Round Two: The Patron Saint of the Black and Gold

It is my turn again to pick in The Hazean’s Mock Draft. So far we have:

First round

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers [TINO Sports Page]
2. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams [The Hazean]
3. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts [MWC Football]
4. Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs [Blaine Clancy]
5. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers [Fantasy Football Librarian]
6. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles [Curveballs for Jesus]
7. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts [Next Gen Pro Football]
8. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots [Cheesesteaks & Stuff]
9. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals [Signal to Noise]
10. Travis Henry, RB, Broncos [NFL Minute]
11. Rudi Johnson, RB, Bengals [FanProphet]
12. Willie Parker, RB, Steelers [The Extrapolater]

Second round

1. Shaun Alexander, RB, Seahawks [The Extrapolater]
2. Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens [FanProphet]
3. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints [NFL Minute]
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars [Signal to Noise]
5. Deuce McAllister, RB, Saints [Cheesesteaks & Stuff]
6. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins [Next Gen Pro Football]

It is clear that the top-notch running backs have been depleted, and there aren’t any left that just get me going. Clinton Portis was considered, but he has those injuries he is nursing. I also looked at Marshawn Lynch of my team, the Buffalo Bills, but I am not taking a chance on an inexperienced rookie (although I hope he has an incredible season and makes Sundays more enjoyable for me). Edge has also not been taken off the board and is tempting, but I just don’t have much faith in the Arizona “They’re exactly who we thought they were” Cardinals. I like Thomas Jones, but I don’t really care one iota for the Jets offense.

Therefore, I am going to take a blue-chip quarterback while the getting is good. Manning was the obvious choice to go off the board early, and I also think that Carson Palmer was a great pick, although I don’t think I would have taken him off the board that early. It is a personal choice, but I also wouldn’t have taken him off before this guy (my pick):

Drew Brees showed us again last year that he is one of the best in the game, as well as being one of the top-producing fantasy players. His injury is healed, and he has a fairly high-powered offense at his disposal. At the helm of last year’s number one ranked offense, Brees chunked the ball 4,418 yards for 26 touchdowns, with a 96.2 efficiency rating, and his team will most definitely win the NFC South and is an early contender to represent the conference in the Super Bowl. Sean Payton is a talented young coach, and he has faith in Brees and his offense for good reason. The loss of an aging Joe Horn is a bit troubling for the passing attack, but with guys like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and promising rookie Robert Meachem, Brees should have no trouble moving the ball downfield. They also have the improving Deuce McAllister to open up the field, along with dual threat Reggie Bush, who catches and runs with equal effectiveness.

The downsides are obviously his old Pro Bowl injury, a young and inexperienced receiving corps, a grueling schedule, and the way he faded toward the end of last year. As I mentioned, his injury healed beautifully, and I am comfortable with the receiving corps. New Orleans has shown in the past few years that it is wise in its drafting of receivers. Colston and Henderson proved that they are NFL-caliber, and being lucky enough to watch Robert Meachem week in and week out last year, I am convinced he is going to be one of the best young receivers in the game. The schedule is going to be tough, with them playing in that division, complicated by the fact that they are going to have to play through the battlefield that is the AFC South, led by the Colts and the Jaguars (the Titans will not be slouches either). Finally, the worry that Brees “fading” will carry over to this year is simply not going to be a problem.

There you have it. Look for Brees to have another great year and rack up fantasy points for his owners.

To The Hazean and the other bloggers that participated in the draft: it has been a pleasure, and I am honored to be in such worthy company. Your picks were great and extremely well-thought out, and (lucky for me) my home drafts have no chance of being up to this kind of quality. I have bookmarked all of you and added you on my blogroll. To my readers: check their respective sites out. You are sure to learn something.