Fantasy Football Collective

Chicago Bears
The Bears went into this draft without a first or third round selection due to the Jay Cutler deal, and they needed to add receiver depth.  So with a third round pick they received in a trade back, they took WR Juaquin Iglesias, who can help them from the slot immediately.

Summary:  Iglesias is a nice possession type receiver but he won’t challenge the playing time of Devin Hester & Earl Bennett, the projected starters.  Cutler's fantasy value in '09 took a major hit when he was dealt to Chicago, and the Bears did little to improve it in this draft. 

Detroit Lions
No team changed the complexion of their offense more than the Lions over the draft’s first four rounds, picking up a hopeful franchise QB (Matthew Stafford w/ the #1 overall pick), a #1 TE (Brandon Pettigrew w/ the #20 pick) & a quality playmaking WR in Derrick Williams in the 3rd round.

Summary:  The Lions already have arguably the most physically gifted & talented WR in the NFL in Calvin Johnson, so the addition of Stafford, Pettigrew & Williams on paper improve his fantasy value in ’09 & beyond.  In the near term, Pettigrew is the only one to have any fantasy value but Stafford should have an impact by ’10 and Williams could be the possession complement to CJ that keeps the chains moving.  

Green Bay Packers
The Packers went defensive with DT B.J. Raji (1st, #9 overall) & LB Clay Matthews (1st, #26) with their early picks.  While both should have an impact on the defense, neither appear to be IDP considerations in ’09.

Summary:  Some pundits predicted the Packers would select a RB early, the fact they didn’t improves Ryan Grant’s fantasy value for ’09.  While Brandon Jackson could take some time away from Grant, its clear the Packers are committed to him being their primary runner this year, in an offense that should be top 15.  Grant went from a borderline RB2 to a solid / strong RB2 heading into ’09.  

Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are a RB heavy team that lacks in punch throwing the ball.  They picked up veteran QB Sage Rosenfels in the off-season to battle incumbent Tarvaris Jackson.  In this draft they added a playmaker in the 1st round with WR Percy Harvin (#22) & an OL Phil Loadholt for depth & development.  

Summary:  Harvn is a playmaker who will add an explosive element to the Viking offense that has been lacking from their WR position since Randy Moss left but his maturity running pro style routes & being a professional are in doubt, so he may not be much of a factor in ’09.  Bernard Berrian may see an uptick in fantasy value with Harvin around but he needs one of the QB’s to step up to realize that opportunity.