WalterFootball mock draft, CRFL picks

The NFL Draft is a month away, and mock draft season is at its peak. The wonderful folks at WalterFootball.com have an awesome tool that allows you to create and publish your own mock draft. I decided to take advantage of it and create my own. The original mock is located here.

FANTASY ANALYSIS

CRFL draft eligible players: QB Jameis Winston (TB), QB Marcus Mariota (STL), WR Amari Cooper (OAK), WR Kevin White (CHI), RB Todd Gurley (JAC), WR DeVante Parker (MIA), WR Dorial Green-Beckham (BAL), TE Maxx Williams (NO), RB Melvin Gordon (NE)

I have Todd Gurley going 10th overall to the Jaguars after Jacksonville trades down in a swap with St. Louis. Gurley is more than likely to be drafted at 1.01 in all rookie drafts. Todd Gurley to Boise Bears at 1.01 is a near lock, although the Cowboys drafting a RB in the 1st might change that. Might.

Like many fantasy drafts, not all owners show up to the draft, or some opt for ranking their players and auto-picking. In a perfect world, Amari Cooper would be taken at 1.02. He would be Derek Carr's #1 target for years to come. Kevin White is a great talent, but he would be playing second fiddle to Alshon Jeffrey in Chicago, thus moving Dorial Green-Beckham and DeVante Parker passed White. DGB and Parker would be the clear #1 targets with the franchises I have them projected too.

I'm sure you'll notice I have Melvin Gordon slipping a bit. If he gets passed Arizona and Detroit, I think he could fall all the way to the Patriots at #32. I doubt it happens, but it did in this mock draft.

Based on this mock draft, here is my bound to be totally wrong mock draft for the CRFL...

2015 CRFL Mock Draft 1.0

1.01 Boise Bears select...RB Todd Gurley (JAC)
1.02 Laces Out select...RB Andre Williams (NYG)*
1.03 Huskerfan select...WR Kevin White (CHI)
1.04 Diamond Head Paniolos select...RB Melvin Gordon (NE)
1.05 La Mesa Badgerhawks of San Diego select...WR Emmanuel Sanders (DEN)*
1.06 German Pirates select...TE Travis Kelce (KC)*
1.07 Sparta Spartans select...WR Amari Cooper (OAK)
1.08 Sparta Spartans select...WR DeVante Parker (MIA)
1.09 Boise Bears select...RB Jay Ajayi (DAL)
1.10 Brucey's crew select...WR Dorial Green-Beckham (BAL)
1.11 Sparta Spartans select...RB Tevin Coleman (NYJ)
1.12 Juice Box Heroes select...WR DeSean Jackson (WAS)*

*projected autopick
projected 2nd round pick in NFL draft

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BLOCKBUSTER: Megatron traded to Diamond Head

-Original Stockholm Lion traded

Way back when the Columbia River Fantasy League was brand new, Calvin Johnson was selected at 2.04 by the then Stockholm Lions (now Boise Bears). It's been 4 years since that draft, but Megatron was the last remaining original draft pick on the Boise Bears roster. As the owner of the Bears, I'll admittedly concede I trade players a lot, but Johnson was always a mainstay on the roster.

Not anymore.

On Thursday afternoon, the Diamond Head Paniolos and Boise Bears reached a deal for the superstar WR. The Paniolos were poised to select at least two top rookies in the first round, but instead exchanged them for the sure-fire stud in Calvin Johnson.

"I think he can be a great player for me.  He's this generation's Jerry Rice" said Wyokie808, the owner of the Diamond Head Paniolos. Johnson, who recorded 1077 receiving yards and 8 TDs last season, was slowed down by injuries during the 2014 season before returning to his dominant form to close the season. Johnson has been one of the NFL's best WR since 2008, if not the best.

Even with today's trade, Wyokie808 has plans to get back into the 1st round, "I REALLY want to get back into the first round, but apparently no one wants Newton!!!" The Paniolos have been shopping Newton the last few weeks.

On my end, it was hard to let Megatron go. He's been a force for Stockholm/Boise. That said, my team is getting old and I need to invest in talented rookies. Lynch, McCoy, and Green won't be guaranteed RB1/WR1 for much longer. I could afford to let one of my WRs go with three being left over. Much like Wyokie808 is hoping this trade doesn't come back to bite him, I'm hoping Megatron doesn't make me look like a fool next fall and going forward.

I'll have more posts on trades and other developments leading up to the NFL Draft in late April.

Todd Gurley: Potential Landing Spots

-Gurley is an exceptional talent

In a little over a month from now, the NFL Draft will kickoff away from Radio City Music Hall for the first time ever. Instead the draft will be located in the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago, where several future fantasy stars are set to be matched up with their new homes.

This is where fantasy titles are won in dynasty/keeper leagues. Some rookies end up being busts (see Bishop Sankey), while others end up being cornerstones of fantasy teams (Odell Beckham Jr.). Last year's draft was heavy on top WRs, this draft is heavy on top RBs. One of those top RBs is Georgia's Todd Gurley. Gurley is expected to go in the top three of fantasy rookie/free agent drafts. Some experts like Rotoworld's Josh Norris have Gurley as high as 5th overall among all draft prospects!

A player of Gurley's immense talent is unlikely to fall far in the draft. Here are some spots I think he could land.

(1.17) San Diego Chargers

Ryan Mathews has officially taken his talents to Philadelphia, and while Branden Oliver did play well in 2014, the Chargers seem like a team that might spend this pick on a luxury like Gurley. Gurley could be the fantasy superstar Chargers fans have been waiting to succeed since LaDainian Tomlinson.

(1.27) Dallas Cowboys

It is no secret that DeMarco Murray also took his talents to Philadelphia in a shock move sure to heat up the NFC East rivalry. This leaves a gaping hole at RB for the Cowboys, who have the NFL's most dominant OL. The Cowboys are likely to take a RB in this draft, and whichever rookie that is, he'll be a fantasy stud right away. Gurley in Dallas would be a match made in heaven.

(2.03) Oakland Raiders

The Raiders finally have a QB to build around with Derek Carr, but are lacking options at all the skill positions. Latavius Murray looked very good at times in 2014, but the Raiders don't sound completely sold on the idea of making him the #1 RB. Gurley could find himself being the RB to open up the passing game in Oakland.

(2.05) New York Jets

Saying the Jets offense needs help is a bit of an understatement. Chris Ivory is a decent RB, but none of the Jets RBs impressed in 2014. Gurley has the potential to be the centerpiece of an NFL offense. Could Gurley be the starting point for the Bowles' era in New York?

(2.10) Atlanta Falcons 

The Falcons cut Steven Jackson recently, and Jackson is pleading his case for workhorse backs to continue to have a place in the NFL. The Falcons should use his advice and select Gurley to be the workhorse RB the Falcons need to get that Atlanta offense back to elite levels. The OL needs help, but this would be a good spot for Gurley.

No matter who selects Gurley, the former Bulldog figures to be a good bet for fantasy stardom despite his ACL injury. I know for certain Gurley is likely to go 1.01 in the CRFL, and just might in fantasy leagues everywhere.

I'll have more posts on the NFL draft and other fantasy related things in the coming months.

Welcome to the CRFL Blog!

Edit: More to come...