Kevin Smith Predicts Lions Playoff Win…

Detroit rookie RB Kevin Smith took “He-Man” to a whole new level by joining a long line of foolish Lions players to make horribly ridiculous predictions about the success of their team.

You have to give the naive rookie credit for being positive, but he obviously hasn’t been around Detroit long enough to let the losing sink in.

Smith has high hopes for himself and the team in 2008, predicting the Lions’ first playoff win since 1957, and saying that he thinks the team will go to the Super Bowl within the next three years.

We have some concerns about Smith, but overall he’s a solid dynasty prospect as Detroit’s starting RB of the present and future.

Fantasy Analytics Discusses Rookie RBs

With preseason activities gaining momentum, there is a definite need for quality rookie analysis as it pertains to the world of fantasy football. In an attempt to meet this need, Fantasy Football Analytics has partnered with No-Offseason.com on a 3-piece series, providing you the information you need to know before acquiring any of these rookies in dynasty leagues or deep keeper leagues. This first segment covers the quarterback and tight end positions and assigns each player discussed a letter grade for their dynasty league/deep keeper league value. Please be aware that these grades represent the long-term value of the players in question and not only the 2008 season. Read more

Experts Draft: Marvin Falls To Round 6

One of the biggest questions on the minds of fantasy owners this off-season should honestly be - "when do I swoop in and take Marvin Harrison?" One of the best WRs in recent memory should be available at an all time low price this off-season, after a 2007 campaign riddled with injuries and a 2008 off-season full of off-the-field drama. Still, the 35 year old is a competitor, and will be back to reclaim his spot in fantasy starting line-ups in 2008. Read more

More Positive Reports On Kevin Smith…

In our continued effort to help you prepare for which fantasy rookies will have the biggest impact in 2008, MLive.com is reporting that Lions rookie Kevin Smith will get the bulk of the rushing load in 2008.

We’ve reported this already, but it’s nice to see it confirmed several times, of course.

If the Lions go after Travis Henry, Smith’s 2008  value could dip a tiny bit, but ultimately, he’s the guy to own in Detroit, and he’s looking like a top four pick in dynasty rookie only drafts.

Random Running Back Updates…

Several RB fantasy prospects have been mentioned in the news lately. Let’s take a look…

- Lorenzo Booker, Eagles RB - Booker has looked very impressive in practice recently, and is carving out a solid role in Philly’s West Coast offense. He will be a solid RB4 in PPR leagues, and has solid dynasty value as Brian Westbrook’s back-up.

- Kevin Smith, Lions RB - The former Central Florida stud has really impressed coaches of late. He plays in Jim Colletto’s run first, run second and run third offense, and will be a dynasty and seasonal stud. Yes, we said stud.

- Mewelde Moore, Steelers RB - Even though he has no more fantasy value due to the addition of Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore is happy with his role for Pittsburgh. He’ll return kicks and occasionally play on third downs.

- Chris Taylor, Texans RB - After looking like a very solid deep seasonal sleeper candidate earlier this off-season, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak is now changing his tune a bit with regards to third year RB Chris Taylor. Right now, Ahman Green, Chris Brown and Steve Slaton appear to be ahead of him on the depth chart. The key factor we keep going back to though is that Green and Brown are extremely injury prone. Don’t count Taylor out just yet.

- Darren McFadden, Raiders RB - McFadden will start contract negotiations next week. This is great for his seasonal fantasy value. He’ll get into camp, and start early, which will be important for earning significant playing time.

Lions Love Kevin Smith…

Rotoworld reports that the Detroit Lions are loving what they see more and more from rookie RB Kevin Smith. The first pick in the third round is picking up the pro passing game very quickly - which is usually an obstacle that keeps rookie RBs from contributing.

Smith is starting to look more and more like the complete package, and a sure fire top five dynasty selection.

How Sub-Par Signal Callers Affect RBs

After a breakout campaign in 2004, Willis McGahee’s numbers went down in 2005, from 13 TDs to five, and from 4.0 yards per carry to 3.8, largely due to a change in QBs from Drew Bledsoe to J.P. Losman. Prior to Carson Palmer taking over the starting role in Cincy, Rudi Johnson hadn’t reached 1,000 yards in a season. In the three seasons following Palmer’s appointment, Johnson averaged 1,407 yards and 12 TDs per season. The same way a strong offensive line can help the fantasy value of running backs, lack of strength at QB can hurt it. Larry Johnson is one rusher who could be negatively affected by lack of a solid signal caller in 2008. Read more

Julius Owners: Don’t Believe Holmgren

Our sources aren’t buying into Mike Holmgren’s recent coach-speak about using a running back committee. Even though Julius Jones wasn’t spectacular by any means last season in Dallas, he is head and shoulders above Maurice Morris and T.J. Duckett. Our sources believe that Holmgren is using the media to send a message to his running backs that in mid-May, nobody should take anything for granted. However, Jones will definitely be the starter, and see the rock 20-25 times a game, assuming he stays healthy. We also hear that Jones has worked extremely hard in pass protection, and improving his receiving skills this off-season. In other words, Maurice Morris is not a threat to his fantasy value. Read more

Detroit Lions Running Back Update…

As the Lions reported to mini-camp recently, a few realizations happened regarding their running back situation. Apparently, Tatum Bell showed up overweight. Bell has never been seen as someone with the best work ethic in the world, and this is disappointing for someone competing for a starting job. Bell recently predicted 1,400 yards and 20 TDs for himself, so he’s obviously dillusional.

Brian Calhoun apparently looks great and could contribute on third downs for this team, while Kevin Smith hasn’t done too much to impress the coaching staff, but hasn’t looked bad either. Our bet is still on Smith to start for this team by Week 4.

Rookies Shine In Mini-Camps…

The following rookie playmakers have already caught the eye of their new coaching staffs, and look like fantasy-worthy prospects heading into 2008…

Matt Forte, Bears RB - Coach Lovie Smith said he absolutely stood out in practice on Friday and he has a serious shot at being the Bears starting RB in Week 1. He’s a three down back, according to Chicago coaches and execs.

Kevin Smith, Lions RB - The UCF product will run in the same zone one-cut blocking scheme for the Lions, as he did at UCF, where he gained well over 2,000 yards in his senior season. The Lions think he’s going to be a beast.

Chris Johnson, Titans RB - Say hello to the next Reggie Bush. PPR owners need to snag this guy in the late rounds of their seasonal drafts. Johnson impressed offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger so much during the first days of mini-camp, that he’s already drawing up new routes for him.

Seasonal Rookie Rankings

The fantasy value of NFL rookies seems to be misunderstood. In seasonal drafts, owners that can separate the young studs from the duds, are much more likely to bring home their fantasy title. Don’t be confused though, the difference between evaluating the fantasy value of NFL rookies in dynasty leagues and seasonal leagues is vast. Dynasty league owners must look years into the future, and prognosticate the value of certain running backs and WRs, who may enter 2008 as low as second or third on the depth chart at their position. Read more

Kevin Smith To Start In Detroit…

We figured this would be the case, but apparently, the Detroit Lions have already decided that Central Florida rookie Kevin Smith - the man they traded up for in the third round - will be their starting RB in 2008.

Tatum Bell, Brian Calhoun and Artose Pinner will battle for the other roster spots.

This obviously makes Smith a phenomenal dynasty prospect.