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Yesterday I took part in the Fantasy Football Maniaxs Expert League Draft. It is a non-ppr, 6 point for passing TD league. I had the fifth overall pick. Here is how my roster looks:

QB – Peyton Manning, Ind QB
RB – Michael Turner, Atl RB
RB – Joseph Addai, Ind RB
RB/WR – Felix Jones, Dal RB
WR – DeSean Jackson, Phi WR
WR – Percy Harvin, Min WR
TE – Jason Witten, Dal TE
Minnesota Vikings D/ST
K – Sebastian Janikowski, Oak K

Bench – Brett Favre, Min QB
Bench – Chester Taylor, Chi RB
Bench – Willis McGahee, Bal RB
Bench – Mike Wallace, Pit WR
Bench – Santonio Holmes, NYJ WR
Bench – Devery Henderson, NO WR
Bench – Houston Texans D/ST

With six points for a passing TD, I wanted to ensure that I got a top notch QB. I could have taken Reggie Wayne and later got Tom Brady, but that is hindsight. Peyton Manning and DeSean Jackson isn’t much of a drop-off from that duo anyway. I like my my first three RBs, but don’t like my two bench options. There is always a trade off in fantasy drafts. RB depth was mine. I have a young, explosive WR corps led by DeSean Jackson, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, and Santonio Holmes. There are risks associated with that crew, but there is also a ton of upside. I got Jason Witten in the seventh round, which may have been my best value pick.

Overall I am pleased with my draft.

How do you think I did?

Image courtesy of Icon SMI

Not according to Grant’s ADP at Mock Draft Central that has him going on average with the 21st pick. A number that is staggering to me, considering Grant is coming off a 1450 total yard (1253 rushing), 11 TD season. In fact, it was the second consecutive 1200+ yard season for the fourth year back that will turn 28 during the season.

He’s going after guys like Rashard Mendenhall, Shonn Greene, and Ryan Matthews who are far more unproven. He’s even going after WRs like Calvin Johnson and Miles Austin who have bigger question marks entering the new season.

Grant picked it up down the stretch averaging 92.7 total yards with 5 TDs in last year’s fantasy playoffs (Week 14-16). He didn’t turn in many monster weeks, but he didn’t have many duds either. He was a steady source of fantasy points all year long.

Grant has little competition for carries. Top backup Brandon Jackson always seems to get nicked up. Rookie James Starks isn’t ready to take on meaningful carries. Grant’s main threat is Aaron Rodgers stealing rushing TDs. The Packers would be wise to let Grant run in short TD passes and save their franchise QB from the hits.

Grant isn’t going to fool anyone for Ray Rice or MJD with his pass-catching ability, but he has averaged 24.3 catches for 152.7 yards in his three seasons.

I am expecting 1450 (1300 rushing) total yards and 9 TDs from Grant, which is enough to have him as my 8th ranked RB (click to see my updated 2010 fantasy RB rankings) and 9th overall (click to see my 2010 Top 50 fantasy rankings).

What are your thoughts on Ryan Grant? Would you take him in the first round of your fantasy draft?

Last year I won my 12-team division and finished third out of 96 in the 2009 Joes vs. Pros challenge that pitted six fantasy experts vs. six amateur players. Well, I’m back to take another crack at it. We had our draft last night. It was a 26-round draft (PPR league) and you are unable to make any moves during the season. The team you draft is the team you are stuck with. The system automatically takes your optimal score for each given week. There are tons of prizes for the winners. Here is how my team shaped up:

QB1:  Tom Brady
QB2:  Matt Ryan
QB3:  Sam Bradford
RB1:  Steven Jackson
RB2:  Ryan Grant
RB3:  Fred Jackson
RB4:  Darren Sproles
RB5:  Kevin Faulk  
RB6:  Sammy Morris
WR1:  Randy Moss
WR2:  Michael Crabtree
WR3:  Terrell Owens
WR4:  Arrelious Benn
WR5:  Early Doucet
WR6:  Antwaan Randle El
TE1:  John Carlson
TE2:  Kevin Boss
TE3:  Dante Rosario
K1:   Stephen Gostkowski
K2:  Matt Prater
K3:  Jason Hanson
DEF1:  Minnesota
DEF2:  Pittsburgh
DEF3:  New England
DEF4:  Tennessee
DEF5:  Washington