So last Saturday my league did our annual offline draft at my house. Let me tell you just like every year it was a blast. Everyone brought food and we drafted for a solid 3 hours at the least. This year we made the league a money league, first place walks away with $110 then second place gets $30 and 3rd gets $10.
This is how my league is set up, its rather big (14 teams) which is why it took so long.
QB
RB
RB
WR
WR
WR
TE
K
DEF
D
DB
DB
LB
LB
DL
10 bench spots
So before I list my team, I made a trade during the draft, unhappy with my receiving core, I dealt Knowshon Moreno, Willis Mcgahee and Deion Branch for J.Addai and Braylon Edwards. I like the deal on both ends. Moreno was tough to give up I see a lot of potential in the kid, however I like what I'm getting in return. Edwards is on a contract year and he is really all they have now without Kellen, I think he could easily regain his form from two years ago. If not well that's why you take the risks. As for Addai, as you will see I only need him to preform the first three weeks, if he wants to get injured after that, then so be it. When he's healthy I still see him as a viable fantasy option.
This is what my team looks like after the trade.
QB- Brees
RB- T.Jones
RB- J.Addai (Look at my bench for my real starter)
WR-Edwards
WR- S.Moss
WR- J.Cotchery
TE- K.Winslow
K-Tynes
Def-San Diego
D-Vilma
DB-Weddle
DB- N.Collins
DL- Shaun Rodgers
LB- Paul Poz
LB- D'Qwell Jackson
BENCH
Marshawn Lynch (Not active for first three weeks)
I.Bruce
J.Maclin
D.Heyward-Bey
A. Fasano
J. Campbell
J. Fargas
Shonn Greene
Juaquin Igelesias
Ok, let's start with my big gun. Yes, I took a quarterback with my first pick, I know I didn't go traditional RB,RB, but how could I pass up on a guy who was just 15 yards short of breaking Dan Marino's single season passing record. The NFL is turning pretty pass heavy especially from a fantasy aspect, with most teams going for the two-back system. In my league alone last year Brees had 3o more point then any other player at any position. The thing I like about Brees is how sure thing of a pick he is, look at the team he has around him. With weapons like Colston, Moore, Henderson, Meachem and even Shockey, he has a chance to go after that record again. He fell to me at the 9th pick and I just couldn't resist.
Now onto my running backs, I made a few interesting picks here. For one, I don't understand why everyone is hating on the pro-bowler of last year, Thomas Jones. Leon Washington is a versatile player, but he cant handle the workload, which is why Jones should get plenty of touches again this season. The biggest reason why Jones is a fantasy gem, is he gets the goal-line touches, which is a fantasy players dream. As for Marshawn Lynch, the guy is a top 10 running back when he plays. He was just sitting there calling my name in the 4th round. I originally took Moreno in the 3rd planning on getting some insurance for the weeks Lynch is suspended, but I now have that covered with Addai. Lynch will produce like he always does after he returns, I think he was a steal in the 4th round. The signing of T.O. will take even less focus off the young Lynch, which I am excited to see.
My receiving core, got a whole lot better after I brought in Edwards. I hated starting Deion Branch, and I never had any intention to. I love Cotchery this year, I mean who else do the Jets really have to throw to. Keller, may steal some touchdowns but Cotchery will be Dirty Sanchez's go to guy. Santana Moss consistently puts up good, not great numbers. At this point, I see him as my number three. Moss should give me a healthy 1,000 yards and 7 t.d.'s this season.
Kellen Winslow is always so underrated, I got right around the middle of the pack for tight ends. I am really excited to see what he can do in a Tampa Bay offense that has always been big on the tight end. If you look at Alex Smith's numbers they were always consistanly in the top 10 for tight ends. As long as Winslow can stay healthy he will be an undervalued player for me this year.
At the kicker position, I might say I am a homer going with my New York boy. If you know anything about me, you know I love New York Sports. Giants, Mets, Knicks and S.U. are my diehards. So go Tynes!!
I love the San Diego Defense. I think as long as everyone can stay healthy, they can play in the form they did in the playoffs last season. I think they have one of the most undervalued secondaries in the league, lead by the young Antonio Cromartie, one of my favorite corners. I drafted Eric Weddle as one of my DB's, the San Diego Safety surprisingly ranked 3rd in points of all defensive backs last season, I hope to see more big tackles and interceptions from him this season. They also got the roid user in Merriman who will be sure to rack me in some sacks, and how can you not love the big men Luis Castillo and Jamal Williams plugging up that D-line. I expect game changing plays from them this year and big points (hopefully not against them).
My defensive players really have one thing in common. With the exception of Shaun Rodgers and Nick Collins they all get a lot of tackles. My defensive point system is big on three things tackles, interceptions and sacks. I built my team around all three of those. Vilma, Jackson and Weddle all had at least 95 solo tackles last year not to mention at least 20 assisted. Poz, was close to the same. I just love the young kids (Poz) potential, if he can stay heathly he can get me some big points this season. Rodgers is my sack guy, he got 5 last year, not a whole heck of a lot but give me his 75 tackles on top of that and I like what I have. Add in Collins with 7 interceptions and we have hit every category.
Some highlights of my bench....
Well for one you can see I always start out with an all offensive bench. You can always get defensive players or kickers or defensive teams on free agency. I like to draft guys with potential and if they don't work out, I drop them and grab a defensive player.
As you can tell I love my rookies, especially the WR's. I just love Maclin's potential, Mcnabb and Jackson really played well together last season, and Mcnabb loves his rookies. I could see Maclin potentially putting up the same kind of numbers Jackson did last season. Heyward-bey to be honest I think will be a bust. I got him in the second to last round and hes listed as the number one receiver for now, I think it was a terrible choice especially at seven in the draft, but maybe Al Davis knows something we don't (doubt it). For those of you who don't know who Juaquin Iglesias is, I suggest you look him up. This guy was a standout in college at Oklahoma. He's very fast running a 40 time of 4.4, at the combine. He has great hands and speed and reminds me a bit of Eddie Royal with Cutler last season. I think he could fill Royal's role or even exceed it with Cutler and the Bears, I'm expecting great things from him. Bruce and Fasano will both be good off the bench, nothing flashy but if Kellen, or one of my receivers go down, I know I have a temporary fill with both of them. My other rookie Greene, I simply picked up just in case something happens to Jones, as long as things are going smooth with Jones, he wont last on my team that long. I was hoping to get Washington, but he was drafted too early. Last but not least the QB's. I'm worried ab. Sage, not because of what he can do on the field, hes a great guy to have, but im worried about Favre coming in and stealing the starting role. Campbell is just an emergency option but he may turn into my back-up, if Favre decides to come back. I guess we will have to wait and see.
All in all, I really love my team this year. I am projected to have the second most points behind our leagues dynasty (hes won 3 of 4 years, I won the other), Matt Goodwin. After looking over his team, I must say he is one of my biggest competitions as he always is, but I feel I have the team to beat this year.
If anyone is reading this, let me know what you think.
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