Thought Process: Dynasty Draft Round 3

After selecting a corner stone for my running backs in Frank Gore and a corner stone for my wide receivers in Andre Johnson, I was left with plenty of options for my third choice in this new PPR IDP Dynasty League. The wide receiver run started the third round as five straight receivers were chosen.

3.01 Gang Green - Steve Smith (CAR- WR)
3.02 Cereal Killers- Terrell Owens (DAL-WR)
3.03 Crinkle Crinkle- Brandon Marshall (DEN-WR)
3.04 Bad News Kennels- TJ Houshmandzadeh (CIN- WR)
3.05 Go Cheeseheads!- Greg Jennings (GB- WR)
3.06 The Longest Yard- Brandon Jacobs (NYG- RB)

I was really hoping Brandon Marshall's, shall we say, "eventful" off-season would scare off any potential suitors. That wasn't the case as he was chosen at 3.03. With my #1 target taken I began surveying the remaining crop of players. The second tier of wide receivers I was facing were more or less rated the same and none of the options were all that awe inspiring to be honest. After some careful deliberation, I elected to concentrate on landing my second running back. The best available to me here were: Ronnie Brown, Laurence Maroney and rookie Jonathan Stewart

Ronnie Brown of the Dolphins was my initial choice. He's only 26 and looked every bit of a fantasy machine before being cut down early in the season with a torn ACL. Knowing he'd spend 2008 most likely splitting carries with Ricky Wiliams while he tried to regain his form was a major drawback.  Will his ACL injury linger?  Will he run with the same confidence?  Those were two big questions I decided I didn't want to wait for the answers to.

Laurence Maroney of the Patriots showed what kind of running back he could be toward the end of the season and in the playoffs but his role seems to be ever changing on the team and I just wasn't sure I could trust Bill Belichick to utilize Maroney's consistently enough to warrant him being my RB2.  The Pats rarely used Maroney on passing downs knocking his PPR value and Maroney himself is no stranger to injuries.  This was a case of too many negatives and not enough positives.

Jonathan Stewart, the rookie running back from the Panthers, is an intriguing prospect that looks like he'll be a surefire top ten running back in the near future. He showed above average receiving skills in college which is a major plus in this PPR league. John Fox loves to run the ball and like Mike Mayock, I truly felt that Jonathan Stewart was the best prospect in this years draft.

I'll admit that this was a bit of a gamble selecting a rookie who has yet to see an NFL field to be my RB2, but in my mind this pick is all about upside.  And JStew as I'll affectionately call him has all the tools to succeed.  

With pick 3.07, The EndzoneView selected:
Jonathan Stewart, RB Carolina Panthers

Ronnie Brown coincidentally followed my selection, which was followed by three receivers and a somewhat perplexing third round selection of Earnest Graham.   

3.08 NWA- Ronnie Brown (MIA- RB)
3.09 Stifler- Wes Welker (NE- WR)
3.10 Ace n the Hoe- Torry Holt (STL- WR)
3.11 ChuckNorrisApproves- Earnest Graham (TB- RB)
3. 12 Strike Force- Anquan Boldin (ARI- WR)