The Football Garbage Time 2018 Fantasy Football Draft

By The Football Garbage Time Staff

As we do every year, we discussed who we would draft in our Mock Draft breakdown for Rounds 1 & 2 and in Rounds 3 & 4.  And now it’s time for the real deal.

Here…you…GO…the results of the 2018 Football Garbage Time Staff Fantasy Football Draft!  And we’re not about to go “run-of-the-mill” on you, because as you know, it’s not our style.  We’re doing it up with a custom 10-team head-to-head 2 Quarterback league with an added half point per reception.  In total, each team will have to field 2 Quarterbacks, 2 Running Backs, 2 Wide Receivers, 1 Tight End, 1 WR/RB/TE Flex, 1 Kicker and 1 Defense/Special Teams.  Wonder how our fantasy football draft sorted out?  Well, take a look, and I’ll make a few comments along the way with some of the rest of the staff (Scott, Ryan, Jason and Joanne) as well as a few friends including:

And if you’d like to follow our league, feel free to check it out throughout the season by clicking the button below!

Football Garbage Time Staff Fantasy Football League

— Ha Kung Wong, Editor-in-Chief

The 2018 Football Garbage Time Staff Fantasy Football Draft

Team: Pizza Boy

Owner: Kaiden King

Love the start of this draft with Bell and Freeman and then pivoting to QB with Brady and Watson.  My biggest concern is that the only RB depth is Nick Chubb, which is a great upside play, but with an unclear role, I wouldn’t want to rely on him week to week if something were to happen to Bell or Freeman.  The 15th round Calvin Ridley is also a terrific upside play, particularly as a WR6.

Team: FXP

Owner: Scott King

This is what Scott had to say about his picks:

Another year, another fantasy draft.  We’ve talked on the Football Garbage Time podcast about the revival of the first round RB this season.  Our draft reflected what we saw in the mocks this offseason.  I went RB early by landing Todd Gurley with the second pick and following up with Dalvin Cook in round 2.  Gurley is arguably the top RB this season and Cook showed flashes before injury last year.

After grabbing RB I took the top WR available at each pick.  I reached some on Matt Stafford but with #2 draft position, if I pass on someone I want it’s a long time before my pick comes around on the long end.  I was surprised to grab Goff when I did a a it gives me a solid QB duo in our two QB league.  I passed on Lockett multiple rounds because I took Baldwin early, but I had to grab him late.  I’ve handcuffed WR which I never do.  Overall I’m happy with this team, but let’s see who stays healthy.

Team: Keep Calm & Bear On

Owner: Ha Kung Wong

This is what Ha Kung had to say about his picks:

In this type of league, for this year, I know there are a few really important rules for drafting.

  1. Draft at least 1 RB in the first 2 rounds
  2. Draft at least 1 QB in the first 3 rounds
  3. Get one of the top 4-5 TEs

True bell cow RBs are scarce this year, and in a PPR league, you want one that at least will have some involvement in the passing game.  In a 10-team 2xQB league, you’re going to have at least 30 QBs drafted.  QBs 22-32 are mostly unplayable, even for bye weeks, so I like getting 2 in the top 15 and a third in the top 21.  And as for TEs, there’s a TE drop off after the top 4 or 5 (depending on how you feel about Greg Olsen and Evan Engram), so if you’re not getting one of the top 4 or 5 TEs, you might as well wait for late upside.  I prefer the former.

Because of all this, I originally intended to go RB-RB for the first time in a long time, but when the second round came around, I had to weigh going with Dalvin Cook or Devonta Freeman on the one hand or going with the best TE in the draft in Rob Gronkowski.  It was a tough choice seeing as how shallow the RB pool is, but I decided to secure the best TE in the draft first, and take my chances on RB later.

After that, my priority was to secure my first QB.  My QB rule above ultimately led me to drafting Cam Newton and Matt Ryan in the 3rd and 8th rounds respectively, then rounding out in round 11 with Derek Carr.

As for how I handled RBs after Zeke, I reached a little on Alex Collins in the 5th round, but got excellent values on Lamar Miller and Ronald Jones in rounds 7 and 10 respectively.  With regard to Miller, I think is getting unfairly undervalued for is lack production in 2017 without Watson and others on the field.  In 2016, with a much worse offense, Miller was trending toward 1,441 all purpose yards and 7+ all purpose TDs if he played all 16 games.  With the Houston offense completely healthy, I don’t see why he couldn’t reach that this year with an extra bump in PPR from his 80% catch percentage.

Lamar Miller Rushing & Receiving Stats
Game Rush Rush Rush Rush Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece Rece
Year Tm G Rush Yds TD Y/A Tgt Rec Yds Y/R TD Ctch%
2012 MIA 13 51 250 1 4.9 8 6 45 7.5 0 75.0%
2013 MIA 16 177 709 2 4.0 35 26 170 6.5 0 74.3%
2014 MIA 16 216 1099 8 5.1 52 38 275 7.2 1 73.1%
2015 MIA 16 194 872 8 4.5 57 47 397 8.4 2 82.5%
2016 HOU 14 268 1073 5 4.0 39 31 188 6.1 1 79.5%
2017 HOU 16 238 888 3 3.7 45 36 327 9.1 3 80.0%
Care 91 1144 4891 27 4.3 236 184 1402 7.6 7
4 yr MIA 61 638 2930 19 4.6 152 117 887 7.6 3
2 yr HOU 30 506 1961 8 3.9 84 67 515 7.7 4

I think my favorite value was Randall Cobb in the 14th round and my biggest reach was likely Mike Gesicki in the 15th round.  Cobb has been a significant part of the Packers offense for years, and now without Jordy Nelson, people seem to be overly fixated on Davante Adams.  But Adams’ ADP in half PPR leagues is 19 while Cobb’s ADP is 74 spots later at 93.  8 rounds later?  That just seems too low for the type of production you can get from a guy who has history receiving passes in a high powered Packers offense from Aaron Rodgers.

As for Gesicki, I love his upside this year, but reaching for him at the end of the draft while other decent pass catching TEs were out there, like Ricky Seals-Jones, was probably being overly optimistic over rookie potential (as Evan Engram was the exception rather than the rule).

Team: The MJK

Owner: Matt King

Solid draft from Matt, though I’m concerned about RB depth.  Clearly David Johnson is great, and Marshawn Lynch in the 6th round was solid value, but after that there’s a suspended Mark Ingram and an injured (albeit after the draft) Rashaad Penny.  Chris Thompson should get plenty of run with Derrius Guice out for the season and Samaje Perine questionable with an injury, so should be decent for bye weeks, but I wouldn’t want to rely on his consistency from week to week.

I’m also mildly concerned about the QB position.  Brees and Cousin are a terrific 1-2 punch at QB, but having to ride the waiver wire for bye weeks is a scary proposition in a 2xQB league.

Team: Two Cool Dudes

Owner: Joanne Kong

This is what Joanne had to say about her picks:

With a Yahoo Draft Score of ‘B’, Two Cool Dudes is projected to finish 2nd in the Football Garbage Time League with 2,134 points.  Only time will tell, but I’m feeling pretty good about that.

Draft Strategy – I’m an avid believer that draft strategies never works.  You could think running back-running back or running back-wide receiver, but when it comes down to it, it’s always best available and personal bias (as for me, I have a hard time drafting New England Patriots players…I’m sure I’m not the only one).

My initial strategy was to take a running back for my first pick because solid, dependable running backs are less available this year, although there are several rookie prospects, while the wide-receiver pool is much deeper.  Of course, best available dictated that I select a wide receiver, Antonio Brown, as my first pick.

With my second pick of the draft, I was looking to take a running back, but best available  didn’t allow for that so I selected the best quarterback in the draft, Aaron Rodgers.

With two solid wide-receivers and a top quarterback, I needed to secure a solid running back with my 4th pick, which worked out great for a half PPR league with Christian McCaffrey (although even with C-Mac, the running back position is probably my weakest this season).  These four selections directed the rest of the draft – like picking quarterbacks when no other position was available, and selecting players I specifically targeted (such as tight end Delanie Walker, whom I’ve actually drafted him every year and has yet to disappoint).

Usually the weakest position in past years, quarterback is actually one of my strongest positions this year.  Seeing as how this is a two quarterback league, having drafted Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger, Case Keenum and Mitchell Trubisky will help maintain a strong quarterback consistency with upside, except perhaps for week 7 when both Rodgers and Roethlisberger are on bye.

Team: Mini Cooper

Owner: Kris Hopper

This is what Kris had to say about his picks:

I could not be happier with this team!

Landing 3 Top 12 RB’s at 1.06, 2.05 and 5.06 is exceptional and provides me some security if Saquon Barkley doesn’t pan out or if anything happens to LeSean McCoy. I was also able to land two potential top 5 QB’s in Russell Wilson (3.06) and Andrew Luck (6.05) which is an absolute steal in a 2 QB format. I did end up a little light at WR with Amari Cooper, Cooper Kupp and Pierre Garcon being my top 3, but all reports have been good on Kupp, I love the way Garcon fits with Jimmy G, and Cooper has some serious upside in a Jon Gruden offense.

I also felt I found some good value later in the draft with Kenny Stills (16.05) Jameis Winston (13.06) Marlon Mack (12.05) and Nelson Agholor (11.06). Stills may be the best WR option Miami has, Mack looked like the real deal in Colt’s preseason action and well have a chance to secure that job, Winston was the QB1 after his injury last season and Agholor could benefit majorly from Jeffrey starting on the Pup. There isn’t really a lot here I don’t like.

Team: @mike_colaianne

Owner: Mike Colaianne

This is what Mike had to say about his picks:

Overall, I like how this team turned out.

Starting the draft with DeAndre Hopkins, Michael Thomas and Travis Kelce should give me an advantage all season at the WR and TE positions.

I decided to wait at QB and still ended up with some quality options.  Dak Prescott and Alex Smith are both coming off Top 12 seasons and Ryan Tannehill should be a viable bye week option.  The one issue I have with this roster are my running backs.  Because I didn’t draft a RB until round 4, I don’t have a “stud” at that position.  Hopefully I will be able to find two starters a week between Jerick McKinnon, Jay Ajayi, Rex Burkhead, Chris Carson and Carlos Hyde.

Team: Its Always Sony

Owner: Ryan Whitfield

This is what Ryan had to say about his picks:

I went into the draft looking to focus on filling out the WR and RB positions with best available and worrying about QB and TE later.

As the draft unfolded I really just kept going young with high upside. I ended up with the youngest team in the league and will be looking for a few guys to emerge. I have six guys who are in their first or second season. I love my 1-2 punch of Keenan Allen and Stefon Diggs and then Joe Mixon and Alvin Kamara.  If Josh Gordon can keep his off field together then I love my WR core.  With the AFC South Combo of Blake Bortles and Marcus Mariota I will be good enough at QB.

I’m looking for a few guys on my bench to emerge and for Evan Engram build off of year one.  I drafted with a boom or bust mentality in this league, and I’m hopeful for the boom.

Team: Other Mike Wallace

Owner: Mike Wallace

This is what Mike had to say about his picks:

I came into the draft planning to wait on QB and build depth at other positions even though it is a 2QB league.  I am happy with the result especially the depth I built at WR, led by Odell Beckham Jr.  With Andrew Luck back I expect TY Hilton to have a bounce back season, Allen Robinson is a little risky coming off injuries and switching team, but being able to draft Brandin Cooks as a fall back option and my 4th WR helps to mitigate the risk. I am starting with 4 of my top 25 WRs.

Along with the WR depth I was able to grab my number 5 overall RB in Melvin Gordon to lead my RB group. Pairing him with Jordan Howard gives me a tandem that should see a lot of volume.  Dion Lewis as a 3rd option is great, it seems I am higher on him than most going into this season and he gives me 3 guys in my top 20 at RB.

After waiting I am happy with my QBs.  I’m high on Philip Rivers, and the Chargers in general this season.  He’ll be one I am comfortable plugging into my lineup every week.  I was targeting Dak as my QB2 and was disappointed I missed out him, ending up taking Patrick Mahomes as an upside play. He has a tough schedule to start the season, but based on match up, I can switch in Tyrod Taylor who has a safe baseline with his rushing ability and is in what should be an improved Browns’ offense.  For my TE I also took a Brown with David Njoku. He’s young and very talented, with the improved offense and QB play from the previous season he has the potential to break out.

Filling out the roster I was happy to add 2 Patriots I thought were great values late in Julian Edelman and Sony Michel along with Isaiah Crowell who is a favorite target of mine in drafts this year.  Edelman’s suspension is not a concern to me because of the depth I have in front of him.  People must have been scared by the Michel injury, but once he’s healthy he’ll be involved in the offense.  The Patriots did not use a 1st round pick on him not to utilize him.  Crowell is in line for the bulk of the carries in the Jets’ offense and volume is one of the most import things in fantasy.  I think I’m in good shape with this roster to start the season.

Team: Jason’s Cool Team

Owner: Jason Johnson

So, yeah, Jason clearly auto-drafted having taken DeMarco Murray and 2 Ks.  But I certainly don’t hate taking Jones, Fitzgerald and Hill in the first 4 rounds to have a strong WR core and still managing to grab one of the top 3 TEs, Zach Ertz, in the 5th round.

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