Keepers: Priest Holmes and Warrick Dunn.
Holmes was obvious (as long as Navid handcuffed LJ), but the real surprise is Dunn. Most people assumed Navid
would keep Gates or Vick, but you can’t really question the champion can you (well, yes you can. I mean look at
Nick and Jay). But I like Dunn. He’s an underrated and forgotten RB and his value goes up thanks to the new 1 point
per reception rule. If you really look at it, the only RB’s available with the last pick would have been Barlow, Bettis,
Taylor, Suggs, Brown, and some backups who could start later in the year. Guys who don’t exactly make you go
crazy. Also, both Gates and Vick were available if he really wanted to redraft them.
Grade: B+
Draft:
QB: Matt Hasselbeck and Steve McNair.
Hasselbeck’s stock has dropped since he was drafted in the 4th round in 2003 and the 3rd round last year. With
only D. Jackson to throw to, the offensive weapons aren’t there. But he is a quality #1 QB. The guy I like is McNair.
Sure, he’s an injury waiting to happen and he lost his man D. Mason to throw to, but look who the Titans brought in
as offensive coordinator. Two words: Norm Chow. What race is he? Enough said.
Grade: B+
RB: Larry Johnson, Stephen Davis, Shawn Bryson.
LJ was a must pick and I was a bit surprised that he lasted that long, because I think he is this year’s Willis
McGahee. The backup guy who will become the man once the starter gets injured (I predict Priest goes down in
week 5). An excellent keeper option for 2006. Davis is a nice late round gamble. The Carolina backfield is so
crowded and cloudy that anybody can get the job, and whoever does could be in for big numbers (see Nick
Goings). Plus, word out of camp is that he will start the season as the starter with Foster being the change of pace.
If he gets injured or is a bust, no harm. If he starts a few games, then he’s a steal in the late rounds. I didn’t get the
Bryson pick. He would have still been available in the free agent pool. Maybe the champ knows something I don’t
know.
Grade: B+
WR: Steve Smith, Michael Clayton, Donald Driver, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Arnaz Battle
A nice core of receivers. Smith is one of the comeback guys I like. Clayton is an excellent pick whose value is
multiplied thanks to the new receptions rule. The guy will catch 90-100 passes. Driver is one of the top #2 receivers
on any NFL team and a nice #3 fantasy receiver. TJ is a bit of a question mark. He had a career year last year, but
early reports on him are not good. Seems he can’t hang onto the ball and there is competition for the starting spot
opposite Chad Johnson. He may get a lot of catches, but doesn’t find the end zone much. Battle is a nice sleeper.
All signs point to a solid late round steal. The guy is a 3rd year receiver and he lines up at wideout and as punt/kick
returner and we know how much Navid loves those kick return guys.
Grade: A-
TE: Jermaine Wiggins
The TE that was forgotten among this years crop, but ask Jay C how nice he is. The guy gets a lot of catches.
Grade: B
K: Jason Elam
A solid, consistent kicker with range.
Grade: B (you can’t really give kickers a great score can you?)
DEF: Atlanta
Led by Patrick Kearny, the Atlanta D can pitch the shutout and get tons of sacks. Plus they have a nice special team’
s squad. Another solid pick.
Grade: B
Best Draft Pick: Steve McNair
Worst Draft Pick: Shawn Bryson
Team Strenghts: WR
Team Weaknesses: Nothing major
Key to success: Warrick Dunn. The guy has to be a solid #2 and not lose out to TJ Duckett. Otherwise, Navid
will have to hope Davis or Bryson emerge. Plus, if he falters people will remember the fact that Navid
decided to keep him.
Overall: B+
Holmes was obvious (as long as Navid handcuffed LJ), but the real surprise is Dunn. Most people assumed Navid
would keep Gates or Vick, but you can’t really question the champion can you (well, yes you can. I mean look at
Nick and Jay). But I like Dunn. He’s an underrated and forgotten RB and his value goes up thanks to the new 1 point
per reception rule. If you really look at it, the only RB’s available with the last pick would have been Barlow, Bettis,
Taylor, Suggs, Brown, and some backups who could start later in the year. Guys who don’t exactly make you go
crazy. Also, both Gates and Vick were available if he really wanted to redraft them.
Grade: B+
Draft:
QB: Matt Hasselbeck and Steve McNair.
Hasselbeck’s stock has dropped since he was drafted in the 4th round in 2003 and the 3rd round last year. With
only D. Jackson to throw to, the offensive weapons aren’t there. But he is a quality #1 QB. The guy I like is McNair.
Sure, he’s an injury waiting to happen and he lost his man D. Mason to throw to, but look who the Titans brought in
as offensive coordinator. Two words: Norm Chow. What race is he? Enough said.
Grade: B+
RB: Larry Johnson, Stephen Davis, Shawn Bryson.
LJ was a must pick and I was a bit surprised that he lasted that long, because I think he is this year’s Willis
McGahee. The backup guy who will become the man once the starter gets injured (I predict Priest goes down in
week 5). An excellent keeper option for 2006. Davis is a nice late round gamble. The Carolina backfield is so
crowded and cloudy that anybody can get the job, and whoever does could be in for big numbers (see Nick
Goings). Plus, word out of camp is that he will start the season as the starter with Foster being the change of pace.
If he gets injured or is a bust, no harm. If he starts a few games, then he’s a steal in the late rounds. I didn’t get the
Bryson pick. He would have still been available in the free agent pool. Maybe the champ knows something I don’t
know.
Grade: B+
WR: Steve Smith, Michael Clayton, Donald Driver, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Arnaz Battle
A nice core of receivers. Smith is one of the comeback guys I like. Clayton is an excellent pick whose value is
multiplied thanks to the new receptions rule. The guy will catch 90-100 passes. Driver is one of the top #2 receivers
on any NFL team and a nice #3 fantasy receiver. TJ is a bit of a question mark. He had a career year last year, but
early reports on him are not good. Seems he can’t hang onto the ball and there is competition for the starting spot
opposite Chad Johnson. He may get a lot of catches, but doesn’t find the end zone much. Battle is a nice sleeper.
All signs point to a solid late round steal. The guy is a 3rd year receiver and he lines up at wideout and as punt/kick
returner and we know how much Navid loves those kick return guys.
Grade: A-
TE: Jermaine Wiggins
The TE that was forgotten among this years crop, but ask Jay C how nice he is. The guy gets a lot of catches.
Grade: B
K: Jason Elam
A solid, consistent kicker with range.
Grade: B (you can’t really give kickers a great score can you?)
DEF: Atlanta
Led by Patrick Kearny, the Atlanta D can pitch the shutout and get tons of sacks. Plus they have a nice special team’
s squad. Another solid pick.
Grade: B
Best Draft Pick: Steve McNair
Worst Draft Pick: Shawn Bryson
Team Strenghts: WR
Team Weaknesses: Nothing major
Key to success: Warrick Dunn. The guy has to be a solid #2 and not lose out to TJ Duckett. Otherwise, Navid
will have to hope Davis or Bryson emerge. Plus, if he falters people will remember the fact that Navid
decided to keep him.
Overall: B+
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