FGT Staff Mock Fantasy Football Draft – Rounds 1 & 2

By the Football Garbage Time Staff

As I mentioned previously, we here at Football Garbage Time are all about helping out our readers.  And with football season a little over a month away, we all know what that means…FANTASY FOOTBALL season is ALSO a little over a month away!

Say what you will about whether Fantasy Football is “good” for the NFL or not.  One thing we all agree on here is that playing Fantasy Football is a lot of fun…but only if you’re winning.

So the staff of Football Garbage Time conducted a live Mock Fantasy Football Draft on Twitter (just check out #FGTMockDraft) for a mock standard Yahoo 10-team league (1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K & 1 DEF with standard scoring) so that all of you can get some insight as to who we like for the upcoming 2015 season, and hopefully help all of you with your drafts.

Below are the results of the first two rounds along with some of my comments as well as comments from those who made the picks.  Don’t agree?  Well, it’s a free country, so sound off in the comments!

– Ha Kung Wong, Editor-In-Chief

Joanne Kong

1st Round – Pick 1 – Jamaal Charles (RB)

2nd Round – Pick 20 – Rob Gronkowski (TE) 

I love the upside for Charles and I love the offensive system he’s  in.  In fact, if Charles were to be injured, I’d probably like backup RB Knile Davis almost as much.  The Chiefs are built on controlling the football, and what better way to control the football than running the ball and short high-completion passes to the RB, something which Alex Smith excels at.  Charles said he thought he might be the “LeBron of football”.  That might just be true.  Either way, he’s averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 8.6 yards per reception throughout his career, has broken 1000 rushing yards each of the last three years and averaged more than a touchdown per game over the last two years.  Hard to argue with that consistency.

Gronkowski is also another great pick, particularly late in the second round.  He’s a difference maker and rivals most WR1’s in the league, but at the semi-scarce TE position.  Even without Brady for 4 games, he’ll be a monster in the redzone, and maybe even more of a safety blanket if Garappolo gets 4 starts.

This is what Joanne had to say about her picks:

In the 2014 Kansas City Chiefs’ 9-and-7 season, Charles rushed for over a thousand yards and had 9 TD. Running-backs are a needed member of the team with quarterback Alex Smith taking minimal risks and making necessary plays. Charles’ numbers will only go up from last season.

With quarterback Tom Brady out for four games, Gronkowski will probably be asked to work a little harder. But don’t be too sad at Brady’s absence New England Patriot fans, a healthy Gronk and back-up quarterback darling Jimmy Garoppolo will not disappoint.

Ryan Whitfield 

1st Round – Pick 2 – Dez Bryant (WR)

2nd Round – Pick 19 – TJ Yeldon (RB)

Ryan is clearly a risk taker, but if I have to gamble, let me roll the dice with Dez Bryant.  Simply put, with DeMarco Murray gone, Bryant will be the focal point of this Cowboys offense.  He’s averaged an amazing 14.2 yards per catch over his career, has broken 1,200 receiving yards each of the last three years and averaged almost 13 touchdowns a year in the stretch.  With a floor around 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns and basically no ceiling, this is a pick that can truly make a team without too much downside.  Risky for the second pick?  Sure.  But he might be laughing all the way to the bank at the end of the year.

TJ Yeldon is a real upside pick.  But there’s also considerable risk here as well.  Sure, he was great in college at Alabama, and he doesn’t have much competition for every-down back duties in Jacksonville other than change-of-pace Denard Robinson.  But college success and opportunity are only part of the equation.  If Blake Bortles can’t pick it up in the passing game, opponents may simply choose to stack the box and make life difficult for Yeldon.  And we’ve seen what Alabama backs can do in the NFL.  Eddie Lacy was great immediately for the Packers.  Mark Ingram took a few years to get into role, but then broke out last year for the Saints.  And Trent Richardson, well, let’s just say he’ll be lucky to be on a roster in 2015.  All of these outcomes are possible for Yeldon, so this can be a make-or-break pick.

This is what Ryan had to say about his picks:

Dez Bryant is hands down the best in the game in my opinion. He fights for every ball, yard and win. He’s a tone setter and elite. It’s just good karma to have a competitor like this on your team.

TJ Yeldon is high risk high reward. A lot of potential and ability mixed with a big work load. This is my ultimate safe bet for rookie backs this year.

John Kirkland

1st Round – Pick 3 – Le’Veon Bell (RB)

2nd Round – Pick 18 – AJ Green (WR)

Heck, I could make the argument that Le’Veon Bell with his reduced suspension should be picked first overall.  But at third overall I think he’s a slam dunk.  He was incredibly consistent in 2014 and the Steelers did little to improve their defense, ensuring many more opportunities for the suddenly prolific Pittsburgh offense.  No one runs and catches the ball better in the NFL than Bell, and I don’t see that changing in 2015.

AJ Green is the man in Cincy, but some have to wonder that’s really worth.  After a breakout rookie season, it seems Green is on the verge of absolute greatness, but for being limited by Andy Dalton.  He still has top 10 upside though, so taking him 18th overall is a good deal.

This is what John had to say about his picks:

Had to go with third year running back Le’Veon Bell … even with a suspension (that was reduced) and DeAngelo Williams, he’s going to be sick this year.  Surprised to get him at #3!

Despite a toe injury and a crappy Andy Dalton, AJ Green still managed to be a top 13 wide receiver … so to me it was a no brainer.

Scott King

1st Round – Pick 4 – Eddie Lacy (RB)

2nd Round – Pick 17 – Jordy Nelson (WR)

Let me count the ways I hate Eddie Lacy.  He ran all over my beloved Fighting Irish when I watched in horror (and in person) as Alabama stomped all over Notre Dame in the NCAA Championship Game.  Then he joined the Green Bay Packers, the team I despise the most in the entire NFL seeing as how I grew up a Bears fan.

But regardless of all that, I love Eddie Lacy for fantasy football.  He’s a total beast.  He’s broken 1,100 yards rushing each of his first two years in the NFL and amassed a total of 24 touchdowns.  And he almost doubled his receiving yards in 2014 with 427.  The way he runs may get him injured some day (and he’s already having issues from camp), but there’s nothing that says he won’t keep this up in 2015.

Jordy Nelson just doesn’t get the respect he deserves.  He was second in standard scoring for all WRs in 2014, yet he still gets a late second round pick.  Aaron Rodgers is good.  The supporting cast is good.  Yeah, Nelson will be good as well.

This is what Scott had to say about his picks:

Eddie Lacy – I just don’t trust AP as an aging RB anymore. A little too early for Antonio Brown or another QB.  The Packers offense should be strong again and Lacy is proving to be a real throwback RB.

Jordy Nelson – Consistent WR teamed up with the best QB in the game.  He’s not flashy but will end the season as top 10 WR.

Joey Alibro

1st Round – Pick 5 – Aaron Rodgers (QB)

2nd Round – Pick 16 – Jeremy Hill (RB)

Aaron Rodgers was the first QB off the board, and I can’t argue with that.  Aside from his fluke injury year, he’s incredibly reliable.  When he starts all 16 games, he’s always broken 4,000 passing yards.  In 2011, 2012 and 2014 (again, not including his injury plagued 2013) he had 48, 41 and 40 total touchdowns.  Want to lock in 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns?  Rodgers is your man.

Jeremy Hill is an interesting pick.  In his rookie year, he had 1,124 rushing yards, 215 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns.  Those are amazing numbers considering he had only single digit attempts in 6 of the 16 games he played.  He did seem locked in at the end of the season, though, with three straight games with 100 rushing yards plus.  Will that continue this year?  The explosive Giovani Bernard is still there, so a committee may still be in the cards.  But if Hill gets bigger end of the committee, he can easily exceed what he did in 2014.

This is what Joey had to say about his picks:

It’s a bit of a reach to take a QB this early, but Rodgers’ production is unmatched. There should be plenty of backs and receivers in later rounds that will get the job done.

After a monstrous rookie year rushing for 1200 yards, Hill should improve in his second year. Look for him to be a quiet producer all year long.

Ha Kung Wong

1st Round – Pick 6 – Adrian Peterson (RB)

2nd Round – Pick 15 – Arian Foster (RB)

AP has a LOT to prove coming off a high profile controversial 2014 where he saw more courtroom time then he did gametime.  Then there was all the verbal sparring with the Vikings over the course of the off-season regarding his contract that led many to believe AP might just sit out 2015 as well.  Well, that’s all behind us now, and AP finds himself in familiar purple garb, but in somewhat unfamiliar surroundings.  Teddy Bridgewater is coming off a promising rookie season (over 3,000 total yards and 15 total TDs in just 13 games), and the receiving options have gotten younger (Charles Johnson) and perhaps better (Mike Wallace).  How will AP fit in to this new offense?  It’s anyone’s guess, but if Bridgewater can cut down on turnovers (12 INTs in 2014) and Wallace can re-discover his pre-Miami mojo, there can be big things in store for this Vikings offense.  And if nothing improves?  Well, AP has shown that he can excel even in crappy offenses.  When he plays at least 14 games, he’s always broken 1,200 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.  And his upside is what we saw in 2012 (2,097 rushing yards, 217 receiving yards and 13 total touchdowns).  You want high ceiling and high floor?  AP is your guy.

Ah, Arian Foster.  My fantasy kryptonite.  I have to admit, I found out AFTER my pick that Arian Foster had a serious groin injury that may require surgery.

#Texans RB Arian Foster suffered a major groin injury that’ll likely necessitate surgery, I’m told. Almost certainly headed to short-term IR

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2015

It seems every year I’m sucked in by the potential of Arian Foster and every year he has some sort of leg injury.  It’s OK, I expect it now, and as long as he gives me 14 good games in 2015, I’m OK with his fragile nature, particularly as a mid-second round pick.  When he’s played at least 13 games, he’s exceeded 1,500 total yards and 12 total touchdowns.  The problem is the risk that he doesn’t get 13 good games in, but I’m willing to take that risk.

UPDATE (August 5, 2015) – With the news that Arian Foster will miss at least 10 weeks, I’m certainly not getting 14 games out of him in 2015.  So I would NOT draft him in the second round and would drop him way down the list to the tenth round, if at all.  With Pierre Thomas visiting the Texans, I thought he would be part of a RBBC.  But it turns out Thomas doesn’t want to go to Houston, which means there will some sort of committee between Alfred Blue and Chris Polk, among others, which is not a fantasy combination I’m particularly excited about, considering the issues the Texans have at QB.

Joanne Kong 2 

1st Round – Pick 7 – Odell Beckham Jr. (WR)

2nd Round – Pick 14 – C.J. Anderson (RB)

Is there any more exciting player in 2015 than Odell Beckham Jr.?  I think not.  His epic run in 2014 was LE-GEN — wait for it — DARY.  He had 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in just 12 games, including an amazing one-handed snag that basically propelled him to the top of every sports highlights show in the known universe.  His statistical ceiling is unmatched in 2015, as Eli will target him early and often knowing that he won’t need gum on his helmet to catch his errant passes.  The return of Victor Cruz should only open up defensive secondarys allowing OBJ to use both hands to snag catches in the endzone.  There’s potential for drop off here, but he’s certainly going to be fun to watch.  The only potential problem is that he’s on the cover of the new Madden.  But if anyone can beat the “Madden Curse”, it’ll be OBJ.

C.J. Anderson basically came out of nowhere in 2014.  But he’s certainly here to stay.  With a new head coach and offensive coordinator in Denver, though, there are some questions as to how he’ll be used, particularly with perennial disappointment Montee Ball still on the roster.  However, the Broncos did lose endzone favorite Julius Thomas in the off-season, and I doubt Owen Daniels and Virgil Green will make up for all 12 touchdowns Thomas snagged in 2014.  I can see a number of those going to Anderson on the ground, making his upside in this high powered offense awfully tantalizing.

This is what Joanne had to say about her picks:

Need I say more?

Michael Pattison

1st Round – Pick 8 – Antonio Brown (WR)

2nd Round – Pick 13 – Andrew Luck (QB)

Antonio Brown is the model of consistency.  In every game of 2013 and 2014, Brown had at least 5 receptions and 50 yards, and in most he had much more.  In fact he had 100+ receiving yards in 13 games over the last two years.  Add in 13 touchdowns in 2014 and you’ve got the least risky fantasy wide receiver in the NFL.  The Steelers defense didn’t get much better, so I can see Big Ben continuing to sling it, which means even more opportunities for Brown.

It seems Andrew Luck is on the verge of going nuclear every year and yet every year the Colts fall short.  But in 2014, Luck DID go nuclear for fantasy purposes, as he totaled 4,761 passing yards and 40 touchdowns.  That’s the most touchdowns and third most passing yards of any quarterback in the NFL in 2014.  Can he repeat?  With the addition of Andre Johnson and Frank Gore, and a returning T.Y. Hilton, I’d say it’s more likely than not.

This is what Michael had to say about his picks:

Antonio Brown is a very consistent player for both production and durability. He won’t be doubled as much this year with the emergence of deep threat Martavis Bryant and rookie Sammy Coates who should be a solid WR3. Along with a balanced running game, Antonio Brown should get his share of man coverage and plenty of opportunity.

We’re all waiting for Andrew Luck to have a breakout year that solidifies him as a top QB. He’s shown signs of being dominate but remains inconsistent in times, especially in big games. Another year with T.Y. Hilton, healthy tight ends and hopefully an improved running game should allow luck to make better decisions and make strides this year.

Jason Johnson

1st Round – Pick 9 – Marshawn Lynch (RB)

2nd Round – Pick 12 – Demaryius Thomas (WR)

The ORIGINAL “Beastmode” is still full speed ahead.  Not much has changed on the Seattle offense, and Russell Wilson is riding high on his new long term contract.  There’s really no threat to Lynch’s carries, particularly in light of his desire to retire soon, as Seattle wasn’t shy about giving him yards in 2014 (except for perhaps on the 2 yard line during critical plays at the end of Super Bowls), and won’t be shy about giving him yards in 2015.

Demaryius Thomas didn’t need Peyton Manning to be great.  Heck, he was passable with Tim Tebow.  But Manning coming back means another year of 1,400 yards plus and double digit touchdowns (as he did the last three years), plus whatever extra he picks up from Julius Thomas leaving town.  Legit WR1 in the second round?  Yes, please.

Bobby Pierson

1st Round – Pick 10 – DeMarco Murray (RB)

2nd Round – Pick 11 – Ricky Jarrett (WR)

Commish Override – 2nd Round – Pick 11 – Calvin Johnson (WR)

Arguably, a lot of DeMarco Murray’s offensive yardage was due to the terrific 2014 Cowboys offensive line.  But that doesn’t mean Murray isn’t a skilled running back capable of racking up the yards in Philadelphia.  The fact that Ryan Mathews is also in Philly actually helps him, as it will help him stay healthy all year after a mind-blowing 392 carries and 1,845 rushing yards in 2014.  I’d say he’ll be closer to his 2013 stats gaining around 1,100 to 1,200 rushing yards and around 9-12 touchdowns.  But with the upside of an up tempo Eagles offense, I’d consider that more of a floor than a ceiling, meaning a late first round pick could pay off in spades.

As for Ricky Jarrett, if he was real, I’d totally draft him too.  But he’s not.

Why Megatron then?  Well, he’s still Megatron.  He had 1,681 receiving yards in 2011, 1,964 receiving yards in 2012 and 1,492 receiving yards in 2013.  Sure, he had a “down” year in 2014 with only 1,077 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns in 13 games, but if that’s the floor, I’m perfectly happy with taking the chance that he repeats his 2012 in 16 games.

This is what Bobby had to say about his picks:

DeMarco Murray is now an Eagle.  Not too shady, …er, shabby.

Ricky Jarrett is a skilled vet with something to prove in Miami, and he’s hungry.