Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
The third Fantasy Football mock draft of Rant Sports writers was a PPR format which of course basically means if you can get a wide receiver or running back or even kicker (highly unlikely) that gets targeted in the passing game – go get them.
My individual goal for this draft was threefold — value, folks that are targeted by the quarterback and a sleeper or two. Actually, there was admittedly a fourth motivator in players that have a storyline prior to this NFL season.
Related: Top Five 2013 Fantasy Football Players: Miami Dolphins
In retrospect I missed a pick or two I wanted one or two picks before mine, but overall I feel confident that I succeeded in my personal mission for this draft.
1.08: LeSean McCoy – I was certain that Cleveland Browns running back Trent Richardson would fall to me for this pick, but obviously he didn’t. That said, I am certainly happy with the “Shady” pick. He will be explosive in a Chip Kelly run offense.
2.03: Dez Bryant – Surprisingly Calvin Johnson went just before my selection in the second round. Calvin will again live up to top tier wide receiver stats in 2013, but I firmly believe Dez will be better.
3.08: DeMarco Murray – This was my reach of the draft, and although I don’t love the pick, I am happy with it. We’ve all seen Murray’s potential when healthy; unfortunately he has yet to remain healthy for a full season. I decided to gamble and bet this was his year. If he can remain healthy for an entire season Murray is a borderline RB1.
4.03: Reggie Bush – This is a PPR league, and Bush is one of those PPR poster children going in to 2013. Matt Stafford throws the ball a lot. In fact in 2012 he chucked the rock 727 times. Reggie will be a primary target.
5.08: Danny Amendola – Bill Belichick will be on a mission to prove to Wes Welker that it was less Welker and more the system. If Amendola can remain healthy in 2013 he has a chance to lead the NFL in receptions.
6.03: Andrew Luck – Luck is a top five guy that continues to slide down draft boards despite his stats last season and his success thus far in the preseason. That is perfectly okay with me. This guy will have a monster fantasy season.
7.08: Torrey Smith – This is another guy that is inexplicably sliding down draft boards. Anquan Boldin is gone and Dennis Pita is out for the season, so who else gets the lion’s share of Joe Flacco’s targets?
8.03: Shane Vereen – This was a pick based on value and depth at the running back position. Vereen is replacing Danny Woodhead who finished last season in the top 20 of fantasy PPR running backs.
9.08: Josh Gordon – Gordon’s two-game suspension has many teams afraid of him in 2013. I see him as Cleveland’s top wide receiver at season’s end.
10.03: Jordan Cameron – Brandon Weeden has shown his confidence in Cameron this preseason justifying prognosticators that believe he is a big time sleeper tight end.
11.08: Andy Dalton – I needed a backup quarterback and he was the best available. He did throw for the 7th most touchdowns last year. Plus the Bengals offense went through major upgrades in the offseason.
12.03: Danny Woodhead – Once again – value, value, value. Mike McCoy loves to run the football, and the San Diego Chargers are hurting for receiving options this season. Woodhead will be tough in PPR leagues.
13.08: Kenbrell Thompkins – Tom Brady will throw 4,000 plus yards for the New England Patriots and someone has to catch those balls; why not the rookie Thompkins?
14.03: Cincinnati Bengals – If you don’t watch Hard Knocks, you should; it’s great stuff. Oh, and you will see this may be the most solid defensive group in all of football.
15.08: Greg Zuerlein – Eventually we all have to pick a Fantasy Football kicker; why not Greg “the Leg”?
PPR leagues focus on receptions first followed up by traditional standard scoring protocols. This team is a combination of guys that catch the ball, guys that have a nose for the end-zone and value picks with tremendous upside.
This should be a sporty group this Fantasy Football season.
Jim Heath is a Fantasy Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_heath, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
