Recently (Aug. 18th), a portion of the FFToday
crew got together for our staff league draft. This is a real league
that will be played out during the season. Team-by-team results
and commentary from each owner are below.
12 owners, 18 Rounds
Starting line-up: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WRs,
1TE, 1 Flex (RB, WR or TE) 1K, & 1 D/ST. Scoring
1 point for every: 10 yards rushing, 10 yards receiving, 20 yards
passing, reception
2 points for every: safety, PAT rushed
3 points for every: field goal
4 points for every: touchdown thrown
6 points for every: touchdown rushed, received, fumble returned,
interception returned, kick returned
You can
view the Round by Round
results here. This mock was done the day before WR Kelvin Benjamin
tore his ACL.
Looking to ace your draft? Pickup
a copy of the Draft Buddy and get customized projections and
rankings for your league.
Colby Cavaliere -
Pick No. 1 |
WR |
Antonio Brown, PIT |
1.01 |
WR |
Mike Evans, TB |
2.12 |
RB |
LeSean McCoy, BUF |
3.01 |
TE |
Travis Kelce, KC |
4.12 |
RB |
Andre Ellington, ARI |
5.01 |
QB |
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT |
6.12 |
RB |
Doug Martin, TB |
7.01 |
RB |
Duke Johnson ®, CLE |
8.12 |
RB |
Danny Woodhead, SD |
9.01 |
WR |
Marvin Jones, CIN |
10.12 |
RB |
Roy Helu, OAK |
11.01 |
QB |
Teddy Bridgewater, MIN |
12.12 |
RB |
Matt Jones ®, WAS |
13.01 |
DEF |
Philadelphia Eagles, |
14.12 |
RB |
James Starks, GB |
15.01 |
WR |
Dwayne Bowe, CLE |
16.12 |
K |
Justin
Tucker, BAL |
17.01 |
TE |
Jared Cook, STL |
18.12 |
|
Pick #1 - Colby Cavaliere
Strategy: I'll state again for the
record that I HATE the 1st overall pick as it really complicates
strategies for me, and you too often get caught at the end of position
runs leaving you grasping. With that said, my strategy at No.1 overall
was to go as safe as possible with Antonio Brown. I planned to take
some risks at RB, as I guessed that McCoy might drop to me at the
end of round 2 after his injury in practice just before the draft,
and I really wanted Andre Ellington. I packed the RB position in
the middle rounds to hedge my bets.
My best pick: The turn at 4.12
and 5.01 with Travis Kelce and Andre Ellington. Both players were
picked right about at their ADP, but I feel they'll both produce
above their draft spots. A lesser workload could actually be a
blessing for Ellington, making him more explosive, especially
in the passing game, and Kelce could catch 80 passes.
Final thought: Maybe it's me, but
I find I'm always drafting off the back foot when I pick 1st overall.
I like to take chances with upside when I draft, but with large
chunks of time between picks, reaching and making a mistake feels
magnified. I'm going to regret passing on Jordan Matthews and
DeAndre Hopkins at the end of round 2 when I picked Mike Evans,
I know it!
Mike Davis - Pick
No. 2 |
RB |
Eddie Lacy, GB |
1.02 |
WR |
Alshon Jeffery, CHI |
2.11 |
WR |
T.Y. Hilton, IND |
3.02 |
RB |
Alfred Morris, WAS |
4.11 |
QB |
Peyton Manning, DEN |
5.02 |
WR |
Mike Wallace, MIN |
6.11 |
TE |
Martellus Bennett, CHI |
7.02 |
RB |
Tevin Coleman ®, ATL |
8.11 |
RB |
Rashad Jennings, NYG |
9.02 |
QB |
Tom Brady, NE |
10.11 |
WR |
Kenny Stills, MIA |
11.02 |
DEF |
Buffalo Bills, |
12.11 |
DEF |
Miami Dolphins, |
13.02 |
TE |
Dwayne Allen, IND |
14.11 |
TE |
Coby Fleener, IND |
15.02 |
K |
Cody Parkey, PHI |
16.11 |
WR |
Greg Jennings, MIA |
17.02 |
QB |
Carson Palmer, ARI |
18.11 |
|
Pick #2 - Mike Davis
Strategy: I wanted youth at the top
of my depth chart and a proven combination of durability/performance
for backups. I mostly achieved this distribution with running backs
and wide receivers, but my 3 quarterbacks (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady,
and Carson Palmer) are a combined 113 years old.
My best pick: Although I was satisfied
with where I got my starting running backs (Eddie Lacy in Round
1 and Alfred Morris in Round 4), my steal of the draft was likely
Rashad Jennings as a backup in Round 9. He's not the best PPR
back but is pass catching skills are more adept than his direct
backup, Andre Williams.
Final thought: I usually wait on
my quarterbacks; I expected to snag someone like Ryan Tannehill
after I had addressed all my RB/WR/TE needs. But when Peyton Manning
is staring at you in the 5th Round and Tom Brady is there in the
10th Round, it's hard to resist them no matter how old they are.
Antonio D'Arcangelis
- Pick No. 3 |
RB |
Jamaal Charles, KC |
1.03 |
RB |
Justin Forsett, BAL |
2.10 |
WR |
Kelvin Benjamin, CAR |
3.03 |
RB |
Latavius Murray, OAK |
4.10 |
TE |
Greg Olsen, CAR |
5.03 |
QB |
Cam Newton, CAR |
6.10 |
WR |
Roddy White, ATL |
7.03 |
WR |
Pierre Garcon, WAS |
8.10 |
RB |
Arian Foster, HOU |
9.03 |
QB |
Joe Flacco, BAL |
10.10 |
WR |
Percy Harvin, BUF |
11.03 |
WR |
Rueben Randle, NYG |
12.10 |
WR |
Cole Beasley, DAL |
13.03 |
TE |
Larry Donnell, NYG |
14.10 |
DEF |
Arizona Cardinals, |
15.03 |
RB |
Dan Herron, IND |
16.10 |
K |
Dan Bailey, DAL |
17.03 |
WR |
Kevin White ®, CHI |
18.10 |
|
Pick #3 - Antonio D'Arcangelis
This
draft occurred one day before Kelvin Benjamin tore his ACL.
Strategy: First, I’d like to
remind everybody that as the defending champ, I felt a lot of pressure
to draft competently, even if I wasn’t totally prepared for
such a competitive bunch of fantasy experts. A normally RB-heavy
value drafter who’s slowly learning to change my ways, I didn’t
want to get too crazy with an early pick, so I selected Jamaal Charles
at 1.03, as Andy Reid running backs often finish among the top fantasy
contributors. I knew I wanted Kelvin Benjamin and a QB who could
run, Cam Newton (6.10) and the Panthers’ bolstered offense
made sense to target as they were slightly undervalued. My
best pick: Given the reaction from the other owners hoping
to snag him in the middle rounds, I think the Arian Foster (9.03)
pick left me feeling the most confident. He’s my fourth
RB, viable trade fodder, and I won’t need to rely on him
until he’s healthy since the deeper rosters (18) this season
allow us to stash players longer than usual. That's a huge factor
for owners to consider before they take a shot on Foster.
Final thought: I took some safe
picks but reached here and there for a few risky, high-upside
flex players like Oakland RB Latavius Murray (4.10), new Bills
weapon Percy Harvin (11.03), the “Welkeresque” Cole
Beasley (13.03), but I didn’t get sucked into positions
runs and stuck to my Draft-Buddy-generated cheatsheets. I’m
left with what I feel is a good blend of high-floor and soaring
upside among my selections, enough to warrant a self-graded B+
with my draft.
Kirk Hollis - Pick
No. 4 |
RB |
Le’Veon
Bell, PIT |
1.04 |
QB |
Aaron Rodgers, GB |
2.09 |
TE |
Jimmy Graham, SEA |
3.04 |
WR |
DeSean Jackson, WAS |
4.09 |
WR |
Golden Tate, DET |
5.04 |
WR |
Jeremy Maclin, KC |
6.09 |
RB |
Todd Gurley ®, STL |
7.04 |
WR |
Michael Floyd, ARI |
8.09 |
RB |
Tre Mason, STL |
9.04 |
WR |
Torrey Smith, SF |
10.09 |
WR |
Marques Colston, NO |
11.04 |
WR |
Breshad Perriman ®, BAL |
12.09 |
RB |
Charles Sims, TB |
13.04 |
QB |
Derek Carr, OAK |
14.09 |
TE |
Heath Miller, PIT |
15.04 |
RB |
Denard Robinson, JAC |
16.09 |
DEF |
Carolina Panthers, |
17.04 |
K |
Blair Walsh, MIN |
18.09 |
|
Pick #4 - Kirk Hollis
Strategy: My strategy was to try to
pick three "elite" players at their respective positions
over the course of the first three rounds if at all possible. After
landing my top ranked running back, I turned my attention to WR
and either QB/TE to make that goal happen. The problem was that
I didn't like the WRs available at the 2.09 and 3.04 spots. So,
I ended up with both a QB and a TE at those spots as opposed to
either/or. My best pick: My favorite
pick was probably either Aaron Rodgers or Todd Gurley. The news
that the Packers want to run a more up-tempo offense this season
has me super high on Rodgers given that he's already explosive
in a more traditional offensive rhythm. Gurley may not contribute
big right away, but he's a special talent and I think he'll pay
big dividends from late October on.
Final thought: PPR drafts are almost
always interesting because WRs go so fast. If you pick anything
but a WR in the first round, you can end up with an odd assortment
of characters at that position when all is said and done. Such
it is with my team- I've got seven serviceable receivers, but
I'm not sure any of them are going to be consistently good week-in
and week-out. That's the price you pay, I guess, for having a
top-two QB and TE on the roster. It was a very challenging draft
to say the least.
Nick Caron - Pick
No. 5 |
RB |
Adrian Peterson, MIN |
1.05 |
RB |
Jeremy Hill, CIN |
2.08 |
WR |
Emmanuel Sanders, DEN |
3.05 |
WR |
Martavis Bryant, PIT |
4.08 |
RB |
Joseph Randle, DAL |
5.05 |
WR |
Vincent Jackson, TB |
6.08 |
WR |
John Brown, ARI |
7.05 |
WR |
Davante Adams, GB |
8.08 |
TE |
Julius Thomas, JAC |
9.05 |
QB |
Ryan Tannehill, MIA |
10.08 |
RB |
Knile Davis, KC |
11.05 |
RB |
Darren Sproles, PHI |
12.08 |
TE |
Owen Daniels, DEN |
13.05 |
RB |
Fred Jackson, BUF |
14.08 |
RB |
Cameron Artis-Payne ®, CAR |
15.05 |
QB |
Marcus Mariota ®, TEN |
16.08 |
DEF |
New England Patriots, |
17.05 |
K |
Phil Dawson, SF |
18.08 |
|
Pick #5 - Nick Caron
Strategy: I went into the draft at
the No. 5 pick expecting that I would be selecting one of the elite
wide receivers, presuming that Antonio Brown would be gone by my
pick. I was shocked when my No. 2 overall player, Adrian Peterson,
fell to me at No. 5. That immediately changed my draft strategy
as it became evident that I wasn't going to have an opportunity
to get a top-tier wide receiver. I opted to draft Hill in round
two and then spend most of my next few picks selecting various young,
high upside wide receivers.
My best pick: It'd be hard to envision
many scenarios where Adrian Peterson falls to No. 5, so that was
a pretty good value in my opinion. Aside from Peterson, I think
Joseph Randle in Round 5 has the potential to be a top 10 running
back and I was very happy to get him when his FFToday ADP (PPR)
currently puts him near the end of the third round.
Final thought: Todd Gurley’s
current ADP is 5.05 in FFToday PPR , and he fell all the way to
the mid-seventh round while LeSean McCoy, who suffered a hamstring
injury in practice only hours before this draft, fell out of the
second round. This tells me that the owners in this draft were
more conservative than I expected and probably more conservative
than most other analysts in the industry. We were more willing
to take the "sure thing," likely due to the fact that
many of us expected to get good values, particularly at the running
back position, later in the draft.
Doug Orth - Pick
No. 6 |
RB |
Marshawn Lynch, SEA |
1.06 |
WR |
Randall Cobb, GB |
2.07 |
RB |
Frank Gore, IND |
3.06 |
WR |
Keenan Allen, SD |
4.07 |
RB |
Ameer Abdullah ®, DET |
5.06 |
QB |
Drew Brees, NO |
6.07 |
WR |
Charles Johnson, MIN |
7.06 |
WR |
Steve Johnson, SD |
8.07 |
WR |
Steve Smith, BAL |
9.06 |
QB |
Philip Rivers, SD |
10.07 |
RB |
James White, NE |
11.06 |
TE |
Vernon Davis, SF |
12.07 |
TE |
Kyle Rudolph, MIN |
13.06 |
DEF |
Houston Texans, |
14.07 |
RB |
Chris Polk, HOU |
15.06 |
RB |
Andre Williams, NYG |
16.07 |
K |
Mason Crosby, GB |
17.06 |
RB |
Lance Dunbar, DAL |
18.07 |
|
Pick #6 - Doug Orth
Strategy: I wanted to come away with
cornerstones at running back and receiver with my first two picks
barring something completely unforeseen (such as C.J. Anderson falling
to No. 19 overall) and hammer away at those two positions as much
as possible until value presented itself at quarterback and/or tight
end. Beyond that, I hoped to come away with at least three capable
starting backs and two strong receivers after my first five picks,
taking advantage of the deep pool of WR3 candidates that I anticipated
would still available in Rounds 6-8.
My best pick: Ameer Abdullah.
For all of you that have looked at the first
version of my Big Boards, it will come as no surprise that
I am choosing the rookie here. I took a calculated risk in the
third round by passing him up for a player in Gore that I believe
will be a regular visitor to the end zone and made the tough decision
to let him slide past me again so I could remain competitive at
receiver (Keenan Allen), so I was thrilled when he was still there
at 5.6 – a full two rounds later than I have him slotted.
Final thought: For those of you
that still believe in a more traditional way of drafting (building
a balanced roster as opposed to zero-RB) like I do, grab two receivers
you believe in during the first 4-5 rounds and pick your pleasure
from a WR3 group that includes Anquan Boldin, Mike Wallace, Charles
Johnson and Steve Johnson two or three rounds later to fill your
WR3 slot. A modified zero-RB strategy often makes sense for owners
at the end of the first round – especially in a league where
three receivers must start each week – but I would strongly
advise against that approach when the opportunity presents itself
to build your team’s foundation around one of the 5-6 elite
backs that have demonstrated staying power.
Jake Gordon - Pick
No. 7 |
WR |
Julio Jones, ATL |
1.07 |
QB |
Andrew Luck, IND |
2.06 |
WR |
Julian Edelman, NE |
3.07 |
RB |
Melvin Gordon ®, SD |
4.06 |
RB |
C.J. Spiller, NO |
5.07 |
WR |
Anquan Boldin, SF |
6.06 |
WR |
Eddie Royal, CHI |
7.07 |
RB |
Chris Ivory, NYJ |
8.06 |
TE |
Tyler Eifert, CIN |
9.07 |
QB |
Eli Manning, NYG |
10.06 |
TE |
Delanie Walker, TEN |
11.07 |
RB |
DeAngelo Williams, PIT |
12.06 |
DEF |
St. Louis Rams, |
13.07 |
WR |
Kenny Britt, STL |
14.06 |
WR |
Michael Crabtree, OAK |
15.07 |
RB |
Chris Johnson, NYJ |
16.06 |
K |
Steve Hauschka, SEA |
17.07 |
RB |
Khiry Robinson, NO |
18.06 |
|
Pick #7 - Jake Gordon
Strategy: I feel the WR and RB positions
are tough to navigate in ’15 and went into the draft focused
on building my roster more evenly than I did a year ago when I was
the last team to select a wide receiver. I also focused on drafting
only players I labeled as “safe” or “high upside.”
This was a deciding factor in my selection of Julian Edelman over
Brandin Cooks and Jordan Mathews… to play it safe early. Later,
I reached for Eddie Royal’s upside over veterans Kendall Wright,
Pierre Garcon and Larry Fitzgerald.
My best pick: I’ll take the
injury risk of C.J. Spiller in an offense masterminded by Sean
Peyton with pick No.55 any day. I feel his specialized role in
the offense will actually help him stay motivated and healthy
throughout the year. At the discounted price of a fifth-round
pick he can put up modest reception totals and be a fine RB2.
Or he leads the Saints in targets and carries my team into the
playoffs as a low-end RB1.
Final thought: Round 9 stands out
in my eyes. Rashad Jennings, Devonta Freeman, Tre Mason and David
Cobb are probably going to be their team’s starting running
back to open the year. They all have legit RBBC concerns but all
of them will be flex options to open the season and one or more
could hold down the lead role for a good chunk of the fantasy
regular season.
Eli Mack - Pick
No. 8 |
RB |
Matt Forte, CHI |
1.08 |
WR |
Jordy Nelson, GB |
2.05 |
WR |
Brandin Cooks, NO |
3.08 |
WR |
Jarvis Landry, MIA |
4.05 |
RB |
Jonathan Stewart, CAR |
5.08 |
QB |
Matt Ryan, ATL |
6.05 |
WR |
Victor Cruz, NYG |
7.08 |
TE |
Zach Ertz, PHI |
8.05 |
WR |
Terrance Williams, DAL |
9.08 |
RB |
Alfred Blue, HOU |
10.05 |
QB |
Andy Dalton, CIN |
11.08 |
RB |
Darren McFadden, DAL |
12.05 |
TE |
Antonio Gates, SD |
13.08 |
WR |
Donte Moncrief, IND |
14.05 |
DEF |
New York Jets, |
15.08 |
DEF |
Denver Broncos, |
16.05 |
K |
Matt Bryant, ATL |
17.08 |
K |
Matt Prater, DET |
18.05 |
|
Pick #8 - Eli Mack
Strategy: Since this is a PPR league,
my initial plan was to stock up on running backs with receiving
skills. Matt Forte at the No.8 spot was a no-brainer in that regard.
I targeted both C.J. Spiller and Ameer Abdullah in the 5th round,
but they were both taken the two picks before I selected Jonathan
Stewart. Likewise, my targets at receiver were players that I felt
would be pass-catching phenoms. My best
pick: I like Brandin Cooks in the 3rd round. I think he
will reach the 100-catch plateau as the No.1 receiving option
in New Orleans. More than 200 targets went to Jimmy Graham and
Kenny Stills last year, and both are elsewhere. Those targets
have to go to somebody, and I think Cooks stands to benefit the
most.
Final thought: I’m not too
thrilled with my running backs. Outside of Forte, I’m hurting
in this PPR league. I’m hoping that Stewart can make up
for his lack of receptions with a boatload of touchdowns, especially
since Kelvin Benjamin’s injury. I am comfortable with my
receivers. Along with Cooks, I have Jordy Nelson and Jarvis Landry.
I’d go to battle any day with those three in a PPR league.
Bill Anderson -
Pick No. 9 |
WR |
Dez Bryant, DAL |
1.09 |
TE |
Rob Gronkowski, NE |
2.04 |
WR |
Jordan Matthews, PHI |
3.09 |
QB |
Russell Wilson, SEA |
4.04 |
WR |
Sammy Watkins, BUF |
5.09 |
RB |
Isaiah Crowell, CLE |
6.04 |
RB |
Shane Vereen, NYG |
7.09 |
WR |
Kendall Wright, TEN |
8.04 |
WR |
DeVante Parker ®, MIA |
9.09 |
RB |
Reggie Bush, SF |
10.04 |
RB |
David Johnson ®, ARI |
11.09 |
DEF |
Seattle Seahawks, |
12.04 |
WR |
Cody Latimer, DEN |
13.09 |
TE |
Ladarius Green, SD |
14.04 |
K |
Adam Vinatieri, IND |
15.09 |
WR |
Devin Funchess ®, CAR |
16.04 |
QB |
Jameis Winston ®, TB |
17.09 |
RB |
Jonas Gray, NE |
18.04 |
|
Pick #9 - Bill Anderson
Strategy: Last year I waited on QB
and TE and had a bad season. This year I decided to mix it up and
get a TE early (Gronk), QB relatively early (Wilson) and go WR heavy
in first five rounds. I knew my RB's would suffer but I think the
position is so volatile that I might get lucky late, and then work
the waiver wire aggressively through the season. My
best Pick: It's not sexy but in a PPR league I like my
Shane Vereen pick at 7.09. It's almost a full round later than
he is going on average and I needed RB's badly. I do not trust
Rashad Jennings to stay healthy and Andre Williams offers zero
in the passing game. The Giants will likely pass a good amount
and a lot of those should be screens and dump-offs. I think its
possible Vereen is a top 18 PPR RB at year's end.
Final thought: With such smart
and experienced drafters there were not a lot of surprises and
not a ton of talent after the 12th round, although WR was certainly
the deepest position for late round value. Looking back, I should
have taken a RB over Russell Wilson in the 4th Round, as almost
all the "surefire starters" at running back were gone
after the early 5th. Lesson learned.
Joseph Hutchins
- Pick No. 10 |
WR |
Odell Beckham Jr., NYG |
1.10 |
RB |
DeMarco Murray, PHI |
2.03 |
RB |
Carlos Hyde, SF |
3.10 |
WR |
Amari Cooper ®, OAK |
4.03 |
RB |
LeGarrette Blount, NE |
5.10 |
WR |
Nelson Agholor ®, PHI |
6.03 |
QB |
Sam Bradford, PHI |
7.10 |
TE |
Jordan Cameron, MIA |
8.03 |
RB |
David Cobb ®, TEN |
9.10 |
QB |
Tony Romo, DAL |
10.03 |
WR |
Markus Wheaton, PIT |
11.10 |
WR |
Tavon Austin, STL |
12.03 |
TE |
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB |
13.10 |
RB |
Jay Ajayi ®, MIA |
14.03 |
DEF |
Green Bay Packers, |
15.10 |
RB |
Javorius Allen ®, BAL |
16.03 |
K |
Connor Barth, DEN |
17.10 |
WR |
Josh Huff, PHI |
18.03 |
|
Pick #10 - Joseph Hutchins
Strategy: Calling anything I do draft-wise
"strategic" would be greatly overstating the case. I'm
all about reading and reacting. I equate having a pre-programmed
strategy with being inflexible and, potentially, very sorry if things
break in unforeseen ways (like, a WR going No.1). Be open to anything,
have a clear idea of player values going in, and stick to your convictions.
That's my MO. What could possibly go wrong?
My best pick: Well, lots, but hopefully
not with the guy I picked in the 2nd round. Seven RBs got selected
before the versatile DeMarco Murray. Seven. There aren't seven better
RBs in the league right now and there were precisely NONE last year.
The change of scenery will make him better even if his touches ultimately
decline.
Final thought: I've participated in
countless drafts and I don't remember one that featured a WR as
the first pick. This tells me everything I need to know about how
the game has changed this past decade or so. Receivers are the new
running backs, especially in PPR leagues.
Jason Mitchell -
Pick No. 11 |
WR |
Demaryius Thomas, DEN |
1.11 |
WR |
Calvin Johnson, DET |
2.02 |
RB |
Lamar Miller, MIA |
3.11 |
RB |
Mark Ingram, NO |
4.02 |
WR |
Allen Robinson, JAC |
5.11 |
RB |
Giovani Bernard, CIN |
6.02 |
RB |
Joique Bell, DET |
7.11 |
WR |
Larry Fitzgerald, ARI |
8.02 |
WR |
Brandon LaFell, NE |
9.11 |
WR |
Eric Decker, NYJ |
10.02 |
RB |
Bishop Sankey, TEN |
11.11 |
QB |
Colin Kaepernick, SF |
12.02 |
WR |
Brian Quick, STL |
13.11 |
TE |
Josh Hill, NO |
14.02 |
TE |
Jordan Reed, WAS |
15.11 |
K |
Stephen Gostkowski, NE |
16.02 |
WR |
Dorial Green-Beckham ®, TEN |
17.11 |
WR |
Brandon Coleman, NO |
18.02 |
|
Pick #11 - Jason Mitchell
Strategy: I didn’t start the
draft with any specific strategy, but it became “take what
the draft gives me.” My stretch of Joique Bell in the 7th
and Brandon LaFell, Eric Decker and Bishop Sankey in the 9th through
11th rounds were all made because I felt they were values too great
to pass up. I also fell into a “late-round QB” strategy
simply because I couldn’t resist the running backs and wide
receivers that were available to me in any of the previous 11 rounds.
My best pick: I loved each of my
first three picks, but anyone who doesn’t love their first
three picks is doing something horribly wrong. I’m going
with Joique Bell in the 7th round. I find it very hard to believe
that the Lions are going to forget about him just because Ameer
Abdullah is in town. Bell finished as the No.13 running back in
PPR last year, and there’s no reason to believe he can’t
be a fantasy RB2 again, even with Abdullah around.
Final thought: I have to give two:
1) Expect the unexpected in a live draft environment. I’ve
been doing drafts all summer, so you’d think I had seen
it all, yet round after round I witnessed players going many,
many rounds earlier than I was used to. 2) I very much regret
passing on Arian Foster in round 8. I love, LOVE, Larry Fitzgerald
as an 8th rounder in general, but now that the draft is over and
I can reflect on my team, I’d much rather have RB5 Arian
Foster than WR4 Larry Fitzgerald.
Mike Krueger - Pick
No. 12 |
RB |
C.J. Anderson, DEN |
1.12 |
WR |
A.J. Green, CIN |
2.01 |
WR |
DeAndre Hopkins, HOU |
3.12 |
WR |
Andre Johnson, IND |
4.01 |
RB |
T.J. Yeldon ®, JAC |
5.12 |
WR |
Brandon Marshall, NYJ |
6.01 |
QB |
Matthew Stafford, DET |
7.12 |
RB |
Ryan Mathews, PHI |
8.01 |
RB |
Devonta Freeman, ATL |
9.12 |
TE |
Jason Witten, DAL |
10.01 |
RB |
Montee Ball, DEN |
11.12 |
WR |
Phillip Dorsett ®, IND |
12.01 |
QB |
Jay Cutler, CHI |
13.12 |
RB |
Jerick McKinnon, MIN |
14.01 |
WR |
Danny Amendola, NE |
15.12 |
DEF |
Kansas City Chiefs, |
16.01 |
TE |
Charles Clay, BUF |
17.12 |
K |
Garrett
Hartley, PIT |
18.01 |
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Pick #12 - Mike Krueger
Strategy: Picking last in the first
round, I was prepared to take two receivers at the turn depending
on what running backs were available although more likely than not,
I would like to pair a WR with DeMarco Murray who I feel comfortable
with as my RB1. As it turned out C.J. Anderson and Murray were both
available at the end of Round 1 and I briefly considered shifting
to a RB-RB strategy before deciding that securing one of my top
WRs (A.J. Green) was more important, given the lack of safe receiving
options that surely would be waiting for me at the end of Round
3.
My best pick: As the draft unfolded,
I found myself in position to stockpile at the WR position, which
is never a bad thing to do in a PPR league. That left me needing
a quarterback in the middle rounds and while Matthew Stafford
doesn’t scream value at the end of the 7th round, it does
to me. His weapons are better than ever this season and I’ll
be very surprised if he doesn’t outperform his 8th-round
ADP by a wide margin.
Final thought: If you know your
draft spot ahead of time, it’s a good idea to have some
kind of strategy and get a feel for what players will be available
when it’s your turn to pick in Round 1, but you have to
be flexible. Given the way the first round played out, I easily
could’ve shifted to a RB-heavy approach and started with
Murray and Anderson after two rounds but I had reconciled this
scenario ahead of time and decided to stick with what I believe
is more sensible approach (RB/WR), given the depth at the WR position
and the lack of it at the top of the RB class. Get prepared, practice…
you'll be prepared for the most likely scenarios and it will make
your draft experience a breeze.
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