Photo: USA Today Sports

On August 15th, ten members of the Footballguys Staff, along with two highly regarded writers in the fantasy football community, got together to complete a 12-team, 18 round mock draft. Before the draft, each of the participants answered questions regarding strategies, players they coveted and how they planned to attack the draft. Additional questions were asked at the conclusion of the draft based on the decisions they made. To top it off, Footballguys' Will Grant will provide an evaluation of each team's roster strengths and weaknesses, chronicling the strategies and decisions that were made by each participant.

The goal of this article is to give you a look into the minds of fantasy experts throughout the entire draft process. This includes preparation, decision-making, execution, and follow-up. What was their plan? Did they follow it? Why did they make the decisions they made? Some drafters had similar strategies and players of interest, but how they executed their plan and built their roster, varied from person to person.

We hope you will uncover or discover a strategy that might work for you in your draft(s) this year. Learn what players the experts are targeting and why. At Footballguys, when you win, we win! If we can help give you the tools and know-how to build a winning team, we've done our job.

LEAGUE PARAMETERS

• 12 teams
• 18 roster spots
• Starting Lineup
• 1 quarterback
• 2 running backs
• 3 wide receivers
• 1 tight end
• 1 Defense
• 1 Kicker

LEAGUE SCORING

• Offensive Players Only
• 6 points - Passing Touchdown
• 6 points - Rushing/Receiving Touchdown
• 0.04 points - Passing Yard
• 0.1 points - Rushing/Receiving Yard
• -1 - Interception Thrown
• 3 points per field goal 0-39 yards
• 4 points per field goal 40-49 yards
• 5 points per field goal 50-99 yards
• 1 point per extra point

• Defensive scoring
• 2 points - fumble recovery (from opponent)
• 2 points - interception caught
• 1 point - sack
• 5 points - safety
• 10 points - 0 points allowed
• 7 points - 1-6 points allowed
• 3 points - 7-14 points allowed
• 0 points - 15-20 points allowed
• -3 points - 21-99 points allowed
• 6 points - defensive or special teams touchdown

draft participants

1. Jeff Haseley, Footballguys
2. Devin Knotts, Footballguys
3. Keith Roberts, Footballguys
4. Sigmund Bloom, Footballguys
5. Danny Tuccitto, Footballguys
6. Phil Alexander, Footballguys
7. Brandon Gdula, NumberFire
8. Andy Hicks, Footballguys
9. Chad Parsons, Footballguys
10. Justin Bonnema, Footballguys
11. Jeff Tefertiller, Footballguys
12. Denny Carter,

DRAFT GRID

DRAFT SLOT 1

Jeff Haseley, Footballguys - Bio

Follow @JeffHaseley

PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. How does your draft strategy change for an in-season league that has in-season management and waivers, vs. a best ball league?

A best ball league is all about having depth and capable producers over the course of a season. It's important to have players who are capable of scoring, even if you don't know what week they will score. In-season leagues require you to start the best lineup each week, so consistency is more important. I will focus on drafting more consistent players in this draft and take a gamble on some high-upside players. If they fail to produce, they can be replaced with a waiver claim.

2. How does your overall strategy change for a standard scoring league? How will you approach drafting running backs, wide receivers and tight ends?

Running backs are going to be heavily targeted in the first round which should mean a decent wide receiver may be available at the 2-3 turn for me. There are not many running backs who are valuable without the ability to gain points via receptions. My goal is to try to get two of these backs in the first three picks. I have the 1-slot, so my target will be Todd Gurley at 1.01, a wide receiver at 2.12 and another running back at 3.01, unless the backs are so thin at that point. If so, I may go after a top-flight tight end or take my second wide receiver at pick 3.12. Running backs who thrive on receptions and receiving yards will drop in this draft and if the right one is available in round 4 or 5, I may pull the trigger.

3. This draft does not include a flex position. How will that affect your decision-making?

The no-flex rule is a challenge. My goal will be to nail down two strong backs and perhaps a tight end, securing wide receivers later, which has more options to choose from.

4. How many players at each position do you anticipate having by the end of round five?

• QB 0
• RB 2
• WR 2
• TE 1

5. What is your plan to attack the quarterback position, knowing the scoring is 6 points per touchdown pass?

I'm not sure my approach will change much at quarterback. I want to secure my core starting positions first before selecting a quarterback. The players on the board will dictate who I pick.

6. Name two players that you will fade due to the standard scoring format.

New England running backs. I may target Jeremy Hill later in the draft, as a flier, but it's difficult to know which Patriots back will produce week to week. I don't want to have to deal with that headache. It's easy to say Christian McCaffrey here because he thrives on his ability as a receiver, but I'm also a bit wary on Jarvis Landry and his low yards per carry. Julian Edelman is another I will probably shy away from.

7. Name two players that you will target due to the standard scoring format.

Mark Ingram. If Ingram is available at pick 3.01, I may take him, despite the 4-game suspension. I can find someone to fill the void for the first four weeks and then reap the benefits later on. Another player I'll be targeting is Jimmy Graham. He may lead all tight ends in touchdowns, which is a key factor when drafting players in a standard league.

8. Would you rather have a strength at running back or wide receiver in this format? Explain your answer.

The clear answer here is running backs, but after my top two running backs are selected, I'll be drafting for depth and potential at the position. I definitely want strength at running back, but my roster requires three wide receiver starters. I want to be sure I have at least four good receivers. Three I can start and one I can sub in for bye weeks and potential injuries. Running backs are important, but wide receiver depth should not be ignored. Another strategy I can use is to draft a stud at running back, wide receiver and tight end and later secure an RB2 with promise, like Marshawn Lynch, Kerryon Johnson or even Isaiah Crowell, I can then focus on my receiving depth. So much depends on the players who will be on the board for my turns.

9. How will you approach kicker and defense in this draft?

I want to draft a top-flight defense, namely Jacksonville, Los Angeles (Rams) or Minnesota. As for kicker, I just want a player who is secure in his role, who won't be a surprise cut. If I decide to wait longer than most, I'll target Vikings kicker, Daniel Carlson, who I think is going to be a strong rookie kicker this season. It's a risk, but it's a calculated risk that could pay big dividends.

DRAFT SELECTIONS

POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. You predicted that you would take Mark Ingram at 3.01 and you did. What is your plan for filling his spot in the lineup in Weeks 1-4? How should others strategize this if they pick Ingram in drafts?

I later drafted Kerryon Johnson and Marlon Mack in this draft as Mark Ingram insurance. Johnson will likely be my Week 1 target as he continues to impress for Detroit in the preseason. Any back that has the possibility of starting is a good replacement. I would recommend that you draft Ingram as your RB3, which at least would give you two backs that you can start in his place. In my case, I selected Ingram at 3.01 knowing he probably was not going to make it back to me for the 4-5 turn. I was fortunate to select Johnson at 5.01 and went back to that position again with Marlon Mack the next time around at 7.01

2. You selected Jimmy Graham with pick 6.12. You indicated that you would probably have a tight end by the fifth round. What made you decide to forego tight end in the fifth round and wait until round six to take Graham?

The decision to take Mark Ingram at 3.01 where running backs were flying off the board meant that I needed to have some insurance in the first four weeks due to his suspension. I debated taking a tight end with pick 5.01 but I needed to have Ingram insurance, so I selected Kerryon Johnson and passed on tight end. Luckily, Graham was available as one of my picks on the 5-6 turn.

will grant'S EVALUATION

STRENGTHS
Balanced at every position. Haseley did a decent job letting the draft come to him and hit the running back and wide receiver spots early and often, taking full advantage of his spot on the turn. He scored a decent tight end at the end of round 6 in Jimmy Graham and Deshaun Watson at the top of round 9 was decent value for a QB. Well done.

WEAKNESSES
It's hard to knock the running back position when Jeff started out with Todd Gurley but it’s the weakest point on this team. Mark Ingram is suspended for the first four games of the season, Kerryon Johnson has a lot of competition and Marlon Mack will lose touches to Nyheim Hines this season. If Gurley goes down to injury, this team could struggle.

HOW HE’LL WIN IT ALL
If Gurley stays healthy, this team will make the playoffs. Haseley has enough balance and depth at wide receiver and tight end to keep him competitive while Gurley pulls this team to victory week after week. Deshaun Watson looks good so far this season, and even if he goes down, Matt Ryan is a serviceable backup. If Kerryon Johnson can become the running back that Detroit wants him to be, this team is going to be tough come week five when Mark Ingram is back.

DRAFT SLOT 2

Devin Knotts, Footballguys - Bio

Follow @ohiostate241

PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. How does your draft strategy change for an in-season league that has in-season management and waivers, vs. a best ball league?

In-season management changes everything as you can't just draft for upside. What it does is it makes you take a more focused look at the running back position as with Best Ball leagues you can get away with quantity over quality at times if those running backs get enough carries or score enough touchdowns, but in an in-season management you really have to force yourself to have quality

2. How does your overall strategy change for a standard scoring league? How will you approach drafting running backs, wide receivers and tight ends?

Standard scoring is all about the touchdowns, elite running backs skyrocket up my draft board while receivers such as Julio Jones fall just based on previous history. At the tight end position outside of Rob Gronkowski, they all fall down pretty significantly as the difference becomes smaller when not factoring in volume of the catches that a receiver makes and it is purely based on touchdowns.

3. This draft does not include a flex position. How will that affect your decision-making?

It really doesn't affect my draft at all, I'm going to go into a draft whether it is flex or non-flex standard draft. It may impact my decision on waiting for wide receivers a little bit longer and choosing running back depth over receivers but that is about it.

4. How many players at each position do you anticipate having by the end of round five?

Four running backs and one quarterback unless Aaron Rodgers is available in round five in which case, three running backs, one quarterback and one wide receiver.

5. What is your plan to attack the quarterback position, knowing the scoring is 6 points per touchdown pass?

Get an elite quarterback, that's always my philosophy.

6. Name two players that you will fade due to the standard scoring format.

Since I already mentioned Julio Jones and Evan Engram, let's go with Christian McCaffrey and Larry Fitzgerald. McCaffrey just worries me on how many touchdowns he will score and with how early he will likely go.

7. Name two players that you will target due to the standard scoring format.

Nelson Agholor and Michael Crabtree are both great touchdown threats each time they touch the field and will be targets of mine alongside Jordy Nelson.

8. Would you rather have a strength at running back or wide receiver in this format? Explain your answer.

Easy answer, in a non-PPR give me all the running backs.

9. How will you approach kicker and defense in this draft?

I suspect I will be the first to take a defense and a kicker. Pay for quality.

DRAFT SELECTIONS

POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. You wanted an elite quarterback and you got one in Tom Brady in the ninth round as the fourth quarterback off the board. Quarterbacks fell in this draft and it's something we're seeing more of in drafts in general. If the average drafter wants to take an elite quarterback, what should their strategy be? When is it time to draft an elite quarterback?

I think you should look at what you consider an elite quarterback to be. If you consider Aaron Rodgers to be in a class of his own, then you should probably reach for him early. However, if there are four to five players that you consider elite, then tiering them and closely monitoring who is left in that tier is the way to go. Meaning if you have five quarterbacks in the same tier as guys that you are happy to get as an elite quarterback, then just take the quarterback once two or three guys are off the board. Don't wait until the last guy is left as he may get taken by another team.

2. You wanted an elite defense, but you missed out on Jacksonville, who is the preseason favorite as the top Defense/ST unit. You picked the Chargers as the fourth defense off the board. Share why you like Los Angeles this year and what other options should people target if they want a top defense, but miss out on Jacksonville?

The Chargers defensive line is tremendous with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram III which provides a tremendous sack floor along with a very good secondary that should be able to force turnovers this season. I've been trying to get Jacksonville in every draft and would have taken them in the round that they were taken. Some other elite defenses if you miss on Jacksonville include the Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, and Minnesota Vikings.

WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION

STRENGTHS
Devin built a well-balanced team from the #2 slot, starting with back to back running backs and then back to back with wide receivers with his next two picks. Running back is his strongest position with Ezekiel Elliot having a decent shot at being the top fantasy running back this season. Devin also secured Carlos Hyde and Nick Chubb, locking up the bulk of the fantasy points from the much-improved Cleveland backfield.

WEAKNESSES
Tom Brady and Evan Engram are both solid players from their positions, but Knotts has pushed all his chips in on both of them. By drafting just one quarterback and one tight end, Devin is open to risk in the event that one of his players goes down to injury.

HOW HE’LL WIN IT ALL
Devin has built a strong team, but he’s going to need to play the waiver wire well if he is going to win it all. Having only one quarterback, tight end, kicker and defense, Devin’s going to need to add a few players throughout the season in order to help balance the bye week absences. Kickers and defenses are easy to swap in and out, and quarterback is usually a position that you can add to get you over a bye week, so Devin is in a good position to go far. Knotts has enough depth to carry Dez Bryant for a couple weeks but if he doesn’t sign with a team, he becomes a good candidate to cut.

DRAFT SLOT 3

Keith Roberts, Footballguys - Bio

Follow @taker4862

PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. How does your draft strategy change for an in-season league that has in-season management and waivers, vs. a best ball league?

Best ball alludes to swinging for the fences for those huge upside players. I am less concerned about injuries and consistent usage/volume in best ball leagues because I know my next best score / healthy player will be used. For in-season management leagues, I will slightly devalue the players with historical or ongoing injury issues (cue Jordan Reed, Keenan Allen, Carson Wentz, etc).

2. How does your overall strategy change for a standard scoring league? How will you approach drafting running backs, wide receivers and tight ends?

Touchdowns are of course of paramount importance in a standard scoring league. I will put a heavier weighting on players I believe will be used extensively in the red zone with higher touchdown upside. I will be more likely to pass on the smaller change of pace and third-down running backs such as Tarik Cohen and Tevin Coleman while targeting the larger guys likely to be used around the goal line such as Derrick Henry or Rex Burkhead. For wide receivers, this format puts a little more pressure on me to be sure and get a team’s top outside receiver who will stretch the field on chunk plays rather than dinking and dunking across the middle of the field. As for tight ends, I will again focus on the larger sized guys with the highest red zone upside.

3. This draft does not include a flex position. How will that affect your decision-making?

With no flex, I will have to be more cognizant of positional need as opposed to “best player available”. Building equal depth at wide receiver, running back, and tight end will be important to be sure I am covered week in and week out. Loading up on talent at one position in a non-flex league only lends itself to tough lineup decisions on a weekly basis as opposed to ensuring you have at least one rock solid player to slot in at each position, week in and week out.

4. How many players at each position do you anticipate having by the end of round five?

• RB – 2
• WR - 3
• TE – 0
• QB – 0

*If Aaron Rodgers is still available at 4.10, I will jump on him. However, with passing touchdowns worth six points, I fully expect he will be taken earlier in the 4th round.

5. What is your plan to attack the quarterback position, knowing the scoring is 6 points per touchdown pass?

If Aaron Rodgers is available to me late in the fourth round, I will gladly take him. Otherwise, I will wait on quarterback until no sooner than the ninth round as long as a huge run on the position does not begin sooner. The 6 points per touchdown pass also drops my valuation of the dual-threat quarterbacks such as Russell Wilson and Deshaun Watson. I will not plan on reaching into the 5th / 6th round for those guys in this draft as I can secure nearly as many passing touchdowns from other options later in the draft.

6. Name two players that you will fade due to the standard scoring format.

Christian McCaffrey and Jarvis Landry are two players I will not plan on drafting at or near their current ADP in a standard scoring format. The Panthers simply have too many red zone threats to allow McCaffrey enough touchdown upside to offset the 60-70 points lost from the non-PPR format. Jarvis Landry has always been known as the prototypical PPR receiver who thrives from the slot. Given the talent and potential inexperience of either Tyrod Taylor or Baker Mayfield, I will pass on Landry at his ADP in favor of other options with more big play upside such as Robby Anderson or Corey Davis.

7. Name two players that you will target due to the standard scoring format.

With my second pick at 2.10, I honestly hope to see Rob Gronkowski fall to me due to his massive red zone upside in that high-scoring Patriots offense. I understand this is highly unlikely with Sigmund Bloom drafting just one pick before me though, so my fallback option if available there will be Davante Adams. Coming off back to back seasons with 10 or more touchdowns, Adams is a guy who should thrive in this format as the WR1 for the Packers. With a solid quarterback behind him, I love both his floor and ceiling as my top receiver to compliment what should also be a top running back.

Later in the draft, I will be targeting running back depth by adding Spencer Ware. When healthy in 2016, Ware put up very solid numbers and looked great in doing so. He is a powerful runner who very easily could take away not only goal-line carries, but plenty of in-game snaps and red zone work from Kareem Hunt. At Ware’s current ADP, he offers plenty of value with the touchdown upside I am looking for in this scoring format.

8. Would you rather have a strength at running back or wide receiver in this format? Explain your answer.

I’d prefer strength and depth at wide receiver in this format. Yes, I will typically take a running back with my first pick, but with no flex and only two starting slots, I see plenty of opportunity on the waiver wire to pick up quality running backs that will be slotted into very favorable situations due to injuries or lost jobs. With wide receivers, the predictability of red zone usage gets exponentially smaller as you move down the depth chart.

9. How will you approach kicker and defense in this draft?

Kicker will be my last pick. At defense, I will not spend the pick on the likes of the Jaguars of Vikings, but I will be targeting a unit like the Rams or Chargers basically in the round or two after I see someone take the Jaguars off the board.

DRAFT SELECTIONS

POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. You picked Aaron Rodgers as the first quarterback off the board. In leagues that reward 6 points per touchdown pass, how important is he? Is it worth sacrificing a player at another position to draft him? How would you advise the average drafter to navigate the draft after spending a high pick on a quarterback?

Aaron Rodgers is in a tier alone even in standard scoring systems. Increase the points per touchdown pass, and this tier is magnified even further. Rodgers can easily be projected for at least 10% more passing touchdowns than the next closest quarterback. The Packers have offensive weapons galore combined with a suspect ground game and bottom-half defensive unit. As long as he is healthy, Rodgers should be passing early and often. When you spend a pick that early on quarterback, it is important to have built some stability earlier in the draft. Had I not been near the top of the draft to land one of the top tier running backs, it would not have been as easy to make the Rodgers pick this early. Given the standard scoring format, I would advise trying to take a couple running backs to complement a wide receiver in the first three rounds. After selecting Rodgers in the fourth, spend the next few picks building depth at running back and receiver. I would also advise waiting as long as you can for a tight end. It will be important to build depth at receiver since you would be particularly weak there given this strategy.

2. You indicated the wide receiver depth is more important to you than running back depth. You proved this by taking three wide receivers in rounds 5, 6 and 7 after starting the draft with two running backs in the first three rounds. Explain why it's important to fill your roster first for an in-season league with no flex, before adding depth at any position.

Lack of a flex can make for some tricky lineup decisions on a weekly basis. While I agree that depth is important in any fantasy league, without a Flex position, it is wise to prioritize those early picks with addressing positional need. Definitely take advantage of significant values if they appear, but the default approach should be to spend those critical earlier picks on guys you plan to start week in and week out. Sacrificing a pick to add a third or fourth running back before a third receiver, for example, could mean the difference between grabbing a team's top target versus a lower end option with less touchdown and yardage upside--both of which are critical to success in a standard scoring format. In this league, you can see that 32 running backs were already taken off the board by the end of the fifth round. In my case, I saw the opportunity to select three receivers who could each be top red zone options for their respective offenses in lieu one of these running backs who may or may not even be the primary starter for their team. Having this talent in your starting slots is a big advantage, especially for an active in-season owner--as talent will no doubt be available throughout the waiver wire as the season plays out.

WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION

STRENGTHS
Keith drafted Aaron Rodgers almost three full rounds before the next quarterback was taken in the draft. However, in a 6-pt passing league such as this, Rodgers could be fantasy fold. He has looked good in the pre-season so far, and has a whole new stable of weapons to choose from this season. Patrick Mahomes was a decent value pick in the 16th round, and Roberts will have plenty of time to see if Mahomes emerges as a legitimate fantasy threat. Roberts only needs him for week seven unless Rodgers goes down and after that, Mahomes can be cut for depth at other positions.

WEAKNESSES
It seems a little silly to call a team with Le’Veon Bell weak at running back, but Keith didn’t add much depth behind Bell after taking him #3 overall. Jerick McKinnon has an injured calf that will cause him to miss the rest of the pre-season. That’s more important this season since McKinnon is trying to learn a new offense and working to prove he is the top back on a new team. The rest of the crew are all #2 backs on their respective teams and will need the primary back to be injured or fall out of favor before they can really contribute from a fantasy perspective.

HOW HE’LL WIN IT ALL
Roberts needs his second-tier wide receivers to really over-perform if his team is going to compete. Consistent points from Keenan Allen are a given, but guys like Robby Anderson and Jordy Nelson all have question marks surrounding them this season. Marvin Jones had a great season last year, and if that trend continues, Roberts will do well. Roberts could also use a little more depth at running back and picking up a decent one off the waiver wire will help. If Bell stays healthy, Roberts will have a chance. He just needs a couple of the other pieces to fall in place to really put together a playoff run.

DRAFT SLOT 4

Sigmund Bloom, Footballguys - Bio

Follow @SigmundBloom

PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. How does your draft strategy change for an in-season league that has in-season management and waivers, vs. a best ball league?

I care a lot more about the quality of my starting lineup when i manage my roster and set my lineup. I care a lot more about weekly ceiling and depth in a best ball league.

2. How does your overall strategy change for a standard scoring league? How will you approach drafting running backs, wide receivers and tight ends?

Running back is king in the early rounds and an upside-down strategy becomes less advisable between the advantage of the stud wide receivers over later options get smaller. A running back like Jordan Howard who doesn't contribute as much in the passing game regains RB1 status. Big play, lower volume wide receivers become closer to the value of the high volume wide receivers and red zone roles are more important. Tight end doesn't change much.

3. This draft does not include a flex position. How will that affect your decision-making?

Once again, the starting lineup will be greatly emphasized. Taking 2 or three shots at an RB2 as an approach can be rewarded in a flex league because if you land multiple hits, you can use both. In this league, I'd rather invest two picks in running backs early.

4. How many players at each position do you anticipate having by the end of round five?

3 RB, 2 WR. maybe 1 TE instead of a WR

5. What is your plan to attack the quarterback position, knowing the scoring is 6 points per touchdown pass?

Quarterback is still deep enough that I'll likely wait on Alex Smith. If I take a quarterback before everyone has their QB1 it will likely be Ben Roethlisberger.

6. Name two players that you will fade due to the standard scoring format.

Chris Thompson, Christian McCaffrey

7. Name two players that you will target due to the standard scoring format.

Jordan Howard, Jimmy Graham

8. Would you rather have a strength at running back or wide receiver in this format? Explain your answer.

Running back. The pool is smaller with receiving backs not giving you the solid weekly floor. Wide receiver is less important with matchup plays and big-play receivers providing more value week to week when the ceiling at the position is much lower.

9. How will you approach kicker and defense in this draft?

I may take a defense like Baltimore or Denver early because of a strong Week 1 matchup and season outlook. Kicker will be my last pick.

DRAFT SELECTIONS

POST-DRAFT QUESTIONS

1. You drafted A.J. Green over Keenan Allen, whereas many have their rankings reverse. Why is Green someone people should consider in the second round of drafts and what other wide receivers would you rather have over him?

In a PPR league, I would have taken Allen because I think it is within his range of outcomes to lead the league in targets and catches. Green is worth consideration in the second because the Bengals offense should be greatly improved with upgrades at left tackle and center on the problem offensive line unit of 2017 and 2017 first round pick John Ross stretching defenses with his speed. Green was sometimes a top-five pick in 2016 and he was delivering on that ADP until he got hurt.

2. You drafted Rob Kelley as your RB4 in the 8th round (RB42). Explain why others should target him in drafts and when is a good time to pull the trigger?

In a PPR league, I would probably wait at least 2-4 rounds later, but in a nonPPR, running back is king and any player with a semi-likely outcome of leading his team in carries and rushing scores has solid value. From outward indications, Kelley is ahead of Samaje Perine, and he should have more success as long as the Washington offensive line doesn't experience injuries in the epidemic proportions they endured in 2017. He'll have matchup RB3/Flex value at worst unless Washington adds another quality running back before the season.

WILL GRANT'S EVALUATION

STRENGTHS
Three of Bloom’s first four picks were running backs, and the strength of his team starts with them. David Johnson looks to be back to full strength and he’s an easy guy to cement into the starting lineup up each week. Kenyan Drake and Alex Collins may not be the stud that Johnson is, but both will see the bulk of the carries for their respective teams, giving Bloom a solid base each week. Rob Kelley and James White are firmly entrenched in a committee situation with their teams, but they will both see their share of touches each week as well.

WEAKNESSES
Jordan Reed has been recovering nicely from the injuries that sidelined him for a big chunk of last season. But Reed is still a risk, having never made it a full season and only playing in 18 games over the last two years. Bloom’s only protection against another Reed absence is the consistently disappointing Tyler Eifert, who has also missed a significant amount of time over the last two seasons due to injury. Free agency is always an option, but the odds of Bloom being able to start Reed or Eifert every week this season are pretty slim.

HOW HE’LL WIN IT ALL
The strength of Bloom’s running backs is the key to his success, and a strong showing from David Johnson will be paramount. Sig has a pretty decent quarterback by committee with Ben Roethlisberger and Alex Smith, and if Bloom can rotate the right starter into place he’ll outperform the quarterbacks take