The FanEx Fantasy Analysis Draft (FAD) is a 12-team, 20-round draftmasters (best ball) PPR scoring fantasy football draft that requires each participant to write analysis for their picks. I drew the sixth overall pick, and described the league and comments for Rounds 1 to 5 last week.

Draft Buddy MFL Integration

Before we dive into my next picks, here is a new video for Draft Buddy I created from this draft that shows how the integration with MyFantasyLeague.com works to pull in franchise names and, even better, draft results. It makes it so much faster to update Draft Buddy at the press of a button.

Here is part two, my picks and commentary for Rounds 6 through 12.

Rounds 6 to 12 (June 18-23)

WR Michael Crabtree, BAL

Michael Crabtree was not really on my radar very much, even though I was leaning WR with this pick – too early for a QB, no top TE remaining, RB none too exciting at this point. Looking at players such as Pierre Garcon as the main target on the 49ers, or Devante Parker as a potential breakout candidate (yet again), a review of current ADP indicated I could wait on either of those guys. Which brought me to Crabtree. Veteran savvy WR joins veteran QB in a not very talented receiving group. Joe Flacco may be a fantasy pariah, but he isn’t stupid, already stating out of OTAs, “(Crabtree’s) the guy.” Crabtree should have numerous 10+ target games, making him a quality WR3.

RB Marlon Mack, IND

Seven rounds, starter spots filled at RB, WR and TE, but not QB or the flex spot. With 8 non-QB starters, unless a top QB comes at really good value, I am happy to wait longer. In all likelihood, my flex starter will be a WR most of the time. However, a review of available players, running backs with projected decent touches are getting thinner than wide receivers with projected decent targets. Marlon Mack, come on down!

Mack is coming off a so-so rookie season and offseason shoulder surgery, but has a good opportunity with the departure of Frank Gore. He had positive runs and miserable negative yardage plays. Here is to his first year experience, and new HC Frank Reich, helping make Mack a more effective runner. Not counting on it at this point but the return of Andrew Luck (early reports are good) would be a huge boost for the whole offense.

WR Pierre Garcon, SF

Now I get my WR target I was keen for two rounds ago. I was slightly shocked to see 49ers Marquise Goodwin get drafted back in the early 7th round, and realize I might be somewhat lonely supporting the Haitian as I did this time a year ago. What it ultimately means is, he is going to be on a lot of my fantasy teams this year. Last year he got injured, but he returned good PPR value for his low draft cost – 40 catches for 500 yards in 8 games without Jimmy Garoppolo (or a team win for that matter). Kyle Shanahan is a positive influence for his WR1. Better QB. Returning from neck injury which is scary but all signs are good, and Garcon hadn’t missed a game prior to last season since 2012. As the 40th WR off the board (Goodwin was 32nd), we shall see who becomes the more consistent contributor. I like my chances with the taller, bigger, more experienced guy.

QB Jimmy Garoppolo, SF

At this point I would love to wait longer for my first QB. Note I said, “first”, not, “starter”. We are looking at a committee approach to QB for my team at this point which is ideal for a best ball league. Whomever fills the first and second QB spots we hope provide the right amount of volatility week-to-week to score one of the top collective starters at the position. Mine is the 10th different team to draft a QB and Garoppolo represents QB12 off the board (Dolfi/Walls already paired Drew Brees and Jared Goff). If I did wait longer, then I am risking not having much choice in who I select, since teams are grabbing their second. So, Jimmy G. …

Even though there are options available considered more likely to finish in the top 10-12 in season scoring (because they’ve done it before), like Philip Rivers, Big Ben, Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, drafting for top 12 is a zero-sum gain at this point. Why not draft a guy with upside who could surprise with a top 6 finish? All of his main skill players are already drafted so clearly fantasy players are high on the 49ers offense. We caught a glimpse what Garoppolo is capable of late last season. The prior four QB don’t excite me. This pick does.

QB Patrick Mahomes, KC

The writeup for this pick shouldn’t be vastly different from my prior pick, except Patrick Mahomes is clearly more risky, having made one career NFL start in a meaningless Week 17 game last season. Love the weapons on the Kansas City Chiefs. Would Andy Reid really be so careless as to hand the reigns of a competitive team over to someone with such little experience? I don’t think so. Mahomes is actually projected QB12 in this scoring by FF Today’s Mike Krueger. MK is from Kansas City and usually has a good read on the Chiefs. He clearly likes the upside of Mahomes and I do too. Happy to take the risk here over the group of QB still available – Blake Bortles, Dak Prescott, Marcus Mariota – who don’t have nearly the dynamic skill players that Mahomes does.

WR Kenny Golladay, DET

Clearly third in the pecking order on the Detroit Lions, Golladay isn’t exactly your ideal high projected target-reception guy to expect any degree of consistency from. However when veteran teammates say glowing things about a young player who flashed as a rookie last season, I take notice. From Golden Tate, “this guy can be dominant. He’s a WR1 kind of guy.” Plus, Eric Ebron is gone and there isn’t much receiving talent at TE.

RB James White, NE

“Mr. Playoffs” is still around in a very crowded backfield in New England. Dion Lewis is gone but rookie Sony Michel is aboard plus Jeremy Hill joining holdovers Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee. Michel should be involved – perhaps heavily – but I am okay betting against that given the rookie + Pats learning curve he has to overcome. Hill and Gillislee won’t both make the final roster, perhaps neither. White is a very good pass catcher and has the trust of the coaching staff and Tom Brady.

Final Rounds

The draft is 20 rounds but with the remaining used for kickers, defenses and depth, we will close here, but I will post my copy of Draft Buddy to the member download page so you can review all of the rosters, draft report and more. I find the positions tab particularly useful post-draft to review the rank each player was drafted at their position. For example, Jimmy Garoppolo was the 12th QB drafted in this draft, and Patrick Mahomes, QB17.