Fantasy Football: Best, Worst, Most Valued, & Disappointing Picks

You drafted the wrong Steve Smith. Your running back duo of Jamal Lewis and Darren McFadden has produced absolute squadoosh. You want to take out Joe Flacco for dinner and the sight of Eddie Royal makes you cringe.

As Pacman Jones is to strippers, so are football fans to fantasy football. And with the quarter point of the season now upon us, it's time to reflect on our teams and our fantasy drafting prowess.

Some of you are sitting pretty and some of you are struggling to say the least. Thankfully, we're only 25 percent in, but as Bill Parcells famously said, "You are what your record says."

That being said, the following is a recap of one of my leagues as I list the best, worst, most valued, and most disappointing picks.

Disclaimer: I'm only taking the first four weeks in account. The first number in parentheses is the round taken and second number is the pick itself. The league was a standard 12-team league and non PPR.

Top Six Value Picks:

6. Jericho Cotchery (10) (110)

Long thought of as a fringe fantasy starter, Cotchery has emerged this year as a solid WR2. Ranked 12th out of wide receivers, Cotchery's value might take a hit with Braylon Edwards coming on board, but when taken in the 10th round; he's an outright bargain.

5. Percy Harvin (12) (140)

Disputing the notion of rookie wideouts struggling in their inaugural year, Harvin has transferred his playmaking skills into the NFL. A demon on special teams, Harvin has already ran back a touchdown and while his touches might be limited, he sure has made the most of them. Harvin is ranked fifth out of receivers.

4. Cedric Benson(6) (64)

From Cedric the Bust, to Cedric the Entertainer, Benson has entertained fantasy owners thus far averaging 13.3 points a game and ranking eighth overall out of running backs.

3.Willis McGahee (10) (118): Granted, no one knew that McGahee would play such a big role in the Ravens offense, but when you're taken in the 10th round and already have seven touchdowns; that's called a steal.

2. Eli Manning (10) (109)

Eli a fantasy star? Thought of as a solid quarterback with limited fantasy appeal, Eli has made like brother Peyton ripping up opposing defenses. With eight touchdowns Manning has more scores than renown fantasy stars Phillip Rivers, Tony Romo, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and JaMarcus Russell.

1. Steve Smith (14) (162)

So who's been Eli throwing the ball to then? You're looking at him. No more "the other Steve Smith," the USC disciple is quickly carving his own niche as one of the best receivers in the game. A great route runner with fantastic hands, Smith is averaging a robust 17 points per game. His numbers will probably decline, but his targets won't. Smith leads the league in targets with 45, and is Eli's go-to guy.


Worst Six Picks:

6. Earnest Graham (8) (93)

Four games...one point. Enough said.

5 .Darren McFadden and Jamal Lewis (4) & (5)

Both running backs have been colossal busts, and when you take two in rounds four and five you need at least one to be productive. They have not.

4. Roy Williams (4) (43)

Note to self ... always go with your gut. A DeSean Jackson and Vincent Jackson groupie entering the season, I instead chose the hot steaming pile of poop known as Williams because of the "experts" predictions. Not only is Williams inconsistent at best, he looks like a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle.

3. Rob Bironas (11) (132)

It's not as bad as the Raiders taking fellow kicker Sebastian Janikowski in the first round of the 2000 draft, but it's pretty close. There's a reason kickers are drafted in the last round and with Bironas ranked 26 out of all kickers, Mike Asaro is now known as Al Davis Jr.

2. Beanie Wells (4) (38)

Yes, he was highly touted entering 2009 fantasy drafts, but when you take him in the fourth round he better live up to the hype. Unfortunately he hasn't, as he's looked more like a Beanie Baby than Beanie Wells.

1.Kevin Boss (5) (55)

Do I even have to say anything? I don't know what's more unbelievable ... this pick or the fact that Parker's in first place.


Best Picks:

6. Vincent Jackson (5) (60)

Third in yards (396) and yards per game(93.3), Jackson is on the verge of a breakout 2009 campaign. With Phillip Rivers at the helm, Jackson could wind up as a top-five wideout at year's end.

5. Reggie Wayne (3) (27)

Bye bye Marvin Harrison. Hello Reggie Wayne. The No. 2 fantasy wideout in the game, all Wayne has done is average 15 points per game and emerge as one of best No. 1 options in the game.

4. Peyton Manning (2) (18)

People thought that Manning might be on the decline. Right. Throwing for more than 300 yards in every game and ranked as the No. 1 QB, Manning has dismissed "Old Father Time" and has cemented himself as still one of the best QBs in the game.  

3. DeSean Jackson (6) (70)

Look up the definition of playmaker and you'll find this guy. Despite his smallish stature, the second-year speedster has lit up opposing defenses with two 100-plus receiving games out of three. Coupled with the fact that he was taken in the sixth round, you have an absolute steal.

2.Joe Flacco (7) (83)

Unearthing a gem in a Mr. Joe Flacco, Team Dangle is reaping the rewards of the second-year star. Captaining the third-highest scoring offense in the game, the Delaware product has thrown for 1,103 yards and eight touchdowns. 

1.Steve Smith (NYG) (14) (162)

Did Parker know how good S-squared was going to be when he drafted him? Most likely not. But when a player is taken in the 14th round and is the No. 1 fantasy wideout after four games, it's not even debatable. It's the best pick.


I Drafted You Where?? (The Most Disappointing Picks)

7. Greg Olson (9) (102)

Projected as a top-five option before the season, Olson has been anything but through the first four weeks. Facing double teams on a nearly consistent basis, Olson's struggles have resulted in a combined 20 points through four games and a high receiving yardage of 41. Ick.

6.Darren McFadden (4) (39)

How do you think McFadden is feeling knowing that his Arkansas counterpart Felix Jones is totally outperforming him? Probably not too good. His owners can relate.

5. Roddy White (3) (26)

It might not matter if "you're black or white," but Mr. White's fantasy owners need him to start producing. Combining for 119 yards through four games, White has failed to build on his 2008 breakout campaign, but with Matt Ryan behind center, it's only a matter of time before he breaks out.

4. Tony Romo (5) (52)

Take out Week One's 35-point showing and Romo has been simply awful. Failing to find a rapport with any of his receivers, especially Roy Williams, Romo has been relegated to dump-offs to Jason Witten and handing the ball off to his backs. Romo's talented, but needs to start getting his act together soon, or it will be a long season in Big D. 

3. Steve Smith (CAR) (2) (24)

It's not really his fault because his quarterback is terrible. Failing to score a touchdown this season, it's been a weird season for the Carolina superstar. Averaging 12.3 targets a game, Smith only averages five receptions. If Carolina wants to turn their season around they need to turn that stat around.Now.

2. Eddie Royal (6) (63)

In Texas Hold Em, a Royal Flush beats everything. In the NFL, Eddie Royal can't beat anybody. Bursting on the scene last year as one of Jay Cutler's favorite targets, Royal was supposed to thrive with a bigger role in 2009. It hasn't happened. With 58 total yards, he's been invisible.

1. Tom Brady (1) (8)

When you take him 8th overall, he better be the Brady of 2007. Struggling with rust, confidence in his knee, and his rapport with his receivers, Brady has left lots of touchdowns on the board through the first four weeks. It's only a matter of time before he turns it around, but so far you have to label him a disappointment.