Fantasy Football Mock Drafts are in full force, with several league sites opening up their mock fantasy football draft sections for the new season. With only a few weeks remaining until NFL teams start training camp, finding out which player is going where, especially in the early rounds, is yet another tool I use in my draft strategies.
So lets not mess around with anymore talk. Below is the the second of three rounds in a recent mock draft Fantasy Knuckleheads was able to take part in, including the player and analysis. Make sure to check out Round One to see how each team is shaping up with their first two picks. Also, make sure to check out our Draft Section for all the drafting help you need, including analysis, mock drafts and real drafts.
6 points for all touchdowns and PPR scoring.
ROUND TWO
2.1. Alfred Morris RB, Redskins (1st Pick: Drew Brees, QB, Saints)
There is a bit of value here as many consider Morris a borderline RB1. With Morris and Brees in this owner's back pocket, it's not a bad start in a league that rewards six points for all scores. Morris doesn't have anyone to compete with for carries like other running backs in the league.
2.2. Peyton Manning QB, Broncos (1st Pick: C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills)
It's amazing that just two years ago we were saying Manning is done and won't come close to his Indy days. It's hard to argue this pick with a new backfield and Wes Welker on the team.
2.3. Matt Forte RB, Bears (1st Pick: LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles)
With McCoy's role in the Eagles' new offense unknown, backing him up with Forte makes a lot of sense. The pinnacle of a PPR machine, Forte is expected to have a big role in the backfield under a new coaching staff. Health is really the only thing that could hold Forte back this year.
2.4. A.J. Green WR, Bengals (1st Pick: Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions)
Six points for all scores and PPR makes this pick a slam dunk. The combo of Green/Johnson should secure over 200 receptions and 20-25 touchdowns in 2013. Even though this owner will have to hit on a running back later to make up for the loss of a stud, there are more running backs to choose from unlike years past.
2.5. Brandon Marshall WR, Bears (1st Pick: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks)
An excellent value pick as most have Marshall ranked as a bonafide WR1 after the numbers he put up in 2012. Now that the team will feature second-year Alshon Jeffery as the No. 2 receiver, Marshall should easily put up similar stats in 2013 with defenses having to take in account more than one receiver. There are plenty of targets to go around even with Jeffery and Martellus Bennett in the fold.
2.6. Julio Jones WR, Falcons (1st Pick: Trent Richardson, RB, Browns)
Another receiver who fell more than he should have, this owner got excellent value by snagging two players who have a chance at finishing in the top 5 at their respected positions.
2.7. Jimmy Graham TE, Saints (1st Pick: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers)
Graham still managed to put up a strong stat line (85/982/9) despite dealing with a wrist injury last season. Now at full health, he could finally break the 100-reception barrier. In a PPR league, Graham is essentially classed as a WR1.
2.8. Steven Jackson RB, Falcons (1st Pick: Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs)
Unlike so many experts and owners alike, I think Jackson will be huge in 2013. I'm throwing out age because Jackson doesn't wear down like your normal running back at his age as the season winds down. Maybe it's because Matt Ryan has so many other weapons at his disposal. I just don't see that putting a damper on Jackson's rushing numbers or receptions. Jackson is my No. 11 ranked running back in my recent running back rankings, so this is "the" value pick for Round Two.
2.9. Dez Bryant WR, Cowboys (1st Pick: Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers)
Yet another value pick as Bryant is coming off a 12-touchdown season last year. If Martin doesn't go through a sophomore slump, something I don't predict, this owner has started off with a very strong draft.
2.10. Tom Brady QB, Patriots (1st Pick: Ray Rice, RB, Ravens)
It shouldn't surprise anyone to see Brady drop so far. With the Aaron Hernandez fiasco, Rob Gronkowski rehabbing injuries and Wes Welker now in Denver, Brady has lost a big chunk of his targets from 2012. I've said a few times that Brady can make a bum look good. If he can do it this year, he will add yet another notch to his already impressive resume. I am sure this owner is crossing his fingers that Brady magic is still around.
2.11. Chris Johnson RB, Titans (1st Pick: Arian Foster, RB, Texans)
There was a point where many owners literally couldn't give Johnson away in a trade last year. Don't let his 1200+ rushing season fool you either. Many of those yards came in huge chunks from five games. Foster in the first was a no-brainer, but Johnson is really the biggest boom-or-bust candidate of this round.
2.12. Demaryius Thomas WR, Broncos (1st Pick: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings)
The one thing owners hate when having the No. 1 pick is they have to wait and wait until they finally get to pick again. Seeing all those studs go elsewhere does tend to get frustrating. But kudos to this owner for not only landing the No. 1 running back in fantasy football, but a potential WR1 in Thomas. Some might drop Thomas down a notch with Welker in town, but having all those weapons means defenses will be forced to put single coverage on Thomas more than usual. That's going to mean big things for a player who was targeted 141 times (Catching 94 receptions). There is a better-than-average chance Thomas could wind up with top-10 fantasy numbers amongst receivers at the end of this season.