On August 10th, six members of the Footballguys staff, along with six highly regarded writers in the IDP fantasy football community, got together to complete a 12-team, 32-round, IDP draft with PPR scoring. Before the draft, each of the participants answered questions regarding strategies, players they coveted and how they plan to attack the draft. To top it off, Footballguys' Sean Settle 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, and execution. 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
- 32 roster spots
- Starting Lineup
- 1 quarterback
- 2 running backs
- 3 wide receivers
- 1 tight end
- 1 offensive flex (RB, WR, TE)
- 2 defensive ends
- 1 defensive tackle
- 3 linebackers
- 2 cornerbacks
- 2 safeties
- 2 defensive flex (either DT, LB, S or CB)
LEAGUE SCORING
- Offensive Players Only
- 4 points - Passing Touchdown
- 6 points - Rushing/Receiving Touchdown
- 1 point - every 25 Passing Yards
- 1 point - every 10 Rushing/Receiving Yards
- 1 point - Reception (QB, RB, WR)
- 2 points - Two-Point Conversion (rush, pass or receive)
- Defense scoring
- 6 points - fumble recovery touchdown
- 3 points - fumble recovery
- 3 points - forced fumble
- 6 points - interception for touchdown
- 4 points - interception caught
- 2 points - pass defensed
- 6 points - blocked field goal or punt for touchdown
- 6 points - block field goal, extra point or blocked punt
- 2 points - tackle
- 1 point - tackle assist
- 5 points - sacked quarterback
- 10 points - safety
DRAFT PARTICIPANTS
- Justin Howe, Footballguys
- Daniel Simpkins, Footballguys
- Steve Gallo, The Huddle
- Tyler Loechner, Rotoviz
- Aaron Rudnicki, Footballguys
- Tommy Kislingbury, Dynasty League Football
- Jeff Haseley, Footballguys
- John Norton, Footballguys
- Brandon "Bee" Salamat, Dynasty League Football
- John Montgomery, Footballguys
- Gary Davenport, IDP Sharks
- Eric Olinger, Dynasty League Football
DRAFT GRID
View Grid
DRAFT SLOT 1
Justin Howe, Footballguys - Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. What is your strategy for selecting offensive positional players in this draft?
For me, this will be an offensive draft through at least eight rounds or so. I don’t hate the idea of taking top defenders early, but if several of my draftmates want to do it, I’ll happily pick up the offensive crumbs. Those situations offer up great RB and WR value in the middle rounds – not long ago, I scooped James White and Cooper Kupp in Rounds 6 and 7 of a free-swinging IDP draft. As always, my goal is to come out of Round 8 with four RBs and four WRs.
2. Name three players at DL, LB, and DB that you are most interested in targeting as your first player at those positions on your roster. Is there a particular trigger player that will prompt you to draft these players?
- DL – J.J. Watt, Aaron Donald, Danielle Hunter (then a sizeable drop-off)
- LB – Darius Leonard, Bobby Wagner, Leighton Vander Esch
- DB – Jamal Adams, Derwin James, John Johnson
I doubt I’ll be in on Watt or Donald, who will likely go earlier than I’d prefer to go DL. I think Hunter has a ceiling near their level, and he’s going to come at a 1-2 round discount. Assuming I’m at least a few deep at RB and WR, I’ll take the plunge.
3. Defensive tackle and cornerback are part of the starting lineup in this draft. How will you address both of these positions?
Interior linemen have so many rotation and injury issues that I tend to stream them like kickers. Chris Jones and DeForest Buckner are my top two on the board, but for all their ceiling, they both have floors pretty close to the next 10-12 guys. In a cornerback, I’m looking later in the draft for guys who play a ton of snaps but are undervalued due to a lack of big plays last year. Interceptions and pass breakups aren’t very sticky numbers year-to-year, and wild turnarounds bring big ADP value. James Bradberry and Logan Ryan come to mind as guys with top-10 ceilings that will probably be sitting there in Round 20.
4. Name two under the radar players you are targeting at linebacker? Explain why others should be targeting them.
Benardrick McKinney’s ADP looks to slip and slip – our staff rankings have him at No. 43 right now – because he no longer takes many nickel snaps. But he’s still a playmaker, averaging 6.7 combined tackles per game as a pro. And even as an early-down specialist last year, he broke up a career-high seven passes. Further down the board, Patrick Onwuasor is currently locking down a starting job inside for the Ravens, yet he’s coming free in IDP drafts. That could mean 90+ dirt-cheap tackles.
5. Name two under the radar players you are targeting at defensive end? Explain why others should be targeting them.
Yannick Ngakoue is on my priority list for the late rounds – his awesome ceiling will allow me to stream this position instead of chasing big names. He doesn’t produce tackles but is a strong candidate for a monstrous, 15-sack season. I’m also higher than most on Michael Bennett, who will be used less in New England but probably see the same amount of pass-rush opportunity. If I get him, I think I’ll come away with 10-sack potential from the final 2-3 rounds.
6. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
There’s a lot of speculative work to do for the higher-level guys, of course, like Ezekiel Elliott and Melvin Gordon. But in the middle rounds (think Golden Tate or Antonio Callaway), I tend to just look elsewhere. Those are crowded tiers and giving up a few projected games dings that level’s value too much. The exception is Will Fuller – I just think he’s the bee’s knees. I say he catches 60 high-impact balls.
7. Choose a player who would benefit greatly if an injury elevated him in the depth chart. Explain why is that player someone to target?
If James Washington can work past the mediocre Donte Moncrief, of course, watch out. He’s very gifted, and while the Steelers won’t approach 700 attempts again, they’ll likely top 600. The No. 2 role there is tantalizing.
8. What advice would you give to others who are competing in an IDP draft?
Beyond the top tiers, the predictability and separation among IDP guys go way, way down. Tackles and splash plays fluctuate so much that there’s not much gap from, say, DL5 to DL15. Generally speaking, depth-seeking is more important than forcefully taking a bunch of second-tier defenders before better offensive contributors. Don’t ignore the position, and don’t necessarily be afraid to take a top-three stud like Aaron Donald. But if you miss out on him, don’t take Chris Jones three rounds too early in desperation.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
|
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
1.01
|
1
|
RB
|
NOS
|
|
|
2.12
|
24
|
RB
|
Melvin Gordon
|
LAC
|
|
3.01
|
25
|
TE
|
PHI
|
|
|
4.12
|
48
|
WR
|
NEP
|
|
|
5.01
|
49
|
WR
|
SEA
|
|
|
6.12
|
72
|
DE
|
LAR
|
|
|
7.01
|
73
|
RB
|
MIA
|
|
|
8.12
|
96
|
LB
|
CLE
|
|
|
9.01
|
97
|
LB
|
HOU
|
|
|
10.12
|
120
|
WR
|
Will Fuller
|
HOU
|
|
11.01
|
121
|
RB
|
SEA
|
|
|
12.12
|
144
|
WR
|
ARI
|
|
|
13.01
|
145
|
WR
|
GBP
|
|
|
14.12
|
168
|
LB
|
PHI
|
|
|
15.01
|
169
|
QB
|
LAR
|
|
|
16.12
|
192
|
DT
|
DET
|
|
|
17.01
|
193
|
WR
|
PIT
|
|
|
18.12
|
216
|
RB
|
MIA
|
|
|
19.01
|
217
|
QB
|
PIT
|
|
|
20.12
|
240
|
TE
|
MIN
|
|
|
21.01
|
241
|
LB
|
HOU
|
|
|
22.12
|
264
|
S
|
GBP
|
|
|
23.01
|
265
|
LB
|
DEN
|
|
|
24.12
|
288
|
RB
|
BAL
|
|
|
25.01
|
289
|
S
|
PIT
|
|
|
26.12
|
312
|
LB
|
PIT
|
|
|
27.01
|
313
|
CB
|
KCC
|
|
|
28.12
|
336
|
CB
|
NOS
|
|
|
29.01
|
337
|
DE
|
PIT
|
|
|
30.12
|
360
|
S
|
TBB
|
|
|
31.01
|
361
|
DE
|
GBP
|
|
|
32.12
|
384
|
LB
|
LAC
|
post-draft question
Explain how being in a draft with IDP players is a benefit to drafting offensive players. What strategy should others use when it comes to selecting offensive skill players in an IDP draft?
It allows you another avenue to take advantage of sharp gains in value throughout the draft. You don't want to fall too far behind the pack in selecting those top defenders, so you shouldn't be afraid of getting on the bus in the middle rounds. But IDP options tend to fall off VERY sharply from tier to tier, and shrewd drafters know not to chase the next level of guys. Put another way: feel free to chase Darius Leonard and J.J Watt. But if your league-mates are jumping on C.J. Mosley in the very next round, sit out and take advantage of the offensive value left for you.
Sean Settle's EVALUATION
Strengths
Drafting from the top spot had its advantages, and in this case, it came in the form of Alvin Kamara and Melvin Gordon. There may be some worry over the current holdout situation by Gordon, but this is one of the most formidable backfields in the entire league. Snagging Aaron Donald when the run on defensive players started in the 6th round gives him an instant playmaker and Joe Schobert should lead a revamped Cleveland defense in tackles. This team has top-end talent at several key positions.
Weaknesses
This team falls flat in the wide receiver department and that can play a major role in a PPR league. Led by the trio of Julian Edelman, Tyler Lockett, and Will Fuller, there will be a lot of points left off the board at wide receiver. Zach Ertz may play like a wide receiver at times, but there is not enough balance across the board at receiver.
How He’ll Win It All
It will take elite scoring every week from this team’s major players to win it all. Alvin Kamara will not be sharing the workload with Mark Ingram and has a chance to be the number one overall scorer this season, Zach Ertz will be in the mix for top-scoring tight end, Aaron Donald will be amongst the top 2 at defensive end, and Joe Schobert could land in the top 5 at linebacker with a strong season. This team has the top-end talent but will need contributions across the board to win it all.
DRAFT SLOT 2
Daniel Simpkins, Footballguys - Bio
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. What is your strategy for selecting offensive positional players in this draft?
I typically don’t emphasize grabbing elite IDPs early. I treat the draft the same as a regular redraft league and wait for other folks to break the seal on taking the first IDPs. I want to spend early picks on running backs and wide receivers and take my quarterbacks and tight ends a little later. I am confident in my ability to identify IDP waiver wire talent in-season to shore up my team if I come up a little weak in that area. Positional scarcity is still so much more pronounced at the offensive positions.
2. Name three players at DL, LB, and DB that you are most interested in targeting as your first player at those positions on your roster. Is there a particular trigger player that will prompt you to draft these players?
- DL- Demarcus Lawrence
- LB- Myles Jack
- DB- Harrison Smith
As you can see, these are three guys that aren’t premium players at their position, but neither are they scrubs that I’ll be wishing and hoping to hit. I’ll wait a couple or a few rounds later and jump into the IDP pool after I feel the offensive value has been extracted and the defensive value is greater. I don’t have trigger players, just a feel of the board that comes with years of drafting experience.
3. Defensive tackle and cornerback are part of the starting lineup in this draft. How will you address both of these positions?
Defensive tackle-required leagues are tricky because there are very few good players at that position. The thing is, most people still undervalue them, even in a format like this one. I’ll be looking hard at guys that are getting injury or team-change discounts, like Gerald McCoy and Sheldon Richardson. These guys were considered top options at the position not that long ago, but injuries or changing situations have pushed them down. I look for both to bounce back now that they are healthy and/or have good supporting casts.
4. Name two under the radar players you are targeting at linebacker? Explain why others should be targeting them.
Quincy Williams is getting more buzz lately thanks to John Norton and Aaron Rudniki, but I’ve also loved Williams since the news broke that Telvin Smith Sr would be sitting out this season. Williams is very similar to Smith in terms of his sideline to sideline speed and I think he’s an ideal replacement. Monitor his recent injury, but if he’s back in time for the regular season, I have no qualms about taking him at current ADP.
We should see more of Jerome Baker this year. He needed to improve his ability to shed blocks and hold up at the point of attack, and I think he got better at that later in the year. He’s extremely fluid, rangy, and able to cover if he needs to. Kiko Alonso was getting toasted last year, and if this regime is rational, they will start phasing Alonso out and Baker in.
5. Name two under the radar players you are targeting at defensive end? Explain why others should be targeting them.
I feel like this will be the year for Derek Barnett to increase his snap counts and finally make a bigger impact in IDP. I’ve loved the skill set since he came out of Tennessee, but he’s been stuck behind a pair of quality ends for the last couple of years in Chris Long and Brandon Graham.
Olivier Vernon is a guy that has been forgotten about after injuries and playing outside linebacker. Now that he is moving back to his natural position on a stacked defensive front and opposite of Myles Garrett, Vernon could bounce back in a big way.
6. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I love rookie corners. It’s important to identify which ones will get significant starting time out of the gate and also have a competent starter playing at the opposite corner position. That’s a recipe for good fantasy production and one I like to exploit every year. I’m a little more cautious about rookie linebackers and even more cautious about rookie defensive ends. In this class, I think that I would be comfortable taking Devin White, Devin Bush, Quincy Williams, and Nick Bosa at current ADP without much hesitation. As far as suspended players, it’s a case-by-case thing for me. If I can get them at the price of a backup, I’m likely to pull the trigger. Currently, there haven’t been any significant suspensions to top-end IDP guys, so it’s not something I’m particularly focused on for this draft.
7. Choose a player who would benefit greatly if an injury elevated him in the depth chart. Explain why is that player someone to target?
I could see Bobby Okereke being this player. He’s very similar to Darius Leonard in that he’s super athletic and seems to be a natural at the position. He may beat out Anthony Walker for the second inside spot as it is, but if he were to have to fill in for Leonard due to injury, I could see him being nearly as productive.
8. What advice would you give to others who are competing in an IDP draft?
If your benches aren’t crazy deep, don’t worry as much about IDP. There will be talent out there on the waiver wire that you can harvest. Put more of the emphasis on building a solid offense and turn your attention to IDP later in your draft. You can still construct a very solid IDP squad that doesn’t have a single premium IDP player on it.
DRAFT SELECTIONS
|
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
1.02
|
2
|
RB
|
NYG
|
|
|
2.11
|
23
|
WR
|
TBB
|
|
|
3.02
|
26
|
WR
|
LAC
|
|
|
4.11
|
47
|
RB
|
SEA
|
|
|
5.02
|
50
|
WR
|
ATL
|
|
|
6.11
|
71
|
TE
|
NYG
|
|
|
7.02
|
74
|
WR
|
TEN
|
|
|
8.11
|
95
|
LB
|
ARI
|
|
|
9.02
|
98
|
LB
|
DAL
|
|
|
10.11
|
119
|
RB
|
DEN
|
|
|
11.02
|
122
|
RB
|
LAC
|
|
|
12.11
|
143
|
QB
|
CAR
|
|
|
13.02
|
146
|
QB
|
BAL
|
|
|
14.11
|
167
|
DE
|
CIN
|
|
|
15.02
|
170
|
DE
|
MIN
|
|
|
16.11
|
191
|
TE
|
CAR
|
|
|
17.02
|
194
|
LB
|
TEN
|
|
|
18.11
|
215
|
LB
|
JAC
|
|
|
19.02
|
218
|
DE
|
SFO
|
|
|
20.11
|
239
|
LB
|
OAK
|
|
|
21.02
|
242
|
LB
|
MIA
|
|
|
22.11
|
263
|
S
|
HOU
|
|
|
23.02
|
266
|
LB
|
CIN
|
|
|
24.11
|
287
|
S
|
IND
|
|
|
25.02
|
290
|
S
|
Ronnie Harrison
|
JAC
|
|
26.11
|
311
|
DE
|
CIN
|
|
|
27.02
|
314
|
DT
|
NOS
|
|
|
28.11
|
335
|
DT
|
ATL
|
|
|
29.02
|
338
|
CB
|
Adoree Jackson
|
TEN
|
|
30.11
|
359
|
DT
|
Maurice Hurst
|
OAK
|
|
31.02
|
362
|
CB
|
NYG
|
|
|
32.11
|
383
|
WR
|
IND
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTION
Explain the importance of using waivers to your advantage in an IDP league. What one piece of waiver wire advice would you give when it comes to adding and dropping players in an IDP league?
Waivers may be even more important in an IDP league than a traditional-offense-only league, simply because injury attrition seems to happen more on the defensive side of the ball. Not only must a fantasy general manager monitor injuries, but it’s also critical that he watch for changing situations in which players are phased out or benched in favor of others. My best advice is to watch the games critically, monitor press conferences, and consult our fantastic snap count data on a weekly basis to keep up with the trends of a player’s usage. Of course, if you don’t want to do that all yourself, just check out John Norton’s Eyes of the Guru column that drops on Thursdays. It’s a great column in which he does all the heavy lifting for you.
SEAN SETTLE'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Having arguably the top running back in the draft fall to number 2 is a great start with Saquon Barkley and the trio of Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, and Calvin Ridley should prove for a very strong receiving core. Daniel built his defensive side around linebackers and defensive ends, with 9 of his first 10 defensive picks falling in those categories. A strong rebound from Everson Griffen could make this a very impressive defensive line and there will be no shortage of tackles from the linebacker position.
Weaknesses
The run on defensive players started in the 5th round and Daniel waited until the 8th to make his first selection. This left him without a big name at linebacker and a few questions at defensive end. Everson Griffen has dealt with mental health issues in recent years and has seen his impact on the defense taken by Danielle Hunter. Nick Bosa is a wild card after suffering a high ankle sprain and missing the majority of his final season at Ohio State with a similar injury. This team focused on offense to start and may pay the price in the end because of it.
How He’ll Win It All
The best move here is Austin Ekeler in the 11th round. With all of the uncertainty surrounding the hold out of Melvin Gordon, Ekeler has taken the snaps with the first-team offense and looked good doing so. If Nick Bosa is healthy and plays anything like his brother, he will be a steal in the 19th round, and a balanced offensive attack led by Cam Newton, Saquon Barkley, and Mike Evans may be enough to overcome any defensive deficiency.
DRAFT SLOT 3
Steve Gallo, The Huddle
Steve has over a decade of experience as a writer and analyst in the fantasy football industry. He is the author of “The Zero QB Theorem” as well as host and developer of The Blitzed Podcast where he’s interviewed Tony Dungy, Herm Edwards, and others. Lastly, he’s an IDP enthusiast & creator of the #NoTeamD hashtag.
PRE-DRAFT QUESTIONS
1. What is your strategy for selecting offensive positional players in this draft?
The past 3 or so years I gravitated back to RB heavy. People love WRs, and so do I but WR is deep so I prefer to come out of the 1st 3 rounds with 2 RBs, sometimes three if I like a players value. WRs can be mined in the middle and late parts of the draft. As per usual I'll generally not just the last person to take a starting QB but take my starter after others already have their back-up QB.
2. Name three players at DL, LB, and DB that you are most interested in targeting as your first player at those positions on your roster. Is there a particular trigger player that will prompt you to draft these players?
- DL: Myles Garrett, Demarcus Lawrence, and Joey Bosa. I have Garrett as my 1.1 DL so the trigger is pulling it when I think DL is about to come off the board. Lawrence seems to be coming at a discount in drafts so after 8-9 DLs are off the board I'm nabbing him. Bosa is triggered if I miss on Garrett.
- LB: Bobby Wagner, Tremaine Edmunds & CJ Mosley. No triggers on any of the 3 and if I miss it's not a big deal as I'll backfill from the rest of the LBs available.
- DB: I'll generally wait on filling out DB but one guy I like in particular is Reshad Jones. Getting him in the 20s when in my mind he could finish as a top 5 DB is a steal. I have no faith in the Miami offense so I think their D will be on the field a TON.
3. Defensive tackle and cornerback are part of the starting lineup in this draft. How will you address both of these positions?
Doubtful I reach for either. They'll be addressed after the other IDP positions and possibly even after QB and that's saying something.
4. Name two under the radar players you are targeting at linebacker? Explain why others should be targeting them.
- Alec Ogletree. I'm not a believer in the offense with Eli under center and when they go to the rook later in the year the offense will likely be inefficient so Ogletree should be in line to face a ton of tackle opportunities. He doesn't have to be a good linebacker to be a linebacker or even better in fantasy. Sign me up with him as an LB3 or LB4.
- Zach Brown. I don't think he's under the radar but I do think he's being undervalued. Likely not an LB1 but has that upside and more of an LB2 than the LB3/4 he's being drafted as.
5. Name two under the radar players you are targeting at defensive end? Explain why others should be targeting them.
I don't generally target under the radar DEs. My goal is to come out of the draft with 2 top 10 DEs. With that said I do think Demarcus Lawrence is being undervalued some.
6. What's your approach to rookies, injured players, and/or suspended players that may not have a full workload to start the season?
I am not afraid of adding them to my roster but the value has to be there and the "chemistry" has to fit the makeup of my team.
7. Choose a player who would benefit greatly if an injury elevated him in the depth chart. Explain why is that player someone to target?
Dallas Goedert. He has a role in the Philly offense and is coming off the board as a late TE2. If Ertz went down then Goedert is a league winning type of player to own.
8. What advice would you give to others who are competing in an IDP draft?
I have three main rules...
- If you are going to do IDP do it all the way, don't dip your toe by adding one or two IDPs, minimally go 2DL/2LB/2DB and a flex.
- Don't draft off of last year's stats. Way too many factors beyond a players ability that factors into their production to draft based on what they did last year.
- HAVE FUN!
DRAFT SELECTIONS
|
Pick
|
Overall
|
Position
|
Player
|
Team
|
|
1.03
|
3
|
RB
|
CAR
|
|
|
2.10
|
22
|
RB
|
GBP
|
|
|
3.03
|
27
|
WR
|
IND
|
|
|
4.10
|
46
|
WR
|
TBB
|
|
|
5.03
|
51
|
DE
|
CLE
|
|
|
6.10
|
70
|
DE
|
Demarcus Lawrence
|
DAL
|
|
7.03
|
75
|
WR
|
LAC
|
|
|
8.10
|
94
|
LB
|
TBB
|
|
|
9.03
|
99
|
RB
|
PHI
|
|
|
10.10
|
118
|
TE
|
PIT
|
|
|
11.03
|
123
|
WR
|
GBP
|
|
|
12.10
|
142
|
RB
|
HOU
|
|
|
13.03
|
147
|
RB
|
KCC
|
|
|
14.10
|
166
|
LB
|
CHI
|
|
|
15.03
|
171
|
LB
|
OAK
|
|
|
16.10
|
190
|
S
|
BUF
|
|
|
17.03
|
195
|
WR
|
DAL
|
|
|
18.10
|
214
|
LB
|
BAL
|
|
|
19.03
|
219
|
QB
|
DAL
|
|
|
20.10
|
238
|
WR
|
SFO
|
|
|
21.03
|
243
|
QB
|
ARI
|
|
|
22.10
|
262
|
S
|
MIN
|
|
|
23.03
|
267
|
CB
|
CAR
|
|
|
24.10
|
286
|
TE
|
PHI
|
|
|
25.03
|
291
|
S
|
SEA
|
|
|
26.10
|
310
|
S
|
NYG
|
|
|
27.03
|
315
|
LB
|
PHI
|
|
|
28.10
|
334
|
LB
|
Anthony Walker
|
IND
|
|
29.03
|
339
|
CB
|
TEN
|
|
|
30.10
|
358
|
WR
|
WAS
|
|
|
31.03
|
363
|
TE
|
NEP
|
|
|
32.10
|
382
|
DT
|
ARI
|
POST-DRAFT QUESTION
You selected Myles Garrett (pick 5.03) as the first IDP pick in this draft. Explain why was defensive end your first IDP pick, and why Garrett?
The DL position isn't as thin as it has been in the past but it's still a thin position and having a difference-maker can lead to a big advantage over your opponents. It's sorta like the TE position and how Gronk used to be a huge advantage, and Kelce has been recently when compared to others at the TE position. That's also why I wanted to land two top 5 DL in this draft. Garrett, my 1.01 ranked DL, just makes a combo like that even sweeter, in my eyes. I see Garrett having a massive year and look forward to seeing him use all of his moves, not just the one that former DC, Greg Williams limited him too. He's a special talent that looks ready to blossom. And by blossom I mean I think a 15+ sack season is realistic for him.
As I stated, my plan going into the draft was to land two of the top 5 DL and I knew that drafting from the 3-spot that I'd likely have that opportunity if I addressed the position at the 4/5 turn. I considered taking Garrett with my 4.10 pick but felt that I could risk waiting until 5.3 and in turn roll the dice that one of my other top 5 DL made it back to me. Bosa went a few picks before my 6th round pick but Lawrence was there so my plan worked. Based on chatter in the draft room Garrett wouldn't have made it back to me at 6.10 so drafting him at 5.03 was the right call, hopefully.
SEAN SETTLE'S EVALUATION
Strengths
Steve got the defensive party started in the 5th round and in doing so brought home one of the best pairs of defensive ends in the draft. Myles Garrett and Damarcus Lawrence have a chance to build on breakout seasons and are both legitimate top 5 players at their position. Christian McCaffrey has shown up at camp ready to play and is a great value at the 3rd pick in a PPR league. Steve balanced offensive picks with defense and took a very balanced approach to this team.
Weaknesses
Steve got the defensive party started but left many big names on the board when taking Myles Garrett in the 5th round. Garrett is the 4th ranked defensive end behind Joey Bosa, JJ Watt, and