Buffalo Bills

Round 1 #11 CB Leodis McKelvin, Troy
Round 2 #41 WR James Hardy, Indiana
Round 3 #72 DE Chris Ellis Virginia Tech
Round 4 #114 CB Reggie Corner, Akron
Round 4 #132 TE Derek Fine, Kansas
Round 5 #147 LB Alvin Bowen, Iowa State
Round 6 #179 RB Xavier Omon, Northwest Missouri State
Round 7 #219 OT Demetrius Bell, Northwestern State
Round 7 #224 WR Steve Johnson, Kentucky
Round 7 #251 CB Kennard Cox, Pittsburgh

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: The Bills recognized their need to improve their secondary as they selected three corners in the 2008 NFL draft. McKelvin is a lock to start, and he may also be utilized in the return game. Buffalo took James Hardy in the second round to give them a red zone threat as well as a wideout to lineup opposite Lee Evans. Hardy should help limit opposing defenses from being able to always double cover Evans on obvious passing downs. Therefore, Hardy is worth a look in all fantasy leagues. Chris Ellis and Alvin Bowen will each be given an opportunity to fight for a starting job on a serviceable fantasy defense.

Miami Dolphins

Round 1 #1 OT Jake Long, Michigan
Round 2 #32 DE Phillip Merling, Clemson
Round 2 #57 QB Chad Henne, Michigan
Round 3 #66 DT Kendall Langford, Hampton
Round 4 #110 OT Shawn Murphy, Utah State
Round 6 #176 RB Jalen Pamele, Toledo
Round 6 #195 G Donald Thomas, Connecticut
Round 6 #204 RB Lex Hillard, Montana
Round 7 #245 DE Lionel Dotson, Arizona

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: Miami found their tackle of the future in Jake Long.  Long should help keep the Dolphins’ quarterbacks upright for many years to come. Merling and Henne were excellent value picks, and they both will be given an opportunity to compete for a starting job. However, Henne will likely begin his career on the sidelines holding a clipboard, which means he would only warrant fantasy consideration in keeper leagues at this time. Kendall Langford fits well in the 3-4 scheme and has a good opportunity to see significant playing time on a mediocre fantasy defense.

New England Patriots

Round 1 #10 LB Jared Mayo, Tennessee
Round 2 #62 CB Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
Round 3 #78 LB Shawn Crable, Michigan
Round 4 #129 QB Kevin O’Connell, San Diego State
Round 5 #153 CB Jonathan Wilhite, Auburn
Round 6 #197 LB Bo Ruud, Nebraska

Overall Grade: B-

Fantasy Outlook: Mayo gives the Patriots some much needed youth at linebacker, and he has the flexibility to play on the inside or outside. New England used their second round pick on a shut down corner in Wheatley. If Wheatley can learn the complex schemes quickly, then he has a decent chance to start on an already stellar fantasy defense. Kevin O’Connell doesn’t figure to see the field anytime soon with Tom Brady as the starter, which means O’Connell does not warrant any fantasy consideration. With that being said, O’Connell should learn a lot under the tutelage of Brady.

New York Jets

Round 1 #6 DE Vernon Gholston, Ohio State
Round 1 #30 TE Dustin Keller, Purdue
Round 4 #113 CB Dwight Lowery, San Jose State
Round 5 #162 QB Erik Ainge, Tennessee
Round 6 #171 WR Marcus Henry, Kansas
Round 7 #211 OT Nate Garner, Arkansas

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: Gholston will make the Jets instantly more athletic on defense, and he has pro bowl potential in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme. Lowery will battle for the starting job at corner on a middle-of-the-road fantasy defense, and he will likely help contribute in the return game. Ainge is a project at quarterback, but in a year or two, he could compete for the starting job. However, he does not warrant any fantasy consideration at this time.

Arizona Cardinals

Round 1 #16 CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Tennessee State
Round 2 #50 DE Calais Campbell, Miami
Round 3 #81 WR Early Doucet, LSU
Round 4 #116 DE Kenny Iwebema, Iowa
Round 5 #149 RB Tim Hightower, Richmond
Round 6 #185 DE Chris Harrington, Texas A&M

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Cardinals selected Rodgers-Cromartie with their first pick to allow Antrel Rolleto move over to safety. Rodgers-Cromartie gives Arizona a playmaker on defense. They also attempted to improve their defense by taking Calais Campbell in the second round and Kenny Iwebema in the fourth round. Campbell and Iwebema will give the Cardinals a much-need pass rush, and their new young talent will transform them into a sleeper fantasy defense for 2008. Arizona was also able to snag Early Doucet in the third round. Doucet will likely be their No. 3 receiver and deserves a look in keeper leagues.

San Francisco 49ers

Round 1 #29 DE Kentwan Balmer, North Carolina
Round 2 #39 G Chilo Rachal, USC
Round 3 #75 DB Reggie Smith, Oklahoma
Round 4 #107 OL Cody Wallace, Texas A&M
Round 6 #174 WR Josh Morgan, Virginia Tech
Round 7 #214 LB Larry Grant, Ohio State

Overall Grade: C-

Fantasy Outlook: The 49ers may have shocked some fans when they opted not to take a wide receiver in the first round. They instead took Kentwan Balmer to give their pass rush a boost. San Francisco also found another potential starter in the third round when they took the tackling machine known as Reggie Smith. With that being said, San Francisco is still a middle-of-the-road fantasy defense. The 49ers did snag a wideout late in the draft when they selected Josh Morgan. Morgan has good speed, but he will likely only see the field on special teams to begin his rookie campaign. Therefore, he does not warrant any fantasy consideration at this time.

Seattle Seahawks

Round 1 #28 DE Lawrence Jackson, USC
Round 2 #38 TE John Carlson, Notre Dame
Round 4 #121 DT Red Bryant, Texas A&M
Round 5 #163 FB Owen Schmidt, West Virginia
Round 6 #189 LS Tyler Scmitt, San Diego State
Round 7 #233 RB Justin Forsett, California
Round 7 #235 K Brandon Coutu, Georgia

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: The Seahawks focused on improving their defense by taking two potential starters within in their first three picks. Lawrence Jackson will likely be on the field on passing downs to begin the year, but he should be an every down player before the season is over. Bryant is a run stuffer that should see significant action in his rookie campain on a solid fantasy defense. Seattle clearly wanted to improve their running game as they drafted a blocking tight end in John Carlson and Owen Scmitt at Fullback. They both should open holes for Julius Jones and the running game, which makes Jones a legitimate lower tier, No.1 fantasy back. 

St. Louis Rams

Round 1 #2 DE Chris Long, Virginia
Round 2 #33 WR Donnie Avery, Houston
Round 3 #65 OT John Greco, Toledo
Round 4 #101 CB Justin King, Penn State
Round 4 #128 WR Keenan Burton, Kentucky
Round 5 #157 G Roy Schuening, Oregon State
Round 7 #228 DB Chris Chamberlain, Tulsa
Round 7 #252 LB David Vobora, Idaho

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: The Rams got their pass rusher of the future in Chris Long. Long has a quick first step and will help improve a lower tier fantasy defense. Donnie Avery may have appeared to be a reach on the surface, but he has blazing speed and fits in well with the Rams’ system. In other words, Avery has big play potential, which means he deserves consideration as a fantasy sleeper. John Greco was a brilliant third round selection, and he instantly makes St. Louis more solid up front. 

Atlanta Falcons

Round 1 #3 QB Matt Ryan, Boston College
Round 1 #21 OT Sam Baker, USC
Round 2 #37 LB Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma
Round 3 #68 CB Chevis Jackson, LSU
Round 3 #84 WR Harry Douglas, Louisville
Round 3 #98 S Thomas DeCoud, California
Round 5 #138 LB Robert James, Arizona State
Round 5 #154 LB Kroy Biermann, Montana
Round 6 #172 RB Thomas Brown, Georgia
Round 7 #212 CB Wilrey Fontenot, Arizona
Round 7 #232 TE Keith Zinger, Duke

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The success of this draft for the Falcons rests on the shoulders of Matt Ryan. Ryan is being asked to be the new face of the franchise, and he will be given every opportunity to compete for the starting job. He may not be the opening day starter, but he figures to be given the job at some point in the season. Consequently, Ryan is worth a look in keeper leagues. Atlanta attempted to protect their investment by drafting a offensive tackle in Sam Baker. Baker should help keep Ryan and the rest of their signal callers upright. Chevis Jackson has a great opportunity to play right away with the departure of DeAngelo Hall, but Atlanta will likely still be a middle-of-the-road fantasy defense.

Carolina Panthers

Round 1 #13 RB Jonathan Stewart, Oregon
Round 1 #19 OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh
Round 3 #67 CB Charles Godfrey, Iowa
Round 3 #74 LB Dan Connor, Penn State
Round 5 #141 TE Gary Barnidge, Louisville
Round 6 #181 DT Nick Hayden, Wisconsin
Round 7 #221 LB Hilee Taylor, North Carolina
Round 7 #241 OT Geoff Schwartz, Oregon
Round 7 #250 G Mackenzy Bernadeau, Bentley

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: Jonathan Stewart will be given a significant amount of touches in his rookie campaign. Stewart has great strength and quickness, which should bode well at the NFL level. Therefore, Stewart warrants strong consideration as a No. 2 running back in fantasy. Jeff Otah was a smart pick for Carolina as he will help open the holes for Stewart and the running game.  Speaking of solid picks, the Panthers snagged a couple of potential starters on defense in Charles Godfrey and Dan Connor. Carolina is a perennial top tier fantasy defense, and this year will be no exception.

New Orleans Saints

Round 1 #7 DT Sedrick Ellis, USC
Round 2 #40 CB Tracy Porter, Indiana
Round 5 #144 DT DeMario Pressley, North Carolina
Round 5 #164 OT Carl Nicks, Nebraska
Round 6 #178 K Taylor Mehlhaff, Wisconsin
Round 7 #237 WR Adrian Arrington, Michigan

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Saints may have found three starters on defense with their first three draft selections. Sedrick Ellis will be an instant impact player and a disruptive force in the backfield. Therefore, New Orleans should be considered more than a serviceable fantasy defense in 2008. On the other side of the ball, Adrian Arrington has good hands and runs precise routes, which could earn him a roster spot. They also may have found their kicker by taking Taylor Melhaff in the sixth round.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Round 1 #20 CB Aquib Talib, Kansas
Round 2 #58 WR Dexter Jackson, Appalachian State
Round 3 #83 G Jeremy Zuttah, Rutgers
Round 4 #116 DT Dre Moore, Maryland
Round 5 #160 QB Josh Johnson, San Diego
Round 6 #175 LB Geno Hayes, Florida State
Round 7 #238 RB Cory Boyd, South Carolina

Overall Grade: C+

Fantasy Outlook: Tampa Bay wanted to get younger in their secondary so they took Aqib Talib with their first pick. Talib will get the chance to compete for the starting job on an already upper tier fantasy defense. Dexter Jackson could end up being one of the steals of the 2008 NFL draft. Jackson has the ability to make big plays every time he touches the ball. Look for Jackson to help out more intially in the return game, but he could be given a bigger role in the passing game later in the year. The Buccaneers brought yet another quarterback onto their roster when they selected Josh Johnson towards the end of the draft.  Johnson is a project quarterback and does not warrant any fantasy consideration until he has been given playing time and proven he can adjust to the pro game.

Chicago Bears

Round 1 #14 OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt
Round 2 #44 RB Matt Forte, Tulane
Round 3 #70 WR Earl Bennett, Vanderbilt
Round 3 #90 DT Marcus Harrison, Arkansas
Round 4 #120 S Craig Steltz, LSU
Round 5 #142 CB Zackary Bowman, Nebraska
Round 5 #158 TE Kellen Davis, Michigan State
Round 7 #208 DE Ervin Baldwin, Michigan State
Round 7 #243 LB Joey LaRocque, Oregon State
Round 7 #247 OT Kirk Barton, Ohio State
Round 7 #248 WR Marcus Monk, Arkansas

Overall Grade: C-

Fantasy Outlook: The Bears did not please their fans when they ignored their biggest need by failing to draft a quarterback. They did select Earl Bennett in the third round to attempt to replace the production lost at the receiver position with the departure of Bernard Berrian.  However, since the Bears still don’t have a reliable signal caller, Bennett does not figure to be a viable fantasy option.  Kellen Davis was a nice find in the fifth round.  Davis and Greg Olsen will be a solid tight end tandem, and they both warrant consideration in fantasy.  Chicago figured to have found two starters in Marcus Harrison and Craig Steltz on an already upper tier fantasy defense.

Detroit Lions

Round 1 #17 OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College
Round 2 #45 LB Jordon Dizon, Colorado
Round 3 #64 RB Kevin Smith, Central Florida
Round 3 #87 DT Andre Fluellen, Florida State
Round 3 #92 LB Cliff Avril, Purdue
Round 5 #136 WR Kenneth Moore, Wake Forest
Round 5 #146 FB Jerome Felton, Furman
Round 7 #216 DE Landon Cohen, Ohio
Round 7 #218 S Caleb Campbell, Army

Overall Grade: B-

Fantasy Outlook: Kevin Smith could end up being one of the biggest steals in the 2008 NFL draft.  Smith will certainly be given every opportunity to start as Kevin Jones has left town, and Tatum Bell has never proven he can carry the load over a long period of time.  Therefore, Smith is a viable option to consider in keeper leagues. The Lions may have reached a little for Gosder Cherilus, but he will certainly provide Detroit much-needed help to their O-line. Andre Fluellen and Cliff Avril figure to be starters on a middle-of-the-road fantasy defense.

Green Bay Packers

Round 2 #36 WR Jordy Nelson, Kansas State
Round 2 #56 QB Brian Brohm, Louisville
Round 3 #91 DB Patrick Lee, Auburn
Round 4 #102 TE Jermichael Finley, Texas
Round 4 #135 DE Jeremy Thompson, Wake Forest
Round 5 #150 OT Bren Giacomini, Louisville
Round 7 #209 QB Matt Flynn, LSU
Round 7 #217 WR Brett Swain, San Diego State

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: Green Bay quietly had a very solid draft.  Jordy Nelson may not start right away, but he will eventually work his way onto the field.  The same could be said about Brian Brohm, who will likely begin his career holding the clipboard behind Aaron Rodgers.  Matt Flynn is more of a project, and he has career backup written all over him. Consequently, Brohm and Flynn are not even worth a look in keeper leagues at this point in their respective careers.  Jeremy Thompson and Patrick Lee could end up as starters on defense by the end of the season.

Minnesota Vikings

Round 2 #43 S Tyrell Johnson, Arkansas State
Round 5 #137 QB John David Booty, USC
Round 5 #152 DT Letroy Guion, Florida State
Round 6 #187 C John Sullivan, Notre Dame
Round 6 #193 WR Jaymar Johnson, Jackson State

Overall Grade: A

Fantasy Outlook: The draft for Minnesota began with the acquisition of defensive end Jared Allen.  Allen instantly makes the Vikings an upper tier fantasy defense. Tyrell Johnson has the speed to play corner or safety, and his versatility should have him seeing significant playing time.  John David Booty will give Tavaris Jackson a reason to do his best to continue to improve.  In other words, if Jackson regresses, then Booty could snatch his job away from him before the end of the 2008 campaign.  With that being said, Booty only warrants minimal consideration in keeper leagues.

Dallas Cowboys

Round 1 #22 RB Felix Jones, Arkansas
Round 1 #25 CB Mike Jenkins, South Florida
Round 2 #61 TE Martellus Bennett, Texas A&M
Round 4 #122 RB Tashard Choice, Georgia Tech
Round 5 #143 CB Orlando Scandrick, Boise State
Round 6 #167 LB Erik Walden, Middle Tennessee State 

Overall Grade: B+

Fantasy Outlook: Last year, the Cowboys were one of the rare teams that possessed two running backs that were taken in the first couple rounds of most fantasy drafts. Dallas still has Marion Barber, but they lost Julius Jones to free agency.  They will now ask Felix Jones to split the carries with Barber, which means that Jones warrants strong fantasy consideration as a rookie.  Dallas also selected Tashard Choice at running back, but he will likely be utilized on special teams and perhaps short yardage situations.  Martellus Bennett is a bit of a project at tight end, but he was a former basketball star, which has been a great attribute for productive NFL tight ends. In 2007, the Cowboys had injury issues to their secondary.  Therefore, they drafted Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick. The depth and athleticism that Dallas possesses makes them a strong fantasy defense.

New York Giants

Round 1 #31 S Kenny Phillips, Miami
Round 2 #63 CB Terrell Thomas, USC
Round 3 #95 WR Mario Manningham, Michigan
Round 4 #123 LB Brian Kehl, BYU
Round 5 #165 LB Jonathan Goff, Vanderbilt
Round 6 #198 QB Andre’ Woodson, Kentucky
Round 6 #199 DE Robert Henderson, Southern Miss

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Giants already had a stellar fantasy defense, but they were able to get the safety they wanted by selecting Kenny Phillips in the first round. Phillips can play the run and the pass well, which should lead to him making some big plays. Speaking of big plays, Mario Manningham made them his entire college career.  Manningham may not have the greatest character, or run the best routes, but there is no doubt that he will go up and get the football in traffic. The combination of Manningham and Plaxico Burress should make Eli Manning an even more potent fantasy quarterback. The G-Men opted to draft a quarterback when they took Andre’ Woodson in the sixth round. However, Woodson will need time to develop, but he should benefit from playing behind Manning.

Philadelphia Eagles

Round 2 #47 DT Trevor Laws, Notre Dame
Round 2 #49 WR DeSean Jackson, California
Round 3 #80 LB Bryan Smith, McNeese State
Round 4 #109 OT Mike McGlynn, Pittsburgh
Round 4 #131 CB Jack Ikegwuonu, Wisconsin
Round 6 #184 OT Mike Gibson, California
Round 6 #200 LB Joe Mays, North Dakota
Round 6 #203 LB Andy Studebaker, Wheaton
Round 7 #230 OT King Dunlap, Auburn

Overall Grade: B

Fantasy Outlook: The Eagles were able to really target their needs this draft with nine selections. DeSean Jackson should be able to make an immediate impact, and he could develop into the major weapon that Donovan McNabb has not had at his disposal since the departure of Terrell Owens.  Therefore, Jackson is worth a look in fantasy, and he is an ideal pick in a keeper league.  Philadelphia also added three offensive tackles, and Mike McGlynn will likely be a starter.  The Eagles put a high emphasis on defense in this draft, and Trevor Laws, Bryan Smith, Quentin Demps, and Jack Ikegwuonu all figure to become starters on an already solid fantasy defense.

Washington Redskins

Round 2 #34 WR Devin Thomas, Michigan State
Round 2 #48 TE Fred Davis, USC
Round 2 #51 WR Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma
Round 3 #96 OT Chad Rinehart, Northern Iowa
Round 4 #124 CB Justin Tryon, Arizona State
Round 6 #168 P Durant Brooks, Georgia Tech
Round 6 #180 DB Kareem Moore, Nicholls State
Round 7 #242 DE Rob Jackson, Kansas State
Round 7 #249 S Chris Horton, UCLA

Overall Grade: A-

Fantasy Outlook: It seemed like the Kansas City Chiefs had the best first round, and the Redskins had the best second round in the 2008 NFL draft.  In that aforementioned second round, Washington snagged three weapons on offense in Devin Thomas, Fred Davis, and Malcolm Kelly.  The entire trio warrant strong fantasy consideration in the new-look Jim Zorn offense. Justin Tryon and Kareem Moore can both contribute in the secondary and special teams, but neither figure to be more than nickel corners as rookies.  Colt Brennan is a project, and until he can prove he can make the transition into the NFL, he does not warrant any fantasy consideration.