Fantasy Factory: Analyzing Picks One Through Ten (No. 4-6)

Fantasy Factory: Analyzing Picks One Through Ten (No. 1-3): Click Here

Alright, here we are back for the second stage of achieving fantasy greatness. Having picks four, five, or six is one of my favorite draft positions. You don't have to wait extremely long to make your next pick, and it helps gauge who will be available when you do select your next stud.

Drafting at No. Four, Five, or Six

Selecting at these positions opens up a new world of possibilities. Naturally, the top three running backs have already been selected.

** Footnote: If you have pick four, one of the top running backs will be available. Such as Matt Forte or Maurice Jones-Drew. In that case, select them with your number four pick.

It also is a time to start looking at drafting a different position, such as wide receiver. I know it sounds crazy, but he's just THAT good.

However your style, here are four players, that I find logical choices to draft at the aforementioned draft positions.

Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
I know what you're thinking if you were someone that drafted S-Jax last season. He didn't really get the job done and was often inconsistent. Take a chance though, and see Jackson's ceiling for this season.

Why Steven Jackson Should Be Your First Round Pick

• New head coach Steve Spagnuolo looks to use Jackson as an "offensive centerpiece," and will do anything to get the ball in his hands.
• Whether it be on the ground or through the air.
• Improved offensive line with Mike Carney at fullback, sixth overall pick Andre Smith, and outstanding center Jason Brown clearing the way.
• Easiest schedule in the NFL. Yeah...that's a pretty good reason.

Why Steven Jackson Shouldn't Be Your First Round Pick

• Team could be down in a lot of games, meaning less carries for Jackson.
• Injuries have been a problem for Jackson in the past, and you should be cautious that a missed game or two is definitely a possibility.
• I went to Florida with a buddy for ESPN The Weekend in March, and he has connections with ESPN so we got to meet and hang out with plenty of athletes. Of the NFL running backs we met, Brandon Jacobs, Brian Westbrook, and Steven Jackson, he was by far and away the least friendly, and downright stand-offish. It's always annoyed me so I thank you for listening.

Final Verdict: PPR leagues will be great for Jackson as he usually hauls in 50 catches a year (caught an amazing 90 in 2006!).

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
Johnson had an extremely impressive rookie campaign, even with Lendale "Fatty" White sniping a ton (pun most definitely intended) of Johnson's scores. How will 2009 treat this stellar sophomore?

Why Chris Johnson Should Be Your First Round Pick

• Averaged an incredible five yards per carry in '08, and more carries in 2009 could equal a ridiculous jump in yards.
• One of the few true "big play threats" in the NFL with five rushes of over 30 yards in '08.
• There's talk that the team will be less conservative in 2009 (which could mean less touchdowns of carries within the three yard line...Where Lendale had eight of his TDs).

Why Chris Johnson Shouldn't Be Your First Round Pick

• Lendale White is apparently at his lowest weight ever coming into camp and is in his contract year. If he sticks around it could mean trouble for Johnson.
• A soft home schedule, but a rough road one could mean inconsistency for CJ.

Final Verdict: Mr. 4.29 should have another great season, and I highly recommend grabbing him at pick five or six if he is still available.

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
Everyone got a peek at what Fitz could do when under pressure when he set NFL records for receptions and touchdowns during a postseason run. The guy whose records he obliterated? Some old man named Jerry Rice.

Why Larry Fitzgerald Should Be Your First Round Pick

• Third easiest schedule in the NFL, including six divisional games in which the average pass defense was 19th.
• Arizona returns a lot of the same key pieces from last season. In the chance that Anquan Boldin doesn't return, Steve Breaston could become a viable replacement.
• If Kurt Warner stays healthy, and Beanie Wells can adjust to NFL rushing, than it could mean even bigger numbers for Fitz.

Why Larry Fitzgerald Shouldn't Be Your First Round Pick

• Running backs have often been something you fill in the first round. Playing with a flex spot means you could stock up and start three great backs. Taking a wideout first means your behind the pack.
• Anquan Boldin not returning, or holding out could mean, as previously stated, that Breaston would fill in. But he would have to match his 1,000 yard rookie season to truly help Fitz get even better.

Final Verdict: Fitz is without a doubt the best wide receiver in the NFL and is well worth a first round choice, assuming you take the best ranked RB the next time by.

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers
Tomlinson is another one of the players gracing this list that you might be a little nervous about saying their name aloud at your draft day party with some buddies. Don't be.

Why LaDainian Tomlinson Should Be Your First Round Pick

• Eclipsed 1,100 yards, double digit TDs, and led the NFL in targets for running backs with 77. What more could you want?
• If Vincent Jackson can match his last season's numbers and Antonio Gates gets back to being a healthy tight end, LT should have no problem returning to 15 touchdowns and 1,300 yards.
• Norv Turner has told reporters that LaDainian Tomlinson could very easily win this years rushing crown. Does that matter? Well, he's the one who decides how many carries LT will get.

Why LaDainian Tomlinson Shouldn't Be Your First Round Pick

• He turned 30-years-old. Look it up.
• Chargers franchised Darren Sproles, clearly looking forward, and he could grab some carries from LT on a week to week basis.
• Injuries have been nagging away since last season at Tomlinson, but it might not be that big of a problem compared with last seasons numbers. Factor in that he's a year older, however, and you could encounter some problems.

Final Verdict: I like LT to have a bounce back year, and he could most definitely fall even a little further if you have a later pick.

Final Thoughts
Some great selections come along at these positions on the draft board. Make sure you pair up your first pick with a great second one if you make a risky decision.

Written By, and Created By Travis Rand, NYG Community Leader and Fantasy Writer