Fantasy News
Our annual experts draft took place over the weekend; we hold it early to get it into our preseason magazine. So as not to spoil it I won't give out too many details, but here are a few general observations and tidbits.
Year of the wide receiver? Most years these drafts go very heavy on running backs early. Last year, for example, 13 of the top 15 picks were runners, and there were 22 selected in the first 36 picks. This year those numbers were down slightly: there were 4 non-running backs taken in the top 15 picks, and just over half (19) of the first 36 selections were runners. The beneficiaries were wideouts, perhaps a result of difference-makers like Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson a year ago. Last year there were 10 wide receivers taken in the first three rounds, and only 3 among the top 20 picks. This year 14 wideouts went in the first three rounds, and twice as many (6) in the top 20 as a year ago.
New king of the quarterbacks. A year ago, Tom Brady was the first quarterback selected in almost every draft, with Peyton Manning the other popular choice. In recent years, Manning has generally owned the top spot. This year the No. 1 quarterback is Drew Brees, just one long completion away from breaking Dan Marino's passing record a year ago. Brees was selected at the end of the second round, more than a round earlier than Manning or Brady were taken.
Knowshon the top rookie. Just as it was in the actual NFL draft, Knowshon Moreno was the first rookie running back selected, at the end of the fourth round. Chris "Beanie" Wells was taken almost two full rounds later.
Stumbling out of the Gates. Antonio Gates not only wasn't the top tight end drafted, there were three taken ahead of him. His selection came midway through the sixth round -- several rounds after where he's been drafted in most drafts over the past several years.
Murky running back situations. Nobody knows what to make of the running back situations in Baltimore, New England or Seattle. None of those teams' runners were drafted until the eighth round.
Favre in the 17th. Most experts evidently believe that Brett Favre won't play this season, or won't be particularly good if he does. Favre was selected in the 17th round, after 33 other quarterbacks had been taken. The only quarterbacks selected later than Favre were Chris Simms, Jeff Garcia and Derek Anderson, none of whom is expected to start this season. Hang 'em up, Brett.
Full draft results and commentary on picks from the experts (and one reader participant) will run in our preseason magazine.
--Andy Richardson
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