My First Fantasy Football Draft of the Year

by NickF8

Alright, so here is the rundown of my first fantasy football draft of the year.

50 bucks each person. 10 teams, one keeper for next season.  16 rounds.

Each week, we start:

• 1 QB
• 2 RB
• 2 WR
• 1 TE
• 1 WR/RB/TE
• 1 K
• 1 D/ST

I drew the fifth pick.

Round 1: RB - Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks

Was happy to snag Alexander here, expecially with the "big four" off the board with the first four picks.  I was happy that I was "stuck" with Alexander and not Gore, who I am even more weary of coming into the season.  I think Alexander will be a solid #1 back, though not necessarily back to the record-setting form of a few years ago. 

Round 2: RB - Travis Henry, Denver Broncos

I was eyeing running backs all the way back through the second round, and with the top two QB's (Manning and Palmer) as well as Chad Johnson, Marvin Harrison, and Torry Holt gone, I went with Henry.  I wanted Willis McGahee here, but he went one pick before me.  After that debacle, I had it narrowed down to Henry or Edgerrin James, and I couldn't pass on the rushing machine that is the Denver Broncos offense.  Don't screw with me, Shanahan. Please.

Round 3: WR - Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts

With this pick, I targeted Brees or Brady, but they both went between Henry and this pick here.  With a sudden change of heart, and with Owens and Steve Smith off the board along with the three wideouts mentioned above, I went with (I thought) the best receiver available.  I've heard many prognosticators say that Wayne could surpass Harrison's stats this year, and I sure hope that they are correct.

Round 4: QB - Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles

I was extremely happy to get McNabb here, a QB I have ranked ahead of Brady and Brees coming into this year.  McNabb kept up with the best of them until he got hurt last season, and if he stays healthy, could be the best QB in the NFC fantasy-wise (with Bulger and Brees close to him).  Now, I'm aware, that's a big "if", but I have a feeling about him this year, and I went with my gut.

Round 5: WR - Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills

Evans and J.P. Losman had quite the rapport by the end of last season, and I only expect improvement from both players this season.  The addition of some offensive lineman and rookie RB Marshawn Lynch adds some explosion to this offense, and I like the potential production from Evans as their go-to guy.  It also helps that Steve Fairchild (OC for the "Greatest show on turf" Rams) is there, and that I am a huge Bills fan.

Round 6: RB - Cadillac Williams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

A nice little run on RB's was starting up again, and I thought I would take one of the few RB's that aren't officially platooned (though he could be with Michael Pittman) for my flex spot.  It's obviously a gamble b/c he's never really proven he can carry a huge load or anything, but I feel like it could be a great pick for me if he starts all year, or even just has a few good weeks for me.

Round 7: WR - Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

With this pick, I took the "best player available" strategy.  Obviously, this is risky, but if Johnson has Boldin-like rookie numbers, this could be the steal of the draft for me.  If he ends up busting out, I can always slip him onto waivers or keep him riding the pine, because I don't need him to start.

Round 8: RB - Fred Taylor, Jacksonville Jaguars

I took this pick, and immediately regretted it.  I know Jones-Drew was a fantasy monster last season, but word is that Taylor will still get most of the workload.  There were plenty of other "committee" backs left out there, and right after I took Taylor, I realized that I should've taken someone like LaMont Jordan or Chester Taylor.  Oh well, at least he won't have to start.

Round 9: WR - Bernard Berrian, Chicago Bears

Berrian is a WR that I have been eyeing in every mock draft I had so far leading up to the season.  With the inconsistency of Grossman, Berrian is a bit of a gamble.  But when Rexy is on, Berrian is a huge deep threat and could have some monster weeks.  If Grossman ever does find that he can be a consistent NFL QB, this guy could be nice trade bait.

Round 10: TE - Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns

I really wanted Vernon Davis as my TE coming into the draft, but somebody reached for him way too early (he was the second TE taken behind Gates), and I was okay with taking Winslow as my plan B.  He only scored thrice last season, but caught 89 balls for almost 900 yards.  If he gets injured, there are still plenty of FA TE's that I can pick up.  If he can add just two or three more TD's, I got a steal here.

Round 11: RB - Ladell Betts, Washington Redskins

This was a makeup pick for the Fred Taylor blunder earlier.  I love Betts' potential if Portis goes down, which has been pretty likely the last few seasons.  If Clinton does somehow make it through the season unscathed, Betts will still get some goalline touches and could still produce a little bit.

Round 12: WR - Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles

Curtis moves from the slot in St. Louis to a possible #2 in Philly, so this is a dangerous pick.  I really wanted to get a "hook-up" with McNabb as my QB, and I didn't want to draft Reggie Brown as one of my starters.  Curtis is a good option if McNabb starts to make him his primary target, and if not, he will be expendable.

Round 13: QB - J.P. Losman, Buffalo Bills

Yeah, it might be a homer pick, but I really feel Losman made some great strides towards the end of last year.  I could've had QB's like Byron Leftwich, Chad Pennington, or Steve McNair here, but I feel like Losman at least has potential with a more explosive offense (see above for explanation).  Also, McNabb's bye week is week 5.  Buffalo plays the Dallas Cowboys at home on MNF that week, and I will be in attendance, so that also aided my decision.

Round 14: D/ST - Jacksonville Jaguars

With only three rounds left, I had time to pick my defense, kicker, and take another gamble pick at either RB or WR.  Here, I decided to pick the Jags as my starting defense.  It worries me that they play the Colts twice a year, but their front line is very good and Rashean Mathis is a good bet to return an INT or two for a TD.

Round 15: WR - Ted Ginn, Jr., Miami Dolphins

It's safe to say that this wasn't a popular pick with 'Fins fans on draft day, but I really like this kid.  I didn't think he was worth that high of a pick, but as a Michigan fan I watched him torch 18th overall pick Leon Hall on many occasions.  He's got explosive speed and could be effective as a slot/deep threat guy for Trent Green.  Green is a prolific passer, though on the downside of his career, who has put up a few 4,000 yard seasons previously.  I like the idea (from a fantasy perspective, not a Bills fan's perspective) of a huge playmaker lining up opposite of the bigger, more physical Chris Chambers.  Ginn could put up numbers around 800-900 yards and 6-7 TD's, and I would be fine with that from my last offensive pick.

Round 16: K - David Akers, Philadelphia Eagles

There's a reason I picked my kicker last.  Enough said.

Overall, I was really, really happy with my draft day.  The Taylor pick still burns me up, but I think I got great value with Winslow and Betts with late picks, and 2nd rounder Travis Henry could put up the numbers of a top six or seven pick if he stays healthy and Shanahan decides to give him all the carries.

Happy Drafting!