by Chris Mooney

Ok..I had two online drafts a couple of days ago in public leagues just to get my feet wet and see where peoples heads were. Love the teams I drafted.

Last night, though, I had my first live draft with people I know. I like public leagues and all, but nothing beats being in a league with people you know and can trash talk with all season long. It’s a 10 team yardage (including PPR) league. Here’s the roster I ended up with.

QB - Tony Romo, Matt Schaub
RB - Stephen Jackson, Ahman Green, Marshawn Lynch, Brandon Jackson, Chris Brown, Brian Leonard
WR - Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald, Reggie Brown, Bernard Berrian, Bobby Wade, Jacoby Jones
K - Adam Vinateri, Neil Rackers
D - Dallas and Green Bay

Here some comments from the draft:

LT went first, so I obviously took Stephen Jackson with the #2 pick I had. Larry Johnson followed at #3. The #4 pick is where it got interesting. The guy with #4 took Peyton Manning.

First tip - Do not take a QB in the first round even if it is Peyton Manning. You’ll be kicking yourself once you get a look at the RB you ended up with.

After the top tier RB were off the board by my 2nd pick, I knew I was going for a top tier WR. Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, and Marvin Harrison were gone, so I had to decide between T.O, Holt, or Wayne (in my mind). Updating my own ranking, I decided on T.O. I keep hearing about Torry Holt’s knee issues and I think they will spread the ball more in St. Louis. As for Wayne, I just can’t take the ups and downs of wondering which week will be his and which will be Harrison’s. T.O. is the guy in Dallas, period. I think he will click with Romo.

Second tip - If you are picking anywhere from #1 to #5, chances are that the top tier RB will be off the board. This is when you need to grab the stud WR. I’ll take Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, etc…over Ronnie Brown, Willis McGahee anyday. You’ll be able to get a decent #2 RB in Round 3 or 4.

In Round 3 for me, I took Larry Fitgerald after Wayne was snatched up. I was banking on being able to get a decent RB in Round 4. With a guy taking Manning in the 1st and someone else taking Donald Driver in the 2nd, I was pretty confident I would. After my initial rankings, I kept hearing a lot of good things about how Fitzgerald has looked faster in camp. Even though I do think the Cards will “try” and run more, they’ll soon realize that Edge is a shell of his former self and will end up needing to throw.

Third tip - Take what your league gives you. I mean come on, Manning in the first, Donald Driver in the second?? Drafting towards the top, I would typically go RB, WR, RB. In this case, I saw some very questionable picks, so I took another top WR hoping another decent RB would be available coming back to me.

During Round 4 I got a little nervous because there was a run on RB’s. Based on how the draft was going, I was targeting Cedric Benson. Well, he got drafted, so I ended up with Ahman Green. From what I’ve been reading, Green looks rejunvenated and could end up being a steal.

Just in case Ahman doesn’t work out, I came back with Marshawn Lynch in Round 5.

Fourth tip - During the middle rounds, you should definately continue drafting based on need, but you need to also look at taking the best player available. I like Lee Evans and he was available to me in Round 5, but I could not pass up a starting RB. The jury is still out on Lynch, but I told myself to wait on another WR until next round. RB’s are still the most valuable position.

From here on out, I took best available according my gut. I got Reggie Brown and Bernard Berrian as my #3 and #4 WR (not necessarily in that order). I’m extremely happy with those picks.

I’m also pleased to have gotten Romo in the 8th round. That Romo to T.O. combo could be something special this year.

I got another potential starting RB in Round 9 in Brandon Jackson. Sure there is Morency in the background, but at Round 9, I’ll take the gamble with Jackson. I’ve been hearing some good things about him.

The next rounds were spent taking my stud RB backup, Brian Leonard. I got my kickers and defense. For sleepers, I drafted Bobby Wade (Vikings WR), Matt Schaub (Texans QB), and Jacoby Jones (Texans WR). In the 14th round, Bobby Wade was worth taking. He could end up the #1 WR for the Vikes.

Matt Schaub could be a steal as well. Let everyone go after Rex Grossman, Chad Pennington, and Delhomme earlier in the draft if they want. I’d say, while they do that, go for the RB and WR sleepers, then take Schaub as your backup. He’s looking good and has a brand new offense with plenty of weapons.

On another note, based on some other news around the league

In a press conference today, Green Bay Packers GM Ted Thompson said the team believes WR Donald Driver (foot) “will probably” be ready to play in week #1, but that additional tests will be done for confirmation purposes.

With the injury to Donald Driver, we’re not sure the severity. With that being said, James Jackson jumps way up in my rankings. He’s outplayed Greg Jennings easily this preseason, and with Donald Driver’s injury, Jackson is worth a late round flyer. Best of all, if Driver misses any time, Jackson will step right in.

The Lions are to make a decision soon on whether to put Kevin Jones on the PUP list. With all that up in the air, go get Tatum Bell. Even if they don’t put Kevin Jones on the PUP list, he hasn’t played a down,and coaches have raved about the play of Tatum Bell. This offense is perfect for him. Mike Martz system will utilize Tatum’s running style and pass catching ability.

David Boston was arrested on DUI charges. If you were thinking of him as a sleeper, forget it, and steer clear of any Dolphin if you can.

The Packers D is looking good and could be a steal. Don’t overpay for the Bears and Ravens. If you can get Minnesota or Green Bay, you’ll be happy. The Pack have been playing lights out all preseason.