RotoWire's First Staff League Analysis: Vegas League Draft

The cast of characters was as follows, along with their primary RotoWire job descriptions.

1. Bernie Pleskoff (MLB Writer)
2. Kenn Ruby (MLB Writer)
3. Jeff Erickson (Senior Editor)
4. Shannon McKeown (Director of Ad Sales)
5. Tim McCaigue (Programmer)
6. Andre' Snellings (NBA Writer)
7. Dan Roemhild (Programmer)
8. Derek VanRiper (MLB Editor)/Tim Schuler (RotoWire C.O.O.)
9. Brian Fraze (NFL Writer)
10. Carson Cistulli (NBA Writer)
11. Peter Schoenke (RotoWire President)
12. Jason Brown (MLB Writer)

I normally participate in this league, but had to pass this year, due to a friend's wedding (congrats, Dino!), so I'll take the opportunity to provide a brief non-participant's impression of the draft (results posted below).

League Parameters: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (WR/RB/TE), 1 K, 1 Team D

Passing TD = 3 points

-- No surprise with the top two picks and you can't argue with Jeff's decision to go with Ray Rice at No. 3, especially if you believe that the up-and-coming Ravens' back can sneak a couple more TDs in close this season, at the expense of Willis McGahee.

-- This draft illustrates that those looking to ride the Rashard Mendenhall/Shonn Greene "upside express" trains, had better act swiftly.

-- Andre Johnson breaks up the RB run at No. 8, with Randy Moss and Larry Fitzgerald rounding out the first-round wideout trio, a development not surprising in a three-WR league.

-- Miles Austin is no longer a secret as his selection at No. 13 overall goes to show and those who are targeting blue-chip rookie back Ryan Mathews will need to be aggressive, as he has been flying off many draft boards (including this one) in the second round.

Here's what the experts think about Mathews: Mock Draft Central Experts' ADP Statistics

-- Drew Brees at the end of Round 2 and Peyton Manning at the start of Round 3 are defensible selections, but in a one-QB league where passing TDs count for three points, Aaron Rodgers in the first round is a bold move, especially when the likes of Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub and Tony Romo were still kicking around as the fifth round opened. I wouldn't have taken Rodgers that high, but it is the sort of "swing for the fences" mentality we generally endorse, as an overly conservative drafting approach is a good way to get yourself to the bronze-medal game.

I mentioned that cluster of value QBs to tech guy, Tim McCaigue, when I questioned him about his selection of Robert Meachem in the fourth round, and he noted that the soon-to-be released RotoWire NFL iPhone Application urged him to go with Tom Brady with that pick. In his defense, while everyone is aware of running back scarcity, in three-receiver leagues, things can get pretty ugly for those who punt on the position in the early rounds. That thinking and the power of the Saints' offense were enough for Tim to go for it with Meachem (nine TDs in 2009) that early.

-- Since this draft took place before training camp, there will naturally be plenty of developments affecting the value of players taken here, but it's especially interesting (to me, at least) to view the draft from the bottom up, with examining each team's late-round darts in mind.

-- Former studs in the bargain bin: Brian Westbrook in Rd. 13? Why not? He's likely to sign on as a backup, but would be one injury away from big numbers, provided HE can stay healthy. Torry Holt? He has Tom Brady throwing to him and it's uncertain how much Wes Welker will provide out of the gate.

-- Rookie Darts: Arrelious Benn (Rd. 13) and Mike Williams for that matter, could start as rookies, so while the Bucs' passing offense is not to be confused with the Saints, there's decent WR3 potential here.

-- T.O.: We'll give him his own blurb, but in Rd. 12, there's an opportunity for a very nice return, as we all know that he'll eventually sign somewhere.

-- I could go on, but let's get things rolling with what you, our readers, think about the results. We welcome your thoughts in the comments section below.