Draft grades? Those matter little in the fantasy realm. We break down the fantasy impact of each team’s draft in this series.
IDP analysis written by Co-IDP Director Ross Miles
Baltimore Ravens
Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome has been one of the NFL’s best over the past few years at adding playmakers to his squad. Let’s take a look at what he did this year.
Jimmy Smith – CB
One of the most exciting prospects from a fantasy perspective, Smith should be an opening day starter for the Ravens. Whether you believe his hype or not, he’ll be targeted a lot giving him plenty of opportunities.
Torrey Smith / Tandon Doss– WR
The Ravens WR corps lacks a serious downfield threat and Smith addresses that need. A burner, Smith can step in right away and free up Boldin (+1.0) and the ancient Derrick Mason (+1.7) for underneath routes by getting deep behind coverage. Doss is more of a lanky ball hawk but adds depth to the receiving corps. Look for both receivers to take some time to develop before making a fantasy impact.
Jah Reid – OT
Reed is going to be penciled in to play RT while Michael Oher stays at LT even though he struggled there last year (-18.9). You can’t have too many tackles and the Ravens have done well by that philosophy thus far.
Cincinnati Bengals
This is going to be a pivotal and defining draft for the Bengals and potentially for your fantasy team. As starters Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Cedric Benson are all potential cast offs, the new baby Bengals will have some big shoes to fill.
A.J. Green – WR
Here is the fantasy impact player you’ve been waiting for. Green steps in as the consensus #1 overall dynasty rookie draft pick and has been billed as being possibly the most talented player in the draft. Without Chad Ochocinco (-2.9) and Terrell Owens (-5.4) the WR corps will feature Green, Shipley (+1.3), Caldwell (-3.7) and Simpson (+2.1). Look for Green to be an impact fantasy player only in dynasty leagues as his production will be dependent on the draft pick below, who will take time to develop.
Andy Dalton – QB
Billed as both a “perfect fit” for OC Jay Gruden’s West Coast offense and the heir apparent to Carson Palmer, Andy Dalton is QB of the future in Cincy. The Palmer brothers, Carson (+34.0) and Jordan (0.0), were the only two QB’s on Cincinnati’s roster last year. Dalton seems to be a mid to late 3rd round dynasty rookie draft guy that no one should expect much out of for a few years.
Dontay Moch – DE/OLB
A dynamic blitzer, Moch will play mostly as an OLB in the Bengals system. He’ll see time in 2011 as a situational pass rusher which will limit his value unless he can lock down a full-time starting role.
Robert Sands – S
The 6’4” free safety will be a special teamer in 2011, but could see a role as a situation run stopper, so he holds little fantasy value.
Cleveland Browns
After a huge trade with the Atlanta Falcons, the Browns drafted to fill many of their glaring holes. Here are some of the highlights.
Phil Taylor – DT
Starting defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin graded poorly (-19.3), but made 83 total tackles last year, so Taylor may be used in rotation which limits his value.
Jabaal Sheard – DE
Sheard will start immediately for the Browns as they re-tool their defensive talent during a switch from 3-4 to a 4-3. He’ll be a consistent threat, but that doesn’t translate into fantasy points, so avoid him as a fantasy player in 2011.
Greg Little – WR
Here is one of the most under rated players coming out of this year’s WR crop. Little is entering an abysmal WR corps that featured Mohamed Massaquoi (-7.2), Brian Robiskie (-4.0), Chansi Stuckey (-3.3) and Josh Cribbs (-3.4) in 2010. Look for Little to come in and make an impact on the field in his rookie year but wait till his sophomore year for fantasy production.
Buster Skrine – CB
Skrine made a name for himself with his lightning fast 40 time at the NFL Combine, but it’s unlikely he’ll play much more of a role than nickel corner in 2011, behind Joe Haden (+12.6) and Sheldon Brown (+3.2). With Cribbs on the roster, he shouldn’t be a feature in the return game either.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The championship runner-ups looked to get younger in the secondary and add depth to the O-Line. Unfortunately, they didn’t add any real skill position players in the draft.
Cameron Heyward – DE
A proto-typical 3-4 hybrid player, he’ll be a very productive starter for the Steelers, but like 95% of 3-4 ends, not for your fantasy team.
Marcus Gilbert – OL
A huge man at 6’6, 330 lbs. comes to a team that needs depth at the position badly. Last year the Steelers rolled out Maurkice Pouncey (-4.2), Trai Essex (-16.2), Max Starks (-9.5), Flozell Adams (-17.4) and Chris Kemoeatu (-30.2) and watched as Big Ben ran for his life once again. The Steelers addressed OL last year with Pouncey but adding another body was much needed.
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