(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Round 6
12. Team Crowe: Lee Evans (WR-BUF) Evans has forever been by himself in Buffalo, yet he still managed to fight through double and triple teams to earn over 1,000 yards in two of the last three seasons. With T.O. drawing the double-teams this season, I expect a breakout year from Evans.
11. Team Harkey: Antonio Gates (TE-SD) Gates was plagued by a toe injury, which lingered throughout the '08 season. Despite the lingering injury, Gates still managed to put up 700 yards and eight touchdowns. This was good enough for fourth place amongst TE's in '08. In fact, the margin between Gates and second ranked tight ends (Witten and Clark) was only three points. Not bad for an off-year. The past is the past and Gates will be back to full health in '09. I'm a bit shocked that Gates slipped this far and consider this pick highway robbery in round six. I fully expect Gates to bounce back with a huge '09 season ranked at the top of the tight end class.
10. Team Nash: Jonathan Stewart (RB-CAR) Despite the fact that he was in a time share with DeAngelo Williams last season, Stewart still managed to break loose for 832 yards and 10 touchdowns. Carolina won't be changing its game plan much, so I expect to see the running game continue to be the primary focus. This means Stewart will, potentially, reach the 1,000 yard rushing mark yet again. This is the third back I will have taken, but it's always a good bet to have an alternate as you can never be certain how injuries or playing time will factor into your fantasy season.
9. Team Anderson: Santana Moss (WR-WAS) Team Anderson badly needs a receiver here and with a few solid options, I'm debating between Santana Moss, Antonio Bryant, and Eddie Royal. Royal is tempting because he put up big numbers as a rookie, but the Broncos offense is going to be considerably less explosive. Bryant had the best numbers last year, but his quarterback situation is in flux. Moss will always get around 70 catches and close to 1,000 yards so I'll go with him.
8. Team Williams: Dallas Clark (TE-IND) Team Williams has filled out most of its starting roster. With that in mind, with their sixth round selection, Team Williams will take tight end Dallas Clark. He has always been a significant part of the Colts' offense, and while his production fell off last season, it would be reasonable to expect him to at least have decent numbers. He should be a nice tight end option this year.
7. Team Winslow: Tony Romo (QB-DAL) Seems like everybody thinks Romo will be a bust this season now that Owens has moved on, and I'm a little weary too. But his potential value at this spot is great even if he approaches the production of recent seasons. Romo still has some big targets to throw to in Witten, Roy Williams, and Patrick Crayton.
6. Team Waddell: Braylon Edwards (WR-CLE) Team Waddell is in a bit of a pickle. And most of the blame falls on Team Schotty for unnecessarily taking two top quarterbacks earlier in this draft, depriving my team of the opportunity to have a decent signal caller. Alas, the quarterback value isn't there right now, so we'll just move on to backup players. Edwards developed a case of Stonehanditis last season, but still is an elite talent. Brady Quinn will start at quarterback for the Browns, which is great news for Edwards, as Quinn's bread and butter is the intermediate passing game. Look for Edwards to post upwards of 1,000 yards and at least eight touchdowns this season as the Browns claw their way back to mediocrity.
5. Team Bedinger: Eddie Royal (WR-DEN) Royal is expected to fill a "Wes Welker" type role for Denver this year, and could be a huge benefactor of the system switch with the Broncos. He is undoubtedly the best receiver available at this point, and I need a solid 8-10 points-per-week for my partner Calvin Johnson.
4. Team Lester: Carson Palmer (QB-CIN) There are still good quarterbacks out there. I will go the quarterback route and take Carson Palmer.
3. Team Lorge: Donald Brown (RB-IND) I am taking Donald Brown for two reasons: 1. the Colts wouldn't have selected Brown if they weren't going to use him. 2. I Do Not think Addai will be healthy for 16 games. Every year rookie backs produce and I think Brown has the highest floor of the bunch because he won't be fighting with eight backs like Moreno. He is also in a run-firendly system unlike Wells.
2. Team Stashin: Jericho Cotchery (WR-NYJ) A toss-up between wide receivers at this point...Antonio Bryant could also go here.
1. Team Schottey: Derrick Ward (RB-TB) With some of the better handcuffs off the board, the best two running backs available are Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham. If you don't select two backs high (no longer as common as it once was) you need to make sure to pair a mid tier RB with the guy he's splitting carries with. In this scenario, Ward is the most likely to grab the most carries and receptions. In the next (hypothetical round) I would grab Graham, who will be getting the most red zone work.
Sixth Round Notes
John Harkey: You certainly hit the nail on the head with Braylon Edwards and "stonehanditis". I tend to disagree with your thoughts on Brady Quinn. As far as I'm concerned, the name "Brady Quinn" and "good news" should never be used in the same sentence when referring to your team.
Sayre Bedinger: Unlike Brown, Moreno doesn't have to fight for playing time against Joseph Addai. Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan will get carries, but Moreno is a three-down back, and will hurt teams with his receiving abilities as well. I realize Brown is a versatile back, but you have painted Denver's backfield with the wrong brush.
Nathan Waddel: Brown could easily be the best back in this class. But we won't know this year. Moreno, barring injury, will shine this year and only after the Colts drop Addai will Brown finally have his shot. McCoy, if used like Westbrook, should also have his shot at glory.
John Lorge: Brown wasn't a draft and stash, the Colts are looking to win NOW and they wouldn't make that move. he will be used. If I were picking between Brown and Moreno I would give the nod to Knowshon but he was off the board. I really like Shady but I'm not sure how how much he will be used unless BW is hurt.
21 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete