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On July 11th, twelve members of the Footballguys staff got together for the site's first mock draft of 2015. Below is the league scoring format and bylaws.
League Parameters
- 12 teams
- 20 roster spots
- Starting Lineup
- 1 quarterback
- 2 running backs
- 3 wide receivers
- 1 tight end
- 1 flex (either a running back, wide receiver, or tight end)
- 1 team defense
League Scoring
- Offensive Players
- 4 points - passing touchdown
- 6 points - rushing/receiving touchdown
- 0.05 points - passing yard
- 0.1 points - rushing/receiving yard
- 1 point - reception
- Team Defense
- 6 points - touchdown
- 2 points - turnover recovered
- 2 points - safety
- 1 point - sack
- 10 points - Offensive points against: 0-0
- 7 points - Offensive points against: 1-6
- 4 points - Offensive points against: 7-20
- 1 point - Offensive points against: 21-29
- -3 points - Offensive points against: 30-99
- 6 points each - Number of Defensive and Special Teams Touchdowns
The Draft Order
The draft order was created randomly. After the first round, the draft continues in a regular serpentine manner. Click here for the Full Draft pick by pick
1. Justin Howe
2. Andy Hicks
3. Ryan Hester
4. Will Grant
5. Jeff Tefertiller
6. Scott Bischoff
7. Matt Bitonti
8. Dan Hinery
9. Alex Miglio
10. Jeff Haseley
11. Cian Fahey
12. Mark Wimer
Starting with Justin Howe from the 1.01 spot, Chad Parsons provides an unbiased evaluation of each team's draft performance .
Justin Howe: Draft Position 1
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.01 | 1 | Bell, Le'Veon PIT RB |
2.12 | 24 | Evans, Mike TBB WR |
3.01 | 25 | Hilton, T.Y. IND WR |
4.12 | 48 | Matthews, Jordan PHI WR |
5.01 | 49 | Stewart, Jonathan CAR RB |
6.12 | 72 | Martin, Doug TBB RB |
7.01 | 73 | Coleman, Tevin ATL RB |
8.12 | 96 | Brees, Drew NOS QB |
9.01 | 97 | LaFell, Brandon NEP WR |
10.12 | 120 | Freeman, Devonta ATL RB |
11.01 | 121 | Fleener, Coby IND TE |
12.12 | 144 | Moncrief, Donte IND WR |
13.01 | 145 | Williams, Andre NYG RB |
14.12 | 168 | Smith, Alex KCC QB |
15.01 | 169 | Daniels, Owen DEN TE |
16.12 | 192 | Chiefs, Kansas City KCC Def |
17.01 | 193 | Patriots, New England NEP Def |
18.12 | 216 | 49ers, San Francisco SFO Def |
19.01 | 217 | Green, Virgil DEN TE |
20.12 | 240 | Beasley, Cole DAL WR |
Overall Strategy
Wide Receiver-heavy approach with three selections in the first four rounds. Le’Veon Bell or bust at running back.
Best Pick
Jordan Matthews, 4.12, WR21. While the Eagles starting quarterback is unsettled, Matthews is the penciled in No.1 target on a fast-paced offense. Matthews checks all the metric boxes as a prospect and now enters Year 2, a historical jump for fantasy production at the position.
Worst Pick
Jonathan Stewart, 5.01, RB24. Stewart is coming off his highest volume since 2009 and, despite being 28 years old, has the injury history of a 35-year-old NFL retiree. The touchdown upside is minimal in Carolina with Cam Newton heavily involved at the goal line and Stewart has missed 20 games over the past three seasons. In addition to passing on backs like T.J. Yeldon and Joseph Randle at 49 overall, Allen Robinson and Amari Cooper were there at wide receiver. To cap off the pick, Howe did not lock up likely primary backup in Carolina, Cameron Artis-Payne, despite the 2015 rookie out of Auburn falling into Round 20.
Evaluation
Past Le’Veon Bell at running back, the mandatory start-2 best ball format will create a weekly dart throw between Jonathan Stewart, the Atlanta tandem of Tevin Coleman and Devonta Freeman, Doug Martin, and Andre Williams. Drew Brees was a quality selection at 96 overall in the back-half of QB1 territory. Howe went with late-round tight end approach pairing the Denver committee (Owen Daniels, Virgil Green) with Coby Fleener.
Andy Hicks: Draft Position 2
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.02 | 2 | Gronkowski, Rob NEP TE |
2.11 | 23 | Rodgers, Aaron GBP QB |
3.02 | 26 | Benjamin, Kelvin CAR WR |
4.11 | 47 | Bell, Joique DET RB |
5.02 | 50 | Abdullah, Ameer DET RB |
6.11 | 71 | Wallace, Mike MIN WR |
7.02 | 74 | Harvin, Percy BUF WR |
8.11 | 95 | Sankey, Bishop TEN RB |
9.02 | 98 | Fitzgerald, Larry ARI WR |
10.11 | 119 | Cruz, Victor NYG WR |
11.02 | 122 | Garcon, Pierre WAS WR |
12.11 | 143 | Williams, DeAngelo PIT RB |
13.02 | 146 | Green, Ladarius SDC TE |
14.11 | 167 | Bortles, Blake JAC QB |
15.02 | 170 | Ball, Montee DEN RB |
16.11 | 191 | Bengals, Cincinnati CIN Def |
17.02 | 194 | Cowboys, Dallas DAL Def |
18.11 | 215 | Richardson, Trent OAK RB |
19.02 | 218 | Hunter, Justin TEN WR |
20.11 | 239 | Matthews, Chris SEA WR |
Overall Strategy
Stud Tight End and Quarterback approach with Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Rodgers.
Best Pick
Joique Bell, 4.11, RB23. While Ameer Abdullah’s addition in the draft tempers Bell’s passing game upside, the goal line and early down work is all Joique Bell in Detroit. Abdullah was not a strong inside runner in college and does not project as such in the NFL. Double-digit touchdowns are well within reach with a decent string of health for Bell. Hicks was also aggressive locking up Abdullah the round after Bell.
Worst Pick
Percy Harvin, 7.02, WR30. The Bills passing game has tempered upside to begin with, possessing one of the most uncertain quarterback depth charts in the NFL. Harvin lacks any reasonable floor with Sammy Watkins the likely No.1 , Robert Woods a quality secondary option, and Charles Clay a better tight end option in Buffalo than recent seasons. Harvin is likely to have more NFL value with situational touches and in the return game, than in the WR3-4-5 mix on Hicks’ depth chart.
Evaluation
With the year-to-year consistency of quarterback and tight end historically, Hicks’ squad has a higher floor than most teams in the league. The positive of the shotgun approach at wide receiver (only Kelvin Benjamin in the top-70 selections) is targeting high-floor, known roles like Benjamin, Larry Fitzgerald, Pierre Garcon, and Mike Wallace. While not deep at running back, upside shots like Bishop Sankey, Montee Ball, and even Trent Richardson have RB2 or better weeks in them if their depth charts break right in-season.
Ryan Hester: Draft Position 3
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.03 | 3 | Brown, Antonio PIT WR |
2.10 | 22 | Forsett, Justin BAL RB |
3.03 | 27 | Jeffery, Alshon CHI WR |
4.10 | 46 | Ellington, Andre ARI RB |
5.03 | 51 | Randle, Joseph DAL RB |
6.10 | 70 | Bryant, Martavis PIT WR |
7.03 | 75 | Johnson, Charles MIN WR |
8.10 | 94 | Decker, Eric NYJ WR |
9.03 | 99 | Walker, Delanie TEN TE |
10.10 | 118 | Romo, Tony DAL QB |
11.03 | 123 | Woodhead, Danny SDC RB |
12.10 | 142 | Quick, Brian STL WR |
13.03 | 147 | Herron, Dan IND RB |
14.10 | 166 | Mariota, Marcus TEN QB |
15.03 | 171 | Randle, Rueben NYG WR |
16.10 | 190 | Davis, Vernon SFO TE |
17.03 | 195 | Ravens, Baltimore BAL Def |
18.10 | 214 | Steelers, Pittsburgh PIT Def |
19.03 | 219 | Manziel, Johnny CLE QB |
20.10 | 238 | Giants, New York NYG Def |
Overall Strategy
Late-round quarterback and tight end
Best Pick
Alshon Jeffery, 3.03, WR13. Jeffery has free access to a glut of targets in Chicago with Brandon Marshall gone and Marquess Wilson and rookie Kevin White manning the secondary receiver spots. After Antonio Brown in Round 1, Hester locked up one of the best tandems in terms of upside and floor at wide receiver in the league.
Worst Pick
Dan Herron, 13.03, RB52. The Colts backup running back spot behind Frank Gore is up in the air plus has a low-ceiling outside of a Gore injury. Hester was light at running back leading up to his selection, but Carson Palmer and Joe Flacco were available as quality pairings with late-round starter Tony Romo.
Evaluation
The key positions and bets for Hester reside at running back and tight end. Delanie Walker has a decent floor, but unlikely to help a team’s cause in more than a handful of weeks at most. Vernon Davis is a complete wildcard as the only other tight end drafted. Andre Ellington and Joseph Randle both have high-RB2, or better, upside if their team depth charts break right. Dan Herron and Danny Woodhead offer little security if Ellington or Randle falter for much of the season.
Will Grant: Draft Position 4
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.04 | 4 | Charles, Jamaal KCC RB |
2.09 | 21 | Cobb, Randall GBP WR |
3.04 | 28 | Hopkins, DeAndre HOU WR |
4.09 | 45 | Allen, Keenan SDC WR |
5.04 | 52 | Bernard, Giovani CIN RB |
6.09 | 69 | Jackson, DeSean WAS WR |
7.04 | 76 | Ertz, Zach PHI TE |
8.09 | 93 | Newton, Cam CAR QB |
9.04 | 100 | Hill, Josh NOS TE |
10.09 | 117 | Ivory, Chris NYJ RB |
11.04 | 124 | McFadden, Darren DAL RB |
12.09 | 141 | Kaepernick, Colin SFO QB |
13.04 | 148 | Cutler, Jay CHI QB |
14.09 | 165 | Seahawks, Seattle SEA Def |
15.04 | 172 | Latimer, Cody DEN WR |
16.09 | 189 | Panthers, Carolina CAR Def |
17.04 | 196 | Blue, Alfred HOU RB |
18.09 | 213 | Hurns, Allen JAC WR |
19.04 | 220 | Buccaneers, Tampa Bay TBB Def |
20.09 | 237 | Bailey, Stedman STL WR |
Overall Strategy
Balanced approach with 1 QB, 2 RB, 4 WR, 2 TE within the first nine rounds.
Best Pick
Randall Cobb, 2.09, WR9. The top of the wide receiver position is deep in 2015, with quality options readily available in the 20-30 range. With Cobb, Grant locks in a primary target paired with Aaron Rodgers after addressing running back in Round 1.
Worst Pick
Jay Cutler, 13.04, QB18. No single pick stands out as a significant reach on Grant’s board. However, Cutler completed a series of three quarterbacks within six rounds for Grant. Cam Newton and Colin Kaepernick were quality selections in Round 8 and Round 12 with the rushing focus of the league settings. Cutler was selected over higher upside Carson Palmer within the position, plus 13.04 could have been used on primary backup running backs like Montee Ball or Knile Davis behind Grant’s first round selection, Jamaal Charles.
Evaluation
Randall Cobb, DeSean Jackson, Zach Ertz, and Josh Hill are perfect best-ball selections with their high weekly ceiling. Without a clear-cut RB2 possessing a lead role, the running back position needs one of Giovani Bernard, Chris Ivory, or Darren McFadden to see a depth chart uptick along the way.
Jeff Tefertiller: Draft Position 5
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.05 | 5 | Bryant, Dez DAL WR |
2.08 | 20 | Foster, Arian HOU RB |
3.05 | 29 | Gurley, Todd STL RB |
4.08 | 44 | Edelman, Julian NEP WR |
5.05 | 53 | Robinson, Allen JAC WR |
6.08 | 68 | Bennett, Martellus CHI TE |
7.05 | 77 | Mason, Tre STL RB |
8.08 | 92 | Smith, Steve BAL WR |
9.05 | 101 | Boldin, Anquan SFO WR |
10.08 | 116 | Parker, DeVante MIA WR |
11.05 | 125 | Rivers, Philip SDC QB |
12.08 | 140 | Cobb, David TEN RB |
13.05 | 149 | Palmer, Carson ARI QB |
14.08 | 164 | Donnell, Larry NYG TE |
15.05 | 173 | Davis, Knile KCC RB |
16.08 | 188 | Packers, Green Bay GBP Def |
17.05 | 197 | Vikings, Minnesota MIN Def |
18.08 | 212 | Sanchez, Mark PHI QB |
19.05 | 221 | Jaguars, Jacksonville JAC Def |
20.08 | 236 | Artis-Payne, Cameron CAR RB |
Overall Strategy
Late-round quarterback with steady pass-catchers.
Best Pick
Arian Foster, 2.08, RB11. While Tefertiller was unable to secure Alfred Blue (RB60 in Round 17), Foster at a low-RB1 price is a bargain any week he is healthy.
Worst Pick
Mark Sanchez, 18.08, QB30. With quality starters Philip Rivers and Carson Palmer already rostered, options like Trent Richardson, James Starks, or even Cordarrelle Patterson would have been a bigger backend roster boost.
Evaluation
Tefertiller nailed high-leverage running back situations with Todd Gurley and Tre Mason in St.Louis, plus primary backups Cameron Artis-Payne, David Cobb, and Knile Davis. Balancing the risk-reward options at running back, Tefertiller drafted high-floor pass-catchers in Dez Bryant, Julian Edelman, Steve Smith, Anquan Boldin, and Martellus Bennett.
Scott Bischoff: Draft Position 6
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.06 | 6 | Peterson, Adrian MIN RB |
2.07 | 19 | Hill, Jeremy CIN RB |
3.06 | 30 | Luck, Andrew IND QB |
4.07 | 43 | Tate, Golden DET WR |
5.06 | 54 | Vereen, Shane NYG RB |
6.07 | 67 | Landry, Jarvis MIA WR |
7.06 | 78 | Dorsett, Phillip IND WR |
8.07 | 91 | Eifert, Tyler CIN TE |
9.06 | 102 | Allen, Dwayne IND TE |
10.07 | 115 | Brady, Tom NEP QB |
11.06 | 126 | Mathews, Ryan PHI RB |
12.07 | 139 | Williams, Terrance DAL WR |
13.06 | 150 | Jones, Marvin CIN WR |
14.07 | 163 | Sproles, Darren PHI RB |
15.06 | 174 | Riddick, Theo DET RB |
16.07 | 187 | Eagles, Philadelphia PHI Def |
17.06 | 198 | Crabtree, Michael OAK WR |
18.07 | 211 | Lions, Detroit DET Def |
19.06 | 222 | Asiata, Matt MIN RB |
20.07 | 235 | Patterson, Cordarrelle MIN WR |
Overall Strategy
Risk-Reward at wide receiver and tight end.
Best Pick
Matt Asiata, 19.06, RB65. Asiata is a lost name in the land of primary backup running backs for 2015. Bischoff insulated his Round 1 selection of Adrian Peterson with Asiata in the final rounds. The Jerick McKinnon news has been centered on a passing down role and Asiata would be a touchdown-centric best ball boon if Peterson were to miss time.
Worst Pick
Tom Brady, 10.07, QB12. In addition to the suspension downside, Bischoff already invested a premium selection in Andrew Luck. Part of the appeal in an early quarterback is waiting until the late rounds to secure a backup. Plenty of upside running backs and wide receivers were available in Round 10 and beyond.
Evaluation
Dwayne Allen and Tyler Eifert form a nail-biting tandem at tight end to get significant volume or a touchdown each week. The wide receiver position is a collection of question marks with Golden Tate the de facto No.1 and needing multiple breakouts from the quintet of Michael Crabtree, Phillip Dorsett, Marvin Jones, Terrace Williams, and Cordarrelle Patterson.
Matt Bitonti: Draft Position 7
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.07 | 7 | Lacy, Eddie GBP RB |
2.06 | 18 | Green, A.J. CIN WR |
3.07 | 31 | Graham, Jimmy SEA TE |
4.06 | 42 | Cooks, Brandin NOS WR |
5.07 | 55 | Watkins, Sammy BUF WR |
6.06 | 66 | Crowell, Isaiah CLE RB |
7.07 | 79 | Maclin, Jeremy KCC WR |
8.06 | 90 | Johnson, Duke CLE RB |
9.07 | 103 | Ryan, Matt ATL QB |
10.06 | 114 | Johnson, David ARI RB |
11.07 | 127 | Allen, Javorius BAL RB |
12.06 | 138 | McKinnon, Jerick MIN RB |
13.07 | 151 | Griffin III, Robert WAS QB |
14.06 | 162 | Jets, New York NYJ Def |
15.07 | 175 | Amaro, Jace NYJ TE |
16.06 | 186 | Reed, Jordan WAS TE |
17.07 | 199 | Foles, Nick STL QB |
18.06 | 210 | Garoppolo, Jimmy NEP QB |
19.07 | 223 | Fiedorowicz, C.J. HOU TE |
20.06 | 234 | Bears, Chicago CHI Def |
Overall Strategy
No room for error at wide receiver, looking for an injury at running back
Best Pick
Eddie Lacy, 1.07, RB4. Lacy has a strong argument to be a top-3 pick overall. With Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown, and Dez Bryant off the board in the top-6, Bitonti was able to scoop up a top running back.
Worst Pick
Jeremy Maclin, 7.07, WR33. After a career year in Philadelphia last season, Maclin transitions from one of the most fantasy-friendly offenses in the NFL to the barren passing game of Kansas City. Historically it is rare for lead receivers of ho-hum quarterbacks to have more than low-WR2 upside. With Alex Smith’s dink and dunk approach, Maclin will struggle to eclipse his WR33 price point.
Evaluation
Drafting only four wide receivers is a leap of faith considering bye weeks and missed games. Instead, Bitonti drafted four quarterbacks, even with steady Matt Ryan in Round 9. Instead of Nick Foles and Jimmy Garoppolo in the late rounds, receivers like Justin Hardy, Nick Toon, Stedman Bailey, or Cole Beasley would have boosted the back-end of the short-stacked position.
Dan Hindery: Draft Position 8
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.08 | 8 | Lynch, Marshawn SEA RB |
2.05 | 17 | Johnson, Calvin DET WR |
3.08 | 32 | Gordon, Melvin SDC RB |
4.05 | 41 | Ingram, Mark NOS RB |
5.08 | 56 | Yeldon, T.J. JAC RB |
6.05 | 65 | Marshall, Brandon NYJ WR |
7.08 | 80 | Agholor, Nelson PHI WR |
8.05 | 89 | Roethlisberger, Ben PIT QB |
9.08 | 104 | Seferian-Jenkins, Austin TBB TE |
10.05 | 113 | Perriman, Breshad BAL WR |
11.08 | 128 | Adams, Davante GBP WR |
12.05 | 137 | Ebron, Eric DET TE |
13.08 | 152 | Funchess, Devin CAR WR |
14.05 | 161 | Dalton, Andy CIN QB |
15.08 | 176 | Clay, Charles BUF TE |
16.05 | 185 | Cardinals, Arizona ARI Def |
17.08 | 200 | Browns, Cleveland CLE Def |
18.05 | 209 | Jones, Matt WAS RB |
19.08 | 224 | Chargers, San Diego SDC Def |
20.05 | 233 | Royal, Eddie CHI WR |
Overall Strategy
Running Back-heavy with young upside shots at wide receiver and tight end.
Best Pick
T.J. Yeldon, 5.08, RB29. The Jaguars offense is not projected to be a prolific group, but the competition for touches in the backfield is limited. Yeldon has a three-down profile and the size to stay on the field for goal line work. As Hindery’s RB3/4, Yeldon is a rock-solid high floor option.
Worst Pick
Eric Ebron, 12.05, TE19. While TE19 is a fair price for the second-year Detroit tight end, the team fit and opportunity cost is not. With Austin Seferian-Jenkins already on the roster as a higher upside sophomore breakout candidate, Ebron was added three rounds later. Ladarius Green and Owen Daniels were available at the tight end position, plus Brian Quick and Donte Moncrief were on the board to add a wide receiver boost.
Evaluation
Hindery was efficient at quarterback with two high-variance weekly starters in Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton. The efficiency also helped going hard at lead running backs with four selections in the first five rounds. Melvin Gordon and T.J. Yeldon at RB3 and RB4 provide plenty of wiggle room for an injury in-season and the upside of high volume in the flex position. The upside of the young committee of Davante Adams, Nelson Agholor, Devin Funchess, and Breshad Perriman at wide receiver beyond Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall are key players to this team’s success.
Alex Miglio: Draft Position 9
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.09 | 9 | Beckham, Odell NYG WR |
2.04 | 16 | Forte, Matt CHI RB |
3.09 | 33 | Gore, Frank IND RB |
4.04 | 40 | Hyde, Carlos SFO RB |
5.09 | 57 | Kelce, Travis KCC TE |
6.04 | 64 | Cooper, Amari OAK WR |
7.09 | 81 | Manning, Peyton DEN QB |
8.04 | 88 | Jackson, Vincent TBB WR |
9.09 | 105 | Sims, Charles TBB RB |
10.04 | 112 | Floyd, Michael ARI WR |
11.09 | 129 | Colston, Marques NOS WR |
12.04 | 136 | Gates, Antonio SDC TE |
13.09 | 153 | Flacco, Joe BAL QB |
14.04 | 160 | Bills, Buffalo BUF Def |
15.09 | 177 | Carr, Derek OAK QB |
16.04 | 184 | Rodgers, Richard GBP TE |
17.09 | 201 | Colts, Indianapolis IND Def |
18.04 | 208 | Wilson, Albert KCC WR |
19.09 | 225 | Starks, James GBP RB |
20.04 | 232 | Toon, Nick NOS WR |
Overall Strategy
Balanced approach
Best Pick
Frank Gore, 3.09, RB15. The Colts offense is a running back’s dream in terms of red zone opportunities and high-upside in fantasy. Dan Herron is a functional NFL backup, but not a challenger to Frank Gore’s projected heavy workload. Double-digit touchdowns are likely and Gore is one of the safest RB2-priced backs in 2015.
Worst Pick
Vincent Jackson, 8.04, WR39. Miglio had a savvy draft, first and foremost. Jackson’s lead status in Tampa Bay evaporated in 2014 as Mike Evans exceled as a top-drafted rookie. As a secondary receiver on a projected middle-of-the-road passing game, Jackson has mid-WR3 upside at best.
Evaluation
With Peyton Manning at quarterback, two additional signal callers in the first 15 rounds is overkill. Miglio’s receivers are a quality blend of older options (Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson) and young upside plays (Odell Beckham, Amari Cooper, Michael Floyd, Nick Toon). Given Antonio Gates’ suspension and drafting Travis Kelce in Round 5, Gates was a stretch in Round 12.
Jeff Haseley: Draft Position 10
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.10 | 10 | Anderson, C.J. DEN RB |
2.03 | 15 | Jones, Julio ATL WR |
3.10 | 34 | Spiller, C.J. NOS RB |
4.03 | 39 | Sanders, Emmanuel DEN WR |
5.10 | 58 | Wilson, Russell SEA QB |
6.03 | 63 | Jennings, Rashad NYG RB |
7.10 | 82 | White, Roddy ATL WR |
8.03 | 87 | Blount, LeGarrette NEP RB |
9.10 | 106 | Brown, John ARI WR |
10.03 | 111 | Witten, Jason DAL TE |
11.1 | 130 | Rudolph, Kyle MIN TE |
12.03 | 135 | Bridgewater, Teddy MIN QB |
13.10 | 154 | Winston, Jameis TBB QB |
14.03 | 159 | White, James NEP RB |
15.10 | 178 | Green-Beckham, Dorial TEN WR |
16.03 | 183 | Dolphins, Miami MIA Def |
17.10 | 202 | Cadet, Travaris NEP RB |
18.03 | 207 | Miller, Heath PIT TE |
19.10 | 226 | Titans, Tennessee TEN Def |
20.03 | 231 | Redskins, Washington WAS Def |
Overall Strategy
Late round tight end, ‘invest in the quarterback’ running backs
Best Pick
Julio Jones, 2.03, WR6. Jones is the best blend of floor and ceiling at the wide receiver position for 2015. His upside is historic with a downside as a low-WR1. Getting the top wide receiver in the second round is a windfall of value following running back in Round 1.
Worst Pick
Emmanuel Sanders, 4.03, WR16. Sanders is coming off a career year and the Denver passing game (read: Peyton Manning) is on the verge of a steep decline from its heights of 2013 and the beginning of 2014. Demaryius Thomas is insulated to a large degree with his prototypical size, athleticism, and tools. Sanders, however, benefited greatly from the overall rising tide of the passing game. Buying Sanders at high-WR2 prices leaves little room for error.
Evaluation
Haseley invested heavily in strong quarterback play with his running back stable. Instead of taking a shot on a single New England running back, he took LeGarrette Blount, James White, and Travaris Cadet looking to corner the market whoever is the favorite of Bill Belichick’s week. C.J. Anderson and C.J. Spiller also are tied to historically strong quarterbacks in Denver and New Orleans. A third quarterback (Jameis Winston) was unnecessary after drafting Russell Wilson and Teddy Bridgewater in the first 12 rounds. The late round tight end trio of Jason Witten, Kyle Rudolph, and Heath Miller is unspectacular but unlikely to be below middle of the pack in weekly best ball scoring.
Cian Fahey: Draft Position 11
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.11 | 11 | Murray, DeMarco PHI RB |
2.02 | 14 | McCoy, LeSean BUF RB |
3.11 | 35 | Miller, Lamar MIA RB |
4.02 | 38 | Johnson, Andre IND WR |
5.11 | 59 | Thomas, Julius JAC TE |
6.02 | 62 | Ajayi, Jay MIA RB |
7.11 | 83 | Stills, Kenny MIA WR |
8.02 | 86 | Wright, Kendall TEN WR |
9.11 | 107 | Tannehill, Ryan MIA QB |
10.02 | 110 | White, Kevin CHI WR |
11.11 | 131 | Johnson, Stevie SDC WR |
12.02 | 134 | Bradford, Sam PHI QB |
13.11 | 155 | Bowe, Dwayne CLE WR |
14.02 | 158 | Ridley, Stevan NYJ RB |
15.11 | 179 | Rams, St. Louis STL Def |
16.02 | 182 | Smith, Devin NYJ WR |
17.11 | 203 | Jackson, Fred BUF RB |
18.02 | 206 | Saints, New Orleans NOS Def |
19.11 | 227 | Cook, Jared STL TE |
20.02 | 230 | Tamme, Jacob ATL TE |
Overall Strategy
Rolling the dice in the passing game
Best Pick
Lamar Miller, 3.11, RB17. Miller is entering a running back’s peak production window historically and Fahey insured Miller’s health with Jay Ajayi later in the draft. Miami is a potential upswing offense and Fahey got pieces of the run game plus Tannehill and Kenny Stills through the air.
Worst Pick
Andre Johnson, 4.02, WR15. All the talk this offseason regarding Andre Johnson is the improved situation going from Houston to Indianapolis. Johnson was horrific efficiency-wise in 2014 and DeAndre Hopkins ran circles around Johnson in the same Houston passing game. Now, Johnson is presumed to be a high-upside option despite T.Y. Hilton in his prime, Frank Gore added to the run game, Donte Moncrief entering his second season, and Dwayne Allen returning from injury. Brandin Cooks and Jordan Matthews were drafted later in the round as positional alternatives.
Evaluation
Leaving the draft with two quarterbacks, considering one is career question mark Sam Bradford, leaves the position on the thin side. Running back is stocked after Fahey used his first three selections on bell cow options, following them up with handcuffs Jay Ajayi and Fred Jackson. Wide receiver is a hodge podge of potential over-the-hill options like Andre Johnson, Dwayne Bowe, and Stevie Johnson mixed with Devin Smith and Kevin White – rookies without well-defined upside paths in Year 1.
Mark Wimer: Draft Position 12
Pick | Overall | Selection |
1.12 | 12 | Thomas, Demaryius DEN WR |
2.01 | 13 | Nelson, Jordy GBP WR |
3.12 | 36 | Morris, Alfred WAS RB |
4.01 | 37 | Murray, Latavius OAK RB |
5.12 | 60 | Cameron, Jordan MIA TE |
6.01 | 61 | Olsen, Greg CAR TE |
7.12 | 84 | Smith, Torrey SFO WR |
8.01 | 85 | Stafford, Matthew DET QB |
9.12 | 108 | Manning, Eli NYG QB |
10.01 | 109 | Kearse, Jermaine SEA WR |
11.12 | 132 | Bush, Reggie SFO RB |
12.01 | 133 | Williams, Maxx BAL TE |
13.12 | 156 | Baldwin, Doug SEA WR |
14.01 | 157 | Helu, Roy OAK RB |
15.12 | 180 | Broncos, Denver DEN Def |
16.01 | 181 | Texans, Houston HOU Def |
17.12 | 204 | Hardy, Justin ATL WR |
18.01 | 205 | Strong, Jaelen HOU WR |
19.12 | 228 | West, Terrance CLE RB |
20.01 | 229 | Robinson, Khiry NOS RB |
Overall Strategy
Plenty of dart throws at running back and wide receiver after over-spending at quarterback and tight end.
Best Pick
Justin Hardy, 17.12, WR68. Hardy has a clear track to living in the slot for Atlanta from Day 1 between Julio Jones and Roddy White. Harry Douglas maximized his value from the same position in recent seasons with WR2 moments if Jones or White missed time. Hardy has strong lateral agility to excel on the NFL inside and provide starting caliber weeks from deep down best ball drafts.
Worst Pick
Jordan Cameron and Greg Olsen at the Round 5/6 turn (TE5, TE6). Considering Wimer had two running backs and two receivers at the time, doubling up on tight ends was overkill. Tight ends are rarely flex-worthy fantasy options and plenty of options at more valuable positions (Brandon Marshall, Amari Cooper, Mike Wallace, DeSean Jackson, Roddy White to name a few) were available. Even Martellus Bennett at tight end has a better combination of floor and ceiling than Olsen and Cameron.
Evaluation
Wimer saved a roster spot with a solid two-quarterback committee of Matthew Stafford and Eli Manning. The running back position is riskier than most teams in the league with Alfred Morris and Latavius Murray as the starters. Roy Helu helps insulate Murray’s downside, but Khiry Robinson, Reggie Bush, and Terrance West are not ideal upside plays later in the draft. After hitting wide receiver hard with Jordy Nelson and Demaryius Thomas at the opening turn, the position was largely ignored with one selection (Torrey Smith in Round 7) between Round 3 and Round 13. After Greg Olsen and Jordan Cameron at 60 and 61 overall, Wimer was not done investing in tight end and spent yet another pick on the position with rookie Maxx Williams in Round 12.