The Fantasy Mock Draft 1.0

We are getting a new experience out of Fantasy Football this year. Yup, as most of you probably know we are running our own 14 team league, the Bloggers Invitational. And it’s going to be strange, just like our friend over at Pacifist Viking, we too have grown accustomed to the 8 to 10 man leagues, where every roster is stacked. Consider us ready to study and read up in the next few weeks.

In any event, we decided to take a stab at what we feel is a somewhat logical order of how things could breakdown. Welcome to our very own Fantasy Mock Draft 1.0. Keep in mind, we aren’t too worried about giving away secrets or leading people into seeing what cards we’re holding. Really, would it come as surprise to let somebody know…we’d probably take LT if we had the #1 pick? Nah…didn’t think so.

Believe me; we are only covering the first few rounds. We’d never go deep into the draft, because that my friend is how and where Championships are won. Everyone has their strategy, but most people share a common ground on top picks. Well, unless of course you’ve got complete morons in your league.

And that’s about enough lathering…here is our Round 1 Mock Draft 1.0. Eat your heart out Funston, Harmon and Karabell.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson – The Crème De Le Crème. His production could only go down from last season, but he’d still be in a class by himself. The bigger question would be is he not going #1 in every single draft worldwide? Hopefully, we could get stat on this. Of note, in an 8 man league I played in last year…the LT owner finished in last place, he has since had his league membership revoked.

2. Steven Jackson – He’s probably going to suck, so you should all just stay the hell away from him. He has no upside, whatsoever. Last season was a fluke; remove him off your board…please. Take my advice the Rams are going to pass all season long. If anything you want Isaac Bruce, Drew Bennett and/or Randy McMike before this guy. (Note: S-Jax has been on my Fantasy team(s) for the past 3 seasons and I love him).

3. Larry Johnson – Breakdown…go ahead and give it to me now…breakdown. The nightmare slot appears to be “3-4-5” in most drafts this year. Do you trust LJ to keep piling on the carries in Earl Campbell fashion? Is he the next Jamal Anderson? Can you really pass on him? These are all decisions, I’d rather not face.

4. Frank Gore – Here is my best analysis: He has gone from sleeper to over-hyped in the span of 12 months. And frankly (no-pun intended) I’m not quite sure what to make of him. Once he starts popping up on magazine covers and fluctuates between #3-5 on Funston’s Big Board I get nervous.

5. Rudi Johnson – If ever we needed somebody to carry the Tiki Barber torch of under-appreciated bland RB’s…here is our guy. All Rudi does year in and year out is break-off somewhere around 1300 to 1400 yards and 12 TD’s. Call him bland all you want, but he’s in the perfect offense to keep churning out those #’s.

6. Shaun Alexander – I enjoy the Shaun Alexander experience. It’s rewarding and always stress free (sans last season). And anytime you can see Arizona, St. Louis and San Francisco twice on the schedule, you instantly realize there are potentially (6) 100 yard and multiple TD games right there. It doesn’t hurt that despite denying it to the utmost, Alexander is a stat whore as well. What about the foot though?

7. Brian Westbrook – Like my old 1987 Ford Bronco. It wasn't the fastest, the toughest, nor the shiniest car around and even though it was a little old it never let me down. It could handle the snow, rain, or heat and was quick and versatile. It might even get you laid once in a while. Westbrook's consistency is invaluable as he will always catch a handful of passes and put up decent rushing numbers. He always goes way too late in most drafts…so we are giving him a bump this year.

8. Ronnie Brown – This seems like a death sentence. You know he's a featured back and belongs in the first round, but how good can you really feel about taking him with a first round pick? He lacks consistency and the Dolphins offense is in a transition period. A first round pick should always be about consistency. Nevertheless, he has massive potential and featured backs are becoming harder and harder to come by, so he's still here in the top 10.

9. Joseph Addai – Can he handle the full load? Did that sound gay? Oh well, that is the phrase you’ll be sure to hear associated with Addai. It never hurts to have Manning, Wayne and Harrison as your allies on offense, but I am VERY skeptical about this guy being the first Colt picked in any draft. Just my opinion.

10. Peyton Manning – This is a decision I’ve never wanted to make. I’ve often thought it would be like selling your soul to the devil to draft Peyton Manning, but simply stated…he is going to dominate as usual this season. You can always relax with Manning at the helm on Sunday’s. He's about as sure a thing as it get, but again...do you draft a QB in the 1st round?

10a. Jon Kitna – If Manning is 10, then Jon Kitna is no doubt 10A. I mean, outside of Manning is there a more lucrative QB on the board? I mean if you’re taking Manning in Round 1…you have to consider Kitna as well, right? He is on record as guaranteeing at least 10 wins for the Lions. Look for an all out assault on the record books from good ‘ole J-Kitz. I smell a breakout, like Rich Gannon in 2002.

11. Steve Smith – I will never doubt him. I don’t see how he wouldn’t be the first WR taken off the board. And I imagine by Week 6 he’ll have David Carr throwing him the football instead of Delhomme, which would be a good thing.

12. Laurence Maroney – Like Addai, I just don’t know how I feel about a dude with a shoulder injury, shouldering the full load. And is anybody really content taking a guy who has earned the nickname “Kool Aid” around the internet?

13. Willie Parker – He should get 750 carries this year before he combusts, so the percentages for yards and points are always in your favor. It's ulikely the Steelers are ever going away from the grind it out offense, at least not as long as Burger is around.

14. Reggie Bush – 6-1-9 Bitch. 6-1-9 Bitch. I nibbled on the Reggie Bush bait last year and drafted him a few rounds too early. Annoyed, I cut the bait and traded him just before he decided to go on his barrage of “good” games. I won’t be fooled this year. Reggie is gonna break the fuck out.

Round 2 is up as well if you want to keep reading.