Crystal LoGiudice – USA TODAY Sports
The fourth Fantasy Football mock draft of Rant Sports writers was an auction format. Auction formats in Fantasy Football are two fold – strategically getting the team you want (since the randomness of snake drafts are not applicable to auctions), and of course a proverbial poker game amongst friends trying to see who is serious and who is bluffing.
In retrospect, I did spend more than value for some players, with the understanding, or gamble, that I could get players on the back half of the draft at a significant discount. Fortunately, things worked out in this particular draft.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints $33 – I felt a little dirty after this pick, because I was cheating on a 2013 fantasy bromance in Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, as I believe he is a top five talent. That said, I couldn’t pass on this Brees bargain, since he will easily be one or two this season.
LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles $49 – Shady will be the man in a wide-open Chip Kelly offense.
Arian Foster, Houston Texans $54 – For those of you that call him old, injury prone and regressing, I will gladly thank you for your discretion after I ride Foster to a league championship. In my books, he is and will be the man until he proves otherwise.
Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys $39 – Call it a bold prediction, but this guy has the upside to surpass Calvin Johnson as the best receiver in Fantasy Football.
Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears $32 – Jay Cutler loves his buddy Brandon, and he will find him early and often this season.
Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers $3– This knucklehead rocked the wrong boat a season ago, quickly landing him in Aaron Rodger’s doghouse. One year removed and a make-up hug or two later, Finley returns to fantasy relevance.
James Jones, Green Bay Packers $8 – Jones caught a monster load of Rodgers’ touchdowns one season ago. He may not match the numbers in 2013, but he will certainly get his.
Denver Broncos Defense $1 – Von Miller and Elvis Dumervil are gone, but the Broncos’ defense is still an opportunistic group with the opportunity to score on any given Sunday.
Matt Prater, Denver Broncos $1 – I needed a kicker, because, unfortunately, most leagues require a kicker. The Broncos will be an offensive juggernaut in 2013, so why not Prater?
Eric Decker, Denver Broncos $3 – I’m generally not a “homer” in Fantasy Football drafts, but I couldn’t pass on $3 for a guy that caught double digit touchdowns a season ago.
DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles $1– Jackson is a sleeper pick in 2013; Michael Vick loves his go-to guy.
Andre Brown, New York Giants $1– This was a pick based on value and depth at the running back position. I am not sold on David Wilson, but even if Wilson performs, Brown gets the Giants’ goal line carries.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints $7 – Ingram has failed to overly impress in his first two seasons with New Orleans. That said, the Saints’ offense will be running on all speeds with Sean Payton back in 2013, and Ingram should be the red zone guy.
Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens $10 – This is another guy that is inexplicably sliding down draft boards. Anquan Bolden is gone and Dennis Pita is out for the season, who else gets the lion’s share of Joe Flacco’s targets?
Lance Moore, New Orleans Saints $1 – I am a big fan of nabbing a wide receiver/quarterback combo in all fantasy drafts. My friend, Adam McGill, seemed tp be on a mission to outbid me on many picks in this draft, causing me to lose Marques Colston, so Moore was a value alternative.
Spent – $242
Remaining – $8
Conclusion:
Auction drafts give you an opportunity to genuinely deploy a strategic plan for assembling the team you want in Fantasy Football. Being aggressive is occasionally necessary, especially when it comes to nabbing top-tier running backs. Develop nerves of steal and stay in the game, as there is a significant difference between Trent Richardson and Frank Gore – I promise.
Auctions are a new perspective on the game we all love so much, but use caution, because there is a great possibility that one auction will forever change your opinions on snake style drafts.
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
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