Fantasy Football Mock Draft
by John Clifront
A fantasy football mock draft not only helps you get used to the idea of drafting and, especially, picking from your draft spot, but it also lets you gauge where a player you have targeted it likely to be selected. In fact, I suggest the best think mock fantasy football drafts do for a person is give them a clear idea where certain positions get thin and which positions are particularly deep.
The problem with mocking your local draft is you have to be right about most of your picks, or else the mock draft is completely useless. I've seen friends do a mock-up of their local draft and completely confuse themselves with wishful thinking picks for the other competitors: "If four quarterbacks go in the 1st round, I could end up with Ray Rice at the 12th pick." This is worse than useless.
ADP Mock Drafting
My favorite way to write up a fantasy football mock draft using the data from a trusted fantasy site's real drafts. I went over to My-Fantasy-League, which offers free access to all their real online drafts. Narrowing my search to drafts after August 1st and breaking down picks for a 12-team, serpentine draft, I came up with the following mock drafts.
In the first few rounds, I let picks fall where they would. Once I had teams with no receivers or no runners, I would occasionally move a player one spot to simulate real people trying to build real fantasy teams. Besides being better for my peace of mind, I justify this practice because the exact pick is hugely important in the first 2-3 rounds, but the general area of the draft becomes more important later, when the number of selections and assumptions about drafting makes every pick increasingly speculative.
I mainly want to know if Jay Cutler is going in the 7th or 9th round and, if possible, whether he's going in the top half or the bottom half of that round. That's about the most you can extrapolate from an ADP list in the middle rounds of a draft, given that each local league is its own unique collection. On the other hand, you need to know more than what round a player goes when selecting in the 1st round--accuracy is more important for strategy there. All that being said, moves were only within 1-2 statistical draft spots.
Fantasy Football Mock Draft Round-by-Round
I'll start by listing the first 10 rounds of a mock draft, so you can get an idea where players are being selected in 2011. After that, I'll list all 12 team rosters after 10 rounds, then give my comments and analysis on how each team was built. Again, all data for the following mock draft is extrapolated from real fantasy drafts done online, and not from online mock drafts.
Round One - Mock Draft
1. Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
3. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
4. Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
5. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
6. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
7. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans
8. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions
9. Michael Vick, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
10. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
11. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
12. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Round Two - Mock Draft
13. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
14. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals
16. Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
17. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers
18. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
19. Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers
20. Stephen Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams
21. Mike Wallace, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego Chargers
23. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts
24. Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns
Round Three - Mock Draft
25. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons
26. Miles Austin, WR, Dallas Cowboys
27. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints
28. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
29. Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers
30. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
31. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
32. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
33. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts
34. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers
35. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
36. Mike Williams, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Round Four - Mock Draft
37. Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers
38. Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys
39. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions
40. Brandon Marshall, WR, Miami Dolphins
41. Wes Welker, WR, New England Patriots
42. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets
43. Jermichael Finley, TE, Green Bay Packers
44. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
45. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints
46. Santonio Holmes, WR, New York Jets
47. Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys
48. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Round Five - Mock Draft
49. Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis Colts
50. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans Saints (R)
51. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos
52. Deangelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers
53. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Denver Broncos
54. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
55. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings
56. Steve Johnson, WR, Buffalo Bills
57. Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers
58. Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts
59. Anquan Boldin, WR, Baltimore Ravens
60. Matt Schaub, QB, Houston Texans
Round Six - Mock Draft
61. Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins (R)
62. Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans
63. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
64. Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers
65. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
66. Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
67. Chad Ochocinco, RB, New England Patriots
68. Sidney Rice, WR, Seattle Seahawks
69. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks
70. Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints
71. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
72. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (R)
Round Seven - Mock Draft
73. Mario Manningham, WR, New York Giants
74. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons (R)
75. Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis Colts
76. Pierre Garcon, WR, Indianapolis Colts
77. Owen Daniels, TE, Houston Texans
78. Fred Jackson, RB, Buffalo Bills
79. Josh Freeman, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
80. BenJarvus Green Ellis, RB, New England Patriots
81. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Francisco 49ers
82. Johnny Knox, WR, Chicago Bears
83. Chris Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals
84. C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills
Round Eight - Mock Draft
85. Eli Manning, QB, New York Giants
86. Mike Thomas, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
87. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers
88. Reggie Bush, RB, Miami Dolphins
89. Sam Bradford, QB, St. Louis Rams
90. Mercedes Lewis, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
91. Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions
92. Ryan Williams, RB, Arizona Cardinals (R)
93. Mike Tolbert, RB, San Diego Chargers
94. Santana Moss, WR, Washington Redskins
95. James Starks, RB, Green Bay Packers
96. Mike Sims-Walker, WR, St. Louis Rams* - (was: Danny Amendola) Mike
Sims-Walker was signed by the Rams since most of these drafts launched.
For the sake of accuracy, let's assume Sims-Walker would go around this
point, instead.
Round Nine - Mock Draft
97. Plaxico Burress, WR, New York Jets
98. Joe Flacco, QB, Baltimore Ravens
99. Braylon Edwards, WR, San Francisco 49ers
100. Zach Miller, TE, Seattle Seahawks
101. Ryan Torain, RB, Washington Redskins
102. Kellen Winslow, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
103. Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots
104. Jay Cutler, QB, Chicago Bears
105. Danny Amendola, WR, St. Louis Rams - Daniel Gibson is currently
listed as the Rams' other starting WR over Amendola, so that's another
option at this position. I'll leave Amendola on the list, assuming
people draft off of last year's numbers.
106. Chris Cooley, TE, Washington Redskins
107. Kevin Kolb, QB, Arizona Cardinals* - Rising since the trade.
108. Jacoby Ford, WR, Oakland Raiders
Round Ten - Mock Draft
109. Lance Moore, WR, New Orleans Saints
110. Brandon Jacobs, RB, New York Giants
111. Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints
112. Ladainian Tomlinson, RB, New York Jets
113. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Detroit Lions
114. Mike Williams (USC), WR, Seattle Seahawks
115. Malcom Floyd, WR, San Diego Chargers
116. Michael Bush, RB, Oakland Raiders
117. Davone Bess, WR, Miami Dolphins
118. Roy Helu, RB, Washington Redskins
119. Steve Smith, WR, New York Giants* - Still unsigned and may not be
ready for Week 1.
120. Matt Cassel, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Mock Draft Analysis
I've left some positions open on the following team rosters, so you have an idea with a quick glance which teams focused on which positions more. You'll notice that some positions only drafted 1 QB, while others drafted 4-5 runners or receiver. One or two teams never got around to drafting a tight end, while others stocked up on quarterback or tight end. This follows the pattern of your average serpentine draft, where strategies between teams can vary wildly.
Miami Sharks - Picking in Spot 1
QB - Tony Romo (4)
QB - Matt Cassel (10)
RB - Arian Foster (1)
RB - Peyton Hillis (2)
RB - Michael Turner (3)
RB
WR - A.J. Green (6)
WR - Mario Manningham (7)
WR - Mike-Sims Walker (8)
WR - Plaxico Burress (9)
TE - Dallas Clark (5)
K
DEF
Miami Sharks Mock Draft Analysis - Drafting from the 1.1 position, the Sharks added last year's #1 fantasy performer, then added 2011 Madden standout Peyton Hillis in the second. The Sharks did the improbable and took a third runner in the 3rd round. I was tempted to push Turner down a spot, but I could see someone who doesn't want to draft a bunch of handcuffs seeing Michael Turner still on the draft board and want to add insurance against an RB injury that way. I've drafted RB-RB-RB before, though those usually have an offensive flex position which allows a third runner to be started. In those leagues, it's often a good strategy to draft RBs high, though I wouldn't normally recommend drafting a bench player in the 3rd if the rules don't allow--no matter who falls.
Tony Romo and Dallas Clark were nice additions in the next two rounds, but that's where we start to see the folly of neglecting an important position like wide receiver. The Sharks will go into the season hoping 2 of the 4 following players are viable fantasy starters: AJ Green, Mario Manningham, Plaxico Burress, and Mike Sims-Walker. While it could happen, I bet they're hitting the receiver waiver wire hard in the first month of the season. They might even end up trading one of those three runners for a star receiver, though I bet it won't be one drafted higher than Michael Turner was.
Adams College Atoms - Picking Spot 2
QB - Joe Flacco (9)
QB
RB - Adrian Peterson (1)
RB - Mark Ingram (5)
RB - Jonathan Stewart (6)
RB - James Starks (8)
WR - Reggie Wayne (2)
WR - Miles Austin (3)
WR - Julio Jones (7)
WR - Steve Smith New York (10)
TE - Jason Witten (4)
K
DEF
Adams College Atoms Mock Draft Analysis - The Atoms used a more traditional strategy at the top of the draft, adding RB-WR-WR in the first three rounds. Once again, they neglected the second runner position until the 5th round, in which they added Mark Ingram. Ingram's going to need to be an opening day starter, because I don't expect to see starting RB fantasy stats from Stewart or Starks until and unless injuries happen, so making a rookie RB your second option at the position is risky. Reggie Wayne and Miles Austin should be productive, though Austin's numbers could take a big hit if Dez Bryant stars (they did last year). Also, Austin and Witten means the Atoms are putting a lot of eggs in the Cowboys' basket. By waiting to draft a QB until the 9th round, they ended up with Joe Flacco, though it should be mentioned that Jay Culter and Kevin Kolb were also options at that point in the draft. Waiting and drafting a couple of QBs in the 8th to 10th rounds isn't a bad strategy, this year, given these numbers.
Washington Sentinels - Selecting from Spot 3
QB - Drew Brees (3)
QB
RB - Chris Johnson (1)
RB - Knowshon Moreno (5)
RB - Joseph Addai (7)
RB - Roy Helu (10)
WR - Vincent Jackson (2)
WR - Santonio Holmes (4)
WR - Santana Moss (8)
WR - Braylon Edwards (9)
TE - Jimmy Graham (6)
K
DEF
Washington Sentinels Mock Draft Analysis - The Sentinels went RB-WR-QB in the first three rounds collecting top prospects at all three of the key positions. Adding Knowshon Moreno in the 5th and Joseph Addai in the 7th means the Sentinels have two starting runner options behind Chris Johnson, while Roy Helu is a good mid-round selection of a guy who could be the starter by midseason. Santonio Holmes was a value pick in the 4th round, though I would avoid Santana Moss and Braylon Edwards because of quarterback play (Rex Grossman/John Beck and Alex Smith). Drafting Jimmy Graham not only gives the Sentinels a chance to have a breakout young tight end on one of the league's best offenses, but also gives them a QB-TE combo with Drew Brees and his starting tight end. If Jimmy Graham does break out, it's going to be dangerous playing the Sentinels in 2011.
Texas State Armadillos - Sitting in Spot 4
QB - Tom Brady (3)
QB
RB - Jamaal Charles (1)
RB - Deangelo Williams (5)
RB - Marshawn Lynch (6)
RB - Mike Tolbert (8)
WR - Mike Wallace (2)
WR - Marques Colston (4)
WR - Pierre Garcon (7)
WR - Davone Bess (10)
TE - Zach Miller (9)
K
DEF
Texas State Armadillos Mock Draft Analysis - Another team follows the RB-WR-QB strategy, while also adding a 2nd wide receiver in the fourth. Given Jamaal Charles's stats the second half of the last two seasons, he is a legitimate 1st round runner, but I still wonder about Todd Haley's gamemanship when it comes to playing time and playcalling. Tom Brady has better weapons in 2011 than in 2010, so he should be a value pick. Mike Wallace should be strong, though I whince at the idea of spending a 2nd rounder on him. I do the same with Marques Colston, who's increasing injury frequency sends up red flags.
Zach Miller has proven it doesn't matter who his quarterback is--he had numbers with Jamarcus Russell throwing him the ball--so I'm not too concerned about Tarvaris Jackson being his quarterback. The second running back position looks solid, yet unspectacular, with Deangelo Williams and Marshawn Lynch as legitimate options. If Ryan Mathews shows he's injury prone, Mike Tolbert could once again posts solid numbers.
Mean Machine - Picking from Spot 5
QB - Philip Rivers (3)
QB
RB - Ray Rice (1)
RB - Stephen Jackson (2)
RB - Ryan Williams (8)
RB - Ryan Torain (9)
RB - Michael Bush (10)
WR - Jeremy Maclin (4)
WR - Brandon Lloyd (5)
WR - Sidney Rice (6)
WR
TE - Owen Daniels (7)
K
DEF
Mean Machine Mock Draft Analysis - Mean Machine is employing the old school strategy of RB-RB, and I like it. Ray Rice is an excellent 1st rounder, with the opportunity to improve on last year's solid numbers. Given his age and mileage, I'm a little concerned about Stephen Jackson, but he's a gift as a 2nd runner. Philip Rivers is a value pick in the third--he could easily be the #1 QB. Jeremy Maclin had surprisingly good numbers for a #2 receiver last year (Top 15 in most systems), and the third year receiver (in 2011) and Michael Vick developed chemistry as the season wore on. I wonder if Brandon Lloyd can match last year's numbers, but he's a solid pick in the 5th round. Meanwhile, Ryan Williams, Ryan Torain, Michael Bush, and Owen Daniels are all value picks in the 7th to 10th rounds. If I were a rookie or 2nd year fantasy football owner, I would study how this team is built when trying to put together my draft strategy.
Ridgemont Wolves - Selecting in Spot 6
QB - Matthew Stafford (8)
QB
RB - LeSean McCoy (1)
RB - Felix Jones (5)
RB - Fred Jackson (7)
RB
WR - Greg Jennings (2)
WR - DeSean Jackson (3)
WR - Chad Ochocinco (6)
WR - Malcom Floyd (10)
TE - Jermichael Finley (4)
TE - Rob Gronkowski (9)
K
DEF
Ridgemont Wolves Mock Draft Analysis - The Ridgemont Wolves waited on a quarterback and nearly snagged Sam Bradford in the 8th round. They had to settle on Matthew Stafford instead, but Stafford could have a breakout year if he ever stays healthy. As it is, I would draft a solid backup soon if I were taking over this team in Round 11. Greg Jennings and Desean Jackson are an excellent 1-2 punch at receiver, while Ochocinco and Malcom Floyd offer solid potential as backups and fill-ins. LeSean Mccoy is one of those handful of runners who could be the #1 RB overall, while Jermichael Finley is the same at the tight end position. While I normally wouldn't draft a backup tight end in the 9th round, it makes a kind of sense knowing the Finley is coming off a season-ending injury.
While Felix Jones and Fred Jackson aren't anything I'd be excited about, Jones gets his chance to start full-time for the first time and has a lot of big play potential, while Fred Jackson offers the kind of steady play that keeps CJ Spiller on the bench (and Chan Gailey happy, despite a mountain of losses). This team has question marks, but again proves that waiting on a quarterback lets you fill out the running back, receiver, and tight end positions rather well.
South Park Cows - Picking in Spot 7
QB - Josh Freeman (7)
QB - Jay Cutler (9)
RB - Matt Forte (2)
RB - Shonn Greene (4)
RB - Cedric Benson (6)
RB
WR - Andre Johnson (1)
WR - Dwayne Bowe (3)
WR - Percy Harvin (5)
WR - Mike Williams Seattle (10)
TE - Mercedes Lewis (8)
K
DEF
South Park Cows Mock Draft Analysis - The South Park Cows are another example of a solid-built team stemming from a long wait on quarterbacks (7th round). Even better, the Cows double-dipped at QB, so they have twice the chance of hitting on a solid starting QB with Josh Freeman and Jay Cutler. Their receiver position has as much scoring potential as any group in this league, With Andre Johnson and Dwayne Bowe capable of single-handedly winning a fantasy matchup from the receiver position. Percy Harvin and Mike Williams the Lesser are solid options off the bench, while Mercedes Lewis is a solid, but not game-changing, tight end option. I would probably add someone with upside, like Ed Dickson or Jermaine Gresham, in the next few rounds, but there are still plenty of tight end options still out there.
The running back position for the Cows is the all-bruising squad, with big backs in Matt Forte, Shonn Green, and Cedric Benson. While I'm cool about Benson's prospects on a rebuilding team, Forte and Greene play for NFC and AFC Championship Game competitors from 2010 and should have plenty of carries in 2011.
West Canaan High School Coyotes - Occupying Spot 8
QB - Ben Roethlisberger (6)
QB - Sam Bradford (8)
RB - Frank Gore (2)
RB - Ahmad Bradshaw (3)
RB - BenJarvus Green Ellis (7)
RB
WR - Calvin Johnson (1)
WR - Wes Welker (4)
WR - Steve Johnson (5)
WR - Michael Crabtree (7)
TE - Brandon Pettigrew (10)
K
DEF
West Canaan High School Coyotes ADP Draft Analysis - You might have looked twice when you saw Calvin Johnson going in the 1st round (I did), but the Coyotes added Frank Gore and Ahmad Bradshaw in the next two rounds, so their running back corps look solid enough to me. In fact, had people been for certain Ahmad Bradshaw was going to re-sign with the Giants, his draft position certainly would have been a round higher. Wes Welker is bit of yesterday's news for a 4th round selection, given that the Patriots now have Chad Ochocinco, Aaron Hernandez, and Rob Gronkowski to steal receptions from him. But Welker is two years removed from the injury that slowed him last year, so he should have most of his quickness back (if he is ever going to get it back).
Benjarvus Green-Ellis is an iffy #3 runner, since the Patriots drafted Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley in the 2nd and 3rd rounds in the 2011 NFL Draft, and everyman Danny Woodhead is still on the roster. As always, the Pats' offensive backfield is full, so I'd stay away from their RBs until they become a complete luxury for your team (3rd running back is not a luxury in fantasy football). Steve Johnson and Michael Crabtree each have upside, but I wouldn't want to have to rely on them, given Calvin Johnson and Welker have injury histories. Brandon Pettigrew could be a brilliant pick in the 10th round. Finally, Roethlisberger and Bradford offer a solid quarterback tandem. This team should contend, but only if a few players with injury concerns stay healthy (count Gore and Bradshaw among those players).
Duluth Bulldogs - Picking in Spot 9
QB - Michael Vick (1)
QB - Peyton Manning (3)
RB - Ryan Grant (6)
RB - Reggie Bush (8)
RB - Ladainian Tomlinson (10)
RB
WR - Hakeem Nicks (2)
WR - Brandon Marshall (4)
WR - Michael Crabtree (7)
WR - Danny Amendola (9)
TE - Vernon Davis (5)
K
DEF
Duluth Bulldogs ADP List Analysis - Due to the exigencies of the ADP list, average draft position had the Duluth Bulldogs selecting Michael Vick in the 1st round and Peyton Manning in the 3rd. You might think I should have done a do-over on this one, but I left the draft as-is to underscore a point. For one, the owner who drafts Michael Vick in the 1st is the type of owner who might draft Peyton Manning as a backup in the 3rd, perhaps because he places inflated emphasis on the quarterback position from his NFL viewing and perhaps because he wants to "punish" the other owners for letting Manning slide into the 3rd. This kind of logic can get fantasy owners in trouble, as you can see from the results of the mock draft. The ADP had the Bulldogs drafting Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Marshall in the 2nd and 4th. While Nicks could become a top tier, elite player in 2011, I wouldn't touch Brandon Marshall with a 20-foot pole in the 4th round.
Vernon Davis is a value addition in the 5th, except drafting an elite tight end is not a priority over drafting your first ball carrier in that position. That leaves the Bulldogs drafting their first RB in the 6th round: Ryan Grant. Even with additional RB picks in the 8th and 10th rounds, you're left a highly questionable running back corps of Ryan Grant, Reggie Bush, and Ladainian Tomlinson. Grant and Bush have injury concerns and are in platoon situations with younger, fresher running backs. Ladainian Tomlinson is the clear backup to Shonn Greene in New York City and has stated he's fine being the 3rd down back. In other words, the Bulldogs have a recipe for fantasy football disaster by drafting two quarterbacks in the first 3 rounds and waiting until the 6th round to draft their first runner. Never do this in a fantasy football draft.
No matter what you tell yourself about trading Manning for an elite starting RB, it isn't going to happen. You'll be lucky to get any starting NFL running back, because of my fantasy football axiom: you can never trade quarterbacks in fantasy football. Every team has somebody they think is almost as good and virtually every team has concerns about their running back position. You might get a good receiver for Peyton Manning in this situation, but you won't get the running back you want and think you deserve for the steadiest fantasy performer of the last 10 years. I saw this last year when a guy drafted Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning 1-2, then spent all year trying to shop one or the other. After they're drafted, guys would rather stick with Jay Cutler and Kyle Orton and Ben Roethlisberger. Take it as gospel.
North Dallas Bulls - Bringing It from Spot 10
QB - Matt Ryan (6)
QB
RB - Maurice Jones-Drew (1)
RB - Ryan Mathews (3)
RB - Jahvid Best (4)
RB - Pierre Thomas (10)
WR - Larry Fitzgerald (2)
WR - Austin Collie (5)
WR - Johnny Knox (7)
WR - Steve Smith Carolina (8)
TE - Chris Cooley (9)
K
DEF
North Dallas Bulls Mock Draft Results - The North Dallas Bulls had the leftovers to choose from in the 1st round and ended up with Maurice Jones-Drew. You can do worse than MJD, because he's one of those rare NFL runners who is on the field every down and he's been a stats producer on a mediocre team for several years. But in 2011, I have my doubts. The Jags lost their best wide receiver and they might be breaking in a rookie quarterback in Blaine Gabbert. Meanwhile, Maurice Jones-Drew has hit the part of a career where nagging injuries happen and the body starts to slow from the wear and tear. MJD might have one more great year in him, but he's not as certain of a 1st rounder as he was 2 years ago. Luckily, Ryan Mathews and Jahvid Best both give you solid options--if they stay healthy. Larry Fitzgerald is a much better fantasy selection than in 2010, because he has Kevin Kolb throwing him the ball.
Between Austin Collie, Johnny Knox, and Steve Smith, you should be able to find one fantasy starter, though all have their question marks. Chris Cooley should have one more year of production, though that only goes for a points-for-receptions league. With Rex Grossman and/or John Beck throwing him the ball, Cooley should get a lot of dump-off passes and play designs. At the same time, the Skins Offense is probably going to be anemic, so if you play in a league that puts a premium on touchdowns, avoid Chris Cooley like the plague. Matt Ryan should be a solid fantasy starter in 2011. Roddy White and Tony Gonzales return, but Julio Jones has been added to the mix. The few extra big plays that represents over the course of a season should launch Matt Ryan from being a borderline fantasy football starting quarterback to being a clear #1 starter.
The North Dallas Bulls have enough talent they should compete, but they have enough injury concerns at running back to make you nervous. As it's built, more than most fantasy football squads, the Bulls' season comes down to injury reports.
Racoon Sharks - Selecting in Spot 11
QB - Aaron Rodgers (1)
QB - Kevin Kolb (9)
RB - Rashard Mendenhall (2)
RB - LeGarrette Blount (3)
RB - Chris Wells (7)
RB - Brandon Jacobs (10)
WR - Dez Bryant (4)
WR - Anquan Boldin (5)
WR - Kenny Britt (6)
WR - Mike Thomas (8)
TE
K
DEF
Racoon Sharks Mock Draft Breakdown - The Racoon Sharks offers a novel fantasy team build. The team started with a quarterback in the 1st round--the best quarterback over the past couple of fantasy football seasons--but quickly reverted to a strategy heavy on running backs and wide receivers. By eschewing drafting a tight end in the first 10 rounds, the Raccoon Sharks were able to build up their running back corps and their wide receiver corps, something which is hard to do in most fantasy football settings--especially when you draft a QB high. After drafting the QB, 8 of the next 9 Racoon Sharks' selections were RBs and WRs, with an even split between each position (4 each). By targetting runners in the 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 10th rounds, the Racoon Sharks were able to add Rashard Mendenhall and LaGarrette Blount as starters and Beanie Wells and Brandon Jacobs as backups.
I can see any of these as viable starters any given week, given the fact Wells reported in excellent shape and is supposed to be the starter at the moment, while Jacobs in on one of the league's best running teams, in a position reminiscent of the Jonathan Stewart role of 2009. Of course, I wouldn't want to rely too much on Wells or Jacobs at this point, but both RBs have value. As for the receiving corps, if all you need is 2 receivers among Dez Bryant, Anquan Boldin, and Kenny Britt, I bet you'll find those two pass catchers. Boldin is the solid veteran, while either Dez Bryant or Kenny Britt could break out (after showing significant flashes last season). And anytime you can get an unquestioned #1 receiver as your 4th option at WR, which is what Mike Thomas is, you do it. While I'm not exceptionally high on Mike Thomas, by default, he's the Jaguars' #1 receiver, so he should have solid games and be a good bye week and injury replacement, which is what he was drafted to be.
The Racoon Sharks will need to draft a tight end soon, and I would suggest they add a couple in fairly short order from this list: Aaron Hernandez, Ed Dickson, Tony Gonzales, Jermaine Gresham, and Vishanthe Shiancoe. That's right, you waited until the 11th round to draft a TE and still have you choice of a young upside pick with Aaron Hernandez or an older veteran like Tony Gonzales. Add a couple of these in the next two or three rounds and you should have a solid tight end position. Finally, you might consider Kevin Kolb as a luxury with Aaron Rodgers on the team, but with Rodgers's concussion issues the past couple of years, it doesn't hurt to add a backup quarterback with upside potential.
Ampipe Bulldogs - Picking in Spot 12
QB - Matt Schaub (5)
QB - Eli Manning (8)
RB - Darren McFadden (2)
RB - Daniel Thomas (6)
RB - C.J. Spiller (7)
RB
WR - Roddy White (1)
WR - Mike Williams TBB (3)
WR - Jacoby Ford (9)
WR - Lance Moore (10)
TE - Antonio Gates (4)
K
DEF
Ampipe Bulldogs Mock Draft List - The Ampipe Bulldogs have a mixed bag of a fantasy team. I've found over the years that the team picking #12 can end up with either a really good team or a really bad team, depending on their analysis of the draft and the talent levels at that position. With two picks back-to-back, you can either grab two 1st rounders who slipped through the cracks, or add two guys who were right to be avoided. Drafting 12th puts extra emphasis on talent evaluation and fantasy football season projections. With Roddy White and Darren McFadden, the Bulldogs got two of last year's best performers at a couple of positions. No one has been better than Roddy White at WR over the course of the past three seasons, with the possible exception of Andre Johnson (though White's been healthy more often).
I see nothing wrong with drafting Roddy White 12th, given a liberal scoring system for receivers. Matt Ryan is only getting better and Julio Jones should give defenses something else to think about when playing White and the Falcons. I also have a theory that Michael Turner is about to get old overnight and the Falcons will have to throw the ball a lot more in 2011--but that's only a theory. Point being, Roddy White is a solid fantasy performer, so don't worry about drafting him early. Darren McFadden, on the other hand, is a concern. Darren McFadden has talent. He clearly showed that last season. But McFadden is tall and thin for a runner and he runs upright, exposing himself to a lot of solid hits. Darren McFadden has also shown a propensity to injure his ankles and lower legs often, perhaps a result of his slighter bone support (than most runners his height). Then there's the loss of Robert Gallery and Zach Miller. Then there's the idea you're depending that much on an Oakland Raiders player.
Darren McFadden was a boon to fantasy owners in 2011, but that was as a mid-round flier. Drafting him in the 1st or 2nd round means he has to deliver--or else. Do you really want to put your fantasy football season in the hands of Al Davis?
While you're mulling that one over, I should mention the only other RBs on the roster are Dolphins rookie Daniel Thomas (Reggie Bush is listed #1 right now, though that's only a formality, I suppose) and C.J. Spiller. I put more faith in Al Davis having NFL success than Chan Gailey, who doesn't seem to realize that a 4-12 team is supposed to see what its rookie 1st-rounder can do at some point. Otherwise, you're left wondering again at the start of next season when games that "matter" are once again being played. Mike Williams, Lance Moore, and Antonio Gates are all solid picks, though you have to wonder about a sophomore jinx for Williams and the continuing injury concerns for Gates.
Matt Schaub and Eli Manning give you solid, and maybe spectacular, quarterback play, but I keep coming back to the running backs. For this team to win consistenly, you need Darren McFadden to be great. You need Daniel Thomas to be an immediate contributor. And if one of these doesn't happen, you somehow need C.J. Spiller to get off the bench. Those aren't good bets.
Fantasy Football ADP Mock Draft
This was a fun exercise for me, and I hope the newer fantasy football owners got something out of it. I learned this is a deep draft, especially at quarterback and tight end. Coming out of this mock draft, I've decided to wait a little while on the QBs and TEs, unless something extraordinary happens at the top of the draft.