(Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)
Diamonds in the rough.
It is the same mecca all fantasy owners seek each and every season—players drafted at bargain rates who end up carrying fantasy teams to championships.
The last great draft day decision is the pride of all fantasy owners. Like a proud parent, fantasy owners bask in the glory of a savvy, calculated value pick.
At fantasy drafts this year, you will hear—in addition to each owner’s self-proclaimed best fantasy football team name—the calls of these prideful owners.
“Remember when I drafted Steve Slaton in the 15th round last year? That was whack, yo!” and “Philip Rivers in the 10th round, are you kidding me?!?” and “I took DeAngelo Williams three rounds after Jonathan Stewart was drafted. Championship!” are but a few of the many calls that will sound on draft day this year.
Want to join this happy-go-lucky contingency? Then start boning up on the real values in fantasy drafts this year, starting with a deep list of pass-catching talents.
The average draft positions (ADP) for each of the players listed below were taken from two of the leading mock draft sites, Fantasy Football Calculator and Mock Draft Central. ADP current as of July 5, 2009.
Donnie Avery, Rams
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 81.1 (Round 7.09)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 82.82
When the Rams traded Torry Holt, it officially signaled the beginning of a new era in St. Louis.
Gone is the Greatest Show on Turf. These Rams no longer are your older brother’s Rams. But there still will be fantasy points to go around.
Someone has to be the recipient of Marc Bulger’s passes, and it may as well be Avery. He flashed some serious skills over the course of several weeks last season and is quickly becoming the best receiver of his draft class.
Lance Moore, Saints
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 76.5 (Round 7.04)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 65.52
A fantasy stud for most of last season, Moore is getting no credit for his efforts in 2008.
Is it because of the anticipated healthy return of Marques Colston? Has to be. The Saints did not add anything at receiver to compete with Moore’s playing time.
Know that drafting Moore as a WR3 is as good of a value as can be found anywhere. His upside is WR1 as established last season. So when Drew Brees is throwing for 1,000 yards a game again this year, there should be more than enough to go around for Colston and Moore.
Steve Smith, Giants
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 152.1 (Round 13.08)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 155.11
Domenik Hixon is the uber-trendy pick among the fantasy public from the Giants' receiving corps, but why? Because of a few big games last year?
Personally, if there is a receiver I want from this group, it is Smith. Even with Plaxico Burress in the fold, Smith and Eli Manning developed a nice rapport. He became the perfect complement to Burress, all the while gaining valuable experience and playing time.
A possession receiver at heart, Smith will be relied upon by Manning heavily over the course of the season. While he lacks some of the blow-up material Hixon is made of, Smith should be the most consistent of all the receivers on this team.
Braylon Edwards, Browns
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 43.0 (Round 4.07)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 46.27
Not that Edwards is falling by a ridiculous amount in mock drafts. Fantasy owners still need to use at least a fourth rounder to get him.
But compared to Edwards’ ADP last season, fourth round is a steal.
Realistically, I doubt Edwards comes close to 16 touchdowns again anytime soon. But he is the No. 1 receiver in a contract year, so you know Edwards is going to show up. The question is whether the rest of the Browns offense will.
Regardless, fourth round for a guy with top tier talent, which he flashed just two seasons ago, is a minimal price to pay.
Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins
Fantasy Football Calculator ADP: 105.0 (Round 9.09)
Mock Draft Central ADP: 110.92
Miami’s passing game was surprisingly effective last year without much of an impact player in the receiving corps. It was more smoke-and-mirrors effort than overwhelming talent.
Still, fantasy owners should not completely discredit any of the Miami receivers, particularly Ginn. Quickly a fantasy afterthought after an underwhelming rookie campaign, Ginn has the look of a maturing NFL wide receiver.
Drafting him as a WR4 would be most prudent for fantasy owners. If he can establish himself as the go-to receiver in the Miami offense, Ginn could have quite a few WR2-type weeks.
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