May 13, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of a NFL football at organized team activities at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a full 3 months till Fantasy Football draft season is in full effect. I like to refer to the period between the end of the NFL Draft through the first Pre Season game as the “Dark Ages”. I spend this time trying to make training camp and OTA’s keep me sane. But, this is also the time I start prepping for one of my favorite days of the year. Draft Day!

So, to spread it out, I’ll take each position and give my personal take on where I think they belong. Keep in mind, with Training Camp, injuries and Pre Season these will change by the time the regular season starts. Last year I drafted a QB in the first round in 3 of 4 leagues (Brady, Brady & Brees). I was in the final in all 3 leagues. Of the league I didn’t (Ryan) I finished 3rd. It’s backwards thinking n terms of “traditional” fantasy drafting, but I’ve always felt that in both fantasy and reality, you build your team around your QB.

1. Peyton Manning- One of the best to ever play the game only got better with the addition of Welker & Ball.

2. Aaron Rodgers- They added the best RBs in the draft to open up the passing lanes.

3. Drew Brees- Their biggest problem was their Defense. The return of Sean Payton & addition of Rob Ryan will help.

4. Cam Newton- He was one of the best fantasy QBs in the second half of last season. This’ll carry over.

5. Tom Brady- Because he’s Tom Brady. Only slipped due to the departure of Welker.

6. Collin Kaepernick- He fooled me on so many plays last year……as I was watching him on TV. Oh, and adding Boldin will only help.

7. Robert Griffin III- Can he be next year’s AP? I think so, as long as he can stay healthy.

8. Russell Wilson- He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder. He has a whole bag. Cool Ranch I think. Plays like a man on fire.

9. Matt Ryan- This is the year Manning, Brees, Rodgers & Brady let him sit at their table. Retaining Gonzalez and adding Steven Jackson. Topped with two of the league’s best WRs. Any?’s

10. Andrew Luck- Learning a new offense might stump a lesser QB. He’ll be like a snow ball building momentum throughout the season.

11. Matthew Stafford- Reggie Bush will help, but C. Johnson can’t do it all on his own.

12. Michael Vick- Have you seen a Chip Kelly offense? Lightning fast! Plus they’ve beefed up their O line to keep Vick healthy.

13. Eli Manning- The loss of Bennett will hurt. Plus they need to get Cruz under wraps.

14. Jay Cutler- Brandon Marshall didn’t have over 1,500 yards last year for nothing. Plus he now has a TE (see 13)

15. Andy Dalton- Green, Gresham and now Eifert. This is the year he steps up big.

I’m sure you’re wondering why Blaine Gabbert isn’t on this list. And for good reason. I’m a Jaguars fan first, but I’m also a realist. The best cast scenario, no matter how far fetched it may seem, would be to have Denard Robinson start the year as a RB, then have the Jags try him at QB. He’d have the very uncommon QB/RB label that can be plugged in as either (remember Joe Webb  QB/WR a couple of years ago?). Hey, it could happen. Unlikely, but a possibility. Feel free to comment back or if you’d like to better understand my rationalization.

-Jason Abarca

May 3, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Denard Robinson (29) carries the ball during a rookie minicamp held at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

The Man Crush. It’s the feeling we get when we think a dude is really cool. A sense of admiration or appreciation for a particular trait or skill set. David Caldwell hasn’t hidden his feelings for Denard Robinson. It’s public knowledge that he’s followed his collegiate career for some time. And the Jaguars, in particular Caldwell, seem more excited about their 5th round pick above all others. Although I’d have to guess Gus Bradley is equally excited about their number 2 pick, Johnathan Cyprian. Caldwell recently stated in an interview that the Jags would like to get Robinson 10 – 15 snaps per game. This gets me excited. Any kind of action is good, be it touches, looks or returns can only raise his stock.

Robinson keeps getting associated with “Dynasty” leagues, but it could be sooner rather than later he’s mentioned as a Flex or RB2. Although it might not seem promising for the future of MJD, it could be for the future of the Jaguars and Fantasy Footballers alike.  Robinson is a football player.  His position will get sorted out in time, but if he’s getting 10-15 snaps a game then that may happen sooner rather than later.

-Jason Abarca

Dec 24, 2011; Nashville, TN, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jaguars 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

“Luck is what happens when preparation and opportunity meet” -Seneca

Tell that to the guy that lost by a fraction of a point to miss his Fantasy Playoffs. Or how you felt about the guy or girl that took Adrian Peterson in the first round and rode his talents all the way to 1st place. But, the reality is, the ones that constantly win year in and year out are the ones that prepare and know there stuff.

Here we start with the Jacksonville Jaguars current roster and how their draft will affect Fantasy Football.

Quarterback: The reality is, you’re not drafting any Jaguars QB on your Fantasy team this year. With the exception of Matt Scott. And that’s only if you’re in a Dynasty League. The QB play in Jacksonville has got to get get better and has a negative effect on the rest of the team. Not only in reality, but fantasy as well. With the exception of…

Running Back: If you throw out last year’s injury plagued season, Maurice Jones-Drew is an elite Fantasy Stud. With the exception of a playoff spot (let’s be honest, not gonna happen), he has everything to play for. This is a contract year for MJD, and he already stated he won’t be sitting out. I’m sure he knows if he has a solid year this could be his last “big” payday of his career. You add the Jags #1 pick, OT Luke Joeckel, plus poor QB play and you’ve got a man that’ll be given multiple touches behind a solid Offensive line driven to succeed. Justin Forsett and Denard Robinson have the potential to be waiver wire gems if MJD gets hurt. And I’d keep a watchful eye on Robinson during OTAs and preseason. He could make for an intriguing Dynasty prospect.

Wide Receiver: Even with poor QB play, Justin Blackmon (don’t get me started) and Cecil Shorts did well enough to eventually earn an early to mid season Fantasy roster spot. Look for Cecil Shorts to be a decent late round pick up. Blackmon’s 4 game suspension will get him taken off most Fantasy draft boards. If you’re in a league that counts return yardage, Ace Sanders has the explosiveness to be a late round sleeper. Jordan Shipley and Mohamed Massaquoi will likely be non factors from a fantasy perspective.

Tight End: A mere two seasons ago Marcedes Lewis was drafted well before the likes of Jimmy Graham or Rob Gronkowski. My how times have changed. Depending on how the season goes, Lewis will more than likely only be used as a bye week plug and play…maybe.

Defense/Special Teams: While the addition of Johnathan Cyprian and Dwayne Gratz will move us in the right direction, the Jaguars have a ways to go. Gus Bradley’s defensive genius may warrant you to use them in the match up game. But I’d wait to see how the season progresses.

Kicker: Awe yes, the kicker. Remember what Seneca said about planning and opportunity. Yes, it defines luck. Say the guy that lost by a fraction of a point had a solid kicker A solid kicker is often the difference between winning or losing. In reality or fantasy football. Josh Scobee is a good kicker, but not a great kicker worth drafting. As a team, the Jags have to consistently prove they can drive the ball down the field to get Scobee back to greatness.

Feel free to chime in. I’m looking forward to contributing to this Thursday spot. I have a passion for Jaguar and Fantasy Football and will be weighing in on both.

-Jason Abarca