Seattle Seahawks:

The Seahawks were very quiet for much of the draft opening night, as they didn’t have a pick until the end of the second round. Where did your first-round pick go, you ask? Well, they traded him in with their center, Max Unger, for a little-known player named Jimmy Graham (more on him later). Much of their draft was spent on defensive players, as they have lost quite a bit in recent years through free agency. All three defensive linemen they sacked look solid, particularly second-round pick Frank Clark of Michigan. The most notable recruit, in my opinion, was Kansas State’s WR Tyler Lockett. He’s a playmaker and will find a place to kick back and work for Seattle right away.

Notable non-draft moves include the addition of Jacksonville’s DB Will Blackmon. The funny thing is, Seattle cut him 2 years ago when he wasn’t good enough to get the team out of training camp. With Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, and Richard Sherman roaming the high school, the landlord’s DBs tend to look a little better. After talking about retirement, RB Marshawn Lynch is back to inflict a lot of pain on opposing defenses, when they are handed the ball. Fans are hoping QB Russell Wilson’s contract differences don’t carry over to this season, especially since he has a new toy in Jimmy Graham. I liked the way TE Luke Willson played down the stretch last year, but Jimmy Graham immediately makes a huge difference to this team. Now he’s THE big game threat the Seahawks lacked.

Fantasy Openers: QB Russell Wilson, RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Jordy Nelson, TE Jimmy Graham, Seattle D

Fantasy Bank: WR Doug Baldwin

Sleeping Fantasy: WR Tyler Lockett

Arizona Cardinals:

After almost starting a different quarterback in every game last year due to injuries, the Cardinals focused on protecting their quarterback and helping their running game by selecting OT DJ Humphries from Florida with their first pick after who chose G Mike Lupati in free agency. After that, they headed to the defensive line adding defensive linemen with three of their next four picks, with Missouri’s DE Markus Golden being the first choice with their second pick.

They’re rolling the dice that their current crop of RB remains healthy or they’re hoping their third-round pick, RB David Johnson of northern Iowa, is ready for the professional game. For a smaller boy, one likes a player like JJ Nelson to be drafted. Of course he’s got a 4.3 speed, but he’s 5’10 “160 pounds! It will be entertaining to watch opposing defenses try to locate him when he’s loose. I certainly hope the Cardinals can stay healthy this year. My Favorite catcher Larry Fitzgerald, he’s not getting any younger. Plus, it would be nice to see WR Michael Floyd fulfill his potential. He was supposed to step up to All-Pro last year, but QB injuries put a lid on his season.

Fantasy Starters: RB Andre Ellington, WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Michael Floyd, Arizona D

Fantasy Bank: WR John Brown

Sleeping Fantasy: RB David Johnson

St. Louis Rams:

Truth be told, I was surprised when the Rams drafted RB Todd Gurley with their first draft pick. I thought Tre ‘Mason was fabulous last year and I don’t think Zac Stacy was a one-year wonder. I felt that improving his offensive line and landing one of the many great receivers available through the draft should have been a focus. Of course, Gurley is a beast once he regains his form, but how long will it be before you can ride him? With their defense, they are ready to step up and make the playoffs this year. I’m not sure how you do that with the receivers you have on your list. Speaking of their defense, they got even better by adding DT Nick Fairly from Detroit.

Now, they took three O lines with their next four options following Gurley, so they reinforced that unit. However, I still think that Devante Parker would have been the best first-round pick for them. They added hometown WR Bud Sasser in the sixth round to an average group of receivers that includes Kenny Britt, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick. There is no type in the mix. Quarterback Sam Bradford no longer threw at them, although he did not pass them in playing time last season and played less than half of 2013. Assuming the starting quarterback position for 2015 is a somewhat less fragile Nick Foles. . It will be interesting to see what he can do outside of Chip Kelly’s offense with a bunch of WR3s.

Fantasy Starters: RB Tre ‘Mason (until Todd Gurley is The Man, then him), Rams D

Fantasy Bank: QB Nick Foles, WR: Kenny Britt, Chris Givens, Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin and Brian Quick (watch preseason and see if Foles teams up with anyone in particular)

Sleeping Fantasy: TE Jared Cook

San Francisco 49ers:

The Niners exploded last year, fired their head coach and handed over many players in hopes of rebuilding a winning attitude. That rotation includes the retirement of LBs Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. With defense needing more work than offense, the Niners used their first three picks on that side of the ball. They grabbed DE Arik Armstead from Oregon, S Jaquiski Tartt from Samford and LB Eli Harold from Virginia. They all have a promise, but they haven’t fully fulfilled it yet, so it will take them some time to make it to the NFL game. For offense, they used the next three picks in TE Blake Bell of Oklahoma to transition to Vernon Davis’ successor, WR DeAndre Smelter of Georgia Tech (WRs don’t grow their game quickly at Georgia Tech due to their offensive style, but he’s talented) and South Carolina RB Mike Davis to provide depth after the loss of RB Frank Gore.

The Niners hope that the acquisition of free agent DT Darnell Dockett can turn the clock back to his glory days in Arizona after missing the entire 2014 season with a torn ACL. On the offensive side of the ball, they overpaid for WR Torrey Smith to become their new # 1 WR. Maybe he’ll put together a consistent year on the left coast since he got away in Baltimore. They also hope RB Reggie Bush has something left after he made little difference in Detroit last season while dealing with ankle problems. This offense has all the ingredients to be a complete disaster this season.

Fantasy Openers: QB Colin Kaepernick, RB Carlos Hyde, WR Anquan Boldin, WR Torrey Smith

Fantasy Bank: RB Reggie Bush, TE Vernon Davis

Sleeping Fantasy: TE Blake Bell