Fantasy Football Analysis Draft - Round 15
By KFFL Staff
1) Jerricho Cotchery, wide receiver, New York Jets
Team: Nicholas Minnix | Team Roster
Reason: I don't expect this passing offense to be prolific. With the still-green
Mark Sanchez at the helm, the
Jets should be thrilled with average.
Braylon Edwards and
Santonio Holmes are great talents, but they can steal a headline or two for the wrong reasons, on or off the field. For four weeks, at least, the consummate pro - Cotchery - is a starter. He'll be the one constant in a gelling corps. Gang Green wants its wideouts to know how to play from all spots, so they won't just stick Cotchery in the slot. Even if they do, he could easily lead the team in looks.
2) Vince Young, quarterback, Tennessee Titans
Team: Tim Heaney | Team Roster
Reason: Slim pickings: Thought about
Matt Hasselbeck, but went for high upside this late - hopefully I'll only need him for one week. VY's ascension to starter opened up Tennessee's offense last year. His feet can create points, but Young's right arm still has high potential, and maybe more work with the receivers and tight end
Bo Scaife will help him take the next step.
3) Dallas Cowboys, defensive team/special
teams
Team: Ilan Mochari | Team Roster
Not just quick feet |
Reason: The
Cowboys have in spades what other teams lack: a pass rush. And you don't need to channel the ghost of Buddy Ryan to know: With a pass rush come turnovers. Moreover, the Dallas D ranked second in points allowed (15.6 per game) last season. What's not to like? I do worry about a schedule including the prolific-passing attacks of the
Houston Texans,
Green Bay Packers,
Minnesota Vikings,
New Orleans Saints and
Indianapolis Colts. Still, I expect the
Cowboys to rack up sacks every week and to minimize, if not neutralize, most of their opponents.
4) Greg Olsen, tight end, Chicago Bears
Team: Mike Egnak | Team Roster
Reason: Hard to pass up a tight end that scored eight times last season while hauling in 60 passes, even though it means I have two tight ends with the same bye. There are concerns about how his role will change in offensive coordinator
Mike Martz's offense, but I think he's worth taking the risk on in the 15th round.
5) Mason Crosby, place kicker, Green Bay Packers
Team: Ryan R. Bonini | Team Roster
Reason: The kicker run is about to begin in the final stanza, so I figured I would kick it off and make sure I had my choice of kickers. Enter Crosby, who has kicked at least 27 field goals and 46 extra points each of the past three seasons. The Green Bay offense is still improving, which will allow plenty of opportunities for Crosby again.
6) Mohamed Massaquoi, wide receiver, Cleveland Browns
Team: Keith Hernandez | Team Roster
Reason: Obviously, there isn't much left to choose from at this point in the draft. Massaquoi is the ultimate boom-or-bust receiver in an offense that can be extremely anemic at times. The positive here: He is the team's most explosive weapon, and he has shown that he has the ability to put up massive stats - he totaled 148 yards in Week 4 last season. If Massaquoi can improve in his sophomore campaign, he will be worth the flier pick this late.
7) Nate Kaeding, place kicker, San
Diego Chargers
Team: Jack Douglas | Team Roster
Reason: I had wanted to draft wide receiver
Mohamed
Massaquoi, but he was taken one place before my pick by someone else. Given
the lack of obvious talent available at running back or wide receiver, I decided
to instead get a solid place kicker now. Kaeding is one of the highest-scoring
kickers in the league, his job seems secure and the
Chargers
have a high octane offense that should provide him with plenty of chances. In
2009, he converted 32 of his 35 field goals and 50 of his 51 extra points. He
is reliable and productive.
8) David Garrard, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
Team: Tim Piotrowski | Team Roster
Garrard: consistent No. 2 QB |
Reason: Garrard may not be one of the biggest names among the quarterbacks, but he is one of the more durable quarterbacks, which is one of the reasons I see him as a capable backup. He has been fairly consistent the last two seasons, so I have a good idea about what I am getting from him.
9) New Orleans Saints, defensive team/special teams
Team: John Kotch | Team Roster
Reason: The
Saints still have one of the most potent offenses in the league, which gives their defense an edge. Opposing offenses consistently have to play from behind, which makes them mistake prone. Last year, they picked off 26 passes and returned five for touchdowns, which led the league. Although some are predicting New Orleans' defense to regress, defensive coordinator
Gregg Williams is one of the best in the business, and should keep them performing at a high level.
10) San Diego Chargers, defensive team/special
teams
Team: Jared Byrd | Team Roster
Reason: I selected the highest-ranked defense left on the board (based on 2009 fantasy points scored) and plan on alternating between the
Denver Broncos and San Diego defenses this season based on matchups. I'm banking on a full recovery for linebacker
Shawne Merriman (knee, foot and groin) from the numerous injuries which slowed him down last year.
11) Pittsburgh Steelers, defensive team/special
teams
Team: Cory J. Bonini | Team Roster
Reason: I've never drafted the Steelers' defense before. This is unmarked territory in my world. Surprisingly, they were available in the late 15th round, so I couldn't pass them up. I considered the
Cincinnati Bengals here as my D, but Pittsburgh isn't as risky.
12) Cincinnati Bengals, defensive team/special teams
Team: Bryce McRae | Team Roster
Reason: Defensive coordinator
Mike Zimmer
likes an aggressive defensive; Cincy should have the talent around to be able
to execute that wish. They have depth along the D-line, especially if
Antwan
Odom (Achilles') returns to health. Last year's team finished with only
34 sacks, but they picked off 19 passes. I believe both of those stats should
be higher this year with the addition of end
Carlos
Dunlap and another year under Zimmer.
