Online Fantasy Football advice is as plentiful as Photoshopped pictures of Kim Kardashian’s wedding these days. So if you’re looking for
yet more expert guidance on the subject, you have clicked on the wrong link! While I may not provide the same information that a seasoned sports writer or big time TV analyst can offer, my draft picks can give you a glimpse into the mind of an average football-loving female! At the very least, my logic (and often unorthodox reasons) for drafting players will convince even the greenest FF player believe he or she is a draft day genius!
Pick #1 LeSean McCoy – Running Back – Philadelphia Eagles
For my first pick, I took a bit of a gamble. I had the 8th pick in the first round, which gave me the 3rd pick in the 2nd round. Despite conventional wisdom, I had decided weeks earlier to take Michael Vick as my #1 pick if he had not already been snagged. As draft day adrenaline rushed through my body, I abruptly selected McCoy, counting on Vick still being available early in round 2. My reasoning? My fantasy team is comprised of players from Atlanta – aka Falcons fanatics/Vick haters. I figured I would get two extremely elite picks – McCoy and Eagles – and be well on my way to winning the league. My sly tactics failed me, though, when Vick was chosen as the 10th pick in the first round!
Despite my disappointment in not obtaining the most dynamic, athletic player in the NFL (Vick), I am thrilled with McCoy. Like Vick, he is a dual threat. Last year, he ran for over 1000 yards, had nearly 80 receptions and scored 9 TDs. LeSean is the Real McCoy and I think he will give me a lot of value in my PPR league.
Pick#2 Darren McFadden – Running Back – Oakland Raiders
With my dreams of dominating my league via Vick smashed to smithereens, I decided to use my next pick on another hot RB. McFadden seems to be a player on the rise. In 2010, he rushed for nearly 1200 yards and scored 10 TDs, making him the #2 RB in PPR points per game. The only downside to this pick is McFadden’s tendency to get injured. The numbers he posted last season were incredible and he missed 3 games! If he can stay somewhat healthy, he and I could be in for a winning season!
Pick#3 Ben Roethlisberger – Quarterback – Pittsburgh Steelers
By the time my round 3 pick came around, not only was Vick taken, but Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Drew Brees were no longer on the board. I felt the pressure to pick a QB, so I held my breath and chose Big Ben. Sure, he has incredible numbers and is a wildly successful QB. But I have a knee-jerk reaction to Roethlisberger that nearly caused me to pass on him. Maybe it is because he very likely has treated young woman disrespectfully (putting it mildly) and has pretty much remained unscathed for his behavior. So despite my instinct to choose a less effective QB on some high moral grounds, I chose Big Ben on the grounds of trying to win my fantasy league.
Pick#4 DeSean Jackson – Wide Receiver – Philadelphia Eagles
Feeling pretty good about snatching up 2 elite RBs and a high caliber QB, I knew it was time to get a good receiver. Luckily for me, Eagles wideout Jackson was still on the board. I’ve heard all the naysayers spouting stats from last year that demonstrate his inconsistency. But I believe Jackson and Vick are headed for some big time plays this season. Jackson may hand me a few wins this year based on some single game performances. Besides that, he has the speed and natural ability to shed defenders that makes him one of the most dynamic receivers in the game today – and he is just plain COOL!
Pick # 5 Beanie Wells – Running Back – Arizona Cardinals
Rookie RB Ryan Williams (a Hokie!) was headed for some big time carries this season with the Cardinals. Sadly, Williams suffered a season ending injury a few weeks ago so teammate Beanie Wells will likely play a far greater role. Beanie has a history of injuries and his numbers last year were unimpressive and forgettable. I think at some point early in the season the Cardinals may make a trade or sign a free agent to replace Williams, thereby cutting Beanie’s playing time. So while I think he may have been a decent choice and can give me some points early on, I expect that I too may replace Beanie as the season progresses.
Pick #6 Marques Colston – Wide Receiver – New Orleans Saints
Off season knee surgery dropped the value of Colston. They say New Orleans is a place where you don’t follow the rules, so I threw out conventional wisdom and gambled that Colston will re-visit his stellar stats of last year. It is fantasy football – not life or death – so what the heck?!!
Pick #7 Kevin Kolb – Quarterback – Arizona Cardinals
As an Eagles fan, I had the opportunity to watch Kevin Kolb last year before he was injured and ultimately lost his job to Michael Vick. I think he’s a smart player who will surprise many gridiron gurus this season. He may not be a Tom Brady or Peyton Manning caliber player, but he is a solid choice for the #2 QB slot.
Pick#8 Mark Ingram – Running Back – New Orleans Saints
While a Heisman Trophy winner like Ingram defies the word “sleeper” in most senses, as an untested rookie in the NFL, he became my “sleeper” in this draft. Is it a risk to pick a rookie? Yes. But at #8, I like my chances. There’s no doubt Ingram is loaded with talent. With Pierre Thomas on the team, he won’t be the “go to” back for the Saints, but he should get enough carries to justify my pick. I think for someone with his potential, this pick was a steal!
Pick #9 Santana Moss – Wide Receiver – Washington Redskins
As 9 round approached, I decided it was time to stock up on another receiver. I was surprised to see a consistent veteran like Moss available this late, so this was an easy-peasy pick!
Pick#10 Defense /Special Teams – Chicago Bears
Da Bears! As the rounds quickly progressed, my fellow teammates were little by little choosing their defenses. I planned on waiting to my 16th or 17th pick, but fell to peer pressure.
Pick#11 Dustin Keller – Tight End – New York Jets
I will admit that I have often neglected the TE position in my draft. Frankly, this year was no different. As I looked over my roster through 10 rounds, I realized I had not yet drafted a TE. I am aware that sometimes a TE can give a fantasy owner some big points, but I have never truly paid the position the attention it most likely deserves. For this pick, I basically used a FF cheat sheet to pick my first TE. So much for planning…
Pick #12 Ben Tate – Running Back – Houston Texans
Arian Foster was the #1 pick in countless fantasy drafts this year. But with his hamstring injury plaguing him, little known Tate could see some extra carries. As a late round pick, this seemed like a pretty good bet. Should Foster improve quickly and Derrick Ward gets the bulk of the remaining carries, I could envision dropping Tate for another unforeseen need. But a 12th round gamble like this seems like a no-brainer!
Pick#13 Aaron Hernandez – Tight End – New England Patriots
I am not a big fan of Tom Brady’s personality, but the guy has talent. With a QB like Brady, Hernandez is a solid choice as my #2 TE. As much as it pains me to admit it, any Brady receiver is a steal in the 13th round.
Pick#14 Jerome Simpson – Wide Receiver – Cincinnati Bengals
By all accounts, Simpson is a “sleeper” in this year’s draft. He finished last season on an upswing and could be in for some big numbers this year. He has a rookie QB to contend with, but this is definitely going to be an interesting choice. As a 14th pick, I thought he would be a fun addition without a lot of risk.
Pick #15 Darren Sproles – Running Back – New Orleans Saints
Competing for time with Mark Ingram will be tough for Sproles. But the potential for some strong games is there, making him a fantastic find to join my RB corps.
Pick #16 Josh Brown – Kicker – St. Louis Rams
I don’t waste time and energy on picking my kicker. In the last round or two, I pull up a list of available kickers and pick the highest ranked one. Badda Bing, Badda Boom!!
Pick #17 Anthony Dixon – Running Back – San Francisco 49ers
For my last pick, I went for yet another RB. Anthony Dixon’s rating was one of the best ones still available in the RB position by the end of the draft, so I made an easy decision and took him!
My team is set to go and I eagerly await the start of the season. My roster will surely change many times throughout the season, but I am pleased with my picks, despite my Vick-less roster. Many people spend months preparing for their draft. That’s way too serious for me. I like to select my players based on a dash of research, a pinch of “expert” advice, but a huge helping of instinct. Will I be the ultimate fantasy football champion with this strategy? Probably not, but I do think I will be a contender, and at the very least, have a lot of fun!
gridironglamourgirl
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