Knee deep in your rookie draft or just getting ready? Two weeks after the actual NFL Draft held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Jim Day of www.goaheadsports.com and www.twitterfantasyfootball.com and I reassembled three of our contemporaries: Joe Everett of www.rookiedraft.com and www.nfldraftbible.com, Ryan Burns of www.footballsickness.com , and Brian Quinlan of www.ffsentinel.com to draft a fantasy rookie draft.
The draft was held live on Blog Talk Radio on Saturday May 14th. The scoring was PPR decimal scoring with 1 point per 10 yards of rushing/receiving, 1 point per 20 yards passing, and all touchdowns worth 6 points. Defensive scoring was 1 point per tackle and pass defended with 2 points per sack and turnover. As there were only five of us participating, we drafted five picks a round and then reversed the draft order for a total of 17 rounds! The audio version of this draft can be heard here http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mkesportsgeeks/2011/05/15/twitter-roundtable
Once again I will shorten up the process by referring to everyone by their first name only. The number bolded is where the player was selected on the pre-draft show held on April 23rd.
1.1 (1.1) Brian selected CAR WR AJ Green – This is your safest pick in any PPR draft even to the Bengals. Take Green with confidence.
1.2 (1.3) Joe selected ATL WR Julio Jones – Perfect spot for him as he will not see double coverage with Roddy White around and grows old with Matty Ice.
1.3 (1.2) Ryan selected NO RB Mark Ingram – He is the consensus number #1 RB. His documented knee injuries are a concern. Ingram should take the starting job and never look back.
1.4 (1.4) Jim selected ARIZ RB Ryan Williams – If it weren’t for an injury plagued 2010, he might have been the #1 RB in this draft. Beanie isn’t much of a threat in Arizona.
1.5 (4.1) Andy selected CLE WR Greg Little – He still is a huge boom or bust pick; however, Mike Holmgren will be highly involved in his development and knows a thing or two about turning around knucklehead players.
2.1 (6.2) Andy selected MIA RB Daniel Thomas – He runs too upright, but very well could be given keys to the Miami running game.
2.2 (2.5) Jim selected WASH WR Leonard Hankerson – He seems to have a clear path to start and be productive on a team that likes to throw.
2.3 (1.5) Ryan selected DET RB Mikel Leshoure – He gets to be a part of great looking offense on paper, but what size role will he make for himself with Jahvid “I don’t need my toes” Best in front of him.
2.4 (4.4) Joe selected IND RB Delone Carter – Carter might not be the starter from the “get go”, but he is consistent enough to surpass Donald Brown and eventually replace a gimpy Joseph Addai.
2.5 (2.1) Brian selected GB WR Randall Cobb – He may turn out to be a #3 or #4 WR in 2011 who also returns kicks. Other than Jennings and Finley, Rodger’s weapons are “not all that.” Take the multi-talented Cobb.
3.1 (6.1) Brian selected NYJ RB Bilal Powell – He does everything well, but nothing spectacular. HC Ryan will appreciate his consistency and Shonn Greene, what have you done or proven? Oh, that’s right, you let a fading former superstar in LaDanian take YOUR job without a fight. Powell will fight harder than LT or McKnight will.
3.2 (2.3) Joe selected SF RB Kendall Hunter – He won’t start right away in San Francisco, but he has great agility and quick feet. I believe Hunter will be used more in an attempt to keep Gore healthy.
3.3 (2.2) Ryan selected BAL WR Torrey Smith – Smith is not DHB, but he does have the same type of speed. The Ravens need a playmaker like Smith that stretches the field.
3.4 (3.5) Jim selected DAL RB DeMarco Murray – Felix Jones and Tashard Choice are in front of him until training camp starts. I’d say by week two, Murray jumps in front of Choice. Perhaps by December, Murray is the chosen one in Dallas.
3.5 (4.5) Andy selected NE RB Shane Vereen – Yes, it is a crowded backfield and it will take time to get Belichick’s trust. Vereen has the most talent of that RB core. Woody is a talented guy, but more as a receiver out of the backfield or slot guy.
4.1 (8.4) Andy selected SD WR Vincent Brown – Surprise, I got slammed for making this pick as early as I did. Gates’ body is breaking down, Vincent Jackson is talented and Malcolm Floyd is not so much. In a pass first offense, Brown will get an opportunity to start as a #3 WR and become a solid #2 WR in a pass first offense.
4.2 (5.1) Jim selected NYG WR Jerrel Jernigan – He could have some value if Steve Smith doesn’t come back, but can he beat out Victor Cruz or Ramses Barden? I say he looks like an athlete on game film, but not good hands. I selected him in one draft with the 36th pick and that was because everyone else was gone.
4.3 (3.2) Ryan selected KC WR Jonathan Baldwin – He has the size, the skills, and the 5 cent head. I’m not sure if Baldwin will put it together or how long before he tries throwing his coaching staff under the bus. He is a big risk/reward guy.
4.4 (11.1) Joe selected GB RB Alex Green – Green is a great pass catcher, but tends to fumble a lot. I see him as more of a Brandon Jackson replacement, but Joe thinks he has the skills to supplant Grant and Starks.
4.5 (5.2) Brian selected DET WR Titus Young – With all the other offensive weapons (Calvin, Pettigrew, Best, Leshoure), Young will get single coverage then watch him take advantage.
5.1 (11.1) Brian selected WASH RB Roy Helu, Jr – We talked about Helu for a while on the show. Jim and Brian think that Shanahan can make a RB out of anyone. Coach couldn’t make Torain get it done last year. Helu runs too upright and is too much of finesse runner with a very limited o-line, bad combo.
5.2 (6.3) Joe selected TB LB Mason Foster – He is a great fit for the Tampa Bay defense especially if Ruud moves on.
5.3 (5.3) Ryan selected MIA WR Edmund Gates – Gates brings speed to Miami. HOF CB Darrell Green, age 51, could come out of retirement and still beat B-Marsh, Bess, and Hartline in a foot race. Gates is a little bit older than most rookies, but seems to have the work ethic to become successful.
5.4 (UR) Jim selected DEN LB Nate Irving – Hard to imagine this guy wasn’t even in our top 85 a few weeks ago. It was an oversight, but he goes into a great situation and will produce from Day 1.
5.5 (5.5) Andy selected MIN TE Kyle Rudolph – Clearly, he is the most talented TE in his class. Rudolph might start out as a #2 TE for Minnesota, but I believe he will help pack Shiancoe’s bags out-of-town.
6.1 (10.2) Andy selected STL DE Robert Quinn – The Rams defensive line is improving and offensive lines will need to worry about a fresh Chris Long, James Hall, and Quinn making plays. I think he makes a significant impact by October.
6.2 (10.5) Jim selected TEN LB Colin McCarthy – Google a picture of a thumper and you will find McCarthy. To use a Rocky IV quote: “what he hits, he destroys.”
6.3 (6.5) Ryan selected DEN LB Von Miller – After the beating Brian took last time, he knew not to pick him this early. Obviously, Ryan didn’t download the previous draft or read the recap. Miller is an outstanding athlete and he likes to bear hug Roger Goodell too long, but he still isn’t a good fit for a 4-3 defense.
6.4 (12.2) Joe selected STL TE Lance Kendricks – One of the true big movers in a very limited TE class, has found himself in a good situation with a QB that likes throwing to his TE. OC McDaniels doesn’t have an original thought so he will rip off the 2010 Patriots game plan and feature the TE.
6.5 (5.4) Brian selected NO LB Martez Wilson – He is one of the few LBs that is versatile enough to play both ILB and OLB. The Saints need new LB blood.
7.1 (3.3) Brian selected TEN QB Jake Locker – Locker is the first fantasy QB off the board. He is extremely mobile and struggles with accuracy, but is a playmaker. Too bad, he only has Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt as offensive threats.
7.2 (8.1) Joe selected DAL LB Bruce Carter – Carter can rush the passer while having the quickness and agility to get all over the field. He is coming off a lower leg injury so his playing time may be limited in 2011, but will dominate when healthy.
7.3 (8.2) Ryan selected ARIZ LB Quan Sturdivant – He will find himself behind the consistent, but average Paris Lennon. Sturdivant will find himself lining up next to Daryl Washington before the end of 2011.
7.4 (2.4) Jim selected JAX QB Blaine Gabbert – The Jags are ready to move on from Garrard. Gabbert should find himself the starter by week 10 (week after their bye). He has a great RB core to work with alongside breakout Marcedes Lewis and a host of #3 WRs.
7.5 (11.5) Andy selected STL WR Greg Salas – Another controversial pick according to Ryan, but Jim defended my pick quite nicely. Bradford needs playmakers and great route runners. Salas may never be the quickest, strongest or fastest, but he is a precision route runner with a special ability to find openings in defenses.
8.1 (9.3) Andy selected ATL RB Jacquizz Rodgers – The Falcons are laying the ground work for what their offense will look like without Michael Turner, West Coast. Rodgers fits a pass-first offense with great downfield targets so he can work the short-game.
8.2 (NR) Jim selected STL WR Austin Pettis – Jim sees Pettis as more of the long-term WR for the Rams. The problem is Pettis can’t sink his hips and runs too high.
8.3 (3.1) Ryan selected CAR QB Cam Newton – He is a tremendous athlete, will that be enough? Jim doesn’t think so, but Ryan pointed out Cam has always played within whatever system was put in front of him. He is another big risk/reward selection.
8.4 (3.4) Joe selected MIN QB Christian Ponder – I see a Chad Pennington type career as he is smart and makes good decisions. Ponder has had significant injuries, but has a great running game and talented WRs in Harvin and Sidney Rice, if Rice stays.
8.5 (9.1) Brian selected TB TE Luke Stocker – Brian feels that Stocker will fit right in when “Da Soldier” leaves Tampa. My feelings are a bit different as Stocker is more of a blocker and not very dynamic, aka a scarecrow (just for show).
9.1 (7.2) Brian selected BAL WR Tandon Doss – Brian thinks that he will replace Derrick Mason in Baltimore. I think that Torrey Smith is far and away a better talent, but what do I know?
9.2 (11.3) Joe selected OAK WR Denarius Moore – The consensus is that Moore could be Oakland’s best WR. The true question is Pink’s eternal question ”so what?”
9.3 (11.2) Ryan selected TEN LB Akeem Ayers – He has the speed and quickness to play at the next level, but I’m not sure if he is physical enough to play well and be an IDP stalwart.
9.4 (16.4) Jim selected CLE DE Jabaal Sheard – He is a very athletic guy who became the stud of the Browns d-line by default. Sheard is good, but everyone else isn’t, so he may draw triple teams instead of the customary double team.
9.5 (14.1) Andy selected CIN QB Andy Dalton – I am not amazed by his arm, but he is teachable and has some weapons at his disposal right away. He gets to grow old with AJ Green, Jerome Simpson, and Jermaine Gresham, not too shabby.
10.1 (7.1) Andy selected PHI RB Dion Lewis – Going back to sitting behind LeSean McCoy, didn’t help Lewis’ value. Truly, Lewis has a subdued skill set of McCoy. This selection is more about the ability of Lewis to produce when giving McCoy a breather or filling in for an injury.
10.2 (4.2) Jim selected SD RB Jordan Todman – Jim sees him getting some playing time as Matthews couldn’t grab the rock from a converted FB in Tolbert in 2010. Todman can’t catch and has almost zero experience pass blocking. In River’s mind, that adds up to seeing the field during garbage time, while Rivers is on the sidelines.
10.3 (4.3) Ryan selected OAK RB Taiwan Jones – Ryan is right as Jones is explosive and a playmaker when healthy. If Michael Bush stays on, Taiwan will only have value if McFadden gets hurt.
10.4 (10.3) Joe selected NO DE Cameron Jordan – New Orleans has been looking for a more imposing presence on the d-line and they found it with Jordan.
10.5 (9.2) Brian selected NYG RB De’Rel Scott – Scott is a very good scat type of back and would fill-in nicely if Ahmad Bradshaw decided to leave in free agency.
As I don’t want this to be a 30 minute read, here are the results of rounds 11-17.
11.1 (NR) BUFF DT Marcell Dareus (Brian)
11.2 (16.3) PHI S Jaiquawn Jarrett (Joe)
11.3 (NR) NYJ WR Jeremy Kerley (Ryan)
11.4 (8.5) NYG LB Greg Jones (Jim)
11.5 (14,4) PHI LB Casey Matthews (Andy)
12.1 (13.1) WAS WR Niles Paul (Andy)
12.2 (NR) TEN RB Jamie Harper (Jim)
12.3 (13.3) BUF LB Kelvin Sheppard (Ryan)
12.4 (NR) TB DE Adrian Clayborn (Joe)
12.5 (NR) PIT LB Chris Carter (Brian)
13.1 (16.2) SF WR Ronald Johnson (Brian)
13.2 (NR) JAX WR Cecil Shorts (Joe)
13.3 (NR) CLE TE Jordan Cameron (Ryan)
13.4 (NR) DAL WR Dwayne Harris (Jim)
13.5 (14.2) SF QB Colin Kaepernick (Andy)
14.1 (NR) PIT CB Curtis Brown (Andy)
14.2 (NR) DEN S Quinton Carter (Jim)
14.3 (12.1) KC LB Justin Houston (Ryan)
14.4 (9.4) NE RB Stevan Ridley (Joe)
14.5 (7.5) ARIZ Patrick Peterson (Brian)
15.1 (NR) TB RB Allen Bradford (Brian)
15.2 (NR) MIN LB Ross Homan (Joe)
15.3 (NR) SEA LB KJ Wright (Ryan)
15.4 (8.3) GB TE DJ Williams (Jim)
15.5 (NR) BUF RB Johnny White (Andy)
16.1 (NR) SD LB Jonas Mouton (Andy)
16.2 (11.4) FA WR Dane Sanzenbacher (Jim)
16.3 (NR) CAR WR Kealoha Pilares (Ryan)
16.4 (7.3) NE QB Ryan Mallett (Joe)
16.5 (NR) ATL LB Akeem Dent (Brian)
17.1 (12.3) BUF CB Aaron Williams (Brian)
17.2 (15.2) NYG S Tyler Sash (Joe)
17.3 (17.5) DEN S Rahim Moore (Ryan)
17.4 (14.5) TB DE Da’Quan Bowers (Jim)
17.5 (NR) HOU CB Brandon Harris (Andy)
Here are a few that dropped off the list:
WR-Terrance Tolliver
LB-Aldon Smith
CB-Prince Amukamara
DE-Ryan Kerrigan
DT-Corey Luiget
SS-DeAndre McDaniel
TE-Julius Thomas
RB-Chad Spann
RB-Derrick Locke
DE- JJ Watt
