|
Looking Back...
As was the case in 2003, many of the best players coming out in 2004 were Quarterbacks and Wide Receivers.
The 2004 class scored excellent marks at QB, WR and Tight End. Overall, the RB
talent was rather average.
For Fantasy purposes, that mix didn't translate into a huge rookie impact.
That's not surprising.
On average, highly drafted rookie QBs only generate 182 passing yards and 0.99 TDs per game. In addition, highly drafted wide receivers, on average, only generate 47 yards and 0.37 TDs per start during their rookie season.
As good as QBs David Carr, Joey Harrington, Carson Palmer and Byron Leftwich were entering the NFL Draft,
2004 prospects Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger were better. In fact, the top
two QB prospects in the 2005 class, Aaron Rodgers and Alex Smith, also fall short of Manning and
Roesthlisberger.
If you like good rookie Wide Receiver prospects, 2004 was your year. If Charles Rogers,
2003's #1 rookie WR prospect had come out in 2004 he would have ranked fourth. The 2004 rookie class
had three outstanding WR prospects Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Williams and Roy Williams. And, Lee Evans
wasn't far behind.
The 2005 class is also strong at receiver. It boasts four excellent
prospects -- Mike Williams, Braylon Edwards, Mark Clayton and Troy Williamson.
As a rookie Kellen Winslow was arguably the best TE prospect to come down the pike in 10+ years.
An early injury derailed Winslow in his rookie season.
The best TEs in 2005 are Heath Miller and Alex Smith. Miller is first round material
and a solid fantasy prospect. He has excellent hands. Adam
Bergen from Lehigh is also an interesting long-term prospect but at this stage
he doesn't rank with Miller and Smith.
Looking Back at the 2003 Class
In 2003 we all certainly learned who Anquan Boldin was in a hurry. In NFL Week #1 Boldin wasted no time getting his name in the record book posting 10-receptions, 217-yards and 2-TDs! In addition, Domanick Davis certainly made Fantasy Managers take notice. Davis posted 335-yards from scrimmage and scored 2-TDs in his first two NFL starts. Still, the 2003 rookie class didnt outshine the 2002 group (Jeremy Shockey, Clinton Portis, Julius Peppers, etc.).
Unfortunately, the 2003 class had its share of injuries. Kyle Boller, Taylor Jacobs, Charles Rogers, Dallas Clark, Justin Fargas, Kevin Curtis, Shaun McDonald, Bennie Joppru and Willis McGahee were all limited due to injury.
|
