Aug. 20, 2009.
This is the 2009 ESPN Fantasy Football Mock Draft, conducted on Aug. 12. I’ll have my analysis of it after each round. Be sure to check out my other 2009 Fantasy Football articles, which will include rankings, training camp/preseason stock pages, sleepers, busts, cheat sheets and other things.
ROUND 1:
(1) Lipscomb – Adrian Peterson RB
(2) Karabell – Michael Turner RB
(3) Daube – LaDainian Tomlinson RB
(4) Mass – RB Matt Forte RB
(5) Cockcroft – Maurice Jones-Drew RB
(6) Berry – Chris Johnson RB
(7) Becquey – Larry Fitzgerald WR
(8) Roberts – Steven Jackson RB
(9) Quintong – DeAngelo Williams RB
(10) Harris – Frank Gore RB
BEST PICK: Only in an ESPN fantasy draft can Matt Forte and Maurice Jones-Drew fall to Nos. 4 and 5. Mass and Cockcroft, whoever you are, thank Karabell for his ineptitude.
WORST PICK: Picking Michael Turner No. 2 overall is an epic failure on Karabell’s part. I hate Turner for a number of reasons this year; I recently delved into it in my 2009 Fantasy Mailbag.
ROUND 2:
(1) Harris – Andre Johnson WR
(2) Quintong – Calvin Johnson WR
(3) Roberts – Steve Slaton RB
(4) Becquey – Randy Moss WR
(5) Berry – Brandon Jacobs RB
(6) Cockcroft – Steve Smith WR
(7) Mass – Tom Brady QB
(8) Daube – Brian Westbrook RB
(9) Karabell – Clinton Portis RB
(10) Lipscomb – Drew Brees QB
BEST PICK: I thought it was ridiculous that Steve Slaton fell to pick 2.03 and Clinton Portis was obtained at the end of Round 2, but then I remembered that ESPN has this silly obsession with 10-man leagues.
I really don’t understand this. People used to do 10-man leagues in the 90s when there weren’t as many fantasy football players. Now, I’m pretty confident in saying that 90 percent of the leagues out there have 12 teams. In fact, I’m in eight leagues this year, and every single one of them has 12 teams. Putting out a 10-team mock draft like this is lazy and irresponsible.
It’s not like ESPN doesn’t have the manpower to put together a 12-man mock draft. Even if no one around the office knows nothing about fantasy, they should at least ask Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin to participate. I’m sure Emmitt would be thrilled to take part in a “fantastic football drafts.”
WORST PICK: I don’t think you need to reach for a quarterback in a lazy and irresponsible 10-team league. Taking Tom Brady at 2.07 here is like obtaining him at 2.05 in a normal league, which is way too early for any signal-caller this year.
ROUND 3:
(1) Lipscomb – Dwayne Bowe WR
(2) Karabell – Marion Barber RB
(3) Daube – Terrell Owens WR
(4) Mass – Greg Jennings WR
(5) Cockcroft – Reggie Wayne WR
(6) Berry – Roddy White WR
(7) Becquey – Kevin Smith RB
(8) Roberts – Peyton Manning QB
(9) Quintong – Thomas Jones RB
(10) Harris – Ronnie Brown RB
BEST PICK: Many dumb picks in this round, but one that made sense was Kevin Smith at 3.07. Good job, Barbecquey.
WORST PICK: I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Quintong’s name rhymes with weed paraphernalia. Thomas Jones in the third round? The same Thomas Jones who will be splitting time with a rookie running back whom the Jets mortgaged their entire Day 2 for? The same Thomas Jones who’s well into his 30s? The same Thomas Jones who can’t punch the ball into the end zone? The same Thomas Jones who will lose more touches to Leon Washington this year? In a lazy 10-man league, Jones shouldn’t be drafted until Round 8.
Also, I don’t get how Dwayne Bowe gets drafted ahead of Roddy White. Harris, meanwhile, will be crying once Ronnie Brown tears his ACL again.
ROUND 4:
(1) Harris – Anquan Boldin WR
(2) Quintong – Marques Colston WR
(3) Roberts – Brandon Marshall WR
(4) Becquey – Ryan Grant RB
(5) Berry – Pierre Thomas RB
(6) Cockcroft – Darren McFadden RB
(7) Mass – T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR
(8) Daube – Roy Williams WR
(9) Karabell – Wes Welker WR
(10) Lipscomb – Marshawn Lynch RB
BEST PICK: Bravo to Matthew Berry for taking Pierre Thomas, but the best selection in this round was made by the Bong Man. I hope Marques Colston falls this far in all of my leagues.
WORST PICK: Marshawn Lynch will not be available for four of Lipscomb’s 13 regular-season games (three-game suspension plus the bye). That’s about 30 percent of Lipscomb’s doomed season.
ROUND 5:
(1) Lipscomb – Derrick Ward RB
(2) Karabell – Antonio Gates TE
(3) Daube – Larry Johnson RB
(4) Mass – Willie Parker RB
(5) Cockcroft – Tony Gonzalez TE
(6) Berry – Vincent Jackson WR
(7) Becquey – Jonathan Stewart RB
(8) Roberts – Braylon Edwards WR
(9) Quintong – Joseph Addai RB
(10) Harris – Antonio Bryant WR
BEST PICK: Hard to like much in this crap-fest, but I suppose Derrick Ward at 5.01, Antonio Gates at 5.02 and Braylon Edwards at 5.08 are good values.
WORST PICK: Shaky and crappy running backs are supposed to be chosen in Rounds 8-11. Not Round 5. Jonathan Stewart has a lingering Achilles injury. Joseph Addai will lose carries to Donald Brown. Larry Johnson is garbage, while Jamaal Charles is a better fit for Kansas City’s spread offense. And Willie Parker is the worst pick of them all.
ROUND 6:
(1) Harris – Aaron Rodgers QB
(2) Quintong – Kurt Warner QB
(3) Roberts – Jason Witten TE
(4) Becquey – Matt Ryan QB
(5) Berry – Tony Romo QB
(6) Cockcroft – Philip Rivers QB
(7) Mass – Chad Ochocinco WR
(8) Daube – DeSean Jackson WR
(9) Karabell – Hines Ward WR
(10) Lipscomb – Dallas Clark TE
BEST PICK: Aaron Rodgers is only slightly lower in my rankings than Drew Brees, so Harris made an awesome selection in Round 6. Roberts’ pick of Jason Witten was my favorite; Witten is easily my No. 1 tight end.
WORST PICK: Kurt Warner is 38. He’s coming off hip surgery. He admitted he’s not 100 percent. He’s only played one full season since 2001. And the Cardinals have the Super Bowl loser jinx to deal with. If Quintong thinks Warner has a good chance to play every game this season, he’s smoking crack.
I also don’t understand how or why Hines Ward was chosen in Round 6.
ROUND 7:
(1) Lipscomb – Anthony Gonzalez WR
(2) Karabell – Donovan McNabb QB
(3) Daube – Knowshon Moreno RB
(4) Mass – Jamal Lewis RB
(5) Cockcroft – Santonio Holmes WR
(6) Berry – LenDale White RB
(7) Becquey – Reggie Bush RB
(8) Roberts – Bernard Berrian WR
(9) Quintong – Lee Evans WR
(10) Harris – Ahmad Bradshaw RB
BEST PICK: I made fun of Ken Daube in my 2009 Fantasy Football Magazine Review, so I definitely have to give him credit for stealing Knowshon Moreno in Round 7.
Quite frankly, I’m not surprised Moreno fell this far. After all, ESPN analysts lack any sort of foresight. For instance, take a look at where they ranked last year’s star rookie running backs: Jonathan Stewart (28th), Matt Forte (30th), Chris Johnson (44th). Calvin Johnson, by the way, was their No. 16 receiver.
As for this site, Forte was 20th; Stewart was 21st; Johnson was 33rd (battling two other running backs for the starting job); while Megatron was my 11th-ranked wideout. So trust me when I say that ESPN is vastly underrating Moreno. He was drafted 12th overall for a reason, and not to share carries with bums like Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan.
WORST PICK: Jamal Lewis? He only runs about a 6-second 40. James Davis would be a better value late.
ROUND 8:
(1) Harris – Earnest Graham RB
(2) Quintong – Chris Cooley TE
(3) Roberts – Cedric Benson RB
(4) Becquey – Kevin Walter WR
(5) Berry – Eddie Royal WR
(6) Cockcroft – Chris Wells RB
(7) Mass – Ray Rice RB
(8) Daube – Torry Holt WR
(9) Karabell – Donnie Avery WR
(10) Lipscomb – Jerricho Cotchery WR
BEST PICK: Mass atones for his atrocious Willie Parker and Jamal Lewis selections by picking Ray Rice in Round 8. Eddie Royal and Chris Wells are also good values here.
WORST PICK: Poor Karabell lives in a cave with no TV or Internet. Otherwise, he may have heard that Donnie Avery may miss the first few games of the season.
ROUND 9:
(1) Lipscomb – Chester Taylor RB
(2) Karabell – Laveranues Coles WR
(3) Daube – Steelers Defense
(4) Mass – Michael Crabtree WR
(5) Cockcroft – Donald Driver WR
(6) Berry – Donald Brown RB
(7) Becquey – Le’Ron McClain RB
(8) Roberts – Santana Moss WR
(9) Quintong – Darren Sproles RB
(10) Harris – Lance Moore WR
BEST PICK: Love the Donald Brown pick. There’s a very good chance Brown starts this year because Joseph Addai sucks.
WORST PICK: I guess the Ray Rice pick was a fluke. Mass reverts back to crap drafting mode and selects Michael Crabtree, who shouldn’t be drafted in any league. I’m in four money leagues, and if my league members are as clueless as Mass, I’d be able to buy a castle in a matter of a few years.
ROUND 10:
(1) Harris – Josh Morgan WR
(2) Quintong – Giants Defense
(3) Roberts – Fred Taylor RB
(4) Becquey – Owen Daniels TE
(5) Berry – Devin Hester WR
(6) Cockcroft – Julius Jones RB
(7) Mass – Greg Olsen TE
(8) Daube – Carson Palmer QB
(9) Karabell – Felix Jones RB
(10) Lipscomb – Willis McGahee RB
BEST PICK: Harris takes advantage of Mass’ stupidity and obtains the No. 1 wideout on the 49ers. To be fair, Mass had a pretty solid selection in Greg Olsen. I also love the Carson Palmer pick.
WORST PICK: Nine solid selections. One crappy one by Roberts. Bill Belichick loves to spread the wealth around in the backfield. Fred Taylor will have to share the rock with three other backs. Round 10 is way too early for him.
ROUND 11:
(1) Lipscomb – Ted Ginn WR
(2) Karabell – Steve Breaston WR
(3) Daube – LeSean McCoy RB
(4) Mass – Jets Defense
(5) Cockcroft – Kellen Winslow Jr. TE
(6) Berry – Fred Jackson RB
(7) Becquey – Matt Schaub QB
(8) Roberts – Sammy Morris RB
(9) Quintong – Mark Clayton WR
(10) Harris – Rashard Mendenhall RB
BEST PICK: A few running backs – Fred Jackson, LeSean McCoy and Rashard Mendenhall – were solid selections in Round 11.
WORST PICK: The 11th round is as good as any to grab a quality starting tight end like Kellen Winslow Jr. The problem? Winslow is Cockcroft’s BACKUP TIGHT END! You shouldn’t have backup tight ends period, let alone draft one in Round 11. Cockcroft’s family will have to hang their heads in shame for the rest of their lives.
ROUND 12:
(1) Harris – Mike Walker WR
(2) Quintong – Leon Washington RB
(3) Roberts – Ravens Defense
(4) Becquey – Domenik Hixon WR
(5) Berry – Bobby Engram WR
(6) Cockcroft – Jay Cutler QB
(7) Mass – Matt Hasselbeck QB
(8) Daube – Zach Miller TE
(9) Karabell – Matt Cassel QB
(10) Lipscomb – Chris Henry WR
BEST PICK: Cockcroft limits his family shame to him, his wife and his kids; his grandkids won’t have to endure any humiliation because Jay Cutler was a very solid selection this late in the draft. Of course, you’d expect solid backup quarterbacks to be available in a lazy 10-man draft…
WORST PICK: I’m a fan of Matthew Berry’s, but Bobby Engram? I was not told this was a PPR league, so assuming this is a traditional format, Engram is an abysmal pick.
ROUND 13:
(1) Lipscomb – Vikings Defense
(2) Karabell – Tim Hightower RB
(3) Daube – Jerious Norwood RB
(4) Mass – Percy Harvin WR
(5) Cockcroft – Shonn Greene RB
(6) Berry – Kyle Orton QB
(7) Becquey – Kevin Curtis WR
(8) Roberts – Patrick Crayton WR
(9) Quintong – Ben Roethlisberger QB
(10) Harris – Dustin Keller TE
BEST PICK: Cockcroft saves his kids by stealing Shonn Greene in Round 13. The Jets were so impressed by Greene that they traded almost their entire Day 2 to land him atop Round 3. There’s no way Greene isn’t stealing at least some carries away from Thomas Jones.
I also like Jerious Norwood and Ben Roethlisberger.
WORST PICK: Once again, Mass has the worst selection in a round. Percy Harvin is an exciting player who will make some big plays this year, but I don’t see how he contributes to any fantasy roster.
ROUND 14:
(1) Harris – Titans Defense
(2) Quintong – Justin Gage WR
(3) Roberts – Ricky Williams RB
(4) Becquey – Brett Favre QB
(5) Berry – John Carlson TE
(6) Cockcroft – Eagles Defense
(7) Mass – Javon Ringer RB
(8) Daube – Laurence Maroney RB
(9) Karabell – Patriots Defense
(10) Lipscomb – David Garrard QB
BEST PICK: I don’t like Laurence Maroney, but there’s no denying that picking him up in Round 14 is a steal. Maroney tends to suck at life, but he also has upside.
WORST PICK: Javon Ringer made me laugh. I guess Mass needed a handcuff for both Chris Johnson and LenDale White? This is almost comical.
ROUND 15:
(1) Lipscomb – Michael Bush RB
(2) Karabell – Jeremy Maclin WR
(3) Daube – Stephen Gostkowski K
(4) Mass – Glen Coffee RB
(5) Cockcroft – Earl Bennett WR
(6) Berry – Bears Defense
(7) Becquey – Packers Defense
(8) Roberts – Justin Fargas RB
(9) Quintong – Steve Smith WR
(10) Harris – Miles Austin WR
BEST PICK: All right, so maybe Cockcroft and his wife don’t have to live in any sort of shame. Earl Bennett is a huge sleeper with a ton of upside because he’s a probable starting wideout who has lots of experience with Jay Cutler. Lipscomb did a nice job with Michael Bush too.
WORST PICK: I can imagine Matthew Berry wagging his finger at Ken Daube. “I told you, don’t take a kicker till the last round, Daube!”
By the way, someone should rescue Barbecquey from the time vortex he’s stuck in; the Packers don’t have a good defense anymore.
ROUND 16:
(1) Harris – Ryan Longwell K
(2) Quintong – Mason Crosby K
(3) Roberts – Nate Kaeding K
(4) Becquey – Rob Bironas K
(5) Berry – Garrett Hartley K
(6) Cockcroft – Jason Elam K
(7) Mass – Matt Prater K
(8) Daube – Derrick Mason WR
(9) Karabell – David Akers K
(10) Lipscomb – Neil Rackers K
BEST PICK: As crappy, lazy and irresponsible as this fantasy mock draft was, I have to give credit to nine of the 10 owners for waiting until the last round to take a kicker. I guess everyone but Ken Daube was scared Matthew Berry would yell at them.
It looks like this mock draft was recorded earlier than Aug. 12 because Derrick Mason lasted this late. This fantasy mock draft found its way into my inbox on Aug. 12, so I was just going by that. Good job, Daube; you’ve totally redeemed yourself.
WORST PICK: And of course, Mass takes the worst kicker of the group. I can’t say I’m the least bit surprised.
I also posted an analysis of a recent real 2009 Fantasy Football PPR Draft.
More 2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football: Home
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2010 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/5 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Fantasy Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 6/6 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 7/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 7/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 7/20 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/10 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/11 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 9/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Linemen - 8/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Linebackers - 8/7 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Backs - 8/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Team-by-Team - 6/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Dynasty Rookie Rankings - 4/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Rookie Rankings - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: WF.com Free League - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Traditional Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/26 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/18 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Experts PPR Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Experts Mock Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Pros vs. Joes - 7/28 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR Draft with AKA - 7/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Mocking ESPN's Fantasy Mock Draft - 7/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Draft - 7/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Week 17 - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em - 12/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Add/Drop - 12/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Stock Index - Week 8 - 10/29 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football Buffet: Week 8 - 10/28 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Stock - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: High-Upside Late-Round Sleepers - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Top 12 Players to Avoid - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Undervalued Players - 8/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Buy Low - 8/6 (Walt)
ESPN's 2010 Fantasy Football Magazine Errors - 8/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Defense Strategy - 8/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: My Round-by-Round Strategy - 7/27 (Walt)
Lack of 2010 Fantasy Depth: Blame the 2008 NFL Draft Class - 7/26 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Why You Should Pass on Chris Johnson - 7/14 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Draft Strategies - 7/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Scarcity - 6/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Late-Round) - 6/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Mid-Round) - 6/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Busts - 5/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 5/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks with New Receivers - 5/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Up - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Down - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Up - 4/15 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Down - 4/12 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 4/10 (Walt)
2025 NFL Mock Draft - May 12
Fantasy Football Rankings - May 9
NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22
NFL Picks - Feb. 12
