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| Brohm to replace Favre? | Monday 4/28, 11:04 PM CT |
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The Green Bay Packers selected Brian Brohm with the 56th pick in the second round of the draft on Saturday. Considered one of the can't-miss quarterback prospects by several scouts, the Louisville signal caller will enter training camp as the backup to Aaron Rodgers.
Our View: Brohm could have gone anywhere in the draft this year and it wouldn't have been a big surprise. Brohm is arguably the best talent in the draft and despite being the second signal caller taken on Saturday, could challenge Aaron Rodgers for the starting role this summer given the right circumstance. |
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| Rhodes released by Raiders | Monday 4/28, 5:14 PM CT |
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Following up on an earlier report, the Oakland Raiders notified halfback Dominic Rhodes that he is being released, this according to ESPN.com.
The salary cap was behind Rhodes' release. When the Raiders traded cornerback Fabian Washington to Baltimore Sunday, they took a $1.093,750 cap hit, pushing them beyond the acceptable cap figure.
Our View: The move wasn't much of a surprise. The Raiders drafted Darren McFadden fourth overall and roster sophomore hopeful Michael Bush and veterans Justin Fargas and LaMont Jordan.
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| Washington dealt to Ravens | Monday 4/28, 3:58 PM CT |
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Fabian Washington was traded on Sunday to Baltimore for the Ravens fourth round pick in the draft, according to CBSsports.com.
Our View: Washington will be given a chance to compete for a starting role in Baltimore, but will really have to prove his worth in their stellar defense, and he holds little fantasy value as of now. |
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| Rhodes to be let go? | Monday 4/28, 3:50 PM CT |
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A source close to the team states that Dominic Rhodes will be released by the Raiders, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Our View: The team drafted electric rusher Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick, Justin Fargas is coming off a breakout season as he rushed for 1009 yards, and Michael Bush has potential to be a tough inside bruiser and short-yardage back if he proves to be healthy. Al Davis is seemingly attached to LaMont Jordan as well, meaning Rhodes is the odd man out in the Raiders' stable at running back. |
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| Bush looked slow? | Monday 4/28, 2:46 PM CT |
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A sideline observer at the Raiders' closed practice today commented that Michael Bush looked slow, according to the Oakland Tribune. He missed his rookie season in 2007 while rehabbing his broken leg, and Bush didn't practice much with the Raiders either.
Our View: Bush had a chance to eventually fight for a starting gig in Oakland, but the addition of prized rookie Darren McFadden really kills his fantasy value. He will be left to fight for scraps with Dominic Rhodes and Justin Fargas, who is coming off a breakout campaign with 1009 rushing yards. |
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| Prater expected to be kicker | Monday 4/28, 1:59 PM CT |
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Matt Prater is projected to be the Broncos' placekicker in 2008, according to the Denver Post.
Our View: The team did not sign Mike Vanderjagt after bringing him in for a visit, who is the NFL's all-time leader in field goal accuracy. Prater only hit 1-of-4 career field goal attempts, with a long of 45. While his range could benefit from kicking in Denver, his accuracy won't be helped. |
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| Hali will move to right defensive end | Monday 4/28, 1:04 PM CT |
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Tamba Hali will be moved to right defensive end this season, according to the Kansas City Star. He will move from the left side to cover the spot vacated by Jared Allen, who went to Minnesota. Alfonso Boone is projected to start on the left side, and rookie Glenn Dorsey will fill his spot on the inside.
Our View: Hali racked up 7.5 sacks in 2007, and that number could go up as the right side of the line is seen as more of a playmaking position in the Chiefs defense. His fantasy value goes up with the move. |
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| Boone to start at left defensive end | Monday 4/28, 12:57 PM CT |
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Alfonso Boone is projected to start at left defensive end for the Chiefs this season, according to the Kansas City Star. Tamba Hali will be moving to the right side in place of the departed Jared Allen, who recently joined the Vikings. Rookie Glenn Dorsey will cover Boone's spot on the inside.
Our View: Boone was solid as a run defender on the inside, but it remains to be seen how he will handle a move to the outside of the line. He made 25 tackles (18 solo) and one sack in 2007. it is unlikely his sack numbers will increase enough for him to merit fantasy consideration as an end. |
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| Stewart expects to be ready for camp | Monday 4/28, 12:48 PM CT |
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Rookie rusher Jonathan Stewart will be ready for the start of training camp despite undergoing recent surgery for turf toe, according to the Charlotte Observer. Stewart said he had surgery on the toe on March 12 and should start doing his rehabilitation within a week. The surgery was done by Panthers doctor Robert Anderson.
Our View: He will share the load with DeAngelo Williams as the Panthers attempt to feature a power running game in 2008. A committee approach could materialize in Carolina, with the starting nod going to the more productive back. |
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| Walker signs deal with Panthers | Monday 4/28, 12:43 PM CT |
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Darwin Walker has signed a one-year deal with the Panthers, according to the Rock Hill Herald. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Our View: He is no longer the solid player that he once was with the Eagles, and won't provide much more than quality depth along the defensive line for the Panthers. He had trouble staying healthy during his stint with the Bears as well. |
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| Slaton to be third-down back? | Monday 4/28, 11:13 AM CT |
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The Texans project rookie Steve Slaton to be their third-down back this season, according to the Houston Chronicle. He will provide the team with speed that was believed to be lacking at the position.
Our View: Slaton is quick and nimble at 5-10 185 pounds and is a good receiver out of the backfield, meaning he should fit in very well as a third-down back in Houston. With that said, he lacks the size and durability to be an effective starting back in the NFL, and his fantasy value will be limited. |
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| Godfrey will play at FS | Monday 4/28, 10:57 AM CT |
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Third round draft pick Charles Godfrey will play at free safety, according to the Charlotte Observer. He is a hard-hitter with good speed and the team will convert him from cornerback to safety.
Our View: Godfrey is projected to start immediately, as the only competition on the depth chart at free safety is the unimposing Deke Cooper. He will find his way onto the IDP radar when training camp begins. |
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| Baker upset about Keller pick | Monday 4/28, 10:51 AM CT |
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Chris Baker is upset that the team selected Purdue tight end Dustin Keller in the first round of the draft, according to the NY Post. Baker said that he wants to remain a member of the Jets for the rest of his career, but finds it hard to believe the team wants him here based on the way he's being treated. The team also recently added Bubba Franks to their arsenal at tight end, and Baker could end up being the third highest paid tight end on the team if his contract isn't renegotiated. Baker stated that he always did what the Jets asked him to do, and he is coming off the best year of his career as he hauled in 41 passes for 409 yards and three touchdowns.
Our View: Baker will be hard-pressed to receive a deal that satisfies him, which is why the Jets added Keller and Franks. If Baker leaves the Jets, he may not find another gig as a starter. |
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| Ravens banking on Flacco | Monday 4/28, 10:40 AM CT |
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The Ravens traded up to draft Joe Flacco with the 18th pick in the first round, and the team is banking on him to improve their anemic passing game, according to The Carroll County Times. He has impressive arm strength, and can throw a football 75 yards. He also has good size and athleticism. When asked if he could start as a rookie, he said, "Yes. I am anxious to get in here and start learning, and I want to get out on the field to prove that I can. It’s going to be up to the coaches to make that final decision, but it’s going to be up to me to prove to them that I am ready ." Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron stated, "He's a perfect fit for what we want to do. Here's a guy that has a gift to throw the football, a gift for throwing it quickly and accurately. This kid is going to develop and get better and better. We were looking for a guy that can function in the shotgun. This guy, he’s bright, and football makes sense to him. In our system, we’d like our quarterback to have nimble feet, have an explosive arm and be quick with the football I actually think Joe has that."
Our View: Flacco will battle Kyle Boller and Troy Smith for playing time, and will have a chance to start at some point, especially when you consider that Smith is better at making plays with his feet than his arm, and Boller failed to impress when given a shot to prove his worth. |
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| Doucet could play slot? | Monday 4/28, 9:50 AM CT |
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The Cardinals project third round draft pick Early Doucet to be a slot receiver for them, according to The East Valley Tribune. He is not a speed burner or a home run threat, but he is a candidate to handle the number three receiver role in 2008. The team noted he would have been a first round pick if he didn't get banged up this past season at LSU, and offensive coordinator Todd Haley called him a valuable third or slot receiver.
Our View: The third receiver spot was left open following the departure of Bryant Johnson to the 49ers, and Doucet could make an impact while playing alongside Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, assuming Boldin remains in Arizona. He could hold favorable fantasy value as a rookie. |
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| Dolphins shopped Taylor during draft | Monday 4/28, 9:26 AM CT |
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The Dolphins shopped Jason Taylor during the draft, but then took him off the trading table, according to NFL.com. Jaguars' coach Jack Del Rio stated that his team pursued a deal, but the Dolphins removed him from the block, and added, "We talked. They had a certain price in mind, and nobody in the league was interested in that price. They like the player, and they're going to keep him. There's nothing wrong with that." The Buccaneers denied rumors that they were close to a deal. Miami GM Jeff Ireland noted, "We want Taylor back."
Our View: A move for Taylor could still happen. He is a six-time Pro Bowler and will make an impact, regardless of where he plays in 2008. |
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| Bengals preparing for Johnson's exit? | Monday 4/28, 9:09 AM CT |
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The Bengals are seemingly preparing for Chad Johnson's exit as they selected a pair of wide receivers early in the NFL Draft, according to FanNation. Those receivers were Coastal Carolina's Jerome Simpson in the second round, and Florida's Andre Caldwell in the third. Chad Johnson is still demanding a trade and Bengals' offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said, "You always have to stay ahead of the curve."
Our View: The team is tired of Johnson's antics, especially after he ruined his relationship by demanding a trade. The Bengals and Johnson would both benefit from a fresh start if he ultimately leaves Cincinnati. |
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| Patriots could be down on Cassel? | Monday 4/28, 8:43 AM CT |
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Matt Cassel has one year left on his rookie contract and there is speculation that his time in New England is running out as the team selected San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell in the third round of the draft (94th overall), according to FanNation. That was the highest the team drafted a quarterback since Drew Bledsoe in 2004, who went number one overall.
Our View: Cassel only threw 39 passes in his NFL career, but he has looked good at times in brief action, and would find a job as a backup in another city if the Patriots decide not to re-sign him. |
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| Browns pushing Winslow? | Monday 4/28, 8:25 AM CT |
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Kellen Winslow Jr could be phased out of Cleveland, according to FanNation. He is awaiting a new contract, but the team has longevity issues about his durability, and made a surprise trade into the third round of the draft on Sunday, when they selected pass-catching tight end Martin Rucker of Missouri. Winslow had another surgical procedure on his right knee in February. That was at least the fourth surgery on the knee injured in his 2005 motorcycle accident. He also had surgery on a broken right fibula and torn ankle ligaments in 2004.
Our View: There have been conversations about a new contract, but nothing has been resolved. Rucker is not in the same class as the elite Winslow, and he would not be a worthy replacement if Winslow is sent out of town. With that said, Winslow can make an impact in another city, and his fantasy value is not hurt by this news. |
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| Avery could be third receiver? | Monday 4/28, 8:15 AM CT |
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Donnie Avery could be the Rams' third receiver as a rookie, according to The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Avery ran a 4.43 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, with a pulled hamstring, and has been clocked as fast as 4.29 when healthy. He has good hands too, and Scott Linehan has said he is purely not just a track guy.
Our View: The team has lacked a deep threat since Kevin Curtis departed for Philadelphia, and Avery could be the guy that fills that role, as their third receiver, possibily as soon as a rookie. He had 17 catches of 20 yards or more at Houston last season. |
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| Forte a three-down back? | Monday 4/28, 7:54 AM CT |
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The Bears envision Matt Forte to be a three-down back, according to The Chicago Sun Times. Bears' GM Jerry Angelo stated, "We took a running back as you all know. We like him very much. Again, we did a lot of work on him. He played his whole career through his senior year. We really want to focus on that. We wanted players with good production and obviously we targeted certain positions that we either wanted to upgrade at and/or create more competition. Forte would fall into the later. We want to create more competition at the position. I felt like our running game obviously was one of the weak spots on our football team. He gives us a big back, a three down back. He has enough speed to get to the outside and he has the ability to make people miss at the second level. Those were two areas where we could really never find any consistency which made us an easy team to defend from my perspective. He has very, very good hands and he’s a three down back. I think he weighed in at 217 pounds at the combine. He ran a really good forty. I don’t necessarily see the play speed on tape as what he ran at the 40, but he did run a very good forty at Indianapolis."
Our View: The Bears took Forte with the 44th overall pick in the draft, and he will have a good chance to make an impact this season, when you consider Angelo's endorsement, and the fact that Cedric Benson lacks the durability and toughness to carry a full workload, which is expected of a Bears' back. Garrett Wolfe isn't capable of a full workload either and Adrian Peterson didn't impress during his time as the starter. |
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| Forte a three-down back? | Monday 4/28, 7:54 AM CT |
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The Bears envision Matt Forte to be a three-down back, according to The Chicago Sun Times. Bears' GM Jerry Angelo stated, "We took a running back as you all know. We like him very much. Again, we did a lot of work on him. He played his whole career through his senior year. We really want to focus on that. We wanted players with good production and obviously we targeted certain positions that we either wanted to upgrade at and/or create more competition. Forte would fall into the later. We want to create more competition at the position. I felt like our running game obviously was one of the weak spots on our football team. He gives us a big back, a three down back. He has enough speed to get to the outside and he has the ability to make people miss at the second level. Those were two areas where we could really never find any consistency which made us an easy team to defend from my perspective. He has very, very good hands and he’s a three down back. I think he weighed in at 217 pounds at the combine. He ran a really good forty. I don’t necessarily see the play speed on tape as what he ran at the 40, but he did run a very good forty at Indianapolis."
Our View: The Bears took Forte with the 44th overall pick in the draft, and he will have a good chance to make an impact this season, when you consider Angelo's endorsement, and the fact that Cedric Benson the lacks durability and toughness to carry a full workload, which is expected of a Bears' back. Garrett Wolfe isn't capable of a full workload either and Adrian Peterson didn't impress during his time as the starter. |
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