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[Harvey]

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[Harvey]

Here are results from a mock draft that I participated in a month or two ago. Let me know what you think. This one looks pretty average to me.


QB Jake Delhomme CAR 6.02
QB Jon Kitna DET 12.02
RB LaMont Jordan OAK 1.11
RB Willis McGahee BUF 2.02
RB Cedric Benson CHI 5.11
RB Mike Anderson BAL 10.02
RB Maurice Morris SEA 15.11
WR Hines Ward PIT 3.11
WR Javon Walker DEN 4.02
WR Nate Burleson SEA 8.02
WR Kevin Curtis STL 9.11
WR Charles Rogers DET 16.02
TE L.J. Smith PHI 7.11
PK Shayne Graham CIN 13.11
DT Baltimore Ravens BAL 11.11
DT Dallas Cowboys DAL 14.02

[This Ain't Compton]

I went on a site and did three mock drafts. Basically, I did one in the top of the draft (3rd pick), one in the middle of the draft (7th) and one at the bottom of the draft (12th).

At the time, I didn't know where I would be picking. I basically wanted to see where I wanted to be picking this year. The results were not totally conclusive, but still encouraging.

Now I know that I have the 11th pick in the draft. So it looks like I'll do one more mock draft for that slot. I'll keep you updated.

Below are my three drafts (with comments):

[This Ain't Compton]

3rd

QB Aaron Brooks OAK
QB Jon Kitna DET
RB Shaun Alexander SEA
RB Joseph Addai IND
RB Fred Taylor JAC
RB Lendale White TEN
RB Marion III Barber DAL
RB Jerious Norwood ATL
WR Larry Fitzgerald ARI
WR Marvin Harrison IND
WR Kevin Curtis STL
WR Keyshawn Johnson CAR
TE Tony Gonzalez KCC
PK Shayne Graham CIN
DT Indianapolis Colts IND
DT Atlanta Falcons ATL

I waited on quarterback. By that time, there were several computer selections. 5 of the 7 picks before I took Aaron Brooks were passers, or my plan would have worked to perfection. That wouldn't happen in a real draft.

I drafted Kitna as backup, since he's throwing for Mike Martz and to Roy Williams. He could be a sleeper this year, but should be an okay backup at the very least.

I got a stud at runner in Alexander. The rest of my runners make me nervous. There wasn't much quality at runner in the 2nd and 3rd round, so I took a couple of difference makers at reciever.

It seems all these drafts, I ended up with Keyshawn Johnson. I'm no huge fan, but he seemed undervalued. Shayne Graham seemed to be undervalued, too.

The Falcons and Colts should let me play matchups on defense. Gonzales is solid at tight end.

ANALYSIS: The Q.B. and 2nd runner would have me nervous. I got plenty of options at runner, but I would have to get lucky to have steady production there. Pretty average looking team. It's got some firepower, but it has holes in it, too.

[This Ain't Compton]

7th

QB Daunte Culpepper MIA
QB Aaron Brooks OAK
RB Edgerrin James ARI
RB Domanick Davis HOU
RB Thomas Jones CHI
RB DeAngelo Williams CAR
RB Jerious Norwood ATL
RB Brian Calhoun DET
WR Anquan Boldin ARI
WR Joe Horn NOS
WR Braylon Edwards CLE
WR Brandon Stokley IND
TE Dallas Clark IND
PK Josh Brown SEA
DT Pittsburgh Steelers PIT
DT Baltimore Ravens BAL

I took a gamble on Culpepper, but he's supposed to be ahead in his rehab. I figure he's got major upside, with targets like Chambers, Booker and McMichael to throw to. Brooks may not be stellar, but I prefer him as a backup option than my starter, like on the other team.

My running situation looks healthier here, though there are still question marks. Domanick Davis is a first round (fantasy) talent, but his knee still isn't well from last year. I probably wouldn't draft him in a real draft. I took Thomas Jones as an emergency fill in, but he's in a murky situation in Chicago. Since the league is point-per-reception, though, he could come in and put up good numbers as a backup.

It would look like I'm a huge Jerious Norwood fan, but there's nothing to draft in the 15th and 16th rounds. He's the rookie at Atlanta, a Dunn type runner, and Dunn is aging and injury prone. I've heard where some think Brian Calhoun might eventually take Kevin Jones's spot as a starter, because he is more of a Martz type runner prototype.

Boldin and Horn are solid starting recievers. Braylon looked good before he got hurt last year, and Stokely is still in the Colts offense.

I'm not happy with Dallas Clark as my starting tight end, but once again, he's in the Colts offense.

The Steelers and Ravens are a stout defense combo. I could really play the matchups with them. I figure they are both top 5, potentially. Their selection probably highlights how important defensive scoring is in my local league.

ANALYSIS: I like this roster better than the one I drafted with the 3rd pick. It has more upside at quarterback and 2nd (and 3rd) runner, while Horn isn't a huge dropoff at 2nd reciever. Defenses are better, though tight end isn't nearly as good.

[This Ain't Compton]

12th

QB Brett Favre GBP
QB Jon Kitna DET
RB Carnell Williams TBB
RB Ronnie Brown MIA
RB Reggie Bush NOS
RB Dominic Rhodes IND
RB Maurice Morris SEA
RB Brian Calhoun DET
WR Hines Ward PIT
WR TJ Houshmandzadeh CIN
WR Braylon Edwards CLE
WR Kevin Curtis STL
WR Brandon Stokley IND
TE Jason Witten DAL
PK Shayne Graham CIN
DT Baltimore Ravens BAL

Favre and Kitna are not spectacular, but when you aren't drafting passers high, they aren't a bad tandem. Favre should be on the field all year. He's past his prime, but should still be good for some numbers.

My running back situation is the best of the three. Brown and Cadillac are starters with upside, while Reggie Bush and Dominic Rhodes could either one put up starter numbers.

I had to take recievers a little lower, because of the runners I got. Still, I can live with starting Hines Ward and Houshmandzadeh. Once again, it looks like I'm in love with Braylen, Kevin Curtis and Brandon Stokely, which isn't really the case. They are the ones who seem slotted a little low, so I keep drafting them.

Witten is a major upgrade from Dallas Clark, with high upside. I bet the Cowboys throw him more balls than last year, though Witten did come on strong late in the year, after a slow start. He's no Gonzales, but Gonzales is aging. I can live with this selection.

Once again, Graham and the Ravens slid a little. The Ravens are my starter instead of my backup on this team, but there is always an undrafted defense or two you can pick up, if your starter sucks.

ANALYSIS: This is probably the team I would feel best about going into a season with. The q.b.s and recievers have question marks, but the running back situation has a lot more depth and upside potential. Runners rule in fantasy football, so that is all the reason I need to say this is my favorite roster of the three. It gives me some hope, since this is the closest of the three to where I'll be drafting.

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by This Ain't Compton

3rd

QB Aaron Brooks OAK
QB Jon Kitna DET
RB Shaun Alexander SEA
RB Joseph Addai IND
RB Fred Taylor JAC
RB Lendale White TEN
RB Marion III Barber DAL
RB Jerious Norwood ATL
WR Larry Fitzgerald ARI
WR Marvin Harrison IND
WR Kevin Curtis STL
WR Keyshawn Johnson CAR
TE Tony Gonzalez KCC
PK Shayne Graham CIN
DT Indianapolis Colts IND
DT Atlanta Falcons ATL

I waited on quarterback. By that time, there were several computer selections. 5 of the 7 picks before I took Aaron Brooks were passers, or my plan would have worked to perfection. That wouldn't happen in a real draft.

I drafted Kitna as backup, since he's throwing for Mike Martz and to Roy Williams. He could be a sleeper this year, but should be an okay backup at the very least.

I got a stud at runner in Alexander. The rest of my runners make me nervous. There wasn't much quality at runner in the 2nd and 3rd round, so I took a couple of difference makers at reciever.

It seems all these drafts, I ended up with Keyshawn Johnson. I'm no huge fan, but he seemed undervalued. Shayne Graham seemed to be undervalued, too.

The Falcons and Colts should let me play matchups on defense. Gonzales is solid at tight end.

ANALYSIS: The Q.B. and 2nd runner would have me nervous. I got plenty of options at runner, but I would have to get lucky to have steady production there. Pretty average looking team. It's got some firepower, but it has holes in it, too.

I think this team looks a lot better if you're in a league where you can start 4 receivers. I imagine you'll get decent production from the QB position, and Kitna is certainly capable of being a sleeper. Brooks will do fine, as he's throwing to Randy Moss. I don't think losing Jerry Porter will hurt (assuming the team gives in to his trade demands) as he was never very good in the first place.

As runners go, Adai and White might pay big dividends later in the season, but you'll probably have to sit them the early part of the year and be patient.

Kicker, Defense, and TE are all solid, although Willie Roaf's retirement may require Gonzalez to hang back and block more, thus cutting into his numbers.

Not a bad team at all, with the potential to be a great team.

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by This Ain't Compton

7th

QB Daunte Culpepper MIA
QB Aaron Brooks OAK
RB Edgerrin James ARI
RB Domanick Davis HOU
RB Thomas Jones CHI
RB DeAngelo Williams CAR
RB Jerious Norwood ATL
RB Brian Calhoun DET
WR Anquan Boldin ARI
WR Joe Horn NOS
WR Braylon Edwards CLE
WR Brandon Stokley IND
TE Dallas Clark IND
PK Josh Brown SEA
DT Pittsburgh Steelers PIT
DT Baltimore Ravens BAL

I took a gamble on Culpepper, but he's supposed to be ahead in his rehab. I figure he's got major upside, with targets like Chambers, Booker and McMichael to throw to. Brooks may not be stellar, but I prefer him as a backup option than my starter, like on the other team.

My running situation looks healthier here, though there are still question marks. Domanick Davis is a first round (fantasy) talent, but his knee still isn't well from last year. I probably wouldn't draft him in a real draft. I took Thomas Jones as an emergency fill in, but he's in a murky situation in Chicago. Since the league is point-per-reception, though, he could come in and put up good numbers as a backup.

It would look like I'm a huge Jerious Norwood fan, but there's nothing to draft in the 15th and 16th rounds. He's the rookie at Atlanta, a Dunn type runner, and Dunn is aging and injury prone. I've heard where some think Brian Calhoun might eventually take Kevin Jones's spot as a starter, because he is more of a Martz type runner prototype.

Boldin and Horn are solid starting recievers. Braylon looked good before he got hurt last year, and Stokely is still in the Colts offense.

I'm not happy with Dallas Clark as my starting tight end, but once again, he's in the Colts offense.

The Steelers and Ravens are a stout defense combo. I could really play the matchups with them. I figure they are both top 5, potentially. Their selection probably highlights how important defensive scoring is in my local league.

ANALYSIS: I like this roster better than the one I drafted with the 3rd pick. It has more upside at quarterback and 2nd (and 3rd) runner, while Horn isn't a huge dropoff at 2nd reciever. Defenses are better, though tight end isn't nearly as good.

I agree with your evaluation. A very solid team. If Culpepper is as good as they hope, then you're going to have no worries at the QB position. Davis is a bit of a risk, but he's worth it as a #2 runner. I'd probably pick up his back-up in free agency just to be on the safe side.

True, Dallas Clark isn't as good as Tony Gonzalez, but the quality TEs are pretty darn thin. And like you said, just being on the Colts should count for something.

Braylon Edwards may miss the early part of the season, so you'll have to hope the injury bug doesn't bite the rest of your receiving corps, but that's a concern shared by most fantasy owners out there. Still, Boldin and Horn are uber solid.

Nice draft.

[Harvey]

Originally Posted by This Ain't Compton

12th

QB Brett Favre GBP
QB Jon Kitna DET
RB Carnell Williams TBB
RB Ronnie Brown MIA
RB Reggie Bush NOS
RB Dominic Rhodes IND
RB Maurice Morris SEA
RB Brian Calhoun DET
WR Hines Ward PIT
WR TJ Houshmandzadeh CIN
WR Braylon Edwards CLE
WR Kevin Curtis STL
WR Brandon Stokley IND
TE Jason Witten DAL
PK Shayne Graham CIN
DT Baltimore Ravens BAL

Favre and Kitna are not spectacular, but when you aren't drafting passers high, they aren't a bad tandem. Favre should be on the field all year. He's past his prime, but should still be good for some numbers.

My running back situation is the best of the three. Brown and Cadillac are starters with upside, while Reggie Bush and Dominic Rhodes could either one put up starter numbers.

I had to take recievers a little lower, because of the runners I got. Still, I can live with starting Hines Ward and Houshmandzadeh. Once again, it looks like I'm in love with Braylen, Kevin Curtis and Brandon Stokely, which isn't really the case. They are the ones who seem slotted a little low, so I keep drafting them.

Witten is a major upgrade from Dallas Clark, with high upside. I bet the Cowboys throw him more balls than last year, though Witten did come on strong late in the year, after a slow start. He's no Gonzales, but Gonzales is aging. I can live with this selection.

Once again, Graham and the Ravens slid a little. The Ravens are my starter instead of my backup on this team, but there is always an undrafted defense or two you can pick up, if your starter sucks.

ANALYSIS: This is probably the team I would feel best about going into a season with. The q.b.s and recievers have question marks, but the running back situation has a lot more depth and upside potential. Runners rule in fantasy football, so that is all the reason I need to say this is my favorite roster of the three. It gives me some hope, since this is the closest of the three to where I'll be drafting.

This is my favorite of your three teams, just because I'm a big believer in fantasy dominance through strong running backs. Reggie Bush could explode out of the gates, Rhodes may be the lead runner for the Colts, and Shaun Alexander has to get hurt sooner or later, thus clearing the path for Maurice Morris. And with Cadillac and Ronnie Brown as starters, you have the luxury of waiting to see if any of those scenarios develop.

QBs are solid, and one of the two is probably bound to throw at least 25 touchdowns.

WR is a little thin, but you don't have to have big names to get production. TJ gets a lot of looks in the Bengals offense, and Edwards will do fine when he's recovered from his injury.

I really like this team.

[Harvey]

Here's some not-so-encouraging news out of Packers camp:

Brett Favre is surrounded by more new teammates each year and it finally
might be catching up to him. Only two of the 12 WRs on the roster, Donald
Driver and Robert Ferguson, have caught a Favre pass in an NFL game. Yesterday he threw 5 INTs in just 26 attempts in 11-on-11 drills. Favre is already coming off a 29-INT season, most by any quarterback in the league since 1988.
It should be noted that WRs coach Jimmy Robinson said the receivers didn't blow a route on any of the five picks.