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...

14 teams

18 rounds

There are a few interesting twists in this study

Flex player added

6 points per passing touchdown

1 point per reception for running backs / receivers but 1.5 points per reception for tight ends

Starting Lineup Requirements(18 total players on roster)

1 Quarterback

2 Running Backs

3 Wide Receivers

1 Tight End

1 Place Kicker

1 Team Defense

1 Flex Player (RB, WR, TE)

League Scoring Rules

Passing: 1 point every 20 passing yards / 6 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 (RBs and WRs) / 1.5 points per reception (TEs)

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 5th overall (14-team re-draft)

Fourteen team leagues are quite challenging in that the talent pool (at least the elite talent) can dry up in a hurry. This is especially so in a FLEX league in which you must start a combination of seven running backs, receivers and tight ends. We already covered the first overall pick in a 14-team league so we will move a few spots down the order to the 5th pick in the draft. In the first article in this series, the top four picks were all running backs and in a FLEX league that is going to be the most popular beginning to a draft. With six points per touchdown pass, Aaron Rodgers can certainly slide into that top-four mix but having a FLEX position really does make it important to load up on running backs and receivers as much as possible.

The owner drafting 5th in this example has a challenging decision to make. There are three directions to take this draft and those include drafting a running back such as Matt Forte, QB Aaron Rodgers or even WR Calvin Johnson. There are pros and cons to each of these three decisions which we will illustrate below.

Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft

Taking a quarterback with the 5th overall pick

I ran this through the draft dominator twice and played several scenarios through in my mind and I just do not like taking a quarterback this early in a FLEX league. Even with the six points per touchdown pass, the rest of your team has some holes in it when you play the quarterback card this year. In a non-FLEX league I would be all over Rodgers here but really, the decision in my mind comes down to WR Calvin Johnson or a running back.

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. This is not as common as it once was but leagues are still out there in which owners will begin a draft RB/RB and even RB/RB/RB no matter what. If you are in a league such as this, value is going to tumble down to your 2nd and 3rd round picks. It isn't easy to not follow the herd here but if you do, by the end of round five, you will have a powerhouse squad ready to take on the world.

Possible squad through five rounds

WR Calvin Johnson

WR Julio Jones

WR Greg Jennings

RB Jonathan Stewart

RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis

In this example, I will showcase what the first five rounds look like by selecting the top receiver with the 5th pick. Calvin Johnson is a beast and while it is tough to select a receiver so early, he is a safe way to begin your draft. The first three picks all found exceptional receiver value there and if your league is running back heavy to begin with, you will get a similar combination to this to begin your draft. Obviously the strength of this team will be the strong receiving trio. There is no doubt they will need to carry the team. The starting running back pair of Jonathan Stewart and BenJarvus Green-Ellis is not flashy but should be able to hold down the fort. Round six is likely going to be a quarterback at 6 points per touchdown it is important to get one of the guys who can exceed his draft spot. I will be looking for Peyton Manning or Matt Ryan there.

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 LeSean McCoy

WR Andre Johnson

WR Greg Jennings

RB Adrian Peterson

WR DeSean Jackson

In this scenario above, both WR Calvin Johnson and QB Aaron Rodgers were plucked off the board ahead of my pick, making the selection of LeSean McCoy an easy one. In rounds two and three, top receiving talent in Andre Johnson and Greg Jennings slid to my picks and I quickly gobbled them up. Really it could be any of the four big positions (QB, RB, WR, and TE) depending on who falls. The fourth round saw Adrian Peterson available as owners are worried of his health. I have my doubts he will be available that late in other drafts but it does illustrate a point that talent will fall in drafts and not locking onto players will help find the best talent available. Finally in the 5th round I add DeSean Jackson who should be a very good WR3 for my team. I see lots of upside running backs in rounds six through twelve and many great receivers in the early rounds and will often have 3 receivers in the first five picks this season.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: RB / QB Aaron Rodgers/ WR Calvin Johnson

Round 2: RB/WR / QB Drew Brees, Tom Brady / TE Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski

Round 3: RB/WR / QB Cam Newton, QB Matthew Stafford

Round 4: RB/WR/ QB same as above or TE Antonio Gates, Aaron Hernandez, Jason Witten or same as above

Round 5: RB/WR / QB Top eight quarterback on board or tight ends mentioned plus Vernon Davis

Round 6: If no quarterback selected, take here. If not RB/WR or TE (if none drafted)

Round 7: If no tight end selected, take here if worthy one is available (don't reach). Otherwise RB or WR

Positives of the draft slot

Guaranteed top player with 5th overall pick

Get to pick before 1-4 owners in the 2nd round which is an advantage

Easy to project from even to odd rounds (example round 2 to round 3) and determine which players will be on the board

Negatives of the draft slot

Long wait between odd and even round picks makes it challenging to see ahead

In a flex league like this the value of taking an Aaron Rodgers 5th over can be questioned, even with 6 points per touchdown pass

In all likelihood the top tier of running backs will be gone forcing a choice between top receiver, top quarterback or 2nd-tier running back like Matt Forte

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 5th draft position

Round 1: RB Matt Forte

As mentioned above, in a flex league I simply cannot justify going quarterback this early which makes it a choice between running back and receiver. If Matt Forte had been selected instead of Aaron Rodgers I may have begun the draft with Calvin Johnson but since I did a five-round example on him above, I decide to take Matt Forte who is both a capable running back and receiver If the top four running backs are off the board (Arian Foster, Ray Rice, LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte), I will take Calvin Johnson and not look back.

Rounds 2: WR Andre Johnson

It is an easy decision when round two comes around and Andre Johnson is available to be selected. Here is a perfect example of why you should be flexible and not fall in love with a particular player in your mind before the draft. Talent will fall in every fantasy draft and the owners that stay cool and draft based on value instead of positional needs will do well. Johnson is a potential top-12 player and to get him with the 24th pick feels pretty good.

Rounds 3: WR Greg Jennings

This is another no brainer in round three with Greg Jennings being available. I do consider Adrian Peterson and Michael Turner here but really, Jennings is a sure thing and a potential top-three receiver this year. He joins Andre Johnson in my receiving stable and gives me a tremendous 1-2 punch. Peterson really did make me jump here as he does have great upside from this position. However in the first three rounds I like players likely to have top production, not maybe they can have top production and that is the difference between Jennings and Peterson.

Round 4: WR Dez Bryant

I do not see running back value when this pick arrives and I see multiple quarterbacks that I am comfortable with so I choose between one of the strong receivers remaining or TE Vernon Davis. It is a very tough call because of the big numbers that Vernon Davis can put up and you can always start two tight ends in this league as well. Also the one and a half points per catch comes into play. However I still like having a trio of strong receivers to plug into the lineup each week and see lots of tight ends I think can exceed their draft slots this year so I wait on tight end and go with the receiver position. Dez Bryant has top receiver potential and that is why I took him over Steve Smith and Jordy Nelson. All three are sick value in round four though.

Rounds 5: RB C.J. Spiller

This is a very difficult decision here. In fact I have to go against my normal strategy of take the best available player and go positional needs. I see Mike Wallace on the board here and I see him in the FLEX role for my team and start to drool. He is top-five capable and my receiving stable could be almost unbeatable. However at this point in the draft, I see tons of running backs with potential but little guarantees of success and I really like what Spiller can do as my RB2. I see him at worst as a decent RB2 option but at best he slowly emerges with more work throughout the season and becomes a fantasy weapon in the fantasy playoffs. I decide to take Spiller as my receiving core is already strong. If this scenario comes up and you decide to go with Wallace, it is a very good decision as well. Simply make sure to target receivers often in the next six rounds.

Rounds 6: RB Mark Ingram

I am tempted to go quarterback here as there are only a couple of more I like as my QB1. However I love both of them in that role and I am fairly confident one, if not both of them will drop to my pick. I decide to scoop up another running back with upside in Mark Ingram. He played hurt last season and owners have forgotten him somewhat but he is capable of big things and is a value pick in the sixth round. I gladly scoop him up here to add stability to my running back core. There is a real chance he starts each week over C.J. Spiller whom I drafted earlier. The only other thing I ponder here is to go tight end but I still see several I like on the board and decide I can wait until round eight.

Round 7: QB Peyton Manning

I am relieved when my turn comes up and Peyton Manning is still on the board. He has top-five potential obviously if healthy and I gladly grab him in round seven. That is why I believe it is critical not to take a quarterback in the first five picks in a FLEX league. Quarterback value will be there in rounds five through eight.

Rounds 8: TE Jacob Tamme

Here is one of the tight ends I was talking about in round six. Tamme could team up with Manning and become a top five tight end. He is talented, a strong receiver and will get tons of looks from a veteran quarterback that likes to involve his tight ends. He is an easy choice here.

Rounds 9: RB Mikel Leshoure

I decide to add another young running back here, added them to my roster in the hopes that potential meets head on with production for at least one of these players. He is a major talent but needs to fully recover from injury to have a big impact. I do consider the receiver position as I am still sitting on three players but the three I am sitting on are outstanding and that gives me some room for patience here.

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

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

Running Backs

Matt Forte

C.J. Spiller

Mark Ingram

Mikel Leshoure

Wide Receivers

Andre Johnson

Greg Jennings

Dez Bryant

Tight Ends

Jacob Tamme

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

I am very pleased with this squad through nine picks. Really, everything came together quite nicely. I have a good quarterback in place that could be an elite one in Peyton Manning. A tight end I personally love the potential of in Jacob Tamme, Three elite receivers in Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings and Dez Bryant, the kind of trio you can start each week and not give it a second thought. I have a good RB1 in Matt Forte that has boom potential. He also could underachieve however and there is the risk. The other three running backs are young, talented players with huge upside and also sizable chance of failure. If they improve and grow as players, the sky is the limit and their success would make this squad unbeatable. At this time, the starting lineup looks very strong. The only real question mark right now is at RB2 and FLEX and I will need those young players to shine.

Rounds 10-13: WR Randy Moss / RB David Wilson / WR Santana Moss / QB Sam Bradford

I can see myself taking Randy Moss in every fantasy draft if he is available in round ten. You do not have to be a young player to have upside. Randy Moss has elite potential and even at his age the chance of a boom season is pretty good. Jerry Rice found lightning in a bottle with the Raiders and I am betting that Randy Moss does the same with the 49ers, making Alex Smith and the entire offensive team much better in 2012. If he does produce, my receiver stable is off the charts and especially so with the forgotten Santana Moss. Why he has slid so far down the rankings with better quarterback play I do not understand but he will post the best receiver numbers in Washington this season. I add another very young running back with upside in David Wilson and he may push Ahmad Bradshaw for playing time as the year wears on. Finally with quarterback position drying up, I decide to get that backup to Manning now. Sam Bradford has had a rough start to his career but many of those factors were outside of his control and his upside is still high.

Rounds 14-18: Broncos Defense / RB Bilal Powell / TE Dallas Clark / WR Mohamed Sanu / PK Matt Prater

I finally grab a defense in the 14th round, right around where I will always scoop one up and scoring rules dictate otherwise. I add another young running back with tons of upside in Bilal Powell. He has been exciting through camp and the Jets are not happy with their current backfield rotation so Powell may surprise with lots of work in 2012. Dallas Clark will be a dependable backup for my team and has plenty of experience to rely on. I love the potential of rookie receiver Mohamed Sanu as do the Bengals coaching staff and he will get lots of work this season. Finally I grab a kicker on what should be a good offensive team.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #5)

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning

Sam Bradford

Running Backs

Matt Forte

C.J. Spiller

Mark Ingram

Mikel Leshoure

David Wilson

Bilal Powell

Wide Receivers

Andre Johnson

Greg Jennings

Dez Bryant

Randy Moss

Santana Moss

Mohamed Sanu

Tight Ends

Jacob Tamme

Dallas Clark

Place Kickers

Matt Prater

Defenses

Denver Broncos

Final thoughts on this roster

This is a very interesting squad. First of all, the receiving core is strong heading into the season. That is the baseline for this unit with the upside being spectacular. The starting trio is wonderful and could carry the team a long way. Adding two talented, veteran receivers out to prove themselves in Santana Moss and Randy Moss could turn this until into an incredible group and would give some serious trading options to desperate owners. The running back group is interesting. I have six very young running backs with tons of upside and it remains to be seen how much work they will receive. Each of these six players is explosive, hard running players with good vision and has top-12 fantasy potential. It all depends on opportunities with them. I am very happy with the six of them and believe at least four will put up RB2 statistics or better, if not more. I love my tight end position and kickers / defense are good enough.

Last thoughts on the 5th draft slot in a 14-team league

This isn't a terrible position to draft from in 2012. Either select one of the top four running backs mentioned earlier or Calvin Johnson and you will be on your way. Do not lock into a player or a position in the first three rounds of you draft. Instead select the best available player on your board. The exception to this is in round one. Aaron Rodgers may be the best available player on your board but taking him in a FLEX league makes it extremely difficult to make up ground on the other owners who selected running back or receiver in round one. Let somebody else scoop up Rodgers. It is really easy to look ahead from the even to odd rounds but not easy odd to even so take your time and attempt to determine which players are likely to go when. If you do that successfully you will have a very successful fantasy draft and be on your way to contending for the title.

Good luck and happy drafting. Thanks for reading.