This article is part of our NFL Observations series.
Unfortunately we couldn't go to Vegas this year, for obvious reasons, so we did the Vegas draft remotely. It consisted of five 12-team non-PPR leagues with the league winners (determined in Week 14 and 15 playoffs) squaring off in a five-way battle for the most points and overall title in Week 16.
We start 1-QB, 2 RB, 3WR, 1-TE, 1-FLEX, team kicker and team defense. I picked fifth. Here are the results:
1.5 Nick Chubb -- This might be the earliest he's gone in any draft, but it's non-PPR, and he's among the favorites to lead the league in rushing yards and TDs. Chubb is one of the best early-down runners in the league, and the Browns made major upgrades on the offensive line and at head coach.
2.8 Jonathan Taylor -- Another "reach" even in non-PPR, but I love the talent, the offensive line and the upside. I expect the Colts to be run-heavy, and they didn't trade up to get him to make him Marlon Mack's backup for long.
3.5 Odell Beckham -- The reason you reach for backs early is receivers like Beckham are still available in Round 3. The Browns have a narrow tree, and Beckham's finally healthy this year.
4.8 DJ Chark -- He's in the Randy Moss/A.J. Green lineage -- tall, blazing fast, able to make big plays downfield. He's got little competition for targets, and the Jaguars could be throwing a lot this year.
5.5 Marquise Brown -- He's put on enough bulk to be a go-to No. 1 receiver in Year 2, and home run receivers can do well in non-PPR even without massive volume.
6.8 D'Andre Swift -- I'm concerned about his camp injury, but it's not considered serious, and I don't think Kerryon Johnson can hold up to the rigors of the NFL for long.
7.5 J.K. Dobbins -- He's behind Mark Ingram and maybe even Gus Edwards for now. But he's had a good camp, and there's no better place to be than alongside a running QB like Lamar Jackson.
8.8 CeeDee Lamb -- He's had a great camp and should see action right away in one of the league's top passing games.
9.5 Jerry Jeudy -- He was my fifth rookie in nine picks! Like Lamb, he's a massive prospect and having a great camp.
10.8 Tony Pollard -- He's the highest upside backup in the league and might even share more work with a healthy Ezekiel Elliott.
11.5 Jonnu Smith -- I needed a tight end, and Smith is potentially his team's No. 2 target. He's also having a strong camp.
12.8 Daniel Jones -- He and Joe Burrow are my go-tos when waiting on quarterback. Jones should be better in Year 2, has a better offensive line and his weapons are healthy at press time. Plus a terrible defense might land him in some shootouts.
13.5 Chris Herndon -- Another athletic, talented tight end getting buzz in camp.
14.8 Saints Kicker -- Wil Lutz is good, plays in a dome and for a good team.
15.5 Colts Defense -- They face the Jaguars Week 1 and should be better after signing DeForest Buckner this offseason.
16.8 Derek Carr -- I don't want Carr, but Daniel Jones gets the Steelers in Week 1, and Carr gets the Panthers, so I have my Week 1 QB.
Roster By Position
QB: Daniel Jones
RB: Nick Chubb/Jonathan Taylor
WR: Odell Beckham/DJ Chark/Marquise Brown
TE: Jonnu Smith
FLEX: D'Andre Swift
K: Saints
D: Colts
Bench: J.K. Dobbins/CeeDee Lamb/Jerry Jeudy/Tony Pollard/Chris Herndon/Derek Carr
