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