Expert Draft: Bush Goes Before LJ
June 13, 2008 at 7:33 am | Article by Paul Hickey |
Print This Page
| 
E-mail to Friend
Recently, I participated in Fantasy Football Indepth’s expert challenge, where No-Offseason.com went head-to-head with publications like Rotoworld.com, Pro Football Weekly, CBSSports.com, Athlon Sports, FantasyGuru.com, USA Today, Fanball.com and more. The other day, I showed you the first round, but now let’s take a look at why Reggie Bush was taken before Larry Johnson in round two.
The first round of seasonal fantasy drafts can go any number of ways, so owners need to be preian pared for a number of scenarios. For example, picking seventh overall, we knew there was a distinct possibility that we’d have to abandon our typical RB-RB draft strategy and adapt to taking a wide receiver in the first round. As you’ll read, we weren’t the only ones to make a decision to select a position other than RB in round one.
2.1 - 13th overall - ProFootballWeekly.com - Terrell Owens, Cowboys WR - After snagging Tom Brady in round one, PFW grabbed T.O. with the first pick in the second round, a trend that we expect to see a lot, and one that actually makes sense in leagues where you’re required to start at least three WRs. This format is very conducive to taking a top WR early in round two, in that it also allows for an RB/WR flex spot. All-in-all, T.O. hasn’t lost a step and will be one of the top three fantasy WRs in 2008. Solid pick.
2.2 - 14th overall - FantasyFootballTrader.com - Reggie Wayne, Colts WR - This, believe it or not, might end up being the best value pick in the second round. It may seem a little early for Reggie Wayne, and based on his past track record, that’s a true statement…however, Wayne is worth it. In the upcoming Athlon/Grogan’s Fantasy Football Analyst Magazine, I’ve published an article on drafting WR-WR in rounds one and two. If you’re implying that strategy, Wayne must be your second WR - over T.O. - buy the mag or join the USP to find out why!
2.3 - 15th overall - Fanball.com - Reggie Bush, Saints RB - I spoke to Ryan Houston from Fanball.com about this pick, and explained to him that I liked it. He was hesitant that taking Reggie Bush before Larry Johnson might be a bad move - not true. Since players are awarded one point for every reception in this format, Bush has an extremely high ceiling after catching 88 balls in 2006 and 73 balls in only 12 games in 2007. After missing the final four games of 2007 with a knee injury, Bush is more motivated than ever to come back and post solid numbers in 2008.
2.4 - 16th overall - USA Today - Larry Johnson, Chiefs RB - L.J. at this spot is an awesome value - no question about it. We wouldn’t have blamed USA Today for taking him with their first round pick, let alone their second round pick. With a revamped offensive line and a new offensive coordinator, Johnson should have a solid 1,300 yard, 10-12 TD season.
2.5 - 17th overall - Athlon Sports - Andre Johnson, Texans WR - We consider Johnson one of our brainchildren. We’ve promoted how good this guy is for a long time now, and in 2008 - he’s ready to show it. Had he played all 16 games in 2008, his stats would’ve rivaled those of Randy Moss, so we’re extremely excited to see what he can do. His knee was a concern earlier this off-season, but the most recent word is that he’ll be 100 percent by training camp. If you’re drafting in late August, Johnson may actually be gone by this point.
2.6 - 18th overall - No-Offseason.com - Ryan Grant, Packers RB - T.O., Wayne and Andre Johnson were all players I was hoping would fall to me here, however - I was NOT sad to select Ryan Grant. The 25 year old RB is definitely worthy of a first round selection, if not a mid-first round selection, so I think I did great from a value standpoint with this pick. He’s not practicing right now due to a contract dispute, but won’t miss any time, and is a clear cut 1,500 yard candidate in 2008.
2.7 - 19th overall - Rotoworld.com - Steve Smith, Panthers WR - With the run being more on wide-outs than on RBs in round two, Rotoworld decided to grab Carolina’s Steve Smith. He hasn’t been the same since his 2005 breakout campaign, but maybe Rotoworld is banking on a Jake Delhomme comeback and an improved running game helping Smith’s cause in 2008. If so, that’s not bad thinking. This is the earliest we’ve seen him go in drafts thus far.
2.8 - 20th overall - FantasyGuru.com - Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals WR - Fitz being taken before Marques Colston and Braylon Edwards is a tiny bit questionable in my opinion, but not far-fetched. The run on WRs continues. The main question I have with Fitz’s value this season is - what type of motivation does he have after signing a monstrosity of a contract this off-season. I believe Anquan Boldin is the hungrier of the two, thus the better fantasy option in 2008.
2.9 - 21st overall - CBSSports.com - Braylon Edwards, Browns WR - Notice all these WRs being taken, and still no Chad Johnson and Brandon Marshall. One thing about drafting in June is that guys like Ocho Cinco and Brandon Marshall will come cheaper than normal - like Hines Ward and T.O. in 2005. Still, Edwards is a great pick here, as he’s primed to repeat his breakout season in Cleveland’s ever-improving offense.
2.10 - 22nd overall - FantasyPlaymakers.com - Peyton Manning, Colts QB - Why? Why? Why? Why? I just don’t understand taking a QB in the first or second round. Nor do I recommend it - for the record. You need to start 2-3 RBs, 3-4 WRs and 1-2 TEs in this format. You only need 1 QB - and he better be damn better than all the rest to be taking him this early.
2.11 - 23rd overall - FFIndepth.com - Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars RB - A solid choice. Fred Taylor won’t repeat last season’s 1,000 yard performance, and Mojo will see more and more work. The longer this kid stays on the field, the better he’ll get. We also believe that Jacksonville’s offense is one of the most improved - if not the most improved offense - in the NFL heading into 2008, which has to count for something. As mentioned, this is a league with a flex spot, so this is a solid pick.
2.12 - 24th overall - The Huddle - Marques Colston, Saints WR - GREAT VALUE. It’s safe to say we’re as high on Colston as we are on all other top WRs. He’s easily in our top five regardless of format, and he’s the eighth one taken in this league. Did I say “great value?”
To view the rest of this 18 round draft, and our Top 700 overall seasonal and dynasty fantasy football rankings for the 2i008 season, you’ll need to sign up for our premium Ultimate Strategist Package package. We post our official 2008 Dynasty Rankings, Seasonal Rankings and Keeper Rankings on the Ultimate Strategist Package forum, and we encourage you to click here and sign up. Note: if you’re not registered for the No-Offseason.com forums yet, do so first, then click on the link above.
Subscribers get the following for only $9.99 a year:c
- Updated printable draft kit rankings leading up to your fantasy drafts this summer.
- Rankings include multiple scoring systems for Seasonal, Keeper and Dynasty formats.
- Rankings also include both IDPs and team defenses.
- Updated printable weekly cheat sheets during the 2008 NFL Season.
- Unlimited year-round personalized line-up advice and team management advice from No-Offseason.com staff members.
- “Sunday Brunch” - including last minute inactives and game-day updates every Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET.
- Exclusive information, including bonus “Our Sources Tell Us” blurbs and more.
Sign Up For The Ultimate Subscriber Package NOW! The step-by-step process is provided here.
Related posts
Loading ...
