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.

We will begin this season with one of the more common fantasy leagues today.

Starting Lineup Requirements (18 total players on roster)

1 QB

2 RBs

3 WRs

1 TE

1 PK

1 defense/special teams unit

No flex

League Scoring Rules (standard performance based scoring)

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

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

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

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 1st overall (12-team re-draft)

In any league, drafting 1st overall is a great place to begin a team. You get the top player on your board and three of the top-25 players in a 12-team league. You have the ability to direct the overall direction of the draft with the back to back picks and with patience targeting the best players each round regardless of position, will put together a dominant squad. The one caveat here is to take a little time and make a determination if a position is likely to dry up while you wait on 24 long picks. If you feel a positional run is eminent, you may want to be at the top and not bottom of said run. VALUE, VALUE, VALUE is the name of the game here. If the best players dictate you begin the draft, RB, WR, QB, WR in your first four picks, go with it and don't look back.

For example, in a 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 your league mates still believe in the STUD RB approach to fantasy football, do not follow them like a sheep. Instead scoop up the top receivers and an excellent quarterback and you will have the making of a foundation that will carry your team to a wonderful season.

Possible squad through five rounds

RB Arian Foster

WR Wes Welker

WR Jordy Nelson

WR Steve Smith

TE Jimmy Graham

It is often difficult for owners to ignore the running back position in fantasy football. Sometimes when a run is occurring, owners will panic and scoop up the running backs that are a lesser caliber then the ones taken ahead of them. Do not be a sheep in the first few rounds of your draft. Having studs at any of the key positions will help you to success in your league. The luxury here is landing the top running back on your board. Arian Foster is a fantasy beast and having him allows some wiggle room with the next few rounds. Having three strong receivers and the dominant tight end gives you the starting point to domination in your league. While they are scooping up questionable running back talent, you are securing the top players at receiver and tight end. They will be scrambling to keep up with you for the rest of the draft.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: RB

Round 2: RB/WR unless exceptional value at QB and TE

Round 3: RB/WR unless exceptional value at QB and TE

Round 4: RB/WR unless exceptional value at QB and TE

Round 5: RB/WR unless great value at QB and TE

Round 6: RB/WR/QB

Round 7: QB if not taken / TE if value on board / RB/WR

Positives of the draft slot

Secure the top player on your draft board

Land three of the top twenty-five players on your draft board

Target value instead of positional needs in rounds two, three and four

Negatives of the draft slot

Long wait between picks can see positions dry up

Not much to choose from between top few running backs means the selections after the 1st overall pick get a similar player and the early pick coming back in round two

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 1st draft position

Round 1: RB Arian Foster
It is very easy with the first pick in the entire draft. Take the top player on your draft board and do not look back. Foster is a fantasy beast and is the perfect cornerstone to a fantasy roster.

Rounds 2-3: WR Victor Cruz / WR Roddy White
With a stud running back already on board, this is a fun spot to be in. You can certainly take a second-tier running back like Fred Jackson or Demarco Murray here and would have a strong starting pair at running back. If you fall into the must have two running back in the first three selections crowd, I have to qualms with going that route. However I love beginning a draft with three stud players and this trio is capable of single-handedly winning me fantasy games. Cruz and White both are capable of top-three fantasy seasons at the receiver position and this is a strong start to a fantasy squad.

Rounds 4-5: RB Reggie Bush / WR Steve Johnson
After a long wait, the next two picks arrive and it is time to analyze the draft board. The top-20 running backs and receivers are now off the board and the decision making here becomes more critical. There are some good quarterbacks here to be taken but several are already off the board and I see a pretty large group here capable of elevating to the top-six in 2012. So it makes sense to ignore the position for now. If you see a Matthew Stafford available here, I would take him. As it is, I love the idea of sowing up your starting running backs and receivers at the end of round five. Reggie Bush isn't a beast as a RB2 but in a PPR league he is certainly worthy of the fantasy start. Steve Johnson is simply the top receiver available on the draft list so I pick him up. I see a couple of good tight ends here such as Jason Witten and Antonio Gates and both could be substituted into this spot.

Rounds 6-7: RB Adrian Peterson / QB Peyton Manning
With my starting running backs and receivers in place, this will usually be where I take my starting quarterback. The only way I will not select one here is if there are enough quarterbacks I like here to roll the dice that one falls to round 8. However Peyton Manning in the 7th round is a wonderful risk-reward player and we all know what he is capable of if healthy. Really he is a no brainer for me here. Another no brainer is having Adrian Peterson staring at me in round six. Yes he'll be returning from injury and yes he may not come back the same player but he is still worth the risk and if he is healthy, Foster / Peterson becomes an elite duo with a strong RB3 in Bush filling in. (Note – I would be shocked to see Peterson sitting there in a real league this late, injured or not but even in real leagues players will drop for multitudes of reasons)

Rounds 8-9: TE Fred Davis / WR Michael Crabtree
I must get the starting tight end now and glad to have Fred Davis there available to be picked up. He is capable of top-5 stats and is without question a solid fantasy starter. Next I debate with myself over going with Toby Gerhart to secure points at running back in Minnesota or taking Michael Crabtree who is capable of becoming an elite receiver. Finally I decide to gamble on Peterson getting healthy and adding a receiver that could bring my receiver stable from great to exceptional.

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

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning 7.01

Running Backs

Arian Foster 1.01

Reggie Bush 4.01

Adrian Peterson 6.12

Wide Receivers

Victor Cruz 2.12

Roddy White 3.01

Steve Johnson 5.01

Michael Crabtree 9.01

Tight Ends

Fred Davis 8.12

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

Love this team so far. The receiver position is stocked up well with four players capable of huge seasons. Fred Davis has the talent to be a strong fantasy weapon and we all know what Peyton Manning can do when healthy. If Adrian Peterson is healthy and joins up with Arian Foster, my backfield is the equal of my receiving squad and it will be very difficult to beat this team. The weakness is a lack of running back depth here but hopefully I will find some value in the next few picks.

Rounds 10-13: RB Ryan Williams / RB Ben Tate / RB David Wilson / QB Jay Cutler
I found a trio of running backs here capable of big things when called upon. Especially pleased to get Arian Foster's backup on the cheap in round 11. I love the upside of both Williams and Wilson. Landing a quarterback like Jay Cutler as a fantasy backup in round thirteen is great.

Rounds 14-18: WR Laurent Robinson / Pittsburgh Defense / PK Randy Bullock / WR Chad Johnson / RB Bernard Scott
Add your defense and kicker here. It is unneeded to draft two so both positions are complete. Add two upside receivers as well as a possible surprise running back this year.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #1)

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning 7.01

Jay Cutler 13.01

Running Backs

Arian Foster 1.01

Reggie Bush 4.01

Adrian Peterson 6.12

Ryan Williams 10.12

Ben Tate 11.01

David Wilson 12.12

Bernard Scott 18.12

Wide Receivers

Victor Cruz 2.12

Roddy White 3.01

Steve Johnson 5.01

Michael Crabtree 9.01

Laurent Robinson 14.12

Chad Johnson 17.01

Tight Ends

Fred Davis 8.12

Place Kickers

Randy Bullock 16.12

Defenses

Pittsburgh Steelers 15.01

Final thoughts on this roster

The quarterback position is in good shape with Peyton Manning and Jay Cutler. There is a chance both light it up this year and if healthy, Manning like put up big numbers like always. Finding a few good young running backs makes the group more intriguing but the key is the health of Adrian Peterson as he will give me a dominating pair if he can play without mobility issues. Getting the backup for Arian Foster is huge and there is plenty of talent amongst this unit. My starting three receivers are incredible and I have some interesting backups whose production could exceed draft slot. Obviously Chad Johnson is a monster risk but the Dolphins have a hole at receiver and maybe he will surprise. I should look for a backup tight end in week one, dropping any player that is not performing and / or injured. Kickers are kickers and got a good defense in the Steelers defense. All in all this was a great draft and has a shot at serious success in 2012.

Last thoughts on the 1st draft slot in a 12-team league

Drafting first overall is always fun if you allow the draft to come to you without panic. Add best players available in rounds two and three regardless of position and you will be on the way to greatness.