Self-review:
- (2) Adrian Peterson (Min - RB)
I traded up into the 2nd pick from the 7th pick. I wasn’t too happy with the 7th pick - I wasn’t sure if Andre Johnson with his injury history was worth the #7 overall, and the best I could hope for there was Gore. I think Turner is due to a much better year than last year (but not as good as 2008) so I wouldn’t have hated him there. Turns out neither would’ve been available and I’d have been forced into a tough choice between Andre Johnson or reaching for Rodgers or getting one of the unproven young RBs. Glad I was able to just secure who I think has a shot at being the #1 RB this year, with Chester Taylor gone, and the potential problems with Favre and Rice making the Vikings need more emphasis on the running game.
- (18) Calvin Johnson (Det - WR)
I’m high on him and there’s no reason he shouldn’t finish top 5 WR this year. He’s healthy and his supporting cast has improved - Stafford will have some confidence, Best is going to take some safety attention, and Burleson and Shefter are better than last year’s secondary receivers so they can’t quite focus on CJ as much.
- (31) Matt Schaub (Hou - QB)
This was a reach. I was hoping for Tom Brady who ended up getting snatched up 1 pick before. With him, I think I’d have had the best QB1/RB1/WR1 combo in the league. I still may. I’m not as high on Schaub since I think his numbers will fall off a bit this year, but he’ll still be top 7 at worst barring injury. If Romo and Schaub would’ve still been here, I’d have waited a round and took whoever fell, but Schaub represents the last QB before a big dropoff (I think Rivers will be good but not elite this year), and so I ended up reaching here because I really wanted a top tier QB. It wasn’t a huge loss because I wasn’t wildly enthusiastic about the guys that went after him. I was more confident in my ability to mine RB/WR gold later than QB gold.
- (42) Dwayne Bowe (KC - WR)
I’m high on Bowe this year. Camp reports are that he came in with his head screwed on straight - in great shape, attended Fitzgerald’s offseason camp, etc. He’s got tons of raw talent and I think Weis will kickstart that passing offense. Besides Arian Foster, I think this will end up looking like the best pick of the 4th round.
- (55) Ronnie Brown (Mia - RB)
I like Brown this year. Contract year. Miami’s passing game will improve, which is always a double edged sword - it may mean fewer carries to go around, but it may also lead to a per-play improvement because of the multidimensional threat. His knees should be better by now. Happy to have him in round 5, although it was a tough choice with the next pick being Forte. I would’ve probably snatched up Forte if he fell to the next round. Forte may end up outperforming him this year.
- (79) Johnny Knox (Chi - WR) - I changed this to pick 7. Even though it’s listed as my 6th pick, since I gave my 6th rounder to Ellis Dee.
The situaton in chicago is ambiguous but I like Knox to arise as the most productive receiver there. Martz loves guys like him. I’m not getting him at sleeper prices here though, so not outstanding value.
- (90) Jerome Harrison (Cle - RB)
Jerome Harrison is going to have 3700 combined yards and 31 touchdowns. Outstanding value in round 9. I had just found out a bit earlier (during the draft) that Hardesty was out, but it wasn’t clear he was going to be on IR at that point. That just made me more determined to grab Harrison.
9. (98) Thomas Jones (KC - RB)
This is actually a pick I wasn’t too enthusiastic about. I let my clock run down to nothing and more or less selected him by default. I do think he’ll be somewhat productive this year with lots of TDs - enough to scare me away from Jamal Charles - but I don’t know when I’d ever start him and his upside isn’t massive. I should’ve taken Justin Forsett here maybe.
9. (103) Zach Miller (Oak - TE) - Picked up an extra 9th rounder from the Ellis Dee swap
I’d have liked to get Finley or Celek, but I’m high on Miller. He’s very talented, managing 800 rec yards with some terrible QBs. So a half-competant Jason Campbell who loves to throw to TEs could potentially turn Miller into a top 5.
- (114) Pittsburgh (Pit - DEF)
Eh. I hate the inbreds, but Polamalu is back, and they look good when he is. They’ll need more to rely on defense and low scoring games too until rapistberger is back in rhythm.
- (127) Steve Slaton (Hou - RB)
Lottery pick. He may manage to play himself back into an important role, he’s got talent, and he’s on an explosive offense.
- (138) Dexter McCluster (KC - WR,RB)
At best, maybe he can be another Percy Harvin utility player. Some rush yards, some rec yards, return yards.
- (151) Legedu Naanee (SD - WR)
If Jackson never plays in SD again, Naanee is going to be a starter in a prolific passing offense.
- (162) David Akers (Phi - K)
Thought I’d beat the last round kicker rush by taking one early. He’s top 10 usually.
- (175) Anthony Gonzalez (Ind - WR)
Not sure how much of a role he’s going to play, but it’s not like Garcon or Collie are outstanding players - people look good with Manning throwing to them. If Gonzo takes one of their spots, that’s some pretty great production out of round 15.
Overall I’m pretty happy with my team. Wish I’d have snagged a better QB after reaching for one that high, but Schaub has a good shot at top 5 this year, which wouldn’t make it a reach.