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Why I Want a Top-3 Pick

By Dalton Del Don – Senior Writer

This may be a no-brainer, but a top-3 pick in fantasy football this year is more coveted than ever. It’s something that cannot be understated, and you should be doing what you can to attain one. Offer trades to move up if necessary – whatever it takes, because a top-3 pick gives owners a huge advantage in this year’s fantasy football season.

Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander and LaDainian Tomlinson will go 1-3 in nearly every league this year. I won’t go into great detail, at least for now, to which order I prefer these three, as you really can’t go wrong with any of the trio. Larry Johnson tallied 2,093 total yards and 21 touchdowns in just nine starts. During those starts, he averaged 181 yards and two TDs per game. With Herm Edwards now coaching, the Chiefs may actually run the ball more. It’s safe to say his diapers are permanently off. All Shaun Alexander did was set an NFL record for touchdowns with 28, and win the NFL MVP award. He hasn’t missed a game in six seasons and plays in the defensively challenged NFC West. LaDainian Tomlinson reached pay dirt 21 times and amassed over 1,800 yards in what was considered a down year. Imagine if he hadn’t been slowed by rib and chest injuries. The last time LT2 played with an unproven signal caller, like he is this year with Philip Rivers, he caught 100 balls.

Not only are these three ballcarriers studs, but whom are you going to draft fourth? Clinton Portis would probably be the most obvious choice, but he’s a significant drop off from the big three. Picks 5-15 become even murkier. Not only is the mid to late first round unsettled, but the second round is a crapshoot as well. The way I see it, there are at least 27 very solid players in this year’s draft. Meaning, in a 12-team league, a top-3 pick will also end up with reliable second and third round choices. Guys like Antonio Gates, Kevin Jones, Willie Parker and Anquan Boldin are some names that should be available, with the possibility of someone even better falling. This year more than ever, make sure you have a top-3 pick.

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10 responses to “Why I Want a Top-3 Pick”

  1. Chad Avatar
    Chad

    No shit! With out a top 3 pick, you’re definitely behind in the draft this year, but in a 10 team league, you can probably get away okay with a 9 or 10 pick. As you mentioned, picks 5-15 will all have solid players, and you can most definitely make a good combination with your first two picks. Options would include top notch receivers possibly TO or Smith, and 2nd choice at qb. And still have a chance for a solid running back at 11 or 12.
    In a 12 team league the last two picks of a snake draft, won’t have those same options, by then at least one of the top two receivers, and quarterbacks will be gone, not to mention the top 6 running backs. you’d have to get lucky to get two players who can put up big weeks on any sort of consistant basis.

  2. Jim Avatar
    Jim

    Good points. Seriously, if I don’t get a 1-3 pick, I have no clue where I’d next prefer. I mean, I guess Portis at #4 but like you said that’s a drop off from top 3 and Im not in love w/ any of the other backs…tough call.

  3. Tyler Avatar
    Tyler

    The big question is where is Manning going to go? I could see him going anywhere from 4th to the mid-late second round.

  4. Chad Avatar
    Chad

    I honestly don’t see manning going any later than 9th, but i’ve been wrong before. I just dont think there are 8 backs who will produce weekly points bigger than Manning.

  5. randy Avatar
    randy

    in a keeper league, what do you see for ron dayne, and iam thinking of trading ron dayne and lee evans for donald driver——-what you think——–thanks

  6. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Chad – I’ve always been big on RBs and refused to draft a QB in the early rounds, but this year may be different. The RB situation gets real cloudy after say, the top 8 like you mentioned, and Manning will have to throw more w/o Edge around. I see their defense regressing as well; I think his #’s will be closer to 2004/2005 than 2005/2006. Most importantly, he is so much better than the next best QB (assuming Palmer remains hindered). If you play in a league where TD passes are worth 6 pts. then he probably should go no later than fourth overall.

  7. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    Randy – Ron Dayne may be the biggest question mark in drafts this year. Obviously, any Denver running back needs to be taken seriously and has top 10 potential. I honestly do think pretty much any back can succeed in the system. I think Olandis Gary served me fries last week at a drive thru. Seriously, remember him? Anyway, Dayne had his moments last year and Shannahan seems to think Tatum Bell is only good for 10-15 touches per game. Bottom line, he’s Ron Dayne. They don’t call him Ron Done for nothing. I say make the trade, it’s a far more safe move.

    Driver isn’t the flashiest guy around, and I tend to underrate him each year, but he gets the job done. With no Javon Walker, and Turd Ferguson always hurt, Driver will see a TON of pass attempts his way. Favre may pile up the INTs, but Driver will rack up #’s in the process.

    Lee Evans is a good wideout, but I still see that passing game really holding him back. Tatum Bell will at minimum take away 10-15 touches from Dayne. And honestly, I’ll probably draft Bell over Dayne anyway, he has more upside. I mean, for all of his faults, the guy averaged 5.3 YPC last year.

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