On Monday I posted the first 10 rounds of a best-ball draft I'm participating in. Here now are the next 14, which will be it -- the draft actually went 28 rounds, but nobody really needs to see all the 3rd kickers and defenses and 4th quarterbacks. (I will answer questions about the final four rounds in the comments if necessary.)
This is a PPR league with TE-premium scoring (1.5 points per reception for that position), and it has 2 flex spots (RB-WR-TE). Further details in my initial post, right here. My picks are in bold, and I'll discuss them as we go.
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 11.1 | Juwan Johnson | TE |
| 11.2 | Matthew Golden | WR |
| 11.3 | Aaron Jones | RB |
| 11.4 | Kyler Murray | QB |
| 11.5 | Brenton Strange | TE |
| 11.6 | Jordan Addison | WR |
| 11.7 | Hunter Henry | TE |
| 11.8 | Chig Okonkwo | TE |
| 11.9 | Xavier Worthy | WR |
| 11.10 | Malik Willis | QB |
| 11.11 | Jonah Coleman | RB |
| 11.12 | Zach Charbonnet | RB |
| 12.1 | Keaton Mitchell | RB |
| 12.2 | Jayden Higgins | WR |
| 12.3 | Cam Ward | QB |
| 12.4 | Tyrone Tracy | RB |
| 12.5 | Sam Darnold | QB |
| 12.6 | Romeo Doubs | WR |
| 12.7 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | RB |
| 12.8 | KC Concepcion | WR |
| 12.9 | Stefon Diggs | WR |
| 12.10 | C.J. Stroud | QB |
| 12.11 | Dalton Schultz | TE |
| 12.12 | Chris Rodriguez | RB |
My first three wide receivers (A.J. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, DK Metcalf) are established veterans, while Golden (pictured) certainly isn't that. He had a quiet rookie season with an injury and a crowded receiving corps helping to keep him that way. But he's also a first-round talent on team that let a couple of veterans (Doubs, Wicks) go on their merry way, and there's path to being the No. 1 or 2, depending on how Christian Watson and Jayden Reed fare (injuries have slowed both at times). I considered Jordan Addison, ranked higher; I think he's safer, but there's a little more upside potential with Golden. But close.
Schultz is my third tight end and a pretty easy pick as the 21st one selected in this scoring system. He was the 7th-best player at the position last year, catching 82 balls, and not much has changed in that regard.
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 13.1 | Daniel Jones | QB |
| 13.2 | Fernando Mendoza | QB |
| 13.3 | Jordan Mason | RB |
| 13.4 | Khalil Shakir | WR |
| 13.5 | Jalen Coker | WR |
| 13.6 | T.J. Hockenson | TE |
| 13.7 | Brandon Aubrey | PK |
| 13.8 | Tyjae Spears | RB |
| 13.9 | Greg Dulcich | TE |
| 13.10 | Gunnar Helm | TE |
| 13.11 | HOU Team Defense | DF |
| 13.12 | Woody Marks | RB |
| 14.1 | Rashid Shaheed | WR |
| 14.2 | Kenyon Sadiq | TE |
| 14.3 | Tyler Allgeier | RB |
| 14.4 | Bryce Young | QB |
| 14.5 | Isiah Pacheco | RB |
| 14.6 | AJ Barner | TE |
| 14.7 | DEN Team Defense | DF |
| 14.8 | Dylan Sampson | RB |
| 14.9 | LAR Team Defense | DF |
| 14.10 | Jacoby Brissett | QB |
| 14.11 | Brian Robinson | RB |
| 14.12 | Cameron Dicker | PK |
As discussed elsewhere at the site, I don't expect Kirk Cousins to keep Mendoza out of the lineup for long. Regardless he's my 3rd quarterback and I probably won't need much out of him, but the second half of the season, especially if Burrow or Shough gets hurt, his running potential might get him in my lineup once or twice.
Some No. 2 running backs went earlier than I took Atlanta's other B.Robinson, some later. Maybe I could have waited a couple more rounds, it's hard to say. But peace of mind is worth a lot and if Bijan does get hurt, Brian should be a three-down back. If you draft a franchise running back in the first round of a best-ball draft, I believe it is worth prioritizing his backup if it's clear who that player is.
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 15.1 | Pat Freiermuth | TE |
| 15.2 | Jalen McMillan | WR |
| 15.3 | Ka'imi Fairbairn | PK |
| 15.4 | Emmett Johnson | RB |
| 15.5 | Cade Otton | TE |
| 15.6 | Cam Little | PK |
| 15.7 | Jauan Jennings | WR |
| 15.8 | Jason Myers | PK |
| 15.9 | SEA Team Defense | DF |
| 15.10 | Tyler Loop | PK |
| 15.11 | Terrance Ferguson | TE |
| 15.12 | NE Team Defense | DF |
| 16.1 | Jake Bates | PK |
| 16.2 | Kaytron Allen | RB |
| 16.3 | Chase McLaughlin | PK |
| 16.4 | Deebo Samuel | WR |
| 16.5 | Tre Tucker | WR |
| 16.6 | Jalen Nailor | WR |
| 16.7 | Aaron Rodgers | QB |
| 16.8 | Geno Smith | QB |
| 16.9 | Antonio Williams | WR |
| 16.10 | Harrison Mevis | PK |
| 16.11 | Omar Cooper | WR |
| 16.12 | Nicholas Singleton | RB |
Hitting the wide receiver position again with a couple of young fliers. Tampa Bay's depth chart is pretty hazy, with Egbuka-Godwin probably the top 2 but Egbuka hurt/disappointing the second half of last year and Godwin a definite injury risk. McMillan hasn't been a picture of durability either but has been productive on the field.
Investing in the Jets passing game in general and a rookie in particular is kind of a longshot, but Cooper is a first-round pick going to a team with Garrett Wilson and a lot of questions. The passing game will be better with Geno Smith (it could hardly be worse), and maybe Cooper is a breakout rookie. It's Round 16, may as well take a stab or two. He's the 64th wide receiver selected. (I was hoping, however, to draft the Thicker Kicker Mevis here, taken one pick before.)
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 17.1 | Harrison Butker | PK |
| 17.2 | Will Reichard | PK |
| 17.3 | LAC Team Defense | DF |
| 17.4 | Alvin Kamara | RB |
| 17.5 | Eddy Pineiro | PK |
| 17.6 | Denzel Boston | WR |
| 17.7 | David Njoku | TE |
| 17.8 | Justice Hill | RB |
| 17.9 | Tua Tagovailoa | QB |
| 17.10 | PHI Team Defense | DF |
| 17.11 | Cairo Santos | PK |
| 17.12 | Andy Borregales | PK |
| 18.1 | Tank Dell | WR |
| 18.2 | Trey Smack | PK |
| 18.3 | Chris Boswell | PK |
| 18.4 | Wil Lutz | PK |
| 18.5 | MIN Team Defense | DF |
| 18.6 | Evan McPherson | PK |
| 18.7 | JAC Team Defense | DF |
| 18.8 | Braelon Allen | RB |
| 18.9 | Nick Folk | PK |
| 18.10 | Mike Gesicki | TE |
| 18.11 | Tyler Bass | PK |
| 18.12 | PIT Team Defense | DF |
Kickers went fast and furious these rounds. I trust Ian Allan's kicker rankings over all others; I don't know anyone who's spent more time analyzing the position. He ranked Reichard 6th, noting that Minnesota had the 2nd-most kicking points two years ago and was above-average even in last year's trainwreck offense. I'll take him at PK11.
Ian ranked Bass 20th, right where I took him. But this is a no-transactions best-ball league and 1-2 of the guys ranked ahead of him are facing camp battles making them risky picks (Trey Smack will probably be Green Bay's kicker, but it's not certain). I wanted a relatively safe veteran, and even though Bass didn't play last year, I'm comfortable he'll be kicking for Buffalo this season.
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 19.1 | Malik Washington | WR |
| 19.2 | BUF Team Defense | DF |
| 19.3 | Tank Bigsby | RB |
| 19.4 | Charlie Smyth | PK |
| 19.5 | Jake Elliott | PK |
| 19.6 | Calvin Ridley | WR |
| 19.7 | Sean Tucker | RB |
| 19.8 | Travis Hunter | WR |
| 19.9 | Mike Washington | RB |
| 19.10 | Ryan Flournoy | WR |
| 19.11 | Adonai Mitchell | WR |
| 19.12 | Eli Stowers | TE |
| 20.1 | MarShawn Lloyd | RB |
| 20.2 | Chad Ryland | PK |
| 20.3 | BAL Team Defense | DF |
| 20.4 | Jake Tonges | TE |
| 20.5 | Ray Davis | RB |
| 20.6 | Colby Parkinson | TE |
| 20.7 | Evan Engram | TE |
| 20.8 | Jerry Jeudy | WR |
| 20.9 | Tre' Harris | WR |
| 20.10 | Isaac TeSlaa | WR |
| 20.11 | George Holani | RB |
| 20.12 | CHI Team Defense | DF |
Might have waited too long on a defense. I don't tend to leap at them in best-ball because there's a lot of year-to-year fluctuation and this scoring system (sacks, takeaways, touchdowns) doesn't have a dramatic impact. Last year the difference between the No. 5 and No. 15 Defense was a point per week. So if you're not going to take one of the top 2-3, may as well wait. I did like Pittsburgh more than Buffalo and wish I'd taken them a pick earlier.
Holani in Round 20 feels good, I considered him a couple of rounds earlier. Until Charbonnet is healthy, Holani is the favorite for passing-downs work over Jadarian Price. I am aware that the fact that Price wasn't used as a receiver in college doesn't mean he can't do it, but until we see some actual evidence beyond optimistic speculation, I think it will be someone else getting those chances in Seattle's backfield.
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 21.1 | Ryan Fitzgerald | PK |
| 21.2 | GB Team Defense | DF |
| 21.3 | Joey Slye | PK |
| 21.4 | Demond Claiborne | RB |
| 21.5 | CLE Team Defense | DF |
| 21.6 | DET Team Defense | DF |
| 21.7 | Troy Franklin | WR |
| 21.8 | Deshaun Watson | QB |
| 21.9 | Jordan James | RB |
| 21.10 | Theo Johnson | TE |
| 21.11 | KC Team Defense | DF |
| 21.12 | NO Team Defense | DF |
| 22.1 | De'Zhaun Stribling | WR |
| 22.2 | ATL Team Defense | DF |
| 22.3 | Jaydon Blue | RB |
| 22.4 | Jake Moody | PK |
| 22.5 | NYG Team Defense | DF |
| 22.6 | TB Team Defense | DF |
| 22.7 | James Conner | RB |
| 22.8 | Michael Mayer | TE |
| 22.9 | SF Team Defense | DF |
| 22.10 | Mason Taylor | TE |
| 22.11 | Kimani Vidal | RB |
| 22.12 | DAL Team Defense | DF |
Green Bay wins the lottery as my second defense. Hopefully Micah Parsons is healthy early in the season.
The Chargers have a new offense and they signed explosive Keaton Mitchell. He'll probably be the change-of-pace behind Omarion Hampton. But Vidal was pretty productive filling in for Hampton a year ago, and I believe he's the correct bet to be lead runner if Hampton gets injured. Mitchell has had double-digit carries one time in his three-year career and (I think) will remain in a secondary role. Somebody drafted him 10 rounds earlier. This is best-ball, making a player like Mitchell more intriguing, but I like Vidal in the 22nd so much more than Mitchell in the 12th it's not even funny.
| Pick | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 23.1 | Dontayvion Wicks | WR |
| 23.2 | Chris Brooks | RB |
| 23.3 | CIN Team Defense | DF |
| 23.4 | Jason Sanders | PK |
| 23.5 | IND Team Defense | DF |
| 23.6 | Zane Gonzalez | PK |
| 23.7 | CAR Team Defense | DF |
| 23.8 | Ben Sauls | PK |
| 23.9 | Michael Penix | QB |
| 23.10 | Darnell Mooney | WR |
| 23.11 | Jaylen Wright | RB |
| 23.12 | Kirk Cousins | QB |
| 24.1 | Chris Bell | WR |
| 24.2 | Ted Hurst | WR |
| 24.3 | TEN Team Defense | DF |
| 24.4 | WAS Team Defense | DF |
| 24.5 | Rashod Bateman | WR |
| 24.6 | NYJ Team Defense | DF |
| 24.7 | Shedeur Sanders | QB |
| 24.8 | MIA Team Defense | DF |
| 24.9 | Matt Gay | PK |
| 24.10 | Tyquan Thornton | WR |
| 24.11 | Oscar Delp | TE |
| 24.12 | Jaylin Noel | WR |
MarShawn Lloyd was selected four rounds earlier in this draft than Chris Brooks. Nothing against Lloyd, but I need to see something -- anything -- at the NFL level from Lloyd before assuming that Year 3 is the year he puts it all together. He's been injured for two full seasons. I'm similarly cool on Jonathon Brooks, frankly, but he was a better prospect (although I can't agree with his Round 8 selection in this draft). Anyhoo, Brooks in Round 23 seems good to me.
Delp is one of our own Luke Wilson's favorite rookie tight ends. He actually snuck him into his top 20 in the Experts Poll; crazy or crazy like a fox? Dunno, but Round 23 as the 39th TE drafted is a pretty low price tag.
The last four rounds include more kickers and defenses, unrostered veterans coming off serious injuries like Tyreek and Najee, and veterans who might chip in a good week or two. I grabbed a pair of functional wideouts (Cooper Kupp, Devaughn Vele), and another quarterback (Joe Flacco, who history suggests will put up decent numbers for Cincinnati should my top quarterback, Joe Burrow, get hurt); I rolled the dice on Blake Grupe, battling it out with Spencer Shrader in Indy, as my 3rd PK in Round 28.
Being honest, I'm lukewarm on my team. I should be fine at QB (Cincinnati) and WR (three No. 1s, and some good depth). Excellent at TE, potentially three top-15 guys. RB, I've got Atlanta's backfield anchoring one spot, but am otherwise reliant on a couple of modest veterans (Montgomery, Dowdle) and a bunch of backups who won't do much if the starters are healthy. We'll see.

