Draft Steals

LeSean McCoy (RB10, Overall 11)

 LeSean has incredible talent. The guy has undoubtedly the best lateral cuts in the game,and his running style is perfect for the new Chip Kelly offense. He will see more running plays that get him to the outside, where he can use that acceleration and the shake-and-bake he employs so well. Not only that, we'll see an option game that will benefit both LeSean and his QB Michael Vick (see below). After last year, there is nowhere to go but up for the Eagles offense. I'm predicting that this year LeSean will return to where he belongs-- amongst the top 5 RBs in the league, and it's got me salivating at the draft prospects.

Brandon Marshall (WR4, Overall 20)

 I've been running mock drafts lately, and frankly, Marshall's position has been the most surprising. I've been taking him every chance I get, successfully nabbing him as late as 25th. Given his size and skill, and the fact that he seems to be the only receiver Jay Cutler enjoys passing to, I am just short of positive that he will have another huge season. It's a no-brainer pick at his current draft position unless you've already scooped some combination of Calvin Johnson, A.J. Green, and Dez Bryant on the way down, which is highly unlikely unless WRs were your salvation in recent past. So, the chances are, you haven't filled your starting WR slots yet, and I'm telling you--you'll love having this guy in your lineup.


Eddie Lacy (RB19, Overall 37)

  This pick scares some drafters since were talking about a rookie here, a rookie who comes after the year of the rookie RB phenomenon. People are probably thinking "we've used up our allotment of luck on Alfred Morris, Doug Martin, and Trent Richardson." But lets go back to that last name, Trent Richardson. The guy who basically paved the way for Eddie Lacy. They have very similar running styles, have had identical coaching at Alabama, and have both won National Championships, now place one on the Cleveland Browns and the other on the Green Bay Packers. It's blindingly apparent that Eddie Lacy has the advantage. Brandon Weeden isn't scaring back any secondaries. Eddie Lacy has been placed in the perfect environment for success, and I will be bubbling with excitement if he's available when I go to draft him.

Dwayne Bowe (WR21, Overall 54)

   Dwayne Bowe remains elite. He has incredible skill with both his hands and his feet. He gets open, even when he's doubled, and he catches anything within stretching distance. Now he has a new coach, and a great improvement in QB. The Chiefs' offense will surprise people, and if Dwayne Bowe and Alex Smith can create some quick chemistry, he will be a must-start from Day 1.

James Jones (WR22, Overall 56)

  As soon as I heard Greg Jennings was jumping ship in Green Bay, I began contemplating James Jones' stock increase. Now I don't expect another 14 TD season from this guy, but I don't think I will be surprised if it happens again. At WR22, this guy is a STEAL.

Michael Vick (QB16, Overall 118)

  Michael Vick has always had his pros and cons, but last year must have been humbling for him. His best asset is obviously his feet. The Chip Kelly offense is perfect for Mike Vick, if he can stay healthy. The focal point of this offense is motion, which will immediately reduce the number of sacks hammering away at that already aging body. He can get out of the pocket, which everyone except Andy Reid seems to understand is where he belongs. Vick never had a problem tossing an accurate short ball, and with this offense he will be throwing much more of those than the mid-long range tosses that got him into trouble. I also believe those quarterback keepers on the option near the goal line will begin converting to 6 points for your fantasy team on a regular basis.

Vernon Davis (TE5, Overall 70)

  With Aaron Hernandez's departure and Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark obviously past their prime, the TE spot is looking barren this year. Vernon Davis had nothing short of a miserable last year. I'm electing to deem it an outlier in his otherwise productive career due to the unforeseeable flux in team dynamic in the bay area. This year, however, Alex Smith is gone and the team has committed to the Kaepernick era, and there is no confusion as to the team's identity. Initially I thought Vernon Davis might be subject to a trade, as it didn't appear he would receive his desired role in the offense. Then Michael Crabtree went down. And rumors began sprouting that Davis would be lining up as a WR. This was my confirmation that the 49ers coaching staff was of the same mind as all of us disgruntled fantasy owners; Vernon Davis needs a bigger role, and I believe it will be a big one. Given his uncommon speed for a TE, we very well might see him in the WR spot from time to time, and I think he will return to his role as a serious pain in the ass for defenses in the NFC.