Perfect Draft Series: Drafting 1st in a 10 Team League
For my second Perfect Draft with PC Drafter, I’ll be tackling the first pick in a ten team PPR league. The first pick is interesting this year for two main reasons. First, there are three elite running backs in fantasy this year to choose from, complicating the decision-making process. Second, leagues are seemingly trending toward quarterbacks, slowly but surely, as top selections.
I used a PPR scoring system and set my Position Min/Max values so that the computer teams couldn't draft more than three QBs, two TEs, kickers or team defenses, and no more than seven running backs and wide receivers. The lineup was based on starting one QB, two RB, two WR, one RB/WR Flex, one TE, one K, and one Team Defense.
First Round: LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia
I really should have gone with Arian here, but I love McCoy and couldn't turn down the opportunity to draft him. He’s just the kind of versatile runner bound to excel in a PPR league, and that same versatility makes him an ideal fit in Philadelphia’s offense. The Eagles should improve this year, but they will still lean on their star back, who emerged last season as an elite runner. While PC Drafter recommends Foster as the top choice, I personally favor McCoy. For the purpose of strategy, just insert your favorite here.
Second Round: Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England
I don’t like drafting tight ends so high, but Gronkowski is revolutionizing the way the position is played, particularly in fantasy football. Gronk would’ve ranked near the top of the WR standings last year with his break out campaign, and while he’s bound to regress a little in 2012, he should still provide an absurd positional advantage over the rest of the league. At the back of the second round, I’m willing to roll the dice on Gronk or Jimmy Graham, who went five picks earlier.
Third Round: Darren Sproles, RB, New Orleans
Few players make the kind of impact that Sproles does on a football team. Whether he’s returning the ball, running a sweep, or catching the ball, Sproles knows how to rack up yardage. The Saints offense lost the versatile Reggie Bush, and Sproles emerged as an upgrade in his first season with New Orleans. Like with Gronk, I expect Sproles to take a step back after such an elite year, but in a PPR league, Sproles is tremendous value at the top of the third round. I also considered Marshawn Lynch and Doug Martin here.
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