The previous drafts discussed
here and
here were of the "expert" variety. They featured owners inside the industry that have dreams (or nightmares) about the
effects of Sidney Rice's surgery and
late-round fliers.
This is a different beast. Well, somewhat different. The draft analyzed below mostly featured members of the
Rotoworld baseball crew: Guys that are very in tune with the fantasy landscape, but don't deal with football on a day-to-day basis. In other words, it's a top-notch, highly competitive league that is full of owners on top of their game, but don't have football on the brain 24/7. Hopefully this is what a lot of your leagues look like.
One caveat is that everyone in this league reads Rotoworld news blurbs and columns daily. They also have access to the cheat sheets and rankings. As you'll see, many of our favorite players went much higher than they would in a standard public draft.
It's a 12-team, non-PPR (point per reception) league with 15 roster spots. Quarterbacks get one point for every 20 yards passing and four points per passing touchdown. All other scoring is standard. Starting lineups are one QB, two RB, two WR, one TE, one FLEX. The draft began on Aug. 18 and went through Aug. 27. The league will be played out.
Editor's Note: To see average draft positions and complete projections, check out the 2010 Rotoworld Draft Guide!ROUND ONE1.
Chris Johnson, RB, TEN
2.
Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN
3.
Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC
4.
Ray Rice, RB, BAL
5.
Frank Gore, RB, SF
6.
Andre Johnson, WR, HOU
7.
Michael Turner, RB, ATL
8.
Steven Jackson, RB, STL
9.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB
10.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT
11.
Randy Moss, WR, NE
12.
Drew Brees, QB, NO
Notes: The first seven picks, in some order, should be the same in almost all formats. ... It's been well documented that picks nine through 12 are a very difficult place to draft from. Owners in non-PPR formats aren't crazy or dumb to opt for the safe play and go quarterback there. ... I'd go with
Michael Turner over
Andre Johnson or
Frank Gore in non-PPR, but I'm extra high on The Burner this year.
ROUND TWO1.
Jamaal Charles, RB, KC
2.
DeAngelo Williams, RB, CAR
3.
Calvin Johnson, WR, DET
4.
Roddy White, WR, ATL
5.
Pierre Thomas, RB, NO
6.
Peyton Manning, QB, IND
7.
Ryan Mathews, RB, SD
8.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARZ
9.
Shonn Greene, RB, NYJ
10.
Tom Brady, QB, NE
11.
Tony Romo, QB, DAL
12.
Philip Rivers, QB, SD
Notes: You likely won't have to spend this high of a pick on
Jamaal Charles in your league. His current ADP in ESPN leagues is 37.2. Same goes for
Pierre Thomas, whose ESPN ADP is 37.1. ...
Roddy White may very well outperform Fitzgerald this year, but it won't be because of Fitz's knee. That's a non-issue. I also think
Derek Anderson is a better fit for Fitz than
Matt Leinart. ... Avoid the second-tier QB run if it happens this high in your league.
Editor's Note: Did you know you can get the Rotoworld Fantasy Football Draft Guide on your iPhone and iPad? Get our Top 200 rankings, Cheatsheets, Tiers, and more in a convenient on-the-go package!ROUND THREE1.
Greg Jennings, WR, GB
2.
Ryan Grant, RB, GB
3.
Brandon Marshall, WR, MIA
4.
Miles Austin, WR, DAL
5.
Reggie Wayne, WR, IND
6.
DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI
7.
Cedric Benson, RB, CIN
8.
Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR
9.
Jahvid Best, RB, DET
10.
Chris Wells, RB, ARZ
11.
Knowshon Moreno, RB, DEN
12.
Sidney Rice, WR, MIN
Notes: Ryan Grant,
Cedric Benson and
Chris Wells all get significant boosts in non-PPR. Beanie clearly has the most upside of the three. ... This draft obviously took place before the
Sidney Rice hip news broke. ...
Miles Austin and
Reggie Wayne look like terrific values this late. ...
Knowshon Moreno's hamstring pull isn't a concern this far away from the season. ... I'm not crazy about
DeSean Jackson this early, but he is surely a better pick in non-PPR.
ROUND FOUR1.
Matt Forte, RB, CHI
2.
Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
3.
Marques Colston, WR, NO
4.
Brandon Jacobs, RB, NYG
5.
Anquan Boldin, WR, BAL
6.
Steve Smith, WR, CAR
7.
Jay Cutler, QB, CHI
8.
LeSean McCoy, RB, PHI
9.
Arian Foster, RB, HOU
10.
Ronnie Brown, RB, MIA
11.
Michael Crabtree, WR, SF
12.
Felix Jones, RB, DAL
Notes: Matt Schaub, who led the league in passing yards last year, goes 1 1/2 rounds after that QB run started. ...
Jay Cutler this high is a real reach, but someone has been
reading articles about what Mike Martz can do for quarterbacks. ... The cat is wayyyy out of the bag on
Arian Foster. I thought that targeting him in Round 5 would be safe, but it looks like I'm going to have go higher. ...
Steve Smith (CAR) is good value here. That fractured arm won't be bothering him at all come Week 1.
ROUND FIVE1.
Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC
2.
Chad Ochocinco, WR, CIN
3.
Ricky Williams, RB, MIA
4.
Antonio Gates, TE, SD
5.
Dallas Clark, TE, IND
6.
Jason Witten, TE, DAL
7.
Mike Sims-Walker, WR, JAC
8.
Jermichael Finley, TE, GB
9.
Vincent Jackson, WR, SD
10.
Hakeem Nicks, WR, NYG
11.
Vernon Davis, TE, SF
12.
Mike Wallace, WR, Pit
Notes: The tight end run starts here in most drafts I've seen. It's a little surprising to see
Jason Witten with the first group, but if he's actually used as a pass-catcher in the red zone this year he will be a beast. ...
Jermichael Finley is a can't miss lock that everyone knows about. Be prepared to get him on this first run if you want him. ...
Dwayne Bowe,
Hakeem Nicks and
Mike Wallace represent three of our favorite breakout receivers. ...
Vincent Jackson trade rumors are heating up a little, but there is still no resolution in sight and he's also suspended for three games. There's just too much reliable talent around to gamble on Jackson this high. ... The owner that took
Ronnie Brown a round earlier quickly backs him up with
Ricky Williams. I like it, one of them will get hurt at some point.
ROUND SIX1.
Brent Celek, TE, PHI
2.
Steve Smith, WR, NYG
3.
Marion Barber, RB, DAL
4.
Joseph Addai, RB, IND
5.
Pierre Garcon, WR, IND
6.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, NYG
7.
C.J. Spiller, RB, BUF
8.
Justin Forsett, RB, SEA
9.
Johnny Knox, WR, CHI
10.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, ATL
11.
Wes Welker, WR, NE
12.
Jerome Harrison, RB, CLE
Notes: The
Ahmad Bradshaw hype is in full swing now, so getting him a full two rounds after
Brandon Jacobs is great value. ...
Steve Smith (NYG) takes a big hit in non-PPR leagues, but it's still surprising to see him go after
Hakeem Nicks. ... I love
Justin Forsett's talent, but this Seattle backfield is heading for a three-headed monster. Upside is capped. ...
Brent Celek is
Kevin Kolb's best friend. Don't forget it. ... I'm not surprised at all to see
Johnny Knox come off the board this early. He's gone from late-round flier to No. 1 breakout candidate in a few short months. Reach to get him.
Editor's Note: For constantly updating rankings, projections, cheatsheets, tiers and more, get the 2010 Draft Guide!ROUND SEVEN1.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI
2.
Dez Bryant, WR, DAL
3.
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
4.
Montario Hardesty, RB, CLE
5.
Brett Favre, QB, MIN
6.
Percy Harvin, WR, MIN
7.
Santana Moss, WR, WAS
8.
Malcom Floyd, WR, SD
9.
Kenny Britt, WR, TEN
10.
Matt Ryan, QB, ATL
11.
Michael Bush, RB, OAK
12.
Darren McFadden, RB, OAK
Notes: Percy Harvin is a steal here now thanks to
Sidney Rice's injury. ... Owners looking for running back help in this range are going to be speculating heavily.
Darren McFadden has the most talent in the tier, but continues to show very little. He has a big shot Saturday when he'll start the Raiders' third preseason game. ...
Montario Hardesty (knee) has a couple weeks to get his momentum back. ...
Kenny Britt is no longer on my list of players to target. The dude just can't keep his head on straight long enough to earn the trust of his teammates/coaches. ...
Hines Ward and
Santana Moss are two of the rare "veteran sleepers."
ROUND 81.
Braylon Edwards, WR, NYJ
2.
Robert Meachem, WR, NO
3.
Zach Miller, TE, OAK
4.
Devin Hester, WR, CHI
5.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, SEA
6.
Fred Jackson, RB, BUF
7.
Reggie Bush, RB, NO
8.
Clinton Portis, RB, WAS
9.
Donald Driver, WR, GB
10.
Kevin Kolb, QB, PHI
11.
Owen Daniels, TE, HOU
12.
Kellen Winslow, TE, TB
Notes: I've seen
Zach Miller go as high as the sixth round, so adjust accordingly. He should lead the Raiders in targets and catches this year. ...
Owen Daniels and
Kellen Winslow are major injury question marks, but Daniels has more upside. ...
Reggie Bush should have an expanded red-zone role, but he's tough to swallow in non-PPR. ... Love the value of
Kevin Kolb here, more than four rounds after
Jay Cutler. ... It's odd to see a clear starting running back like
Clinton Portis go so late, but this is the correct range thanks to his eroding skills and brutal offensive line.
ROUND 91.
Lee Evans, WR, BUF
2.
Chris Cooley, TE, WAS
3.
Terrell Owens, WR, CIN
4.
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT
5.
Joe Flacco, QB, BAL
6.
Santonio Holmes, WR, NYJ
7.
Visanthe Shiancoe, TE, MIN
8.
Carson Palmer, QB, CIN
9.
Laurence Maroney, RB, NE
10.
Donald Brown, RB, IND
11.
Devin Aromashodu, WR, CHI
12.
LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, NYJ
Notes: If you want to wait on your tight end,
Chris Cooley is a great one to target. ... Interesting strategy by Team 4: Take
Ben Roethlisberger as your QB1 and back it up with
Donovan McNabb for the first five weeks of the season. I can dig it, although I prefer
Matthew Stafford over McNabb. ...
Terrell Owens is much better value here in Round 9 than
Chad Ochocinco was in Round 5.
ROUND 101.
Bernard Berrian, WR, MIN
2.
Eli Manning, QB, NYG
3.
Steve Breaston, WR, ARZ
4. Eagles D
5.
Carnell Williams, RB, TB
6. Jets D
7.
Darren Sproles, RB, SD
8.
Thomas Jones, RB, KC
9.
Donovan McNabb, QB, WAS
10.
Tim Hightower, RB, ARZ
11.
Leon Washington, RB, SEA
12.
Kevin Walter, WR, HOU
Notes: Bernard Berrian gets a boost thanks to the
Sidney Rice news. ... The first defenses come off the board here, and our top-ranked unit goes first. The Jets are a much better choice in real life than in fantasy. ...
Kevin Walter remains in front of
Jacoby Jones on the depth chart, but it's a little surprising to see the veteran with less upside come off the board first.
ROUND 111.
Kareem Huggins, RB, TB
2.
Vince Young, QB, TEN
3.
Jerricho Cotchery, WR, NYJ
4.
Mike Williams, WR, TB
5.
Derrick Mason, WR, BAL
6.
Matthew Stafford, QB, DET
7.
Bernard Scott, RB, CIN
8.
Julian Edelman, WR, NE
9.
John Carlson, TE, SEA
10. Packers D
11. Vikings D
12. Cowboys D
Notes: Crazy amounts of camp buzz around
Kareem Huggins, and it's warranted. He's passed
Derrick Ward for the No. 2 job. ...
Vince Young and
Matthew Stafford represent high-end QB2s with upside. ... The last of the "every-week" defenses come off the board here. After this, I'd mostly play matchups with my defense. ... Great value on
John Carlson here as a TE2.
ROUND 121.
Chad Henne, QB, MIA
2.
Chester Taylor, RB, CHI
3.
Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, CLE
4.
Mark Sanchez, QB, NYJ
5. Steelers D
6.
Jabar Gaffney, WR, DEN
7. 49ers D
8.
Donnie Avery, WR, STL
9.
Legedu Naanee, WR, SD
10. Ravens D
11.
Toby Gerhart, RB, MIN
12.
Jason Snelling, RB, ATL
Notes: Jabar Gaffney and Legedu Nannee stand out as great flier picks. ... The handcuffing starts as Adrian Peterson's owner wisely snags
Toby Gerhart. ...
Mark Sanchez is pretty weak as a QB2, I'd rather roll the dice on a RB or WR here instead.
Editor's Note: Create your own fantasy league at myfantasyleague.com!ROUND 131.
Greg Olsen, TE, CHI
2. Saints D
3.
Rashad Jennings, RB, JAC
4.
Willis McGahee, RB, BAL
5.
Jacoby Jones, WR, HOU
6.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, BUF
7.
Austin Collie, WR, IND
8.
Garrett Hartley, K, NO
9.
Golden Tate, WR, SEA
10.
Mario Manningham, WR, NYG
11.
Steve Slaton, RB, HOU
12.
Heath Miller, TE, PIT
Notes: The first kicker off the board is rightfully
Garrett Hartley, who is a lock as a top-5 fantasy kicker this season. ... The luster has worn off on
Golden Tate as he's been going the wrong way on the depth chart. ...
Jacoby Jones could prove to be the steal of the draft. ... More good handcuffing here with
Rashad Jennings and
Willis McGahee. ...
Greg Olsen is worth a gamble here thanks to his surprising practice usage. But don't take him too much higher in a Mike Martz offense.
ROUND 141.
Chaz Schilens, WR, OAK
2.
Stephen Gostkowski, K, NE
3.
Ryan Longwell, K, MIN
4.
Nate Kaeding, K, SD
5.
Laurent Robinson, WR, STL
6.
Rob Bironas, K, TEN
7.
David Akers, K, PHI
8. Chargers D
9. Giants D
10.
Mason Crosby, K, GB
11.
Robbie Gould, K, CHI
12. Bills D
Notes: Chaz Schilens would be a No. 1 receiver if he could ever get on the field, but don't hold your breath. ... With
Donnie Avery’s knee injury,
Laurent Robinson is locked in as a No. 1 receiver. ... It's impossible to predict which of these kickers will end up best. All are fine picks.
ROUND 15Coming soon...
Editor's Note: For constantly updating rankings, projections, cheatsheets, tiers and more, get the 2010 Draft Guide!Follow
Adam Levitan on Twitter.