The Draft – Rounds 13-18

Continuing with analysis of our draft, we now move onto rounds 13-18, which brings us to the end of it. Afterward, we recap our picks and analyze our final squads.

Round Thirteen

144. Miami Dolphins Defense
145. Steve McNair
146. Mewelde Moore
147. Vernon Davis
148. Jeff – Buffalo Bills Defense
149. Dalton – Lee Suggs
150. Reche Caldwell
151. Michael Pittman
152. Jerry Porter
153. Robby – Philip Rivers
154. Kevin Curtis
155. Neil Rackers

Round Fourteen

156. Ben Troupe
157. Mark Brunell
158. Denver Broncos Defense
159. Robby – Washington Redskins Defense
160. Cincinnati Bengals Defense
161. Kellen Winslow
162. Dalton – Philadelphia Eagles Defense
163. Jeff – Doug Gabriel
164. Eric Moulds
165. Isaac Bruce
166. Maurice Morris
167. Minnesota Vikings Defense

Round Fifteen

168. Arizona Cardinals Defense
169. Travis Henry
170. Arnez Battle
171. Dallas Cowboys Defense
172. Jeff – Mark Clayton
173. Dalton – Najeh Davenport
174. JJ Arrington
175. Dallas Clark
176. Robby – San Diego Chargers Defense
177. Rex Grossman
178. Verron Haynes
179. Cedric Houston

Round Sixteen

180. Braylon Edwards
181. Robby – Antowain Smith
182. Adam Vinatieri
183. Mike Vanderjagt
184. Dalton – Alex Smith (TE)
185. Jeff – Justin Fargas
186. Brian Calhoun
187. KC Chiefs Defense
188. Adrian Peterson
189. Jermaine Wiggins

Round Seventeen

190. Matt Leinart
191. Michael Jenkins
192. Amani Toomer
193. Shayne Graham
194. Jeff – Jerious Norwood
195. Dalton – Roddy White
196. Detroit Lions Defense
197. Sammie Parker
198. Robby – Troy Williamson
199. JP Losman
200. Cleveland Browns Defense
201. New York Jets Defense

Round Eighteen

202. Ashlie Lelie
203. Jason Elam
204. Jay Feely
205. Robby – Oakland Raiders Defense
206. Bobby Engram
207. Sammy Morris
208. Dalton – Greg Jennings
209. Jeff – Tennessee Titans Defense
210. Maurice Hicks
211. Ciatrick Fason
212. Dalton – Chad Jackson
213. Jerramy Stevens

Dalton Rounds 13-18 Recap
As if losing Koren Robinson wasn’t enough, I go and draft Lee Suggs right after it’s announced he’s traded to the Jets. That makes two picks I flushed down the toilet. I like the Eagles’ defense to bounce back this year and love Alex Smith as a sleeper TE2. I’m hoping one of Roddy White, Greg Jennings and/or Chad Jackson pans out. It’s not likely, considering how tough it is for young receivers to excel in the NFL, but each are in really decent positions to do so.

Overall, I am happy with my draft. If Addai or Maroney pans out, I like my chances. In hindsight, I am upset I passed on Derrick Mason (who is showing great chemistry with McNair) as well as Maurice Morris, since I have Alexander. Nevertheless, do you hear that dial tone? That’s because my team is off the hook.

Dalton’s Team
QB – Eli Manning, Jake Plummer
Even though Eli actually regressed the second half of last year, I see him taking a major leap forward this season.
RB – Shaun Alexander, Joseph Addai, Laurence Maroney, Najeh Davenport, Tony Fisher
The Madden Curse scares me. So does that huge contract Alexander signed. What I do like, however, is Addai and Maroney’s upside, which will hopefully come to fruition by season’s end.
WR – Plaxico Burress, Andre Johnson, Laveranues Coles, Roddy White, Greg Jennings, Chad Jackson
It’s time for both Burress and Johnson to live up to their potential. Coles can only improve on last year’s numbers. Again, I’m mad I passed up Mason.
TE – Ben Watson, Alex Smith
Even though I waited longer to draft a TE than nearly everyone, I’m perfectly fine with this duo.
K – David Akers
Look for him to return to health.
DEF – Bears, Eagles
I love the fact the Bears are bringing back all of their starters, play in the NFC North, and have a ridiculous homefield advantage. I hate the fact Mike Brown “tweaked” his Achilles’ tendon and is out for at least the preseason.

Robby Rounds 13-18 Recap
I largely ignored defense in the draft and added the Redskins and Chargers late (I’ve already dropped the Raiders). In my book, Philip Rivers was the last second tier quarterback on the board when I grabbed him; I definitely see him getting a few situational starts for me this year. If Antowain Smith wins the backup job in Houston, he’ll make a great value grab. If not, I’ll get rid of him soon. Troy Williamson is now the number one guy in Minnesota, which is not bad for my fifth receiver.

Robby’s Team
QB – Drew Bledsoe, Brett Favre, Philip Rivers
I’ve got a couple of fossils up front. I like Bledsoe a good deal this year but am already regretting the Favre pick.
RB – Steven Jackson, Julius Jones, Tatum Bell, Greg Jones, Wali Lundy, Antowain Smith, Cedric Cobbs
Hopefully I’ll be starting a running back at the flex position most of the season. Call me crazy, but I’ve already ordered my custom-made Wali Lundy jersey. Cobbs should get the axe once I need to add a kicker but who knows.
WR – Donald Driver, Joey Galloway, Nate Burleson, Reggie Brown, Troy Williamson
I was pretty underwhelmed with my first two wide receivers taken but by adding high upside guys Burleson and Brown later, I think this group should be more than adequate.
TE – LJ Smith
I like LJ to put up comparable numbers to the TEs taken a few rounds earlier.
DEF – Redskins, Chargers
This group is admittedly pretty weak but by playing the matchups I should at least get decent results.

Jeff’s Rounds 13-18 Recap
My last six draft picks were Buffalo D, Justin Fargas, Mark Clayton, Doug Gabriel, Jerious Norwood and Titans D. Buffalo is a sleeper with one of the best defensive units in football, when healthy. Fargas, Norwood, and Gabriel were handcuff picks, while Clayton is a darkhorse. Tennessee was purely a matchup pick, as the Giants host the Colts, and the Bills visit New England in week one.

Jeff’s Team
QB – Carson Palmer, Jon Kitna
I am hoping Palmer will start opening weekend versus Kansas City. He should be good for 20 fantasy ppg if healthy. Kitna will be a safe second option with plenty of upside.
RB – LaMont Jordan, Jamal Lewis, Warrick Dunn, Kevan Barlow, Mike Anderson, Justin Fargas, Jerious Norwood
I took a gamble by trading up for an extra third round pick and selected Jamal Lewis and Dunn. In the event that Barlow wins the SF job or gets traded, I will be able to use him as my flex during bye weeks. I was fortunate to lock-up my RB handcuffs.
WR – Randy Moss, Lee Evans, Ernest Wilford, Mark Clayton
Despite the preseason struggles in Oakland, I am still optimistic about Moss, especially when Andrew Walter takes over. I have been touting Lee Evans for a while, and he better live up to the hype. Wilford and Clayton won’t set the league on fire, but I feel comfortable with them, especially Wilford.
TE – Jason Witten
I could not pass him up, and hopefully Bledsoe won’t either.
K – Jeff Wilkins
I wanted an indoor kicker on a decent offensive team.
DEF – NYG, BUF,TEN
Although the G-Men are my defense of choice, I am rolling with the Titans in week one versus the New York Jets. I will probably drop them entering week two, regardless of how many turnovers they force.