Offseason Extra: Post Super Bowl mock draft
It doesn't matter that quarterback play is as good as ever or passing games continue to thrive in the NFL. Running backs still dominate Fantasy Football. And 2013 might see a return to a running back-running back draft philosophy.
We recently held a 12-team standard mock draft following Super Bowl XLVII, and running backs went flying off the board early. There were 16 running backs drafted in the first 24 picks. By comparison, there were 12 running backs selected in the first two rounds in 2012 based on CBSSports.com Draft Averages.
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The reason? Getting a good corps of running backs is difficult, and the talent pool dries up rather quickly -- at least before we get to free agency and the draft when hopefully things improve. As you'll notice with the results below, backup running backs like Knowshon Moreno and Bernard Pierce were being drafted as early as Round 7. Even guys without a job like impending free agent Rashard Mendenhall went before two owners drafted a quarterback. It's worth it to grab as many quality running backs as you can.
Receiver and quarterback are the two positions with the most depth, so you'll be able to wait on drafting either spot. Only Calvin Johnson was drafted in Round 1, as expected, and the Top 3 quarterbacks weren't taken until Round 2. That's a departure from last year when five quarterbacks -- Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford and Cam Newton -- were drafted in Round 1 on average.
Aside from running back, you should try drafting one of the Top 2 tight ends early in Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham. That happened in this draft, albeit a little too late with Gronkowski at No. 20 and Graham at No. 22. I would suggest drafting both tight ends in the first 20 overall picks because they dominate the position and give you a significant edge on your competition.
As always, we ask you to share your thoughts on this draft. Take advantage of our Fantasy Football Twitter feed (@CBSFantasyFB) and post your comments there, or share your thoughts on our Fantasy Football Facebook page.
All touchdowns are worth six points, and we award one point for every 10 yards rushing and receiving and one point for every 25 yards passing. We feature a starting lineup of QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, TE, K, DST and a FLEX (RB/WR/TE). There will also be six reserve spots for a 15-round draft.
Our draft order is as follows:
1. Nathan Zegura, Senior Fantasy Writer
2. Dave Richard, Senior Fantasy Writer
3. Adam Aizer, Podcast/Video Host
4. Bill Passonno, Fantasy Writer
5. Jamey Eisenberg, Senior Fantasy Writer
6. Will Brinson, Eye on Football Blogger
7. Scott White, Senior Fantasy Writer
8. Nando Di Fino, Senior Fantasy Writer
9. Jeff Tobin, Associate Managing Editor
10. Peter Madden, Editorial Director, Fantasy Sports
11. J. Darin Darst, College Football Producer
12. Michael Hurcomb, Editor
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