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

In the mold of the Vikings’ Adrian Peterson and the Saints’ Marques Colston, there are a bunch of rookies on the verge of making an immediate impact on fantasy leagues everywhere. Obviously, individual talent is key, but it’s really all about location, location, location. In order for these rookies to shine on the stat sheet, they need opportunities to make plays. So in the wake of the 2008 NFL Draft, the following players are most likely to stand out in fantasy football.

Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh
Every year it seems the Steelers have a top-shelf player fall into their lap. It probably has more to do with the franchise being a perennial playoff team, because with less holes to fill in its lineup, the team has the luxury of taking the best available player. And the 5-foot-9, 210-pound Mendenhall will more than reward the Steelers for not passing on him as he slipped down the board. Mendenhall will get lots of opportunities in the Steelers offense, and his combination of size-and-speed should translate to a lot of touchdowns. Even if Willie Parker returns 100 percent from injury, you can bet on Mendenhall being the better goal-line option.

James Hardy, WR, Buffalo
The Bills offense is horrible, but that’s just the point. The Bills actually moved the ball well last year between the 20s with rookie running back Marshawn Lynch and fellow rookie quarterback Trend Edwards. The problem was finding the end zone after reaching the red zone. So with the 6-foot-6, 220 pound Hardy, Edwards should have a field day throwing jump balls to this rookie. And after averaging 10 TDs in three seasons at Indiana, look for double-digit TDs again from Hardy at the next level.

Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly, WRs, Washington
Washington made out like bandits by drafting arguably the two best receivers in this year’s draft. The 6-2, 215-pound Thomas and the 6-4, 218-pound Kelly should be a dynamic duo for years to come. The only problem here is they are playing in the same offense, and there’s only one football to go around. And they have to share it with Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle El and Chris Cooley. The immediate impact of Thomas and Kelly will be limited only by the talent around them.

Limas Sweed, WR, Pittsburgh
Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger proved he could do more after stepping out from under the shadow of retired coach Bill Cowher. And with the addition of the 6-4, 212-pound Sweed, Big Ben will look a whole lot better throwing the ball down field. For a quarterback that never gives up on a play, the long-bodied Sweed could quickly become his favorite target.

Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland
McFadden was widely considered the best talent in the draft. He comes complete with a pedigree perfect for the Raiders, but the 6-2, 210-pound runner might find his first year in the NFL a bit frustrating. With a suspect line in front of him, and essentially a rookie quarterback in JaMarcus Russell leading the offense, running room will be difficult. His numbers will be good, and he should prove to easily be the best back in this draft class, but Mendenhall is poised to have the better immediate impact.

DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia
If your league counts return yards, the Jackson will make a difference for you. If not, this 175-pound Smurf should make a difference out of the slot and on screen plays. If this West Coast attack can get Jackson the ball in space, he will be a feared player. It remains to be seen if his size will be his downfall.

John David Booty, QB, Minnesota
The only quarterback on the list, Booty is considered the most NFL ready of all the quarterbacks. And if the Vikings’ Tavaris Jackson stumbles out of the gate, this playoff-ready team with a strong running game and stout defense shouldn’t hesitate to turn the ball over to Booty and let him manage the game. That said, even if Booty gets on the field, impact fantasy numbers are not likely. He could be a sleeper and worth a late-round pick.