Within hours of the NFL Draft wrapping up I was invited to participate in the SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio Post-Draft Fantasy Draft against some of the brightest minds in the industry. I take a look back at some of my decisions and some trends I found interesting.
This was a 12-team snake draft based on 0.5 PPR. We had 15 rounds/roster spots with a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 DEF and 1 FLEX (RB, WR or TE). There are no kickers in this format.
*Click on image to enlarge
THINGS TO KNOW
- This draft was much different than the SiriusXM Fantasy mock draft I took part in just after the Super Bowl in early February. Unlike that draft, I will be playing this team out throughout the season. You tend to see less controversial selections made when people actually have to play them out.
- Running backs are still ruling the roost. Nine of the 12 picks in Round 1 were running backs and 21 of the first 36 were at the position.
- Three wideouts went in Round 1 which is more than I’ve seen in most Best Ball Drafts and Mock Drafts. Six more receivers were taken in Round 2 and through three rounds there 12 at the position off the board.
- True to their ADP’s elsewhere Lamar Jackson was a mid second-round pick and Patrick Mahomes was taken in Round 3. The next quarterback taken was Kyler Murray at pick 8.4. That started a run of seven signal callers selected with 14 picks. Six of the 12 teams didn’t take a single QB until Round 11.
- Tight ends slid all around, including at the top where Travis Kelce went off the board at 3.7 and George Kittle went 4.1. Mark Andrews went just three picks later than crickets until more than two rounds later when Zack Ertz went 6.10. After that four tight ends were selected in Round 7.
- The post-draft buzz was still going on with some of the rookie running backs. Jonathan Taylor (RB11) went off the board first at pick 2.2. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (RB18) and Cam Akers (RB19) were third-round selections. Three more rookies were taken by Round 7, leaving us with six of the top 34 running backs being drafted being rookies and eight of the top 40.
- First-year wideouts weren’t as coveted. Most of them were mid-to-late round stabs. The one exception was Jalen Reagor (WR29) going off the board at 6.5. It was the biggest head scratcher pick of the draft.
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From The GetSportsInfo Podcast:
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MY PICKS
1.02 – Ezekiel Elliott (RB3)
2.11 – Mike Evans (WR11)
3.02 – Miles Sanders (RB16)
4.11 – A.J.Brown (WR16)
5.02 – Raheem Mostert (RB27)
6.11 – Jarvis Landry (WR34)
7.02 – Darren Waller (TE5)
8.11 – Marlon Mack (RB40)
9.02 – Deshaun Watson (QB6)
10.11 – Darrell Henderson (RB48)
11.02 – Preston Williams (WR55)
12.11 – T.J. Hockenson (TE14)
13.02 – Tee Higgins (WR62)
14.11 – N’Keal Harry (WR67)
15.02 – Buffalo Bills (DEF3)
Early Rounds
Picking in the No. 2 hole isn’t a bad spot to be in. I went Zeke over Saquan Barkley after the Cowboys’ offense added more players in the NFL Draft. In the end, I’d rather picked third and let whomever fall to me. I was ecstatic to see Mike Evans drop to me at 2.11, he shouldn’t have. Miles Sanders is underrated by many, but a stellar RB2 in any format. I was surprised to see him drop to Round 3. A.J. Brown came on late last year for Tennessee and finished strong. His 2.67 yards per route run was the highest mark since 2014. With Matt Breida getting dealt to Miami on draft weekend, I didn’t expect to see Raheem Mostert fall to RB27. He’s a nice back-end RB2 on my board.
Mid-Rounds
Jarvis Landry isn’t sexy, but he is consistent. I like him better in PPR, but he’s a stellar WR3 in any format. Darren Waller saw some regression as the 2019 campaign went along after a fast start, but the guy is a freak and I believe big things are still ahead in an improving Raiders’ passing attack. I’m all in on Jonathan Taylor in Indy, but don’t’ expect Mack to go completely away. I’ll take him as RB40. I feel even stronger about landing Darrell Henderson at 10.11 (RB48). Industry drafts all see QB’s slide so that wasn’t a surprise. Watson is a mid-range QB1 on my board with a fair amount of upside even without DeAndre Hopkins. This is good value for him here.
Late Rounds
Preston Williams has become one of my favorite double-digit round receivers. Miami is on the rise and Williams flashed in 2019 before suffering a season-ending injury. I’ll take him as my WR4 all day long. I’m not as high as some on T.J. Hockenson, but this was a fair price. I like him much more as a TE2. Plus if he does prove me wrong he becomes trade bait with Waller already in the fold. Tee Higgins and N’Keal Harry both possess nice upside, but could easily be non-producers in 2020. I like upside guys in those final spots. They either hit, or you hit the waiver wire. Finishing up with Bills’ D, one my top defenses on my board, was the icing on the cake of what I thought was a solid draft.
*Hit me up on Twitter @DanClasgens to let me know which team you like the most and what you think of my draft.
