2003 NFL Draft Review – Hidden Gems

While the first round of this year’s NFL draft received most of the attention, savvy fantasy owners can find valuable additions to their rosters in the later rounds as well, particularly in keeper leagues. Join us as we take a look at a few intriguing players chosen after the hoopla of round one had died down:

Houston Texans:
41. (Round 2) Ben Joppru, TE, Michigan
The former Wolverine is the only TE from the lower rounds worth watching, at least for now. Billy Miller is Houston’s #1 at the position, but Joppru has good hands and QB David Carr will be in need of big, safe options to throw the ball to. Keep an eye on the young Texan (but don’t bother drafting him unless Miller misses time).

Washington Redskins:
44. (Round 2) Taylor Jacobs, WR, Florida
Jacobs has good speed and runs good routes. His best asset though, is his past as a Florida Gator. He might get more chances under Spurrier than a WR from another program might, which in turn increases his fantasy value. Jacobs could become Washington’s #3 receiver and is worth tracking over the course of the season.

New England Patriots:
45. (Round 2) Bethel Johnson, WR, Texas A&M
Johnson is one of the fastest receivers in this year’s draft, and could turn into a very solid player. For now, though, the question is how much playing time he’ll see.

Arizona Cardinals:
54. (Round 2) Anquan Boldin, WR, Florida State
Boldin hasn’t lived up to early expectations, and probably won’t become an impact player in the NFL. However, with Arizona’s receiving corps badly depleted, there’s a chance that he could wind up being a starter.

Tennessee Titans:
60. (Round 2) Tyrone Calico, WR, Middle Tennessee State
Kevin Dyson is gone, leaving a hole at receiver which the talented Calico could fill perfectly. Look for a slow start but his numbers later in the season should justify drafting him as a backup. And with many rookie WRs having been chosen earlier, he might make a nice sleeper late in your fantasy draft.

Cincinnati Bengals:
65. (Round 3) Kelley Washington, WR, Tennessee
Washington is an intriguing player, with great potential but lacking in experience. He might be a very productive receiver, but only in a few years time.

St. Louis Rams:
74. (Round 3) Kevin Curtis, WR, Utah State
The important thing in the lines above is “St. Louis Rams.” The Rams again will feature an offense that likes to throw the ball. Remeber Ricky Proehl or Az-Zahir Hakim? Or did you forgot them several months ago? Right, because they left St. Louis, a team which turns #3 wide receiver into legitimate fantasy options. Watch to see who wins the #3 spot and be prepared for a very inconsistent scorer on your team who could give you a surprising win or two if you start him in the right weeks.

Baltimore Ravens:
77. (Round 3) Musa Smith, RB, Georgia
Musa Smith will have a shot at backup duties behind Jamal Lewis this season. If you draft Lewis you might want Smith as your backup, too, in case Lewis misses more time due to injuries. In deep leagues, he might be one of the more appealing backup RB options.

New York Jets:
85. (Round 3) B.J. Askew, RB, Michigan
Another Wolverine who is the only option at his position – fullback – when looking at players outside round one is Askew. He’ll be the starter now that Richie Anderson has left, but fullbacks rarely have much fantasy value, and with Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan leading the Jets’ ground attack he won’t score many touchdowns either.

Houston Texans:
88. (Round 3) Dave Ragone, QB, Louisville
David Carr should be the signal-caller in Houston for many years to come, but Ragone will be a solid backup, and could make a nice fantasy pickup in the unlikely case that Carr falters.

Tennessee Titans:
93. (Round 3) Chris Brown, RB, Colorado
Eddie George isn’t the do-it-all back he once was, and Chris Brown is a good fit for the Titans, who can bring him in slowly. Brown has the talent to eventually supplant George, but it won’t happen this season, barring injury. Still, he’s worth a second look in dynasty leagues.

Oakland Raiders:
96. (Round 3) Justin Fargas, RB, USC
The Raiders will rely on senior citizens once again as they look for another run at the chamionship, leaving Fargas on the bench, but he could play an important role once the old guys decide to turn to golf.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
97. (Round 3) Chris Simms, QB, Texas
Everyone likes his situation with Jon Gruden as coach and mentor, but it still won’t make him a fantasy starter. Not this year. Watch his progress in camp and keep him in mind for the future.

Minnesota Vikings:
105. (Round 4) Onterrio Smith, RB, Oregon
Michael Bennett struggled in the first half last season, but the Vikings didn’t have a capable backup, so he held onto his job and put up solid numbers in the second half. This year he’s coming off foot surgery and has Onterrio Smith behind him. Smith might even be the better option in the passing game, so look for him to get playing time early, and possibly take over as Minnesota’s feature back if Bennett doesn’t reproduce last season’s second-half numbers.

St. Louis Rams:
106. (Round 4) Shaun McDonald, WR, Arizona State
Like Kevin Curtis, McDonald will compete for time in the Rams’ passing game. He’ll need a very strong camp to earn significant playing time, however.

Denver Broncos:
108. (Round 4) Quentin Griffin, RB, Oklahoma
We know by now that Denver is good at drafting backs in lower rounds, but keep in mind that Clinton Portis and Mike Anderson will be ahead of him in the depth charts, so unless the injury bug hits the Broncos once again, he won’t see many snaps on Sundays.

Seattle Seahawks:
110. (Round 4) Seneca Wallace, QB, Iowa State
Wallace has a chance to be the #2 QB with the Seahawks. He could also be the second coming of Antwaan Randle-El, taking snaps in trick plays and thus becomes an intriguing pick in very deep leagues.

Cleveland Browns:
115. (Round 4) Lee Suggs, RB, Virginia Tech
Jamel White could be looking for a new home soon, which would leave Suggs at #2 on the depth chart behind William Green. In deep leagues, this young RB is worth a shot, but he won’t be your fantasy savior.

San Francisco 49ers:
124. (Round 4) Brandon Lloyd, WR, Illinois
Another pass-happy team acquired two wide-receivers with huge potentials. Lloyd could be a #1 receiver in the NFL and a definite starter in the future. Don’t wait too long if you want him in a keeper league.

Pittsburgh Steelers:
163. (Round 5) Brian St. Pierre, QB, Boston College
St. Pierre will battle Charlie Batch for backup duties behind Tommy Maddox. Charlie Batch won’t hold off this rookie too long, which opens the door for another surprise starter at QB in Pittsburgh. If Maddox doesn’t fulfill expectations as a starter, you might want to pick up St. Pierre this season.

Miami Dolphins:
169. (Round 5) J.R. Tolver, WR, San Diego State
The Dolphins were successful in drafting Chris Chambers, but their other receivers didn’t light up scoreboards or fantasy draft boards. With a good camp, Tolver even has the chance at becoming a starter; in the meantime, you shouldn’t overlook him. Chambers and Tolver could prove to be a viable WR tandem in Miami for many years to come.

Houston Texans:
192. (Round 6) Drew Henson, QB, Michigan
You didn’t draft him in your baseball league, did you? No need to pick him up for your football squad either.

San Francisco 49ers:
197. (Round 6) Arnaz Battle, WR, Notre Dame
Battle’s upside is even greatter than Brandon Lloyd’s. Battle began his college career as a quarterback before converting to WR, but makes up for his lack of polish with great natural talent. Watch his progress closely if you play in a keeper league.

New England Patriots:
201. (Round 6) Kliff Kingsbury, QB, Texas Tech
Another late-round quarterback steal by New England? Well, maybe. At any rate, Tom Brady will be leading the Patriots’ attack for a long time…

San Francisco 49ers:
241. (Round 7) Ken Dorsey, QB, Miami
Anytime the Niners draft a QB, it’s worth paying attention. Dorsey will be brought along slowly, which is good, but it will presumably be quite some time before he receives an opportunity to play regularly.

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2003 NFL Draft Review – Hidden Gems

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