Ok ok I know it's June but hey it's never to early to do some mock drafts just to see where some guys are going in the draft. Obviously when and if the NFL gets the collective bargaining agreement settled the free agent market will fire up and possibly change some things. All things considered we will talk about those changes as they happen in the future. I also have some opinions on some things to consider this fantasy season because guys have not had the time to prepare that they normally would have, but again I will save that for another day.
On to the drafting:
I performed on ESPN's site 3 mock drafts. All were 10 team snake drafts, which for most folks is the most common way to play and draft. ESPN does a great job running all things fantasy and is my favorite place to play the game (I received no money from the prior comment).
Draft one: in this draft I drafted 1st of ten teams and here is the result. In ( ) beside each guy are my thoughts.
- Arian Foster RB (Loved what he did last year, and with AP's and Chris Johnson's fall in production in 2010 why not)
- Steven Jackson RB (I really wanted to go receiver here but at 20th overall he was a steal. I am really surprised he went this low)
- Mike Wallace WR (by this point all the upper tier QB's were gone so I went with receivers)
- Jeremy Maclin WR (see above)
- Dallas Clark TE
- Josh Freeman QB (Josh Freeman is a steal in the sixth round, folks. If you don't want to pay high for Rogers, Vick, Brees or Brady he is your guy)
- Ryan Grant RB (I drafted this guy in the second round last year then he got hurt in the opening game, I thought I would try again. If he has second round value this year... he is a steal)
- Pierre Garcon WR (I liked him last year, at some point he will break out.)
- Ryan Torain RB (how long do you really think Clinton Portis will stay healthy? I will take the under on 5 games.)
- Malcom Floyd WR (Receiver depth, plus Phillip Rivers throws to him)
- LT RB (I know he's old but for depth and a Bye week fill-in I will take him late all day long... it's LT !)
- Montario Hardesty RB (I said last year in the preseason before he got hurt, that I liked this guy. I really believe that he will be the Peyton Hillis killer this year. That's tough for me to say given my love for Mr. Hillis.)
- Mike Goodson RB
- Chad Simpson WR
- Chargers DEF
- Matt Prater K
Overall I really like this team, I feel like I am really strong at the RB position. My receiving core could be a little feast or famine here, but I feel like I have some good players. I am confident that Josh Freeman can carry me at the QB position. I would much rather have him in the 6th and Arian Foster in the first than Mike Vick in the first and some 6th round RB, but that's just me.
Second Draft: In this draft I drafted last. Oh and I really hate this team.
- Frank Gore RB (he was the best RB available at the time, I don't love this pick or hate it either...)
- Roddy White WR (2nd best receiver in fantasy, I think so)
- Reggie Wayne WR (By this point in the draft all of the great RB's were gone. Instead of reaching for one, I took Reggie. Peyton Manning throws to him you know.)
- Bradshaw RB (would like this pick more if he wasn't a free agent, but assuming he is a Giant next year he is a good, not great, #2 RB.)
- BJGE RB (can't go wrong with a lawyer on your team ;)
- Dallas Clark TE (I seem to like Dallas Clark, even thought I think the TE position as a whole is a crap shoot this year.)
- Josh Freeman QB (see all man love Josh Freeman Quotes above)
- Sidney Rice WR (Need that receiver depth)
- Santana Moss WR (Need that receiver depth)
- CJ Spiller RB (at some point the Bills will make him the GUY)
- Deion Branch WR (assuming he is a Patriot this year, and has any time to learn the offense I think he is a steal in the 11th.)
- MIke Goodson RB (You know both the other Panthers RB's will be hurt at the same time again this year.)
- Chad 85 WR (He looks good... even on the Fantasy Bench.)
- Mark Sanchez QB
- Gostkowski
- Dallas D
A general observation on this team... I should have drafted 2 RB's in the first 2 rounds. I could see this team having no every week starter at RB if Frank Gore gets hurt. Also I recognize that I may have went a bit WR heavy.
3rd and final Draft, I drafted 5th in this one. Also I love this team! Too bad I can't keep them.
- Chris Johnson RB (I don't love Chris Johnson this year, but if I can get him 5th overall you bet I will)
- Roddy White WR (2nd best receiver in football)
- Tom Brady QB (decided to go early on the QB since I had a RB and WR that I really feel comfortable with)
- Matt Forte RB (He had some great numbers down the stretch last year and is a beast of a pass catcher)
- Marques Colston WR (surely he will return to form in 2011)
- Benson RB (I would not like Benson if he was my every week starter, but as a flex or backup I will take him)
- Jason Witten TE ( with Romo back I feel like Witten will be a top 3 TE this year)
- Michael Crabtree WR (a year to learn the offense... now if the 49ers could just get him the ball. Bring back Steve Young?)
- Joseph Addi RB (He's still the starter on the Colts...)
- Steve Smith Car WR (He's still Steve Smith)
- Mike Williams SEA WR (Don't hate him for depth, but if Hasselbeck leaves as a free agent I don't think I would hold onto him)
- Deion Branch WR (See above notes on Deion)
- Montario Hardesty RB (See above notes on Montario)
- Danny Woodhead RB (Hey this guy was touchdown gold last year!)
- Eagles D
- Mason Crosby K
All things considered, I love this team! I think I have great starters and good depth on the bench.
Conclusion...
I seemed to be much happier with the first and last teams. I think the main reason for that was the strong players that I have at the starting RB position. Also I think that for the 2011 draft waiting on a QB is a great thing. To give you a idea, when I drafted these teams going in the 5th and 6th round were Josh Freeman, Tony Romo, Matt Ryan, and Eli Manning. Are those guys going to get you as many points as Vick or Rogers? No, but the combo of Tony Romo and Adrian Peterson will get you more points than the combo of Vick and let's say Ben Jarvius Green-Ellis or Ryan Grant. These are all just things to consider. I recommend doing some mock drafts this summer to get a feel for what kinds of teams you can put together, at different draft positions.
