You’re on the Clock: Team Two

Details: 12 Man Keeper League (3 keepers)

Scoring: Standard

Roster Size: 15

Starting Line-up: QB, 2RB, 2WR, TE, K, DEF

Available To Choose From Jimmy Graham TE NO Reggie Bush RB DET Demaryius Thomas WR DEN Percy Harvin WR SEA Darren McFadden RB OAK Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI Drew Brees QB NO Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI Randall Cobb WR GB DeMarco Murray RB DAL Peyton Manning QB DEN David Wilson RB NYG Roddy White WR ATL Andre Johnson WR HOU Rob Gronkowski TE NE

Gridiron Experts is debuting a new themed Mock Draft Analysis article called “You’re On The Clock” The concept is simple, a group of our writers will be given a scenario and asked their opinion to make the next pick in a live fantasy football draft. With the help of a completed draft from Fantasy Football Calculator, we’re kicking things off with a fairly standard yet critical point in this 12 man league. With 16 running backs off the board, and 5 elite WR’s gone, “Team 2” is at a point in which he can go many ways. What would you do?

Having already taken Foster, a RB could wait till the pick swings back to me at 26th. Thing is, the top five WRs seem to be gone. This is a tricky pick, but what I would do is take Randall Cobb. I think he has a ton of WR upside with Greg Jennings out of the picture in GB. With the 26th pick I would take Graham if he’s still there since it’s keepers and for the last two years he’s been the top TE in a pass-happy offense. If he is not there I could go with a David Wilson, Darren McFadden or DeMarco Murrey to have a solid RB2 behind Foster. An elite QB is tempting, but the field is very deep this year. Cobb is a great offensive weapon and I think he will be a legit WR1 again this season.

With 16 RBs off the board there’s not much incentive to take a chance on a question mark back at this point. I’m a firm believer in finding competitive advantages in situations like this. Jimmy Graham would give you that at TE, but I think it’s too much of a risk. He struggled to stay on the field last year and ultimately took a big step back from a fantasy dominance perspective. Reunited with Sean Payton, his numbers should improve, but I think the second round is too early for TEs this year. Drew Brees is very enticing. He’s led all players in points two years running. But as Darren said, the QB position is deep this year. Crater Lake deep. I think it’s time to grab a strong WR. Fitzgerald should reemerge with Carson Palmer at the helm, but I would go with the safer bet in Demaryius Thomas. I know there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen in Denver, but Peyton’s no stranger to getting his #1 big numbers. Let’s not forget Thomas was still raw last year and finished in the top five in receiving anyways. I think he’s in for another big year, even with Welker. Plus, at age 25, there could be incentive to keep Thomas next year if you don’t find steals elsewhere.

After securing what we assume is one of the top running backs in the league in Arian Foster, you could go one of two ways in my opinion. Personally, I would draft Jimmy Graham. Many hate taking tight ends early, but if you get a top tier one like Graham, you will have such an advantage at that position week to week over your opponents. With Sean Payton returning this year, I’m expecting big things from Jimmy Graham. If you feel taking a tight end this early is too much of a risk, I would take a look at one of the best WR available. At this point in the draft, there is a huge/steep drop off in talent. With so many top tier receivers remaining, it’s a no brainer to take whichever one you like the best.

I understand that Graham could be the top tight end in 2013, but I still wouldn’t take a tight end that early. I don’t trust McFadden and I can’t trust David Wilson after one impressive rookie season, although he does have a lot of potential. I would probably take Reggie Bush or Demaryius Thomas with the 11th pick in the second round. Bush could have a career year in his first season as a Lion. Thomas should see more one-on-one coverage with Welker in Denver now and even more chemistry with Peyton Manning. I like Bush or Thomas with this pick.

The 17th running back or a tier two wide receiver, -no thanks. Everyone wants RB depth, but you can’t screw up your draft in a position like this. The safest options are either Jimmy Graham or Drew Brees. In fact, I want both of those players, so depending on my knowledge of the owner with “Team One”, I will draft accordingly.