I grew up reading Lindy’s NFL preview magazines, so when I was asked to do a mock for their fantasy magazine I said giddy-up. I can’t say this is the best team I’ve ever drafted, but looking back I couldn’t really see anything I would have done differently. Picking 12th of course has it’s advantages, but hoping that your player gets back to you usually doesn’t work, so I grabbed who I wanted, when I wanted, how I wanted!
12 – Jamaal Charles — JC’s average draft position is around 20 right now, but he’s too talented to last that long in many pert drafts. I knew I had a reliable RB with my next pick so I felt good about grabbing Charles here.
13 – Ryan Grant — Grant doesn’t have anyone stealing goal line looks and is on a great offense. He doesn’t have the crazy upside of Charles, but he will be steady.
36 – Marques Colston — When you grab RB’s with your first two picks you almost have to get a receiver in the 3rd round if you want one with top tier upside. I like Colston a lot, but that Saints’ offense can leave guys out from week to week. But at 36 I feel like I got value.
37 – Michael Crabtree — There were some receivers I could have taken here that might be more reliable, but I like Crabtree to step up this season with Alex Smith stepping with him. Now I am imagining them doing the two-step.
60 – Jay Cutler — I still don’t know if Cutler can win anything, but I know he can throw the ball a lot and Mike Martz will want him to do that. It’s just the way things are. I will be extremely surprised if he doesn’t throw for 4,000 yards. I have been known to wait longer for QB’s, but I felt like I couldn’t wait until pick 84 to grab one.
61 – Matt Forte — There were only 2 RB roster slots in this mock, but I felt that grabbing a backup RB was as important as grabbing a 3rd receiver. It looks like Forte will remain the starting back on what should be a higher scoring offense than last season. Taylor will play and that’s why I got him at 61.
84 – Demaryius Thomas — This is probably my shakiest pick. Thomas hasn’t proven anything, but will sure get the opportunity to do so. I think he’ll be the #1 receiver in Denver and that would make for a good WR #3.
85 – Ahmad Bradshaw — I am not a Jacobs fan and see Bradshaw at least splitting carries with him. If Jacobs gets hurt Bradshaw could be extremely valuable.
108 – Santonio Holmes — Holmes will miss the first 4 games, but should take over the #1 receiver position when he comes back. Holmes is my safety pick if Thomas doesn’t pan out.
109 – Zach Miller — You know I like him. I would have waited a little longer, but there wasn’t much left and TE was the only empty slot left that I cared about.
132 – Ben Roethlisberger — Cutler does have the ability to implode so I knew I needed a safety blanket. Roethlisberger should be back after 4 games, rested, and ready to prove himself.
133 – Tashard Choice — Felix Jones is injury prone and so is Barber. Choice has a chance to be the guy on a high powered offense.
156 – David Akers — Has he retired?
157 – Tennessee Titans — A defense.
