I participated in the Rotowire Online Championship through the NFFC Monday night. Here's my team and the order they were picked:
1.6 - DeAndre Hopkins - The NFFC has Kentucky Derby style picking meaning you get to rank what pick you want and in what order. I played chicken and went back and forth with putting 5th and 6th as my first selection. This was entirely due to wanting to grab Ezekiel Elliott who I believe will get a new contract and suit up Week 1. Unfortunately I lost the game of chicken and Zeke went to pick 5. I had a contingency plan all set and that was to take Hopkins and then grab running backs in the next two rounds. That plan did work out.
2.7 - James Conner - Conner fell 30 yards short of 1,500 yards from scrimmage in only 13 games! While the Steelers are expected to spread the ball around more this season and utilize Jaylen Samuels, Conner will still be their main guy. Totally fine with taking him here; he could easily be a first round pick next season.
3.7 - Aaron Jones - So I planned on drafting a running back here until...George Kittle starting falling. Like in the first round with Elliott, I was planning on taking Kittle until I got sniped again and he went the pick before me. There's nothing wrong with grabbing Jones here and I had him targeted so I'm not disappointed in the pick. While he didn't get to 1,000 yards from scrimmage, he's averaged 5.5 yards per carry in each of his first two seasons in the league and should get a hefty workload for the Packers.
4.6 - Kenny Golladay - At this point I'm more or less the President of the Golladay fan club. Think about a season ago at this time - he was buried behind Golden Tate and Marvin Jones and is now the clear-cut No.1 wide receiver. With only 119 targets he got 1,063 receiving yards and five touchdowns. I'll be shocked (provided he stays healthy) if all three of those numbers don't improve this season.
5.7 - Deshaun Watson - I looked around and didn't see anyone I really liked. The choice in a league that has an overall top prize of $200,000 should be to go for that prize and the secondary thought should be to win the league. Therefore, it makes sense if somehow DeAndre Hopkins and his quarterback have a historical season, they should be paired up. If there's anyone to unseat Patrick Mahomes as the top fantasy quarterback, it's Watson (551 rushing yards, 5 rushing TDS last season).
6.6 - O.J. Howard - Love this pick at this place. After missing out on Kittle, I targeted Howard and Evan Engram as I can see both working their way into that top tier this season.
7.7 - Dede Westbrook - No. 1 wide receiver on a team with Nick Foles throwing to him. What's not to like here?
8.6 - Derrius Guice - Before he was hurt last year he was going in the third round, right? Adrian Peterson will fall off a cliff at some point, right?
9.7 - N'Keal Harry - Julian Edelman already has a bad wrist and Harry has gotten valuable reps with Tom Brady. Let's just hope this leg injury is in fact "minor".
10.6 - Peyton Barber - Do we know Ronald Jones is the better back here? Barber could be one of the biggest beneficiaries of Bruce Arians.
11.7 - Chicago Bears TDSP - Too early? Maybe. But the Rams defense went six picks after. Might have been better spent on Tyrell Williams who went five picks after. At least it's a no-brainer start each week and I won't blow FAAB on streaming defenses.
12.6 - DeVante Parker - I'm going to die alone on the DeVante Parker island but honestly I like that the Dolphins are planning to use Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starting quarterback. While the interceptions will be there, the targets for Parker will also be there.
13.7 - Adrian Peterson - I hate hand cuffing but at this late in a draft it's hard to find a running back who had 1,000 rushing yards last season. I don't root for anyone to get hurt but if Guice or Peterson goes down...I have insurance.
14.6 - Greg Zuerlein - Horrible pick. Way to early for a kicker. However, he's a play each week without thinking twice.
15.7 - Josh Allen - I'm a Bills fan. Seriously, he's athletic, has better receivers this year and should grow in Year 2.
16.6 - T.J. Hockenson - This pick may take time to develop with the presence of Jesse James but there's obvious upside here.
17.7 - Robert Foster - I'm a Bills fan. I think Foster has the most upside of any of the Bills' receivers including John Brown. Size, speed and had a good rapport with Allen last season.
18.6 - Marquise Goodwin - Used to be a Buffalo Bill. Won some race for a lot of money in the offseason. Hopefully the injury isn't too serious and Jimmy G. is back.
19.7 - Brandon McManus - Internet kicked me off, I'm not one to roll back picks. First drop when FAAB runs.
20.6 - Andy Isabella - Larry Fitzgerald has to pass the torch, although there are others ahead of Isabella in the pecking order.
Starting lineup week 1, full point PPR with 6 points per passing touchdown:
QB - Deshaun Watson
RB - James Conner
RB - Aaron Jones
WR - DeAndre Hopkins
WR - Kenny Golladay
WR - Dede Westbrook
TE - O.J. Howard
TDSP - Chicago Bears
K - Greg Zuerlein
FLEX - One of: Derrius Guice/N'Keal Harry/DeVante Parker