Ray Rice Is A Second Round Sleeper
April 6, 2008 at 4:47 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |
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Alright folks, now we’re really getting into the nitty gritty. We’ve finished the first round of our 2008 NFL Mock Draft, but we’re not done. It’s a fact that the second and third rounds produce just as many fantasy football studs as the first. Check out Ray Rice and other phenomenal fantasy sleepers coming out of round two.
32. “The Miami Dolphins Select…” Sam Baker, OT, USC - After passing on U-M’s Jake Long in the first round and landing Howie’s son instead, Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano will need to address the need at offensive tackle in round two. USC’s Sam Baker will be the best one on the board at this point, and his presence will likely help the new head coach accomplish some of the things he wants to via the ground game. A lack of pass protection was also a huge reason why Miami went 1-15 last season, and Baker can definitely help in that department due to his experience at USC. Baker will likely play right tackle in year one, then possibly slip over to the left side if he lives up to expectations.
33. “The St. Louis Rams Select…” Lawrence Jackson, DE, USC - The Rams addressed the defensive line in round one by selecting Glenn Dorsey, but they won’t be able to pass on the explosive Lawrence Jackson in round two if he falls to them. Jackson could also get snatched up by a 3-4 team looking to move him to OLB. Another possibility for the Rams here is someone who can play weakside linebacker like Oklahoma’s Curtis Lofton. Wide receiver is another need, and LSU’s Early Doucet is on the board here as well.
34. “The Atlanta Falcons Select…” Joe Flacco, QB Delaware - Delware’s Flacco is certain to go at the top of round two. He has a cannon and is definitely somebody to watch in dynasty leagues. Like many other teams at the top of the draft, offensive line is a huge need for the Atlanta Falcons. Tackles Todd Weiner and Renardo Foster could not stay healthy last season, and quite frankly - they’re not that good when healthy anyway. If the Falcons end up with Jake Long third overall, then Delaware QB Joe Flacco would be a great pick here. If by some chance, they snag Matt Ryan third overall, then they’ll need an OT like Nebraska’s Carl Nicks in round two. Nicks may or may not be the answer, but he’s the most logical pick at this point. Another possbility could be CBs like Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers, or Penn State’s Justin King.
35. “The Kansas City Chiefs Select…” Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech - The Chiefs did not welcome back Ty Law to play corner in 2008, and with Flowers falling out of the first round, he’ll be a great pick at this spot. Dimitri Patterson, Rashad Barksdale and someone named Chad Johnson are currently candidates to start across from Patrick Surtain, so let’s put it this way - Flowers won’t be the only CB the Chiefs take in the draft. Herm Edwards, a former DB himself, knows he needs to stock pile them in this year’s draft.
36. “The New York Jets Select…” Ray Rice, RB, Rutgers - Don’t think the Jets don’t realize that Thomas Jones is 30. Yes, they like Leon Washington, and yes they signed Jesse Chatman, but a player right in their own back yard has been catching their eye - Rutgers RB Ray Rice. Rice has drawn comparisons to Tiki Barber, and is likely to go in the early second round. We’ll monitor him, as we expect him to be a great value pick in all deep, long term leagues.
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