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

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. I am 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 11th overall (14-team re-draft)

This will be a challenging draft slot this year but it is still possible to build a very strong team. The top several running backs, QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Calvin Johnson and TE Jimmy Graham are all very likely to be off the board here meaning this draft slot will be behind the other owners who drafted ahead in round one. However the earlier pick coming back in round two is going to help alleviate that concern and there are multiple paths to take this draft down. QB Drew Brees, TE Rob Gronkowski and QB Tom Brady are all possibilities but again with the FLEX pick going running back here is likely going to make the most sense unless one of the mentioned players earlier falls. In a running back heavy draft, this owner will be able to begin with Graham, Calvin Johnson or Rodgers and have a nice advantage out of the gate. However if they are all gone, RB/RB may be the best bet here.

Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft

League that goes RB heavy in first two rounds

Possible squad through five rounds

TE Jimmy Graham

QB Drew Brees

WR Wes Welker

WR Hakeem Nicks

WR Eric Decker

This would be an extreme case of high risk and high reward drafting. With a top-two quarterback and the best tight end on board as well as a strong receiving trio, in many ways this starting lineup will be the toast of the league. However the obvious caveat here is the lack of running backs available. Quickly playing through the next several rounds, a possible running back stable could be Ryan Williams, Mikel Leshoure and Daniel Thomas. All three players have big upside but also chance of minimal impact. It would be those types of players to target though hoping to find a few diamonds in the rough. If you get six such players and even three hit, this squad would look outstanding.

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 Chris Johnson

RB DeMarco Murray

RB Frank Gore

WR Mike Wallace

WR DeSean Jackson

This is a more typical fantasy approach and works out quite nicely. The first three picks are all running backs and allows me to plug in Frank Gore as my FLEX option, which is strong. Picking up two good receiving options in round five really does solidify the foundation of this squad. Rounds six through eight could bring in a receiver like Torrey Smith, a tight end such as Fred Davis and a quarterback like Matt Schaub and this roster will be in outstanding shape.

Likely selections in first seven rounds

Round 1: RB unless QB Aaron Rodgers / WR Calvin Johnson or TE Jimmy Graham available

Round 2: RB/WR unless QB Drew Brees / Tom Brady (even then I may lean towards running back if I like one at that spot)

Round 3: RB/WR unless QB above or Cam Newton / Matthew Stafford, TE Rob Gronkowski available

Round 4: RB/WR unless exceptional value at QB (above mentioned only) or TE Antonio Gates / Aaron Hernandez

Round 5: RB/WR unless great value at QB (above plus Michael Vick) or TE Jason Witten / Vernon Davis

Round 6: QB if none taken unless multiple left on board, then RB/WR/TE if ones mentioned above there)

Round 7: QB/TE if none taken, otherwise RB/WR

Positives of the draft slot

Two of the top-eighteen players

Easy to project who is available between odd and even rounds

Good spot to start a draft RB/RB and get a great starting duo

Negatives of the draft slot

Good chance the top several running backs, top quarterback, receiver and tight end all off the board

Very long time between even and odd round picks will make it challenging to project

Can feel like you are chasing owners ahead of you in round one and getting the earlier pick in round two

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 11th draft position

Round 1: RB Darren McFadden

There are so many different ways to take this draft here. You can really roll the dice and start the draft with the Saints combo, TE Jimmy Graham and QB Drew Brees if he fell to 2.04 which is a possibility. However I already broke down that possible start above so I will roll with a more conventional approach here. Starting a draft running back / running back is never an awful strategy as long as two good players are there to select. The first player Darren McFadden has top-three potential in fantasy points per game. He may miss a game or two along the way but his fantasy production should be outstanding.

Rounds 2: RB DeMarco Murray

As mentioned earlier, I am thinking about a RB/RB start to this draft and it all falls together with DeMarco Murray on the board. He and McFadden are talented, young, explosive players and will give me an excellent one-two punch at the running back position. The only other player I consider here still on the board is WR Larry Fitzgerald but there are tons of receivers I like that can be targeted later so Murray is the easy choice.

Rounds 3: WR Wes Welker

I am tempted to go Frank Gore here and have a great FLEX option right out of the gate. However I also showcased that drafting idea above so I will switch gears here and go with a monster player in a PPR format in Wes Welker. He is a lock for 100 receptions and is a great WR1 in PPR leagues. I am happy to add him to the team and my foundation is looking very good through three rounds.

Round 4: WR Hakeem Nicks

I actually believe I am going to go tight end position here and Antonio Gates but he is scooped up the pick before mine. Again I can consider my FLEX needs and add Frank Gore but I see Hakeem Nicks who has tremendous upside and I decide RB/RB/WR/WR is a great way to start this draft. If Gates is available with this pick, I would pick him up instead as he is going to have a huge season.

Rounds 5: RB Willis McGahee

I am happy that I passed on Gore earlier as I have a player I like just as much 21 picks later. McGahee is not flashy and his upside is limited but he is a good player to plug into a FLEX spot. I think about adding a receiver like Eric Decker or even a quarterback here like Matt Ryan but I just see too much potential to lose fantasy points with a FLEX position in play. I will find a serviceable quarterback later on.

Rounds 6: WR Torrey Smith

This is a real decision spot in the draft. I have three different paths I can go down. If I take a quarterback here like Ben Roethlisberger, the receiver talent is likely to dry up considerably by my next pick. I see this group of several receivers as the last of the sure things and a great WR3 in fantasy leagues. All of them are likely to be gone next pick. I can also consider a tight end here but I feel pretty safe in waiting another round or two and still getting a good tight end with upside. If I go receiver here, I am in danger of having the quarterback position possible run quite dry (Roethlisberger, Manning and Griffin III. There are risks in all directions but the upside of Torrey Smith as a WR3 is simply too positive to ignore and I grab him here.

Round 7: TE Fred Davis

My worry about the quarterback position drying up came to pass so it is time to implement plan B. I will ignore the position again for another round or two and will tread water this year with quarterback. I do see a few that I like more good possibilities here so no worries as something good will fall into our laps in the next couple of rounds. I see a few decent receiving options here but I need a starting tight end and with Fred Davis available, now is the time to pounce. I scoop him up with little thought.

Rounds 8: RB Mikel Leshoure

I now see several quarterbacks I am comfortable starting each week and am pretty sure one will drop another round so instead I take a running back with upside here in Mikel Leshoure. He has the talent and ability to be a fantasy weapon and as a RB4, he is a great pickup.

Rounds 9: QB Matt Schaub

Phew! Waiting on quarterback for as long as I did paid off. As anticipated the other owners had to address running back, receiver and tight end instead of securing a backup quarterback and the best of the remaining ones in round seven in my opinion fell into my lap. Schaub is a veteran quarterback who is capable of finishing inside the top-eight. Quarterback won't be a strength for my team but it also will not be a huge weakness.

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

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub

Running Backs

Darren McFadden

DeMarco Murray

Willis McGahee

Mikel Leshoure

Wide Receivers

Wes Welker

Hakeem Nicks

Torrey Smith

Tight Ends

Fred Davis

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

I feel very good about this squad through the first nine picks. The weakest part of the team is at quarterback as one would expect waiting so long to grab a starter. However Matt Schaub is not way behind the other quarterbacks in the NFL and is capable of putting up great fantasy numbers. I only have three receivers on the roster right now but all three are top-15 capable and are a great starting option each week. I am four strong at running back with three capable weekly starters and an upside player in Mikel Leshoure. To round out the first half of the draft I have a tight end capable of a top-five finish.

Rounds 10-13: WR Terrell Owens / QB Jake Locker / RB Mike Goodson / WR Alshon Jeffery

I start the second half of the draft with a swing for the fences player. Terrell Owens by all accounts is well behaved and being a model teammate. The question is at his advanced age can he still get open and make a difference on the field. I believe he can and is worth a shot here. If he exceeds expectations and approaches his past productivity, he is a backup receiver for my team. If he struggles, he becomes a free agent casualty. I love the fantasy potential of Jake Locker. If for some reason you get fantasy points for completion percentage, he may be the worst fantasy starter this year as his accuracy is pedestrian at best. However Locker is an athlete, can pile up points with his legs and makes big plays happen down the field. He will surprise in fantasy circles this year and I am glad to scoop him up. Mike Goodson is selected here to protect against injury with Darren McFadden. He is capable if called upon. Finally I add a rookie with big upside in Alshon Jeffery. He can produce right out of the gate.

Rounds 14-18: WR Stephen Hill / DEF Falcons / TE Dallas Clark / RB Bilal Powell / PK Matt Prater

Why have one rookie receiver when you can have a pair? I rarely will select a pair of rookie receivers but both Stephen Hill and Alshon Jeffery may contribute immediately this season. His upside is worth the pick here. I grab a defense and a kicker in these rounds as well as a dependable backup tight end. The swing for the fences player here is Bilal Powell, running back of the Jets. The team is not happy with the current running backs and there is a real shot for Powell to emerge with the lion's share of the work in 2012. As a late-round flyer, the upside is huge.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #11)

Quarterbacks

Matt Schaub

Jake Locker

Running Backs

Darren McFadden

DeMarco Murray

Willis McGahee

Mikel Leshoure

Mike Goodson

Bilal Powell

Wide Receivers

Wes Welker

Hakeem Nicks

Torrey Smith

Terrell Owens

Alshon Jeffery

Stephen Hill

Tight Ends

Fred Davis

Dallas Clark

Place Kickers

Matt Prater

Defenses

Atlanta Falcons

Final thoughts on this roster

There is some high risk high rewards players on this squad (Jake Locker, Terrell Owens, Alshon Jeffery, Stephen Hill, Mikel Leshoure and Bilal Powell but the foundation under those risky picks is rock solid. If a few of these players hit it big, the squad is in wonderful shape but even if none of them hit, the team still has a strong weekly starting lineup. The starters at running back and receiver are very good. I can start Darren McFadden, DeMarco Murray, Willis McGahee, Wes Welker, Hakeem Nicks, Torrey Smith and Fred Davis week in and week out and be in great shape. Quarterback is not an obvious strength but I am happy with the pair I have. All in all, there is a squad with huge upside and possibilities. Gotta like that heading into the season.

Last thoughts on the 11th draft slot in a 14-team league

This is not the easiest place to draft from simply do to the face you are playing catch-up on both sides of your first round pick. Going RB/RB to begin the draft will be the most likely strategy here unless talent drops but if you have Jimmy Graham or Aaron Rodgers available in the 11-hole, then definitely go that route. A Graham / Brees beginning to the draft is risky insofar as you will have to draft very well at the running back and receiver positions but it locks two powerhouse players into your starting lineup and really strengthens the foundation of the team. I have showcased multiple possible paths to success here so allow the first ten picks to unfold and then pick your direction.

Good luck and happy drafting. Thanks for reading.