Lockout, schmockout.
Despite the NFL being in a continued labor strife, fantasy football junkies, such as myself, have continued to prepare ourselves for the upcoming fantasy football season. As part of my preparation, I came across a series of mock drafts called the "Draftmasters Series".
Run by my new good friend Jim Day (who you can and should follow on Twitter: @Fantasytaz), Draftmasters is a series of mock drafts that have been going on all throughout the summer. They are currently gearing up for number 100.
These are not your typical mock drafts. Particpants take part just like a normal draft and then teams are locked for the season. No transactions of any sort take place after the draft. Scores are kept for each team in a Best Ball format, meaning the best scorers at each position count towards the team's weekly score. So, even if one of your players has a bad week, chances are someone else on your team at that position has a good week and will override a bad week. So players with the potential to breakout on any given week are perfect for this format.
These drafts are Points per Reception leagues (PPR) and sport a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 2 Flex (RB, WR, TE, one of each) 1 TE, 1 DEF, and 1 K.
This will be a breakdown of the most recent Draftmaster I took part in, which was Draftmaster 87. Those who joined me in this draft were Jim Day (@Fantasytaz), Zach Law (@zach_law), @eyeofthegator, Craig Southwick (@C_Southwick), Bill Cervi (@wcervi), Arthur Shellz (@big_jubes), @electricrelish, Chad Parsons (@NFL_Fantasy1), @RedRum26, @Slammers08, and Bruce Kimbrough (@FatKat52).
Note: Rounds 3,5,7,9,11,13,15 are the same order as Round 1, Rounds 2,4,6,8,10,12,14,16 are the same order as Round 2
Round 1
1. @big_jubes Arian Foster, RB, HOU
2. @C-Southwick Jamaal Charles, RB, KC
3. @wcervi Chris Johnson, RB, TEN
4. @wildbill0962 Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN
5. @Slammers08 LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI
6. @eyeofthegator Ray Rice, RB, BAL
7. @electricrelish Roddy White, WR, ATL
8. @NFL_Fantasy1 Calvin Johnson, WR, DET
9. @FatKat52 Frank Gore, RB, SF
10. @RedRum26 Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC
11. @Fantasytaz Andre Johnson, WR, HOU
12. @zach_law Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARI
After seeing a bunch of drafts, it's starting to become clear how the first round will start to shape up. The top six RBs look like they are taking shape. No surprise seeing Foster number one. Great young back who Houston has said will not be part of a committee, running behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and playing on a team that will never see a stacked box thanks to Schaub and AJ. Add in the fact that Foster had the most receiving yards and 2nd-most receptions among running backs, and you have yourself a strong contender to return to the top 5 among running backs, especially in PPR leagues.
A little surprising seeing Charles go #2, but I can understand it. AP and CJ2K are both looking at the possibilty of playing with rookies quarterbacks, while Charles will still have Matt Cassel at QB and a strong WR in Dwayne Bowe. And coach Todd Haley has said he wants to see more of Charles next season.
Not much needs to be said about Peterson and Johnson, two of the most reliable backs in the game, and both should continue to put up strong numbers this season.
McCoy is one RB I really like this year. McCoy has become an integral part of the Philadelphia offense, rushing for over 1,000 yards last season, while also adding over 500 yards receiving and catching the most balls among running backs. With Michael Vick back at QB and DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin holding the fort on the outside, this could once again be an explosive Eagles' offense, and McCoy will be right in the thick of it.
Rice is coming off a season where he "disappointed" owners. Rice was a consensus top 4 pick last year, but got off to a slow start, but eventually got his game back up. With Willis McGahee possibly gone from Baltimore, Rice may finally get the short-yardage and goal-line carries, which only adds to Rice's fantasy value.
While just about everyone has Andre Johnson as the #1 WR, the first receiver taken here was Atlanta's Roddy White. I personally love White, I'm a huge fan. Last year's leader in targets and receptions should continue to produce even with the Falcons drafting Julio Jones.
I also like Megatron this year, especially if Matthew Stafford can finally play a full season. This man caught 12 TDs with 3 different QBs last year.
Gore and MJD are both coming off injuries, but when healthy, both are very strong plays week in and week out.
The first round ended with two top receivers, Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzy will acquire even more fantasy value if and when the Cardinals acquire a QB either through Free Agency of via a trade.
Overall, a good round, pretty much went as expected, and I was more than happy to select AP at #4.
