After a miserable 2009, RomoBall rebounded with a solid 2010 that yielded one championship and two playoff appearances across three leagues. As a result of uncharacteristic patience, ChalmSkinn Productions entered 2011 with Vincent Jackson as a keeper. 10-Team PPR, with the following players held over from 2010: Jackson (8th) Mike Wallace (9th) Green Bay Defense (10th) Tim Hightower (11th) Darren McFadden (12th) Ben Roethlisberger (12th) and Josh Freeman (16th).
Premium RBs flew off the board in normal fashion from 1-5, and even with LeSean McCoy and his 78 receptions a year ago available, something about that flakjacket made me pass. Primo runners Adrian, Arian, Ray, Jamaal and CJ all off the board, I decided to take a premium receiver. Down to Andre vs. Roddy, I went with Andre, making him the first non-RB taken. McCoy would have been the logical pick with a WR already on the roster, bur for reasons unexplained, I did not want to enter 2011 with Vincent as my WR1. Mission accomplished. Vick went next, then Mendenhall, LeSean slipped to 9th, the steal of the first round, and last year's champ hauled in Roddy White and MegaTRON at the turn.
Round 2
11. Calvin Johnson. I like this pick. MegaTRON has a cool nickname, proved he can do it with just about anyone at QB in '10, and has Stafford healthy in '11.
12. Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers should be the top pointgetter in most formats this year. Outstanding at 12, acceptable anywhere after 5.
13. Peyton Hillis. I heart Hillis. Someone really wanted the talented, though not 13th overall-worthy Hillis.
14. Michael Turner. TD machine is fine with me in the middle of the 2nd. More appropriate than previous years where he's cracked the top-5.
15. Maurice Jones-Drew. In 2010, MJD crossed the 1,300 threshold on the ground in just 14 games on a down year for the Jags. Some risk, but high reward here.
16. Drew Brees. Looking at the next shelf of WR/RB, a fantastic pick.
17. Larry Fitzgerald. The beginning of the next shelf of WR/RB. Kolb should help.
18. Philip Rivers. Just a fool to believe that he'd slip to me round three...
19. Miles Austin. Not sure about this one. He has monster games but can also disappear. Dez Bryant is the cheaper, better buy in Big D.
20. Hakeem Nicks. The main event in New York and with Boss gone, now primary Red Zone target, too.
Round 3
21. DeSean Jacson. Quality pick here, as the owner of pick #1 must remain vigilant to not become AP, Inc. Nicks and D-Jax are quality additions.
22. Shonn Greene. I don't like this pick.
23. Greg Jennings. Doesn't anything Green Bay just make you feel warm and safe?
24. Matt Forte. Forte had a quietly productive 2010. He and the Bears should take another step forward in year two of the MME. (Mike Martz Era)
25. LeGarrette Blount. LeGarrette was taken from the top of my queue. He's in for a huge year for the Bucs.
26. Tom Brady. LeGarrette gone, and with a bad case of I-don't-trust-Steven-Jackson, I took Brady, the last premier option at QB.
27. Steven Jackson. A fine pick at 27 for any owner other than me. Should be fine and could really shine on a Rams team headed in the right direction.
28. Reggie Wayne. As solid as they come over the past decade, his elite status depends on Peyton Manning, and there are far worse people to have your hopes on.
29. Dwayne Bowe. A touchdown monster with 12 in 2010, Bowe is a popular pick in traditional leagues and makes a strong WR2 or a low-end WR1 option.
30. Ahmad Bradshaw. Ahmad has seperated himself from Jacobs in the Giants' backfield, and the bigger Jacobs isn't a goal line back either.
Round 4
31. Frank Gore. After locking up Roddy and Calvin on the first turn (and McFadden as a keeper), last year's champ fills out his front five with a Gore in round four.
32. Anquan Boldin. Anquan's second year with Flacco could be a big one.
33. Brandon Lloyd. Lloyd's beastly 2010 proves that stud wideouts can be found on waivers or late in drafts, so why use your 4th rounder on Brandon? Don't expect a repeat.
34. Mike Williams. Josh Freeman threw 25 TD and just 6 INT in 2010, and Mike Williams 2.0 is his favorite target. We like the pick, but with name brands still on the board, seems a round early.
35. Brandon Marshall. The name brand on the board at wideout. I read recently that Brandon is entering 2011, 'with a chip on his shoulder,' and nearly shnarfed my skittles. One of the chippiest players in the game, Brandon had 86/1000 on a bad year and at 27, is just now entering his prime.
36. Felix Jones. The way is clear for Felix to finally do Jerry proud.
37. Antonio Gates. Another of the name brands I'd take ahead of MW2 and Felix. By round 4 the top-flight WR/RBs are off the board. Why not take a guy that can put up WR numbers as a TE? There is some risk here, but Gates a warrior and he's healthy right now.
38. DeAngelo Williams. 30 Helens Agree: DeAngelo is too risky for Round 4!
39. Tony Romo. T.O. and Roy Williams officially out of his life, Romo must feel like Forrest when his magic legs break off. He'll be unleashed this year with Austin, Bryant and Witten all having big years.
40. Dez Bryant. A great pick 21 slots after Miles Austin, likely has the better year.
Round 5
41. Mark Ingram. The 2009 Heisman winner is the most exciting rookie back in fantasy this year. Some risk + tremendous upside = Round 5. Don't wait much longer.
42. Ryan Grant. Grant looks like an early bust candidate. The Packers seem to prefer James Starks at the moment.
43. Stevie Johnson. Stevie can see. He can see just fine. We can't see him repeating his breakout 2010, but he has size and if we know anything, we know this: The Bills will be down in games.
44. Jahvid Best. You can do better here.
45. Jeremy Maclin. Positive: You get a piece of the Philly offense. Negative: It isn't Vick, McCoy or Jackson. He can be had later.
46. Knowshon Moreno. Ingram off the board forces the Knowshon pick as a passable RB2.
47. Jermichael Finley. Jermichael is enormous. So is his potential.
48. Peyton Manning. Finally. Even if he's not back until Week 5, a steal in Round 5.
49. Jason Witten. The third TE taken after Gates, Finley. Makes sense.
50. Wes Welker. Should get back to 100+ catches after decent post-ACL year.
