My plan: Get QB's on the cheap. Go for MJD or CJ in the first round. Chris Johnson goes #5, Rodgers #6, and MJD was snagged by R35 at #7. With the 8th pick I just couldn't resist. I chose VICTOR CRUZ.
I felt strong about going for another top wide receiver but Welker, Fitzgerald, AJ, and Gronkowski all went. I grabbed FRANK GORE. He might get fewer touches, but new wide receivers will open new holes.
In the 3rd round only 3 quarterbacks had been taken. Should I go after a premium quarterback now? No. all 4 of the wide receivers I was looking at -- Roddy White, Julio Jones, Jennings, and AJ Green -- all gone. I roll the dice with ADRIAN PETERSON.
Five of the next 8 picks were wide receivers. Miles Austin is chosen right before me. Uncanny! I took a premium not on my wish list -- DEZ BRYANT.
I knew I could hold off on my 2nd-tier wide receivers. Tight ends are going fast. Before even selecting a quarterback, I took JERMICHAEL FINLEY.
My next pick was going to be Eric Decker -- again snagged right before me! It's the 6th round, so here goes...PEYTON MANNING.
This is the first time something would go as planned. According to reports he looks like two years ago. So I took PEYTON HILLIS.
Ben Tate was taken right before me and the 49ers report he looks great. I choose RANDY MOSS.
They say he doesn't fit into the 49ers scheme -- I choose MARIO MANNINGHAM.
R35 keeps snagging my players in chat I mention Matt Schaub is still out there -- a decory -- and he gets him! My next pick finally has wide receivers. I take ALEX SMITH.
I then pick up a 2nd tight end: OWEN DANIELS.
Then, DAVID NELSON, BILLS, MASON CROSBY, and AJ JENKINS.
My final roster looks like this:
QUARTERBACK: Peyton Manning, Alex Smith
RUNNING BACK: Adrian Peterson, Frank Gore, Kevin Smith, Peyton Hillis
WIDE RECEIVER: Victor Cruz, Dez Bryant, Mario Manningham, Randy Moss, AJ Jenkins, David Nelson
TIGHT END: Jermichael Finley, Owen Daniels
KICKER: Mason Crosby
DEFENSE: Buffalo Bills
I'm pleased. At QUARTERBACK I expect a top 5-6 year by one of them.
At RUNNING BACK a ton of potential, but many questions: Will Gores "fewer touches" hurt? Is Hillis really back to his old form? Will Peterson be healthy enough to play well? How soon will Kevin Smith be allowed to contribute?
At WIDE RECEIVER, a breakout for Dez? A repeat by Cruz? I'm optimistic one of my 49ers will work and David Nelson will be a bigger part of the Bills offense this year. Jenkins was a bad pick, I think. He'll be my first drop.
Here's what they're saying on CBS Sports:
PEYTON MANNING: First day a success...looked sharp.
ALEX SMITH: Harbaugh says he's separated himself even more...solid start
FRANK GORE: Working hard to shed weight.
PEYTON HILLIS: Comfortable with the Chiefs.
KEVIN SMITH: Opens camp as starter. (Best on PUP list, Leshoure suspended).
DEZ BRYANT: Should avoid suspension for domestic violence (mother).
VICTOR CRUZ: Contract year.
AJ JENKINS: Feels in better shape.
MARIO MANNINGHAM: Behind Moss and Crabtree in depth chart.
RANDY MOSS: Says Gannon -- Moss is best receiver and a good influence on younger receivers.
DAVID NELSON: Still second option but worked hard in the off-season.
OWEN DANIELS: Schaub will be back.
JERMICHAEL FINLEY: Will miss a couple days (concussion).
MASON CROSBY: High-scoring offense. 50% from 50 +
BUFFALO BILLS: Addressed pass-rush in off-season.
CEDRIC BENSON is rumored to go to the Jets, Seahawks, or Raiders. I dropped AJ JENKINS for him.
I'm struggling to believe MICHAEL CRABTREE is ahead of MARIO MANNINGHAM in the depth chart. Crabtree is simply awful!
