Another Way Too Early Fantasy Football Draft

Well, I did it again. After doing my annual auto-pick league I got knee deep in my first live draft of the fantasy football season, and it's only July 11th.

How else am I supposed to get a feel for how things will shape-up and shake-out?

With the seventh pick out of 10, my strategy for the draft was to take the best talent on the board without worrying about positions too much.

Here's how the draft shook out:


7. Steve Slaton, RB

I wasn't sure if Slaton would last around the turn but with three WRs coming off the board between 8-13 it looks like he would have. 

I considered Steven Jackson, Frank Gore, or Clinton Portis with the pick but Slaton is the third guy on my board and I couldn't stray away from it.


14. Chris Johnson, RB

I was dedicated to picking two RBs with the first two picks, especially with the talent on the board and the pick came down to Johnson and Clinton Portis, as Frank Gore went one pick earlier.

I like Johnson over Portis because Johnson was used less last season. Portis has 667 carries in the past two years and that can really take a toll on the body like it did in 2006 after back-to-back 300+ carry seasons with Washington.


27. Greg Jennings, WR

Right before my pick I saw Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Roddy White come off the board—leading me to un-cross my fingers.

I do like Jennings though, he and Aaron Rodgers should continue to develop into one of the NFL's best QB-WR combos.


34. Wes Welker, WR

Anquan Boldin was the only player separating Jennings and Welker on my board so I was happy he was there.

Only three touchdowns last year was a fluke for 111 catches.


47. Kevin Smith, RB

There was solid RB talent on the board and even though I have my starting two already a third never hurts.

Smith hedges my bet against the Sophomore Slump.  I picked him over Reggie Bush because of injuries, and I thought Bush might come around to me off the turn.


54. Marshawn Lynch, RB

I missed-out on Bush by a few picks and Vincent Jackson went one pick before so I decided to stick with my best on the board strategy and grab Lynch.

Sure he may miss up to three games to start the year, but after that he will be entering the year healthy and hungry.


67. Donnie Avery, WR

The Rams will need to throw quite a bit and they don't have many options, making Avery a great pick—especially late in the 7th round.


74. Darren McFadden, RB

Was this my plan? To draft five RBs in the first eight rounds?  Well, no.

McFadden is hard to ignore when you're staring him in the face though because of his break-out ability. The biggest concern is injuries but I know he wants to build on a so-so rookie season.


87. Torry Holt, WR

Since when is Torry Holt a backup in fantasy football? 

I don't even want to list the names that were drafted before Holt but I am very happy to scoop him up.


94. Kellen Winslow, TE

I have serious doubts about the Bucs this year. I honestly think they are headed for the worst record in the NFL, but if Winslow is healthy he is hard to ignore as a fantasy TE.


107. David Garrard, QB

My sleeper QB for the year is David Garrard. He lost 20 pounds since last season and he has a legit No. 1 WR now.

I also love his ability to run the ball when needed.


114. Derrick Mason, WR

When looking at my fifth WR I had to choose between ceiling and floor. I chose floor.

Mason may never earn the starting nod but it's nice to know I have a guy who's not a question mark there in-case of injury.


127. Kyle Orton, QB

With Garrard as my starter I had to get a backup in the same range. 

Orton moves to a better offense where people are actually behind him, must be nice.


134. Miami, D

Not much left on the board, I was between the Phins and the Bears but I may just play the matchups every week with what's on the waiver wire.


147. Robbie Gould, K

I see have the Bears having a much-improves offense this year.  Gould should have more PATs and more FGAs than last year.