Every new NFL season there is much discussion on the positives and the negatives for each of the draft slots in a fantasy football league. While it is possible to win a league no matter where you draft from, it is obvious to veteran fantasy owners 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 different draft positions in a 12-team, redraft fantasy football league for the 2011 campaign and outline the positives and negatives of each slot. In addition each separate article will showcase a mock draft compiled using the Draft Dominator.

After this series is complete, I will try to break down many other styles of leagues (10-team, 14-team, 16-team, 8-team, FLEX options, etc.)

This particular series is based on...

12-team redraft league / 18-round fantasy draft

Must start 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 PK, 1 Def

Scoring is as follows:

1 point every 20 passing yards

1 point every 10 rushing yards

4 points per passing touchdown

6 points per rushing / receiving touchdown

3 points per field goal / 1 point per extra point

2 points per interception, fumble recovery and safety

1 point per sack

6 points per defensive touchdown

10 points per shutout

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. For the purpose of this study, I will use David Dodds' projections found within the Dominator. 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.

If you would like to see a particular study this season, please send me an e-mail at smith@footballguys.com, and I will do my best to cover your scoring rules, starting lineup requirements, etc. before the end of training camp.

Onto the article.

Drafting 12th overall (12-team re-draft)

Drafting 12th overall is always lots of fun but far from an easy place to succeed. It is absolutely imperative you not only draft for value here but also make the right decisions looking ahead 24 picks to your next turn. It can be a great experience as well from this slot because you can really influence the direction of the draft. The biggest challenge with this pick is missing out on the top running backs and receivers on the draft board. Unless the team goes RB crazy to begin a draft, you'll likely see at least six of the top running backs off the board, three of the receivers and a quarterback or two. Of course it all depends on your draft rules and types of owners you have in the league but that is a tricky position to overcome. However there is an advantage as well and that is you will have two of the top thirteen players in the entire league and that is not terrible at all. The big key here is to take your time with these two picks and attempt to look ahead towards your next set of picks. If you can accurately determine who positions are likely to slide to your next pick, you'll put together a very strong squad.

Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft

Examples

1. League that goes RB heavy in first two rounds: Many leagues out there still feature running backs flying off the board in the first two rounds. If this happens, RB/WR/WR is certainly the play here.

Possible squad through six rounds

WR Andre Johnson

WR Calvin Johnson

RB Mark Ingram

WR Mike Williams (TB)

RB DeAngelo Williams

RB Daniel Thomas

Through six rounds in this scenario I have managed to stock up at both the running back and wide receiver positions. Now this is certainly a best case scenario as not many leagues will go all running backs to begin a draft but it gives a good look at what a team can become if value slides to their first two picks. Obviously receiver is stacked and running back is much better than anticipated.

2. League that has more flexibility in first two rounds: If your league has more flexibility in the top include the best quarterbacks and receivers off the board, then a more conventional approach is in order. I can see going RB/RB/RB to begin a draft where a FLEX player starts each week.

Possible squad through six rounds

RB Steven Jackson

WR Roddy White

RB Mark Ingram

WR Mike Williams

RB Ryan Grant

TE Antonio Gates

In this example, it makes sense to either go RB/RB or RB/WR with the first two picks. I do consider to running backs here but I see some running backs I like in the third through six rounds while the receivers get a little more sketchy. Roddy White is going to be a fantasy monster. All in all, there is nice depth at running back, two good young receivers and a veteran stud difference maker at tight end. This team is poised for a good run.

Positives of the draft slot

Less time between picks

Sure miss out on top running backs but get first crack at receiver / quarterback talent

Drafting well will put pressure on the owners 1st through 5th to make the right decisions

Negatives of the draft slot

Missing out on the top-tier running backs is tough

Always a more complicated draft by not starting with a running back

Riding the wave in the middle means projecting 10+ picks out in both directions

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 12th draft position

Round 1/2: WR Hakeem Nicks / RB Rashard Mendenhall

When my picks finally roll around, there is plenty of talent on the board but the top players at running back and receiver are gone. I do consider bucking the trend and scooping up a top quarterback here but I see better depth at quarterback round seven on than I do the receiver position. I also consider going RB/RB here and starting with Mendenhall and Jones-Drew but see some nice talent at running back that I believe I can snag in the next few rounds. So I take the top receiver and running back on my draft board and feel good about the selections.

Rounds 3/4: RB Mark Ingram / WR Reggie Wayne

Well I am very pleased here to add a rookie running back with elite potential in Mark Ingram as well as veteran receiver Reggie Wayne. Both will be very good fantasy starters for my squad this season. This was an even easier selection than my first two picks were. Now I have a good tandem running back starting group and a pair of excellent receivers. That is a good start to any fantasy squad.

Rounds 5/6: RB Ryan Grant / WR Anquan Boldin

I continue my trend here of a running back and receiver selection. I do not see a quarterback that leaps out at me here and think I can get a great starting tight end with my next pair of picks. Now I have some nice depth at running back with the addition of Grant as well as a good option as my third starting receiver in Boldin.

Rounds 7/8: TE Jermichael Finley / QB Matt Ryan

Waiting on the tight end and quarterback position has paid off in a big way. I have a great foundation at running back and receiver and still found an elite tight end in Finley as well as a very good fantasy quarterback in Ryan. Both players could finish the season top-five in their position.

Rounds 9/10: RB James Starks / QB Kevin Kolb

I am very happy here to handcuff Starks to my earlier pick Grant, guaranteeing points from my RB3 slot. If one goes down to injury, the other player is a 20-carry per game fantasy weapon for my team. I plan on going receiver in round ten but there is only one quarterback remaining that I believe has top-ten potential in 2011 and that is Kolb. I scoop him up and love my Ryan/Kolb tandem going forward.

At just past the halfway point of the draft, our team looks like this...

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan 8.01

Kevin Kolb 10.01

Running Backs

Rashard Mendenhall 2.01

Mark Ingram 3.12

Ryan Grant 5.12

James Starts 9.01

Wide Receivers

Hakeem Nicks 1.12

Reggie Wayne 4.01

Anquan Boldin 6.01

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley 7.12

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

This is a very well balanced squad through ten selections. I have my quarterback rotation in place with two young players with upside. At running back I have a pair of good starting backs in Mendenhall and Ingram and have locked up points with my RB3 handcuff of Grant and Starks. I love my trio of receivers that will start for my team but need to address the depth of the position going forward. Finally I have a fantasy gem at the tight end position in Finley. He may finish as the top fantasy tight end in 2011. All in all I am off to a fantastic start.

Rounds 11-14: WR Malcom Floyd / WR Jordy Nelson / WR Jeremy Maclin / RB Bernard Scott

Realizing I am thin at the receiver position, I add a trio of receivers here capable of bigger things than their current draft slot. All of young, talented players who will contribute this season but could rise into legitimate WR2 status for my fantasy team. I especially like Jordy Nelson whom I believe will become the 2nd receiver for the Packers this season, moving by veteran Donald Driver. I find a running back with upside in round fourteen and Scott is a Cedric Benson injury away from touching the ball 20 times per game. Worth at shot at this point in the draft.

Rounds 15-18: Ravens Defense / RB Marion Barber / 49ers Defense / K Garrett Hartley

Just fleshing out my roster with these four picks. Get two defenses with different bye weeks, a starting kicker on a good offensive team and an interesting veteran RB in Barber who has looked re-born with the Bears this training camp. Perhaps he has been written off to soon and may be at worst, the goal line back in 2011.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #12)

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan 8.01

Kevin Kolb 10.01

Running Backs

Rashard Mendenhall 2.01

Mark Ingram 3.12

Ryan Grant 5.12

James Starts 9.01

Bernard Scott 14.01

Marion Barber 16.01

Wide Receivers

Hakeem Nicks 1.12

Reggie Wayne 4.01

Anquan Boldin 6.01

Malcom Floyd 11.12

Jordy Nelson 12.01

Jeremy Maclin 13.12

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley 7.12

Place Kickers

Garrett Hartley 18.01

Defenses

Baltimore Ravens 15.12

San Francisco 49ers 17.12

Final thoughts on this roster

This squad is capable of big things. There is no weakness on this team top to bottom and the backups on the roster have sizable upside. With a good quarterback tandem, starting running backs, receivers and an elite tight end, the sky truly is the limit in 2011.

Last thoughts on the 12th draft slot in a 12-team league

I really believe following a similar approach to how I tackled this draft is the key to success here. Make sure in the first six rounds to land three good running backs and receivers. If you can land a good quarterback in round seven and great tight end in round eight, you will be well on your way to a fantastic fantasy season. Really though, with 22 picks between your own pair of players, you need to sit back, not fall in love with a player or position and take the best options each round. Do your best to look ahead and try and determine what the positional depth will be for your next set of picks. If quarterback is looking dangerously thin by round six, you may not want to wait on the position. The key to this slot being successful is to have a well-balanced team with upside in the depth players. If you draft this way, you will succeed.