Quarterback in First Round: Aaron Rodgers as 1st Pick or Lesean McCoy

In recent mock drafts Aaron Rodgers has been going as the third pick. If I had the third pick I would take LeSean McCoy. I believe it is essential to not miss out on the points McCoy is predicted to bring you. The draft I examined and the situation I am writing for is in a twelve team league. My predicted points are from ESPN, and the mock draft is from http://www.fantasyfootballcalculator.com

If I take Aaron Rodgers with the third pick I have to wait 18 picks for my second pick to occur. That is quite unfortunate. In that time 10 running backs will be taken, which totals 12 if you count Foster and Rice. They went as the first and second pick. By the time my second pick happens statistically the best runningback is Jamal Charles. Rodgers will no doubt have a stellar year in Green Bay. Jamal Charles should also have a good year. However you  have to ask yourself what type of year Jamal Charles is going to have coming off an injury and how much time will he be splitting with the other backs in Kansas City.

Aaron Rodgers 381

Jamal Charles 186

Total Points: 567

The combination of Jamal Charles and Aaron Rodgers is 567 points. This is not terrible, however I am about to show you the benefit in taking a running back with your first pick.

If you take LeSean McCoy with the third pick you are grabbing yourself an elite runningback. McCoy is in the top 5 runningbacks for predicted points. He is going to have a good year. The Eagles have him as a key piece in their offense. By taking McCoy with the third pick your are filling an essential spot on your fantasy team. It is key to have a starting running back, McCoy being is the top 5 just sweetens the deal. I would take Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson, Lynch all later in the round. If LeSean McCoy is my first fantasy pick I'm happy. In the second round I then take Matt Stafford. Stafford goes 23^rd in the mock draft, I would be able to get him with the 22^nd pick. Matt Stafford plays in the pass happy Detroit Lions offense, and has a great weapon in Calvin Johnson. He has the leagues leading point producing wideout.

LeSean McCoy 245

Matt Stafford 338

Total Points:583

Matt Stafford and LeSean McCoy will net you 583 points. Aaron Rodgers and Jamal Charles net you 567 points. With the mock drafts standing how they do right now, not taking a running back with the third pick results in 12 running backs being off the draft board before you take your first. Aaron Rodgers is no doubt going to have a great year, however I would advise drafting a strong running back and trying to get a quarterback in the second round before burning up a top five draft pick on a quarterback in the first. The difference in points between the two duos is 16 points. Those points can be key in the long run. I truly believe the benefit of taking McCoy instead of Rodgers is ensuring yourself a decent running game. Jamal Charles may have a stellar year, he could prove all the predictions and calculations I just did to be wrong. Rodgers and Charles may out do McCoy and Stafford, however if I draft Stafford and McCoy instead of Rodgers and Charles I will feel like I made the more beneficial decision at the draft. I believe Stafford and McCoy will result in a higher point combination.