The FOX Sports Fantasy Football Experts league consists of twelve owners from six cities in three different time zones which cover almost every region of the United States from Charlotte in the East to Los Angeles in the West, the Bible and Rust Belts and mountains of Salt Lake City. Why does this matter? Because when Johnny-I-Can’t-Make-The-Draft comes whining to the commissioner that he can’t make the online draft, remind him of this league. Miracles do happen – including scheduling a 12-team fantasy football draft with owners in six cities in three time zones.
ROUND 1
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What I liked: Hope springs eternal in the first round.
What I didn’t like: We will see if taking Calvin Johnson and Eddie Lacy ahead of Adrian Peterson was the smart strategy in this PPR format. I’m a little surprised Demaryius Thomas and Brandon Marshall went as high as they did despite the PPR system. I actually discussed this exact trend with Rotowire’s Chris Liss on SiriusXM late last week. Liss mentioned how the average draft position of some top-tier receivers in PPR formats is soaring to the middle of the first round. While I see the allure of snagging consistent production out of the game’s top targets, I believe some owners – not necessarily in this league – become drunk in love with receivers in PPR formats. The fantasy WR pool is deep once again and believe that owners should keep it in mind before overvaluing the position.
ROUND 2
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What I liked: nearly a 50/50 split of running backs and wide receivers selected with a dash of Drew Brees’ assumed 5,000 passing yards and flirting with 40 touchdowns.
The more I hear about Montee Ball truly embracing the RB1 role in Denver – despite undergoing an appendectomy a few weeks ago – the more I believe he’s on the verge of double-digit touchdownas a la Moreno last year. It will come down to health and ability to protect Manning on third downs.
One other quick note on Alfred Morris. After talking to Redskins’ analyst Grant Paulsen on the FOX Sports Team Report this week, I learned Morris was the most effective running back when defenses loaded up seven in the box. Paulsen believes Morris’ rookie season numbers won’t be replicated in 2014, but his stat line of 276 – 1275 – 7 are achievable projections.
What I didn’t like: The word trust is tossed around fantasy football like a pigskin in the tailgate lot and once you reach the second round, the five-letter devil clings to several second-tier running backs. Le’Veon Bell was safe(r) before arrest, Demarco Murray (eight games missed last two seasons), Doug Martin (Lovie Smith), C.J. Spiller (RZ touch concerns). Basically it comes down to investing in the lowest risk running back in the second round.
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ROUND 3
What I liked: Andre Ellington (5.5 YPR / 9.5 YPREC in 2013) selected late-third in a PPR league. We need to trust Bruce Arians on his word that AE will receive those 20 or so touches a game. If Carson Palmer can balance the offense with Michael Floyd, Larry Fitz and Ellington, the Cards should be able to post some big numbers on the scoreboard.
What I didn’t like: I think Matthew Stafford is a better quarterback to target in the fourth or fifth rounds. His ADP is the fourth round. Seems like a slight reach with only Demaryius and Murray on the roster.
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ROUND 4
What I liked: Shane Vereen and Rob Gronkowski. Stevan Ridley has been named as a possible odd-man out when 53-man rosters are announced. I still believe he’ll make the team, but Vereen and James White are going to make his fantasy life hell and Ridley’s 12-TD campaign two seasons ago will fade away. With a deep tight end talent pool, the gamble on Gronk is worth it. Even with the acquisition of Tim Wright, if Gronk plays in 14 games this season, he’s going to have Tom Brady’s attention in the passing game. Gronk is the third or fourth is the way to go.
What I didn’t like: Ben Tate and Jordan Cameron. Perhaps my Cleveland bias is showing, but to think this Browns’ team is going to post more than two offensive touchdowns per game on a consistent basis is wishful thinking. I understand the argument that somebody has to rush and catch the ball, but are we all truly sold on Tate on the ground and Hoyer to put it on the numbers to Cameron?
ROUNDS 5-7
What I liked: Eric Decker in the 5th and Nick Foles and Ray Rice in the 6th
What I didn’t like: Michael Floyd in the 5th and Stevan Ridley / Lamar Miller in the 7th.
| Round 8 | ||||
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| Round 9 | ||||
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| Round 10 | ||||
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ROUNDS 8-10
What I liked: Kyle Rudolph and Jay Cutler in the 8th, Hakeem Nicks in the 9th and Philip Rivers in the 10th
What I didn’t like: Seattle defense in the 9th and Mark Ingram / Lance Dunbar in the 10th
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| Round 12 | ||||
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| Round 13 | ||||
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ROUNDS 10-13 (A.K.A. TIME TO TAKE A FLIER)
What I liked: Justin Hunter, Colin Kaepernick and Martellus Bennett in the 11th – Andy Dalton and Ben Roethlisberger in the 12th – Steve Smith in the 13th
What I didn’t like: Danny Amendola and Donald Brown in the 11th and Arizona DST in the 12th
| Round 14 | ||||
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