Sporting News Experts Mock Draft #2: Drafting from the 10 hole

This evening, my compatriots from Sporting News' Fantasy Source held our second mock draft of the 2013 preseason.  The first was documented in the SN annual Fantasy Guide (at your neighborhood newsstand now).  This one will be written about online in the next couple of days.

I drew the 10th overall pick in the 12-man draft.  Standard scoring, 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 DST starting lineup.  Here's what I did:

Pick 1.10: LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles.  Felt good about getting Shady this late.  Would have preferred CJ Spiller, who went at 1.09, but I'm OK with this.  For a fleeting moment, I thought Ray Rice might slide to me.  He went at 1.08.  FYI, A-Rod went on the next pick, the first QB selected.

Pick 2.3: Drew Brees, QB, Saints.  You know how I feel about having an elite QB at the top of my roster.  Brees is my fave.

Pick 3:10: Roddy White, WR, Falcons.  I feel good about Roddy as my WR1.  Several more dubious receiver picks left the board before him.  Not sure what to make of that.

Pick 4.3: Frank Gore, RB, 49ers.  It's hard to be competitive without a strong RB2.  Gore is a solid value here.

Pick 5.10: Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens.  He's The Man in Baltimore now. We'll see how that plays out.

Pick 6.3: Darren Sproles, RB, Saints.  The top 2 TEs were gone and I didn't like the selection at WR.  So I decided to shore up my RB corps.  Sproles obviously holds more value in PPR leagues, and it's hard to say for certain what the Saints' backfield is going to look like this season.

Pick 7.10:  Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers.  Was hoping either Witten or Gonzo would still be here; but alas, they disappeared a bit too soon.

Pick 8.3: Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys.  He still has some tread on the tires, right?  Should be a decent WR3.

Pick 9.10: Kenny Britt, WR, Titans.  What could go wrong?

Pick 10.3: Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers.  A starting RB in Round 10?  I dunno.  Maybe...

Pick 11.10: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Texans.  Watch this rookie.  He's going to soar up draft boards over the next several weeks.

Pick 12.3: Seahawks D/ST.  Got my top-rated unit in the 12th round.  Not too shabby.  They were the 2nd DST off the board, after the Niners.

Pick 13.10: Matt Schaub, QB, Texans.  Not sure why he keeps dropping so far.  The guy throws for 4,000 yards every year...  Awesome backup QB, if you ask me.  (Did you ask me?)

Pick 14.3:  Robert Turbin, RB, Seahawks.  If Beast Mode goes down, he'll get a shot.  I waited half a round too long to take Fred Jackson.

Pick 15.10: Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions.  Underachieving TE makes a decent backup.

Pick 16.3: Matt Prater, K, Broncos.  When you're at the end of the line, it's usually best to snag an elite kicker in the penultimate round before the run begins.  Chances are, the "flier" you're aiming for will still be there with the last pick and you're not left combing through the K dregs.  Prater is my top pick now that New England's offense is in a shambles.

Pick 17.10: Brandon Lloyd, WR, FA.  Hard to believe this guy was the #1 fantasy WR in the land three short years ago.  Wouldn't be surprised if he lands somewhere before the season begins.  Whether that will translate to a productive starting slot is another story.  Too bad the Pats

won't give him another chance.

There you have it.  Two more mocks coming up before we play for keeps!