Why I Love The 12th Pick 

In the 2013 Fantasy Football Draft

By: Anthony Hanners


Why should you be content with the 12th overall pick on draft day. The west coast trend has become a phenom over the past few seasons. When you once had to land a top three pick to acquire Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees, that time has now changed. Young guns such as: Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin lll, and Colin Kaepernick have given us the competence to be patient.

                            

                            Round 1 & 2

 This year you can take a sigh of relief when you pass up on Aaron Rodgers for the AJ Green and Brandon Marshall combo breaker, or maybe you want to go another route such as, Dez Bryant and Alfred Morris. Either way, my goal is to make sure you feel confident, and that you are making a good conscious decision when your slamming them back on draft day. After many mock drafts this year, I have found myself going WR/WR with my first 2 picks. I'm not completely sold on players like Alfred Morris or Matt Forte. We have all experienced the Mike Shananigans or the Matt Fourty injuries a year. Although, I am buying slightly into the hype of forte being utilized as a featured back, but I still feel like grabbing a player such as AJ Green or Brandon Marshall constitutes for a higher reward than any risks associated.

                                                  

                                                                                                                Round  3 & 4                        

We are now approaching the third and fourth round picks. As the top tier players have been plucked meticulously, it now becomes more of a challenge. We still have yet to choose a QB, and many underrated players are available. More often than not, I have found myself stuck in between two ailing options. It's time for a running back, but I don't want a timeshare back which is never available in the golden weeks. So, for me it comes down to whether or not I want Darren Mcfadden, DeMarco Murray or Frank Gore: none of which can seem to last a full season. The young yet brittle seem to me as the best options. So, I select run DMC and  Mr. Murray. The virtual clock is ticking on Gore, and I don't want to be their when it expires. Call it a hunch, but I have a feeling Mcfadden finishes top 8 this year.



                                          Round 5 & 6

Notice that a QB has yet to be selected. I'm OK with that because now we still have Tom Brady and Mathew Stafford available. Meh, I don't want them either. I figured heck, If I believe in the young guns why not continue in my faith. I won't lie, I expect injuries from my top dogs. So, I will add horsepower to my stable. With my 5th and 6th pick I have 3 likable options: Chris Ivory, Montee Ball, or Le'veon Bell. Hmmmm... I think my first pick will be Bell, due to the hard-nosed style associated with Pittsburgh. I think we will be hearing a lot of "Hey diddle diddle bell up the middle." The next pick becomes slightly tricky. Ball might see some committee work, but is the lead candidate for the first string job. We also know that Blowshown Moreno is as soft as a baby bottom. Mark Sanchez could also produce a butt fumble at any given time, padding his 3:1 turnover ratio. I think that Ivory would probably be the best choice--considering the lack of depth at running back in New York. Ivory may not turn a lot of heads when you call his name on draft day, but it's a savvy move.


                                                                                             Round 7 & 8

Now, in the 7th round taking a quarterback seems like a must. The options available are Tony Romo, Russell Wilson, Eli Manning, and Ben Roethlisberger. Pondering... Well I select to pass on all of the above. I will finish adding depth to my team while the others continue to scratch their heads. Honestly, this was a no brainer for me. The best two available in my eyes were Greg Mr Old Spice Jennings and Running for Miles Austin. I do understand that by purchasing both of these guys that a warning label must come with as promised. Percy Harvin was great when he was on the field in Minnesota. However, headaches and arguments can land you elsewhere. I think Jennings can make for a strong WR2 this year. I got him at WR3 price. Now my team looks solid, I have accumulated AJ Green, Brandon Marshall, Greg Jennings and Miles Austin. Yet, still no quarterback

                         Round 9 & 10
  

Wow, amazingly guys were wasting picks on players like Emmanuel Sanders, Sidney Rice, Kendall Wright, and Justin Blackmon. Also, the handcuffs were coming off the board. Should I be nervous considering I have no QB? Absolutely not! In fact, believe it or not, three QB's I had planned to obtain were still available in the 9th and 10th round. I will finally fill your void. Eli Manning and Russell Wilson are now my 9th and 10th round picks. Eli is Eli. The question is if Nicks can stay healthy, and can Cruz continue to do the salsa? I have no fear that Eli can produce as a top tier QB, just not every week. Seattle made a few new acquisitions this past off-season to give Mr. Wilson a few more options. Could the reunited Harvin & Rice duo give Wilson the Brett Farve potential of 2009? Also, take into consideration the rushing ability those youthful legs could provide. I am confident that I can mix and match these two throughout the season, and feel no regrets from draft day.



                                                                                                              Round 11 & 12

I made it until the 9th round before selecting a quarterback. I know what your thinking. What about a tight end? Well, I have high hopes and expectations for Jared Cook. The athletic ability seems like the perfect fit for gunslinger Sam Bradford. I also think that Martellus Bennett, whom has been overshadowed by the future hall of famer Jason Witten, has yet to show his true potential. We have seen glimpses of his ability in New York, when given the chance. New offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer was brought in from New Orleans to fill Chicago's offensive woes. Bennett has the making of a potential 800yrd 6-9 td season. If that's possible, could Kromer turn Forte into a beefed up, all down back version of Darren Sproles? That's a whole different story. Just a little food for thought. Back to the plan of action. I have decided that taking Jared Cook and San Francisco Defense were my best options. I'm not a big fan of taking a defense, but I thought if I could start the defensive trend that it would allow more players to slip my way.                                                                                  
                                                   How To Succeed In Your 13' Draft

In this years draft, when you draw straws or pull names from a hat, and you end up with the 12th pick. You shouldn't feel as if your donating to your favorite charity. You should feel sorry for the guy who gets stuck with the 3rd or 4th pick.  Either way, this year is the year of the young guns. Don't waste your time shuffling through your fantasy print outs on draft day. Put that QB list to the side and focus on creating the depth that a true playoff caliber team should have. Patience is a virtue that will be rewarded in 2013. 


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