Fantasy Football Draft

This past Sunday, we, meaning all 3 members of the I'll Be Frank staff, took part in a 12-man, $200, Fantasy Football Keeper League. In what can only be described as a NFL/AFL-esque merger, two leagues became one, and in the process a uber league was created.

Amidst an ultra classy Steve Young jersey, piles of ribs that could be featured on BBQ Pitmaster's, and a crate of Sam's Club cookies, the following picks were made.

Granted, if you are not in the league and invested in the nostalgia of the draft, it could become mundane to just read over all the picks. For the sake of the members of the league, I will keep their names out of the post. We don't want to share with the whole internet the name of the person who actually picked Cedric Benson in the first round.


R1 PK1 : Chris Johnson
This was my pick. For the first time in my years and years of doing drafts, I was able to secure the No. 1 spot. All the so-called fantasy gurus had Johnson ranked #1, which made this decision relatively easy. Personally I am not so sure about Johnson, I have this feeling that he will end up with a high ankle sprain in week 2 and my season will be shot. I really wanted to take AP, but I was able to draft him second in another league, so I didn't want to put all of my eggs in one basket, so I settled for Johnson. I guess getting C.J. and A.P in my two drafts wasn't so bad. Picking at the top of the draft is so advantageous in that you can really hold off on getting that 2nd RB. You are able to load up in other positions, and because you have a stud already on the squad, your RB points will average out with everyone who took two RBs early.
R1 PK2 : Adrian Peterson
A no-brainer pick. It helps that Favre came back, but to me it made no difference. It seems impossible for a guy going 1-2 in every draft to not be getting any love, but it seems like everyone is down on AP this year, which is crazy. He will be the consensus #1 next season.
R1 PK3 : Ray Rice
Good Pick. The hush around MJD's knee concerns me. Not too worried about McGahee vulturing any TDs this year. By the end of the season last year, Rice was handling his own on the goal line. .5 points for reception is a great plus for a back like Rice.
R1 PK4 : Maurice Jones-Drew
He says his knee is fine, so there isn't any reason to believe that he won't continue to produce similar numbers. Solid pick, will put up big numbers and this pick marks the end of the no-brainer picks.
R1 PK5 : Aaron Rodgers
Love Rodgers and the Packers' O. Wanted to get my hands on as many members of that juggernaut offense as I could. The #5 pick is the first pick that actually has an effect on the shaping of the first round. Like I said, I love the Rodgers pick. He will probably score the most points in fantasy this year. Andre Johnson was another person I had tabbed here. The elite of the elite receivers would be a nice consolation at the 5 spot. I could even see the TD-machine Michael Turner, 27 TD in 27 games, going here, but his lack of receptions hurt.
R1 PK6 : Frank Gore
Can't really argue with the Gore pick. Personally I don't like him. Never had him on my team so all I really can say about him is that he is a sure bet to be penciled in for 2-3 games missed.
R1 PK7 : Steven Jackson
Love Jackson, just not at #7. On pretty much any other team he would be a perennial 1-3 pick. But with the Rams all he gets is a beating and not a lot of scores. It's like if Cooper Manning went on to cure cancer, in any other family he would be tops, but in his current family he still will never amount for anything but a football flunkie.
R1 PK8 : Andre Johnson
Steal of the first round so far. He's a beast. The only way to stop him is if he gets hurt. Just having this name on your team makes it look that much better.
R1 PK9 : Drew Brees
Another pick that can't be argued. With passing TDs worth 6 points, QBs will score the most points by far. Why not take arguably the best passer in the league. Chalk Brees up for 4000+ yards and 30 TDs.
R1 PK10: Michael Turner
Other than his lack of receptions, Turner has been a monster for the Falcons. Aside from his injury last year, he has averaged a TD per game as a starter. Falcons O-coordinator Mike Mularkey is trying to get Turner more involved in the passing game.
R1 PK11: Cedric Benson
Here was the first shocking pick of the draft. In my opinion this was more than just a reach at #11. I can see going for a back at this spot, but with guys like Greene, Mathews, and Williams still on the board, this Benson pick is a real head scratcher. A debate over this pick carried throughout the draft. I didn't like it, but some people felt it was all right because of Benson's consistency. Consistency? Ok so yeah he is the unquestioned feature back in Cincy, he will get a ton of carries. But consistency? Is this the same Ced Benson who was exiled from Chicago for being a complete bust? I mean the guy has had one good season, and even that season wasn't a full season. Yes he could have been argued as the first half fantasy MVP for the 2009 season, but that was only 8 weeks. After that Benson wasn't the same. He got hurt and missed a few games, and never got back to his dominant style. In the wild-card weekend against the Jets, he was a shell of his first-half self.. People will argue that Cincy is a rushing team, Ok, maybe they are, but do you think they went out and got Palmer weapons like Owens and Gresham for nothing? They will pass the ball more, and Benson is only one weekend on the lake away from being out of the NFL.
R1 PK12: Peyton Manning
It's Peyton, that should be enough. We don't get points for the NFL playoffs, so Peyton will still be a monster.
R2 PK1 : Randy Moss
Hard to argue with the Peyton/Moss combo. All signs are pointing towards Moss and Brady having another huge season. He is still able to blow by defenders so 10-15 TDs to go with 1200 yards should be very reasonable.
R2 PK2 : Shonn Greene
Makes up for the Benson pick and recovers with Greene. Nice back with potential, but we can only go off of his successes in the playoffs. Will LT steal carries? Probably. Does Sanchez still stink? Most definately. So yeah the Jets will run, and there will be enough carries for Greene and LT to both thrive. A question about Greene. He hasn't been featured on HardKnocks once. He is the team's #1 RB, and he hasn't had any face time. Does that mean he is completely stupid and would make a fool of himself, or is he the antithesis of Rex Ryan and Sanchez's diva personalities, and shuns the lime light? I would probably go with choice 1.
R2 PK3 : Ryan Mathews
So all the experts say that he was put in the perfect situation coming out of Fresno and being picked by the Chargers. He falls into a prolific offense without a starting back, and is immediately heralded by his coach and given the starting job. Time will only tell with Mathews. The kid looks good so far, but the strain of a full NFL season is enough to make even the toughest rookies crumble by playoff time.
R2 PK4 : DeAngelo Williams
R2 PK5 : Reggie Wayne
R2 PK6 : Ryan Grant
Only back in Packers' awesome offense. Should pick up big numbers, and steal touchdowns from receivers tackled inside the 5.
R2 PK7 : Larry Fitzgerald
Have fun with Derek Anderson. I guess for one season he made Braylon Edwards a star, and Fitz is better than Edwards, so who knows.
R2 PK8 : Calvin Johnson
Nice young offense. Stafford looks to him every pass. Healthy this season and should make up for a disasterous 09 campaign.
R2 PK9 : Roddy White
R2 PK10: Tom Brady
Looks like Justin Beiber has infiltrated the NFL


R2 PK11: DeSean Jackson
Maybe a little too early for a league getting points for catches, but there is no doubt Jackson is a play maker. Although he doesn't catch many balls, he is capable of stat lines of 3 rec 127 yds 2 TD, which make him worthy of a high pick.

Speaking of Playmakers, wonder what Omar Gooding is doing these days? Wild and Crazy Kids reunion? Just Hangin' with Mr. Cooper?



R2 PK12: Greg Jennings
Again love the Pack.
R3 PK1 : Brandon Marshall
With this pick I had a decision to make. I already had a receiver and running back, so do I take a QB, probably Schaub, or do I take Marshall, the top receiver on my board. (I had already decided against taking an RB here. None really stood out to me, plus I already have Johnson.)

How can you not like Marshall, he caught 100 balls from Kyle Orton, yes, the same Kyle Orton with the creepy neck beard, all while missing a few weeks. The guy can catch 30 balls in 2 weeks. People argued with me that Miami is a running team. Yeah that may be so, they do have 2 solid backs, but are one ACL pop and Phish concert from having none. They got rid of Pat White, so that tells me that the Wildcat gimmick might have ran its course, and if you are trying to tell me Bill Parcells went out and got a weapon like Marshall to use him as a decoy for a running team, then you have lost your mind.
That would be like if the Phillies signed Roy Halladay and told him he was going to just pitch the 8th inning. Marshall will have 90+ catches and single handedly make Chad Henne a household name.
R3 PK2 : Miles Austin
8th WR taken in the last 10 picks. I like Austin, but once again I'm not sold on just a single season of success. Dallas has a lot of weapons and I wouldn't be surprised if some of Austin's 2009 load is spread out. The diseases he has probably contracted from Kim Kardashian might slow him down as well.
R3 PK3 : Rashard Mendenhall
If I see one more unnecessary spin move from this guy.
R3 PK4 : Matt Schaub
Really wanted Schaub again, but at my last pick, it was too early. If healthy, and that is a big if, he will continue to put up huge numbers with Johnson.
R3 PK5 : Marques Colston
Still Brees' go-to guy, but because of Brees' generousity, doesn't get as many balls as he should.
R3 PK6 : Steve Smith (CAR)
R3 PK7 : Tony Romo
R3 PK8 : LeSean McCoy
Thought this was too early for McCoy. With a young QB under center, he will get more touches, but I just see him ending up like a younger Reggie Bush. I can't see him being an every down back, and Mike Bell is capable of spelling him at times.
R3 PK9 : Jammal Charles
I guess Tommy Jones is ahead of him right now, but that will change. Charles is the more explosive back and provides KC a better chance at winning compared to TJ's pounding style.
R3 PK10: Anquan Boldin
New team, new expectations. In Zona he was the obvious #2 but always tried to prove he was a #1. In Baltimore he gets that chance to be the #1. Can Flacco get him the ball as well as Warner? Will Housh and D. Mason protect him enough from double teams? For the Steelers' sake I hope not.
R3 PK11: Steve Smith (NYG)
R3 PK12: Beanie Wells
Has looked bad in the preseason. Hightower is said to be gaining on the former Buckeye back. With Anderson under center, I wonder if defenses will stack the box and focus on the run.
R4 PK1 : Chad Ochocinco
Promotes himself enough that I don't have to.



R4 PK2 : Philip Rivers
Underrated as far as NFL QBs go. But as a human being he is a real jackass. Numbers should still be decent, but not nearly as good as when V-Jax was in the lineup.
R4 PK3 : Wes Welker
Knee seems to be fine, but knees are tricky to return fully from. Has looked good in his return, and is definately an asset for receiving points. It's amazing how every white receiver out of college is dubbed the "next Wes Welker." It's like if Hollywood dubbed every actor that couldn't act the "next Brenden Fraser."
R4 PK4 : Mike Wallace
Obviously his value will be boosted in Week 6 with Ben's return, but it looks like this guy can make big plays with anyone under center.
R4 PK5 : Dallas Clark
Someone had to take the first tight end. With Peyton, you never know who will be his favorite target from year to year. Last year it was Clark, but with so many quality TEs on the board, maybe a bit early, but not a bad pick.
R4 PK6 : Pierre Garcon
R4 PK7 : Pierre Thomas
And so started a weird trend in this draft. Strange things like Pierre's being picked back-to-back kept popping up as the night went along. Thomas in the middle of the 4th, not too shabby.
R4 PK8 : Jason Witten
R4 PK9 : Michael Crabtree
Could be a stud if he keeps his head on straight. Alex Smith is the obvious question mark in Crabtree's success, if he can get him the ball, the former Texas Tech receiver will be taken a lot higher next year.
R4 PK10: Antonio Gates
With V-Jax out, becomes Rivers favorite target. Should finish as league's top tight end.
R4 PK11: Donald Driver
Old but still skilled. Plays on the Pack, so I'm ok with this pick. Driver has a great life story.


R4 PK12: JerMichael Finley
Had to get me another Packer obviously. Watch all this talk about the Packers and Rodgers will get hurt early, and Brian Brohm will make Pack fans envious of Jake Delhomme.
R5 PK1 : Jonathan Stewart
R5 PK2 : Joseph Addai
Might not be flashy, but has motivation with Donald Brown breathing down his neck. Still has a nose for the paint.
R5 PK3 : Matt Forte
If he can catch the ball like he did his rookie year, he can thrive under Martz. But I can't get why Mike Martz gets so much love. I could have been the O-coordinator for those Rams' teams. Hand it to Marshall. Dump it off to Marshall. Over the middle to Bruce. Deep to Holt. Everywhere else he has been, he has been terrible. Chicago has a few weapons, so we will see how clever he really is.
R5 PK4 : Jahvid Best
Like I said before, Detroit has a potentially dangerous offense. Kevin Smith isn't fully healthy and provides not threat to Best in the backfield. Should total about 1500 yards.
R5 PK5 : Jerome Harrison
Benefitted greatly from the Hardesty injury. Now has no real competition in Cleveland. Ended 2009 with a stellar finish. If Delhomme can manage to create a minimal passing game, it will definately help Harrison.
R5 PK6 : Mike Sims-Walker
R5 PK7 : Hines Ward
R5 PK8 : Arian Foster
The big riser this offseason. The injury to Ben Tate and Steve Slaton's overall underwhelming play makes Foster a nice pick in the 5th. The Texans have an offense that can be extremely dangerous, and because of the passing games success Foster won't be looked upon to carry the offense. Will steal a lot of TDs.
R5 PK9 : Percy Harvin
If only migranes were a scoring category.
R5 PK10: Kevin Kolb
For Eagles' fans sake, I hope he sucks.
R5 PK11: Dwayne Bowe
R5 PK12: Brandon Jacobs
All but out as the G-Men's go-to back. You would think a guy of that size would be more dominating.
R6 PK1 : Felix Jones
R6 PK2 : Malcolm Floyd
Has the potential to blossom into a very good receiver with the absence of Jackson.
R6 PK3 : Vernon Davis
Funny how he is the mature one on the Niners. Didn't he just yell at Crabtree for the same thing.



R6 PK4 : Jeremy Maclin
R6 PK5 : Knowshon Moreno
An absolute steal in the 6th round. Should put up very servicable numbers in Denver. As a 4th round pick next year, very possibly the best keeper pick so far.
R6 PK6 : Terrell Owens
Have to say something about my boy T.O.. Don't care what anyone says, T.O. is the best. Like I posted earlier, everyone sucks in Buffalo so there is no reason why he can't get rid of the '09 season and overtake his buddy Chad as the best receiver on the Bungles.
R6 PK7 : Joe Flacco
Boldin and Housh are nice new weapons for the former Blue Hen. Ray Rice make a nice little option out of the back field. The Ravens should be good, but their postseason success rests on this guy's right arm.
R6 PK8 : Ronnie Brown
Over/Under 5 games missed due to injury. I like the over.
R6 PK9 : C.J. Spiller
Has the talent, but plays in Buffalo. Good luck kid.
R6 PK10: Brent Celek
R6 PK11: Eli Manning
R6 PK12: Ahmad Bradshaw
Should be the unquestioned started for the Giants by season's end. Will probably lose a lot of TDs to Jacobs.
R7 PK1 : Dez Bryant
R7 PK2 : Owen Daniels
If his knee, like Welker's, is healthy, he should return to form. Nice #2 option for Schaub.
R7 PK3 : Santana Moss
McNabb loves the deep ball.
R7 PK4 : Hakeem Nicks
R7 PK5 : Bernard Berrian
Becomes Minnesota's #1 with Sidney Rice out. Not a very good year last year with Favre, needs to become more explosive in the deep passing game.
R7 PK6 : Carnell Williams
Something must be in the food down at Auburn. Brown and Williams can't seem to stay healthy.
R7 PK7 : Robert Meachem
Can he overtake Devery Henderson and become NOLA's deep threat?
R7 PK8 : Sidney Rice
For keeper purposes this is a good pick. But will you want to keep Rice as a 5th rounder next year with Tavarias Jackson throwing to him?
R7 PK9 : Marion Barber
The Barbarian thrived as Julius Jones' backup. He scored his most points as a third down and goalline back. Seems like Felix Jones is Dallas' starter, so we will see how many TDs Barber will steal.
R7 PK10: Devin Aromashadu
Him or Johnny Knox? Or is everyone forgetting Devin Hester and Cutler's fellow Commodore alum Earl Bennett. A pure crapshoot in Chicago.
R7 PK11: Clinton Portis
Was great under Shannahan the first time around. Only has LJ pushing him. Last year was a 2nd round pick, this year 7th. Could be a very servicable backup and spot starter.
R7 PK12: Tony Gonzalez
What does he have in the tank?
R8 PK1 : Kevin Walter
A white receiver not compared to Wes Welker. What does that say?
R8 PK2 : Johnny Knox
R8 PK3 : Demaryius Thomas
The heir to Brandon Marshall's receiving throne in Denver. By year's end should emerge as Denver's go to guy.
R8 PK4 : Chris Cooley
R8 PK5 : Matt Ryan
R8 PK6 : Ben Roethlisberger
Without the suspension, probably goes 4-5 rounds earlier. Misses 4 games but still has 9 fantasy weeks to prove himself. The quintessential backup for fantasy football. Will either be a starter or great trade bait later on in the year.
R8 PK7 : Michael Bush
R8 PK8 : Reggie Bush
See weird things kept happening. Two Bushes in a row. I haven't seen this much Bush lined up since a 1 a.m. viewing of Skinemax in 6th grade.
R8 PK9 : Santonio Holmes
Is only gone for 4 games, so becomes a great deal in the 8th round. Because Braylon Edwards stinks, will become Sanchez's go to guy. Too bad he is a terrible QB.
R8 PK10: Donald Brown
R8 PK11: Ricky Williams
Gotta like Ricky. I recommend watching the ESPN 30 on 30 about him. He's getting old, but did take all those years off, so really he is just right in his prime physically.
R8 PK12: Jay Cutler
Eh, waited too long for a QB and now have to suffer through a season with him. He did throw for 27 TD last year, but also 26 INT.