Some Holes Are Still Wide Open

April 29, 2008 at 7:09 am | Article by Paul Hickey |

While many teams filled various needs during the NFL Draft, and others added depth to positions of strength, fantasy owners were hoping for a few things - the Houston Texans to draft a legit starting RB to replace Ahman Green, the Titans to take a stud WR in round one, the Cowboys to draft a solid future WR prospect and the Bears to take a decent signal caller. None of them happened - so, what now?

Let’s start with the Texans. They now have Ahman Green, a 31 year old injury-plagued running back, who will not be able to stay healthy and productive this year. To matter matters even more laughable, they added Chris - the walking wounded - Brown to their roster this off-season, to compliment the unproven Darius Walker and Chris Taylor. Rather than taking Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall in round one, or Texas’ Jamaal Charles in round two - both NFL featured back material - they chose to add West Virginia scat back Steve Slaton in round three. The 5′9″ Slaton has some PO in PPR leagues, and under the zone blocking scheme of new O-line coach Alex Gibbs, anything is possible. Slaton could end up being the most fantasy worthy back on the Texans roster in 2008, or they could go out and get a free agent like Shaun Alexander or Kevin Jones.

On to the Titans. With the 24th overall pick, Michigan State’s Devin Thomas would have been the perfect fit. He’s a high character guy, and a versatile and explosive football player at 6′2″, 220 lbs. He’s like a taller version of Carolina’s Steve Smith, and a lot like Anquan Boldin, except with better kick return ability. Instead of drafting a WR in round one, or round two, or even round three, the Titans elected to wait until round four to snag Cal WR Lavelle Hawkins. Unfortunately, Hawkins falls into the same category as Roydell Williams, Justin Gage and Brandon Jones - a solid college player with high PO - but a long shot to become an NFL WR1. Result - don’t look to Nashville for any sleeper WRs this season.

We’re disappointed in Jerry Jones. With his choice of all WRs in the draft with the 28th pick, he passed. Then he passed again. Then again, then again and again. The Cowboys, who have the oldest WR corps on the planet, didn’t draft a single WR in 2008. Jones commented about his young players like Sam Hurd and Issiah Stanback. Okay, whatever. We’re not high on either of those guys. The ‘Boys better hope T.O., Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton stay healthy, or maybe “Jerra” has a trade up his sleeve even though the draft is over.

Finally, the Bears did very well in this draft, locking up talent on the offensive line, at RB and WR, but they didn’t draft a single QB. Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton aren’t likely to get the job done, and this position will need to be addressed at some point. Could Daunte Culpepper be headed there? Stay tuned.