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 9th overall (12-team re-draft)

This is the 4th 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. Maybe the most difficult draft position within this draft structure is the 9th pick. Without question the top running backs are off the board as well as the top quarterback in Aaron Rodgers and the top receiver in Calvin Johnson. It is almost impossible to imagine those two players left on the board even in a RB-happy fantasy league. That makes this a very challenging pick as you will be chasing all owners who get the pick ahead of you and the players behind you getting the better second round pick. It will take some risk, some targeting upside and some shrewd decisions to turn this draft slot into a championship team.

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

RB Chris Johnson

WR Larry Fitzgerald

WR Greg Jennings

WR Demaryius Thomas

RB Michael Turner

Round one will simply be take the best available player. There is a decision here between a quarterback like Drew Brees or going after a running back. Having a Chris Johnson available here makes this a relatively easy choice as there will be good quarterbacks available later. Do not be afraid to buck trends with this 9th pick. Take 3 receivers in a row, take a tight end in round one, and take a kicker... (just kidding). Basically do whatever you need to do to thrive. If you need to go QB Drew Brees, TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Greg Jennings to begin your draft, do not second guess the decision. Simply take the best available player and move on.

In the above scenario, three strong receivers lead this team but the running back tandem of Johnson and Turner can get the job done as well.

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 Trent Richardson

WR Larry Fitzgerald

RB Reggie Bush

WR Wes Welker

RB Frank Gore

In the above example, more quarterbacks, tight ends and receivers went early leaving more running back to scoop up. The receiving duo is very strong with two elite receivers racking up fantasy points. Running back has some bust potential but Richardson, Bush and Gore have ability to be Top 10.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: RB / WR / TE / QB are all possible

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

Round 3: RB/WR unless top-four quarterback available

Round 4: RB/WR unless exceptional value at QB or tight end

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

Round 6: RB/WR/QB

Round 7: RB/WR/TE/QB

Positives of the draft slot

Talent will fall to the ninth overall pick. Just don’t fall in love with a particular player

Starting draft with two of the top sixteen players is a strong beginning

Easy to project which players will be available from odd to even round

Negatives of the draft slot

The top eight players will likely all be selected leaving this owner to scramble in behind them

Owners drafting 10th through 12th get the earlier 2nd round pick while likely landing a similar talent in first round

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 9th draft position

Round 1: RB Chris Johnson
As Expected, QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Calvin Johnson and the top running backs are all off the draft board when my pick arrives. I have a choice between Larry Fitzgerald (whom I believe may fall to round two), QB Drew Brees, TE Jimmy Graham or the top running back on the draft board. I definitely consider going with Brees or Graham here and you cannot argue with either player. However I really like what Chris Johnson brings to the table and I see both quarterbacks and tight ends I like that will be on the board later. I scoop up my top running back and move on.

Round 2: WR Larry Fitzgerald
There are numerous running backs available when my pick arrives but only WR Larry Fitzgerald leaps off the draft board to me here and I quickly scoop him up. I simply see more value going receiver here than I do going running back.

Round 3: WR Greg Jennings
Jennings inexplicitly dropping to my third round pick makes this an extremely easy decision to make. Sure RB Reggie Bush would look good as a RB2 on my fantasy team as well but having a Fitzgerald / Jennings combo at receiver is an advantage over the other teams in the league.

Round 4: WR Wes Welker
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. Wes Welker is a monster in points per reception leagues and I quickly scoop him up giving me a deadly trio at receiver that will help to mask potential weaknesses in other areas depending on how the rest of this draft unfolds. Without question, the trio of Fitzgerald, Jennings and Welker is the class of this league.

Round 5: RB Frank Gore
Gore dropping to my fifth-round pick is a huge steal for my team and puts this team as a front runner to success through the first five picks. My running back duo may not be as explosive as some of the pairs in the league but when you combine them with my dynamite receiver group, it is a wonderful start to a draft.

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: QB Matt Ryan
Worst case scenario for Ryan in 2012 is a similar result to last year and that is not bad at all. However he has the potential and weapons surrounding him to make the leap into the top-five at the position and I cannot leave him on the board here. I consider going tight end here but think the next best one on my draft list will fall to my next pick.

Round 8: TE Brandon Pettigrew
As I thought when making my 7th round selection, Pettigrew did stay available for my next pick and I take him here. He may not be a top-three producer in 2012 but he does have talent and the system around him to challenge for top-three numbers and he is a safe selection here.

Round 9: WR Anquan Boldin
There are multiple paths to go here but I decide to go safe and take the proven veteran to back up my deadly starting receiving group. Boldin is a strong fantasy option who is capable of starting whenever needed. I see no running backs here that I must get on my roster so pretty easy to target Boldin with the pick. It also gives me one backup player at both receiver and running back at the half way point which is a good position to be in.

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

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan

Running Backs

Chris Johnson

Frank Gore

C.J. Spiller

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald

Greg Jennings

Wes Welker

Anquan Boldin

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

After nine rounds, I have managed to put together a very strong team from a challenging draft position. Beginning a draft with Chris Johnson is a solid beginning to a fantasy team but the real strength derives from the 2nd through 4th round picks in which I scoop up a trio of talented receivers that will carry this squad. I have a strong quarterback, a very good tight end and a depth player at both running back and receiver with different bye weeks. All in all, it is a wonderful start to a fantasy team. I will need to target running back and receiver depth through the next several rounds along with a defensive unit.

Rounds 10-13: RB Daniel Thomas / RB Mikel Leshoure / QB Jay Cutler / WR Randy Moss
I am very happy with the four players I am able to pick up here. Both running backs are young kids with potential for greatness, Jay Cutler is a very good backup quarterback for my team and Moss has great potential to succeed this draft position. I would be shocked if Moss fell this far in a draft but anything can happen on draft day and players will fall and represent value and it is up to you to spot them.

Rounds 14-18: Green Bay Defense / RB Isaiah Pead / K Sebastian Janikowski / WR Mario Manningham / TE Kellen Winslow
This is simply fleshing out my roster. I add a serviceable defense and kicker with top-five upside in the Packers defense and Janikowski. I find a backup tight end with upside in Kellen Winslow, take a flyer on rookie RB Isaiah Pead who is playing behind a veteran running back in Steven Jackson with a lot of mileage on him already and take Mario Manningham figuring he or Moss will emerge with plenty of touches in San Francisco.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #9)

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan

Jay Cutler

Running Backs

Chris Johnson

Frank Gore

C.J. Spiller

Daniel Thomas

Mikel Leshoure

Isaiah Pead

Wide Receivers

Larry Fitzgerald

Greg Jennings

Wes Welker

Anquan Boldin

Randy Moss

Mario Manningham

Tight Ends

Brandon Pettigrew

Kellen Winslow

Place Kickers

Sebastian Janikowski

Defenses

Green Bay Packers

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. I have good depth at quarterback, receiver and tight end with solid veteran players able to step in and contribute. My receiving corps is especially strong as you can make an argument that all players are capable of a top-20 season if the cards drop right. At running back, there is more potential than past success but with talent like C.J. Spiller, Mikel Leshoure, Daniel Thomas and Isaiah Pead, it is likely that a couple of them emerge from the pack in 2012. All in all this is a squad that has the depth and the talent to compete for a title.

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

Ninth is a tricky position to draft from in 2012 due to the top players being off the board when your pick arrives as well as getting the later second round pick than the three owners that draft behind you in the first round. However there is plenty of talent on the board to put together a good team with smart drafting. If you are not comfortable there is a running back in round one capable of elevating towards a top-three season (Chris Johnson is that kind of player in my mind), then perhaps you should shake the draft up and go with tight end Jimmy Graham of the Saints to secure the top player at a position. Either way you will have a team capable of big things if you are patient, target players with upside and not positional needs through the first five picks. If you do that, you will be on the way to success and the admiration of your peers. Perhaps the best strategy at the end of this draft is to walk away with 2 QBs / 6 RBs / 6 WRs / 2 TEs / 1 PK / 1 defense. Good luck and happy drafting.