Do's and Do Not's in NFL Fantasy League Drafts Part 1 of 3: QBs and RBs

I received an idea from Aaron last night, who is a fan of this blog and also of my sports page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peters-Sports-Page/294938580541992?ref=hl), his idea is that I should write about fantasy football, on who people should start and why.  Even though the NFL season is still a month away I am going to use this idea and write about the do’s and don’ts of fantasy football.

Today I will talk about players you should pick first, those being the Quarter Backs and Running Backs, this will be part one of three (Part two will be Tight Ends and Wide Receivers, and part three will be Defenses and Defense players, and yes also kickers)

Picking your first player:

Do’s: Quarterbacks and running backs are always a solid choice at the top spot.  Quarterbacks are always available in the fantasy drafts and free agency in the fantasy leagues; however it is important that you use one of your top two picks on a quarterback.   The NFL has become a pass happy league so a quarterback that is a top tier QB is a must, I will list below QBs to draft, and also ones to stay away from.

Draft:

Aaron Rodgers

Tom Brady

Eli Manning

Matthew Stafford

Drew Brees

Philip Rivers

Matt Schaub

Cam Newton

Tony Romo

Those listed above are QBs that I would definitely take in any draft, it may be a surprise that I did not list Michael Vick, but his health issues are worrisome, and he took a beating last year, this year could end being the same way.  He is someone that I would probably wait to take until mid or late rounds.  Peyton Manning is also a QB that I would shy away from right away, he could have issues throwing the ball this year, and he is on a new team.  However the names listed above are QBs that I would take in the first two to three rounds.

Do Not Draft:

Arizona Cardinals QBs- Kolb has health issues, and Skeleton was erratic at times last year)

Andrew Luck- Just because he was the number one draft choice this year in the NFL does not mean he should be yours as well, and he is going to be on a bad team.  He is worth picking up in free agency, but do not draft him.

Carson Palmer- The Raiders still do not have a true number one option at WR, and if McFadden cannot stay healthy this offense will struggle.

Seahawks QBs- Pete Carroll still has yet to pick a QB that will be a starter, don’t wait around to see who he chooses, if he does pick Flynn then take him in a lower round, or if he is not put as the starter until after your draft then get him in free agency.  I do not think Russell Wilson or Tavaris Jackson can get it done in the NFL.

Blaine Gabbert- He was all over the place last year, his play was bad, the team is still building, so don’t draft him.

Running backs that are of great status in the NFL are not of the same amount numbers they had been in years past.  Make sure you take one of the best in the NFL in the top two rounds.  Here are the RBs to take and the ones not to take:

Draft:

Arian Foster

Darren McFadden

Matt Forte

Marshawn Lynch

Frank Gore

Maurice Jones-Drew

Jamal Charles

LeSean McCoy

Ray Rice

Do Not Draft:

Adrian Peterson- Sorry, but the fact that is trying to come back from an ACL tear so fast worries me and that passing game in Minnesota is nothing to write home about.  The box will be stacked on him, and the line is still shaky to me, it could be an okay year for him, pick him up after the draft, but if you do draft him I would wait until a later round.

Brandon Jacobs- I still do not get why people would want to draft this guy, he is not the starter this year, and he will not be, he is Frank Gores back up.  If Frank Gore does go down pick him up, otherwise I do not think he is worth a pick.

Ryan Matthews- This guy was supposed to take over for Ladainian Tomlinson, but that has not turned out to well, I still do not trust him.  A good player to take after the draft if you need him.

Redskins Running Backs- The health issues at that spot last year were bad, even though I feel that they can all play very well I still think that it is a safe bet not to draft any of them.

Felix Jones- It was reported that he failed his conditioning test three days ago, not a good pick.

One last thing, DO NOT EVER draft a receiver, tight end, defensive player, or defense with your first pick, I have seen this happen, and it does not work out well.