This is the third of a multi-part series. The other versions will be 12-team (PPR), 14-team (non-PPR), 12-team (non-PPR), Auction (PPR), and FPC formats. Jeff Pasquino will assist me in those efforts.
I started penning this article in 2002 to put my predraft thoughts to paper. Like most things in life, I find I do my best when I plan to succeed. This article is my attempt at that. I work hard at doing projections every year. At Footballguys, we also put together the most comprehensive Average Draft Position Lists. So the information about value is certainly readily available. The trick to having a perfect draft though is to anticipate those "pockets of value" and build your team so that you get the lion's share of these guys.
There is not one way to have a perfect draft. In fact, the biggest criticism I often get is that I am willing to wait on quarterback and/or tight end in a lot of drafts. Many drafters show me teams where they grab a guy like Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, orAaron Rodgers early and then knock the rest of the draft out of the park. That's definitely possible. And against weak competition, it can be the preferred gameplan.
This article assumes fairly educated drafters. You need to decide whether your league is full of sharks, guppies or a combination of both. Count the number of Footballguys subscriptions and/or Dominator apps and compare that to the number of guys crossing off players from their magazine cheatsheet to get a feel for this if you really are unsure. I state this here, because against softer competition the shark move is to grab the quality quarterbacks and tight ends too. You should do this because it's nearly assured you will also get many great players to slide to you at running back and wide receiver. Against great competition, reaching for a player at the wrong time can quickly dismantle your draft and leave you missing the key "pockets of value" that can help your chances at winning.
Before we can have the "Perfect Draft", let's define our measure of success. After the draft, your team should have these qualities:
- Against multiple projection sets, your team always grades out as one of the best teams. And to make your life easy here, just run your roster through our Rate My Team application.
- You secured a great number of players that will outperform their draft position.
- You have quality depth (in the right places) to allow for postdraft trades.
- The majority of owners recognize that you have a team that should easily reach the playoffs.
- Your late round picks have the potential to be game-changing players
These aren't absolutes, but I list them here so we know what we are trying to build.
Let's start with the two basic principles of Value Based Drafting (VBD). I will expound on them as we go through this.
- All Players Have Value - Don't love anyone. Don't hate anyone. Get players that will significantly outperform their draft position and you will build a winning team.
- Understand What the Average Guy Thinks - You may believe someone will be the 10th best WR, but if everybody else does not then you should wait to maximize value.
If you don't follow these principles, you will not have a perfect draft. If you believe rookie WRs are always bad or drafting anyone over 30 is too big of an injury risk, then you will not have the perfect draft. Throw away the biases. Let value guide your draft. Let others succumb to prejudices and generalities. You are here to win your league. And you do that by getting value with every pick.
How do we define value? Value Based Drafting (VBD) has shown us that we can compare unlike positions for comparative value. The cornerstone of VBD starts with solid projections. And these projections can be manipulated to form Top 300+ lists. For this article, I will be using the Top 300 list I created for the website. I have highlighted favorable differences in green to indicate players that may be bargains on draft day.
LET'S HAVE THE PERFECT DRAFT
The goal is to get you the best possible team and to make sure you don't overpay for players that can still be had a few rounds later. What I look for are players that I project significantly better than where they are being drafted. The positional analysis tracks to my projections.
This article assumes a 10-team league using scoring that starts 1 quarterback, 2 running backs, 3 wide receivers, 1 tight end, 1 defense, and 1 place kicker. Fantasy points are calculated as follows:
- Passing TDs = 4 points
- Interceptions = -1 points
- Rushing/receiving TDs = 6 points
- Passing yardage = 0.05 pts per yard (1 pt per 20 yards)
- Rushing/receiving yardage = 0.10 pts per yard (1 pt per 10 yards)
THE TOP 50 PLAYERS
Because ADP is a crucial barometer on when players will get drafted, I believe it's important to merge the Footballguys Top 300 with ADP to create a single Top 50 draft list. This list appears here for non-PPR leagues.
- For players that have a value lower than ADP, use the average of the two numbers.
- For players that have a value higher than ADP, use the value number.
Example: Player A has a value of 13 and an ADP of 21. His "drafting" value would be 17. (13 + 21)/2. Conversely, if Player has a value of 21 and an ADP of 13, his "drafting" value would be 21.
Doing this for the Top 300 list yields these Top 50 players (ranked from 1st to 50).
*** Note this is a generic non-PPR list. You can get a tailored list by entering your scoring criteria into the VBD or Draft Dominator applications:
- Pick 1.01 - RB1 Jamaal Charles, KC/6 (ADP = 1)
- Pick 1.02 - RB2 LeSean McCoy, PHI/7 (ADP = 2)
- Pick 1.03 - WR1 Calvin Johnson, DET/9 (ADP = 5)
- Pick 1.04 - RB3 Adrian Peterson, MIN/10 (ADP = 3)
- Pick 1.05 - WR2 Demaryius Thomas, DEN/4 (ADP = 8)
- Pick 1.06 - RB4 Matt Forte, CHI/9 (ADP = 4)
- Pick 1.07 - TE1 Jimmy Graham, NO/6 (ADP = 7)
- Pick 1.08 - WR3 Dez Bryant, DAL/11 (ADP = 11)
- Pick 1.09 - RB5 Montee Ball , DEN/4 (ADP = 14)
- Pick 1.10 - RB6 Eddie Lacy, GB/9 (ADP = 6)
- Pick 2.01 - WR4 A.J. Green, CIN/4 (ADP = 12)
- Pick 2.02 - WR5 Jordy Nelson, GB/9 (ADP = 22)
- Pick 2.03 - RB7 Arian Foster, HOU/10 (ADP = 17)
- Pick 2.04 - RB8 Marshawn Lynch, SEA/4 (ADP = 10)
- Pick 2.05 - QB1 Peyton Manning, DEN/4 (ADP = 9)
- Pick 2.06 - WR6 Julio Jones, ATL/9 (ADP = 15)
- Pick 2.07 - WR7 Brandon Marshall, CHI/9 (ADP = 16)
- Pick 2.08 - TE2 Rob Gronkowski , NE/10 (ADP = 26)
- Pick 2.09 - WR8 Alshon Jeffery, CHI/9 (ADP = 24)
- Pick 2.10 - WR9 Antonio Brown , PIT/12 (ADP = 25)
- Pick 3.01 - WR10 Randall Cobb, GB/9 (ADP = 29)
- Pick 3.02 - RB9 LeVeon Bell, PIT/12 (ADP = 18)
- Pick 3.03 - RB10 DeMarco Murray, DAL/11 (ADP = 13)
- Pick 3.04 - RB11 Giovani Bernard, CIN/4 (ADP = 21)
- Pick 3.05 - QB2 Drew Brees, NO/6 (ADP = 20)
- Pick 3.06 - QB3 Aaron Rodgers, GB/9 (ADP = 19)
- Pick 3.07 - WR11 Vincent Jackson, TB/7 (ADP = 34)
- Pick 3.08 - RB12 Alfred Morris, WAS/10 (ADP = 27)
- Pick 3.09 - TE3 Julius Thomas, DEN/4 (ADP = 30)
- Pick 3.10 - WR12 Victor Cruz, NYG/8 (ADP = 40)
- Pick 4.01 - RB13 Reggie Bush, DET/9 (ADP = 31)
- Pick 4.02 - WR13 Andre Johnson, HOU/10 (ADP = 37)
- Pick 4.03 - WR14 Keenan Allen, SD/10 (ADP = 35)
- Pick 4.04 - RB14 Zac Stacy, STL/4 (ADP = 28)
- Pick 4.05 - RB15 C.J. Spiller, BUF/9 (ADP = 33)
- Pick 4.06 - RB16 Ryan Mathews, SD/10 (ADP = 41)
- Pick 4.07 - RB17 Toby Gerhart, JAX/11 (ADP = 42)
- Pick 4.08 - RB18 Doug Martin, TB/7 (ADP = 23)
- Pick 4.09 - WR15 Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN/10 (ADP = 51)
- Pick 4.10 - QB4 Andrew Luck, IND/10 (ADP = 45)
- Pick 5.01 - WR16 Roddy White, ATL/9 (ADP = 44)
- Pick 5.02 - RB19 Andre Ellington, ARI/4 (ADP = 32)
- Pick 5.03 - RB20 Joique Bell, DET/9 (ADP = 62)
- Pick 5.04 - WR17 Pierre Garcon, WAS/10 (ADP = 36)
- Pick 5.05 - WR18 Michael Floyd, ARI/4 (ADP = 57)
- Pick 5.06 - WR19 Larry Fitzgerald, ARI/4 (ADP = 38)
- Pick 5.07 - RB21 Rashad Jennings, NYG/8 (ADP = 52)
- Pick 5.08 - WR20 Percy Harvin, SEA/4 (ADP = 49)
- Pick 5.09 - WR21 DeSean Jackson, WAS/10 (ADP = 50)
- Pick 5.10 - TE4 Jordan Cameron, CLE/4 (ADP = 53)
Note: There are four quarterbacks that appear on this list, but I am going to tell you a simple truth. Your team will end up a lot better if you wait until after this list is exhausted before choosing a quarterback. The reason for this is because there is exceptional value at quarterback once everyone in the league drafts one. In years where there were just a handful of difference makers, you could make an argument that you need an elite one. This year the quarterback pool is deeper than I have ever witnessed. Trust me here. Don't draft an early quarterback.
BUILDING YOUR "CORE" - YOUR FIRST 5 PICKS
You are looking to grab the best player available until this list is exhausted. But use some common sense while you do this. Obviously you can't draft running backs every round and have the "Perfect Draft" since you are limited in the number you can start each week.
I would pay little to no attention to bye weeks during this phase. You have plenty of time to adjust after these Top 50 players are gone.
I would limit myself to just one tight end from this list unless the extra tight end is drafted in the eighth round or later (trade value alone makes the selection worthwhile).
AFTER THE TOP 50 - ASSESSMENT PHASE
The transition from the Top 50 to rounding out your team based on need is a critical one. Your analysis here can instantly turn a good draft into a great one. Here are the questions you should be asking yourself to determine your weaknesses:
- How many backs did you secure? The average owner should have 2.1 running backs. Do you have two or more including one in the first round? Is this a position of strength for your team?
- Did you draft a quarterback or tight end (the average owner should have 0.4 quarterbacks and 0.4 tight ends) yet? If so consider yourself done at this position until much later in the draft. If you have not drafted these positions yet, do not panic. Good ones will be available later.
- Assess your bye week situation. If three or more of your first five players are off on the same bye week, I will usually sacrifice that week so that I can be strong in every other week. If that is not the case, then I look to patch the holes with complimentary players that could have big weeks during these rough spots. Teams lining up against Oakland, Jacksonville, Dallas, Washington, Atlanta, and Minnesota all yield good results during these weeks.
As an example, Let's say you landed this team after five rounds (from the second position):
- 2. RB LeSean McCoy, PHI/7
- 19. WR Jordy Nelson, GB/9
- 22. TE Rob Gronkowski , NE/10
- 39. WR Victor Cruz, NYG/8
- 42. RB Toby Gerhart, JAX/11
Quick analysis yields these weaknesses at present: quarterback (none taken), no bye week issues, balance across wide receiver and running back
Unless significant value presents itself, my next few rounds plan would be:
- Grab another quality back at running back and wide receiver, continuing to use the Top 50 list until exhausted
- Fill out roster need at wide receiver (a third starter)
Note the departure from looking for value at all cost here. Tight end may represent value at your next pick, but this selected player may rarely see the field with the stars you have already drafted. It is generally better to fill out your key roster spots instead of amassing a lot of value that you may not be able to use. So use your head. Are you able to select a running back, tight end, or quarterback that represents at least fair value (ADP and value numbers are in line with the selection)?
Let's look at another example. This one from the 10th position:
- 10. WR Dez Bryant, DAL/11
- 11. RB Montee Ball, DEN/4
- 30. WR Vincent Jackson, TB/7
- 31. TE Julius Thomas, DEN/4
- 50. WR Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN/10
Quick analysis yields these weaknesses at present: quarterback (none taken), a small Week 4 bye issue, and just one running back.
Unless significant value presents itself, my next few rounds plan would be:
- Grab another running back or two, continuing to shop from the Top 50 list until exhausted
- Draft a player with a Week 4 bye ONLY if he represents exceptional value.
Let's look at a final example. This one from the seventh position:
- 7. WR Demaryius Thomas, DEN/4
- 14. RB Montee Ball , DEN/4
- 27. WR Randall Cobb, GB/9
- 34. WR Vincent Jackson, TB/7
- 47. WR Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN/10
Quick analysis yields these weaknesses at present: quarterback (none taken), a slight Week 4 bye week issue, but heavy bias towards the wide receiver position.
Unless significant value presents itself, my next few rounds plan would be:
- Grab value at running back with the next pick (likely Joique Bell) off of the Top 50 list until exhausted
- Try and grab players without a Week 4 bye unless they represent significant value
- Target a tight end in the next few picks
- Add at least another running back to add depth
MOVING TO FILL POSITIONAL NEEDS
QUARTERBACKS
If you followed this plan up to here, you should not have selected a quarterback within the Top 50 picks.
Two years ago we saw the rise of the rookie quarterback. Guys like Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson all were major contributors to your fantasy rosters at the quarterback position. Other young players like Colin Kaepernickemerged to lead the 49ers. This past year, we saw Nick Foles ascend in Chip Kelly's uptempo offense. This wouldn't be so note-worthy if during this quarterback rebirth of sorts, the old guys left the game (which we know did not happen). The normal familiar veterans (Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Philip Rivers) are all hanging around and playing very good football too.
The bottom line is that there have never been more quality quarterbacks playing each week than what is available this season. So for every drafter that pulls the trigger to get a Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, or Aaron Rodgers early, some drafter (read YOU if you are wise) will grab someone like Tony Romo or Russell Wilson as much as six to seven rounds later. And I am telling you with conviction, there is not enough difference to make getting the "elite" guys even worthy of a draft strategy this season.
Waiting is for Winners...draft the 10th quarterback...or later.
From my own projections, here are my top fantasy quarterbacks for this year:
- Peyton Manning, Den/4 (403 Fantasy Points)
- Drew Brees, NO/6 (386 Fantasy Points)
- Aaron Rodgers, GB/9 (384 Fantasy Points)
- Andrew Luck, Ind/10 (366 Fantasy Points)
- Matthew Stafford, Det/9 (357 Fantasy Points)
- Nick Foles, Phi/7 (355 Fantasy Points)
- Cam Newton, Car/12 (349 Fantasy Points)
- Matt Ryan, Atl/9 (341 Fantasy Points)
- Robert Griffin III, Was/10 (341 Fantasy Points)
- Colin Kaepernick, SF/8 (340 Fantasy Points)
- Tom Brady, NE/10 (331 Fantasy Points)
- Russell Wilson, Sea/4 (328 Fantasy Points)
- Tony Romo, Dal/11 (323 Fantasy Points)
- Philip Rivers, SD/10 (318 Fantasy Points)
- Jay Cutler, Chi/9 (316 Fantasy Points)
- Andy Dalton, Cin/4 (310 Fantasy Points)
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pit/12 (305 Fantasy Points)
- Ryan Tannehill, Mia/5 (290 Fantasy Points)
- Alex Smith, KC/6 (290 Fantasy Points)
- Joe Flacco, Bal/11 (286 Fantasy Points)
- Eli Manning, NYG/8 (283 Fantasy Points)
Now consider the people that took any of the top 10 names on this list. Are they looking to add a quality backup? Would you if you drafted Nick Foles, Cam Newton, or Matt Ryan? This dynamic defines the solution. Once nine people have drafted their quarterback, you can wait another 20+ picks and get the next guy. Who is it? It depends on your draft, but it's usually Jay Cutler, Tony Romo, or Russell Wilson. And all of these guys would have that "quality starter tag" in any other year.
Here's how best to execute this plan:
- Let at least nine QBs go off the board. That is trigger #1
- Once Jay Cutler, Tony Romo, or Russell Wilson get selected (trigger #2), make sure you select whoever remains when it's your turn to draft next.
- Russell would be my preferred choice, but all three of these guys will perform fine. If you land either Jay Cutler or Tony Romo (or to a lesser extent Ryan Tannehill), look to add Eli Manning in the 14th or 15th round and play matchups. For further QB matchup analysis see Chase Stuart's QBBC article.
But David...what if someone snipes Cutler, Romo and Wilson from me? This is the beauty of waiting. You aren't penalized by this at all as their are still plenty of solid quarterback options that could easily threaten the Top 10.
Besides drafting the 9th-11th Quarterback, here are the guys that I think represent great value this year:
- Alex Smith, KC/6 (Value = 124, ADP = 154) in the 13th round or later
- Ryan Tannehill, Mia/5 (Value = 133, ADP = 149) in the 14th round or later
- Joe Flacco, Bal/11 (Value = 141, ADP = 152) in the 14th round or later
- Eli Manning, NYG/8 (Value = 150, ADP = 146) in the 15th round or later
- Geno Smith, NYJ/11 (Value = 166, ADP = 251) in the 17th round or later
- Jake Locker, Ten/9 (Value = 172, ADP = 218) in the 18th round or later
RUNNING BACKS
In most leagues, running backs are golden. Yes they can run and catch, but the real reason they are golden is that there simply are not enough of them to go around. More and more teams are using a committee approach to the running back position...pulling the starter both on obvious passing downs and sometimes in goal line situations. It has made the workhorse backs (that do all three roles) even more valuable, but also created a bigger pool of next tier backs that don't do it all. If you followed the Top 50 plan from above, you likely have a decent stable of backs on your roster to build the rest of your team around.
But two or three quality backs don't make a powerhouse fantasy roster...Having depth at RB does.
Here are the other RBs that I would target for value (outside of the top 50 picks):
- Lamar Miller, Mia/5 (Value = 61, ADP = 83) in the 7th round or later
- Danny Woodhead, SD/10 (Value = 85, ADP = 97) in the 9th round or later
- DeAngelo Williams, Car/12 (Value = 77, ADP =108) in the 9th round or later
- Mark Ingram, NO/6 (Value = 101, ADP = 138) in the 11th round or later
Additionally I love these late round fliers that could have significant roles should the player in front of them on the depth charts get hurt or falter. Most can be picked at or near their ADP:
- Knile Davis, KC/6 (ADP = 162) backs up super back Jamaal Charles in the 15th round or later.
- Lance Dunbar, Dal/11 (ADP = 189) backs up the chronically hurt DeMarco Murray in the 18th round or later.
- Chris Polk, Phi/7 (ADP = undrafted) backs up super back LeSean McCoy in the 18th round or later.
WIDE RECEIVERS
The biggest key to having a great wide receiver corps is following the Top 50 plan above and then swooping in and stealing the players that slide unnecessarily in a draft. Here are some guys that should represent excellent value this year (outside of the top 50):
- Brian Hartline, Mia/5 (Value = 115, ADP = 167) in the 12th round or later.
- Markus Wheaton, Pit/12 (Value = 132, ADP = 160) in the 14th round or later.
- Doug Baldwin, Sea/4 (Value = 125, ADP = 180) in the 14th round or later.
- Rod Streater, Oak/5 (Value = 127, ADP = 194) in the 15th round or later.
- Malcom Floyd, SD/10 (Value = 160, ADP = 253) in the 17th round or later.
Some other WRs will undoubtedly slip in your drafts besides the above targeted bargain list. In recap, grab approximately three receivers by Round 6 and then wait for exceptional value to emerge at WR because it always does.
TIGHT ENDS
Because so many more teams are utilizing the TE position, there are almost always bargains at this position late in a draft. In fact once the top 7-8 names come off the board, there is minimal pressure on the TE position the rest of the draft (in leagues that start just 1 TE).
This presents a dilemma of sorts in drafts. One can grab an elite (top 5 or 6) Tight End or wait until the later rounds and grab some upside guys that could crack the top 10 at the position.
I generally prefer a decent TE, but I think the wise drafting approach is to not reach for one if they go sooner than normal.
Here is the one tight end that I am targeting outside of the top 50 players:
- Jordan Reed, Was/10 (Value = 70, ADP = 86) in the 8th round or later.
If I fail to land Jordan Reed, I generally try and get one from the next tier (Zach Ertz, Martellus Bennett, or Charles Clay). These guys generally can be picked in the 10th to 12th rounds and all are solid options on their teams. Flier Travis Kelce, KC/6 has been moving up draft boards with a strong preseason, but you can generally still get him after the 15th round.
PLACE KICKERS
In leagues that go after kickers early, just wait. You can get an adequate PK in the last two rounds of your draft. In leagues that draft this position real late (most leagues), look towards the second to last round to grab the one kicker you will roster. Suffice it to say that in a lot of leagues now, people wait until their last pick to take their kickers and end up missing the good kickers by a few picks. Most likely that sleeper WR you want in the second to last round will still be there for you in the last round. In waiver wire friendly leagues (most), don't be afraid to draft just one kicker and add others as necessary during the season to cover the bye weeks and/or exploit matchups.
Instead of targeting any particular kicker this year, I just like to keep these 10 names handy and start crossing them off the list. When 6-8 are gone, jump in and get the top rated guy left. Here are my top 10 kickers:
Gostkowski (NE/10), Hauschka (Sea/4), Prater (Den/4), Tucker (Bal/11), Dawson (SF/8), Bailey (Dal/11), Crosby (GB/9), Bryant (Atl/9), Novak (SD/10), Walsh (Min/10)
DEFENSES
Scoring systems generally come into play and define when defenses are taken. I suggest you wait until 5-6 defenses get selected and then take the Bengals defense with confidence.
Another winning strategy to deploy after the draft for defenses is simply to look two games ahead in the waiver process. Most teams will have at most one or two defenses meaning that half of the defenses are available as free agent pick ups each week. By looking two to three weeks ahead at who will be playing Jacksonville, Buffalo, NY Jets, Cleveland and Oakland you likely can find a cheap defense that should perform well against subpar offenses. Drop this defense after their "quality game" so that you can continue to pick up other defenses that will have good weeks. Because of this strategy, I advise you to draft just one defense and look to play matchups the rest of the way. Every year two or three defenses are predicted to be terrible but end up playing great.
Our own Chase Stuart suggests grabbing both the Tennessee Titans (ADP = undrafted) and the Indianapolis Colts (ADP = undrafted) and play matchups each week. It's a compelling strategy if you can afford using up two roster spots.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
1. Draft for value until the top 50 players is exhausted. These are your "core" and will define how you approach the rest of the draft.
2. Look to select the 9th-11th quarterback off the board 20 picks after the 9th QB is taken. Add Eli Manning as key depth to allow maximum flexibility in playing great matchups. Make sure to laugh every time someone else takes an early QB too.
3. Target TE Jordan Reed in the 8th round, but if you miss on him get one from the next tier (Zach Ertz, Martellus Bennett, or Charles Clay).
4. Add value at RB, WR and TE in the middle rounds to protect bye weeks, add critical depth, and give yourself a chance to trade off talent to bolster your squad as the season progresses.
5. Use the final rounds to add your kicker, a defense and to go after young players in a "Swing-For-The-Fence" mentality. These are players who are flying way below the radar, but could be huge fantasy producers should they be given a larger role in their offenses. All should be able to be drafted after Round 14. At quarterback I like Geno Smith and Jake Locker. At running back I like Knile Davis, Lance Dunbar, Jordan Todman, and Chris Polk. At wide receiver I like Doug Baldwin, Jordan Matthews, Rod Streater, Paul Richardson, and Cody Latimer . At tight end I like Travis Kelce as younger players that could dominate if given the chance.
6. Unless your league has some exotic scoring that elevates defenses, it is best to wait until the last few rounds to grab your defense. After 5-6 defenses are off the board, you should be able to grab the Cincinnati Bengals.
7. Wait until the second to last round and grab your kicker.
Well that is it folks. Hope you all do well in your coming drafts. Remember, the key is not to just follow the Top 200 list but to see where it differs substantially from average drafts. This is how you get value with every pick. And value is how you build winning fantasy teams.
Here is a sample team drafted from the 7th position.
- Rd 1 - Pick 7 - WR Demaryius Thomas, DEN/4
- Rd 2 - Pick 18 - RB Montee Ball , DEN/4
- Rd 3 - Pick 27 - WR Randall Cobb, GB/9
- Rd 4 - Pick 38 - WR Vincent Jackson, TB/7
- Rd 5 - Pick 47 - WR Cordarrelle Patterson, MIN/10
- Rd 6 - Pick 58 - RB Joique Bell, Det/9
- Rd 7 - Pick 67 - RB Lamar Miller, Mia/5
- Rd 8 - Pick 78 - TE Jordan Reed, Wash/10
- Rd 9 - Pick 87 - RB Danny Woodhead, SD/10
- Rd 10 - Pick 98 - QB Russell Wilson, Sea/4, Tony Romo Dal/11 or Jay Cutler Chi/9
- Rd 11 - Pick 107 - RB Mark Ingram, NO/6
- Rd 12 - Pick 118 - TE Martellus Bennett, CHI/9
- Rd 13 - Pick 127 - RB Andre Williams, NYG/8
- Rd 14 - Pick 138 - RB Lance Dunbar, Dal/11
- Rd 15 - Pick 147 - QB Eli Manning, NYG/8
- Rd 16 - Pick 158 - WR Markus Wheaton, Pit/12
- Rd 17 - Pick 167 - WR Brian Hartline, Mia/5
- Rd 18 - Pick 178 - Top Defense available
- Rd 19 - Pick 187 - RB Lance Dunbar, Dal/11
- Rd 20 - Pick 198 - Top Kicker available