2011 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, standard scoring draft
By Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow JameyFollow CBS Fantasy Football
The start of the season is almost here, and now it's time to see what we've learned. To do that, we need to take a quick look back to before the preseason began.
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Back in the early part of August we had a 12-team standard Fantasy draft (results below). The idea was to do a draft at the start of training camp and then do the same format again with the same owners and draft order.
The goal is to show you what, if anything, has changed, and also give you a fresh look at our most popular format heading into Labor Day weekend. We want you to be as prepared as possible for your Draft Day.
As always, we ask you to share your thoughts. Take advantage of our new Fantasy Football Twitter feed (@CBSFantasyFB) and post your comments there or share your thoughts on our Fantasy Football Facebook page.
In this league, all touchdowns are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, TE, K, DST and a FLEX (RB/WR/TE). There will also be five reserve spots for a 14-round draft. This lineup reflects our CBSSports.com free Fantasy Football game.
Our draft order is as follows:
1. Sergio Gonzalez, Fantasy Writer
2. Scott White, Fantasy Writer
3. Michael Hurcomb, Editor
4. Mike Freeman, NFL Columnist
5. Kevin Goodwin, Fantasy Writer
6. Dave Richard, Senior Fantasy Writer
7. Nathan Zegura, Fantasy Writer
8. Jeff Tobin, Associate Managing Editor, Fantasy Sports
9. Adam Aizer, Podcast Host
10. Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer
11. Peter Madden, Editorial Director, Fantasy Sports
12. Al Melchior, Data Analyst
| Draft Results | ||||||
| Adam Aizer | Al Melchior | |||||
| Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | |
| Michael Turner | 1.09 | Andre Johnson | Darren McFadden | 1.12 | Roddy White | |
| Greg Jennings | 2.04 | Darren McFadden | Calvin Johnson | 2.01 | Steven Jackson | |
| Mike Williams | 3.09 | DeSean Jackson | Peyton Manning | 3.12 | Marques Colston | |
| Shonn Greene | 4.04 | Peyton Manning | Peyton Hillis | 4.01 | Tom Brady | |
| Daniel Thomas | 5.09 | Tim Hightower | Brandon Lloyd | 5.12 | Fred Jackson | |
| Ben Roethlisberger | 6.04 | Brandon Lloyd | Mark Ingram | 6.01 | Joseph Addai | |
| Rob Gronkowski | 7.09 | Reggie Bush | Mike Tolbert | 7.12 | Michael Bush | |
| Mike Thomas | 8.04 | Kellen Winslow | Santana Moss | 8.01 | Santana Moss | |
| Jacoby Ford | 9.09 | Lee Evans | Kellen Winslow | 9.12 | LaDainian Tomlinson | |
| Lance Moore | 10.04 | Jacoby Ford | Pierre Thomas | 10.01 | Marcedes Lewis | |
| Greg Little | 11.09 | Eli Manning | James Jones | 11.12 | Jay Cutler | |
| Steelers | 12.04 | Roy Helu | Mark Sanchez | 12.01 | Mike Williams | |
| Jacquizz Rodgers | 13.09 | Giants | Lions | 13.12 | Saints | |
| Neil Rackers | 14.04 | Neil Rackers | Matt Bryant | 14.01 | Stephen Gostkowski | |
| I took very similar approaches in both drafts, looking to lock up two good running backs and two good receivers with my first four picks. I like my first two picks (Andre Johnson/McFadden) much better this time compared to the first draft (Turner/Jennings). I took a quarterback two rounds earlier this time and as a result my quarterback is better, but my No. 2 running back and my FLEX are worse. Running back depth is my weakness now, and drafting a quarterback in Round 4 is my biggest regret. | The biggest difference in my second 12-team draft compared to the first one is that I intended to wait longer on getting a quarterback. I was really hoping to draft better options for my No. 2 running back and wide receiver, and I did accomplish that with Colston. (I took Lloyd as my No. 2 receiver in the first draft.) However, I didn't like the running back options available at No. 37, so I took Brady, who looked like a value pick in that spot. My strategy to upgrade at No. 2 running back and receiver at the expense of quarterback was only a partial success. | |||||
| Post your take on this team: Facebook | Twitter | Message Board | ||||||
| Dave Richard | Jamey Eisenberg | |||||
| Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | |
| LeSean McCoy | 1.06 | Michael Turner | Maurice Jones-Drew | 1.10 | Calvin Johnson | |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 2.07 | Matt Forte | Hakeem Nicks | 2.03 | Michael Vick | |
| Brandon Marshall | 3.06 | Brandon Marshall | Tom Brady | 3.10 | Jahvid Best | |
| Knowshon Moreno | 4.07 | Dwayne Bowe | Ryan Mathews | 4.03 | Mark Ingram | |
| Matt Schaub | 5.06 | Tony Romo | Dallas Clark | 5.10 | Percy Harvin | |
| Vernon Davis | 6.07 | Daniel Thomas | Percy Harvin | 6.03 | Mike Tolbert | |
| Mikel Leshoure | 7.06 | Kenny Britt | Beanie Wells | 7.10 | Jimmy Graham | |
| Ryan Williams | 8.07 | Steve Smith | Johnny Knox | 8.03 | Pierre Thomas | |
| Robert Meachem | 9.06 | C.J. Spiller | Plaxico Burress | 9.10 | Antonio Brown | |
| Michael Crabtree | 10.07 | Greg Olsen | Willis McGahee | 10.03 | A.J. Green | |
| Jason Snelling | 11.06 | DeMarco Murray | Rashad Jennings | 11.10 | Rashad Jennings | |
| Eagles | 12.07 | Jamie Harper | Isaac Redman | 12.03 | Mark Sanchez | |
| Kyle Orton | 13.06 | Cowboys | Saints | 13.10 | Chargers | |
| Sebastian Janikowski | 14.07 | Josh Brown | Stephen Gostkowski | 14.03 | Matt Bryant | |
| Obviously I'm glad we re-drafted after I took two rookie running backs who aren't playing back in early August. I feel good about the team now: Quality receivers, including the backups, and a lot of running backs with upside. I'm running a risk by not having a backup quarterback or tight end, but with only 14 roster spots I figure it's better to add depth at the scarce running back position and hit waivers when I need a tight end or quarterback. My team has a lot of steak, not a lot of sizzle, but it should be competitive. | My strategy changed dramatically with this draft because I took Vick in Round 2. I thought getting the No. 1 quarterback at that spot was too good to pass up. I went in expecting to take receivers with my first two picks, so getting Calvin Johnson in Round 1 put me on target. Then I was going to take two running backs in Round 3 and 4, which I did with Best and Ingram. I’m thrilled with the rest of my starters in Harvin, Tolbert and Graham, but my bench is a little thin, especially since I handcuffed Ingram with Thomas in Round 8. | |||||
| Post your take on this team: Facebook | Twitter | Message Board | ||||||
| Jeff Tobin | Kevin Goodwin | |||||
| Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | |
| Roddy White | 1.08 | Maurice Jones-Drew | Jamaal Charles | 1.05 | LeSean McCoy | |
| Steven Jackson | 2.05 | Hakeem Nicks | Frank Gore | 2.08 | Frank Gore | |
| Cedric Benson | 3.08 | Mike Williams | DeSean Jackson | 3.05 | Miles Austin | |
| Wes Welker | 4.05 | DeAngelo Williams | Philip Rivers | 4.08 | Anquan Boldin | |
| Matt Ryan | 5.08 | Jason Witten | Santonio Holmes | 5.05 | Jeremy Maclin | |
| Mario Manningham | 6.05 | Matt Schaub | Joseph Addai | 6.08 | Marshawn Lynch | |
| Jimmy Graham | 7.08 | Brandon Jacobs | Sidney Rice | 7.05 | Jonathan Stewart | |
| Michael Bush | 8.05 | Sidney Rice | A.J. Green | 8.08 | Joe Flacco | |
| Steve Smith | 9.08 | Plaxico Burress | Sam Bradford | 9.05 | Hines Ward | |
| Danny Woodhead | 10.05 | Danny Woodhead | Ronnie Brown | 10.08 | Deion Branch | |
| Packers | 11.08 | Ronnie Brown | Braylon Edwards | 11.05 | Kevin Kolb | |
| Nate Burleson | 12.05 | Kyle Orton | Patriots | 12.08 | Todd Heap | |
| Garrett Hartley | 13.08 | Ravens | Zach Miller | 13.05 | Patriots | |
| Cam Newton | 14.05 | Garrett Hartley | Josh Brown | 14.08 | Nate Kaeding | |
| In the first draft, I took White in the first round, and that was way too early. This time I went with a running back in Jones-Drew. I feel he was the best option given what was left, but there's a compelling argument for going with Andre Johnson in that spot. But, despite passing on Johnson, I feel like my receivers are deeper this time around. | Despite having Chris Johnson fall with his contract dispute, I went with someone I knew would be ready for Week 1 -- McCoy. It's a risky move, but I had to get bang for my buck in Round 1. I passed on DeSean Jackson mainly because I didn't want too many players with the same bye week, which was my mistake with my first two picks. I opted for Austin to get a No. 1 receiver instead of hoping a healthy Romo could bring me big rewards. I got a downgraded quarterback from the first draft (Rivers) to Flacco in the second draft, but getting Flacco in Round 8 is pretty solid. Also, Kolb as a backup three rounds later was a key addition for me. | |||||
| Post your take on this team: Facebook | Twitter | Message Board | ||||||
| Michael Hurcomb | Mike Freeman | |||||
| Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | |
| Chris Johnson | 1.03 | Jamaal Charles | Ray Rice | 1.04 | Ray Rice | |
| Reggie Wayne | 2.10 | LeGarrette Blount | Michael Vick | 2.09 | Greg Jennings | |
| Vincent Jackson | 3.03 | Vincent Jackson | Ahmad Bradshaw | 3.04 | Ahmad Bradshaw | |
| Fred Jackson | 4.10 | Cedric Benson | Marques Colston | 4.09 | Wes Welker | |
| Jason Witten | 5.03 | Santonio Holmes | Felix Jones | 5.04 | Ryan Grant | |
| Josh Freeman | 6.10 | Matt Ryan | Steve Johnson | 6.09 | Ben Roethlisberger | |
| Marshawn Lynch | 7.03 | Jermichael Finley | Pierre Garcon | 7.04 | Dallas Clark | |
| Matthew Stafford | 8.10 | Josh Freeman | Darren Sproles | 8.09 | Ricky Williams | |
| Hines Ward | 9.03 | Mike Thomas | Mike Sims-Walker | 9.04 | Malcom Floyd | |
| Davone Bess | 10.10 | Rob Gronkowski | Reggie Bush | 10.09 | Mike Sims-Walker | |
| LaDainian Tomlinson | 11.03 | Davone Bess | Malcom Floyd | 11.04 | Tashard Choice | |
| Bears | 12.10 | Darren Sproles | Marcedes Lewis | 12.09 | Packers | |
| Chris Cooley | 13.03 | Bears | Mason Crosby | 13.04 | Michael Crabtree | |
| Adam Vinatieri | 14.10 | Rob Bironas | Chargers | 14.09 | Billy Cundiff | |
| A big difference in the second draft was that I thought there were a lot more quality skill players when I was picking in the first five rounds, which is why I was able to snag Finley in the seventh round after I chose Witten in the fifth round in the first draft. I'm much more pleased with my second draft as opposed to my first one. | I loved my first team. I love this one better. Why? I wanted lots of solid running backs, and I got them. Bradshaw, Rice and Grant are my starters. I know what you're going to say. Grant may be splitting carries. I'm not sure that will happen, and if it does that offense will be so explosive he's still a valuable pick. Choice and Ricky Williams are on my bench. Yes, in this draft, I wanted some good runners. I got them. | |||||
| Post your take on this team: Facebook | Twitter | Message Board | ||||||
| Nathan Zegura | Peter Madden | |||||
| Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | |
| Andre Johnson | 1.07 | Chris Johnson | Aaron Rodgers | 1.11 | Aaron Rodgers | |
| Matt Forte | 2.06 | Larry Fitzgerald | Rashard Mendenhall | 2.02 | Rashard Mendenhall | |
| Dez Bryant | 3.07 | Felix Jones | Dwayne Bowe | 3.11 | Shonn Greene | |
| Antonio Gates | 4.06 | Philip Rivers | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | 4.02 | Mario Manningham | |
| Ryan Grant | 5.07 | Beanie Wells | Austin Collie | 5.11 | Antonio Gates | |
| Chad Ochocinco | 6.06 | Steve Johnson | Jahvid Best | 6.02 | Chad Ochocinco | |
| Ryan Torain | 7.07 | Owen Daniels | Deion Branch | 7.11 | James Starks | |
| Eli Manning | 8.06 | Willis McGahee | Julio Jones | 8.02 | Julio Jones | |
| Jay Cutler | 9.07 | Lance Moore | Tony Gonzalez | 9.11 | Ryan Torain | |
| DeMarco Murray | 10.06 | Nate Burleson | C.J. Spiller | 10.02 | Thomas Jones | |
| Roy Helu | 11.07 | Steelers | Jordy Nelson | 11.11 | Marion Barber | |
| Roy Williams | 12.06 | Jason Snelling | Matt Cassel | 12.02 | Isaac Redman | |
| Cowboys | 13.07 | Montario Hardesty | Giants | 13.11 | Lions | |
| Alex Henery | 14.06 | Sebastian Janikowski | Nate Kaeding | 14.02 | Mason Crosby | |
| I felt like I did everything differently this time, and I am much happier because my first go around was bad. I have excellent running backs in terms of depth and upside provided I get Chris Johnson for most of the season. I waited and got an elite quarterback in Rivers, who was a steal in the fourth round, and an elite tight end in Daniels. I also like my receiver group with Fitzgerald, Steve Johnson, Moore and Burleson. Overall, a much more balanced, deep and explosive team. | I ended up with the same first two picks, completely by coincidence. I made a point not to look at the previous results before drafting a second time and still ended up with Rodgers and Mendenhall. I swapped out Bowe and Green-Ellis for Greene and Manningham. I think that's an upgrade. | |||||
| Post your take on this team: Facebook | Twitter | Message Board | ||||||
| Scott White | Sergio Gonzalez | |||||
| Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | Pick on Aug. 9 | Rd.Pk | Pick on Aug. 30 | |
| Adrian Peterson | 1.02 | Arian Foster | Arian Foster | 1.01 | Adrian Peterson | |
| Mike Wallace | 2.11 | Mike Wallace | LeGarrette Blount | 2.12 | Drew Brees | |
| Miles Austin | 3.02 | Peyton Hillis | Drew Brees | 3.01 | Reggie Wayne | |
| DeAngelo Williams | 4.11 | Knowshon Moreno | Jeremy Maclin | 4.12 | Ryan Mathews | |
| Tony Romo | 5.02 | Dez Bryant | Anquan Boldin | 5.01 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | |
| Jermichael Finley | 6.11 | Austin Collie | Brandon Jacobs | 6.12 | Pierre Garcon | |
| Jonathan Stewart | 7.02 | Matthew Stafford | Kenny Britt | 7.01 | Vernon Davis | |
| James Starks | 8.11 | Sam Bradford | Owen Daniels | 8.12 | Braylon Edwards | |
| Tim Hightower | 9.02 | Javon Ringer | Joe Flacco | 9.01 | Danny Amendola | |
| Jerome Simpson | 10.11 | Ben Tate | Danny Amendola | 10.12 | Jets | |
| Kevin Kolb | 11.02 | Brandon Pettigrew | Jets | 11.01 | Matt Cassel | |
| Brandon Pettigrew | 12.11 | Johnny Knox | Thomas Jones | 12.12 | Maurice Morris | |
| Ravens | 13.02 | Eagles | Donald Brown | 13.01 | Tony Gonzalez | |
| Billy Cundiff | 14.11 | Robbie Gould | David Buehler | 14.12 | Alex Henery | |
| I wasn't satisfied with my running backs coming out of the initial draft and knew I had to make them more of a priority this time around, especially since I could no longer expect to snag Hightower in Round 9. So instead of taking Austin in Round 3, I took Hillis, and when Moreno fell to Round 4, I took him too, giving me three early-round running backs. My second wide receiver ended up being Bryant, who might have the better season than Austin anyway. True, I lost my initial value pick of Romo in Round 5, but Stafford has similar upside. He's not as safe, which is why I had to reach for Bradford and sacrifice some depth at other positions, but assuming my starters perform as expected, I like this team more than the first one. | Perhaps the most noticeable difference in my draft strategy this time around came at the very top. I chose to go with Peterson over Foster due to the fact he's dealt with some hamstring issues already this preseason. I think the top three running backs are interchangeable. Not getting Blount, the last player in my No. 2 running back tier, sent me in the direction of a receiver in Round 3 and made me go heavier on running backs following that. | |||||
| Post your take on this team: Facebook | Twitter | Message Board | ||||||
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