Fantasy Sports Review

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s an exciting time for rookies who were lucky enough to land a job. On the flip side, it can be a nervous time for veterans, even established ones. Just last summer, Donovan McNabb dodged reports that his days were numbered after quarterback Kevin Kolb was drafted by the Eagles. McNabb, who was coming off an injury but yet was a proven performer, was all but run out of town by the media as trade rumors swirled. McNabb went on to put those doubters to rest as each week his performance improved along with his health. Moral to the story – if McNabb’s not safe after all he’s done for Philadelphia, than no one is sacred. The following players will be hearing footsteps this summer.

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
The Steelers clearly missed The Bus last season, so even if Parker returns fully recovered from his leg injury, top pick Rashard Mendenhall should see plenty of action. The rookie clearly fits the Steelers smash-mouth approach to the game, as he should become more of the workhorse in this offense. Parker will get demoted to a situational, change-of-pace assignment. Fantasy impact: 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest)

Marion Barber, Dallas
You don’t take a running back with your top pick if you don’t think it’s a position need. Felix Jones is more than an ample replacement for the departed Julius Jones. His breakaway speed, as compared to Barber’s gritty, grind-out-the-yards style, should earn him lots of carries. If he becomes a home run threat, than there will be less goal line carries for the hard-chargin’ Barber. And with only one ball to go around, expect the fresh-legged Jones to get the bulk of the carries. Fastasy impact: 4

Justin Fargas, Oakland
Darren McFadden is a fast, powerful and exciting option that the Raiders haven’t had in quite some time in their backfield. Much like Jones in Dallas, McFadden offers too much potential to be brought along slowly. Expect to see Fargas in more obvious passing situations for his ability to pick up the blitz. Otherwise it should be McFadden left, McFadden right and McFadden up the middle. Fantasy impact: 4

Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions (Corey’s two cents)
Look out Tatum hear comes Kevin Smith. Who is Kevin Smith you say? Only the holder of the second highest rushing total for a season in NCAA history (2567 yards in 2007). If you are into karma - or just like to know useless sports facts - get this, who holds the all time single season rushing record? None other than Mr. Barry Sanders. Anyway, Mel Kiper has already gone on record as saying he thinks Kevin will be starting opening day AND some think Kevin’s style is perfect for the Lions zone blocking scheme. Fantasy Impact: 3.5

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
For a team with obvious needs on defense to take a running back with its first round pick, it tells you the Panthers are serious about making changes in the backfield. So expect to see lots of Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart. Fantasy impact: 3

Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, Pittsburgh
I’m not sure who, but Limas Sweed should easily become one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets as the year progresses. So whether he supplants Ward, who might have lost a step, or one or both of Pittsburgh’s other young wide receivers, expect Sweed to play as big as his 6-foot-4 frame. Fantasy impact: 3

Kyle Boller, Baltimore
For a split second following the retirement of Steve McNair, it looked like Boller was going to get one more chance to prove he’s the man. Then came Joe Flacco, who Baltimore traded back and then up to get late in the first round. And it’s not just the drafting of a quarterback, but it’s the way they did it. Clearly the Ravens feel Flacco is their guy, so why delay the inevitable? Flacco should get thrown to the wolves because a good defense and a running game can take a young QB a long way. Fantasy impact: 2

Chris Baker, New York Jets
The New York Jets dismal offense should get a shot in the arm from speedy tight end Dustin Keller. The Purdue product should give either mediocre Jets quarterback a reliable target over the middle, and that might do wonders for this offensively challenged team. Fantasy impact: 2

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks for you to check out. There are a ton of guys on my list because I play in some deeper leagues. I need to look a little deeper than most.

I hope you guys grabbed a`few of the suggestions for the last few weeks. D.J. Hackett, Donald Lee, Chris Henry and Chester Taylor all had great games. Lets see what we can find this week.

May be available now…
**UPDATE** Nate Washington WR (PIT) - Santonio Holmes will miss some action this week and Washington could be a decent starter this Monday against Miami.

**UPDATE** Kolby Smith RB (KC) - Priest is calling it a career and LJ is still out. Best of all the Raider bad rush d is in town. Thanks for the heads up Joe.

**UPDATE** Vince Young QB (TEN) - Is it possible that he is laying around on your waiver wire? If so it may not be a bad idea to pick him up. He showed Monday night that he is beginning to step up his game with 300 yards and a TD passing and 74 yards and a TD rushing. If his receivers didn’t have all those drops, his night could’ve been even better. His schedule is solid too. His next three games are against weak passing defenses; Cincinnati, Houston and San Diego.

**UPDATE** Ahmad Bradshaw/Reuben Droughns RB (NYG) - Brandon Jacobs has a bad hammy and Derrick Ward has been battling injuries for a few weeks now. If they can’t go next week then Ahmad and Reuben are the next in line to take on the Vikes.

Santana Moss WR (WAS) - I put him on here because I saw him in free agent pool last week in a few leagues. Take a look at yours and see if he is there. He had a solid game with 9 for 121 and a touchdown against Dallas. Campbell seems to be coming into his own the last few weeks so if Moss can stay healthy he should be solid down the stretch. (more…)