Tim Williams - AccuScore Analyst
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This mock draft took place on Thursday, August 21^st at MockDraftCentral.com.  For an explanation of my draft strategies in standard leagues, check out my Draft Strategy article .

League Settings:  Standard Scoring, 12 teams, Positions:  QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, D/ST, K, Bench (x7)

My Pick:  I went with Joseph Addai over Marion Barber with this pick.  I think Barber is the better running back, but Addai doesn’t really have much competition in Indianapolis, unless you count the passing game.  The first round is all about risk management, and you can’t get a safer pick at number six than Joseph Addai.

Round Notables:  Last week I finally took Randy Moss in the first round with the eighth pick in one of my drafts.  That being said, I’d never take Owens in the first, especially when Larry Johnson was available.

My Pick:  Ryan Grant is my boy in the second round.  I value him as high as a late first rounder, but I have been getting him in the early to mid-second round of most of my drafts.  I don’t think last season was a fluke, or a product of Brett Favre.  If it was, then how do you explain the failures of Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn?

Round Notables:  Two guys I am absolutely avoiding are Laurence Maroney and Willis McGahee.  Maroney because I don’t trust the balance on the Patriots offense, and McGahee because I think he’ll be shut down as the only threat on Ravens’ offense.

My Pick:  Steve Smith may miss the first three weeks of the season, and he may punch out teammates, but he is nasty.  As long as I can find a receiver in the late rounds to replace him for three weeks, I’ll be set with this pick.

Round Notables:  Maurice-Jones Drew is my favorite in this round.  He scored a touchdown in eight of his last 12 games last year, and added a lot of yards through the air.  The guy who took Manning and Favre at the turn of the round caught a lot of heat.

My Pick:  I get accused of being a Steelers homer, but the facts are that Ben Roethlisberger was the number three fantasy quarterback last year, he has more weapons this year, and I might have a bit of a man crush on him.

Round Notables:  Brandon Marshall is another Steve Smith situation.  I like him as long as you can find someone to replace him early in the season.  Calvin Johnson is another wide receiver that I have pegged for a big season.  I was hoping he’d drop to me in the fifth.