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

Began naturally with Priest Holmes and then went the WR-WR route with the next two picks netting Ward and Chad Johnson. That looks pretty nice on paper to start with but in a league of 14 teams, RB's are even more valuable and waiting until the 4.14 pick meant 31 backs were gone and team took the shot on Lee Suggs which is a big risk. May pay off or he may just relieve William Green. In the 5th round went with Todd Heap as a nice value pick but bypassed Trent Green, Favre and Pennington. Heap makes a difference as a TE, but the scoring is nowhere near as high as dropping down for QB. He later took David Carr in the 8th round which ensures one of his highest scoring positions will likely be below average and maybe not even starter material on other teams.

Getting Buckhalter (6th) was nice to insure the Suggs pick. The plan looked like it got caught in the 4th needing a RB and he just missed out on Shipp and Dunn which would be less risky. Big team at RB1, WR1, WR2 and TE, but lacks at QB and RB2. One injury to Holmes and this team will hurt big time with no way to cover. This entire team took a different direction with the tempting pick of Chad Johnson in the 3rd.

Starters: Carr, Holmes, Suggs, Ward, C. Johnson, Lloyd, Heap, Feely and DET.

Grade: C+

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

After snatching Tomlinson, went with best player on the board of Owens and then wisely grabbed a 2nd RB with Kevin Jones with the 3rd pick. Found Steve McNair in the 4th and then wrapped up the first 5 rounds with a nice pick of Chambers for his WR2.

Team decided to get some RB depth - always a nice idea but in a league this large, the 6.13 produced only William Green who like Suggs above may be a gem or a dud. Rounded out the high scoring positions with Lelie in the 7th and got McMichael at the 8.13 as the final low risk TE. This plan worked pretty well in securing a solid QB, RB1, WR1, WR2 and TE with upside to RB2. In a big league, this is very good and was aided some by a few players falling to him.

Starters: McNair, Tomlinson, K Jones, Owens, Chambers, Lelie, McMichael, Carney and MIN.

Grade: A-

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

This is a generally sound plan, so it is interesting to see how it applies to a 14 team league. Started with Alexander and then opted for Garner before the RB's were further decimated. Picked up McNabb (3rd) and probably could have been stronger with Mason there and McNair later, but with 22 picks to go, it was a reasonable move to ensure a top QB. Went straight after WR for next three rounds with Javon Walker, Charles Rogers and Marcus Robinson.

Very aggressive with Vanderjagt in the 7th when the 2nd kicker taken waited until the 10th. Probably would have been better off with Alge Crumpler or Boo Williams there. The Miami pick was also likely a full round or more early. It is great to take difference makers but it is a gambling game when you bypass high scoring backups to take them. Near the ends of either rounds forces a calculated risk in picks which sometimes prove unnecessarily early.

Overall, ended up with a great QB, RB1, and PK and has some depth. TE's are likely weak and as it ended up, WR's will likely struggle to be average. This strategy is sound generally but shows how the larger league waters down the talent and a few picks were made too early.

Starters: McNabb, Alexander, Garner, Walker, Rogers, Robinson, L.J. Smith, Vanderjagt and MIA

Grade : B+

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

Went with McAllister and then scooped up Brian Westbrook (2nd) before using the 3.04 on Vick. The 4th round pick was Shipp for RB3 before any WR or TE were taken and while Shipp could be nice, he passed on Walker and Chambers who would have contributed every week. Took Shockey (5th) for a nice value pick and then by necessity went on the three WR string of Boston, McCareins and Warrick.

Forgot the roster requirements and only took one PK and DT which may be realistic but in a league this large, there is much less on the FA wire to grab when needed - only 5 PK or DEF were left undrafted. Solid at QB, RB and TE, the receivers ended up weaker and then the PK and DT shortfalls could hurt. The bigger the league, the more balance usually helps but by the same token, the more the high scorers like Vick or McAllister help out. Will hurt for WR depth.

Starters: Vick, McAllister, Westbrook, Boston, McCareins, Warrick, Shockey, Brown and DEN.

Grade : C

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

Welcome to the best RB crew in the league.

Started out with Ahman Green, Julius Jones (prior to George's move) and Tiki Barber. Then went with Andre Johnson as WR1 in the 4th and still reached Trent Green with his 5th pick. Good move to take two WR's next in Reggie Wayne and Deion Branch. Though the pick of Barber in the 3rd could have been Mason or Santana Moss which would make the starters stronger.

Took a flyer on sleeper Gates for TE and waited on DT and PK until the very end. The team was impacted by the George move to DAL though he did nab Eddie later on in a move that likely would not happen normally. The move for RB3 as his third pick was precipitated by the sudden George event and made him scramble which affected the rest of the draft and basically put him a round behind in doing what he wanted to do. It is a good example of what can happen in an online draft when a high pick is injured right after you take him (which happens - trust me).

If this ever happens to you, realize you are usually better off just drafting a balanced, full team instead of making "catch-up" picks that slide positional value down a round. Whether that player was hurt mid-draft or in week one, you still want a complete team with value players.

Starters: Green, Barber, Jones/George, A Johnson, Wayne, Branch, Gates, Kasay and KC

Plan Grade as it was interrupted: C-
Recovery Plan: B

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

Mid-draft slots are always more interesting in bigger leagues since they allow value picks easier without the length waits until the next turn.

Team started with Portis and then grabbed Manning (2nd) and then best TE in Gonzalez (3rd). Knowing he needed an RB2, still managed to get Dunn who should always provide something. By the 5th pick, he needed WR's badly and went on a string of three to get Jimmy Smith, Porter and Fitzgerald. Took the early defense with CAR and very nice value in Akers in the 12th round.

This was a nice use of value picks that fell to him though the pick of Gonzalez meant RB and WR were going to be weaker. In a bigger league, that is harder to make up even with free agents. Both RB and WR depth is a little suspect and that could hurt and particularly with WR the backups could have had more upside. This is a team with some star power in Manning, Portis and Gonzo and at least adequate at the other starting slots and very strong at PK and DT. Will hunt waiver wire for RB and WR all year long.

Starters: Manning, Portis, Dunn, J Smith, Porter, Fitzgerald, Gonzalez, Akers and CAR.

Grade: B+

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

This team also made great use of the mid-draft slots for hunting value picks. As far as the plan is concerned, you have to assume that Ricky Williams is still playing football and not working on a case of the munchies in Amsterdam right now. He could have been Fred Taylor or Jamal Lewis there otherwise.

Started out with two solid RB picks and then still added Mason for a great WR1. Found Brooks at the 4.08 as a very nice value and then checked out Booker in the 5th. Missed on the upper tier TE's and took NE a full round earlier than needed. This team ended up with no real stars at any position other than DT but is probably as solid as any other team in the league with great depth for a 14 team league.

Every RB should have some numbers each week and Ferguson as a RB4 is very nice. Two high upside TE, solid PK - this is a solid team. With contributors and depth everywhere, the team should turn in consistently good numbers each week. No one player will make or break them but in combination, this team should be a definite contender.

Starters: Brooks, R Williams, S Davis, Mason, Booker, Morgan, Clark, Longwell and NE.

Grade: A-

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

These mid-draft teams are doing nice things with RB-RB, even if it means skipping QB and WR stars.

Fred Taylor and Henry are a nice duo in the first two picks and then grabbed Santana Moss for WR followed by still reaching Bulger in the 4th round. Did a very nice job of filling out starters in the next four picks since he already had locked up RB and QB spots and still had lots of value picks in WR and TE. Took M Robinson and McCardell, then Crumpler followed by BAL defense in the 8th.

Ended up with a very solid team like Team #7, but his RB and WR backups were weaker, especially RB. Harrington was a nice QB2 just in case. Produced a solid set of starters across the board with upside for many but will likely need to cruise waiver wire for WR or RB more than Team #7.

Starters: Bulger, Taylor, Henry, S Moss, Robinson, McCardell, Crumpler, Brown and BAL

Grade: A-

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

Went with the RB-RB ploy and landed Jamal Lewis and Dillon - what's not to like about that? Opted for a three WR string with Horn, Steve Smith and Toomer before grabbing Tatum Bell as his RB3. Went with Brad Johnson and Plummer back to back to compensate for waiting on QB's.

This plan afforded him possibly stellar RB's if Bell catches on and a very strong trio of WR's. Unlike most teams, he may be set at those slots the entire year with productive players. He'll need it too since most likely his QB, TE, PK and DT will not be difference makers. They are not bad picks, but delaying them cost him in difference makers. What this team looks like is a team poised to make some trades later on and upgrade other positions. His WR's are all either rock solid or have great upside.

This team could surprise with such strength at RB and WR, but could end up with an average weekly scores from four of the six starting positions. It produced an interesting set of starters that could go either way in many areas.

Starters: B Johnson, Lewis, Dillon, Horn, S Smith, Toomer, Witten, Nedney and PHI

Grade: B

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

Nice start with James and Bennett gave him an immediate chance for taking value picks from then on. Went with Boldin (3), Coles (4) and Price (5). The fifth round pick was interesting since he just missed out on a top 3 TE and the QB upper tier was just depleted in front of him. Most surprising pick was at the 6.05 when he took Rod Smith to back up his WR's before his RB's and before selecting any QB or TE. Grabbing Bell or Buckhalter in particular might have been more prudent. Took Onterrio Smith in the 8th before finally getting his QB of Brady in the 8th.

Ended up average at QB, TE and probably DT and PK though both are solid. Strength at starting RB and WR will keep the team in the hunt but a lack of of playmakers will likely hold him back. Both back-up WR's are among the oldest in the league.

Starters: Brady, James, Bennett, Boldin, Coles, Price, F Jones, Elam and JAX.

Grade: B

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

This team went for value picks that conformed to his draft slot. It is a different plan to use to be sure but the results are pretty good in this case.

Started with Moss and then got the hook-up with Culpepper in the 2nd. Landed Curtis Martin (4th) and then Duckett (5th) to provide serviceable RB's and then snagged Foster with his 5th. That 5th pick was the most interesting since he passed on a WR but the solid tier of them had just been emptied prior to this pick. Liked the risky upside pick of Winslow in the 6th.

This team went together differently than all others but the result was good for picking 11th. His likely only weak spot is RB's which does hurt, but Martin and Duckett should provide at least average numbers. The rest of the picks like Moss, Culpepper and Wilkins are known stars. His WR's almost all have greater upside than where they were taken. This is a riskier team, but one that got away with value picking from deeper in the rounds.

Starters: Culpepper, Martin, Duckett, R Moss, Burress, R Williams, Winslow, Wilkins and ATL

Grade: A-

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

Big game potential was secured with the drafting if Marshall Faulk and Domanick Davis and the acquisition of Steven Jackson in the 6th made those pick really shine. In a 14 team league, he was probably lucky to land Jackson that late and could have waited no longer so he played it very well.

Went with Moulds (3rd) and then found Hasselbeck (4th) for a top notch starting quartet. TE, PK and DT are likely only average and will not be a help to this team but the strength of starters for QB, RB and WR will keep him happy most the time. Reggie Williams as a WR4 looks more like a great move with each passing day. What this team would likely see if less week to week consistency than many teams but the ability to turn in some big weeks. Where the slightly larger league got him was in the reduced depth of quality WR and waiting on TE, PK and DEF is not a big help.

Starters: Hasselbeck, D Davis, M Faulk, Moulds, Davis, Givens, Clark, Gramatica and STL.

Grade: B

Draft Slot #13
5 Round Strategy: WR, RB, RB, WR, QB

This team looks like it was put together by a veteran of 12 team drafts.

Started with Barlow and then grabbed Harrison in the 2nd as a nice value pick. Went with Staley for a nice backfield and then took Chris Brown in the 4th over QB Hasselbeck or WR Coles. Aided here too by the departure of George to the Cowboys as well. Finally reached his QB with Pennington in the 5th and finally grabbed an upside WR in Stallworth. Still locked down Boo Williams for a TE.

Again, this looks like a veterans team because many of the picks (Pennington, Brown, Stallworth, Woods, Williams) are upside picks that could surprise but carry a little risk he is willing to take. Keyshawn as a WR3 was nice since he will never be a WR1 again, but should consistency post some points each game. This yielded a solid team with depth and some upside to many picks. The 4th pick was the pivotal one here but he got away with it for the most part with savvy picks later on. This team has the means to surprise.

Starters: Pennington, Barlow, Staley, Harrison, Stallworth, K Johnson, B Williams, Cundiff and TB

Grade: B+

Draft Slot #14
5 Round Strategy: WR, RB, RB, WR, QB

Nothing like waiting 14 picks to get your first player and then waiting 26 picks every other round. The back -end swing almost always demands pure value picks since following a plan is always harder the deeper into the first round you go.

Team nabbed Holt and Rudi Johnson and still managed to get Thomas Jones (3rd). That pick had to make him ecstatic since the RB's thereafter started the less attractive RBBC tier. Unlikely TJ goes this late in a 14 team league next month. Went with Darrell Jackson (4th) over many great QB's but locking down Favre at the 5.14 was again a nice find. Filled out WR's with Bruce and then grabbed Wheatley as his RB3 which appears to be a solid choice that late.

Ended up with a solid draft from this draft slot and got the gift of Travis Minor later after Ricky Williams took his bong and went home. The draft was nice value picks in many areas - notably RB but his depth in all positions other than RB is suspect and could cause problems. Went with a number of aging players that had names in the recent past but are more likely to fall shorter this season - Bruce, Driver and Mili. Would have preferred to see more upside on the backup picks since drafting so late means chances must be taken to find a difference maker. The team is solid overall and spectacular in no area. Holt is the only known star but his RB's could surprise.

Starters: Favre, R Johnson, T Jones, Holt, Jackson, Bruce, Gardner, Kinney, Andersen and DAL

Grade: B