Being a champion in my Fantasy Football pool last year I think that I am now capable of giving people tips on their drafts and possible strategies to go throughout the season. Last year for me it was all about my late draftees. Now my first three picks of the draft were Peyton Manning, Terrell Owens, and the Pittsburgh defense but it was my late round picks that racked up all the points for me including late pick ups of Michael Turner, Matt Forte, and Brandon Marshall. I was also fortunate to pick up Steve Slaton later in the season around week six when he was really beginning to make a huge impact in the league. Here are a few tips I would give to you going into draft day.
And with the first overall pick…
Larry Fitzgerald: Not surprise here. Ever since the day he was drafted many fans realized that this kid was going to make a team proud one day, and boy were they right. Larry Fitzgerald was the anchor of easily the best and most elusive receiving core in the NFL. Along with Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston, Larry led the Arizona Cardinals into Super Bowl XLIII where they eventually lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in an instant classic. During last years postseason, Larry shattered playoff records in receiving yards, receptions, and touchdown receptions, including pulling in an NFL playoff record three touchdown passes in one game during the NFC Conference Championship against the Philadelphia Eagles. Larry will look to continue where he left off this season. If I ever got the chance to get the first overall pick, I wouldn’t even hesitate, Fitzgerald is best playmaker in the NFL.
- Adrian Peterson: Going into his third campaign, “AD” will attempt to continue his spiralling numbers. For the past two years, Peterson has easily been the most consistent back in league scoring at least ten touchdowns in each season and is averaging more then 100 yards per game. With the exception of LaDainian Tomlinson, Peterson might be the most versatile running back in the NFL, and is easily on his way to pursuing a successful career with the numbers he is putting up.
- Peyton Manning: They say you shouldn’t chose a quarterback in the first round of the draft. But I say why the hell not? The three time NFL Most Valuable Player got off to a weak start last year with the well-documented personal struggles from Marvin Harrison, Manning’s go to guy. As the season progressed, Manning led the charge as led the team to ten straight wins during the regular season and into the playoffs. Manning’s numbers last year were not exceptional but you can always count on him to get you a good fifteen points every day he steps onto the field. Not to mention, Manning was my first pick in last years fantasy draft.
Don’t sleep on…
Aaron Rodgers: It took three long years of sitting on the bench for the predecessor of Brett Favre to finally suit up for a start in the NFL last season for the Green Bay Packers. Last year Rodgers had a very unsound season putting up some very impressive numbers. Rodgers is a fantasy football nightmare for a team that does not get him because he is the total package. During the first half of last years fantasy season he was third in overall fantasy points for quarterbacks with a mix between both passing and rushing touchdowns. Aaron is the culmination of what every quarterback in the NFL should have with great tools. I would defiantly not hesitate to pick up Rodgers if I was in need of a quarterback.
- Matt Ryan: Staying on the topic of quarterbacks, Matt Ryan is another possible sleeper in this season’s fantasy draft. Last years AP Offensive Rookie of the Year like Rodgers put up some very silent numbers and didn’t really get the credit of a lot of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Matt Ryan with Pro Bowl running back Michael Turner were the two biggest reasons for last years shocking turn around of the Atlanta Falcons. This year should be even better for the Falcons. With the addition of future Hall of Fame Tight End Tony Gonzalez and the blooming of Pro Bowl wide out Roddy White, Ryan will have a lot of targets to throw the ball too. I expect Matt Ryan to have a huge season and finally step into the spotlight of elite quarterbacks in the NFL.
- Derrick Ward: One of the most upsetting off-season moves for the New York Giants was the surrendering of their “Wind”, out of their tandem “Earth, Wind, and Fire” combination. Derrick Ward became a free agent this season and decided he wanted to continue his career in Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers. Ward is one of the biggest “home run” threats in the NFL with the ability to make big runs in the open field with is great agility. Ward last year with Brandon Jacobs became the fifth pair of NFL teammates to both run for 1,000 yards in one season. Ward will now be the number one back in Tampa Bay and will be able to carry the ball a lot more. Ward is a risky pick, but if he ends up playing well in Tampa Bay he could be one of the most dangerous steals in the draft.
Rookies that could make an impact…
- Darrius Heyward-Bey: The struggling Oakland Raiders took Heyward-Bey in the first round during this year’s NFL Draft. This was a shock to almost every major NFL and College Football junkie because it was clear that the best wide receiver in the draft was Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree. I was even shocked at first and I thought that the Raiders did it again, and they might possibly be the worst team in the NFL. Now, I still think the Raiders are within the top three worst teams in the NFL but this draft pick seems to make more sense to me every day because I came to realize something. JaMarcus Russell will be suiting up as the Raiders quarterback this year. Russell might have the best rocket arm in the NFL with the exception of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. Darrius Heyward-Bey during the NFL Combine was the fastest receiver during the 40 times (Michael Crabtree didn’t run the 40 however). With Heyward-Bey hanging on the line of scrimmage for the Raiders it will give them that “home run” threat every down. I would expect good numbers from Heyward-Bey but I would not expect a promising season for the Oakland Raiders.
Matthew Stafford: The number one overall pick in the NFL Draft will look to help the cause of last years win-less Detroit Lions. With this year’s breed of NFL quarterbacks, many scouts claimed that Stafford might not have the best arm or the best legs but he is the most NFL ready quarterback with great presence in and out of the pocket. Stafford at Georgia was known for his big play ability out of the pocket and he could make throws that many quarterbacks in the NFL can’t even make. Stafford will not be alone on the offensive side of the ball as he has one of the most underrated receiving cores in the NFL anchored by Calvin Johnson. I think we will see significant improvement of the Detroit Lions this year. I do not expect the Lions to be a playoff team, but I think we could see at least six or seven wins, which would be significant improvement from zero wins and sixteen loses.
- Ramses Barden: Who? That’s what a lot of you fantasy football guru’s are thinking right now reading this. Well, Ramses Barden is a wide receiver out of the California Polytechnic Institute that was taken in the third round by the New York Giants. Also in this years players draft the Giants took a wide out in the first round snatching North Carolina Tar Heels great Hakeem Nicks. I am sick of hearing all the rave over Nick’s as people are assuming that he is Plaxico’s replacement. He isn’t, trust me. Ramses Barden is 6 foot 6 receiver. Now honestly, who is going to cover him? There is a good chance that he may be a bust, but Nick’s isn’t Plax’s replacement, Barden is.
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