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The first pick in the fantasy geek draft is......
Published: 5/6/2009 8:01 AM
Last Modified: 5/6/2009 8:01 AM

Have people become such fantasy sport geeks that it has affected how they feel about "real" sports? For instance, during a weekly pick-up basketball game last night, I had a friend tell me that he no longer has a favorite NBA team because he prefers to track how the players are doing on his fantasy league team, or teams.
Since fantasy has darn near become reality, let's ask this question: From the recently concluded NFL Draft, which rookie will be taken first in fantasy drafts?
Here's a best guess:
1, WR Michael Crabtree (10th, 49ers): Receivers aren't consistent point-producers like running backs, but doesn't Crabtree cast the same silhouette as Michael Irvin?
2, WR Jeremy Maclin (19th, Eagles): Surely Maclin will find end zones, either as a return man or catching balls from Donovan McNabb.
3, RB Chris Wells (31st, Cardinals): Shortly after drafting Wells, the Cardinals released Edgerrin James.
4, RB Donald Brown (27th, Colts): When the Colts' offense was humming (and it wasn't early last season), that means touchdowns for everyone.
5, QB Mark Sanchez (5th, Jets): Quarterbacks are a dime a dozen in fantasy leagues unless you have a stat freak playing the position, but the Jets didn't move up to draft Sanchez so that he could hold a clipboard.
Now, some why-didn't-you-pick-these-guys:
Matt Stafford, Lions: It's the Lions. They didn't win a game last season and may not score a touchdown in September.
Darrius-Heyward Bey, Raiders: Someone should tell Al Davis that fantasy track and field will never catch on.
Knowshon Moreno, Broncos: Running backs were de-valued by the rotating system of former coach Mike Shanahan. Will things change in a new regime? Fantasy nerds would love the Broncos to pick a workhorse and stick with him.
Josh Freeman, Bucs: Got a gut feeling that this may be a good darkhorse pick in a later round.
Brandon Pettigrew, Lions: Nobody drafts tight ends high in fantasy drafts, unless someone falls in love with Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez.
Percy Harvin, Vikings: Who's going to throw the ball to him? Old man Favre?
Hakeem Nicks, Giants: The Giants missed Plaxico Burress. If Nicks can pick things up quickly, he could slide in and be a contributor.
Kenny Britt, Titans: Who knows? Maybe a good player? But the Titans win because they have a great 1-2 running back punch.





Reader Comments 2 Total
MexiMike (4 years ago)
Oh Jimmie, you've tapped into my secret shame. I just can't resist some good ol' fantasy football talk.

First of all, NEVER take a rookie WR. The rookie Randy Mosses of the world are few and very far between. I'll take a second option veteran over a rookie stud any day of the week.

Beanie Wells will more than likely be the best rookie prospect because he will immediately start. Although Arizona is a West Coast pass happy offense, he'll still get enough carries to make most people take him in the second round of the Fantasy Draft.

Sanchez and Stafford will be busts for at least two years but I may take a chance on Moreno in the 6th or 7th round if he is still available. A new coach and QB always seem to be a recipe for more running plays being called.

Poor Brandon Pettigrew. If he would have been drafted by most other teams I would choose him as my back up TE with his skills. But with Detroit? Sorry B-Pett, I'm looking elsewhere.
mgsooner (4 years ago)
I agree with Mike, I'd probably put Wells at the top of this list right now.
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Tulsa World sports writer Jimmie Tramel is a former class president at Locust Grove High School. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern State University with a journalism degree and, while attending college, was sports editor of the Pryor Daily Times. He joined the Tulsa World on Oct. 17, 1989, the same day an earthquake struck the World Series. He is the OSU basketball beat writer and a columnist and feature writer during football season. In 2007, he wrote a book about Oklahoma State football with former Cowboy coach Pat Jones.

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