With all the drama created over the course of the off-season, I wanted to take a look into the near future and see what type of outcomes that we might be able to expect for the 2010 off-season.
Can we see a new first round QB in San Francisco?
SF - QB controversy: As you know there are a few teams who have an unsettled QB look going into the '09 season, one of them is the SF 49'ers. This is an interesting situation to watch this year, both QB's have been backup material at best (especially Smith a 1st round prospect). I believe if neither QB can show Singletary their best performances this year the 49'ers coach may to look to draft a QB in the 2010 draft.
After finding a couple of weapons in the 49'ers passing game (Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan) the time is now to start balancing their arsenal. Their running-game has the talent, they just need to find a smart QB with good leadership skills (Tim Tebow?) to spread the ball around, and get it down-field. With two first round picks this team should be locked and loaded come draft time (CAR 1st 2010).
It will be interesting to see if they use Carolinas 1st round pick an a QB, it would be ironic considering that may be the only position Carolina needs to win the Super-Bowl.
QB - Prospects to watch: Tim Tebow (Florida), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma), Colt McCoy (Texas), Jevon Snead (Ole Miss)
SEA - Running-Back Problems - It's no secret there is a huge problem in the Seahawks offense. One of the better franchises in the NFL for running the ball was Seattle (until Shawn Alexanders rapid decline from the top), now their hopes rely on RB's Julius Jones and T.J Duckett to tote the rock for them all season long, with the hope that they can reach the playoffs this year.
In their first pre-season game this year they proved they needed a shot in the arm with their running-game. If no one steps up at the RB position this year, I believe they will be watching all the talented young RB's declaring for the draft with a close eye. With an improved passing -game in the off-season (a healthy Hasslebeck and newly acquired Houshmanzadeh) it should make it more blatantly clear that the only position this offense needs is a top-flight first round RB.
If Seattle were to secure a really good RB prospect he would be in a really good position to succeed early in the Seahawks offense, and provide the fantasy world with another highly sought after RB prospect in the 2010 fantasy drafts.
RB - Prospects to watch: Jahvid Best (California), C.J Spiller (Clemson), Lagarrette Blount (Oregon), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma), Charles Scott (LSU), Johnathan Dwyer (Georgia Tech), Joe Mcknight (USC)
JAC - WR Woes: If there was one QB in the league who needs to be provided a few more weapons to get over the hump, it's Jacksonville Jaguars David Garrard. The Jags have improved their offensive-line in the off-season and acquired Torry Holt, but is he the long term solution in Jacksonville? I think this team would be beneficial to target a big name kid at the WR position in the draft next year.
With Torry Holt (a very respected veteran leader) signed he could tutor or mentor a solid young WR prospect and mold the rookie into a really good football player, in a prime position to succeed right out the gate. I like what Jack Del-Rio is preaching (hard-nosed running-game), but it will take more than an aging Holt to get this team in position for a Super-Bowl birth. With some young talented prospects coming to the NFL, Jacksonville could be in a good position to draft a dynasty league stud. Maurice Jones-Drew shouldn't have to be their most reliable pass-catcher. I would love to see what Garrard would look like with someone like Dez Bryant in the passing-game. Who knows?
WR - Prospects to watch:Dez Bryant (Oklahoma ST.), Damian Williams (USC), Arrelious Benn (Illinois), Brandon LaFell (LSU), Golden Tate (Notre Dame), Marshawn Gilyard (Cincinatti)
With all the happenings that every team goes through in the course of a season there is no way to predict exactly how a team will respond to filling holes in their lineup, but there is insight on situations to keep your eyes on (especially in dynasty leagues). Fantasy football rankings fluctuate so often that studs can come out of nowhere, we all like talent coming out of the draft but they have to make sure that they go to a place they can succeed. These three teams should be due for an upgrade at the skill positions next off-season.
