With the assistance of my friend Ethan, I’m proud to unveil the first round of the official No Credentials 2011 Mock Fantasy Football Draft. Here was the very simple framework that was set up for this draft.
- The mission was to create a 15-round mock draft for a 12-team, point-per-reception league.
- Passing touchdowns are worth four points.
- Positions that needed to filled were QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, RB/WR, TE, DEF, and seven bench spots.
- Ethan and I would discuss whom we thought should be chosen at each spot. Ethan had the final say for the odd numbered teams (1,3,5,7,9, and 11, for those of you that didn’t pay attention during elementary school), while I had the final say on the even numbered teams.
I will include some insight into the discussion we had when we figured out who should’ve been picked where. Also, I will include fantasy football tips that I will reveal throughout the mock draft. Without further ado…
Team 1, aka “Who We Thought They Were”
Pick 1 = Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings – Ethan and I both agreed on this one with very little discussion. Basically, there’s a feeling of safety taking a guy who’s been rock solid his first four years in the NFL. It’s also a plus that while Donovan McNabb isn’t talented enough to carry the entire offense, he should be enough of a threat that defenses won’t be able to key on AP. I wouldn’t be surprised if Peterson puts up career numbers no matter how bad Minnesota ends up being.
Team 2, aka “Trampled Underfoot”
Pick 2 = Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs – Surprisingly, we both agreed on this pick as well. If the split of carries leans more in Charles’ favor in Kansas City, 1,800 yards rushing (plus another 500 receiving) is in play.
Team 3, aka “Worn Out Catcher’s Mitt Face”
Pick 3 = Arian Foster, RB, Texans – Took some haggling by me to sway Ethan to take Foster over Chris Johnson, but Foster’s receiving stats were enough to convince my sidekick to take the top fantasy scorer from last season. I don’t expect 1,600+ yards again, but if he delivers 12 rushing touchdowns and 60+ receptions, you’ll be cool with it. He’ll go first in the majority of fantasy leagues this season.
Team 4, aka “Marty Funkhauser”
Pick 4 = Michael Vick, QB, Eagles – I waffled between Vick and Johnson on this pick. Taking Johnson meant playing it safe and not looking like an idiot (even if Johnson tears his ACL in week 2, you could still say, “well I had to take him” and no one would give you shit for it because at the time of the draft, it made sense). Taking Vick meant being aggressive in taking a player who most fantasy experts have ranked second at his own position (except for ESPN’s Matthew Berry, who is all in on Vick this season). Vick could single-handedly win you your fantasy league this season (he was the second highest scoring fantasy player last year, and he missed part or all of five games). He could also destroy it if his yearly injury spell happens to occur during the fantasy playoffs. In my book, the fourth pick is the appropriate time to take the plunge on a potential game changer.
FANTASTY TIP 1.1 = FORTUNE FAVORS THE BOLD - Don’t make a “safe” pick because you are afraid to be called a moron by your fellow league members. Is taking Vick at four to early? Your damn right it is, but if you really want Vick on your team, there’s no way he’s making it back to the end of the second round. As a general rule, there is no such thing as reaching to early for a player if there is no chance that player will be available when you pick next.
Team 5, aka “Double Stuffed Oreos”
Pick 5 = Chris Johnson, RB, Titans – Insanity ended, and last year’s consensus number one finally went off the board. His holdout is a little scary, but the setup around him is as good as it has ever been since he arrived in Tennessee. If he’s in camp within a week, and he doesn’t look like Bam Morris when he takes the field in preseason, draft him with confidence.
Team 6, aka “Ward Burton”
Pick 6 = Andre Johnson, WR, Texans – Another aggressive pick by me, but Johnson is a perennial threat to top 100 receptions (health permitting). I wouldn’t argue with anyone in a PPR league that took him as high as fourth.
FANTASY TIP 1.2 = IT PAYS TO HAVE THE BEST AT SOMETHING – Many teams fantasy owners get flustered when they see a run on a certain position. “Oh my God, five tight ends have just come off the board, I need to get one now!” I’ll call this style of fantasy management “cardiac management”. At six here, it would be very easy to take Ray Rice because four runningbacks have already flown off the board, and who knows what will be left when this team picks again at 19. However, when encountering runs like this, it’s best to push against the current. When people are zigging, zag. Sometimes what happens when you do this is you start your own run. Now there could be a run of wide receivers after this pick, which could then leave you with some quality runningback options (or maybe even one of the elite quarterbacks). Much like in real life, it’s better to be a trendsetter than a trend follower.
Team 7, aka “George W.”
Pick 7 = Ray Rice, RB, Ravens – Rice was a disappointment last season (he didn’t have his biggest game of the year until after most of the fantasy teams he was on were eliminated), but the setup for him this year is the best it has ever been. Lee Evans has been added to the roster as a deep threat, and Willis McGahee (aka Goal-Line Carries Vulture) has been let go. Ravens coach John Harbaugh has already indicated that Rice will get the bulk of the work in the red-zone. You’re getting great value if you can get Rice at this point in the draft.
Team 8, aka “Probably Should’ve Gone to Rehab”
Pick 8 = Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers – The reigning king of the quarterback position, Rodgers will benefit from the return of several injured starters that missed the back half of the 2010 season. The Packers might not win the Super Bowl again, but Rodgers will have a better statistical season.
Team 9, aka “Holy Diver”
Pick 9 = LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles - Ethan’s favorite pick of the entire draft so far. McCoy put up the numbers he did last season while playing with broken ribs for six weeks. Assuming that the Eagles defense is much improved this season, which should also give McCoy more opportunities on the ground. If you are in PPR league, and decide to take McCoy as high as 4th, I wouldn’t argue with you.
Team 10, aka “LIVESTRONG (w/ HGH)”
Pick 10 = Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals – Fitzgerald probably should’ve got votes for MVP last season for the numbers he was able to put up with the bums playing QB in Arizona last season. I won’t say that Kevin Kolb is going to be the best thing since sliced bread, but he’s competent enough that Fitzgerald will have a huge bounce-back season. The only thing that will potentially slow him will be the lack of a secondary receiving option (unless someone emerges).
Team 11, aka “Single Ronnie Memorial Team”
Pick 11 = Roddy White, WR, Falcons – A safe bet to catch 90-100 balls, and score 8-12 touchdowns.
Team 12, aka “Go Cole!”
Pick 12 = Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers – Mendenhall hasn’t put up a ton of receptions in the NFL (you can thank Ben Roethlisberger, who is not particularly adept at checking down, for this), but has shown the capability to do it. I don’t have any evidence to support this, but I’m feeling like Mendenhall could put up career numbers. If you got 1,400 rushing yards, 13 touchdowns, and another 35-40 receptions thrown in, you’ll be happy.
FANTASY TIP 1.3 = THERE ARE NO BAD PICKS IN THE FIRST ROUND – You’ll always hear people whine and complain about not getting a high pick in your draft. While adding a stud runningback with a top-3 pick is certainly a benefit, you can build a championship winning team around any of these players. Rounds 2-13 are much more critical to the ability of your team than your first pick.
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