Draft Slot #1
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, WR, WR, WR

After securing Tomlinson (1), felt secure enough to nab Hines Ward (2) and then could not resist Terrell Owens (3). Taking Owens cost a chance at Duckett, Staley or Garner but even they carry risk anyway. This was compounded by taking the value pick of Shockey at the 4.12 and McNabb at 5.01 who had fallen ridiculously far. Ended up with the TEN duo of George/Brown which as a ploy (like Suggs/Green) is really only made possible by having a swing pick with two consecutive selections - otherwise the risk is high you have the wrong one. Overall, the strategy caused some possible problems at RB2 but resulted in solid to spectacular starters in all the other positions. If either George or Brown is a true primary back, this team will be a definite contender

Grade: A-

Draft Slot #2
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, WR, WR, WR

Started naturally with Holmes and then took best RB on the board at the 2.11 of Tiki Barber. Used the early 3rd pick for Chad Johnson with his 4th for Javon Walker as a solid upside player. Instead of selecting a QB or backup RB, took Andre Johnson with his 5th before finally snagging Dunn with his 6th as a RB3. That was fortunate since Dunn was the final "sure to play" RB on the board. Finally took Favre in the 7th for a solid backfield. Has Holmes, Chad Johnson and the NE defense as definite impact players and at least solid other starters if not some very nice upside on literally all his receivers and tight ends. The high grade here reflects Holmes and almost an entire squad of upside players who could improve last season's numbers. This is a roster that appears riskier than Team #1, but could prove to be just as good or better.

Grade: A-

Draft Slot #3
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, WR, RB, WR

Solid pick with Ahman Green (1) and still reached Stephen Davis in the 2nd round for a solid backfield. Took Mason with the 3rd and missed Chad Johnson by only one pick. Securing Duckett (4th) makes for a great trio of RB but made him pass on Shockey and McNabb. Still secured Chambers (5th) for a strong start. Ended up with McNair in the 6th as a great value pick but missed taking Foster to insure Davis. This team is fairly similar to Team #2 in the way it came together and is only slightly less stocked at starting positions. Did a tremendous job with upside value picks later with McGahee, Rogers, Evans, Givens, Gates, Witten. With so much upside depth, this team may need a few weeks to sort out the truly best players but is solid throughout.

Grade: B+

Draft Slot #4
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, QB, RB, WR

Started with Portis (1st) then opted for Henry (2nd) but still reached Vick (3rd). Used 4th pick to get Staley as a RB3 before any other starters. Ended up taking Jimmy Smith (5th) before locking down Winslow (6th). This plan is harder to evaluate since it is produced starters that are definite upside guys and yet risky. Vick may return and be a steal at the 3.04. Henry should be a plus unless McGahee takes carries away. Staley balances out that risk but is an older RB on a new team. Wideouts are weaker with Smith, Rice and Galloway being three of the oldest players in the league and yet still got great value with Elam and BAL defense. Warrick has a new QB for yet more risk and Winslow may be a great one right out of the gate but may actually end up as another rookie. Portis on a new team as well. This team could come together if he hits on all the picks but it is a risky route to take.

Grade : B

Draft Slot #5
5 Round Strategy: RB, QB, RB, WR, WR

Super start with McAllister and Manning and then went for the "safe" play with Curtis Martin rather than a higher risk/reward RB like Bennett or the rookie Jones twins. Used next three picks to snap up Coles, Bruce and McCardell and nail down the starting WR's. At the #5 spot, that RB2 pretty much must be secured by the 3rd pick as the tiers are drained by the 5.05 of viable starters. Selection of Manning was prudent as the slide in RB's to the next pick all contained RB's with some question marks and there are none with Manning. This plan worked about as well as it could have, given the spot and players already taken and Manning is a gem but no stars slid in later rounds for him to take since he had to continue to work RB and WR. May end up with no backup RB when he needs him and outside of Manning and McAllister, it is unlikely that any other playmakers will emerge.

Grade: B

Draft Slot #6
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, WR, WR, RB

This is typically a very solid approach for a mid-draft pick. Started with Alexander (1st) and then still reached Dillon (2nd). Before WR's were raided, collected Steve Smith (3rd) and Santana Moss (2) and used his 5th for backing up the RB with Shipp. While Shipp is not a personal favorite, hard to complain about having Alexander, Dillon and Shipp together. Waited very late to take a QB in Garcia (9th) but found big value with Boo Williams (8th). As is common to the mid-draft realities, he had to chose from either solid "in-run" players or risk grabbing a top TE or QB and know his 2nd and 3rd RB's would be much weaker. Has upside with Bell (6th) and Davis (7th) but settled for Kennison (10) and Driver (13) who will likely neither be outstanding but both will be every-game contributors. As is common with the slot, ended up with a solid, yet unspectacular team that will need a few players to really step up into difference makers - beyond most expectation.

Grade: B

Draft Slot #7
5 Round Strategy: RB, QB, RB, RB, WR

After opening with Jamal Lewis (admitted risk right now but worthy), this team took the #1 QB on the board with Culpepper (2nd) and then still managed to get Bennett (3rd). Backed up his RB in the 4th with Garner before a complete assault on WR's that netted Price, Rod Smith, Keyshawn Johnson, Fitzgerald and Roy WIlliams. Quite a blend of old and new but one that should certainly produce three good WR's a week. Also got good value picks with TB defense and Wilkins. TE's waited until the 14th and 15th rounds and still produced Mili and Pollard as older guys in offenses that like to throw to the TE. RB's of Perry and Anderson are unlikely to produce much but with three RB's on board should not hurt. Culpepper makes this team look much better but otherwise solid. I like the riskier WR assault for five rounds mainly because of the mixture it produced. Problem there is it may take several weeks to determine which ones are the best starters.

Grade: B+

Draft Slot #8
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, WR, WR, TE

After gaining Ricky Williams (1st), picked up Rudi Johnson (2nd) for a nice starting duo. Horn (3rd) and Jackson (4th) may not meet last year's numbers, but even if they fall short they should remain rock solid as starters. Great value pick fell to him with Heap (5th) and he still managed to net Brooks (6th) for a very solid, perhaps fortuitous opening. Solid picks of Akers and STL later on only help. Nice upside on runners with Green and Hollings even though either may do little this year. Then again - either could shine. Lelie and Gardner provide a great pair to select the WR3 from as well. This team came together with some good luck, particularly with Heap and the delay on QB's that happened in this draft. The 8 slot is a tough one but this plan worked out about as well as it could have hoped, producing some nice starters and the only real weakness may be in RB3 - but that remains to be seen.

Grade: A-

Draft Slot #9
5 Round Strategy: WR, RB, RB, RB, WR

This strategy unfolded in an interesting manner, taking Randy Moss (1st) over a RB but still getting Barlow (2nd) and later Julius Jones (3rd). Snatched De'Shaun Foster with his 4th pick instead of Staley, Garner or Duckett which seemed a little odd and perhaps a missed opportunity. Maybe he just hates Team #3 that had Stephen Davis.The wait on QB left him only Pennington (8) but he also added Leftwich (9) for two upside QB's. Took big risks with Troupe as TE and Josh Brown and TEN defense should be fine though not likely difference makers. This is not a team adverse to risk, with QB's of Pennington and Leftwich and relying on Julius Jones and Steven Jackson in the backfield. Onterrio Smith is another risk play without Bennett. Maybe he hates team #7 too? With starters of Pennington, Barlow, J. Jones, Moss, Robinson, Wayne and Troupe, this team could potentially sway either as a top or bottom team depending on how much gold he hits.

Grade: B (but maybe an A... or a C... hmm...)

Draft Slot #10
5 Round Strategy: RB, WR, RB, TE, WR

The 10 slot is a tough spot this year - you have to figure the top RB's are all gone but have to decide to take a top WR or continue with RB's knowing there will be four more picks before the wrap back. He went with Taylor (1st) but still gained Harrison (2nd). Wisely went back for another RB in the 3rd with Kevin Jones as a risky play with upside. Gained Gonzalez (4th) to land a difference maker at TE and then went after the boom/bust boys of Burress and Boston. Selected Davenport (7th) which seemed out of place when starter Wheatley and Buckhalter were still on the board. Did secure Greg Jones as a prudent pick since Taylor was there and Morton and Marcus Robinson made for good backups that might exceed expectations - particularly Robinson. Strong at WR and TE, but may have no RB3 when he needs it. The Davenport pick (7th) seemed to hurt more than help the team but drafting in a hard spot did well. Taking Gonzalez in the 4th is hard to argue with but has definite later ramifications.

Grade: B

Draft Slot #11
5 Round Strategy: RB, WR, WR, RB, WR

Solid start with Edge who fell to the 1.11 and then Holt may have been a little early with the 2.02 but risked getting slop for receivers otherwise. Took Moulds (3rd) as his WR2 before getting another RB but with only two picks did fine by gaining Thomas Jones (4th). Tabbed Toomer (5th) before finally taking Hasselbeck in the 6th which was a big steal and would be hard to count on happening. Later took McMichael for a solid TE and Wheatley (7th) as a nice RB3 so deeply. Also managed Vanderjagt (10) as a good search for difference makers. For picking so deeply, this plan worked very well and resulted in difference makers with Hasselbeck, Holt and Vanderjagt with solid choices at other starting positions. Short of getting even luckier, this is about as good as the 11 spot will produce.

Grade: A-

Draft Slot #12
5 Round Strategy: RB, RB, RB, WR, WR

The mighty Faulk fell to the 11th pick and that might end up optimistic - or a steal (for "X" amount of games anyway). Doubled up with Domanick Davis (2nd) and after the long wait, grabbed immediate backup in Westbrook (3rd). Focused on WR's with Boldin (4th) and Booker (5th) before securing Bulger (6th) as yet another steal. Alstott should provide at least a few points per game should he ever need to reach into RB4. Upside with Stallworth, Morgan and Brandon Lloyd and Crumpler (8th) was yet another great value pick. MIA will be a solid defense. For picking in a tough spot, this plan worked out pretty well with value picks though gaining Steven Jackson would have been obviously nice and was missed by three picks in the 7th round - gotta waste that 6th on Jackson if you have Faulk.

Grade: B+