By Jeff Andriesse & Greg Fox
July 28, 2008

Having already completed Rounds 1 through 5 of their hotly anticipated Fantasy Football Mock Draft, the guys at Rotowhine decided to build the suspense for Rounds 6-10 by waiting nearly a month in between. What follows is the result of thousands of hours doing no research whatsoever. In fact, Jeff and Greg are likely to discuss more baseball and basketball than football in the below prose. Fear not however - this analysis comes with a sheen of expertise as Jeff won the championship in all three of his leagues last year and Greg… well, Greg also owns a computer and can get on the internet. Enjoy.

Picks based on a standard league starting 1 quarterback, 2 running backs, 2 receivers, 1 tight end, 1 kicker and 1 team defense.

THE ROTOWHINE.COM 2008 FANTASY FOOTBALL MOCK DRAFT, MACH I, PART II

ROUND 6

51. Plaxico Burress, NYG
Jeff: Always a fun name to call off ever since Uncle Vito pronounced it ‘Plaxio Burgess’. We haven’t stopped giggling over this. Plax has the tendency to explode for monster numbers on any given Holy Day but can just as easily disappear as he relishes the role of decoy just a bit too much to be relied on. Injuries are always a factor, but on pure ability alone he is a terrific No. 2 fantasy wideout who should have an improved rapport this season with Eli Manning.

52. Greg Jennings, GB
Greg: Speaking of rapport, Jennings developed a good one last season with Brett Favre. Even with Favre weeping at the podium for likely another final season somewhere else, Jennings should remain the Packers’ premier receiving threat with an improving Aaron Rodgers under center. I don’t think Uncle Vito can butcher this name, but he could be a steal in the sixth round.

53. Donovan McNabb, PHI
Jeff: My legs get a little wobbly when I think of how good McNabb is when he’s healthy and the Eagles are going well offensively. Fantasy owners will kick at his tires in the middle rounds and probably pass on him, but keep in mind he’s entering the season with minimal health issues. He might actually be a nice value pick at this point. He tore his ACL two years ago, so he should be full recovered from that and able to run around more.

54. Thomas Jones, NYJ
Greg: A starting running back could not have had a worse season than Jones in ‘07, yet he racked up more than 1,100 yards on over 300 carries. True, his one measly touchdown is an absolute joke, typically negotiated on Jeff or myself, but TDs are tough to predict. I’m expecting a bit of a bounce back, rendering his owners a decent third back in the sixth round.

55. Kellen Winslow, CLE
Jeff: With two straight 16-game seasons, it is time to officially move Winslow off the “injury prone” blacklist. Eighty-two catches and over 1,100 yards is hard to ignore for a tight end, and if he gets in the end zone a few more times (he scored 5 TDs in ‘07) this is potentially the best fantasy tight end in the game.

56. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
Greg: I’ve been a believer in Big Ben in real life since his early days and now I am a believer in him in the more important world of fantasy. Thirty-four touchdowns overall in 15 games warrants serious consideration in this spot. The once run happy offense was opened up by Mike Tomlin last season and there doesn’t appear to be a reason for him to change his approach. Roethlisberger is a terrific QB with outstanding weapons at his disposal.

57. Roy Williams, DET
Jeff: Mr. Roy has been an enigma wrapped in a riddle wrapped in a flour tortilla and served over rice the last few years, and I can’t help but think it is almost time for lunch. Long one of the most talented pass catchers in the NFL, Williams is entering a contract year, has the equally gifted Calvin Johnson on the other side and remains an acrobatic receiver often looked to in the red zone. A bounce-back year is in the cards.

58. Santonio Holmes, PIT
Greg: I debated Mr. Roy at pick 56, but top QBs are now scarce. The speedy Holmes looks like the real deal, and with the aging but solid Hines Ward on the opposite side, Holmes should flourish. He totaled 942 yards and eight TDs in only 13 games a year ago, numbers he should easily surpass in a healthy season.

59. Jonathan Stewart, CAR
Jeff: The first-round pick out of Oregon was brought in to punish, and punish he should. While the criminally disappointing DeAngelo Williams is slated to start in Sweet Caroline, Stewart is your goal-line guy with potential to usurp Williams by midseason if he gets off to a good start. If you believe in the Panthers this year, take Stewart and hope for a Stephen Davis clone, circa 2003.

60. Tony Gonzalez, KC
Greg: I could have sworn that Gonzalez was 33 years old last season, but he heads into the 2008 campaign at only 32. All he did in ‘07 was register 99 catches for 1,172 yards and five TDs, which ranked him just behind Jason Witten among tight ends. He’s been a sure-fire bet for 11 years, and despite some questions about his quarterback, year 12 should be no different.

ROUND 7

61. Marvin Harrison, IND
Jeff: Marvin is on his fantasy deathbed but he might be able to hold on for another season of productivity. He will remain a starter and give a little quarter to Anthony Gonzalez. Still, the former annual second-round pick is one fellow you do not want to bet against. I’ve never wanted Harrison, yet he was always better than my receivers. This might be the year he surprises people. Marvin Harrison in the seventh round - what’s next, man walking on the sun?

62. Roddy White, ATL
Greg: Does you think that man will walk on the sun? At least in the winter, when the sun is cold? White may be a bit of a stretch in the seventh round, but my instinct tells me that despite a running attack featuring Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood, the Falcons will often be forced to air it out. White is a true talent and has become the team’s top offensive threat. He should at least match his numbers (83 catches, 1,202 yards, 6 TDs) from last year.

63. Eli Manning, NYG
Jeff: The price to pay for someone with 20 picks last year shouldn’t be a seventh-rounder, but Eli Manning will likely go earlier thanks to his Super Bowl win and subsequent buzz. If you believe Manning is ready to put some distance between his TDs and INTs, by all means draft him here with confidence. He should take the next step in his development, which means he’s a possible No. 1 fantasy QB.

64. Kevin Jones, CHI
Greg: The former Detroit starter is now apparently a Bear and I’d be surprised if he didn’t claim the starting job at some point. He has the other Adrian Peterson and rookie Matt Forte to contend with, but Jones has a solid track record. The Chicago offensive line struggled all year in ‘07 and Cedric Benson couldn’t break a tackle from either of the Olson twins, but this isn’t a bad spot to take the risk on the injury prone Jones. Just don’t forget to handcuff him to Forte.

65. Kevin Smith, DET
Jeff: The rookie Smith has only Tatum Bell to beat out this preseason for the starting running back job in Detroit. Why anyone would want that job, or to draft the guy who gets it, is beyond us, but you never know. A potential starting running back at this juncture is worth taking both a flier and a flyer on. Smith has the kind of name that could sneak by fantasy owners not paying attention this preseason.

66. Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG
Greg: I can’t believe how good this guy is in real life. He’ll probably start the year getting about a third of the carries, but when the inevitable injury to Brandon Jacobs strikes, you’ll have at least a #2 running back on your hands. In a very small sample in ‘07, Bradhsaw rambled for 8.3 yards per carry. In the postseason, he was way more productive than Jacobs and Tom Coughlin took notice. He’ll be a fun one to own.

67. Dwayne Bowe, KC
Jeff: Bowe did a nice job as the No. 1 receiver in Kansas City despite being a rookie in a sluggish offense. Natural progression in year two could lead to 1,110 yards and 6-8 scores, not unrealistic expectations for the talented Bowe, who has the size to make a difference in the red zone. We’ll see if Brodie Croyle can get him the ball.

68. Santana Moss, WAS
Greg: Moss can’t seem to stay on the field, which is a shame because he is one of the league’s most dangerous receivers when he is. Last year’s disappointing numbers are a bit of a mirage because of myriad injuries, but the speedy Moss picked it up down the stretch with 261 yards and two scores over the final three weeks. With the strong-armed Jason Campbell under center, a season of 1,200 yards and 6-8 TDs should be on the way.

69. Calvin Johnson, DET
Jeff: Mike Martz is no longer in Detroit, but the Lions should still need to pass often. Johnson and Roy Williams present a nightmare scenario for opposing secondaries when both players are healthy. It’s quite possible they could both be solid fantasy plays this year, and in the case of Johnson the sky seems to be the limit. It’s a matter of time before he breaks out. Might as well roll the dice on him here.

70. Fred Taylor, JAX
Greg: The ageless and now durable Taylor keeps rolling right along and will again be the starting back for Jacksonville. With one of the league’s top offensive lines in front of him, he should again amass over 1,000 yards and about a half dozen scores. Teammate Maurice Jones-Drew should put up the better fantasy totals, but Taylor will continue to be an adequate enough third back for your team.

ROUND 8

71. LenDale White, TEN
Jeff: Somebody has to start in Tennessee, and LenDale White is the man despite doing everything in his power to blow his chance this offseason. White has a balky knee, about 50 citations from Denver police and rookie Chris Johnson nipping at his heels. Still, the season opener is a long way away, and chances are White will be in the clear and running in the trenches for the Titans. As with the Tennessee RB situation every year, be prepared for fluctuation and uncertainty.

72. DeAngelo Williams, CAR
Greg: Williams played behind DeShaun Foster most of last season, which proved to be a mistake on John Fox’s part. With Foster now gone, Williams, who finished the year with 717 yards rushing on a whopping 5.0 yards per carry, has probably cemented his status as the starter. The downside is that the Panthers selected a rather large back named Jonathan Stewart in the first round, who will not only steal touches but will also get the calls at the goal line. Nevertheless, Williams should be good for 1,000 yards and 6-8 scores, decent numbers for your third running back.

73. Justin Fargas, OAK
Jeff: When the Raiders snagged Darren McFadden with the No. 4 pick in the draft, the Oakland backfield became a mess. McFadden will be showcased, but he isn’t an every-down carrier. Fargas is better suited to be the main guy and was actually really good last year in a surprise full-time role. This could be similar to a Reggie Bush-Deuce McAllister situation from recent seasons, with McFadden getting the ball on short passes and reverses and Fargas running between the tackles. Either way, Fargas should be owned as a useful bye week replacement against the right matchups, but nothing more unless McFadden is a bust.

74. Lee Evans, BUF
Greg: Following a monster 2006 campaign, Evans was a highly drafted dud last season. He failed to crack the 1000-yard mark and had trouble getting on the same page with QB Trent Edwards. With a new offensive coordinator and a highly regarded second-round pick on the opposite flank, Evans may revert to form. Temper your expectations, but this could be a steal at this juncture of the draft.

75. Hines Ward, PIT
Jeff: The countdown has begun. In the last four years, Ward has played in 16, 15, 14 and finally 13 games in 2007, a concerning trend for a 32-year-old in the NFL. Add in the fact that he had offseason knee surgery and the red flags are overwhelming. But Ward is tough as can be and it would be foolhardy to bet against him contributing this season. He still managed seven scores in 13 games last year, and if he’s healthy in Pittsburgh’s far more open offense, he could easily give you 1,000 yards and eight or nine touchdowns.

76. Chris Cooley, WAS
Greg: The pickins are getting slim at the tight end position and Cooley is one of the few top tier ones remaining. After a slow start to the ‘07 season, he came on like gangbusters to finish with 786 yards and eight touchdowns. With the offensive-minded Jim Zorn now at the helm, Cooley should at least duplicate if not exceed last year’s totals. Buy with confidence.

77. Donald Driver, GB
Jeff: Driver dipped to just two TDs last year and that will probably account for him falling this far in drafts. There’s a good chance he will rebound nicely this year if he can click with Aaron Rodgers. Up there in age but entering a contract year, Driver is a risky every-week starter. But as a No. 3 wide receiver, he has the track record and the talent to be more than just a band-aid. He’s the all-time leader in 6-150 games when you least expect it.

78. Jerious Norwood, ATL
Greg: The Falcons could have quite a two-headed monster on their hands as the incumbent Norwood and newcomer Michael Turner will likely share the workload in the backfield. Turner is as rough and tumble as they come, but has never had steady work after playing behind LDT in San Diego. Norwood is one of the shiftiest backs in the business and should post decent RB #3 numbers, even on a part-time basis.

79. Jay Cutler, DEN
Jeff: Did you ever think you’d be at a point in your life where you’d write a dead serious paragraph about Jerious Norwood? What has gotten into us? Moving along, Cutler has some weapons at his disposal in Brandon Marshall, Darrell Jackson and Brandon Stokley so he should put his rifle arm to good use. Denver will run first but Cutler’s 3,497 yards and 20 TDs in his first full season is a harbinger that bodes well for future omens.

80. Vincent Jackson, SD
Greg: I think Cutler’s 20 TDs bodes sideways. As for Jackson, his overall numbers in ‘07 were less than pedestrian, but it is somewhat deceiving. The guy is an absolute thoroughbred and down the stretch of the regular season and playoffs he was the Chargers’ go-to guy, even with Chris Chambers and a banged up Antonio Gates on the field. He may be available a few rounds later in your drafts, but for his upside alone he’s worth grabbing this early.

ROUND 9

81. Bernard Berrian, MIN
Jeff: Nobody will mistake the Vikings for an offense that can move the ball through the air, but if they are going to launch it downfield while eight or more behemoths crowd the box to stop Adrian Peterson, Berrian might as well be the recipient of the Hail Marys. He was brought in to provide a legit deep threat for Tarvaris Jackson. Combine some growth as a signal-caller from Jackson and the balmier weather in the Metrodome compared to Chicago and Berrian could enjoy a nice little season.

82. Todd Heap, BAL
Greg: Probably the last of the elite fantasy tight ends, Heap will be undervalued following an injury-riddled ‘07 campaign. A healthy Heap is good for 70+ catches, 850+ yards and 8 TDs. The Ravens may no longer have the same painfully boring, grind-it-out offense that their faithful have endured for the past decade. They have a new offensive coordinator in Cam Cameron, who will look for different ways to get the sure-handed Heap the ball.

83. San Diego Defense
Jeff: As we enter the ninth round of the draft, chances are you have your skill players chosen with a few good backups. If the remaining QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs make you queasy, it might be time to start considering team defenses. Granted, a few schlubs in your league will have undoubtedly started a run by now, probably in the 5th or 6th round, but they are foolish. Especially this year. There are about a half dozen defenses that could be ranked No. 1 this preseason. The Chargers are loaded with athletic playmakers and provided fantasy owners with tremendous stats in ‘07. The team’s schedule looks relatively weak as well, featuring out-of-division games against Miami, Buffalo, Atlanta and Tampa Bay.

84. Ahman Green, HOU
Greg: If he ever steps on the field in ‘08 he does so as the Texans’ starting running back, typically impossible to find this late in the draft. Green was at one time an outstanding all-around back, but injuries have destroyed his career. The good news is that there isn’t nearly as much mileage on his body as compared to most 31-year old running backs, so his owners can conceivably get five or six solid games out of him.

85. Ricky Williams, MIA
Jeff: Ah, Ah. Green. I could explain to the world why that is funny, but it will take too long. Speaking of funny, Ricky Williams is a candidate to get a lot of carries in Miami. With Ronnie Brown coming off a torn ACL and questionable to start the season, Williams could indeed be the man early in the year. If he gets off to a great start there’s no reason for Miami to push Brown to return right away. It is time to start handcuffing your RBs and Williams is one with upside who is used to handcuffs.

86. Kevin Curtis, PHI
Greg: Curtis quietly posted 77 catches for 1,100 yards and six TDs last season for the Eagles, ranking behind only T.O. in the NFC in receptions and yards. A healthy Donovan McNabb combined with the fact that defenses will be keying on Brian Westbrook, and the undervalued Curtis should remain a busy man.

87. Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ
Jeff: I’m fond of guys who go off for 162 yards in random weeks, even though I never start them when they do. Cotchery’s stats will probably end up pedestrian but every once in a while he blows up, making him a terrific bye-week replacement wideout if you play your cards right. Cotchery’s pitiful ‘07 total of two TDs will scare folks away this year. It’s an anomaly that should correct itself into the 5-7 range.

88. David Garrard, JAX
Greg: We’re quickly running out of quality quarterbacks, and while Garrard is no sure thing, he may be the best of the lot. He has a big arm, good accuracy, and looked terrific after earning the starting job last season. The Jaguars like to run the ball, and why wouldn’t they with Fred Taylor, MJD and a huge offensive line in tow, but Garrard was able to take advantage of these tools to record 18 TDS with only three picks in 12 games.

89. Jeremy Shockey, NO
Jeff: The volatile Shockey should be ecstatic to join a Saints offense that likes to throw. By the same token, Drew Brees must be equally stoked to have another target who should open things up even more so he doesn’t have to dump it to Reggie Bush for 2 yards on every other down. This has the makings of a good situation if Shockey could only stay healthy. There’s the rub.

90. Chris Chambers, SD
Greg: I just witnessed Apollo Creed’s trainer, sporting a geri curl, in an episode of Good Times. Chambers rounds out one of the top receiving troikas in the league as he joins Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson in San Diego. This is the year Phillip Rivers sinks or swims as the Chargers’ QB. If Rivers is a fish, expect the acrobatic Chambers to register over 1,000 yards with a half dozen TDs.

ROUND 10

91. New England Defense
Jeff: The Patriots boast a pretty easy schedule and a defense that can take chances because their offense will always be a TD or two ahead. While Asante Samuel, their top playmaker, is gone, this remains an elite defense. Adalius Thomas and Richard Seymour should provide more bang for the buck and Jerod Mayo injects some youth into the linebacking corps. New England’s schedule features games against Kansas City, San Francisco, St. Louis, Oakland and Arizona.

92. Brett Favre, GB
Greg: This choice may seem ridiculous, but wherever Favre ends up he will be a starting quarterback. America’s favorite retiree was one of the top seven or eight QBs a year ago, and who remaining on the QB list would you rather put your faith in? The position is as scarce as it has been in years and he could end up a steal in this spot.

93. Chester Taylor, MIN
Jeff: If you take Adrian Peterson you might want to grab Taylor a lot earlier than this. I tend to ponder things like: how the hell do running backs NOT tear all of their ligaments on every run? Somehow they don’t. Still, if I invested a top 3 pick on Adrian Peterson I’d sleep a lot easier with Taylor in the fold.

94. Darren Sproles, SD
Greg: On that note, LDT owners need to consider Sproles a round or two earlier. Did anyone see this guy last year? He’s about five-foot two, he’s built like a cinder block and i can’t imagine what it must be like trying to tackle him. The Chargers drafted another back in the third round, but I’d be shocked if Sproles didn’t get first crack upon a Tomlinson injury.

95. Nate Burleson, SEA
Jeff: We recommended drafting Matt Hasselbeck in the fifth round but we have yet to give him anyone to throw to. Deion Branch is hurt, D.J. Hackett is on to Carolina and Bobby Engram is 35 years old and at a contract impasse that is making him testy. That leaves Burleson, who scored nine times in 2007 and with a full-time role could easily break the 1,000-yard barrier. In case you didn’t know, Greg, 1,000 yards, no matter how many games or downs you played or what kind of team you played on, is a rock-solid argument for or against a player’s greatness.

96. Marc Bulger, STL
Greg: Bulger has gone in the top five rounds of fantasy drafts the past two years. He disappointed his owners last season with a putrid 11 touchdowns and 15 picks in another injury-plagued campaign. Yes, this poor slob has taken an absolute beating the past few years. But with an improved offensive line and better health, there is no reason why Bulger can’t revert to form in what should be a wide-open offense.

97. Dallas Clark, IND
Jeff: An 11-TD gem of a season turned in by Clark last year solidifies him as a No. 1 tight end in 2008. While he is a lower-tier No. 1 option, he’s a great choice here in the 10th once the top TEs are off the board. He caught 58 balls last year, and the return of Marvin Harrison and the emergence of Anthony Gonzalez will probably cut into that a little bit.

98. Laveranues Coles, NYJ
Greg: The reliable Coles will always be good for about 80 catches, 1,100 yards and eight TDs, but he consistently gets drafted later than he should. Well on his way to these totals a year ago, he was sidetracked by injury and appeared in only 11 games. Take running backs in the early rounds and corral the not so sexy Coles in the 10th.

99. Rashard Mendenhall, PIT
Jeff: Expected to contribute in his rookie season, the No. 23 pick Mendenhall will see touches as a complimentary back to Willie Parker. What this means will play out over the course of the season, as Parker still gets his share of goal-line carries. However, Mendenhall is the power runner of the two and could solidify that role. Either way, Mendenhall is worth drafting as insurance at least.

100. Jake Delhomme, CAR
Greg: I know I’m beating a dead horse, but the quarterback position is brutal this season. Delhomme is solid and before last season’s devastating elbow injury he had tossed eight TDs in just three games. With Steve Smith leading the receiving corps and an improved running game, I can see Delhomme coming through with a 25-TD season. Keep an eye on the health of his elbow in training camp as he is coming off of TJ surgery.