One of the more interesting fantasy football discussions every new season is on the positives and negatives for each of the draft slots. While I believe it is possible to win a league no matter where you draft from, it is obvious to the veteran fantasy owner that there are certain advantages to drafting in some positions. In addition, there are some pratfalls to avoid in certain fantasy draft slots. This first series of draft slot articles will take an in-depth look at each of the twelve draft positions in a 12-team, redraft fantasy football league and outline the positives and negatives of each slot. In addition each separate article will showcase a mock draft compiled using Footballguys legendary Draft Dominator.

After this series is complete, I will try to break down many other styles of leagues (14-team, 16-team, 8-team, FLEX options, etc.)

This particular series is based on...

12-team redraft league / 18-round fantasy draft

Must start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE

Scoring is as follows:

1 point every 20 passing yards

1 point every 10 rushing yards

4 points per passing touchdown

6 points per rushing / receiving touchdown

3 points per field goal / 1 point per extra point

2 points per interception, fumble recovery and safety

1 point per sack

6 points per defensive touchdown

10 points per shutout

This study is performed using the mock draft function within our own Draft Dominator software. The program gives you the ability to draft for one team and have the other teams taken over by computer control using different ADP lists. For the purpose of this study, I will use David Dodds' projections found within the Dominator. The mock draft ability of the Dominator is a nice way to prepare for your fantasy draft. Running the same draft several times will help you to anticipate all possible scenarios when your own draft arrives. Check it out today.

If you would like to see a particular study this season, please send me an e-mail at [email protected], and I will do my best to cover your scoring rules, starting lineup requirements, etc. before the end of training camp.

Drafting 1st overall (12-team re-draft)

It is always a nice luxury to draft first overall. Not only do you pickup the top running back on your list but you also get three of the top twenty-five players on your draft board, building a strong foundation for the team. There is no real need to reach with this slot as there will always be good talent available. After picking up a running back with the first pick, simply take the best two players when the next picks come around and then begin to adjust your draft strategy to solidify a strong starting lineup.

Possible strategies to incorporate into your draft

There are many different paths to take with the 1st overall pick. We will illustrate two of the paths in the examples below. In a nutshell though, take the best three players on the draft board to begin the draft and your squad will be in a great position to do well this year.

Examples

1. League that goes RB heavy in first two rounds: Many leagues out there still feature running backs flying off the board in the first two rounds. If this is similar to your own league, an owner drafting first overall is in a wonderful position to succeed. When his 2nd / 3rd round picks come around, simply take the best two players still on your board and despite having only one running back, this team will look incredibly strong to begin the draft.

Possible squad through five rounds

QB Peyton Manning, 3.01

RB Chris Johnson, 1.01

RB LeSean McCoy, 5.01

WR Reggie Wayne, 2.12

WR Anquan Boldin, 4.12

In this example, 17 running backs flew off fast and furious in the first two rounds. An inexperienced / ill-prepared owner here may panic and follow the trend, picking up at least one running back here. However, starting the draft off with the top running back allows an owner to practice patience here. Picking up a top-two quarterback and top-five receiver really builds a strong foundation for the squad to thrive. Having the Manning to Wayne combo is especially interesting as both will rack up huge yardage and touchdowns. Waiting on running back worked out well with a strong RB2 available in round five.

2. League that has more flexibility in first two rounds: If your league has more flexibility in the top include the best quarterbacks and receivers off the board, then a more conventional approach is in order.

Possible squad through five rounds

RB Chris Johnson, 1.01

RB DeAngelo Williams, 2.12

RB Chris Wells, 3.01

WR Anquan Boldin, 4.12

WR Michael Crabtree, 5.01

In this example, many of the teams opt for strong quarterbacks and top receiver talent. When the 2nd and 3rd round picks arrive, two strong running backs are available and team up with Johnson to give outstanding running back depth and talent to this team. There are still good receivers available in the 4th and 5th rounds and the end result is a very powerful squad through five rounds.

Positives of the draft slot

Drafting the top player on your draft board

Already having top running back means owner can simply take best available players in rounds 2/3

Smart drafting will help owner remain ahead of the curve throughout the entire draft

Negatives of the draft slot

Very long time between picks

Can watch big positional runs leave the cupboards empty between picks

Final Draft Table

Breaking down the mock draft from the 1st draft position

Round 1: RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee

Has emerged as the top running back in the NFL today. In terms of possible fantasy numbers, he is a monster.

Round 2: RB DeAngelo Williams, Carolina

Although he shares time at the running back position, Williams has the potential to put up monster fantasy numbers and is a steal at the end of the 2nd round. He teams up with Johnson to give this squad a young, dynamic pair at running back.

Round 3: WR Calvin Johnson, Detroit

There are multiple good options here to be selected. An owner could look at QB Philip Rivers who is likely a top-five fantasy quarterback or a solid 3rd running back option such as Chris Wells. However one player stands out here with the potential to become an elite fantasy option and is worth the risk here. Calvin Johnson has all the tools to be an elite player and with 2nd-year QB Matthew Stafford now with experience under his belt, Johnson may explode for the Lions in 2010.

Round 4: WR Anquan Boldin, Baltimore

I do consider a 3rd running back here with a number of decent options but landing a Boldin with the 48th pick is huge. With Boldin, you know he is likely to miss a few games due to injury each year but also that he'll catch a ton of passes and be a good fantasy option for a fantasy team. As a 2nd receiver, he is a great pickup.

Round 5: WR Michael Crabtree, San Francisco

Again, it is tempting to go running back here but to win a title, you need to take chances. The Crabtree-Calvin Johnson duo at receiver could become an unstoppable force for my roster in 2010 as both have massive potential to put up numbers. If the risk pays off, this squad could find itself with two 1400 receiving yards / 10+ touchdown receivers.

Round 6: RB Jerome Henderson, Cleveland

With my starting two running backs and three receivers on board, I consider going quarterback here. However the only real intriguing player is Joe Flacco and he simply is not appealing enough to take him in the 6th round. Instead I opt for a good 3rd option at running back in Jerome Henderson who emerged as a threat last season. He'll provide good depth and has a different bye week than the two starters.

Round 7: TE Jason Witten, Dallas

Like I said in round six, I do consider quarterback but Witten is too good of a tight end to pass up here. His addition gives the roster true strength at three positions in the fantasy league and provides stability at tight end.

Round 8: RB Marion Barber, Dallas

My plan here is to take a quarterback but looking at the draft board, I believe there is a really strong chance to sit on the position and instead pick up more running back and receiver depth here. Marion Barber was a top-two round pick last year and is a bargain in the eighth round. He'll share time in Dallas but is a good option as RB4 and has a different bye week than my other three running backs

Round 9: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle

Houshmandzadeh should be a good veteran fit on the squad and be a reliable starter when he is called upon. A good depth player. I'll have to see if waiting on the quarterback position will pay off but it is a risk worth taking in my opinion.

At the halfway point of the draft, our team looks like this...

Quarterbacks

none

Running Backs

Chris Johnson, Tennessee - 9

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina - 6

Jerome Harrison, Cleveland -8

Marion Barber, Dallas – 4

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson, Detroit – 7

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore – 8

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco – 9

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle – 5

Tight Ends

Jason Witten, Dallas – 4

Place Kickers

none

Defenses

none

Love how this squad is coming together. Excellent running back and receiver talent and depth with a tremendous receiver tight end option thrown in as well. If the risky move of waiting on a quarterback pays off in the rounds ahead, this team will be a strong contender for the title. One of the best areas of this team is the bye week breakdown. Both running back and receiver positions have no conflicts in terms of bye weeks in 2010.

Rounds 10-14: QB Alex Smith, San Francisco / DEF Baltimore Ravens / QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh / RB Leon Washington, Seattle, WR Demaryius Thomas, Denver

In the tenth round it is time to pickup a quarterback and Alex Smith fits the bill nicely. He has turned the corner and has the offensive talent around him to surprise this season. I do consider taking a 2nd quarterback with the back-to-back picks but have a strong feeling Roethlisberger will slide one more round which he does. He is a top-ten fantasy quarterback who will start most weeks for me when he returns from suspension. Adding more depth with Washington and Thomas here is nice with both having potential to surprise with some nice numbers in 2010.

Rounds 15-18: WR Julian Edelman, New England / PK Garrett Hartley / DEF New England Patriots / QB Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh

Land my starting kicker, a great 2nd option on defense, more strong receiver depth with upside in Edelman and land Leftwich with the final pick and he'll help bridge the gap between the start of the season and when Roethlisberger returns.

Final Roster (Draft Slot #1)

Quarterbacks

Alex Smith, San Francisco – 9

Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh – 5

Byron Leftwich, Pittsburgh - 5

Running Backs

Chris Johnson, Tennessee - 9

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina - 6

Jerome Harrison, Cleveland -8

Marion Barber, Dallas - 4

Leon Washington, Seattle - 5

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson, Detroit – 7

Anquan Boldin, Baltimore – 8

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco – 9

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle – 5

Demaryius Thomas, Denver – 9

Julian Edelman, New England - 5

Tight Ends

Jason Witten, Dallas – 4

Place Kickers

Garrett Hartley, New Orleans - 10

Defenses

Baltimore Ravens – 8

New England Patriots - 10

Final thoughts on this roster

This roster is looking very strong as the draft comes to a close. Potential concerns is the lack of a backup tight end behind Witten and a quarterback stable that will have some question marks heading into the season. The running back and receiver positions are definitely areas of strength on the team as our the kicker and team defensive slots. All in all, this team is a contender that has a real chance to win the title in 2010. If young receivers Johnson, Crabtree, Thomas and Edelman develop into strong options in 2010, this squad will be very difficult to knock off.

Last thoughts on the 1st draft slot in a 12-team league

Drafting first overall is always a great spot to be in when it comes to redrafts. With three of the top twenty-five players including the top running back, smart drafting will result in a dynamic, explosive fantasy roster. Stay flexible, let the draft unfold without preconceived notions of which position to take when and you'll finish up with a strong, capable fantasy team after the draft and heading into the season.

Good luck and happy drafting!