2012 Fantasy Football Draft: Fantasy Mock Draft



Aug. 16, 2012.

This is a 2012 Fantasy Football Mock Draft I took part in with 11 other members of the forum. As usual, I’ll have analysis of my picks, as well as the best and worst selections from each two rounds.

Just a heads up that we have 2012 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts every Wednesday evening. Check out the fantasy mock draft thread for details.

Oh, and you can see our chat log here.




MY PICKS, ROUNDS 1-2: I chose the seventh spot because I wanted to draft in the worst position. I assumed I’d have to make a choice between Chris Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. Luckily for me, Tom Brady dropped to No. 7.

I wanted Julio Jones, Andre Johnson or Greg Jennings at 2.06. I was happy that all of those running backs went prior to the latter.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 1-2: I really don’t have any “best picks.” There were several very good ones, but nothing that stood out. However, you might be looking at this and thinking, “Julio Jones in the first round?” Well, that’s right where he should be. He’s a stud.

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 1-2: You can’t win your fantasy league in the first few rounds, but you can sure as hell lose it. Darren McFadden, DeMarco Murray, Trent Richardson and Steven Jackson were reaches because of durability concerns. Of course, they’re all solid selections compared to Adrian Peterson at No. 11 overall. Where the hell did that come from?



MY PICKS, ROUNDS 3-4: I’m quite happy with Ahmad Bradshaw in Round 3. Yes, he might get hurt, but he’s definitely worth the risk where I took him. And as for Jordy Nelson, well, as I jotted his name down on my sheet, I noticed that I did, indeed, draft two Packer wideouts. I cursed myself for not paying attention at first, but then I realized that they both could have huge games each week. So, I’m fine with it.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 3-4: It was either Hakeem Nicks or Bradshaw for me, so Team C made a good choice at 3.06. I also like where Antonio Gates and Percy Harvin went. The best value selection in these two rounds, however, is Roddy White at 4.02. What a steal.

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 3-4: Jermichael Finley and Aaron Hernandez went too early. Reggie Bush is too injury-prone to be drafted in Round 4. And Doug Martin may not win the starting job over LeGarrette Blount, who looked shockingly phenomenal in the preseason opener.




MY PICKS, ROUNDS 5-6: I was really hoping Steve Johnson would fall to me so I could use him as a fifth-round flex. I got my wish. Meanwhile, Mark Ingram isn’t the greatest RB2 to own, but he’s healthy, so he could score double-digit touchdowns in his sophomore campaign.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 5-6: I circled three players I really wanted at 5.06: Johnson, Antonio Brown and Jeremy Maclin. They all went in consecutive order. I also liked where Matt Ryan, Eli Manning, Tony Romo and Philip Rivers went. If I chose between Chris Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald at No. 6 overall, I gladly would have taken one of them at 6.06.

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 5-6: Mike Wallace shouldn’t go in the fifth round. Even if he reports to camp, he’s at risk for an injury because he hasn’t been practicing. The two Peytons – Hillis and Manning – went too early for my taste. Also, Jason Witten should go later based on today’s news that he may miss Week 1, but I’ll excuse BasedGod because that was reported very recently.



MY PICKS, ROUNDS 7-8: Stevan Ridley looked good in his preseason debut, so I’ll happily take him as my third running back. Darrius Heyward-Bey will be my fourth receiver. I’m hoping that he picks up where he left off during his hot finish last year.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 7-8: It was either Ridley or Kevin Smith, so Sancho made a great pick at 7.08. Smith will start for the Lions in Week 1. Other selections I liked were Torrey Smith (7.03), Denarius Moore (7.09), Evan Royster (8.02), Titus Young (8.03) and Nate Washington (8.08).

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 7-8: I’m all for obtaining Rashad Jennings because Maurice Jones-Drew will be injury-prone this year, but Round 7 is just too early for him. As for Round 8, Kenny Britt and Roy Helu just don’t belong there. Check my 2012 Fantasy Football Stock Reports for details.




MY PICKS, ROUNDS 9-10: I’m only going to use Robert Griffin once this season, but he’s a great backup to have just in case Tom Brady goes down. Plus, this pick reminds me of something forum member Injured Reserve did in one of my leagues last year. He had Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback and started him every week, but he also stashed Cam Newton on his bench. He never dealt Newton, reasoning that getting someone in return would upgrade his team a little but, but improve the other squad a lot. Well, maybe I can theoretically accomplish the same feat with Griffin.

Brent Celek’s my starting tight end. Meh. Moving on.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 9-10: Nothing really stands out as special in these two rounds. I suppose DeAngelo Williams is good value at 10.02. He can be an RB2 at the very least if Jonathan Stewart gets hurt. Austin Collie could be a nice selection too, given his apparent rapport with Andrew Luck.

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 9-10: David Wilson is a nice handcuff to have for Ahmad Bradshaw. I have Bradshaw, but even if I wouldn’t have taken him in Round 9. I would have considered him at 10.06 possibly, but more likely at 11.07.

Ronnie Hillman, Justin Blackmon and 49ers Defense stand out as other bad picks. Hillman is hurt; Blackmon has to catch passes from Blaine Gabbert; and San Francisco has to battle the Packers and Lions in the first two weeks of the season, rendering its stop unit useless.



MY PICKS, ROUNDS 11-12: Two running backs with upside. Shane Vereen is a handcuff for Stevan Ridley, both of whom looked terrific in the preseason opener. Mikel Leshoure will be back in Week 3. He could eventually start if Kevin Smith gets hurt.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 11-12: I was actually thinking about taking Kyle Rudolph in the 12th round as a backup tight end. Steve Smith, chosen two selections later, looked like Sam Bradford’s preferred weapon on Sunday. Jon Baldwin, Greg Little, Ronnie Brown and Santana Moss all provided very good value.

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 11-12: Andy Dalton offers no upside as a backup quarterback, so why take him? And speaking of no upside, Brandon LaFell blows.

Also, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens? Blegh.




MY PICKS, ROUNDS 13-15: Defense, kicker and high-upside, late-round flier. Kendall Hunter ran really well in the exhibition opener. Go here to read all of my Preseason Game Recaps, complete with fantasy football notes.

BEST PICKS, ROUNDS 13-15: Pierre Thomas and Robert Turbin were really nice Round 13 selections. Both of them could very easily be used as starters this season. Michael Crabtree was a solid pick in the next round.

WORST PICKS, ROUNDS 13-15: There’s one awful choice in these final three rounds. Can you find it? Hint: The player headbutted his wife recently. Make sure you check out Jerks of the Week on Monday for more on this.




My Fantasy Team:

QB – Tom Brady, Patriots
RB – Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
RB – Mark Ingram, Saints
WR – Greg Jennings, Packers
WR – Jordy Nelson, Packers
RB/WR/TE – Steve Johnson, Bills WR
TE – Brent Celek, Eagles
K – Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
DEF – Lions Defense

BN – Stevan Ridley, Patriots RB
BN – Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders WR
BN – Robert Griffin, Redskins QB
BN – Shane Vereen, Patriots RB
BN – Mikel Leshoure, Lions RB
BN – Kendall Hunter, 49ers RB

I really like this team. I’m pretty strong at quarterback and wide receiver. My RB1 and tight end slots aren’t too bad. I’m weak at RB2, but who isn’t this year? To make up for it though, I have plenty of high-upside backs, two of whom could very easily pan out as capable starters.






More 2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football: Home

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 7/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Re-Draft) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Dynasty) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 16 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/20 (Walt)
WalterFootball.com $1,000 Contest on FanDuel.com - 11/4

2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)

2012 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2012 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/27 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB Mock Draft - 7/17 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard 14-Team Mock Draft - 7/12 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Touchdown-Format Mock Draft - 7/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard Mock Draft - 7/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 6/22 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Mock Draft - 6/14 (Walt)
The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Mock Draft - 5/18 (Walt)

2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football Stock: Training Camp, OTAs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Targets - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: 20 Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/21 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Busts - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Early-Middle Rounds) - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 5/26 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks, Tight Ends - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)




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