Reviewing the KFFL Fantasy Football Analysis Draft's First Round

The KFFL Fantasy Football Analysis Draft with our staff of writers has begun.

This year’s draft is one of the most difficult I’ve ever seen with so many mediocre players vying for the No. 1 overall slot—by mediocre, meaning everyone has questions regarding production and/or injury.

Any pick in the first round in most leagues could end the season as the best player. It’s that wild of a year trying to figure who really is the best fantasy player entering the season.

Team: Ilan Mochari

1) Matt Forte, running back, Chicago Bears: I can’t argue with Ilan’s explanation regarding Forte’s reception total of 63 last year. However, one would think new quarterback Jay Cutler’s strong arm will not allow for as many pass receptions, especially as he has taken to tight end Greg Olsen.

Some may think opening up the offense will help Forte with more yardage because the line won’t be stacked up, but the team re-signed Kevin Jones and is expecting him to step up.

The team does not want to put the full load on Forte, because they know 379 carries can cause problems down the road.

Would you take Matt Forte No. 1 in a PPR draft?

I guess I view Forte as a serviceable back that fits the Bears, but not as an elite back. This just shows me how badly the running back position has dropped off in recent years. Running back by committee is the reason for some of the issues this year and what makes Forte attractive.

Team: Michael Egnak

2) Adrian Peterson, running back, Minnesota Vikings: I have no issues with this pick outside the fact I wish Peterson would catch the ball more.

I blame the Vikings for that.

They should be force feeding him the ball through the air at practice to better his skills with his hands. That would also allow him to get to the outside even more and to showcase his skills.

Come on, this is the West Coast offense.

Team: John Kotch Jr.

3) Michael Turner, running back, Atlanta Falcons: Turner showed himself to be the real deal.

He reminds me of Maurice Jones-Drew in build. I think this is a solid spot for him as the Falcons upgraded their passing game with tight end Tony Gonzalez, which will help the Falcons to open up the field along with Roddy White and Michael Jenkins stretching it.

A smart, safe pick here!

Team: Bryce McRae

4) Maurice Jones-Drew, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars: I’m not sold on Jones-Drew because he has never done it on his own, and he will be expected to.

He has the size and build because he’s so dense and strong, but, if the Jaguars don’t get a consistent passing game going, he could quickly become a bust.

Can MJD be The Man this year?

I don’t expect him to be a bust in a points-per-reception league, but he has always shared time with Fred Taylor prior to this upcoming season. That stated his potential if he can carry the load brings a high ceiling.

Team: Keith Hernandez

5) Chris Johnson, running back, Tennessee Titans: Here’s the player I would have taken over Jones-Drew and Forte.

Why?

Well, after seeing him play multiple times last year, I’m still wowed at how good he is. Unlike most, I believe the committee system with LenDale White helps him.

Sure, he had some long touchdowns and statistically speaking it will be hard to repeat.

However, I think the Titans know he is the key to their season, and I believe if he didn’t get hurt against the Baltimore Ravens that we’re looking at Jeff Fisher’s first Super Bowl win.

Team: Matt Wilson

6) Steve Slaton, running back, Houston Texans: I can’t argue this pick either. Slaton proved me wrong last year despite his size. I did not think he would stay healthy a full season. His size once again concerns me this year, but I won’t argue the pick because it’s a PPR league. In a PPR league his value is obviously much higher, and he seems like a lesser version of Chris Johnson.

Team: Tim Piotrowski

7) Steven Jackson, running back, St. Louis Rams: I don’t mind this pick, but I’ve always had issues with the fact he’s nicked up, and right now the Rams are a bad team.

I’m looking at the line being stacked to stop him, and it makes me wary of this pick. It reminds me of Larry Johnson from the last two years. If you’re the only legitimate weapon, you can be stopped unless the rest of the team steps up.

I won’t argue the pick based on him being No. 7, but I wouldn’t have made it.

Team: Cory J. Bonini

8 ) LaDainian Tomlinson, running back, San Diego Chargers: I love this pick, and Bonini explains it very well.

To be frank, I’m hoping I don’t have the first pick in any drafts I play in and he falls to me, because in the end, outside of Peterson, I think I feel safe with Tomlinson.

A first-round steal!

He’s proven, has a track record when healthy, and there’s no reason he should not be able to play much better than last year. Remember, he suffered the dreaded turf toe injury in Week One last year.

I don’t see that happening this year.

Phenomenal value!

Team: Tim Heaney

9) DeAngelo Williams, running back, Carolina Panthers: He had a monster season last year as a one-two punch with Jonathan Stewart, and I don’t see the Panthers changing their game plan.

However, I can’t argue those taken before him in this format. Some may have taken Brian Westbrook, but I agree with Heaney and his analysis on why he let him slide.

That stated, I’m not sure, but believe I would probably have gone Westbrook to be safe.

Team: Nicholas Minnix

10) Brian Westbrook, running back, Philadelphia Eagles: I’m not a big Westbrook fan this year as he has already undergone one surgery and the season has not begun!

Because of that, until I actually draft, I’m not sure what I would have done as noted in the last paragraph. Logic states I would have taken him ahead of any of the one-year wonders based on his track record, but that’s speculating.

That stated, at No. 10 overall, he brings great value if he comes back 100 percent from his ankle injury.

Team: Ryan R. Bonini

11) Frank Gore, running back, San Francisco 49ers: I like the value here because of new head coach Mike Singletary’s run-first philosophy. I think this was a safe pick by Bonini, but arguably the correct pick. His explanation states why—he is a 1,000-yard back the last three seasons, despite various issues at the quarterback position, nicks he has had to deal with, and different offensive schemes in that time.

Team: Kostas Bolos

12) Andre Johnson, wide receiver, Houston Texans: I can’t argue this pick at all because Bolos has the ability to come back with a running back. I think with so many running back committees the wide receiver strategy in a point-per-reception format has great legitimacy.

There’s my take.  Each one was shorter than the rest because I didn’t want to give the editors too much to work with.

Look for concise breakdowns moving forward with highlights of whom I like and why.

Worst Pick: Matt Forte as I just don’t believe he’s worth the No. 1 overall pick.

Best Value: LaDainian Tomlinson because even on a down year he posted.