This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
This was my third and final NFFC Online Championship draft, a $350-entry contest with an overall prize of $200K. I drew the ninth pick.
Here are the results:
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1.9 Ezekiel Elliott -- It was pretty hilarious because I'd been talking my book for the last week on the SXM show that included DK Metcalf, Jonathan Taylor and Saquon Barkley, and all three went way ahead of ADP before I even got to pick. But that meant Elliott fell all the way to nine, and it was an easy call to take him.
2.4 Najee Harris -- It was either Harris or Calvin Ridley, but I went with the back, given their scarcity relative to receivers in subsequent rounds. I don't think Elliott/Harris is a common start, given Harris doesn't usually slip to the Zeke owner, something that's good in a large-field tournament.
3.4 Allen Robinson -- I almost took D'Andre Swift to go three straight running backs, but Robinson's a good bet to lead the NFL in targets, and he should have a nice upgrade at QB no matter who wins the job. I also thought Travis Etienne might be there in Round 4.
4.9 Josh Allen -- I can't believe I missed Patrick Mahomes by two picks, but I was happy to take Allen. Etienne was still on the board, but he had just gone into the tent during the Saints-Jaguars game with a foot injury, so I figured I'd wait.
5.4 Travis Etienne -- He walked out of the tent under his own power, so I took him ahead of D.J. Moore who's nursing a back injury. Etienne's usage this preseason isn't great, but I don't think that's a big deal. The bigger issue is whether he's healthy. (After the game he was donning a walking boot, indicating he might have a foot sprain.)
6.9 T.J. Hockenson -- I've been a Mark Andrews and Kyle Pitts guy in this range, but they were long gone, and Hockenson slipped. I considered Trey Sermon, but I already had three backs, and I have Sermon in a lot of places already.
7.4 Robby Anderson -- This was a boring value pick. Anderson is good, should get plenty of targets and is reunited with his old QB. He was the top receiver on my board, and I needed receivers.
8.9 Jaylen Waddle -- It was he or Jarvis Landry, and I thought Landry might make it back to me. If Tua Tagovailoa takes a step forward, someone will produce in Miami, and I like the rookie over the often injured Will Fuller and DeVante Parker.
9.4 Jarvis Landry -- This was perfect, as I'm weakest at wideout, and Landry is a nice PPR failsafe if Waddle doesn't see enough targets early on.
10.9 Michael Pittman -- The news that Carson Wentz and Quenton Nelson are back renewed my interest. I don't think the Colts will throw it a ton, but Pittman has a chance to be a poor man's Mike Evans if he gets the work.
11.4 Irv Smith -- Hockenson isn't the most durable player, and Smith seems like a great breakout candidate, given his second-round pedigree, tenure in the league (Year 3) and narrow passing tree in Minnesota.
12.9 Jalen Reagor -- Last year's first-round bust for the Eagles, Reagor was hurt last year, but he's played well lately in camp, and he'll almost certainly be the starter opposite DeVonta Smith.
13.4 Kenneth Gainwell -- I needed a fourth back, and Gainwell is having a nice camp. He'll have to beat out Boston Scott, but he was an excellent pass catcher in college.
14.9 Buccaneers Defense -- They're my No. 2 defense, and having a great offense will put them in good situations.
15.4 Kirk Cousins -- I won't play him unless Allen gets hurt (didn't realize until after the draft they have the same bye week), but he's valuable in a six-point-passing-TD league, and Allen puts himself in harm's way often.
16.9 Bills Kicker -- Tyler Bass has a huge leg, and this is a good offense.
17.4 49ers Defense -- The Buccaneers open against the Cowboys, while the Niners are playing at Detroit. The 49ers defense might be top-five in its own right too.
18.9 Donovan Peoples-Jones -- The second-year man is having a strong camp, and I don't trust Odell Beckham to stay healthy.
19.4 Qadree Ollison -- I had only four backs, and Ollison is probably second in line to the shaky Mike Davis for now
20.9 Kadarius Toney -- He's hurt and had COVID, but Kenny Golladay is dealing with a hamstring injury, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram are always hurt, and Toney was the team's dynamic first-round pick.
Roster By Position
QB Josh Allen
RB Ezekiel Elliott/Najee Harris
WR Allen Robinson/Robby Anderson/Jaylen Waddle
FLEX Travis Etienne
D Buccaneers
Bench: Jarvis Landry/Michael Pittman/Irv Smith/Jalen Reagor/Kenneth Gainwell/Kirk Cousins/49ers Defense/Donovan Peoples-Jones/Qadree Ollison/Kadarius Toney
