Hello all,

I’m going to try something a little different in this space. Normally I’ve posted analysis pieces, YouTube videos and snippets from Vine. I’m going to switch things up. Don’t worry, I’ll still keep the pieces/videos/Vines coming, but I’m going to write about my fantasy football team. I’m going to draft a team in an ESPN draft room in a 10-team league and provide weekly looks at the team. These updates will include roster decisions, starting lineup choices, etc. It’s my hope that some of these decisions help you in some way with your fantasy team, or just provide an entertaining read.

I’d also like to evolve you, the reader/football fan. Until further notice, my team will be called the TBD TBD. I want you all to pick the name, so leave suggestions in the comments—you know, providing the names aren’t spam/vulgar/offensive.

Additionally, I want your input on roster decisions throughout the season, so I’ll be posting polls and asking you to comment in the comment section with your suggestions and opinions. If you don’t feel like responding to any of these methods, give me a shout on Twitter at any one of these accounts with your lineup/roster advices: @BenRosener, @knowhitter272, @kingdomeSEA.

So, without further ado, here are my draft results.

(Note: I was out of the office during Week one, so everything will start from Week 2. Also this is a real draft on ESPN.com.).

First Impressions/Pre-Draft Strategy

I lucked out and received a high draft pick. I’ll be picking third overall.

(Another note, I’ll have to change my name after the draft. It’s “Team Ben” for now simply because of default. I’ll change it right after the draft.)

Round 1

1	Team 1	RB Le’Veon Bell Pit
2	Minnesota 8	RB Jamaal Charles KC

As you can see, I like running backs, my draft strategy is to hoard as many top running backs as possible. I go with Marshawn Lynch with my first pick. The logic is pretty simple, Seattle’s offense is run-dominant and Pete Carroll and company will feed ‘Beast Mode’ the ball until the cows come home. My hope is that I can snag another elite RB in the second round.

3	Team Ben	RB Marshawn Lynch Sea
4	Team 2	RB Adrian Peterson Min
5	Team Winning	RB Matt Forte Chi
6	Team 3	TE Rob Gronkowski NE
7	Team 4	RB Eddie Lacy GB
8	Team nicora	WR Antonio Brown Pit
9	SWAGGY P	RB Jeremy Hill Cin
10	Dallas Cowboys	QB Aaron Rodgers GB

 

Mid-Round 1 Update

After taking Lynch, I see a number of players I wanted to fall to me get taken. These include Matt Forte, Rob Gronkowski, Jeremy Hill and Aaron Rodgers.

Round 2

11	Dallas Cowboys	RB LeSean McCoy Buf
12	SWAGGY P	WR Julio Jones Atl
13	Team nicora	RB DeMarco Murray Phi
14	Team 4	WR Demaryius Thomas Den
15	Team 3	RB C.J. Anderson Den
16	Team Winning	WR Emmanuel Sanders Den
17	Team 2	WR Dez Bryant Dal

Second Round Pick

I’d like to hoard running backs, but with the top back on the board being Mark Ingram, I need a quarterback. I take Andrew Luck.

18	Team Ben	QB Andrew Luck Ind
19	Minnesota 8	WR DeAndre Hopkins Hou
20	Team 1	WR Odell Beckham Jr. NYG

Round 3

21	Team 1	WR Calvin Johnson Det
22	Minnesota 8	RB Carlos Hyde SF

Third Round Pick

I’ve got a number of receivers available to me with the third pick in the third round, including A.J. Green, Randall Cobb, Alshon Jeffrey, T.Y. Hilton and Mike Evans. I go with Cobb. Top wide out in a top offense, no brainer. Hilton was my second choice, but with Jordy Nelson missing the year due to injury in Green Bay, Rodgers is going to lean on Cobb a lot.

I’m looking at Joseph Randle, Jimmy Graham, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, Frank Gore and Russell Wilson with my next pick.

23	Team Ben	WR Randall Cobb GB
24	Team 2	WR A.J. Green Cin
25	Team Winning	WR Brandin Cooks NO
26	Team 3	WR Alshon Jeffery Chi
27	Team 4	RB Mark Ingram NO
28	Team nicora	RB Alfred Morris Wsh
29	SWAGGY P	WR Mike Evans TB
30	Dallas Cowboys	WR T.Y. Hilton Ind

Round 4

31	Dallas Cowboys	RB Lamar Miller Mia
32	SWAGGY P	QB Drew Brees NO
33	Team nicora	WR Keenan Allen SD
34	Team 4	QB Peyton Manning Den
35	Team 3	WR Jordan Matthews Phi
36	Team Winning	QB Tom Brady NE
37	Team 2	TE Jimmy Graham Sea

 

Fourth Round Pick

Graham goes the pick before. I need another running back so I go with Randle. He’s going to dominate behind Dallas’ offensive line.

38	Team Ben	RB Joseph Randle Dal
39	Minnesota 8	QB Ben Roethlisberger Pit
40	Team 1	RB Justin Forsett Bal

Round 5

41	Team 1	QB Russell Wilson Sea
42	Minnesota 8	WR Jarvis Landry Mia

Fifth Round Pick

Arian Foster is going to be a top-five running back once he’s healthy—and that will sooner rather than later. Another no brainer. Having Lynch and Randle affords me the opportunity to stash Randle on my bench until he’s healthy. Johnson, Todd Gurley, Gore, Davante Adams and Ameer Abdullah are next on my list. Abdullah gets taken just as I write this. I’ll try and trade for him after the draft or during the season.

43	Team Ben	RB Arian Foster Hou
44	Team 2	RB Melvin Gordon SD
45	Team Winning	RB DeAngelo Williams Pit
46	Team 3	RB Jonathan Stewart Car
47	Team 4	RB Ameer Abdullah Det
48	Team nicora	WR Julian Edelman NE
49	SWAGGY P	RB Frank Gore Ind
50	Dallas Cowboys	WR Davante Adams GB

Fifth Round Update

There goes Gore as well. He has the potential to be a touchdown machine in Indy. He isn’t going to run for 1,500 yards, but in an Andrew Luck-led offense, he’s got huge potential. Adams goes right after Gore. I’ll try trading for them along with Abdullah.

Round 6

51	Dallas Cowboys	TE Jason Witten Dal
52	SWAGGY P	TE Travis Kelce KC
53	Team nicora	WR Brandon Marshall NYJ
54	Team 4	D/ST Broncos D/ST Den
55	Team 3	WR Vincent Jackson TB
56	Team Winning	TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins TB
57	Team 2	WR DeSean Jackson Wsh

Sixth Round Pick

Todd Gurley is the best player available and atop my list. It’s risky taking two injured running backs, but Gurley has massive potential, especially on a St. Louis team who will rely on the run.

58	Team Ben	RB Todd Gurley StL
59	Minnesota 8	TE Martellus Bennett Chi
60	Team 1	RB Joique Bell Det

Round 7

61	Team 1	TE Greg Olsen Car
62	Minnesota 8	WR Kendall Wright Ten

Seventh Round Pick

It’s a tough call here between Johnson, Sammy Watkins and Amari Cooper, but with Hilton out, Luck is going to have to rely on Andre Johnson. It doesn’t hurt that the former Texan had ten targets in Week One. Even with Hilton healthy, Johnson has the potential to haul in double-digit touchdowns. He’s essentially a receiving version of Gore in terms of value. Lot’s of TDs, not a ton of yards.

63	Team Ben	WR Andre Johnson Ind
64	Team 2	WR Amari Cooper Oak
65	Team Winning	WR Danny Amendola NE
66	Team 3	RB Latavius Murray Oak
67	Team 4	RB LeGarrette Blount NE
68	Team nicora	RB Chris Ivory NYJ
69	SWAGGY P	D/ST Seahawks D/ST Sea
70	Dallas Cowboys	WR Sammy Watkins Buf

Round 8

71	Dallas Cowboys	D/ST Titans D/ST Ten
72	SWAGGY P	RB Bishop Sankey Ten
73	Team nicora	RB Giovani Bernard Cin
74	Team 4	WR James Jones GB
75	Team 3	WR Golden Tate Det
76	Team Winning	D/ST Bills D/ST Buf
77	Team 2	RB Andre Ellington Ari

Eighth Round Pick

I need a defense here. J.J. Watt and the Texans D is the pick. I don’t love some of the options at this point to I feel fine reaching for a defense.

78	Team Ben	D/ST Texans D/ST Hou
79	Minnesota 8	D/ST Rams D/ST StL
80	Team 1	RB T.J. Yeldon Jac

Round 9

81	Team 1	WR Jeremy Maclin KC
82	Minnesota 8	K Matt Prater Det

Ninth Round Pick

Cardinals receiver John Brown is the pick here. Carson Palmer is going to throw a lot in the desert and Brown will be on the receiving end of a high-volume of those throws. He’s got breakout written all over him.

83	Team Ben	WR John Brown Ari
84	Team 2	WR Mike Wallace Min
85	Team Winning	K Matt Bryant Atl
86	Team 3	QB Matt Ryan Atl
87	Team 4	K Brandon McManus Den
88	Team nicora	QB Tony Romo Dal
89	SWAGGY P	RB Rashad Jennings NYG
90	Dallas Cowboys	RB C.J. Spiller NO

Round 10

91	Dallas Cowboys	RB Isaiah Crowell Cle
92	SWAGGY P	WR Allen Robinson Jac
93	Team nicora	TE Jordan Cameron Mia
94	Team 4	WR Larry Fitzgerald Ari
95	Team 3	WR Eric Decker NYJ
96	Team Winning	K Stephen Gostkowski NE
97	Team 2	WR Nelson Agholor Phi

Ninth Round Update

People are starting to take kickers. Think I’ll wait on that.

Tenth Round Pick

Martavis Bryant is the pick here. Another stash player (given his suspension), but one with high upside and value relative to the draft spot.

98	Team Ben	WR Martavis Bryant Pit
99	Minnesota 8	QB Carson Palmer Ari
100	Team 1	WR Charles Johnson Min

Round 11

101	Team 1	RB Ryan Mathews Phi
102	Minnesota 8	RB Danny Woodhead SD

Eleventh Round Pick

I need a tight end. Zach Ertz has the chance to shine in Philly’s offense.

103	Team Ben	TE Zach Ertz Phi
104	Team 2	WR Torrey Smith SF
105	Team Winning	QB Cam Newton Car
106	Team 3	WR Michael Floyd Ari
107	Team 4	WR Roddy White Atl
108	Team nicora	RB Darren McFadden Dal
109	SWAGGY P	WR Steve Smith Sr. Bal
110	Dallas Cowboys	RB Tre Mason StL

Round 12

111	Dallas Cowboys	RB Doug Martin TB
112	SWAGGY P	K Steven Hauschka Sea
113	Team nicora	TE Delanie Walker Ten
114	Team 4	WR Terrance Williams Dal
115	Team 3	RB Shane Vereen NYG
116	Team Winning	D/ST Jets D/ST NYJ
117	Team 2	RB Tevin Coleman Atl

Eleventh Round Update

I don’t love a lot of the options left at this point. I’ll be going for upside/lottery tickets with the rest of my picks.

Twelfth Round Pick

Donte Moncrief. Someone besides T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson are going to catch passes in Indianapolis. Moncrief has chance to be successful.

118	Team Ben	WR Donte Moncrief Ind
119	Minnesota 8	D/ST Dolphins D/ST Mia
120	Team 1	WR Marques Colston NO

Round 13

121	Team 1	RB Devonta Freeman Atl
122	Minnesota 8	D/ST Ravens D/ST Bal

Thirteenth Round Pick

I really like the Colts offense. They’re going to score points in boatloads. That’s why I’m taking the team’s kicker, Adam Vinatieri.

123	Team Ben	K Adam Vinatieri Ind
124	Team 2	RB Duke Johnson Jr. Cle
125	Team Winning	TE Dwayne Allen Ind
126	Team 3	RB Andre Williams NYG
127	Team 4	TE Tyler Eifert Cin
128	Team nicora	QB Marcus Mariota Ten
129	SWAGGY P	QB Tyrod Taylor Buf
130	Dallas Cowboys	RB Alfred Blue Hou

Round 14

131	Dallas Cowboys	WR Anquan Boldin SF
132	SWAGGY P	D/ST Cardinals D/ST Ari
133	Team nicora	QB Philip Rivers SD
134	Team 4	D/ST Chiefs D/ST KC
135	Team 3	RB Charles Sims TB
136	Team Winning	K Justin Tucker Bal
137	Team 2	QB Ryan Tannehill Mia

Fourteenth Round Pick

Another lottery ticket. Percy Harvin is the pick.

138	Team Ben	WR Percy Harvin Buf
139	Minnesota 8	WR DeVante Parker Mia
140	Team 1	RB Knile Davis KC

Round 15

141	Team 1	D/ST Lions D/ST Det
142	Minnesota 8	WR Pierre Garcon Wsh

Fifteenth Round Pick

I need a backup QB. I’ll take Sam Bradford. Something tells me he’ll do well in the Eagles’ offense. He’s much better than a number of the quarterbacks Philly has trotted out.

143	Team Ben	QB Sam Bradford Phi
144	Team 2	K Cody Parkey Phi
145	Team Winning	D/ST Eagles D/ST Phi
146	Team 3	K Dan Bailey Dal
147	Team 4	QB Matthew Stafford Det
148	Team nicora	K Dan Carpenter Buf
149	SWAGGY P	TE Antonio Gates SD
150	Dallas Cowboys	WR Devin Funchess Car

Round 16

151	Dallas Cowboys	K Mason Crosby GB
152	SWAGGY P	K Blair Walsh Min
153	Team nicora	D/ST Vikings D/ST Min
154	Team 4	TE Ladarius Green SD
155	Team 3	D/ST Patriots D/ST NE
156	Team Winning	RB Toby Gerhart Jac
157	Team 2	D/ST Packers D/ST GB

Sixteenth Round Pick

Owen Daniels. Known fact: Peyton Manning likes throwing to his tight ends.

158	Team Ben	TE Owen Daniels Den
159	Minnesota 8	TE Kyle Rudolph Min
160	Team 1	K Phil Dawson SF

Just to recap, here is my starting lineup and bench. (Note, because of the draft’s time, I was unable to make changes to my team, hence Gurley being in the lineup even though he is out).

Your Opinion

If you have any ideas for the team name, motto, color scheme, etc, please leave them in the comments section below. Same goes for roster and lineup decisions, trades I should propose, etc. I want your input.

If you don’t feel like responding to any of these methods, give me a shout on Twitter at any one of these accounts with your lineup/roster advice: @BenRosener, @knowhitter272, @kingdomeSEA.

Andre Johnson or Donte Moncrief?

Vote below, comment or get a hold of me on Twitter. Whichever avenue you chose, tell me who I should start at WR, Andre Johnson or Donte Moncrief.