2012 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft: EDSFootball.com Contributors, 1.0
|
| |
Scoring: This mock draft is based on leagues that use point-per-reception (PPR) scoring. In addition to one
point per reception, passing touchdowns are worth four points while rushing and receiving touchdowns are
worth six points. In addition, one point is earned per 25 passing yards, 10 rushing yards and 10 receiving
yards.
|
| |
|
|
Similar to our standard-scoring mock, six EDSFootball.com contributors will draft for two teams per round
and we will exclude rookies from this mock draft.
After the NFL Draft (April 26-28), we will do additional mock
drafts and include all rookies.
For each pick in the first two rounds of this mock, I will include commentary for each pick. From rounds 3 to 7,
I will include commentary about my (Kevin Hanson's) picks and strategy as well as select a best and worst
pick of each round (excluding my own picks). From rounds 8 to 10, I will include commentary about my picks in addition to selecting a best and worst pick of those three rounds.
To keep track of the updates, bookmark this page or follow me (@EDSFootball) on Twitter.
This is a slow draft that is conducted offline, but picks will be posted as they are made.
Draft Start Date: Saturday, March 3rd
Draft End Date: TBD
|
|
Round 1
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (1).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
|
Thoughts: For me, it should come down to either Rice, who was designated with the franchise tag Friday, or
Houston's Arian Foster for the top overall pick. In the past three seasons as the team's featured back, Rice
has not missed a game, rushed for 1,200-plus yards each and has averaged 72 receptions for 654 yards
over the past three years. With Rice getting the goal-line work (12 rushing TDs last year) and less of a threat
from the No. 2 guy as with Ben Tate in Houston, I agree that Rice that should be the first overall pick.
|
| |
|
|
2 (2).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
|
Thoughts: While the gap between No. 1 and No. 2 is small, this is the no-brainer pick at this spot even though
some may consider Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy, who scored 20 TDs last year and led running backs with
78 receptions two years ago. As noted with Steve's pick above, Foster has a very capable backup in Tate, but
the Texans love to give Foster the rock over and over again. Counting the Texans' two (first-ever) playoff
appearances, Foster had 329 carries in 15 games and finished the season with 100-plus rushing yards in
his last four games. Since Week 4, he had 100-plus rushing and/or receiving yards 12 times.
|
| |
|
|
3 (3).
|
Sean Beazley
|
LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
|
Thoughts: Sean calls this pick a "no-brainer" and says McCoy is one of the three elite running backs for 2012.
I agree completely. (After this pick is where it starts to get interesting.) Despite the 30-reception drop
year-over-year (78 in 2010 to 48 last year), McCoy shattered his previous career highs in rushing: 273
attempts, 1,309 yards and 17 touchdowns.
|
| |
|
|
4 (4).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
|
Thoughts: Based on leagues that use standard-scoring, MJD is my fourth-ranked running back in 2012. In
PPR leagues, however, I would take Matt Forte over Pocket Hercules and I would also consider Calvin
Johnson in this spot as well. That said, Jones-Drew has a history of being overlooked, which is why he
chose to wear No. 32 as his jersey number since all 32 passed him up in the first round of the 2006 NFL
Draft. That said, Jones-Drew was as consistent as they come last year -- first player in league history to rush
for 80-plus yards in 15 regular-season games -- and he led the NFL in rushing (1,606 yards) on a
league-high 343 carries. Imagine what he might do if the Jaguars can add some other weapons to their
offense to take some pressure off of MJD ...
|
| |
|
|
5 (5).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
|
Thoughts: As noted above, Forte is my No. 4 RB in PPR leagues so my debate at this spot would come down
to Forte or Detroit's Calvin Johnson. I think I would lean Forte at this point, especially considering how
involved he is in the Bears' passing game. That could change some if the Bears draft a wide receiver at pick
19 (as Brendan projects in his latest mock draft). Forte, who was designated with the franchise tag, led all
players in yards from scrimmage from Weeks 1 to 12 (before an MCL injury knocked him out for the rest of the
season in Week 13). Forte had 1,475 yards from scrimmage through Week 12 last year and he has a total of
223 receptions in 60 games over the past four years. Only Ray Rice (250) has more during that span.
|
| |
|
|
6 (6).
|
John Trifone
|
Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
|
Thoughts: Clearly the top receiver, regardless of scoring format, Megatron truly broke out and set career highs
across the board last year: 96 receptions, a league-high 1,681 yards and 16 touchdowns. As I noted in my
preliminary 2012 fantasy football rankings, Johnson is one of only two players in league history to have
1,600-plus yards and 16-plus touchdowns in the same season. Randy Moss (2003) was the other.
|
|
|
7 (7).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
|
Thoughts: Counting his three rushing touchdowns, Rodgers had multiple touchdowns in all 15 games that
he played last year. While Drew Brees may have been more prolific, Rodgers, the league MVP, was far more
efficient. He threw a franchise-record 45 passing TDs, threw only six interceptions (his low as a starter), set
the NFL single-season record for passer rating (122.5) and led the NFL in yards per attempt (9.2). Especially
with the Saints expected to lose Marques Colston via free agency, Rodgers is the clear No. 1 fantasy QB for
me.
|
| |
|
|
8 (8).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
|
Thoughts: This pick was as much about the process of elimination as it was about selecting Mathews. While
I thought about taking Brees, I generally don't take a QB this high and think we see a bit of a dropoff from the
historic performance we saw from him last year. I considered Darren McFadden, but his injury history scares
me a bit, and Chris Johnson, who predicted today he'll lead the NFL in rushing next year. After Megatron, I
consider many of the next several receivers to be very comparable and I may take one of them on the way
back at pick No. 17. So all that led me to Mathews, who finished fifth among RBs in yards from srimmage
(1,546) last year. Not only was Mathews one of eight RBs to finish with 50-plus receptions last year, but
teammate Mike Tolbert, who is not expected to be back in San Diego, is one of the other seven backs with
50-plus catches. Assuming Tolbert is not back, it's a positive for Mathews' fantasy value.
|
| |
|
|
9 (9).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
|
Thoughts: I wasn't thrilled with my own pick, however, I feel this is the worst pick of the draft thus far. First of
all, Jackson is on the wrong side of 30 years old for a running back (he turned 31 last month). Second, Bills
head coach Chan Gailey has described the workload split between C.J. Spiller, a top-10 overall pick in 2009,
and Jackson as being "closer to 50-50 than it has ever been." On a positive note, however, Jackson had
1,376 yards from scrimmage in 10 games. Despite missing six games, that ranked Jackson 13th in the NFL
last year. In general, I root for players like Jackson, who has been under-appreciated based on his level of
production. That said, I would have waited a couple of rounds before taking Jackson.
|
| |
|
|
10 (10).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
|
Thoughts: As I mentioned when making my pick, there are several receivers that I would lump together in the
tier after Calvin Johnson. Especially in a point-per-reception league, Welker is one of those guys. With the
exception of one player, no receiver has had more than two seasons with 110-plus receptions. That one
player is obviously Welker, who has done it four times (in the past five seasons). Assuming he's back in New
England (probably under the franchise tag) and barring injury, there is little doubt in my mind that Welker will
do it a fifth time in 2012.
|
| |
|
|
11 (11).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints
|
Thoughts: While I would take Rob Gronkowski before Graham, even in a PPR league, we knew that Steve
prefers Graham over Gronk in 2012 from what he wrote in early January. There were only three players that
finished with 90-plus receptions, 1,300-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns last year: Megatron,
Gronkowski and Graham. With the (assumed) departure of Colston via free agency, as noted above, Graham
may get even more targets in 2012 than he got last year. No qualms about this pick except that I personally
wouldn't take a tight end with the 11th overall pick, but Graham is an absolute stud and might even get better
in 2012.
|
| |
|
|
12 (12).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
|
Thoughts: While Brees may lose two of the team's top three receivers via free agency, he has one of the best
tight ends and receiving running backs in the game. Counting both playoff games, the franchise quarterback
(literally) threw for 300-plus yards in nine straight games to close the season. In his final five games, Brees
threw four (or five) touchdowns in four games and had three 400-yard games. (He threw three TDs in his off
game.) I thought hard about taking him at No. 8 and I'll gladly take him here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Round 2
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (13).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
|
Thoughts: I seriously considered going in a different direction with this pick. I'm not thrilled about having no
RBs or WRs for this team and not picking again until No. 36, but Gronkowski is a matchup nightmare for
opposing defenses. Not only was Gronkowski one of three players with 90-1,300-10 seasons, as noted
above, but he set the single-season records for tight ends with 1,327 receiving yards and 17 receiving TDs.
He also had a "rushing" TD as well. (To be honest, I am a little concerned that Aaron Hernandez might have
a better season than Gronkowski as opposing defenses focus on stopping Gronk.)
|
| |
|
|
2 (14).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
|
Thoughts: As disappointing as CJ2K was last year, there are several reasons for a bounce-back season in
2012: (1) no holdout in training camp and preseason, (2) a focus by the organization to upgrade their interior
offensive line in 2012, (3) the possibility (perhaps expectation) that Jake Locker, a mobile quarterback, starts
for the Titans and (4) the return of Kenny Britt, which gives the offense another threat in the passing game.
Whether or not CJ2K delivers on his prediction to lead the NFL in rushing again, I can see why Steve is, as he
says, "drinking the Kool-Aid."
|
| |
|
|
3 (15).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
|
Thoughts: Johnson is a bit of an injury risk as he has played 16 games only twice in the past five years. In
those two seasons, however, Johnson posted back-to-back 1,500-yard campaigns. From 2007 to 2010, he
averaged at least 93 receiving yards per game each season and he had 93-plus yards in Weeks 1 to 3 last
season before sustaining the hamstring injury in Week 4 that required surgery. Assuming good health
(knock on wood) for the season, Johnson is my No. 2 receiver in leagues that use standard scoring and PPR
scoring. This likely would have been my pick at No. 17 had he lasted two more spots.
|
| |
|
|
4 (16).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
|
Thoughts: I don't hate this pick, but I don't love it either (at least, at this spot). There are several receivers that I
would prefer over White if I went with a receiver here. If I'm going to say something positive about White, it's
that he has been durable and consistent. White has yet to miss a regular-season game in his seven-year
career and he has 100-plus receptions in the past two years and 80-plus receptions in the past five years.
During that same five-year span, White has had at least 1,153 yards every season.
|
| |
|
|
5 (17).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
|
Thoughts: Despite poor quarterback play, Fitzgerald surpassed the 1,400-yard mark for the fourth time in his
career. Even if the Cardinals don't get better quarterback play in 2012, it's unlikely to get worse. And if the
Cardinals somehow manage to land Peyton Manning in free agency with an incentive-laden contract, and
he's healthy, look out. At a minimum, I expect the Cardinals to upgrade their offensive line and No. 2 wide
receiver via the draft, both of which should help the Cards' passing attack and Fitzgerald directly.
|
| |
|
|
6 (18).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
|
Thoughts: When healthy, McFadden is one of the league's best running backs. The problem is he is always
an injury risk. In four seasons, McFadden has yet to play more than 13 games in any season and has played
in a total of only 45 games. In the 20 games he has played in the past two years, he has a total of 336 carries
for 1,771 yards and 11 touchdowns plus 66 receptions for 661 yards and four touchdowns. That is a total of
2,432 yards from scrimmage during that 20-game span or 121.6 YFS per game. If he stayed healthy for 16
games and maintained that average, he would finish with 1,946 YFS. It's well worth the risk here (but make
sure you grab his backup as a handcuff later on).
|
| |
|
|
7 (19).
|
John Trifone
|
Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers
|
Thoughts: In most drafts, I would expect Tom Brady to be the third quarterback taken, but I think the difference
between Brady and Newton, last year's No. 1 overall pick, is not that large due to Newton's rushing ability. Not
only did Cam set the record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (14), but he became the first NFL player
to throw for 4,000-plus yards and rush for 700-plus yards in the same season. With an offseason of OTAs
and training camp, there's no telling how good Newton will be in his sophomore year. That said, I wouldn't
expect double-digit rushing touchdowns and I normally hold off on drafting a QB so I would have gone in a
different direction with some of the top receivers still on the board.
|
| |
|
|
8 (20).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
|
Thoughts: One of the three 5,000-yard quarterbacks last year, Brady is as consistent as they come. It's rare
for him to have two bad games in a row and he has three big (or at least talented) weapons in the passing
game: Welker (who was designated with the franchise tag), Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Similar to
what I wrote for the previous pick, I don't have any objections to this pick, but at the same time, I would have
likely gone with one of the top receivers still on the board.
|
| |
|
|
9 (21).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
|
Thoughts: Stafford, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, is one-for-one when it comes to throwing for 5,000-plus
yards when he plays all 16 games. The obvious concern with Stafford is durability, and while he may not
keep his 5,000-yard streak in tact going forward, there are several reasons to like Stafford. Obviously he has
the natural talent that led him to be selected first overall in the (real) draft, but he has the NFL's most talented
receiver and the Lions are pass-happy. In the past three seasons, the Lions have ranked in the top six in
pass attempts: sixth (2009), third (2010) and first (2011).
|
| |
|
|
10 (22).
|
Sean Beazley
|
DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys
|
Thoughts: During the four-game stretch starting with setting the franchise single-game rushing record,
Murray was as good as anyone during a four-game span last year. Although he got his opportunity due to the
injury to Felix Jones and an injury (broken ankle) ended it, he will be healthy and the unquestioned featured
back going into next season in one of the league's most explosive and balanced offenses.
|
| |
|
|
11 (23).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants
|
Thoughts: Cruz came out of nowhere (for most of America) in Week 3 and never looked back as he broke the
franchise's single-season receiving record. Cruz finished the season with 82 receptions for 1,536 yards and
nine touchdowns and was remarkably consistent. In the final 14 games of the season, Cruz had 90-plus
yards 10 times and 74-plus yards in 12 of those 14 games. While I would take Hakeem Nicks before Cruz, I
have no real complaints about this pick.
|
| |
|
|
12 (24).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Brandon Marshall, WR, Miami Dolphins
|
Thoughts: For a second draft in a row, Steve has paid more than I would for "The Beast." With Hakeem Nicks
and A.J. Green still on the board, it's hard to justify Marshall here, even in a PPR league and after factoring in
the potential for an upgrade at quarterback. To be honest, Marshall would not even be my third choice at wide
receiver among remaining options let alone other positions.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (25).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
|
2 (26).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
|
3 (27).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers
|
4 (28).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
|
5 (29).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
|
6 (30).
|
John Trifone
|
Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
|
7 (31).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
|
8 (32).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
|
9 (33).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Darren Sproles, RB, New Orleans Saints
|
10 (34).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
|
11 (35).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
|
12 (36).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Best Pick - A.J. Green: There are several picks that I really like in this round and it was frustrating that I had no picks in between No.'s 17 and 32. Both receivers taken by Donahue were steals, and I like the running back picks in Charles, Peterson and Jackson. As far as Green goes, however, he had more than 1,000 yards as a rookie and is truly special talent with limitless potential. He should have gone perhaps 10 spots earlier.
Pick I Like the Least - Eli Manning: I don't dislike the pick and think Woodhull got a solid pick in Jackson at 35, especially with Jeff Fisher as the new Rams head coach. Typically, I'm a guy that takes QBs and TEs late, which is the opposite of the strategy I've used with my second team. That said, I would have waited a bit on Manning instead of using a top-25 pick on him.
My Picks: As great of a season as Green had, Jones averaged more receiving yards per game (73.8) and scored more touchdowns (eight) than Green (70.5, seven). I'm not saying he's better than Green, because he's not, but he is another super-talented young receiver with tons of potential. One of the things I like, and dislike, about Jones is the presence of Roddy White, who draws some of the double-coverage as the team's "No. 1" receiver. While Matt Ryan loves to target White, his presence creates more one-on-one matchups than Green will get against opposing defenses. In his final four games, Jones caught 20 passes for 393 yards and six TDs.
As the 13th receiver off the board, Jennings provides solid value. There is some risk to Jennings' production with the emergence of Nelson as an elite receiver, but it's more of a win-win situation in the Packers' pass-first (and pass-second) offense. While there may not be enough targets to go around for guys like James Jones, Randall Cobb, etc., Jennings and Nelson will get enough to both be potential top-10 fantasy wide receivers in 2012.
|
|
| |
|
|
Round 4
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (37).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers
|
2 (38).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
|
3 (39).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Reggie Bush, RB, Miami Dolphins
|
4 (40).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
|
5 (41).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
|
6 (42).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
|
7 (43).
|
John Trifone
|
Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
|
8 (44).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
|
9 (45).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
|
10 (46).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Aaron Hernandez, TE, New England Patriots
|
11 (47).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
|
12 (48).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Brandon Lloyd, WR, St. Louis Rams (soon-to-be FA)
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Best Pick - Michael Vick: Unlike the third round, where I really like many of the picks, there was no pick in the fourth round where I thought to myself, "wow, what a great pick." I'm going to go with Vick here mostly for the potential. In a 12-team league, Donahue will have a shot to draft a very capable backup and Vick's upside is tremendous, at least on a per-game basis. (I will be targeting Vick in many of my redraft leagues.)
Pick I Like the Least - Brandon Lloyd: Steve is banking on a (potential and likely) McDaniels-Lloyd reunion to yield a (much less likely) stat line similar to McDaniels' final year in the Mile High City. With the presence of Welker, Gronkowski and Hernandez, Lloyd may struggle to find the number of targets to make him more valuable than other receivers still on the board, such as Antonio Brown, Steve Johnson, Jeremy Maclin, etc. (For the record, I like his fifth-round pick, Roy Helu, much better than I like this pick.)
My Picks: Assuming that he doesn't return to San Diego, which has not yet been ruled out, Jackson would make sense for the Bears. With a strong-armed quarterback in Jay Cutler, I can see VJax having a season full of big plays and redzone targets for a team without a true No. 1 receiver if he ends up in the Windy City. Jackson was inconsistent in 2011, but so was his quarterback.
With Percy Harvin, I was debating Harvin and Bryant at that spot. Due to the uncertainty around Adrian Peterson's status for the start of the year, I gave the edge to Harvin. Not only did Harvin finish with 87 receptions for 967 yards and six scores (despite only being on the field for 58.4 percent of the team's offensive snaps, which should be corrected in 2012), but he also had 52 rush attempts for 345 yards and two touchdowns. In his final nine games of the season, Harvin had 60 receptions, 36 carries, 870 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns.
- Note: Several contributors will be making their March Madness picks. Follow our NBA and College Basketball Twitter account (@HitTheBoards) to keep track of updates.
|
|
Round 5
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (49).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Roy Helu, RB, Washington Redskins
|
2 (50).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
|
3 (51).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans
|
4 (52).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
|
5 (53).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
|
6 (54).
|
John Trifone
|
Willis McGahee, RB, Denver Broncos
|
7 (55).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
|
8 (56).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
|
9 (57).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bills
|
10 (58).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh Steeelers
|
11 (59).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Peyton Manning, QB, Free agent
|
12 (60).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelpia Eagles
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Best Pick - Antonio Brown: Breaking out in his sophomore season, Brown caught 69 balls for 1,108 yards and only two touchdowns. Whether Mike Wallace is gone or not this year, Brown actually led the Steelers in targets (123) over Wallace (113) last year. And there is no doubt that he will find the endzone much more in 2012.
Pick I Like the Least - DeSean Jackson: Although he's saying the right things since being designated with the franchise tag (list of all players tagged), the proof is in the pudding. Granted, he will make more money this year than he did last year, but he's still lacking the long-term contract that he desires. In a PPR league, I prefer Maclin over the explosive (and volatile) Jackson when it comes to Eagles receivers.
My Picks: I needed a quarterback and Tony Romo is a good value at pick No. 56. The team is loaded with weapons (Bryant, Austin, Witten, Murray, etc.) and Romo is a lock for 4,000-plus yards and 25-plus touchdowns in the regular season with plenty of upside from there.
As I noted above, I much rather have Maclin in a PPR league than Jackson. In a standard-scoring league, I'd still prefer Maclin, but the difference isn't as great. Maclin missed three games last year, but he set career high high in yards per game (66.1) and he would have set career highs in receptions and receiving yards if he were able to stay healthy for a full season. Going into 2012 with a clean bill of health, I expect Maclin to take big step forward.
|
|
Round 6
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (61).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders
|
2 (62).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
|
3 (63).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys
|
4 (64).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
5 (65).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
|
6 (66).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
|
7 (67).
|
John Trifone
|
Beanie Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals
|
8 (68).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers
|
9 (69).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
|
10 (70).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers
|
11 (71).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos
|
12 (72).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Nate Washington, WR, Tennessee Titans
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Best Pick - Marques Colston: With the Saints re-signing Colston to a five-year deal, this is a great pick. If he ended up somewhere else, there was little chance that he would duplicate the success he has enjoyed within the Saints offense. With the exception of one season in which he missed five games, Colston has had 1,000-plus yards in his other five seasons in New Orleans. If Peyton Manning ends up in Denver, then Demaryius Thomas, a solid pick either way, would be the top contender for this spot this round.
Pick I Like the Least - Malcom Floyd: To be fair, there was no pick that I really disliked and I think Floyd could be in for a huge season, if he stays healthy, which is what Beazley is betting on. Since 2004, Floyd has played a total of 74 games in eight seasons and has only played more than 13 games once in his career (2009). That said, Floyd had a career-high 71.3 yards per game last year. I like Floyd this year for upside, but I would prefer to wait a little longer considering his lack of durability.
My Picks: Depending on where Michael Bush lands via fee agency, he has the potential to post numbers much better than his draft position would indicate. In his final 10 games of the season, Bush had 213 carries for 839 yards and four touchdowns plus 30 receptions for 319 yards and a touchdown.
When it comes to tight ends, none have the freakish athtleticism that Davis has. Despite having three-year lows in the regular season (792 yards and six touchdowns), Davis reminded us in the postseason of how much of a mismatch he poses for opposing defenses. In those two playoff games, Davis had 10 receptions for 292 yards and four touchdowns. I expect Davis to have a career year in 2012.
|
|
Round 7
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (73).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
|
2 (74).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Isaac Redman, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
|
Note: All picks made before this point were made before the start of NFL free agency at 4 p.m. ET on
March 13th. All picks made after this point were made after the start of NFL free agency.
|
3 (75).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
|
4 (76).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
LeGarette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|
5 (77).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
|
6 (78).
|
John Trifone
|
DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
|
7 (79).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Randy Moss, WR, San Francisco 49ers
|
8 (80).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints
|
9 (81).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Peyton Hillis, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
|
10 (82).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
|
11 (83).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
|
12 (84).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Best Pick - Ben Roethlisberger: Going into free agency, it seemed almost certain that the cap-strapped Steelers would lose Mike Wallace. Instead, it seems much more likely that Wallace will play under his RFA tender. As the 12th quarterback off the board, Big Ben has two 1,100-yard receivers at his disposal and provides plenty of value to Yanotchko.
Pick I Like the Least - Rashard Mendenhall: Perhaps this is a gamble that pays off for Woodhull. That said, Ed Bouchette, Steelers' beat writer from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, wrote on March 19th: The Steelers "do not believe Rashard Mendenhall will be of much use to them in 2012, which is the final year of his contract. It’s possible Mendenhall may have had his last carry with the Steelers."
My Picks: In general, I would prefer for my RB2 to not be the 30th and 33rd running backs off the board. Unfortunately for my teams, that is the reality. My typical draft strategy, which is the opposite of what I did here, is to wait a bit on QBs/TEs.
Ingram, the Saints' first-round pick in 2011, had an injury-shortened season that forced him to miss six games. With Sproles and Pierre Thomas in the mix, Ingram won't get the workload or receptions to make him worthy of a pick much earlier than this. That said, he should get close to 15 carries per game plus the short-yardage work. Last year, Ingram scored in half of his games (five times in 10 games).
If Best can stay healthy, an enormous risk considering his extensive concussion history, my team will reap huge rewards from this pick (33rd running back off the board). In his six games he played last year, Best averaged more than 100 yards from scrimmage per game (112.8) and 4.5 receptions per game. Getting a starting running back this late means I had to take a gamble, but I hedged my bet by taking Mikel LeShoure with the next pick.
|
|
Round 8
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (85).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Mikel LeShoure, RB, Detroit Lions
|
2 (86).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Eddie Royal, WR, San Diego Chargers
|
3 (87).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts
|
4 (88).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Detroit Lions
|
5 (89).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Sidney Rice, WR, Seattle Seahawks
|
6 (90).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Ben Tate, RB, Houston Texans
|
7 (91).
|
John Trifone
|
Mario Manningham, WR, San Francisco 49ers
|
8 (92).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland Raiders
|
9 (93).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Mike Williams, WR, Seattle Seahawks
|
10 (94).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins
|
11 (95).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Pierre Garcon, WR, Washington Redskins
|
12 (96).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
Tony Moeaki, TE, Kansas City Chiefs
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Round 9
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (97).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
|
2 (98).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots
|
3 (99).
|
Sean Beazley
|
Torrey Smith, WR, Baltimore Ravens
|
4 (100).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
|
5 (101).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
Eric Decker, WR, Denver Broncos
|
6 (102).
|
John Trifone
|
Andre Caldwell, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
|
7 (103).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
Robert Meachem, WR, San Diego Chargers
|
8 (104).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
Ryan Williams, RB, Arizona Cardinals
|
9 (105).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks
|
10 (106).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
Danny Woodhead, RB, New England Patriots
|
11 (107).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints
|
12 (108).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Round 10
|
Pick (Overall)
|
Team
|
Player, Pos., Team
|
1 (109).
|
Kevin Hanson (Team 2)
|
Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders
|
2 (110).
|
Steve Woodhull (Team 2)
|
Greg Little, WR, Cleveland Browns
|
3 (111).
|
Dan Yanotchko (Team 2)
|
|
4 (112).
|
Dan Yanotchko
|
|
5 (113).
|
Kevin Hanson
|
|
6 (114).
|
Sean Beazley (Team 2)
|
|
7 (115).
|
John Trifone
|
|
8 (116).
|
Brendan Donahue
|
|
9 (117).
|
John Trifone (Team 2)
|
|
10 (118).
|
Sean Beazley
|
|
11 (119).
|
Brendan Donahue (Team 2)
|
|
12 (120).
|
Steve Woodhull
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
