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1-1 | LaDainian Tomlinson | San Diego | Running back |
1-2 | Priest Holmes | Kansas City | Running back |
1-3 | Shaun Alexander | Seattle | Running back |
1-4 | Edgerrin James | Indianapolis | Running back |
1-5 | Peyton Manning | Indianapolis | Quarterback |
1-6 | Willis McGahee | Buffalo | Running back |
1-7 | Tiki Barber | NY Giants | Running back |
1-8 | Ahman Green | Green Bay | Running back |
1-9 | Domanick Davis | Houston | Running back |
1-10 | Corey Dillon | New England | Running back |
1-11 | Deuce McAllister | New Orleans | Running back |
1-12 | Jamal Lewis | Baltimore | Running back |
Round 1 analysis:
With a big-screen TV on the line, the experts weren't going to blow their first picks. Looking at what went down in Round 1, I don't have qualms with any of the players drafted. I'm not high on Ahman Green this season, but you can't argue his selection given that this is a league which awards a point per reception. Green has averaged 56 catches in Green Bay, although his reception total has declined in each of his five seasons as a Packer … Holmes went second overall. He's the player with the biggest risk/reward factor in the draft. The risk is his age, health and an emerging Larry Johnson behind him. The reward is that even if he only plays 10-12 games, he still might score 15-20 TDs in the Chiefs' juggernaut offense. I'm glad I wasn't in a position to make that call … My call was Willis McGahee with the sixth pick. He had just 22 receptions last season but, like the selections of Corey Dillon and Jamal Lewis later in the first round, my pick of McGahee has everything to do with what we does on the ground. In what was essentially his rookie season, he picked up 13 rushing TDs and seven 100-yard games in 11 starts. I'm counting on more of the same. |
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2-1 | Rudi Johnson | Cincinnati | Running back |
2-2 | Clinton Portis | Washington | Running back |
2-3 | Randy Moss | Oakland | Wide receiver |
2-4 | Julius Jones | Dallas | Running back |
2-5 | Kevin Jones | Detroit | Running back |
2-6 | Curtis Martin | NY Jets | Running back |
2-7 | Steven Jackson | St. Louis | Running back |
2-8 | LaMont Jordan | Oakland | Running back |
2-9 | Chris Brown | Tennessee | Running back |
2-10 | Brian Westbrook | Philadelphia | Running back |
2-11 | Tatum Bell | Denver | Running back |
2-12 | Daunte Culpepper | Minnesota | Quarterback |
Round 2 analysis:
No surprise that Randy Moss was the first WR off the board, but it was a little surprising that his name was called so late (15th overall). In a catches league, you'd expect the top WR on the board to have his name announced a little earlier. Fantasy owners may be a little leery of Kerry Collins as Moss' new quarterback. Say what you want about Collins, but he was arguably a top five fantasy quarterback in the final seven weeks of '04. And he didn't have the benefit of a Randy Moss or a running game, which was upgraded with the signing of LaMont Jordan. When I nabbed McGahee in the first round, Moss was one of the other players I was strongly considering … The Jones debate seems to be a buzz topic this preseason. The question is, would you prefer to have Kevin Jones or Julius Jones? I side with Julius, and so did this experts draft, where Julius went 16th overall and Kevin followed immediately after that. Proponents of Detroit's featured back point to a 4.7 yards per carry average in his rookie season and the fact that he led the NFL in rushing yards from Week 10 on. Arguments for the Cowboys' Jones are that Julius outperformed Kevin in the final seven weeks, where Julius received all but five of his carries on the season because of an injury in Week 2. In fact, head coach Bill Parcells gave Julius more carries than any other back in the league during the span of his seven starts. And Julius scored seven TDs in those starts, which was one more than Kevin had in 14 starts … Frankly, I would have been happy with either Jones with my 19th overall selection, but I wasn't privileged enough to have either one fall to me. I settled on St. Louis' Steven Jackson, who has more raw potential than either of the Jones', but has to contend with Marshall Faulk as a teammate. Jackson has been named the starter, but I'd hate to lose 10 carries a week to Faulk. My hope, and I think it's a decent one, is that Jackson proves to be too valuable for the Rams to sideline very often. I don't think it was coincidence that Jackson's two 100-yard performances in '04 came in the only games in which he received 20-plus carries. He's a load, and he's the type of running back that will wear down a defense over the course of four quarters. |
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3-1 | Terrell Owens | Philadelphia | Wide receiver |
3-2 | Ronnie Brown | Miami | Running back |
3-3 | Antonio Gates | San Diego | Tight end |
3-4 | Fred Taylor | Jacksonville | Running back |
3-5 | Cedric Benson | Chicago | Running back |
3-6 | Carnell Williams | Tampa Bay | Running back |
3-7 | J.J. Arrington | Arizona | Running back |
3-8 | Marvin Harrison | Indianapolis | Wide receiver |
3-9 | Torry Holt | St. Louis | Wide receiver |
3-10 | Chad Johnson | Cincinnati | Wide receiver |
3-11 | Javon Walker | Green Bay | Wide receiver |
3-12 | Donovan McNabb | Philadelphia | Quarterback |
Round 3 analysis:
Terrell Owens reared his head in the third round. At this point in the preseason, given the nature of his contentious contract situation, I have already decided I won't touch him. In my previous experts draft, I passed on Owens in favor of Marvin Harrison, simply because I didn't want to take the T.O. plunge. Ask yourself, how much worse off is a fantasy owner if he drafts Harrison instead of Owens and they both end up playing 16 games? The difference won't be huge, especially in a catches league, but Owens would be the favorite. Now, is the difference going to be large enough to make it worthwhile to gamble on Owens not holding out or getting suspended at some point in the season for conduct detrimental to the team? I'm saying, "No!" Owens is an obstinate individual and, while few players rarely carry holdout threats into the season, Owens' need to feel respected is greater than most. And I wouldn't raise an eyebrow if he did decide to follow this thing through. And the Eagles seem unwavering in their stance that they won't renegotiate his contract. Right now, I'm also inclined to take Torry Holt and Chad Johnson before Owens, as well … This league offers the ability to start three running backs each week, given the two starting RB spots and a flex spot (RB/WR). For that reason, I tripled up on running backs with my first three picks, going with Carnell Williams. My rationale was that I should secure one of the few remaining likely featured running backs in the league before that cupboard was emptied. As it turned out, I was still able to get value at wide reciever with the next few picks. If Williams somehow bombs, I believe my wideouts will be strong enough that I won't regret the three-running back gamble. |
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4-1 | Warrick Dunn | Atlanta | Running back |
4-2 | Duce Staley | Pittsburgh | Running back |
4-3 | Joe Horn | New Orleans | Wide receiver |
4-4 | Tony Gonzalez | Kansas City | Tight end |
4-5 | Hines Ward | Pittsburgh | Wide receiver |
4-6 | Kevan Barlow | San Francisco | Running back |
4-7 | Drew Bennett | Tennessee | Wide receiver |
4-8 | DeShaun Foster | Carolina | Running back |
4-9 | Reggie Wayne | Indianapolis | Wide receiver |
4-10 | Andre Johnson | Houston | Wide receiver |
4-11 | Darrell Jackson | Seattle | Wide receiver |
4-12 | Michael Bennett | Minnesota | Running back |
Round 4 analysis:
I wanted Hines Ward in this round, but his name was called two picks before mine. Ward is as steady as it comes, and he brings added value in catches leagues – average of 95 catches in the past four years. Ward's numbers were down last season as he was a victim of a conservative offense that looked to limit rookie QB Ben Roethlisberger's mistakes. But Ward stepped up large in the postseason(15 receptions, 214 yards, two TDs combined in two games) and Roethlisberger is going to be allowed to throw the ball more this season. With Plaxico Burress now with the Giants, Ward could push 100 receptions again as the Steelers go-to receiver, so long as Antwaan Randle El performs to a level that will keep defenses honest … Tony Gonzalez was a steal here, if only because he fell 13 picks after Antonio Gates. Gonzo had 21 more catches and nearly 300 more receiving yards than Gates, while Gates held a decided 13-7 advantage in touchdowns. Gates had a huge breakout season in '04, but an argument that he's a full round more valuable than Gonzalez is baseless, especially given that Gonzo has a six-year average of 80 catches, 986 yards and 8 TDs. In my other experts draft, these two TEs were separated by two picks … My choice came down to a decision between Drew Bennett and Andre Johnson. Johnson would have been the chic pick, but I opted for Bennett. My reasoning came down to the fact that Bennett should be a big part of the better passing offense. Bennett had 11 TDs last season, while the entire Texans team had just 16 throwing scores. And Tennessee has brought in USC offensive guru Norm Chow. The biggest change with Chow should be more short-yardage throws to keep Steve McNair healthy and to consistently keep the chains moving. At 6 foot 5, Bennett will be a nice, big target for those quick-hitter routes. And, again, I reference the fact that this is a receptions league. Bennett should improve upon his 80 receptions from last year given the new offensive schemes and the fact that he'll be the go-to receiver of the group. |
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5-1 | Nate Burleson | Minnesota | Wide receiver |
5-2 | Roy Williams | Detroit | Wide receiver |
5-3 | Michael Clayton | Tampa Bay | Wide receiver |
5-4 | Steve Smith | Carolina | Wide receiver |
5-5 | Brandon Stokley | Indianapolis | Wide receiver |
5-6 | Anquan Boldin | Arizona | Wide receiver |
5-7 | Trent Green | Kansas City | Quarterback |
5-8 | Reuben Droughns | Cleveland | Running back |
5-9 | Laveranues Coles | NY Jets | Wide receiver |
5-10 | Derrick Mason | Baltimore | Wide receiver |
5-11 | Chris Chambers | Miami | Wide receiver |
5-12 | Donald Driver | Green Bay | Wide receiver |
Round 5 analysis:
Wideouts ruled the fifth round, where 10 of the 12 picks were receivers. I nabbed the guy I wanted in Anquan Boldin – Love him! He'll excel with Kurt Warner as his quarterback. Boldin runs precise routes and Warner is an accurate passer. Boldin missed the first six games of '04 with a knee injury but, amazingly, he was able to step back into action and haul in the fifth-most receptions in the league during the span of his 10 games played … I thought the other receivers in this round merited the position that they were selected with the exception of Derrick Mason. In Baltimore, Mason is going to see a decline in the numbers he regularly produced in Tennessee. The Ravens are built for the run, and that's the focus of the offense. The team has ranked 32nd in the league the past two seasons in passing yards. It was also last in the league in yards per pass attempt last season and was 27th in the league two years ago. Clearly, the Ravens want to work towards becoming a more well-rounded offense, which is why they signed Mason and drafted rookie receiver Mark Clayton in the first round. Unfortunately, they are relying on Kyle Boller to make use of these talents, and he has left much to be desired in his two pro seasons. He has finished 30th and 31st in the league in QB rating, respectively, the past two seasons. And from my viewpoint on the couch, I just don't think he has what it takes to be a successful passer in the NFL. |
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6-1 | Jason Witten | Dallas | Tight end |
6-2 | Brett Favre | Green Bay | Quarterback |
6-3 | Lee Suggs | Cleveland | Running back |
6-4 | Marc Bulger | St. Louis | Quarterback |
6-5 | Jeremy Shockey | NY Giants | Tight end |
6-6 | Isaac Bruce | St. Louis | Wide receiver |
6-7 | Marshall Faulk | St. Louis | Running back |
6-8 | Muhsin Muhammad | Chicago | Wide receiver |
6-9 | Michael Vick | Atlanta | Quarterback |
6-10 | Jerry Porter | Oakland | Wide receiver |
6-11 | Larry Fitzgerald | Arizona | Wide receiver |
6-12 | Lee Evans | Buffalo | Wide receiver |
Round 6 analysis:
I opted to buy insurance in the sixth round. With Steven Jackson secured in Round 2, I wanted to make sure I had the St. Louis backfield real estate covered. Ideally, Faulk gets no more than a half-dozen carries a week. But the respect that he has banked during his career might earn him 10-12 carries a week. In that case, I'm in trouble. But this is a league that will not provide much RB waiver wire help during the season and, in a worst-case scenario, putting them both in my starting lineup if injuries to my other RBs force that move wouldn't be the end of the world … Muhsin Muhammad falls into the same category as Derrick Mason – players who moved from the penthouse to the outhouse during the offseason. Chicago has had just one 10-TD receiver since 1970. Those who believe that an offense with this kind of history can suddenly break from that mold behind a quarterback who has logged just six games (Rex Grossman) have much greater faith than I do. |
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7-1 | Jimmy Smith | Jacksonville | Wide receiver |
7-2 | Larry Johnson | Kansas City | Running back |
7-3 | Ashley Lelie | Denver | Wide receiver |
7-4 | Deion Branch | New England | Wide receiver |
7-5 | Plaxico Burress | NY Giants | Wide receiver |
7-6 | Eric Moulds | Buffalo | Wide receiver |
7-7 | Alge Crumpler | Atlanta | Tight end |
7-8 | Santana Moss | Washington | Wide receiver |
7-9 | Keyshawn Johnson | Dallas | Wide receiver |
7-10 | T.J. Duckett | Atlanta | Running back |
7-11 | Rod Smith | Denver | Wide receiver |
7-12 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | Cincinnati | Wide receiver |
Round 7 analysis:
Round 7 was another that was heavy on receivers (nine of the 12 picks). My favorites were, of course, Eric Moulds (my pick), Deion Branch and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Moulds is just a couple seasons removed from hauling in 100 catches for 1,292 yards and 10 TDs. The Bills have gone through a rough offensive stretch since then, but they started to emerge in the second half of '04 behind the legs of Willis McGahee. With a RB to garner the opposition's attention and a fellow wideout who is every bit as dangerous (Lee Evans), Moulds is going to be able to use his large, athletic frame to manhandle single coverage. I'm counting on 1,200 yards and 8-10 TDs … The knock on Branch's fantasy value in the past has been that New England spread the ball around too much. That will be less of a concern this season as David Patten has defected to Washington and Troy Brown (33 years old) has faded into a secondary role. Branch, the Super Bowl MVP, is electric with the ball in his hands, and he'll see more opportunities to handle the rock in '05 … I managed to attain Houshmandzadeh in my previous draft, and I'll head into each subsequent draft looking to get him in Rounds 8-10. He quietly accrued 73 catches and 978 receiving yards last season, and only Muhsin Muhammad caught more passes than Houshmandzadeh in the final five weeks of '04. With Peter Warrick a big injury question mark for this season, Houshmandzadeh will continue to see plenty of opportunities in what is shaping up to be one of the league's better offenses. |
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8-1 | Jerome Bettis | Pittsburgh | Running back |
8-2 | Mewelde Moore | Minnesota | Running back |
8-3 | Kerry Collins | Oakland | Quarterback |
8-4 | Correll Buckhalter | Philadelphia | Running back |
8-5 | Travis Henry | Buffalo | Running back |
8-6 | Justin McCareins | NY Jets | Wide receiver |
8-7 | Dallas Clark | Indianapolis | Tight end |
8-8 | Eddie Kennison | Kansas City | Wide receiver |
8-9 | Todd Heap | Baltimore | Tight end |
8-10 | Michael Pittman | Tampa Bay | Running back |
8-11 | Matt Hasselbeck | Seattle | Quarterback |
8-12 | Jake Plummer | Denver | Quarterback |
Round 8 analysis:
Round 8 saw a change in draft strategy for many. With most of the team's skill-position starters secured, it was time to start thinking about a backup plan. Likely non-starters Jerome Bettis, Mewelde Moore, Correll Buckhalter, Travis Henry and Michael Pittman all came off the board in this round. My personal favorite is Henry, who I just can't imagine will be asked to rot on the bench for the Bills, yet again. Some team is going to suffer an injury at running back during the preseason and be willing to meet the Bills' asking price for Henry. When that happens, Henry becomes the steal of the draft. … Dallas Clark is another of those players that will be wearing a Funston jersey often this season. He's on my list of "targeted" players for '05. Clark's one of those TEs that raises eyebrows when he catches the ball in stride in the open field. He's not built like a receiver, but he sure runs like one. His 16.9 yards per reception last season would have qualified for 10th-best in the league had he hauled in five more catches (need 30 receptions to qualify). And with Marcus Pollard off to Detroit, Clark is going see more opportunities than ever before. |
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9-1 | Carson Palmer | Cincinnati | Quarterback |
9-2 | Randy McMichael | Miami | Tight end |
9-3 | Aaron Brooks | New Orleans | Quarterback |
9-4 | Donte' Stallworth | New Orleans | Wide receiver |
9-5 | Buffalo | Bills | Defense |
9-6 | Ricky Williams | Miami | Running back |
9-7 | Baltimore | Ravens | Defense |
9-8 | Tom Brady | New England | Quarterback |
9-9 | New England | Patriots | Defense |
9-10 | LaBrandon Toefield | Jacksonville | Running back |
9-11 | Eric Shelton | Carolina | Running back |
9-12 | Antwaan Randle El | Pittsburgh | Wide receiver |
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10-1 | Braylon Edwards | Cleveland | Wide receiver |
10-2 | Eric Johnson | San Francisco | Tight end |
10-3 | Thomas Jones | Chicago | Running back |
10-4 | Charles Rogers | Detroit | Wide receiver |
10-5 | Tyrone Calico | Tennessee | Wide receiver |
10-6 | Troy Williamson | Minnesota | Wide receiver |
10-7 | Jake Delhomme | Carolina | Quarterback |
10-8 | Mike Williams | Detroit | Wide receiver |
10-9 | Stephen Davis | Carolina | Running back |
10-10 | Frank Gore | San Francisco | Running back |
10-11 | David Akers | Philadelphia | Kicker |
10-12 | Derrick Blaylock | NY Jets | Running back |
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11-1 | Pittsburgh | Steelers | Defense |
11-2 | Maurice Clarett | Denver | Running back |
11-3 | Keary Colbert | Carolina | Wide receiver |
11-4 | Dominic Rhodes | Indianapolis | Running back |
11-5 | Chester Taylor | Baltimore | Running back |
11-6 | Keenan McCardell | San Diego | Wide receivers |
11-7 | Drew Brees | San Diego | Quarterback |
11-8 | Adam Vinatieri | New England | Kicker |
11-9 | Mike Vanderjagt | Indianapolis | Kicker |
11-10 | Kurt Warner | Arizona | Quarterback |
11-11 | Amani Toomer | NY Giants | Wide receiver |
11-12 | Ciatrick Fason | Minnesota | Running back |
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12-1 | Mark Clayton | Baltimore | Wide receiver |
12-2 | Chad Pennington | NY Jets | Quarterback |
12-3 | Atlanta | Falcons | Defense |
12-4 | Brandon Lloyd | San Francisco | Wide receiver |
12-5 | Koren Robinson | Seattle | Wide receiver |
12-6 | Sebastian Janikowski | Oakland | Kicker |
12-7 | Dallas | Cowboys | Defense |
12-8 | Jeb Putzier | Denver | Tight end |
12-9 | Brandon Jacobs | NY Giants | Running back |
12-10 | Maurice Morris | Seattle | Running back |
12-11 | David Givens | New England | Wide receiver |
12-12 | Marcus Pollard | Detroit | Tight end |
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13-1 | Najeh Davenport | Green Bay | Running back |
13-2 | Philadelphia | Eagles | Defense |
13-3 | Cincinnati | Bengals | Defense |
13-4 | Indianapolis | Colts | Defense |
13-5 | Jason Elam | Denver | Kicker |
13-6 | Joey Harrington | Detroit | Quarterback |
13-7 | Peerless Price | Atlanta | Wide receiver |
13-8 | Steve McNair | Tennessee | Quarterback |
13-9 | Vernand Morency | Houston | Running back |
13-10 | Jermaine Wiggins | Minnesota | Tight end |
13-11 | Shayne Graham | Cincinnati | Kicker |
13-12 | Carolina | Panthers | Defense |
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14-1 | Ryan Longwell | Green Bay | Kicker |
14-2 | Tampa Bay | Buccaneers | Defense |
14-3 | Josh Brown | Seattle | Kicker |
14-4 | David Carr | Houston | Quarterback |
14-5 | Chicago | Bears | Defense |
14-6 | Anthony Thomas | Dallas | Running back |
14-7 | Nate Kaeding | San Diego | Kicker |
14-8 | Chris Perry | Cincinnati | Running back |
14-9 | Matt Stover | Baltimore | Kicker |
14-10 | Mike Nugent | NY Jets | Kicker |
14-11 | Brian Griese | Tampa Bay | Quarterback |
14-12 | Jeff Reed | Pittsburgh | Kicker |
