Fantasy Football Xtreme was invited to participate in an Early 2009 Fantasy Football Expert Mock Draft. This 2009 fantasy football mock draft is 10 rounds in length, standard scoring, with assumed line-ups made up of 1QB, 2RBs, 3WRs, 1TE, 1K, 1DST… this draft will take place over several days and we will update this article several times a day until the draft is complete. A special thanks to BrunoBoys.net for the invite.

2009 Expert Fantasy Football Mock Draft

ROUND 1

1.01 – Junkyard Jake – Adrian Peterson – Unlike in 2008, where the #1 pick was seemingly a toss-up between Peterson and Tomlinson, in 2009 Peterson may very well be the safest player to take at the #1 spot. Although Peterson’s 10 TDs were disappointing, he contributed a very consistent 110 yards per game, exceeding the century mark for rushing yards in 10 of 16 games played.

1.02 – Fantasy Football Xtreme – Michael Turner – Michael Turner rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2008 – He averaged 4.5 yards a pop and dropped eight 100-yard outings — That’s a better fantasy campaign than even I expected, and Turner was my number one breakout candidate heading into that 2008 fantasy season. The only downside with Turner is that he carried the football 377 times in ‘08, but last season was his first NFL season with more than 80 carries — He will be fine in 2009! Only Steven Jackson deserves consideration over Turner, but in the end this is an easy call for me.

1.03 – Fantasy Pros 911 – On The Clock

1.04 – Fantasy Football Librarian

1.05 – Bruno Boys – Whooley

1.06 – Bruno Boys – Ziza

1.07 – Bruno Boys – Cory

1.08 – Fighting Chance Fantasy

1.09 – Bruno Boys – Cavigs

1.10 – Bruno Boys – Larry

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Ok, it's time to start up some debating here… LT? Too high? Can it be justified? Why? Why not?

Update:

ROUND 1

1.01 – Junkyard Jake - Adrian Peterson - Unlike in 2008, where the #1 pick was seemingly a toss-up between Peterson and Tomlinson, in 2009 Peterson may very well be the safest player to take at the #1 spot. Although Peterson’s 10 TDs were disappointing, he contributed a very consistent 110 yards per game, exceeding the century mark for rushing yards in 10 of 16 games played.

1.02 - Fantasy Football Xtreme - Michael Turner - Michael Turner rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2008 – He averaged 4.5 yards a pop and dropped eight 100-yard outings — That’s a better fantasy campaign than even I expected, and Turner was my number one breakout candidate heading into that 2008 fantasy season. The only downside with Turner is that he carried the football 377 times in ‘08, but last season was his first NFL season with more than 80 carries — He will be fine in 2009! Only Steven Jackson deserves consideration over Turner, but in the end this is an easy call for me.

1.03 – FantasyPros911.com - LaDainian Tomlinson - I could have went with a safe pick like DeAngelo Williams or Brian Westbrook, but I have a gut feeling that LaDainian Tomlinson will be back in 2009. Even though we’ll see him drop out of the first overall pick in 2009, and some may say he disappointed in 2008, he was still the sixth ranked running back with 212 fantasy points. Tomlinson’s backup, Darren Sproles is a free-agent, and at this point I think he’ll jump ship, similar to what Michael Turner did a year ago. That being said, I’m looking for a revitalized LT in 2009 and see him finishing as a one of the top three running backs at season end.

1.04 – Fantasy Football Librarian - DeAngelo Williams - After a slow start to the 2008 season, Williams closed out the season with a strong showing and finished as the top back with 1,518 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs (plus a decent 22 receptions and 2 rec TDs) despite the presence of Jonathan Stewart. I predict that Williams will continue to thrive under a system of shared carries with Stewart and will repeat some of his multi-TD games in 2009, making him another unstoppable beast next season. Sure, he needs to continue to put up those big TD numbers in order to remain a top back, but I’m willing to risk that he’s more than likely to impress again. I was tempted to go with Forte or Westbrook here but think Williams might be the better bet for the important trio of staying strong all season, remaining injury free and putting up big numbers.

1.05 – Bruno Boys Whooley - Matt Forte - If you want consistency for your 2009 season, look no further than Chicago Bears’ running back, Matt Forte. In a stellar rookie campaign, Forte amassed double digit fantasy points in all but 3 games, and in those three games, he didn’t miss by much going for 7, 8, and 9 fantasy points. He’ll continue to be a focal point of the Bears’ offense and should hover around 20-25 carries throughout the year. This consistent back should have no problem avoiding the sophomore slump.

1.06 – Bruno Boys – Ziza

1.07 – Bruno Boys – Cory

1.08 – Fighting Chance Fantasy

1.09 – Bruno Boys – Cavigs

1.10 – Bruno Boys – Larry

No. 3 is too high for me, but that doesn't mean it can't work out. I still think Westy and Steven Jackson have more value in 2009. I can't believe Steven Jackson is still available. This is great news so far for Jackson believers…

Keep the comments rolling, Xtremers! Predictions? Where will Brady go? 

update:

1.06 – Bruno Boys Ziza - Steven Jackson - Sitting in the middle of the first round, one is succumbed to two real facts. A) The best running backs are off of the board. B) It is way too early to draft another position. I am one that truly believes that a championship is built through the running back position, especially in leagues that reward quarterbacks 4 points for a passing TD and wide receivers are not rewarded points per reception. That leaves a solid amount of running backs to chose from, but none that are clearly better than the other. At this point I am thinking Brandon Jacobs, Steven Jackson, Brian Westbrook and Clinton Portis. All of them have their question marks, but it is Jackson that tempts me. He will be only 26 next year, has a new coaching regime that believes in solid defense and a run-first philosophy, was a yardage machine before missing 4 games in each of the last two years and if stretched over a 16 game season, he would of totaled just short of 1,700 total yards while getting 8 TD’s in 2007 and just short of 1,900 total yards while visiting pay dirt almost 11 TD’s this past season. Those number would have been for 256 points. At this point, I feel it is a gamble that could pay off very handsomely.

Update:

1.07 – Bruno Boys Cory - Drew Brees - Well it was so hard to pass up a running back in the first round but my main concern is points. At this point I feel like I can still get two decent RBs later while getting the top QB on the board. Maybe he won’t throw for more than 5,000 yards next year but I can’t imagine his point totals dropping too much, especially with everybody expected to be healthy next season. I like the emergence of Lance Moore as a WR2 and Pierre Thomas as an heir to RB2 to Deuce McAllister. I wouldn’t mind seeing the line improved a bit but overall I feel comfortable taking the top QB with the seventh pick, especially considering I couldn’t settle on a RB I liked enough at this spot.

Gore in the second is a monster steal. I take Gore over Slaton 10 times out of 10. 

Gambler said:

I’d love to start a team around MJD & Gore!

Yea really… I still think Gore and then Steven Jackson are the two biggest steals so far. Gore in the second? I have a feeling I'm going to love the 10-12 range this upcoming season. This is the year to own a late first-round my friends!!!!

Updates below… solid comments so far:

ROUND 1

1.01 – Junkyard Jake - Adrian Peterson - Unlike in 2008, where the #1 pick was seemingly a toss-up between Peterson and Tomlinson, in 2009 Peterson may very well be the safest player to take at the #1 spot. Although Peterson’s 10 TDs were disappointing, he contributed a very consistent 110 yards per game, exceeding the century mark for rushing yards in 10 of 16 games played.

1.02 - Fantasy Football Xtreme - Michael Turner - Michael Turner rushed for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns in 2008 – He averaged 4.5 yards a pop and dropped eight 100-yard outings — That’s a better fantasy campaign than even I expected, and Turner was my number one breakout candidate heading into that 2008 fantasy season. The only downside with Turner is that he carried the football 377 times in ‘08, but last season was his first NFL season with more than 80 carries — He will be fine in 2009! Only Steven Jackson deserves consideration over Turner, but in the end this is an easy call for me.

1.03 – FantasyPros911.com - LaDainian Tomlinson - I could have went with a safe pick like DeAngelo Williams or Brian Westbrook, but I have a gut feeling that LaDainian Tomlinson will be back in 2009. Even though we’ll see him drop out of the first overall pick in 2009, and some may say he disappointed in 2008, he was still the sixth ranked running back with 212 fantasy points. Tomlinson’s backup, Darren Sproles is a free-agent, and at this point I think he’ll jump ship, similar to what Michael Turner did a year ago. That being said, I’m looking for a revitalized LT in 2009 and see him finishing as a one of the top three running backs at season end.

1.04 – Fantasy Football Librarian - DeAngelo Williams - After a slow start to the 2008 season, Williams closed out the season with a strong showing and finished as the top back with 1,518 rushing yards and 18 rushing TDs (plus a decent 22 receptions and 2 rec TDs) despite the presence of Jonathan Stewart. I predict that Williams will continue to thrive under a system of shared carries with Stewart and will repeat some of his multi-TD games in 2009, making him another unstoppable beast next season. Sure, he needs to continue to put up those big TD numbers in order to remain a top back, but I’m willing to risk that he’s more than likely to impress again. I was tempted to go with Forte or Westbrook here but think Williams might be the better bet for the important trio of staying strong all season, remaining injury free and putting up big numbers.

1.05 – Bruno Boys Whooley - Matt Forte - If you want consistency for your 2009 season, look no further than Chicago Bears’ running back, Matt Forte. In a stellar rookie campaign, Forte amassed double digit fantasy points in all but 3 games, and in those three games, he didn’t miss by much going for 7, 8, and 9 fantasy points. He’ll continue to be a focal point of the Bears’ offense and should hover around 20-25 carries throughout the year. This consistent back should have no problem avoiding the sophomore slump.

1.06 – Bruno Boys Ziza - Steven Jackson - Sitting in the middle of the first round, one is succumbed to two real facts. A) The best running backs are off of the board. B) It is way too early to draft another position. I am one that truly believes that a championship is built through the running back position, especially in leagues that reward quarterbacks 4 points for a passing TD and wide receivers are not rewarded points per reception. That leaves a solid amount of running backs to chose from, but none that are clearly better than the other. At this point I am thinking Brandon Jacobs, Steven Jackson, Brian Westbrook and Clinton Portis. All of them have their question marks, but it is Jackson that tempts me. He will be only 26 next year, has a new coaching regime that believes in solid defense and a run-first philosophy, was a yardage machine before missing 4 games in each of the last two years and if stretched over a 16 game season, he would of totaled just short of 1,700 total yards while getting 8 TD’s in 2007 and just short of 1,900 total yards while visiting pay dirt almost 11 TD’s this past season. Those number would have been for 256 points. At this point, I feel it is a gamble that could pay off very handsomely.

1.07 – Bruno Boys Cory - Drew Brees - Well it was so hard to pass up a running back in the first round but my main concern is points. At this point I feel like I can still get two decent RBs later while getting the top QB on the board. Maybe he won’t throw for more than 5,000 yards next year but I can’t imagine his point totals dropping too much, especially with everybody expected to be healthy next season. I like the emergence of Lance Moore as a WR2 and Pierre Thomas as an heir to RB2 to Deuce McAllister. I wouldn’t mind seeing the line improved a bit but overall I feel comfortable taking the top QB with the seventh pick, especially considering I couldn’t settle on a RB I liked enough at this spot.

1.08 – Fighting Chance Fantasy - Brian Westbrook - I bash this guy all the time for his ability to stay healthy, I even gave him the nickname Brian “Game Time Decision” Westbrook, but I just couldn’t pass him up here. Even with missing two games he still had 14 touchdowns and had over 1,300 all purpose yards. If he is able to stay healthy, a monumental “if”, you could easily see a return to 2007 numbers and I have a huge steal on my hands. He will always be the focus of that offense, and as he goes, Philly goes. I REALLY almost went with Peyton here, but there are plenty of quarterbacks that I like.

1.09 – Bruno Boys Cavigs - Maurice Jones-Drew - Jones-Drew finished 2008 with a bang, as the third year running back had 10+ fantasy points in seven of his last 9 games. With running back Fred Taylor expected to leave town the Jaguars are making a commitment to Jones-Drew as the primary ball carrier. His 197 carries this year was a career high and with no RBBC in 2009 he should be able to approach 250 carries. Plus, Jones-Drew is arguably the best pass catching RB in the NFL, finishing with 62 receptions on the season. Expect those number to continue and the added rushing totals to propel Jones-Drew into a reliable RB1. I also considered Steve Slaton, Brandon Jacobs, Clinton Portis and Frank Gore but Jones-Drew grades out the best heading into 2009.

1.10 – Bruno Boys Larry - Steve Slaton - Slaton was not a first rounder in 2008, as a matter of fact he was a late round pick and even went undrafted in many leagues. As a rookie he caught many fantasy owners by surprise. He could not have been drafted into a better situation as the Texans did not head into the season with a clear cut number one RB. Ahman Green was slated to be the teams starter, but as usual injuries were an issue. Slaton was given a chance in Week 3 of the season and he did not disappoint. He went on to carry the ball 268 times for 1,282 yards with 9 touchdowns. Slaton also added 50 receptions for 377 yards with 1 touchdown. The Texans managed to get Slaton 20 plus touches a game 9 times in 2008 and that number should grow in 2009. He is a game breaker and I am ecstatic to land him with the number 10 pick.

ROUND 2

2.01 – Bruno Boys Larry - Larry Fitzgerald - This was actually a very tough pick as there are still some very good running backs available. For many years my rule of thumb was to go RB with my first two picks and it was hard to pass on Frank Gore, Clinton Portis and Brandon Jacobs among others. But in this league we will be starting 3 wide receivers and I felt compelled to get a top flight WR at this point. There will likely be a run on the WR position between now and when I pick again in 20 picks and I don’t want to be left without a WR1. This is a mistake I made in one league last year when I had the number 10 pick and the WR postion haunted me all season. Larry Fitzgerald has emerged as the top WR in football in my mind. He scored 210 fantasy points last season on 96 receptions for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was very consistant all season scoring in double figures 12 times. There is no reason to believe that Fitz will have a drop off in 2009, although this pick is based on Kurt Warner returning as the Cardinals starting QB in 2009 and I have a hard time believing he won’t. With the added depth at RB in this years draft, I feel very comfortable making this pick.

2.02 – Bruno Boys Cavigs - Frank Gore - With pass first offensive coordinator Mike Martz running the show in San Francisco, Gore had somewhat of a roller coaster season but things should change in 2009. Martz was given the pink slip and new head coach Mike Singletary is committed to playing smash-mouth football that features a heavy dosage of Gore. His 283 touches and 1,409 total yards was his lowest output since his rookie season, but with him in line to get over 300 carries this year, we expect his totals to be comparable to 2006 when he had 2,180 total yards. Bottom Line, if you can snag him in the second round (because of a sub-par 2008 showing) consider yourself lucky.

2.03 – Fighting Chance Fantasy - Marion Barber - Really just wanted the opportunity to write Marion the Barbarian. Barber runs like he is mad at the world and refuses to ever take the easy way out of bounds and you have to admire him for that. He also has always had a nose for the endzone. Although he has some company in the backfield in what will be second year man Felix Jones, Barber is still the main man in Dallas, and isn’t a bad pass receiver as well. Fantasy football is won and lost with TDs, and you can count on 10+ out of Barber.

2.04 – Bruno Boys Cory - Marshawn Lynch - I struggled with this pick between Marshawn Lynch, Brandon Jacobs and Chris Johnson. Ultimately, I felt too many points would be poached from Jacobs and Johnson, and injuries to Jacobs also scared me off. Lynch is the clear-cut No. 1 back in Buffalo and though the offense struggled at times this year I see the Bills getting better. Lynch has the ability to go for 1,500 yards and 15 total touchdowns and that’s the kind of production I like out of a second round pick.