Q: You had the top overall pick and chose Adrian Peterson. Was that a no-brainer for you, or a tough call? Who else were you considering?
A: It wasn't a no-brainer and having the No. 1 pick means your next selection is a long way away, so I was focused on drafting a consistent, reliable and (for the most part) durable player, and AP fits the bill. I would have been happy with a pick as low as No. 7 though, as Arian Foster (whom I considered), Michael Turner, Jamaal Charles, Chris Johnson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice would have been easy choices to make and a later pick might have afforded me an opportunity to swoop in on a player like Ryan Mathews in Round 2. But if DeAngelo Williams leaves Carolina, I actually love my 1-2 running back punch (Peterson, Jonathan Stewart).
Q: You picked Wes Welker in Round 4 in a non-PRR. What are your expectations for him this year?
A: Welker will be further removed from his serious knee injury, and as it is, he did pretty well on his surgically-repaired wheel last season. I am banking on him regaining some more burst this year, and given his chemistry with Tom Brady, consistent week-to-week production resulting in 1,100-1,200 receiving yards is well within reach for him once again. Granted, he's not a classic red-zone weapon, but he's dangerous on quick out patterns in close, so I'll pencil him in for about eight TDs, which I'll also do for Reggie Wayne and Santonio Holmes.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: If DeAngelo Williams leaves Carolina, then I love my Jonathan Stewart snag at the end of Round 2. Marion Barber could be a wasted pick. If so, no great loss, as he'd be my first cut if we played this out. I was all set to pick Toby Gerhart instead, but he went two picks earlier, and I had to scramble to decide between Barber, Ricky Williams and Clinton Portis, a trio of name brands whose stock has declined.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: Steals include Daniel Thomas, but only if the Dolphins lose both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and strike out on DeAngelo Williams. Yes, it's a one-QB league, but those landing Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers and Peyton Manning in the fourth round have to be stoked. Darts I like include (Arizona-bound?) Kevin Kolb in Round 12, Greg Little (possible top WR target in Cleveland) in Round 11 and Roy Helu (Ryan Torain is very breakable) in Round 9. Reaches include Aaron Rodgers, a great player, to be sure, but where he went in relation to the other elite QBs just mentioned was high. As much as I like the bruising Peyton Hillis, I see him losing carries to Montario Hardesty, with an eye toward keeping him intact. Given all the labor uncertainty, it was harder than ever to make accurate projections on certain players, so when this draft is dissected in August, there will be quite a number of picks that end up looking like tremendous values, or on the flip side, glaring reaches.
BRAD EVANS YAHOO! SPORTS
Q: You got Arian Foster with the No. 2 overall pick. Would you have taken him at No. 1? If not, who else were you considering at that pick?
A: Many would consider Foster's breakthrough season fluky. Without a track record or high-round pedigree some would say he's very risky in the top-three. But no player drafted in the top-five is in a better position to repeat success than the reigning rushing king. Houston's offense, unlike Minnesota and Tennessee's, is a well-oiled machine, which jives perfectly with Foster's skill set. He was the top back on my board.
Q: You took Miles Austin in Round 2 and Tony Romo in Round 4. Did you wish you had taken Dez Bryant instead of Mike Williams (TB) in Round 3 to monopolize the Dallas passing game?
A: My subconscious apparently wears a Herschel Walker jersey. With Romo again manning the controls, the 'Boys should be a high-powered offense capable of amassing juicy fantasy totals. Also, considering their shortcomings on defense - Dallas allowed over 27 points per game in '10 - shootouts could become a regular occurrence in 2011. Keeping the situation in mind, getting my hands on a pair of Big Ds was imperative. Romo and Austin could puncture their respective positions' top-five by season's end.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: In hindsight, snagging Redskins rookie Roy Helu in Round 9 was a criminal offense. Mike Shanahan, though completely untrustworthy and at times downright sinister, is notorious for developing standout RB talent. The Nebraska product's excellent blend of size, speed and strength meshes nicely with the 'Skins' zone-blocking scheme. If he flourishes in camp, it wouldn't be at all surprising if he becomes the workhorse over Ryan Torain and fellow rookie Evan Royster. Because I'm a delusional masochist, selecting Joe Addai in Round 7 was regrettable. The 28-year-old is injury prone, on the downside of his career and poised to lose significant touches to rookie Delone Carter. He's an acceptable RB3, but with more desirable backs still on the board, I should've abstained from taking the My Little Pony.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: Pianow's pick of Matt Ryan in Round 8 was a major heist. Coming off his best season to date and adding the explosive Julio Jones to his arsenal, Matty Ice will likely flash-freeze the competition. He's a certified QB1 capable of 4,000-plus yards with 32-35 touchdowns. Engel pulled bone-from-socket reaching for Mark Ingram in Round 3. Sure, the former Heisman Trophy winner is incredibly talented, but he's in a very crowded backfield and playing in an offense that isn't shy about passing near the goal line. Point blank: when it comes to carries distribution and exact role, Sean Payton shouldn't be trusted. Am I right former Pierre Thomas owners?
STEVE RANNAZZISI PLAYS "KEVIN" in FX's "THE LEAGUE"
Q: You took Chris Johnson with the No. 3 overall pick. Would you have taken him at No. 2 or No. 1? And what makes him better than Jamaal Charles, who went at No. 4?
A: To start off with, drafting in May for any reason, to quote Jeff Schaffer [creator of "The League"]: "is like having an arranged marriage when you are five. Who knows how things are going to turn out?" I chose Chris Johnson No. 3 because I think he is the best player on a team with a new coach who wants to impress. You give the ball to your best player in that situation. I would do it again and maybe even with a No. 2 pick. He will have an amazing year.
A: I chose Steve Johnson in the third round ahead of DeSean Jackson because he is the star there in Buffalo and is going to lead that team to the playoffs. I said it PLAYOFFS!! Take that!
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I am happiest about Tom Brady. Blue chip stock. Always reliable. I regret taking Toby Gerhart. Much like the many times in my life I have told my wife this, "I am not sure why I did that ... Sorry."
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: For sleepers I like WR Julio Jones ... not sure if he is considered a sleeper being a top draft pick, but I think he is going to have a really good rookie year.
DAN ROEMHILD ROTOWIRE.COM
Q: You drafted Sidney Rice in Round 5 despite the Vikings having QB problems. How confident are you that he's good enough to produce with a rookie QB or a mediocre vet under center? Are you banking on him playing elsewhere next year?
A: Rice has a lot of variables in play this off-season. Is the hip 100 percent healthy again? Who will be the Vikings' QB? Will he even be in Minnesota in 2011? The upcoming year is still pretty murky, but let's not forget Rice's 2009 campaign where he posted over 1,300 yards on just 121 targets (10.8 yds/target is the third best rate among players with 100-plus targets since 2003). Worst-case scenario, Rice suffers through a season of Christian Ponder and finishes 2011 as a borderline starting fantasy WR. Best case? Donovan McNabb dons purple and gold and hooks up with Rice for 88 catches, 1,257 yards and 13 TD.
Q: You drafted Matthew Stafford and Kevin Kolb as your two QBs rather than settling on a proven signal-caller. Explain that strategy.
A: After I passed on the top-tier options under center, QB is definitely a concern on my roster. Although injuries have obviously limited the sample, Stafford's first two years have raised a few statistical question marks - a mediocre completion percentage, high interception rate and dismal 5.9 YPA. But if the Lions are able keep him healthy and upright, it's feasible Stafford could jump into the upper ranks of yardage totals, especially while launching deep balls to supreme physical specimen Calvin Johnson. I'm pretty skeptical of Kolb's long-term outlook, but if he ends up in Arizona throwing jump balls to Larry Fitzgerald this year, he could be a serviceable spot starter. I was actually hoping to land Sam Bradford as my backup QB, but AdaM Caplan snagged him a few spots earlier in the 12th round.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: Call me crazy, but I would have actually considered Jamaal Charles first overall. We've seen the ceilings of the other top backs - we know what they can do. But we haven't seen what Charles can do with 300 carries, which is within the realm of possibility as Thomas Jones gets closer to retirement. Charles averaged 6.38 yards per carry last year, which was the second best mark in the history of the NFL (6.40, Jim Brown, 1963). Given the opportunity, could Charles eclipse CJ2K's record 2,509 yards from scrimmage? Maybe not, but if I'm going to gamble, I'm taking a chance on Charles.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I'm not a huge fan of third-round pick Steve Johnson, who had a meager 12 catches in his two seasons before 2010. He even tailed off last season, failing to exceed 75 yards in any of the final six contests, with just one total touchdown. I was really hoping Philip Rivers would have slid one more spot in the fourth. He's always a safe bet with a high floor, yet still possesses the potential to threaten the 300-YPG mark. Rivers could easily be in the hunt to be the top fantasy QB at the end of the year.
A: Last I checked, this wasn't a PPR, and while Turner will give up some yards from scrimmage in the passing game, he's a safer bet to see a larger workload than McCoy (207 carries), and he's assured of all the red-zone looks. In fact, Turner led the NFL in red-zone carries (72), inside-the-10 carries (44) and in- side-the-five carries (26). As for Mendenhall, he averaged 3.9 YPC and only had 82 more receiving yards than Turner last year. MJD is coming off knee surgery and will be limited in camp. Plus, the Atlanta offense is far more stable than Jacksonville's, with a franchise quarterback and now another big-play threat in Julio Jones.
Q: Your obsession with Randy Moss knows no bounds, as you predictably took him with your eighth-round pick. Make your case he's not done.
A: He might well be done, but that's not the point. The point is what he'll bring if he's not done. The last time we thought he might be done was after the 2006 season with the Raiders, and he came back to set the NFL record for touchdown catches the following year with 23. Moss was elite as recently as 2009, and there were no reports that he was injured. I honestly have no idea what the issue was with him last year, and for all I know, it could be something that's beyond fixing. But if it isn't I might have gotten a first or second-round receiver in Round 8. That's worth a gamble.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I like Philip Rivers in Round 4. In a 12- team league, I'd wait all day on QBs, but when you go to 14 teams, it adds some scarcity, and having an elite one matters more. Not loving the Demaryius Thomas pick. I was looking for upside, but realistically, he won't be back un- til the season's second half, and I'd probably have to drop him before that.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I think Engel getting Brandon Lloyd in Round 4 was a great value. Players who come out of nowhere are rightly discounted to an extent, but this is last year's No. 1 overall fantasy wideout, albeit with a different coach and quarterback. I also liked Jeremy Maclin and Dez Bryant with the two next picks. As good as Aaron Rodgers and Michael Vick are, when you see Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Tony Romo and Tom Brady going in Round 4, it's hard to justify using a first-round pick on a quarterback. Of course, Engel and VanRiper didn't know at the time where those other QBs would go.
JEFF ERICKSON ROTOWIRE.COM
Q: You took Ryan Mathews, one of last year's biggest busts, in Round 2. Explain.
A: I was encouraged by how Mathews finished the season, once he was finally healthy. I still believe the talent is there, and more importantly, he's in an offense that's potent enough to provide many opportunities in the red zone. This was an investment in the talent, not last year's stats. I feel more comfortable with this pick than I do with my first-round pick, Maurice Jones-Drew - more on that pick later.
Q: Give us your expectations for Ryan Williams (Round 5) in Arizona this year.
A: Williams was the running back getting a lot of buzz from draft analysts, including my personal favorite Greg Cosell, before the Cardinals snagged him with the 38th overall pick. Between Beanie Wells constantly getting hurt and Tim Hightower continually fumbling, there should be ample opportunity for Williams to win a significant portion of the carries. Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt has always wanted to have the ability to grind it out on offense, and a healthy Williams gives him a chance to do that.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I think I'm least happy about my first pick, Maurice Jones-Drew, whom I took at No. 6 overall. After the top four slots, there's not much separation between the next 6-to-10 picks, but in retrospect I'd rather have taken a player on the rise, be it LeSean McCoy or Darren McFadden, than a guy coming off knee surgery like MJD. Otherwise, I was pretty happy with my draft. While I liked my 6th- 9th round picks, my favorite had to be Ryan Mathews, because it annoyed Chris Liss.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: Typically steal and reach responses are laughable, especially when the draft is in May. It's even worse this year, with the lockout. Nonetheless, I think Scott Engel did a good job cornering the market with potential steals and reaches. He took three of the biggest breakouts from last year (Michael Vick, Peyton Hillis and Brandon Lloyd) and six rookies. That said, I think Brandon Lloyd in the fourth is the steal, and Hillis is the reach - I just wouldn't have wanted to take him there.
JOHN HANSEN FANTASYGURU.COM
Q: You took Vincent Jackson in Round 3 - who probably won't be happy if he's in San Diego this year, and who's likely to see a downgrade in environment if he leaves. What's your take on the situation?
A: I believe he'll stay in San Diego, and that he's a professional who will do everything he needs to do as a starter for this team. I'm all about impact players, and Jackson's a beast who plays with one of the league's deadliest passers - plus the Chargers have the continuity needed to handle the missed workout time in the offseason.
Q: You took James Starks in Round 6, ahead of the returning Ryan Grant. Handicap the RB battle in Green Bay for us.
A: While we were drafting, I felt there was a chance that Grant could get released, and the drafting of Alex Green was a big factor in forming that opinion. If Grant's around, then it'll be a committee, so my sixth-round pick may be a bit of a reach. But how can you not be impressed with what Starks did for them in the playoffs? He may be a little unproven still, but he's more talented than Grant. If Grant is released, then Starks should be in line for a healthy percentage of the touches in this backfield.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I really liked my team overall, and while QB Peyton Manning was a great value in the fourth round, my seventh-round selection of Saint TE Jimmy Graham may have made my draft. We had him as our No. 1 keeper TE in 2010, but I was still surprised he was able to play such a key role for them late in the season. Every time they were in the red zone, it seemed like QB Drew Brees was looking for the tall and athletic Graham, and who can blame him? If GrahaM Continues to progress in his second season, he'll be an outstanding value in 2011.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: Steals: Larry Fitzgerald will bounce back nicely with a new QB, and I was going to take him in the 2nd. Reaches: I love Jacoby Ford, but not in the sixth round.
SCOTT PIANOWSKI YAHOO! SPORTS
Q: You took Felix Jones in Round 3 even though he's never eclipsed 800 rushing yards or three touchdowns. What's his ceiling in 2011?
A: While it might seem silly to look at Felix Jones before and after Wade Phillips, since Jason Garrett was there the entire season, the Cowboys did use Jones a lot more in the second half of the year (112 carries, up from 73 in the first eight games). Jones had at least 83 total yards in each of those appearances, and the workload didn't seem to wear him down. If Jones comes to camp a little thinner - his bulk last year might have cost him explosiveness - I could see him aver- aging better than five yards a carry and scoring eight times or more in 2011. It's a leap of faith on the TDs, since he probably won't get short rushing scores, but when Jones is right he can score from anywhere on the field.
A: I didn't just pass on Manning and Rivers in that spot - Tom Brady and Tony Romo were also on the board. I thought I'd get a shot at Manning, Brady or Rivers in Round 5, which encouraged me to wait (poor judgment at the end of the day). Boldin's dip in Baltimore wasn't that surprising - free agent receivers seldom do much in the first year. At least he stayed healthy and played a full schedule for the first time since 2006. I'm trusting that an extra year of reps with Joe Flacco will get the numbers back to a borderline Pro-Bowl level.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I loved landing Rob Gronkowski in the 10th round. Tom Brady loves feeding the big guys at the goal line, and any player with a name that ends in "owski" is sure to lead you to a season of glory (even Sebastian Janikowski fell into this powerful vacuum last year). I probably reached on Ryan Torain (Round 6), given the history of Mike Shanahan and backfield shuffling. Of course, most of the league handles things like that today.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I was prepared to take Cedric Benson in the fifth round but John Hansen got there first (damn draft order). Benson isn't a home-run hitter, but he's a back who figures to get heavy work no matter where the game situation is. Don't underestimate the floor that comes from that. I also think Tim Tebow (Dalton Del Don, Round 11) is an absolute bargain if the Broncos commit to him as the starter. I'm a Zach Miller fan (and a Mike Doria fan), but I don't see enough upside to justify a pick at the end of the sixth round. There are too many similar tight ends available later.
MIKE SAWYER/TIM SCHULER ROTOWIRE.COM
Q: You took the Raiders' Darren McFadden with the No. 9 overall pick. Explain why he's a better choice than the Eagles' LeSean McCoy, or an elite quarterback like Aaron Rodgers.
A: I never take a quarterback in the first round, so that ruled out Rodgers, good as he is. That left the pick between McFadden and McCoy, and I couldn't let go of what McFadden did down the stretch last year. The new OC in Oakland sounds like he'll be relying on him all season.
A: Freeman was just one of those guys I wanted to get as my QB. He showed a ton last year, and it's only going to get better. Plus the rushing yards are gravy.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I'm happiest about Freeman ... that whole offense should continue to develop nicely together. There's a little bit of buyer's remorse with Anthony Dixon. I'M Convinced Gore will get hurt again, but with the drafting of Kendall Hunter there are a lot of things that need to go right for Dixon to get regular playing time.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I liked Calvin Johnson in the second, Peyton Manning in the fourth (hard to get that type of consistent production in the fourth round) and Sam Bradford in the 12th. I didn't think there were too many reaches, but certain running backs - namely Ryan Mathews, Mark Ingram and Ronnie Brown - went higher than they probably should have.
A: There's too much uncertainty around DeAngelo Williams, and I'd rarely if ever take a QB or TE within the first four rounds of a draft. As for Greene specifically, sure there's risk involved, but I guess I believe Rex Ryan when he says it's time for Greene finally to become their feature back, something even LaDainian Tomlinson acknowledges. Greene was a late first/early second-round pick last year, so I didn't hesitate to grab him late in the third round now that he's no longer locked in a timeshare.
Q: You drafted Dez Bryant in Round 4, even though the Cowboys have two other high-target players in Miles Austin and Jason Witten. Assuming all three stay healthy, how many targets does Bryant get, and what will he do with them?
A: I couldn't believe Bryant lasted so long. In fact, Michael Crabtree and Anquan Boldin were the next two picks, a couple of receivers with significantly less upside. I'm not sure how many targets Bryant gets in 2011, but I saw enough from him as a rookie to feel like he's a special talent, and it helps having Tony Romo throwing to him as well. Just wait until he even begins to learn route running. I'd probably have taken Bryant over Miles Austin. I'd also set Bryant having as many (or more) touchdowns than Reggie Wayne at even odds.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: As happy as I was getting Bryant, I was ecstatic to get LeSean McCoy at pick No. 10. He's the No. 6 overall player on my board. I actually like Jacoby Ford as a sleeper this year, but I probably could have waited another round to get him. I didn't like my options at that point in the draft.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I really liked Scott Pianowski's Kenny Britt pick. I'm loathe to call any a "reach," so I'll give a fun observation instead: All of Scott Engel's first five picks typically went undrafted in 2010. Fantasy football is crazy.
KEVIN PAYNE ROTOWIRE.COM
Q: You took Matt Forte early in Round 2. Justify that selection.
A: When you draft Matt Forte, you're also drafting offensive genius Mike Martz (think Marshall Faulk). Forte amassed more than 1,600 yards from scrimmage and looked completely different last season than his injury- riddled 2009 campaign. He showed the burst he had as a rookie and despite a questionable offensive line, averaged 4.5 yards per carry. First-round pick Gabe Carimi should open some holes for Forte, and if they ever decide to use him as opposed to Chester Taylor at the goal line, look out.
Q: You were the first owner to draft a rookie - Daniel Thomas - in Round 3. What are you projections for him - carries and yards - in Miami?
A: The Dolphins could still bring back Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams, but that they traded up to get Daniel Thomas in the second round suggests he'll be the main ball carrier in the Miami backfield. At 6-0, 230, he has tremendous size and showed throughout college he could use his vision to make quick cuts when necessary. I'd expect him to be the most productive rookie running back, and I'll predict 250 carries for 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: I really liked snagging Jeremy Maclin in the fourth round. I think he gets lost in all the hype DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick receive. Many don't realize but Maclin was just as valuable in fantasy terms as Jackson last year, thanks in part to 21 red-zone targets, which led to 10 touchdowns. I'd be shocked if Maclin goes as a higher pick than Jackson in any format and expect him to build on last season as a third-year pro. I don't necessarily regret taking Danario Alexander in the eighth round - his blend of size and speed are intriguing - but I probably could have waited another round or two to grab him.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I think the steal of the draft is going to be Jimmy Graham. Jeremy Shockey has left town, which should give Smith the majority of the targets he leaves behind. Even though Smith only recorded 31 catches, he had five touch- downs. This shows that Drew Brees loves to look for his 6-6 frame in the red zone. I wasn't a huge fan of getting Kenny Britt in the fifth round. He's facing three charges, and I'd guess Goodell hands down at least a four-game suspension. Britt will likely have a rookie quarterback under center and with the team having a bye in Week 6, he'll probably be available for only one game out of the first six. By Week 7 your fantasy playoff aspirations may already be over.
SCOTT ENGEL ROTOEXPERTS.COM
Q: You took Michael Vick with the 12th overall pick. How much higher would you have gone? How concerned are you that his style of play will cost you games?
A: I likely would not have taken him earlier. With all the running backs gone at that point, he clearly stood out as the best pure selection. He may cost me, but he will also carry me to key victories. As long as I get quality insurance, as I did with Joe Flacco in the 10th round, I will be fine.
Q: You grabbed Brandon Lloyd early in Round 4. Were you surprised to see last year's top WR fall that far? Do you think he can repeat an out-of-nowhere career year with Tim Tebow now under center?
A: I was not surprised. Most owners will not trust Lloyd with his track record. Yet the talent has always been there, and the situation and timing were right last year. He has found a home in Denver and will demand the ball and get it, no matter who the QB is.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret? A: Mark Ingram will prove to be a great selection in the third round. He's the goal-line finisher the Saints have been missing in their offense. He will also be the dependable running back they have been seeking. I rarely regret any picks, and did not have any here. But I may have taken Julio Jones too early. Drafting during a lockout with no free agent movement, though, changed the landscape significantly.
Q:. Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: I would have not taken Josh Freeman in the sixth round. He will be very inconsistent this year and will show some true signs of youth. Ryan Williams could be a nice value in the fifth round.
A: Undoubtedly my strategy is a risky one, but when you consider the workload Moreno should see both as the primary running back and as a regular short option for Tim Tebow out of the backfield as a receiver, it's easy to envision a scenario where he puts up career numbers across the board. Generally, I steer toward low-mileage backs to mitigate the durability and per-carry effectiveness concerns that arise when they get into their late-20s and early-30s. League size is also a factor here as the drop-off at quarterback and tight end is much worse than at running back and receiver.
Q: Speaking of which - Spiller received just 74 carries last year. How do you expect Buffalo to use him in 2011?
A: Fred Jackson's YPC dipped from 4.5 to 4.2 last season, and while his versatility and experience should keep him involved through some form of a timeshare, the Bills lack explosive playmakers on offense, and that's what Spiller can provide in Year 2. The lack of carries was a byproduct not only of Marshawn Lynch being on the roster early in the season, but also a hamstring injury that sidelined him for two games and the need to develop a better understanding of the Bills offense. Healthy, with more experience and less competition for carries, the former first-round pick will undoubtedly see a larger share of the workload.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: Antonio Gates had another season of double-digit touchdowns, and he was playing on one good foot for a significant portion of the year. Even with the missed time and having to play at less than 100 percent, Gates had a career-high 12.0 YPT mark in 2010. On the other side, the Saints spread the ball around so well, I will probably regret grabbing Robert Meachem over Mario Manningham with the final pick in Round 7. Both players are very efficient on a per-target basis, but Manningham's path to consistent targets every week seems to be clearer.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: Given Darren McFadden's inability to stay healthy and the likelihood that the Raiders will use two backs anyway, I think Michael Bush will be one of the steals of this draft as a seventh rounder. The numbers were there for the middle two-thirds of last season, but I have a hard time seeing Dwayne Bowe return the value needed to justify a second-round pick. Further, Marshawn Lynch could be a huge bust given his tumble in YPC (down to 3.5 last season), and I have always been a proponent of getting Justin Forsett more involved. The Seahawks' expected changes at quarterback make many of their skill position players risky options on draft day.
Q: You took DeAngelo Williams late in Round 3. Does he still have the explosion that made him the league's top fantasy back in 2008?
A: As long as he's healthy, he should be fine. The issue is whether he can be an elite back again. Getting him late in the third round as my second back represents pretty good value.
Q: Roddy White, whom you took with the 16th overall pick, led the NFL in targets last year. Does that change with the Falcons mortgaging the farm to draft Julio Jones in the first round?
A: Keep in mind that while he was targeted so much, his average per catch dropped significantly later in the season because of a lingering knee injury. Having Jones can only help him get freed up more.
Q: Which pick are you happiest about, and which, if any, do you regret?
A: Probably Drew Brees as the one I was happiest with considering the other players on the board. There was a huge drop-off after him.
Q: Who were the steal(s) and reach(es) of the draft?
A: Reaches: As much as I like Jacoby Ford, he has a very shaky QB throwing to him in Jason Campbell, so I don't think he was a good value in the sixth round. And selecting TE Zach Miller also in the sixth round is a bit too early for the same reason. Steals: Getting Joe Flacco, who threw for 25 TDs last season, is a steal in the 10th round considering the Ravens have already added two quality WRs in the draft. Getting RB Roy Helu, a potential starter for the Redskins in the ninth round, is a nice value.
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