The below link is to our first mock draft of the 2009 season.  First, allow me to make a shout out to Kevin over at the fantasy football calculator.  We love the countdown on the tabs. 

http://fantasyfootballcalculator.com/draft/499162

eddiesays:

Okay, on to the mock draft.  When visiting the link you’ll see two references for this site.  I’m thefootballmaniac.co (this is Eddie) and Fred is thefootballmaniac1.  The first thing that jumps out is that MJD was taken first.  This has been the only time I’ve seen this and probably the last time.  Peterson is, and should be, the consensus number 1.  The next six picks will vary and I’m sure we’ll see different scenarios as the weeks progress.  Nevertheless, DeAngelo Williams seemed like the best pick at the 8^th spot.  As thought, both Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald were drafted early.  

In round 2 I decided to go with Brees.  I looked at the talent and analyzed whether or not a top tier QB would come back to me in the 3^rd.  Considering Drew scored 382 fantasy points last year I felt this had the most value and as predicted the next top QBs left the board before my next pick.  Surprisingly though, Aaron Rodgers made all the way to the 5^th as I have him valued high on my list.

I won’t assess my entire draft but my thoughts leaving this first mock draft:  Get talent early.  It seems as if this draft won’t be as deep as years previous.

The Fred Zone:

Our first mock draft had some unexpected results, which could also happen in the real fantasy drafts:

1. What happened: In the first 30 picks (2 and 1/2 rounds), 15 RBs were drafted.  The other half were QBs and WRs…obviously.
   Why it happened: There is a large gap in projected fantasy points b/w the top 15 RBs and the rest.  This is primarily due to the increase in RBBCs this year.
   Draft Strategy Adjustment:  I personally believe there’s a drop b/w the top 14 RBs (moving Marion Barber out of the 1st tier).  So, pray that you’re able to draft 2 of these top 14 RBs
   
2. What happened: The almost guaranteed WR1s / upper WRs were all taken in the first 4 rounds.
   Why it happened: There is a large gap in projected fantasy points b/w the top 20 WRs and the rest
   Draft Strategy Adjustment:  After getting those two top 14 RBs, draft two top 20 WRs
3. What happened: The “supposed” (according to projected fantasy points) 2nd tier of TEs were drafted in rounds 6 – 8.
   Why it happened: Everyone is still sold on Witten, Gates, and Gonzo as the top 3 TEs.  Witten is the only guarantee.
   Draft Strategy Adjustment: These TEs could be top 3 this year, so try like h3ll to get one of them: Greg Olsen, Owen Daniels, Chris Cooley
4. What happened: The last team to draft their starting QB, drafted him (Quinn) in the 10th round.  I drafted mine in the 9th round (Hasselbeck), and another team drafted theirs in the 8th round (Roethlisberger).
   Why it happened: There are a lot of QBs in the 1st and 2nd tiers this year.  Though, there is a nice sized gap between the top 5 QBs in the 1st tier and the rest
   Draft Strategy: Try to get one of the top 5 QBs in the 5th round, if not, wait and draft two QBs back-to-back after you’ve drafted your stud defense and solid RB/WR backups.
5. What happened: Starting RBs are available in Round 7 – 10.
   Why it happened: A combination of the increase in RBBCs, age, and durability of these starting RBs
   Draft Strategy: Draft one of these starters, but then also draft a stud that’s not a starter (yet): Chris Wells, Jonathan Stewart, Felix Jones

I drafted 5th and here’s my team, with my thoughts on each pick:

1. Steven Jackson (RB) – A stud who’s healthy, still has plenty of tread on the tires, and a fresh, new coaching staff
2. Ryan Grant (RB) – Will get the majority of carries in a top 5 offense
3. Brandon Marshall (WR) – He’s a top 5 WR, but has off-the-field issues we all know about.
4. Roy Williams (WR) – Should lead the Cowboys receivers in targets, and is healthy this year.
5. Larry Johnson (RB) – Couldn’t pass him up in the 5th round.  In a new system, with a new coaching staff, he could be LJ of old…and he’s not that old!
6. Jonathan Stewart (RB) – If DeAngelo Williams got hurt, he’d be an instant RB1.  He should still get 10+ carries a game.
7. Owen Daniels (TE) – As I mentioned already, he’s a TE1 in disguise
8. Donald Driver (WR) – The #2 WR in Green Bay…a steal in the 8th round
9. Matt Hasselbeck (QB) – Under Knapp’s offensive system, throwing to Housh, he’s my #1 sleeper of ’09
10. NY Giants Defense – A tier 1 defense in the 10th round…very happy with this pick
11. Vernon Davis (TE) – If Davis doesn’t show up this year, he’ll probably never show up.  I predict he’ll lead the Niners in targets this year.
12. Tennessee Defense – No Haynesworth, but the Titans eat, drink, and sleep defense.
13. Laurence Maroney (RB) – He’s still the projected starting RB in New England, so why not use a 13th round pick on him.
14. Marc Bulger (QB) – It’s do or die for Bulger, so I’ll roll the dice
15. Mark Clayton (WR) – With Mason retired, he’s the #1 WR in Baltimore.