop.

Fourth Round - So far this is the Justin McCareins round, since he is alone if showing promise from this group. Even then, he is nothing more than a #2 receiver with his new team of the Jets and his value is more potential than in proven performance. Other players from this round have done little more than having one good game if that much.

Rounds Five to Seven - This is the Donald Driver area. He alone of  the 90 receivers taken since 1999 has proven to be #1 wide-out quality and he was unable to hang on to that last season. At the rate of 1:90, this is hardly the place to hunt for a receiver for the betting man. Even less so for your fantasy team.

2004 - This season is considered a wideout-rich draft by all accounts and better than any in the past five seasons. Oddly, the first two receivers – Larry Fitzgerald (ARZ) and Roy Williams (DET) go to teams that already have a #1 receiver. Both will be considered immediate starters but will not have the pressure of players like Charles Rogers or Andre Johnson from last season.

Lee Evans is a fascinating pick by the Bills since he is a clone of Peerless Price, something that Josh Reed was not last season. He’ll get an immediate chance at running deep routes and forcing the safeties to choose between him and Eric Moulds. Michael Clayton went to the Buccaneers and he is also a clone – of Keyshawn Johnson in this case. With McCardell getting old and Jurevicius having health problems, he’ll get plenty of opportunities this season.

Michael Jenkins continues the trend – he comes in as a clone of Brian Finneran in size but adds more speed and overall talent to the Falcon’s mix. He’s expected to step into a starting role soon and pair with Price for a powerful duo. Jenkins will be the possession guy while Price can return to his true talent of going deep.

The first round ended with Rashaun Woods and he will ironically have perhaps more opportunity than the five receivers selected in front of him. There is no other veteran receiver on the 49ers roster (unless you count Curtis Conway and you really shouldn’t). He’ll be in a situation primed for someone – anyone! – to step up and make a difference in the passing game.

Devery Henderson went to the Saints where he will still contend with Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth. With Horn already 32 years old, Henderson is a longer-term prospect. Keary Colbert was taken by the Panthers in a similar vein where Muhsin Muhammad is already 31 years old. Lastly, Darrius Watts went to the Broncos where a sudden receiver vacuum occurred with the loss of Shannon Sharpe, Ed McCaffrey and the reality that Rod Smith is already 34 years of age. He’ll get a shot at playing time this season and undoubtedly more in 2005.