Blue-Super Bowl Winners

Winning the Super Bowl is obviously the ultimate goal each and every year. Although kicking the absolute crap out your division rivals, is a close second.

The five year recap to the right, may not come as much as a surprise to some of you. Teams like the Patriots and Steelers have been a dominate force in their respected divisions for years now. Still, the bottom half of the ranking board does feature a lot of the same teams we do seem atop the NFL draft order every April. A sign that the best way to improve within the league, starts with the battles against the teams you know the most.

Winning your division has always been a top priority with coaches. With each division winner getting a free ticket to the post-season, it would only make sense to game-plan and build your franchise around the ability to exploit a rivals weakness.

The fact that the St. Louis Rams have only won 4 games within their own division in the last 5 years is down right disgusting. Clearly there are some obvious goals that new head coach Jeff Fisher must correct. The same could be said for the Cleveland Browns, a franchise that has been a doormat in the AFC North.

Surprisingly the Browns along with Rams, Lions, Jaguars, Chiefs and Broncos have all not been able to crack .500 within their own division in the last 5 seasons.

While the recent Super Bowl champs are all near the top of the rankings list, winning the turf war isn’t a absolute must to win the Super Bowl. The Pittsburgh Steelers did have an impressive 6-0 record in the AFC North back in 2009, but the Giants have won it twice in the last 5 years with a .500 mark in the NFC East.

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AFC South

Indianapolis  Steve Emtman 1992 Washington 1st overall

Injuries were a big reason for Emtman’s short career. Indy not only had the number one pick that year, but also the number two. They used it to take Quentin Coryatt who had a better career than Emtman, but was never a Pro Bowl type guy in his seven years.

Big miss:  Not a great draft, I’ll go with Sean Gilbert

Tennessee Adam ‘Pac Man’ Jones 2005 West Virginia 6th overall

Fairly effective early on with 28 starts in 32 regular season games in his first two years. Everything fell apart shortly after that with a laundry list of suspensions and run-ins with the law. His stint in Tennessee lasted just two seasons.

Big miss: Demarcus Ware

Houston David Carr 2002 Fresno St. 1st overall

Carr really had no shot. He was thrown into the starting role as a rookie of an expansion team and didn’t have much talent around him. He won his first start, but was sacked an NFL record 76 times as a rookie. He never really recovered.

Big miss: Julius Peppers

Jacksonville R. Jay Soward 2000 USC 29th overall

Soward was another case of substance abuse derailing a career. The wide receiver lasted just one season in the NFL and recorded a grand total of 14 receptions.

Big miss: Keith Bullock

NFC South

Carolina Rae Carruth 1997 Colorado 27th overall

Carruth had a nice rookie season, but then an injury limited him to just one game his second season before his role in attempting to kill his girlfriend and unborn child early in his third – and obviously final – season.

Big miss: Trevor Price

New Orleans Johnathan Sullivan 2003 Georgia 6th overall

In three seasons with the black and gold, Sullivan only totaled 1.5 sacks. By year three Sullivan didn’t start a game and was traded to New England – where he didn’t play a single game and was released.

Big miss:  Terrell Suggs

Tampa Bay Gaines Adams 2007 Clemson 4th overall

I didn’t want to do it based off of Adams’ tragic end, but the Bucs have done a pretty good job in the first round over the years. Adams played just two and a half seasons for Tampa Bay before being traded to the Chicago Bears. Adams had 13.5 sacks in 37 games as a Buccaneer.

Big miss:  Adrian Peterson

Atlanta Michael Booker 1997 Nebraska 11th overall

Booker started just ten games in three seasons for the Falcons before he went to Tennessee for two years. He averaged just two interceptions in his time as a Falcon.

Big miss: Tony Gonzalez

Check out other Volumes: NFL Draft: Would’a Could’a Should’a Volume I

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2012 NFL Draft Grades

The NFL Draft has come and gone. What remains is the future players that are needed to create big plays, clog up holes, and add depth to the rosters of our favorite teams. There will be superstars among the 2012 Draft Selections, along with many busts, but for now they are the new breed of talent to make each NFL team seem that much better.

If you think about it, one group of youngesters are going to have Super Bowl rings in 9 months, and usually the team that can gain the most out of the NFL draft, has the best shot at winning it all.The following is Gridiron Experts 2012 NFL Draft Grades. Follow us on Twitter

Arizona Cardinals  DRAFT GRADE: B+
The Cardinals were unable to make a significant upgrade to their quarterbacking position and instead moved on to Plan B: surround incumbents John Skelton and Kevin Kolb with a better supporting cast. We mocked Notre Dame WR Michael Floyd to Arizona, and they indeed secured the draft’s second best receiver at 13. Floyd is a big-time talent and his presence will really open up the offense by taking pressure off of Larry Fitzgerald.

Third round CB Jamell Fleming filled the team’s next highest priority. GM Rod Graves pulled a major coup by grabbing Ole Miss OT Bobby Massie at pick 112. Massie was thought to be a 2nd-3rd round talent and is likely to start from day one on the Arizona line, which was also reinforced by Washington G Senio Kelemete and Boise State OT Nate Potter. Arizona also added highly-respected San Diego State signal-caller Ryan Lindley as a developmental project.

Atlanta Falcons  DRAFT GRADE: C-
Atlanta lacked a first round pick due to last year’s draft-day deal that became WR Julio Jones. But as luck would have it, the Falcons were still able to add a high quality prospect that filled a huge need. Wisconsin C Peter Konz was expected to be a late first round pick, but fell into Atlanta’s lap at 55. Still focusing on the offensive line, Thomas Dimitroff surprised many by taking Southern Miss OT Lamar Holmes, who was not expected to be chose until the draft’s final day. Konz’s teammate FB Brady Ewing was chosen as insurance for injured FB Ovie Mughelli. Atlanta’s final three selections strengthened the defensive line and secondary.

Baltimore Ravens:  DRAFT GRADE: A-
You have to give credit to Baltimore GM Ozzie Newsome. Year after the year the Ravens are able to add abundant talent and keep their club amongst the short list of championship contenders. 2012 was no different as the Ravens traded down out of the first round altogether but were still able to add key components. Alabama DE/OLB Courtney Upshaw slid out of round one, but will likely enter the Ravens defensive rotation from day one.

Newsome also stayed true to his team’s needs by bolstering the offensive line with the 60th pick, Kelechi Osemele, and 98th pick Gino Gradkowski. Knowing that the Ray Rice could miss part or all of training camp due to a contract dispute, Newsome also traded back up into round three to grab a talented running back, Temple’s Bernard Pierce. On day three, the Ravens added depth to their beleaguered secondary and added Miami WR Tommy Streeter.

Buffalo Bills  DRAFT GRADE: B
There was a lot of buzz coming from Buffalo this off-season, and for a change, most of it was positive. The Bills were big spenders in free agency, bolstering their D-line by adding the top-rated pass rusher DE Mario Williams and DE Mark Anderson. The draft also brought some significant upgrades to important positions of need. First round CB Stephon Gilmore was the second rated cornerback available on most teams’ draft boards.

Georgia OT Cordy Glenn was mocked in a ton of first rounds, so he was an excellent value at 41. The Bills needed to strengthen their receiving corps, but jumped the gun of third rounder TJ Graham, who was thought to be a 4th to 5th round player. GM Buddy Nix salvaged the draft with four straight fantastic picks that netted Florida State OLB Nigel Bradham, LSU CB Ron Brooks, Florida State OT Zebrie Sanders and TCU OLB Tank Carder.

Carolina Panthers  DRAFT GRADE: A-
The rapid transformation from 2-14 to serious contender is nearly complete after a second consecutive excellent draft. Carolina was able to grab the draft’s top linebacker, Boston College OLB Luke Kuechly, and another perceived first round pick, Midwestern State OT/G Amini Silatolu. Oklahoma DE Frank Alexander will strenghten the Panthers pass rush and fourth round WR Joe Adams provides an instant upgrade and legitimate weapon to start opposite of Steve Smith. Round 5 brought a tremendous value in Coastal Carolina CB Josh Norman, who was ranked the 58th best prospect by NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock. Overall another great job by the new regime in Carolina.

Chicago Bears  DRAFT GRADE: C+
A lot of people thought that offensive line was Chicago’s top priority. Judging from their draft-haul, the Bears disagreed. Rather than beef up the o-line, instead they chose to upgrade the defensive front with Boise State DE Shea McClellin. When you take into consideration that the Bears have vaunted offenses from Green Bay and Detroit on the schedule twice a year, you can understand their strategy. Still, Jay Cutler continued to be harassed under Mike Martz’s old offense, and it was surprising to see the front five ignored entirely. Having already acquired WR Brandon Marshall from Miami, Chicago’s second selection was another prospect that was considered one of the biggest risers in perceived value, South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery. Cutler finally appears to have a viable receiving corps. The second half of the draft was mainly used to fortify the ailing secondary.

Cincinnati Bengals  DRAFT GRADE: A-
Missing out on the top cornerback, Morris Claiborne, the Bengals spent the 17th pick on Alabama CB Dre Kirkpatrick to fill a major need in the Cincinnati secondary. Kirkpatrick had seen his stock sore in recent days and became widely thought of as the second rated corner in this draft. Moving down to 27 cost the Bengals a chance at David DeCastro and they instead took Wisconsin guard Kevin Zeitler over some higher rated offensive lineman. The final eight selections for Marvin Lewis and company stand out as an excellent draft-haul. Penn State DT Devon Still was one time considered a first round talent, and will add quality depth the the Bengals already fearsome d-line. Rutgers WR Mohamed Sanu was seemingly drafted by Cincinnati twice, once as a prank in round one, and for real in round three. Sanu was a solid pick and should start right away. Many experts had Orson Charles as the second ranked tight end in the draft. Solid late round picks boosted the secondary, receiving and backfield depth.

Cleveland Browns  DRAFT GRADE:  C
It was widely known that the Browns would focus on offensive skill position players in this draft. Rumors of the Buccaneers moving up to nab Alabama RB Trent Richardson caused the Browns to panic, and swap with the Vikings to acquire his services. Richardson is a big-time running back prospect, and many consider him a superior option than former teammate Mark Ingram. Reportedly the Browns were set to select Baylor WR Kendall Wright with their second selection in round one, only to have him be off the board. Mike Holmgren then used that spot to effectively end the Colt McCoy era by selecting 28 year old signal-caller Brandon Weeden. Cleveland’s next pick was on a solid tackle, California’s Mitchell Schwartz. Inexplicably, despite having eight selections remaining in this draft, the Browns did next to nothing to improve their awful receiving corps. In round 4, they reached for Miami WR Travis Benjamin, but he isn’t expected to make a huge impact. Credit to Holmgren for some really nice defensive additions late in the draft, including Texas LB Emmanuel Acho, Boise State DT Billy Winn and Arizona CB Trevin Wade. Overall, it doesn’t appear the Browns took advantage of the surplus of extra draft picks they had, and the wide receivers are still woefully inadequate.

Dallas Cowboys DRAFT GRADE: C+
The Cowboys are a part of a fiercely intense division that drafts similar to how they play; cut-throat and aggressive. The team is not afraid to go after what they want, and despite being one the leagues most hated teams, you have to admire them for that. Jerry Jones pulled a coup a traded up for an elite cornerback Morris Claiborne, despite the fact that the Cowboys hadn’t even visited with former LSU defensive back. Claiborne is a fantastic fit in a secondary that was woefully thin last season. The move from 14 to six cost Dallas their second rounder. They used the rest of their selections to fill needs mainly along the defensive line and linebacking corps. Overall we applaud the bold move to acquire one of the six elite targets in this draft.

Denver Broncos DRAFT GRADE: D
Denver decided to move back out of the first round and load up on mid-round talent this year…a curious strategy for a club that appears to by “all in” now with aging Peyton Manning. A player like DT Derek Wolfe isn’t flashy, but adds to a serious need on the defensive line. The goal this year seemed to revolve around adding toughness and physicality. The Broncos added meat and potato type talent with the selections of G Philip Blake and DE Malik Jackson also grabbing a excellent tacklier in Danny Trevathan. All were solid value picks that will contribute in one way or another this season.

Yet, the head-scratcher of the day was the Brock Osweiler pick, with players like Rueben Randle and LaMichael James still on the board, the Broncos looked towards the future drafting a quarterback to learn under Manning. No receiving additions were added in this years draft class, something that will most likely hurt them down the stretch next season.

Continue Reading More 2012 NFL Draft Grades

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/2012-nfl-draft-grades/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/asante-samuel-traded-to-the-falcons http://gridironexperts.com/asante-samuel-traded-to-the-falcons#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:41:15 +0000 Mike Rodriguez http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24647 The Philadelphia Eagles traded Pro-Bowl corner-back Asante Samuel to Atlanta Falcons for a late-round pick Wednesday, but not after restructuring his contract. Samuel, a 31 year old veteran, agreed to a three-year $18.5 million deal with Atlanta. The Eagles deal would have cost them $9.9 million this season and $11.4 million in 2013, meaning this trade purely based around money.

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]]> The Philadelphia Eagles traded Pro-Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel to Atlanta Falcons for a late-round pick Wednesday, but not after restructuring his contract. Samuel, a 31 year old veteran, agreed to a three-year $18.5 million deal with Atlanta. The Eagles deal would have cost them $9.9 million this season and $11.4 million in 2013, meaning this trade purely based around money.

Samuel is a Four-time Pro Bowl player that joins a Falcons team loaded to make a playoff push. Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan now has three experienced corners to play with. Samuel along Dunta Robinson and Brent Grimes give the Falcons an interesting dilemma to who will best fit where, but regardless the team should be difficult to pass against.

Asante Samuel was notorious for being a bit of a gambler, jumping routes and taking chances against the quarterbacks he faced. When the system changed over last season in Philadelphia, the Eagles found Samuel to be out of place. The former Eagle CB was never one for being an aggressive player, and his knock for being a poor tackler may be a little exaggerated, but was well known. Samuel is a cover corner that better suits zone coverage, he should fit in quite well in Atlanta.

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/asante-samuel-traded-to-the-falcons/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-mock-draft-2-0-with-readers-poll http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-mock-draft-2-0-with-readers-poll#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2012 22:51:08 +0000 Gridiron Experts Team http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24464 Gridiron Experts 2012 Mock Draft with reader polls for everyone to add their two cents. The NFL Draft is only days ways and many people very excited about the opportunity to see their favorite team add talent in one of the off-seasons most sought after events.

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]]> NFL Mock Draft 2.0

The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and Gridiron Experts is zeroing in on who we think each team will take. Of course, one trade on draft day and an entire mock draft is thrown out the window. Odds are that at least one of the teams at the top of the draft will move back, and with rumors flying, we thought a Mock Draft that merged with a readers poll would allow everyone to add their two cents.

 

 

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#1 Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck, QB

The Andrew Luck pick is a lock for the Colts first overall. The only vote here should be who will the Colts grab at pick 34 overall? With many team needs, including offensive line help, the Colts better think about getting Luck a new OT to avoid having a “David Carr” NFL rookie season.

But with so many team needs and a lack of offensive line talent, who would you pick at #34?

#2 Washington Redskins, Robert Griffin III, QB

The Redskins will get their franchise quarterback, but only time will tell on whether or not they gave up too much to move up only a couple spots in this year’s NFL draft. I know you’re never supposed to throw games in the NFL, but a couple late season losses last year and the Redskins would have saved a world’s wealth in draft picks.

 

#3 Minnesota Vikings, Matt Kalil, OT

The Vikings, in my opinion, will select Matt Kalil 3rd overall. This year’s crop of offensive talent is below average when compared to previous draft classes, so it only makes sense to take the cream of the crop if it’s a pressing need.

Still, passing on Kalil or trading down to gain extra picks is very tempting. The Vikings are probably looking at other offensive linemen as we speak. Moving back would essentially allow the team to pick another first round player, while still gaining the offensive talent they so desperately need.

The Vikings have reportedly narrowed their choices to Kalil, Justin Blackmon, or Morris Claiborne. What are your thoughts on a possible trade, or would you rather pick someone else here?

Update: It looks like the Vikings may pull the trigger on Claiborne, or try to get the Bucs to trade up here to get in front of the Browns to select Richardson. As of now, the pick looks like Claiborne

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#4 Cleveland Browns, Trent Richardson, RB

Trent Richardson is one of the best players of this year’s NFL draft. Cleveland has a huge need at running back after losing Peyton Hillis in free agency, and former teammate Montario Hardesty can’t seem to stay healthy.

I have been preaching all year that the Browns have smart minds in the war-room and that a plan is in place. Gaining a ton of extra draft picks from trading back out of the top of the draft last year has put the team in the prime position they are now. Rumors are that the team would consider doing something again this year, yet eventually you have to make a pick. Having two first round selections is plenty of power in selecting prime talent; if the Browns move back yet again it better be for additional picks this year. No more future picks are needed, elite talent is needed.

I believe the Browns will entertain offers, but remain here at pick 4 and add this years must-have fantasy rookie.

Tell me what you think, vote in the poll and check out Trent Richardson’s Profile Article

#5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Morris Claiborne, CB

Do you really care about the Wonderlic score? Claiborne is an elite corner and is the best available player here. Tampa Bay has a need at cornerback and would love to add this shut down blue-chip talent to start week one.

Aqib Talib is in serious legal troubles and on the trading block, while Ronde Barber will be 37 at the start of the 2012 season. It makes too much sense not to draft Morris Claiborne here. If for some reason the Vikings beat them to the punch, Kalil would also be welcomed with open arms.

Claiborne is the best cover corner in the draft and may be a better all around player than former teammate Patrick Peterson, who was selected with the 5th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Update: If the Vikings do indeed select Claiborne, the Bucs could go in a number of different directions, from Stephon Gilmore to Fletcher Cox or even Justin Blackmon. Don’t be surprised if it’s Gilmore, the red hot #2 ranked corner.

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#6 St Louis Rams, Justin Blackmon, WR

It gets really interesting here. The Rams have already come away with a jackpot of wealth, courtesy of the reaching Washington Redskins desire to make RG3 their guy. The taste is still in the mouths of the St. Louis war-room, and the team could easily consider making yet another deal to gain more picks.

If you have been living under a rock, the Rams acquired two 1st round picks and a 2012 2nd rounder just for trading back from the 2nd overall pick, and are now in a prime position to draft an elite wide receiver.

Justin Blackmon would give quarterback Sam Bradford a much needed weapon, and would also help out Steven Jackson as teams would no longer be able to sell out on stopping the run.

The most interesting aspect of needing a receiver in this year’s class is who’s on the top of your board? Blackmon is tops on Gridiron Experts Top 200 Prospect Board, yet many have Michael Floyd and even Alshon Jeffery ranked high.

Check out: Justin Blackmon’s Profile Article here.

What would you do if you were making the call? What’s your NFL Draft Strategy for the Rams at pick 6?

UPDATE: If Blackmon is gone, the Rams are likely to look at Fletcher Cox or Melvin Ingram. Don’t be shocked if they find a way to get Richardson either. Good chance the move down to accumulate even more picks.

#7 Jacksonville Jaguars, Melvin Ingram, DE

Trade Alert: There’s a strong possibility that the Jags are going to trade down in hopes of selecting a wide-out at a more appropriate spot. Inside rumors are that they are smitten with Georgia Tech receiver Stephen Hill.

The need for a wide receiver was high on everyone’s boards a couple weeks back. Yet, with the additions of Lee Evans and Laurent Robinson, the panic button to spend a high pick on a wide receiver has been turned off.

The team is likely to continue fixing their pass rush problems. As long as I can remember, Jacksonville has needed some kind of monster on their defensive line to draw double teams, and the search may continue this year. 2011 was the first time in 3 years the team cracked the 30 sack mark on defense (31 total). The Jags have been burned by high investment draft picks in the past with players like Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, yet Melvin Ingram has been one of the hottest NFL Draft Stocks as of late.

What do you think of Melvin Ingram? Would you draft someone else? Vote right and comment below!

Update: The Jags are reportedly hot to trot for Justin Blackmon.

#8 Miami Dolphins, Ryan Tannehill, QB

Matt Moore or David Garrard? Gimme a break. The Dolphins have been without a franchise signal-caller for over 12 years now, since the great Dan Marino retired. Clearly drafting a quarterback in the second round is also not working for the Phins. Ryan Tannehill will need time to learn how to read NFL defenses, but he is the best option for the team moving forward. Another thing to consider, Miami’s new offensive coordinator is no other than Tannehill’s head coach at Texas A&M, Mike Sherman. The goal has to be getting Tannehill, no vote on this one.

 

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#9 Carolina Panthers, Fletcher Cox, DT

The Panthers did a fantastic job building their offense in the 2011 draft. Now they’ll look to improve on the defensive side, where the clubs lack of pass rush and sparse run defense are glaring weaknesses. To be competitive in a division where you play two games each against Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, the Panthers will need stronger play along the front of their 4-3.

Mississippi State’s Fletcher Cox has seen his draft stock soar, and he’s a perfect fit on the inside of the Panthers D-line where his athleticism would allow him to likely occupy the opposing center and guard. Fletcher Cox, Luke Kuechly, and Mike Brockers are all defenders who could make sense to the Panthers brain-trust.

#10 Buffalo Bills, Riley Reiff, OT

Fans of the Buffalo Bills are really excited about this team, for a change. The club’s fast start last year and huge free agency haul have the Bills Mafia in a frenzy and expecting a contender in 2012. With Buffalo’s glaring need at defensive line taken care of thanks to the signing of Mario Williams and Mark Anderson, the team can now concentrate on protection.

Iowa’s Riley Reiff is clearly the second best tackle prospect in this draft, and with the team committing so much money to Ryan Fitzpatrick, protecting him is the top priority for this draft. Reiff should be a starter from day one, protecting Fitzpatrick’s blind side at the left tackle spot. Fan’s will cry for a deep threat wide-out target to help move the chains, but the priority list starts with letting your quarterback drop back into coverage without getting killed. There are plenty of value players that the Bills can add in the later rounds that will help out the offense.

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#11 Kansas City Chiefs, Dontari Poe, NT

When GM Scott Pioli was in New England, he championed the Patriots selection of monster nose tackle Vince Wilfork. Now Pioli will hope to make the same type of impact pick by grabbing the top nose tackle in the 2012 draft class. Memphis NT Dontari Poe combines massive size, strength, and rare athleticism for a 346 pounder. He also has the versatility to play either in the middle in a 3-4, or inside in a 4-3.

Stanford G David DeCastro is another strong possibility at this spot, but it’s unusual to see an interior offensive lineman selected this high. Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly is also an option.

Update: It’s looking less likely that Poe will be the option here. The Chiefs could use a strong nose tackle, but Pioli might not want to take a chance on the risk that some feel Poe represents. Barron, Brockers or Kuechley are strong options.

#12 Seattle Seahawks, Luke Kuechly, ILB

Rumblings out of Seattle would have you believe that the Seahawks are very interested in Ryan Tannehill and won’t hesitate to pull the trigger if he inexplicably dropped to twelve. Don’t buy it. With Tarvaris Jackson, Charlie Whitehurst, and newly acquired Matt Flynn already taking snaps, there’s no way they add another young signal-caller.

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Instead they’ll settle for the top inside linebacker of this draft class, Boston College ILB Luke Kuechly. A tremendous athlete and incredible tackler, Kuechly draws favorable comparisons to James Laurinaitis. He’d be an excellent fit at the MLB spot in Seattle’s 4-3 defense. News of Barrett Ruud being expected to start at the middle linebacker position is a great sign the team is getting their defensive depth chart in check. Ruud played with Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley on the Buccaneers back in 2007-08, he will be a vocal leader moving forward. Adding a player like Kuechly now could be a great way to hit the ground running. Ruud will be 29 in May and will need an understudy.

Other candidates for the spot could be the top rated pass rushers on the board, such as Quinton Coples, Courtney Upshaw, or Fletcher Cox.

If Kuechly is off the board, look for the top remaining DE.

#13 Arizona Cardinals, Michael Floyd, WR

Surprising pick, but as we all saw last year, the Cards offense struggled to consistently move the ball. The team plans on having an open quarterback competition between Kevin Kolb and John Skelton, but they will need to surround their signal-caller with better talent if either of them is to have success. When Anquan Boldin was in his prime in the desert, opposing defenses weren’t so easily able to double-team All-Pro wide-out Larry Fitzgerald. Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd is a big-time talent and huge upgrade over anyone currently on the Cardinal’s roster.

Update: Reily Reiff is a strong candidate if Kalil slides.

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#14 Dallas Cowboys, Mark Barron, SS

This selection is popular amongst mock drafters because it just makes too much sense, just like when most of us knew the Cowboys would select Tyron Smith last season. Dallas did well to add ILB Dan Connor and CB Brandon Carr to shore-up other defensive weaknesses. Now they can draft the top strong safety prospect in this draft to fill a void that has plagued the franchise for many years.

Jerry Jones and company are very likely to draft a defender in the first round. Other candidates that could make some sense are defensive lineman Dontari Poe, Michael Brockers or Quinton Coples. The only realistic offensive candidates for the ‘Boys would be along the line, so don’t rule out Stanford guard David DeCastro or Georgia tackle Cordy Glenn.

Update: Brockers and David DeCastro also very likely here.

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#15 Philadelphia Eagles, Quinton Coples, DE

The rumors about going after a quarterback are not rumors, the team is looking towards the future. If Matt Barkley had declared, I’m sure the Birds would have had a great shot at a guy like Ryan Tannehill 15th overall, but with such a high demand, Tannehill will be snatched up much earlier. The price to move up into the top 7 to 10 range on the draft board is too much for a team that is accustomed to picking further back. The Eagles have been aggressive in the past and may move up at the right price, but odds are it will be for a player like Fletcher Cox. Fortunately, there is a high number of big uglies to choose from.

One of Andy Reid’s trademarks is depth along the lines, and Coples fits the Philly defensive scheme well. He has the versatility to play outside run-stopper and to move inside to rush the passer on third downs.

#16 New York Jets, Whitney Mercilus, DE

The Jets are a dark horse team, they’re solid throughout much of their depth chart and have no pressing needs. Adding depth to the offensive line would be nice, some more receiving talent would also be a great addition, but in this mock draft I feel the Jets take the best player available, and Whitney Mercilus at 16 is a solid bargain.

Reportedly the Jets love Ingram and are willing to consider moving up to acquire his services. In this scenario, he’s not available, so they take the next best fit for their defense.

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#17 Cincinnati Bengals, Stephon Gilmore, CB

Easily could be drafted in the top 10, but Mock Drafts aren’t always about best player available, sometimes you have to evaluate the teams needs while making assumptions for what best suits a club. The Bengals had to hear all season how losing Johnathan Joseph made the Texans season and how bad of a decision it was to let him walk. Stephon Gilmore fixes everything with his impressive height and toughness. A three-year starter for the Gamecocks, Gilmore has also gained some deep experience against top competition and should excel in the pros.

Who would you select with the Bengals 17th overall draft pick?

#18 San Diego Chargers, David DeCastro, OG

Kris Dielman’s unfortunate early retirement will cause the interior line to be a major off-season focus for the Chargers. Stanford’s David DeCastro is the top guard prospect we’ve seen in the draft in quite some time, and appears to be about as safe a pick as there is in the draft. He has the look of a perennial Pro-Bowler who could anchor the San Diego line for the next decade.

Other needs that the Chargers could consider here include a pass rusher or in the secondary. Michael Brockers or Courtney Upshaw make some sense, and there’s been some talk of cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick being considered as well.

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#19 Chicago Bears, Kendall Wright, WR

From a perpetual area of weakness to strength in one off-season. The trade for Brandon Marshall and this selection of the electric Baylor wide-out will finally give Jay Cutler some formidable receivers to throw to, much to the lament of recently departed offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Both Marshall and Wright are huge upgrades over any receiver on the Chicago roster, and their arrival gives the Bears the offensive firepower to hang with division powers Green Bay and Detroit.

Offensive line is also a major concern for the Bears, so they could select David DeCastro should he fall this far, or take a tackle such as DeCastro’s teammate Jonathan Martin, or Georgia’s Cody Glenn.

#20 Tennessee Titans, Courtney Upshaw, DE

The Titans don’t have a lot of glaring holes, so they’ll be open-minded in their draft approach. Here they get the chance to grab the best available pass-rusher to fortify their defensive line. Upshaw would be an upgrade over Derrick Morgan and would likely start opposite of the newly acquired Kamerion Wimbley.

Other candidates for the Titans to consider include cornerback, where Dre Kirkpatrick is the top available option, or along the offensive line where Cordy Glenn or Jonathan Martin could make some sense.

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#21 Cincinnati Bengals, Chandler Jones, DE

Having already drafted to fortify their defensive backs, the Bengals would be ecstatic to also be able to add a talented defensive tackle to their formidable defense. Jones is one of the hottest names out there and he’s a good fit for what the Bengals like to do with their defensive line.

Should the Bengals pass on a corner at #17, they’ll grab Dre Kirkpatrick here. Other positions they could consider are offensive line and wide receiver.

#22 Cleveland Browns, Jonathan Martin, OT

Having committed at least one more season to trying to win with QB Colt McCoy, the Browns will now have to surround him with better talent (see Richardson, Trent) and do a better job of protecting him. Stanford’s Jonathan Martin is the consensus top offensive lineman on the board, and his addition (along with Richardson’s) means the Browns walk away from the 2012 first round with a much improved running game.

The Browns are also paper thin at wide receiver and it’s entirely likely that they could really consider one of the hottest commodities in this draft, Georgia Tech’s Stephen Hill.

#23 Detroit Lions , Dre Kirkpatrick, CB

In a perfect blend of fit and need, the Lions end their long cornerback drought and select the top player on their draft board. Kirkpatrick is an excellent fit for the Lions scheme and fills a huge need. He had some off the field issues in college, but the charges were eventually dropped. That sort of stuff doesn’t seem to worry the Lions too much, anyway.

#24 Pittsburgh Steelers, Dont’a Hightower, ILB

Alabama ILB Dont’a Hightower is a perfect Dick LeBeau player: big, mean, and fast. The Steelers parted ways with longtime ‘backer James Farrior this offseason, so Hightower fills an immediate void. Hightower has the versatility to play inside or outside and projects to be a premium gap-plugger and pass rusher.

#25 Denver Broncos, Michael Brockers, DT

Denver doesn’t have the best track record at selecting defensive tackles, but after a significant addition to their offense in Peyton Manning, they’ll look to fill the biggest need they have on the defensive line. John Fox will be making a big push to improve his defense, and the big tackle from LSU is a huge step in that direction.

Should The Broncos bypass their most glaring need, it’s entirely possible that they could go in a number of different directions. Offensive line is also a big need, as are tight end, secondary, and even receiver.

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#26 Houston Texans, Nick Perry, OLB

What a difference a year can make. The Texans nearly went from worst to first in total defense, thanks to some solid 2011 draft selections, and true team MVP, defensive coordinator Wade Phillips. In this scenario, the rich get richer. Houston lost Mario Williams to Buffalo, so grabbing an elite 3-4 outside linebacker like USC’s Nick Perry gives Houston arguably the top linebacking corps in the league. Not to mention the devastating Trojans 1-2 punch of Perry and Brian Cushing.

Gary Kubiak likes to utilize a lot of two tight end sets. It would not be a surprise to see the Texans nab the top tight end prospect in this draft, Stanford’s Coby Fleener. They also lost the entire starting right side of their offensive line, so an elite tackle or guard are also priorities. Other areas of concern in Houston include nose tackle and depth in the linebacking corps. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter both remain sub-par receiving options, so Stephen Hill would also be a fantastic fit.

#27 New England Patriots, Shea McClellin, DE

The Pats’ defensive front continues to be an area of concern. Bill Belichick loves versatile pass-rushers, who are capable of playing in the complex New England scheme that incorporates elements of the 3-4 and the 4-3. Boise State’s Shea McClellin has the intelligence and versatility that make him an excellent fit for the Patriots.

There’s always the possibility that the Pats could trade out of this spot, but the most likely scenario is they stay here and move out of their own pick (#31).

#28 Green Bay Packers, Kendall Reyes, OLB/DE

The Packers have one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in Clay Matthews, but they are a little thin on the other side. The Green Bay defense went from a strength to a major concern in 2011. They had problems in the secondary and their pass rush ranked fifth from the bottom. Reyes would be an excellent fit in the Green Bay system, and would help restore some balance to a team that was far too one sided last year, as we saw in the playoffs.

Ted Thompson subscribes to the “best player available” approach to the draft. If they feel a defensive lineman fits their system, they’ll likely select him, regardless of needs. Other areas that could be options are along the offensive line and in the secondary. Running back is also a need, but unlikely in round one.

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#29 Baltimore Ravens, Peter Konz, C

Offensive line is the biggest need for the Ravens, and it just happens to turn out that the top center prospect in this draft falls into their laps. Baltimore re-signed long-time center Matt Birk, but lost guard Ben Grubbs to free agency. Birk is nearing the end of the line, so Konz could be an immediate upgrade at both center or guard.

The Ravens are always in the market for more pass rushers, and they do an excellent job selecting them in the draft. Should a lineman or linebacker that fits their system slide to this spot, Ozzie Newsome won’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith or an offensive tackle could also both be candidates for this selection.

Drafting Peter Konz makes the most sense for the Ravens, but who do you really want?

#30 San Francisco 49ers, Amini Silatolu, OG

Silatolu is the classic Division II “diamond in the rough” type of NFL prospect. He’s favorably compared to other small school lineman like Larry Allen, Mike Iupati and Jahri Evans. Silatolu measured out well and had a good performance at the NFL combine. He’s a mauler who projects to be the type of mean and tough guard that fits well with what the 49ers like to do on offense.

Should the Niners bypass their line, they have been linked to Stanford tight-end Coby Fleener, a player that head coach Jim Harbaugh recruited and coached in college.

#31 New England Patriots, Stephen Hill, WR

The most likely scenario for this pick is for the New England Patriots to trade down. With Bill Belichick and company already acquiring a pass rusher at  27, they could easily trade down with a receiver-hungry team and stockpile future draft picks- a now common ploy of the Patriots draft manifesto.

Stephen Hill is one of the hottest commodities on the market and he’s not expected to make it out of round 1. It wouldn’t be inconceivable for the Patriots to actually draft Hill. Other candidates for this pick include DE Jerel Worthy and Notre Dame safety Harrison Smith.

#32 New York Giants, Coby Fleener, TE

Late last season, both Travis Beckum and Jake Ballard suffered ACL injuries. With the recovery times of both of them possibly leading into the regular season, the Giants are rather thin at the position. They’ll jump at the chance to grab the draft’s top tight end prospect, Stanford’s Coby Fleener. Fleener is a light-blocking, dependable receiver who would make a nice addition to New York’s high flying pass attack.

Fantasy Football:

]]> http://gridironexperts.com/nfl-mock-draft-2-0-with-readers-poll/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/michael-turners-plummeting-fantasy-stock http://gridironexperts.com/michael-turners-plummeting-fantasy-stock#comments Sun, 15 Apr 2012 02:02:14 +0000 Matt Lechner http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24339 At a glance, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner had a pretty good year in 2011. However, when you dig deeper into his numbers you notice a concerning trend with him - a trend that should knock him down fantasy football draft boards. With 1,340 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last year, 2011 was one of Turner's most successful seasons during his eight-year NFL career. But don't let those numbers fool you, Turner was inconsistent last season, especially late in the year. Turner had a stretch at the end of the season where he struggled. From Weeks 12 to 16, Turner rushed for just 280 yards, which is an average of 56 yards per game. He also averaged fewer than four yards per carry and scored just one touchdown during that span.

Fantasy Football:

]]> At a glance, Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner had a pretty good year in 2011. However, when you dig deeper into his numbers you notice a concerning trend with him – a trend that should knock him down fantasy football draft boards.

With 1,340 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns last year, 2011 was one of Turner’s most successful seasons during his eight-year NFL career. But don’t let those numbers fool you, Turner was inconsistent last season, especially late in the year. Turner had a stretch at the end of the season where he struggled. From Weeks 12 to 16, Turner rushed for just 280 yards, which is an average of 56 yards per game. He also averaged fewer than four yards per carry and scored just one touchdown during that span.

The playoffs weren’t much better for Turner who rushed for 41 yards on 15 carries in a loss to the New York Giants.

Turner’s late season slide would have been much worse had he not faced the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the league’s worst rush defense, in Week 17. Turner shredded an uninspired Bucs defense for 172 yards and two touchdowns.

Something else that shouldn’t be overlooked is Turner’s stretch of below average games coincided with rookie wide receiver Julio Jones’ return to the line-up from a hamstring injury. Once Jones returned in Week 13, the Falcons averaged 40.7 pass attempts in Weeks 13-16. During the four games that Jones missed due to injury, Atlanta averaged 30.5 pass attempts per game.

While the Falcons appear to be shifting away from it’s run-first philosophy, it’s too soon to say Turner will be phased out in Atlanta. However, stats don’t lie and the 30-year-old may be headed for a reduced role in 2012.

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/michael-turners-plummeting-fantasy-stock/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/pre-nfl-draft-super-bowl-odds http://gridironexperts.com/pre-nfl-draft-super-bowl-odds#comments Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:52:39 +0000 DC http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24301 Everyone knows the NFL draft is the fastest way to improve a franchise. All it takes is some clever wheeling & dealing before a .500 team is stronger and better prepared for the upcoming season. Every year there are teams that have a complete flip flop in the NFL standings, and usually a major factor in such a quick recovery is thanks to an excellent NFL draft.

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]]> Super Bowl Odds
Green Bay Packers 13/2
New England Patriots 8/1
San Francisco 49ers 10/1
Denver Broncos 12/1
Houston Texans 12/1
New Orleans Saints 14/1
Philadelphia Eagles 14/1
Baltimore Ravens 16/1
New York Giants 16/1
Chicago Bears 20/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 20/1
Dallas Cowboys 22/1
San Diego Chargers 22/1
Atlanta Falcons 25/1
Detroit Lions 25/1
New York Jets 25/1
Carolina Panthers 35/1
Cincinnati Bengals 40/1
Seattle Seahawks 40/1
Arizona Cardinals 50/1
Kansas City Chiefs 50/1
Miami Dolphins 50/1
Tennessee Titans 50/1
Washington Redskins 50/1
Buffalo Bills 60/1
Oakland Raiders 60/1
St. Louis Rams 75/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75/1
Indianapolis Colts 100/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 100/1
Minnesota Vikings 100/1
Cleveland Browns 150/1

Pre NFL Draft Super Bowl Odds

Everyone knows the NFL draft is the fastest way to improve a franchise. All it takes is some clever wheeling & dealing before a .500 team is stronger and better prepared for the upcoming season.

Every year there are teams that have a complete flip flop in the NFL standings, and usually a major factor in such a quick recovery is thanks to an excellent NFL draft.

The list to the right are the latest odds to win the Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. Notice that the Saints are still high at 14 to 1, a bet I’m sure gets zero action these days.

Although getting in Pre-NFL Draft is not a bad idea. These odds will change within a week or two after the dust has settled from the Draft. I’m guessing sportsbooks evaluate the NFL draft as well, and research what additions were gained through adding talent that can play right away.

Teams like the Falcons, Cowboys and Jets are all 25 to 1. A great return on teams that either just missed the playoffs or made it and put up 2 points on the score board. Yeah you heard me Atlanta, I had a couple bucks on you and I’m holding a little grudge.

Still no love for the Browns at 150 to one, even the Colts are given better odds and their future QB has never thrown a pass in the NFL -Damn

 

 

Fantasy Football:

]]> http://gridironexperts.com/pre-nfl-draft-super-bowl-odds/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/reality-check-fantasy-football-rookie-production http://gridironexperts.com/reality-check-fantasy-football-rookie-production#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2012 22:59:55 +0000 Mike Rodriguez http://gridironexperts.com/?p=23873 Fantasy Football owners were flipping their lid at what an amazing late round steal Newton turned out to be, as most first round quarterbacks do zero to little damage their first year. The added bonus of rushing yards and rushing TD's made last year's first overall pick a lot more appleaing, but for the most part, nobody was selling the farm to get him.

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]]> Fantasy Football 1st Round Rookie Production

There is no question that Cam Newton had an amazing first season in the NFL. The Panthers new franchise QB raised the standard for rookie passing yards to a new level, throwing for 4,051 yards, an NFL mark that no one will touch for many years. Cam also passed for 21 touchdowns and ran 14 scores  in on the ground, making him easily one of the greatest fantasy football  jackpots of 2011.

Fantasy owners were flipping their lids at what an amazing late round steal Cam Newton turned out to be, as most first round quarterbacks do zero to little damage in their first year. The added bonus of rushing yards and rushing TD’s made last year’s first overall pick very appealing, but nobody was selling the farm to get him. But it didn’t stop there, both wide receivers taken shortly after Cam Newton also turned out to have excellent seasons. A.J. Green was selected 4th overall by Cincinnati and 2 picks later Julio Jones was snagged by Atlanta after they aggressively moved up the board.

Despite the obvious expectations that the highest drafted players will be the most productive in their rookie seasons, it rarely turns out that way. Yet every summer the most sought after fantasy players usually are the 1st rounders from April’s NFL Draft.

Fantasy 1st Rounder Picks: NFL Draft 2011

SEL	Pos.	Rookie	Stats
1	QB	Cam Newton	383 Total Fantasy Points
4	WR	A.J. Green	147 Total Fantasy Points
6	WR	Julio Jones	147 Total Fantasy Points
8	QB	Jake Locker	27 Total Fantasy Points
10	QB	Blaine Gabbert	125 Total Fantasy Points
12	QB	Christian Ponder	113 Total Fantasy Points
26	WR	Jonathan Baldwin	31 Total Fantasy Points
28	RB	Mark Ingram	82 Total Fantasy Points

Fantasy 1st Rounder Picks: NFL Draft 2010

SEL	Pos.	Rookie	Stats
1	QB	Sam Bradford	216 Total Fantasy Points
9	RB	C.J. Spiller	49 Total Fantasy Points
12	RB	Ryan Mathews	121 Total Fantasy Points
21	TE	Jermaine Gresham	71 Total Fantasy Points
22	WR	Demaryius Thomas	44 Total Fantasy Points
24	WR	Dez Bryant	92 Total Fantasy Points
25	QB	Tim Tebow	127 Total Fantasy Points
30	RB	Jahvid Best	106 Total Fantasy Points

Fantasy 1st Rounder Picks: NFL Draft 2009

SEL	Pos.	Rookie	Team
1	QB	Matthew Stafford	145 Total Fantasy Points
5	QB	Mark Sanchez	154 Total Fantasy Points
7	WR	Darrius Heyward-Bey	18 Total Fantasy Points
10	WR	Michael Crabtree	74 Total Fantasy Points
12	RB	Knowshon Moreno	163 Total Fantasy Points
17	QB	Josh Freeman	112 Total Fantasy Points
19	WR	Jeremy Maclin	101 Total Fantasy Points
20	TE	Brandon Pettigrew	46 Total Fantasy Points
22	WR	Percy Harvin	115 Total Fantasy Points
27	RB	Donald Brown	25 Total Fantasy Points
29	WR	Hakeem Nicks	115 Total Fantasy Points
30	WR	Kenny Britt	88 Total Fantasy Points
31	RB	Beanie Wells	135 Total Fantasy Points

Fantasy 1st Rounder Picks: NFL Draft 2008

SEL	Pos.	Rookie	Stats
3	QB	Matt Ryan	207 Total Fantasy Points
4	RB	Darren McFadden	102 Total Fantasy Points
13	RB	Jonathan Stewart	148 Total Fantasy Points
18	QB	Joe Flacco	197 Total Fantasy Points
22	RB	Felix Jones	51 Total Fantasy Points
23	RB	Rashard Mendenhall	7 Total Fantasy Points
24	RB	Chris Johnson	208 Total Fantasy Points
30	TE	Dustin Keller	71 Total Fantasy Points

Fantasy 1st Rounders: NFL Draft 2007

SEL	Pos.	Rookie	Team
1	QB	JaMarcus Russell	Not worth my time
2	WR	Calvin Johnson	99 Total Fantasy Points
7	RB	Adrian Peterson	239 Total Fantasy Points
9	WR	Ted Ginn Jr.	56 Total Fantasy Points
12	RB	Marshawn Lynch	88 Total Fantasy Points
22	QB	Brady Quinn	28 Total Fantasy Points
23	WR	Dwayne Bowe	129 Total Fantasy Points
27	WR	Robert Meachem	0 Total Fantasy Points
30	WR	Craig Davis	31 Total Fantasy Points
31	TE	Greg Olsen	51 Total Fantasy Points
32	WR	Anthony Gonzalez	75 Total Fantasy Points

Stats: Points based on 25 passing yards = 1pt, TD pass = 4pts, Interception = -1pt, 10 rushing/receiving yards = 1pt, TD rush/rec = 6pts

-Great Fantasy Rookie Seasons
-Poor Fantasy Rookie Seasons
-Just Below Standards

Last year, many experienced fantasy owners backed away from Green, Jones, and Newton in the early rounds. They were luxury picks that were to be targeted in the middle rounds. History has proven that it’s rare to see rookies contribute right away, and yet in 2011 all rules were thrown out the window. In hindsight, there really wasn’t anything to get too excited about. A.J. Green had 2nd round pick Andy Dalton throwing him the ball all season, and many fantasy owners wanted to avoid the all-rookie combo from the Bengals. As it turned out, the duo were a perfect fit; A.J. Green had over 1000 yards receiving and 7 touchdowns. The young offense found a way to put up points on the board and even lead the team into the playoffs with the help of their stout defense.

Julio Jones on the other hand was entering a lethal offense, but was considered an afterthought with Roddy White, Michael Turner, and veteran Tony Gonzalez leading the way. Fantasy Football experts figured Jones would do well, but not many expected 959 yards and 8 scores.

Every year Fantasy gurus look over the depth charts and try to find holes in which rookies may be able to step up into. Most first rounders selected in April’s NFL draft are usually the first choice to be game-ready, especially in fantasy. Yet over the years the track record for fantasy options coming out of the first round hasn’t been overly spectacular.

Looking over the list to the right, you will definitely recognize many household fantasy football studs, although in their first year they were not helping you win fantasy weeks. Most barely saw the field, while others took time to adjust to the pro level.

With a modest fantasy standard of 900 receiving yards and at least 6 touchdowns, both A.J. Green and Julio Jones crack the acceptable mark for a great first round fantasy option. But as you can see, many didn’t even come close.

Rarely do 1st round NFL draft picks perform right out of the gate. In most cases a newbie takes anywhere from 2 to 3 years before he can start to feel comfortable in the pros. Even Mike Vick needed time to find his game at the next level. Vick played only 8 games in his rookie year, yet many people reached for him in fantasy.

First round rookies have the best odds of becoming something big at the next level, but statistically, they are the players most reached for and are the least productive for your fantasy team.

This year there are many elite fantasy prospects that have a great shot of being drafted in the first round. With the exception of deep keeper leagues, owners need to play it cool with expectations. Last season was very rare, and if you aren’t careful you could get burned.

Some may argue that I have placed too high of standards for some of these fantasy players. But considering how often they are reached for in the top half of your fantasy draft, I had to set the bar realistically high to match the value and expectations.

Expectations As a Fantasy Starter:
QB Fantasy Standards: 225+ Points 
Example: 3,200 yards, 25 TD’s
RB Fantasy Standards: 150+ Points
Example: 1,1oo total yards, 7 TD’s
WR Fantasy Standards: 140+ Points
Example: 1,000 total yards, 7 TD’s

 

 

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]]> http://gridironexperts.com/reality-check-fantasy-football-rookie-production/feed 0 http://gridironexperts.com/10-fantasy-studs-that-might-lose-a-step-this-season http://gridironexperts.com/10-fantasy-studs-that-might-lose-a-step-this-season#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:10:33 +0000 Matt Lechner http://gridironexperts.com/?p=24122 One minute you’re on top of the fantasy football world, the next you’re sitting on the waiver wire. The shelf-life of a fantasy football stud isn’t long and each year there’s usually a handful of names to list of “former fantasy studs” While these players will almost certainly maintain some sort of fantasy relevance, their “fantasy stud” moniker will be removed this year.

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]]> 10 fantasy studs that might lose a step this season

One minute you’re on top of the fantasy football world, the next you’re sitting on the waiver wire. The shelf-life of a fantasy football stud isn’t long and each year there’s usually a handful of names to list of “former fantasy studs”

While these players will almost certainly maintain some sort of fantasy relevance, their “fantasy stud” moniker will be removed this year.

Michael Turner
When you look at the just the stats for 2011, Turner appeared to have had a pretty good season. However, when you dig deeper on those numbers, you discover a concerning trend with him. Despite rushing for 1,340 yards and 11 touchdowns, Turner had a stretch at the end of the season where he struggled. From Weeks 12 to 16, Turner averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry and scores just one touchdown. At age 30, Turner’s days as a featured back may be coming to an end. Monitor the Falcons running back situation this off-season, Turner may be moving down draft boards.

Andre Johnson
Once a first round pick, Johnson has slipped due to durability concerns and offensive strategy. The Texans run the ball more than any other team and Johnson hasn’t played a full season since 2009.

Vincent Jackson
Jackson cashed in this off-season, signing a monster deal with the Buccaneers. His 1,106 receiving yards in 2011 were the second most of his career and his nine touchdowns matched a career-high. However, Josh Freeman is not Philip Rivers and that will hurt Jackson’s fantasy numbers. Plus, at age 29, Jackson isn’t getting any younger. It will be interesting to see how motivated he stays with all that money now in the bank.

Frank Gore
While he had a solid season in 2011, Gore’s days as the Niners featured back may be numbered. Rookie running back Kendall Hunter will certainly get more looks next season and the signing of Brandon Jacobs doesn’t bowed well for Gore either. Gore, who turns 29 in May, still has fantasy value, but not nearly as much as he once did.

Philip Rivers
Rivers denied that he played hurt last season, but clearly he wasn’t himself. He threw a career-high 20 interceptions and 27 touchdowns, which was a four-year low for the Chargers quarterback. Rivers, who will turn 31 during the season, also won’t be helped by the departure of Vincent Jackson either. Jackson has been Rivers’ most reliable target for many years and replacing him won’t be easy.

Jason Witten
Witten had his worst statistical season in five years in 2011. While his numbers were still solid, 79 receptions for 942 yards and five touchdowns, one has to wonder if he’s on the downswing of his career. Still, Witten, who turns 30 this off-season, is a durable player who you can count on being on the field every week.

LeGarrette Blount
After a stellar rookie season, where he rushed for 1,007 yards and six touchdowns, Blount was a bust in 2011. He failed to reach 800 rushing yards and scored just five touchdowns in 14 starts. He also had fumbling problems, which landed him in head coach Raheem Morris’ doghouse. However, with Morris out in Tampa, Blount will get a fresh start with new Bucs head coach Greg Schiano. Still, after such a dramatic drop off from his rookie season to his second season, Blount may find himself in a very limited role
with the Bucs.

Antonio Gates
Gates will be entering his tenth NFL season this year and one has to wonder how much he has left. Gates managed to catch 64 passes for 778 yards and seven touchdowns, but he missed three games with a lingering foot injury. Gates’ career is clearly on the downswing, however he proved last season that even at less than 100-percent he’s still not a bad option.

Matt Schaub
Schaub was on his way to solid season in 2011 until he broke his foot in Week 10. He should be fully healed and ready for offseason workouts. 2012 will be an important season for Schaub, who turns 31 in June. In each of the past three seasons, he has seen his touchdown total decline. With Houston’s league-leading rushing attack, one has to wonder if Schaub doesn’t become more of a game manager in 2012. Given his recent statistical decline, it shouldn’t be surprise if it happens.

Peyton Hillis
After a drama-filled season in Cleveland, Hillis will get a fresh start in Kansas City. Hillis’ breakout season in 2010 made him a top 20 fantasy pick last year, only to fizzle out and leave many fantasy owners with a big hole in their line-up. As Jamaal Charles’ back-up, Hillis’ role will be dramatically reduced. His fantasy downfall makes 2010 seem like a long time ago.

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