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 some of the interesting slots in a 14-team league and outline the positives and negatives of each slot. In addition each separate article will showcase a mock draft compiled using the Draft Dominator.

To make things more interesting, I have used a unique turn in scoring as all positions will score 6 points per touchdown. That included touchdown passes from the quarterback position. This will certainly change the strategies throughout the draft.

This particular series is based on...

14-team redraft league / 18-round fantasy draft

Must start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 DEF, 1 K

Scoring is as follows:

1 pt every 20 passing yards

1 pt every 10 rushing yards

6 points per passing touchdown

6 points per rushing / receiving touchdown

1 point per reception

3 points per field goal / 1 pt per extra point

2 points per interception, fumble recovery and safety

1 pt per sack

6 points per defensive touchdown

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 14th overall (14-team re-draft)

If you enjoy challenges, then this is a slot for you my friends. It is a long, long wait until your first two picks come around and many of the players you are hoping will fall to you inevitably will get scooped up. The key here is not to fall in love with particular players. There is no point with such a long wait between your picks. Allow the draft to happen, take it easy, don't stress the small stuff and take VALUE. If you want to just do alright and coast along, going RB/RB to begin this draft regardless of who is available will likely get you there. Having two of the top running backs on your board will be a decent foundation for your team. The problem is you will be chasing the owners who landed the elite running backs to begin the draft and if they come back with a top receiver and quarterback in the next two rounds, it will likely be a losing battle for your team in the chase. So in a nutshell, stay flexible here and change your strategy on the fly. That is the key in many slots and without question it is here.

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 five rounds

WR Calvin Johnson 1.14

WR Roddy White 2.01

RB LeGarrette Blount 3.14

RB Michael Turner 4.01

QB Matt Ryan 5.14

RB Brandon Jacobs 6.01

As scary as it is to begin a 14-team draft with a pair of receivers, if running backs get scooped up early and often in round one, you almost are forced here to buck the trend and go for strength in another position. Taking three running backs over the next four rounds does help to solidify the position and I believe at 6 points per touchdown pass, you almost have to look at quarterback here in the first six rounds unless it really dries up early.

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 five rounds

RB Rashard Mendenhall 1.14

RB Chris Johnson 2.01

WR Dez Bryant 3.14

WR Steve Johnson 4.01

WR Chad Ochocinco 5.14

QB Matt Ryan 6.01

If this situation happens in a 'real' draft, an owner would be very happy. Two excellent running backs to begin the draft, followed by a trio of capable receivers and a great, young quarterback. Can't go wrong beginning a draft like this if the chips fall the right way.

Positives of the draft slot

Back to back picks are always fun and can influence the direction of the draft

There will always be players slide in a draft you like and a patient owner here can thrive

Two of the top fifteen players on the draft board is a nice start

Negatives of the draft slot

Long, long wait between picks makes it almost impossible to project who will be there with the next two picks

Best running backs, receivers and quarterbacks could be off the board with your first pick

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 14th draft position

Round 1/2: RB Rashard Mendenhall / WR Larry Fitzgerald

I believe the perfect case scenario here in this spot is to take one of each running back and receiver when possible. I believe great starting receivers dry up as quickly as running back this season so landing an elite receiver to go with a good running back is a great strategy here. Mendenhall is guaranteed 20-carries per game in this offense and the Steelers offensive line should be much improved in 2011. He could be very effective this season. Fitzgerald can be the top fantasy receiver in any given season. With a new quarterback in Kevin Kolb throwing him the ball, he may put together some huge stats.

Rounds 3/4: RB LeGarrette Blount / WR Dez Bryant

It is without question a long, long time before these two picks come up. However, I sit back, no real panic and let the draft unfold. Talent is going to drop to my pick regardless and I'll pick the best two players available. There are several running backs and receivers I like here so there is no problem here. I take the top running back and receiver on my board although I consider adding Mark Ingram as my RB3 in place of Dez Bryant. Starting three receivers however makes good starting receivers just as valuable as running backs so I take Bryant.

Rounds 5/6: QB Matt Ryan / RB Reggie Bush

Again, there is a huge wait here before picks. However I see plenty of talent again to choose from. I consider taking receivers Chad Ochocinco, Steve Smith, Lance Moore or Jeremy Maclin but decide to wait on the position and see if one of them drop to round seven. I do that because Reggie Bush looks to be in great shape this year and while he failed to live up to draft hype in the past, with the 71st pick in a PPR league, he is screaming value to me here. He is a nice backup for my team. Matt Ryan is a no brainer for me here. I love him going into this season and believe he'll be top-six with the weapons he has to get the ball to.

Rounds 7/8: WR Jeremy Maclin / TE Jimmy Graham

Well three of the four receivers I had my eye on last round have been scooped up but I am pleased to have the fourth available here and I gladly take Maclin as my WR3. He has potential to be much better than this draft slot would suggest and he appears to be back on the right track following his health scare. I consider a RB Jonathan Stewart or WR Braylon Edwards here but do not think the top tight ends will slide to my next pick so I pull the trigger on Graham. He has the ability to put up great numbers in New Orleans.

Rounds 9/10: WR Donald Driver / RB Willis McGahee

Time to pick up a couple of crusty veterans that should add nice depth to my squad. Driver especially is long in the tooth but he is capable of some nice things still and as a backup fantasy receiver, he'll get the job done. Willis McGahee is an interesting pickup here. He has the potential to earn plenty of playing time in 2011 and as my RB4, at worst he'll get some touchdowns and 7 to 10 touches per game.

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

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan

Running Backs

Rashard Mendenhall

LeGarrette Blount

Reggie Bush

Willis McGahee

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald

Dez Bryant

Jeremy Maclin

Donald Driver

Tight Ends

Jimmy Graham

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

Rounds 11-14: RB Shane Vereen / WR Michael Crabtree / WR Jordy Nelson / RB Montario Hardesty

I go into these rounds targeting running back and receiver depth and I do very nicely here. Both Vereen and Hardesty are young running backs capable of 20+ carries per game. Crabtree has excellent potential but I'm skeptical after he missed yet another training camp. Still in the 12th round, he is worth a look. Nelson I picked to handcuff to Driver. One of these two players will emerge as a good option for me so I can sit back and wait to see who it is. I now sit with six running backs and six receivers and I am in good shape.

Rounds 15-18: QB Kyle Orton / DEF Cowboys / PK Rob Bironas / RB Stevan Ridley

This is easy here. Need a backup quarterback and cannot believe Orton is still there. I get my starting defense and starting kicker here and finish my draft off with the 2nd Patriots running back in Stevan Ridley. I believe I am guaranteed touches at the Patriots backfield now.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #14)

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan

Kyle Orton

Running Backs

Rashard Mendenhall

LeGarrette Blount

Reggie Bush

Willis McGahee

Shane Vereen

Montario Hardesty

Stevan Ridley

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald

Dez Bryant

Jeremy Maclin

Donald Driver

Michael Crabtree

Jordy Nelson

Tight Ends

Jimmy Graham

Place Kickers

Rob Bironas

Defenses

Dallas Cowboys

Final thoughts on this roster

When all is said and done, this squad looks very good. I have plenty of depth at running back to go along with two good starting options in Mendenhall and Blount. I like my starting receiver trio and have some talent in behind them. The backup receiver situation isn't as strong as I would like though unless Crabtree elevates his play. I have a good starting tight end in Graham and my kicker and defense are serviceable. All in all, I am in a good place here to make a run.

Last thoughts on the 14th draft slot in a 14-team league

Well, as I stated earlier, drafting here is a challenge without question. With such a long wait between picks, it is so hard to see ahead and determine which players will be there for you to draft. The most important thing the first 3-4 rounds is to take the best players on the board. Once you have that foundation in place, then you can start targeting positions as the draft goes on. Having excellent players regardless of position to begin a draft will help you build a competitive team capable of elevating to elite status. My suggestions through the first five rounds is to make sure you get a top-ten quarterback on your board. However do not take one until at least round three and then assess who is out there and draft accordingly. By round ten if you have a minimum of a quarterback, 3 running backs, 3 receivers and a tight end, you'll be on your way to building a championship caliber team. Happy drafting.