It’s May isn’t it? Something like four months until football starts? But it’s never too early to see how the chips are falling, albeit really early chips. Like when Erik Estrada wasn’t as famous.
I was hoping for some specific guys early on, and all my hopes were crushed. The rankings this year are going to vary dramatically based on several position battles, free agent moves, rookies etc. Which is par for the course, but it isn’t usually as dramatic in the first few rounds. The top of the rankings are going to get shaken up more than a Bond Martini.
Here’s how my roster shaped up, in a 12-Team non-PPR Mock with industry guys like Scott Pianowski, Andy Behrens, Christopher Liss, and others:
QB – Aaron Rodgers
RB – Matt Forte
RB – Steven Jackson
WR – Marques Colston
WR – DeSean Jackson
WR – Torrey Smith
TE – Tony Gonzalez
FLEX – Reggie Bush
Bench – Malcolm Floyd
Bench – Mikel Leshoure
Bench – Anquan Boldin
Bench – Daniel Thomas
DEF – Detroit Lions
K – Robbie Gould
Here’s a recap of my thoughts on some of the picks:
1st Pick – Aaron Rodgers (5th Overall): Knowing Arian Foster was going first, I was hoping either Megatron, Ray Rice, or LeSean McCoy would end up falling to me, but all three were taken in that order. I do not like MJD enough to take him 5th, and while I hadn’t planned on going QB in the first round, I kind of got stuck with Rodgers. He is easily the consensus #1 QB and should be the class at the position. With QBs getting drafted higher than any draft in recent memory, I have no problem grabbing the best one and being able to forget about the position.
2nd Pick – Matt Forte (20th Overall): This was a pick I labored over immensely. Forte has got all sorts of question marks with ending last year on an injury (albeit a minor one), new acquisition Michael Bush in town, and currently in a contract dispute that may end up in a trade. I was crossing my fingers either Trent Richardson or DeMarco Murray would fall to me, but both went much earlier than I had anticipated (8th and 13th overall). So I was stuck in a rut of wanting a RB, and took a shot on Forte’s upside. He will be a focal point in whichever team he ends up with in both the rushing and passing attack, and if he does indeed stay with the Bears, the addition of Brandon Marshall should help spread the field and give Forte a bit more room.
5th, 6th, and 7th Picks – Marques Colston, DeSean Jackson, & Torrey Smith (53rd, 68th, 77th Overall): I grouped my receiving corps together because I really, really like this group which I took consecutively after building my QB and backfield. Colston is back with Brees and with the Saints defense losing playmakers due to the Bounty mess, the Saints should have to throw even more. Jackson is a total upside play; the Eagles have committed to him, and a rebound season should be in store. And I really, really, really (three really’s!) like Torrey Smith for 2012. He and Flacco were really clicking during the second half and his sheer speed and athleticism are going to translate into some monstrous games. After going fairly safe through the first five rounds, upside plays like Jackson and Smith are exactly what I wanted. I would be happy with this receiving trio even in a 10-team league, so WR-depth appears early on to be quite plentiful.
12th Pick – Tony Gonzalez (140th Overall): I bring this pick up only to mention that Andy Behrens took Jacob Tamme the pick RIGHT BEFORE ME! Thanks a lot, Behrens. With Gonzalez still on the board, it wasn’t the end of the world, but you can read my thoughts on Tamme here. Behrens commented he was thinking about taking Tamme earlier, so I think he’s slowly climbing up the draft boards. I wouldn’t mind a middlish-round pick for Tamme, as he’s gaining some momentum.
Overall Thoughts: I was really bummed out with my first two picks… I really thought Calvin Johnson might land to me, and then take either T-Rich or Murray. Forte is my biggest gaffe and question mark, but then looking at my team, I think it’s a very well rounded and an absolute contender, especially in a 12-teamer. I went a little safer early on, but was able to get HUGE upside playmakers in Jackson and Smith. I was also able to get handcuffs in Anquan Boldin and Daniel Thomas, which will alleviate some of the question marks behind Reggie Bush and Torrey Smith should they falter out of the gate.
What say you about this draft?
