Steven Jackson - He got over 1200 all purpose yards last year basically without any help from a line or a passing game. Here's hoping the line stays healthy this year.
Reggie Wayne - O joy, O joy! I actually project Andre Johnson, who was still available, to do better this year, but I know Wayne is going to be a top 5 WR barring injury.
Drew Brees - Don't you love it when a plan comes together? He is a cinch for over 4000 yards and with Shockey in town I think this offense is set to explode. Here's hoping the passing TDs do too.
Earnest Graham - I wasn't targeting Graham, but I've got him at the top of my third tier, making him my best option for RB2. Here's hoping for a repeat of last year's success.
Greg Jennings - Another player I wasn't targeting. I have him one slotted higher on my projections than Santonio Holmes, but I really wanted Holmes here for his upside. Alas, Holmes went the pick before and is the first player I would consider 'lost' that I thought I could get.
Thomas Jones - I figured he'd be long gone by now. I almost took him last round. All three of my top RBs have questions, but hopefully two of them end up being decent.
Santana Moss - I did have a WR or two with higher projections, but it's time to start looking for upside. I had planned to take Shockey here, but gambled the Saints TE would last another round to secure my third starting WR. (Yahoo default leagues start three...)
Jonathan Stewart - I wasn't expecting to take an RB here, but I lost Shockey and had to look at the available players, leading me to this gem. Stewart's ADP is in the fifth round. I was pleased to find him. Here's hoping for 'the next' Stephen Davis.
Patrick Crayton - Here's a player I may target late in future drafts. Terry Glenn's gone and I don't think fantasy nation got the word. On the other hand, I probably should have taken Nate Burleson. I waffled. We'll see if I picked right.
Jerry Porter - With three starting WRs and especially with Crayton sharing a bye week with Santana Moss sharing a bye week, I felt it good to grab a fifth WR. Normally I might like to wait to see who emerges on the waiver wire, but Porter may be the best WR Garrard has ever had. I'm hoping those two recreate the Brady to Moss magic, albeit on a less explosive level.
Well, the plan was to stick with 6 of the first 7 as RBs and WRs, but when I lost Shockey, I managed to go 9 of the first 10. Porter was also a calculated gamble pick. I wanted a TE by now, but with three people (and six picks) between this and my next round, I hoped a decent TE gamble would still be available. Taking Porter here also means there's no roster spot for Bryant Johnson, who could have been had in round 12.
Tony Schefler - I considered, Schefler, Owen Daniels and Alge Crumpler for this slot. I just missed Daniels, but I wanted Schefler more anyway. Honestly, the sure thing TEs are long gone, but if you don't get Witten or Gates, you might as well wait. I think Shockey will have a great season, but I wasn't going to reach for a TE after losing him.
Matt Schaub - Shazam. I'd almost be willing to start Schaub as he projects to over 4000 yards and the mid-20s in TDs. I'm thrilled to have him as a QB2. Unfortunately, he faces Minnesota the week Drew Brees is on bye. The Vikes haven't been a great passing defense. They've been an awful one, but with new DE Jared Allen and three DBs via free agency, the purple clad ones could be dominant this year.
Seattle - Why not? Every 'sure thing' was gone and the Seahawks face Brody Croyle and Jarmarcus Russel twice each. I was actually hoping for the Packers here.
Alge Crumpler - The best kickers are gone but I saw a good one buried in the ranked list, so Crumpler it was. If he returns to his pro-bowl form, not an impossibility, he may be a top TE.
Kris Brown - With the top-rated kickers long gone, I picked one from an offense I expect to do well this year. That strategy got me Gostkowski on more than one team last year. When picking kickers, think of the offense first and not who the kicker actually is. Jason Elam is a prime example of this. He's on the Falcons this year, hence not worth much.
Observations:
With Reggie Wayne and Drew Brees, I have two players that are proven difference makers on fantasy rosters. My RB corps needs to see players emerge or, in the case of Jackson and Graham, live up to their draft slot. My WR corps is also full of potential. As for TE, Kicker and D, with a little good luck, I'll hit on two of the three slots.
If I had passed on Brees in the third, I would have taken Chad Johnson there. Ocho Cinco is getting no love this year, but he's dropped too far. He's still a potential top 5 or so WR. I then would have taken Cutler in the 7th or 8th and hoped that either Cutler or Schaub lived up to their potential. But all in all, I'd rather have the 'sure' thing in Brees. Had I passed on Brees and aimed for Cutler, I don't think much else would have changed.
If I had taken Shockey instead of Moss, every pick after could have changed. It would have left me grasping at hope for a WR3, 4 and 5. As it is, I'm pretty happy with my WR corps and I think one my TEs will emerge. Still, missing Shockey cost me a better chance at having an impact player at TE.
Good draft, all in all.
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