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Players I Refuse To Draft In 2008
As I participate in many drafts, almost on a daily basis if you count mocks, I am naturally scouting myself. I notice certain tendencies, and one thing that keeps jumping out at me is that I don't always fully stick to my own player rankings. Inevitably, at some points during each draft, certain players logically come up as possible choices for the upcoming round, and I sneer at the thought of picking them. No matter where they should be picked, there are guys I will pass on and leave them for other drafters, even if they drop below where they are supposed to go. Here are the guys I just cannot bring myself to add to my roster, even though they naturally fit in player rankings at respectable slots. I usually gloss right over them and take a player with more upside or less risk in the appropriate instances. For the most part, I do follow my own advice, but there are some exceptions. If you do choose to draft one of these players, I have them slotted in my regular ranks where they should logically be selected, if you insist.  |
Marc Bulger: Even with Steven Jackson in the lineup, I don't want to deal with Bulger. The Rams’ offensive line looks awful again, and the lack of a balanced receiving corps means coverage sacks and even more big hits. I don’t even want him as a backup. Jon Kitna: Yes, he has All-World starting receivers, but Kitna is still an inconsistent turnover machine who handles the ball like a bar of soap. It absolutely amazes me that the Lions continue to start him when he is just good enough to lose with and is really just suited for backup duty. In fantasy, I cringe at the thought of him even as a late-round reserve. If I had to plug him into my lineup in any week, I would be expecting a loss. Matt Leinart: I have drafted him in one league already, and regretted the decision. I just can't trust him to win or hold onto the starting job. He may just be a wasted pick. I may not feel this way in the future, but I want no part of Leinart this year. Frank Gore: The San Francisco offense scares me too much. Gore is simply going to draw too much defensive attention, and the terrible outlook makes me fear his touchdown numbers are going to be disappointing. I originally had him as a top 10 RB before I saw too much of the Niners in camp and recent exhibition play. Ryan Grant: Not only will he face stacked defensive fronts as he plays with an inexperienced QB, Grant has been dealing with hamstring problems in the preseason, too. He is falling fast in my recommendations/rankings. Brandon Jacobs: I love to watch this guy play, as he may leave actual footprints on a defender's chest at any time. Yet he is a high-risk player because of possible injuries and shared touches. Edgerrin James: He's a boring pick and leaves you wondering how you could have done better. He is the model of a player who gets passed over for upside. Willie Parker: If you're lucky, maybe he'll get four rushing TDs. Julius Jones: Even if he can win the starting job, he looks destined for a split workload with maybe two other RBs, one of which is ticketed for a lot of goal-line "vulturing." Greg Jennings: Brett Favre is gone, and that means Jennings' value takes a significant hit. He developed a great rapport with Favre and often flourished as a downfield playmaker. It's easy to see that Aaron Rodgers is not reliable when throwing downfield, and he won't be able to get Jennings the ball on medium range and longer passes consistently. Jennings needs a bomber to get him the ball, and Rodgers is not going to fit the bill any time soon. Marvin Harrison: Okay, okay, maybe he won’t be useless this year. But I still don't want an aging guy with two questionable knees on my squad. Not my idea of a championship-caliber player in fantasy. Someone will inevitably take him a little too early and I won't have to make it in issue in my own head at some point. Nate Burleson: An ideal No. 3 receiver who will be overmatched if asked to be the No. 1 guy. Another example of how increased opportunity doesn’t always lead to better production. Santana Moss: He has never been anywhere near dependable and has often been overrated. He has driven me crazy in the past with his inconsistency. Derrick Mason: Some of the numbers go against me, and he has produced some admirable results. I just don't want a Baltimore WR on my roster. I get an Edgerrin James-like feeling about him. Reggie Brown: I don't think he is ever going to live up to expectations, and at best, he will be adequate. Justin Gage: With six TD receptions in five pro seasons, I don't see why I even have to list him on my cheat sheets. Todd Heap: Yeah, I know he is good when he is healthy. But it's a shame that he can’t seem to avoid injuries, so I have to avoid him. Alge Crumpler: He seems to fit in a role similar to his old one in Atlanta, being the only truly notable target for a QB who can make things happen on the run. Yet I can't seem to shake the feeling that he may be done as a quality fantasy player. Isn’t Tennessee where all sorts of receivers go to die? Scott Engel began covering the NFL in 1992, and moved to the fantasy beat full-time in 1997. E-mail Scott at
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