Jan. 5, 2010

Our first 12-team mock draft for '10

By Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

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When we tell you that we eat, drink and think Fantasy Football 12 months a year, we mean it.

With the 2009 NFL regular season just barely over, we're already looking ahead to 2010 with our first mock draft of the year. We've assembled a dozen Fantasy fanatics with a good mind for the game to pick players as if they were to fill a Fantasy team right now.

Granted, everything is subject to change -- a big trade, a surprise cap casualty or a new coaching move could alter the Fantasy values of several players. Heck, many of our mock drafts last year were done without Brett Favre, and he turned out to return with a bang in '09. When you look over the results, make sure you consider the time frame involved.

We're keeping this simple: 12 teams, standard scoring (six points for all touchdowns, one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving, one point for every 25 yards passing and minus-2 points for every turnover). There is a starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 FLEX, 1 TE, 1 K and 1 DST and six reserve spots.

We encourage you to follow along, and if there's a draft pick you like or feel was too early, send us an e-mail to dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com. Put "12 Team Mock Draft" in the subject line and share your thoughts on the draft.

Our draft order is as follows:

1. Denny Burkholder, CBSSports.com NFL Co-producer
2. Eric Mack, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
3. Ross Devonport, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
4. Dave Richard, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer
5. Mike Freeman, CBSSports.com National Columnist
6. Jason Horowitz, CBSSports.com Video Host
7. Andrew Minear, 2009 Champion, CBSSports.com Podcast Dynasty League
8. Sergio Gonzalez, CBSSports.com Fantasy Writer
9. Peter Madden, Editorial Director, Fantasy Sports
10. Eric Kay, CBSSports.com News Editor
11. Adam Aizer, CBSSports.com Podcast Producer
12. Jamey Eisenberg, CBSSports.com Senior Fantasy Writer

Draft Results
Round 1
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Peterson, Adrian
2	Eric Mack	Johnson, Chris
3	Ross Devonport	Jones-Drew, Maurice
4	Dave Richard	Rice, Ray
5	Mike Freeman	Brees, Drew
6	Jason Horowitz	Johnson, Andre
7	Andrew Minear	Gore, Frank
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Jackson, Steven
9	Peter Madden	Mendenhall, Rashard
10	Eric Kay	Charles, Jamaal
11	Adam Aizer	Manning, Peyton
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Fitzgerald, Larry
Round 2
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	Rodgers, Aaron
2	Adam Aizer	Johnson, Calvin
3	Eric Kay	Rivers, Philip
4	Peter Madden	Turner, Michael
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Williams, DeAngelo
6	Andrew Minear	Grant, Ryan
7	Jason Horowitz	Benson, Cedric
8	Mike Freeman	Barber, Marion
9	Dave Richard	Jackson, Vincent
10	Ross Devonport	Moss, Randy
11	Eric Mack	Brady, Tom
12	Denny Burkholder	Schaub, Matt
Round 3
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Wayne, Reggie
2	Eric Mack	Jackson, DeSean
3	Ross Devonport	White, Roddy
4	Dave Richard	Moreno, Knowshon
5	Mike Freeman	Colston, Marques
6	Jason Horowitz	Forte, Matt
7	Andrew Minear	Marshall, Brandon
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Holmes, Santonio
9	Peter Madden	Austin, Miles
10	Eric Kay	Harrison, Jerome
11	Adam Aizer	Jacobs, Brandon
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Stewart, Jonathan
Round 4
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	Rice, Sidney
2	Adam Aizer	Thomas, Pierre
3	Eric Kay	Jennings, Greg
4	Peter Madden	Clark, Dallas
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Boldin, Anquan
6	Andrew Minear	Smith, Steve
7	Jason Horowitz	Smith, Steve
8	Mike Freeman	Jones, Thomas
9	Dave Richard	Addai, Joseph
10	Ross Devonport	Smith, Kevin
11	Eric Mack	Brown, Ronnie
12	Denny Burkholder	Tomlinson, LaDainian
Round 5
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Ochocinco, Chad
2	Eric Mack	Wells, Beanie
3	Ross Devonport	Portis, Clinton
4	Dave Richard	Roethlisberger, Ben
5	Mike Freeman	Williams, Cadillac
6	Jason Horowitz	Jackson, Fred
7	Andrew Minear	Harvin, Percy
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Gates, Antonio
9	Peter Madden	Bowe, Dwayne
10	Eric Kay	Witten, Jason
11	Adam Aizer	Meachem, Robert
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Greene, Shonn
Round 6
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	McCoy, LeSean
2	Adam Aizer	Sims-Walker, Mike
3	Eric Kay	Brown, Donald
4	Peter Madden	Favre, Brett
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Romo, Tony
6	Andrew Minear	McNabb, Donovan
7	Jason Horowitz	Crabtree, Michael
8	Mike Freeman	Gonzalez, Tony
9	Dave Richard	Davis, Vernon
10	Ross Devonport	Cutler, Jay
11	Eric Mack	Nicks, Hakeem
12	Denny Burkholder	Celek, Brent
Round 7
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Welker, Wes
2	Eric Mack	Slaton, Steve
3	Ross Devonport	Olsen, Greg
4	Dave Richard	Hightower, Tim
5	Mike Freeman	Owens, Terrell
6	Jason Horowitz	Daniels, Owen
7	Andrew Minear	Bradshaw, Ahmad
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Maroney, Laurence
9	Peter Madden	Gonzalez, Anthony
10	Eric Kay	Ward, Hines
11	Adam Aizer	Bush, Michael
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Forsett, Justin
Round 8
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	Lynch, Marshawn
2	Adam Aizer	Driver, Donald
3	Eric Kay	Breaston, Steve
4	Peter Madden	Jones, Felix
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Williams, Ricky
6	Andrew Minear	Bush, Reggie
7	Jason Horowitz	Manning, Eli
8	Mike Freeman	Edwards, Braylon
9	Dave Richard	Garcon, Pierre
10	Ross Devonport	Westbrook, Brian
11	Eric Mack	Maclin, Jeremy
12	Denny Burkholder	Shiancoe, Visanthe
Round 9
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Sproles, Darren
2	Eric Mack	McFadden, Darren
3	Ross Devonport	Houshmandzadeh, T.J.
4	Dave Richard	Collie, Austin
5	Mike Freeman	Mason, Derrick
6	Jason Horowitz	McGahee, Willis
7	Andrew Minear	Aromashodu, Devin
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Manningham, Mario
9	Peter Madden	Warner, Kurt
10	Eric Kay	Floyd, Malcom
11	Adam Aizer	Keller, Dustin
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Taylor, Chester
Round 10
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	Britt, Kenny
2	Adam Aizer	Evans, Lee
3	Eric Kay	Choice, Tashard
4	Peter Madden	Wallace, Mike
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Jets
6	Andrew Minear	Cotchery, Jerricho
7	Jason Horowitz	Edelman, Julian
8	Mike Freeman	Parker, Willie
9	Dave Richard	Foster, Arian
10	Ross Devonport	Williams, Roy E.
11	Eric Mack	Moss, Santana
12	Denny Burkholder	Berrian, Bernard
Round 11
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Ravens
2	Eric Mack	Steelers
3	Ross Devonport	Royal, Eddie
4	Dave Richard	Chambers, Chris
5	Mike Freeman	Washington, Leon
6	Jason Horowitz	Ryan, Matt
7	Andrew Minear	Finley, Jermichael
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Winslow, Kellen
9	Peter Madden	Burleson, Nate
10	Eric Kay	Vikings
11	Adam Aizer	Bess, Davone
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Cooley, Chris
Round 12
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	Smith, Alex
2	Adam Aizer	Packers
3	Eric Kay	Avery, Donnie
4	Peter Madden	Coffee, Glen
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Bennett, Earl
6	Andrew Minear	Flacco, Joe
7	Jason Horowitz	Knox, Johnny
8	Mike Freeman	Hester, Devin
9	Dave Richard	Miller, Heath
10	Ross Devonport	Cassel, Matt
11	Eric Mack	Boss, Kevin
12	Denny Burkholder	Hasselbeck, Matt
Round 13
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Miller, Zach
2	Eric Mack	Palmer, Carson
3	Ross Devonport	Moore, Mewelde
4	Dave Richard	Young, Vince
5	Mike Freeman	Gostkowski, Stephen
6	Jason Horowitz	Carlson, John
7	Andrew Minear	Davis, Fred
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Henne, Chad
9	Peter Madden	Cowboys
10	Eric Kay	Massaquoi, Mohamed
11	Adam Aizer	Garrard, David
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Eagles
Round 14
Pick	Team	Player
1	Jamey Eisenberg	Bryant, Antonio
2	Adam Aizer	Bell, Mike
3	Eric Kay	Campbell, Jason
4	Peter Madden	Jones, Julius
5	Sergio Gonzalez	Scott, Bernard
6	Andrew Minear	49ers
7	Jason Horowitz	Saints
8	Mike Freeman	Johnson, Larry
9	Dave Richard	Chargers
10	Ross Devonport	Giants
11	Eric Mack	White, LenDale
12	Denny Burkholder	Coles, Laveranues
Round 15
Pick	Team	Player
1	Denny Burkholder	Kaeding, Nate
2	Eric Mack	Bironas, Rob
3	Ross Devonport	Akers, David
4	Dave Richard	Longwell, Ryan
5	Mike Freeman	Patriots
6	Jason Horowitz	Crosby, Mason
7	Andrew Minear	Gould, Robbie
8	Sergio Gonzalez	Hartley, Garrett
9	Peter Madden	Prater, Matt
10	Eric Kay	Brown, Kris
11	Adam Aizer	Tynes, Lawrence
12	Jamey Eisenberg	Carpenter, Dan

Maualuga charged by police
Rey Maualuga, MLB, CIN
10:23 AM

News: Bengals LB Rey Maualuga has officially been charged by Cincinnati police with misdemeanor assault stemming from a bar fight last weekend. This report comes from The Associated Press. The Bengals had no comment.

Analysis: Maualuga is likely to be at least fined for this incident, especially after his 2010 DUI arrest cost him two game checks. He won't miss any playing time, though. Maualuga is just a low-end option in IDP formats heading into next season.

Report: Steelers to cut ties with Ward
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
10:12 AM

News: NFL.com reports that the Steelers are not expected to bring back receiver Hines Ward for 2012. This news comes according to NFL Network's Jason La Canfora. "He has one year left on his deal worth $4 million," said La Canfora. "According to my sources, he won't be back there. So that's $4 million off the books."

Analysis: Ward has said he'd be open to taking a pay cut, but it sounds like Pittsburgh is ready to just cut ties with him. Ward would be a No. 4 WR and that means he'd likely have to play on special teams, which he likely would not want. Ward will have little Fantasy value entering 2012, that is for sure.

Faulk contemplating retirement
Kevin Faulk, RB, NE
10:04 AM

News: New England RB Kevin Faulk is contemplating retirement after being a healthy inactive for the Super Bowl loss to the Giants, reports the Boston Globe. "That morning, when I got the word that I wasn’t going to dress . . . wow," Faulk said. “I went in the room, cried a little bit, because 75 percent of me knew that this could be my last game playing, not playing, just dressing. If I dress, there could be that chance that I could play. So that really crushed me a whole lot. Went into my room, read my Bible, read so many different Scriptures, so many different chapters in the Bible, until it was time to go to the stadium. [I took] my exit physical after the game and the trainers give me a big hug and that’s when I knew, like ‘Wow, that might be it'."

Analysis: Faulk was drafted in 1999 and the 35-year-old RB is a member of New England's 50th anniversary team. He didn't actually declare himself retired, leaving the door slightly ajar on his 14th NFL season. Faulk might finish his career with 31 total touchdowns, 15 receiving and 16 rushing. He had a solid career, but isn't a recommended Fantasy option if he does return next year.

Gronkowski has ankle surgery
Rob Gronkowski, TE, NE
2/10/2012

News: The Boston Herald reports that Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski underwent successful surgery Friday to fix his ailing ankle. The surgery was an arthroscopic procedure to clean out the ankle. Gronkowski played on a high-ankle sprain in Super Bowl XLVI, battling ligament damage to make two catches for 26 yards. The estimate is that it’s a 10-week recovery. That should allow him to be ready by mid-April, possibly for mini-camp.

Analysis: Continue to monitor what happens with Gronkowski this offseason, but he should be fine for the start of the 2012 season. Consider Gronkowski the No. 1 TE heading into the season. We can see Gronkowski being drafted as a Top 15 pick in all leagues, but it's a safer option to take him toward the end of Round 2 or beginning of Round 3 in all formats.

Wayne unsure of future
Reggie Wayne, WR, IND
2/10/2012

News: Reggie Wayne told ESPN that while he'd like to stay with the Colts, he's just not sure if they want him. Wayne is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason and understands that his time might be over in Indy after 11 years. "I have been there 11 years and I would prefer to end my career a Colt. However, in due time those feelings could subside," he said. "I haven't heard anything from them yet, so maybe I am not as important on the chain of command as I should be. But either way, I'm cool. I have nothing bad to say about the Colts. ... My phone hasn't rung yet. It's only fair I worry about number 87 first. When I'm signed, then I can weigh in more."

Analysis: Wayne had a mostly horrible season thanks in big part to Peyton Manning being on the sideline. He caught 75 passes for 960 yards and four touchdowns, three coming in the final six weeks of the year. We don't think his 2011 is indicative of a slow-down in his game, but uncertainty about who he'll catch passes from and what his role will be keeps him from being a receiver we can get excited about. For now consider him a No. 3 Fantasy WR worth a mid-round pick.

Differing views on Peyton
Peyton Manning, QB, IND
2/10/2012

News: There are two differing reports on Colts QB Peyton Manning as the saga continues early this offseason in his recovery from missing this past season from neck surgery. CBSSports.com NFL Insider Mike Freeman reports that there remain a handful of team personnel men who have serious doubts he will ever play again or at the very least will miss most of next season. But, according to NFL.com, former Colts vice chairman Bill Polian, who was fired in early January, said he believes Manning will be fine in 2012 after he last saw Manning throw in late December. "It's marked (improvement) from where he was back in September," Polian said. "He threw it accurately, he threw it with a good, tight spiral, and he threw it with velocity. Generally, he looked like a pretty confident quarterback out there." Polian also indicated that Manning was able to make a variety of throws and throw across his body, which differs from a report on NFL Network earlier this week. Polian said that Manning's recovery is "coming, but coming slowly. But, nonetheless, its making progress."

Analysis: The bottom line with Manning is until the public sees him throw or work in practice we won't know where he's at in his recovery. The Colts also have to make a decision on his contract or else he can sign with a new team, with Arizona, Miami and Washington the likely suitors. If healthy, Manning will remain a No. 1 Fantasy QB no matter where he plays, but he has to prove that his neck is 100 percent. Continue to monitor what happens with Manning, and hopefully he can resume his career without any problems.

Jackson cleared, contract coming
Fred Jackson, RB, BUF
2/10/2012

News: Fred Jackson has been cleared to return to football activities for a couple of weeks following a broken fibula, but the good news for him doesn't stop there. The official team website reports that Jackson has been promised by team GM Buddy Nix that he will receive a contract extension, with the timeline set for before the 2012 season. Jackson is slated to be in a contract year as it stands now, but a new deal would change that. "Fred and I have talked," said Nix. "We want to extend Fred. I'd like for Fred to finish his career as a Bill. He's meant a lot to us. I've got great respect for him. We do want Fred back and we do intend to try to work out a deal with him. I've told him that. What we said is what we're going to do."

Analysis: Jackson told the site that he's ready to get started in 2012 after missing the last six games of the season with a broken leg. While he was sidelined, C.J. Spiller stepped up and put some good moves on the field, complicating the Buffalo running back situation heading into the new year. Chances are the Bills will lean on Jackson as they have been, but Spiller could take a bigger share of the run-game workload than in the past, and that could put a cap on what Jackson is capable of doing. He's also 31 years old but doesn't have the wear-and-tear that typically comes with rushers over 30. If the Bills extend Jackson then it will be clear that he's a part of their future and a potential 15-touch-per-game back. If not, he'll be in a contract year and could play well in hopes of cashing in after next season. Either way he represents a solid value as a No. 2 Fantasy RB worth a pick between late Round 3 and early Round 5.

Hawkins gets three-year deal
Lavelle Hawkins, WR, TEN
2/10/2012

News: The Tennessean reports Friday that the Titans have agreed to terms on a contract extension for WR Lavelle Hawkins, who had his best season in 2011. He had 47 catches for 470 yards and one touchdown.

Analysis: Hawkins has minimal Fantasy value heading into 2012, especially if Kenny Britt (knee) returns at 100 percent. Keep an eye on what happens with the Titans receiving corps, but ignore Hawkins on Draft Day in most leagues.

Britt 'working hard'
Kenny Britt, WR, TEN
2/10/2012

News: The Sports Xchange reports that new Titans GM Ruston Webster said WR Kenny Britt, who suffered a torn ACL in September and had surgery in early October, should return in time for training camp in 2012. He said Britt appears to be a fast healer and is ahead of schedule in his recovery. "Kenny has been working hard and he's coming fast, probably even a little faster than I thought he would. So I'm real happy about that," he said. "We expect to have him out there for training camp. The good thing about his injury, is there is a good thing, is it happened early, and he's a very strong young and bounces back very quickly. We're hoping and planning to have him back for training camp."

Analysis: Britt is expected to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2012 season, and hopefully he can come into training camp in shape. We consider Britt a low-end No. 2/high-end No. 3 Fantasy WR when healthy, and he is worth drafting with a mid-round pick if his knee proves to be 100 percent.

Smith wants return to Lions
Kevin Smith, RB, DET
2/10/2012

News: According to mlive.com, impending free agent RB Kevin Smith would like to return to the Lions in 2012. Smith, 25, re-signed with Detroit last November and had four starts in seven games. He finished the regular season with 72 carries for 356 yards and four touchdowns, plus had 22 receptions for 179 yards and three scores. "In every interview that I've done, even though I'm a free agent, I've referred to the team and me as us," Smith said. "I'm on the Lions roster in my opinion until I'm not on the Lions roster. That says it all."

Analysis: Smith is a former third-round selection by Detroit in 2008. He showed promise as a rookie, gaining 976 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on 238 carries. He started 13 games in 2009 before suffering a season-ending injury to his left knee. He rushed for 747 yards and four touchdowns prior to his injury. Smith was phased out of the offense with the arrival of Jahvid Best in 2010. Detroit decided not to make him an offer when he became a restricted free agent after that season. After Best sustained a season-ending concussion last season, Detroit re-signed Smith. We'll find out if he can return to the Lions, who also have second-year RB Mikel Leshoure, who also is recovering from a season-ending Achilles tendon injury sustained in the preseason. Keep an eye on what happens with Smith, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick if he's back in Detroit.

More Updates

1	Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB
2	Drew Brees, NO, QB
3	Tom Brady, NE, QB
4	Cam Newton, CAR, QB
5	Matthew Stafford, DET, QB
6	Philip Rivers, SD, QB
7	Eli Manning, NYG, QB
8	Tony Romo, DAL, QB
9	Michael Vick, PHI, QB
10	Peyton Manning, IND, QB
All Rankings

1	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
2	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
3	Ray Rice, BAL, RB
4	Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC, RB
5	Matt Forte, CHI, RB
6	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
7	Ryan Mathews, SD, RB
8	Chris Johnson, TEN, RB
9	Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB
10	Steven Jackson, STL, RB
All Rankings

1	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
2	Wes Welker, NE, WR
3	Roddy White, ATL, WR
4	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI, WR
5	Hakeem Nicks, NYG, WR
6	Greg Jennings, GB, WR
7	Victor Cruz, NYG, WR
8	A.J. Green, CIN, WR
9	Mike Wallace, PIT, WR
10	Miles Austin, DAL, WR
All Rankings

1	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
2	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
3	Aaron Hernandez, NE, TE
4	Antonio Gates, SD, TE
5	Jason Witten, DAL, TE
6	Tony Gonzalez, ATL, TE
7	Vernon Davis, SF, TE
8	Jermichael Finley, GB, TE
9	Brent Celek, PHI, TE
10	Fred Davis, WAS, TE
All Rankings

1	Stephen Gostkowski, NE, K
2	Mason Crosby, GB, K
3	Sebastian Janikowski, OAK, K
4	David Akers, SF, K
5	Garrett Hartley, NO, K
6	Dan Bailey, DAL, K
7	Jason Hanson, DET, K
8	Neil Rackers, HOU, K
9	Alex Henery, PHI, K
10	Nate Kaeding, SD, K
All Rankings

1	49ers, DST
2	Texans, DST
3	Ravens, DST
4	Giants, DST
5	Steelers, DST
6	Seahawks, DST
7	Eagles, DST
8	Packers, DST
9	Jets, DST
10	Patriots, DST
All Rankings