Fantasy Football 2009 Expert Mock Draft: Round Nine Recap

The 2008 fantasy football season might have just ended but that doesn't mean you can sit back and relax until it gets closer to the 2009 fantasy football season.

The off-season is when you scout players, look at coaching changes and plow through game log after game log to find consistency at each position.

Since our job never ends here at Bruno Boys Fantasy Football, we teamed up with five other fantasy publications and started a 2009 Fantasy Football Mock Draft.

Below you will find one of many round-by-round recaps of the mock draft, in which ten fantasy football experts show you a glimpse of what your 2009 draft might look like.

The recaps that follow each selection are written by the team that is drafting that specific player. 

Scoring used for the 2009 Fantasy Football Expert Mock Draft:

4 Points - Passing TD's
6 Points - All other TD's
1 Point - 25 passing yards
1 Point - 10 rushing/receiving yards

Now it's time to take a look at Round 9 of our January 2009 Fantasy Football Expert Mock Draft...

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9.01: Junkyard Jake - WR Donnie Avery

By most rookie standards, Donnie Avery had an excellent first season in 2008, with 53 catches, 674 yards and 3 TDs. The highlight of his year was a 6 catch, 163 yard, 1 TD performance vs. New England.

It was revealed in December that Avery had actually been playing the entire season with a cracked hip, so it will be interesting to see what he can do at full-speed, with a year of experience under his belt.

Although he is not a big, physical receiver, he brings 4.3 speed, with exceptional quickness and good route discipline. The other reason to like Avery this year is that he could possibly replace Torry Holt as the Rams No. 1 receiver.

Even in the event that Holt remains with the team, Avery should assume the role as the teams' primary passing game play-maker.

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9.02: Fantasy Football Xtreme - RB Rashard Mendenhall

At this point in the draft, one can only take stabs at potential breakout players—Mendy has potential breakout written all over him.

I was extremely high on Mendenhall entering 2008, and his shoulder injury was devastating for all my 2008 Mendy predictions, but injuries cannot be predicted and I'm not backing down from my '08 stance.

Mendy has the talent to be an elite runner in this league and he is certainly worth the risk in the ninth-round in any format. Hopefully his shoulder is 100 percent by the start of the season! If so, watch out FWP owners!

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9.03: FantasyPros911.com - D/ST Pittsburgh Steelers

This is the round I usually target a D, so why change my draft style now? The Steelers to me, going into 2009, are the No. 1 D, not the Ravens.

Why? With so many questions about where the Ravens defensive players will play in 2009, I'm shying away from them.

I could have gone with a backup quarterback here, or even a backup tight end, but securing a defense that won't hurt my team in the ninth, makes my team stronger.

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9.04: Fantasy Football Librarian - WR Donald Driver

I was planning on taking a TE at this spot, but as I look ahead there's still just one team before it gets back around to me that doesn't have a TE yet, so I think I'll hold off yet again.

I have Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker and DeSean Jackson as my receivers, so far, so I think it's time to grab another WR here. 

Driver isn't showing signs of slowing down too much with Rodgers at the helm, so I'm willing to take a chance that he'll put up numbers that are pretty similar to his 2008 stats (74 catches for 1012 yards, 5 TDs). Those are numbers that I'd be happy to get out of my 9th round pick.

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9.05: Bruno Boys Whooley - RB Felix Jones

With Julius Jones up in Seattle and out of the picture, the Dallas job was supposed to be all Marion Barber's in 2008, but then the Cowboys went ahead and drafted Felix Jones early in the 2008 draft.

The dynamic playmaking ability of the rookie back was quickly evident as he went for double digits in three of his first six games and averaged a stellar 8.9 yards per carry on the year.

So, why isn't Jones going higher in this draft? Simple, a toe injury cut Jones' 2008 season short, and while he is expected to be fine by OTAs, many fantasy owners have concerns about what his role will be with the team.

After all, Dallas also has Marion Barber and Tashard Choice, who finished the season with a bang, in the backfield. But, in the 9th round, you have to take a risk on this back. After all, the Cowboys can't afford to let his big play ability sit on their bench.

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9.06: Bruno Boys Ziza - RB Willis McGahee

Selecting my starting tight end was an enticing possibility, but in the end, I decided to take out some insurance at the all-important running back position.

As all fantasy owners know, the Baltimore Ravens' backfield was a conundrum all throughout 2008 as it was very difficult to judge week in and week out what back would put up the numbers.

While LeRon McClain did pull away some what towards the end of the year (which is why I selected him in round 7), it is still unclear if he'll be the man come 2009, so to protect myself, I've taken McClain's backfield mate, McGahee, here.

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9.07: Bruno Boys Cory - RB Tim Hightower

I wanted to solidify my running back corps but decent backup options have been flying off the board. Felix Jones and Willis McGahee were two guys I was targeting but were taken right before my pick.

But, I liked Hightower enough to select him here. He went over 100 yards just once but had 10 touchdowns and that's the kind of production I'm looking for with this pick.

I also have serious doubts that Edgerrin James has much time left, if any, with the Cardinals, and I expect Hightower to get about 275 touches on the ball next season. As long as QB Kurt Warner returns, I love the pick of Hightower here.

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9.08: Fighting Chance Fantasy - D/ST Philadelphia Eagles

There are few defenses that are more stingy or more intimidating than the Eagles. They don't give up a lot of points, they force a ton of turnovers, and they sack the quarterback among the best in football.

I often like to finish off my starters before getting to my bench (except at RB and kickers don't count), and I still haven't picked my defense.

They do play in a tough division, but they were among the top fantasy defenses in 2008, and I guarantee they will be again in 2009.

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9.09: Bruno Boys Cavigs - RB Cedric Benson

Looking to add depth here at the RB position and the late surge of production by Cedric Benson towards the end of 2008 is enough for me take a gamble on him this late in the draft.

Benson will be my RB4 heading into the 2009 season and if he even comes close to his outburst of 2008, he will work as an exceptional bye-week filler or great trade bait to bulk up at another position.

Plus, with Carson Palmer returning in Cincinnati, Benson could have a career year.

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9.10: Bruno Boys Larry - WR Deion Branch

This may be a bit of a sleeper pick. Deion Branch missed 8 games and parts of others due to a torn ACL in 2008, so there is some risk with this pick, but when you are picking with the last pick in the ninth round you are either picking a young up and comer or a veteran looking for a big year.

Branch is a polished veteran who if he can remain healthy (and it is a big "if") will be a nice edition to my fantasy team as a WR4.

Playing in 8 games last season, he had 30 receptions for 412 yards with 4 touchdowns, but he seemed to keep getting better each game. He had two big two-touchdown games down the stretch for the Seahawks, which gives me hope for a productive 2009 for Deion Branch.

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For analysis of rounds 1 through 8 and more fantasy football insight and advice, click the link below...

Bruno Boys Fantasy Football