This offseason, FanHouse and the Fantasy Football Cafe are getting together to do some mocking. We're bringing you a series of mock drafts to help you prepare for your fantasy football season. Because when it comes to your fantasy football draft, there's no such thing as being too prepared.Last week, we completed a 10-team mock. This week, you'll hear from each of the mock drafters as they've graciously answered the question that's on every fantasy football player's mind when they read a mock draft: "What were they thinking?"
R.J. White
RB Adrian Peterson
WR Greg Jennings
WR Steve Smith
RB Reggie Bush
RB Knowshon Moreno
TE Dallas Clark
WR Eddie Royal
QB Matt Schaub
QB Jay Cutler
WR Laveranues Coles
RB Chester Taylor
WR Kevin Walter
RB Ahmad Bradshaw
TM Philadelphia Eagles
PK Nate Kaeding
Defend your consecutive QB picks in the middle rounds. Defense and kicker weren't options, as I always wait till the very end for those two positions. I already had a TE. The next RB I wanted was Chester Taylor, as a handcuff to Peterson, and I was sure I'd get him the next time around. Many of the WR options looked similar at that point, and there's enough depth at the position that it's worth the wait. Since I was one of the last to take a starting QB, I figure I'd up the odds of landing a star by taking the clear top two options left. Schaub's injury history makes having a strong backup a necessity.
Other than your own, which is the best team? I think everyone has holes, but Tom has the most well-rounded team in the draft. I think McNabb is in for a huge season, while a RB combo of Jackson and Brown could be the best in the league. Even with that great RB combo, he was still able to get one of the top-tier WRs and one of the second-tier WRs, along with good depth at the position. If Owen Daniels pans out, this could be a championship team.
bungle613
RB Maurice Jones-Drew
RB Brandon Jacobs
WR Reggie Wayne
TE Jason Witten
WR Braylon Edwards
QB Tony Romo
WR Santonio Holmes
RB Ray Rice
RB Cedric Benson
RB Leon Washington
WR Donald Driver
QB David Garrard
TM Baltimore Ravens
PK Ryan Longwell
QB Brett Favre
What was your best value pick? Cedric Benson, I guess. I won't say I got tremendous value at any slot. An auto-pick mishap messed me up a bit, as I completely forgot I had Romo. If I had remembered, I wouldn't have taken three QBs.Defend Jones-Drew as the No. 2 overall pick. There are four options for me at 2-5. MJD, Turner, Forte and LT. Tomlinson is aging and while he is one of the best ever, numbers decline. Starting now, he won't be 40 points ahead of the No. 2 back. Atlanta has already stated Turner's touches will drop this year. I do not like or trust second-year RBs. MJD I have loved since his start -- I drafted him in all dynasty leagues I was in at the time and now is his time. He was a top-12 back with Fred Taylor on board, and I believe he will easily be the No. 2 back without Fred there.
Other than your own, which is the best team? Jake. Risky QB1, but if Warner stays healthy, he's a great fantasy QB. Jake backed him up with a young star. Turner is a workhorse, and Houston did nothing in the offseason to make me think Slaton's touches will decrease. Jake backed both of those up with a potential top-10 RB in Lynch for the games he plays this year. He has two good WRs and three more good upside WRs on the bench, and an up-and-coming stud at TE. Solid team.
aaawall91
RB Matt Forte
RB Marion Barber
QB Drew Brees
TE Antonio Gates
WR Chad Ochocinco
WR DeSean Jackson
WR Anthony Gonzalez
RB Donald Brown
RB Rashard Mendenhall
WR Ted Ginn
RB Willis McGahee
WR Patrick Crayton
TE Zach Miller
TM San Diego Chargers
PK Robbie Gould
What was your best value pick? I'd say Anthony Gonzalez.
Other than your own, which is the best team? Tom's team.
jake_twothousandfive
RB Michael Turner
RB Steve Slaton
WR Roddy White
WR Wes Welker
RB Marshawn Lynch
QB Kurt Warner
TE Greg Olsen
WR Bernard Berrian
QB Matt Ryan
WR Percy Harvin
WR Steve Breaston
RB LeSean McCoy
TM New York Giants
RB Michael Bush
PK Mason Crosby
What was your best value pick? Apart from Lynch (who I believe will turn out to be my best value), the best value I got was with Matt Ryan in the ninth round at pick 84. Ryan is a borderline top-10 QB this year with upside. The addition of Tony Gonzalez gives Ryan an elite check-down option as well as an ideal red-zone target. He provides excellent protection for an elderly Kurt Warner.Defend Marshawn Lynch as a top-50 player. Some are concerned that 28-year-old Fred Jackson will steal Lynch's thunder this year. Frankly, I'm not convinced. Jackson is an effective backup, but he shouldn't be a threat to steal carries when both are healthy. Lynch is far superior in terms of overall talent. All in all, Lynch is an efficient, well-rounded, elite-level RB. If it weren't for his suspension (which could very well turn into just a single game), he'd be a borderline first-round pick again in this year's draft.
Other than your own, which is the best team? Tom's team has no clear weakness. McNabb is still an elite quarterback with (finally) a wealth of talent surrounding him. S-Jax should be in for another great season especially as those around him return to health. Ronnie Brown is one of the best fantasy RB2 picks in the game and has the feature role safely to himself. Calvin Johnson is a beast with or without talent around him. Colston comes with a little injury risk, but the upside more than justifies that risk. Owen Daniels is a great downfield threat for his position.
mattb47
RB LaDanian Tomlinson
WR Randy Moss
RB Pierre Thomas
WR Brandon Marshall
RB Willie Parker
QB Aaron Rodgers
WR Jerricho Cotchery
TE Kellen Winslow
WR Donnie Avery
RB Julius Jones
RB Jerious Norwood
QB Trent Edwards
WR Nate Burleson
TM Chicago Bears
PK Neil Rackers
What was your best value pick? I really liked Aaron Rodgers in the middle of the sixth round as my best value. He has top-five potential and I'm getting him four full rounds later than the first QB off the board. He looked awfully good last year for a first-year starter and he's getting all of his weapons back for another go at it. I don't like taking QBs early; I was surprised that he was there when I was finally really considering a QB.Defend your top-five pick of Tomlinson. Well, the thing people need to keep in mind is that despite being bothered all season by a painful turf toe injury, he still managed to put up top-five numbers in some leagues and he was easily within the top 10 in every standard format. He's one of the few that really has a legitimate shot at being the No. 1 overall RB by season's end. I've never seen a RB with his work ethic and durability and he still has something to prove this year that RBs don't all immediately decline at age 30.
Other than your own, which is the best team? The first team I liked was Bryan's team. He has a good looking starting roster that includes Tom Brady, Frank Gore, Ryan Grant, and Anquan Boldin and doesn't really have any huge glaring weaknesses. Another team that I could see doing big things is Chris' team. This team has some big question marks, but they are the kind of guys who could put this team over the top. Some of the guys I'm even down on this year have the capability of putting up big numbers. That combined with some guys who have potential on the bench gives this team a ton of upside, to go along with the risk of it being a team full of busts.
WaCougMBS
RB Brian Westbrook
RB Clinton Portis
QB Peyton Manning
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
WR Vincent Jackson
TE Tony Gonzalez
RB LenDale White
WR Antonio Bryant
WR Torry Holt
RB Jamal Lewis
WR Steve Smith (NYG)
WR Derrick Mason
WR Deion Branch
TM Tennessee Titans
PK David Akers
What was your best value pick? Tony Gonzalez. I am not a huge fan of taking TEs early in the draft, but when a top-three guy falls into your lap almost 20 picks after Witten and Gates are off the board, it's very hard to turn down. With two solid RBs, two serviceable WRs and Peyton under center, this pick was a no-brainer!Defend T.J. Houshmandzadeh as a WR1. I would have much rather taken Colston or Boldin here as my WR1, but considering the crop of WRs after they were taken, I felt like I had to take a stand and take Housh. There will certainly be a learning curve as he adapts to the West Coast-style Seattle offense, but Housh is an undeniable talent as a possession receiver and will get a healthy enough number of looks in the red-zone to warrant being a fringe WR1 this season. He offers less risk than the Brandon Marshalls of the world and has a higher ceiling this season than former teammate Chad Ochocinco or Wes Welker in a non-PPR format.
Other than your own, which is the best team? This was a 10-team mock, so all teams are pretty strong from top to bottom, but if I had to narrow it down to one team, I would say I'm partial to Sean's team. He was able to nab two top-three WRs with his first picks and then got a great crop of RBs with his next six picks. After all of that, Carson Palmer was waiting for him in the ninth round and he was still able to fill his TE spot with some serious upside in Dustin Keller in the 11th. It's a close call, but that is my personal favorite.
Tom Herrera
RB Steven Jackson
WR Calvin Johnson
RB Ronnie Brown
WR Marques Colston
RB Thomas Jones
QB Donovan McNabb
WR Santana Moss
TE Owen Daniels
WR Devin Hester
RB Darren Sproles
WR Mark Clayton
QB Matt Hasselbeck
TM New York Jets
TE Visanthe Shiancoe
PK Jason Elam
What was your best value pick? Ronnie Brown in the third round. He managed double-digit touchdowns last season despite receiving only 214 carries. Now that he's fully recovered from his knee injury, I have no doubt he'll receive more carries this year and exceed his draft value as a versatile part of the 'Wildcat' offense. In my mind, he's a surefire second-rounder, and a steal in the third. Oh, and he's got one more year left on his rookie contract, so there's some added incentive.Defend Donovan McNabb over Aaron Rodgers. I likely raised eyebrows when I took him over Kurt Warner and Aaron Rodgers, but it was truly a close call for me. I think it's all going to come together for McNabb this year, even more than his strong 2008 season. With the addition of dynamic rookie Jeremy Maclin to the receiving corps, and LeSean McCoy to the rushing game, McNabb's weapons are not only better, they're younger and faster. I fully expect DeSean Jackson to build on his awesome rookie season and increase rapport with McNabb. With Brian Westbrook ailing, there's also a good chance the Eagles open it up more through the air.
Other than your own, which is the best team? Matt's team has no holes and only one significant question mark, that being the mercurial Brandon Marshall. I like what he did with his first three picks, snagging LaDainian Tomlinson, Randy Moss, then still getting a solid No. 2 back in Pierre Thomas. And if Reggie Bush eats into too many of Thomas' carries, he has good depth with Willie Parker and a late snag of Julius Jones just in case. R.J.'s and bungle's teams are very solid, too.
Sean Lalley
WR Larry Fitzgerald
WR Andre Johnson
RB Kevin Smith
RB Darren McFadden
RB Jonathan Stewart
RB Chris Wells
RB Derrick Ward
RB Felix Jones
QB Carson Palmer
WR Michael Crabtree
TE Dustin Keller
QB Matt Cassel
WR Jeremy Maclin
TE Bo Scaife
WR Charles Rogers (just for giggles)
What was your best value pick? Typically, I'd say Darren McFadden, because I got him in the fourth round and feel like he's destined for stardom this year. However, I'll go with Carson, just because I was in dire need of a QB. He was available late in the draft, and if healthy his upside is solid. I know that makes my team sound crummy, but I like Palmer to have a bounce-back season -- not like 2005 all over again, but I feel like (if he really is healthy) he's a steady fantasy option.Defend six running backs selected before your starting QB. Well, I needed to bulk up on RBs. I was testing a potential strategy of mine that if I landed in the No. 8, 9 or 10 position of the draft I was going WR-WR. Hence, I went with Fitty and Dre with my first two picks, a huge leap of faith. And yes, very unconventional, but no risk/no reward and I really didn't like the Clinton Portis/Marion Barbers of the world. So, basically I had to load up on RBs with upside and hope more than one pans out to be on par with the norm. Basically, I'm playing the odds; I just need two of the six to be solid, and if I luck out and more fit the bill, I can make a trade to fill another need.
Other than your own, which is the best team? Well, let the record show (I'm crazy) my team isn't the best and
there are some holes and/or what-ifs. I'd say hands down the best team on paper is Tom's team. He managed to get Calvin Johnson and Colston (which in essence is on par with the tandem of Fitty n' Dre, and could even be better). However, he didn't mortgage his two picks to accomplish the feat. Instead, he got a stud in Steven Jackson to boot. Ronnie Brown and Thomas Jones give him reliable RB depth and McNabb is always a steady option. He also nabbed what I feel could be a top-five fantasy defense in the Jets at the very end.
Bryan Tucker
RB Frank GoreQB Tom Brady
RB Ryan Grant
WR Anquan Boldin
RB Joseph Addai
WR Lee Evans
TE Chris Cooley
TM Pittsburgh Steelers
QB Eli Manning
WR Lance Moore
WR Chris Chambers
RB Fred Taylor
PK Stephen Gostkowski
TE Brent Celek
TM New England Patriots
What was your best value pick? I think the Steelers defense with the 72nd pick was my best value. I feel defense is always underrated, and the Steelers provided plenty of punch for one of my teams last year.
Defend Tom Brady over Drew Brees. I think Brady has more weapons than he had in his monster year two seasons ago. The running back position is still a mess, and I don't trust Laurence Maroney, so I think Mr. Bundchen will air it out often.
Other than your own, which is the best team? I think Chris had the best team on paper, not to mention the best name in our mock draft (Salt n' Culpeppa). Chris Johnson and DeAngelo Williams make a pretty potent 1-2 punch at running back. Toss in Philip Rivers, Dwayne Bowe, and T.O., and he's not going to have a problem putting up points on a consistent basis.
Chris Burke
RB DeAngelo Williams
RB Chris Johnson
WR Terrell Owens
WR Dwayne Bowe
QB Philip Rivers
WR Roy Williams
RB Larry Johnson
WR Hines Ward
TE John Carlson
QB Ben Roethlisberger
RB Earnest Graham
TM Minnesota Vikings
PK Rob Bironas
RB Fred Jackson
WR Matt Jones
What was your best value pick? Larry Johnson at the end of Round 7. I think he's got a lot to prove this year and Kansas City will need to rely on him a lot. I haven't forgotten the 37 TDs he had in 2005-06 combined. To find a potential No. 2 RB that late in the draft is big for me.
Defend Terrell Owens as a top-30 player. Looking at the guys that went after him in Rounds 4 and 5, I feel like T.O. makes total sense here. He's still one of the most talented receivers in football. Even in prima donna mode, if he's healthy, you can bank on 1,000-plus yards and double-digit TDs.
Other than your own, which is the best team? mattb47's squad looks fierce if LdT stays in the lineup and Brandon Marshall gets on the field. I think Sean's team will make noise, too, even with that Charles Rogers joke pick. Andre Johnson and Fitz? Hard to argue with that combo.
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