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| Andrew Weber - US PRESSWIRE |
It’s time to start prepping yourself for the strategy you will take into your draft.
I am going to write this article under the assumption that you are in a league that has 12 teams and starts one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, one flex, a kicker and a defense.
Let’s start with round one…
If you draw pick No.1 or No. 2 pick, then I would recommend taking a top-tier running back (Ray Rice or Arian Foster). The No. 1 pick is debatable, but if you grab Ray Rice or Arian Foster, you will be fine.
If you draw pick three through 12, then I would recommend going for a top quarterback like Aaron Rodgers—having one of the best quarterbacks in football will give you reliable, solid production every week. Most sites would have you draw a top wide receiver or running back with picks five through 12, but let’s play it super safe here.
Many people will disagree with taking a QB so high with the sheer number of talented QB's available for 2012. If you fall into this category then roll with a RB in the first round. LeSean McCoy, MJD, Demarco Murray or Stephen Jackson are all safe picks here.
Moving on to round two…
Round two is a wide receiver or running back round, I would go after the top running back or wide receiver on my draft guide. This would most likely be a player like Roddy White or Ryan Matthews. If you had the top running back in round one then grab a top QB here.
Do you want to gamble in round two? Well if you are feeling "froggy" then how about a Jimmy Graham pick here as he is a beast or Rob Gronkowski. I usually don't advocate for a TE this early, but these two are game changers.
Moving on to round three…
It’s running back or wide receiver time again, and there should be a crop available in round three that get the job done. I just did an expert draft and took Dwayne Bowe in round three. Just take the best available running back or wide receiver according to your draft guide in round three.
If Graham or Gronkowski are hanging around in round three then you must grab them here.
Moving on to round four…
At this point you need to continue to round out your team with either a running back or wide receiver, so your team should have one or two receivers and one or two backs, a quarterback and then one other back or receiver after round four. Take the best available at this point.
Moving to round five…
A couple years ago, I would have told you round five is the best round to get your quarterback, and it’s still a very good round if you don’t buy the “get a QB early” that I am preaching. So if you haven’t drafted your quarterback yet, then do it right now. Otherwise it’s another wide receiver or running back that you are looking for.
Moving to round six…
I would grab another top receiver at this point. Julio Jones (probably will be gone), Michael Crabtree (looking so solid) and Antonio Brown should all be available.
So now you have a team like Aaron Rodgers, Roddy White, Dwayne Bowe, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Antonio Brown and Marshawn Lynch, which I would argue is a great core group of players.
The only area that would look a little weak is RB, but you would trade out Aaron Rodgers for a Chris Johnson and a BenJarvus Green-Ellis for a Eli Manning.
It really depends on the type of team you want. I personally will lean towards the stronger QB, but I see no problem with leaning towards a strong RB.
Moving to round seven…
I would go after a tight end at this point (if you didn't go after Gronk or Graham), if a top tight end is available (Fred Davis is a nice target). Otherwise I would snag a running back here. So if an OK tight end is there and a solid back is there, then go running back and snag the tight end in round eight. Let’s assume you get your tight end here, and I would bet you could get a player like Fred Davis or Vernon Davis.
Moving to round eight…
If you got a tight end in round seven, then it’s time to get your backup running back here. There will be many options, so get the best available at this point, according to your draft guide.
Moving to round nine…
It’s backup quarterback time, and I wouldn’t wait too long for a backup, as you need to be ready for the bye week. So don’t draft a quarterback with same bye week as your starter. Make sure you mark down the bye weeks in your draft guide.
Round 10 and beyond…
Do not draft a kicker until the last round, as there is not enough range in scoring among kickers to warrant a pick other than the last pick of your draft. Don’t wait too much longer for your main defense, but make sure you are able to snag some sleepers in the later rounds. See my other articles for solid sleepers who are available.
Last point of drafting in 2012…
Invest time in research, reading and supporting your favorite sites. There are many sites out there that work very hard to give you solid (free) content all year, and your support helps the site to grow. Word of mouth, rating their articles, comments on articles and purchasing something from the site (my site sells a draft guide) help.
I would absolutely recommend you have some sort of draft guide when you go into your draft, as it will make a world of difference.
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| Kyle Terada - US PRESSWIRE |