Rotowire Stotts
1.(5) Arian Foster (Hou - RB)
2. (20) Aaron Rodgers (GB - QB)
3. (29) DeMarco Murray (Dal - RB)
4. (44) Hakeem Nicks (NYG - WR)
5. (53) Danny Amendola (NE - WR)
6. (68) DeSean Jackson (Phi - WR)
7. (77) Rashard Mendenhall (Ari - RB)
8. (92) Miles Austin (Dal - WR)
9. (101) Owen Daniels (Hou - TE)
10. (116) Denver (Den - DEF)
11. (125) Darrius Heyward-Bey (Ind - WR)
12. (140) Johnathan Franklin (GB - RB)
13. (149) Andy Dalton (Cin - QB)
14. (164) Justin Tucker (Bal - K)
15. (173) Rashad Jennings (Oak - RB)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 1st place finish with an 11-2 record
Strength: Balance
I got lucky when Foster fell to me with the fifth pick. Adding Aaron Rodgers, DeMarco Murry, as well as Hakeem Nicks, Owen Daniels, and even the Denver defense, has me hoping I'll have top 10 or better talent at each position.
Weakness: Receiving Touchdowns
I'd love my wideout core of Nicks, Danny Amendola, Miles Austin, and DeSean Jackson if this was a PPR league but it?s not. Those four receivers scored a total of 14 touchdowns last year, largely due to injury. If the injury bug is an issue again I could be in big trouble.
Best Pick: Arian Foster Round 1, Pick 5
I hate drafting in the middle because you often face the difficult decision of taking the top wide out or a second tier running back. Fortunately Foster dropped to fifth when his ADP has been 2.23 so getting him at five helped immensely.
Worst Pick: Aaron Rodgers Round 2, Pick 20
Rodgers is a great quarterback but had I known I could get a guy like Tony Romo in the 9th round I would have taken a proven receiver like Andre Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, or Victor Cruz. I also think Rodgers has a higher inherent injury risk than most people are willing to admit, when you consider his style of play and the number of sacks he?s taken over the past few seasons.
Run and Gun's Team
1. (8) LeSean McCoy (Phi - RB)
2. (17) Maurice Jones-Drew (Jac - RB)
3. (32) Randall Cobb (GB - WR)
4. (41) Dwayne Bowe (KC - WR)
5. (56) Russell Wilson (Sea - QB)
6. (65) Wes Welker (Den - WR)
7. (80) Kyle Rudolph (Min - TE)
8. (89) Chicago (Chi - DEF)
9. (104) Matt Bryant (Atl - K)
10. (113) Ben Roethlisberger (Pit - QB)
11. (128) Fred Jackson (Buf - RB)
12. (137) Justin Blackmon (Jac - WR)
13. (152) Jacquizz Rodgers (Atl - RB)
14. (161) Joe Flacco (Bal - QB)
15. (176) Jacoby Jones (Bal - WR)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 2nd place finish with a 10-3 record
Strength: Wide Receivers
Gun's three-headed monster of Randall Cobb, Dwayne Bowe, and Wes Welker is one of the best in the league. Cobb may regress but backing up that pick with proven entities in Bowe and Welker should make for a potent aerial attack.
Weakness: Health at Running Back
If both LeSean McCoy and Maurice Jones-Drew stay healthy all season then this won't be a worry. However that's a big if. McCoy is more likely to last a full year but having often-injured Fred Jackson and a second-string Jacquizz Rodgers backing up MJD should make this team a little nervous.
Best Pick: Wes Welker 6th Round, 65th pick
Welker should quickly become one of Peyton Manning's favorite targets and will likely be targeted frequently. Getting him 10 spots lower than his ADP was nice find especially as your third receiver.
Worst Pick: Ben Roethlisberger 10th Round, 113th pick
Big Ben has a backup plan to Russell Wilson isn?t bad in theory but R&G was able to nab a better backup four rounds later in Joe Flacco. A breakout running back or wide receiver could have been drafted instead.
The Punt Blockers
1. (11) Alfred Morris (Was - RB)
2. (14) Jimmy Graham (NO - TE)
3. (35) Percy Harvin (Sea - WR)
4. (38) Vincent Jackson (TB - WR)
5. (59) Matt Ryan (Atl - QB)
6. (62) Mike Wallace (Mia - WR)
7. (83) Chris Ivory (NYJ - RB)
8. (86) San Francisco (SF - DEF)
9. (107) Stephen Gostkowski (NE - K)
10. (110) Jonathan Stewart (Car - RB)
11. (131) Kendall Wright (Ten - WR)
12. (134) Michael Bush (Chi - RB)
13. (155) Mike Goodson (NYJ - RB)
14. (158) Brian Quick (StL - WR)
15. (179) Jay Cutler (Chi - QB)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 3rd place finish with an 8-5 record
Strength: Receiving Touchdowns
Vincent Jackson, Mike Wallace, and Percy Havin know how to find the end-zone. Add tight end Jimmy Graham to the mix and the Blockers have four guys that could threaten to score double-digit receiving touchdowns.
Weakness: Running Back
Alfred Morris has proven he can be a top fantasy weapon. However if a sophomore slump limits his productivity, there?s very little behind him on this squad to help shoulder the load. Chris Ivory is unproven and Michael Bush and Mike Goodson have limited upside barring injury. Jonathan Stewart has been an enigma the last few seasons as well.
Best Pick: Matt Ryan 5th Round, 59th Pick
Ryan had a monster 2012 and could have a better offense at his disposal this year. He won?t be the eighth quarterback selected in most leagues as he dropped nearly 28 picks lower than his ADP.
Worst Pick: Mike Wallace 6th Round, 62 Pick
I don't dislike Wallace and I just raved about the Blockers' receiving corp. However his big weakness could have been addressed had he taken a flier on Ryan Mathews, Rashard Mendenhall, or the more proven BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
Al's Astounding Team
1. (9) Ray Rice (Bal - RB)
2. (16) Brandon Marshall (Chi - WR)
3. (33) Frank Gore (SF - RB)
4. (40) Marques Colston (NO - WR)
5. (57) Tony Gonzalez (Atl - TE)
6. (64) Matthew Stafford (Det - QB)
7. (81) James Jones (GB - WR)
8. (88) Giovani Bernard (Cin - RB)
9. (105) Tony Romo (Dal - QB)
10. (112) Emmanuel Sanders (Pit - WR)
11. (129) Mikel Leshoure (Det - RB)
12. (136) Brian Hartline (Mia - WR)
13. (153) Malcom Floyd (SD - WR)
14. (160) Matt Prater (Den - K)
15. (177) Arizona (Ari - DEF)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 4th place finish with a 7-6 record
Strength: Balance and Depth
This truly is an Astounding Team built with two fantasy-friendly quarterbacks in Matthew Stafford and Tony Romo, three elite receivers in Brandon Marshall, Marques Colston, and James Jones, and a running back core of Ray Rice and Frank Gore. I think this team outperforms Yahoo?s projections.
Weakness: Aging Running Backs
If you have to nitpick here it?s the aging running backs in the backfield. Gore seems posied for natural regression and Rice could loose touches in Baltimore. Giovani Bernard and Mikel Leshoure need some help if they are going to be adequate fill-ins should an injury occur.
Best Pick: Tony Romo Round 9, Pick 105
The much-maligned Romo has remained a fantasy favorite despite the constant criticism surrounding him. Getting him as a backup to Stafford allows Al to play matchups and could be a potential trade chip if needed.
Worst Pick: Giovani Bernard Round 8, Pick 88
I'm always skeptical about taking a rookie as my primary backup, especially one that is currently second on the depth chart. There are too many things that have to break just right for him to be useful on bye weeks or as an injury replacement.
Natural Born Kellers
1.(7) Marshawn Lynch (Sea - RB)
2. (18) Matt Forte (Chi - RB)
3. (31) Roddy White (Atl - WR)
4. (42) Colin Kaepernick (SF - QB)
5. (55) Eric Decker (Den - WR)
6. (66) Vernon Davis (SF - TE)
7. (79) Seattle (Sea - DEF)
8. (90) Stevie Johnson (Buf - WR)
9. (103) DeAngelo Williams (Car - RB)
10. (114) Bryce Brown (Phi - RB)
11. (127) Pierre Thomas (NO - RB)
12. (138) Phil Dawson (SF - K)
13. (151) Brandon Myers (NYG - TE)
14. (162) Santana Moss (Was - WR)
15. (175) EJ Manuel (Buf - QB)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 5th place finish with a 7-6 record
Strength: Ground Game
Kellers has a nice crop of running backs, headlined by Marshawn Lynch and Matt Forte. DeAngelo Williams is a solid backup and Bryce Brown and Pierre Thomas have plenty of upside should the be needed.
Weakness: Wideout Depth
Keller elected to select just three wide receivers. Roddy White, Eric Decker, and Stevie Johnson aren?t a bad group of players but there?s nowhere to go should an injury occur. Banking on the waiver wire is a risk.
Best Pick: Colin Kaepernick 4th Round Pick 42
I'm not big not drafting a breakout quarterback that plays the way Kapernick does. I've watched as Cam Newton and Mike Vick have come plunging down to Earth the following season. However taking him in the fourth round is a smart and safe play bolstered by the late addition of Phillip Rivers off the waiver wire.
Worst Pick: Seattle Defense Round 7 Pick 79
Taking the first defense off the board is always a calculated decision, but usually it's the top-rated defense with a proven track record. Seattle?s defense has potential but is the 13th defense being drafted in most leagues.
IP Excellence
1. (1) Adrian Peterson (Min - RB)
2. (24) Demaryius Thomas (Den - WR)
3. (25) Lamar Miller (Mia - RB)
4. (48) Reggie Bush (Det - RB)
5. (49) Tom Brady (NE - QB)
6. (72) Pierre Garcon (Was - WR)
7. (73) Ryan Mathews (SD - RB)
8. (96) T.Y. Hilton (Ind - WR)
9. (97) Andre Brown (NYG - RB)
10. (120) Michael Floyd (Ari - WR)
11. (121) Jermichael Finley (GB - TE)
12. (144) Rueben Randle (NYG - WR)
13. (145) Julian Edelman (NE - WR)
14. (168) St. Louis (StL - DEF)
15. (169) Mason Crosby (GB - K)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 6th place finish with a 6-7 record
Strength: Depth at Running Back
Excellence took Peterson with the first overall pick then fortified his running back stable with Lamar Miller, Reggie Bush, Andre Brown, and Ryan Mathews. While the eclectic bunch has plenty of questions surrounding them (ie health, sustainability), he only needs one of them to play well. A big year out of Miller or Bush would go quite nicely with Peterson.
Weakness: Unproven Wide Receivers
Demarius Thomas was the final pick of the second round and four more rounds would pass before the Excellence GM would add a complementary receiver in Pierre Garcon. Veterans Wes Welker and Mike Wallace were passed on as Excellence built up his aforementioned stockpile of running backs. T.Y. Hilton, Michael Floyd, and Rueben Randle were eventually taken but all three have plenty to prove before they can be considered fantasy friendly.
Best Pick: Adrian Peterson Round 1, Pick 1
It's a bit of a cop out to put AD here but he?s hands down the best fantasy player entering 2013. His return from knee surgery was remarkable and if he continues to improve a second straight MVP is realistic.
Worst Pick: Reggie Bush Round 4, Pick 48
A change of scenery and two healthy years in Miami have not convinced me that Bush is capable of being an elite NFL running back. He?s back to playing on turf after two years on grass and, given his track record in New Orleans, that?s a cause for concern. Shoring up his wide receivers and hoping to snag Bush later may have been a better strategy.
Gridiron Wedgies
1. (10) Trent Richardson (Cle - RB)
2. (15) Dez Bryant (Dal - WR)
3. (34) Victor Cruz (NYG - WR)
4. (39) Jordy Nelson (GB - WR)
5. (58)Dennis Pitta (Bal - TE)
6. (63) Andrew Luck (Ind - QB)
7. (82) Shane Vereen (NE - RB)
8. (87) Houston (Hou - DEF)
9. (106) Daryl Richardson (StL - RB)
10. (111) Bernard Pierce (Bal - RB)
11. (130) Golden Tate (Sea - WR)
12. (135) Ryan Broyles (Det - WR)
13. (154) Carson Palmer (Ari - QB)
14. (159) Blair Walsh (Min - K)
15. (178) Rob Housler (Ari - TE)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 7th place finish with a 6-7 record
Strength: Wide Receivers
The Wedgies could feasibly have the wide receiving core for the NFC Pro Bowl on its squad in Dez Bryant, Victor Cruz, and Jordy Nelson. The three combined to score 29 touchdowns last season while his fourth receiver, Golden Tate, has breakout potential.
Weakness: Reliable Running Back
Trent Richardson is a nice number one if he can stay healhy and build on his first year numbers. However finding a consistent number two out of Daryl Richardson, Shane Vereen, and Bernard Pierce could prove to be a difficult task.
Best Pick: Golden Tate Round 11, Pick 130
In the later rounds, teams are looking for lottery tickets. Tate could be just that after scoring seven touchdowns last season. If Tate can improve he could make one of Wedgies? top three expendable, providing him with some ammunition for a trade.
Worst Pick: Shane Vereen Round 7, Pick 82
Coach Bill Belichick keeps his running backs on short leashes and Vereen?s game is more productive in PPR leagues. It?s hard to trust him as your number two option at running back.
Skeeter's Swag Team
1. (6) Jamaal Charles (KC - RB)
2. (19) Julio Jones (Atl - WR)
3. (30) Andre Johnson (Hou - WR)
4. (43) Le'Veon Bell (Pit - RB)
5. (54) Jason Witten (Dal - TE)
6. (67) Robert Griffin III (Was - QB)
7. (78) BenJarvus Green-Ellis (Cin - RB)
8. (91) Anquan Boldin (SF - WR)
9. (102) Lance Moore (NO - WR)
10. (115) Ben Tate (Hou - RB)
11. (126) Danny Woodhead (SD - RB)
12. (139) Alshon Jeffery (Chi - WR)
13. (150) Alex Smith (KC - QB)
14. (163) Miami (Mia - DEF)
15. (174) Lawrence Tynes (TB - K)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 8th place finish with a 6-7 record
Strength: Receiving Yards
The Swag Team knows how to collect yardage through the air with Julio Jones, Andre Johnson, Lance Moore, and Jason Witten all surpassing the 1000-yard mark. Anquan Boldin finished 79 yards short of joining the list and could easily make up ground in San Francisco.
Weakness: Quarterback Reliability
Robert Griffin III appears poised to be ready for Week 1 after tearing his ACL in the postseason. However I?m advising all those that gamble on RGIII to select a reliable insurance option. Alex Smith is big step down especially when Phillip Rivers and Ryan Tannehill were still available.
Best Pick: Andre Johnson Round 3, 30th Pick
Johnson is a guy that some value has a top option at wide receiver despite his injury woes, age, and the fact that he?s never found the endzone more than 9 times in a season. However I think this makes him fantasy?s best WR2 and pairing him with Julio Jones creates a nice duo.
Worst Pick: Alex Smith Round 13, 150th Pick
It's hard to heavily criticize a late pick like this but Skeeter needed to address his quarterback position just in case RGIII suffers any kind of setback. Smith was taken over Rivers, Joe Flacco, and Carson Palmer.
BiPolar Bears
1. (4) Calvin Johnson (Det - WR)
2. (21) Drew Brees (NO - QB)
3. (28) David Wilson (NYG - RB)
4. (45) Montee Ball (Den - RB)
5. (52) Cecil Shorts (Jac - WR)
6. (69) Tavon Austin (StL - WR)
7. (76) Ahmad Bradshaw (Ind - RB)
8. (93) Danario Alexander (SD - WR)
9. (100) Greg Olsen (Car - TE)
10. (117) Ronnie Hillman (Den - RB)
11. (124) Michael Vick (Phi - QB)
12. (141) Chris Givens (StL - WR)
13. (148) Ryan Williams (Ari - RB)
14. (165) Cincinnati (Cin - DEF)
15. (172) Greg Zuerlein (StL - K)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 9th place finish with a 5-8 record
Strength: Top Heavy Aerial Assault
With Drew Brees as your quarterback and Calvin Johnson at wideout the Bears have the best 1-2 punch in the league. Brees will go for his third straight season of 40+ touchdowns thrown while Johnson has a legit shot at 2,000 yards receiving.
Weakness: Ground Game
The Bears leading rusher according to last year?s stats was Ahmad Bradshaw and he?s now sharing carries in Indianapolis and starting on the PUP. David Wilson will improve but the jury is still out on Montee Ball. Ronnie Hillman and Ryan Williams also leave some to be desired.
Best Pick(s): Montee Ball Round 4, Pick 45 and
Ronnie Hillman Round 10, Pick 117
With the elite running backs all taken, the Bears added Ball at a discounted price and fortified the pick with Hillman six rounds later. I still think the Bears could use help at RB but adding both is a safe move.
Worst Pick: Tavon Austin Round 6, Pick 69
Austin has plenty of potential but he could have been had at a cheaper price. His ADP is currently 101 and Sam Bradford has to stay healthy and improve for Austin to maximize his productivity.
Watt A Cushing Life
1. (3) C.J. Spiller(Buf - RB)
2. (22) Chris Johnson (Ten - RB)
3. (27) Cam Newton (Car - QB)
4. (46) Torrey Smith (Bal - WR)
5. (51) Rob Gronkowski (NE - TE)
6. (70) Mike Williams (TB - WR)
7. (75) Jeremy Maclin (Phi - WR)
8. (94) Kenny Britt (Ten - WR)
9. (99) Denarius Moore (Oak - WR)
10. (118) LaMichael James (SF - RB)
11. (123) Jared Cook (StL - TE)
12. (142) DeAndre Hopkins (Hou - WR)
13. (147) Greg Little (Cle - WR)
14. (166) Pittsburgh (Pit - DEF)
15. (171) Dan Bailey (Dal - K)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 10th place finish with a 5-8 record
Strength: Speedy Backfield
The combination of CJ Spiller and Chris Johnson makes for a nice tandem on the ground. Both backs have big play potential and should serve as the backbone of this squad.
Weakness: Plenty of Potential, Lots of Questions
This team could be very good but lots of things need to break in the right direction. Kenny Britt and Rob Gronkowski have to get healthy. Torrey Smith and Mike Williams have to continue to develop. Cam Newton needs to return to his rookie season numbers. The potential remains but will it ever be reached?
Best Pick: Jeremy Maclin Round 7, Pick 75
Plenty of upside and I think Maclin is in line for a big year. He's playing in a contract year and should have an expanded role in Philly?s new offense. He has the potential to be a valuable fantasy option.
Worst Pick: Torrey Smith Round 4, Pick 46
Smith has an ADP of 72 and was taken ahead of Mike Wallace, Steve Smith, and Reggie Wayne. Smith has more upside than those three but I still think he?s not a great option as your top wideout.
Grant's Great Team
1. (2) Doug Martin (TB - RB)
2. (23) Stevan Ridley (NE - RB)
3. (26) Larry Fitzgerald (Ari - WR)
4. (47) Reggie Wayne (Ind - WR)
5. (50) Antonio Brown (Pit - WR)
6. (71) Eddie Lacy (GB - RB)
7. (74) Eli Manning (NYG - QB)
8. (95) Josh Gordon (Cle - WR)
9. (98) Vick Ballard (Ind - RB)
10. (119) Martellus Bennett (Chi - TE)
11. (122) Vincent Brown (SD - WR)
12. (143) Joseph Randle (Dal - RB)
13. (146) Robert Woods (Buf - WR)
14. (167) Sebastian Janikowski (Oak - K)
15. (170) Green Bay (GB - DEF)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 11th place finish with a 4-9 record
Strength: Youth in the Backfield
Doug Martin and Stevan Ridley have three years of NFL experience between the two of them, meaning they're entering their prime and have not been subjected to years of wear-and-tear. The two combined for 1700+ yards and 24 total touchdowns last season.
Weakness: Depth
In addition to Grant's two young running backs, he has three veteran wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Wayne, and Antonio Brown. Eli Manning and Martellus Bennett round out the starters but his bench is lacking. Rookies Eddie Lacy, Joseph Randle, and Robert Woods along with Vincent Brown, Josh Gordon and Vick Ballard round out the squad. Four of those players didn?t play in the NFL at all last year and there's no backup quarterback on the roster.
Best Pick: Eddie Lacy Round 6, Pick 71
With two established running backs already on the roster, taking a flier on Lacy was a strategic move. Alabama running backs come better prepared for the NFL and Lacy could be a nice addition to the Green Bay offense.
Worst Pick: Antonio Brown Round 5, Pick 50
This wasn?t a bad spot to take Brown but the pick seems redundant with Larry Fitzgerald and Reggie Wayne taken with the two previous picks. I would have like to see him bolster his core with a breakout candidate rather than another veteran with little upside.
Jerome's Team
1. (12) Steven Jackson (Atl - RB)
2. (13) A.J. Green (Cin - WR)
3. (36) Darren McFadden (Oak - RB)
4. (37) Peyton Manning (Den - QB)
5. (60) Steve Smith (Car - WR)
6. (61) Darren Sproles (NO - RB)
7. (84) Greg Jennings (Min - WR)
8. (85) Antonio Gates (SD - TE)
9. (108) Mark Ingram (NO - RB)
10. (109) Sidney Rice (Sea - WR)
11. (132) Isaiah Pead (StL - RB)
12. (133) Zac Stacy (StL - RB)
13. (156) Santonio Holmes (NYJ - WR)
14. (157) New England (NE - DEF)
15. (180) David Akers (Det - K)
Draft Day Projections (according to Yahoo!)
Record: 7th place finish with a 6-7 record
Strength: Experience
AJ Green is the youngest of Jerome?s starting unit joining veterans Peyton Manning, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings, Steven Jackson, Darren McFadden, and Antonio Gates. This unit has a combined 32 Pro Bowl appearances between them.
Weakness: Injury Risk
As Rotowire?s injury analyst this team makes me cringe. Smith, Gates, McFadden, Jackson, Manning, and Jennings have all missed extended time with a myriad of injuries. The bench isn?t any safer either with Sidney Rice, Mark Ingram, Santonio Holmes, and even David Akers not known for their durability.
Best Pick: Zac Stacy Round 12, Pick 133
How Stacy slipped to the 12th round remains a mystery. He has plenty of upside and an ADP of 88, nearly 50 picks higher than where he went in our draft. Stacy is the most prototypical runner in the St. Louis backfield and has sleeper potential.
Worst Pick: Steve Smith Round 5, Pick 60
Smith has been a difficult receiver to predict over the last few seasons. He?s fallen to the seventh round in most drafts, but Jerome took him even with Mike Wallace, Wes Welker, and Anquan Boldin still available.