Fantasy Football 2011: 7 Things We Would Do Differently If We Could Re-Draft

It is said that one should never live in regret. 

I don't think that applies to fantasy football. In fantasy football, all one can do is regret. 

"Why did I draft Chris Johnson after that huge contract he signed?!"

"I really wish I didn't pass Calvin Johnson just because he's a Detroit Lion!!"

Thoughts of the nature are part of the fantasy football owner's daily thought process.

Our sanity is shot anyway, so here is seven things we would do differently if we could redraft. If only... 

7. Not Draft Chris Johnson at All

Chris Johnson owners can't really knock themselves here. 

How would one expect that an absolutely brilliant running back, who is the main provider for his team's offense, would have one of the most disappointing of all time after signing an enormous new contract? 

The irony is sickening. 

6. Have Realistic Expectations for Michael Vick

On fantasy draft day, everyone seemed to remember Michael Vick's brilliant six-touchdown performance against the Washington Redskins last season. 

While this was a marvel of footballing, the likelihood of Vick putting up another game even close to this is slim. 

Last year, Vick was back in the league for the first time in three years, and defenses were at a loss for how to defend him and his unique style of play. 

The secret is out on Vick this year, and while he hasn't been awful, he's more of just a game-manager, not the fantasy phenom that he was last season. 

5. Keep the Madden Curse in Mind

No one expected Peyton Hillis to match his Madden-worthy, 1,500-plus yard, 13-touchdown season from last year, but with an average draft spot of 14, people certainly expected Hillis to be better than this. 

It's cliche at this point to bring up the Madden curse, but one must wonder where this injury bug that is biting this cover boy has come from. 

Hillis has only played in four games this year, and only has 211 yards and two touchdowns in those four games. 

Cue the ewe. 

4. Not Draft Jamaal Charles

I had to legitimately think for a minute who was fourth-highest drafted player after Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson and Arian Foster this past August. 

It was, in fact, Jamaal Charles, who unfortunately went down with an injury in the second game of this season. 

What could have been another brilliant season for the very talented young runner has turned into a season of watching games from the sidelines.

Unfortunately for many fantasy owners, their first overall pick proved to be a waste. 

3. Remember That Larry Fitzgerald Plays on a Terrible Team

After Andre Johnson and Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald was the third-highest drafted wide receiver. 

His talent is unquestionable at this point; he proved this to everybody during his days with Kurt Warner in Arizona. 

Despite his size and natural ability, however, Fitzgerald plays on an awful Arizona football team that has failed to effectively incorporate quarterback Kevin Kolb into their offensive system. 

Many thought that Kolb would be the end of Fitzgerald suffering from "bad quarterback syndrome," (BAS: wedmd.com it) but this has proven untrue. 

Fitzgerald hasn't been awful, but he hasn't been as good as everyone who drafted him had hoped. 

2. Not Draft Any Indianapolis Colts

We now know that the team does not exist without Peyton Manning. 

Well, they exist, but they might as well not. 

Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark, while once fantasy studs, are no better now than Eric Decker and Daniel Fells. Cue the ewe. 

1. Draft Aaron Rodgers No. 1 Overall

Forget Adrian Peterson and Arian Foster, Aaron Rodgers is a complete stud, and I have offered upwards of six players to his owner to try to procure him for my team. 

Rodgers is deadly accurate, a touchdown machine on a purely passing offense and is always healthy. (I just knocked on wood.)

If we could all go back in time, Aaron Rodgers would definitely be the No. 1 overall pick in most leagues, and rightfully so.