Fantasy Football 2011 PPR Mock Draft: Round 1 Recap

This draft will be a 16-round affair based on a points per reception (PPR) scoring league (Pass TDs - 4 points, All Other TDs - 6 points, 25 Yards Passing - 1 point, 10 Yards Rushing/Receiving - 1 point, All Receptions - 1 point). Outside of having to field a starting lineup made up of QB, two RBs, three WRs, TE, K and D/ST, owners are free to fill out their rosters any way they like. 

Commentary after each pick is provided by the Bruno Boys staff member who made that pick.

2011 FANTASY PPR MOCK DRAFT ROUND 1 RESULTS

1.01: Bruno Boys Rich - Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings — I really considered surprising everyone and going Jamaal Charles with this selection, but I just couldn’t resist taking Peterson. He finished second among running backs in fantasy points in 2010, however the deciding factor here is that Peterson is young (26) and has had at least 1,600 total yards and 10 touchdowns in each of his first four seasons in the NFL. I’ll take that consistency over anyone else available no matter if it’s PPR or standard scoring.

 
1.02: Bruno Boys Allie - Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans — Foster is a PPR fantasy owner’s dream running back, and I’m happy to build my roster around the talented third-year phenom who was fantasy football’s 2010 MVP and also happens to be my pick for 2011’s No. 1 overall player.

His breakout season included 327 carries for 1,616 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground, along with 66 receptions for 604 passing yards and two additional touchdowns in the air. Foster delivered the goods week in and week out, averaging 138.8 total yards and just over a touchdown per game.

Though the return of Ben Tate to the Houston backfield concerns some, I’m not worried about him cutting into Foster’s production in 2011. Tate still has to prove himself on the field and stay healthy, while the Texans know what they have in the supremely talented Foster, what they’ve been looking for over the years—the perfect back for their zone blocking scheme. As Charlie Sheen would say, “Winning!” 

1.03: Bruno Boys Kyle - Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans — Jamaal Charles was a thought here, but I simply cannot ignore Johnson in this spot. He not only had over 1,300 rushing yards and 11 rushing scores but also caught 44 passes, enhancing his PPR value. Even with teams focusing on shutting him down, Johnson should continue to produce top of the line numbers in 2011.

1.04: Bruno Boys Ryan - Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens — I could have gone with LeSean McCoy or Jamaal Charles with this pick, however feel like I could trust Rice because of his consistency.

Rice once again showed in 2010 why he is turning into a top-five talent in PPR leagues. He was third only to McCoy and Arian Foster in receptions by a running back and had his second season in a row of 60-plus receptions.  Rice also finished in the top 10 in rushing yards and scored six touchdowns. 

If the Baltimore Ravens continue to run their offense through Rice like they did in the second half of 2010, there is no reason he won’t once again be a PPR monster.  Rice might also get more scoring opportunities with Willis McGahee unlikely to re-sign with the team.

1.05: Bruno Boys Lane - LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles — I cried a little when Ray Rice was taken before me, and I was left with a brutal choice between Jamaal Charles and LeSean McCoy. In PPR, McCoy is the choice with this pick as he had a sizable margin in receptions over Charles, and considering his role as Brian Westbrook 2.0 in Andy Reid’s offense, the receptions are sure to continue rolling in.

Also helping to overcome my unrelenting desire for Jamaal Charles’ yards per carry average is the lack of competition for carries and goal line work for McCoy, unless you count his quarterback. It’s painful to pass on Master Chief (Charles), but McCoy is the logical pick here.

1.06: Bruno Boys James - Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs — It happened again! Jamaal Charles fell into my lap at pick 1.06 in our PPR mock draft like he did at 1.07 in our standard scoring mock draft. Charles’ ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and turn them into big plays makes him a perfect PPR running back.

In his first full year as an integral part of the Chiefs offense, he dazzled. Charles produced enough to be tied for fourth in fantasy points (268 total) among running backs in PPR leagues.  Thomas Jones wore down last year, averaging just 3.7 yards per carry, and I expect Charles to get more touches in his second full year. Don’t be surprised if Charles is the top fantasy football running back in 2011. 

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PPR ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10   (click link)

STANDARD ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  10 (click link)