The BIDL I draft is wrapping up today, with some potential minor adjustments tomorrow.  The BIDL II draft is into the late second round and will finish on Saturday.

I have teams in both leagues and have to admit have two different strategies.

I had the first pick in the BIDL I league and needed to improve some weak areas.  There were a few glaring needs tt needed to be addressed.

The first choice was Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns.  This was pretty much a national consensus pick.  If you go to various sources and review the exclusive rookie drafts, Trent Richardson is the first pick.  Now QB picks are very important, most national rookie drafts have Luck and RGIII going in the second, third or fourth pick, with another RB going within the top four.

The second choice, first pick in the second round went to Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami.  This was pretty much a requirement, a preference to Brandon Weeden, however he was already picked and this was before Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle had his third preseason game.  At the time of the pick, I had one starting QB on my roster and two potential backup QBs.  The idea that last year the two current backup QBs were starting.  A lot can change over the course of one off season.  Now if Skelton wins the starting position, it improves my starting QB options.

The third pick, first pick in the third round was Jacob Tamme, TE, Denver.  This is a veteran free agent pick.  There had not been many veteran free agents selected.  Antonio Gates is the starting TE, but, he has had a tendency of injury the past few years.  Peyton Manning and Jacob Tamme had a very good season in 2010.  This is my TE insurance pick.  He is rated or ranked in the top 9 to 12 TEs in this year's draft.  I will need a TE for a bye week.

The fourth pick was a swing for the fences type pick.  Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins.  He had a monster game in the preseason and hit the market.  Now, I would say close to no one knew who this player was August 1st.  Washington has a group of runners who have had levels of success, but, they have also been injured.

So, a weak team that had their share of injuries last year, has addressed a major weakness and supplied players who can help if necessary and can get better for games later in the season and future years.

This draft appears more about a draft for a team that had a winning record, but got lucky to get the first pick in the draft.

The BIDL II draft started with a 7th pick in the draft and David Wilson, RB, New York Giants was the best available running back.  He could provide some playing time in 2012, but, expectations for future years is much higher.

The second pick, 7th in the second round was Josh Morgan, WR, Cleveland.  Again, this player is a player who might contribute later in this year and has a potential upside in future years.

When you have 28 players on a roster, with 6 defensive starters and their bench possibly going another three and four players, quality depth development is one technique to maintain a winning team.

A Peyton Manning injury handicap this team last year, however Big Ben, Pittsburgh coming off the bench helped.  Last year two rookie QBs drafted or taken in free agency, now provide a surprising strength and depth at this position, since Peyton Manning is healthy and now all four QBs are starting.  Again, one off season and just looking at starting QBs, it is interesting how these two roster changed and impacted their drafts.

Now some teams in the BIDL I league have decided not to make selections later in the draft.  This could be due to scheduling problems, which gave them designated selections. It could be that drafting later in the rounds these last year playoff teams don't need late round rookie picks or veteran free agents to supplement their aleady richly talented rosters.

Another team in BIDL I, Team Baki, RGV, had the third pick in the draft.

1. RGIII, QB, Washington, this was not a need pick, however, it was obviously the best player on the board and either he has a future as a key player or another team will make an effort to acquire this QB or a backup QB from this roster.

2. Brian Quick, WR, St. Louis, this is the fourth WR selected in the draft.  The hope is that he develops into a primary WR for this team.

3. Reuben Randle, WR, New York, Giants, who could become the third WR for the Giants and developmental into something special in future years.

4. Rob Bironas, PK, Tennessee, was selected because last year's starting kicker was waived in the past week.  The idea of picking up a veteran kicker in the draft instead of waiting for free agency.

Again, this team has some high quality starters and some surprising depth on their roster prior to the draft.  These picks provide good depth and one starting kicker.  This team should have no problem making the playoffs, if there is not injury.  The teams previous owner left the league unexpectedly during the season and left a very nice roster to give a new member a very nice opportunity to compete.

WE have had trades in both leagues and different teams have changed their starting lineups and backup rosters impressively.  It is interesting how various members address their teams in both keeper leagues.  Both drafts and some summarization of the completed drafts should be available sometime next week.

Thanks Ram.. Being a new member in both leagues it is good to get the perspectives and feedback of other owners

There are various ways individuals address the rookie and free agent draft.  The players I selected, with the exception of Trent Richardson were a combination of the best player on the board that fit my team need or the best player on the board.  It seemed that another member always seems to pick the player I want one or two picks prior to my selection and I sometimes have a second thought on the player I am picking.  The problem is the member who picks after me, usually ends up picking the alternate player I was considering.

Now, without looking at the various teams rosters, a member on the BIDL II selected two RBs with his first two rounds.  If you look at the breakout that Doc provided from the first two rounds, less the last pick, one member parlayed five picks in the first two rounds.

Each member does it different.  It is always fun to see the final draft breakout and commentary, if any is provided.

Years ago, we ran three keeper leagues on this forum and had weekly recaps of the respective weeks.  It just goes to show with the various new communication media, other vehicles are used. 

However, these drafts are fun to watch, participate and review.