Gambler said:

know you’re high on the guy so can’t fault the pick…but look at the numbers at the end of this year and you’ll see Smith will have outscored him by a solid margin. Oh well, not the end of the world.

In a PPR, WRs are worth more and it's key to get a WR in the first two rounds in such a format, but you still need RBs or you get crushed at the position. There aren't even 25-26 for sure starters anymore in the NFL (give or take a few in either direction, can be debated)… There are often two solid WRs on each NFL team and some have a very productive #3 guy… There are well over 60 very good WRs.

Even if Smith outscored Turner in a PPR, it doesn't make it the best pick if you don't end up having RBs in those RB slots.

Turner and the WR I end up getting will likely outscore Smith and the RB I end up getting. Sometimes RBs fall and looking back Smith/later RB would be the best move, but you can't predict the flow of those rushers. Plus, we have a pick coming up rather soon and I'd rather be safe at RB, land our breakout, and still get solid value at WR… a guy that could still be a top 10-15 talent.

You can win in all kinds of ways using all kinds of strategies, so going Steve Smith wouldn't be the wrong move, for I obviously considered it, but Westy/Turner is sound. AJ and the WRs I get will be as well. Winning can be done both ways.

We have the 13th pick from now. Here are my 13 top rated guys:

Players left, in no particular order:

Steve Smith
Tony Romo
Carson Palmer
Ben Roethlisberger
Brandon Jacobs
Laurence Maroney
Anquan Boldin
Drew Brees
Wes Welker
Calvin Johnson
Plaxico Burress
Antonio Gates
Roy Williams
Jason Witten
Santonio Holmes
Kellen Winslow
Earnest Graham
Derek Anderson
Rashard Mendenhall
Jonathan Stewart
Lee Evans
Dwayne Bowe
Greg Jennings

Our roster:

Brian Westbrook
Michael Turner
Andre Johnson

Went against my normal style of drafting and I went with Gates. In a PPR, I just couldn't pass up the value and every other player available feels like they could be available at my next pick. Gates didn't.

Brian Westbrook, Michael Turner, Andre Johnson, Antonio Gates

I feel like that is a very strong squad with a whole lot of PPR value. We shall see if I go QB, like Palmer or Roethy next, or Santonio, Bowe or a rookie rusher.

Passed on Colston? Where, in the 2nd? He went at 2.10. Do you mean why did I take AJ over Colston back in the second?

I like Gates a lot more than Winslow. Gates not running steal feels healthier than a Winslow on the practice field

I like Winslow, don't get me wrong, but Gates is Gates. Only Witten can rank above him in redraft leagues IMO, but surely that can be debated.

Smitty said:

Passed on Colston? Where, in the 2nd? He went at 2.10. Do you mean why did I take AJ over Colston back in the second?

Yes. More as an observation.

FearlessLogic said:

Tavaner said:

Smitty said:

Passed on Colston? Where, in the 2nd? He went at 2.10. Do you mean why did I take AJ over Colston back in the second?

---

Yes. More as an observation.

---

I was also wishing that Smitty would pick Colston. Yes, it’s too hard to pass on Andre but I am just worried about his durability. Then maybe snatching Witten coz am not sure if Gates would be 100% healthy with his toe injury. Witten has been a favorite target of Romo who throws better than yappy Rivers.

With that, Smitty’s team would be:
Westy
Turner
Colston
Witten

which IMHO would be a bit stronger than Westy, Turner, AJ, Gates.

It's tough to argue

AJ/Gates vs. Colston/Witten

I mean, that's tough. I'm pleased with this squad we have, but I tell ya, normally I wait on a TE. It's always nice to try a few different strategies each year when you do as many leagues as we do.

We should have more drafts as we near July. Tav will be going to battle with one himself.

Team so far in this PPR Expert Fantasy Draft:

QB1: Ben Roethlisberger
RB2: Brian Westbrook
RB3: Michael Turner
Flex:
WR1: Andre Johnson
WR2:
WR3:
TE1: Antonio Gates

It's tough not grabbing WRs, but honestly, I just don't like some of the WRs here. I will like them in a few rounds, but not now at the cost of locking down some serious talent at different positions. I like the Dwayne Bowe and Calvin Johnson types, but when elite talent (at their position) is still on the board, like Roethy, I have to attack.

This team is thin at WR, and probably will be loaded with “upside sleeper” types at the WR2 and WR3 spot, or Driver and Chambers types, but that is a strong core and very balanced for the most part. I like it. I am normally very RB-heavy, so this look is a change for me. This is normally not my style, but I'm liking this line-up so far.

Good looking squad Smitty!

Ben Roethlisberger, Brian Westbrook, Michael Turner, Andre Johnson, Antonio Gates

Franchise
FantasyFootballEdge.net: Graham, Portis, Holt, Owens
FantasyFootballstars.net: Johnson, Maroney, Edwards, Smith
insidethestats.com: Brown, Gore, Houshmandzadeh, White,
Junk Yard Jake: Palmer, McFadden, Peterson, Stewart, Fitzgerald,
Fantasy Sports Group: Romo, Lynch, McGahee, Boldin,
Footballguys.com: Bush, James, Burress, Moss, R
AllSortsSports.com: Manning, P Jones, J Tomlinson, Holmes, Johnson, C
MonsterDraft.com: Brady, Barber, Marshall,Witten,
FantasyFootballXtreme.com: Roethlisberger, Turner, Westbrook, Johnson, A Gates, A
expertfantasyfootball.com: Jacobs, Parker, Wayne, Welker,
FootballHangout.com: Jackson, Johnson, R Lewis, Colston,
FantasyDraftEdge.com: Addai, Grant, Jones, T Jones-Drew, Williams, R

Some great picks so far Smitty, do you plan on grabing your WR2 this round? Also how far do you envision Mendenhall sliding?

Top guys on my list are:

• Rashard Mendenhall
• Lee Evans
• Dwayne Bowe