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Jamey Eisenberg

Draft prep: Our final 12-team mock draft

By | Senior Fantasy Writer


The preseason has taught us a lot. We've got new starting quarterbacks in Kyle Orton and J.T. O'Sullivan, Steven Jackson has signed his contract and Chad Johnson has a torn labrum in his shoulder. So much has changed since the end of July.

With that in mind, the Fantasy Football season is getting closer, so we got 12 people who work at CBSSports.com together for a mock draft. We'll show you where we think certain players should be drafted, sleepers we like, busts we want to avoid and players in line for a breakout season. You can judge if we like a rookie with a high draft pick or if we left a veteran on the board too long.

CBSSports.com Mock Drafts
New for Fantasy Football this year, test your draft strategy in a mock draft so you'll be prepared when your real draft arrives. Mock drafts are absolutely free and available to everyone, no matter where you play.
Join a mock draft now!

The fun about doing these mock drafts is for you, our users, to follow along and let us know your thoughts on our picks. So drop us an e-mail at dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com and put "Mock Draft" in the subject line. Let us know if you like or dislike any of the picks we made in certain rounds.

This draft is a 12-team mock draft with a standard-scoring format. It's a standard draft, so this should be a good representation of how your draft will look this year. Obviously, things will still change between now and the start of the season. But, this is still an example of how your Fantasy drafts might look.

Here is our draft order:

1. Mike Freeman, CBSSports.com National Columnist
2. Jamey Eisenberg, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
3. Scott White, CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer
4. Lauren Shehadi, CBSSports.com Video Host
5. Sergio Gonzalez, CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer
6. Eric Mack, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
7. Dave Richard, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
8. Michael Hurcomb, CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer
9. Jason Horowitz, CBSSports.com Video Host
10. Ross Devonport, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
11. Peter Madden, Managing Editor, CBSSports.com Fantasy Sports
12. Ken Mack, Producer, CBS Sports

We're starting ...

1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex RB/WR, 1 PK, 1 DST

Six reserve spots

We're scoring ...

6 pts. for all TDs
1 pt. for each 10 yards rushing/receiving
1 pt. for each 25 yards passing
-2 pts. for each interception or fumble
2 pts. for two-point conversions
1 pt. for each extra point
3 pts. for each field goal with large bonuses for long kicks made
2 pts. for each fumble, interception or safety by a DST
Standard bonuses for points allowed for DST

Draft Results
Round 1
1Mike FreemanLaDainian Tomlinson (RB SD)
2Jamey EisenbergAdrian Peterson (RB MIN)
3Scott WhiteBrian Westbrook (RB PHI)
4Lauren ShehadiRandy Moss (WR NE)
5Sergio GonzalezJoseph Addai (RB IND)
6Eric MackTom Brady (QB NE)
7Dave RichardMarion Barber (RB DAL)
8Michael HurcombSteven Jackson (RB STL)
9Jason HorowitzMarshawn Lynch (RB BUF)
10Ross DevonportPeyton Manning (QB IND)
11Peter MaddenFrank Gore (RB SF)
12Ken MackLarry Johnson (RB KC)
Round 2
13Ken MackClinton Portis (RB WAS)
14Peter MaddenTerrell Owens (WR DAL)
15Ross DevonportBraylon Edwards (WR CLE)
16Jason HorowitzRyan Grant (RB GB)
17Michael HurcombReggie Wayne (WR IND)
18Dave RichardLarry Fitzgerald (WR ARI)
19Eric MackWillis McGahee (RB BAL)
20Sergio GonzalezEarnest Graham (RB TB)
21Lauren ShehadiDarren McFadden (RB OAK)
22Scott WhiteMarques Colston (WR NO)
23Jamey EisenbergAndre Johnson (WR HOU)
24Mike FreemanTony Romo (QB DAL)
Round 3
25Mike FreemanJamal Lewis (RB CLE)
26Jamey EisenbergDrew Brees (QB NO)
27Scott WhiteMaurice Jones-Drew (RB JAC)
28Lauren ShehadiLaurence Maroney (RB NE)
29Sergio GonzalezTorry Holt (WR STL)
30Eric MackReggie Bush (RB NO)
31Dave RichardSteve Smith (WR CAR)
32Michael HurcombBrandon Jacobs (RB NYG)
33Jason HorowitzCalvin Johnson (WR DET)
34Ross DevonportJulius Jones (RB SEA)
35Peter MaddenWillie Parker (RB PIT)
36Ken MackMichael Turner (RB ATL)
Round 4
37Ken MackT.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR CIN)
38Peter MaddenWes Welker (WR NE)
39Ross DevonportLenDale White (RB TEN)
40Jason HorowitzCarson Palmer (QB CIN)
41Michael HurcombPlaxico Burress (WR NYG)
42Dave RichardDeAngelo Williams (RB CAR)
43Eric MackRoy Williams (WR DET)
44Sergio GonzalezBen Roethlisberger (QB PIT)
45Lauren ShehadiAnquan Boldin (WR ARI)
46Scott WhiteKevin Smith (RB DET)
47Jamey EisenbergSantonio Holmes (WR PIT)
48Mike FreemanGreg Jennings (WR GB)
Round 5
49Mike FreemanJerricho Cotchery (WR NYJ)
50Jamey EisenbergBrandon Marshall (WR DEN)
51Scott WhiteChad Johnson (WR CIN)
52Lauren ShehadiThomas Jones (RB NYJ)
53Sergio GonzalezLaveranues Coles (WR NYJ)
54Eric MackSelvin Young (RB DEN)
55Dave RichardJason Witten (TE DAL)
56Michael HurcombLee Evans (WR BUF)
57Jason HorowitzDonald Driver (WR GB)
58Ross DevonportMarvin Harrison (WR IND)
59Peter MaddenRonnie Brown (RB MIA)
60Ken MackDwayne Bowe (WR KC)
Round 6
61Ken MackRoddy White (WR ATL)
62Peter MaddenKellen Winslow (TE CLE)
63Ross DevonportHines Ward (WR PIT)
64Jason HorowitzJonathan Stewart (RB CAR)
65Michael HurcombAntonio Gates (TE SD)
66Dave RichardMatt Forte (RB CHI)
67Eric MackChris Chambers (WR SD)
68Sergio GonzalezTony Gonzalez (TE KC)
69Lauren ShehadiChris Cooley (TE WAS)
70Scott WhiteEdgerrin James (RB ARI)
71Jamey EisenbergRicky Williams (RB MIA)
72Mike FreemanJeremy Shockey (TE NO)
Round 7
73Mike FreemanFred Taylor (RB JAC)
74Jamey EisenbergChris Johnson (RB TEN)
75Scott WhiteNate Burleson (WR SEA)
76Lauren ShehadiBrett Favre (QB NYJ)
77Sergio GonzalezRashard Mendenhall (RB PIT)
78Eric MackRay Rice (RB BAL)
79Dave RichardDerek Anderson (QB CLE)
80Michael HurcombRudi Johnson (RB CIN)
81Jason HorowitzDallas Clark (TE IND)
82Ross DevonportBernard Berrian (WR MIN)
83Peter MaddenJay Cutler (QB DEN)
84Ken MackDonovan McNabb (QB PHI)
Round 8
85Ken MackSantana Moss (WR WAS)
86Peter MaddenKevin Jones (RB CHI)
87Ross DevonportChester Taylor (RB MIN)
88Jason HorowitzPatrick Crayton (WR DAL)
89Michael HurcombDeSean Jackson (WR PHI)
90Dave RichardAnthony Gonzalez (WR IND)
91Eric MackDeuce McAllister (RB NO)
92Sergio GonzalezJerious Norwood (RB ATL)
93Lauren ShehadiDonte' Stallworth (WR CLE)
94Scott WhiteMatt Hasselbeck (QB SEA)
95Jamey EisenbergFelix Jones (RB DAL)
96Mike FreemanVincent Jackson (WR SD)
Round 9
97Mike FreemanVikings (DST MIN)
98Jamey EisenbergJoey Galloway (WR TB)
99Scott WhiteSteve Slaton (RB HOU)
100Lauren ShehadiJustin Fargas (RB OAK)
101Sergio GonzalezDerrick Mason (WR BAL)
102Eric MackVernon Davis (TE SF)
103Dave RichardMaurice Morris (RB SEA)
104Michael HurcombMarc Bulger (QB STL)
105Jason HorowitzChris Perry (RB CIN)
106Ross DevonportTodd Heap (TE BAL)
107Peter MaddenJavon Walker (WR OAK)
108Ken MackHeath Miller (TE PIT)
Round 10
109Ken MackEli Manning (QB NYG)
110Peter MaddenMatt Schaub (QB HOU)
111Ross DevonportDavid Garrard (QB JAC)
112Jason HorowitzJon Kitna (QB DET)
113Michael HurcombAhman Green (RB HOU)
114Dave RichardSidney Rice (WR MIN)
115Eric MackReggie Brown (WR PHI)
116Sergio GonzalezJabar Gaffney (WR NE)
117Lauren ShehadiPhilip Rivers (QB SD)
118Scott WhiteOwen Daniels (TE HOU)
119Jamey EisenbergBrandon Jackson (RB GB)
120Mike FreemanWarrick Dunn (RB TB)
Round 11
121Mike FreemanRonald Curry (WR OAK)
122Jamey EisenbergTed Ginn Jr. (WR MIA)
123Scott WhiteKurt Warner (QB ARI)
124Lauren ShehadiJames Hardy (WR BUF)
125Sergio GonzalezAaron Rodgers (QB GB)
126Eric MackRobert Meachem (WR NO)
127Dave RichardJake Delhomme (QB CAR)
128Michael HurcombJason Campbell (QB WAS)
129Jason HorowitzDustin Keller (TE NYJ)
130Ross DevonportDominic Rhodes (RB IND)
131Peter MaddenSteve Smith (WR NYG)
132Ken MackMark Clayton (WR BAL)
Round 12
133Ken MackTim Hightower (RB ARI)
134Peter MaddenDerrick Ward (RB NYG)
135Ross DevonportJustin Gage (WR TEN)
136Jason HorowitzIsaac Bruce (WR SF)
137Michael HurcombKevin Walter (WR HOU)
138Dave RichardJerry Porter (WR JAC)
139Eric MackReggie Williams (WR JAC)
140Sergio GonzalezBears (DST CHI)
141Lauren ShehadiAndre Hall (RB DEN)
142Scott WhiteEddie Royal (WR DEN)
143Jamey EisenbergGreg Olsen (TE CHI)
144Mike FreemanDarren Sproles (RB SD)
Round 13
145Mike FreemanStephen Gostkowski (K NE)
146Jamey EisenbergJ.T. O'Sullivan (QB SF)
147Scott WhiteBobby Engram (WR SEA)
148Lauren ShehadiFred Jackson (RB BUF)
149Sergio GonzalezAmani Toomer (WR NYG)
150Eric MackCowboys (DST DAL)
151Dave RichardLeon Washington (RB NYJ)
152Michael HurcombJaguars (DST JAC)
153Jason HorowitzPierre Thomas (RB NO)
154Ross DevonportMuhsin Muhammad (WR CAR)
155Peter MaddenKevin Curtis (WR PHI)
156Ken MackChargers (DST SD)
Round 14
157Ken MackZach Miller (TE OAK)
158Peter MaddenPatriots (DST NE)
159Ross DevonportLorenzo Booker (RB PHI)
160Jason HorowitzSteelers (DST PIT)
161Michael HurcombTatum Bell (RB DET)
162Dave RichardLaMont Jordan (RB NE)
163Eric MackDarrell Jackson (WR DEN)
164Sergio GonzalezAhmad Bradshaw (RB NYG)
165Lauren ShehadiSeahawks (DST SEA)
166Scott WhiteTony Scheffler (TE DEN)
167Jamey EisenbergAlge Crumpler (TE TEN)
168Mike FreemanChad Pennington (QB MIA)
Round 15
169Mike FreemanDeion Branch (WR SEA)
170Jamey EisenbergPackers (DST GB)
171Scott WhiteKenny Watson (RB CIN)
172Lauren ShehadiD.J. Hackett (WR CAR)
173Sergio GonzalezMichael Bush (RB OAK)
174Eric MackVince Young (QB TEN)
175Dave RichardNick Folk (K DAL)
176Michael HurcombJason Wright (RB CLE)
177Jason HorowitzAdam Vinatieri (K IND)
178Ross DevonportBuccaneers (DST TB)
179Peter MaddenSammy Morris (RB NE)
180Ken MackShayne Graham (K CIN)
Round 16
181Ken MackJacob Hester (RB SD)
182Peter MaddenNate Kaeding (K SD)
183Ross DevonportPhil Dawson (K CLE)
184Jason HorowitzDrew Bennett (WR STL)
185Michael HurcombJosh Brown (K STL)
186Dave RichardPanthers (DST CAR)
187Eric MackMason Crosby (K GB)
188Sergio GonzalezRob Bironas (K TEN)
189Lauren ShehadiShaun Suisham (K WAS)
190Scott WhiteColts (DST IND)
191Jamey EisenbergRyan Longwell (K MIN)
192Mike Freeman*Leonard Pope (TE ARI)

Draft Results
Mike Freeman
24QBTony Romo (DAL)
168QBChad Pennington (MIA)
1RBLaDainian Tomlinson (SD)
25RBJamal Lewis (CLE)
73RBFred Taylor (JAC)
120RBWarrick Dunn (TB)
144RBDarren Sproles (SD)
48WRGreg Jennings (GB)
49WRJerricho Cotchery (NYJ)
96WRVincent Jackson (SD)
121WRRonald Curry (OAK)
169WRDeion Branch (SEA)
72TEJeremy Shockey (NO)
145KStephen Gostkowski (NE)
97DSTVikings (MIN)
Jamey Eisenberg
26QBDrew Brees (NO)
146QBJ.T. O'Sullivan (SF)
2RBAdrian Peterson (MIN)
71RBRicky Williams (MIA)
74RBChris Johnson (TEN)
95RBFelix Jones (DAL)
119RBBrandon Jackson (GB)
23WRAndre Johnson (HOU)
47WRSantonio Holmes (PIT)
50WRBrandon Marshall (DEN)
98WRJoey Galloway (TB)
122WRTed Ginn Jr. (MIA)
143TEGreg Olsen (CHI)
167TEAlge Crumpler (TEN)
191KRyan Longwell (MIN)
170DSTPackers (GB)
Scott White
94QBMatt Hasselbeck (SEA)
123QBKurt Warner (ARI)
3RBBrian Westbrook (PHI)
27RBMaurice Jones-Drew (JAC)
46RBKevin Smith (DET)
70RBEdgerrin James (ARI)
99RBSteve Slaton (HOU)
171RBKenny Watson (CIN)
22WRMarques Colston (NO)
51WRChad Johnson (CIN)
75WRNate Burleson (SEA)
142WREddie Royal (DEN)
147WRBobby Engram (SEA)
118TEOwen Daniels (HOU)
166TETony Scheffler (DEN)
190DSTColts (IND)
Lauren Shehadi
76QBBrett Favre (NYJ)
117QBPhilip Rivers (SD)
21RBDarren McFadden (OAK)
28RBLaurence Maroney (NE)
52RBThomas Jones (NYJ)
100RBJustin Fargas (OAK)
141RBAndre Hall (DEN)
148RBFred Jackson (BUF)
4WRRandy Moss (NE)
45WRAnquan Boldin (ARI)
93WRDonte' Stallworth (CLE)
124WRJames Hardy (BUF)
172WRD.J. Hackett (CAR)
69TEChris Cooley (WAS)
189KShaun Suisham (WAS)
165DSTSeahawks (SEA)
Sergio Gonzalez
44QBBen Roethlisberger (PIT)
125QBAaron Rodgers (GB)
5RBJoseph Addai (IND)
20RBEarnest Graham (TB)
77RBRashard Mendenhall (PIT)
92RBJerious Norwood (ATL)
164RBAhmad Bradshaw (NYG)
173RBMichael Bush (OAK)
29WRTorry Holt (STL)
53WRLaveranues Coles (NYJ)
101WRDerrick Mason (BAL)
116WRJabar Gaffney (NE)
149WRAmani Toomer (NYG)
68TETony Gonzalez (KC)
188KRob Bironas (TEN)
140DSTBears (CHI)
Eric Mack
6QBTom Brady (NE)
174QBVince Young (TEN)
19RBWillis McGahee (BAL)
30RBReggie Bush (NO)
54RBSelvin Young (DEN)
78RBRay Rice (BAL)
91RBDeuce McAllister (NO)
43WRRoy Williams (DET)
67WRChris Chambers (SD)
115WRReggie Brown (PHI)
126WRRobert Meachem (NO)
139WRReggie Williams (JAC)
163WRDarrell Jackson (DEN)
102TEVernon Davis (SF)
187KMason Crosby (GB)
150DSTCowboys (DAL)
Dave Richard
79QBDerek Anderson (CLE)
127QBJake Delhomme (CAR)
7RBMarion Barber (DAL)
42RBDeAngelo Williams (CAR)
66RBMatt Forte (CHI)
103RBMaurice Morris (SEA)
151RBLeon Washington (NYJ)
162RBLaMont Jordan (NE)
18WRLarry Fitzgerald (ARI)
31WRSteve Smith (CAR)
90WRAnthony Gonzalez (IND)
114WRSidney Rice (MIN)
138WRJerry Porter (JAC)
55TEJason Witten (DAL)
175KNick Folk (DAL)
186DSTPanthers (CAR)
Michael Hurcomb
104QBMarc Bulger (STL)
128QBJason Campbell (WAS)
8RBSteven Jackson (STL)
32RBBrandon Jacobs (NYG)
80RBRudi Johnson (CIN)
113RBAhman Green (HOU)
161RBTatum Bell (DET)
176RBJason Wright (CLE)
17WRReggie Wayne (IND)
41WRPlaxico Burress (NYG)
56WRLee Evans (BUF)
89WRDeSean Jackson (PHI)
137WRKevin Walter (HOU)
65TEAntonio Gates (SD)
185KJosh Brown (STL)
152DSTJaguars (JAC)
Jason Horowitz
40QBCarson Palmer (CIN)
112QBJon Kitna (DET)
9RBMarshawn Lynch (BUF)
16RBRyan Grant (GB)
64RBJonathan Stewart (CAR)
105RBChris Perry (CIN)
153RBPierre Thomas (NO)
33WRCalvin Johnson (DET)
57WRDonald Driver (GB)
88WRPatrick Crayton (DAL)
136WRIsaac Bruce (SF)
184WRDrew Bennett (STL)
81TEDallas Clark (IND)
129TEDustin Keller (NYJ)
177KAdam Vinatieri (IND)
160DSTSteelers (PIT)
Ross Devonport
10QBPeyton Manning (IND)
111QBDavid Garrard (JAC)
34RBJulius Jones (SEA)
39RBLenDale White (TEN)
87RBChester Taylor (MIN)
130RBDominic Rhodes (IND)
159RBLorenzo Booker (PHI)
15WRBraylon Edwards (CLE)
58WRMarvin Harrison (IND)
63WRHines Ward (PIT)
82WRBernard Berrian (MIN)
135WRJustin Gage (TEN)
154WRMuhsin Muhammad (CAR)
106TETodd Heap (BAL)
183KPhil Dawson (CLE)
178DSTBuccaneers (TB)
Peter Madden
83QBJay Cutler (DEN)
110QBMatt Schaub (HOU)
11RBFrank Gore (SF)
35RBWillie Parker (PIT)
59RBRonnie Brown (MIA)
86RBKevin Jones (CHI)
134RBDerrick Ward (NYG)
179RBSammy Morris (NE)
14WRTerrell Owens (DAL)
38WRWes Welker (NE)
107WRJavon Walker (OAK)
131WRSteve Smith (NYG)
155WRKevin Curtis (PHI)
62TEKellen Winslow (CLE)
182KNate Kaeding (SD)
158DSTPatriots (NE)
Ken Mack
84QBDonovan McNabb (PHI)
109QBEli Manning (NYG)
12RBLarry Johnson (KC)
13RBClinton Portis (WAS)
36RBMichael Turner (ATL)
133RBTim Hightower (ARI)
181RBJacob Hester (SD)
37WRT.J. Houshmandzadeh (CIN)
60WRDwayne Bowe (KC)
61WRRoddy White (ATL)
85WRSantana Moss (WAS)
132WRMark Clayton (BAL)
108TEHeath Miller (PIT)
157TEZach Miller (OAK)
180KShayne Graham (CIN)
156DSTChargers (SD)
Mike Freeman*
192TELeonard Pope (ARI)

 
 
 
Player News
Matt Schaub
Schaub doing well in rehab
Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
1:03 PM
News: The Houston Chronicle reports Tuesday that Texans QB Matt Schaub, who finished the season on injured reserve following foot surgery, is doing well and his rehab is ahead of schedule. The report says Schaub works out almost every day.
Analysis: This is great news, and we expect Schaub to return at 100 percent in 2012. Continue to monitor what happens with Schaub, but he should be considered a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy QB heading into the season. He is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues on Draft Day.

Lofa Tatupu
Tatupu visits Saints
Lofa Tatupu, LB, SEA
2:36 PM
News: Free agent LB Lofau Tatupu visited with the Saints on Monday, according to NFL.com. The 29-year-old Tatupu sat out the 2011 season. The former Pro Bowl MLB was asked to take a pay cut by the Seahawks after the lockout ended last summer, and subsequently asked for his release. Tatupu was scheduled to visit with the Raiders and Redskins in August, but didn't sign with anyone and fell off the radar for the remainder of the year while he reportedly dealt with a knee injury. Tatupu was scheduled to earn more than $4 million in 2011 before his release by Seattle. The six-year veteran was a second-round pick and has played in three Pro Bowls. But he also started to wear down from 2008-2010, including finishing 2009 on injured reserve with a knee injury. He did start all 16 games in 2010, but had surgery on both knees during the offseason.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Tatupu and where he plays in 2012. When healthy and active he could be a No. 3 Fantasy LB worth a late-round pick in IDP leagues.

Ravens
Flacco, Ravens to work on deal
Ravens, TQB BAL,
12:47 PM
News: The NFL Network reports that the Ravens are set to open contract extension talks with QB Joe Flacco's agent at the NFL Combine next week. The report says both sides aim for a long-term deal. Flacco is entering a contract year in 2012, and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti recently said Flacco would be the team's starting quarterback for years to come.
Analysis: Flacco's won a lot of games for the Ravens but hasn't taken the next step statistically, even when the team added Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Flacco has had between 3,610 and 3,622 passing yards and between 20 and 25 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. But this year his completion percentage and yards per attempt dropped like a rock while his pass attempts hit a career high (542, breaking the previous mark of 499). Flacco fits the bill as a great No. 2 Fantasy QB; though he's finally outfitted with a quality receiving corps, he simply doesn't invoke much confidence as a starting option. Look for him late in drafts.

Jahvid Best
Best 'on pace' for offseason work
Jahvid Best, RB, DET
12:43 PM
News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems even though team president Tom Lewand is optimistic. Lewand said Best is "on pace" to be ready for offseason workouts, and he is looking forward to seeing Best and Mikel Leshoure play together. "Jahvid is a special player and he'll be even more dynamic when he can ... share the load with a guy like Mikel in the backfield."
Analysis: We hope Best can return at 100 percent, but he will likely be used as a change of pace rusher and a third-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Best, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick in standard leagues and a mid-round selection in PPR formats since he will likely be used in tandem with Leshoure and possibly Kevin Smith if he returns as a free agent.

Mikel Leshoure
Leshoure's recovery going well
Mikel Leshoure, RB, DET
12:40 PM
News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Mikel Leshoure, who tore his left Achilles tendon in the second week of training camp last year, is close to making a full recovery. At the Lions’ request, Leshoure just moved the final stages of his rehab back to Detroit from Arizona. He’s doing resistance work and light running and is expected to join OTA workouts at some point this offseason. Leshoure looked like he was going to be a key part of the Lions offense when injury struck last August, and the team is anxious to get a read on him this spring. RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems, and even if Best returns it’s clear he’s not an every-down back.
Analysis: Leshoure should be considered a great sleeper heading into 2012, and he is worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy RB as long as he's healthy. He has tremendous upside, and he could be a great weapon for the Lions, especially with Best struggling as an every-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Leshoure, but he is worth drafting as early as Round 6 in 2012.

Mike Wallace
Steelers want to lock up Wallace
Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
12:17 PM
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday the team wants to keep WR Mike Wallace "here for the long run." Wallace, their leading receiver last season, will become a restricted free agent March 13.
Analysis: Wallace played well in 2011 with 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns on 114 targets. He will remain in Pittsburgh in 2012, and hopefully he can sign a long-term deal. We consider Wallace a Top 10 Fantasy WR on Draft Day, and he should be selected in all leagues in Round 3.

Hines Ward
GM says no decision on Ward yet
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
12:13 PM
News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday that no decision has been made on whether WR Hines Ward will be back with the Steelers in 2012. "To this current point, no final decisions have been made," Colbert said. "We've had several discussions internally. We're right in the midst of our free agent evaluations of other teams' free agents. We'll meet on those [on the Steelers roster] starting Thursday and carry through Monday." A recent report on NFL Network said that Ward won't be back with the Steelers in 2012 but a source close to Ward refuted the report.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Ward and where he ends up in 2012. No matter where Ward plays, however, he would have minimal Fantasy value, and he is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues.

Brandon Lloyd
Pats could go after Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd, WR, STL
12:08 PM
News: The Boston Herald reports that the Patriots will be in the market for a WR this year, and one obvious possibility is Brandon Lloyd, who is an impending free agent, because of his ties to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The fact that Lloyd said “I’m tied to McDaniels” makes him a likely free agent target. Lloyd had 51 catches for 683 yards and five TDs last year in 11 games in St. Louis when McDaniels was the offensive coordinator makes him look pretty good after he amassed 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 scores with Denver when McDaniels was the coach.
Analysis: One holdup for Lloyd and the Patriots could be Lloyd's agent, Tom Condon, who has a rocky relationship with the Patriots. We'll see what plays out this offseason, but if Lloyd signs in New England he would be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy WR. He could still return to the Rams, where he would be a strong No. 3 option. Or he could shop himself around the league. Stay tuned, but either way Lloyd is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues.

Bills
Fitzpatrick finished season hurt
Bills, TQB BUF,
11:53 AM
News: The Sports Xchange reports that Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's second-half swoon in 2011 was mystifying to fans and media who concluded the front office badly miscalculated in handing the career journeyman a 10-year, $60 million contract extension. But now it appears Fitzpatrick played the final nine games last season with cracked ribs. "A lot of people don't know, but Fitz, during the Washington game, actually cracked a couple of ribs," WR David Nelson said. "So after that he was playing hurt." It showed. In Fitzpatrick's first seven games of the year, he threw for 1,739 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. After the injury, he had 2,093 yards, 10 touchdowns and 16 picks. He finished the year with a league-high 23 interceptions. "It's hard to find the silver lining but as we evaluate the season and what went right and what went wrong I'm sure we'll find a lot of positives and a lot of things that we can carry into next year hopefully and continue to get better at it," Fitzpatrick said.
Analysis: Fitzpatrick obviously has 4,000-yard, 25-touchdown potential, but issues involving the personnel around him along with his own issues (accuracy, for one) make him risky for weekly use in Fantasy. Figure that he's worth a late-round pick as a good No. 2 Fantasy QB with potential to be a low-end starter. It should only help him if the Bills not only re-sign Steve Johnson this offseason, but also add talent at wide receiver.

Josh Scobee
Jags want Scobee back
Josh Scobee, K, JAC
11:47 AM
News: The Sports Xchange reports that Jacksonville has most of its top offensive players locked into contracts for the coming season with one notable exception - kicker Josh Scobee, who is an eight-year veteran. Scobee has been one of the league's most accurate kickers in his eight seasons with the Jaguars, converting better than 75 percent of his field-goal attempts in all but one season. Scobee led the team in scoring last year with 92 points, including 23 of 25 (92 percent) field-goal attempts, the second time in his career he's finished over 90 percent with his kicks. It isn't likely the Jaguars would use the franchise tag on him and probably won't have to. They'll make every attempt to sign him. For a team that was among the league's lowest scoring clubs, the Jaguars can ill afford to lose a player with Scobee's talents.
Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Scobee. He is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues, but he could be used as a bye-week replacement as long as he remains with the Jaguars.

 
 
 
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