In the third part of my ‘Perfect Draft’ series, I’ll take a look at drafting 5th in a 12-team league.


Round 1, pick 5, #5 overall
This is a pretty easy selection. With LT, Steven Jackson, LJ and Frank Gore most likely gone, it leaves Joseph Addai as the pick. Brian Westbrook wouldn’t be a bad option either, but the emergence of Tony Hunt in goal line carries so far this summer definitely gives the edge to Addai now. And, I love Westbrook.

Addai enters his first full year as the starter, but for the most part got a good majority of carries last year in Indy, especially in the playoffs. Addai has the potential to put up similar numbers to what Edge James did as a Colt. With the threat of the pass always foremost, Indy uses the running game to keep teams off balance and Addai should shine.


Round 2, pick 7, #20 overall
There’s a lot of wide receiver talent on the board here and while most would go that option, you probably know by now I’m big on taking backs early. Fortunately, I have the luxury of the ADP to see what will most likely be available with my next pick, so with this one, I’m going with Cedric Benson.

Benson should be the man, taking over for Thomas Jones. Despite the slow start in training camp, the Bears still want to run the ball and Benson should benefit from that.


Round 3, pick 5, #29 overall
With two backs already secured, it’s time to go receiver and fortunately for us there is still a great one on the board, who some would even consider even a top-three. I’ll take Terrell Owens.

Owens had a pretty good year last year, whether or not the dropped balls were a fault of an injured finger or not. TO is proof the squeaky wheel always gets the oil so let him talk and constantly call for the ball all he wants. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the benefits.


Round 4, pick 7, #44 overall
Round 4 is always kind of a wait and see pick. The players will be there, it just depends on what who you’ve taken thus far and where you need to build. I like TJ Houshmandzadeh here.

Housh is like a second number-one receiver on a team with a stud quarterback. He proved that last year early on when Chad Johnson struggled to get open. TJ is a strong pick here and it’s even nicer he’ll be your number-two receiver.


Round 5, pick 5, #53 overall
Normally, this is a place in my other mock draft articles where I’d take Todd Heap. But with the depth at tight end still out there, and seeing what will fall a few picks from now, I’m going a different direction. I’ll take Ahman Green.

This is a bit of risk just because of Green’s injury past. Still, he’s probably the best back on the board at this stage and it never hurts to be deep at the position. Knowing we shouldn’t get burned at any of the other positions, we’ll take a shot on Green. Even if the Texans struggle, Green should be a factor in the receiving game as a screen option for quarterback Matt Schaub.

I like Green better than Jamal Lewis, who is also available here. Another option is Tatum Bell, and if you argue that’s a better option, I may not totally disagree with you.


Round 6, pick 7, #68 overall
With this pick I’m taking my tight end and this is why I held off on last round. My pick is Kellen Winslow.

Winslow was among the reception leaders last year and racked up a ton of yards as well, over 800 from the tight end spot. Winslow again seems to be the biggest threat on the Browns offense and I wouldn’t be shocked if he puts up similar numbers, but with more touchdowns. Winslow has a chance to make himself a Gates-like figure at the position. If you’re not big on Winslow, Vernon Davis is also an option here.


Round 7, pick 5, #77 overall
So far our team looks like:
QB – none
RB – Addai, Benson, A. Green
WR – Owens, Houshmandzadeh
TE – Winslow

Looks like it’s quarterback time and with this pick two pretty good ones should still be available.

I’m going Jon Kitna.

With Romo also out there, I’m not sure I want to double up already having Owens. Both QBs have stud receivers to throw to and with Kitna also having a nice option with Tatum Bell, I have no problems picking Kitna here. I like Kitna’s TDs to increase this season and he was already a top-5 QB in yards last year. If interceptions count against you, maybe Romo is your guy though.


Round 8, pick 7, #92 overall
Bears Defense, Top Kicker or Best Available WR?

With most of our starting lineup in place it’s time to think about starting Defense and perhaps even kicker. Landing the best kicker or defense will give us an edge at a starting position, week-in and week-out.

On the flip side, depth is also valuable and Terry Glenn is on the board but we already have Owens and banking that much on Dallas might be risky. Still, if you start three wide receivers, grab the WR now! Lets assume we only start two. Given that, I’ll hold off and take a WR with the next pick.

Personally, I’m big on kickers but the ADP shows I can still land a stud kicker in round 10. However, ADP shows the best defense is likely going off the board now, so if they are available, let’s take the Bears Defense.


Round 9, pick 5, #101 overall
I’m going to reach a little here based on ADP, but I see an undervalued player on the board and I want him. I have a good feeling about Kevin Curtis this season. Curtis and Donovan McNabb have looked great in their limited time on the field together. Curtis has good hands and runs good routes. McNabb will shy away from those on the team who drop balls, like LJ Smith, so it wouldn’t surprise me if Curtis develops into the team’s number-one. Round nine isn’t a bad place to be picking up a possible number-one on a team that throws 65% of the time. Curtis could be my steal of the draft.


Round 10, pick 7, #116 overall
With this pick, if I can land an elite kicker, I’m in. With some luck, Adam Vinatieri of Indy could still be on the board. If not, Jeff Wilkins will do.


Round 11, pick 5, #125 overall
Here I like Isaac Bruce. At times last year, Bruce still proved he was the number-one target, even with a younger Curtis on the team. Now, the number-three in St. Louis is Drew Bennett. Still, Bruce and Bulger have always seemed to have a connection and since this is just our fourth receiver, Bruce could be a decent starter in certain matchups.


Round 12, pick 7, #140 overall
With this pick, you’re thinking backup. I like Heath Miller here. Priest Holmes is also a rousing pick as well. However, Priest runs the risk of starting the season on the PUP list. Leon Washington also makes for an interesting flyer at this stage. Anthony Thomas is also available, even though it looks as if Marshawn Lynch has already etched himself in as the starter. Still, Thomas filled in well last year and if you want to gamble on an injury, Thomas looks like he’d step in nicely.


Round 13, pick 5, #149 overall
With Kitna’s bye week coming in week six, I like Trent Green’s matchup at Cleveland to fill in for the week. You could probably take a backup QB higher, but Kitna should be a good start almost every week. After all, it’s the garbage time production you’re counting on when it comes to Kitna and the Lions.


TEAM REVIEW
Overall, our lineup looks like this:
QB – Kitna, T. Green
RB – Addai, Benson, A. Green, A. Thomas
WR – Owens, Houshmandzadeh, Curtis, Bruce
TE – Winslow
K – Vinatieri
DEF – Bears

Pretty solid overall, I think.

One weakness could be at quarterback if you just don’t trust Kitna. If this concerns you, let the defense slip and go backup QB. You’ll have some excellent options in round 8 (example: Leinart, Cutler or Roethlisberger).

Three starting running backs give us good depth and I think over time our receivers will eventually make us deep at that position.

Happy drafting and see you in the playoffs!