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FanEx Analysis
Draft
Review
| Rules | Transactions
Draft Rounds
1 | 2
| 3 | 4
| 5 | 6
| 7 | 8
| 9 | 10
11 | 12 | 13
| 14 | 15
| 16 | 17
| 18
Round 2
   
   
 
 2.01 RB
Julius Jones
By TC Cannon
I am sure that others will share my JJones-or-KJones question
mark in your second round of drafting. They are both positive fantasy options
in 2005. When deciding between this pair of equally deserving
young talents, I placed my Lions bias behind me and looked to
touchdown scoring as the dominate factor.
Following his broken shoulder blade injury healing, JJones
rushed for 820 -7 TDs over the last seven games. After
that, it is easy to get very excited and project him at 1600+
yards and 14 TD. We are in stud territory here. Then again, We
all know how solid May projections can be. 1600-14 is a silly
set of numbers to expect for any Cowboy.
TDs aside, add in that... 1) Cowboy HC Parcells offensive
philosophy is more suited to having a power back run the ball 25
times a game; 2) the Cowboys have a much better offensive line
than the Lions; and 3) the Cowboys currently seem a better team
than the Lions are right now.
As a Lion's fan, I do *hope* KJones has a wonderful season. Yet
as a FAD owner, my investment is in Julius over Kevin.
|
 2.02 RB
Kevin Jones
By Duane
Cahill
Thanks TC, I'm more than happy to "settle" for the
Jones that you passed on.
Kevin was my top rated Jones in the draft and my #10 player,
just behind Ahman Green, who I selected at 1.11.
No back in recent memory showed the constant improvement over
the course of a season than did Jones in 2004. As he
caught on to the offense, he went from part-time slow starter in
September and early October, to just OK in late October and
early November to bust-out stud for the last seven weeks of the
season.
The Lions offensive line is admittedly pedestrian, but this is
the same line that he ran behind last season. The
receiving corps improves with Mike Williams and the underrated
Kevin Johnson, and the Lions have a TE to throw to in Marcus
Pollard.
I think that eventually, Jeff Garcia takes over for Joey
Harrington, opening up the offense even more and preventing
opponents from keying on Jones.
Everything, including the schedule, is set up for Jones to have
an outstanding year. At worst, he should certainly finish
as a top 10 back, but the upside on Jones could lead me to the
upper echelon of the FAD final standings. Thanks again,
TC.
|
 2.03 RB
Jamal Lewis
By Dolfi | Walls
Walls’
Take – Unlike our first
pick, this pick was harder. I really had this pick as a choice
between three backs. Lewis, Corey Dillon and Rudi Johnson. Both
Dolfi and I are long time proponents of the dreaded ‘Stud RB
Theory’. You need two steady RBs on your team, and no matter
what draft we are in, we usually try to get at least 2 RBs in
the first 3 rounds. I briefly considered Randy Moss, but this
was too early for him, I thought. Although, I believe he will do
well in Oakland, I don’t believe he will do as well, and not
well enough to justify a pick here.
Lewis is an
injury risk, but Jamal this year should be very, very focused.
Mr. Lewis is coming off a bad year, his team fared poorly and he
did time for a drug related conviction. I think Jamal Lewis will
do his best to prove any doubters wrong. So, why is he a better
choice than the aforementioned Dillon or Johnson? Not only
because I believe Lewis will have this drive, but because
Baltimore has retooled their passing offense. Todd Heap should
be back, and the Ravens got Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton. We
all know what Mason is capable of, and Clayton was the most
‘NFL-ready’ receiver in the draft. Clayton should start next
year. Unlike last year, the Ravens opponents will have something
to worry about besides the Ravens’ halfback.
In my mind
Lewis and Rudi Johnson were pretty comparable with this pick,
Dillon was the third best back here. I believe Lewis has more
upside, and assuming he and Heap stay healthy - Jamal Lewis
should have a very good year.
Dolfi’s
Take – I had
the remaining RBs at this point ranked Lewis, R. Johnson, and
Dillon. Tom’s
thought were similar to mine, and after a little discussion, we
decided to take a little bit of risk and grab Lewis, in exchange
for what we thought was the most upside.
Lewis’ injury
is a concern, but only a small one to us.
He did miss 4 games last season, and played very
sparingly in 2 others, but even so he put up solid numbers (1006
yards rushing and 7 TDs). If
you’re worried about his physical health, keep in mind that
two of his biggest games of last season came in the last 3 games
of 2004. Prior to
last season, he had never had a season in which he ran for less
than 1300 yards, with one of those years being an eye-popping
2066 yards. So we
know what the upside with a guy like Lewis is, especially
considering the improvements that should be evident in
Baltimore’s receivers – and upside like that is hard to pass
up in the second round.
|
 2.04 RB
Curtis Martin
By
Shannon
O'Leary
How
many people were surprised by Curtis Martin’s performance
last year? I know I was for one. Martins 1697 yards were the
best of his career. His touchdowns were the best since he has
been a Jet, which is along time.
Although
Martin is entering into his 12th season, he has
been relatively injury free. His dedication to the game is one
of the prime reasons I have drafted him here in the second
round. Another reason was the fact that he was the number 5
running back in this system last year. Yet another factor is
the fact that Martin still will remain the main man, even with
Blaylock behind him.
In
this style of league, I like the fact that Martin has only
missed a couple of games in his career to the best of my
recollection. Also, I think if Martin is even going to
continue to play he is going to keep himself in the best of
shape.
Martin
is a certain hall of famer and is a lot like a fine wine. He
seems to be getting better with age.
|
 2.06 RB
Rudi Johnson
By Del Pilar | Bonini
Who
We Took and Why:
At the point we came up, we knew Cincinnati Bengals Rudi
Johnson would probably be on the board but at this point 14 RBs
had been selected and the No. 2 slot for KFFL was not as heavy
as we would have hoped. However, we still had quite a selection
of second-tier RBs to consider and seeing the run happen, we
felt we needed to scoop one up. Enter: Johnson. He posted 1,457
rushing yards and had 12 TDs. A great No. 2 option but... he
only had 15 receptions and zero receiving TDs. However, we do
like his upside and the potential improvement of his receiving
numbers. He was the best on the board at that moment in time so
we went with him.
Other
Candidates Considered:
We considered New England Patriots RB Corey Dillon but felt that
he had one heck of a year and his upside in receiving was
slim-to-none based on his last two seasons. We also considered
and looked at some of the rookie running backs but felt it was
too soon and Johnson has shown growth since being discovered by
fantasy owners in 2003.
Current
Strategy:
Our current strategy is still sound – too create a very
strong RB corp. that is able to carry itself to the end of the
season and then to build the team around that. We’re not
ecstatic with the Johnson pick, but we are thrilled with what
he’ll do. He won’t be the focal point in the Bengals offense
but he is one of the keys to it and will see his share of
touches. We also feel this could be QB Carson Palmer’s
breakout season and if that happens, we feel this will only
benefit Johnson.
|
Commissioner
Comments:
After years of frustration, they
are Bungles no more... we think. As for their RB
situation, solid for so long with Corey Dillon, a year
ago there was concern that his absence and the 1st-round
drafting of Chris Perry would mean that "Rudi! Rudi!
Rudi!" would be an even shorter fad than the Ickey
Shuffle. But not only did Perry fail to impress, partly
due to a couple of injuries, Johnson grabbed the
rock and never looked back.
He was our league's #10 RB last season, posting nearly
1500 rush yds and 12 TDs. There is a downside here, as
the team is looking for Perry to provide a more frequent
change of pace this season now that he's healthy, but at this
point that's just a hope while Rudi is a proven commodity.
On the plus side of a Rudi
Johnson selection is the fact that former #1 pick Carson
Palmer showed every likelihood last season of being worth
his salt, and the entire O-line returns from 2004.
With this whole unit now much more familiar with one another
than 12 months ago, you have to expect they'll pick up where
they left off and improve on last year's results. Even
if Rudi loses some carries, he shouldn't wind up suffering a
major hit to his numbers.
|
 2.07 RB
Corey Dillon
By Jerome Hickerson
Frankly,
I was surprised Dillon was available at pick #19. As the 16th
RB taken in our draft, I felt he was a bargain selection. He
is aging, of course, but the Superbowl
Champions are likely to rely heavily on his legs for another
season. My strategy through the first two round of this draft
was to try to stay away from all-or-nothing risks. The FAD
format does not allow for any roster changes during the season
and this restriction tends to punish early round risk takers.
I want McAllister and Dillon to hold their own against the
best twosomes in FAD and I’ll try to find some mid and late
round jewels to make the winning difference.
|
Guest
Comments:
|
 2.08 WR
Terrell Owens
By Tony Holm
Sigh. I knew it wasn't
looking good fairly early on with about 5 selections
before me. It was fairly obvious who those 5 players
would be but I kept hope alive that someone would veer.
I like to identify drop off points in a draft and one drop off
point (there have been a few so far) was right between 2.07
and 2.08.
I'm usually fairly quick in this
draft but I had to mull this selection over a lot. I
didn't want TO or Moss on my team and my plan was to open
RB-RB. But when I sat down and considered the Steven
Jackson's, LaMont Jordan's, Chris Brown's and even
Tatum Bell's of the world I just couldn't pull the trigger on
any of them being my 2nd RB. I narrowed it down to two
but still, I felt like I was grasping and with my 2nd
pick I don't like reaching. All of the remaining RB's
come with baggage and in my opinion simply aren't attractive
options at this stage. The other reason for jumping off
the RB bandwagon is that I *think* there will be something
available for me to pick through that won't be that much
greater of a risk/reward gamble in the 3rd round and I feel WR
is weak this year so ..
I've done well in the past flying
in the face of danger and drafting contract hold out
players. It is my experience that they are always well
under valued in a draft and when August/September rolls
around, the ink dries, the players come out in the media
about how all is forgotten and the stats come rolling in.
I expect this to be no different. Yes TO is a head case
and yes he's not popular with his team mates but he has always
been a nut and he has never been popular, yet his numbers roll
up into the statosphere even with everything stacked against
him. I don't see this as that different from the usual
TO antics to generate publicity around himself. What
better way to keep yourself in the press in the off season and
keep yourself out of grueling summer workouts? We'll
see, but I believe TO won't skip a beat when the Eagles open
up their season on Monday Night in Atlanta. What better
place to make a splash?
Another fantasy stud caliber
player on the team, certainly does not hurt.
|
 2.09 WR
Marvin Harrison
By Brady Tinker
The discussion I had with myself...was
whether or not to force the issue of getting my second RB right
away - I finally decided that Westbrook, Chris Brown or one of
the Rookies were not nearly as solid at first glance as the
reliable Harrison.
Manning is not forcing the ball to
Harrison any more, so the days of 130 catches are probably over,
but the offense just spreads defenses too thin and Harrison is
one of the best in the NFL at running his routes and creating
space between he and the defender.
Westbrook's smallish size made me question
his ability to get the number of touches in an entire
season that I wanted the 9th pick in the 2nd round to get.
If I'm going to risk making a mistake - it
won't be in rounds 1 or 2.
|
2.10 RB
Brian Westbrook
By Jim Butler
I
may be approaching this draft slightly off kilter from the
rest of the FanEx owners, I can't ignore the fact that at
least 1 Running Back must be grabbed either at this spot or
the next. In looking at the Runningbacks available at this
spot Cory Dillon and Rudy Johnson were at the top of my list
and they went in spots 2.06 and 2.07. The next on my list was
Westbrook so selected he was.
Due
to the transfer of Duce Staley and injury to Buckhalter, Brian
was handed the reigns and took full advantage of them. He
ended up being the 7th highest scoring RB in FAD for 2004 and
that was with the Eagles taking the last few weeks of the
regular season off. I think that he really benefits from
having TO on the field, but given his performance when TO was
injured, I think that regardless of TO's situation, Westbrook
could have another solid year.
|
Commissioner Comments:
Our #7 RB in 2004 just don't get
no respect. More than one owner prior to this pick
made reference to passing him by, at least one specifically
referring to what may look like a crowded backfield.
There's also the continuing whispers that he's too small to
take the beating for another full season. Yet the
crowded backfield consists of a part-time back who gets hurt
often (Buckhalter) and a couple of equally smallish guys who
are completely unproven (Mahe and the rookie Moats).
And this is the same Westbrook who was often praised loudly
by his teammates down the stretch last year as their go-to
man, their hero, their workhorse.
Now, even an idiot like me can
see that somebody's wrong about this guy, and I'll pitch my
tent on the side of the ones who know him best.
Actually Westbrook shared time quite frequently with Dorsey
Levens last year, with Levens getting half as many carries
as Westbrook, yet you'll note again that Westbrook was our
league's #7 RB last season. Personally I think
Westbrook at 2.10 is a steal, especially in a league that
gives a bonus for receptions, as he led the NFL in that
category last year at his position. Zing, yes, I like
this pick.
|
2.11 WR
Chad Johnson
By Houston | Pitzer
We think Chad Johnson should be among the league's best
receivers again in 2005. He has had back-to-back 90-plus catch
seasons and is ready to take the next jump as the go-to receiver
in an improving offense led by Carson Palmer that should be one
of the NFL's best. We decided to go with a receiver here because
the depth at both running back and quarterback was such that we
could address those positions later. We did not think we could
get another receiver of Johnson's caliber.
|
| Commissioner
Comments:
Now we're stepping to the next
tier of receivers already, fairly unusual for this league. Cousin
of Keyshawn is indeed in the next tier below elite, but still
he managed to finish with only 1 FanEx point less than TO
last year due to Owens' late-season injury, making him seem
closer to the elite ranks than one might initially think...and
only two players caught more passes last season. Having
scored Shaun Alexander at 1.02, it looks like Houston &
Pitzer expect him to progress with his young QB, Carson
Palmer, and also expected to catch a good-enough RB2 on the
rebound in Round 3.
|
 2.12 RB
Fred Taylor
By
Greg Kellogg
There are only two reasons I can see
for Fred Taylor to have fallen so low. One, fear of injury.
Prior to the 2002 season Taylor had missed 28 starts in his
first four years. But then he didn't miss a game in 2002 and
2003. Last year he missed the final two games of the year
reminding people of his past.
Two, his inability to score
touchdowns over the past three years. In 2002, Taylor had eight
rushing touchdowns. Then in 2003, Byron Leftwich made his
appearance and became the starter. Taylor's touchdown count
dropped to seven and then to just three last season.
But his yards per carry remained
high (4.6 in 2003 and 4.7 in 2004) which is an indication that
he is still getting his job done, despite the lack of attention
opposing defensive coordinators pay to the passing game. I
believe that will change in 2005 because I believe Leftwich will
continue to improve as will his young receiving corps. The
addition of Khalif Barnes on the offensive line will only help
and Matt Jones is a very interesting prospect in that he has a
size to speed ratio that not many in the NFL can match.
The bottom line is that Taylor
topped 1500 total yards for the third straight season and will
add some points via the passing game.
I also looked at quarterback and
wide receiver with this pick, but felt that securing three solid
running backs was slightly more important. |
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Trade
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