Continuing with analysis of our draft from Sunday night, we now move onto rounds 7-12. If you’re curious about how each of us ranked everyone last month, that can be accessed through the football archives. Next week we’ll have new rankings out, as a lot has changed between then and now.
Round Seven
73. Deion Branch
74. Ahman Green
75. Muhsin Muhammad
76. Chris Cooley
77. Jeff – Lee Evans
78. Dalton – Chicago Bears Defense
79. Derrick Mason
80. Ron Dayne
81. Robby – Drew Bledsoe
82. Chris Brown
83. Rod Smith
84. Fred Taylor
Dalton Says: I was close to taking Mason, but in the end, I decided to go with football’s best defense. Our scoring system is a little different than most, in that defenses can score much more than in a typical league. We account for yards allowed to go along with all the other categories normally used. Da Bears return all of their starters from last year and play in a offensively challenged division.
Best Pick: Although he comes with obvious risk, Branch was worth it at this point in the draft. While there are rumblings he is considering sitting out the first half of the season, it’s probably just chatter, and he’s ready to make a leap forward when he does get on the field.
Worst Pick: Ron Dayne. I was fooled enough to draft him in an earlier league I am in this year, but later realized he’s called Ron Done for a reason.
Robby Says: I was relieved that Drew Bledsoe fell to me here, as I waited on my first quarterback for quite a while. Had he gone I probably would’ve waited a few more rounds for a QB. I’ve got a lot vested in Dallas’ attack and the mercurial TO. We’ll see how that pans out.
Best Pick/Worst Pick: Nothing stands out much this round. I’d say maybe Derrick Mason and Ahman Green, respectively.
Jeff Says: I was thrilled to get Lee Evans in the seventh round. By trading my sixth round pick, I wasn’t sure if he would last to me.
Best Pick: Deion Branch. Apparently Branch’s holdout scared owners off for a round or two. I doubt GM Scott Pioli will leave Tom Brady out to dry.
Worst Pick: I don’t have a problem with any of these picks. Ahman Green had to be drafted eventually.
Round Eight
85. Eddie Kennison
86. Curtis Martin
87. Drew Bennett
88. Robby – Reggie Brown
89. Heath Miller
90. Matt Jones
91. Dalton – Laveranues Coles
92. Jeff – Jason Witten
93. Carolina Panthers Defense
94. Randy McMichael
95. Donte Stallworth
96. Daunte Culpepper
Dalton Says: I was especially happy taking the Bears over Mason when I was able to grab Coles the following round. Coles had to deal with Vinny Testaverde and Brooks Bollinger as his QBs last year, not to mention ultra-conservative head coach Herm Edwards. I feel very comfortable with Coles as my WR3.
Best Pick(s): I like two this round. Reggie Brown could be huge as the No. 1 option in the pass-happy Eagles’ offense, and Heath Miller will be a threat to score double digit TDs without goal line vulture Jerome Bettis around.
Worst Pick: This one’s too easy, Curtis Martin. His owner regrettably wasn’t quite aware of how dire his injury concerns truly are. No cartilage in his knee? He’s done like dinner.
Robby Says: I realize that this was my eighth RB/WR among my first nine picks but I love playing matchups and Brown’s upside, although after this round I’ll have to discipline myself not to draft more RB/WRs for a while.
Best Pick(s): I like Witten and McMichael as top-seven tight ends.
Worst Pick(s): Curtis Martin was on page 137 of my cheatsheet, sandwiched right in between Priest Holmes and Bam Morris. In these rounds it’s good to gamble on wideouts with upside, something Eddie Kennison does not have.
Jeff Says: Jason Witten fell into my lap. I had planned on waiting a few more rounds for Kellen Winslow Jr., but I could not pass Witten.
Best Pick: Laveranues Coles. I am not a Coles apologist whatsoever, but he is a great value pick this late in the draft. If Pennington can stay healthy, he will dink & dunk to Coles for about six receptions per game.
Worst Pick: Curtis Martin’s knee has more bone on bone friction than a game of tummy sticks.
Round Nine
97. Aaron Brooks
98. Pittsburgh Steelers Defense
99. Michael Vick
100. Michael Clayton
101. Jeff – Mike Anderson
102. Byron Leftwich
103. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Defense
104. Jacksonville Jaguars Defense
105. Robby – LJ Smith
106. Keyshawn Johnson
107. Terry Glenn
108. TJ Duckett
Dalton Says: No picks for me this round, and no one went who I was dying to have.
Best Pick(s): Michael Clayton is right atop my sleeper list, and LJ Smith was the tight end I was targeting, as he will see plenty of the passes that previously went TO’s way. Actually, I like Vick as well. His knee is healthier, so look for him to run more this year, and as a ninth round option, he has officially become an underrated fantasy commodity. Who cares if he’s overrated in real football?
Worst Pick: TJ Duckett. I’d rather own Jerious Norwood.
Robby Says: I thought that LJ Smith was the last solid tight end on the board, so I went ahead and grabbed him. Vernon Davis looks tempting, but I only want to have to draft one tight end.
Best Pick: I liked the Daunte Culpepper/Aaron Brooks picks on the wheel. Those are a couple of high upside quarterbacks grabbed late.
Worst Pick: Any team forced to start TJ Duckett this year is in trouble.
Jeff Says: It was time to take out some insurance on Jamal Lewis. If I didn’t grab Anderson here, I don’t think he would have made it back to me.
Best Pick: Nothing spectacular here, but Michael Clayton could rebound in a healthy third season.
Worst Pick: With Trent Green, Jake Plummer and Brett Favre on the board, Byron Leftwich would have lasted another round or two.
Round Ten
109. Trent Green
110. Keenan McCardell
111. Chris Perry
112. Jeff – Kevan Barlow
113. Ryan Moats
114. Samkon Gado
115. Dalton – Ben Watson
116. Jeff – Ernest Wilford
117. Ladell Betts
118. Michael Turner
119. Marion Barber
120. Michael Bennett
Dalton Says: This is why you can afford to wait on TEs this year, it really is a deep group. I am fine with Watson as my TE1, as the Pats keep losing WR options, and Daniel Graham is basically an O-linemen. Anyone remember Watson’s two ridiculously athletic plays in last year’s playoffs? Me too. That was a touchback, by the way.
Best Pick: Ladell Betts, considering he was picked by Portis’ owner just after learning of his separated shoulder. Some much needed insurance.
Worst Pick: I don’t have a problem with any of these selections, as a lot of high upside backup RBs flew off the board.
Robby Says: I didn’t have a pick this round and ended up watching a couple of handcuffs I was targeting in the next round go to their rightful owners.
Best Pick: Ladell Betts probably should have gone a couple rounds earlier but everyone seemed to assume that Portis would only be out a couple of weeks.
Worst Pick: There were a few questionable running backs picked in the name of the almighty handcuff. I would rather steal another owner’s handcuff with more upside (read: Michael Turner, Michael Bennett or Ladell Betts)
Jeff Says: I had two picks this round and had a tough time deciding between Barlow and Betts. In hindsight, I probably should have opted for Betts, but I am not convinced Gore can stay healthy. That being said, I do not expect Portis to miss the season opener. I was happy to select the gritty Wilford with my second pick of the round.
Best Pick: Mrs. Commish was fortunate to secure Betts as a must-handcuff.
Worst Pick: I have no problem with any of the picks this round.
Round Eleven
120. Seattle Seahawks Defense
121. Brandon Jacobs
122. New England Patriots Defense
123. Ben Roethlisberger
124. Jeff – New York Giants Defense
125. Dalton – Jake Plummer
126. Drew Brees
127. Antonio Bryant
128. Robby – Brett Favre
129. Indy Colts Defense
130. Vernand Morency
131. Atlanta Falcons Defense
Dalton Says: Although I’m happy with Eli Manning as my starter, I targeted Plummer from the very beginning as my QB2. The way I see it, Cutler is at least a year away, Plummer will be extra motivated, Javon Walker improves the receiving corps, and his fantasy playoff schedule looks like this: at SD, at Ari, Cin.
Best Pick: Antonio Bryant could surprise this year.
Worst Pick: I would say Vernand Morency, but it was Domanick Davis’ owner who nabbed him, so it was out of necessity. Problem is, there are at least four backs in Houston who could end up with the job.
Robby Says: I was in need of a backup quarterback for Drew Bledsoe and was bummed to see Jake the Snake get plucked. I’m taking Favre based primarily on his cakewalk of a playoff schedule.
Best Pick: Antonio Bryant disappointed as a “number one” receiver on a bad team last year, but grabbing any go-to receiver this late is a good deal. Plummer was the top quarterback of the round in my estimation.
Worst Pick: Vernand Morency. The running back situation in Houston warrants scrutiny, but I don’t think that Morency is the guy.
Jeff Says: New scoring changes are less rewarding for team defenses, as yards and points against accrue fewer points. I was looking to adapt and grab a team that will provide plenty of sacks and turnovers. The G-Men should be more than adequate with their stellar pass rush.
Best Pick: We shouldn’t overreact to most preseason games, but Antonio Bryant looks to be a steady target in San Francisco.
Worst Pick: Vernand Morency. I share Robby’s belief in Wali Lundy, who is a great match for Houston’s newly installed zone blocking scheme.
Round Twelve
132. David Givens
133. Baltimore Ravens Defense
134. Brad Johnson
135. Robby – Wali Lundy
136. Chris Simms
137. Duce Staley
138. Dalton – Koren Robinson
139. Jeff – Jon Kitna
140. Brandon Lloyd
141. David Carr
142. Joe Jurevicius
143. Billy Volek
Dalton Says: K-Rob is the classic boom or bust pick. I’m guessing recent rumblings of him reentering AA is what caused him to fall this far, because he has talent and has been anointed the No. 1 WR on Minny’s new look offense. Last I checked, Brad Childress was a fan of the pass play.
Best Pick: I’ll go with Jon Kitna here. While he is well below average in skill level, the Martz factor cannot be underestimated. Josh McCown is out of the picture, but remember the name Dan Orlovsky, Martz loves him.
Worst Pick: Joe Jurevicius has never had more than 725 yards receiving in a season and joins the Browns offense.
Robby Says: I couldn’t believe my luck when Wali Lundy fell into my lap. . . seriously, I think a running back in Houston is going to have serious value this year, and while Antowain Smith is the current backup, the guy is also a stiff. Lundy is a rookie who looked impressive Saturday, so I figured why not.
Best Pick(s): I admittedly passed up on some quality guys this round, namely number one wideout and notorious booze hound Koren Robinson and Jon “the next Kurt Warner” Kitna. Good picks RotoScoop!
Worst Pick: Joe Jurevicius is not going to get it done for Cleveland.
Jeff Says: I am very comfortable with Kitna as my backup. Mike Martz needs an experienced QB for his system.
Best Pick(s): Kitna and David Carr will prove to be reliable second options with the quarterback pool drying up.
Worst Pick: The word on the street is that Billy Volek may be in a Spurrieresque timeshare with Vince Young.
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