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With the 2011 NFL Draft in the books, the question on everybody’s mind is now; “How will this impact my dynasty draft?”
Rookie Draft is here to help you with your fantasy football needs with our “FF Top-50″, the top Fantasy Football players that you need to know. This is a two part project that is conducted both before and after the NFL Draft. You can read our Pre-Draft edition of the FF Rookie Top-50 here: LINKAGE and now that these guys have their own NFL teams, it’s time for part 2 of the Top-50.
These rankings are based on a PPR Dynasty/Keeper format with a focus on a player’s impact for the next 2-3 years kept in mind.
1. AJ GREEN - WR - BENGALS: The Bengals locked down an instant star in AJ Green and they even filled a need at the same time. Green will lead this offense in receiving his first year and he’ll make the quarterback throwing him the ball fantasy relevant. He was born to play the position with his prototype length, coordination and phenomenal ball skills. Green is a once every few years type of prospect that will be playing in a pro bowl before too long.
2. MARK INGRAM - RB - SAINTS: The Saints traded back into the first round just to get the Heisman Trophy winner on their roster and it makes a lot of sense, especially after what they went through in the playoffs last year. Ingram will be a valued runner between the tackles and in short yardage situations. He might be splitting carries with Pierre Thomas to start out but it’s to be expected that Ingram will eventually take control of this backfield.
3. JULIO JONES - WR - FALCONS: Jones is a physically imposing receiver that not only has tremendous size and strength to run through defensive backs, but he also possesses the elusiveness and speed to run right by them as well. He enters a terrific situation in Atlanta with an established receiver opposite him, a solid running game and one of the better young quarterbacks in the league. Jones should develop into the go-to option in a year or two but he’ll certainly produce in the short-term as well.
4. RYAN WILLIAMS - RB - CARDINALS: The Cardinals sent a message to Beanie Wells and that was “it’s now or never”. Williams is a dynamic runner that is a big play waiting to happen with his ability to accelerate and get up to his top gear instantly but he’s also a very tough runner between the tackles as well. Arizona is doing a great job of creating competition here but you can expect Ryan Williams to take a majority of the carries this year, solidify himself as the man and never look back. Williams has star potential written all over him.
5. GREG LITTLE - WR - BROWNS: Little is an exciting player that has the potential to be the Browns unquestioned number one receiver from day one. This converted runningback is still a bit of a project as far as running routes and diagnosing defenses but he has the talent to be great in this aspect. He’s extremely difficult to bring down in the open field because of his arsenal of moves and tackle breaking ability which should make him an ideal fit in Pat Shurmur’s west coast offense, where he can take short passes and break them for long gains.
6. KENDALL HUNTER - RB - 49ERS: Kendall Hunter is an explosive runner capable of taking any play the distance with his quickness and running instincts. He can string moves together and make multiple defenders miss with his excellent footwork but he also has great ball skills to make plays out of the backfield. While Hunter will most certainly be stuck behind Frank Gore for the next year or two, he will be worked into a 3rd down role this season and could take this backfield over in the event of another Gore injury.
7. DANIEL THOMAS - RB - DOLPHINS: Thomas fell into a great situation in Miami with both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams likely out of the picture, making him an immediate starter. The Dolphins have every intention of giving Thomas the ball early and often in games but the icing on the cake here is that Miami also added Mike Pouncey to an already talented offensive line. Thomas isn’t the most talented back in this class but he’s definitey capable of producing early in his career as well as in the future.
8. DELONE CARTER - RB - COLTS: Carter will be added to an underachieving runningback corps and has an opportunity to take a hold of this backfield as early as this year. Former first rounder Donald Brown has been a disappointment and Joseph Addai is scheduled to be a free agent but even if both remain on the roster, Carter is a much better interior runner than any current Colts’ back. This offense will always be an intriguing fit for any runningback because of the presence of Peyton Manning. Even Bill Polian noted that adding Carter will help the running back because “he brings a much-needed skill set that we’ve been lacking.”
9. DEMARCO MURRAY - RB - COWBOYS: Murray is an extremely versatile runner who has the speed to run right by defenders but he also has the power to run through would be tacklers and grind out the tough yards. He has elite receiving skills with the ability to line up in the slot and execute very precise routes. He’ll get on the field in 3rd down situations because he’s also an excellent pass blocker but could emerge as the best runner in this backfield by the end of this season and eventually become the Cowboys’ featured runner.
10. MIKEL LESHOURE - RB - LIONS: Leshoure is an extremely talented player with deceptive speed that defies his prototype size and he shows off tremendous acceleration to take the edge on most defenders. He runs a bit upright but has great receiving skills and is capable of standing up to a number of carries, shedding tacklers with his natural lower body strength. It’s going to be difficult to unseat second year pro Jahvid Best and it’s highly likely that both backs will harm each others fantasy value but Leshoure has too much talent to leave him out of the first round.
11. LEONARD HANKERSON - WR - REDSKINS: The Redskins did a lot of trading down in this draft, garnering more mid round and late round picks in the process. Hankerson fills a very large need for Washington, as they currently do not have a possession, move the chains type player which is exactly what kind of role this Miami Hurricane can fill. He has excellent route running ability, long arms and great big hands to catch the ball away from his frame and away from the defender. Not only will Hankerson develop into a playmaker for Washington in future years, he also has a chance to lead the team in receiving during his rookie season.
12. SHANE VEREEN - RB - PATRIOTS: Vereen is a great talent with an excellent top gear, very good receiving skills and route running ability but he is also a fabulous kick returner. With his track speed, Vereen should bring another dimension to the Patriots backfield but it’s a very crowded corps of backs and the offense has been much more geared toward the pass as of late, even in short yardage situations. The drafting of Stevan Ridley will also muddle things even more with the Patriots duplicating last year’s strategy of stacking a need with multiple picks at the same position in the hopes of one or two of the players developing into a starer.
13. JONATHAN BALDWIN - WR - CHIEFS: The Chiefs wanted to set the table for quarterback Matt Cassel, giving him another big target that can win in jump ball situations and take over in possession situations because of his strength and size. Baldwin is very explosive and has the ability to take short passes the distance but he also can beat defenders deep with his straight line speed. The only issues with Baldwin are his character and desire to play, as he has been labelled as immature at times with some questionable effort this past season.
14. ALEX GREEN - RB - PACKERS: The Packers raised a few eye brows with this pick but Green fits their scheme extremely well and he flashes the ability to be a bruising back that punishes would be tacklers. The Packers were looking at Brandon Jackson’s free agent situation and they appear to have found a potential replacement in Green who also has excellent receiving skills. Green is a powerful back that can break multiple tackles and bounce off of defenders but he also has the speed to take the edge. He is certain to be a favorite of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, as both players spent time at Butte Community College.
15. ROY HELU - RB - REDSKINS: Roy Helu is certainly not the most talented back in this draft class but he is a no nonsense type of runner that is capable of getting downhill in an instant and that should make him an ideal fit in Mike Shanahan’s one cut and go running scheme. The Redskins certainly don’t have a lot of quality backs in his way with only Ryan Torain, James Davis and Keiland Williams in front of Helu on the depth chart. Mike Shanahan has turned lesser talents into great runners at the next level which makes Helu an intriguing dynasty pick if he can seize the job in Washington.
16. JACQUIZZ RODGERS - RB - FALCONS: The “Quizz Show” is headed to Atlanta and he’ll be used to not only spell Michael Turner but also on third downs, as well as being a unique dimension to Atlanta’s already solid offense. Rodgers is extremely low to the ground and has excellent change of direction ability, making him a dangerous receiving threat out of the backfield. Rodgers has a lot of future upside because he’s a very durable runner that carried the mail for Oregon State and he has the chance to develop into the Falcons’ featured runner in a few years.
17. CHRISTIAN PONDER - QB - VIKINGS: Ponder is a very accurate quarterback that is capable of stepping right in and leading an offense because he comes from pro style offense. The Vikings didn’t want any question marks at the position and they clearly think that Ponder can be their franchise passer because of his great intangibles and football intelligence. He definitely landed in a great situation with a lot of talent around him and depending on what the team does with potential free agent Sidney Rice, Ponder could be one of the most productive rookies this season but regardless of 2011, his future is certainly looking very bright.
18. JERREL JERNIGAN - WR - GIANTS: Jernigan is dynamic playmaker capable of taking a short pass the distance and getting on top of a secondary with his deep speed. The versatile Jernigan is an ace kick returner and while he doesn’t run precise routes yet, he clearly has the talent to master the craft with his excellent quickness and phenomenal running instincts. The Giants were noticeably less effective on third downs as well as key short yardage situations when Steve Smith was lost for the year due to knee injury and Jerrel Jernigan could potentially fill that role if Smith can’t fully recover from micro fracture surgery.
19. KYLE RUDOLPH - TE - VIKINGS: Rudolph is one of the best pass catchers in this draft regardless of position and it’s because of his imposing size and natural length. He has huge hands that engulf the football and he comes from a pro style offense that will give him the ability to make a smooth transition to the next level. He was an instant impact type player as a true freshman and it’s highly likely that Rudolph will make a similar splash in the pro ranks with the upside to be one of the better players from this entire draft class a few years from now.
20. JAKE LOCKER - QB - TITANS: Locker has a cannon for an arm to go along with his excellent mobility running the football, prompting the Titans to tab him as their quarterback of the future. While he does have a ton of athletic ability, Locker still struggles with accuracy at times and will need to make a lot of improvement in his footwork before he can become more consistent with his throws. The Titans have a nice young group of playmakers to work with and Locker’s upside is simply too great to ignore with this pick.
21. RANDALL COBB - WR - PACKERS: Kentucky had a package specifically designed for this guy to lineup at option quarterback and give defenses fits running, pitching and throwing the football. The “Wild-Cobb” formation might show up again in Green Bay, as Cobb will give the Packers a Josh Cribbs type player who’s a much more polished route runner and receiver at this point. Cobb will fit right into the slot for Green Bay with Mike McCarthy designing plays to get the ball into Cobb’s hands quickly and let him create big plays after the catch.
22. LANCE KENDRICKS - TE - RAMS: While Josh McDaniels’ offenses haven’t incorporated much of the tight end position, Sam Bradford has always looked at the tight end as more than a secondary or relief option but as the primary in the Oklahoma offenses he used to run. Kendricks certainly won’t be mistaken for Jermaine Gresham anytime soon but he’s got the receiving skills and the football intelligence to be a very effective pass catching tight end. McDaniels was reportedly a huge supporter of Kendricks during the draft process and has plans to incorporate heavy usage of the rookie in the Rams’ new look offense.
23. DENARIUS MOORE - WR - RAIDERS: As per usual, the Raiders took a vertical deep threat with dynamic speed but the good news here is that Moore can actually play the game of football. He has great hands and receiving instincts with the ability to high point the ball and make the tough catches in traffic. Moore instantly upgrades the Raiders’ receiving corps and he will give Oakland a much more consistent option outside of Jacoby Ford and Zach Miller in the passing game.
24. BLAINE GABBERT - QB - JAGUARS: Gabbert has shown the ability to be hyper accurate during his Missouri career and he has the toughness to play through injuries, leading a team on the field. He doesn’t come from a traditional offense and will need some time to develop his footwork but he certainly has the talent to be a franchise passer with his natural size to see the field. Gabbert doesn’t have a lot to work with in Jacksonville but should eventually be a starter level quarterback with time.
25. TORREY SMITH - WR - RAVENS: The Ravens got one of the better fits for their offense in Smith who will stretch the field deep and help Baltimore in the return game as well. He has elite speed and great size to be a downfield threat capable of blowing the top off of a secondary and creating plays after the catch. The Ravens still have a lot of established pass catchers on the roster but it’s not out of the question that Smith could eventually develop into a go-to player for them because of his skill set and great intangibles.
26. GREG SALAS - WR - RAMS: The Rams really wanted to add more weapons around franchise quarterback Sam Bradford and the selection of Salas should prove to be a perfect fit for the team. Salas is a very good route runner who has extremely reliable hands and he also brings ideal size to the table as well. He made defensive backs look foolish during practices at the Senior Bowl and all throughout his Hawaii tenure but it’s playing with Sam Bradford that could help ensure that Salas continues his high level of play in the NFL.
27. BILAL POWELL - RB - JETS: Powell enters a very crowded situation in New York behind Shonn Greene, LaDainian Tomlinson and Joe McKnight but it isn’t necessarily as tenuous as it might first appear. Tomlinson won’t be around for much longer and Joe McKnight was a disappointment last season that by rights should have been a camp cut in favor of Danny Woodhead but the drafting of Powell sends a clear message to Shonn Greene, which is shape up or you may be out of a job. Powell will push Greene and create some healthy competition in year one but he has the potential to be the feature runner for the Jets because of how well he fits the scheme with his downhill hard charging style.
28. VINCENT BROWN - WR - CHARGERS: Brown enters into a great situation in San Diego with an established quarterback, a proven number one wide receiver and one of the best tight ends in the league. Brown’s skill set is an ideal fit because he’s such a precise route runner with very consistent hands and the recognition to see the holes in an opposing secondary. The Chargers will likely use Brown out of the slot and opposite Jackson in some situations but while he may only be playing a supporting role in the offense, he could have a lot of added value in PPR leagues with his ability to separate from defenders in the intermediate passing game.
29. JAMIE HARPER - RB - TITANS: Harper has prototype size and explosion from the runningback position with the strength to shed would be tacklers between the tackles but also the speed to run by them on the outside. He has excellent hands out of the backfield and will be used not only to spell Chris Johnson but he will be used as a weapon in the passing game as well. The Titans wanted a bigger physical back with a pro skill set and that’s exactly what Harper brings to the table.
30. TITUS YOUNG - WR - LIONS: Young is a speed demon with the ability to stretch a defense deep and run away from defensive backs. He is still a bit raw as a route runner and might take a while before he can fully absorb a playbook but he’ll do exactly what the Lions want, namely take pressure off of Calvin Johnson and open up the football field for the rest of the offense. Detroit already has a potent offense and Young gives it even more firepower with his elite quickness.
31. TAIWAN JONES - RB - RAIDERS: Jones is an unbelievable athlete with game changing speed and great moves in the open field. He has eye popping acceleration to go along his phenomenal top gear, giving him the ability to take the edge on a defense outside and run right by would be tacklers. Jones has an injury history that reads like a novel and might not have what it takes to last in the NFL with injury issues against lesser competition. This a converted defensive back is a classic boom or bust type player that has explosive potential but could also be out of the league in a year or two.
32. EDMUND GATES - WR - DOLPHINS: The Dolphins are looking for more complimentary receivers to help take attention off of Brandon Marshall in the passing game and the elite speed that Edmund Gates possesses just might give Miami the deep threat it has been lacking all this time. Gates is still a very raw player that needs to refine his route running and work at perfecting the little things but his talent is undeniable. The cousin of Bernard Scott, Gates is another failed basketball player that has done an excellent job translating his natural physical ability to the football field and he still has yet to scratch the surface of his potential.
33. JORDAN CAMERON - TE - BROWNS: This former basketball player has a great combination of athletic ability and ball skills that will give him the chance to be Cleveland’s primary receiving tight end. He was a forward on BYU’s basketball team before transferring to junior college, then eventually landing on USC’s football team. He’s a very raw prospect and he still has a lot to learn about the position, meaning he might take a while to start producing. Regardless, Browns offense is devoid of playmakers outside of Peyton Hillis and Greg Little so Cameron will have an opportunity to establish himself as one of the go to receivers for young signal caller Colt McCoy.
34. TANDON DOSS - WR - RAVENS: Doss is a very good route runner and an extremely reliable pass catcher that brings some kick returning experience to the table. He’s got the size and speed combination to play at the next level but he also has injury concerns that caused him to slip all the way to the fourth round. Doss is a pro ready player that not only runs great routes but has the intelligence to work his way open and find the holes in coverage, which gives him the ability to be an early producer.
35. STEVAN RIDLEY - RB - PATRIOTS: The Pats went with a big bruising back to compliment their previous selection of Shane Vereen and while Ridley isn’t near as talented as Vereen, he does bring the size and hard charging style the Pats want for their interior running game. Ridley doesn’t possess the open field moves that other backs do but he does have receiving skills despite not being used in that capacity at LSU. He should carve out a role for himself as a goal-line back and short yardage specialist in New England’s crowded backfield.
36. DA’REL SCOTT - RB - GIANTS: The Giants have hit pay dirt with late round runningbacks before and Da’Rel Scott could be their next runner to emerge from the woodwork in New York. He enters a situation with two established runners ahead of him in Bradshaw and Jacobs but one of the two backs might not be in town much longer. While he has had difficulty staying healthy, Scott has elite speed with the ability to break defenders down in the open field and leave them in the dust.
37. RYAN MALLETT - QB - PATRIOTS: Mallett is an elite passer with prototype size, arm strength and accuracy but his off the field concerns and character issues caused his stock to plummet. As a result, the Patriots were able to get excellent value and draft Mallett as a long term project behind franchise quarterback Tom Brady. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to see Tom Brady leaving the game of football or the Patriots roster anytime in the near future, which absolutely hamstrings Mallett’s dynasty value at this point in time.
38. JORDAN TODMAN - RB - CHARGERS: Todman is try hard overachiever that flat out carried the mail for the Huskies last season but he’s now stuck behind fullback sensation Mike Tolbert and last year’s first rounder Ryan Mathews. While Todman is a very explosive ball carrier with great receiving skills, he’s not going to unseat Mathews or Tolbert anytime soon and he might not get an opportunity at extended playing time unless there’s an injury to one of the two aforementioned runners.
39. CECIL SHORTS - WR - JAGUARS: The Jaguars have a passion for drafting highly talented non-FBS players and Shorts certainly fits the bill here. He was an outstanding playmaker for Mount Union who produced insane statistics during his collegiate career because of his versatility and speed. While he did not jump out during his brief practice appearances at the East-West Shrine Game, he has a great opportunity to fight for a starting spot on this Jacksonville offense.
40. JOHNNY WHITE - RB - BILLS: White is a very explosive back that has an excellent all around game with the ability to plow through the line and line up as a receiver, running very precise routes for a back his size. He has some injury concerns but gives the Bills a very exciting replacement option for when Fred Jackson leaves town. White might not blow up right away but he has the talent to be a feature runner if he ever gets that chance.
41. CAM NEWTON - QB - PANTHERS: Newton was a superstar for the National Champion Auburn Tigers but he enters a vastly different world in the NFL, where the talent around him will be poor and the level of competition will be far greater. The Panthers are likely to be parting ways with veteran wide receiver Steve Smith and they don’t have much outside of him in the pass catching department which will make Newton’s pro transition a very difficult one. Regardless, there’s still upside considering what Newton has accomplished up to this point.
42. DION LEWIS - RB - EAGLES: Lewis joins his Pittsburgh Panther brethren, LeSean McCoy, on the Eagles’ roster and he will give Philadelphia a similar skill set to his former teammate. He is a shifty back that runs behind his pads well and has a knack for shaking tacklers with his great sense of leverage and balance. He isn’t likely to get many carries early in his career but he’s now a mandatory handcuff for all McCoy dynasty owners.
43. DJ WILLIAMS - TE - PACKERS: Williams enters a situation that is full of receiving options but he’s a very intriguing fit for the Packers’ west coast attack and due to the injury history of Jermichael Finley, he might have a chance at early production in the event of another Finley injury. Williams has outstanding ball skills with his soft hands and he shows excellent football intelligence, finding the weakness in a secondary and working his way open. The John Mackey award winner is an undersized H-Back with limited speed that succeeds because of his understanding of the game and his passion to be a great player.
44. JEREMY KERLEY - WR - JETS: The Jets have a number of free agency issues at the wide receiver position so it was to be expected that the team would bring in a receiver or two in this draft and they added a legitimate deep threat in Jeremy Kerley, a playmaker from TCU. He has the explosiveness and change of direction ability to make defenders miss in the open field. His top gear is questionable but his moves after the catch and kick returning ability will be a welcomed addition in the Big Apple, especially with Brad Smith likely out of the picture.
45. LUKE STOCKER - TE - BUCCANEERS: The Buccaneers know they’re living on borrowed time with Kellen Winslow and they may have found their tight end of the future in Luke Stocker. He’s a very assignment sound blocker who understands how to wall off defenders in the running game and he also shows the soft hands to be a reliable receiving threat. He’s a pro ready player that will be eased into the scheme but should be a regular starter by the end of year two at the latest.
46. DARREN EVANS - RB - UDFA: Evans is a hard charging no-nonsense type of runner that gets going downhill instantly and has the ability to deliver punishing blows to would be tacklers. He has an excellent sense of timing and anticipation, hitting the hole as it opens and exploding through it at top speed. While Evans has great vision, he lacks an elite top gear and he currently has no home after going undrafted. Regardless, Evans will eventually earn a roster spot with an NFL team because of his high football IQ and powerful running style that will make him an ideal complimentary goal-line back in today’s committee driven league.
47. ROB HOUSLER - TE - CARDINALS: Housler was considered a bit of a reach by most draft evaluators but this shouldn’t be an indictment on Housler’s talent, as he’s a very rangy prospect with elite speed for the position and wide receiver type ball skills. The Cardinals lack any kind of pass catching threat at tight end and they made it a priority in this draft by selecting the Florida Atlantic product. While Housler isn’t an accomplished blocker, he will give Arizona a reliable underneath threat capable of beating linebackers and safeties on a regular basis.
48. ANDY DALTON - QB - BENGALS: Dalton is a very smart quarterback with an impressive record for winning games and making great decisions in clutch situations. Even though Dalton is a savvy pocket passer, he has below average arm strength and can struggle recognizing the blitz. While he may be a physically limited passer, Dalton will be throwing passes to AJ Green and he might end up getting some early playing time if the Carson Palmer retirement rumors have any merit.
49. NILES PAUL - WR - REDSKINS: Paul is a tough guy that loves to get nasty with his opponents in the running game and runs angry with the football in his hands. He’s got above average top end speed to beat most defensive backs but he still has a lot of work to do on his route running and he also has small hands. The bottom line remains that he is a very athletic receiver who is a smart football player with reliable ball skills and the upside to be a future starter as well as contribute on special teams.
50. TJ YATES - QB - TEXANS: Yates is a very experienced pocket passer with adequate size and enough arm strength to make most NFL throws. He is a pro style quarterback that understands not only how to run an offense but how to break down a defense pre-snap and make adjustments on the fly. He certainly won’t see immediate playing time but the Texans are going to develop him behind starter Matt Schaub as the potential signal caller of the future.
Honorable Mentions
- RONALD JOHNSON - WR - 49ERS: Johnson is a poor man’s Steve Smith which will give him the ability to be a complimentary receiver for the 49ers but the fact that he’s the draft pick of the new coaching staff should say a lot, especially since Harbaugh has coached his fair share of games against “RoJo” in the Pac-10.
- VIRGIL GREEN - TE - BRONCOS: One of my highest rated tight ends pre-draft fell all the way to the last round due to a four year old knee injury that required micro-fracture surgery. While the Denver offense doesn’t utilize a lot of tight end, Green is still a freak of nature that has a chance to develop into a great player in time.
- TORI GURLEY - WR - UDFA: Gurley is a super sized receiver that has great ball skills and an excellent understanding of the game to find openings in coverage. He has the strength to break tackles after the catch and does an excellent job blocking up field which should entice teams to get him in camp and on their roster.
- COLIN KAEPERNICK - QB - 49ERS: Kaepernick landed in a great situation with an excellent combination of skill players awaiting to surround him, namely Frank Gore, Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. While Kaepernick is very raw and might struggle at first, Jim Harbaugh’s reputation for developing quarterback talent is too great to ignore.
- TERRENCE TOLIVER - WR - UDFA: Toliver has prototype size with great height and reliable ball skills to consistently win jump ball situations. Even though he went undrafted, he does have the potential to be a very effective possession type receiver because of his big hands and ability to high point the football.
- CHAD SPANN - RB - UDFA: Spann is an explosive back that shows great anticipation when running inside and the speed to run by defenders for long gains, leading both the Colts and Chargers to work him out pre-draft. Spann has great change of direction ability to go along with his natural power and leverage to shed would be tacklers.
- CHARLES CLAY - TE - DOLPHINS: Clay is a classic case of a jack of all trades but master of none, as clay has played a number of different positions throughout his career and his ball skills are second to none. While Clay doesn’t possess ideal speed, he’ll prove to be a reliable target over the middle and on intermediate routes.
- AUSTIN PETTIS - WR - RAMS: Pettis lacks the quickness needed to be a great receiver at the next level but he certainly landed in a favorable situation with an up and coming franchise quarterback. Pettis is a highly intelligent player that can contribute in a number of different roles because of his good attitude and intangibles.
- RICKY STANZI - QB - CHIEFS: Stanzi isn’t very accurate and he struggles to convert on broken plays but he’s a very experienced pro style passer that might have a chance to be developed. Matt Cassel’s contract will be up soon and the Chiefs will hope that Stanzi shows them enough to keep him around as a potential signal caller of the future.
- DWAYNE HARRIS - WR - COWBOYS: Harris is a burner that will give the Cowboys an added dimension on offense and stretch the defense deep with his elite speed. He has an awful lot of talented receivers in his way and that will certainly mean a slow start for Harris. Either way, he has the athletic ability to have a role as a deep threat.
- ALLEN BRADFORD - RB - BUCCANEERS: Bradford is a big bodied back that runs very well on the interior but also has the speed to take the edge on defenders as well. He should give the Buccaneers another option behind Blount that not only shares a similar downhill style, but he also has great blocking skills to contribute on passing downs.
- DEMARCO SAMPSON - WR - CARDINALS: Sampson has ideal speed for the position and is actually much more athletically talented than his teammate Vincent Brown but he has dealt with a number of injuries throughout his career that set him back. He’ll have a chance to be a playmaker in in Arizona if he can just stay healthy.
- JEFF MAEHL - WR - UDFA: The “Maehl-Man” is as consistent as it gets when it comes to route running and reliability. He’s always at the right place at the right time but he has less than ideal size and below average speed which caused him to go undrafted. Still, his consistent hands and football intelligence will land him a job somewhere.
- JULIUS THOMAS - TE - BRONCOS: Thomas is another basketballer turned tight end and he shows the natural ball skills and size needed for the position but he is an extremely raw player at this point. Even though Thomas has a long way to go in the aspects of technique, he has a ton of potential because of his tremendous athletic ability.
- MARIO FANNIN - RB - UDFA: Fannin is another jack of trades but master of none. He has great hands out of the backfield and he’s an excellent pass blocker but he doesn’t wow you in any one category outside of his blocking. He’ll make a roster because of his strong intangibles and ability to contribute in a number of different ways.
- KRIS DURHAM - WR - SEAHAWKS: The Seahawks reached for Durham and while he is a fine prospect, he lacks deep speed or moves after the catch and reminds some of Joe Jurevicius with his great size and jump ball ability. He might not ever be elite but he could be a regular if he can avoid the injuries that plagued him during college.
- DONALD BUCKRAM - RB - UDFA: Buckram was a force at Texas El Paso who churned out hundred yard games on a weekly basis but was slowed by injury in 2010. He went undrafted but has the chance to make an impact in the backfield because of his lateral quickness, his natural leverage and the ability to shed would be tackers at will.
- STEPHEN BURTON - WR - VIKINGS: Burton was a small school riser throughout the draft process that has extremely raw athletic ability and the kind of size/speed combination the Vikings want in their receiving corps. He’s going to need a year or two before he can pickup the offense but he has great potential to be a playmaker on this team.
- WESLYE SAUNDERS - TE - UDFA: Saunders is a tremendous athlete that has soft hands, excellent size and great strength after the catch. Unfortunately, he went undrafted because of his 2010 NCAA suspension, his maturity issues and his inability to stay healthy. His situation must be monitored because of his obvious talent.
- BARON BATCH - RB - PITTSBURGH: Batch fits as a third down back for the Steelers and a potential replacement for Mewelde Moore. He’s a diminutive back that has strong receiving skills out of the Texas Tech offense and he has some shiftiness in the open field but he remains a limited runner with not much upside in Pittsburgh.
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