Draft Strategy (Draft Day : Part 2)

DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:44 pm : Draft Position

In all the years I've been playing fantasy I have never ever cracked the top 5 in the draft order.  This year is no different -- I'm #9.  I can only guess who will still remain in the first round when it comes my turn.  My top 3 picks, of course, will be gone -- Jamal Charles, Adrian Peterson, and Calvin Johnson.  Ninth position maybe leaves me with a chance at a Gio Bernard or Dez Bryant -- and for some reason spending my first pick on Dez would be a little disheartening.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:54 pm : 1st Couple Rounds

Now that I'm #9 I suspect I'll get Gio or Dez in the first and possibly DeMarco Murray or Manning in the second round.  Dez and DeMarco would be a fun combo.  Gio and Peyton would be fun, too!


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  1:58 pm : Julius Thomas and the 3rd Round

I've been planning all along to get Thomas in the 3rd round.  However, I've been hearing lots about his contract extension, which is still yet unresolved.  After scouring several articles, I see little chance of a holdout -- that's what I've been worried about.  This contract thing could be a good thing if it doesn't work out.  After all, he'll be playing the last year of his contract.

Top-tier tight ends are very shaky.  Graham will go in the 1st round before I have a shot.  Vernon Davis is going to hold out.  And Gronkowski is hurt.  Julius Thomas still looks like a good investment, but I think this will be a "game-time" decision for me.  I know if I don't pick up Thomas, I like James Cameron and Kyle Rudolph in the 6th or 7th rounds.

Other 3rd-round possibilities?  Rodgers or Brees.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  2:16 pm : Ben Tate and Bishop Sankey

I'm so excited about Tate going to the Browns.  I think he's a Top Five back if he stays healthy.  The 4th round is a bit high, but I think that's where I'm going after him -- especially now that I'm #9 in the order.

I'll go after Sankey in the 5th round.  Everyone thinks he's good.  Maybe great?


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  2:24 pm  :  Wide Receivers and Running Backs, and My First Handcuff

So many great prospects at wide receiver.  There are so many more on my mid-to-late rounds than there are running backs, that I need to exercise discipline to make sure I'm deep enough at running back.  Among my wide receivers of interest are Brandon Cooks, Beckham Jr, and Justin Hunter.

At running back:  MJD and McFadden interest me.

And my first-ever "handcuff."  Terrance West backing up Ben Tate in Cleveland.  I always thought handcuffs were overrated but I'm devoted to making more of these types of selections in the future.


DRAFT DAY  July 19th  2:36 pm : Byes

I'm also going to pay more attention to byes in the late rounds.  I'm terrible about this.  I was always under the belief that you should just get the best players and then fill in the blanks later -- whether it's one of your second-stringers or someone off waivers.  But I figure I can save myself a little headache if I at least make some decisions based on bye weeks.


There you have it!  My draft strategy.  I'm sure everything will go according to plan...

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