draft self-analysis 2: Chesley’s league
In Chesley’s league, I drafted 12th (of 12). In this league: Producer Ben Mayer, technical gentlemen of awesomeness Tyrone B. and Wesley A., assignment editor Kendra Mackey, show producer Rich Hardwick, Meteorologist Chesley McNeil, engineer DB Miller, Shawn Hoder of the CIA, show producer Alexander Quince, former director Ronnie Smith, reporter Matt Pearl, and myself.
I predict Ray Rice will be my key to victory, and that he'll be a late first-round lock in 2010. (AP photo)
Here’s how I drafted, and my analysis, with round numbers in parentheses:
QUARTERBACK: Jay Cutler (8) — I’m amazed he fell this far, and was very pleased to get him this late.
RUNNINGBACK: LaDainian Tomlinson (1) and Brian Westbrook (2) — Just call me Mr. 2007. I believe LT has enough left for one more great year, and Westbrook, as I said previously, is Westbrook.
WIDE RECEIVER: Wes Welker (3), Hines Ward (6), Kevin Walter (7) — Given that this is a WR-heavy league, I really should’ve drafted WRs sooner, but I’ve got four starting RBs (note my backups, below) and I’m sure I’ll be able to trade at least one of them.
TIGHT END: Visanthe Shiancoe (9) — Same issue as with the other league.
DEFENSE: New England Patriots (12) — A better place to draft them. Not as much of a run on defenses. This league really rewards takeaways, and the Patriots are awesome at that.
KICKER: Kris Brown (13) — Given how highly the Texans scored last year, I predict good numbers all around.
BACKUPS: Pierre Thomas (3) is better than Reggie Bush in non-PPR leagues, though I think I took him too soon. Ray Rice (5) is a steal in the 5th. Derrick Mason (10) will be great for my bye week. Joe Flacco (11) will be a serviceable backup, especially in week 5 when he plays Cincinnati. Greg Camarillo (14) was my flyer pick of the draft; it looks as though he and Davone Bess will split #2 duties, but Camarillo is the veteran in a group that includes Ted Ginn Jr and I’m more likely to pick a veteran when it comes to WR.
FINAL ANALYSIS: I give myself an A- in this draft. I needed to pick WRs sooner, and better ones. Lesson learned. This league will be tougher, but I still think I’m in the top half of teams. Maybe even the top third.
