First Round Fill-ins

Ten of the 32 picks in the first round of the NFL Draft were used for offensive skill position players - here is an update to the position battles left behind for college football with a fantasy perspective.

Originally posted on FantasyCollegeBlitz.com.

#2 USC RB Reggie Bush to the New Orleans Saints
Imagine the issues here if Chauncey Washington actually had transferred to UNLV with QB Rocky Hinds? With LenDale White also going pro, the USC backfield erupted in enormous turmoil (see pick #10 for the QB) as projected starter Hershel Dennis tore up his knee in spring. While Washington made grades today (per an unconfirmed report, official date is May 19), do not be surprised if one of the freshman recruits (Stafon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Emmanuel Moody) steps in immediately - Coach Pete Carroll loves to let the youngsters compete for jobs fresh off the plane. “Absolutely, heck yeah there is. We are counting on having that kind of competition,” said Carroll.

#3 Texas QB Vince Young to the Tennessee Titans
Redshirt Freshman Colt McCoy is the incumbent and a pocket passer, but true freshman Jevan Snead is on the case as well and provides more mobility. At this early stage, I have to think that the winner of this duel will do well with one of the best O-lines in the nation and a cupboard chock full of athletes at the skill positions, especially my early sleeper WR Billy Pittman. If you see Ryan Perriloux moping around Baton Rouge because he can'’t get ahead in the LSU QB race, remind him how quickly he left Austin, Texas when he realized he wouldn'’t get a chance to unseat Mr. Young as a true freshman in 2005. Youth is so wasted on the young…

#6 Maryland TE Vernon Davis to the San Francisco 49ers
No human can fit into his shoes as a Terrapin TE. Davis led the team in receiving in his sophomore and junior years. Jason Goode and Dan Gronkowski are two names to watch at TE, especially if Coach Ralph Friedgen takes out ads in the school newspaper for WRs again.

#10 USC QB Matt Leinart to the Arizona Cardinals

While the Cardinals seized an amazing opportunity to draft Leinart, his underlings at SoCal have only dropped the ball in the chance to take over a pretty good offense. John David Booty has a bad booty, er, back and may require surgery. Mark Sanchez cannot keep his own booty out of trouble, as is well documented anywhere on the web. Of course, Coach Carroll is non-commital. From the “Ain'’t No Mountain High Enough” department, junior Michael McDonald got more spring snaps than he ever dreamed possible just a couple months ago and is the sleeper at the position.

#11 Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler to the Denver Broncos
Fair to say that future Vanderbilt signal-callers will not be on the fantasy cheat sheet anytime soon.

#21 Minnesota RB Laurence Maroney to the New England Patriots.
Amir Pinnix looks to build upon his 206 yard effort versus Michigan State in 2005 as the starter. Remember Gary Russell? 1130 yards last year splitting time with Maroney gave him an early edge on the job, but now the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports he is taking classes at Inver Hills Community College hoping to get his grade point average high enough to be readmitted.

#25 Ohio State WR Santonio Holmes to the Pittsburgh Steelers
While Ted Ginn gets all the media attention, Anthony Gonzalez may be the better player if not athlete. If Coach Jim Tressel can find get Ginn more than five touches a game from scrimmage, Ginn could get invited to the Down town Athletic Club.

#27 Memphis RB DeAngelo Williams to the Carolina Panthers
Williams graduation isn'’t the only reason that Coach Tommy West had pains in his chest - he won'’ see any talent like Williams for years in the Liberty Bowl. Junior Joe Doss had a nice spring, but that is about it.

#28 UCLA TE Marcedes Lewis to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Drafted for more than to have another skill position guy stare down at Matt Jones…the Bruins have highly recruited senior JJ Hair ready to step in. Bigger question marks are Coach Karl Dorrell replacing top players at QB and RB - Ben Olson and Chris Markey, time to smell the coffee!

#30 LSU RB Joseph Addai to the Indianapolis Colts
Perfect situation to play from Day One if he can stay healthy. Alley Broussard (who missed 2005 with a knee injury) and Justin Vincent (who missed 2004 and 2005 due to a bad attitude after an amazing 2003) look to be the early contenders. Coach Les Miles has never feared a rotation (hell, he would rest Tatum Bell at Oklahoma State all the time), so this is one of the key positions we will track the closer we get to August and fantasy draft day.