I usually wait to draft a kicker or a defense until the last three rounds. That has worked for me with kickers, but not so much with defenses. Wouldn't it be a good idea to draft a defense once a few of the better ones come off the board, even if it's in the middle rounds? - A. Hamdeh, Herndon, Va.
Michael Fabiano: Unless I'm in a league where defenses are rewarded an abundance of points for sacks, interceptions, points allowed, yards allowed, etc., I'm still going to pass on one until the last two or three rounds. While it's nice to have the Baltimore or Chicago defense, I'd rather use a middle-round pick on a sleeper or added depth at the offensive skill positions. What's more, good defenses always seem to develop out of nowhere each season - look at the Chargers and Packers in 2006 - so even if you don't draft a defense with a ton of value, one could be found on the waiver wire in some cases.
What is the quarterback situation in Cleveland? Do any of them have fantasy value? How will the starter affect Kellen Winslow? - J. DiStefano, N/A
M.F.: Charlie Frye is slated to start Cleveland's preseason finale in Chicago, and chances are he'll be under center when the Browns face Pittsburgh in Week 1. Reports indicate Brady Quinn is second on the depth chart ahead of Derek Anderson and Ken Dorsey, and one of the latter two could be traded. Even as the No. 1 starter, Frye has little value outside of larger formats for two reasons: 1. He's far too inconsistent; 2. Quinn will be under center before midseason. As for Winslow, I like him as a No. 1 fantasy tight end regardless of the quarterback as long has he can avoid injuries throughout the season.
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Hi Michael, I added Brandon Marshall and Brandon Jones late in my draft based on a gut feeling that each would have solid seasons. Do either of them have a chance to become No. 3 fantasy wideouts? - M. Mefford, Cincinnati, Ohio
M.F.: I'm not sure that Marshall will emerge into a No. 3 fantasy wideout in his second NFL season, but he'll start in Denver and is well worth a roster spot. As for Jones, he seems to have fallen hard down the Tennessee depth chart in camp. Eric Moulds and Roydell Williams started the Titans last preseason contest, and head coach Jeff Fisher seems to be leaning towards rookie Chris Davis to fill the slot receiver position. Unless he can re-claim a prominent role, Jones should be left to the waiver wire.
I have a question about the "handcuff" or "insurance" strategy. Why is it so important to draft a reserve when you can take a starter from another team instead? For example, last season I had Chester Taylor as my third back behind Larry Johnson and Frank Gore. I didn't use their immediate reserves, I just used Taylor as a bye week or injury replacement. Thoughts? - J. Tate, Pueblo West, Colo.
M.F.: It definitely makes sense to draft starters if possible (that would happen in smaller formats), but the handcuff is still a viable tool in leagues with 12-plus teams. Remember also that a lot of second- and even third- string backs will be taken in the middle to late rounds (I've seen Wali Lundy, Tony Hunt and even Priest Holmes selected in some drafts), so the position as a whole will thin out fast. Owners who don't add a third back that starts for an NFL team should then instead target insurance for the top runners on his or her team. For example, owners who have LaDainian Tomlinson should look to add Michael Turner, and those with Clinton Portis to look to take Ladell Betts.
I had my first-ever fantasy football draft this week and I wanted get your opinion on my roster. Here is my draft - I had the No. 10 overall selection in a 10-team league. Round 1: Rudi Johnson; Round 2: Willis McGahee; Round 3: Marion Barber; Round 4: Donovan McNabb; Round 5: Anquan Boldin; Round 6: Javon Walker; Round 7: Andre Johnson; Round 8: Kellen Winslow; Round 9: DeAngelo Williams; Round 10: Reggie Brown; Round 11: Mike Bell; Round 12: Benjamin Watson; Round 13: Denver defense; Round 14: Nate Kaeding; Round 15: Trent Green; Round 16: Robbie Gould. How did I do? - S. Johnson, Bristol, Tenn.
M.F.: I think you did a fantastic job for a first timer. You have a solid backfield with Johnson, McGahee, Barber and Williams, and the trio of Boldin, Walker and Johnson makes for a formidable core of wide receivers. It also doesn't hurt to have a breakout candidate in Brown either. There's a chance you'll have to scramble at quarterback if McNabb sustains an ailment, because Green shouldn't be leaned on as a regular starter. The tight end position is stout with Winslow and Watson, and Kaeding is the top kicker on NFL.com's rank list. The Denver defense is also solid and an attractive No. 1 fantasy defense. I think the one mistake was to select Gould -you won't need him with Kaeding on the roster - so release him and look to add another back, a fifth receiver or a third quarterback.
I agree with your assessment of taking Peyton Manning in the first round. I was in a draft last week and the owner who took Manning (second overall) ended up with Cadillac Williams as his best back. But if you had the No. 11 overall pick in a 12-team draft, would you take Manning with the second pick in the second round or a No. 2 back? - P. Corley, New Orleans, La.
M.F.: I would still pass on Manning if I had the 11th overall selection. Sure, you'd be able to land a solid runner in the first round, but it you take Manning with the 14th overall choice and wait on a second back, you won't pick again until No. 35. At that time you could be left to pick from the likes of Ahman Green, Brandon Jacobs, Cadillac Williams or Marion Barber as a No. 2 runner. On the flip side, solid quarterbacks such as Marc Bulger, Tom Brady or even Drew Brees (in some cases) will still be on the board. Remember that attractive quarterbacks will be available in the middle rounds, but attractive runners won't.
I have the No. 4 selection in our 10-team draft. I've been told that LaDainian Tomlinson, Steven Jackson and Shaun Alexander will be the top three picks. That leaves me with Peyton Manning, Larry Johnson and Frank Gore. Our league scores all touchdowns the same - who should I take? -- M. Brenner, Seattle, Wash.
M.F.: As you can tell from my previous answer, I wouldn't recommended taking Manning. The two best choices will be Johnson and Gore, and I'd take the former in this case. While he has missed most of camp due to a holdout and could be a bit limited in the regular-season opener, L.J. is still good for 1,300-plus rushing yards, 40-plus receptions, 300-plus receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns.
Michael, is there a rookie out there who could be this season's Devin Hester? A return man who will also see some action on either offense or defense and has some fantasy value? - F. Kha, Lancaster, Pa.
M.F.: The one rookie player who could have an impact similar to Hester is Jacoby Jones in Houston. The talented but raw wideout out of Division II Lane College has shown flashes of potential as a wideout and a return man on special teams - he scored a receiving touchdown on a 19-yard pass from Matt Schaub and ran a punt back 91 yards for a touchdown in the team's last preseason content. Kevin Walter is still considered the favorite to start opposite Andre Johnson, but Jones is one player owners should watch.
I have a question that regards the flex position. I am required to start two running backs, two wide receivers and one flex starter (running back or wide receiver). Most people would rather use a back, but I have Reggie Wayne, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Javon Walker, one of which I could start ahead of Tatum Bell. What is your input on this matter? - M. Isaacs, Panama
M.F.: If a viable No. 3 back isn't on your roster, the scoring system should determine the position that fills the flex spot. However, Bell could be a viable third back and will be a nice flex choice if he's the featured back in Detroit. Overall you should be confident in any one of Houshmandzadeh, Walker or Wayne to fill the flex position. The best advice is to play the matchups between Bell (if he is not sharing carries with Kevin Jones) and one of the three receivers each week.
I drafted Owen Daniels at the tight end position, but Daniel Graham and Bo Sciafe are still available. Should I add one of them and release Daniels? - M. Milner, Pensacola, Fla.
M.F.: Daniels is the top tight end of this trio on NFL.com's rank list, but Sciafe is definitely one to watch. He has become one of the top targets for quarterback Vince Young in the Titans' pass attack and appears to have passed Ben Troupe on the depth chart. As for Graham, he'll share time with Tony Scheffler and has been more of a blocker at the NFL level, so his stats won't be significant.
