2007 Arena Fantasy Football Draft Preview
American Conference - Central
The American Conference Central Division is one of the more lopsided divisions from a fantasy perspective, with huge stars and huge questionmarks. The division houses the last two ArenaBowl champions in the Chicago Rush and Colorado Crush, two of the best Offensive Specialists in the league, the All-Time leading rusher in AFL history and alot of exciting young players.
Chicago Rush
The defending AFL Champions are in the capable hands of QB Matt D'Orazio. In his first year as a starter for the Rush, D'Orazio threw for 63 TDs and only 5 INTs, with an impressive completion percentage of 70.3%. But what makes D'Orazio more valuable is his running ability. In 2006, he netted 200 yards and 10 TDs, giving him 18 running TDs in two years. He's not seen as an exciting fantasy prospect by many, so grab him in R6 or R7 and you'll have quite a bargain on your hands.
OS Bobby Sippio came to Chicago from Tampa Bay in Week 12, and influenced the Rush run to the ArenaBowl Title more than any player in the Windy City. Sippio had philosophical differences with the Tampa braintrust but found a home in Chicago, catching over 100 yards worth of passes in 6 of his 9 games in a Rush uniform, including an incredible 10 for 217 and 6 TD performance in Week 15. Sippio should be one of the top Offensive Specialists selected and a repeat of his 35 TD year should be easily within reach. The rest of the Rush receiving corps was a hodge-podge of situation players, with WR Etu Molden the most talented and most enigmatic of the bunch. Molden followed consecutive 20+ TD years with a very disappointing 2006, posting only one 100 yard outing. Hopefully he'll rebound and justify his 7th or 8th round draft selection. The other Rush receivers, WR Woody Dantzler, WR DeJuan Alfonzo and WR Dennison Robinson, are worthy of roster spots in deeper leagues, with all of them most likely posting similar stats (about 40 catches for about 300 yards and about 6 TDs).
The Chicago running game features AFL All-Time leading rusher FB Bob McMillen and FB Charlie Cook. McMillen is a shell of his former self, tallying under 100 yards rushing on the season for the first time in 8 years. Cook has never been a big rusher throughout his career. With D'Orazio being used in goal line situations on the ground, neither Rush Rusher makes a good fantasy starter.
K Dan Frantz looks to solidify his spot on the roster in training camp but has been cut before and is nothing better than a K2 or a waiver wire pickup if he gets hot. No need to draft Frantz unless you're one of his family members.
The Rush have a good defense, with DS Jeremy Unertl and DS Todd Howard most likely starting. Unertl posted an impressive 8 INTs last season and is the better choice of the two, making him a lower tier DS1 and most likely a R9 selection. Howard was a sometime starter last season and could be a decent DS2 as he plays in a good system.
Colorado Crush
The Crush are one of the dominant teams in the AFL and having QB John Dutton back for a 5th season is one of the reasons. Dutton threw for 96 TDs and over 4400 yards last season (rumor is he has some pretty good receivers) and even a season close to last would still justify his selection the the 1st Round. If you grab the durable and accurate Dutton, you'll be set at QB for the season.
The Crush receivers are among the best and most exciting in the league, led by OS Damien Harrell, who is entering his 9th year after shattering the single season TD mark, collecting 61 in 2006 on some of the prettiest catches ever witnessed. Harrell has gone for 38, 43, 41 and 61 TDs in his past four years and shows no signs of slowing. Grab him #1 or #2 overall and expect about 50 TDs this season, although it wouldn't surprise me if he broke his own record. Complimenting Harrell are WR Willis Marshall and WR Andy McCullough, both consistent all-around players. Marshall is more of a running and return threat, totaling 20 TDs in 2006. McCullough went for 92 catches for 1093 yards and 14 TDs of his own. Both make excellent mid to late round selections and could be useful starters or backups for your fantasy squad. WR Ahmad Hawkins is also a nice late round selection for his versatility on both sides of the ball.
Like much of the Arena League, the Crush have no particular running game to speak of, with FB Saul Patu and FB John Peaua likely getting the occasional carry. Peaua is the beter choice of the two but both should be viewed as desperation picks only.
The Crush have never had a huge kicking game and K Jason Ball is back for another try. He'll get his chances if he survives training camp but shouldn't be on your draft day list.
While the Crush have the tendency to give up some points (like most Arena teams), they do own the best Defensive Specialist in the Arena League in DS Rashad Floyd. Floyd has totaled over 100 tackles in each of his past three seasons and last year added 10 INTs to his legend. He should be the 1st DS taken in the draft in R6 or R7 and will get you consistent points at a critical lineup position. DS Delvin Hughley lives in Floyd's shadow and will collect about 60 tackles this season, making him a decent DS2.
Grand Rapids Rampage
QB Chad Salisbury returns for his 2nd year leading the Rampage offense and will look to improve upon his simply average 59 TD season. Salisbury is a good bye week replacement on your fantasy squad but could easily go undrafted. If Salisbury faulters, QB Matt Sauk is ready to take a leading role after throwing 99 TDs in 2005 while playing in af2 and seeing playing time with Philadelphia in 2006.
The Rampage have invested heavily to fill the holes left by the departure through free agency of two of their better receivers, signing former NFL players OS Troy Edwards and WR Scotty Anderson. It wouldn't be shocking to see Edwards have a good season, although he should be drafted as an OS2. Anderson will take some time to get into shape, so monitor him as a possible waiver wire pickup. The main cog in the Rampage receiving game, however, is WR Timon Marshall, who led the AFL in All-Purpose yards last season while collecting 21 scores. Marshall should be considered a WR1 and warrants selection in R2 or R3 of most drafts.
Grand Rapids has a decent running game by AFL standards, led by FB Chris Avery, who had an off-season last year after totaling 13 TDs in 2005. Expect Avery to rebound some, making him a upper tier FB2 who could develop into a valuable fantasy starter. The Rampage also have FB Chris Ryan, who is a load to bring down and has soft hands in the receiving game. Ryan is one to monitor during the season.
K Brian Gowins looks to do the booting for Grand Rapids but isn't a particular exciting option. Leave him undrafted and pick him up if he gets hot.
The Boys from Michigan have two good Defensive Specialists in DS Jonathan Ordway and DS Reggie Doster, with Ordway being a DS1 and Doster looking more like a DS2. Ordway should go around R10, with Doster a later round chance to make your roster.
Kansas City Brigade
QB Chris Sanders played very well for the expansion Brigade last season, totaling 36 TDs passing and another 13 rushing in only 8 games. Obviously, the Brigade weren't completely convinced, as they released Sanders from the roster. Kansas City will continue training camp with three quarterbacks: last year's top rated fantasy player and subsequent bust QB Micheal Bishop, former NFLer QB Jonathan Quinn and AFL veteran QB Raymond Philyaw. The suspicion is that two of those will remain on the roster. It's anyone's guess which two it will be, but Philyaw and Quinn would be the favorites based on experience and potential. Still, none are good fantasy picks until the Brigade commit to one or the other, so steer clear until the very late rounds.
OS Jerel Myers should be an excellent pick coming off a rookie season which saw him tally 123 catches for 1252 yards and 16 TDs. Expect Myers to improve upon those TD numbers, making his a very good OS2 who could possibly be an OS1. Expect slightly less from WR James Jordan, who was alternately good and inconsistent last year. Jordan makes an okay WR2. The Brigade just announced the signing of WR Eddie "Boo" Williams, the former NFL tight end. Williams makes an interesting mid to late round selection based on his potential alone and is the sort of player that could win you games. WR Sam Simmons could see increased playing time but should go undrafted.
FB Robert Thomas was signed after posting career lows in carries and yards with Georgia in 2006. FB Dawan Moss has more upside than Thomas but neither should be selected until late in the draft as a RB2. This isn't an exciting bunch.
9-year veteran K Clay Rush will be on the Brigade roster this year. Rush has never been much of a long-distance kicker, so don't depend on him to put up huge points in Kansas City. There are better choices and you should draft one.
Defense isn't something generally mentioned in the same sentence as Kansas City, but the Bridage made some huge strides by signing DS DaShane Dennis and DS Kenny McEntyre to compliment DS Denario Smalls in the defensive backfield. Dennis had 76 tackles and 7 INTs for the Dragons last season, occasionally plays offense and should be the first DS selected from this crowd (somewhere around R10 as a DS1). Smalls and McEntyre might go in the late rounds as DS2s or DS3s, or will be nice waiver wire picks if the Kansas City defense begins to gel.
Nashville Kats
In order for the Kats to improve, they must keep QB Clint Stoerner healthy. Stoerner missed four games last season due to injury, finishing with 54 TD passes and 4 rushing with a young receiving corps. Look for Stoerner to get back to his 2005 form when he chucked 77 TDs, making him a lower tier QB1 (starter with a risk) and a good QB2.
The Kats made an excellent free agent signing by locking up former Desperado star WR Jason Shelley. Shelley had a rough 2006, battling injuries and the crowded Dallas wideout position. With Nashville, Shelley should return to earlier form which saw him catch 100 yards worth of passes and over 20+ TDs in both 2004 and 2005. Draft Shelley as a WR2 somewhere around R6 or R7 and look for a rebound season. OS Alonzo Nix made an impact when he finally hit the field in Week 9. Playing a full season, Nix should surpass 1000 yards and 20 TDs receiving, making him a great sleeper as a OS2 with potential. If you grab him as your backup OS, you could be deciding to start him on his better matchup weeks. Veteran WR Cornelius Bonner returns to Nashville and a repeat of his 836 yards and 16 TDs would make him a nice late round pickup as a WR3.
FB Dan Alexander is one of the better runners in the AFL, although missing games 3-7 make you wonder about his durability. A quick and bruising runner, Alexander still managed 163 yards rushing and 8 TDs, making him a good FB1. Alexander should go in R8 or R9 and will anchor your FB position if you stay patient. FB Rupert Grant is no better than a backup and should be monitored on the waiver wires in case Alexander misses time again.
In a recurring theme, K Jason Witczak is not a great fantasy choice and should be left undrafted. If he breaks out, snag him from the waiver wire.
The Nashville defense is a team effort and a very good one at that. DS Delmonico "Monty" Montgomery (65 tackles, 9 INTs) is one of the better defensive players in the league and should be drafted as a DS1. Joining Monty is DS Thal Woods, who should have a chance to start and will make a good DS2 in the late rounds. DS Eric Joyce may get some playing time but isn't worth a draft slot at this stage.
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