This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
Friday night was the second "Beat Jeff Erickson 2" draft, part of The NFFC's RotoWire Online Championship. A quick reminder - this is a 12-team, PPR league with an overall contest component. Plus, The NFFC uses third-round reversal in their drafts - that came as a surprise to one of the teams in the draft, as he hadn't played in the NFFC format before. Before we discuss my players, here's the full draft grid:
For a larger image of the draft grid, click here.
1.10 - Nick Chubb: I wanted to be near the back end of this draft, both because I had the first pick in the previous "Beat Jeff Erickson" draft, and because the advantages that 3RR provides in this player pool. Even though it's a PPR league, I'm still all-in on Nick Chubb - I just buy into both the player and the team context, especially that OL. I don't trust Austin Ekeler to get enough carries or to stay healthy enough to take him over Chubb.
2.15 - DK Metcalf: Speaking of "all-in" - here you go. I have no problem with those who slot Calvin Ridley or Stefon Diggs over Metcalf, but I prefer Metcalf slightly over both - I worry a smidge about Matt Ryan's decline for Ridley, and Diggs staying fully healthy for a second season in a row.
3.27 - James Robinson: Debated taking Keenan Allen, who went next of course, but happy to have a three-down back (theoretically). Here's where 3RR really makes a difference - I far prefer my options at the beginning of the third round than the end - I think there's a pretty decent-sized cliff around pick 32-33.
4.46 - George Kittle: I didn't map out taking Kittle here when I was planning my draft, but that's only because I thought he'd be long-gone. You have to be agile enough to adapt on the fly when a bargain comes through, as Kittle did here.
5.51 - Robby Anderson: Taking Kittle cost me Jerry Jeudy or Tee Higgins, but Anderson is in that range for me. I think you'll be surprised by the Carolina offense this year.
6.70 - Darrell Henderson: I think this was probably a mistake, insomuch as I only had two WR's at this point, and I knew I'd take Russell Wilson or Justin Herbert with my next pick if given the opportunity. I'd rather play a wide receiver at flex all things being equal in a PPR, and I could have taken Deebo Samuel, who went with the next pick.
7.75 - Justin Herbert: Wilson pairs better with Metcalf than Herbert, but I'm thrilled to get Herbert this late. In retrospect, if I knew I was going to get Herbert, maybe I should have gone with Keenan Allen instead of James Robinson just for the correlation, but that's a bonus, not a necessity. I knew at this point I'd be taking a slew of receivers in the mid-to-late rounds.
8.94 - Michael Gallup: Some are writing off Gallup too quickly as a third receiver - there's still plenty of volume to support three receivers in Dallas. I would have rather had Antonio Brown or Mecole Hardman, who went back-to-back in front of me.
9.99 - Michael Thomas: Ok, so I might have said that I wouldn't have any Michael Thomas this year, but a series of events pushed me here. A - Draft price was low. B - Jameis Winston won the starting QB job for the Saints, which works better for Thomas in my opinion. C - I waited on wideouts, so a gamble at upside seemed necessary. That he was put on the PUP list earlier this week chilled my opinion on this though - I wouldn't do it again.
10.118 - Elijah Moore: I'm now an Elijah Moore hype man and want him in the remainder of my drafts. I would now take him ahead of Thomas, among others.
11.123 - Henry Ruggs: Looking for an affordable second-year WR breakout? Ruggs certainly qualifies. I love that the Raiders committed to Ruggs and Bryan Edwards by letting John Brown walk.
12.142 - Terrace Marshall: I'm also a Terrace Marshall hype man.
13.147 - Kenneth Gainwell: Gainwell is a good pass-catching back, though fighting for reps might be a concern in Philly. I'm hoping he's useful as a bye-week option.
14.166 - Rashod Bateman: Bateman will miss at least the first three weeks, but he was getting raves out of Baltimore's camp before his injury. I can wait, I hope.
15.171 - Rams D/ST: In a 20-round draft, I like getting difference-makers at defense and kicker. The Rams certainly qualify - hopefully the Bears carry through with their threat to start Andy Dalton.
16.190 - Donovan Peoples-Jones: DPJ looks like he'll win the third receiver job in Cleveland, and there's a chance that OBJ isn't 100 percent to begin the season.
17.195 - Chiefs Kicker: The NFFC switched to Team Kickers this year, so we'll list it as this instead of just naming Harrison Butker. Give me a great kicker with a late bye week every time.
18.214 - Sam Darnold: The Panthers are a good landing spot for Darnold. If it works, I also have Robby Anderson to go with him.
19.219 - Cole Kmet: My new favorite late-round tight end, now that Irv Smith is out.
20.238 - Olamide Zaccheaus: I'm a skeptic that Russell Gage is all that much better than Zaccheaus, and if the Atlanta passing game pops, Zaccheaus should play a role in that. That, and I didn't see a running back I liked better in this spot.
