[quote]FightinIrish26 wrote:
Running backs first. Always.
Unless you’re getting Brady, then wait on a quarterback until the fifth round or later.
You’re looking for guys like LT, Adrian Peterson, Steven Jackson, Joesph Addai, Brian Westbrook. Running backs that don’t platoon, get lots of carries, and don’t get yanked near the goal line in favor of bigger backs.
RB’s always get you the most points unless your scoring is bizarre. Being as they also tend to catch alot of passes and screens, they touch the ball more than anyone else in the game.
I’m keeping Frank Gore from my team last year, so he’s my “First pick”. When it comes back around, I’ll pick up another big back, depending on who’s left. Look online and print out cheat sheets that list the players and what many consider to be their rankings.
Ones like this are helpful: http://www.fftoolbox.com/football/2008/overall.cfm
After I get my two RB’s, I tend to look for a big name receiver, or a solid one at least, because my league plays four receivers.
Chad Johnson, Randy Moss, TO, these guys will get taken early, so I look more for middle of the road guys like Plax, Colston, etc. Great receivers, but not so great they get snapped up immediately.
Remember, a great day for a receiver is 10 catches, 120 yards, maybe a touchdown.
A great day for a RB is 30 carries, 140 yards, 2 or 3 TD’s, then maybe 10 catches for another 50 yards, etc. If you’re getting points for carries, yards, TD, receptions, receiving yards, it all adds up quick. Gore in 2006 was a one man wrecking crew for me. LT is the same way.
If you can get a combo in regards to QB/WR, like (by a miracle) picking up Brady and Moss, or Manning and Wayne, then do it, because when they have terrific games you double your points up. Even one like Tony Homo and whoever his #2 is isn’t bad, or Favre/Coles.
I always thought this is like getting the trifecta though… happens when you’re lucky. I had Favre in Jennings’ first year, and I picked up Jennings in the late rounds when noone was paying attention. That was the year my man tore it up.
QB’s I pick late. Fifth round, sixth round, whatever. Most QB’s will do OK, as they fit into the bell curve somewhere and will give you some 300 yard games, some shootouts with lots of touchdowns, etc. I had Kitna last year, which worked out for me because the Lions threw the ball so fucking much even though he wasn’t great.
Defenses/tight ends are the last, least of your worries. All interchangeable. Even the best TE is not worth a fourth or fifth round pick because they won’t see the ball as much as a RB or WR.
These are just my humble opinions.[/quote]
Good post. This strategy has been the conventional wisdom for years, but it might be a little dated. The reality is that workhorse RBs are now being replaced with RBBC (running back by committee) situations, which adds a ton of depth to the position.
So while you still want to build around a stud RB, there aren’t very many left and there’s also no real need to reach for a 2nd RB who will be splitting carries (ie B Jacobs, DEN RBs) when elite WRs are still available. (ie Braylon, Fitzgerald)
Where you pick your QB will be heavily based on your league’s scoring system. If passing TD’s count the same as rush/rec TD’s it does make sense to draft an elite QB early (Romo, Brees are elite) and know that you’re in good shape for the playoffs.
In other scoring systems, waiting for a QB can be better esp if you can envision a breakout (Cutler?) or bounceback year (Big Ben last year)
Agreed about picking your TE/K/DEF late, but again make sure you completely understand your league’s scoring. (the top DEF like MIN, SD went relatively early in our league, based on their impact on scoring)
