The 2009 draft is over and if you’re a Cowboys fan like me, you’re probably asking again and again, who, what? If you’re an Eagles fan, you have to feel pretty good about yourself. If your a Broncos fan, you have to be saying, what the fuck? If you’re a Raiders fan…who am I kidding, no one is a Raiders fan.

Last year’s rookie class was arguable one of the best rookie classes ever in fantasy football. You had Matt Ryan finishing up as a top-ten signal caller. You had three top-ten running backs (Steve Slaton, Chris Johnson and All-Robio Running Back, Matt Forte. DeSean Jackson finished 17th among receivers and Seahawks’ tight end, John Carlson, was the starting TE on Don’s championship team.

Can the 2009 class repeat the success? The answer is, probably not, although two Georgia Bulldogs, Matt Stafford and Knowshon Moerno (pictured to the right), should both make an impact on the 2009 season. Let’s take a look and see what we got.

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Stafford, Lions (1st Rd): He’s got a wicked arm and he’ll be playing in a dome. He’s also got a ton of young pieces around him; Charles Johnson, Kevin Smith and rookie TE, Brandon Pettigrew. The problem is, the Lions issues have always centered around a weak inside game (offensive line, defensive line and linebacker). Three rookie quarterbacks will most likely be drafted this year and Stafford will probably be the first. The problem is, I think his best three years will begin in 2011.

Mark Sanchez, Jets (1st Rd): You tell me how good he is. I really have no idea. He’s only played in 16 games and 14 of those were against weak PAC-10 defenses. So you either get the next Carson Palmer or next Matt Leinart. How about right in the middle? I think he’s the Jets best quarterback, but of course that’s not saying much. He should be starting by next year, so look for him to a be a late-round keeper pick in this year’s fantasy draft.

Josh Freeman, Buccaneers (1st Rd): I like this kid a lot. He’s already started a ton of games (32 straight in college) in a pro-style offense. However, if you grab him, you’ll have to get use to the interceptions. In fact, he reminds me of Tony Romo a lot. I don’t see him starting this year, but in reality I don’t see Bryon Leftwich, Josh McCown, Brian Griese or Josh Johnson holding off Freeman for a long time. Look for someone to grab Freeman in our draft, but I’d bet a nickel he ends the season as a free agent.

Stephen McGee, Cowboys (4th Rd): The one Cowboys’ pick I liked. The top three quarterbacks will be the only arms drafted this year. The rest will be lucky to be third stringers. McGee had a solid career at Texas A&M, until a shoulder injury wrecked his senior season. The kids got speed and the ability to get loose (Steve Young, anyone?). However, Romo isn’t going anywhere.

Rhett Bomar, Giants (5th Rd): He was once a Sooner, but transferred out when he couldn’t start. He’s also had ACL problems. At best, third-string, never sees the field.

Nate Davis, 49ers (5th Rd): Reminds me of Big Ben, if Roethlisberger was five inches shorter. While the 49ers quarterback situation is mess, the best shot Davis has to end up on a field is five years from now, replacing an injured starter for a different team.

Tom Brandstater, Broncos (6th Rd): He’s got the build, 6’5 and a solid arm, but he lacks a brain, often throwing the ball to the wrong team. Obviously, coach Josh McDaniels thinks he can groom him just like the Pats and Tom Brady. However, I personally think McDaniels may be the second worst coach in football right now, so I have little faith in this project.

RUNNING BACK:

Knowshon Moreno, Broncos (1st Rd): What were the Broncos thinking? Seriously. Denver, who had one of the worst defenses in all of football, a team who already had leftovers Peyton Hillis, Selvin Young and Ryan Torain (three backs were good, but hurt), a team that brought in J.J. Arrington, LaMont Jordan and Correll Buckhalter, decided to waste a first-round pick on a running back. I don’t get it. Is he really that much better than any of those guys?

Here’s what happens. Hillis goes back to FB, Young and Torain get cut. Moreno (right) starts, but shares carries with Buckhalter and Jordan, while Arrington gets third down. So you tell me, where will you draft a rookie running back who will only get 10-15 carries per game, with Kyle Orton as his quarterback? I’m just glad the Eagles didn’t get him.

Donald Brown, Colts (1st Rd): Another head-scratcher. I know Addai has health issues, but the Colts had bigger needs. Brown’s a solid back and I think he’ll be a starter in this league, but for now, he’s going to be Joseph Addai’s backup, thus eliminating him as a starter in fantasy. At best with a good pre-season, a 5th round choice. Realistically, 7th or 8th round.

Chris Wells, Cardinals (1st Rd): My favorite fantasy pick, or at least my favorite to start and produce right away. With Arrington already gone, look for the Cardinals to rid themselves of Edgerrin James, leaving Tim Hightower and Wells as the Cards only two legit backs. While I like Hightower, he’s not an every down back, so he and Wells will split carries. This year’s class of running backs are nothing compared to last year, but Wells is my favorite. He’s not the flashiest of the bunch, but when healthy, he’s a producer (think: Matt Forte). Unless Moreno blows up this summer, Wells is probably the first rookie back taken in the 2009 fantasy draft.

LeSean McCoy, Eagles (2nd Rd): I thought the Eagles would land some punch to go along with Westbrook (Moreno), but instead they landed Westbrook’s eventual replacement. McCoy’s syle is identical to Brian Westbrook. He’s not a punisher, but he has quick feet and knows how to get into the open area. He also has great hands. McCoy will only be valuable THIS season if Westbrook goes down, so if you draft Westbrook, you better land McCoy. With Westbrook hitting 30 this year, McCoy is only a couple years away from taking his job away though.

Shonn Greene, Jets (3rd Rd): A solid grab by the Jets. Thomas Jones is over 30, with means he’s on his way down (besides, he’s already bitching about his contract). Leon Washington is a great change-of-pace back, but he’s no 20-25 carry starter. The Jets’ fans may have booed this pick, but Greene could be the Jets starting running back by 2010. He’s also a Thomas Jones clone. He’ll be a between-the-tackle runner who will seem to always get tackled four yards past the line of scrimmage. By 2010-11, he’ll be a solid 80 yards and one TD-type of guy.

Glen Coffee, 49ers (4th Rd): The 49ers clearly needed a backup for Frank Gore. While Gore has been one of the best runners the past three years, we can’t forget he’s had two ACL tears in his career (at Miami). While Coffee is tough, straight-ahead runner, who’s tough to bring down, he is nothing more than a life insurance policy for whoever lands Gore.

Mike Goodson, Panthers (4th Rd): The Panthers actually grabbed both a running back and fullback in the 4th round. I get the fullback, but why does a team who has DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart need to waste a pick on another RB?

Andre Brown, Giants (4th Rd): With Ward gone, the Giants bring in a rookie to be the third part of the three-headed monster. While Ward was a decent backup last year, I’m not sure Brown will beat out Bradshaw for second-most carries on this team.

Gartrell Johnson, Chargers (4th Rd): It looks like the Chargers are going to start using a new back for short yardage and goal line carries. Johnson is bruiser, so don’t look for him to be the next LT.

Frank Summers, Steelers (5ht Rd): And where exactly is Summers going to find playing time behind Parker, Mendenhall, Moore and Vincent?

WIDE RECEIVERS

Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders (1st Rd): What a bad pick, passing on Crabtree. Seriously, if this guy was so good, then how was he shut out twice in the ACC. What’s going to happen in the AFC? He’s fast (4.30), but what good is that if your quarterback couldn’t hit my television sitting on my couch? At best, he’s the fifth rookie receiver taken in our 2009 draft.

Michael Crabtree, 49ers (1st Rd): Does he realize how lucky he is that the Raiders passed on him. Crabtree is my favorite player in this year’s draft and he’ll have the best impact long-term. It’s simple, he just makes plays (witness below). The 49ers have been desperate for a big-play receiver and if they can just find a decent guy to throw the ball, Crabtree can put up 60 catches, 900 yards and 8-10 touchdowns this year. He’s the top receiver and he’ll be gone by the third round in our draft.

Jeremy Maclin, Eagles (1st Rd): Speed, speed and more speed. Maclin is a burner, who could end up being a pretty damn good receiver. While he’ll have some big plays this season, he won’t start, simply because he’s going to learn a lot about NFL style jamming, something he didn’t have to deal with in the Big-12, in a spread offense. He’s a good back end category two draftee, although Neatock will probably take him in the third.

Percy Harvin, WR (1st Rd): He’s a burst of speed and will disappear from a lot of defenders. Too bad he’ll probably miss about eight games this year due to injury. He’ll be drafted in the Devon Hester range, about 9-13th round.

Hakeem Nicks, WR (1st Rd): He’s a solid receiver, who has tended to not play to his full potential. He is NOT the next Plaxico though. At his size, if he plays above and beyond, how about the next Reggie Wayne? If he’s declared a starter for the G-Men, then he’s a 4th or 5th round pick.

Kenny Britt, Titans (1st Rd): And yet another receiver taken by the Titans, who have had zero success finding a No 1 pair of hands since…well…forever. His body actually reminds me of Michael Irvin. He’s not fast enough to scare anyone away, so he’s going to need to be mentally tough to handle 15-yard slants in front of the safety. A potential sleeper, but don’t count on it. Too many receivers do very little in their first year. A late category-two receiver at best.

Brian Robiskie, Browns (2nd Rd): The Browns grab two receivers and Robiskie is the one most likely to start across from Edwards. He’s not the fastest and he’s not the tallest, but he’s a solid receiver. Reminds me of Ed McCaffrey.

Pat White, Dolphins (2nd Rd): Word on the street is, he’s going to fight for the Dolphins backup quarterback spot. With his athletic ability, someone should waste a 14th or 15th round pick on him.

Mohamad Massaquoi, Browns (2nd Rd): He’s a fan favorite down in Georgia. He’s fearless with a big heart. He could be another Steve Smith (the one from the Giants, not the Panthers). He’s not worth drafting, unless he beats out Rokiskie for a starting spot in the Browns.

Derrick Williams, Lions (3rd Rd): He’s short, but he’s got good hop. He won’t start, but if he can get the slot position, he’ll have a lot of one-on-one with the defense focused on Johnson.

Brandon Tate, Patriots (3rd Rd): Tate has solid hands and good speed, but has suffered some knee injuries. Even if he is healthy, he won’t start, but he’ll get a chance to learn under Randy Moss.

Juaquin Iglesias, Bears (3rd Rd): My sleeper pick. He’s a smart receiver who just finds ways to get open. He also can snag anything that’s nearby. The only problem…he won’t be scoring a ton of 60-yard touchdowns.

TIGHT END

Brandon Pettigrew, Lions (1st Rd): A solid grab for the Lions. Again, they have a stud core-group of skilled players. He’s a big boy with soft hands. Look for him to be a top-ten TE sooner, rather than later. While it would be risky to rely on him as a starter this season (because of a rookie quarterback), he’s a good category three grab.

Richard Quinn, Broncos (2nd Rd): With seven thousand running backs in Denver, I’m not sure if there are enough possessions for this guy. Quinn is a better blocker than receiver, but I said the same thing about Kevin Boss and he’s been alright.

Jared Cook, Titans (3rd Rd): The opposite of Quinn, Cook can’t block, but he can catch. It seems like the Titans have been looking forever for a tight end (as well as receiver) for years. Time will tell if Cook is it, but he probably won’t have much fantasy value for the first couple years.

Chase Coffman, Bengals (3rd Rd): He comes from a spread offense at Missouri, so blocking isn’t one of his strengths. However, last season’s worst offense needs a solid pair of hands over the middle. He should start by year two, but he’ll be a waste of a pick this year.