(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Round 2
12. Team Crowe: LaDainian Tomlinson (RB-SD) What? Back on the clock? What the crap!?!?! With the first pick of the second round, I'm drafting a little known running back named LaDainian Tomlinson. Tomlinson had an off season last year, and still ended up with 1,300 all purpose yards and nine touchdowns. Last season, his average draft position was 1.8. This season, I'm getting him 13th. I expect him to play with a chip on his shoulder all year because of this.
11. Team Harkey: Andre Johnson (WR-HOU) In summary, I found no reason to take a chance on drafting a veteran running back with more question marks than answers. Last season was a banner year for Andre Johnson with production in the 1,500-plus yard range and eight touchdowns. Johnson trailed Fitzgerald by a very close margin in total fantasy points and actually ranked higher in PPR leagues. I will take this season No. 18 ranked wideout and pray that Matt Schaub can stay healthy for 16 games.
10. Team Nash: Brandon Jacobs (RB-NYG) Jacobs is a risky pick, having missed eight games in the last two-years, but he also has 21 touchdowns in that time—including 15 last season. With Derrick Ward gone, Jacobs will see more carries in 2009. More carries could spell increased production. Does it also mean more injury possibilities? Sure, but if he stays healthy, the reward will be worth the risk.
9. Team Anderson: Randy Moss (WR-NE) Moss will have Brady back to throw him the ball and let's not forget last time that allowed him to snag over 20 touchdowns. Moss is good for 1,000 yards receiving and 10-12 touchdowns regardless, so the pick here isn't that hard especially in points-per-reception leagues.
8. Team Williams: Marion Barber III (RB-DAL) Barber had a tough season last year with the injuries and the implosion of his team in the latter half of the season. Team Williams will rely on Barber to have some resurgence in the platoon with Dallas. It should offer his somewhat fragile frame some protection. His touchdown totals should be up this season.
7. Team Winslow: Brian Westbrook (RB-PHI) Although this pick comes with some injury concerns, Westbrook's upside as a runner and receiver out of the back field is too good to pass up. But it's now mandatory that I use a late round pick to handcuff this pick with his likely backup, rookie running back LeSean McCoy.
6. Team Waddell: Clinton Portis (RB-WAS) Portis is one of the few true feature backs remaining in the league. Portis has carried the ball over 320 every season he's been a Redskin, save for 2006 when he only played eight games due to injury. A running back must have opportunities to produce, and Portis gets plenty of chances. There is a cause for concern; however, that following his 352 carry season in 2005, he missed eight games the following season, lending credence to the theory of running back break down following a season of 340-plus carries. But I'm not in the business of predicting injuries. Seeing Portis bounce back in 2007 and 2008 should give comfort to drafters relying on him to carry their squads for 2009. If the offensive line can keep it together and avoid injuries, Portis should be in for another top 10 performance.
5. Team Bedinger: Calvin Johnson (WR-DET) I was hoping he would still be on the board, and here he is...Team Bedinger takes Detroit wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Johnson put up big numbers in his second year as a professional, and should continue to get even better now that Daunte Culpepper has gotten into the swing of things again. I fully expect him to be a fantasy steal much like Fitzgerald of 2008.
4. Team Lester: Steve Smith (WR-CAR) Smith is a game-changing wide receiver that can score on any play. He put up huge numbers last year despite a two-game suspension and spotty quarterback play.
3. Team Lorge: Reggie Wayne (WR-IND) As Manning's clear-cut No. 1, Wayne should get plenty of looks this year. The Colts still have enough talent on offense to keep defenses from loading up on Wayne. 100-plus catches are not out of the question.
2. Team Stashin: Peyton Manning (QB-IND) It's impossible for me to pass up Manning, who has thrown for over 4,000 yards in nine of the past 10 seasons. I know that the loss of Marvin Harrison could impact him, but with Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark, there is plenty of fire power left for him to throw to. I figure I can pretty much mark him down for 4,000 yards and 28-plus touchdowns.
1. Team Schottey: Anquan Boldin (WR-ARI) When push comes to shove, Boldin isn't Larry Fitzgerald, but he's still one of a top wide receivers in the NFL. I expect more explosiveness out of the Cardinals' offense in '09. Between teams needing to shade toward Fitzgerald and teams needing to add another defender to stop Chris "Beanie" Wells, Boldin will find room.
Second Round Notes
Ryan Lester: I wouldn't call MB3 fragile like his former Gopher counterpart (Maroney). I think he plays so physical that he's bound to get banged up a bit.
John Harkey: I'm curious to see where the two most coveted "handcuffs" come off the board. Sproles and McCoy are playing behind two fragile veterans and I suspect they will command high draft values this season. The real question is whether Sean and Kyle are willing to pony up for an insurance policy for their prized ponies or will they just sit back and watch some other team draft these handcuffs and hold them hostage later in the season? Muah ha ha ha...
John Harkey: Is Michael Vick still available?
John Lorge: You stole my joke! I was waiting till the third round to use it.
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