The This and That of Fantasy Football

Mock Draft - Rounds 7-10

Below you'll see an analysis of each of the 12 teams I drafted giving you their strengths and weaknesses. When football starts, the world will be a better place. Let's get it on!

Round 7

73. Darrell Jackson, WR, Seahawks (Team 12)
74. Byron Chamberlain, TE, Vikings (Team 11)
75. DeShaun Foster, RB, Panthers (Team 10)
76. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Giants (Team 9)
77. Clinton Portis, RB, Broncos (Team 8)
78. Peerless Price, WR, Bills (Team 7)
79. Marcus Robinson, WR, Seahawks (Team 6)
80. James Allen, RB, Texans (Team 5)
81. Tyrone Wheatley, RB, Raiders (Team 4)
82. Chad Lewis, TE, Eagles (Team 3)
83. Jeff Wilkins, K, Rams (Team 2)
84. Frank Wycheck, TE, Titans (Team 1)

Round 8

85. Bill Schroeder, WR, Lions (Team 1)
86. Amani Toomer, WR, Giants (Team 2)
87. Mike Vanderjagt, K, Colts (Team 3)
88. Pittsburgh Defense/Special Teams (Team 4)
89. Curtis Conway, WR, Chargers (Team 5)
90. Freddie Jones, TE, Chargers (Team 6)
91. Jason Elam, K, Broncos, (Team 7)
92. Washington Defense/Special Teams (Team 8)
93. Ike Hilliard, WR, Giants (Team 9)
94. Willie Jackson, WR, Falcons (Team 10)
95. David Akers, K, Eagles (Team 11)
96. Philadelphia Defense/Special Teams (Team 12)

Round 9

97. Sebastian Janikowski, K., Raiders (Team 12)
98. Chicago Defense/Special Teams (Team 11)
99. Martin Grammatica, K, Buccaneers (Team 10)
100. St. Louis Defense/Special Teams (Team 9)
101. John Carney, K, Saints (Team 8)
102. Todd Heap, TE, Ravens (Team 7)
103. Olindo Mare, K, Dolphins (Team 6)
104. Tampa Bay Defense/Special Teams (Team 5)
105. Keenan McCardell, WR, Buccaneers (Team 4)
106. Miami Defense/Special Teams (Team 3)
107. Cleveland Defense/Special Teams (Team 2)
108. Adam Viniatieri, K, Patriots (Team 1)

Round 10

109. New England Defense/Special Teams
(Team 1)
110. David Sloan, TE, Saints (Team 2)
111. Joey Galloway, WR, Cowboys (Team 3)
112. Ryan Longwell, K, Packers (Team 4)
113. Todd Peterson, K, Steelers (Team 5)
114. Dallas Defense/Special Teams (Team 6)
115. Green Bay Defense/Special Teams (Team 7)
116. Qadry Ismail, WR, Colts (Team 8)
117. Paul Edinger, K, Bears (Team 9)
118. San Francisco Defense/Special Teams (Team 10)
119. Kevin Dyson, WR, Titans (Team 11)
120. Ernie Conwell, TE, Rams (Team 12)

Rosters

Team 1

QB Aaron Brooks (Round 2)
RB Marshall Faulk (Round 1)
RB Jamal Lewis (Round 4)
RB William Green (Round 5)
WR David Boston (Round 3)
WR Johnnie Morton (Round 6)
WR Bill Schroeder (Round 8)
TE Frank Wycheck (Round 7)
K Adam Viniatieri (Round 9)
Def/Spt New England (Round 10)

This is a solid team, despite question marks at the number-two RB spot with Jamal Lewis returning from injury and William Green being a rookie. To secure a top WR in Boston and a top QB in Brooks to go along with Faulk give this team plenty of firepower. This was a mock-abbreviated draft, but on draft day if you have Faulk, you have to take his backup Trung Candidate for insurance. Understand though that some owners will be willing to draft Candidate earlier than he normally should go to keep the team with Faulk from getting him, to use as possible trade bait and with the knowledge that if Faulk got injured, Candidate who averaged 5.7 yards a carry last year would flourish.

Team 2

QB Donovan McNabb (Round 2)
RB Shaun Alexander (Round 1)
RB Terrell Davis (Round 4)
RB Travis Henry (Round 5)
WR Rod Smith (Round 3)
WR Jerry Rice (Round 6)
WR Amani Toomer (Round 8)
TE David Sloan (Round 10)
K Jeff Wilkins (Round 7)
Def/Spt Cleveland (Round 9)

Terrell Davis was drafted in an installment that was completed before his current injured reserve status. McNabb and Alexander are a great way to start a fantasy football team. Expect McNabb's number to just keep getting better and better. His talent is freakish. If Travis Henry's knees allow him to complete the season, he should be better in his second year to the tune of 1,000 yards rushing and seven TDs. The presence of Drew Bledsoe will give Henry a little more running room. The Broncos keep saying that Rod Smith will be ok for the season. But, he has battled a sore groin and hamstrings so far this preseason after not being able to participate in offseason workouts due to a stress fracture in lower leg. If Smith is hobbled, this WR corp is very weak. Cleveland led the NFL in takeaways last season with 41. The Browns also led the league with 33 interceptions and are a solid defensive choice.

Team 3

QB Kurt Warner (Round 1)
RB Fred Taylor (Round 2)
RB Tiki Barber (Round 4) RB Stacey Mack (Round 5)
WR Torry Holt (Round 3)
WR Laveranues Coles (Round 6)
WR Joey Galloway (Round 10)
TE Chad Lewis (Round 7)
K Mike Vanderjagt (Round 8)
Def/Spt Miami (Round 9)

If Fred Taylor could somehow stay healthy, this could be a very dangerous team. Grabbing Mack if you have Taylor is critical. Look for Tiki Barber to score close to ten TDs and pile up combined yardage as the Giants are becoming less and less enamored with Ron Dayne. Torry Holt will finally score double digit TDs and help back up all of his talking. Coles is a solid number-two WR, but it'd be nice if this team had more WR depth instead of counting on past his prime due to injury Joey Galloway. Normally picking Kurt Warner in Round 1 does not pay off for a lot of teams as they miss out on a top RB, but in this case this team's chances fall on Taylor, who is capable of monster numbers.

Team 4

QB Brett Favre (Round 3)
RB Ahman Green (Round 1)
RB Antowain Smith (Round 2)
RB Tyrone Wheatley (Round 7)
WR Kevin Johnson (Round 4)
WR Chris Chambers (Round 5)
WR Keenan McCardell (Round 9)
TE Shannon Sharpe (Round 6)
K Ryan Longwell (Round 10)
Def/Spt Pittsburgh (Round 8)

This team is an example of why every pick is important. Not one pick here was a wasteful one. The biggest question mark on this team is can Antowain Smith repeat last season's success. But, Smith is a good choice to be your second RB. There would be more concern if he was your top back. Two excellent late round picks on this team are Tyrone Wheatley and Keenan McCardell. Wheatley will rebound in a big way this year as new Raiders coach Bill Callahan re-installs the power running game. No way should Keenan McCardell should have lasted until the ninth round. That's indicative of the lack of respect most people have for the game of a player who has topped 1,000 yards and 80 catches four of the last six seasons.

Team 5

QB Peyton Manning (Round 2)
RB Ricky Williams (Round 1)
RB James Stewart (Round 4)
RB James Allen (Round 7)
WR Joe Horn (Round 3)
WR Marty Booker (Round 6)
WR Curtis Conway (Round 8)
TE Tony Gonzalez (Round 5)
K Todd Peterson (Round 10)
Def/Spt Tampa Bay (Round 9)

The positive aspect of this team is that it has three top-notch players in Manning, Williams and Gonzalez. Now that's a nucleus. Don't worry about the Gonzalez holdout. He'll sign right about when the season's about to start. After holding out this long, might as well miss pre-season grueling practices. The negative aspects of this team are the question marks at the second RB and WR spots. Marty Booker will not duplicate last season's 100 catch performance due to the return of Marcus Robinson and the presence of WRs like David Terrell and Dez White on the Bears. Conway, who was picked after Booker, may actually end up being a better pick than Booker. James Stewart has injury history and a bad team working against him. James Allen has a 1,000 yard season on his resume, but he's the starter on an expansion team and seldom finds the endzone.

Team 6

QB Jeff Garcia (Round 2)
RB Edgerrin James (Round 1)
RB Emmitt Smith (Round 3)
RB Dominic Rhodes (Round 6)
WR Tim Brown (Round 4)
WR Ed McCaffrey (Round 5)
WR Marcus Robinson (Round 7)
TE Freddie Jones (Round 8)
K Olindo Mare (Round 9)
Def/Spt Dallas (Round 10)

This team has too many question marks to be a title contender. Edgerrin James was the reach of the draft at pick number six of the first round. Upon further reflection, it's just too risky to take Edgerrin that high coming off a knee injury. You can't mess up your first-round pick. I don't believe James will get hurt and miss time this year, but his numbers will not be Edgerrin-like. That doesn't mean his numbers will not be good, but they will be closer to that of other top RBs instead of being head and shoulders above them. James' excellent backup coming into the season, Dominic Rhodes, was drafted in a previous installment of my mock draft, but now he's out for the year with a torn ACL. James' backup at the time is unknown, but the top candidates are Shyrone Stith and Kevin McDougal, which means that the Colts need to pick up someone quick. Smith is aging. Brown is old. McCaffrey is returning from a broken leg. Robinson is returning after knee and back injuries. You can't have this many medical and age question marks on your team and be successful, because there are too many opportunities for lack of production and injury.

Team 7

QB Daunte Culpepper (Round 1)
RB Deuce McAllister (Round 2)
RB Michael Bennett (Round 4)
RB Thomas Jones (Round 6)
WR Jimmy Smith (Round 3)
WR Troy Brown (Round 5)
WR Peerless Price (Round 7)
TE Todd Heap (Round 9)
K Jason Elam (Round 8)
Def/Spt Green Bay (Round 10)

Even though Culpepper helps with his rushing yards, this team's RBs are not good enough for this team to do well. Deuce McAllister should not be your top RB. He is young, unproven and proved injury-prone in college. Jimmy Smith is risky as your first WR because he is holding out maybe into the season, although I believe he will sign right before the start of the season.

Team 8

QB Rich Gannon (Round 3)
RB Eddie George (Round 2)
RB Duce Staley (Round 4)
RB Clinton Portis (Round 7)
WR Terrell Owens (Round 1)
WR Derrick Mason (Round 6)
WR Qadry Ismail (Round 10)
TE Marcus Pollard (Round 5)
K John Carney (Round 9)
Def/Spt Washington (Round 8)

This is another example of a team that did not waste a draft pick. Many times owners believe the late rounds aren't as important. When you can grab a guy like this team did in Round 10 like Qadry Ismail, you can see how all picks are important. This is a well-balanced team that has strength at every position. Eddie George will rebound back to his usual self this year. Anyone who doesn't think so will kick themselves if they let him slide too far on their draft board. Remember not only did Eddie have the toe injury, but he wasn't able to work out the offseason before last season. Combine George, the great Owens, the steady Gannon, RB depth in Staley and Portis, a top TE in Pollard, an underrated fantasy sleeper in Mason and you start to get the picture here.

Team 9

QB Brian Griese (Round 3)
RB LaDainian Tomlinson (Round 1)
RB Anthony Thomas (Round 2)
RB Michael Pittman (Round 6)
WR Eric Moulds (Round 4)
WR Terry Glenn (Round 5)
WR Ike Hilliard (Round 8)
TE Jeremy Shockey (Round 7)
K Paul Edinger (Round 10)
Def/Spt St. Louis (Round 9)

If you have two strong running backs in Tomlinson and Thomas like this team does, you're in great shape. I think Brian Griese is going to have a breakout year if he can stay healthy with targets like Rod Smith, Ed McCaffrey and Shannon Sharpe after throwing passes last year to a lot of guys who probably shouldn't be in the league. If you draft Griese, draft Steve Beurlein as your third QB late. If he has to play due to a Griese injury, he will post big numbers. Moulds should have a big year as will Glenn if he stays healthy. This is another team that did not waste any draft picks.

Team 10

QB Kerry Collins (Round 6)
RB Priest Holmes (Round 1)
RB Jerome Bettis (Round 4)
RB DeShaun Foster (Round 7)
WR Marvin Harrison (Round 2)
WR Isaac Bruce (Round 3)
WR Willie Jackson (Round 8)
TE Bubba Franks (Round 5)
K Martin Grammatica (Round 9)
Def/Spt San Francisco (Round 10)

This is a middle of the road team. The RBs are not as strong as you would think. Bettis is not a big TD scorer (only 4 TDs last year), especially when you have someone like Kordell who has TD scoring prowess. Plus Bettis is an injury risk. I think Holmes will pile up big yardage, but his TDs will decrease. Last season the KC WRs were depleted due to injury. Now they have added Johnnie Morton and Tony Gonzalez, who I think will sign soon, will have a huge year because he wants the big bucks. Harrison is a fantasy stud obviously, but there are too many question marks with this team. Collins is one of the worst fantasy QB starters you could have. That's not saying he's a bad player. It's just that in a 12-team league, he ranks in the bottom part of the potential starting QBs.

Team 11

QB Drew Bledsoe (Round 4)
RB Stephen Davis (Round 2)
RB Garrison Hearst (Round 3)
RB Warrick Dunn (Round 6)
WR Randy Moss (Round 1)
WR Plaxico Burress (Round 5)
WR Kevin Dyson (Round 11)
TE Byron Chamberlain (Round 7)
K David Akers (Round 8)
Def/Spt Chicago (Round 9)

The only sure-fire fantasy player on this roster is Randy Moss. Again, this is a team with too many question marks. Playing on a Steve Spurrier gimmick but effective passing team, you have to wonder what effect that will have on Davis' numbers. Given that, it's safer to have Davis as your number-two back. Bledsoe should definitely improve his numbers, but he's not close to being a top-tier fantasy QB. Kevan Barlow steals TDs from Garrison Hearst. This team will be a lot closer to the bottom of the standings than the top.

Team 12

QB Trent Green (Round 4)
RB Curtis Martin (Round 1)
RB Corey Dillon (Round 2)
RB Mike Alstott (Round 6)
WR Keyshawn Johnson (Round 3)
WR James Thrash (Round 5)
WR Darrell Jackson (Round 7)
TE Ernie Conwell (Round 10)
K Sebastian Janikowski (Round 9)
Def/Spt Philadelphia (Round 8)

This team is a perfect example of why this is a great year to draft 12th. Curtis Martin and Corey Dillon is a great way to start a fantasy football team. Trent Green threw for 3,783 yards last season, but struggled at times due to injuries in the KC receiving corps. With the addition of Johnnie Morton and a very hungry Tony Gonzalez once he signs, Green will have an even better year. This team also had solid WR depth. Darrell Jackson was drafted after James Thrash, but could easily start in front of him.