On July 13th, twelve members of the Footballguys staff got together for the site's second mock draft of 2016. Below is the league scoring format and bylaws. Chris Feery provides an in-depth evaluation summary of each team's draft.
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
- 6 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 team rosters and Grid Format of the draft.
- Jeff Haseley
- Phil Alexander
- Ari Ingel
- Jeff Tefertiller
- Steve Holloway
- Jason Wood
- Chad Parsons
- Will Grant
- Alex Miglio
- Chris Kuczynski
- B.J. Vanderwoude
- Mark Wimer
Starting with Jeff Haseley from the 1.01 spot, Chris Ferry provides an unbiased evaluation of each team's draft performance.
Jeff Haseley Slot 1
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.01 | 1 | Brown, Antonio PIT WR |
2.12 | 24 | Cooks, Brandin NOS WR |
3.01 | 25 | Newton, Cam CAR QB |
4.12 | 48 | Forte, Matt NYJ RB |
5.01 | 49 | Fitzgerald, Larry ARI WR |
6.12 | 72 | Jones, Matt WAS RB |
7.01 | 73 | Stewart, Jonathan CAR RB |
8.12 | 96 | Wheaton, Markus PIT WR |
9.01 | 97 | Ivory, Chris JAC RB |
10.12 | 120 | Gates, Antonio SDC TE |
11.01 | 121 | Bennett, Martellus NEP TE |
12.12 | 144 | Taylor, Tyrod BUF QB |
13.01 | 145 | Williams, Karlos BUF RB |
14.12 | 168 | Cardinals, Arizona ARI Def |
15.01 | 169 | Watson, Ben BAL TE |
16.12 | 192 | Randle, Rueben PHI WR |
17.01 | 193 | Williams, Jonathan BUF RB (R) |
18.12 | 216 | Roberts, Seth OAK WR |
19.01 | 217 | Santos, Cairo KCC PK |
20.12 | 240 | Sharpe, Tajae TEN WR (R) |
Overall Strategy
Balanced throughout, early QB
Best Pick
Cam Newton, 3.01, QB1
By selecting a WR with the first overall selection, Haseley knew that the elite RBs would be off the board by the time the Round 2/3 turn came around. Instead of overpaying for a RB that wasn’t quite of the elite caliber, he stayed the course and focused on the best available player. He deftly executed the turn and secured the QB position early by selecting Cam Newton, which is a move that can pay plenty of dividends in 2016.
Worst Pick
Karlos Williams, 13.01, RB50
This draft was held prior to the four-game suspension that has been handed down on Williams, but this pick still may have been a bit of reach. He was held out of minicamp due to weight concerns, and was not a lock for the Bills backup RB spot even prior to the suspension. There’s value to be had in the RB2 spot for Buffalo, but it’s too early to tell exactly how that’s going to shake out.
Evaluation
Having the first overall selection can be a blessing and a curse, but Haseley was able to craft a roster that resembles the former. He did a fantastic job building strength in the early rounds at WR, and his patience at RB was rewarded with the delivery of Matt Forte and Jonathan Williams at nice value. Overall, a very solid draft. Haseley has selected a squad that should be very competitive in 2016.
Phil Alexander Slot 2
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.02 | 2 | Jones, Julio ATL WR |
2.11 | 23 | Ingram, Mark NOS RB |
3.02 | 26 | Lacy, Eddie GBP RB |
4.11 | 47 | Floyd, Michael ARI WR |
5.02 | 50 | Reed, Jordan WAS TE |
6.11 | 71 | Crabtree, Michael OAK WR |
7.02 | 74 | Jones, Marvin DET WR |
8.11 | 95 | Manning, Eli NYG QB |
9.02 | 98 | Jennings, Rashad NYG RB |
10.11 | 119 | Benjamin, Travis SDC WR |
11.02 | 122 | Forsett, Justin BAL RB |
12.11 | 143 | Powell, Bilal NYJ RB |
13.02 | 146 | Allen, Javorius BAL RB |
14.11 | 167 | Clay, Charles BUF TE |
15.02 | 170 | Flacco, Joe BAL QB |
16.11 | 191 | Janis, Jeff GBP WR |
17.02 | 194 | Fitzpatrick, Ryan NYJ QB |
18.11 | 215 | Johnson, Chris ARI RB |
19.02 | 218 | Redskins, Washington WAS Def |
20.11 | 239 | Bryant, Matt ATL PK |
Overall Strategy
Balanced, early focus on RB and WR, patience on QB
Best Pick
Eli Manning, 8.11, QB9
Alexander pulled the trigger on the QB position at the perfect time. He didn’t overpay – or wait too long – and was able to walk away with an underrated QB that appears set to outperform expectations in 2016. The Bob McAdoo offense has agreed well with Manning thus far. Now that McAdoo’s running the whole show, the sky may be the limit for Manning’s production this season.
Worst Pick
Eddie Lacy, 3.02, RB9
The signs point to a bounce back campaign for Eddie Lacy, but I’m not completely sold. He looked extremely out of sorts at various points in 2015, and the Packers offense actually seemed to perform better with James Starks in the backfield. His commitment to conditioning this offseason may bode well for a productive 2016, but it may have been more prudent to look elsewhere at pick 3.02.
Evaluation
Ari Ingel Slot 3
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.03 | 3 | Beckham, Odell NYG WR |
2.10 | 22 | Hilton, T.Y. IND WR |
3.03 | 27 | Cobb, Randall GBP WR |
4.10 | 46 | Rawls, Thomas SEA RB |
5.03 | 51 | Ajayi, Jay MIA RB |
6.10 | 70 | Kelce, Travis KCC TE |
7.03 | 75 | White, Kevin CHI WR |
8.10 | 94 | Gordon, Melvin SDC RB |
9.03 | 99 | Ertz, Zach PHI TE |
10.10 | 118 | Crowell, Isaiah CLE RB |
11.03 | 123 | Coleman, Tevin ATL RB |
12.10 | 142 | Stafford, Matthew DET QB |
13.03 | 147 | Cousins, Kirk WAS QB |
14.10 | 166 | Ellington, Bruce SFO WR |
15.03 | 171 | Smallwood, Wendell PHI RB (R) |
16.10 | 190 | Gordon, Josh CLE WR |
17.03 | 195 | Vikings, Minnesota MIN Def |
18.10 | 214 | Bengals, Cincinnati CIN Def |
19.03 | 219 | Agholor, Nelson PHI WR |
20.10 | 238 | Aguayo, Roberto TBB PK (R) |
Overall Strategy
WR-heavy, focus on value at other positions
Best Pick
T.Y. Hilton, 2.10, WR14
Hilton was the second of three consecutive WR selections by Ingel, and a selection that fit in perfectly with his overall strategy. By attacking the WR position early, he was counting on culling the value from the other positions – and it worked like a charm. As for Hilton, we could be on the precipice of a serious breakout from the young wideout. A returning Andrew Luck should have the Colts offense locked and loaded right out of the gate, and Hilton and his owners should reap the rewards form Week 1 forward.
Worst Pick
Josh Gordon, 16.10, WR73
I have no problem with taking a late-round gamble or flier on a player that has tremendous upside, I just prefer that the player is actually on a roster at this juncture. Gordon’s eligible to apply for reinstatement on August 1, and there’s a pretty good chance that some team will take a flier on him due to his immense physical talents. However, there’s no guarantee that flier will translate into actual playing time in 2016.
Evaluation
Jeff Tefertiller Slot 4
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.04 | 4 | Hopkins, DeAndre HOU WR |
2.09 | 21 | Marshall, Brandon NYJ WR |
3.04 | 28 | Freeman, Devonta ATL RB |
4.09 | 45 | Bernard, Giovani CIN RB |
5.04 | 52 | Johnson, Duke CLE RB |
6.09 | 69 | Decker, Eric NYJ WR |
7.04 | 76 | Eifert, Tyler CIN TE |
8.09 | 93 | Smith, Torrey SFO WR |
9.04 | 100 | Rivers, Philip SDC QB |
10.09 | 117 | Jackson, Vincent TBB WR |
11.04 | 124 | Washington, DeAndre OAK RB (R) |
12.09 | 141 | Perriman, Breshad BAL WR |
13.04 | 148 | Starks, James GBP RB |
14.09 | 165 | Garcon, Pierre WAS WR |
15.04 | 172 | Walford, Clive OAK TE |
16.09 | 189 | Gano, Graham CAR PK |
17.04 | 196 | Patriots, New England NEP Def |
18.09 | 213 | Hightower, Tim NOS RB |
19.04 | 220 | Kroft, Tyler CIN TE |
20.09 | 237 | Osweiler, Brock HOU QB |
Overall Strategy
Balanced, early focus on RB and WR, value for middle and late rounds
Best Pick
Eric Decker, 6.09, WR34
Tefertiller focused his first six selections on the RB and WR positions, and walked away pretty loaded at both as a result. All six selections look to be very solid, but we’ll give the nod to the underrated Decker for capping off a nice run through the first six rounds. Tefertiller’s strategy provides his team with an outstanding base, and Decker makes for a fine WR3 on basically anyone’s fantasy roster.
Worst Pick
Tyler Eifert, 7.04, TE7
Eifert offers tremendous upside when healthy, but Tefertiller may have pulled the trigger a bit too early. Sounds like he’ll be missing some time to start the season, and he likely still would’ve been around a few rounds later. Small misstep after a blazing hot start to the draft, but Tefertiller did snag some insurance in Round 19 with the selection of Tyler Kroft.
Evaluation
Stephen Holloway Slot 5
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.05 | 5 | Green, A.J. CIN WR |
2.08 | 20 | Jeffery, Alshon CHI WR |
3.05 | 29 | Thomas, Demaryius DEN WR |
4.08 | 44 | McCoy, LeSean BUF RB |
5.05 | 53 | Wilson, Russell SEA QB |
6.08 | 68 | Hill, Jeremy CIN RB |
7.05 | 77 | Coleman, Corey CLE WR (R) |
8.08 | 92 | Gore, Frank IND RB |
9.05 | 101 | Barnidge, Gary CLE TE |
10.08 | 116 | Thomas, Julius JAC TE |
11.05 | 125 | Vereen, Shane NYG RB |
12.08 | 140 | Williams, Terrance DAL WR |
13.05 | 149 | Booker, Devontae DEN RB (R) |
14.08 | 164 | Woods, Robert BUF WR |
15.05 | 173 | Boyd, Tyler CIN WR (R) |
16.08 | 188 | Tucker, Justin BAL PK |
17.05 | 197 | Raiders, Oakland OAK Def |
18.08 | 212 | Eagles, Philadelphia PHI Def |
19.05 | 221 | Cutler, Jay CHI QB |
20.08 | 236 | Bell, Kenny TBB WR |
Overall Strategy
WR-heavy, early QB, pluck value elsewhere
Best Pick
LeSean McCoy, 4.08, RB15
Holloway jumped on WR with his first three selections, and was still able to walk away with a potential Top 10 RB. The Bills will continue to be a very run-oriented squad in 2016, and that bodes well for McCoy’s overall productivity. Holloway’s patience at the position paid off, and it gave him the comfort level needed to execute the rest of his strategy.
Worst Pick
Gary Barnidge, 9.05, TE10
The trigger was pulled a little too soon on Barnidge, who could be in line for a regression in 2016. He was a great story and a productive asset that came out of nowhere last season, but the days of the wide receiver being a wasteland for the Browns are in the rearview mirror. The team invested heavily in the position in this year’s draft, and it’s hard not to see Barnidge’s targets being reduced by extension.
Evaluation
Holloway is pretty loaded at WR, and he was also able to snag a Top 5 QB in the form of Russell Wilson. Even though he waited to pull the trigger at RB position, he was still able to accumulate a decent amount of depth at the position. A solid effort overall, and Holloway’s club should be very competitive in 2016.
Jason Wood Slot 6
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.06 | 6 | Bell, Le'Veon PIT RB |
2.07 | 19 | Allen, Keenan SDC WR |
3.06 | 30 | Martin, Doug TBB RB |
4.07 | 43 | Maclin, Jeremy KCC WR |
5.06 | 54 | Olsen, Greg CAR TE |
6.07 | 67 | Murray, DeMarco TEN RB |
7.06 | 78 | Palmer, Carson ARI QB |
8.07 | 91 | Treadwell, Laquon MIN WR (R) |
9.06 | 102 | Aiken, Kamar BAL WR |
10.07 | 115 | Williams, DeAngelo PIT RB |
11.06 | 126 | Winston, Jameis TBB QB |
12.07 | 139 | Dorsett, Phillip IND WR |
13.06 | 150 | Dixon, Kenneth BAL RB (R) |
14.07 | 163 | LaFell, Brandon CIN WR |
15.06 | 174 | Tye, Will NYG TE |
16.07 | 187 | Chiefs, Kansas City KCC Def |
17.06 | 198 | Artis-Payne, Cameron CAR RB |
18.07 | 211 | Cruz, Victor NYG WR |
19.06 | 222 | Hauschka, Steven SEA PK |
20.07 | 235 | Jets, New York NYJ Def |
Overall Strategy
Balanced, early focus on RB and WR, cull value elsewhere
Best Pick
Jeremy Maclin, 4.07, WR25
Maclin flew under the radar in this draft, and Wood was able to pounce on the value he offered in Round 4. There were 25 receivers selected before Maclin in this draft, but it’s pretty tough to see 25 receivers out-producing him in 2016. He’s the unquestioned top target in the Chiefs passing attack, and while that may not sound like much, he was on the cusp of Top 12 WR production in all of the major receiving categories last season.
Worst Pick
Kamar Aiken, 9.06, WR47
Aiken could very well be a big factor in the Ravens passing attack this season, but it’s also pretty likely he still would’ve been on the board a few rounds later. He showed some very nice flashes last season and I’m on board with his upside, but Wood may have overpaid for his services.
Evaluation
Chad Parsons Slot 7
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.07 | 7 | Gurley, Todd RAM RB |
2.06 | 18 | Evans, Mike TBB WR |
3.07 | 31 | Hyde, Carlos SFO RB |
4.06 | 42 | Matthews, Jordan PHI WR |
5.07 | 55 | Parker, DeVante MIA WR |
6.06 | 66 | Fleener, Coby NOS TE |
7.07 | 79 | Sims, Charles TBB RB |
8.06 | 90 | Brady, Tom NEP QB |
9.07 | 103 | Green-Beckham, Dorial TEN WR |
10.06 | 114 | Howard, Jordan CHI RB (R) |
11.07 | 127 | Coates, Sammie PIT WR |
12.06 | 138 | Foster, Arian FA* RB |
13.07 | 151 | Witten, Jason DAL TE |
14.06 | 162 | Mariota, Marcus TEN QB |
15.07 | 175 | Draughn, Shaun SFO RB |
16.06 | 186 | Gostkowski, Stephen NEP PK |
17.07 | 199 | Marshall, Keith WAS RB (R) |
18.06 | 210 | Taylor, Kelvin SFO RB (R) |
19.07 | 223 | Todman, Jordan IND RB |
20.06 | 234 | Packers, Green Bay GBP Def |
Overall Strategy
RB-heavy late rounds after early balance
Best Pick
Jordan Matthews, 4.06, WR24
Parsons scored some nice value with Matthews in Round 4, and the selection helped him solidify the WR position. He was very aggressive in accumulating bodies on the RB front, and that strategy requires virtual locks at WR. He accomplished that goal with the selection of Mike Evans and Matthews, but there’s some question marks behind them on this team’s depth chart.
Worst Pick
Arian Foster, 12.06, WR49
Foster could hook up with someone this summer, but that doesn’t exactly guarantee him a decent-sized workload in 2016. This was a roll of the dice in Round 12, and frankly it could’ve waited a few rounds. This pick could have been better served by shoring up the depth chart at WR.
Evaluation
Will Grant Slot 8
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.08 | 8 | Gronkowski, Rob NEP TE |
2.05 | 17 | Charles, Jamaal KCC RB |
3.08 | 32 | Rodgers, Aaron GBP QB |
4.05 | 41 | Benjamin, Kelvin CAR WR |
5.08 | 56 | Lewis, Dion NEP RB |
6.05 | 65 | Brown, John ARI WR |
7.08 | 80 | Diggs, Stefon MIN WR |
8.05 | 89 | Austin, Tavon RAM WR |
9.08 | 104 | Yeldon, T.J. JAC RB |
10.05 | 113 | Matthews, Rishard TEN WR |
11.08 | 128 | Sanu, Mohamed ATL WR |
12.05 | 137 | Sproles, Darren PHI RB |
13.08 | 152 | Panthers, Carolina CAR Def |
14.05 | 161 | Dalton, Andy CIN QB |
15.08 | 176 | Seferian-Jenkins, Austin TBB TE |
16.05 | 185 | Johnson, Stevie SDC WR |
17.08 | 200 | McFadden, Darren DAL RB |
18.05 | 209 | Boswell, Chris PIT PK |
19.08 | 224 | Lee, Marqise JAC WR |
20.05 | 233 | Turbin, Robert IND RB |
Overall Strategy
QB and TE early, balance and value elsewhere
Best Pick
Aaron Rodgers, 3.08, QB2
Grant went against the grain when you consider how this draft played out in the early rounds. While the other draftees were attacking RB and WR, Grant swept in and snagged the potential QB1 in Aaron Rodgers and the unquestioned – when healthy – TE1 in Rob Gronkowski. It’s an interesting approach that could pay some nice dividends, and we’ll offer a tip of the cap for shaking things up a bit.
Worst Pick
Kelvin Benjamin, 4.05, WR23
Grant was patient at the WR position, and didn’t make his first pick at that position until Round 4. By waiting that long for a WR1, I’d feel much more comfortable with a receiver that wasn’t returning from a major injury. Both Jordan Matthews and Jeremy Maclin were on the board at this point, and both receivers are pretty well locked in to the stable production you’re looking for at this juncture. That being said, Benjamin offers some serious potential if he’s fully healthy – I’d just let somebody else pull the trigger.
Evaluation
Alex Miglio Slot 9
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.09 | 9 | Bryant, Dez DAL WR |
2.04 | 16 | Miller, Lamar HOU RB |
3.09 | 33 | Landry, Jarvis MIA WR |
4.04 | 40 | Moncrief, Donte IND WR |
5.09 | 57 | Luck, Andrew IND QB |
6.04 | 64 | Lockett, Tyler SEA WR |
7.09 | 81 | Langford, Jeremy CHI RB |
8.04 | 88 | Green, Ladarius PIT TE |
9.09 | 105 | Henry, Derrick TEN RB (R) |
10.04 | 112 | McKinnon, Jerick MIN RB |
11.09 | 129 | Wallace, Mike BAL WR |
12.04 | 136 | Cameron, Jordan MIA TE |
13.09 | 153 | Hogan, Chris NEP WR |
14.04 | 160 | Tannehill, Ryan MIA QB |
15.09 | 177 | West, Charcandrick KCC RB |
16.04 | 184 | Rams, Los Angeles RAM Def |
17.09 | 201 | Catanzaro, Chandler ARI PK |
18.04 | 208 | Jaguars, Jacksonville JAC Def |
19.09 | 225 | Nelson, J.J. ARI WR |
20.04 | 232 | Carey, Ka'Deem CHI RB |
Overall Strategy
Balanced, early focus on WR and snag QB early
Best Pick
Andrew Luck, 5.09, QB4
Miglio hit WR pretty hard in the early going, and complemented that nicely by snagging a QB that should be in line for a tremendous bounce back. After a miserable, injury-riddled 2015 campaign, Andrew Luck should be raring to go right out of the gate in 2016. By securing the QB position early, Miglio was able to move on to balancing out the remainder of his squad with the knowledge that he has Top 5 QB production in his pocket.
Worst Pick
Jerick McKinnon, 10.04, RB38
Barring the knowledge that Adrian Peterson will not be a workhorse back in 2016, this is simply too early to look McKinnon’s way. Granted, the RB position was getting pretty thin at this point, but there were more viable candidates available at this juncture. With Miglio’s questionable depth at the position, it’s a reach that could come back to haunt him.
Evaluation
Chris Kuczynski Slot 10
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.10 | 10 | Nelson, Jordy GBP WR |
2.03 | 15 | Cooper, Amari OAK WR |
3.10 | 34 | Watkins, Sammy BUF WR |
4.03 | 39 | Anderson, C.J. DEN RB |
5.10 | 58 | Baldwin, Doug SEA WR |
6.03 | 63 | Woodhead, Danny SDC RB |
7.10 | 82 | Roethlisberger, Ben PIT QB |
8.03 | 87 | Riddick, Theo DET RB |
9.10 | 106 | Funchess, Devin CAR WR |
10.03 | 111 | Allen, Dwayne IND TE |
11.10 | 130 | Carr, Derek OAK QB |
12.03 | 135 | Prosise, C.J. SEA RB (R) |
13.10 | 154 | Perkins, Paul NYG RB (R) |
14.03 | 159 | Fuller, Will HOU WR (R) |
15.10 | 178 | Thompson, Chris WAS RB |
16.03 | 183 | Seahawks, Seattle SEA Def |
17.10 | 202 | Blount, LeGarrette NEP RB |
18.03 | 207 | Wright, Kendall TEN WR |
19.10 | 226 | Bailey, Dan DAL PK |
20.03 | 231 | Rudolph, Kyle MIN TE |
Overall Strategy
Balanced, WR early and patience on QB
Best Pick
C.J. Anderson, 4.03, RB14
Kuczynski was another draftee that attacked WR early and showed patience at RB, and it looks like it played out pretty well. He acquired some nice value with C.J. Anderson in Round 4, and that could prove to be just the right complement for his loaded group of receivers. Anderson should be leaned on heavily in 2016 as the Broncos complete their metamorphosis into a ground-and-pound squad.
Worst Pick
Theo Riddick, 8.03, RB31
By remaining patient at RB, the pickings start to get slim in the middle rounds. That was true in this draft as well, but there were several other viable selections on the board when Kuczynski pulled the trigger on Theo Riddick. Frank Gore, Melvin Gordon and Rashad Jennings were a few of the other RBs available at this time, and this pick helped to solidify Kuczynski’s questionable depth at the position.
Evaluation
B.J. Vanderwoude Slot 11
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.11 | 11 | Johnson, David ARI RB |
2.02 | 14 | Peterson, Adrian MIN RB |
3.11 | 35 | Edelman, Julian NEP WR |
4.02 | 38 | Tate, Golden DET WR |
5.11 | 59 | Sanders, Emmanuel DEN WR |
6.02 | 62 | Hurns, Allen JAC WR |
7.11 | 83 | Abdullah, Ameer DET RB |
8.02 | 86 | Shepard, Sterling NYG WR (R) |
9.11 | 107 | Smith, Steve BAL WR |
10.02 | 110 | Bortles, Blake JAC QB |
11.11 | 131 | Graham, Jimmy SEA TE |
12.02 | 134 | Miller, Zach CHI TE |
13.11 | 155 | Romo, Tony DAL QB |
14.02 | 158 | Drake, Kenyan MIA RB (R) |
15.11 | 179 | Ferguson, Josh IND RB (R) |
16.02 | 182 | Broncos, Denver DEN Def |
17.11 | 203 | Spiller, C.J. NOS RB |
18.02 | 206 | Kearse, Jermaine SEA WR |
19.11 | 227 | Crosby, Mason GBP PK |
20.02 | 230 | Henry, Hunter SDC TE (R) |
Overall Strategy
Balanced, heavy RB lean early, value elsewhere
Best Pick
Golden Tate, 4.02, WR21
The Detroit Lions are not finding themselves on too many preseason playoff watch lists. They may have a troubled 2016 season, which points to them being behind quite often. By extension, Mathew Stafford should be slinging the rock. A lot. That bodes well for the fantasy prospects of Golden Tate, who slides into the WR1 role previously occupied by Calvin Johnson.
Worst Pick
Zach Miller, 12.02, TE17
Vanderwoude went back-to-back on the TE position in Rounds 11 and 12, but he could’ve spread the position out a bit and shored up other spots on the roster. Tight End was getting thin at this point and he wanted to seal the deal, but he likely could’ve waited until the later rounds for a TE2 and ended up just as pleased with the end results.
Evaluation
Mark Wimer Slot 12
Pick | Ovr | Selection |
1.12 | 12 | Elliott, Ezekiel DAL RB (R) |
2.01 | 13 | Robinson, Allen JAC WR |
3.12 | 36 | Murray, Latavius OAK RB |
4.01 | 37 | Walker, Delanie TEN TE |
5.12 | 60 | Mathews, Ryan PHI RB |
6.01 | 61 | Brees, Drew NOS QB |
7.12 | 84 | Jackson, DeSean WAS WR |
8.01 | 85 | Snead, Willie NOS WR |
9.12 | 108 | Ebron, Eric DET TE |
10.01 | 109 | Thomas, Michael NOS WR (R) |
11.12 | 132 | Doctson, Josh WAS WR (R) |
12.01 | 133 | Carroo, Leonte MIA WR (R) |
13.12 | 156 | Ryan, Matt ATL QB |
14.01 | 157 | Ginn Jr., Ted CAR WR |
15.12 | 180 | Crowder, Jamison WAS WR |
16.01 | 181 | Texans, Houston HOU Def |
17.12 | 204 | Strong, Jaelen HOU WR |
18.01 | 205 | Zenner, Zach DET RB |
19.12 | 228 | Cook, Jared GBP TE |
20.01 | 229 | Brown, Josh NYG PK |
Overall Strategy
WR-heavy, early QB and TE, volume approach to WR
Best Pick
Allen Robinson, 2.01, WR8
In a perfect world, you’ll walk out of the Round 1/2 turn with a RB1 and a WR1. That’s exactly what happened for Wimer, as he deftly selected Ezekiel Elliott and Allen Robinson. It can be nerve wracking sitting on the sidelines as the board clears off in Round 1 and you haven’t even selected yet, but things broke the right way for Wimer. He took full advantage of it, and walked away with two anchors to build on.
Worst Pick
Latavius Murray, 3.12, RB13
Murray could be the definition of a boom-bust prospect in 2016. Early reports indicated that the Raiders were exploring additional options at the RB position that would eat into his workload, but that has been offset by some recent votes of confidence. The early reports could have simply been an internal motivational ploy, but also could be a clear sign of smoke that leads to fire. The Raiders offense as a whole should take a leap in 2016 and there will be value to be had from the team’s RB1, there were just safer bets on the board at this point in the draft.
Evaluation
An interesting draft for Wimer overall. He’s dangerously thin at the RB position, but he offset that by applying a volume approach to the WR position in the later rounds. At least one of those later round selections could have been used to provide some more RB depth. If the depth he has accumulated at wide receiver fails to bear fruit, he’ll have exposed himself at two positions and wind up as an also-ran.
Full Draft
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to haseley@footballguys.com