Fantasy Team Number One

So tonight was my first fantasy football draft of the 2010 season. This draft was for a new league for me, a league with my fellow Target co-workers. The draft took place at Old Chicago after work today, and we received some nice specials for having our draft there. We were there for happy hour, which I haven't decided if it helped or hurt my team, but it did make for some great drink specials. For 7 dollars we got unlimited pizza and some cheat sheets/fantasy magazines/and big board. All in all it was a good deal.

So to the draft. Like I was saying this is my first year in this league, and I'm not sure what to expect. I'm an avid fantasy footballer, for those of you that don't know me. I mess around with other fantasy sports, mainly the sports with longer seasons. I commend those of you who can commit to longer seasons of fantasy sports, it is just hard to do when you are busy all of the time. Fantasy football is a different story. I have won our friends league 3-straight years and have been playoff bound in my other leagues for longer than that. I know nearly every player and also have opinions on all of them. I felt like the Target league has numerous players who aren't very active in fantasy land, but I could be wrong. The league is headed by someone who claims to have played fantasy football since, "before I was born." He made numerous statements about that and how he seems to know everything about football, needless to say I'm counting the days until our matchup. Overall I think it will be a competitive league, but I feel I will be one of the most active managers, something that should hopefully keep me near the top of the league all season long.

So this draft was not an auction style draft, something that all of my other leagues are. Instead this is old school, mainly because the commish is old school. We drew cards and selected players turn by turn. I wanted pick 1-3, 6, or 11. Instead I drew the 4 pick, something I wasn't that happy about. I attempted a few trades, but they were quickly shot down by the old school commish. We have 11 teams in this league, why that is I don't know. The commish wanted to have a bye, which I think is stupid. Generally you have a team that is bad enough to count as a bye, if not multiple teams. Either way, we have 11 teams. Pick 1 went to Maurice Jones-Drew, Pick 2 was Chris Johnson, and Pick 2 was Minnesota Running Back Adrian Peterson. I knew these would be the first three picks, I just didn't know what order they would be in. I got a little excited when Adrian wasn't picked in the top 2, for a moment I thought he could fall one more pick to me at 4. However, he didn't, and I ended up having to go a different route. So here is a pick by pick basis, of what I can remember (it was happy hour), of my team.

Pick 4 - Ray Rice - I basically had to take Ray Rice here. We are in a PPR league, and Rice had over 70 receptions last year. Taking this into account, Rice could be argued for the 1st overall pick in the draft. I'm very happy with this pick, especially since Flacco has a year under his belt, and he now has Anquan Boldin to throw to. That should hopefully open up the field for Ray Rice to run wild. Pick Grade = A+

At this point I should add that we went up and down and up and down the draft order. So I picked at 4, waited for us to go all the way up to the 11th pick and then back down to the 4th pick again. So the 11th pick had back to back picks at 11 and 12. Think of it as up and down a ladder.

Pick 19 - Randy Moss - At this point I wanted to snag a top level receiver. Andre Johnson, Miles Austin, and Reggie Wayne were gone. I saw Moss staring at me and had to take him. I feel like the Patriots will be a solid team this year, and if Moss stays healthy, he should be very productive. He also has the capability of going for 180 and 3 any game. Love this pick. Pick Grade = A-

Pick 26 - Calvin Johnson - Usually I make it a point to not draft Detroit Lions players, unfortunately I never listen to myself and always seem to draft Detroit Lions players. I guess if you are going to draft a Lions player, it would be Calvin. He is arguably the most gifted receiver in the league, and is capable of a huge season. The Lions should be better than they have been the past few years, or at least that's what I told myself before I made the pick. Johnson is also loved in fantasy land, and has huge trade potential. People love his big play capability, even though he seems to get hurt every year, and hasn't reached his true potential. Here's to hoping he gets there this year. Pick Grade = B+

Pick 41 - Jahvid Best - So the whole "I won't pick any Lions players," thing didn't really last. Then the "I'll only pick one Lions player," thing died as well. I took rookie Running Back Jahvid Best with my 41st pick in the draft. I think this was a solid pick. There wasn't a ton left at Running Back depth at this point, and Best should earn the starting role in Detroit. I loved Best in college, and that no doubt played a role in me drafting him. He brings everything to the Running Back position. He has breakaway speed, ankle-breaking moves, and perhaps most importantly, football intelligence. If Best can play his way into the starting role in the preseason, or early on, he could have a solid year for what will hopefully be an above average Lions team. Pick Grade = B+

Pick 48 - Brett Favre - Yeah I did it. What the Hell. It is his last year, a year I think the Vikes will dominate, why not back it up with the selection of their Quarterback. If Favre stays healthy I think he will throw for 35 Touchdowns and 4000 yards easy. I'll take that with the 48th overall pick in the draft. This is me riding my feeling more than anything. It will come down to health, but in my mind, its destiny. Pick Grade = A+

Pick 63 - Vernon Davis - I hate Vernon Davis. I do respect what he did last year however, so I drafted him. He was just sitting there, staring me in the face, saying, "I'm projected 15 spots higher than anyone else that is left, what are you thinking?" SO I TOOK HIM. GIVE ME A BREAK OK! I'm hoping he has another solid season, if he does I'll probably try and shop him later on. Pick Grade = B-

At this point I should mention a little bit about the setup of the league. We play one QB, 2 RB's, 2 WR's, 1 WR/TE, 1 K, and 1 DEF. We get a point a reception, and 1 point every 10 rushing/receiving yards. We also get a point every 25 passing yards. We lose points for interceptions thrown and getting sacked. There are a few other wild rules, like bonus points for 300 passing or something, but I figured those won't really apply that much. So I don't even have to start a Tight End technically. I drafted one anyway, which brings me to my next pick.

Pick 70 - Owen Daniels - Yeah I drafted another Tight End, get off my back! Much like Vernon Davis, Owen Daniels started talking to me as well. He said "Mike, listen, last year before I broke everything in my knee, which really hurt by the way, I was on pace to lead the league in receiving." I said to Owen, "lead the league for Tight Ends?, big deal." He said, "NO, LEAD THE LEAGUE IN RECEIVING!." I said, "wow.... seriously?" He said, "YEAH MAN." Then I drafted him. What was I supposed to do, he talked me into it. So what, I drafted two tight ends.

Pick Grade = B with potential A+

Pick 85 - Reggie Bush - I think Reggie is a steal here. He can have ridiculous games, when he catches 10 passes, and is worth the risk at 85. If there are some injuries in New Orleans, this could be my best pick of the draft, period. It wasn't that long ago that Reggie Bush was one of the most coveted players in all of fantasy football, especially in PPR leagues. Oh, and did I mention I get points for Punt Return and Kick Return Touchdowns?

Pick Grade = A

Pick 92 - Percy Harvin - So maybe I ran with the Kick Return thing, or maybe I'm a homer, but I took Harvin here. I have the Favre to Harvin connection, and I think if they both manage to somehow stay healthy, they could be deadly. Harvin has big play capabilities and at this point in the draft, I'm looking for upside and possibilities. This could be a steal. Plus he's a Viking, whats not to love?

Pick Grade = B

Pick 107 - CJ Spiller - Went with another upsider here if you will. Spiller has lots of hype coming out of college, and comes into a backfield that is plagued with injuries. I figured there was no way he would last this long, so when he did, I was eager to snag him. I love to take rookie running backs, because typically one of them turns out to be pretty solid. I'm hoping Spiller is that guy this year.

Pick Grade = B+

Pick 114 - Santonio Holmes - Holmes is suspended for the first four games of the year, or so I was told by my fellow draftees. I'm guessing he brought a gun to a nightclub or something. Regardless I think he is a steal this late in the draft. I have some excellent receiving options already, so why not take a flyer on Holmes. He appeared ready to take the next step last year to an elite receiver. He was very solid all year, but just not elite. I think with a new offense, and a very confident team in the NY Jets, this could be his year. There aren't a ton of established receiving options in that offense, so I'm hoping Holmes fills those shoes.

Pick Grade = B

Pick 129 - Michael Bush - Bush is a running back for what should be a terrible Oakland Raiders team. For some reason he is ranked high in most fantasy guru's minds. He was also ranked fairly high in my fantasy magazine, so I figured I'd take him late in the draft. I didn't really want to take him, but felt like I had to take the best player available according to multiple sources. If McFadden stays injury prone, who knows, maybe he'll pan out as a nice bye week filler.

Pick Grade = C

Pick 136 - Vince Young - Needed a filler for a bye week or if Favre (knock on wood), gets hurt this year. Vince Young came back with a vengeance last year, and was a solid fantasy option late in the season. He runs for a lot of yards, and wasn't that bad as a passer either. He plays at Dallas on Minnesota's bye week, a game he should be motivated for to say the least. I don't mind this pick at all, it could turn out to be a bargain at 136.

Pick Grade = B-

Pick 151 - Tennessee Titans Defense - They play Oakland at home in week 1. Enough said.

Pick Grade = A+

Pick 158 - Matt Prater - My last pick, the Denver kicker. He has a good leg, capable of 50+ yard field goals, that's all I'm looking for.

Pick Grade = B

So my starting lineup looks like this:

QB Favre

RB Rice

RB Best

WR Moss

WR Johnson

WR Daniels or .......

DEF TENN

K Prater

Possible Starters

RB R. Bush

WR Harvin

RB Spiller

WR Holmes

TE Davis

For Fun

QB Young

RB M. Bush

So there it is for you fantasy lovers. Draft 1 of 4. I probably won't go into as much detail for my future drafts, mainly because I'm guessing about 2 people are still reading this right now. First draft of the year though, football is coming, I'm excited! Until the next post - GO TWINS!