English: Baylor quarterback, Robert Griffin III, signing autographs at the 2009 Meet the Bears scrimmage (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you need some insight in what rookies to draft this year and how I predict they perform fantasy-wise this season, please read my rookie reports.

I will dissect at least two rookies per week by looking at their skill set, figuring out their role for this year, making a reasonable estimate for their production, and comparing them to a player you already know.  Just follow the link here: here: http://www.fantasyalarm.com/weekly-nfl-rookie-draft-dynasty-report/

Image via CrunchBase

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out our twitter interviews with David Dobbs at footballguys.com.

My interview can be found here: http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2012/12twitter_andrewmiley.php

Bryan’s interview can be found here: http://subscribers.footballguys.com/2012/12twitter_bryanfontaine.php

Read up on everyone you should be following on twitter there and make sure you follow us both: I’m at @AndrewMiley and Bryan is at @Bryan_Fontaine

You’ve studied our statistics. You’ve seen our analysis. Now you can dominate your Fantasy Football league with the help of the PFF Fantasy team.

Our team of dedicated fantasy experts has produced the most comprehensive fantasy guide out there. Don’t miss out on owning this must read almanac of fantasy knowledge! For less than $8.00 you’ll have access to more than 220 pages of innovative statistical analysis and fantasy content.

Check out the feature’s you’ll find in this year’s guide:

Read the rest of this entry »

We are looking for new and experienced dynasty fantasy football owners to participate in a series of slow mock drafts this offseason. The purpose of these drafts is to establish dynasty league average draft position (ADP) data.

2012 Dynasty ADP | 2012 Dynasty Rankings | 2012 Long-term Dynasty Rankings | 2012 Dynasty Rookie Rankings

You get to practice drafting without having to sign up for a new dynasty league and we get ADP data. Everyone wins. Best of all it is free to participate.

The only ground rule to participate is that you must draft your team as you would in a startup dynasty draft.

Even though these mock drafts are free and for fun, it is expected that everyone participating takes this serious – not only for the benefit of the other drafters, but also produce valid ADP data.

The league format will be the same for each draft and rookies are included. Each “league” will have 12 teams with 20 roster spots, PPR scoring and no kickers or team defense

• 1 QB
• 2 RB
• 3 WR
• 1 TE
• 1 Flex (RB, WR, TE)

The number of drafts will be dependent on the interest level, but the goal is to run these through the early summer. Average Draft Position data will be posted at PFF Fantasy as soon as drafts are completed.

All you need to do is sign up below. Your e-mail will not be sold or given away under any circumstances – it will only be used to sign up your team with MyFantasyLeague.com.

If you have any questions, contact @Bryan_Fontaine on Twitter

Oh, and I’ve probably said it before, but I hate the term ‘expert’. I don’t ever refer myself as one (well except for this post title), and it’s a phrase used way to often in my opinion. If you guys only knew the small differences between you and myself. I am not any smarter than anyone else, but I do invest a lot of time researching and studying – so maybe that’s where I can get an edge.

Anyways, I digress. I did want to post about some of the rookie and start up drafts I am involved in now. I have had one rookie draft wrap up already, another is ongoing, and I am right in the thick of a startup draft:

(So that you can follow along, all my team names are extremely original: Bryan Fontaine)

Hyper Active 1: Rookie Only Draft started Saturday April 28, 2012

I took this team over this offseason, and it was in rough shape. Like no draft picks period in 2012 and 2013 – at all. As you can see, through trades, I acquired six picks in this draft. With a team devoid of talent, I went for the best available player at each pick. I would have liked to add more wide receiver help, but found myself on the wrong end of the WR runs. Ladarius Green was a popular pick. He’s already generating some trade interest.

Hyper Active 2: Rookie Only Draft started Wednesday May 2, 2012

This draft is still on-going, but my picks are complete. A trade last season of Antonio Gates for a future first rounder turned into Kendall Wright, so I am pleased with how that turned out. This roster is also in need of a talent infusion. I took this team over last year, and somehow turned it from a cellar dweller into a surprise playoff team. Several trades later, my roster looks very different from December. I like the direction the team is headed.

Hyper Active 5: Startup Dynasty Draft – started Saturday April 28, 2012

Finally, one of my favorite things to do – a startup draft. A startup draft against some top competition including, but not limited to: Mike Clay, Sigmund Bloom, Andy Miley, Ryan McDowell, Ryan Forbes, Eric Dickens and Shane P. Hallam.

I set out before the draft to acquire as many young players I could in the top 100 picks. I happened to win the draft lottery, and took the rights to the first pick. As you can see, I didn’t pick until the middle of the second round due to several trades. Here they are:

Trade 1:

I traded Pick 1.01 away (Calvin Johnson) to drop down to pick 1.10 and picked up an extra third.

Trade 2:

Pre-draft, I made another move to trade down 5 spots and upgraded my picks in three rounds later in the draft.

Trade 3:

With Trent Richardson on the board at my pick, I traded down again two spots and picked up upgrades in two premium rounds in the fourth and sixth rounds.

Trade 4:

I probably “lost” this trade, but I had plenty of capital to spend after trading down three times before this. Jake Locker was my target, and the cap on my top-100 picks plan.

–

Overall, I am thrilled with my draft (did you expect me to say anything else?). I now have a solid core of players entering their prime, as well as several veterans who can help bridge the gap immediately.

The draft is only half over, and this is probably one of my favorite startup drafts I’ve ever been a part of. I like my results even more given the top competition in the Hyper conference, as well as the Active conference.

Anyways, thank you for helping me get over my writers block. Always helps to write out about 1,000 words to get the creative juices flowing.

Stay tuned for more about this start up draft. You can follow me for more at @Bryan_Fontaine and at PFF Fantasy at Pro Football Focus.

Andrew Luck (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The 2012 NFL Draft has come and gone, but the fantasy season looms on the horizon.  My personal philosophy is TALENT over situation.  I generally utilize my pre-draft rankings based on college tape in combination with how high a player was drafted to create initial dynasty rankings.  That being said, some situations are tempting and have to be accounted for.

Quarterbacks:

1.  Andrew Luck QB/IND

Too talented and the Colts seem to have a developmental plan with weapons

2.  Robert Griffin QB/WAS

Running ability will fool some people to have him #1, but Luck a safer pick

3.  Ryan Tannehill QB/MIA

Fantasy starter upside in a few years

4.  Brandon Weeden QB/CLE

He’ll start ASAP, but how good will he be

5.  Nick Foles QB/PHI

Andy Reid can develop QBs.  Foles could pay dividends down the line for your dynasty team

6.  Brock Osweiler QB/DEN

Developing behind Peyton Manning could help him.  Has the upside of a Luck/RGIII

7.  Kirk Cousins QB/WAS

If RGIII does go down, Cousins could step in and be a spot fantasy starter

8.  BJ Coleman QB/GB

We know how well GB develops QB talent, and Rodgers still has that concussion history.  Worth a shot

9.  Russell  Wilson QB/SEA

If Flynn fails, Wilson could get a shot.  Running ability should help for fantasy.

10. Ryan Lindley QB/ARI

Not as much competition as many before him and throws some excellent balls

11. Chandler Harnish QB/IND

See Kirk Cousins, but Harnish as a longer way to go

12. Aaron Corp QB/BUF

Could be an opening on that core and Corp has pretty good tools

13. GJ Kinne QB/NYJ

I know Tebow/Sanchez are in front of him, but he has some attributes on par with them.

14. Case Keenum QB/HOU

Kubiak likes him a lot, could make the roster

15. Austin Davis QB/STL

Nice mobility, productive starter.  Could make the roster.

Running backs:

1.  Trent Richardson RB/CLE

Comes in as an every down back, stud for 5 years.

2.  Doug Martin RB/TB

Instant starter, solid runner.  Only fear is he ends up like Donald Brown, but Martin has talents in every facet of the game

3.  David Wilson RB/NYG

Great fit to compliment Bradshaw.  Not an every week starter, but in PPR could be very valuable.

4.  Lamar Miller RB/MIA

Injury issues aside, 2^nd most talented back in the draft.  Can beat out Thomas and be the man in two years.

5. Isaiah Pead RB/STL

One of the better situations, but can he be an every down back like the Top 4?  That is the big question.

6.  Lamichael James RB/SF

Talent over situation.  Gore is done, Jacobs may be cut, James could have value end of the year and beyond

7.  Robert Turbin RB/SEA

Can win the back-up job to Lynch and snake carries by the end of the year.  Tough tough runner.

8.  Chris Rainey RB/PIT

Lots of catches, high upside, but likely needs developing.  Have to love the situation.

9.  Cyrus Gray RB/KC

If another injury happens, Gray can step in.  Talented player who fits very well.

10. Bernard Pierce RB/BAL

Meat and Potatoes runner to back-up Ray Rice.  Handcuff who could pay dividends at the goal line.

11. Ronne Hillman RB/DEN

Overdrafted, is he fast or quick enough for the league?  Situation is great, but be weary.

12. Edwin Baker RB/SD

Could go the way of Jordan Todman, but he is a great compliment to Ryan Mathews and doesn’t have much competition.

13. Vick Ballard RB/IND

As talented as Delone Carter, could compete for spot on the roster

14. Dan Herron RB/CIN

Talent over situation, not as good as BJGE or Scott.  Could stick on the roster though and get some PT out of necessity.

15. Terrence Ganaway RB/NYJ

Can he even beat out Bilal Powell?  Too many cooks in this kitchen for Ganaway to make it.  Maybe as a back-up FB.

16. Michael Smith RB/TB

Could get on as a 3^rd RB if healthy.  Nice compliment to the other two runners, but has an uphill climb

17. Alfred Morris RB/WAS

Shanny could use him, and he could beat out Royster.  Not talented, but fits one cut system

18. Bryce Brown RB/PHI

Has upside, but could be out of the league before the season starts.  High reward if he hits, but long road ahead

19. Chris Polk RB/PHI

Degenerative hip caused his fall, but he is talented.  Can he win the 3^rd RB spot over Brown?  You decide.

20. Daryl Richardson RB/STL

Could make the team as the #3, but very developmental in instincts/cuts

21. Jonathan Grimes RB/HOU

Houston signed 3 RBs (Davin Meggett, Jason Ford, and Jonathan Grimes).  Everyone will talk up the other two, but Grimes has Ahmad Bradshaw type ability.  DEEP sleeper for the team that found Arian Foster in the rough.

22. Bobby Rainey RB/BAL

Baltimore needs to replace those RBs, and Rainey is a productive player who fits their mold.

23. Marc Tyler RB/GB

There is a need, not sure if he makes a roster, but there is upside here

24. Tauren Poole RB/CAR

Cluttered situation, but a talented player from Tennessee who showed roster skill.

25. Darrell Scott RB/DAL

Another talented back who quit on his teams.  Dallas does need someone to compete with Tanner though.

Wide Receiver:

1.  Justin Blackmon WR/JAC

Talent over situation, and though he starts from Day 1, you can’t like Gabbert throwing him the ball,

2.  Kendall Wright WR/TEN

Less downside than Floyd and a good young core where he won’t be asked to do too much.

3.  AJ Jenkins WR/SF

May be overdrafted but he will be a very productive player for the 49ers and is a great fit if they start to pass more.

4.  Michael Floyd WR/ARI

Talent is there, upside is there, but Kolb and Fitz limit it for fantasy perhaps.

5.  Stephen Hill WR/NYJ

Raw, but should start early.   Has upside of a Randy Moss, so worth a flyer if you have the time to be patient.

6.  Alshon Jeffery WR/CHI

Bears had him rated as 3^rd best WR, and he can be if everything goes his way.  Will he be motivated?  If so, could be a scary #2.

7.  Mohamed Sanu WR/CIN

Doesn’t have much upside and will have to compete for the job with Marvin Jones, but if he gets the #2 spot, he can be used a lot.

8.  DeVier Posey WR/HOU

The opening is there and the talent is there, he just needs to put his head in his playbook and hunker down.

9.  Marvin Jones WR/CIN

Take your pick of Sanu and Jones.  One will work out, grab both to hedge your bets?

10.  Brian Quick WR/STL

Needs development, but situation is open.  I’ll let someone else pounce on him.

11. Chris Givens WR/STL

Slot type who is better than Greg Salas.  If he toughens up, could be a starter.  Would almost take him over Quick.

12. Ryan Broyles WR/DET

We’ll see if the ACL is healed, may need a year, but he fits so well in the slot role in the middle of the field

13. Juron Criner WR/OAK

Type of WR they need.  Big, long, possession.  Kind of have to get him on the field in this offense.

14. Greg Childs WR/MIN

Some massive upside if healthy and there is an opening to be productive.  Big time sleeper.

15. TJ Graham WR/BUF

Slot WR for them, but more talented than anyone sans Steve Johnson

16. Danny Coale WR/DAL

Not overly talented, but can fill the Laurent Robinson role.  With how much this team passes, could work out fantasy wise.

17. Rueben Randle WR/NYG

Dislike the player, but see the fit.  Probably will go too early for my tastes.

18. TY Hilton WR/IND

Jerrel Jernigan esque, but not much competition and a big bump in return yardage leagues,

19. Joe Adams WR/CAR

Adams speed with Cam Newton’s arm is very scary.  High upside pick.

20. Devon Wylie WR/KC

If healthy, can be a dynamic weapon.  Wylie is a risky dynasty selection, but could take over for Breaston sooner rather than later

21. Keshawn Martin WR/HOU

Fits in he slot, maybe not a big time player, but could be a #4 in Houston to start the season

22. Nick Toon WR/NO

Fits to replace Meachem’s production perhaps, but injuries REALLY could crop up.

23. Rishard Matthew WR/MIA

Situation is open and a much better player than Cunningham who was drafted higher.

24. Jarius Wright WR/MIN

Really like him, wonder if he can fit into the slot for Vikings.

25. Tommy Streeter WR/BAL

High upside, but could fizzle out.

26. Marvin McNutt WR/Iowa

Very talented, but upside is limited

27. LaVon Brazill WR/IND

Pretty talented and could make the roster or at least PS

28. BJ Cunningham WR/MIA

Situation is good, talent is poor.  Think Austin Pettis’ impact last year

29. Junior Hemingway WR/KC

Big upside, but may struggle to find a spot on the Chiefs

30. Jordan White WR/NYJ

Productive WR, maybe can be a #4 or #5.

31. Travis Benjamin WR/CLE

Josh Cribbs part 2 at best

32. Tony Clemons WR/PIT

Developmental Practice Squad type

33. Jeremy Ebert WR/NYJ

Productive player, but has development to go

34. Dale Moss WR/GB

High upside player on a passing offense?  I like!

35. Eric Page WR/DEN

Very quick and fast player.  Productive and could see the roster

36. Jeff Fuller WR/MIA

Paired with his old QB.  If you get junior Fuller, you will be sitting pretty.

37. Dwight Jones WR/HOU

Fits the team well if motivated

38. Julian Talley WR/NYG

UDFA type from the school and team that found Victor Cruz.  Coincidence?  He is very talented and quick

39. Patrick Edwards WR/DET

Slot WR that could make the team if Broyles isn’t ready.

40. Chris Owusu WR/SF

Goes with the former coach.  If over concussion issues, he can be a weapon

Tight End:

1.  Coby Fleener TE/IND

Back with Luck, no real competition from vets, pass catcher and red zone threat.  Very nice

2.  Ladarius Green TE/SD

Heir apparent to Antonio Gates with huge upside.  Worth a shot

3.  Evan Rodriguez TE/CHI

Really talented pass catcher and can block some too.  No competition in Chicago really, could make a real impact.

4.  Dwayne Allen TE/IND

Sure, he has Fleener there, but in a two TE system, you have to imagine he gets his shot.

5.  Michael Egnew TE/MIA

Has some talent as a receiver, but will compete with Fasano and Clay

6.  Orson Charles TE/CIN

Great talent, but has some mental lapses.  How much PT will he get?

7,  Adrien Robinson TE/NYG

Type of TE the Giants like and he has as much talent as Ballard at the very least.

8.  Taylor Thompson TE/TEN

Huge upside, but hasn’t played TE in 4 years.  High risk

9.  James Hanna TE/DAL

Natural to take over for Martellus Bennett

10. Derek Carrier TE/OAK

For a team that has no TEs, Carrier is a player who could shoot up the roster

11. DeAngelo Peterson TE/STL

Raw, but productive TE.  Could find a role on the Rams.

12. David Paulson TE/PIT

Pittsburgh lacks TE depth, Paulson could make the team.

13. Brian Linthicum TE/NYJ

Blocking TE to Keller’s pass catching?

14. Brad Smelley TE/CLE

Tweener, but could provide an interesting threat

15. Matt Veldman TE/JAC

Has some upside catching passes.

This is an extremely deep class, especially at WR, for dynasty leagues.  Trade down in your rookie drafts if you can to pick up picks and see who pans out in camp.  Those that do may pay rich dividends.

For more from Shane P. Hallam, please follow him on Twitter.

If you have sent in a request to join from the contact form, I need to review new candidates before sending any invites.

Thank you again to MyFantasyLeague.com for hosting!

Related articles

• PFF Fantasy – 2012 Dynasty ADP Drafts (dynastyblitz.com)