2012 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Why Taking a First Round QB Is a Smart Bet

Do you remember the old days of fantasy football, when you would stash away running backs in the first two (or maybe even three) rounds? Do you ever look back fondly on the days when running back platoons simply meant that teams didn't have a single good back?

I do. Only, that is not the world we live in any longer. 

These days, the NFL is a passing league, and the value you place on quarterbacks and wide receivers in your draft should reflect that. If you aren't already, it's time you highly considered adding a signal-caller in the first round of your fantasy football draft.

Think about the running back position for a moment. How many legitimately safe players are there at the position this season? Three?

For my tastes, Ray Rice, Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy are safe first-round picks. I like Chris Johnson and Matt Forte as well, but only if Johnson has a bounce-back year and Forte doesn't lose too much value with Michael Bush in Chicago.

Maurice Jones-Drew? Until his holdout is resolved, I'm staying away.

Jamaal Charles, Darren McFadden and Adrian Peterson? All have huge potential, but also carry major injury risks.

Marshawn Lynch and Reggie Bush? If you don't think resurgent 2011 seasons were flukes, go right ahead.

Trent Richardson? How much can you really rely on a rookie?

DeMarco Murray? He has injury risks and a very short track record (two touchdowns, just seven NFL starts).

Darren Sproles or any of the backs on the Carolina Panthers? There aren't enough touches to go around.

Michael Turner, Steven Jackson and Frank Gore? Father Time is watching all three very, very closely.

As you can probably tell by now, there aren't many running backs I would trust in the first round this season. In fact, I have nearly as many quarterbacks (four) in my top 10 as running backs (five). To me, the elite quarterbacks this year are (mostly) safer options than most of the available running backs.

Yes, I have my reservations about Matthew Stafford. However, if he stays healthy again this year, look out. 

With that, I present to you a first-round fantasy mock draft. Let me know how you plan on approaching the first round in your fantasy draft in the comments.

Good luck to you this season!

1. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

2. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

4. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles

5. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

6. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

7. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

8. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

9. Matt Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

10. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

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