I entered the draft hoping to be picked in the top 6 and was happy to get picked 3rd. If I’m not in the top 6, I want to have picks 10-12 to secure two very good players and select early in the third round. This is a PPR league, and 6 points for a passing touchdown. Let’s go over my picks.
Pick 1 – RB Saquon Barkley, Eagles
I know Barkley is going to regress from last season, but he is still the top option behind a very good offensive line. I wanted a bell cow running back and chose him over Gibbs just because Gibbs will give up volume to David Montgomery.
Pick 2 – RB Bucky Irving, Buccaneers
I chose Irving over Chase Brown here only because I took Brown in my previous draft. To me, they are equals, and I knew I wouldn’t get the other in round 3. The receivers that were still on the board weren’t as valuable as these backs.
Pick 3 – WR Davante Adams, Rams
Adams is getting up there in age, but he showed that he still had big-time games left in him playing for the Jets last season. He should shine with Matt Stafford slinging the football.
Pick 4 – WR Mike Evans, Buccaneers
Evans came on at the end of last season and should be good for another 1,000-yard, double-digit touchdowns.
Pick 5 – RB Joe Mixon, Texans
I know many are down on Mixon but he is coming off another I,000-yard season and double-digit touchdowns. He showed that he still had juice by gaining over 200 total yards and scoring 2 touchdowns in the playoffs last season. He should still get a ton of volume, and I like him in round 5. I did consider WR George Pickens here, but I think Mixon is a better player, and I had a plan at receiver that ultimately worked out for me later. I did not want DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle.
Pick 6 – TE TJ Hockenson, Vikings
This is early for Hockenson, but I want a good tight end, and I wasn’t waiting to see if he made it down back to me late in round 7. I could have taken Sam LaPorta, but I am a Viking fan, and young QBs tend to lean on their tight end. Additionally, I believe WR Jordan Addison will miss a few games due to suspension, making him an even more attractive option in those games.
Pick 7 – RB Tyrone Tracy, Giants
I’m not on the Cam Skattebo train, and I believe that Tracy will beat him out for the majority of the volume. Running backs are very thin, and Tracy is the only back left on the board whom I trust.
Pick 8 – WR Stefon Diggs, Patriots
My receiver room is old, but I think Diggs could be a big steal here in round 8. He is in camp and is reported to be “looking good.” I expect Drake Maye to feed him the ball.
Pick 9 – WR Matthew Golden, Packers
I have a strong belief that Golden will be the Packers’ leading receiver, and those beliefs are part of the reason I chose running back depth in mid-rounds because I’m banking on a big season from Golden.
Picks 10-20
I had to add WR depth right away, and I get WR Darnell Mooney at a great price in round 11. I know he is injured, but I won’t need him in week 1 if he is not back. I waited on QB, but I like my C.J. Stroud pick, as I think he has a bounce-back year, and I am also touting Bryce Young. I didn’t necessarily want to take a second tight end when I did, but TJ does have injury history, and I can’t let a player with Jonnu Smith’s ability go at this point. I made sure I nabbed Saquon’s handcuff in Will Shipley. I was a homer by picking both Viking defense and kicker, but I think they are solid units, so they make sense. I didn’t want a third quarterback, but there were no other position players I wanted, so I decided to take Matt Stafford to pair with Adams. There is a chance Stafford will have a big season.
I think I have a solid team with solid depth. My receivers are old, but they are productive. I think having Golden and Mooney to back them up will be huge. Some may pick at my Mixon pick in round 5, but I didn’t like anyone but Pickens. Additionally, I believe you should aim to be selected in the early 5th round to secure your third receiver. Rounds 6 and 7 are all receivers that I don’t want. I want to get a value back and my tight end in those rounds.
Surprises
WR Malik Nabers slid to the third pick in the second round, giving team 10 a great start with Nabers and Puka Nacua. Overall, I think most of the teams look soli,d but it was another draft where I think teams grab quarterbacks too early. Nine of the twelve teams had two quarterbacks by round 11. That’s fine in best ball but not in this league. If you have Lamar Jackson, you don’t need Jared Goff in round 8.
