Is This What Your Fantasy Football Draft Looks Like? Rounds 3-7

Rounds 1 and 2 : http://www.dailyshootout.com/2012/08/daily-shootout-fantasy-football-mock.html

(Scott Bluni) Round 3 Pick 1 (17 overall): WR Roddy White: He led the NFL in targets and was second in receptions last season.  Another reassuring note for to consider while picking White, he’s never missed a game in his seven-year career.  He’s big, strong and has proven to be one of the most effective red-zone threats in the game. Roddy White is an elite wide receiver who consistently put up big numbers.

 

(Justin Emery) Round 3 Pick 2 (18 Overall): QB Michael Vick:  Vick is 2 players, a running back and a quarterback. Even with Rodgers on the team already Vick has the potential every year to be the top ranked fantasy player because of his skill set. Vick was at tremendous value in the 3^rd round and even with having a QB already Vick could be a very valuable trade piece during the season.

 

(Kevin Ryan) Round 3 Pick 3 (19 Overall): RB Adrian Peterson:  I was surprised to see Peterson available at the 19^th overall pick and thought it was too good to be true.  In a league with no bench and 4 starting RBs, McCoy and Peterson are very safe picks at this position. 

 

(Chad Smith) Round 3 Pick 4 (20 Overall): WR Greg Jennings: He’s out with a concussion now but he should be ready to go by week 1. Packers play in a pass first offense so it’s always good to have the number one option on your fantasy team. Getting him this far down is a good pick but it’s only a 8 team league so he won’t be here in most formats.

 

(Trisity Miller) Round 3 Pick 5 (21 Overall): TE Jimmy Graham: Most will have picked a top notch running back (Forte, Foster, CJ2K, etc.) here, but it’s clear what I’m looking for in players. It’s a passing league now if you didn’t know. Since Gronk was gone, Graham was my 2^nd option. He put up the 2^nd greatest season ever for a TE, and with Meachem gone that may equal more yards for Graham. He’s also a terrific deep threat for Brees.

 

(Matt Ehrich) Round 3 Pick 6 (22 Overall): RB Trent Richardson: One of those backs that will live up to his hype. Has a great combination of speed and power that will be a bright spot in the Browns organization for years to come (barring injury). Great value at 22.

 

(Al Burke) Round 3 Pick 7 (23 Overall):  RB Maurice Turner: With MJD a concern, I splashed out on another productive RB in Turner. He’s another player with an offense built around him (how rare are they these days?) and he comes up with the goods, even with teams stacked up against him. That won’t be the case as QB Matt Ryan continues to improve, as does his supporting cast. If both Turner and Drew are ready to rock, I’ll be a happy puppy.

 

(David Folz) Round 3 Pick 8 (24 Overall): RB Matt Forte: This can either be a big gain or a huge risk.  Forte is known for his explosive Running Back stats, something Chicago hasn’t possessed since Walter Payton was there.  This is also a huge risk because Forte tore his ACL last year, and a running back with knee concerns is always a risk to take, regardless of round.  This pick is either a big gain or big bust for any owner.

 

(David Folz) Round 4 Pick 1 (25 Overall): RB Marshawn Lynch: Skittles got paid in the off-season, and he also has a new quarterback to help take the pressure off of him so much.  With either Matt Flynn or Russell Wilson, it is an upgrade over Tavaris Jackson because both can throw and find receivers.  For Lynch, he is still the main point of the offense, but it allows him to ease his role a bit because the quarterback will be able to throw more, which benefits Lynch, especially if he is on a screen play or a receiver of some sort.  Look for Lynch to not only be a factor running, but receiving this year as well.

 

(Al Burke) Round 4 Pick 2 (26 Overall): QB Eli Manning: There’s a lot of debate over whether Manning is really an elite QB, but when it comes to fantasy production, he’s a great pick at this stage. He’s got a good supporting cast and usually gets better as games go on. The biggest negative is in leagues where turnovers cost points, otherwise he’s solid gold.

 

(Matt Ehrich) Round 4 Pick 3 (27 Overall): WR Victor Cruz: Will be targeted even more with Brandon Jacobs, Mario Manningham and Jake Ballard out of the picture. Yes defenses know about him after last season but there going to have a tough time double-teaming him with Hakeem Nicks on the field

 

(Trisity Miller) Round 4 Pick 4 (28 Overall): RB Darren Sproles: Another product of the Brees’ system, I’m not really depending on Darren Sproles as my traditional running back. Even as possibly the third back on this team he netted in 603 rushing yards. His game is more Kevin Faulk than anything and whether it’s running, receiving, or punt returns, Sproles is due for a big play at least once a game.

 

(Chad Smith) Round 4 Pick 5 (29 Overall): WR Brandon Marshall: Last time he was with Cutler he put up monster numbers. He put up solid numbers in Miami the last few years and he didn’t have a QB as good as Cutler tossing him the ball. I think he is going to have a BIG year.

 

(Kevin Ryan) Round 4 Pick 6 (30 Overall): RB DeMarco Murray:  Despite being labeled as unhealthy, he has the potential to make a very positive impact this year.  Hopefully, three of my four starting RBs have been already been picked.  My running back core is looking strong.

 

(Justin Emery) Round 4 Pick 7 (31 Overall): WR Jordy Nelson:  With Greg Jennings already off the board I decided to go with Green Bay’s up and coming star WR to pair up with Rodgers. I am usually against picking players that are on the same team because it handicaps some players as each player can only get the ball one at a time, but there are exceptions to every rule and when Aaron Rodgers is throwing you the ball, you are that exception.

 

(Scott Bluni) Round 4 Pick 8 (32 overall):  QB Peyton Manning: So in the fourth round, for me, it was a tale of two Mannings.  Almost every elite QB in the draft had been taken by now and I was not willing to settle for a mediocre QB.  Eli was taken with the 2^nd pick of the 4^th round, so I went ahead and picked up Peyton.  He’s a risky pick because he’s coming off of that season-ending neck injury, but with a solid receiving core in Denver and the highest football IQ in the league the risk is worth the potential reward.

 

(Scott Bluni) Round 5 Pick 1 (33 Overall): WR Wes Welker: Can you guys tell I’m a Patriots fan yet?  It’s so hard to stay away from Patriots receivers when Tom Brady is at the helm! Welker is easily one of the most, if not the most, productive slot receivers in the game.  While the Patriots have been beefing up their receiving core lately, Welker’s greatness is an unwavering constant in the New England system.  And at 33^rd pick overall, isn’t he a steal?

 

(Justin Emery) Round 5 Pick 2 (34 Overall): WR Andre Johnson: Andre Johnson in the 5^th round? What a steal! I know he has been coming off of injuries and is getting older but there is no denying that when healthy Johnson is an elite wide out that is capable of carrying a team to victory by himself.

 

(Kevin Ryan) Round 5 Pick 3 (35 Overall): WR Marques Colston: Having found solid running backs for my team in the first four rounds, I decided it was time to spend my next few picks on safe wide receivers – meaning they have a solid quarterback throwing to them.  Colston’s QB is Drew Brees, can’t get much safer than that. 

 

(Chad Smith) Round 5 Pick 4 (36 Overall): RB Jamaal Charles: There were no QB’s at this point in the draft I wanted so I figured grabbing another number 1 running back for my flex wasn’t a bad idea. People are worried about his knee but he hurt it early in the season last year and should be ready to go back to the player he was a year before. He is also the best player on the offense so he will get a lot of touches.

(Trisity Miller) Round 5 Pick 5 (37 Overall): WR A.J. Green: Once again going off my basis that passing numbers will be up this year, I went after second year receiver A.J. Green. He’s a FORCE to be reckoned with sometimes showing flashes of a young Randy Moss. After netting 1057 yards while playing about 14 ½ games, I expect the Green-Dalton chemistry to keep up big time. I think this is a steal at the 5^th pick.

 

(Matt Ehrich) Round 5 Pick 6 (38 Overall): WR Mike Wallace: One of the best WRs in the game fell into my lap at #38 because nobody has a clue if he will sign his franchise tender. He can't afford to take a year of football, he will be in the Steelers Week 1 game, and will be in my fantasy lineup as well. 

 

(Al Burke) Round 5 Pick 7 (39 Overall): TE Aaron Hernandez:  There was a time when TEs weren’t really considered fantasy gets, but those days are long gone with a bunch of guys who warrant 1^st or 2^nd round consideration. Hernandez is a key contributor for the Patriots, yet isn’t even their best TE. He’s more of a H-Back type, but he’s productive and will see plenty of the ball; particularly at the goal-line.

 

(David Folz) Round 5 Pick 8 (40 Overall): WR Hakeem Nicks: This is probably a very safe pick for anyone in fantasy this year.  With Manningham gone, Nicks’ role as the number one becomes more immense but he should flourish with Manning throwing the ball.  Barring any health concerns, expect Nicks to take a step towards Jennings/Fitzgerald territory as one of the game’s best receivers.

 

(David Folz) Round 6 Pick 1 (41 Overall): RB Fred Jackson: Jackson may or may not benefit from a split with C.J. Spiller.  This is why it is another risk/reward sort of pick.  If Jackson and Spiller have their split carries work out, then it will be great for both in fantasy, but if not, then both are major busts.  It may also depend on Fitzpatrick and how he progresses as a quarterback this year to help both Jackson and Spiller become better options.

 

(Al Burke) Round 6 Pick 2 (42 Overall): QB Phillip Rivers: Somewhat ironically, I chose the two infamous QBs from the 2004 draft, but Rivers was the best QB left on the board and I was concerned I’d have to draft Tebow. Rivers had an off-year in 2011, but he’s too talented to stay down for long. He shares the same turnover concerns as Manning (not as much though), but he knows where to put the football and he’s a solid fantasy contributor.

 

(Matt Ehrich) Round 6 Pick 3 (43 Overall): WR Steve Smith: Cam Newton's favorite target, and is still one of the best deep threats in the game. With arguably the best QB he has ever played with, Steve Smith might have a career year.

 

(Trisity Miller) Round 6 Pick 4 (44 Overall): San Francisco D/ST: This defense allowed ONE entire rushing touchdown last season. They didn’t lose many key players and their starters are mostly healthy. They were 1^st in rushing yards allowed with 77 per game. I expect they’ll keep this up. Their pass defense was suspect, but their ability to stop the run is what I’m betting on considering this defense sees Marshawn Lynch and Steven Jackson a total of 4 times combined.

 

(Chad Smith) Round 6 Pick 5 (45 Overall): TE Antonio Gates: All reports is the he lost 10 pounds and looks like a WR more than a TE. If being lighter allows him to avoid the nagging injuries that have kept him from being a top fantasy TE the past few years he should have a nice rebound season.

 

(Kevin Ryan) Round 6 Pick 6 (46 Overall): WR Dez Bryant:  Bryant is a safe pick considering Tony Romo’s success in Dallas.  Again, I’m going for the safer picks that have a higher probability of consistently making a positive impact.  Bryant is a great WR and has a great QB in Romo.

 

(Justin Emery) Round 6 Pick 7 (47 Overall): WR Miles Austin:  Austin was another great value pick. In the sixth round and still picking up stand out receivers is always something to make any fantasy owner happy. I know I haven’t taken a running back to this point yet but there are only a few elite running backs and everyone else is pretty much near the same statistically. As the NFL becomes more and more of a passing league wide outs are worth more now than ever and that is why you cannot have too many receivers.

 

(Scott Bluni) Round 6 Pick 8 (48 Overall): RB Steven Jackson: At the 48^th overall pick, Steven Jackson was the best available running back.  I thought he’d be picked in the 4^th or 5^th round for sure but he was still hanging around waiting for me to pick him up.  Although his offensive line in St. Louis isn’t good by any means, he has no backup competition and proved last season that he can still be explosive and make big runs (32 runs of 10-plus yards). 

 

(Scott Bluni) Round 7 Pick 1 (49 Overall): WR Dwayne Bowe: Bowe is a risky pick.  His 15 TDs in 2010-2011 dropped down to five in 2011-2012. The reason for this was QB inconsistencies and injuries.  If Matt Cassel can stay healthy, I believe Bowe has the potential to put up 10 TDs and easily eclipse the 1,150-yard mark this season.

 

(Justin Emery) Round 7 Pick 2 (50 Overall): RB Doug Martin: Tampa Bay’s rookie RB has been turning some heads this preseason and with Blount getting injured (though not thought to be serious) that makes the starting RB spot in Tampa Bay his to lose. Matched with a young QB and now the Bucs have a legitimate threat at WR in Vincent Jackson opposing teams cannot put 8 in the box. A “sleeper” pick Martin should have a great rookie year and be one of those diamond in the rough kind of players.

 

(Kevin Ryan) Round 7 Pick 3 (51 Overall): WR Jeremy Maclin: If Vick stays healthy; Maclin has a solid QB throwing at him.  He has a tremendous skill set and is very athletic.

 

(Chad Smith) Round 7 Pick 4 (52 Overall): QB Jay Cutler: Batman and Robin, cookies and milk, summertime and Country concerts. Great things come in pairs and it’s the corner stone of my draft strategy. I love pairing up QB’s and WR’s combos. It’s worked out great for me the past 3 seasons. Brees and Colston last year, Vick and D. Jackson the year before, and Rodgers and Jennings 3 years ago. I think these guys are going to have a monster year together so I really like the pairing of them on my fantasy team. Having a QB/WR pairing is also a great way to pile up points in a hurry.

 

(Trisity Miller) Round 7 Pick 5 (53 Overall): WR Brandon Lloyd: Yes, this is me being a homer again, but with Gronk and Hernandez becoming a huge force last season, Wes Welker requiring double teams in the slot, and the pairing of Lloyd/Brady/Mcdaniels to equal a great season. Also, he’s the deep threat that NE has missed since Moss, so a few more deep passes will look good on his stats.

 

(Matt Ehrich): Round 7 Pick 6 (54 Overall): WR Demaryius Thomas: Had a decent season with Tebow at the helm. With Peyton Manning under center, the sky is the limit. 

 

(Al Burke) Round 7 Pick 7 (55 Overall):  WR Steve Johnson: The Bills receiver was a surprise star after being drafted in the 7^th round back in 2008. He was banged up last season but still managed a decent year. He’s the primary target for the Bills, and has a rapport with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills running attack opens up the passing game some, and Johnson should continue to excel after receiving a nice contract (I hope). Imagine how he’d perform with a top QB throwing to him.

 

(David Folz) Round 7 Pick 8 (56 Overall): TE Vernon Davis: This is about as safe a tight end pick as you will get in fantasy football.  Davis is a big guy who can run and catch with the best, and should get his touches again in clutch or goal-line sets.  Remember, in the divisional playoff against New Orleans, it was Davis who caught the game-winning touchdown to beat the Saints.

 

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