Fantasy Football Draft Strategy By Position

Deciding on a draft strategy is critical and depends largely on the position that you are choosing from. If you have the 1st pick, you almost have no choice but to pick running back, either LaDainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson. These are clearly the most valuable players in this year's draft. A late first-round choice may warrant selecting the best QB or WR available if all of the elite running backs have been taken.

Whatever you decide, your first pick is critical and can determine the direction of your entire draft.
My selection in my main fantasy draft this year is 8. I'll take some time here to explain some of my thoughts on strategy from this position.

The best thing about the 8th pick is that you get to turn around 5 picks later and select another high quality player. I have narrowed down 3 strategies for my top two picks below.

1. RB, RB - Picking RB, RB allows me to get two second tier running backs who will consistently produce throughout the season. Players available will include Marion Barber, Frank Gore, Larry Johnson, Marshawn Lynch, Ryan Grant, and Willis McGahee. I should easily be able to land two of these players.
   
2. RB, QB - This strategy will give me a solid second tier running back as well as an elite QB such as Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. I'll have to pick up another running back in round 3 or 4 but I'll have a top tier QB that I can count on for scoring nearly every week.
   
3. QB, WR - The final strategy is a risky one. Skip the RB position in the first 2 rounds and take the best QB and best WR available. I would be a little hesitant to have Randy Moss and Tom Brady since they are on the same team. But you would surely have a potent 1-2 punch.
   

Each of these strategies will lead to different choices with my 3rd and 4th round picks.

1. If I draft 2 running backs I'll need to grab a quality WR in round two and most likely a QB. I would love to get Drew Brees here and maybe a Steve Smith. Carson Palmer should also be a good option for QB in the 4th.
   
2. Unless there is a great running back that slips here, I would probably go WR, WR, to compliment my stud QB. WR's available should include Steve Smith, Marques Colston, Torry Holt, Chad Johnson, Plaxico Burress, and Brandon Marshall. Its possible Larry Fitzgerald could be there in the 3rd round as well.
   
3. If I go QB, WR in the first round, then I will definitely need to take RB's in 3 and 4. This is probably my least favorite draft spot of the 3 choices. Here are some of the RB's that should be available here:

• Michael Turner
• Laurence Maroney
• Ronnie Brown
• Darren McFadden
• Jonathan Stewart
• Earnest Graham
• Edgerrin James
• Reggie Bush

In rounds 5 and 6 I would work on taking an elite tight end, and then filling out the roster with my 6th pick, depending on which strategy I take. I'll most likely stock up on RB's with potential in the later rounds hoping to find a gem.

Of the 3 strategies listed above, I'm leaning towards #2. I think this allows me to have a balanced starting lineup of players who should score consistently.

Wide Receiver Rankings - 2008

This is the deepest group of quality wide receiver's in a long time. Its so deep that you can get a guy like Plaxico Burress or Chad Johnson in the fourth round of your draft. Here are my top 10 fantasy football wide receiver's for 2008.

1. Randy Moss - Set a record with 23 TD's last year. Should be the top WR again in 2008.
   
2. Terrell Owens - Lots of dropped passes, but 15 touchdowns make up for it.
   
3. Reggie Wayne - Consistent production as the Colts new #1 WR.
   
4. Braylon Edwards - Breakout year last year. Will it continue?
5. T.J. Houshmandzadeh - 112 receptions last year. Solid week to week production.
6. Andre Johnson - When he is healthy he is one of the best.
   
7. Larry Fitzgerald - Share's the spotlight with Boldin, but still had 100 receptions.
   
8. Steve Smith (Car) - Lives and dies on the health of Jake Delhomme.
   
9. Marques Colston - Saints love to throw the ball and Colston will respond with 90+ receptions this year.
   
10. Plaxico Burress - Should be healthier than last year and playing with a more confident Eli Manning.
    

Peyton Manning may play in preseason

Peyton Manning is recovering from surgery on an infected bursa sac but he may still be on track to play in the preseason according to Colts coach Tony Dungy. I would expect Manning to be near full speed by week 1 and ready to start. Draft him as if this surgery never happened.

Jeremy Shockey Traded to the New Orleans Saints

In perhaps the biggest shake-up to your fantasy football rankings since the NFL draft, the New York Giants traded TE Jeremy Shockey to the New Orleans saints for a second and fifth round pick in 2009.

Most people will be quick to rocket Shockey up their draft rankings, and rightfully so. Shockey will join a potent offense whose QB, Drew Brees, loves to throw to tight ends. I will certainly move Shockey into the the top tier along with Gates, Witten, Winslow and Gonzalez. However, keep in mind that Shockey has had a lot of injury problems and often doesn't stay healthy for 16 games. Part of this is due to his aggresive style of play. For that reason, I will most likely keep Shockey at the bottom of the top tier.

If he stays healthy though, he could become the top TE in fantasy football for 2008.

2008 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings

Don't underestimate the value of a good tight end these days. The top 4 TE's last year produced a fairly significant point margin over TE's ranked 7th or lower in scoring. If you can get one of these guys, you have a good opportunity to create weekly matchup problems for your opponents.

1. Antonio Gates (Chargers) - The perennial top TE barely missed 1000 receiving yards last season and scored 9 TDs.
   
2. Jason Witten (Cowboys) - 96 receptions last year. You could easily argue that Witten should be the first TE taken this year.
   
3. Kellen Winslow (Browns) - Finally lived up to his potential last year.
   
4. Tony Gonzalez (Cheifs) - 99 receptions last year. Doesn't seem like he's slowing down to me.
5. Jeremy Shockey (Saints) - Brees loves TE's, but will Shockey stay healthy.
   
6. Dallas Clark (Colts) - Only 58 receptions, but made up for it with 11 touchdowns.
   
7. Chris Cooley (Redskins) - New West Coast offense in Washington may hurt his production.
   
8. Tony Scheffler (Broncos) - Finished 2007 with a strong run.
   
9. Heath Miller (Steelers) - Should continue to have solid production.
10. Vernon Davis (49ers) - Will Davis finally live up to his potential? It may depend upon the quality of QB play in San Fran.
    

Late round sleepers: Alge Crumpler (Titans), Randy McMichael (Rams)