One of the more interesting discussion points every time a new fantasy football season rolls around is in regards to the draft slots. While it is possible with wise decisions, bold moves and fearless picks 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. Every draft slot will have positives, negatives and its own unique draft strategy and it is imperative that fantasy owners take the time to really breakdown the advantages and disadvantages to their draft position. That is where I and this long-running Footballguys exclusive come in.

This series of articles will take an in-depth look at multiple types of leagues such as 10-team, 12-team and 14-team leagues as well as unique starting lineup and scoring rules. We will run a mock draft for every new scenario and breakdown the positives and negatives of each draft position.

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.

This particular series is based on...

10 teams

18 rounds

There are a few interesting twists in this study

Start 2 quarterback league

PPR league (1pt per RB/WR and 2pt per TE)

No FLEX player this time

Starting Lineup Requirements (18 total players on roster)

2 Quarterbacks

2 Running Backs

3 Wide Receivers

1 Tight End

1 Place Kicker

1 Team Defense

League Scoring Rules

Passing: 1 point every 20 passing yards 4 points per touchdown pass / -1 point per interception

Rushing: 1 point every 10 rushing yards / 6 points per touchdown

Receiving: 1 point every 10 receiving yards / 6 points per touchdown / 1 point per reception (RB and WR) / 2 points per reception (TE)

Kicking: 3 points per field goal / 1 point per extra point

Defense: 5 points for shutout / 3 pts for allowing < 7 points / 1 point for allowing less than 11 points / 2 points for interceptions / fumble recoveries and safeties / 1 point per sack

*** JUST A HEADS UP *** A few players are dropping further than anticipated in the Draft Dominator likely due to a number of factors. I have tweaked those players' projections higher in order to have them drafted where they should be in the draft. Always striving to make this series better so if you have any feedback or questions, let me know.

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 9th overall (10-team re-draft)

This is an interesting spot to draft in. The former 12-team and 14-team studies saw me break down the final draft slot so I will break it up slightly and go with the second to last pick here. Both are similar aside from having to project which direction this other owner will go with his two picks.

Quarterbacks are going to be very popular in this 10-team league having to start two and it really depends on the direction of this draft where you go with your picks. If the owners go traditional and draft running backs and receivers early, possibly a Tom Brady / Drew Brees combo may fall into your lap. That is extremely doubtful here though as quarterbacks have big value with the 2-start rule.

If quarterbacks are going fast and furious do not reach for them. Do not be afraid to draft for talent at running back, receiver and tight end and go with a quarterback by committee approach here. It all depends what falls to you in this draft.

Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft

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 is a case it is a no brainer to load up on QB, WR, or even TE to begin this draft. Having two starting quarterbacks really makes it attractive to have a pair of decent quarterbacks by the end of round three.

Possible squad through five rounds

RB LeSean McCoy

RB Chris Johnson

WR Julio Jones

WR Greg Jennings

WR Hakeem Nicks

With so many quarterbacks flying off of the board, running back and receiver talent fell into my lap. This is a great start to any team, even if I will scramble to fill my starting quarterbacks positions.

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...

Possible squad through five rounds

QB Drew Brees

RB Darren McFadden

QB Peyton Manning

RB Adrian Peterson

WR Victor Cruz

In this example, my quarterback potential is lights out as Brees and Manning could carry the team depending on Manning's health. My running backs are an injury risk but both also carry top-five ability and are worth the risk. Finally Victor Cruz should be a very good WR1. The name of this fantasy team should be Calculated Risk as there are plenty of question marks here to go along with huge upside.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: RB /WR/ QB (Brees, Brady, Rodgers) / TE Jimmy Graham

Round 2: RB/WR / TE Rob Gronkowski

Round 3: RB/WR /QB (depends on value)

Round 4: RB/WR /QB (depends on value), TE Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Aaron Hernandez are possibilities

Round 5: RB/WR QB (if none on roster, otherwise depends on value) / TE above plus Vernon Davis

Round 6: RB/WR/QB (if one on value, otherwise great value only) / TE above plus Tony Gonzalez)

Round 7: RB/WR/QB (should have two now, get third if good value) / TE above plus Brandon Pettigrew and Jermichael Finley

Positives of the draft slot

Talent is going to fall to this 9th pick

Early 2nd round pick helps make up ground on the other drafters

Easy to project what the ten slot owner may do with his picks

Negatives of the draft slot

Eight other owners ahead of you get the top player on their draft board

Long wait between even and odd picks

If it is a quarterback heavy beginning to the draft, possible to be left with scraps at the position

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 9th draft position

Round 1: TE Jimmy Graham

I am hopeful to have one of the top three quarterbacks fall to this pick but all three were scooped up as well as a fourth quarterback in Cam Newton. WR Calvin Johnson was picked just a single pick before mine and the top three running backs are gone as well. This is a tough spot. You can reach on a quarterback like Matthew Stafford although he certainly can justify the pick or go with WR Larry Fitzgerald who is a safe pick. The other option here could be running back as Chris Johnson and Matt Forte are both available. However the best available player here is TE Jimmy Graham and as much as a tight end in round one scares me, the only way to make up ground on the owners drafting ahead of this pick in round one is to take the best available player. I doubt very much Graham would slide to my next pick so he is an easy pick.

Rounds 2: RB Matt Forte

I definitely consider Matthew Stafford here but I see multiple quarterbacks that I also like and some should be available in the 3rd-5th rounds. I decide to wait on the position and take a running back capable of sliding into the top-two if everything fell into place. Forte is a talented receiver, a good rusher and a great RB1 for my squad.

Rounds 3: QB Peyton Manning

Julio Jones is available here, a receiver I love but I think there is a good chance he falls to my fourth round pick whereas I am less confident that Manning gets by the 10th slot owner. There is also some solid running back talent here such as Maurice Jones-Drew who could be a star but I need to start two quarterbacks and with one available like Manning, he is an easy pick.

Round 4: WR Julio Jones

I see good running backs here but all have some risk associated with them and I see Julio Jones as a fantasy beast in the making. He is a wonderful player and is in a situation to thrive. This is an easy pick for me and gives me a good starter at each of the four main positions.

Rounds 5: WR Hakeem Nicks

I felt a running back I like would probably fall to this pick but it didn't happen. In a non-ppr league, Michael Turner would be picked but he is now 30, a non-threat in the passing game and I would rather scoop up a talent like Nicks as he could have a season inside of the top-five in any year.

Rounds 6: QB Jay Cutler

This is a decision really between my second starter at quarterback and my second starter at running back. It comes down to a choice between Jay Cutler and Turner. Looking at the other rosters I see several teams that will likely be targeting a quarterback if I get the ball rolling here so I believe Cutler is the easy choice.

Round 7: RB Michael Turner

I am shocked that Turner is still on the board. He is over 30 years of age, has a young prospect in Jacquizz Rodgers behind him and is not a big time player in a PPR league but he is still huge value here in round seven. There will always be a few players that become value players in a draft so identify them and you'll be on your way.

Rounds 8: WR Miles Austin

I see a bunch of running backs here and am tempted to add my backup here. But none of them are jumping out at me as must draft players. There is upside but risk backs like C.J. Spiller, boring veterans like Willis McGahee and underachieving running backs like Mark Ingram. Any of these types of players could be big but the risk is there as well where they may just fizzle out. I decide instead to get my third starting receiver in Austin, who can be a top-ten receiver if he is back to his 2009 and 2010 form.

Rounds 9: RB Steven Ridley

I am very happy I waited on running back to grab Miles Austin last round as Steven Ridley, likely the Patriots best running back this season falls into my lap. He could range from fair to exceptional this year depending on the breakdown of carries in New England but in the 9th round, he is a diamond for my roster.

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

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

Jay Cutler

Running Backs

Matt Forte

Michael Turner

Steven Ridley

Wide Receivers

Julio Jones

Hakeem Nicks

Miles Austin

Tight Ends

Jimmy Graham

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

My squad has made up the gap on the owners drafting ahead in round one very nicely. I have an excellent duo at quarterback in Manning and Cutler and both are certainly capable of elevating past their draft positions. Matt Forte is a good running back in fantasy football and landing Michael Turner so late was a luxury. Steven Ridley is a solid depth player that can fill in when needed. At receiver, I have selected a trio of receivers that I personally love. I see all three guys with top-ten potential. Obviously Jimmy Graham is a big plus at tight end. All in all, this is a nice looking team and exceptional if both Cutler and Manning are completely healthy and ready to go.

Rounds 10-13: WR Reggie Wayne / QB Alex Smith / RB Ronnie Hillman / Jacquizz Rodgers

I am very happy with this four spot of players. Reggie Wayne should not be going in the 10th round. He finished as the 29th best fantasy receiver last year with Curtis Painter throwing in the ball. Enough said. I am glad to get a good backup quarterback here as three good quarterbacks are essential in this league. If all goes well, I will only need him in the two bye weeks but he is an improving player and if needed, he could fill in. Ronnie Hillman is a talented player who may only need a chance to thrive. Worth a 12th round flyer. Finally I am very happy to pick up Rodgers as a handcuff to Turner. Rodgers will catch passes and get enough touches for marginal value even if Michael Turner is healthy all year.

Rounds 14-18: WR Sidney Rice / TE Coby Fleener / Eagles D / RB Isaiah Pead / PK Alex Henery

The addition of Sidney Rice finalizes my receiving position. I am very happy with all four players. I had considered not selecting a 2nd tight end yet but rookie Coby Fleener is round 15 is criminal. He may greatly exceed that draft position. RB Isaiah Pead can be a very good fantasy producer if Steven Jackson shows his age or suffers an injury. Finally I add a good defense and kicker and call the draft done.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #9)

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

Jay Cutler

Alex Smith

Running Backs

Matt Forte

Michael Turner

Steven Ridley

Ronnie Hillman

Jacquizz Rodgers

Wide Receivers

Julio Jones

Hakeem Nicks

Miles Austin

Reggie Wayne

Sidney Rice

Tight Ends

Jimmy Graham

Coby Fleener

Place Kickers

Alex Henery

Defenses

Philadelphia Eagles

Final thoughts on this roster

This is a well-balanced, deep and talented fantasy team ready to do great things. The strength of the team is the receiver position despite only five players and my tight ends. All five of my receivers are capable of big things and my tight end duo is outstanding. There is some risk with my trio of quarterbacks but I am confident that I made the right choices. Finally my running back stable is not dominating but all five players should contribute to my team in 2012.

Last thoughts on the 9th draft slot in a 10-team league

This is an easy spot to draft from than in a 12-team or 14-team league and the 2-QB start rule makes it more interesting with more players dropping down the board. I think the right move here is to try and get the good quarterbacks but don't reach. If you don't like the quarterback value that round, pick up running backs, receiver and tight ends and you will be fine. If you have to draft three mediocre ones later on and play matchups, the rest of your team will be good enough to make that work. Good luck and happy drafting.

Good luck and happy drafting. Thanks for reading.