Running backs dominate round one in FanEx draft

This month I had the honor of representing FFToolbox in the long running FanEx Expert League. It took approximately two weeks to complete, but as far as I know, all made it through the trek with nary a scratch (though I felt like punching someone when LeSean McCoy was snatched one pick before I was set to bring him into the fold as Brian Westbrook's backup). The other sites participating included The Huddle, USA Today, Sports Grumblings, Fox Sports, Fanball, Fantasy Sharks, RotoExperts and Youth Fantasy Football.

For now I have the first five rounds laid out below, along with my entire roster, but you can click here to see the entire draft. The season will play out for those that want to follow along.

League: 12 teams, Points per Reception (PPR)
Rounds: 20
Lineup: QB – 1, RB -2, WR – 3, TE -1, K -1, Def – 1, Flex -1 (RB/WR/TE)

ROUND 1

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Maurice Jones-Drew
3. Matt Forte
4. Michael Turner
5. USA Today - Chris Johnson
6. Larry Fitzgerald
7. Steve Slaton - FFToolbox
8. LaDainian Tomlinson
9. DeAngelo Williams
10. Steven Jackson
11. Randy Moss
12. Frank Gore

FFT: It was between Slaton and SJax and in the end I sided with the player in the much better offense. I have seen Slaton picked anywhere from top-5 to early second, but in a PPR format, I think he is worth the "risk" this early. Call me optimistic, but I think the Texans offense should be one of the best this year, meaning Slaton will have plenty of scoring opportunities.

Others: Many say do not take Adrian Peterson #1 in PPR leagues, but I think Turner at four is more of a reach in this format. I like Jackson better than Williams, but LT2 is gaining momentum as we get closer to opening day. Two receivers going in the first round is becoming the norm and possibly the low end of normal based on other drafts I've seen.

ROUND 2

1. (13) Andre Johnson
2. (14) Greg Jennings
3. (15) Clinton Portis
4. (16) Brandon Jacobs
5. (17) Calvin Johnson
6. (18) Brian Westbrook - FFToolbox
7. (19) Steve Smith
8. (20) Reggie Wayne
9. (21) Marion Barber
10. (22) Roddy White
11. (23) Anquan Boldin
12. (24) Dwayne Bowe

FFT: The initial plan was to take a receiver from the group of Jennings, Wayne and Smith, but I also did not think Westbrook would still be on the board. At the time of the pick, Westbrook had yet to return to practice so it was a risk, but now that he is back, this could be the pick that puts me over the top when it is all said and done. Now hoping one of the top-10 receivers is still available in the third.

Others: It pains me to say it as a Redskins fan, but there were other players available that I liked more than Portis, who is playing behind a beat up offensive line. In general, I like the order of the receivers, though despite love for Jennings this year, it would be hard to pass on Johnson. All of the pass catchers are looking like big time players this year.

ROUND 3

1. (25) Marques Colston
2. (26) Reggie Bush
3. (27) Wes Welker
4. (28) Drew Brees
5. (29) Tom Brady - FFToolbox
6. (30) Ronnie Brown
7. (31) Ryan Grant
8. (32) Brandon Marshall
9. (33) Terrell Owens
10. (34) Kevin Smith
11. (35) Pierre Thomas
12. (36) Marshawn Lynch

FFT: The big run of receivers that I feared occurred, going all the way to Welker, who in this format can work as a WR1. Having already taken two running backs, I switched focus to the passers instead of reaching for a wide out I was not in love with. When Brees went off the board, I made a trade to ensure I got Brady, giving up my 12th round pick for a 14th in order to move up two spots. Maybe it didn't matter, but I would have been crushed to not get one of the better receivers or Brees/Brady.

Others: As I mentioned, I liked both quarterbacks here, along with Colston and Welker, but not in love with some of the other players. Bush is certainly much better in a PPR format, but I would still rather have his backfield partner Thomas. The combustible Marshall is a beast when his attitude is right, but that does not look like an option right now so I'd let someone else fall on that grenade. My concern with Owens – and Lee Evans – is whether there will simply be enough passes to go around for two big time receivers.

ROUND 4

1. (37) Darren McFadden
2. (38) Peyton Manning
3. (39) Vincent Jackson
4. (40) Roy Williams
5. (41) Thomas Jones
6. (42) Chad Ochocinco – FFToolbox
7. (43) Knowshon Moreno
8. (44) T.J. Houshmandzadeh
9. (45) Jason Witten
10. (46) Aaron Rodgers
11. (47) Kurt Warner
12. (48) Larry Johnson

FFT – Had to start filling those receiver slots with this pick. Despite his stinker of a season last year, I was pretty happy to get a player with Ochocinco's potential at this point and like him better than Roy Williams. I do not have him among the top-10 or so receivers at this point, but I will not be shocked in the least if the Bengals backup kicker reaches that level this year.

Others: Manning and Rodgers are great value at this point, but I am not feeling Warner and his bad hip this year. Moreno is the first rookie RB to go in this and most mocks – and a fair value here – but I will wait for Chris Wells or Donald Brown when possible. You can tell the backs are starting to get thin of Larry Johnson is almost a reasonable pick here. I said almost.

ROUND FIVE

1. (49) Braylon Edwards
2. (50) Antonio Gates
3. (51) Derrick Ward
4. (52) Antonio Bryant
5. (53) Philip Rivers
6. (54) Tony Gonzalez
7. (55) Anthony Gonzalez – FFToolbox
8. (56) Jamal Lewis
9. (57) Eddie Royal
10. (58) Donovan McNabb
11. (59) LenDale White
12. (60) Joseph Addai

FFT: Wanted another receiver here and Gonzalez was the player I was targeting. He and Peyton Manning looked to have a good connection last year and they should build on that now that the former Ohio State star is in the starting lineup. The buzz on him is getting stronger and I will not be shocked if Gonzalez moves into the back end of the fourth round in the coming days.

Others: Edwards hopefully practiced holding on to the ball this year and if so, I expect a rebound season. Royal could be the beneficiary of a Marshall meltdown, but Bryant owners will likely be let down if they take the Bucs wide out this high due to unsure play at QB. Not sure I get taking White when players that could be the dominant RB option for their squad like Addai, Wells and even Ray Rice remain on the board.

The rest and the roster

As for my final roster (projected starters in bold), I have to say I feel pretty good about it, which of course is the kiss of death. Brady is back and Big Ben is in my eyes one of, if not the best QB2 in a weak crop of backups. Rosenfels was picked before the Favre signing. At least I know who my cut man will be.

Lots of options at running back, all the way down to Norwood as a bye week play. If Stewart or Rice, my likely flex candidates most weeks, break out than I am sitting pretty with trade bait. Other than Brown, I did not end up with any RB handcuffs, though I already mentioned the McCoy situation.

While I like my starting three receivers, I could use another proven option behind them, especially since someone will have to play during all the bye weeks. Austin is falling back on the Cowboys depth chart and Smith has a limited ceiling even in this format. Keller has a lot of potential in a PPR league while I decided to take a shot on Finley just in case the positive buzz surrounding him grew stronger before the first waiver wire. There are not too many defenses I prefer over the Giants, while Kasay was simply the best of the rest as I waited a bit to take a kicker.

Two other trades to report
1. Traded 14.06, 15.07 for 12.09, 19.04. Ended up taking Norwood, but the real target was simply the best available player. In a deep league like this, there is very little difference between picks in the final few rounds, so I made the aggressive call to move on up.
2. Traded 13.07, 14.08, 18.06 for 13.02, 15.02, 18.11. Again, being aggressive for value. While I normally would not move up for a defense, the Giants were the only remaining top tier unit left and I had filled all my other needs.


1.07 7 Steve Slaton, RB PPR format bumps up value, but big fan overall
2.06 18 Brian Westbrook, RB Fantastic value and now he is back practicing full-time
3.05 29 Tom Brady, QB I am hopping on The Golden Boy bandwagon with gusto
4.06 42 Chad Ochocinco, WR Here is hoping I did not make a deal with el diablo
5.07 55 Anthony Gonzalez, WR Value in PPR leagues increases; could lead Colts in grabs
6.06 66 Jonathan Stewart, RB Injury worries, but best Panthers back in '09 if healthy
7.07 79 Ray Rice, RB Hard to see him dropping this far in a couple weeks
8.06 90 Kevin Walter, WR Everyone ignores Andre Johnson's reliable sidekick
9.07 103 Ben Roethlisberger, QB Best of fantasy backups, expect bounce back numbers
10.06 114 Dustin Keller, TE 2nd year TE will be Jets #2 receiver behind Cotchery
11.07 127 Steve Smith (NYG), WR Giants most consistent WR, better value in PPR
12.09 141 Jerious Norwood, RB Would be huge if Turner goes down
13.02 146 NY Giants, DEF The New York Sack Exchange will be a top-5 defense
15.02 170 Miles Austin, WR A buy and hold pick; has a chance to start for Cowboys
16.06 186 Ladell Betts, RB Portis a prime candidate to blow out a tire this year
17.07 199 Sage Rosenfels, QB Oh well
18.11 215 Chris Brown, RB Texans goal line back; Slaton handcuff, kinda
19.04 220 John Kasay, K Best available; would prefer a kicker with later bye
19.07 223 Robert Meachum, WR Showing signs of life in preseason in pass happy attack
20.06 234 Jermichael Finley, TE Dominating Packers camp and I love that offense