The 2007 fantasy football season may be over, but it’s already time to be thinking about 2008. The Fantasy Football Experts are already hard at work completing a 2008 Fantasy Football Mock Draft.
Here are the contestants:
1. Rob Shaw, Lead Expert for FantasyFanatics.com
2. Dan Cypra, Marketing Director for FantasyFanatics.com
3. Phil Jean, Fantasy Football Expert for FantasyFanatics.com
The rules are simple:
1. This is a standard Yahoo scoring league.
2. Each Expert is responsible for four teams, so there are 12 total teams in the league.
3. Rookies were not eligible to be drafted since their NFL teams and use are unknown.
4. Each roster consists of one quarterback, three wide receivers, two running backs, one tight end, one kicker, and one defense.
5. There are 13 rounds total.
Here’s a snapshot of the results of the first three rounds. A team overview follows:
2008 FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT RESULTS
ROUND 1, 1ST OVERALL: Tom Brady, QB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
It was between Brady and LaDainian Tomlinson; however, at the end of the day I went with Brady for a simple reason. Ideally, quarterbacks offer a great deal more stability than running backs. LT has managed to stay healthy throughout his career. I hope that he is able to maintain that trend, but as he gets older, the odds continue to stockpile against him. Heck, this season we saw Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson, and Steven Jackson fall to injury. I would rather avoid those odds by drafting a quarterback with fine protection and an ability to avoid the big hits while posing great numbers. As long as the Patriots have Randy Moss, I expect Tom Brady to have exceptional fantasy value.
ROUND 1, 2nd OVERALL: LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
I’m happy to see him still on the board when drafting second overall. He just had his seventh consecutive season with at least 15 touchdowns. It was not the ridiculous year like two seasons ago, but LT is still the best running back in the game and has a longer proven track record than Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson.
ROUND 1, 3RD OVERALL: Adrian Peterson, RB, MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Adrian Peterson was an absolute beast in 2007. Despite splitting time with Chester Taylor, he managed 1,341 yards and 12 touchdowns. He even missed two games due to injury, meaning if he stays healthy, he’s a premier fantasy running back. His only downside is his inability to be involved in the passing game.
ROUND 1, 4TH OVERALL: Randy Moss, WR, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
The best quarterback and running back have been taken off the board, but not the best wide receiver. Randy Moss dominated his position more than any other player in the game aside from his teammate Tom Brady. He had seven more touchdowns than any other wide receiver in the NFL. An encore of 20 touchdowns is expected in 2008.
ROUND 1, 5TH OVERALL: Joseph Addai, RB, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
A nice pick here, but taken over both Brian Westbrook and Steven Jackson. Addai got off to a fast start for the Colts and showed that he can last a whole season. He ran for 1,072 yards, caught 41 balls, and scored a total of 15 touchdowns. He is not being overused by the Colts since he only had 261 carries on the year. I expect him to have another stellar year in 2008.
ROUND 1, 6TH OVERALL: Brian Westbrook, RB, PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Brian Westbrook is arguably a better fantasy running back than LaDainian Tomlinson, Joseph Addai, and Adrian Peterson. 2007 was a career year for Westbrook: 1,333 yards on the ground and 771 more through the air. He had more receptions than Terrell Owens, Braylon Edwards, and Kellen Winslow and found the end zone 12 times. His ability to stay healthy this year bodes well for 2008.
ROUND 1, 7TH OVERALL: Steven Jackson, RB, ST. LOUIS RAMS
Sure, injuries marred this past season, but you’d be nuts to think that Steven Jackson simply lost his talent. He didn’t suffer from a couple of isolated injuries, which means you can expect a full bounce back in 2008. After all, this guy did play the entire second half of the season and put up 728 rushing yards with 205 yards receiving. Do the math. We’re talking about 1,456 yards rushing and 410 yards receiving with 10 touchdowns. This is a steal at the seventh spot.
ROUND 1, 8TH OVERALL: Terrell Owens, WR, DALLAS COWBOYS
He’s undoubtedly one of the best wideouts in the game. When his heart and head are committed to football, he could very well be the best. He had a stellar 2007 with 81 catches for 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns. He now has 129 scores in his career, so he is a great first pick here, although some naysayers may have a valid point that this pick should have been Reggie Wayne.
ROUND 1, 9TH OVERALL: Larry Johnson, RB, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
OK, so Larry Johnson’s 2007 campaign was a train wreck. Coming off an NFL record 416 carries, Grandmama played in eight games and found the end zone four times total. Then, his season abruptly ended against the Green Bay Packers. He still had 37 rushing touchdowns in the previous two seasons combined and added three more touchdowns through the air over that span. He remains an elite fantasy option and may be undervalued in many 2008 drafts.
ROUND 1, 10TH OVERALL: Ronnie Brown, RB, MIAMI DOLPHINS
He was the running back of the year before injuries forced him out for the season in Week 7. Brown developed a great receiving game to complement his solid rushing game. Injuries are always a concern; however, his career average of 4.4 yards per carry makes him a fine first round option. Of course, there will be some concern with a new coaching staff brought in for the 2008 season.
ROUND 1, 11TH OVERALL: Frank Gore, RB, SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
He didn’t have the season he had in 2006, but still managed to put up solid numbers on a pathetic offensive team. He rushed for 1,102 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also caught 53 balls for 436 yards and another score. He’s shown that he can play through injuries and put back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, so I think he’s a safe pick here at the tail end of the first round.
ROUND 1, 12TH OVERALL: Jamal Lewis, RB, CLEVELAND BROWNS
Jamal Lewis finished the season off strong in 2007, which bodes well for excellence in 2008. He topped 100 yards in four of the last six games and found the end zone 11 times total. He averaged two catches a game and lost just two fumbles on the season. Behind a vastly improved offensive line of the Browns, look for big things from The Jailbird in 2008.
ROUND 2, 13TH OVERALL: Braylon Edwards, WR, CLEVELAND BROWNS
We went back to back picks with the Browns’ offense. Braylon Edwards finished with 16 touchdowns, the second most among NFL wideouts. He had 80 catches, nearly topped 1,300 yards receiving, and had six touchdowns in the last six games. If Derek Anderson remains as quarterback of the Browns in 2008, he’s easily a top three fantasy receiver.
ROUND 2, 14TH OVERALL: Tony Romo, QB, DALLAS COWBOYS
You can’t argue with his numbers, but Peyton Manning was on the board and probably should have been picked here. Romo has all the tools in Dallas to succeed and that’s just what he did in 2007, as he shattered the Cowboys record book. He threw for 4,211 yards and 36 touchdowns (though 19 interceptions is a little high).
ROUND 2, 15TH OVERALL: Reggie Wayne, WR, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Aside from Randy Moss, Reggie Wayne is the best wideout in the NFL. The 29-year-old is in his prime and has not missed a game in his past six seasons. He led the league with 1,510 receiving yards and took in 10 touchdowns. Expect another stellar season for the Miami product in 2008.
ROUND 2, 16TH OVERALL: Peyton Manning, QB, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Peyton Manning had a pretty quiet 2007. By pretty quiet, I mean 31 touchdowns and 4,040 yards passing. If the NFL wasn’t hung up on Tom Brady, Manning would be drafted in the first round in 2008. He’s a steal in the second round. He’s the most consistent fantasy quarterback out there.
ROUND 2, 17TH OVERALL: Marion Barber, RB, DALLAS COWBOYS
How about them Cowboys? This team is adding another weapon from Dallas in running back Marion Barber, who scored 12 times in 2007 while rushing for 975 yards. He only ran the ball 204 times, so I would like to see him get more carries.
ROUND 2, 18TH OVERALL: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARIZONA CARDINALS
There are not many elite wideouts out there and Larry Fitzgerald is one of them. Fitzgerald matched his 2005 numbers with 1,409 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, all of this despite missing a game due to injury. This is a player who scored nine touchdowns in his final seven games played for the season. Sounds like Randy Moss-type potential.
ROUND 2, 19TH OVERALL: Drew Brees, QB, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Drew Brees started the season slowly, tossing just one touchdown and nine interceptions through the first four games. Then, Drew Brees remembered he was Drew Brees, averaging two touchdowns over the next 13 games and throwing multiple scores in all but two of those contests. He’s surrounded by a young supporting cast and should be helped by the return of Deuce McAllister in 2008.
ROUND 2: 20TH OVERALL: Chad Johnson, WR, CINCINNATI BENGALS
Ocho Cinco is explosive, but I would like to see more consistent numbers. The Cincinnati Bengals wideout went crazy against Miami in Week 17 by scoring three times, but he only had eight touchdowns on the year. He was third in the league with 1,440 yards receiving. You would like to see him find the end zone on a more consistent basis, but Chad Johnson is a great wideout for this fantasy team.
ROUND 2, 21ST OVERALL: Brandon Jacobs, RB, NEW YORK GIANTS
In need of a running back, I drafted the 264 lbs. Giants tailback. Jacobs is fresh off a superb season with 1,009 yards and six total touchdowns. These numbers are incredible when you consider that he missed five games due to injury. Had he performed at his average level in those five games, Jacobs would have concluded the season with 1,469 rushing yards. Of course, injuries may be something that we’ll have to get accustomed to as this big bruising back gets banged up aplenty.
ROUND 2, 22ND OVERALL: Andre Johnson, WR, HOUSTON TEXANS
Andre Johnson played just nine games in 2007, but found the end zone eight times. When completely healthy at the beginning of the season, he was an elite fantasy receiver: 14 receptions and three touchdowns over the first two games. He had at least six grabs in all but one game played and topped 100 yards four times. He is the entire Texans’ offense.
ROUND 2, 23RD OVERALL: Anquan Boldin, WR, ARIZONA CARDINALS
When healthy, he is one of the best wide receivers in the game. He had 853 yards and nine touchdowns this year in just 12 games. He finished strong with three scores in his final two games.
ROUND 2, 24TH OVERALL: Marshawn Lynch, RB, BUFFALO BILLS
While rookie tailback Adrian Peterson made all of the headlines with huge numbers, Marshawn Lynch offered stability to the Bills and fantasy managers. Despite missing three games in his first professional season, Lynch totaled 1,115 rushing yards with seven touchdowns. He was the eighth best running back this season despite missing those games and the future should only get brighter.
ROUND 3, 25TH OVERALL: Ryan Grant, RB, GREEN BAY PACKERS
It took an injury to Vernand Morency, missed opportunities by Brandon Jackson, and another injury to DeShawn Wynn before Ryan Grant finally earned a chance to play for the Packers. The opportunity would not slip by him. Grant ranked as one of the game’s best in the second half of the season when he amassed a staggering 770 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. On an offense that features a high-powered passing attack, Grant offers some balance and plenty of fantasy points.
ROUND 3, 26TH OVERALL: Willis McGahee, RB, BALTIMORE RAVENS
Willis McGahee notched a strong season for the atrocious Baltimore Ravens. I wanted to get my two starting running backs taken care of and McGahee foots the bill. In 2007, he ran for over 1,200 yards and scored seven rushing touchdowns. At one point, he scored a touchdown in seven straight games. Let that sink in for a minute.
ROUND 3, 27TH OVERALL: Earnest Graham, RB, TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
Earnest Graham is an all-purpose back with elite status in leagues that dole out points per receptions. In 16 games played, he had 10 touchdowns on the ground and 49 receptions. He was a beacon of consistency at the end of the season, scoring in six of the last seven games. He had just one fumble lost on the season. Look out Cadillac Williams! There’s a running back controversy brewing in 2008. Fire the cannons!
ROUND 3, 28TH OVERALL: Willie Parker, RB, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
A perennial first round pick, Parker has fallen two rounds thanks to scoring just two touchdowns on the season. Nonetheless, Parker did finish in fourth place in rushing yards despite missing the final game of the season due to injury. Of course, those poor end zone numbers may just be an anomaly for a guy who scored 16 touchdowns the previous season. If he gets half of that total, I’ve got a major steal on my hands.
ROUND 3, 29TH OVERALL: Clinton Portis, RB, WASHINGTON REDSKINS
The Washington Redskin tailback is one of the more consistent running backs in the league and has averaged over 90 yards per game for his career. In 2007, he ran 1,262 yards and scored 11 touchdowns. He also had a career high with 47 receptions, so the Redskins are finding more ways to get him the ball, which is good news for your fantasy team.
ROUND 3, 30TH OVERALL: T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, CINCINNATI BENGALS
T.J. WhosYourMomma started the season strong, but disappeared later on. He was passed over for Anquan Boldin in our Mock Draft. Nevertheless, Housh finished with 12 touchdowns on the season and an NFL-high 112 receptions. His 12 scores ties with Plaxico Burress and Greg Jennings for fourth best in the NFL. With Chad Johnson’s status with the Bengals up in the air this off-season, Housh may be the go to guy in 2008.
ROUND 3, 31ST OVERALL: Carson Palmer, QB, CINCINNATI BENGALS
He had an awful season, but the past reminds us of the potential for Carson Palmer. In 2005, Palmer broke out with 32 touchdowns to just 12 interceptions. After overcoming a major knee injury, he followed with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with 4,035 yards in 2006. This year, Palmer and the Bengals took a major step in the wrong direction. Despite a career high 4,131 passing yards and a career low of 17 sacks, Palmer tossed a career high 20 interceptions with just 26 touchdowns. He had just 10 touchdowns in the second half of the season. The Bengals as a team struggled thanks to a stationary rushing attack and aside from Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, had little help for Palmer in the passing game. Expect bigger and better numbers in 2008 for the former top-three quarterback.
ROUND 3, 32ND OVERALL: Laurence Maroney, RB, NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
He has all the talent to be a top-tier back and he showed it at the end of the year, but with the Brady Express going nuts, you wonder how much use he will get. In 2008, I think he will have an increased role and that is good news for fantasy owners. Maroney did rush for 835 yards and six touchdowns.
ROUND 3, 33RD OVERALL: LenDale White, RB, TENNESSEE TITANS
LenDale White topped 1,000 yards despite splitting carries for much of the year with Chris Brown and Chris Henry. He found the end zone seven times and topped 100 yards five times this season. Look for The Hamburgler’s role to expand in 2008 given Chris Brown gets one more year older. Vince Young’s growing pains make the ground game that much more vital to Tennessee’s success.
ROUND 3, 34TH OVERALL: Edgerrin James, RB, ARIZONA CARDINALS
This Miami Hurricane has failed to maintain his high level of production from his days in Indianapolis. Nonetheless, for a third round pick, James should offer 1,200 rushing yards and six or more touchdowns. While there may be some flashier running backs, you have to credit James for his consistency. He now has five straight seasons with at least 1,150 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and 200 receiving yards.
ROUND 3, 35TH OVERALL: Torry Holt, WR, ST. LOUIS RAMS
He’s one of the most consistent wide receivers in the game. He managed to put up good numbers despite the disaster of a season for the Rams. He caught 93 balls for 1,189 yards. His 2006 numbers: 93 catches for 1,188 yards. Like I said, you have to love the consistency. You would like to see him find the end zone more often though, as he only scored 7 touchdowns, but this fantasy team is set with a starter at QB, RB, and WR.
ROUND 3, 36TH OVERALL: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PITTSBURGH STEELERS
Big Ben Roethlisberger’s performance in the team’s Wild Card Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars wasn’t great in reality, but was a gem in fantasy. He threw for over 200 yards eight times this season and finished with more touchdowns than Peyton Manning. The Steelers threw, threw, threw in the red zone, which gives Roethlisberger a tremendous fantasy boost. He’s arguably a better fantasy option than both Manning and Drew Brees, each of whom was taken before Roethlisberger in this draft.
