Grading the 2009 Draft

It's a brand new season and a full fledged changing of the guard is around the corner. For the first time in a long time, LaDainian Tomlinson isn't the undisputed best back in fantasy. In fact, it can be said that he's no longer even in the top five. A slew of sophomores and third year players are poised to take over the league and that means some old time keepers are starting to outlive their star status. For Buffy, releasing franchise cornerstone WR Torry Holt marked a clear break from the past. Other stars like RB Brian Westbrook, Chad Ochocinco, Marvin Harrison, Donald Driver, and Terrell Owens are clearly on the downside of their careers. CTDB is headed for change and the next few years could result in a drastic change in power. So how did the draft go this year? Well, surprisingly light on rookies and young players, and maybe one last fling with the old guard.

1. Ante Up
After having another down season, Ante Up finally get the first overall pick. Last year they selected second and had a stellar draft, bringing in the backfield of the future in RBs Steve Slaton and Jonathan Stewart. Brian Westbrook and Reggie Wayne have some more time left but it's questionable whether WR Antonio Bryant was a better keeper than Colts up and coming receiver Anthony Gonzalez (of course, two Colts' WRs might be one too many). With his first pick, Jae solidified his quarterback position with Aaron Rodgers, who was explosive and has a lot of promise. If he can stay healthy, he's a franchise QB in the making. Two more promising RBs were selected this year, Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy. The writing is on the wall for Brian Westbrook as Jae has wisely selected his backup. With Chad Ochocino (Rd2) and Devin Hester (Rd4) also on board, Ante Up should have a good season, especially with a strong defense also on board in the Vikings D.
Grade: B+

2. Buffy
Buffy fell to 4-9 last year but he's hoping to be on the upswing. After selecting WR Roddy White last year in the draft and netting TE Antonio Gates, the passing game is in good hands, especially with QB Philip Rivers calling the shots. In fact, Buffy may be looking to pass a lot this year because he took three more WRs with his first picks. TJ Houshmanzadeh is on a new team and possibly a steal in the supplemental draft, Lance Moore is promising and productive, and old stalwart Torry Holt has been brought back for sentimental reasons. However, the selection of K Stephen Gostkowski in Rd4 is a bit curious as the backfield is thin, with RBs Marion Barber and Willie Parker both looking at possible time shares. Can young runners Ahmad Bradshaw and Jamaal Charles pick up the slack if one of the starters goes down? We'll roll the dice with GM Roger's draft strategy and put faith in his selection of a K before backup running backs.
Grade: B-

3. Fobsters
The Fobsters are no strangers to high picks in the draft. Save one glorious season, they've had a top three pick three times in the past four years. Last year's weak draft directly contributed to their losing season. Needing receivers, they traded Chad Ochocinco for Larry Johnson (a wash) and drafted Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Witten, and Patrick Clayton. In hindsight, only Witten was worth the roster spot -- he's now a keeper. Let's hope this year's first few selections fare better. Prognositcators are in love with Detroit RB Kevin Smith and he's sorely needed as Larry Johnson and Reggie Bush aren't stars (anymore and never was, respectively). Eddie Royal, Santana Moss, and Chris Chambers should complement the passing game well and we love the promise of rookie RB Shonn Green. Throwing in the rottweiler Giants D is nice too. With Megatron Calvin Johnson on board and QB Tom Brady returning, look for the Fobsters to return to contention... for a winning record.
Grade: B+

4. Philadelphia Phreaks
Despite a luxurious ocean cruise to Mexico and back, GM Ping put their game face on and will fight to get to a .500 record this year. They selected RB Darren McFadden first overall last year and that pick has yet to pay a lot of dividends. For now, he'll share the backfield with fellow keepers Maurice Jones-Drew and Marshawn Lynch. That's a pretty solid running game, the problem is, the passing for the Phreaks was soft heading into the draft. QB Donovan McNabb is still mighty fine but DeSean Jackson isn't a number one receiver. The one year rental of Terrell Owens will help a lot here, and Bernard Berrian's stock just went sky high after Brett Favre became a Viking. Round four WR Kevin Walters almost had 1000 yards with his 8 TDs last year. Post-draft, that's a good starting quartet. Eagles rookie Jeremy Maclin has some speed but he was picked by Ping to increase the Philly presence. We really like Ping's selection of rookie RB Donald Brown, who will join a crowded backfield.
Grade: A-

5. Tiiite End Jammers
The Jammers snuck into the playoffs with a losing record last year and might be headed lower thsi season. The off-season was not kind to them. QB Tony Romo lost Terrell Owens while WR Lee Evans added a competitor. Clinton Portis is another year older (slower) and Joseph Addai will be challenged by rookie Donald Brown. Hey, at least Dwayne Bowe won't have to share the ball with Tony Gonzalez anymore! Lei saw his needs and went for WRs with upside -- just like he did last year when he took Bowe, Evans, Chambers, Justin Gage and Ted Ginn. This year's selections of Roy Williams, Santonio Holmes, and Domenik Hixon all have a chance to be the number one receivers on their respective teams. We'd put Donnie Avery on that list too but he's out 4-6 weeks to start the season. Other than that, rookies RB Chris "Beanie" Wells and WR Michael Crabtree have potential but not a lot of immediate success slated for them. We don't know where the Jammers are headed this season, but we're not high on their chances for dramatic improvement.
Grade: C+

6. Dirty Birds
With a solid keeper core, the Birds don't have many holes. RBs Adrian Peterson and Steven Jackson are franchise talents, and WR Larry Fitzgerald is the best in the game. The jury is out on Braylon "Brick Hands" Edwards but there's hope he'll return to form. At least Wes Welker is still the game's most dependable slot receiver. The problem for the Birds is that Peterson and Jackson are injury prone. Thus, rookie RB Knoshown Moreno was selected in the first round. And promptly got injured in pre-season. He belongs on this team already. Sophmore sensation QB Matt Ryan was selected to appease the fan base and to pilot the Birds into the future. Old time veterans like WR Laveranues Coles, RB LenDale White, and QB Carson Palmer provide decent if totally unexciting backups.
Grade: C+

7. Fat Jubas
The Jubas must really like Packer's RB Ryan Grant. He was a keeper last year and draft quickly this year. How much upside can Grant have? Along with the return of Grant, TE Tony Gonzalez was quickly scooped up again to round out the receiving trio along with Marques Colston and Brandon Marshall. But this team is a running team, with Michael Turner and Frank Gore leading the way. That's a really great running game isn't it? Behind them, Eric took another Chargers' backup, Darren Sproles. TE Dallas Clark and "I don't know who he is" WR Brian Robiskie probably won't get on the field much, unless one of the starters get injured. With his last pick, Eric took Redskins' WR Devin Thomas, who won last year's Rookie Madden Bowl. With four running backs and two star receivers, the Jubas are stacked. But wait, what happens if QB Kurt Warner goes down? The backup is. The backup is. Wait for it, nobody. Perhaps the Jubas will just surf the waiver wire, or pray for Warner to make another miracle season, or just pick up Matt Leinart. He's gotta be available right?
Grade: C

8. Gang Green
We just did a franchise review on Gang Green and talked about their lack of superstars. Winning consistently always gives them a low pick at the draft and this year is no exception. Draft picks Vincent Jackson, Ted Ginn Jr., and Felix Jones aren't likely to transform into top five talents anytime soon. However, Gang Green is already solid at every position with the three headed RB attack of Brandon Jacobs, Thomas Jones, and Ronnie Brown. Old school WRs Randy Moss and Hines Ward complement each other well but Greg will have to work quickly on the wire to pick up some future talent. QBs Jay Cutler and Matt Schaub will both be more than serviceable and that makes the selection of the number one defense on the board, Steelers D, in RD3, very defensible. The Greenies didn't draft any future stars but hey, they apparently don't need'em!
Grade: B

9. Chunky Monkeys
Every year it's the same old story. Low draft pick and an abudance of running back talent. Evan specializes in digging up dynamite young RBs and last year he hit the jackpot with Matt Forte and Chris Johson -- both of whom are now keepers. This backfield of the future comes at just the right time as longtime franchise cornerstone LaDainian Tomlinson is on his way out (but maybe not without another huge season). QB Peyton Manning is still consistent as rain but he'll be throwing to some new faces this year. Franchise WR Anquan Boldin is disgrutled but mighty fine. Terrell Owens and Chad Ochostinko are gone. First round pick Anthony Gonzalez was a great move and if Jerricho Cotchery, Percy Harvin, or Josh Morgan can do something/anything, the Monkeys will be delighted. Then again, they've always had a hole at the third WR position, and it really hasn't made much of a difference in their winning ways has it?
Grade: B

10. Battle Angels
The Angels had a dream season. After going 5-8 two seasons ago, they turned it all around, added four wins to the bottom line, won their division, and also took home the championship trophy for the cherry on top. And we kind of love their game. With reigning MVP Drew Brees flinging the ball all over the place to three bonafide number one receivers (Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings), not many teams can keep up with their firepower. RB DeAngelo Williams was a revelation for the playoff run and could still keep churning this year despite competition from Jonathan Stewart. Vu smartly drafted a bunch of starting tailbacks should Williams falter however. We love his picks of Pierre Thomas, Derrick Ward, and Cedric Benson, who aren't big names but have more than serviceable games. Picking up Steve Breaston, the other Steve Smith and Chris Henry also gives them the ability to go run-and-shoot just like last year. We like the Angels to put up a stiff title defense and we can't see much drop off.
Grade: A-