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Draft Results

My first draft of the year went down today — a 12-team NFFC RotoWire Online championship league. I drew the first pick.

Here are the results: (live-streamed here)

1.1 Christian McCaffrey — I didn’t want the first pick, but I neglected to set my KDS, so it’s what I got. It was either McCaffrey or CeeDee Lamb for me, and while my brain said Lamb (massive target hog on a pass-first offense with a stat-padding QB), my gut said McCaffrey as I liked some of the receivers I’d likely get in Rounds 2 and 3. The problem for McCaffrey isn’t just the age, it’s playing all the way into February, three extra games after two extra games the year prior. But the 49ers are such an ideal environment, any running back can get hurt at any age, and McCaffrey is healthy now.

2.12 De’Von Achane — He was my first choice among potential second-round options, but he was going a few spots ahead per ADP, so I figured I’d get a WR like Jaylen Waddle. But Achane fell, and I snapped-called it. Now my team would probably be better served with Lamb over McCaffrey, but I couldn’t know I’d get Achane in advance.

3.12 Stefon Diggs — He’s my WR9, while NFFC ADP has him at WR24. I guess they think his second-half decline at age 30 was a big deal, and maybe it is. But it coincided with an offensive coaching change, and it’s hard to believe Diggs would just fall off a cliff midseason after such a monster start. Diggs is getting paid $22.5M on a one-year deal too, which means the Texans intend to feature him, and he’ll be motivated for a new contract. I can’t think of a better landing spot than on a team with an elite young QB, and two good, but injury-prone complements.

4.1 Sam LaPorta — Maybe this was a mistake as I really needed receivers here, and I passed on Tee Higgins and Amari Cooper. But LaPorta is my TE1, and none of the receivers were on my target list. Sometimes though, you take the solid, but unexciting player because you need to start three every week. But I didn’t.

5.12 CJ Stroud — I was hoping Marquise Brown would make it back to me, but he didn’t, and when Terry McLaurin went too, I knew I was taking Stroud (ahead of Lamar Jackson and Anthony Richardson) to stack with Diggs. In other words, I’ll have a Texans stack to go along with Achane/McCaffrey/LaPorta. But by taking both a premium QB and TE, along with two RBs, I knew my receiving corps would be thin.

6.1 Ladd McConkey — He was the only receiver left I really liked here. I don’t know if he’ll be the top target out of the gate, but Justin Herbert is good, and he’s got Joshua Palmer, DJ Chark and Quentin Johnston as his other options, no TE of which to speak and also lost Austin Ekeler.

7.12 Rome Odunze — I don’t know how he’ll get the targets with DJ Moore and Keenan Allen around, but he was the No. 9 overall pick and has an elite prospect profile. I remember taking Randy Moss as a rookie, when he was “blocked” by Cris Carter and Jake Reed too.

8.1 Jonathan Brooks — My third rookie in a row, and this might have been a mistake. I needed a third RB, but Raheem Mostert (who I don’t like at 32 and coming off a career-high in carries) would probably have been a better pick, given I have Achane. Brooks should take over for Chuba Hubbard at some point, but he tore his ACL in November, and it might be hard early on for the rookie.

9.12 Courtland Sutton — This was a hold-your-nose pick, just to acquire some likely target volume for my thin receiving corps. Someone has to catch passes in Denver.

10.1 Rashid Shaheed — Shaheed has been a playmaker since he entered the league and with Michael Thomas gone, he’s the de facto No. 2 opposite Chris Olave. The Saints don’t have great TEs, either, so he should get 90-odd targets at least.

11.12 Rashod Bateman — I actually wanted to take Bateman in Round 10, but his ADP was so far below I figured I could wait a round, and I was right. The Ravens are talking him up in camp, and Zay Flowers is more of a short-route, slot guy. Oft-injured Mark Andrews will get a lot of targets too, but there’s room for the 24-YO first-round pick to have a post-hype breakout.

12.1 Tua Tagovailoa — This was a time-expired auto pick! Rare to do that with back to back picks, but I snap-called Bateman, so it was just like a regular pick. I was trying to type in Ty Chandler when the clock expired. That said, Tua is a fine backup, and the value is certainly fair.

13.12 Roschon Johnson — I don’t trust D’Andre Swift to hold up, and there are rumors Khalil Herbert might be dealt.

14.1 Michael Wilson — Marvin Harrison and Trey McBride will get most of the looks, but Wilson should be the No. 3 after a solid rookie year, and Year 2 is when receivers typically break out.

15.12 Kenneth Gainwell — I hope Saquon Barkley sets the league on fire, but he’s been hurt a good deal. But maybe this was a bad pick because fourth rounder Will Shipley could take on a bigger role in that event. (I honestly had neglected Shipley when building my initial cheat sheet.)

16.1 Roman Wilson —In contrast to Gainwell, I really like this pick. Van Jefferson is a scrub, and Wilson could be the Steelers No. 2 before long. Moreover, George Pickens seems more like a field stretcher than true No. 1. I expect to have a lot of Wilson at this price.

17.12 Chiefs Kicker — How could I not take Harrison Butker after the offseason he’s had?

18.1 Elijah Moore — He’s been a bust so far, but Amari Cooper is getting old, and Jerry Jeudy has never really made it. Moore still has a small chance for a post-hype breakout.

19.12 Giants Defense — They have three dangerous rushers with Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux and now Brian Burns and draw Sam Darnold and the Vikings Week 1, and Washington and its rookie QB Week 2.

20.1 Jonnu Smith — He can catch passes, and the Dolphins receiving corps isn’t very deep.

Roster By Position:

QB CJ Stroud

RB Christian McCaffrey/De’Von Achane

WR Stefon Diggs/Ladd McConkey/Rome Odunze

TE Sam LaPorta

FLEX Courtland Sutton

K Harrison Butker

D Giants

B Jonathan Brooks/Rashid Shaheed/Rashod Bateman/Tua Tagovailoa/Roschon Johnson/Michael Wilson/Kenneth Gainwell/Roman Wilson/Elijah Moore/Jonnu Smith