Fantasy Football: The Ultimate Mock Draft To Win Your League
As summer barrels headlong into fall, fans' attentions tend to get a bit... fragmented. Baseball season is just entering it's stretch run, English football is just getting underway, and American football's preseason gets started. As preseason football gets fans worked into a fervor (ok, not really a fervor, more of a dull grumble), their attention inevitably slides towards fantasy football, and their upcoming drafts.
Who will be the impact signing for their team?
Which waiver wire pickups will win them the title? And, most importantly:
Who in the heck should I draft?
It's a question that has puzzled players since the sport's advent. Well, worry no more, because I'm bringing you a comprehensive list of who you should take when, to win your league. We're doing this standard style, serpentine 12 team draft, with 20 rounds. Because everyone knows roughly who gets picked first each year, we're starting at the top and working our way down the entire board. That's right, all 240 picks here for your viewing convenience, although only the first rounders get full slide workups. So find a comfy chair, order some pizza and get your big board ready because we're going draftin'! WOOO!
Rd. 1. Pick 1.- Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
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This year's consensus number one pick, on pretty much everyone's boards. Johnson was a fantasy stud last season, racking up 2,006 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. He's a fast back, faster than just about anyone in the NFL, and he's got the potential to go boom on a weekly basis. If you're picking first, he's the guy you want. No question about it.
Rd. 1 Pick 2- Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
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Another no-brainer here, as Peterson is as consistent a threat as they come. He ran for 1,383 yards and 18 touchdowns last year, making him an easy top-3 pick if he doesn't match last year's output. He could well exceed it, given the lack of a veteran backup, which would make him an excellent second pick.
If there's a knock on AP, it's his hands; he's got a little bit of Tiki Barber fumblitis, but don't let a few potential turnovers dissuade you from a stud like him. Don't get cute this early; take the smart pick.
Rd. 1, Pick 3- Maurice Jones-Drew
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Another one of the elite level backs in recent years, Jones-Drew is a study in paradox. He's small for a running back, standing just 5'8" and weighing in at just 208 lbs, but don't be fooled, this little guy is like a bowling ball out there. He bounces and spins off tacklers, using his above average quickness to smoke slower players, and his surprising strength to run through faster ones. With 1,391 yards and 15 touchdowns last year, Jones-Drew makes one heck of a third pick. He doesn't have quite the speed of Chris Johnson, or the power of AP, but his combo back style makes him an excellent pick.
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Rd. 1, Pick 4- Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
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This is a pick based almost entirely around Ray Rice's upside. He's a tremendous talent, in his third year out of Rutgers, and last season, despite beginning the year in what was a glorified 3-back system (Rice, Willis McGahee and McClain), he grabbed the 1st back conch from McGahee almost immediately, establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. On top of his rushing skills, he's the best pass catching back this side of Matt Forte, and should more than exceed expectations.
The only drawback to Ricearoni? McGahee, touchdown vulture extraordinaire is sharing the backfield with him. But with this kind of potential, it's worth the slight risk.
Rd. 1, Pick 5- Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
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Ah ha! You thought I was going with Frank Gore here, didn't you? Well ha! I'm a believer in drafting early where talent is sparse, and talents like Andre Johnson's are sparse at wideout. He's led the league in receiving yards for 2 years running, and has had a ton of 20+yard catches. He's fast, strong and has sure hands; what more could you want from the first wide receiver off the board?
Rd. 1 Pick 6- Frank Gore, RB, San Fransisco 49ers
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Frank Gore had an odd 2009-10 season. He set a career high in touchdowns, hitting double figures for the first time in his career, but saw his touches dwindle quite a bit in the middle of the season, as head coach Mike Singletary tried to get revamped starting quarterback Alex Smith some opportunities to prove himself. But Gore has the talent of an elite back, with a good mix of power and speed (although he has decidedly more of the former than the latter). He holds on to the ball, and doesn't have too many bad games.
Gore's biggest concern is durability. He hasn't played in more than 14 games since 2006, and he's not getting any younger. Still, if you miss out on a top-3 back, Frank Gore's no one to sneeze at.
Rd. 1 Pick 7- Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
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Three things are certain in life: death, taxes and Drew Brees' status as a top-3 fantasy quarterback. Since his breakthrough in San Diego several years ago, Brees has been the model of consistency, throwing with pinpoint accuracy to make up for his lack of incredible arm strength. With the weapons he has at his disposal, he's a lock to throw for 300 yards almost every week, and even if he throws a pick or 2, he'll finish with touchdowns.
Many experts won't draft a quarterback until the second round, but Brees merits a pick.
Rd. 1, Pick 8- Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
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There's a lot to like about Larry Fitzgerald, despite a major shortcoming which we'll get to in a minute. With Anquan Boldin in Baltimore now, Fitz is the undisputed number 1 receiver in the desert. The Cardinals offense was incredibly pass heavy, although there are rumblings that Beanie Wells might actually provide the Redbirds with a run game (I'll believe it when I see it.) When Boldin was out injured in recent seasons, Fitz was a rock, putting up better numbers than he did with Anquan. He's a fantastic athlete with perfect hands, who can haul in poorly thrown balls.
That's the good news; the bad news? He may have to haul in a lot of poorly thrown balls with Matt Leinart as his quarterback. This pick is hinged upon Leinart's development as a passer; if his accuracy is where it should be, it could be a career year for Fitz; if not, it'll still be better than 99.9% of fantasy receivers.
Rd. 1, Pick 9- Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
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Forget for a minute that the Rams are, well, the Rams, and look at Steven Jackson independent of his team. When he's healthy, not even the Rams' terribly offensive line can stop him from rushing for 1,400 yards (like last season). He a good balanced runner, big but quick, and he is capable of putting up numbers in bunches. The drop in his touchdowns presents a concern, but it's a minor one at best, considering Jackson should easily eclipse last season's total.
The issue with Jackson is health. He has a balky back, and he hasn't been healthy much recently. But Jackson didn't run when he was hurt, meaning he's got fewer miles on the tires than other 27-year olds. All in all, Jackson could be a steal this late in the first round.
Rd. 1, Pick 10- Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots
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For the talent Moss has, and the situation he's in, he might be the steal of the draft's early rounds this low. Moss struggled a bit last season, as defenses keyed on him once Wes Welker got hurt, and he failed to hit the lofty heights he'd achieved his first two seasons in New England.
This year, though, Welker's getting better, and Julian Edelman, a second year player who struggled last year adjusting early, will help take the load off Moss. Plus, everyone's favorite pretty boy quarterback, Tom Brady, is another year removed from catastrophic knee failure, which can only help him. Look for Moss to reach higher heights than he did last season, but not hit quite as high as he did in 2008.
Rd. 1, Pick 11- Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
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Anyone who tells you to expect a precipitous dropoff from Reggie Wayne this season is kidding themselves. A knee injury de-railed what was going to be another banner year for Peyton Manning's new favorite target, but Wayne's healthy again to start 2010. Before he got hurt, Wayne was one of the most consistent point producers in fantasy football, and after, he became somewhat hit or miss.
His hands have improved markedly over the years, and he's turning into Marvin Harrison 2.0. Defenses beware.
Rd. 1, Pick 12- Brandon Marshall, WR, Miami Dolphins
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If Brandon Marshall had a personality like Marvin Harrison or Jerry Rice, he'd be a top-2 receiver every year. Shoot, if Brandon Marshall had a personality like Terrell Owens or the infamous Ochocinco, he'd be at least top-5. But, unfortunately for his real team, Brandon Marshall is crazy. And not in the fun Chad Ochocinco sort of way; Brandon Marshall is crazy in the "WTF is that guy thinking?!" way.
That's going to scare a lot of teams off from a guy who has the potential to be one of the top point producers in all of fantasy football. But not you. Because unlike Terry Rival owner, you realize you don't have to deal with Marshall every day. You just reap the benefits of his skills, which have a ceiling of 100 yards per game as Chad Henne's favorite receiver.
Just, don't look him straight in the eye, because as I said before, Brandon Marshall is crazy.
Rd. 2, Picks 1-12
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1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers- Mr. Consistent last season. Draft him and you'll fall hopelessly in love like so many before you.
2. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts- The person who picks Manning also gets Reggie Wayne, which means double the yards and touchdowns per touchdown pass from one to the other.
3. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons- The threat of injury and his stone hands catching the ball make him too risky for a first round pick. But early second round is just the place for a guy with Turner's first-round ceiling.
4. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys- With Roy Williams (the reciever, not the horse collar tackler) all but washed up, and Dez Bryant being a rookie while having slight crazy vibes, Austin will come through as the 'Boys' undisputed number 1 receiver.
5. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions- The best receiver on a team that could win 7 games this year. Look for Megatron to improve across the board in 2010, with Nate Burleson lining up across from him.
6. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots- Brady's right at the edge of making the top-3 quarterbacks a top-4. If he's 100% back from the knee injury, watch out.
7. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers- An injury risk and splitting time with Jonathan Stewart, but has the talent to merit higher than this. If he gets rolling this season, look for the Panthers to roll with the hot hand.
8. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers- The best wideout on the team with the second best fantasy quarterback in football? Yes, please and thank you. Shaky hands dropped him this far.
9. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers- Who would've thought a guy with the last name Mendenhall would be a team's second pick in a fantasy draft? Mendo's earned it though; he's Steel City's undisputed top back, and has the talent to put up big numbers.
10. Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers- Shocked to see him so high? Me too. But statistics don't lie; he's the Packers' go to running back, and popped off 11 rushing touchdowns last season. Plus, defenses are so scared of Rodgers' arm that Grant quietly has strong seasons.
11. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers- Would be higher, if Carolina's quarterbacks were a bit more proven. Even so, he's the only real receiving threat in Carolina, which merits a second round pick.
12. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons- This seems low for White, a guy who is the best receiver that youngster quarterback Matt Ryan has. But White's had hands issues and can disappear from time to time; draft him for upside.
Rd. 3, Picks 1-12
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1. Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals- The last of the exclusive running backs could see him go higher than this. The Bernard Scott Express which is coming up on his backside, on the other hand, could see owners let him fall a bit. We'll split the difference.
2. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts- Clark could almost qualify as a wideout; that's how often Manning feeds his favorite Hawkeye the ball.
3. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears- Last season, Forte was a bust. This season, with a better o-line and more rapport with Jay Cutler, look for Forte to bounce back; albeit not to the heights he was projected to in 2009.
4. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs- There should be plenty of carries to split between Thomas Jones and Charles, a dynamic young runner who will make the most of his.
5. Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants- The other Steve Smith comes off the board 1 round after the original prototype. Smith's the number 1 in the new Meadowlands, but I think Hakeem Nicks poaches some value from the talented youngster.
6. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles- McCoy's got some definite upside to him, assuming his short yardage game improves, as does his pass blocking. He's an excellent downfield receiver, and has some quickness.
7. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles- With Jeremy Maclin opposite him, Jackson should have a big year. He'd be higher if he wasn't a bit small, and his hands weren't a little squiffy at times.
8. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers- Darren Sproles is all that stands between Mathews and becoming a number 1 back. He's got the skills and the hands to be a bit of a sleeper this year,
9. Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans- The best of the rest of the second tier of QB's; Schaub is solid passer who has tons of weapons around him.
10. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets- A back whose spot is dependent on his backup, LaDanian Tomlinson's play. If LT has some spark in his plugs, Greene should go lower; if not, higher. Once again, split the difference.
11. Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints- Unless Reggie Bush has suddenly figured out how to run the ball instead of just catching it (I doubt it), Thomas is the best runner the Saints have and should be drafted as such.
12. Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts- My gut says he should be lower, but Addai was a workhorse for the Colts last season. Draft with caution, knowing backup Donald Brown has big play potential.
Rd. 4: Things Get a Bit Crazy
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1. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens- Is this low because of the balanced offense around him, and the depth for Baltimore at wideout. Could be a steal if he develops a connection with Flacco.
2. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints- When in doubt, take the proven commodity. Colston has proven himself; some of the other possible picks, not so much.
3. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys- With guys like Felix Jones, Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and Marion Barber around him, ole Tony can't help but have a big season, right? Right? Guys?
4. Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals- A pick with a caveat. Wells has drawn rave reviews from his coaches in the preseason, but hasn't produced in the regular season. This is based on the notion that when the games start counting, Wells will back up the hype. Be ready to bench him if it looks like he's struggling early.
5. Phillip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers- Rivers has been a rock since he took the reins from Brees, despite mediocre receivers to throw to. What's to say that this season will be any different? Oh, unproven run game, that's right!
6. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions- Yes, I know Best is undersized, and I know he's a rookie, but have you seen this kid play? Look for him to take Kevin Smith's starter spot quickly and quietly, turning the Lions into an offensive monster of sorts.
7. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots- Is his knee back at 100 percent? If so, Welker's a steal this late in the draft. If not, he's still a good value pick.
8. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Fransisco 49'ers- The most talented receiver on SanFran's roster; who else should be getting passes from Alex Smith? Look for Crabtree to make a big impact in his first full season.
9. Sidney Rice, WR, Minnesota Vikings- Has firmly established himself as a solid receiver, could go to the next level this season, Brett Favre be damned.
10. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers- A much more reasonable draft position for an elite tight end. Gates should have another top-2 caliber season this year.
11. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos- My first sleeper of the draft, Moreno is poised to have breakout season this year as the Broncos try to rebuild under Josh McDaniels.
12. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina- The other half of Carolina's elite running back duo; with 2 backs like these, why throw the ball ever? Stewart should get a good number of carries and make the most of them.
Rd. 5: Flacco Come Off The Board
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1. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens- With all the weapons in Baltimore this year, Flacco could easily climb up to the first or second round come next year, but since he hasn't proven himself completely yet, he has to wait a year before joining the grownups table.
2. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys- The more dynamic, quicker member of the Cowboys' backfield duo, Jones could be an elite back if he could just stay healthy. If Barber struggles again, look for Jones to get the lions' share of carries.
3. Chad Ochocinco, WR, Cincinnati Bengals- The least-washed up of the three receivers in Cincy makes Ocho the Batman. Sorry, TO.
4. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers- This year's Nate Washington, only with less off field crap to get in the way. Wallace has all the skills necessary to eventually take over for...
5. Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers- He's old as dirt, but keeps chugging out consistently strong seasons. Will he ever show signs of slowing?
6. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49'ers- He found new life when Alex Smith did; it looked like he finally got his head right, which means, look out this season.
7. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles- Maclin's got the height and hands, Jackson's got the jets. Separately, they come to the cusp of elite receiving prospects. But if you were to combine them, they would be unstoppable.
8. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs- The best receiver on a crappy team. He'll have decent stats, but nothing to write home about.
9. Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins- Good here, but with the injury risk, Brown is always a dangerous venture.
10. Jerome Harrison, RB, Cleveland Browns- Best runner on an awful team. You do the math.
11. Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars- A solid receiver who could sure use some help. Now, if only the Jags would draft a decent wideout.
12. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Atlanta Falcons- Would be higher if Matt Ryan actually threw him the ball more than 4 times a game, or threw it to him in the red zone.
Rd. 6: Getting Shakier
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1. Justin Forsett, RB, Seattle Seahawks- Being the best of the Seahawks running backs is like being the best at remedial math.
2. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints- Maybe now that Miles Austin is dating Kim Kardashian, Reggie can, you know, focus on being a good running back and all that stuff.
3. Marion Barber, RB, Dallas Cowboys- Would be higher if I were convinced he was ok from last year, but the go-to back position is Felix Jones' to lost.
4. Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders- Is the most developed of a surprisingly deep stable of Raiders backs. By deep, I mean 2 deep, but for the Raiders, that's pretty good.
5. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants- He's big, he's fast (for a guy as big as him), he's strong, and he has great hands. Steve Smith had best watch his back.
6. Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay Packers- Continues to hang around as a solid second wideout option, although given Jennings' play last year, his days at Lambeau could be numbered.
7. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers- He'd be a third or fourth round pick if he weren't suspended and holding out.
8. Brent Celek, TE, Philadelphia Eagles- I like Celek to have a big year, given how much Andy Reid likes throwing to his tight end in the flat.
9. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings- Harvin's got the speed and hops to be a great wideout, but Favre doesn't like to throw him the ball.
10. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears- He's got fast wideouts, and an offensive coordinator who knows how to use them. Who's to say Mike Martz can't turn Cutler into Kurt Warner?
11. Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins- He's old. So what? He didn't play for 2 years, and everyone knows holistic medicine always works, right?
12. T.J. Houshmanzadeh, WR, Seattle Seahawks- He'd be ranked higher if Matt Hasselbeck were still alive.
Rd. 7: The Hatian Sensation
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1. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts- Garcon's a burner with hands, meaning he's Peyton's new favorite deep threat. And you know what that means: BIG games on the horizon.
2. Santana Moss, WR, Washington Redskins- An excellent receiver, with a good quarterback, meaning Moss could finally fulfill some of that tantalizing potential he's teasing fantasy owners with.
3. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans- Injury concerns be damned, Owen Daniels is a top-5 caliber tight end in a system that likes to throw to him. If he hadn't gotten hurt last year, he'd be up with Gates, Clark, and Gonzo.
4. Clinton Portis, RB, Washington Redskins- Remember, Clinton Portis had his best statistical season under Mike Shanahan in Denver. Now that they're in a place with oxygen to breathe, he should be rolling again.
5. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills- Injury hurts upside this season, but what kills Jackson is pick number 8 in this round.
6.Derrick Mason, WR, Baltimore Ravens- See: Ward, Hines.
7. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys- Tony Romo loves him some Witten, and so should you. Just don't tell TO. He gets upset about it.
8. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills- Two Bills backs in the same round? That's madness? Except that Spiller's the big play back, which means more likelihood of big games from the rookie.
9. Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants- Jacobs will never reach the heights of his powers, not because of anything he's done, but because he's stuck in pass happy New York. Shame.
10. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers- With Aaron Rodgers throwing you the ball, a breakout year is coming sooner or later. For Finley, the time is now.
11. Kellen Winslow, TE, Tampa Bay- Would be higher if Tampa wasn't rebuilding right now.
12. Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins- Lots of tight ends this round, eh? Better grab one while the grabbin's good.
Rd. 8: The Name Of The Game Is Upside
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1. Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts- If Addai struggles early, look for Brown's dynamic running to catch Jim Caldwell's eye. Think of what Addai did to Dominic Rhodes in 2006, only Brown is now Addai.
2. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants- The explosive lightning to go with Jacobs' thunder, Bradshaw is a must-handcuff with the big man, if possible.
3. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants- His young receivers are a year older, while he's learned from his mistakes from last season. Look for a big rebound from the Luigi of the Manning brothers.
4. Terrell Owens, WR, Cincinnati Bengals- Despite being more washed up than Ochocinco or Antonio Bryant (making Owens Robin, since Alfred is cooler than Robin anway), Owens makes the list on name alone, and the fact that he can still catch (we think).
5. Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals- Breaston fills Boldin's shoes as the number two receiver in the desert, which would mean more if Matt Leinart weren't quarterbacking.
6. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders- McFadden's got a lot to prove, seeing as he was a first overall pick, and the window is closing fast.
7. Robert Meachem, WR, New Orleans Saints- Meachem finally turned into the productive receiver everyone was expecting last year. The question is: can he do it again?
8. Tim Hightower, RB, Arizona Cardinals- Still has some value as a backup. His hands in the flat could make him a valuable commodity.
9. Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers- Solid, reliable tight end capable of delivering big games.
10.Darren Sproles, RB, San Diego Chargers- Currently the starter in San Diego, Sproles finally gets the chance to prove he can hold up over a season. If he does, he's a good value pick; if not, he'll be in the same role as always off the bench.
11. Jonny Knox, WR, Chicago Bears- A breakout star last year, Knox has wheels and Cutler has an arm. Guess what that means?
12. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans- If he wins the starting job over Steve Slaton and Ben Tate, Arian is a steal. If he doesn't, substitute Slaton or Ben in this slot.
Rd. 9: Tools Aplenty
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1. Kevin Kolb, QB, Philadelphia Eagles- Has the arm and the mindset to be a success in the NFL, now all he needs is to actually play.
2. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati Bengals- Is this early for Carson? Most experts say yes, but he's now a year removed from all those injuries. His arm never left, and he's had more success with less talent on offense.
3. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys- It seems all Roy Williams is good for is causing trouble for the poor rookie. But Bryant will have the last laugh, starting over Williams by Week 4.
4. Braylon Edwards, WR, New York Jets- Has all the physical tools except the most important one: hands. It's like his are made of granite.
5. Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts- Collie had a good rookie campaign, but he's competing with Anthony Gonzalez for the slot position. Look for them to share the role for a while, but Collie's got a slight edge on Gonzo.
6. Thomas Jones, RB, Kansas City Chiefs- Jones is a must have if you've got Charles; they're downright inseparable.
7. Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Even when it fails you time and time again, you just can't resist a Caddy.
8. Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo Bills- Poor Lee can't catch a break. He's finally the undisputed best receiver in Buffalo, and there's no one there to throw him the ball.
9. Leon Washington, RB, Seattle Seahawks- Washington's as dynamic as they come; if Forsett struggles out of the gate, head coach Pete Carroll won't hesitate to make a switch.
10. Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans- The bane of many a fantasy owner's existence last season, Slaton still has all the skills that made him so successful his rookie season.
11. Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets- Even with the suspension, Holmes has the chance to be the best wideout in New York.
12. Early Doucet, WR, Arizona Cardinals- See: Breaston, Steve.
Rd. 10: Every Donovan Has His Day
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1. Donovan McNabb, QB, Washington Redskins- A sleeper, considering that when he's going, he's a top-8 quarterback, and he's in a system that might suit him a bit better than the one in Philly did.
2. Devin Aromashodu, WR, Chicago Bears- Everyone's high on Devin, and with good reason. He has the physical tools to be a favorite of Jay Cutler.
3. Malcolm Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers- With Jackson out the first three games, Floyd has the chance to steal the top wideout slot before Jackson has a chance to enjoy it. Can he capitalize on the opportunity?
4.Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans- Vince Young's favorite target. When he can hit him, that is.
5. Devin Hester, WR, Chicago Bears- One of the three young Bears receivers is going to have a huge year. Hester's the oldest, making him the least likely of the three.
6. LaDanian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets- LT does in fact have value left as a goal-line back and a top-tier backup. Might want to consider him a Greene handcuff.
7. Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, Minnesota Vikings- Shiancoe was quietly one of the more consistent tight ends in football last season. He won't win many weeks for you, but he won't lose many, either.
8. Laurence Maroney, RB, New England Patriots- There's some value to be had in Maroney, if you're willing to put up with the fumbles and the inconsistent play.
9. Chester Taylor, RB, Chicago Bears- Ready and willing to shoulder the load if Forte stumbles again.
10. Zach Miller, TE, Oakland Raiders- Better than you think, I promise you. He'll give you some good weeks this season with Campbell throwing to him.
11. Kevin Smith, RB, Detroit Lions- He's the starter, for now, but if he stumbles early on, we may never hear from him again. You hear that Kevin? You sold out with "Clerks 2"!
12. Alex Smith, QB, San Fransisco 49ers- Who would've thought that keeping the same system for 2 straight seasons is good for developing quarterbacks?
Rd. 11: Would You Just Look at This Mediocrity?
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1. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons- After last season's struggles, don't trust Ryan to be your starting quarterback. He'd make a heck of a backup, though.
2. Kevin Walter, WR, Houston Texans- Walter's the second starting wideout, for now, which is why he's higher than Jacoby Jones in this draft. But if Jones passes him, switch the pair in the rankings.
3. Laurent Robinson, WR, St. Louis Rams- He's got potential, and talent, but he won't get to show it off this year. Not playing for the Rams.
4. Eddie Royal, WR, Denver Broncos- Guys like Eddie aren't there every day at this point in the draft. If he's here, take him and enjoy.
5. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers- It remains to be seen how much Big Ben will play this year, but expect decent numbers from him when he makes it onto the field.
6. Tashard Choice, RB, Dallas Cowboys- Because Felix Jones and Marion Barber will get hurt.
7. Correll Buckhalter, RB, Denver Broncos- A talented, if aging back who promises to give you a couple big weeks if something goes wrong with Moreno.
8.Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo Bills- Yes, he's a distant third choice in Buffalo. But they're trying to trade him somewhere, and he had value once, if you'll recall.
9. Devin Thomas, WR, Washington Redskins- Maybe McNabb is what Thomas needs to finally live up to the hype.
10. Chaz Schliens, WR, Oakland Raiders- Chaz is a bit of a sleeper, an unheralded receiver who has all the telltale signs of a breakout this year. Jason Campbell will be a godsend for this young man.
11. Jacoby Jones, WR, Houston Texans- Third on the depth chart, but could climb another spot. If he does, he and Andre Johnson will run roughshod over the league.
12. Brett Favre, QB, Minnesota Vikings- He'd be much higher if we knew whether he was coming back.
Rd. 12: It's Sleeper Time!
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1. Chad Henne, QB, Miami Dolphins- Henne has the size, arm and accuracy to be a big time quarterback in the NFL. With Chad Pennington backing him up, Henne doesn't have much room for error though.
2. Louis Murphy, WR, Oakland Raiders- Murphy was a minor revelation last season; he's on a lot of radars to make the leap this year. Picking him here says you believe in him.
3. Bernard Berrian, WR, Minnesota- Still has most of the physical tools necessary, but is trapped behind Rice and Harvin on the depth chart.
4. Mohammed Massaquoi, WR, Cleveland Browns- Sure, no one's throwing it to him, but if they were, rest assured that this former Georgia Bulldog would be much higher in these rankings.
5. Chris Chambers, WR, Kansas City Chiefs- Chambers seems to wilt when expectations are high for him, but in KC, they're non existant. Is this the year he actually makes a difference?
6. Nate Burleson, WR, Detroit Lions- Much better than the player here before.
7. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, New York Jets- Better hands than Edwards, around more than Holmes. What's stopping Cotchery from becoming the number one receiver in New York?
8. Legedu Naanee, WR, San Diego Chargers- All the potential in the world, now he gets a chance to show what he can do, most notably, make Vincent Jackson expendable.
9. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots- Edelman is Wes Welker light; if Welker's not 100% come the season opener, Edelman is more than capable of taking those receptions.
10. Derrick Ward, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- The backup to the Caddy is always tempting, but don't be fooled; go with the original.
11. Brian Westbrook, RB, FA- Once he finds somewhere to stick (Arizona? Seattle? San Diego?) Westbrook promises to bring some of his patented excitement to the table.
12. Jets D/ST- First defense off the board, and it's the best of the bunch, with or without Revis Island.
Rd. 13: Handcuffs Not Just For Cops Anymore
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1. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants- Has the talent, needs the chance. He''l get it in Coughlin's system this year.
2. Dustin Keller, TE, New York Jets- Capable of big games when Sanchez can hit him with a few passes.
3. Greg Olsen, TE, Chicago Bears- See: Keller, Dustin.
4. Vince Young, QB, Tennessee Titans- All he does is win; unfortunately, wins aren't tracked in fantasy football. Still, a solid backup choice.
5. Golden Tate, WR, Seattle Seahawks- Will get the chance to play every day, and see what he's got. Not everyone down this low can say that.
6. Toby Gerhart, RB, Minnesota Vikings- In case of AP emergency, your Toby Gerhart can be used as a flotation device.
7. Bernard Scott, RB, Cincinnati Bengals- The Bernard Scott Express has been gaining steam all preseason. Could Scott steal Benson's starting spot? In a word, no. Not this year, anyway.
8. Montario Hardesty, RB, Cleveland Browns: See: Gerhart, Toby.
9. Eagles D/ST- Solid unit could use a strong safety.
10. Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- What the heck? Nobody else in Tampa worth picking up in the draft, except maybe the quarterback.
11. Jason Avant, WR, Philadelphia Eagles- Avant has always had the potential, he just can't deliver on it.
12. Steelers D/ST- Last season, the Steelers didn't have Troy Polamalu, and they stunk. Now he's back. Will they be better?
Rd. 14: Quarterback Risks
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1. Jason Campbell, QB, Oakland Raiders- A better pickup than what's typically available at this late juncture. He's consistent, and he'll fit well with Cable's west coast system.
2. Matt Moore, QB, Carolina Panthers- Could keep Jimmy Clausen on the bench longer than anticipated.
3. Byron Leftwich, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers- Keep your seat on the bench warm while Big Ben's suspended.
4. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks- Better than nothing. But not by all that much. Can be effective on occasion.
5. Kyle Orton, QB, Denver Broncos- Currently the starter, and doesn't lose many games on his own. Good backup option.
6. David Gerrard, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars- Doesn't throw interceptions, decently mobile, accurate. Now if only there was someone to throw to...
7. Charlie Whitehurst, QB, Seattle Seahawks- Matt Hasselbeck insurance. Trust me, you'll need it.
8. Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs- Was effective on occasion last year, but needs to avoid injury in 2010.
9. Arrelious Benn, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Well, look at that! Someone else from Tampa worth drafting!
10. Jason Snelling, RB, Atlanta Falcons- See Gerhart, Toby.
11. Josh Cribbs, WR, Cleveland Browns- Pretty much the only proven commodity in Cleveland now that LeBron's not there.
12. Mewelde Moore, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers- In case Mendenhall challenges Ray Lewis again (and don't rule it out).
Rd. 15: Defensive Attack
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1. Packers D/ST- Better than everyone thought they were in 2009.
2. Cowboys D/ST- Worse than Jerry Jones thought they were, but still pretty good.
3. Ravens D/ST- If Ed Reed's healthy, this unit is still scary as all get out.
4. Josh Morgan, WR, 49ers- Is this low for someone as talented as Morgan? Yes. But will he fall this far? Probably, considering the lack of name power.
5. Rashad Jennings, RB, Jacksonville- Here's a brain bender: if Rashad Jennings is MJD's backup in Jacksonville, how many touches does he get? The answer: Not enough to merit a pick in the first 14 rounds.
6. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos- Thomas has more upside than Gaffney, so he merits a pick here.
7. Bengals D/ST- Who Dey! Now, about those offensive issues...
8. Vikings D/ST- Can still stop the run as well as anyone, but struggles versus the pass.
9. Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans Saints- When Drew Brees is throwing, even Henderson can meet expectations.
10. Jeremy Shockey, TE, New Orleans Saints- He's better than people give him credit for.
11. 49'ers D/ST- Pretty solid, and spent a year together.
12. Willis McGahee, RB, Baltimore Ravens- Goal-line poacher extraordinaire.
Rd. 16: Defensive Attack, Second Wave
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1. Broncos D/ST- Have got to stop fading down the stretch.
2. Colts D/ST- A sleeper pick here, strong and tough, if undersized.
3. Giants D/ST- They've got issues, but at this juncture, who doesn't?
4. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders- Did you notice how many Raiders wideouts were picked before the man Al Davis used his first round pick on last year? That's what I thought.
5. John Carlson, TE, Seattle Seahawks- Fairly reliable, if you need a backup or are hard up for a starter, Carlson won't kill you.
6. Dexter McCluster, WR, Kansas City Chiefs- One of the big upgrades in the offseason, McCluster is a decent possession receiver.
7. Joe McKnight, RB, New York Jets- All kinds of speed, which is tough to find this late in the game.
8. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions- Will probably be better than this draft position, but hey, that makes him a steal!
9. Sage Rosenfels, QB, Minnesota Vikings- In case Favre decides not to come back.
10. Tavaris Jackson, QB, Minnesota Vikings- In case Sage Rosenfels remembers he's Sage Rosenfels.
11. Lynell Hamilton, RB, New Orleans- Decent young kid with some potential. Worth the late round flyer.
12. Saints D/ST- Ball-hawking secondary, hard blitzing front 7; this defense will have just as many stinkers as big games.
Rd. 17: Quarterback Insurance
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1. Ben Tate, RB Houston Texans- Sure, he's out for the year, but if it's a keeper league, Tate's a steal!
2. Dan Orlovsky, QB, Houston Texans- Matt Schaub is fragile, and Orlovsky is a decent quarterback who could run the offense effectively.
3. A.J. Feely, QB, St. Louis Rams- Feely is a solid backup type guy. Which is good, because by week 8, he'll be backing up Sam Bradford.
4. Chad Pennington, QB, Miami Dolphins- Fully capable starter, but he has to contend with pick 4.
5. Pat White, QB, Miami Dolphins- Why does no one give mobile quarterbacks a chance? I blame Mike Vick.
6. Troy Smith, QB, Baltimore Ravens- See White, Pat.
7. Patriots D/ST- They aren't getting any younger, that's for sure.
8. Texans D/ST- Lots of stars, but they have yet to put it all together.
9. Bears D/ST- Julius Peppers + Lance Briggs+ Brian Urlacher= stronger than you think.
10. Chargers D/ST- Locks down versus the pass, swiss cheese versus the run.
11. Falcons D/ST- Needs pass rushers badly.
12. Dolphins D/ST- Working on it, but it's a process.
Rd. 18: Kicker Sighting!
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1. Nate Kaeding, K, San Diego Chargers- Strong, accurate leg. Now he just needs to figure out how to operate in the clutch.
2. Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots- Solid, reliable, points every week. What more do you want from your kicker?
3. Ryan Longwell, K Minnesota Vikings- Lots and lots of extra points. If Favre doesn't come back, it could be more field goals, but he's got the leg and the accuracy to hit them.
4. Rob Bironas, K Tennessee Titans- Strong leg= long field goals. But accuracy is not his forte.
5. David Akers, K, Philadelphia Eagles- Reliable as they come, the lefty's got some pop left in his leg.
6. Mason Crosby- Solid kicker, needs to work on his long range accuracy.
7. Bills D/ST- Lots of potential, will they ever fulfill it?
8. Cardinals D/ST- See D/ST, Saints.
9. Titans D/ST- Oy. What happened here? They need to get healthy to recover from last year's debacle.
10. Buccaneers D/ST- Young unit must continue to grow.
11. Kevin Boss, TE, New York Giants- Good young player, but needs more seasoning.
12. Anthony Dixon, RB, San Fransisco 49ers- Big fella plays big, blowing up plays at the line.
Rd. 19: 18 Down, 2 To Go!
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1. Javon Ringer, RB, Tennessee Titans- Big, powerful back to compliment CJ. Could poach some goal-line carries.
2. Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta Falcons- Big play potential, not a lot of that down this far.
3. Fred Taylor, RB, New England Patriots- Useful when no one else is available.
4. Larry Johnson, RB, Washington Redskins- Talented enough to make an impact spelling Portis.
5. Jabar Gaffney, WR, Denver Broncos- Veteran presence with solid hands, who can get you a bit here.
6. Donnie Avery, WR, St. Louis Rams- Speed. That's what you want late: speed. Avery's got speed.
7. Antonio Bryant, WR, Cincinnati Bengals- If not for TO, it would be a return to fantasy glory for Bryant, but as it stands, he's going to have to settle for scraps.
8. Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers- If he develops, he could be a major, major, major steal here.
9. Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints- Fell out of favor last year, but there's enough to go around that Moore's worth a flyer.
10. Nate Washington, WR, Tennessee Titans- Will see plenty of work as the team's most talented receiver.
11. Garrett Hartley, K, New Orleans Saints- You've gotta love a kicker who gets suspended for banned substances, right?
12. Roy Williams, WR, Dallas Cowbys- ONLY if you're desperate.
Rd. 20: The Home Stretch
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1. Matt Prater, K, Denver Broncos- With that thin air, he might bang home a 70-yarder one day. He's got that kind of leg.
2. Jay Feely, K, Arizona Cardinals- The Cards upgrade from Rackers choke to Feely's lack of leg. Don't know who's worse.
3. Robbie Gould, K, Chicago Bears- Solid as a rock.
4. Lawrence Tynes, K, New York Giants- Shaky as jello.
5. Jeff Reed, K, Pittsburgh Steelers- His leg is like a shotgun; powerful but wild.
6. Neil Rackers, K, Houston Texans- *coughs* Oh, sorry, it's just, we're getting near the end, and Rackers makes me *coughs again* choke.
7. Shayne Graham, K, Baltimore Ravens- Decent leg, decent accuracy, decent kicker. Nothing special.
8. Matt Bryant, K, Atlanta Falcons- For sentimental purposes. Here's hoping that big leg finds some accuracy.
9. Rian Lindell, K, Buffalo Bills- One of the few worthwhile things coming out of Buffalo this season.
10. Dan Carpenter, K, Miami Dolphins- Is reliable enough, but interchangeable with anyone on here.
11. Ryan Succop, K, Kansas City Chiefs- Yeah, you can't spell his name without "SUC"
12. Joe Nedney, K 49ers- Nedney must be fading in his old age, I remember him being better.
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