My Official Fantasy Football Draft of 2009: Part Two

Fantasy Football has spread like a wildfire through America.

It adds another whole dimension to the season in itself. It gets you pumped to watch other teams play because you want your guy to break out big. It really expands your NFL Encyclopedia as a whole.

You meet new people as well, and that's always an added bonus.

I generally run about 10 teams a season. Last season I won four leagues, and came within a combined four points of winning three other leagues. I would deem that a pretty good season.

So far, I have made several teams. In the second edition of the series, I will examine the second of my four teams, breaking down each pick and offering fantasy advice where I can.

Round One: Steven Jackson, Running Back

At No. 9, I was happy he fell in my lap here. The Rams may not be going to the postseason anytime soon, but they spent a lot of money on Tackle, Jason Smith, and Center, Jason Brown, to upgrade the Offensive Line. With the release of Drew Bennett and Torry Holt, it would seem as they're shifting to a power-running scheme and Jacksons' fantasy value should sky-rocket.

Expect 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns from one of the top running backs in the league hitting his prime.

Round Two: Brandon Jacobs, Running Back

Great pick-up for me, two big backs who are sure to get their fare share of touchdowns. With Derrick Ward off to Tampa Bay, Jacobs will get the bulk of the carries in New York. Having what is perhaps the top offensive line in the game did not hurt in making the decision either. 

Expect 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns as Jacobs becomes the feature back for the Giants whilst getting a load of goal line opportunities.

Round Three: Roddy White, Wide Receiver

I wanted a third running back here, but the vast majority, like Detroit's Kevin Smith, will be sharing a fair amount of carries. I'm not complaining about landing White one bit. He's a great option at pick No. 3. He is the clear-cut No. 1 option in Atlanta, which bodes well for any player's fantasy value, regardless of the team. White plays in a high-powered offense and is the quarterback's favorite target.

With the addition of tight end Tony Gonzalez, his yards will not likely increase, expect 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns from the Pro Bowler.

Round Four: Matt Ryan, Quarterback

Perfect timing, perfect match, Ryan had a great rookie season; and with the addition of Gonzalez to that top-ranked offense, even if he gets hit by the sophomore slump, Gonzalez can make up for the potential hit in production. He's that good. With Michael Turner in the backfield, it opens up the play action for Ryan. Expect a good season from the Rookie of the Year.

Expect 3,500 yards, 23 touchdowns from the future Pro Bowler. 

Round Five: Joseph Addai, Running Back

Considering what I had to work with, Addai got the most carries, even with rookie Donald Brown; they are looking for Addai to be the workhorse. With Marvin Harrison gone, the Colts are going to have to lean on the running game some more.

Expect around 1,100 yards and eight to 10 touchdowns from the incredibly underrated Addai.

Round Six: Anquan Boldin, Wide Receiver

I could not believe Boldin was available at round six. Boldin is part of the league's best wide receiver tandem and he will still put up stacked numbers as the No. 2 option in the pass-happy Cardinals' offense.

Expect around the same numbers as 2008, 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns

Round Seven: Giants' Defense

Defense is underrated in fantasy football. It can add as many as 15-17 points a game if you have a stellar one. With the way the Giants stacked their defensive line with Rocky Bernard, and Chris Canty, as well as linebacker with Michael Boley, they made it a no-brainer for me to pick them second overall, off the board after someone nabbed the Steelers.

They can average a solid 11-13 points per game. There will always be down games, but they will be dominate this season.

Round Eight: Chris Cooley, Tight End

Chris Cooley has great value at round eight. Cooley is one of the top tight ends in the league and is Jason Campbell's security blanket in Washington. He is always a consistent fantasy threat and having him on the roster is a sure bet.

He is good for 800 yards, and seven touchdowns in 2009 as he tries to assist Campbell to a break-out season.

Round Nine: Eddie Royal, Wide Receiver

Royal had a break-out rookie season with the Denver Broncos, not an all to common occurrence for rookie wide receivers. In pass-happy Denver, he compiled 78 catches for 979 yards, and six touchdowns. 

With Cutler gone, expect the numbers to dip a little, but as solid as you can find as a back-up wide receiver.

Put him down for 65 catches, 800 yards, and seven touchdowns next season as the Broncos No. 2 wide receiver. 

Round 10: Matt Hasselbeck, Quarterback

Matt Hasselbeck is a typical fantasy starter who had a bad year in 2008. I expect the Seahawks to surprise everyone and win the NFC West. Really, would it be a surprise? With TJ Housmandzadeh added, Burleson, Branch, and Carlson, he should toss for 3,500 yards and 24 touchdowns, minimum...if he stays on the field.

Round 11: Fred Jackson, Running Back

With Marshawn Lynch facing a three-game suspension, he could be a tempting third running back for me in place of Joseph Addai in the early season.

In those three games, you should expect around 275-300 yards, and a couple of touchdowns, solid value.

The Best of the Rest

Nick Folk, kicker; LeSean McCoy, running back; Julius Jones, running back; Derrick Mason, wide receiver; Brett Favre, quarterback:

Folk is one of the top fantasy kickers, averaging eight points per game.

Jones is a feature back for the Seahawks, who shall see the bulk of the carries, and is good for 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns as a back-up fantasy player or solid third running back option.

McCoy could see more playing time as the Eagles try and preserve Brian Westbrook from getting injured. He could see around 600-700 yards and should score five touchdowns...solid value.

Favre is just going to tear it up in Minnesota. With two top-flight speed-stars to match his gun-slinger mentality, I see him going no less then 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns if he suits up for the purple and gold.

If Mason decides to come back, he's the No. 1 option and a reliable target for second year quarterback Joe Flacco. Expect 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns from the savvy veteran.

Thanks for reading. In my next article, I will breakdown my second fantasy team.