DETROIT LIONS

Draft Grade: B

Fantasy Impact Grade: A-

            If we are talking about the number of impact players drafted in this years draft, I believe the Lions may have the most bang for their buck.  Now, the lions haven’t been able to do much with first round talent since Barry Sanders ran them to the playoffs, but the 2009 draft may see a lot of their picks on the field early. Matthew Stafford (QB, Georgia), the No. 1 pick overall, is going to be the franchise QB for the Lions.  He has an amazing arm, but I am a little concerned about his decision making ability in the NFL.  Unfortunately for Matt, we are going to see him thrown into the fire.  

Brandon Pettigrew (TE, Oklahoma State) and Derrick Williams (WR, Penn State) are both complete players that will help Stafford with their playmaking ability.  

Defensively, I think the Lions made some nice selections with Louis Delmas (S, Michigan) and Sammie Lee Hill (DT, Stillman).  I think they both are projects, but their skill and size could help out immensely.  Overall, none of these picks really matter unless the Lions organization can find some head coaching and front office stability.

Fantasy Advice

Matthew Stafford could be a great NFL talent if he learns that his big arm won’t save him on stupid throws when you play on Sunday.  If he can figure out how to check down and make the smart throw, instead of the sexy one, then look for some decent rookie numbers…if not, look for more TD’s going the other way than the right way.

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GREEN BAY PACKERS

Draft Grade –                        B-

Fantasy Impact Grade –       D

            It was obvious what the Green Bay Packers were looking to improve through their 2009 draft selections. In 2008, the Packers saw too many victories slip away with late-game defensive mishaps.  The Packers had a hard time stopping the run in a run-happy conference and lacked the attitude they had the year before.  B.J. Raji (DT, Boston College) is a great middle of the line presence and has the potential to be an immediate contributor to the Pack. Clay Mathews (LB, USC) is an amazing football player with a  nose for the ball similar to LB A.J. Hawk, not to mention the same hairstyle. Mathews and Brad Jones (LB, Colorado) both have the potential to see some snaps on the defensive side of the ball.  Brandon Underwood (CB, Cincinatti) has the talent but much to learn, luckily he has an abundance of mentors in the Green Bay secondary. Offensively, I was a little surprised the Packers didn’t spend at least one pick on a decent RB, but they seem content with the QB Aaron Rodgers led attack.

Fantasy Advice

Look for a sharper Green Bay Defense this year and a few more wins under QB Aaron Rodgers.  Look for WR Greg Jennings and WR Donald Driver to have even more success as Rodgers grows more comfortable with the Packer scheme.

Articles can be found at: http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=26

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Draft Grade –                        D

Fantasy Impact Grade –       D+

            Percy Harvin.  I would like to say there is a whole lot more to say, but I think the Vikings were completely content with picking up Percy Harvin (WR, Florida) in hopes to make a nice outside addition to RB Adrian Peterson.  Harvin has the ability to be a big play guy if the Vikings can figure out how to use him.  

His speed makes up for his lack of size, and his ability to go get the ball in the air is unmatched in this year’s draft class.  Harvin has the athleticism and skill to start and make and immediate impact…..Oh, wait, doesn’t somebody have to get the ball to him? 

Fantasy Advice

The Adrian Petersons still rely on the ground game of…Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin could make a nice outside addition.  If the Vikings can implement Harvin’s offensive skill set look for him and Peterson to put up big numbers, especially on the Metrodome Turf.

Article can also be found here: http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=24

OAKLAND RAIDERS

Draft Grade:                          F

Fantasy Impact Grade:         D

Good god, man. You’ve heard it elsewhere, but Darrius Heyward-Bey collects checks from the government because he mails so many games in. And, the second-round safety Michael Mitchell wasn’t even on some teams’ top 250 list. 

Let’s move on, and quickly.

Louis Murphy, a fourth-rounder, has the potential to be a good pick, but with the rest of the draft I doubt the lights will still be on in Oakland for him to play.

Fantasy Advice:

Continue to ignore Al Davis like he’s trying to serve you papers. Darrius Heyward-Bey could be worth “I told you so” points in a keeper league if you can put up with the shame.

Article can also be found at: http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=30

Kansas City Chiefs

Draft Grade:                        D

Fantasy Impact Grade:         F

How do you mess up a third overall pick?  The Chiefs chose to pick for “need” and go for a DE, passing up the best player on the board, Michael Crabtree.  Need defense?  Fine, go for Aaron Curry there, but don’t waste a pick on Tyson Jackson, a DE that isn’t all that good at the pass rush.  Think new quarterback Matt Cassel would have liked a shiny new target?  Me, too.

Kansas City seemed to know they made a mistake with their first pick and packed it in.  Donald Washington has the potential to flame out of the league in a year or two and he was the Chiefs’ fourth-round pick.  KC probably needed a running back, and Javarris Wiliams in the seventh round is a running back in name only.

Fantasy Advice

Nothing from this draft.  Dwayne Bowe and Matt Cassel are the safe bets here, and LJ gets by on history.

Article can also be found at: http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=29

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Draft Grade –                         D+

Fantasy Impact Grade –        F

The New Orleans Saints did not have a lot of options come draft day.  With only four selections in the 2009 draft, the New Orleand decided to help out a severely ailing defense. 

The additions of Malcolm Jenkins (S, Ohio State) and Chip Vaughn (S, Wake Forest) will help out a secondary that allowed some of the worst passing numbers in the league.

Hopefully, Jenkins and Vaughn can use their athleticism to stop opposing offenses from looking like Drew Brees every week. Stanley Arnoux (LB, Wake Forest) had some problems in his senior season. 

A lot of scouts were not impressed with his ability to shed blockers or move through traffic…key parts of the linebacker game! 

Finally….note to all scouts and front office execs…when you have QB Drew Brees, RB Reggie Bush, and a handful of highly talented receivers like TE Jeremy Shockey and WR Marques Colston you DON’T draft a punter.  Enough said.

Fantasy Advice

If you get the chance to have QB Drew Brees or one of his many targets on your team….you’re in good shape.

Article can also be found at: http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=35

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Draft Grade –                        C

Fantasy Impact Grade –       C-

There isn’t too much to say about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2009 draft selections.  Their first selection, Josh Freeman (QB, Kansas State) is an amazing athlete with a great arm.  I believe he has the skills to carry over to the NFL, but I don’t see him playing on Sunday this year. 

Roy Miller (DT, Texas) and Kyle Moore (DE, USC) are both great lineman that have the potential to help the porous Tampa Bay defense this year.  They both have a nose for the ball and come from high-caliber programs, they’ll be ready to play. 

I’m not sure about the Xavier Fulton (OL, Illinois), he’s a former defensive player with medical issues, and seemed like a player that could have been picked up in free agency.  E.J. Biggers (CB, Western Michigan) is a great athete that could help out in the return game. 

Fantasy Advice

Ask new Head Coach Raheem Morris who the hecks going to put points on the board.  Don’t look for rookie QB Josh Freeman to be the answer or washed up QB Byron Leftwich.  I like the addition of TE Kellen Winslow, but I don’t see his numbers being up to par sharing catches with TE Jerramy Stevens.

Article can also be found at: http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=34

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Draft Grade –                         D

Fantasy Impact Grade –        F

The fact that the Carolina Panthers did not draft until the second round may have a lot to do with their unsuccessful draft; however, the club did a poor job of adding talent that could help out their team in the next year.

The Panthers first selection, Everette Brown (DE, Florida State), was an up-and-down player from and up-and-down program.  He was not high on very many draft boards and I’m not sure why he was high on the Panthers’.

 The rest of the selections focused on defense with picks Sherrod Martin (S, Troy), Corey Irvin (DT, Georgia), Captain Munnerlyn (DC, South Carolina).  None of which stood out to me and none of which will make a gigantic contribution outside of special teams. 

Offensively, the Panthers picked up a couple low-talent backs in Mike Goodson (RB, Texas A&M) and Tony Fiammeta (FB, Syracuse).  Panther fans better hope RB DeAngelo Williams can continue to tote the ball like he did last year.

Fantasy Advice

Look for DeAngelo Williams to continue his strides from last season.

Article can also be found at:http://www.ecouchcoach.com/articles.php?id=32