We were invited to battle it out in the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Expert League Draft. We would first like to thank Bruno Boys for the invite to play against some of the best fantasy info Sites on the Web. The scoring for QBs in this league is 4pts per TD, 1 pt per 25 yards… running backs and receivers get 1pt per 10 yards and are awarded 6pts per TD — No PPR. Line-ups in this expert league will consist of: 1QB, 2RBs, 3WRs, 1TE, 1K, 1DST.
Roster & Trade: Marshawn Lynch, Willis McGahee, Michael Turner, Steve Smith, Roy Williams… [view rosters]. We just traded Braylon Edwards and our 7th-round selection for Michael Turner and Roy Williams.
Updates & Commentary: This draft will include our expert commentary as we go, so keep checking this page often.
Updated Last: 8/19/08
Fantasy Football Librarian
FFX: We like Peterson No. 1, but it’s extremely close. Tomlinson has missed just one regular-season game in his seven seasons, and with probably the easiest rushing schedule in 2008, he is an absolute lock in the top two.
Monster Draft
FFX: Peterson and LT are going to go nuts this season. Both could put up 18+ scores – Just be sure you handcuff AP to Chester this year, as that offensive line will produce no matter what! AP and Chester together will be the most secure RB slot in fantasy football in ‘08.
Athlon/Grogan Fantasy Football
FFX: Can’t argue with Westy in the top three. He is proven and McNabb looks ready for 2008, which means Westy will be tough to key on this upcoming season.
Melnick & Greco Football
FFX: It looks like Jackson’s holdout doesn’t concern these guys — It shouldn’t concern you either! A hold out through the regular-season is quite rare. The last time a big name fantasy athlete held out through a chunk of the regular-season was Joey Galloway in the late ’90s. Expect top 5RB numbers in ‘08!
Junkyard Jake
FFX: We like Addai, but the runner didn’t have one single 100-yard game in his final eight games last year. It also feels like he should have rushed for more than 1,072 yards last year, his first year not sharing carries. Don’t get us wrong, he is a lock in the top 6, but we feel Frank Gore deserves the five spot this year.
Bruno Boys Fantasy Football
FFX: Again, Addai is a lock in our top six and our concerns are small… but we do like Gore more than Addai this year. In that Mike Martz offense, Gore should be Martz’s Marshall Faulk. A questionable passing attack could hold him back this season, but we see Gore getting a ton of touches in both the rushing attack and passing attack.
Pigskin Addiction
FFX: Barber at No. 7 feels a bit high. He is certainly a beast of a runner, and he runs harder than almost every back in the league, but that could be part of the problem. Barber might put up top 7-8 overall numbers per start, but will he start 16 games? In our book, Barber is definitely a top 14 overall pick, but he feels a bit more secure as someone’s No. 2 overall pick (high second-rounder).
Fantasy Sharks
FFX: It’s hard to argue Moss at the eight spot. Even if he scores just 15TDs in 2008, which would be eight less than last season, he will be worth a top five overall pick in hindsight.
RotoWorld
FFX: Brady definitely deserves a look at No. 9, and you can’t say for certain that he won’t explode once again this upcoming season… still, it’s tough to pass on first-round running backs when teams that will end up having them will still manage to roster a Derek Anderson or a Ben Roethlisberger. We would take a Lynch and Big Ben over a Brady and 4th- to 5th-round rusher any day.
Fantasy Football Xtreme
FFX: It was tough not to go with Larry Johnson with this pick, as we firmly believe in the Chief in 2008. Our plan of attack, though, is to work the ADP and try and grab L.J. with our upcoming second-round pick. If it doesn’t workout, it won’t be the end of the world, because both our breakout favorites, Braylon Edwards and Maurice Jones-Drew, will most likely be available.
RotoWire
Many will forget that Johnson was back to elite form before going down last year at mid-season. He had a rough start, but L.J. scored four touchdowns in his final three games leading into Week 9 (foot injury) and had at least 95 total yards in four of his last five outings (with three 100-yard games). We believe in L.J. this year – For more on this topic, read our Don’t Trade Larry Johnson Article.
Fantasy Football Edge
FFX: Portis has good value here, but Betts as a handcuff could be critical in 2008. Call it a gut feeling.
Fantasy Football Edge
FFX: Owens turning 35 in December should be a huge red flag, but it’s not. Owens takes care of himself like no other and looks ready for a top three fantasy season.
RotoWire
FFX: Not bad value here, but without Favre, will Grant be consistent? He is a guy to target after he gets shutdown in Week 1 against Minnesota – Keep that in mind entering Week 2, as some fantasy owners will be quick to react after even one single week.
Fantasy Football Xtreme
FFX: If Edwards can stay healthy, and away from Donte Stallworth in practice, he could very well finish as a top 2WR in 2008. Derek Anderson should explode in 2008 and Edwards could have another 14-16TD season.
RotoWorld
FFX: Consistent. Top five. Great value. This is the season you can go RB/WR and still end up with a very solid rushing crew.
Fantasy Sharks
FFX: This is a guy we almost took at 2.03, that’s how much we like MJD this year. If he gets 220-230 carries in 2008, he could finish as a top 8-10 fantasy rusher.
Pigskin Addiction
FFX: Fitz always has a bit of injury risk attached to his name, but you can’t argue having him as your number one receiver. If this was our selection, we would have went with Andre Johnson first, but Fitz feels like a lock for 10 scores in ‘08.
Bruno Boys Fantasy Football
FFX: If only this guy could stay healthy! When he plays, he plays with the best of ‘em. We like him over Fitz, like we just said above, but at this point in the draft, it might not be a bad idea to trade down and grab a Marques Colston a few spots later. The best value right here is Willis McGahee, even with the injury… that’s who we want at 2.11, a pick that we just traded into.
Junkyard Jake
FFX: In most leagues, Bush is very undervalued… in this draft, however, 2.08 is just about right. If the Saints get him his 5-6 catches per game, Reggie could crank out top 10-12 fantasy running back numbers this upcoming season.
Melnick & Greco Football
FFX: Housh is consistent, but there is no way we take him over Marques Colston or Chad Johnson… pardon me… Chad Ocho Cinco. Both Colston and Chad have a much higher ceiling in 2008 – Housh should be a third-round pick.
Athlon/Grogan Fantasy Football
FFX: With Shockey in town in ‘08, the Saints stud WR should see more single coverages — This could be his best season yet.
Fantasy Football Xtreme
FFX: McGahee’s knee injury is obviously a huge concern, and it is our plan of attack to scoop up Ray Rice before his ADP, but the combo should spit out top 5-8RB numbers under Cam Cameron. The mastermind just made Ronnie Brown a top two fantasy running back… that Ravens rushing attack is going to explode under Cameron… the key is secure Rice, so enjoy watching us reach for him later in this draft.
Fantasy Football Librarian
FFX: We almost grabbed Chad with our 2.11, as we project top 5WR numbers out of Chad this upcoming season. Get ready for one of his best seasons yet.
Fantasy Football Librarian
FFX: Manning in the third-round is great value. His knee issue is a small concern, especially since you can’t trust injury updates coming out of Colts camp, but all indications are that he will be ready for Week 1. Manning as your third player is what you call value.
Monster Draft
FFX: Romo could be this year’s top fantasy QB, so getting him at 3.02 is an absolute steal. At this point, Romo really is the best player on the board – Nice grab.
Athlon/Grogan Fantasy Football
FFX: Lewis is in a great situation in Cleveland in 2008, as Derek Anderson is about to blow up. We do have concerns about Lewis holding up, though, so there are a few other backs that we would rather have at this spot, like Michael Turner.
Fantasy Football Xtreme
FFX: We almost grabbed Michael Turner right here, but in this league, we only start two runners and we already have Lynch and McGahee. Steve Smith missing the first two regular-season games hurts, but after that’s in the rear view, Smith is going to take us to the promise land.
Junkyard Jake
FFX: Not a fan of this pick at all, as we do not trust how New England uses this guy. Can Maroney be a top 10RB in New England? Absolutely. Will the Patriots give him the carries that he needs to be a top 10RB? Because we can’t answer that, we can’t suggest that fantasy owners make this guy their third fantasy player on draft day.
Bruno Boys Fantasy Football
FFX: At 6-4, 264 pounds, Jacobs just won’t stay healthy with starter-type carries. That said, if you can lock down Ahmad Bradshaw, you may have an extremely productive RB2 secured. Keep that in mind if you plan to go RB/WR/WR in 2008. The same can be said about the combo of Willie Parker/Rashard Mendenhall.
Pigskin Addiction
FFX: If JaMarcus Russell plays well in 2008, and his early preseason play suggests that he might, rookie Darren McFadden could be in for a big rookie campaign. The speedy running back should have plenty of long runs this upcoming year, and breakout more than a few long scores. This is an appropriate draft slot to draft McFadden – He could easily outperform this spot.
Fantasy Sharks
FFX: Holt is very underrated this year, but not so much in this draft. We like a few of the available receivers more than Holt, like Santonio Holmes and Plaxico Burress. Even Anquan Boldin might be a safer grab at this point.
RotoWorld
FFX: Burress is proven and worthy of this selection. Santonio Holmes is a safer grab, because Burress is constantly banged up, but this isn’t a reach by any means.
Monster Draft
FFX: As we clearly stated above, Michael Turner is the player to grab at this point. If you need a runner in your upcoming draft and Turner stays on the board through the entire third-round, trade up and grab him! Brown will likely have a slow start to the ‘08 season, and it’s going to take him an entire season before he gets back to even 90-95 percent healthy. Avoid him as your third overall player, but start targeting him in the middle of the fourth… Handcuffing Brown to Ricky Williams is key this year.
RotoWire
FFX: We have had Holmes pegged as a 2008 breakout candidate since last year. In fact, some of you are probably tired of reading all of our Holmes predictions, that’s how much we pimped him since last season. Well, unfortunately fantasy worlds are starting the recognize that this guy is the real deal. Expect him to go this high in a lot of upcoming August drafts.
Fantasy Football Edge
FFX: Boldin has good value this year. If your plan is to wait on a WR2, Boldin is your guy. He is capable of top 10-12WR numbers, but he can often be had in the fourth- to fifth-rounds, although in this draft Boldin went a touch early.
Fantasy Football Edge
FFX: This is great value. Graham is 28, so his dynasty value is kind of questionable, but because this is a redraft league, and because Graham is capable of top 10-12RB numbers in 2008, this is a steal.
RotoWire
FFX: This is actually high for Roddy White. It isn’t that we don’t believe in him, because we do, but we usually see him fall into the fifth-round. Do your best to grab him a bit later than this, as that is where the value is with this guy.
Monster Draft
FFX: Roy has more talent than most think. He has the abilities of a top 5WR, but his situation is a bit cloudy in 2008. Expect low-end WR2-type numbers in 2008, but don’t be shocked if he outperforms his draft slot by a lot this season.
RotoWorld
FFX: How can you argue this grab with Welker in New England?
Fantasy Sharks
FFX: If you want to go RB/WR/WR this season, our advice is to grab Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall and use that combo as your RB2. The Steelers are going to go nuts in ‘08 and the rushing attack will be extremely productive.
Pigskin Addiction
FFX: Jones is underrated in just about every fantasy draft we’ve seen this year. For some reason, it’s tough for fantasy owners to make him their clear RB2, but with Favre under center in New York this year, Jones is sure to produce just as long as he stays healthy.
Bruno Boys Fantasy Football
FFX: Let Harrison fall well past the fifth-round — This is a big-time reach. It’s not that it couldn’t workout, but eight or nine times out of ten, Harrison can be had a lot later than this.
Junkyard Jake
FFX: Witten is our No. 1 tight end this season. Gates is still closely behind, but Witten is money!
Melnick & Greco Football
FFX: There is some concern that Gates could start the season on the PUP list, but the Chargers TE recently commented on this topic and said that he couldn’t imagine that happening. Monitor Gates’ progress right up to the day of your draft — If nothing changes, and you don’t a touch of risk, make Gates your second-ranked fantasy tight end.
Athlon/Grogan Fantasy Football
FFX: Marshall is suspended for the first three games of the 2008 regular-season, but with counseling, he might get it knocked down to two games. This isn’t bad value here, but don’t reach any higher for Marshall in your upcoming drafts — He has a lot to prove to us in order to regain our trust.
Monster Draft
FFX: Winslow has the skills, and situation, to crack the top 3TEs this year.
Fantasy Football Librarian
FFX: Not bad value, but Michael Turner should not still be on the board… we’re currently scrambling to trade up to snag him.
Fantasy Football Librarian
FFX: We have talked about how risky Selvin Young is this year… there is no way we pass on Turner at this point.
Monster Draft
FFX: This will end up being the steal of the draft. In last night’s game against the Colts, Turner ran the football four times for 113 yards, with long runs of 63 and 52. Turner has the potential to be the league’s best game breaker.
Athlon/Grogan Fantasy Football
FFX: With weapons like Bush, Colston and Shockey, the sky is the limit for Brees in ‘08. Getting him at 5.03 is what you call nice value.
Melnick & Greco Football
FFX: Being able to land quarterbacks like Brees and Palmer in the fifth-round prove that grabbing Brady, or another QB, in the first-round could be a costly mistake in 2008. With Roethlisberger, Anderson, Brees and Palmer falling so far this season, waiting on a QB.
Junkyard Jake
FFX: Bowe could be the next big fantasy wide receiver!
Bruno Boys Fantasy Football
FFX: Not many Sites out there are as high on Evans as we are, so it’s shocking to see Evans go this high. Edwards is showing tremendous promise thus far in the preseason — Evans should fall well past this pick in your 2008 draft. Take advantage of that.
Pigskin Addiction
FFX: With Favre in New York, Cotchery becomes an instant breakout candidate. The Yardage and reception totals are already there (82/1130 last year), so fantasy worlds have just been waiting for the TDs — Favre should provide plenty of those in 2008.
Fantasy Sharks
FFX: Again, it’s hard to justify spending a first- or second-round pick on a QB when you can land a Ben Roethlisberger, Carson Palmer or Derek Anderson this late. All three of those guys are falling extremely far in early 2008 drafts.
RotoWorld
FFX: Very underrated — Just be sure you handcuff Edge to rookie Tim Hightower this season.
Melnick & Greco Football
FFX: Not a bad pick, but we recommend that fantasy owners wait on Chambers. There are a few other WRs we would rather have at this point in the draft, Greg Jennings being one.
RotoWire
FFX: Anderson is our breakout QB this year. We projected Carson Palmer’s breakout campaign after he had one partial, yet promising, season under center… same thing with Tony Romo, who was forced into the line-up the year before last…. Romo was inside our top 5 heading into last season — Most Sites didn’t even have him as starter worthy. Well, Derek Anderson is the next big thing. Believe!
Fantasy Football Edge
FFX: As long as you back him up with a decent back-up, like Matt Schaub or a Jay Cutler type, McNabb is worth the risk in 2008. Points per start, he is still an elite fantasy QB, it just comes down to how many games he can play.
To view the rest of this draft, click here.
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