Fantasy Football 2011: Third Draft Review

With two drafts as “warm ups” I figured I had fantasy football down to a science by my third real draft, which happened on Wednesday night. I was quite proud with the results of the draft, and my strategy remained the same as always–to take the best player available in every round.

I had the fifth pick in a 10 man league, so as you can imagine, I was not happy about having that spot. I hate being in the dead middle of the draft order, but when life throws you lemons…

The first four picks went roughly as expected, with Arian Foster, Adrian Peterson, Aaron Rodgers, and Jamaal Charles coming off the board before I picked. I had a choice between Ray Rice and Rashard Mendenhall, and I hold something of a grudge against Rice for him busting out on me last year.

So, I opted for the Steelers’ star running back this time around, nabbing Mendenhall with the fifth pick in the draft.

I was pretty happy with the pick. I know the Steelers are going to run the ball a lot, and I know Mendenhall is not in danger of losing any carries to anyone else on the roster. He is the team’s all purpose back, and he is a great finisher.

This is a PPR league as well as a league where the quarterback is very valuable. Passing touchdowns are worth six points just like all the rest of the TD’s, so having a good quarterback is critical.

In the second round I was staring at a few elite wide receivers, so I had my pick of the lot. Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald,and Hakeem Nicks were all there for me in round two, and I chose Calvin Johnson. I think he is undoubtedly the number one target in Detroit, and I am excited about the potential he has for this season.

The third round provided me with something of a gift–Darren McFadden was still on the board, even though he is usually selected in the first round of all the drafts I’ve been in. McFadden being available with the 5th overall pick in the third round was a great get for me, and I feel at this point like my core of Mendenhall, McFadden, and Calvin Johnson are setting me up very well to succeed.

The rest of the draft played out very much in my favor. I wasn’t able to load up on receivers like I had hoped, but I was able to get about six starting quality running backs. I made it a point also to draft two quarterbacks whom I believed could help me win games, and I got the guy that I think is primed to have a huge fantasy year in Josh Freeman actually after I picked up Tony Romo of the Cowboys.

One of my strategies too is to load up on one team’s targets. I have not been able to do that successfully in any of my previous drafts, but this one I picked up Freeman, Mike Williams, and LeGarrette Blount, all of whom figure to be in my starting lineup for opening day.

Here is how my team looks as of right now:

Quarterback

Tony Romo (DAL), Josh Freeman (TB)

Running Back

Rashard Mendenhall (PIT), Darren McFadden (OAK), LeGarrette Blount (TB), Jahvid Best (DET), Daniel Thomas (MIA), Chris Wells (ARI)

Wide Receiver

Calvin Johnson (DET), Mike Williams (TB), A.J. Green (CIN), Eddie Royal (DEN), Josh Cribbs (CLE)

Tight End

Dallas Clark (IND)

Kicker

Nate Kaeding (SD)

Defense/Special Teams

Denver Broncos