Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

Just because the 2010 NFL season recently came to an end doesn’t mean that you can’t start preparing for the upcoming fantasy football season. Comprised of 11 members of the Bruno Boys Fantasy Football Staff and guest draftee Jim Day from Fantasy Football Whiz we bring to you the first of many Fantasy Football 2011 Mock Drafts. This draft will be a 16-round affair based on a standard scoring league (Pass TDs - 4 points, All Other TDs - 6 points, 25 Yards Passing - 1 point, 10 Yards Rushing/Receiving - 1 point). Outside of having to field a starting lineup made up of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 3 WRs, 1 TE, 1 K, and 1 D/ST, owners are free to fill out their rosters any way they like. 

Commentary after each pick is provided by the Bruno Boys staff member who made that pick. The draft started on February 10, 2011. Be sure to check back on a regular basis for updates and feel free to give your opinion in our comments section.

2011 FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT ROUND 2 RESULTS

2.01: Bruno Boys Allie - Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders — In 2010, I drafted Darren McFadden in one of my leagues as an RB4 in Round 13 thinking I’d use him as a bye-week or injury replacement. Much to my surprise and that of countless others who drafted him late or claimed him off the waiver wire, McFadden delivered on the promise that made him the No. 4 overall pick in the 2008 draft. McFadden thrived as the focal point of a revamped run-centric offense led by former offensive coordinator and now head coach Hue Jackson. He posted career-highs in total yards (1,664) and total touchdowns (10).

Fantasy-wise, McFadden scored 13 or more fantasy points eight times and averaged 16.9 fantasy points in 13 games played. He finished second behind Arian Foster in fantasy points per game at his position. Unfortunately, McFadden missed three games due to injuries and his durability remains a concern. That said, Frank Gore and Steven Jackson, both of whom I considered for my pick at 2.01, come with extensive injury histories and durability issues of their own. Ultimately I chose McFadden for his youth, his explosiveness and his upside in an offense that will continue to showcase his talent and skills. If he can stay healthy, then I think Run-DMC is a top-five running back in 2011.

2.02: Bruno Boys Kyle - Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams — Though cries of “Homer!” will undoubtedly pierce the halls of Bruno Boys headquarters, Jackson remains the best back available, and he should be in store for another very good season. And despite what some people think, the hiring of Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator won’t be a detriment to the powerful back.

2.03: Bruno Boys Lane - Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions — With a top running bank locked down, it’s time to find a receiver, and there’s no more physically gifted pass catcher in the league than the one they call MEGATRON. He produces regardless of who is throwing him the ball, but a healthy Matthew Stafford should help make him this year’s top fantasy football receiver.

2.04: Bruno Boys Ryan - Greg Jennings, WR, Green Bay Packers — I don’t pick again for a while so I can’t let Jennings slip through my fingers. After a down year by his standards in 2009, Jennings returned to form in 2010, hauling in 76 receptions, for 1,265 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was also arguably the best receiver in the second half of the season last year with six games of 100 plus receiving yards and eight touchdowns.

2.05: Bruno Boys Rich - Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears — While the recent run at wide receiver almost scared me into grabbing one, I decided to secure two top running backs by selecting Forte. One of the more underrated fantasy performers in 2010, Forte finished with over 1,600 total yards and nine total scores. He also finished just outside the top-10 in running back scoring. One of my biggest regrets last year was not locking up two solid backs in any of my leagues…in 2011 I won’t suffer from that issue. Forte will be 25 when this season begins and after three straight years with at least 1,400 total yards, in my opinion he’s the best fantasy player available at this spot.

2.06: Bruno Boys James - Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers — This is definitely more of a faith based pick. Hip injuries scares the devil out of me and should only be reserved for Grandmother’s and Bo Jackson but the news coming from the 49ers is that Gore will be more than ready for 2011. As much as I wanted to grab Andre Johnson here, like Bruno Boys Rich, I wanted to secure a 2nd top tier running back before I go elsewhere. I feel new head coach Jim Harbaugh, an offensive minded coach, will be able to make better use all of the 49ers weapons than Mike Singletary did. Plus, there isn’t much defense being played in the NFC West and the 49ers should be able to score some points in 2011.

2.07: FF Whiz - Jim Day - Peyton Hillis, RB, Cleveland Browns — Hillis was definitely one of the biggest surprises in 2010, but expectations for him in 2011 are a lot lower. In my opinion, people are putting too much faith in Montario Hardesty to influence Hillis’ numbers, or they see a regression to the mean for Hillis in 2011. I actually go the other way. I think Hillis improves in 2011. He will be more fully prepared for the workload and his breakdown at the end of last season will be avoided. Look for Hillis to be in the 1,800-1,900 total yard range, with a good chance to add to his touchdown total from a year ago.

2.08: Bruno Boys Cory - Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans — Well well well, look who fell to me in the Round 2. It’s Houston Texans receiver Andre Johnson. What’s not to like about this guy? He catches a lot of passes for a lot of yards, and he catches a good number of touchdowns every season as well. It doesn’t even matter that he’s the only decent receiver in Houston, he still can’t be stopped and he will be a true WR1 for my fantasy squad in 2011.

2.09: Bruno Boys Cavigs - Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants — I was hoping Andre Johnson fell to me with this pick, however Bruno Boys Cory snagged him st 2.08. That said, Nicks is no consolation prize. In fact, he was better than Johnson in 2010. No wide receiver took a bigger step forward than Nicks a season ago. In just his second NFL season the wideout hauled in 79 receptions for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns in 13 games. Expect his numbers to increase and don’t be surprised if he flirts with being the No.1 fantasy football wideout in 2011.

2.10: Bruno Boys JRonstadt - Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots — I was disappointed Andre Johnson didn’t fall into my lap, but the 2010 NFL MVP is a decent consolation prize. Considering that Brady got off to a tepid start to the season, as he adjusted to a sans-Randy Moss offense, the 37 touchdowns to just five interceptions and 244 passing yards per game totals he compiled are all the more remarkable. Brady will be 34 to start the 2011 season, however there’s no reason to suspect significant regression for Tom Terrific.

2.11: Bruno Boys Brad - Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts — I wanted to go with a wide receiver here, thinking it would be wise to wait on a quarterback with all the “elite” options likely gone.  However when the elder Manning fell to pick 2.11, I had to go with the proverbial “Best Player Available” at this spot. Manning could easily be the most productive fantasy football quarterback when it’s all said and done at the end of 2011.

2.12: Bruno Boys Jimbo - DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles — There’s no question Jeremy Maclin had a tremendous season in 2010 and looks to have another great year in 2011. However, he comes second fiddle to DeSean Jackson when it comes to superstar capabilities. As long as Michael Vick is under center, there is plenty of room for both Jackson and Maclin to excel, and Jackson is always capable of that one big play that makes his fantasy day. Looking at the other wide receivers left, I was either going with Jackson or Reggie Wayne here. As much as I like Wayne, I feel like he’s starting to go on the decline because of his age.

 
ROUND-BY-ROUND RESULTS:  1  |  2  |  3  |  4  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  10  |  11  |  12  |  13  |  14  |  15  |  16    (click to view)

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