The Saints drafted Deuce McAllister in the first round to serve as insurance for the oft-injured Ricky Williams.

"This concludes the 2001 NFL Draft, let us now move immediately to an anything-goes cage match event between Mel Kiper, Jr. and Joe Theisman."

As expected, the 2001 Draft was filled with ups, downs, surprises and disappointments. Some teams made out like bandits, while others got schooled. And in September, we'll find out which teams fell into which category (not that we can't make some pretty good guesses right now).

Having watched much of this weekend's exercise in player acquisition, I couldn't help but notice the many differences between the NFL Draft and the ones held throughout the country on Fantasy Draft Day.

Here's a quick list:

10. No fantasy draft that lasts two days could ever be televised -- some things aren't fit for public viewing.

9. I noticed many of the drafters were drinking, um, soft drinks.

8. I'll bet those guys would move a little faster with their draft cards if the clock started beeping at the 10 second mark like it does in ESPN.com live drafts.

7. Want to speed up the NFL draft? Two words: Auto Pilot

6. When Chris Weinke finally went to Carolina in Round Four, I didn't hear nine other teams blast out with, "Oh, man, you suck! That was my next pick!"

5. Likewise, when Dallas surprised everyone and took QB Quincy Carter in Round Two, I didn't hear nine owners say "nice pick" and follow it with subdued chuckling.

4. Very rarely is there a gallery of cheers or a table of draft experts complimenting you when you finally take your first RB in the fourth round.

3. Few NFL draft lists are scribbled on napkins. I said "few," I couldn't get a really good look at Cincinnati's draft table.

2. I've been to a lot of fantasy drafts, and I've NEVER seen only one quarterback and two RBs go in the first round.

1. You'd never catch a fantasy owner spending a first-round pick on a "project."

All right, enough with the late-April classic. It is time to get back to the business at hand. In this week's Bulldozer Report, we take a look at those teams that have improved at key fantasy positions, and those that have struggled to fill those spots after the free agency flurry of March followed by the NFL Draft.

Important Note:
This list is meant to reflect those teams that are improving their ability to provide solid options for fantasy owners. Any related success by these teams on the scoreboard or in the 2001 standings is purely coincidental.

BIGGEST OFF-SEASON FANTASY IMPROVERS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
Fantasy Additions: RB LaDainian Tomlinson, QB Doug Flutie, QB Drew Brees, WR Tim Dwight, K Wade Richey
Fantasy Losses: QB Ryan Leaf, FB Robert Chancey
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Tomlinson, Flutie, maybe Brees and Dwight

Tim Dwight Wide Receiver Atlanta Falcons   2000 SEASON STATISTICS GM REC YDS AVG TDS 16 26 406 23 3

That's right, you know that list on the side of your fantasy draft sheet titled "teams to avoid?" Time to cross off San Diego. Following in Baltimore's footsteps of a year ago (Jamal Lewis and Travis Taylor taken in Round 1), San Diego traded down to take the draft's best running back, LaDainian Tomlinson, and managed to land the second-rated QB, Purdue's Drew Brees, at the start of the second round. Many believe that Brees will be ready to play sooner than Atlanta's Michael Vick, but if not, the Chargers still have upgraded at QB with playmaker Doug Flutie. By trading down, San Diego also landed speedster Tim Dwight who will make an excellent third receiver alongside Curtis Conway and Jeff Graham and is a dangerous returner. If that's not enough, the Chargers also managed to get younger with their kicking game by acquiring Wade Richey. That, and they rid themselves of embarrassment Ryan Leaf. Pity the Chargers? Forget it. The Seahawks should consider themselves lucky to be headed out of this division next year.

BALTIMORE RAVENS
Fantasy Additions: QB Elvis Grbac, TE Todd Heap
Fantasy Losses: QB Tony Banks, QB Trent Dilfer, RB Priest Holmes
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Grbac, maybe Heap

Besides winning Super Bowls, there's another really nice side effect to having a mind-numbingly great defense. While your fellow owners are chasing defensive linemen in the draft, you can take a guy like Todd Heap at the end of the first round. If the big Arizona State tight end lives up to his billing, the Ravens will have two bookend tight ends, both of whom can create anarchy across the middle of the field. The only weakness in Baltimore's attack last year was the inconsistent passing game. Just imagine what Grbac, who had no consistent running game and only Derrick Alexander and Tony Gonzalez to throw to, can do with this group.

CHICAGO BEARS
Fantasy Additions: WR David Terrell, RB Anthony Thomas, TE Fred Baxter Fantasy Losses: RB Curtis Enis, WR Eddie Kennison
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Terrell, Thomas, maybe Baxter

After Saturday, maybe we should start calling them Ann-Arbor West. The Bears played it close to the vest during the draft and in the end wound up with the draft's top WR, Michigan's David Terrell. In the second round, the Bears went to the Wolverine well again to take Anthony Thomas, a practice that has proven successful in the past for other teams (Tim Biakabutuka, Tyrone Wheatley). Will Cade McNown and the Bears be much improved on the fantasy gridiron? Too early for predictions, but Chicago has an easier schedule and several new playmakers at key positions. You tell me.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Fantasy Additions: QB Matt Hasselbeck, WR Koren Robinson, FB Heath Evans, WR Alex Bannister, QB Josh Booty
Fantasy Losses: QB Jon Kitna, WR Sean Dawkins, WR Derrick Mayes
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Hasselback, Robinson

It was out with the old, in with the new for the Seahawks this year, and if defensive additions (Chad Eaton, John Randle, Levon Kirkland, Marcus Robertson) were part of today's criteria, they would be much higher in the standings. With Hasselback, the Seahawks traded for an unproven commodity at QB that has shown signs of potential, but more importantly, one who knows Mike Holmgren's offense. He'll have only standout youngster Darrell Jackson and first-rounder Koren Robinson as targets, but both show promise to be a great improvement over the departed Mayes and Dawkins. What's more, top drafted fullback Heath Evans and first-round OG Steve Hutchinson could boost Ricky Watters and/or Shaun Alexander in the running game, taking a lot of pressure off of Hasselback.

TAMPA BAY BUCANNEERS
Fantasy Additions: QB Brad Johnson, FB Jameel Cook, QB Ryan Leaf
Fantasy Losses: TE Patrick Hape
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Johnson

Brad Johnson

The consensus opinion is that Tampa Bay has been just a QB short of a championship the past one or two years. Enter Johnson, who at the least is capable of sustaining some drives, reading coverages and hitting open receivers downfield. At the most, and when healthy, Johnson can also be a playmaker. Look for Keyshawn Johnson's fantasy value to rebound well, and for Jacquez Green to once again start racking up yardage. If Johnson can't stay healthy, Ryan Leaf may also get a fresh chance (wince). New FB Jameel Cook and first-round pick OT Kenyatta Walker could also help boost the running game.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Fantasy Additions: RB Deuce McAllister, WR Albert Connell
Fantasy Losses: WR Jake Reed, TE Andrew Glover, K Doug Brien
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: McAllister, Connell

So much for the castoff Vikings influence in the Saints passing game, but then again, who needed 'em? Overnight, the Saints went from questionably thin offensive anemia to loaded offensive force. In just a year, the Saints find themselves with playoff experience, two good QBs (Jeff Blake and Aaron Brooks), three good WRs (Joe Horn, Willie Jackson, Albert Connell), Cam Cleeland due to return at TE and now two top RBs. And if Ricky Williams didn't get the wakeup call when the Saints selected Deuce McAllister with their first-round pick, he needs to check with the phone company about his connection. Whether Williams decides to participate in off-season workouts and give up on his visions of baseball or not is no longer New Orleans' concern. Either way, they seem to be set offensively.

ATLANTA FALCONS
Fantasy Additions: QB Michael Vick, QB Eric Zeier, TE Alge Crumpler, FB Kevin McLeod
Fantasy Losses: WR Tim Dwight, RB Winslow Oliver
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Vick, maybe Zeier and Crumpler

Mathis

There is no question that the Falcons' bold move up to the top pick in the draft should help the team's long-term future. The only question is how much impact QB Michael Vick will have this year. Veteran QB Chris Chandler is unlikely to stay healthy for an entire season, so it will be up to Vick to be ready to come in if needed. Otherwise, Zeier may finally get a chance to see real NFL playing time. Regardless, the Falcons finally appear deep at the position, which should slightly improve the stock of both Terance Mathis and Shawn Jefferson. With Tim Dwight gone, Jammi German may finally get his chance to make an impact, as should second-round pick TE Alge Crumpler.

MIAMI DOLPHINS
Fantasy Additions: QB Ray Lucas, WR Chris Chambers, RB Travis Minor, QB Josh Heupel, WR James McKnight
Fantasy Losses: WR Tony Martin, QB Damon Huard
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Chambers, maybe Minor

Ah, now this looks like a Dolphins team. The Fish brought in a couple of proven young veterans in Ray Lucas and James McKnight and weren't shy in the draft, grabbing Chris Chambers and Travis Minor with early picks. Both figure to help bolster thin RB and WR positions. Heupel may some day prove to be a quality pickup as well, but likely won't get the opportunity to play soon unless Jay Fiedler and Lucas can't stay healthy. They may not have All-Pros, but they've got quality and depth now.

NEW YORK JETS
Fantasy Additions: WR Santana Moss, WR Matthew Hatchette, RB LaMont Jordan
Fantasy Losses: QB Ray Lucas, WR Dedric Ward, TE Fred Baxter, RB Bernie Parmalee
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Moss, Hatchette, maybe Jordan

Like the Seahawks and Dolphins, the Jets got significantly younger at fantasy positions in the off-season. Santana Moss

"Each of these rookies and second-year players could contribute to the fantasy world in 2001." -- Michael Lewis

should be a younger, and possibly faster, version of Dedric Ward. He could easily start opposite Wayne Chrebet or be a third receiver if one of the team's other receivers, Matthew Hatchette or Laveranues Coles, steps up to start. Former Maryland RB LaMont Jordan should back up Curtis Martin while Lucas was let go to make way for quarterback of the future Chad Pennington. Baxter will give way to fellow first-rounder Anthony Becht. Each of these rookies and second-year players could contribute to the fantasy world in 2001.

OFF-SEASON FANTASY STRUGGLERS

DALLAS COWBOYS
Fantasy Additions: QB Tony Banks, QB Quincy Carter, WR Carl Pickens
Fantasy Losses: QB Troy Aikman, WR James McKnight
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Banks, maybe Pickens

The loss of Aikman signals the downfall of the old guard in Dallas, but their off-season moves had been rather discouraging. Carl Pickens and Tony Banks were both disappointments (if not plagues) to their respective teams in 2000 and now will be asked to play more important roles. Banks will start at QB and Pickens is slated to be insurance if either Joey Galloway or Raghib Ismail can't return from injury. The team's only attempt in the draft to address the fantasy positions was the selection of Quincy Carter, a player many believe the team could have drafted later or picked up as a free agent.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Fantasy Additions: RB Kevan Barlow, WR Cedrick Wilson
Fantasy Losses: RB Charlie Garner, WR Jerry Rice, K Wade Richey
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: None

How would you like to be Cedrick Wilson, a sixth-round pick and the only WR picked up by the 49ers in the year that they will release Jerry Rice? Talk about a PR nightmare waiting to happen. The bigger shortcoming for the 49ers, though, will prove to be their inability to find a suitable replacement for the departed Charlie Garner, arguably their best offensive weapon the past two years.

WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Fantasy Additions: WR Rob Gardner, QB Sage Rosenfels, TE Walter Rasby
Fantasy Losses: QB Brad Johnson, WRs Albert Connell, James Thrash, Irving Fryar, FBs Larry Centers & Mike Sellers
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Gardner

George

And exactly who is going to make plays this year? Oh, wait, never mind. I see Walter Rasby's name up there now. The Redskins cleaned house, letting three receivers and Larry Centers go, leaving them with only a good running game, the oft-injured Michael Westbrook and the oft-disappointing Stephen Alexander. To their credit, they did take the best receiver they could get in the draft in Rob Gardner, but he's somewhat of a Westbook clone and not a true deep threat. Jeff George's track record and the lack of a capable backup should also be a major concern.

THE REST OF THE PACK

AFC EAST
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Fantasy Additions: TE Jabari Holloway, FBs Larry Bowie & Marc Edwards, WRs Bert Emanuel & David Patten; QB Damon Huard
Fantasy Losses: QB John Friesz
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Edwards, maybe Patten
Dozer: A healthy Edwards backfield (Robert and Marc) could boost this offense, but only a little. How far can Drew Bledsoe really take this team lying on his back?

BUFFALO BILLS
Fantasy Additions: RB Travis Henry
Fantasy Losses: QB Doug Flutie
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Maybe Henry
Dozer: Call Buffalo, "Tennessee north," with Vols Travis Henry and Shawn Bryson competing for time. Just great, another Buffalo backfield dilemma.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Fantasy Additions: WR Reggie Wayne
Fantasy Losses: QB Kelly Holcombe
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Wayne
Dozer: They still need a backup QB, but you have to respect a defensively challenged team who fills a fantasy hole in the first round and franchises their good TD-producing tight end.

AFC CENTRAL
CLEVELAND BROWNS

Enis

Fantasy Additions: RB Curtis Enis, TE Rickey Dudley, WR Quincy Morgan, RB James Jackson, QB Kelly Holcombe, FB Mike Sellers
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Enis, Dudley, maybe Morgan
Dozer: You mean we now have a J.J. Johnson in Miami, a Jay Johnson just released by Miami, and a J. Jackson FROM Miami? Anyway, Cleveland should be 'better' in all aspects, but with this team that's still a relative term.

CINCINNATI BENGALS
Fantasy Additions: QB Jon Kitna, WR Chad Johnson, TE Sean Brewer, RB Rudi Johnson, K Richie Cunningham
Fantasy Losses: Yeah, like someone would take a Bengal castoff after Carl Pickens
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Johnson, maybe Kitna
Dozer: The plan no doubt being that if they can get enough good young receivers on the field at once it won't matter how badly Akili Smith or Jon Kitna miss their targets.

JACKSONVILLE Jaguars
Fantasy Additions: None
Fantasy Losses: WR Reggie Barlow
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: None
Dozer: Keeping the playmakers they had should be called an off-season win for the Jags, who were seriously cap-strapped. Next step: Stay healthy.

TENNESSEE Titans
Fantasy Additions: K Joe Nedney, TE Shad Meier, WRs Justin McCariens & Eddie Berlin, RB Dan Alexander
Fantasy Losses: K Al Del Greco, WRs Yancey Thigpen and Carl Pickens, RB Rodney Thomas, FB Lorenzo Neal, TEs Michael Roan & Larry Brown
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Nedney
Dozer: Youth movement at the backup fantasy positions and a more consistent kicker to go with that ever-improving defense

PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Fantasy Additions: None
Fantasy Losses: None
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: None
Dozer: How many years do Pittsburgh fans have to wait for Kordell Stewart to get "one more year" of seasoning? At least they have a new baseball field.

AFC WEST
KANSAS CITY Chiefs

Green

Fantasy Additions: QB Trent Green, QB Bubby Brister, RB Priest Holmes, TE Mark Thomas, WR Marvin Minnis, FB George Layne
Fantasy Losses: QBs Elvis Grbac & Warren Moon, RBs Kimble Anders & Donnell Bennett
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Green, maybe Holmes & Minnis
Dozer: Green inherits some great targets and his old coach's system. The running game is a smaller mess but still a mess.

DENVER BRONCOS
Fantasy Additions: WR Eddie Kennison, TE Patrick Hape
Fantasy Losses: TE Byron Chamberlain
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Kennison
Dozer: Broncos needed health, a pass-catching TE and a third receiver. they'll take two out of three.

OAKLAND RAIDERS
Fantasy Additions: RB Charlie Garner, QB Marques Tuiasosopa, TE Eric Bjornson, WR Yatil Green, KR Eric Metcalf, RB Corey Walker
Fantasy Losses: TE Rickey Dudley, RB Napolean Kaufman, probably WR Andre Rison
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Garner, probably Bjornson & Green
Dozer: Charlie Garner was a free agent coup for the Raiders. They still have some question marks at WR and TE, but this team usually finds a way.

NFC EAST
ARIZONA CARDINALS

Plummer

Fantasy Additions: K Bill Gramatica
Fantasy Losses: None
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: maybe Gramatica
Dozer: Jake Plummer needs to find whatever he lost after his rookie season, and get it into the hands of Thomas Jones, Rob Moore and David Boston before he loses his job.

NEW YORK GIANTS
Fantasy Additions: QB Jesse Palmer, K Jon Markam
Fantasy Losses: None
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: maybe Markam
Dozer: Bringing Tiki Barber back was one key, but adding a consistent receiving TE was another. Maybe Ron Dayne can bulk up a little (I said 'a little') and shift over.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Fantasy Additions: WR Freddie Mitchell, WR James Thrash, RB Anthony Gray
Fantasy Losses: WR Torrance Small, WR Charles Johnson
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Mitchell, Thrash
Dozer: The Eagles needed a go-to wide receiver more than anything and Eagles fans were hoping they wouldn't settle for just Thrash. They didn't. Let the 'fast Freddy' era begin.

NFC CENTRAL
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Fantasy Additions: RB Michael Bennett, WRs Joey Kent & Jake Reed, TEs Andrew Glover & Byron Chamberlain
Fantasy Losses: RB Robert Smith, WR Matthew Hatchette, KR David Palmer
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Bennett, Chamberlain, maybe Kent
Dozer: Reed and Glover return after a year with the Saints to find an offense doing fine without them. Bennett walks into a speed back's paradise.

GREEN BAY PACKERS
Fantasy Additions: WR Robert Ferguson, QB Doug Pederson
Fantasy Losses: QB Matt Hasselback
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: maybe Ferguson
Dozer: Doug Pederson once occupied Matt Hasselback's spot in Green Bay, but the key for the Pack is health, specifically Brett Favre's health, because Doug Pederson is NOT Matt Hasselback.

DETROIT LIONS

Harbaugh

Fantasy Additions: QB Jim Harbaugh, QB Mike McMahon, RB Lamont Warren
Fantasy Losses: QB Mike Tomczak
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: None
Dozer: The Matt Millen regime begins with a new offensive lineman. Not a bad idea considering that Charlie Batch is starting to be referred to as the 'training room sleeper'.

NFC WEST
CAROLINA PANTHERS
Fantasy Additions: QB Chris Weinke, WR Stevonne Smith
Fantasy Losses: FB William Floyd, QB Steve Beuerlein, K Joe Nedney, TE Brian Kinchen
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: Maybe Weinke
Dozer: The Panthers could have the steal of the draft to play QB, but will it matter when Biakabutuka goes down in the second week?

ST. LOUIS RAMS
Fantasy Additions: WR Milton Wynn
Fantasy Losses: QB Trent Green, TE Roland Williams
New 2001 Fantasy Contributors: None
Dozer: The Rams knew they needed to overhaul their defense and did, but aren't we asking a lot of Joe Germaine and Ernie Conwell now?