Breaking Down Draft Slots #8 & #9
Posted 8/4 by Chris Smith, Exclusive to Footballguys.com
Every season there is discussion on the pros and cons for each of the draft slots in a fantasy football league. While I believe that it is possible to win a league no matter where you draft from, it is evident to the veteran fantasy owner that there is some advantage to drafting in certain positions as opposed to others. This series of articles will take an in-depth look at each of the twelve draft positions in a 12-team, redraft fantasy football league and outline the positives and negatives of each slot.
Based on...
- 12-team redraft league / 18-round fantasy draft
- Must start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE
- Scoring is as follows:
- 1 pt every 20 passing yards
- 1 pt every 10 rushing yards
- 4 pts per passing touchdown
- 6 pts per rushing / receiving touchdown
- 3 pts per field goal / 1 pt per extra point
- 2 pts per interception, fumble recovery and safety
- 1 pt per sack
- 6 pts per defensive touchdown
- 10 pts per shutout
- 1 pt every 20 passing yards
This study is performed using the mock draft function within our own Draft Dominator software. The program gives you the ability to draft for one team and have the other teams taken over by computer control using different ADP lists.
The mock draft ability of the Dominator is a nice way to prepare for your fantasy draft. Running the same draft several times will help you to anticipate all possible scenarios when your own draft arrives. Check it out today.
Drafting eighth and ninth overall
Now the draft begins to get very interesting and strategy will come into play. In all honesty it is pretty easy to put together a good roster from the first half of a draft but it becomes more challenging as the draft goes on. With these two picks, in all likelihood seven running backs are off the board and there aren't as many good RB options to look at here.
Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft
An owner drafting in these positions must be flexible and must be willing to alter his draft strategy based on what occurs. If an owner feels that QB Peyton Manning and WR Marvin Harrison together on the team gives him/her the best chance to win then rolling the dice may be in order. A conservative owner will have a challenging time emerging as the victor from these slots in the draft unless competing owners make mistakes, allowing talent to drop. The first two picks could be
- QB / RB
- QB / WR
- WR / WR
- RB / RB
- RB / WR
- etc.
Specific Player Examples
- RB Brian Westbrook / RB Reggie Bush
- RB Brian Westbrook / WR Chad Johnson
- QB Peyton Manning / RB Reggie Bush
- QB Peyton Manning / WR Chad Johnson
- WR Steve Smith / WR Chad Johnson
Positives of the draft slot
- Early 2nd round pick is nice
- If talent falls to you here due to questionable picks, the 2nd round pick
will turn this owner into an instant legitimate contender
- Not many picks in between odd and even rounds
Negatives of the draft slot
- Owners drafting ahead of this slot usually wind up with better running
back talent
- Cannot afford to make a mistake drafting as this slot is tougher than the
first seven
- Long wait between 2nd and 3rd round picks
- Looking at running back with first and second pick could limit production
at other positions
For this study, instead of breaking down the 8th and 9th slots separately we will move forward in this fashion. The first part of the article involving flexible drafting but using a conventional strategy and will be accomplished using the 8th draft slot. The 2nd part of the article will go with a more unconventional strategy in the first two rounds to take a look at how it turns out again using the 8th slot.
Part One: The Mock Draft for the #8 Slot (Flexible Drafting)
|
Pick
|
Pos
|
Player |
Team
|
Selected By
|
| 1.01 | RB1 | LaDainian Tomlinson | SD/7 | MDC 1 |
| 1.02 | RB2 | Steven Jackson | StL/9 | Expert 1 |
| 1.03 | RB3 | Larry Johnson | KC/8 | CBS 1 |
| 1.04 | RB4 | Frank Gore | SF/6 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 1.05 | QB1 | Peyton Manning | Ind/6 | Expert 2 |
| 1.06 | RB5 | Willie Parker | Pit/6 | MFL 1 |
| 1.07 | RB6 | Joseph Addai | Ind/6 | CBS 2 |
| 1.08 | RB7 | Brian Westbrook | Phi/5 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 1.09 | WR1 | Steve Smith | Car/7 | Expert 3 |
| 1.10 | RB8 | Travis Henry | Den/6 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 1.11 | TE1 | Antonio Gates | SD/7 | MDC 2 |
| 1.12 | WR2 | Torry Holt | StL/9 | Expert 4 |
| 2.01 | RB9 | Shaun Alexander | Sea/8 | Expert 4 |
| 2.02 | RB10 | Rudi Johnson | Cin/5 | MDC 2 |
| 2.03 | RB11 | Clinton Portis | Was/4 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 2.04 | RB12 | Maurice Jones-Drew | Jac/4 | Expert 3 |
| 2.05 | WR4 | Chad Johnson | Cin/5 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 2.06 | RB13 | Reggie Bush | NO/4 | CBS 2 |
| 2.07 | RB14 | Laurence Maroney | NE/10 | MFL 1 |
| 2.08 | RB15 | Ronnie Brown | Mia/9 | Expert 2 |
| 2.09 | RB16 | Cedric Benson | Chi/9 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 2.10 | RB17 | Edgerrin James | Ari/8 | CBS 1 |
| 2.11 | WR3 | Reggie Wayne | Ind/6 | Expert 1 |
| 2.12 | WR5 | Terrell Owens | Dal/8 | MDC 1 |
| 3.01 | WR6 | Marvin Harrison | Ind/6 | MDC 1 |
| 3.02 | WR7 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | Cin/5 | Expert 1 |
| 3.03 | QB2 | Carson Palmer | Cin/5 | CBS 1 |
| 3.04 | WR8 | Javon Walker | Den/6 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 3.05 | WR9 | Larry Fitzgerald | Ari/8 | Expert 2 |
| 3.06 | QB3 | Tom Brady | NE/10 | MFL 1 |
| 3.07 | WR10 | Roy Williams | Det/6 | CBS 2 |
| 3.08 | RB18 | Willis McGahee | Bal/8 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 3.09 | WR11 | Donald Driver | GB/7 | Expert 3 |
| 3.10 | WR12 | Lee Evans | Buf/6 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 3.11 | WR13 | Anquan Boldin | Ari/8 | MDC 2 |
| 3.12 | QB4 | Marc Bulger | StL/9 | Expert 4 |
| 4.01 | WR14 | Andre Johnson | Hou/10 | Expert 4 |
| 4.02 | WR15 | Plaxico Burress | NYG/9 | MDC 2 |
| 4.03 | WR16 | Marques Colston | NO/4 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 4.04 | WR17 | Randy Moss | NE/10 | Expert 3 |
| 4.05 | WR19 | Hines Ward | Pit/6 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 4.06 | WR18 | Reggie Brown | Phi/5 | CBS 2 |
| 4.07 | WR20 | Braylon Edwards | Cle/7 | MFL 1 |
| 4.08 | WR21 | Santana Moss | Was/4 | Expert 2 |
| 4.09 | TE2 | Jeremy Shockey | NYG/9 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 4.10 | TE3 | Todd Heap | Bal/8 | CBS 1 |
| 4.11 | QB5 | Donovan McNabb | Phi/5 | Expert 1 |
| 4.12 | QB6 | Drew Brees | NO/4 | MDC 1 |
| 5.01 | RB19 | Jerious Norwood | Atl/8 | MDC 1 |
| 5.02 | RB20 | Thomas Jones | NYJ/10 | Expert 1 |
| 5.03 | RB21 | DeAngelo Williams | Car/7 | CBS 1 |
| 5.04 | RB22 | Deuce McAllister | NO/4 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 5.05 | RB23 | Adrian Peterson | Min/5 | Expert 2 |
| 5.06 | TE4 | Tony Gonzalez | KC/8 | MFL 1 |
| 5.07 | RB24 | Ahman Green | Hou/10 | CBS 2 |
| 5.08 | RB25 | Cadillac Williams | TB/10 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 5.09 | RB26 | Marshawn Lynch | Buf/6 | Expert 3 |
| 5.10 | RB27 | Brandon Jacobs | NYG/9 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 5.11 | RB28 | Marion Barber III | Dal/8 | MDC 2 |
| 5.12 | RB29 | LaMont Jordan | Oak/5 | Expert 4 |
| 6.01 | RB30 | Fred Taylor | Jac/4 | Expert 4 |
| 6.02 | RB31 | Jamal Lewis | Cle/7 | MDC 2 |
| 6.03 | QB7 | Tony Romo | Dal/8 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 6.04 | RB32 | Julius Jones | Dal/8 | Expert 3 |
| 6.05 | QB8 | Vince Young | Ten/4 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 6.06 | QB9 | Jon Kitna | Det/6 | CBS 2 |
| 6.07 | RB33 | Tatum Bell | Det/6 | MFL 1 |
| 6.08 | RB34 | Vernand Morency | GB/7 | Expert 2 |
| 6.09 | WR22 | Laveranues Coles | NYJ/10 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 6.10 | WR23 | Jerricho Cotchery | NYJ/10 | CBS 1 |
| 6.11 | RB35 | Chris Brown | Ten/4 | Expert 1 |
| 6.12 | TE5 | Chris Cooley | Was/4 | MDC 1 |
| 7.01 | WR24 | Mark Clayton | Bal/8 | MDC 1 |
| 7.02 | WR25 | Deion Branch | Sea/8 | Expert 1 |
| 7.03 | WR26 | Calvin Johnson | Det/6 | CBS 1 |
| 7.04 | WR27 | Joey Galloway | TB/10 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 7.05 | RB36 | Leon Washington | NYJ/10 | Expert 2 |
| 7.06 | DEF1 | Chicago | Chi/9 | MFL 1 |
| 7.07 | DEF2 | Baltimore | Bal/8 | CBS 2 |
| 7.08 | WR28 | Chris Chambers | Mia/9 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 7.09 | RB37 | Chester Taylor | Min/5 | Expert 3 |
| 7.10 | WR29 | Bernard Berrian | Chi/9 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 7.11 | WR30 | D.J. Hackett | Sea/8 | MDC 2 |
| 7.12 | RB38 | Ladell Betts | Was/4 | Expert 4 |
| 8.01 | WR31 | Terry Glenn | Dal/8 | Expert 4 |
| 8.02 | QB10 | Ben Roethlisberger | Pit/6 | MDC 2 |
| 8.03 | QB11 | Jay Cutler | Den/6 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 8.04 | QB12 | Matt Leinart | Ari/8 | Expert 3 |
| 8.05 | WR32 | Darrell Jackson | SF/6 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 8.06 | QB13 | Philip Rivers | SD/7 | CBS 2 |
| 8.07 | QB14 | Matt Hasselbeck | Sea/8 | MFL 1 |
| 8.08 | QB15 | Brett Favre | GB/7 | Expert 2 |
| 8.09 | QB16 | Eli Manning | NYG/9 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 8.10 | WR33 | Santonio Holmes | Pit/6 | CBS 1 |
| 8.11 | RB39 | Reuben Droughns | NYG/9 | Expert 1 |
| 8.12 | RB40 | Kevin Jones | Det/6 | MDC 1 |
| 9.01 | RB41 | Brandon Jackson | GB/7 | MDC 1 |
| 9.02 | TE6 | Jason Witten | Dal/8 | Expert 1 |
| 9.03 | WR34 | Greg Jennings | GB/7 | CBS 1 |
| 9.04 | WR35 | Vincent Jackson | SD/7 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 9.05 | WR36 | Donte Stallworth | NE/10 | Expert 2 |
| 9.06 | WR37 | Brandon Marshall | Den/6 | MFL 1 |
| 9.07 | WR38 | Muhsin Muhammad | Chi/9 | CBS 2 |
| 9.08 | TE7 | Kellen Winslow Jr | Cle/7 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 9.09 | QB17 | Alex Smith | SF/6 | Expert 3 |
| 9.10 | TE8 | Alge Crumpler | Atl/8 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 9.11 | QB18 | J.P. Losman | Buf/6 | MDC 2 |
| 9.12 | TE9 | Vernon Davis | SF/6 | Expert 4 |
| 10.01 | RB42 | DeShaun Foster | Car/7 | Expert 4 |
| 10.02 | WR39 | Jerry Porter | Oak/5 | MDC 2 |
| 10.03 | WR40 | Isaac Bruce | StL/9 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 10.04 | TE10 | L.J. Smith | Phi/5 | Expert 3 |
| 10.05 | QB20 | Chad Pennington | NYJ/10 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 10.06 | TE11 | Ben Watson | NE/10 | CBS 2 |
| 10.07 | WR41 | Drew Carter | Car/7 | MFL 1 |
| 10.08 | WR42 | Devery Henderson | NO/4 | Expert 2 |
| 10.09 | QB19 | Jason Campbell | Was/4 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 10.10 | WR43 | Eddie Kennison | KC/8 | CBS 1 |
| 10.11 | WR44 | Matt Jones | Jac/4 | Expert 1 |
| 10.12 | RB43 | LenDale White | Ten/4 | MDC 1 |
| 11.01 | QB21 | Steve McNair | Bal/8 | MDC 1 |
| 11.02 | QB22 | Jake Delhomme | Car/7 | Expert 1 |
| 11.03 | QB23 | Byron Leftwich | Jac/4 | CBS 1 |
| 11.04 | RB44 | Michael Turner | SD/7 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 11.05 | WR45 | Derrick Mason | Bal/8 | Expert 2 |
| 11.06 | WR46 | Brandon Jones | Ten/4 | MFL 1 |
| 11.07 | WR47 | Kevin Curtis | Phi/5 | CBS 2 |
| 11.08 | RB45 | Michael Pittman | TB/10 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 11.09 | QB24 | Matt Schaub | Hou/10 | Expert 3 |
| 11.10 | DEF3 | San Diego | SD/7 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 11.11 | QB25 | Rex Grossman | Chi/9 | MDC 2 |
| 11.12 | DEF4 | Buffalo | Buf/6 | Expert 4 |
| 12.01 | WR48 | Reggie Williams | Jac/4 | Expert 4 |
| 12.02 | RB46 | Mike Bell | Den/6 | MDC 2 |
| 12.03 | RB47 | Jerome Harrison | Cle/7 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 12.04 | RB48 | Correll Buckhalter | Phi/5 | Expert 3 |
| 12.05 | DEF5 | Minnesota | Min/5 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 12.06 | WR49 | Michael Jenkins | Atl/8 | CBS 2 |
| 12.07 | PK1 | Adam Vinatieri | Ind/6 | MFL 1 |
| 12.08 | RB49 | Anthony Thomas | Buf/6 | Expert 2 |
| 12.09 | DEF6 | Miami | Mia/9 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 12.10 | RB50 | Kevin Faulk | NE/10 | CBS 1 |
| 12.11 | WR50 | Ronald Curry | Oak/5 | Expert 1 |
| 12.12 | WR51 | Bobby Engram | Sea/8 | MDC 1 |
| 13.01 | QB26 | Jeff Garcia | TB/10 | MDC 1 |
| 13.02 | QB27 | Tarvaris Jackson | Min/5 | Expert 1 |
| 13.03 | WR52 | Bobby Wade | Min/5 | CBS 1 |
| 13.04 | TE12 | Heath Miller | Pit/6 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 13.05 | PK2 | Shayne Graham | Cin/5 | Expert 2 |
| 13.06 | RB51 | Ron Dayne | Hou/10 | MFL 1 |
| 13.07 | WR53 | Joe Horn | Atl/8 | CBS 2 |
| 13.08 | WR54 | Drew Bennett | StL/9 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 13.09 | DEF7 | Carolina | Car/7 | Expert 3 |
| 13.10 | DEF8 | New York Giants | NYG/9 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 13.11 | RB52 | Maurice Morris | Sea/8 | MDC 2 |
| 13.12 | DEF9 | Pittsburgh | Pit/6 | Expert 4 |
| 14.01 | TE13 | Owen Daniels | Hou/10 | Expert 4 |
| 14.02 | TE14 | Dallas Clark | Ind/6 | MDC 2 |
| 14.03 | PK3 | Jeff Wilkins | StL/9 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 14.04 | DEF10 | New England | NE/10 | Expert 3 |
| 14.05 | RB53 | DeDe Dorsey | Ind/6 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 14.06 | PK4 | Stephen Gostkowski | NE/10 | CBS 2 |
| 14.07 | RB54 | Mewelde Moore | Min/5 | MFL 1 |
| 14.08 | WR55 | Ted Ginn | Mia/9 | Expert 2 |
| 14.09 | QB28 | Trent Green | Mia/9 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 14.10 | RB55 | Adrian Peterson | Chi/9 | CBS 1 |
| 14.11 | WR56 | Mike Furrey | Det/6 | Expert 1 |
| 14.12 | DEF11 | Green Bay | GB/7 | MDC 1 |
| 15.01 | PK5 | Nate Kaeding | SD/7 | MDC 1 |
| 15.02 | DEF12 | San Francisco | SF/6 | Expert 1 |
| 15.03 | DEF13 | Philadelphia | Phi/5 | CBS 1 |
| 15.04 | WR57 | Eric Parker | SD/7 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 15.05 | DEF14 | Arizona | Ari/8 | Expert 2 |
| 15.06 | WR58 | Nate Washington | Pit/6 | MFL 1 |
| 15.07 | RB56 | Noah Herron | GB/7 | CBS 2 |
| 15.08 | PK7 | Jason Elam | Den/6 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 15.09 | RB57 | Kenny Irons | Cin/5 | Expert 3 |
| 15.10 | WR59 | Marty Booker | Mia/9 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 15.11 | RB58 | Dominic Rhodes | Oak/5 | MDC 2 |
| 15.12 | RB59 | T.J. Duckett | Det/6 | Expert 4 |
| 16.01 | PK6 | Matt Stover | Bal/8 | Expert 4 |
| 16.02 | PK8 | Robbie Gould | Chi/9 | MDC 2 |
| 16.03 | PK9 | Josh Scobee | Jac/4 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 16.04 | PK10 | Olindo Mare | NO/4 | Expert 3 |
| 16.05 | RB59 | Lorenzo Booker | Mia/9 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 16.06 | RB60 | Musa Smith | Bal/8 | CBS 2 |
| 16.07 | RB61 | Sammy Morris | NE/10 | MFL 1 |
| 16.08 | RB62 | Michael Bennett | KC/8 | Expert 2 |
| 16.09 | RB63 | Mike Alstott | TB/10 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 16.10 | WR60 | Troy Williamson | Min/5 | CBS 1 |
| 16.11 | RB65 | Warrick Dunn | Atl/8 | Expert 1 |
| 16.12 | WR61 | Brandon Lloyd | Was/4 | MDC 1 |
| 17.01 | TE15 | Bo Scaife | Ten/4 | MDC 1 |
| 17.02 | PK11 | Joe Nedney | SF/6 | Expert 1 |
| 17.03 | PK12 | Jason Hanson | Det/6 | CBS 1 |
| 17.04 | PK13 | Josh Brown | Sea/8 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 17.05 | TE16 | Desmond Clark | Chi/9 | Expert 2 |
| 17.06 | WR62 | Peerless Price | Buf/6 | MFL 1 |
| 17.07 | RB66 | Mack Strong | Sea/8 | CBS 2 |
| 17.08 | DEF15 | Seattle | Sea/8 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 17.09 | WR63 | Dwayne Bowe | KC/8 | Expert 3 |
| 17.10 | WR64 | Arnaz Battle | SF/6 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 17.11 | WR65 | Joe Jurevicius | Cle/7 | MDC 2 |
| 17.12 | WR66 | Dwayne Jarrett | Car/7 | Expert 4 |
| 18.01 | WR67 | Bryant Johnson | Ari/8 | Expert 4 |
| 18.02 | DEF16 | Atlanta | Atl/8 | MDC 2 |
| 18.03 | TE17 | Daniel Graham | Den/6 | Mag Avg 2 |
| 18.04 | TE18 | Tony Scheffler | Den/6 | Expert 3 |
| 18.05 | TE22 | Ben Troupe | Ten/4 | Draft Slot #8 |
| 18.06 | DEF17 | Dallas | Dal/8 | CBS 2 |
| 18.07 | DEF18 | New York Jets | NYJ/10 | MFL 1 |
| 18.08 | DEF19 | St. Louis | StL/9 | Expert 2 |
| 18.09 | DEF20 | Tennessee | Ten/4 | Mag Avg 1 |
| 18.10 | DEF21 | Cincinnati | Cin/5 | CBS 1 |
| 18.11 | DEF22 | Kansas City | KC/8 | Expert 1 |
| 18.12 | DEF23 | Indianapolis | Ind/6 | MDC 1 |
Breaking down the mock draft from draft slot #8 (flexible drafting)
Round 1: RB Willie Parker
When you have a running back like Parker still available here with the 8th pick, it is an easy selection. Grab him and move on.
Rounds 2/3: WR Chad Johnson / RB Willis McGahee
There are two paths the 2nd round pick can go. There is RB Reggie Bush of the Saints and WR Chad Johnson of the Bengals. Both are very nice options to start a team with and it is a difficult call to make. Since this is a mock draft, it is possible to play out both sides of the coin here. If Reggie Bush is the selection, the 3rd round pick becomes WR Lee Evans, WR Anquan Bolden or RB Willis McGahee. If the 2nd round pick is Chad Johnson, the easy 3rd round selection is McGahee. Personally I prefer the Parker/Johnson/McGahee combination to the Parker/Bush/Evans combination so Johnson is the 2nd round pick and McGahee is the 3rd. If you are in a league with RB hungry owners, Bush would probably be the pick in this slot if he's available.
Rounds 4/5: WR Hines Ward / RB Cadillac Williams
These two rounds are often value picks during my drafts. I look for the players with the best upside in these slots and scoop them up. Hines Ward is a #1 receiver on a team that looks poised to pass more this season. Ward is capable of finishing inside of the top-five at the receiver position. Cadillac Williams has a ton of potential and although he's disappointed over the first two seasons of his career, his potential alone makes him a steal in the fifth round and his production will likely exceed this draft position.
Rounds 6/7: QB Vince Young / WR Chris Chambers
The 6th round pick is an interesting one. There are decent tight ends and receivers available as well as serviceable backup running backs. However when you have a player with the talents of Vince Young sitting there in the sixth round of your draft, it becomes a very easy selection to make. Young is a dual-threat who is likely to put up outstanding rushing totals and he could finish as a top-five quarterback. Nice value in round six. The 7th round pick is very easy to make here. I am in need of a starting receiver and Chambers is a steal in the 7th round. There are no other real options with this pick.
Rounds 8/9: WR Darrell Jackson / TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
With my starting quarterback already onboard and the running back position sucked dry at this point in the draft, the 8th round becomes a choice between a solid backup receiver and a starting tight end. In the end this is another simple choice to make as there are a number of tight ends all grouped together with similar likely production this season, leaving veteran WR Darrell Jackson as the easy pick here. Waiting on tight end does pay off as Kellen Winslow Jr. has as much upside as anybody and is a bargain in the ninth round.
At the halfway point of the draft, my team looks like this...
QB Vince Young
RB Willie Parker
RB Willis McGahee
RB Cadillac Williams
WR Chad Johnson
WR Hines Ward
WR Chris Chambers
WR Darrell Jackson
TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
Rounds 10-14: QB Chad Pennington / RB Michael Pittman / Vikings DEF / WR Drew Bennett / RB DeDe Dorsey
As usual, I try and target my backup quarterback in round ten before the well dries up. There are a number of teams with serious question marks at quarterback this season and it's nice to lock up two definite starters for a fantasy roster. Pittman is a player I like to target at this point in the draft if I have Cadillac Williams on the roster. Pittman will get some work each week and becomes a serviceable starter if something happens to Williams. It is nice to lock up fantasy points at one of the running back spots. The Vikings defense has outstanding potential this year and stood out as the best pick for round 12. WR Drew Bennett has been a top-ten fantasy receiver and is joining a team that loves to pass the ball. He'll be good value in the 13th round. Finally DeDe Dorsey is an interesting prospect who appears to have a lock on the backup position for the Colts. He's likely to earn a number of touches each week at a minimum and the upside is there for him to become much more.
Rounds 15-18: K Jason Elam / RB Lorenzo Booker / Seahawks DEF / TE Ben Troupe
As always, I target my starting kicker in the final portion of the draft. You don't have to wait until the final round to select a kicker though. Instead target your starter when there are no other clear options at the other positions and in this case, that moment falls with the 15th round pick. My receiver stable is deep with proven veteran talent so I will stick with my five man rotation at instead target a 6th running back here. Booker is similar to Dorsey mentioned earlier in that he appears guaranteed to slot in as the backup and at least will receive 6 to 10 touches per game. He could emerge as a decent fantasy starter however if something happens to Dolphins starting RB Ronnie Brown. Finally adding the Seahawks defense here and TE Ben Troupe are easy picks. Choosing Troupe here instead of one of the promising rookie tight ends is due to the past injury woes of Winslow Jr. Having a proven veteran presence at the position becomes a necessity.
Final Roster (Draft Slot #8 - Part One: Flexible Drafting)
QB Vince Young
QB Chad Pennington
RB Willie Parker
RB Willis McGahee
RB Cadillac Williams
RB Michael Pittman
RB DeDe Dorsey
RB Lorenzo Booker
WR Chad Johnson
WR Hines Ward
WR Chris Chambers
WR Darrell Jackson
WR Drew Bennett
TE Kellen Winslow Jr.
TE Ben Troupe
K Jason Elam
DEF Vikings D
DEF Seahawks D
Final thoughts on this roster
If an owner drafts in the 8th slot and is fortunate enough to have players like Parker, McGahee, Williams, Ward, Chambers and Vince Young available in value spots, this becomes an outstanding team. The key is to not worry so much about targeting certain players at certain times in the draft, instead targeting the best value at each round. If this is accomplished, a team drafting from this position will emerge with a very solid team, albeit without the star running back that the teams at the top of the first round are blessed with. A starting lineup of QB Vince Young, RB Willie Parker, RB Willis McGahee, WR Chad Johnson, WR Hines Ward, WR Chris Chambers, TE Kellen Winslow Jr., K Jason Elam and DEF Vikings will definitely be in the running for the championship.
Part Two: The Mock Draft for the #8 Slot (Unconventional Strategy)
|
Pick
|
Pos
|
Player |
Team
|
Selected By |
|
1.01
|
RB1
|
LaDainian Tomlinson |
SD/7
|
MDC 1 |
|
1.02
|
RB2
|
Steven Jackson |
StL/9
|
Expert 1 |
|
1.03
|
RB3
|
Larry Johnson |
KC/8
|
CBS 1 |
|
1.04
|
RB4
|
Frank Gore |
SF/6
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
1.05
|
RB5
|
Willie Parker |
Pit/6
|
Expert 2 |
|
1.06
|
RB6
|
Joseph Addai |
Ind/6
|
MFL 1 |
|
1.07
|
RB7
|
Brian Westbrook |
Phi/5
|
CBS 2 |
|
1.08
|
QB1
|
Peyton Manning |
Ind/6
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
1.09
|
WR1
|
Steve Smith |
Car/7
|
Expert 3 |
|
1.10
|
RB8
|
Travis Henry |
Den/6
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
1.11
|
TE1
|
Antonio Gates |
SD/7
|
MDC 2 |
|
1.12
|
WR2
|
Torry Holt |
StL/9
|
Expert 4 |
|
2.01
|
RB9
|
Shaun Alexander |
Sea/8
|
Expert 4 |
|
2.02
|
RB10
|
Rudi Johnson |
Cin/5
|
MDC 2 |
|
2.03
|
RB11
|
Clinton Portis |
Was/4
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
2.04
|
RB12
|
Maurice Jones-Drew |
Jac/4
|
Expert 3 |
|
2.05
|
WR4
|
Chad Johnson |
Cin/5
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
2.06
|
RB13
|
Reggie Bush |
NO/4
|
CBS 2 |
|
2.07
|
RB14
|
Laurence Maroney |
NE/10
|
MFL 1 |
|
2.08
|
RB15
|
Ronnie Brown |
Mia/9
|
Expert 2 |
|
2.09
|
RB16
|
Cedric Benson |
Chi/9
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
2.10
|
RB17
|
Edgerrin James |
Ari/8
|
CBS 1 |
|
2.11
|
WR3
|
Reggie Wayne |
Ind/6
|
Expert 1 |
|
2.12
|
WR5
|
Terrell Owens |
Dal/8
|
MDC 1 |
|
3.01
|
WR6
|
Marvin Harrison |
Ind/6
|
MDC 1 |
|
3.02
|
WR7
|
T.J. Houshmandzadeh |
Cin/5
|
Expert 1 |
|
3.03
|
QB2
|
Carson Palmer |
Cin/5
|
CBS 1 |
|
3.04
|
WR8
|
Javon Walker |
Den/6
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
3.05
|
QB3
|
Tom Brady |
NE/10
|
Expert 2 |
|
3.06
|
WR9
|
Larry Fitzgerald |
Ari/8
|
MFL 1 |
|
3.07
|
RB18
|
Willis McGahee |
Bal/8
|
CBS 2 |
|
3.08
|
WR10
|
Roy Williams |
Det/6
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
3.09
|
WR11
|
Donald Driver |
GB/7
|
Expert 3 |
|
3.10
|
WR12
|
Lee Evans |
Buf/6
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
3.11
|
WR13
|
Anquan Boldin |
Ari/8
|
MDC 2 |
|
3.12
|
QB4
|
Marc Bulger |
StL/9
|
Expert 4 |
|
4.01
|
WR14
|
Andre Johnson |
Hou/10
|
Expert 4 |
|
4.02
|
WR15
|
Plaxico Burress |
NYG/9
|
MDC 2 |
|
4.03
|
WR16
|
Marques Colston |
NO/4
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
4.04
|
WR17
|
Randy Moss |
NE/10
|
Expert 3 |
|
4.05
|
RB20
|
Thomas Jones |
NYJ/10
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
4.06
|
WR18
|
Reggie Brown |
Phi/5
|
CBS 2 |
|
4.07
|
QB5
|
Donovan McNabb |
Phi/5
|
MFL 1 |
|
4.08
|
WR19
|
Hines Ward |
Pit/6
|
Expert 2 |
|
4.09
|
TE2
|
Jeremy Shockey |
NYG/9
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
4.10
|
TE3
|
Todd Heap |
Bal/8
|
CBS 1 |
|
4.11
|
QB6
|
Drew Brees |
NO/4
|
Expert 1 |
|
4.12
|
WR20
|
Braylon Edwards |
Cle/7
|
MDC 1 |
|
5.01
|
RB19
|
Jerious Norwood |
Atl/8
|
MDC 1 |
|
5.02
|
RB21
|
DeAngelo Williams |
Car/7
|
Expert 1 |
|
5.03
|
RB22
|
Deuce McAllister |
NO/4
|
CBS 1 |
|
5.04
|
RB23
|
Adrian Peterson |
Min/5
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
5.05
|
WR21
|
Santana Moss |
Was/4
|
Expert 2 |
|
5.06
|
TE4
|
Tony Gonzalez |
KC/8
|
MFL 1 |
|
5.07
|
TE5
|
Chris Cooley |
Was/4
|
CBS 2 |
|
5.08
|
RB24
|
Ahman Green |
Hou/10
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
5.09
|
RB25
|
Cadillac Williams |
TB/10
|
Expert 3 |
|
5.10
|
RB26
|
Marshawn Lynch |
Buf/6
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
5.11
|
RB27
|
Brandon Jacobs |
NYG/9
|
MDC 2 |
|
5.12
|
RB28
|
Marion Barber III |
Dal/8
|
Expert 4 |
|
6.01
|
RB29
|
LaMont Jordan |
Oak/5
|
Expert 4 |
|
6.02
|
RB30
|
Fred Taylor |
Jac/4
|
MDC 2 |
|
6.03
|
QB7
|
Tony Romo |
Dal/8
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
6.04
|
RB31
|
Jamal Lewis |
Cle/7
|
Expert 3 |
|
6.05
|
RB32
|
Julius Jones |
Dal/8
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
6.06
|
QB8
|
Vince Young |
Ten/4
|
CBS 2 |
|
6.07
|
WR22
|
Laveranues Coles |
NYJ/10
|
MFL 1 |
|
6.08
|
RB33
|
Tatum Bell |
Det/6
|
Expert 2 |
|
6.09
|
QB9
|
Jon Kitna |
Det/6
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
6.10
|
WR23
|
Jerricho Cotchery |
NYJ/10
|
CBS 1 |
|
6.11
|
RB34
|
Vernand Morency |
GB/7
|
Expert 1 |
|
6.12
|
RB35
|
Chris Brown |
Ten/4
|
MDC 1 |
|
7.01
|
QB10
|
Ben Roethlisberger |
Pit/6
|
MDC 1 |
|
7.02
|
WR24
|
Mark Clayton |
Bal/8
|
Expert 1 |
|
7.03
|
WR25
|
Deion Branch |
Sea/8
|
CBS 1 |
|
7.04
|
WR26
|
Calvin Johnson |
Det/6
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
7.05
|
DEF1
|
Chicago |
Chi/9
|
Expert 2 |
|
7.06
|
DEF2
|
Baltimore |
Bal/8
|
MFL 1 |
|
7.07
|
WR27
|
Joey Galloway |
TB/10
|
CBS 2 |
|
7.08
|
WR28
|
Chris Chambers |
Mia/9
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
7.09
|
RB36
|
Leon Washington |
NYJ/10
|
Expert 3 |
|
7.10
|
RB37
|
Chester Taylor |
Min/5
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
7.11
|
RB38
|
Ladell Betts |
Was/4
|
MDC 2 |
|
7.12
|
WR29
|
Bernard Berrian |
Chi/9
|
Expert 4 |
|
8.01
|
WR30
|
D.J. Hackett |
Sea/8
|
Expert 4 |
|
8.02
|
QB11
|
Jay Cutler |
Den/6
|
MDC 2 |
|
8.03
|
WR31
|
Terry Glenn |
Dal/8
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
8.04
|
QB12
|
Matt Leinart |
Ari/8
|
Expert 3 |
|
8.05
|
WR32
|
Darrell Jackson |
SF/6
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
8.06
|
QB13
|
Philip Rivers |
SD/7
|
CBS 2 |
|
8.07
|
QB14
|
Matt Hasselbeck |
Sea/8
|
MFL 1 |
|
8.08
|
QB15
|
Brett Favre |
GB/7
|
Expert 2 |
|
8.09
|
QB16
|
Eli Manning |
NYG/9
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
8.10
|
RB39
|
Reuben Droughns |
NYG/9
|
CBS 1 |
|
8.11
|
RB40
|
Kevin Jones |
Det/6
|
Expert 1 |
|
8.12
|
WR33
|
Santonio Holmes |
Pit/6
|
MDC 1 |
|
9.01
|
TE6
|
Jason Witten |
Dal/8
|
MDC 1 |
|
9.02
|
TE7
|
Kellen Winslow Jr |
Cle/7
|
Expert 1 |
|
9.03
|
WR34
|
Greg Jennings |
GB/7
|
CBS 1 |
|
9.04
|
WR35
|
Vincent Jackson |
SD/7
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
9.05
|
WR36
|
Donte Stallworth |
NE/10
|
Expert 2 |
|
9.06
|
WR37
|
Brandon Marshall |
Den/6
|
MFL 1 |
|
9.07
|
WR38
|
Muhsin Muhammad |
Chi/9
|
CBS 2 |
|
9.08
|
RB41
|
Brandon Jackson |
GB/7
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
9.09
|
QB17
|
Alex Smith |
SF/6
|
Expert 3 |
|
9.10
|
TE8
|
Alge Crumpler |
Atl/8
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
9.11
|
QB18
|
J.P. Losman |
Buf/6
|
MDC 2 |
|
9.12
|
RB42
|
DeShaun Foster |
Car/7
|
Expert 4 |
|
10.01
|
TE9
|
Vernon Davis |
SF/6
|
Expert 4 |
|
10.02
|
WR39
|
Jerry Porter |
Oak/5
|
MDC 2 |
|
10.03
|
WR40
|
Isaac Bruce |
StL/9
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
10.04
|
TE10
|
L.J. Smith |
Phi/5
|
Expert 3 |
|
10.05
|
TE11
|
Ben Watson |
NE/10
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
10.06
|
WR41
|
Drew Carter |
Car/7
|
CBS 2 |
|
10.07
|
WR42
|
Devery Henderson |
NO/4
|
MFL 1 |
|
10.08
|
WR43
|
Eddie Kennison |
KC/8
|
Expert 2 |
|
10.09
|
WR44
|
Matt Jones |
Jac/4
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
10.10
|
QB19
|
Jason Campbell |
Was/4
|
CBS 1 |
|
10.11
|
QB20
|
Chad Pennington |
NYJ/10
|
Expert 1 |
|
10.12
|
RB43
|
LenDale White |
Ten/4
|
MDC 1 |
|
11.01
|
QB21
|
Steve McNair |
Bal/8
|
MDC 1 |
|
11.02
|
WR45
|
Derrick Mason |
Bal/8
|
Expert 1 |
|
11.03
|
RB44
|
Michael Turner |
SD/7
|
CBS 1 |
|
11.04
|
WR46
|
Brandon Jones |
Ten/4
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
11.05
|
WR47
|
Kevin Curtis |
Phi/5
|
Expert 2 |
|
11.06
|
WR48
|
Reggie Williams |
Jac/4
|
MFL 1 |
|
11.07
|
WR49
|
Michael Jenkins |
Atl/8
|
CBS 2 |
|
11.08
|
QB22
|
Jake Delhomme |
Car/7
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
11.09
|
QB23
|
Byron Leftwich |
Jac/4
|
Expert 3 |
|
11.10
|
QB24
|
Matt Schaub |
Hou/10
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
11.11
|
RB45
|
Correll Buckhalter |
Phi/5
|
MDC 2 |
|
11.12
|
QB25
|
Rex Grossman |
Chi/9
|
Expert 4 |
|
12.01
|
RB46
|
Mike Bell |
Den/6
|
Expert 4 |
|
12.02
|
WR50
|
Ronald Curry |
Oak/5
|
MDC 2 |
|
12.03
|
DEF3
|
San Diego |
SD/7
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
12.04
|
RB47
|
Jerome Harrison |
Cle/7
|
Expert 3 |
|
12.05
|
WR54
|
Drew Bennett |
StL/9
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
12.06
|
DEF4
|
Buffalo |
Buf/6
|
CBS 2 |
|
12.07
|
PK1
|
Adam Vinatieri |
Ind/6
|
MFL 1 |
|
12.08
|
RB48
|
Anthony Thomas |
Buf/6
|
Expert 2 |
|
12.09
|
RB49
|
Michael Pittman |
TB/10
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
12.10
|
WR51
|
Bobby Engram |
Sea/8
|
CBS 1 |
|
12.11
|
DEF5
|
Minnesota |
Min/5
|
Expert 1 |
|
12.12
|
DEF6
|
Miami |
Mia/9
|
MDC 1 |
|
13.01
|
QB26
|
Jeff Garcia |
TB/10
|
MDC 1 |
|
13.02
|
QB27
|
Tarvaris Jackson |
Min/5
|
Expert 1 |
|
13.03
|
WR52
|
Bobby Wade |
Min/5
|
CBS 1 |
|
13.04
|
WR53
|
Joe Horn |
Atl/8
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
13.05
|
TE12
|
Heath Miller |
Pit/6
|
Expert 2 |
|
13.06
|
RB50
|
Kevin Faulk |
NE/10
|
MFL 1 |
|
13.07
|
RB52
|
Maurice Morris |
Sea/8
|
CBS 2 |
|
13.08
|
RB51
|
Ron Dayne |
Hou/10
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
13.09
|
WR55
|
Ted Ginn |
Mia/9
|
Expert 3 |
|
13.10
|
WR56
|
Mike Furrey |
Det/6
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
13.11
|
DEF7
|
Carolina |
Car/7
|
MDC 2 |
|
13.12
|
DEF8
|
New York Giants |
NYG/9
|
Expert 4 |
|
14.01
|
DEF9
|
Pittsburgh |
Pit/6
|
Expert 4 |
|
14.02
|
PK2
|
Shayne Graham |
Cin/5
|
MDC 2 |
|
14.03
|
PK3
|
Jeff Wilkins |
StL/9
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
14.04
|
DEF10
|
New England |
NE/10
|
Expert 3 |
|
14.05
|
RB53
|
DeDe Dorsey |
Ind/6
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
14.06
|
PK4
|
Stephen Gostkowski |
NE/10
|
CBS 2 |
|
14.07
|
RB54
|
Mewelde Moore |
Min/5
|
MFL 1 |
|
14.08
|
RB55
|
Adrian Peterson |
Chi/9
|
Expert 2 |
|
14.09
|
TE13
|
Owen Daniels |
Hou/10
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
14.10
|
TE14
|
Dallas Clark |
Ind/6
|
CBS 1 |
|
14.11
|
WR57
|
Eric Parker |
SD/7
|
Expert 1 |
|
14.12
|
WR58
|
Nate Washington |
Pit/6
|
MDC 1 |
|
15.01
|
DEF11
|
Green Bay |
GB/7
|
MDC 1 |
|
15.02
|
DEF12
|
San Francisco |
SF/6
|
Expert 1 |
|
15.03
|
DEF13
|
Philadelphia |
Phi/5
|
CBS 1 |
|
15.04
|
DEF14
|
Arizona |
Ari/8
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
15.05
|
RB56
|
Noah Herron |
GB/7
|
Expert 2 |
|
15.06
|
RB57
|
Kenny Irons |
Cin/5
|
MFL 1 |
|
15.07
|
QB28
|
Trent Green |
Mia/9
|
CBS 2 |
|
15.08
|
DEF15
|
Seattle |
Sea/8
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
15.09
|
WR59
|
Marty Booker |
Mia/9
|
Expert 3 |
|
15.10
|
RB58
|
Dominic Rhodes |
Oak/5
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
15.11
|
WR60
|
Brandon Lloyd |
Was/4
|
MDC 2 |
|
15.12
|
RB59
|
T.J. Duckett |
Det/6
|
Expert 4 |
|
16.01
|
PK5
|
Nate Kaeding |
SD/7
|
Expert 4 |
|
16.02
|
WR61
|
Troy Williamson |
Min/5
|
MDC 2 |
|
16.03
|
WR62
|
Peerless Price |
Buf/6
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
16.04
|
DEF16
|
Atlanta |
Atl/8
|
Expert 3 |
|
16.05
|
DEF17
|
Dallas |
Dal/8
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
16.06
|
WR63
|
Dwayne Bowe |
KC/8
|
CBS 2 |
|
16.07
|
WR64
|
Arnaz Battle |
SF/6
|
MFL 1 |
|
16.08
|
WR65
|
Joe Jurevicius |
Cle/7
|
Expert 2 |
|
16.09
|
DEF18
|
New York Jets |
NYJ/10
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
16.10
|
DEF19
|
St. Louis |
StL/9
|
CBS 1 |
|
16.11
|
RB60
|
Musa Smith |
Bal/8
|
Expert 1 |
|
16.12
|
RB61
|
Sammy Morris |
NE/10
|
MDC 1 |
|
17.01
|
PK6
|
Matt Stover |
Bal/8
|
MDC 1 |
|
17.02
|
PK7
|
Jason Elam |
Den/6
|
Expert 1 |
|
17.03
|
PK8
|
Robbie Gould |
Chi/9
|
CBS 1 |
|
17.04
|
PK9
|
Josh Scobee |
Jac/4
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
17.05
|
PK10
|
Olindo Mare |
NO/4
|
Expert 2 |
|
17.06
|
WR66
|
Dwayne Jarrett |
Car/7
|
MFL 1 |
|
17.07
|
DEF20
|
Tennessee |
Ten/4
|
CBS 2 |
|
17.08
|
RB64
|
Lorenzo Booker |
Mia/9
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
17.09
|
PK11
|
Joe Nedney |
SF/6
|
Expert 3 |
|
17.10
|
PK12
|
Jason Hanson |
Det/6
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
17.11
|
RB62
|
Michael Bennett |
KC/8
|
MDC 2 |
|
17.12
|
WR67
|
Bryant Johnson |
Ari/8
|
Expert 4 |
|
18.01
|
RB63
|
Mike Alstott |
TB/10
|
Expert 4 |
|
18.02
|
RB65
|
Warrick Dunn |
Atl/8
|
MDC 2 |
|
18.03
|
DEF21
|
Cincinnati |
Cin/5
|
Mag Avg 2 |
|
18.04
|
PK13
|
Josh Brown |
Sea/8
|
Expert 3 |
|
18.05
|
PK14
|
David Akers |
Phi/5
|
Draft Slot #8 |
|
18.06
|
RB66
|
Mack Strong |
Sea/8
|
CBS 2 |
|
18.07
|
DEF22
|
Kansas City |
KC/8
|
MFL 1 |
|
18.08
|
DEF23
|
Indianapolis |
Ind/6
|
Expert 2 |
|
18.09
|
PK15
|
Lawrence Tynes |
NYG/9
|
Mag Avg 1 |
|
18.10
|
RB67
|
Justin Fargas |
Oak/5
|
CBS 1 |
|
18.11
|
RB68
|
Brian Leonard |
StL/9
|
Expert 1 |
|
18.12
|
TE15
|
Bo Scaife |
Ten/4
|
MDC 1 |
Breaking down the mock draft from draft slot #8 (Unconventional Strategy)
Round 1: QB Peyton Manning
It is a gutsy move taking a quarterback in round one and something that I will rarely do. However having Manning on a fantasy roster is always going to keep an owner competitive because of his weekly consistency and ability to put up 300 passing yards and 3+ touchdowns at any time during the season. Targeting Manning in round one means an owner can wait longer on acquiring a backup at the position thanks to Manning's durability and production.
Rounds 2/3: WR Chad Johnson / WR Roy Williams
As I stated at the start of this study, this will be a look at an unconventional draft strategy. Not many fantasy 'experts' out there will ever walk you through starting a draft QB/WR/WR but this being a 'draft slots study', it is a perfect time to try it on for size. If things break well, this could possibly give this owner stuck in a miserable 8th pick slot an advantage over the earlier teams. Chad Johnson and Roy Williams are a deadly one-two punch and will team with Peyton Manning to provide the foundation for this franchise. With no running backs on board, it is pretty obvious that the running back position will have to be targeted often throughout the remainder of this draft.
Rounds 4/5: RB Thomas Jones / RB Ahman Green
These two players might be considered 'ancient' in NFL terms but both players still have good football in them and appear to be in excellent new situations. Thomas Jones should be off the board before the 4th round and Green will be considered a steal in the fifth round. These are not sexy running back starters in fantasy football but they'll be very good and all of a sudden this risky team looks capable of doing some damage this season.
Rounds 6/7: RB Julius Jones / WR Chris Chambers
I would feel very fortunate to add Jones as my RB3 in a real draft. Jones may have struggled at times last season but he is a talented player in a good offense and waiting on running backs appears to have paid off. WR Chris Chambers is a great WR3 this season and my starting receiver trio is as strong as you'll ever see in a redraft league.
Rounds 8/9: WR Darrell Jackson / RB Brandon Jackson
Usually I will target my starting tight end at this point in the draft. However Darrell Jackson has too much upside to leave him on the table in round eight and I need to add another decent running back option more than a tight end at this point. Jackson could emerge as the starting back in Green Bay, rushing behind a young, talented offensive line.
At the halfway point of the draft, my team looks like this...
QB Peyton Manning
RB Thomas Jones
RB Ahman Green
RB Julius Jones
RB Brandon Jackson
WR Chad Johnson
WR Roy Williams
WR Chris Chambers
WR Darrell Jackson
Rounds 10-14: TE Ben Watson / QB Jake Delhomme / WR Drew Bennett / RB Ron Dayne / RB DeDe Dorsey
It is very nice to see Watson still around with the 10th round pick and he has as much upside as any of the tight ends not named 'Gates'. I was going to ignore quarterback until later in the draft but it really dries up after QB22 so Delhomme is the best pick here. Adding another veteran receiver adds stability to that position and allows me to ignore the receiver position from this point on. Landing Ron Dayne with a 13th round pick is a key to this unconventional strategy and he teams with Ahman Green to stabilize the RB2 slot. If Green gets injured, Dayne should emerge as a viable fantasy option. Finally I add a running back here that should see touches each week in spelling starting RB Joseph Addai and could surprise if an injury thrusts him into the starting lineup. Both he and Dayne are certainly worth a shot here.
Rounds 15-18: Seahawks DEF / Cowboys DEF / RB Lorenzo Booker / K David Akers
Rounding out this draft is back-to-back Team Defense selections and I really like the potential of both the Hawks and Cowboys in 2007. Next I take another running back here with some upside for the upcoming season. Booker will get some touches in spelling starting RB Ronnie Brown and he has the upside to do very well with more work if called upon. Finally I add a kicker in the 18th round in David Akers that has top-five ability.
Final Roster (Draft Slot #8 - Part Two: Unconventional Strategy)
QB Peyton Manning
QB Jake Delhomme
RB Thomas Jones
RB Ahman Green
RB Julius Jones
RB Brandon Jackson
RB Ron Dayne
RB DeDe Dorsey
RB Lorenzo Booker
WR Chad Johnson
WR Roy Williams
WR Chris Chambers
WR Darrell Jackson
WR Drew Bennett
TE Ben Watson
K David Akers
DEF Seahawks
DEF Cowboys
Final thoughts on this roster
This has turned out to actually be a very interesting squad. It isn't as dominant on paper as some of the other rosters in this study so far but the potential is certainly there. Luck was on our side during this draft as two good veteran running backs were there for the plucking and the 3rd scooped up, Julius Jones also has the potential to rush for a lot of yards. There is a lack of depth at tight end that could prove costly if something was to happen to Ben Watson. However he has good promise this season and could emerge as a top-five talent. With all five receivers being proven veteran talents capable of putting up monster fantasy numbers, it allows this roster to stockpile 7 running backs in the hopes that some diamonds in the rough emerge. All in all, this is a good roster with an advantage over most if not all other teams at quarterback and receiver. If the running backs perform well, this team should find itself looking at a playoff run.
Tips on drafting from fifth through seventh overall
- Don't be afraid to buck the norm and select positions other than RB in the
first few rounds.
- Be willing to stray from your predraft strategy
- Backup your starting running backs if clear-cut backup in place
- i.e. Michael Turner for LaDainian Tomlinson
- i.e. Michael Turner for LaDainian Tomlinson
- Adjust your draft going forward if you alter your strategy
- i.e. Using an early draft pick on QB or TE
Last thoughts on the fifth through seventh slots
It is much easier to draft in the earlier slots of a draft than the later ones but these two studies prove one again that it is possible to build a strong team from anywhere in the draft with wise picks. There is nothing wrong with going with
- QB Peyton Manning
RB Ahman Green
- RB Thomas Jones
- WR Chad Johnson
- WR Roy Williams
- WR Chris Chambers
- TE Ben Watson
- K David Akers
- DEF Seattle/Dallas
as your starting lineup. Don't be hesitant to draft outside of your box and you'll be in for a successful draft.
















