Looking back at two drafts
Every so often, I like to torture myself by going back to draft results and seeing what I could/should have done differently.
Today, I feel like sharing that with you. So at the risk of annoying everyone with a “We don’t care about your team” post, here’s a look back at my draft results from two leagues. One has worked out very well and one has gone straight to hell.
* This was the 10-team SOFA Industry Draft I represented Rotoworld in. It’s PPR but otherwise standard scoring. It was an online draft. We start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, 1 K, 1 D.
The knowledge level of the owners was obviously very strong.
My team is 5-5 but that’s misleading. I’m dead last in points and it’s been a real struggle.
I had the first pick.
1.1 – Adrian Peterson: Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice all have more points than All Day. Still don’t regret the pick and he’s definitely not the reason I’m scuffling around.
2.10 – Marques Colston: It was a bad pick. The Saints spread it around style has hurt Colston and made him the No. 14 WR in this format. Could have and should have taken Roddy White or Wes Welker.
3.1 – Ronnie Brown: The pick was working out perfectly until this foot injury. Now it’s horrible. He’s the No. 11 RB in this format and I was glad I took him over Kevin Smith, Brandon Jacobs, Pierre Thomas and Darren McFadden.
4.10 – Anthony Gonzalez: What can you do? Injuries happen.
5.1 – Eddie Royal: Here’s the disaster pick. Should have taken Chad Ochocinco, Ray Rice, Dallas Clark. Well, should have taken anyone. And it’s more upsetting because I wrote this article about second-year wideouts and still took Royal. Not really sure why.
6.10 – Greg Olsen: Another one that just hasn’t performed as I expected. He’s the No. 9 TE overall but should have waited on this position knowing its depth. Brent Celek or Vernon Davis would have been a lot of fun much later.
7.1 – Donovan McNabb: I was waiting on Matt Schaub and he went at 6.8. Brutal.
8.10 – Chester Taylor: No problem with this handcuff pick.
9.1 – Beanie Wells: Running backs that went right after this pick were Willie Parker, Fred Jackson, Leon Washington and Donald Brown. I’m more than fine with the pick.
10.10 – Matt Ryan: Glad I backed up McNabb quickly when Dono cracked that rib.
11.1 – Davone Bess: Took a shot on a guy I liked and it didn’t work out. So it goes. Should have taken Steve Breaston.
12.10 – Tim Hightower: Has unexpectedly turned out to be one of my best players. Sometimes it works like that. He’s the No. 12 RB in this format.
13.1 – Earl Bennett: Percy Harvin was probably the better pick in this spot.
14.10 – Rashard Mendenhall: His stock was really low at this point as he was in Mike Tomlin’s doghouse. And after Tomlin benched him for that Week 3 game I cut him. A really, really bad mistake.
15.1 – Robert Meachem: An upside pick that ended up on waivers and I never got him back.
16.10 – Heath Miller: Another guy that I cut after Week 3 with these shallow benches. Another regret.
17.1 – Packers D: Have been playing matchups all year.
18.10 – John Carney: Mr. Irrelevant.
* This is a 10 team league, non PPR, standard scoring. It was a live draft. We start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 D. No flex.
The knowledge level of the owners ranges from excellent to calling out “Bernie Wells” when he meant to say Beanie Wells.
My team is 8-2 and leads the league in points. It’s my best team of the season by far.
I had the tenth pick.
1.10 – Chris Johnson: Thank you sir may I have another?
2.1 – Larry Fitzgerald: Considered DeAngelo or Andre Johson but went with Fitz for playoff sked. So far, so good.
3.10 – Pierre Thomas: Still think it was a good pick. If he never got injured, this timeshare never would have happened.
4.1 – Dwayne Bowe: Should have taken Chad Ochocinco. Instead, I drafted a cheater (allegedly).
5.10 – Antonio Gates: Nothing to complain about. Consistently good, touchdowns will come.
6.1 – Vincent Jackson: Roy Williams went seven picks earlier. Loved V-Jax, but even I’m a little surprised by how monstrous his season has been.
7.10 – Matt Schuab: Nothing really to say here. Knew I could wait on him and get him.
8.1 – Ray Rice: In defense of the league, the draft was well before he gained a lot of momentum in the preseason. Still the steal of the draft by leaps and bounds.
9.10 – Ahmad Bradshaw: Rahsard Mendenahall was on the board but I fell into the trap of believing the Steelers when they said how much they loved Willie Parker and hated Mendy. Lesson learned.
10.1 – Antonio Bryant: Turned out to be a bad pick, but would probably do it again. Knew about the knee going in.
11.10 – Owen Daniels: It was fun while it lasted, even though he was on my bench for the most part.
12.1 – Jerricho Cotchery: Going to have to count on him now that Bowe is out. Receivers that immediately after this pick were Donnie Avery, Ted Ginn Jr, Chris Henry and Steve Breaston.
13.10 – Eagles D: Was planning on playing matchups all year, but it’s hard to bench a defense that makes so many big plays.
14.1 – Davone Bess: Took a flier and lost, especially because it’s non-PPR.
15.10 – Kyle Orton: Looking back, it was pretty risky not to back Schaub up earlier.
16.1 – Robert Meachem: Dumped him a loooong time ago.
17.10 – Peyton Hillis: Dumped him before season even started.
18.1 – Earl Bennett: Another flier that hasn’t been great.
Comments
As painful as it can be, a little introspection is always useful!
I also got burned by Bowe in one league but did good drafting midround WRs so had the depth to absorb it (worst part is I came really close to dealing him last week too because of the depth and I didn't like the rest of his schedule all that much except the Cleveland game).
Another pick I'm now not terribly happy with was Slaton toward the end of round 2 in that league, which has obviously been a roller coaster. I'd really like it if he could get his starting job back and fix the fumbling problem down the stretch here.
Posted by: Fredex | November 18, 2009 12:52 AM
I also got the Wells/Hightower combo around the same rounds. I've sacrificed some roster space keeping both, but it now looks like a good idea (league has two keepers).
When will HighT's value run out (if ever)?
Posted by: Ernie | November 18, 2009 06:14 AM
@ Ernie
I would say Hightower's value will run out more and more each week. Arizona has a very squishy schedule this half of the season and will use Beanie wells towards the ends of dominated games more and more to get him experience for playoff time. I expect TH will receive about 8-10 touches each game before its turned over to Beanie.
Posted by: Strato | November 18, 2009 08:31 AM
2.10 – Marques Colston: It was a bad pick. The Saints spread it around style has hurt Colston and made him the No. 14 WR in this format. Could have and should have taken Roddy White, Steve Smith (Carolina) or Wes Welker.
Really? What crazy scoring system do you have to have for Carolina's Steve Smith to be better than Marques Colston? Do you lose points for wins or get bonus points for the WR having a bad QB?
Posted by: Dennis | November 18, 2009 11:01 AM
I bet this writer looks like a horse.
Posted by: Mike Hawk | November 18, 2009 12:32 PM
Dennis - Obviously Steve Smith (Carolina) isn't ahead of Marques Colston. Steve Smith (Giants) is. To set the record straight, the Top 10 WR in this format are: Wayne, Moss, Fitzgerald, Smith (NY), Andre Johnson, V-Jax, Welker, Roddy, B. Marshall, Hines Ward.
Posted by: Adam L | November 18, 2009 12:37 PM
I have no idea why... but few things make me happier than seeing people make fun of Adam Levitan.
Posted by: Davie Ricky | November 18, 2009 05:04 PM