league 474 draft analysis

On Tuesday, I had my first FFOC draft. It went pretty quick and smooth. One owner missed the first 4 or 5 rounds and was put on auto draft and I had a work interruption and missed the last 3 or 4 rounds (sorry for slowing it down).

I've listed the projected starters and my analysis of each team in order of the place we drafted:

1> Kuhawks - Kurt Warner, Adrian Peterson, Ronnie Brown, Brandon Marshall, Chad Johnson, Hines Ward, Tony Gonzalez, Matt Schaub, Nick Folk, Pittsburgh

Very solid starting lineup, but a very thin bench. Assuming they strengthen their bench through Free Agency. Prediction: 3rd

2> Cocktails and Dreams XV - Aaron Rodgers, Maurice Jones Drew, Brandon Jacobs, Dwayne Bowe, Antonio Bryant, Santonio Holmes, Antonio Gates, Donovan McNabb, Jason Elam, Minnesota

Chad showed why he's an expert. Very solid draft to go along with a solid bench full of potential (Orton, B.Wells, M.Bush, D.Avery, R.Rice). I pick this team as the team to beat, and not just because of the reputation. If there's a weakness, it's #2 rb, but he has plenty of options and just one of them needs to come through. Prediction: 1st

3> George Dickel (me) - Phillip Rivers, Michael Turner, Frank Gore, Lee Evans, DeSean Jackson, Donald Driver, Jason Witten, Trent Edwards, Mason Crosby, San Diego

Who doesn't like their team after the draft? As usual, I skimped on WR figuring you can always find productive WR's on waivers if yours don't produce. The key will be having Trent Edwards or Chad Pennington set up to consistently get 13-20 points. Strong running backs could turn this into a contending team (addai, fred jackson and buckhalter on the bench). Prediction: 4th

4> Alley Cats - Matt Cassel, Matt Forte, Brian Westbrook, Randy Moss, Marques Colston, Vincent Jackson, Kellen Winslow, Derrick Ward, Rob Bironas, Philly

Very dangerous team with talent like Forte, Westbrook, Moss and Colston. Quarterback is a huge question mark (Garrard is only other qb). Also thin at RB for the games that Westbrook will miss due to injury. If Westbrook stays healthy and Cassel is solid, this is another team who can contend for the title. Prediction: 5th

5> goombeens - Tony Romo, Ryan Grant, Willie Parker, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Jennings, Bryant Johnson, Owen Daniels, Ben Roethlisberger, Adam Vinatieri, Chicago

Even though they aren't big names, I like his rb's. Also has Reggie Bush and Lendale White as reserves. What will Romo be without TO? Who is going to be their #3 WR? If Derrick Mason unretires, that will help a lot. For now, I see too many dead spots. Prediction: 8th

6> jcanes - Carson Palmer, Steve Slaton, D'Angelo Williams, Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, Roy Williams, Dallas Clark, Larry Johnson, Nate Kaeding, NY Giants

Must have been in the league last year, as they snatched up the two stars of the top 15...Slaton and Williams. Quarterback can be a problem if Palmer continues to struggle as Jason Campbell is their only other QB. Bench has too many rookies on it for my liking. Prediction: 9th

7> LearnToRise II - Tom Brady, Marion Barber III, Darren McFadden, Andre Johnson, TJ Houshmanzadah, Tedd Ginn Jr, Greg Olsen, Jay Cutler, Steve Gostkowski, Baltimore

I expect Brady to rebound and be an elite fantasy QB once again. Running back will make or break this team. I look for Barber to be solid this year, but they need McFadden, James Stewart or Maroney to step up and be a reliable #2 rb. Good depth and 3 good qb's. Prediction: 2nd

8> Cougar Goldrush 2 - Peyton Manning, Stephen Jackson, Clinton Portis, Terrell Owens, Bernard Berrian, Lance Moore, Zach Miller, Marc Bulger, Neil Rackers, Green Bay

They better find a rich cougar because I don't see this team going anywhere, much less to the final 15. The RB's are injury prone and are past their best seasons. Bench and wr's are thin. Bulger and Collins aren't good fantasy qb's in their current systems. An MVP season out of Stephen Jackson is the only way I see this team competing. Prediction: 10th

9> team fupa - Matt Ryan, Chris Johnson, LT, Steve Smith (car), Wes Welker, Eddie Royal, Chris Cooley, Eli Manning, Garret Hartley, New England

Deep at WR. Has decent, not great qb's. A lot depends on the season LT has. LeSean McCoy is a sleeper that could also help this team get over the hump. Prediction: 6th

10> Benisato Tier I - Drew Brees, Cedric Benson, Pierre Thomas, Anquan Boldin, Braylon Edwards, Anthony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey, Matt Hasselbeck, David Akers, NY Jets

Unfortunately, he got stuck in a meeting and missed the first 4 or 5 rounds. Ended up with Cedric Benson as the #10 overall pick and Pierre Thomas in round 4. One reason why I highly suggest to set your draft lists before your draft just in case you run into unexpected difficulties. The team is still decent with potential. Braylon Edwards could be the key to whether they contend for one of the top spots. Precition: 7th

One a quick note...here are my top 5 value picks from our draft:
#5 - LearnToRise II - Tedd Ginn Jr rd 10 94th pick overall
#4 - George Dickel - Frank Gore rd 2 19th pick overall
#3 - LearnToRise II - Chris Henry (cin) rd 15 146th pick overall
#2 - jcanes - Larry Johnson rd 6 55th pick overall
#1 - goombeens - Willie Parker rd 7 65th pick overall

Good luck everyone!