Draft strategy: Slots 1-6, 1st 6-7 rounds (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

The battle plans are being put together. Let’s talk about some of the likely scenarios for people blessed with earlier picks in the top of the draft.

1. In the 1st round you are going to be taking a premier back…at least premier in the early season write ups, mags, websites, boards, and all points in between. It’s a waste of time to argue and discuss these guys. You know you will be taking 1 of the following…LT, Shaun, LJ, Portis, Tiki…the 6 spot has a couple of choices but mostly your gonna take 1 of these RBs.

2. The 2nd round is where things get interesting and where the meat of this thread will come into play. It is very likely that you will choose between locking down 1-2 WRs between the 2nd and 3rd rounds…or taking a RB that has either had previous success or has not lived up to billing the past couple of seasons. Kevin Jones, Dom Davis(possibly), Julius Jones, and Jamal Lewis will all be there in the 19-30 spots in many drafts. If you take one of these RBs than you are probably removing yourself from the handcuff RB situations out there…in no particular order they are CAR, NE, INDY, TEN, DEN, NO, SF, CHI…you can lock up these backfiled with some combo of rounds between the 3rd-6th…SF is probably a little later.

I am not sure I like Jones, Lewis, Jones, or Davis all that much better than some of those RB combos on the teams I mentioned. I do however have several WR that I like in the top7-8 preseason projections much more than the WR in the 8-25 slots in the ADP projections. The problem with WRs and it will never change is how they rack their points. Even the best WR typically leave the building on you a few times during the season…and it’s tough to win when your 2nd and 3rd round pick combine for 8-10 points that week. Someone that has a DJax, Mason, Branch, Glenn as their stable of WR might reach up and bite you because they mix and match the match ups better.

One other player that deserves a lot of consideration that experts implore us to cross off our list is Antonio Gates. I admit that having Rivers throwing the ball is not very exciting but I also think Gates will still post great numbers. What is 80/900/8 worth in leagues where you also get PPR for the positions…guy is a complete stud and gives you a nice edge most weeks. He also can be very explosive and make up for a lack of pop at the WR2 and RB2 positions many weeks…can even be used in the flex at times.

3. The beginning of the 2nd tier WR will start with Chambers/Wayne/DJax…those guys are going to go somewhere in the 3rd round. Again you have to make a choice between a so so RB and a WR with potential.

4. 4th round is where many of the backfields of the teams I mentioned will be or should be available. It’s also possible that folks like Tatum, DeShaun, Dillon, they could be gone but that still leaves several good teams from that group. Javon Walker is likely to be on the board…Plax, Andre Johnson, Driver, Horn, Mason…they all are their in the 4th/5th rounds…nothing wrong with them if you went with one of the 2nd tier RB in the 2nd or 3rd rounds of the draft.

So what is your battle plan? Is there a QB in that battle plan anywhere before the 7th round? How bout a TE? What is the worst likely scenario you are facing?

Let’s make this a workshop of sorts…put your slot number in, what your intentions are for those picks, and I am sure people on the board that have opinions(cough cough) will chime in.

 

[mistersmith]

I'm choosing from 1.06 in a 1 QB, 2 WR, 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (WR/RB), 1 K w/ 2 IDP. 0.25 per reception.

1st round, premier back. Agreed. When drafting from 1.06, I'm either looking at S. Jackson or Lamont...Myself, I prefer Stephen Jackson.

2nd round, the running backs available to me according to mocks could possible be McGahee (if he drops slightly), Kevin Jones, Julius Jones. I could also take Willie Parker kind of early. But I'd rather look for a top WR. I believe I can get some solid RB options in rounds 4-6. I'd either look for Holt/Harrison. Chad Johnson is also a possibility, but I'm still waiting on word for Palmer.

3rd round: I'd possibly draft Parker(I doubt he drops that far though)/Droughns/Dunn. I'm still going for some stability. Also, I need rbs in my league, with an rb option in the flex rbs are crucial.

4th: Here I'd probably go Deshaun Foster/Dayne/Dillon/Rhodes. I could slot one of these RBs in my flex. I'm looking at maybe a slightly riskier back, and backing them up with possibly another running back in the 5th. Right now I'm also contemplating Driver for WR.

Yes, I draft a lot of running backs, but seriously, rbs are crucial in my league. I typically draft TE and QB's later (I prefer using QBBC). 2nd WR's are also a crapshoot, and I like to draft those a bit later as well, probably aim for Kennison as a 2nd WR in the 7th round. OK, I'm still figuring out the rest of my draft, but that's the loose framework of it for now. I have 15 roster spots, 10 are starting and 5 will be backup. I'm still thinking 1 QB, 2 RBs, and 2 WRs on the bench.

Flame away, I'm open for criticism because this is still a work in progress.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I'm choosing from 1.06 in a 1 QB, 2 WR, 2 RB, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (WR/RB), 1 K w/ 2 IDP. 0.25 per reception.1st round, premier back. Agreed. When drafting from 1.06, I'm either looking at S. Jackson or Lamont...Myself, I prefer Stephen Jackson.2nd round, the running backs available to me according to mocks could possible be McGahee (if he drops slightly), Kevin Jones, Julius Jones. I could also take Willie Parker kind of early. But I'd rather look for a top WR. I believe I can get some solid RB options in rounds 4-6. I'd either look for Holt/Harrison. Chad Johnson is also a possibility, but I'm still waiting on word for Palmer.3rd round: I'd possibly draft Parker(I doubt he drops that far though)/Droughns/Dunn. I'm still going for some stability. Also, I need rbs in my league, with an rb option in the flex rbs are crucial.4th: Here I'd probably go Deshaun Foster/Dayne/Dillon/Rhodes. I could slot one of these RBs in my flex. I'm looking at maybe a slightly riskier back, and backing them up with possibly another running back in the 5th. Right now I'm also contemplating Driver for WR. Yes, I draft a lot of running backs, but seriously, rbs are crucial in my league. I typically draft TE and QB's later (I prefer using QBBC). 2nd WR's are also a crapshoot, and I like to draft those a bit later as well, probably aim for Kennison as a 2nd WR in the 7th round. OK, I'm still figuring out the rest of my draft, but that's the loose framework of it for now. I have 15 roster spots, 10 are starting and 5 will be backup. I'm still thinking 1 QB, 2 RBs, and 2 WRs on the bench.Flame away, I'm open for criticism because this is still a work in progress.

2nd round: McGahee will likely be there...not sure I like him much this season. If you go RB/RB then i think you have to try and draft WR/WR/WR the next 3 rounds...you can get one of the combo RB slots like TEN or SF in the 6th round...the Gore/Barlow combo is pretty interesting this season.You can keep drafting RBs too...guys like Glenn and Keyshawn are in great situations this season...most of the time they will see 1 on 1 coverage because of superstars lining up across from them. Meshawn may just collect another ring this season. If he gets 2 Super Bowl rings I wonder if he would eve make the HoF...probably not.

 

[pantherclub]

I really dont think Mcgahee will be there at pick 18. That is a little far for him to fall. Having said that if he did, (which i doubt will happen) then that is a steal. A combo of Cadallic and Mcgahee could be deadly. I certainly would take that after 2 rounds.

For my strategy I really dont see how you cannot take a RB in the first and then 1 great WR in the 2nd and then a really good wr in the 3rd. As MOP said the RB's there have big ? beside them.

 

[Kai's Hero]

You left out the most obvious Handcuff, Marion Barber of the Pokes.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

You left out the most obvious Handcuff, Marion Barber of the Pokes.

??? Not sure I follow. Marion barber III might just be an OK pick on his own...but if you want to handcuff him to JJ you are burning maybe a 7th-8th rounder...not bad.

 

[Isotopes]

For me the toughest decision is the 1.07 pick. I keep hearing people debate between SJax and Jordan, but the guy that intrigues me right now is Ronnie Brown. He brings with him some question marks, but I feel the upside is there.

 

[Sweetness_34]

I am not going to dare to go into my strategy knowing some of the folks I draft with are probably looking here anyways

 

[Deuce'sWild]

I am not going to dare to go into my strategy knowing some of the folks I draft with are probably looking here anyways

agreed. I know most of my leaguemates patrol these waters, this shark isn't going to give away my entire draft strategy so that they can know where I'm going each round.I will say this, I do utilize a draft scenario, where I project which players will be there based on ADP, and try to land certain players in certain rounds. Of course, I will not stick to that if a player presents great value at that spot. I then project how many points each scenario will give me (using excel) drafting these players, and then try to use that scenario across the board. If I can't get scenario 1, I move onto scenario 2....etc.I've used this strategy for the last 3 years and it's worked like a charm. You just have to be willing to break off from it if players aren't there when you thought they would be...and have another scenario that you can go to.

 

[ImTheScientist]

I am not going to dare to go into my strategy knowing some of the folks I draft with are probably looking here anyways

agreed. I know most of my leaguemates patrol these waters, this shark isn't going to give away my entire draft strategy so that they can know where I'm going each round.I will say this, I do utilize a draft scenario, where I project which players will be there based on ADP, and try to land certain players in certain rounds. Of course, I will not stick to that if a player presents great value at that spot. I then project how many points each scenario will give me (using excel) drafting these players, and then try to use that scenario across the board. If I can't get scenario 1, I move onto scenario 2....etc.I've used this strategy for the last 3 years and it's worked like a charm. You just have to be willing to break off from it if players aren't there when you thought they would be...and have another scenario that you can go to.

I sometimes post things I don't believe just to them

 

[wannabee]

I am not going to dare to go into my strategy knowing some of the folks I draft with are probably looking here anyways

agreed. I know most of my leaguemates patrol these waters, this shark isn't going to give away my entire draft strategy so that they can know where I'm going each round.I will say this, I do utilize a draft scenario, where I project which players will be there based on ADP, and try to land certain players in certain rounds. Of course, I will not stick to that if a player presents great value at that spot. I then project how many points each scenario will give me (using excel) drafting these players, and then try to use that scenario across the board. If I can't get scenario 1, I move onto scenario 2....etc.I've used this strategy for the last 3 years and it's worked like a charm. You just have to be willing to break off from it if players aren't there when you thought they would be...and have another scenario that you can go to.

I sometimes post things I don't believe just to them

which posts?

 

[ImTheScientist]

I am not going to dare to go into my strategy knowing some of the folks I draft with are probably looking here anyways

agreed. I know most of my leaguemates patrol these waters, this shark isn't going to give away my entire draft strategy so that they can know where I'm going each round.I will say this, I do utilize a draft scenario, where I project which players will be there based on ADP, and try to land certain players in certain rounds. Of course, I will not stick to that if a player presents great value at that spot. I then project how many points each scenario will give me (using excel) drafting these players, and then try to use that scenario across the board. If I can't get scenario 1, I move onto scenario 2....etc.I've used this strategy for the last 3 years and it's worked like a charm. You just have to be willing to break off from it if players aren't there when you thought they would be...and have another scenario that you can go to.

I sometimes post things I don't believe just to them

which posts?

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Great so everyone wants to keep what they have planned under wraps...good stuff.

Everyone in my league comes sliding thru here and reads my threads too...in fact a few of them write for some different websites...hard to duck and hide.

 

[John Facenda]

Been doing some mocking from the 1.04 spot in a couple of drafts:

1.04 (RB)Portis

2.09 (WR) Moss, Holt (don't think he'll drop that far in my real draft)

3.04 (RB) Parker/ K.Jones

4.09 (WR) Houshmandzadeh/ (TE) Shockey

5.04 (WR) Driver

I'm thinking about going with the RB/WR/RB/WR or TE if things go like my mocks have been going. I only see about 13 or 14 RB's worthy of 1st/2nd round selections from my spot. If one of those guys fall to me (which means 7 non-RB's have to be selected before I pick at 21 in the 2nd) I'll probably take my second RB in the 2nd round.

 

[Reagan]

The battle plans are being put together. Let’s talk about some of the likely scenarios for people blessed with earlier picks in the top of the draft.1. In the 1st round you are going to be taking a premier back…at least premier in the early season write ups, mags, websites, boards, and all points in between. It’s a waste of time to argue and discuss these guys. You know you will be taking 1 of the following…LT, Shaun, LJ, Portis, Tiki…the 6 spot has a couple of choices but mostly your gonna take 1 of these RBs.2. The 2nd round is where things get interesting and where the meat of this thread will come into play. It is very likely that you will choose between locking down 1-2 WRs between the 2nd and 3rd rounds…or taking a RB that has either had previous success or has not lived up to billing the past couple of seasons. Kevin Jones, Dom Davis(possibly), Julius Jones, and Jamal Lewis will all be there in the 19-30 spots in many drafts. If you take one of these RBs than you are probably removing yourself from the handcuff RB situations out there…in no particular order they are CAR, NE, INDY, TEN, DEN, NO, SF, CHI…you can lock up these backfiled with some combo of rounds between the 3rd-6th…SF is probably a little later.I am not sure I like Jones, Lewis, Jones, or Davis all that much better than some of those RB combos on the teams I mentioned. I do however have several WR that I like in the top7-8 preseason projections much more than the WR in the 8-25 slots in the ADP projections. The problem with WRs and it will never change is how they rack their points. Even the best WR typically leave the building on you a few times during the season…and it’s tough to win when your 2nd and 3rd round pick combine for 8-10 points that week. Someone that has a DJax, Mason, Branch, Glenn as their stable of WR might reach up and bite you because they mix and match the match ups better. One other player that deserves a lot of consideration that experts implore us to cross off our list is Antonio Gates. I admit that having Rivers throwing the ball is not very exciting but I also think Gates will still post great numbers. What is 80/900/8 worth in leagues where you also get PPR for the positions…guy is a complete stud and gives you a nice edge most weeks. He also can be very explosive and make up for a lack of pop at the WR2 and RB2 positions many weeks…can even be used in the flex at times.3. The beginning of the 2nd tier WR will start with Chambers/Wayne/DJax…those guys are going to go somewhere in the 3rd round. Again you have to make a choice between a so so RB and a WR with potential. 4. 4th round is where many of the backfields of the teams I mentioned will be or should be available. It’s also possible that folks like Tatum, DeShaun, Dillon, they could be gone but that still leaves several good teams from that group. Javon Walker is likely to be on the board…Plax, Andre Johnson, Driver, Horn, Mason…they all are their in the 4th/5th rounds…nothing wrong with them if you went with one of the 2nd tier RB in the 2nd or 3rd rounds of the draft.So what is your battle plan? Is there a QB in that battle plan anywhere before the 7th round? How bout a TE? What is the worst likely scenario you are facing?Let’s make this a workshop of sorts…put your slot number in, what your intentions are for those picks, and I am sure people on the board that have opinions(cough cough) will chime in.

I've debated on this long and hard. 3 slot in 10 team re-draft, PPR, standard scoring.1. RB2. RB or WR (1st yr we've done PPR, so I'm not sure how many guys will flock to WR. If a very strong RB is there at 18, then that will tempt me).3. Depending on #18 pick (2nd rd), then I'll adjust.Personally, I'll hold off on QBs until 6 or later, depending on if there is a huge run on them. Haven't really considered TE early. I expect Gates to be gone in late 3, early 4.

 

[pantherclub]

Been doing some mocking from the 1.04 spot in a couple of drafts: 1.04 (RB)Portis2.09 (WR) Moss, Holt (don't think he'll drop that far in my real draft)3.04 (RB) Parker/ K.Jones4.09 (WR) Houshmandzadeh/ (TE) Shockey5.04 (WR) DriverI'm thinking about going with the RB/WR/RB/WR or TE if things go like my mocks have been going. I only see about 13 or 14 RB's worthy of 1st/2nd round selections from my spot. If one of those guys fall to me (which means 7 non-RB's have to be selected before I pick at 21 in the 2nd) I'll probably take my second RB in the 2nd round.

This would be a good team if Holt fell. I wouldnt pick Moss with that pick. I would take Boldin before Moss.

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

I've noticed that Marvin Harrison has been falling to the very end of the 2nd/beginning of the 3rd. If that doesn't scream value, I don't know what does. I'll take him over the Jones boys and Jamal Lewis all day.

The start of round 3 is kindof a personal preference/scoring system thing. You'll have your choice of any top TE if the league warrants it. Then there's about 4 WRs I really like here (Moss v2.0, Driver, Mason, Burress), although it may be a slight reach to take one of them here. The RB options are less attractive here, although if you grab the right one, he will be pure value.