LestersLegends.com

The Football Fan Spot invited me to participate in an Expert Mock Draft with the following participants:

The Football Fan Spot
Fantasy Daddy
BeastOrBust
Lester’s Legends
Rotoprofessor
Walterfootball
FFToolbox
The Football Expert
Scardraft
The Sports Bank
Fantasy Pros 911
Draft Zoo

I landed the  first overall pick in the draft.

First Round Pick:  Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

I believe Peterson, Chris Johnson, and Maurice Jones-Drew are pretty much on the sane level. I expect Chris Johnson to see a decrease in his workload after such a heavy one last year. MJD proved he could be the feature back, but doesn’t get enough help. Meanwhile, Peterson had a monster year despite Favre & Co. taking the lead role in the offense. I think the Vikes run more and pass less this year, which should be huge for All Day.

Yesterday I posted my first round mock for non-PPR leagues. Today I tackle the first round for PPR leagues.

1. Maurice Jones-Drew – I have him as my #2 in non-PPR leagues and his receiving ability is enough to put MoJo over the top. Not only is he a TD machine, he’s good for 40-60 receptions every year.

2.  Adrian Peterson – I’m just reversing the order moving All Day to #2. Not only did he catch a career high 43 passes last year, but Chester Taylor moved on to Chicago meaning that number could increase again.

3.  Chris Johnson – For the time being Johnson will stay at #3 in the ppr format as well. He has 93 catches in two seasons, not to mention the 2000 yard season, nearly 4000 total yards, and 26 total TDs. His biggest concern is the threat of a holdout.

4.  Frank Gore – Gore is an explosive back that is a nightmare both running and catching the ball out of the backfield. The Niners are committed to the offense, adding a tackle and a guard in the first round of this year’s draft.

5.  Steven Jackson – Jackson could lead all RBs in catches with rookie QB Sam Bradford using him as a safety net. He could approach 2000+ total yards. If he can find the end zone, he could climb even further up the list.

6.  Ray Rice – Rice is another good bet to lead RBs in receptions. He is very elusive. If it weren’t for Willis McGahee stealing looks at the goal line, he could be be a top three back.

7.  Andre Johnson – Johnson will likely catch 100 passes for 1500 yards and eight TDs. That’s a heck of a foundation for a team.

8.  Michael Turner – So he doesn’t catch the ball out of the backfield. What he does do, though, is score TDs. He has 27 TDs in 27 games for the Falcons.

9.  Larry Fitzgerald – It’s a little worrisome that Matt Leinart is replacing Kurt Warner, but Fitz is truly a special athlete. He has great hands, leaping ability, and body control. He may not reach the 1400 yards and 10 TDs you’ve come to expect over the years, but he’ll still be highly productive.

10.  Reggie Wayne – Even when players emerge around him, he still manages to catch 100 balls for 1264 yards and 10 TDs. With Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon and others  in the mix, it will be hard to double Wayne. He’ll chew up single-coverage.

11.   Brandon Marshall – Marshall has caught 100+ passes the last three years, and actually has an upgrade at QB (Henne) over last year (Orton). Hopefully his new home in Miami will keep him focused on football and away from the sideshow antics.

12.  Aaron Rodgers – Even in a PPR league, there is something to be said of a QB with Rodgers’ skill level, a ton of weapons, a good system, and the ability to provide bonus points with his feet.

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It’s time for my first look at first round selections for fantasy football non-PPR 12-team drafts. Click here for my PPR league first round mock draft.

1.  Adrian Peterson – Will the fumbling issue continue to pop up? I say no. Sure, he’ll put the ball on the carpet a time or two, but that happens when you run as violently as All Day does. Judging by the way Peterson improved his receiving ability last year, I think he will have improved ball control this year. I also think Favre and the Vikings won’t be as pass-happy in 2010.

2.  Maurice Jones-Drew – The human bowling ball had no problems taking on a larger role in the offense. He is a virtual lock for 1500+ total yards and 12 TDs.

3.  Chris Johnson – I think the threat of a holdout is real. The longer it drags on into the summer, the further down the list Johnson will slide. More often than not players that holdout see their production suffer. Even if he and the Titans get on the same page, I’m expecting fewer touches. He was simply overused last year.

4. Michael Turner – Turner has to stay healthy, and Atlanta has to prove smarter than last year by letting his injury heal rather than rush him back. When he does play, he is a beast. He could easily lead all RBs in rushing TDs.

5. Frank Gore – There was some speculation that the Niners would add C.J. Spiller in the 2010 NFL Draft. Not only did they not take Spiller, they added two first round offensive lineman in Tackle Anthony Davis and Guard Mike Iupati. You have to like that commitment to the offense. With Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree keeping defenses honest, Gore could turn in a monster season.

6.  Steven Jackson – Jackson is as tough a runner as there is in the NFL. I gained so much respect for him the way he kept hammering away even though his team was miserable. There will be some growing pains with a rookie QB (Sam Bradford) under center, but that could just mean more check down looks for S-Jax.

7.  Andre Johnson – Aside from being kept in check by Darrelle Revis in the season opener (4 catches, 35 yards), AJ averaged 102.5 yards per game with 9 TDs. He is simply a nightmare to cover as he can beat you with his size and his speed.

8.  Ray Rice - Speaking of nightmares, imagine Ray Rice in the open field. I contemplated putting him at number seven, but I think Anquan Boldin’s arrival will reduce Rice’s touches just enough to put him below AJ. This is not a knock on Rice. I’d love to have him as my RB1.

9.  Aaron Rodgers – The NFL has gone the way of the pass. Fantasy still heavily rewards the run, at least in non-ppr leagues. Rodgers gives you the best of both worlds producing with his arm and his feet.

10.  Drew Brees – The sun will come up. Water will flow down stream.  Lindsey Lohan will find trouble. There are a few certainties in life. Drew Brees putting up monster numbers has become one of them.

11.  Peyton Manning – Manning is as consistent as Brees with a longer track record. His team usually has things wrapped up so early that he coasts when you need him the most.

12.  Ryan Grant – Grant quietly has produced back-to-back 1200 yard seasons. The passing game is so strong that it’s hard to keep Grant down. His 11 TDs last year further cement him as a first round pick in my eyes.

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Written by Eric Stashin the Rotoprofessor

Yesterday, I did a Round One mock for non-PPR leagues.  Now it’s time for my first look at first round selections for fantasy football PPR 12-team drafts.

1.  Adrian Peterson -  AP’s hold on #1 isn’t as firm in PPR leagues, but I still believe he brings too much to the table to go with anybody else.  He’s capable of ripping off a 200o yard season, which would put him in some elite company.

2.  Maurice Jones-Drew - I can justify him as the #2 pick in non-PPR leagues, so sliding him to #2 in a PPR league makes complete sense.  Drew should catch 40+ passes to go along with double-digit TDs and 1500+ total yards. 

4.  LaDainian Tomlinson – LT remains a force in PPR leagues.  He may catch fewer passes with an increase role for Darren Sproles, but he still should grab at least 35.  Like I said before, LT’s “down year” was pretty solid.  He should bounce back nicely.

5.  Larry Fitzgerald – Fitz moves up into the top five in PPR leagues for me.  I like sure things in the first round, and Fitz is pretty much it.  He showed a burst in his second Super Bowl TD that I didn’t know he had.  Makes him even scarier.

10.  Randy Moss – I don’t think he’ll catch nearly as many passes as he caught in his record-breaking 2007 season, but Moss should grab 80+ passes with 12+ TDs with Brady back under Center.

12.  Steve Smith - As long as he doesn’t miss time for breaking a teammates nose, Smith should be a first round talent in PPR leagues, bumping Drew Brees out of the 12 slot.  His production with those two missed games and spotty QB play was remarkable.  He can score anytime he touches the football.

It’s time for my first look at first round selections for fantasy football non-PPR 12-team drafts.

1.  Adrian Peterson – Peterson has that amazing blend of power and speed.  He is fresh off a rushing title and another double-digit TD season.  He wasn’t happy with his fumbles last year so he’s working to be even stronger.  If you land the #1 pick, AP is your best bet.

2.  Michael Turner – I know some people are down on Turner this year because of his early struggles against good defenses.  He was  a beast down the stretch, though, scoring in seven of his last eight games.  His TD production will likely decrease because of the Tony Gonzalez signing, but he should be able to produce 1500+ total yards and 12+ TDs.

3.  Maurice Jones-Drew – MJD finally gets a chance to shine on his own, which should translate to monster numbers.  He is a dual-threat with his feet and his hands, and has a nose for the end zone.

5.  LaDainian Tomlinson – The old man still has some life in those tires.  He fought through injuries last year for a down year of 1536 total yards and 12 TDs.  Even if he can match those numbers he’ll be worth a top five selection.

6.  Larry Fitzgerald – Here’s where I part from the norm.  I know, everybody loves RBs, but Fitz produces like one.  He has had 1400 yards/10 TDs in three of the past four years.  I prefer him over the other RBs at this point.

10.  Randy Moss – Moss is right up there with all the RBs as one of the most likely players to have double-digit TDs.  He caught 11 with Matt Cassell, so one would think a healthy Tom Brady could lead him closer to the record 23 in caught in 2007.

12.  Drew Brees – Can you tell my faith in RBs this year has been challenged?  There are too many RBBCs and the rules favor the passing game.  Drew Brees is an absolute stud QB who should throw for 4500+ yards and around 30 TDs.