JSM Cafe: Sports! by JSM80

-Fantasy Snaps-

Rumor has it within my fantasy league that a certain "high profile" owner is very interested in acquiring one of the top rookie running backs from this year's NFL draft, if in fact the league converts into a Keeper league as expected, and the word is, that rookie back is not Darren McFadden.

With the retirement of Brett Favre I'm a little gun-shy about drafting any Packer too high this year, but one player who could rebound is WR Donald Driver. Yes, he's 33, but he is still considered the veteran leader of the team and I believe QB Aaron Rodgers will rely on him more with this being his first year as the starter. I've already participated in several online "mock drafts" and I've been surprised at how far Driver has fallen. In most cases he can be taken in rounds 11 or 12 as a fourth receiver. I think that's a real steal, personally.

Even though I think the return of RB Deuce McAllister will help greatly, and the schedule is favorable, and I currently have him ranked in my top twenty at running back. It will be very difficult for me to pull the trigger on Reggie Bush come draft day if he is still there. Some grudges die hard.

Speaking of the Saints, It is safe to assume that TE Jeremy Shockey will remain a fantasy afterthought if he remains a Giant rather then get traded to New Orleans this off-season. It's pretty apparent that the coaching staff is more interested in using him as a blocker than as a receiving threat for QB Eli Manning. As a Saint, he'd be a top 7 selection at the tight end position. As a Giant, he becomes backup fodder.
It's hard to believe that a year ago RB Willie Parker of the Pittsburgh Steelers was a sure-fire top ten pick in fantasy, but this season he is on the lower tier of my top twenty. His talent hasn't diminished any, as with Shawn Alexander. But with the addition of rookie, Rashard Mendenhall & the concerns about the recovery of his broken leg, not to mention his meager two goal line scores last year, Parker has the greatest drop in value over last season and should be drafted as a top-end #3 running back this year. Yet, something tells me, some less-informed owner out there will take him sooner because of his name value.

For those wondering, yes, mock drafts have opened up at various sites already. that's when you know it must be summer. Right now you can participate in free mock drafts at http://www.sportsline.com/fantasy Just go the fantasy football section of the site. What's good about this site is that it allows you to draft from any position you choose, and of course it's free. The CBS rankings leave a little to be desired though, so make sure you don't push the "auto pick" button by accident.

I've done some reading on PPR (points per reception) leagues over the past week or so and I've heard some good things about them. I find the benefits of these leagues very enticing.

I've gotten questions as which pick in the first round is the one to have this season and which pick is the "dog"? My answer may surprise you, but I think I would rather have the tenth selection over the first if given the choice, and that differs from where I usually stand on this issue. LaDanian Tomlinson is still a stud back, but he's reaching that point where questions about age & wear & tear start to creep into mind just a little. And no other player in my mind is ready to be taken in that spot just yet either,--though that could change after this season. So for me, I'd rather not have to deal with it, and might even consider trading down if a good offer was presented to me at that spot.

No, the prime spots for me this year are picks 2-5, with pick 2 being the hottest commodity. There are what I call six blue-chip players in this year's first round (5 running backs & 1 quarter back) so if you are picking in the top 5, you will have your choice of these players. If you are picking lower, the players do not differentiate as much, unless of course one of those blue chip players fall (Brady or Addai for instance).