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(This is the second of a seven-part series on fantasy football. In this series, the Corner looks at draft strategies and ranks the top players for every position. Today we rate the top quarterbacks.)
Welcome back to our continuing look at fantasy football 2006. In the first part of this series, we covered nine tips to dominate your draft and now we turn our attention to individual positions. First up is the quarterbacks.
Quarterbacks are the second most important draft acquisition, next to running backs. Grabbing an elite one early is key to dominating your league. I like to draft running backs with my first two picks and then snatch a QB in the third or fourth round (if there's a big-time receiver like Torry Holt or Chad Johnson left on the board in the third round, I'll grab them first and take a quarterback in the fourth round).
Here's the Corners rankings of the top 20 quarterbacks in fantasy football for 2006:
1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
3. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (if healthy)
4. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks
5. Eli Manning, New York Giants
6. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers
7. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
8. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
9. Drew Bledsoe, Dallas Cowboys
10. Trent Green, Kansas City Chiefs
11. Jake Plummer, Denver Broncos
12. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
13. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
14. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
15. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
16. Daunte Culpepper, Miami Dolphins (if healthy he goes higher)
17. Steve McNair, Baltimore Ravens
18. Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons
19. Mark Brunell, Washington Redskins
20. Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars
Sleeper: Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions
Overrated: Vick
Rookies to watch: Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals; Vince Young, Tennessee Titans; and Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos.
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So I lied in the last post about my first draft being next Thursday...I randomly signed up for a public league on Yahoo! today and found one with a draft tonight. I needed to have a binge draft just cause I love it soooo much. Anyway...here's the squad and what I was thinking with each pick.
The Rotifers
Round One (2)
Larry Johnson, KC (RB) - I was thrilled to find out I had a pick in the top three. I knew I'd either end up with Alexander, LJ, or LT. I had LJ at two on my draft board, so it worked out good. I'm a tad bit apprehensive about his durability, but he's still worth that small risk at the two spot. A great RB to anchor the team around.
Round Two (19)
Ronnie Brown, MIA (RB) - I was looking for my second back and with most of the big names gone by the end of the 2nd, it came down to Brown and Willis McGahee. I went with Brown for several reasons. One-No more Ricky Williams. Two-He's on the better team. Three-He hasn't had a major knee injury in his career. Hopefully this choice will pay off.
Round Three (22)
Tom Brady, NE (QB) - Manning got taken off the board real early...I actually had Brady pushing Manning for the top QB spot on my board. In the end, I could have probably waited till the fourth round to get Brady, but I was worried about people going QB happy in Round Three and didn't want to get stuck with Jake Plummer. Plus, I knew I'd get decent recievers because plenty were still left on the board.
Round Four (39)
Javon Walker, DEN (WR) - I really, really, really wanted to draft Reggie Wayne as my number one reciever, but he was taken five picks before I was up. Then, Plaxico Burress become my target, but he was taken two picks before I was up. Frantically, I had to find my number one man. It came down to Walker and Roy Williams. I was somewhat leery of Walker because of his injury, but even Jake Plummer is more trustworthy than Jon Kitna. Tough choice here though. But it worked out because.......
Round Five (42)
Roy Williams, DET (WR) - Had to take him. I was going WR all the way since Antonio Gates was long gone. He was the best WR left. After this pick, I had my eye on TJ Houshmanzadeh for my final starting WR, but he was quickly nabbed after I took Roy.
Round Six (59)
Lee Evans, BUF (WR) - Needed third WR since no TE's or DEF's were worthy of a sixth round pick. With TJ gone, Evans was the best option. I'm glad to get a number one reciever this late. He's the Bills go to guy, so I know he'll get balls thrown his way. Decent pick.
Round Seven (62)
Chester Taylor, MIN (RB) - Steal of the draft. Still with no worthy TE's or DEF's, I needed to add some depth at RB. Taylor is now the starter in Minnesota with All Pro tackle Steve Hutchinson. With Brad Johnson running the show, you know he'll get a lot of carries. I'm ecstatic to nab him in ROUND SEVEN! I had my eye on him after Round Five, hoping he'd keep falling and sure enough he did.
Round Eight (79)
Randy McMicheal, MIA (TE) - I couldn't wait any longer at this point with three starting spots not yet filled. He was the top TE still available on my board. I expect a great year out of him with Culpepper throwing instead of Fielder/Feely/(insert random journeyman QB). Solid TE.
Round Nine (82)
Kurt Warner, ARI (QB) - I thought he had outstanding value this late in the draft. I originally considered looking to grab him late as my starter. Now I have a great insurance policy on Tom Brady...plus I keep everybody else from grabbing Warner. If he stays healthy he should have a great year. (Granted that's a huge if...in which case I'd have to grab Leinart asap.)
Round Ten (99)
Donte' Stallworth, NO (WR) - I had every starting position filled at this point except DEF. I had another pick coming after two more picks, so I knew I'd be able to get a solid DEF then. Depth at reciever is always good to have...Stallworth has been somewhat hit or miss, but usually everybody is when Aaron Brooks is your quarterback. Enter Drew Brees.
Round Eleven (102)
Tampa Bay (DEF) - As I predicted, a high quality DEF was still left for the taking. I was hoping to grab Jackonsville, but they were taken in early Round Ten. Tampa Bay's group is aging fast, but they are still well above average for at least one more year.
Round Twelve (119)
Ben Watson, NE (TE) - An up and coming TE with possible huge upside. Since I already have McMicheal, it was worth taking a minor gamble with Watson. I think he'll become one of Brady's favorite targets within the first couple weeks...especially in the red zone. I expect him to challange McMicheal for the starting job. Again, depth is good to have.
Round Thirteen (122)
Kevin Curtis, STL (WR) - I've had Curtis on my team the past two years and he's always put up higher numbers than everybody thinks. With Isaac Bruce steadily declining, Curtis will get loads of PT in an offense that throws a ton. Either this year or next year, I think he'll explode. He's going to be the next Brandon Stokely. No doubt in my mind. I need him on my team.
Round Fourteen (139)
Miami (DEF) - I needed a DEF for my bye week and took Miami because they're playing Houston that week. I really thought about taking another RB (which the morning after I feel like I should have), instead of a backup DEF, but I have enough confidence in my RB's. (As I type, Frank Gore sitting as a free agent is killing me...i just might dump MIA for him...we shall see.)
Round Fifteen (142)
Ryan Longwell, MIN (K) - I swore I wouldn't take a kicker till the last round and I kept my self-promise. I picked him for two reasons: A) Plays in a dome. B) Brad Johnson is his starting QB.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with my team. A bunch of other teams had stellar drafts in this league too. However, one such team had one of the worst drafts I had ever seen. Just check out his draft.
T.O=TD
1.(4)
P. Manning - I agree he's the top QB, but you don't take him at 4. Not with Tiki still there.
2.(17)
A. Gates - No TE ever has been worth a second round pick. Plus, he has Rivers at QB.
3.(24)
A. Boldin - I like the pick, but still no RB?
4.(37)
P. Burress - I like the pick, but still no RB????
5.(44)
Chicago - WTF? DEF at Round Five? STILL NO RB???
6.(57)
R. Droughns - Whew...maybe he finally noticed he needed some RBs...
7.(64)
M. Vanderjagt - A kicker....in round seven. (By the way, some nut took Rackers in FIVE!)
8.(77)
K. McCardell - He's young.
9.(84)
Indianapolis - Decent starting DEF to get in Rd. 8.....oh wait...it's his BACKUP DEF!
10.(97)
A. Green - Nothing like getting a starting RB in ROUND TEN! After your backup DEF...
11.(104)
L. Maroney - One of the few picks I like from him.
12.(117)
D. Bennett - The other pick I like.
13.(124)
J. Porter - He's happy with his contract...plus look at the QB he has...geez.
14.(137)
A. Brooks - Speak of the devil!
15.(144)
N. Kaeding - He got the kicker in the last round right, he just used it for his backup K.
Other Notes
-Some nut drafting Reggie Bush in the 4th round. Maybe he's planning on taking out Duece's knees with a tire iron at Saints camp. -I had my choice of any QB other than Manning when I was going QB in Rd. 3. I know lots had Palmer ahead of Brady, but I know what I'm getting from Brady. The guy's consistent. Palmer was great last year, but his knee is still a question mark, he's only had one good year, and half of his team might be in jail be Week One. -I stayed with my ground rule of not drafting any Steelers. Having them on my team just taints the games a bit too much for me. I'd much rather just root for a TD then root for a pass to Ced instead of Hines. (Thought I would have drafted the Steelers DEF if they were available...but that is a lot different than individual players. Jeff Reed is also an exception.)
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