The This and That of Fantasy Football

Mock Draft - Rounds 4-6

Round 4

37. Trent Green, QB, Chiefs
38. Drew Bledsoe, QB, Bills
39. Jerome Bettis, RB, Steelers
40. Eric Moulds, WR, Bills
41. Duce Staley, RB, Eagles
42. Michael Bennett, RB, Vikings
43. Tim Brown, WR
44. James Stewart, RB, Lions
45. Kevin Johnson, WR, Browns
46. Tiki Barber, RB, Giants
47. Terrell Davis, RB, Broncos
48. Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens

Trent Green struggled at times last year as his league leading 24 interceptions and only 17 TD passes attest to. But, Green was still sixth in the league in passing with 3,783 yards. Look for Green to have a more consistent season as Johnnie Morton adds stability to a WR corps that was injury depleted last year. Just hope that Tony Gonzalez doesn't hold out. Eric Moulds is a freakish talent. But, no matter how much talent a WR has, his numbers will suffer if he has mediocre QBs throwing him the ball. Moulds suffered his worse year statistically since becoming a starter in 1998 catching 67 passes for 904 yards with five TDs. But, that's what happens when you have Alex Van Pelt and Rob Johnson throwing you the ball. Van Pelt and Johnson combined for 17 TDs and 18 interceptions. Michael Bennett should be a much better back entering his second season. Bennett rushed for 682 yards for the season, and his only two hundred-yard games came in the last five weeks. Bennett will easily eclipse the 1,000 yards rushing barrier. When will Father Time aka 36 year-old Tim Brown slow down. I don't know, but every year I think he will slow down he still produces - last season to the tune of 1,165 receiving yards and nine scores. Unless you have Kevin Johnson on your fantasy team, his numbers would probably surprise you. Last season, Johnson had 1,097 receiving yards and nine TDs, and in 1999 Johnson had eight TDs. Johnson should get even better. Remember that he didn't play WR until he was senior at Syracuse. Before that he was a QB, but the presence of Donovan McNabb prompted his switch to WR. Big injury risks at the end of the round with Terrell Davis and Jamal Lewis, but the end of round four is not too early to take a chance on the talented when healthy runners.

Round 5

49. William Green, RB, Browns
50. Travis Henry, RB, Bills
51. Stacey Mack, RB, Jaguars
52. Chris Chambers, WR, Dolphins
53. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs
54. Ed McCaffrey, WR
55. Troy Brown, WR, Patriots
56. Marcus Pollard, TE, Colts
57. Terry Glenn, WR, Packers
58. Bubba Franks, TE, Packers
59. Plaxico Burress, WR, Steelers
60. James Thrash, WR, Eagles

Stacey Mack rushed for 877 yards and 10 scores last year after Fred Taylor was injured in week two. Taylor missed 14 games last season with injury and has missed 24 of a possible 64 games in his career. That means if you draft Taylor, you better draft Mack, and also that Mack is solid reserve RB to have on your team because he will probably see a lot of action. Tony Gonzalez is still at a contract impasse with the Chiefs, but he is without a doubt the top fantasy tight end. Last year, Gonzalez probably went in the second or third round in a lot of drafts. But, Gonzalez statistically had his worst season in 2002 (917 yards receiving with six scores). That along with his contract status should cause him to drop a little in your draft making him a steal in the fourth or fifth round. Troy Brown proved last year that his 83 catches in 2001 were not a fluke. Brown caught 101 passes for the Super Bowl Patriots and should improve on his five receiving TDs. Pollard averaged a whopping 15.7 yards a catch last season to go along with eight TDS. Pollard's performance led to the departure of Ken Dilger to the Buccaneers, which bodes well for Pollard's continued strong fantasy performance. Terry Glenn will definitely be Brett Favre's main target with the departure of Antonio Freeman and Bill Schroeder, but his off the field woes and injury problems make him a risky selection. At the same time if healthy, he should produce big numbers because he might be playing receiver opposite a guy named Robert Ferguson. Who do you think Favre will throw to? The run on tight ends continues with the selection of Bubba Franks. Franks had a measly 322 yards receiving, but his nine TDs and the lack of Packer receivers make him a worthy selection. James Thrash in his first year as a starter proved inconsistent, but still produced 833 receiving yards and eight TDs. With a still improving Donovan McNabb throwing him the ball, a more seasoned Thrash should produce at least 1,000 yards receiving and 8-10 TDs.

Round 6

61. Steve McNair, QB, Titans
62. Warrick Dunn, RB, Falcons
63. Kerry Collins, QB, Giants
64. Michael Pittman, RB, Buccaneers
65. Derrick Mason, WR, Titans
66. Thomas Jones, RB, Cardinals
67. Dominic Rhodes, RB, Colts
68. Marty Booker, WR, Bears
69. Shannon Sharpe, TE, Broncos
70. Laveranues Coles, WR, Jets
71. Jerry Rice, WR, Raiders
72. Johnnie Morton, WR, Chiefs

Because of an ailing Eddie George, Steve McNair posted career-highs in passing yards (3,350 yards) and TD passes (21). George had offseason toe surgery before last season, and it clearly affected his play. George should be a lot closer to his old form, which could affect McNair's numbers. But, McNair should still throw for 20 TDs and don't forget his five rushing TDs last year and eight rushing TDs in 1999. After Warrick Dunn's 1,555 combined yards and nine total TDs in 2000, I predicted big things for Dunn. But, foot and leg injuries really derailed Dunn's numbers in 2001. Dunn missed three games due to injury, rushed for a paltry 447 yards and averaged only 2.8 yards a carry. But to Dunn's credit, he gutted it out to catch 69 passes for 557 yards and had six total TDs. Questions abound about Dunn because of his small stature and the Falcons drafting T.J. Duckett, but he's a great gamble for a sixth-round pick. Eddie George's return to health should also adversely affect Derrick Mason's numbers, but Mason has proven himself to be a dependable fantasy receiver. Mason followed up his 895 yards receiving and six TDS in 2000 with 1,128 receiving yards and 10 TDs in 2001. Thomas Jones has not wowed anyone in his first two seasons, but with Michael Pittman gone to Tampa Bay Jones will get a chance to show what he can do. While only averaging 3.3 and 3.4 yards a carry respectively in his first two seasons, Jones did score five TDs in a part-time role last year. Jones should at the last be able to score eight TDs, and would be a decent reserve on your fantasy team. This is a given, but if you have Edgerrin James, you better draft Dominic Rhodes. If you have James, you might have to draft Rhodes a little earlier than you'd like to make sure you get him. If James goes down again, Rhodes proved last year with 1,104 yards rushing, 4.7 yards a carry and nine TDs that he's up to the challenge. Marty Booker will most likely not get the respect on draft day you would think a guy who caught 100 passes for 1,071 yards and eight scores should get. But, the return of Marcus Robinson from back troubles and the presence of talented second year WR David Terrell mean that Booker probably will not see 100 passes again. But, still getting Booker in the sixth round is a steal. It's not guaranteed by any stretch that Robinson can stay healthy. Shannon Sharpe has scored seven TDs the last two seasons with the Ravens. Now that he's returned to Denver, he'll get at least seven TDs this year because the Broncos look to throw to their TEs with regularity. Ask Dwayne Carswell and Desmond Clark who combined for 85 catches and ten TDs last season. Johnnie Morton should see the ball quite a bit in Kansas City, which should bode well for a career year. In Detroit, Morton was always the second WR across from guys like Herman Moore or Germane Crowell. Now, he's the number-one WR in Kansas City, although they also have TE Tony Gonzalez.

Rosters

Team 1

Marshall Faulk, RB
Aaron Brooks, QB
David Boston, WR
Jamal Lewis, RB
William Green, RB
Johnnie Morton, WR

When you draft Faulk, as long as you don't botch the rest of your draft, you'll be a strong contender in your league. With a top-flight QB in Brooks, fantasy monster Boston, Morton, who'll be the number-one WR in KC and the hope that either Green or Lewis pans out, this team is in good shape.

Team 2

Shaun Alexander, RB
Donovan McNabb, QB
Rod Smith, WR
Terrell Davis, RB
Travis Henry, RB
Jerry Rice, WR

Rod Smith's health is still a question mark. He missed offseason workouts due to a stress fracture in his lower leg. He also had two badly sprained ankles last year after he had gotten off to a record-breaking start stat-wise for a WR. Combine Smith's health and Rice's age, and WR depth is needed here. The targets should be guys like WRs Darrell Jackson and Amani Toomer.

Team 3

Kurt Warner, QB
Fred Taylor, RB
Torry Holt, WR
Tiki Barber, RB
Stacey Mack, RB
Laveranues Coles, WR

This team is off to a great start with Mack as insurance in case Taylor gets hurt. TE would be an option for the next pick here with Chad Lewis or Byron Chamberlain being options.

Team 4

Ahman Green, RB
Antowain Smith, RB
Brett Favre, QB
Kevin Johnson, WR
Chris Chambers, WR
Shannon Sharpe, TE

This team has a solid nucleus, but you always need depth because of injury and byes. Don't start taking defenses or kickers here. Continue to take NFL starters.

Team 5

Ricky Williams, RB
Peyton Manning, QB
Joe Horn, WR
James Stewart, RB
Tony Gonzalez, TE
Marty Booker, WR

RB depth is needed here as Stewart can produce when healthy, but Stewart missed five games last year and injuries have plagued his career. WR depth is also needed for this team in case Booker can't duplicate his breakout season last year.

Team 6

Edgerrin James, RB
Jeff Garcia, QB
Emmitt Smith, RB
Tim Brown, WR
Ed McCaffrey, WR
Dominic Rhodes, RB

This team has two players coming back from serious injury in James and McCaffrey. Another insurance WR is needed with an aging Brown and a recovering McCaffrey.

Team 7

Daunte Culpepper, QB
Deuce McAllister, RB
Jimmy Smith, WR
Michael Bennett, RB
Troy Brown, WR
Thomas Jones, RB

It remains to be seen if McAllister can be a top RB or even stay healthy. It's not a good feeling to be dependent on McAllister and Bennett to run you to a fantasy football championship. This shows you the risk you take by not taking a RB with your first pick. Hopefully, Culpepper can pick up some of the rushing slack.

Team 8

Terrell Owens, WR
Eddie George, RB
Rich Gannon, QB
Duce Staley, RB
Marcus Pollard, TE
Derrick Mason, WR

George and Staley are injury risks so RB is the way to go with the next pick. There won't be many good RB options left, but the dice will have to be rolled.

Team 9

LaDainian Tomlinson, RB
Anthony Thomas, RB
Brian Griese, QB
Eric Moulds, WR
Terry Glenn, WR
Michael Pittman, RB

Griese's injury woes make a dependable backup QB paramount for this team. The RB position is set, so WR and TE are also possibilities.

Team 10

Priest Holmes, RB
Marvin Harrison, WR
Isaac Bruce, WR
Jerome Bettis, RB
Bubba Franks, TE
Kerry Collins, QB

Collins is a step down from a lot of the QBs that have been drafted, so QB is a possibility. But, there won't be any QBs to get excited about left. Grabbing Amos Zereoue is a good idea considering the tread on the tires of the Bus.

Team 11

Randy Moss, WR
Stephen Davis, RB
Garrison Hearst, RB
Drew Bledsoe, QB
Plaxico Burress, WR
Warrick Dunn, RB

This is the first team where I don't think it's too early to look at a defense or a kicker. A TE is also needed, but that pick can wait as there are still going to be plenty of decent guys around like Wesley Walls, Frank Wycheck or Ernie Conwell. The WR position also needs to be looked at, before the talent becomes paper-thin.

Team 12

Curtis Martin, RB
Corey Dillon, RB
Keyshawn Johnson, WR
Trent Green, QB
James Thrash, WR
Mike Alstott, RB

Even if you have good RBs like Dillon and Martin, you need a solid backup like Alstott in case of injury, poor performances by your starters and byes.

Coming soon rounds 7-9. Study hard fellow fantasy football addicts. The time is near.