PPR Mock Draft Analysis

Round Six

6.1. Colts WR Pierre Garcon
6.2. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs
6.3. Redskins RB Clinton Portis
6.4. Cowboys TE Jason Witten
6.5. Eagles TE Brent Celek
6.6. Steelers WR Mike Wallace
6.7. Cowboys WR Dez Bryant
6.8. Bears QB Jay Cutler
6.9. Saints RB Reggie Bush
6.10. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez
6.11. Rotoworld - Redskins WR Santana Moss
6.12. Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Comments: The owner who drafted Cutler smartly pointed out that the league's scoring negates just one point for an interception. Many leagues take away two points. Cutler was the 11th overall quarterback in this format last season. ... The sixth round took place before Bryant's high ankle sprain. The Bryant owner would probably like that one back. ... I like Moss as my WR3 as long as I have a high-upside WR4. I'd get one (Johnny Knox) later on.

Round Seven

7.1. Ravens QB Joe Flacco
7.2. Rotoworld - Eagles QB Kevin Kolb
7.3. Cardinals WR Steve Breaston
7.4. Bengals WR Terrell Owens
7.5. Titans WR Kenny Britt
7.6. Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin
7.7. Cowboys RB Marion Barber
7.8. Bears WR Devin Hester
7.9. Vikings QB Brett Favre
7.10. Packers WR Donald Driver
7.11. Texans TE Owen Daniels
7.12. Chargers WR Malcom Floyd

Comments: Most pundits are down on T.O., but I believe he's a fine seventh-round pick, and wouldn't be surprised if he outscored Chad Ochocinco. If the Hall of Fame game was any indication -- and I'm not saying it is -- Carson Palmer will look to Owens early and often. ... Picks I didn't like: Breaston, Driver, and Daniels. Daniels isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1, Driver is already dealing with a knee surgery-related injury, and Breaston's gone too early in every draft I've done.

Round Eight

8.1. Patriots WR Julian Edelman
8.2. Bears WR Devin Aromashodu
8.3. Raiders TE Zach Miller
8.4. Dolphins RB Ricky Williams
8.5. Giants QB Eli Manning
8.6. Texans RB Ben Tate
8.7. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson
8.8. Lions QB Matthew Stafford
8.9. Bucs RB Carnell Williams
8.10. Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson
8.11. Rotoworld - Bears WR Johnny Knox
8.12. Raiders RB Darren McFadden

Comments: It's difficult to see what the Edelman drafter was doing with all signs pointing to Wes Welker being ready for Opening Day. Edelman won't have a significant role barring a Welker setback. The pick would've made more sense if the owner was "handcuffing" Welker with Edelman, but he wasn't. ... Knox was the third Bears receiver drafted, and indications out of Bourbonnais are that he'll be Chicago's featured offensive player. I'm biased, but this reeks of value. ... In contrast, Tate was the first Texans back picked. The owner who drafted Tate apparently doesn't read Rotoworld. ... Other picks I didn't like: L.T., and Eli Manning and Stafford before Matt Ryan.

Round Nine

9.1. Texans RB Steve Slaton
9.2. Rotoworld - Bills RB C.J. Spiller
9.3. Colts RB Donald Brown
9.4. Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw
9.5. Raiders RB Michael Bush
9.6. Bills RB Fred Jackson
9.7. Bucs TE Kellen Winslow
9.8. Browns RB Montario Hardesty
9.9. Cardinals RB Tim Hightower
9.10. Redskins QB Donovan McNabb
9.11. Browns RB Jerome Harrison
9.12. Patriots RB Laurence Maroney

Comments: Spiller is my RB4. Too bad this won't be played out. ... Bradshaw's ADP will inevitably rise due to news he may start ahead of Brandon Jacobs. It's going to be a 50:50 split, but Bradshaw has emerged as the obvious value pick in New York's backfield. ... Hardesty is currently listed as a fourth-stringer in Cleveland. He should open the season as the Browns' No. 3 back at worst, but Hardesty isn't noticeably a better talent than Jerome Harrison or James Davis.

Round Ten

10.1. Ravens WR Derrick Mason
10.2. Jets WR Santonio Holmes
10.3. Bucs WR Arrelious Benn
10.4. Broncos WR Jabar Gaffney
10.5. Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter
10.6. Texans RB Arian Foster
10.7. Falcons QB Matt Ryan
10.8. Bills WR Lee Evans
10.9. Jets WR Braylon Edwards
10.10. Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster
10.11. Rotoworld - Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
10.12. Broncos WR Eddie Royal

Comments: Another ugly round. How far has Lee Evans fallen? The No. 7 fantasy receiver in 2006, Evans hasn't finished better than the WR27 over the past three seasons. Good news: the talent is still there, and the Bills don't have anyone else to throw to. ... The 10th round is the soonest I've seen McCluster off the board after about 10 preseason drafts. ... Roethlisberger is my Kevin Kolb insurance. I also drafted Michael Vick in the 18th in case Kolb flops.

Round Eleven

11.1. Bengals QB Carson Palmer
11.2. Rotoworld - Redskins TE Chris Cooley
11.3. Chargers RB Darren Sproles
11.4. Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe
11.5. Seahawks TE John Carlson
11.6. Chiefs RB Thomas Jones
11.7. Dolphins QB Chad Henne
11.8. Texans WR Jacoby Jones
11.9. Panthers QB Matt Moore
11.10. Lions RB Kevin Smith
11.11. Colts WR Austin Collie
11.12. Bears RB Chester Taylor

Comments: Palmer didn't have much time to throw in Sunday's Hall of Fame game, but he sure didn't have much zip on his passes, either. The entire Rotoworld crew remains skeptical that Palmer still has the arm power to be worth any more than a late-round fantasy pick. ... I've gotten Cooley in countless preseason drafts. Along with Carlson (who also went in this round), he's one of the best values entering the 2010 fantasy season.

The following industry draft took place throughout the month of July (and when I say "throughout," I mean it -- it was done over email) for a league that will not be played out. The scoring format is points per reception, and quarterbacks are awarded four points per passing touchdown. All other TDs are worth six points. It's a 12-teamer with 18 rounds (216 picks), so we had to show our depth of player knowledge in the latter portion of the draft.

Editor's Note: Get updated player projections in the 2010 Rotoworld Draft Guide.

I received the second overall pick. Here's how it went down:

Round One

1.1. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
1.2. Rotoworld - Titans RB Chris Johnson
1.3. Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew
1.4. Ravens RB Ray Rice
1.5. 49ers RB Frank Gore
1.6. Texans WR Andre Johnson
1.7. Patriots WR Randy Moss
1.8. Falcons RB Michael Turner
1.9. Rams RB Steven Jackson
1.10. Colts WR Reggie Wayne
1.11. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
1.12. Steelers RB Rashard Mendenhall

Comments: The top five is the same in every draft, regardless of format. ... It's not surprising that three receivers went in round one of a PPR draft, but just one of the three selected here rank in our PPR top three. It's disappointing to see Larry Fitzgerald continue to be undervalued. Unless you're the guy getting him in the second round. ... With rookie Jonathan Dwyer showing nothing in camp, Mendenhall is gaining steam. Capable of flirting with 400 touches, Rocket Rashard is a rock-solid first-round pick.

Round Two

2.1. Cowboys WR Miles Austin
2.2. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald
2.3. Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams
2.4. Lions WR Calvin Johnson
2.5. Falcons WR Roddy White
2.6. Packers WR Greg Jennings
2.7. Saints WR Drew Brees
2.8. Chiefs RB Jammal Charles
2.9. Dolphins WR Brandon Marshall
2.10. Colts QB Peyton Manning
2.11. Rotoworld - Saints RB Pierre Thomas
2.12. Chargers RB Ryan Mathews

Comments: No major surprises in this round. Austin comes closest, but he's in our top-five PPR wide receivers, so I can't argue. Dez Bryant's anticipated slow start due to a high ankle sprain works in Austin's favor. ... I was hoping for Jennings or Marshall, but had to opt for "RB-RB" despite the PPR scoring. Pierre Thomas has plenty of upside for a late second-round pick. Make no mistake: Lynell Hamilton's season-ending ACL tear significantly increases Thomas' touchdown potential. Undrafted backs P.J. Hill and Christopher Ivory are practice squad material at best. Ivory couldn't even start at Washington State, leaving the D-I college in 2009 for D-II Tiffin with four career rushing scores in three seasons.

Round Three

3.1. Saints WR Marques Colston
3.2. Rotoworld - Vikings WR Sidney Rice
3.3. Eagles WR DeSean Jackson
3.4. Giants WR Steve Smith
3.5. Cardinals RB Chris Wells
3.6. Packers RB Ryan Grant
3.7. Broncos RB Knowshon Moreno
3.8. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy
3.9. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart
3.10. Ravens WR Anquan Boldin
3.11. Jets RB Shonn Greene
3.12. Cowboys QB Tony Romo

Comments: I wasn't as concerned with Rice's hip injury in early July as I am now. I still think he's worth a fifth- or sixth-round pick, but would've went with Jackson or Steve Smith of the Panthers if I could redo it. ... I'm still not bullish on McCoy's talent, and certainly would've drafted Stewart, Moreno, and even Jahvid Best over him. The PPR factor does make McCoy a safer bet.

Round Four

4.1. Bengals RB Cedric Benson
4.2. Bears RB Matt Forte
4.3. Texans QB Matt Schaub
4.4. Panthers WR Steve Smith
4.5. Patriots WR Wes Welker
4.6. Lions RB Jahvid Best
4.7. Colts TE Dallas Clark
4.8. 49ers WR Michael Crabtree
4.9. Patriots QB Tom Brady
4.10. Colts RB Joseph Addai
4.11. Rotoworld - Cowboys RB Felix Jones
4.12. Jaguars WR Mike Sims-Walker

Comments: Benson, unsurprisingly, only received two carries in the Hall of Fame game, but it was hard not to be impressed with his flashes of and power and quick cuts in the small sample size. He went too early here with the PPR scoring, but it was promising to see Benson run well after his late-season hip injury last year. ... Welker's ADP is deservedly on the rise. He's continued to surge up our rankings. ... Chris Wesseling's concerns about Felix Jones are warranted, but my pick came down to Jones versus Dwayne Bowe. I thought I had a better chance of snagging Bowe in the fifth, and ...

Round Five

5.1. Chargers TE Antonio Gates
5.2. Rotoworld - Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe
5.3. Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco
5.4. 49ers TE Vernon Davis
5.5. Giants WR Hakeem Nicks
5.6. Dolphins RB Ronnie Brown
5.7. Chargers QB Philip Rivers
5.8. Saints WR Robert Meachem
5.9. Steelers WR Hines Ward
5.10. Seahawks RB Justin Forsett
5.11. Vikings WR Percy Harvin
5.12. Packers TE Jermichael Finley

Comments: ... I got him. To me, Bowe stands out as the best value of round five. ... Of course, there were a lot of questionable picks here. Nicks is a tremendous talent, but probably won't top 75 receptions. ... Rivers is relying on a rare sixth-year breakout from Malcom Floyd and a makeshift left tackle (Brandyn Dombrowksi). Let someone else draft him. ... Meachem (toe) still hasn't practiced in training camp, and continues to lose ground to Devery Henderson. He just isn't good value in the fifth. ... Wesseling summed up Forsett's 2010 outlook nicely in this column.



Round Six

6.1. Colts WR Pierre Garcon
6.2. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs
6.3. Redskins RB Clinton Portis
6.4. Cowboys TE Jason Witten
6.5. Eagles TE Brent Celek
6.6. Steelers WR Mike Wallace
6.7. Cowboys WR Dez Bryant
6.8. Bears QB Jay Cutler
6.9. Saints RB Reggie Bush
6.10. Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez
6.11. Rotoworld - Redskins WR Santana Moss
6.12. Seahawks WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh

Comments: The owner who drafted Cutler smartly pointed out that the league's scoring negates just one point for an interception. Many leagues take away two points. Cutler was the 11th overall quarterback in this format last season. ... The sixth round took place before Bryant's high ankle sprain. The Bryant owner would probably like that one back. ... I like Moss as my WR3 as long as I have a high-upside WR4. I'd get one (Johnny Knox) later on.

Round Seven

7.1. Ravens QB Joe Flacco
7.2. Rotoworld - Eagles QB Kevin Kolb
7.3. Cardinals WR Steve Breaston
7.4. Bengals WR Terrell Owens
7.5. Titans WR Kenny Britt
7.6. Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin
7.7. Cowboys RB Marion Barber
7.8. Bears WR Devin Hester
7.9. Vikings QB Brett Favre
7.10. Packers WR Donald Driver
7.11. Texans TE Owen Daniels
7.12. Chargers WR Malcom Floyd

Comments: Most pundits are down on T.O., but I believe he's a fine seventh-round pick, and wouldn't be surprised if he outscored Chad Ochocinco. If the Hall of Fame game was any indication -- and I'm not saying it is -- Carson Palmer will look to Owens early and often. ... Picks I didn't like: Breaston, Driver, and Daniels. Daniels isn't a lock to be ready for Week 1, Driver is already dealing with a knee surgery-related injury, and Breaston's gone too early in every draft I've done.

Round Eight

8.1. Patriots WR Julian Edelman
8.2. Bears WR Devin Aromashodu
8.3. Raiders TE Zach Miller
8.4. Dolphins RB Ricky Williams
8.5. Giants QB Eli Manning
8.6. Texans RB Ben Tate
8.7. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson
8.8. Lions QB Matthew Stafford
8.9. Bucs RB Carnell Williams
8.10. Jets RB LaDainian Tomlinson
8.11. Rotoworld - Bears WR Johnny Knox
8.12. Raiders RB Darren McFadden

Comments: It's difficult to see what the Edelman drafter was doing with all signs pointing to Wes Welker being ready for Opening Day. Edelman won't have a significant role barring a Welker setback. The pick would've made more sense if the owner was "handcuffing" Welker with Edelman, but he wasn't. ... Knox was the third Bears receiver drafted, and indications out of Bourbonnais are that he'll be Chicago's featured offensive player. I'm biased, but this reeks of value. ... In contrast, Tate was the first Texans back picked. The owner who drafted Tate apparently doesn't read Rotoworld. ... Other picks I didn't like: L.T., and Eli Manning and Stafford before Matt Ryan.

Round Nine

9.1. Texans RB Steve Slaton
9.2. Rotoworld - Bills RB C.J. Spiller
9.3. Colts RB Donald Brown
9.4. Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw
9.5. Raiders RB Michael Bush
9.6. Bills RB Fred Jackson
9.7. Bucs TE Kellen Winslow
9.8. Browns RB Montario Hardesty
9.9. Cardinals RB Tim Hightower
9.10. Redskins QB Donovan McNabb
9.11. Browns RB Jerome Harrison
9.12. Patriots RB Laurence Maroney

Comments: Spiller is my RB4. Too bad this won't be played out. ... Bradshaw's ADP will inevitably rise due to news he may start ahead of Brandon Jacobs. It's going to be a 50:50 split, but Bradshaw has emerged as the obvious value pick in New York's backfield. ... Hardesty is currently listed as a fourth-stringer in Cleveland. He should open the season as the Browns' No. 3 back at worst, but Hardesty isn't noticeably a better talent than Jerome Harrison or James Davis.

Round Ten

10.1. Ravens WR Derrick Mason
10.2. Jets WR Santonio Holmes
10.3. Bucs WR Arrelious Benn
10.4. Broncos WR Jabar Gaffney
10.5. Broncos RB Correll Buckhalter
10.6. Texans RB Arian Foster
10.7. Falcons QB Matt Ryan
10.8. Bills WR Lee Evans
10.9. Jets WR Braylon Edwards
10.10. Chiefs WR Dexter McCluster
10.11. Rotoworld - Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
10.12. Broncos WR Eddie Royal

Comments: Another ugly round. How far has Lee Evans fallen? The No. 7 fantasy receiver in 2006, Evans hasn't finished better than the WR27 over the past three seasons. Good news: the talent is still there, and the Bills don't have anyone else to throw to. ... The 10th round is the soonest I've seen McCluster off the board after about 10 preseason drafts. ... Roethlisberger is my Kevin Kolb insurance. I also drafted Michael Vick in the 18th in case Kolb flops.

Round Eleven

11.1. Bengals QB Carson Palmer
11.2. Rotoworld - Redskins TE Chris Cooley
11.3. Chargers RB Darren Sproles
11.4. Vikings TE Visanthe Shiancoe
11.5. Seahawks TE John Carlson
11.6. Chiefs RB Thomas Jones
11.7. Dolphins QB Chad Henne
11.8. Texans WR Jacoby Jones
11.9. Panthers QB Matt Moore
11.10. Lions RB Kevin Smith
11.11. Colts WR Austin Collie
11.12. Bears RB Chester Taylor

Comments: Palmer didn't have much time to throw in Sunday's Hall of Fame game, but he sure didn't have much zip on his passes, either. The entire Rotoworld crew remains skeptical that Palmer still has the arm power to be worth any more than a late-round fantasy pick. ... I've gotten Cooley in countless preseason drafts. Along with Carlson (who also went in this round), he's one of the best values entering the 2010 fantasy season.



Round Twelve

12.1. Bengals RB Bernard Scott
12.2. 49ers QB Alex Smith
12.3. Jaguars WR Mike Thomas
12.4. Seahawks WR Golden Tate
12.5. Jaguars QB David Garrard
12.6. Jets WR Jerricho Cotchery
12.7. New York Jets Defense
12.8. Minnesota Vikings Defense
12.9. Chiefs QB Matt Cassel
12.10. Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez
12.11. Rotoworld - Rams WR Laurent Robinson
12.12. Redskins WR Devin Thomas

Comments: Thomas' stranglehold on a starting job in Jacksonville arguably gives him the highest upside of any player picked in this round. While I'm not touting him for a true statistical breakout, he's worth a serious look. At Arizona, Thomas drew comparisons to Panthers receiver Steve Smith for his deceptively physical style and game-breaking speed. ... Defenses are starting to go, and it's too early with six rounds left. The Jets seem to be the consensus No. 1 fantasy defense this year, but I don't see it. There's not a double-digit sack threat on the roster.

Round Thirteen

13.1. Ravens RB Willis McGahee
13.2. Rotoworld - Bucs WR Mike Williams
13.3. Redskins RB Larry Johnson
13.4. Bills RB Marshawn Lynch
13.5. Lions WR Nate Burleson
13.6. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas
13.7. Packers WR James Jones
13.8. Steelers TE Heath Miller
13.9. Jets TE Dustin Keller
13.10. Chiefs WR Chris Chambers
13.11. Seahawks RB Leon Washington
13.12. Raiders QB Jason Campbell

Comments: McGahee was my 13th-round target, but he went one spot before me. I "settled" for the No. 1 receiver in Tampa Bay. We moved Williams up our rankings Wednesday night. The Syracuse product won't be consistent, but is bound to have some big games as the Bucs' go-to wideout. ... Owners drafting Lynch in the latter rounds are still hoping for a preseason trade. There are no indications coming out of Buffalo that that's a possibility.

Round Fourteen

14.1. Browns WR Mohamed Massaquoi
14.2. Philadelphia Eagles Defense
14.3. Baltimore Ravens Defense
14.4. Vikings WR Bernard Berrian
14.5. Bucs RB Derrick Ward
14.6. Green Bay Packers Defense
14.7. Saints WR Lance Moore
14.8. Bears TE Greg Olsen
14.9. Cowboys WR Roy Williams
14.10. Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
14.11. Rotoworld - Vikings RB Toby Gerhart
14.12. Cowboys RB Tashard Choice

Comments: With Sidney Rice's injury continuing to linger, Berrian's fantasy stock is on the rise. Berrian averaged 20.1 yards a catch in 2008 and is only 29 years old. He'll be a fantasy starter if Rice misses regular season action. ... I didn't draft Adrian Peterson, but went with Gerhart anyway. Albert Young isn't a serious contender for the No. 2 running back job in Minnesota. If Peterson blows out a knee, Gerhart will be an every-week RB2.

Round Fifteen

15.1. Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson
15.2. Rotoworld - San Francisco 49ers Defense
15.3. Cardinals QB Matt Leinart
15.4. Saints K Garrett Hartley
15.5. Packers RB James Starks
15.6. Dolphins RB Lex Hilliard
15.7. Eagles RB Mike Bell
15.8. Rams WR Donnie Avery
15.9. Packers RB Brandon Jackson
15.10. Seahawks RB Julius Jones
15.11. Dallas Cowboys Defense
15.12. Texans WR Kevin Walter

Comments: Out with a hamstring injury since May, Starks no longer looks like a lock to make Green Bay's roster. It's a shame because he is a promising long-term prospect and would've been an explosive upgrade over Brandon Jackson on third downs.

Round Sixteen

16.1. Lions TE Tony Scheffler
16.2. Raiders K Chaz Schilens
16.3. Patriots RB Kevin Faulk
16.4. New York Giants Defense
16.5. Miami Dolphins Defense
16.6. Giants WR Mario Manningham
16.7. Falcons RB Jason Snelling
16.8. Dolphins WR Davone Bess
16.9. Chargers K Nate Kaeding
16.10. Dolphins WR Brian Hartline
16.11. Rotoworld - Bears K Robbie Gould
16.12. Chicago Bears Defense

Round Seventeen Manningham is a great 16th-round pick. Steve Smith is already banged up, and Manningham is talented enough to be a usable WR3 if Smith or Hakeem Nicks suffers an in-season injury.

17.1. Chargers WR Legedu Naanee
17.2. Rotoworld - Titans RB Javon Ringer
17.3. Saints RB Lynell Hamilton
17.4. New Orleans Saints Defense
17.5. Packers K Mason Crosby
17.6. Patriots K Stephen Gostkowski
17.7. Titans K Rob Bironas
17.8. Cincinnati Bengals Defense
17.9. Vikings K Ryan Longwell
17.10. Titans TE Bo Scaife
17.11. Giants TE Kevin Boss
17.12. Indianapolis Colts Defense

Round Eighteen

18.1. Dolphins K Dan Carpenter
18.2. Eagles K David Akers
18.3. Giants K Lawrence Tynes
18.4. Titans WR Damian Williams
18.5. Cardinals K Jay Feely
18.6. Redskins TE Fred Davis
18.7. Cardinals WR Early Doucet
18.8. Steelers RB Jonathan Dwyer
18.9. San Diego Chargers Defense
18.10. Cowboys K David Buehler
18.11. Rotoworld - Eagles QB Michael Vick
18.12. Ravens K Shayne Graham