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Mock Draft Central Expert Invitational
Joe Hebert, FootballDiehards.com
One of the best mock draft sites in the business, Mock Draft Central, recently hosted a group of 14 experts and asked them to do what they do best. ... Hold a draft. By this time of year, the experts should have had the opportunity to participate in more than a few drafts, so I think it’s a fair assumption to believe that we should not be catching any of them unprepared.
The scoring for this draft is pretty basic. Quarterbacks get four points for a touchdown pass and a point for every 25 yards of passing. Running backs, wide receivers and tight ends each earn a point for every 10 yards of rushing or receiving and six points for a touchdown. This draft is awarding one point per reception, so PPR scoring is in effect.
You can review the full draft here: https://www.mockdraftcentral.com/draft.jsp?id=138920&view=all
Let’s take a round-by-round look at the draft to see what went on.
Round 1
Close your eyes. Who were the first four picks of the draft? Yes, it was Peterson, Johnson, Jones-Drew and Rice once again. Gore held the No. 5 spot followed by virtually everyone’s top receiver, Andre Johnson. Aaron Rodgers going at No. 7 with this scoring format will be a value pick if he breaks Tom Brady’s passing touchdowns in a season record, but that’s not the way to bet. Michael Turner came next which seems high to me in a PPR league and even though everyone is concerned about the Cardinals passing game, Larry Fitzgerald seems to land as the second receiver off the board a lot. Drew Brees came off the board at No. 10 and I had to check the scoring rules again as I assumed I had to have misread them, but I didn’t. Steven Jackson was a gift gratefully received at No. 11. Every draft will find lovers and haters of Brandon Marshall, but the lovers will always ensure he goes early. Randy Moss going at No. 13 seems like a steal to me while Rashard Mendenhall is a talented but risky player as the final pick in Round 1.
Value Pick – Steven Jackson
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees
Boom or Bust Picks – Brandon Marshall and Rashard Mendenhall
Steal – Randy Moss
My Favorite Pick – Frank Gore
Round 2
Reggie Wayne is a solid play and should be on the field for the Colts. Shonn Greene is riding a very nice playoff run into an over-rated Fantasy season, especially here in a PPR league. Roddy White could take off if the Falcons go vertical this year while Calvin Johnson finally has some talent to insure he only has to beat a double-team this season. No back sees his value rise or fall more based on scoring than Jamal Charles who is far more valuable in PPR leagues. DeAngelo Williams continues to get drafted ahead of his running mate while Miles Austin is riding the wave of his breakout season. Ryan Grant is not as good as his numbers, but numbers are all we care about. Knowshon Moreno has a running game designed around his strengths, but not much of a passing game to take off the pressure. Greg Jennings has the talent to merit this spot, but which Jennings will we get? Ryan Mathews is getting the benefit of the doubt in San Diego which means he won’t be around for long in most drafts. Cedric Benson should see less of the ball this year and doesn’t catch a lot of passes. LeSean McCoy should improve this year, but how much will the team depend on him with so many other weapons? DeSean Jackson closed out Round 2 as a big-play receiver.
Value Pick – Reggie Wayne
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Shonn Greene and Cedric Benson
Boom or Bust Picks – Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy and Knowshon Moreno
Steal – None
My Favorite Pick – Greg Jennings
Round 3
This is the “Cards on the Table” round where Fantasy owners start tipping their hand as to how they will build there teams and where they think they can find value later in the draft. Positions that are passed on say as much as the positions that are selected.
Value Picks - Peyton Manning and Antonio Gates
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Joseph Addai and Steve Smith (CAR)
Boom or Bust Pick – Jahvid Best
Steal – Sidney Rice
My Favorite Pick – Sidney Rice
Round 4
This “New or Used” round was a blend of unproven talent with upside with a sprinkling of proven talent who should be able to produce solid numbers. Again, we learn a little more about the personalities of those that are drafting.
Value Picks – Tom Brady and Tony Romo
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Matt Forte and Mike Sims-Walker
Boom or Bust Picks – Dwayne Bowe, Felix Jones and C.J. Spiller
Steal – None
My Favorite Picks – Vernon Davis and Tony Romo
Round 5
This round featured experts looking for value and a couple shots at players who have the talent to step up their production. Let’s call it the “Magic Beanstalk” round.
Value Picks – Jason Witten and Matt Schaub
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Reggie Bush and Pierre Garcon
Boom or Bust Picks – Mike Wallace and Jeremy Maclin
Steal – Brent Celek
My Favorite Pick – Brent Celek
Round 6
When I look at this round of picks, almost every pick seems to represent someone each expert feels is undervalued in this year’s draft. Success in this “Mini-sleeper” round will be one of the keys to success for each team assembled here.
Value Picks – Brett Favre and Owen Daniels
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Santonio Holmes and Clinton Portis
Boom or Bust Picks – Dez Bryant, Kevin Kolb, Santana Moss, Justin Forsett and Ronnie Brown
Steal – None
My Favorite Pick – Dez Bryant
Round 7
The “Mike Martz Worship” round was amusing as we watch the experts jump in on the Martz offense in Chicago to be a part of that production. Because it happened in Round 7 and we saw three Chicago receivers go in eight picks, we can safely assume there is no consensus favorite for one receiver to be the favorite. It’s also worth noting that Michael Bush is trending up.
Value Pick – Derrick Mason
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Darren Sproles
Boom or Bust Picks – Devin Hester and Darren McFadden
Steals – Joe Flacco and Michael Bush
My Favorite Picks – Joe Flacco and Michael Bush
Round 8
This was the “Zombie” round as the experts sought to resurrect careers that are considered either dormant or dead depending on who you ask.
Value Pick – Cadillac Williams
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – Davone Bess
Boom or Bust Pick – Eddie Royal, Donald Brown and Devin Thomas
Steal – Zach Miller
My Favorite Pick – Zach Miller
Round 9
The “Wing and a Prayer” round featured players who have talent but who can’t be counted on at this time. But if things fall just right, they could seize the day and make their owners look like…well, experts!
Value Pick – Chris Cooley
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – Lee Evans
Boom or Bust Picks – Antonio Bryant and Kenny Britt
Steal – Eli Manning
My Favorite Pick – Matthew Stafford
Round 10
The “Best Supporting Character” round featured players who don’t appear to have major roles this year but who could steal the show with electrifying performances here and there.
Value Pick – Ben Roethlisberger
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Picks – Derrick Ward and Dexter McCluster
Boom or Bust Picks – Jacoby Jones and Golden Tate
Steals – Nate Burleson and Mohammad Massaquoi
My Favorite Pick – Nate Burleson
Round 11
The “Cameo Appearance” round features players who will have small but important roles for their teams but who need injuries ahead of them to maximize their production and talent. Note that with trade talks no longer in the rumor mill, Marshawn Lynch is falling in drafts.
Value Pick – None
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – Julius Jones
Boom or Bust Picks – Tashard Choice and Marshawn Lynch
Steal – None
My Favorite Pick – Mario Manningham
Round 12
In the “Even a Blind Squirrel Finds a Nut Twice a Day” round, the experts threw pasta against the wall to see if that dog would hunt as mixed metaphors ruled the round.
Value Pick – John Carlson
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – Lance Moore
Boom or Bust Pick – Bernard Scott
Steal – Alex Smith
My Favorite Pick – Alex Smith
Round 13
In the “Hell Freezes Over” round, the experts chose players who have less of a chance of being a Fantasy star than Santa Claus has of not being hit by a battery in Philadelphia.
Value Pick – Chris Chambers
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – Glenn Coffee
Boom or Bust Pick – Anthony Gonzalez
Steal – None
Favorite Pick – Mike Williams
Round 14
The “Sucker Punch” round features deep sleepers who are lobbed like grenades at the other experts as most run to their trenches to dig in and select kickers and defenses. Take that!
Value Pick – Baltimore Ravens
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – None
Boom or Bust Pick – Darrius Heyward-Bey
Steal – Willis McGahee
Favorite Pick – Willis McGahee
Round 15
The “Do These Pants Make My Butt Look Big” round features teams looking for more depth at tight end.
Value Pick – None
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – Jeremy Shockey
Boom or Bust Pick – Tony Scheffler
Steal – None
Favorite Pick – Tony Scheffler
Round 16
The “It Must Be the End of the Draft - Somebody Just Drafted a Polish Left-
Footed Kicker” round means this draft has come to close.
Value Pick – Lawrence Tynes
Cat Stepped on my Keyboard Pick – None
Boom or Bust Pick – Legedu Naanee
Steal – Brian Westbrook
Favorite Pick – Sebastian Janikowski…because it must be the end of the draft.
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