Fantasy Football Analysis Draft II - Round 13

August 25, 2010 @ 12:00:00

By KFFL Staff

KFFL.com's Fantasy Football Analysis Draft (FAD) brings you behind the scenes on all 16 rounds of an actual fantasy football league draft. Each of our experts participating give you their thoughts and analysis as to why they chose the player they did. This is not a mock fantasy football draft, as this league will be played out during the course of the 2010 fantasy football season, so each participant is drafting to win this year.

This is our second Fantasy Analysis Draft of the summer. Click here to check out the first one and see how players are changing in value!

How do you feel about each selection? Would you have made the same move? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments area at the bottom of the page. If you disagree with a pick, let your thoughts be known.

1) Green Bay Packers defensive team/special teams
Team: Matt Pitzer, USA Today | Team Roster

Reason: There wasn't anybody left that particularly inspired me, nor did I have any glaring holes on my roster so I figured I might as well go after one of the top defenses available. The Packers were surprisingly good last season across the board (except for that playoff game), and they should be positioned to do well again. I usually like taking the defenses from teams with aggressive offenses as opponents often are forced into mistakes to keep up.

2) Dustin Keller, tight end, New York Jets
Team: Ian Riley, OpenSports.com | Team Roster

Keller a value pick

Reason: With Greg Olsen (Bears) currently my starter, I decided my best option here was to take the next best tight end on my board and play matchups. With all signs pointing to the Jets balancing their offense this year, Keller looks good for a statistical bump. The 82 targets he received ranked 12th among tight ends last year and accounted for 21 percent of the team's pass attempts. If Sanchez takes a step forward this year, Keller will come along for the ride.

3) Larry Johnson, running back, Washington Redskins
Team: Jim Day, FantasyPros911.com | Team Roster

Reason: The Redskins rushing situation is scary. They've brought in a bunch of retreads to back up worn-out starter Clinton Portis so it is very hard to know who will see the most work there. That being said I was looking for a fourth running back in the 13th round, and the pickings were slim. Johnson was my choice because I think he has the best shot to be productive for the whole season, and even if he is not the starter he should see most of the goal line work. Hopefully he won't see my starting lineup too often, but he should be passable if and when he does.

4) Kyle Orton, quarterback, Denver Broncos
Team: William Del Pilar, KFFL.com | Team Roster

Reason: At this point, I needed a backup quarterback. I was hoping to grab Carson Palmer (Bengals) or Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) in Round 11, but they went in Round 10. Even Matt Cassel (Chiefs), one of my final options, was taken in Round 11, a round or two before I would have considered him. That left me in a lurch with one final acceptable option. While I believe Orton is not a sexy pick, he's serviceable with upside. He's improving and another year as a full-time starter in the same offense will either prove me right or wrong. I believe he'll be a solid NFL quarterback but merely fantasy backup material. Hopefully, I won't have to find out as I think Tony Romo (Cowboys) will make it a full season as he's only missed three games in four years. 

5) Correll Buckhalter, running back, Denver Broncos
Team: Tony Holm, FantasySharks.com | Team Roster

Reason: While I do like Broncos running back Knowshon Moreno, there are enough questions there for me to stock up on Buckhalter in most drafts I'm in. He's one of those late-round guys that could be a good starter for you if something were to happen to Moreno.

6) David Garrard, quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
Team: David Dorey, The Huddle | Team Roster

Reason: I own Drew Brees (Saints), and the only reason I won't be starting him is a bye in Week 10 when Garrard is at home against the Houston Texans. Last year Garrard threw two touchdowns and passed for 238 yards against the visiting Texans. The Texans look like they can post some points again this year so running back Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars) won't be enough to win the game. Garrard is just bye-week filler that I pray I only need once.

7) Early Doucet, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Team: Ryan Lester, Lester's Legends | Team Roster

Reason: Doucet played a key role in the Cardinals' playoff games last year and stands a good chance to pick up a large chunk of Anquan Boldin's targets.

8) Leon Washington, running back, Seattle Seahawks
Team: Herbie Teope, Time Warner Cable | Team Roster

Reason: Seattle's backfield is a mess, and the team reportedly remains in the market for an upgrade to its current stable of Julius Jones, Justin Forsett and Washington. Meanwhile, the first hint to not buy into Forsett presented itself in April's NFL Draft when Seattle traded for LenDale White, now with the Denver Broncos, and Washington, who returns from a broken leg. The second hint arrived in July when reports suggested Seattle was interested in Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch. The bottom line is simple – there wouldn't be trades or reported interest to upgrade if Forsett was the answer. There's risk with Forsett considering his high ADP, but there's zero risk with Washington in the 13th round as a No. 5 running back. Provided he's healthy, Washington is a good receiver, a plus in PPR formats.

9) Marshawn Lynch, running back, Buffalo Bills
Team: Jeff Tefertiller, FootballGuys.com | Team Roster

Reason: There is little value left at this point in the draft. Lynch looked strong before injuring his ankle. He has upside and could make an impact with Fred Jackson out because of a broken hand.

10) Devin Thomas, wide receiver, Washington Redskins
Team: Cory J. Bonini, KFFL.com | Team Roster

Will Year 3 be the charm?

Reason: Thomas has shown flashes that suggest he is ready to take the next step in Year 3. He has great size (6-foot-2, 218 pounds) and is only 23 years old, which some of his struggles can be attributed to. With Donovan McNabb chuckin' the ball his way, I think a breakout season could be in the cards. At this stage of the draft, what do I have to lose?

11) Kevin Smith, running back, Detroit Lions
Team: Paul Hickey, No-Offseason.com | Team Roster

Reason: Word is that Smith's surgically repaired right knee is close to 100 percent, and even though Jahvid Best is the flavor of the month in Detroit, I expect Smith to see some action. He's grossly undervalued and overlooked this year and could be an interesting sleeper.

12) Mark Sanchez, quarterback, New York Jets
Team: Adam Zdroik, RotoExperts.com | Team Roster

Reason: Even though I hate Sanchez, he plays the Cleveland Browns during the San Diego Chargers' Philip Rivers' bye week. With more receiving options, he won't be as bad as he was last year. I'll be happy if his touchdown and interception totals are even.

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