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2007 Fantasy Football Preview: Early Draft Leagues
By Ron Jumper

Many leagues now get started earlier and earlier, as for me I would want my draft to take place in September so I can study the pre-season very closely. However, this is obviously not always the case so I thought I would break down my actual draft from Saturday August 4th before the pre-season got started to hopefully give our Fantasy players a boost. While giving tips on sleepers and busts is truly helpful, sometimes it is good to get to see the actual draft process as well.

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Before I get started on my actual picks, I just wanted to also remind everyone that I did use a lot of what my fellow staff members have predicted in their position previews, along with my own personal opinions.


My Picks:

Round 1:
(2) RB Steven Jackson

Not much to think about here… I love his game and think the Rams, as a team, are going to be good this year. There is just too much uncertainty in KC for an LJ pick here.


Round 2:
(19) RB Edgerin James

While some are going to say this is too high, I completely disagree. He is going to get heavy carries and catches the ball well out of the backfield. Expect him to love Arizona’s new offensive schemes with more zone blocking involved.


Round 3:
(22) RB Steve Smith

A steal here if you ask me, getting the best wide receiver on my board in round 3! Gotta love it…


Round 4:
(39) QB Marc Bulger

This is another guy I love this season, as he has flourished under the new system in place in St. Louis. Expect a great season from him again. You don’t have to take Manning, Brady, or Palmer when you can get this guy in round 4.


Round 5:
(42) RB Marshawn Lynch

He is just too good and has too wonderful a situation in Buffalo to pass up in round 5, though I probably should have took a wide receiver like Terrell Owens or Larry Fitzgerald here.


Round 6:
(59) WR Plaxico Burress

I have read where some people are down on him, but I just don’t see why. Without Tiki, the Giants (and Eli) will have to lean on Burress even more, as he is their premiere wideout.


Round 7:
(62) RB Ladell Betts

This is the point in the draft where you start taking players who could potentially break out this season, but taking them here isn’t as big a risk since I’m already set at QB, RB, and WR. Besides, depth at RB is never a bad thing. Why Betts? When Portis goes down with an injury and Betts starts carrying the load you’ll understand…


Round 8:
(79) RB Deshaun Foster

Another guy with the potential to break out and have a big year. If the Panthers can stay healthy and click on all cylinders again, Foster should have a great year both running and catching.


Round 9:
(82) WR Chris Chambers

Another guy with the potential to break out this season, he has all the talent. The key is now he has a QB to get him the ball in Trent Green.


Round 10:
(99) WR Calvin Johnson

With so much upside, how could I resist? On another note, it is always good to acquire nice pieces at QB, RB, and WR to go all Danny Ainge and work out a potential trade if you need to at some point in the season.


Round 11:
(102) QB Jon Kitna

This is a huge steal in my book, as we have him ranked as our 6th QB! Regardless of how he plays, he will be throwing the ball all over the place and from behind. Not to mention Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson should be able to make him look better than he really is.


Round 12:
(119) QB Trent Green

In week 7, when a team needs a QB, I’ll be able to trade this guy and get something nice in return. People forget when he is healthy he has thrown for over 4,000 yards in back-to-back seasons before his injury last season.


Round 13:
(122) RB Chris Henry

Didn’t want to make this pick, as TE Randy McMichael was taken the pick right before. He was my guy. Oh well, can’t catch every brake…


Round 14:
(139) D/ST Jaguars

As I’ve written before, they are my surprise defense this season. Just watch…


Round 15:
(142) TE Owen Daniels

For Round 15, this is a quality pick. Granted, I’ll probably look to make a move or at least be keeping an eye on the waiver wire to get a chance to upgrade at TE, but at least I have someone serviceable.


Round 16:
(159) K Robbie Gould

Not bad to get the top kicker from 2006 in Round 16…


Probable Starting Lineup:

QB: Marc Bulger
RB: Steven Jackson
RB: Edgerin James
RB/WR: Marshawn Lynch
WR: Steve Smith
WR: Plaxico Burress
TE: Owen Daniels
K: Robbie Gould
D/ST: Jaguars

With the exception of TE, my roster looks pretty darn good. At the same time, you don’t want to pass on other good players to get a TE, as TEs are probably the least valuable position in Fantasy Football. If Calvin Johnson breaks out, I could always replace him with Burress in the starting lineup or trade him to get a quality TE like Crumpler or Vernon Davis. And the same goes for Kitna and Green…

Well, there you have it. An inside look at an actual draft that took place, which should help you visual the process of how to put together a nice Fantasy Football roster a little bit better.

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August 6, 2007

 

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