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 7th overall (12-team re-draft)

In the first two articles, I broke down drafting from the 1st and the 4th position of this 12-team study. This is the 3rd part of the opening series. I am looking for spots in the first round in which significant decisions need to be made if the draft unfolds as expected. Moving to the 7th position is the next interesting study as the top few running backs, top quarterback and top receiver are all likely to be off the board with this pick meaning this owner is likely starting behind the eight ball in regards to the owners drafting in front of this pick.

It is very difficult spot to draft from this year. There are questions at running back here and you missed out on the best quarterback (and only one I would draft in round one) as well as the top receiver by a sizable margin. The good news drafting from the middle of this draft is it is possible to determine which players will be available each round with no long wait between picks. So in a draft spot like this, try to project positional runs happening after your current pick and stay ahead of those fights for players.

Honestly, it is likely you are going to begin this draft a little being the eight ball due to being behind the owners getting the top players and being behind the owners getting the earlier second round pick. This is not catastrophic by any stretch but it will require smart decisions through the first several rounds and trying to stay ahead of the curves.

Two example strategies to incorporate into your draft

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...

Possible squad through five rounds

WR Calvin Johnson

QB Drew Brees

WR Julio Jones

WR Steve Smith

RB Jahvid Best

In the above example, the owner drafting 5th decided to scoop up RB Maurice Jones-Drew freeing up the selection of Calvin Johnson. Then in round two with a few questionable running backs having come off the board, Drew Brees is an easy selection here, solidifying big points from my quarterback position and can ignore the position until round 10+. Rounds three and four are interesting. As always it is tough to ignore the running back position when you have none on board but to build a championship team from this draft position, unless running back talent slides to you, it is best to pick up the best available players and if that means beginning a draft with three receivers and a quarterback do not be afraid to do so. Just be aware if your draft follows a similar path to this one to target four running backs from rounds six through ten unless exceptional receiver value falls into your lap.

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...

Possible squad through five rounds

RB Maurice Jones-Drew

WR Andre Johnson

WR Julio Jones

RB Frank Gore

TE Jason Witten

The above scenario is more likely this season as both QB Aaron Rodger and WR Calvin Johnson are likely to be off the board with the 7th best. Jones-Drew is a good, solid pick here however capable of elevating to a top fantasy weapon. Two outstanding receiver options are available round two and three and then a good RB2 is there to scoop up in round four. Round five was interesting as there was a difficult choice between a good receiver in Dwayne Bowe and a great tight end in Jason Witten. Either is a good pick there but it is easier to find a good WR3 than a starting tight end.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: RB

Round 2: RB/WR unless Brees, Brady or TE Jimmy Graham available

Round 3: RB/WR unless TE Rob Gronkowski is available

Round 4: RB/WR unless exceptional value at QB

Round 5: RB/WR unless great value at QB or TE Antonio Gates / Jason Witten are available

Round 6: RB/WR/QB

Round 7: RB/WR/TE/QB

Positives of the draft slot

Not a long wait between picks makes it easier to project who is available in next selection

Talent is excellent in the top-seven and will walk away with a very good fantasy player

Can dictate the direction of the draft going up and down the draft board with smart drafting

Negatives of the draft slot

The six owners drafting ahead of this pick in round one likely to secure the top running backs, quarterback and receiver

The owners drafting 8 through 12 get the earlier 2nd round pick which has this particular owner behind the eight ball both ahead and behind his draft selection

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 7th draft position

Round 1: RB Maurice Jones-Drew
In a typical 12-team league with the seventh pick in the draft, the top four running backs are going to be off the board, QB Aaron Rodgers and WR Calvin Johnson. It is plausible to take the top tight end in Jimmy Graham or QB Tom Brady / Drew Brees or even a receiver like Larry Fitzgerald here but the safe and possibly the best option here is Maurice Jones-Drew who can step into the top-three at the position if he stays healthy. He is not a big drop off from the running backs taken first through fourth.

Round 2: WR Andre Johnson
This round has players like RB Jamaal Charles and QB Cam Newton available and both are decent possibilities here but having a receiver like Andre Johnson available here makes this pick a no-brainer. He is a top fantasy weapon.

Round 3: WR Julio Jones
There are tons of receivers available here and only one running back really jumps out as an option (Reggie Bush). You can certainly make the argument with so many receivers available to wait on the position and select Bush here but Jones has that elite talent and could skyrocket up the rankings while Bush will be sharing touches in Miami and has been up and down in career. Go for the player with the potential to go boom.

Round 4: WR Steve Smith (Car)
I consider going running back and tight end here but I see players at both positions I like and should be able to land them later. Steve Smith had a big season last year and is in a wonderful offense. I gladly add him to my roster and solidify my squad with the best starting receiving core in this league.

Round 5: RB Adrian Peterson
Peterson is a huge risk this year due to his return from knee surgery but we all know he is capable of finishing as a top fantasy running back. It will be important to try and land his backup, Toby Gerhart in the middle part of the draft. If he does return strong from injury, my one-two punch at running back will be very strong along with a dynamite receiving core.

Round 6: RB C.J. Spiller
Looking at the draft board, I believe I will have no problem waiting on the quarterback position and tight end can wait until next round. Running back is the way to go here so I take the best available in my list and that is C.J. Spiller. He began to show signs of life last year after a slow start to his NFL career. He is still sharing time with Fred Jackson but his blend of speed and quickness make him an intriguing fantasy option in 2012.

Round 7: TE Jermichael Finley
I decide unless exceptional running back or receiver value is present in the next two rounds to secure my quarterback and tight end here. I am very happy to add a talented starting tight end in Jermichael Finley this late into the draft. He has potential to finish top-three and is a great fit for my squad.

Round 8: QB Peyton Manning
The eighth round is very late to be securing your starting quarterback but I saw a number of players I liked in the last couple of rounds and Manning dropped to my team here in the 8th. Manning has some obvious injury risk but can easily be a top three talent if he is back on track. He is an easy choice here.

Round 9: RB Toby Gerhart
I was worried that I waited too long for Gerhart but everything worked out as I gladly pick him up with my 9th pick as handcuff to Adrian Peterson. I am not always a big handcuff guy but in a situation where a player is injury ahead of the season like Adrian Peterson and there is a serviceable back up in place, it does make sense to secure the handcuff.

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

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

Running Backs

Maurice Jones-Drew

Adrian Peterson

C.J. Spiller

Toby Gerhart

Wide Receivers

Andre Johnson

Julio Jones

Steve Smith

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

After nine rounds, I have managed to put together a very strong team from a challenging draft position. Maurice Jones-Drew is actually a nice option sitting there at 7th overall and if he is taken either Aaron Rodgers or Calvin Johnson will fall into your lap. By ignoring running backs rounds two through four, I built up a strong starting receiving trio and then I focused on adding running backs in the next rounds. Getting the handcuff to Adrian Peterson should guarantee points at the RB2 position. Finally I managed to find a potential steal at quarterback in Peyton Manning and a very good option at tight end in Jermichael Finley. All in all, this is a great start to a fantasy team. Areas that need addressing in the following round are receiver depth, quarterback depth and a good starting defense.

Rounds 10-13: WR Randy Moss / RB Rashard Jennings / RB Mikel Leshoure / Pittsburgh Defense
Randy Moss is a no-brainer with the first pick in the 2nd half of the draft and could become a starter for the team. I didn't expect to select back to back running backs here and but Leshoure is a talented player that could surprise and if something happens to my RB1, I have his backup to cover the injury. Finally, as always, I look to secure my defense somewhere in the round 13 area and the Steelers defense will do nicely.

Rounds 14-18: WR Santana Moss / WR Emmanuel Sanders / K Randy Bullock / QB Matt Cassel / QB Sam Bradford
Knowing I need a couple of receivers to flesh out the position, I waste little time thinking about the 14th and 15th round picks. Moss and Sanders are very good 5th and 6th options for any fantasy team. I grab my kicker and then, knowing there is some uncertainty in regards to my starting quarterback Peyton Manning, I decide to add a pair of quarterbacks here at the end to make sure I am in OK shape if Manning struggles to overcome injury.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #7)

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

Matt Cassel

Sam Bradford

Running Backs

Maurice Jones-Drew

Adrian Peterson

C.J. Spiller

Toby Gerhart

Mikel Leshoure

Rashard Jennings

Wide Receivers

Andre Johnson

Julio Jones

Steve Smith

Randy Moss

Santana Moss

Emmanuel Sanders

Tight Ends

Jermichael Finley

Place Kickers

Randy Bullock

Defenses

Pittsburgh Steelers

Final thoughts on this roster

It isn't easy to go three receivers in the first four rounds of a fantasy draft but if you simply take the best available player and build a strong foundation regardless of position, the team will flesh out nicely. Looking at this roster, if Peyton Manning and Adrian Peterson both recover well from injury, this team will be next to impossible to defeat. Potential weaknesses are quarterback if Peyton Manning cannot overcome injury; a lack of a backup tight end could hurt if Jermichael Finley is lost to injury and no back up team defense. Strengths are a strong receiving core and potentially a very good running game. The starting receiving group of Andre Johnson, Julio Jones, and Steve Smith with Moss and Moss backing up is scary good.

Last thoughts on the 7th draft slot in a 12-team league

Seventh overall is not a bad place to be at all this season if you are flexible and allow yourself to target best available players and not positions. The first pick will likely be Maurice Jones-Drew but if you are in a league in which running backs are the premium either Calvin Johnson or Aaron Rodgers will fall into your lap. Either way you will be in a great position to begin your team. By round nine, make sure to have your starters at quarterback, running back and receiver selected and likely your starting tight end as well. Do that and you will be on the way to a successful fantasy season. Good luck and happy drafting.