On Tuesday, September 7, 2010, RotoCommunity.com participated in a fantasy football league with other industry experts, called the RotoCommunity Football Blog Wars Expert League. League rules include default ESPN scoring plus PPR with 9 starters and 7 reserves (Q-R-R-W-W-R/W-T-K-D). CLICK HERE to visit the league site.

MY TEAM

• QB - Ryan, Roethlisberger
• RB - Rice, Mendenhall, R Brown, R Williams, K Huggins, L Johnson
• WR - R White, Boldin, M Wallace, S Rice, Naanee
• TE - Dallas Clark
• K - Feely
• DST - Jets

DRAFT LOG & ANALYSIS

Round: 1
(1) Boston Advanced FF - Chris Johnson RB
(2) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Adrian Peterson RB
** (3) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Ray Rice RB
(4) New York G FootballSherpa - Maurice Jones-Drew RB
(5) San Diego KFFL - Frank Gore RB
(6) Chicago Razzball - Andre Johnson WR
(7) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Steven Jackson RB
(8) New England FootballBrother - Aaron Rodgers QB
(9) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Michael Turner RB
(10) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Randy Moss WR

My Pick: Taking RB Ray Rice to avoid the Maurice Jones-Drew injury risk is well worth it in my book. However, I would not move Frank Gore or Andre Johnson past MJD on my list.

Best Pick: RB Chris Johnson is always the best pick.

Round: 2
(11) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Calvin Johnson WR
(12) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Larry Fitzgerald WR
(13) New England FootballBrother - Brandon Marshall WR
(14) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Reggie Wayne WR
(15) Chicago Razzball - Ryan Mathews RB
(16) San Diego KFFL - Miles Austin WR
(17) New York G FootballSherpa - DeAngelo Williams RB
** (18) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Roddy White WR
(19) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Drew Brees QB
(20) Boston Advanced FF - Ryan Grant RB

My Pick: A second round run on receivers made WR Roddy White an easy choice for me towards the end of round two. I thought of White as being the last elite receiver on the board, and was pleased to land him since I considered two or three of the receivers who went before him to be inferior options. White is in line for a great season.

Best Pick: Drew Brees seems like a nice grab at 19, but I am not big on snagging QBs early in 10-team single QB leagues that only score four points for touchdown passes. Therefore, I am sticking with my selection of White as being the round’s best pick.

Round: 3
(21) Boston Advanced FF - Greg Jennings WR
(22) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Cedric Benson RB
** (23) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Rashard Mendenhall RB
(24) New York G FootballSherpa - DeSean Jackson WR
(25) San Diego KFFL - Steve Smith WR
(26) Chicago Razzball - Jamaal Charles RB
(27) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Peyton Manning QB
(28) New England FootballBrother - Shonn Greene RB
(29) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - LeSean McCoy RB
(30) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Beanie Wells RB

My pick: The run on receivers in round two left some nice options at running back available in round three. I took RB Rashard Mendenhall with pick number 23. His value took a hit earlier in the day when it was announced that he would not be the featured back on the goal line, but he is an excellent valuable in the early third round.

Best Pick: I like my pick of Mendenhall a lot, but I think grabbing RB Shonn Greene five picks later at 28 was a better value.

Round: 4
(31) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Wes Welker WR
(32) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Marques Colston WR
(33) New England FootballBrother - Pierre Thomas RB
(34) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Chad Ochocinco WR
(35) Chicago Razzball - Jahvid Best RB
(36) San Diego KFFL - Knowshon Moreno RB
(37) New York G FootballSherpa - Steve Smith WR
** (38) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Anquan Boldin WR
(39) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Jonathan Stewart RB
(40) Boston Advanced FF - Matt Forte RB

My pick: I felt like after WR Anquan Boldin there was a significant drop off in talent available at WR, so I didn’t hesitate to snag him in round four. It was 10 picks before another wide receiver was drafted, so I think my opinion was spot on.

Best pick: I think RB Jahvid Best is going to be spectacular this season. He was a great value at 35.

Round: 5
(41) Boston Advanced FF - Arian Foster RB
(42) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Tom Brady QB
** (43) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Dallas Clark TE
(44) New York G FootballSherpa - Felix Jones RB
(45) San Diego KFFL - C.J. Spiller RB
(46) Chicago Razzball - Matt Schaub QB
(47) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Joseph Addai RB
(48) New England FootballBrother - Mike Sims-Walker WR
(49) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Tony Romo QB
(50) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Antonio Gates TE

My pick: I had my eyes on Arian Foster here, but missed him by two picks. I didn’t love any of the other options at the top of my list at that point, so I decided to start a run on TEs and took TE Dallas Clark. A lot of the league hesitated to jump on the run, but if you do want an elite TE you should start thinking about choosing one right this point in your draft.

Best pick: The three QBs taken in this round, Tom Brady, Matt Schaub, and Tony Romo, were all solid values, but the pick of the round has to be RB Arian Foster. I am confident that he has a monster year.

Round: 6
(51) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Michael Crabtree WR
(52) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Jermichael Finley TE
(53) New England FootballBrother - Hakeem Nicks WR
(54) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Hines Ward WR
(55) Chicago Razzball - Dwayne Bowe WR
(56) San Diego KFFL - Joe Flacco QB
(57) New York G FootballSherpa - Philip Rivers QB
** (58) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Ronnie Brown RB
(59) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Donald Driver WR
(60) Boston Advanced FF - Jason Witten TE

My pick: I got a tough break here. Going in my strategy at QB was to target Joe Flacco as soon as he was the next best available QB. Plan A became Plan B when Rivers slipped. Then, two picks before me Flacco was selected, and Rivers was snagged with the pick before me while he was sitting in my queue with my mouse floating over the draft button. Plan C was to find a solid option to fill my flex spot. I jumped on RB Ronnie Brown. Traditionally, he is not one of my favorite targets, but I had a plan up my sleeve that left me confident in making Brown the selection.

Best pick: Even though I am not big on QBs in this scoring system, there is no doubt that QB Phillip Rivers was a nice value at 57.

Round: 7
(61) Boston Advanced FF - Justin Forsett RB
(62) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Percy Harvin WR
** (63) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Ricky Williams RB
(64) New York G FootballSherpa - Malcom Floyd WR
(65) San Diego KFFL - Reggie Bush RB
(66) Chicago Razzball - Ahmad Bradshaw RB
(67) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Jerome Harrison RB
(68) New England FootballBrother - Jeremy Maclin WR
(69) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Marion Barber RB
(70) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Brandon Jacobs RB

My pick: Knowing I would have to wait just four picks after taking Ronnie Brown before selecting again, I targeted and pulled the trigger on RB Ricky Williams. I normally would avoid him this early, but when paired with Ronnie Brown, you are assured solid production. Now the questions is, do I actually hope one or the other gets hurt?

Best Pick: A lot of interesting picks were made in round seven. I like the upside on Harvin, Maclin, Bradshaw, and Floyd, but I think RB Jerome Harrison has a shot at being exceptional now that he has limited competition for carries. If he can come close to matching his late season production from last year he is a steal.

Round: 8
(71) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Clinton Portis RB
(72) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Pierre Garcon WR
(73) New England FootballBrother - Fred Jackson RB
(74) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Vernon Davis TE
(75) Chicago Razzball - Johnny Knox WR
(76) San Diego KFFL - Santana Moss WR
(77) New York G FootballSherpa - Jay Cutler QB
** (78) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Mike Wallace WR
(79) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Brent Celek TE
(80) Boston Advanced FF - Kevin Kolb QB

My pick: In need of some depth at WR, I snagged WR Mike Wallace with the 78th overall selection. The options at receiver were dwindling fast, and I was pleased to snag a serviceable if not spectacular third receiver with some upside.

Best pick: A lot of solid picks here, but nothing spectacular. I do like the value of TE Vernon Davis at 74, a full 14 picks after Jason Witten.

Round: 9
(81) Boston Advanced FF - Bernard Berrian WR
(82) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Brett Favre QB
** (83) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Ben Roethlisberger QB
(84) New York G FootballSherpa - Donald Brown RB
(85) San Diego KFFL - Cadillac Williams RB
(86) Chicago Razzball - Darren McFadden RB
(87) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Terrell Owens WR
(88) New England FootballBrother - Michael Bush RB
(89) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Tim Hightower RB
(90) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Eli Manning QB

My pick: This is where Plan C went into effect. I snagged QB Ben Roethlisberger in hopes that he can regain his status as a top fantasy option following his suspension. Not having him for the first five weeks hurts, but he could be a huge asset later in the season and into the playoffs.

Best pick: I actually am not high on the majority of the players taken in this round. I lean towards Roethlisberger if he is able to reestablish himself and RB Michael Bush who I think will take over the role of lead back once he is fully healthy.

Round: 10
(91) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Leon Washington RB
(92) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Dez Bryant WR
(93) New England FootballBrother - Robert Meachem WR
(94) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Thomas Jones RB
(95) Chicago Razzball - Zach Miller TE
(96) San Diego KFFL - Tony Gonzalez TE
(97) New York G FootballSherpa - Mike Williams WR
** (98) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Matt Ryan QB
(99) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Braylon Edwards WR
(100) Boston Advanced FF - Derrick Mason WR

My pick: QB Matt Ryan seems like an obvious choice for me. I need a QB I can rely on until Big Ben gets back, but also one with enough upside to potentially fill my hole at QB if Roethlisberger does not emerge as an every week starter. Ryan certainly fills that description…and his bye week is after Ben’s suspension is over!

Best pick: I think my pick of Ryan may have been the best fit in Round 10, and there were a handful of sleepers I like taken in the round, but in the end it is hard to argue the value of TE Tony Gonzalez at pick 96.

Round: 11
(101) Boston Advanced FF - Devin Aromashodu WR
(102) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Lee Evans WR
** (103) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Jets D/ST D/ST
(104) New York G FootballSherpa - Darren Sproles RB
(105) San Diego KFFL - Eddie Royal WR
(106) Chicago Razzball - Jacoby Jones WR
(107) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Carson Palmer QB
(108) New England FootballBrother - Mike Williams WR
(109) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Santonio Holmes WR
(110) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Donovan McNabb QB

My pick: Looking to start a run of defenses, I snagged the now Revis powered DST New York Jets. Unfortunately, few owners followed my lead, and instead waiting until the 15th round to select a defense, which is a common trend is expert leagues. However, it most leagues you should be looking the draft a strong defense by Round 10 or 11.

Best pick: A trio of receiver went in Round 11 that I l think were good picks, Mike Williams (SEA), Eddie Royal, and Jacoby Jones. He may not be a starter yet, but WR Jacoby Jones possesses the most upside, and I love high upside picks late in the draft.

Round: 12
(111) New York J EatDrinkSleep - LaDainian Tomlinson RB
(112) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Matthew Stafford QB
(113) New England FootballBrother - Willis McGahee RB
(114) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Jabar Gaffney WR
(115) Chicago Razzball - Devin Hester WR
(116) San Diego KFFL - Dexter McCluster WR
(117) New York G FootballSherpa - Laurent Robinson WR
** (118) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Kareem Huggins RB
(119) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Kellen Winslow TE
(120) Boston Advanced FF - 49ers D/ST D/ST

My pick: Cadillac Williams is always an injury waiting to happen. If he gets hurt, maybe when he gets hurt, RB Kareen Huggins should step right in and assume the role of lead back. He is a good looking prospect who likely would outproduce Cadillac if the Bucs were to turn to him. With Derrick Ward no longer on the roster, Huggins is a great late round pick.

Best pick: I think Jabar Gaffney is going to have a good season, but I am going to stick with my pick, RB Kareem Huggins.

Round: 13
(121) Boston Advanced FF - Laurence Maroney RB
(122) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Chris Cooley TE
** (123) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Sidney Rice WR
(124) New York G FootballSherpa - Tashard Choice RB
(125) San Diego KFFL - Chad Henne QB
(126) Chicago Razzball - Bernard Scott RB
(127) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Rashad Jennings RB
(128) New England FootballBrother - Owen Daniels TE
(129) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Fred Taylor RB
(130) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Steve Slaton RB

My pick: At this point I am still a little worried about my depth at WR, and I am not loving any of the options available. Instead of drafting someone like Steve Breaston or Nate Burleson I decided to swing for the fences and select WR Sidney Rice. I am hoping he is a fixture in my starting lineup during the second half of the season.

Best pick: I like my Rice pick, and you can’t argue with any of the handcuffs that were snagged in round 13, but TE Chris Cooley is a fantastic value this late.

Round: 14
(131) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Chester Taylor RB
(132) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Cowboys D/ST D/ST
(133) New England FootballBrother - John Carlson TE
(134) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Vincent Jackson WR
(135) Chicago Razzball - Kyle Orton QB
(136) San Diego KFFL - Nate Burleson WR
(137) New York G FootballSherpa - Heath Miller TE
** (138) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Larry Johnson RB
(139) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Eagles D/ST D/ST
(140) Boston Advanced FF - Matt Hasselbeck QB

My pick: There isn’t much to get excited about, so I snag RB Larry Johnson. Portis is a strong candidate to get injured, and maybe LJ’s got some more yards left in his legs. You could do worse for a late round flier.

Best pick: With nothing too exciting available I like the WR Vincent Jackson pick. Taking him here doesn’t really hurt you, and could pay off in a big way. I would have taken him too if I didn’t already have Rice.

Round: 15
(141) Boston Advanced FF - Stephen Gostkowski K
(142) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Steve Breaston WR
** (143) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Legedu Naanee WR
(144) New York G FootballSherpa - Ravens D/ST D/ST
(145) San Diego KFFL - Packers D/ST D/ST
(146) Chicago Razzball - Vikings D/ST D/ST
(147) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Steelers D/ST D/ST
(148) New England FootballBrother - Saints D/ST D/ST
(149) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Visanthe Shiancoe TE
(150) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Bengals D/ST D/ST

My pick: I try to add a little more depth by adding WR Legedu Naanee. I hope I never have to start him, but if Vincent Jackson doesn’t come back to San Diego, he has decent upside.

Best pick: Ignoring all the defenses that would go earlier in most drafts, Naanee or WR Steve Breaston are both strong values this late.

Round: 16
(151) New York J EatDrinkSleep - Nate Kaeding K
(152) Pittsburgh ProFootbalFocus - Garrett Hartley K
(153) New England FootballBrother - Ryan Longwell K
(154) Tampa Bay RotoRob - Mason Crosby K
(155) Chicago Razzball - Rob Bironas K
(156) San Diego KFFL - Matt Prater K
(157) New York G FootballSherpa - David Akers K
** (158) Buffalo RotoCommunity - Jay Feely K
(159) Green Bay ChinstrapNinjas - Robbie Gould K
(160) Boston Advanced FF - Rob Gronkowski TE

My pick: K Jay Feely…he was the kicker next on my list.

Best pick: A kicker is a kicker.

FINAL THOUGHTS

All-in-all I am pleased with my team. I think I have a solid one-two punch at both running back and receiver. I am pleased to have both the tight end and defense I had ranked first going into the draft.

I would have liked to secure a more stable situation at quarterback, but if there is one spot I want to be weak in with a league with these settings quarterback is it. That being said, I am confident that either Ryan or Roethlisberger will emerge as a solid, but not spectacular, weekly option.

I lack depth, but that is the price you pay if you draft both an elite tight end and an elite defense. However, seeing as the league is not particularly deep, I am confident that I will be able to improve my depth via the waiver wire throughout the year.

I would rate my draft a solid B, and my team as having a good opportunity to make the playoffs. Injuries and my quarterback situation will ultimately dictate how far I go.

ALSO

Our 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Kit can help you win your league this year. And don't forget, we will promptly answer any questions you may have about your team, line-up, waiver wire, and trades in our FORUM. It just takes a minute to REGISTER a username and password for our site (allowing you to download draft kit files and post reviews, comments, blogs, and forum topics).