You’re on the Clock: Team Nine

Mock Draft Analysis

Details: 12 Man League

Scoring: PPR

Roster Size: 20

Starting Line-up: QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1Flex: (RB.WR,TE) TE, K, DEF

Best Available Options Rob Gronkowski TE NE Wes Welker WR DEN DeMarco Murray RB DAL Tom Brady QB NE Jordy Nelson WR GB Andre Johnson WR TB Victor Cruz WR NYG Hakeem Nicks WR NYG Dwayne Bowe WR KC

Gridiron Experts newest themed article is a Mock Draft Analysis piece 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.

This week we are looking at Team 9, a fantasy owner that is either a huge Cowboys fan or feels in a PPR league Dez Bryant’s value exceeds that of the players normally drafted in this spot. His team is very high risk, yet can get quickly back on track with this next pick. Who does he pick?

Team 9’s draft strategy is very high risk, and at this point I think he need’s to continue on this boom or bust strategy. Keep in mind we fall into a standard pecking order based on the consensus of where players should be drafted throughout the pre-season thanks to ADP (average draft position). I’m sure the pick of Dez Byrant got some laughs, but picking successfully against the norm separates one from winning and losing. Whose to say Byrant isn’t a top 3 receiver a year from now, he does have the talent.

Nevertheless, I like a the value of grabbing Andre Johnson here.

Questionable draft strategy snagging Dez Bryant in the first round with Marshawn Lynch, Alfred Morris and Trent Richardson on the board, but to each his own. I wouldn’t take a chance on any tight end other than Jimmy Graham before Round 6 and he’s gone. Far too much depth at QB to make my move there now either. So I think it’s time to strike for my WR2. For me, I would take Andre Johnson. Johnson was second in the NFL in receiving yards last season, but disappointed fantasy owners with only four TDs. He’s never been able to crack double digits in the TD department either. Regardless, he’s targeted a lot, and barring injury, a guy with his talent is due to find the end zone often this year. The acquisition of DeAndre Hopkins should only make that task easier to accomplish too, as he takes some defensive attention away from Houston’s big target. I think Andre is in line for a big year.

I agree with Bob. At this point it’s too early for a quarterback. Team 9 already has two decent running backs and I don’t like DeMarco Murray. Therefore, I’m taking a second wide receiver here as well. Mike Wallace, Wes Welker, and Dwayne Bowe all have new quarterbacks and Rob Gronkowski’s status is in flux after a plethora of surgeries. Andre Johnson is the most logical choice at this spot, especially in PPR scoring leagues. Johnson has proven himself as one of the top receivers in fantasy football. When Johnson plays a full season he has top five wide receiver potential. He came back after an injury plagued 2011 season to post a career high 1,598 yards in 2012. He also had 112 receptions, second most in a season for his career. As Bob said, rookie DeAndre Hopkins should help free up Johnson a little more and provide more scoring opportunities. I’d be happy to take Andre Johnson with the 40th overall pick.

I am actually going to take a shot with Dwayne Bowe here. Last year was a little soft for Bowe but if you take a look at 2010 and 2011 it looks a lot better. Both years Bowe eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark by over 150. His yards per game in 2010 and 2011 were 72.6 and 72.4 respectively, which is pretty darn good. Bowe grabbed 15 TD’s in 2010 and 5 in 2011 to combine for 20 touchdowns in a two year span. He had 153 catches in that time and 45 of the said catches went for over 20 yards. Bowe may have had a poor season last year but I am feeling a bounce back year much like the 2010 season after a disappointing 2009. There is plenty of upside this year with Bowe, he is a no-brainer WR2 that could easily turn into another WR1 for you.

You could easily argue that DeMarco Murray was the right pick here. When Team 9 started the draft with Bryant, he put himself in position to be lagging at the critical RB position. Then, to make matters worse, he took two very questionable picks in David Wilson (questionable role, could be benched but a worthwhile gamble) and Darren McFadden (terrible team, always hurt). With the runners falling off fast, the best move was to take the next available RB and depth and insurance. If he can stay healthy, Murray might be this team’s best runner. If not that, taking Andre Johnson is the next best move.

Check out our other You’re on the Clock articles:

You’re on the Clock Vol 1

You’re on the Clock Vol 2

You’re on the Clock Vol 3