Staff Fantasy Football Draft Recap: Analysis of Our 14-Team PPR League
Highlights From the Final Four Rounds
AJ Weinberg got a steal at quarterback, waiting just long enough to snag Russell Wilson at the end of the 11th. If all of the 10th round quarterbacks weren't good enough value, AJ's decision to wait until late in the 11th provided even more potential to exceed his investment.
Ari Ross picked Martellus Bennett in the 11th round, giving him one of the top-four targets on the high-octane Bears' offense. His "personality" issues in camp this summer may be scaring some drafters away, but he's the best tight end on the roster by a mile, and one of the most underrated in fantasy football. This was a great pick this late in the draft.
Both Ari and JJ handcuffed their top running backs in these rounds, with Ari grabbing Ka'Deem Carey and JJ getting Jerick McKinnon. However, JJ would immediately regret his decision, as Travis Kelce would go off the board a few picks later, leaving him without the tight end he targeted at the expense of a running back he may never use.
My picks:
Jordan Matthews, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Alex Smith, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts
I made the mistake of passing on Russell Wilson, taking Williams and Matthews at the 10/11 turn instead. My biggest regret from this draft was not getting Wilson that late, and instead ending up with Alex Smith.
Not that Smith is a bad pick (and he actually has very favorable matchups to start the season), but I didn't want to end up streaming quarterbacks in a 14-team league. I left myself with no choice, and chose Smith in hopes that I could cobble together a decent QB season from waiver wire pickups or possible by trade shortly into the season.
I did plan on streaming tight ends, which is why Fleener was my final pick. In the article referenced for Smith above, I also point out the Colts' soft pass defense schedule to start the year, something that a red zone target like Fleener should exploit.
And Jacquizz Rodgers was a good running back depth pick, several rounds after Devonta Freeman (who may end up behind Rodgers on the Atlanta depth chart). Rodgers is a proven (if unspectacular) runner and pass catcher, and figures to help spell Steven Jackson from time to time as Matt Ryan's backfield companion.
