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Let the real mocking begin!?!?One-man mock NFL draft
By Scott Engel, RotoExperts.com, Special to SI.com
After staying on top of the latest news and developments throughout the preseason, it's time to present my one-man mock draft. Keep in mind these are not player rankings, but my own personal view of where players should be selected in the first six rounds of a 10-team league, based on needs and draft flow.
The one-man mock is based on standard performance scoring with a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, a D/ST and a kicker. You won't see any of the last two positions here as I usually leave them for the last two rounds without picking backups.
Round 1
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB Chargers: The perennial fantasy superstar may think he has a lot to prove after how the playoffs ended last season.
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: Defenses simply can't defend the Vikes with an "eight in the box" approach. A great young runner behind a superb offensive line, he allows Minnesota to impose their will on opponents while fantasy players rejoice.
3. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: There is no obvious reason to expect a significant drop-off. I need to hear more than past statistical comparisons to other QBs, which don't mean much when you consider Brady has his top receiver back and locked in for 2008.
4. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: Like Brady's owners, you're going to be hounded with trade offers all year long. Everyone wants him, but you will have him if you grab him here.
5. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts: Versatile and a focal point of a high-powered offense, he is a fantasy superstar.
6. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles: Has become highly respected for his willingness to take on a heavy workload and play through injuries, and another fine season is ahead.
7. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: Would rank higher if the holdout hadn't caused him to miss time in camp.
8. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: There is a bit of a drop-off at RB after Jackson, so shoot now for the elite WR.
9. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys: Still in great shape, he remains a terrific high-level pick in yearly leagues.
10. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills: After an impressive rookie year that really displayed his potential, Lynch becomes more of a consistent all-around fantasy producer this year.
Round 2
11. Peyton Manning, QB Colts: The knee issue drops him out of the first round, but is not major enough to let him slip too far.
12. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: Looks like the Washington offense won't struggle under a new regime, and that is good news for Portis.
13. Marion Barber III, RB, Cowboys: I like him a lot myself, but he isn't quite first round material. Some are taking him in the top five, which is a bit too early. Barber is not a guy who will break off many big plays, and he will share some carries with Felix Jones.
14. Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns: Derek Anderson is for real, which means Edwards is here to stay as among the best at his position.
15. Marques Colston, WR, Saints: He is underrated by many fantasy owners and a fine value choice if you get him any later than this.
16. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: If he stays healthy, Johnson will have a monster year with QBs who can now get him the ball consistently. Just don't wait too long to back him up with an "insurance" pick.
17. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers: Could disappoint at times as the weak supporting cast drags him down, but overall numbers will still be very good.
18. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: Fitzgerald may have not delivered his best season yet, and that's a very enticing thought when he is still available.
19. Torry Holt, WR, Rams: The Rams have crumbled around him before, and Holt still came through for fantasy players.
20. Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: By the time the season starts, the offseason hoopla and ankle issue shouldn't worry you anymore. Back him up a few rounds later if you have any lingering concerns, but Johnson is simply too good to pass by at this point.
Round 3
21. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: I don't care what LaMont Jordan is doing during the preseason. When the real games begin, Maroney is going to emerge as a top 10 fantasy RB. You will love getting him here or even a round later, which will happen in a lot of drafts.
22. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Bengals: Preseason hamstring problems have slightly hurt his stock for now.
23. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: You may see inconsistency early as the offense sputters at times under new leadership.
24. Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: Playing behind a very good line as the finisher for a fine offense gives him a very positive outlook for 2008 after he was better than expected last year.
25. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: No RB in the league makes the most of every touch quite like he does.
26. Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants: As long as he avoids major injury issues, the numbers are going to be top-notch.
27. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots: Consistency is sometimes an issue, but he is a prime target in a great passing game.
28. Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals: He's going to show the Arizona front office that he is ticked off and will take it out on opposing secondaries.
29. Drew Brees, QB, Saints: The ultra-effective driver of one of the league's best offensive machines, he uses all of his weapons for maximum productivity.
30. Roy Williams, WR, Lions: Seems like he is falling to me later than this point in every draft.
Round 4
31. Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs: Be careful not to overrate him. He doesn't look great so far in the preseason in terms of running with his usual authority and quickness. We have already hammered home other possible negatives.
32. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers: He is poised to mark himself as a top fantasy WR in '08.
33. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: The upside is huge, so you have to take a shot in this round.
34. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: After Romo there is a drop-off from the two-man second tier of QBs. You're getting one of the best players at his position here.
35. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: He may frustrate you with a few disappointing performances, but you'll like the cumulative production, especially for a RB2.
36. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Yes, he will miss two games, but you can't let him slip much further than this.
37. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: With Antonio Gates' injury concerns, he is now the top pick at his position.
38. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: He could very well be the top rookie of '08 from the fantasy perspective.
39. Kellen Winslow II, Browns: He'll tough it out through physical problems and come through with impressive totals.
40. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: Looks like he is on the verge of a true breakout season in '08.
Round 5
41. Selvin Young, RB, Broncos: He is atop the depth chart for now, but get some insurance behind him because you simply never know with Denver.
42. Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers: He may not last this long in some drafts, a good value by this point.
43. Roddy White, WR, Falcons: Don't underrate him because of the rookie QB factor.
44. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos: Yes, he will miss some time early, but he 'll be in your lineup when it counts the most.
45. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, Jets: The Favre arrival just about guarantees a significant boost in TD numbers.
46. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: He has indicated he learned from some of his mistakes last year, and still has the tools of a top-level QB.
47. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Someone will inevitably take him earlier than this, which will prove to be a mistake.
48. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers: The toe problem has hurt his stock, but he' ll still be among the best at his position if he doesn't have any further setbacks.
49. LenDale White, RB, Titans: Despite a great preseason from Chris Johnson, the Titans are still heavily committed to White.
50. Thomas Jones, RB, Jets: You can expect improved production with Favre from him, too, as Jones will get more opportunities to finish off scoring drives.
Round 6
51. Lee Evans, WR, Bills: Look for Buffalo to be somewhat more balanced on offense this year, freeing Evans up for better overall production.
52. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs: Not the very best at his position anymore, but still a much better pick than a lot of other TEs.
53. Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: I'm not seeing any legitimate reasons why he can't confirm last year was no illusion. I'll overlook some preseason struggles.
54. Edgerrin James, RB, Cardinals: A boring, but often necessary selection by this point.
55. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts: I've seen him go later than this, maybe even by a few rounds, and I just don't get it.
56. Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins: The TE will be a staple in Jim Zorn's offense.
57. Laveranues Coles, WR, Jets: He will grow to love Favre when he starts getting the ball downfield more regularly again.
58. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints: He is going to play ticked off, with something to prove, in a potent offense. Look for a big year if he can stay healthy.
59. Willie Parker, RB, Steelers:You may still like the yardage numbers, and he shouldn't drop too much further than this.
60. Brett Favre, QB, Jets: He is going to have a solid supporting cast, and that has always been a key for Favre in his better seasons. Age means little on basically a one-year deal for a guy that never misses games.
Scott Engel won his first fantasy football championship in 1994. In 2005, he played in 12 leagues, made the final four in eight, the championship game in six and won four Fantasy Super Bowls overall, while enjoying his first-ever undefeated season. E-mail Scott at scotte@rotoexperts.com
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