How I spent my lockout-imposed vacation

Welcome Back, Welcome Back, Welcome Back

My appreciation for fantasy football -- the world's most addictive Web-based sports entity that's currently not part of an FBI seizure -- has hardly wavered during the NFL lockout, but that's not to say my patience and tolerance for all things pro football haven't been tested in the last eight months. For every missed opportunity to discuss free agency, minicamps and the subsequent mock drafts in fantasy publications, there's been ample time to speculate on labor issues, legal fees and the collective playing fates of Plaxico Burress, Tiki Barber, Terrell Owens and even supplemental draftee-to-be Terrelle Pryor.

But now that we're seemingly on the verge of a CBA resolution between the NFL owners and players, it's time to refocus on the season ahead and unleash the fantasy guru within -- you know, that previously sheltered inner being who no longer cares that…

ICONThe return of Tiki Barber will be interesting to watch.

*At the ripen age of 36 and after a four-season hiatus, Barber covets a situational-back role with a contending team.

*Superagent Drew Rosenhaus promises his client (Owens) will be running full speed by August -- just a few months after major knee surgery.

*The 33-year-old Burress spent a good chunk of his 'free time' in prison running routes with fellow inmates.

*Brady Quinn clamors for a legitimate opportunity to win the starting QB job in Denver.

The above names may be catnip to Web editors ... but in fantasyland, none will likely play a prominent role in your quest for a fantasy championship. Unlike Ryan Williams, Aaron Hernandez and Steve Johnson.

So, with a renewed focus on the fantasy stars of today and tomorrow, let's get rolling on our debut column with the National Football Post.

Take Your Pick

I've got a good news/bad news proposition for those holding the No. 1 or 2 overall picks in standard-scoring fantasy drafts: On the positive, you absolutely cannot fail with your choice at the top, barring injury. On the negative side, the guy/gal holding the No. 6 pick has a 50-50 chance of ultimately landing the better player.

For those who believe that championship teams are built with running backs, say hello to The Big Six for 2011: Adrian Peterson (1,298 rushing yards, 12 TDs last year), Chris Johnson (one season removed from 2,509 total yards), Arian Foster (last season's NFL rushing champ), LeSean McCoy (this year's Foster?), Ray Rice (a PPR dynamo and double-digit TD threat) and my man-crush for three years running, Jamaal Charles. Each back possesses the capacity for 2,000 total yards and/or 14 touchdowns ... and yet, it's impossible to gauge which one is the dominant workhorse right now. Simply put, if you were to throw the names of the six players in a hat and draw a random order 20 times, for each conclusion, there'd be no wrong answer; consequently, every outcome would be right, as well.

That isn't to say each frog prince doesn't come without warts: How would Peterson (Christian Ponder) and/or Johnson (Jake Locker) succeed with heralded, yet traditionally shaky rookie QBs getting at least 12 starts? Is Foster due for an unavoidable letdown after last year's unexpected magic (2,220 total yards, 18 TDs)? How can McCoy dominate the fantasy scene in Philly ... while sharing the real-world spotlight with QB Michael Vick, TE Brent Celek and receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin? And shouldn't Charles start at least 50 percent of Chiefs games before ruling the top of fantasy draft boards?

Hmmmm, that last comment about J-Charles seems a little nitpicky. After all, who cares if a healthy lock for 1,600 rushing yards, 55 catches and 9-plus touchdowns gets his name called in pregame introductions?

Mock Madness

On June 23, a group of fantasy experts (Tony Holm, John Tuvey, Matt Schauf, Allie Fontana, Jason Sarney, among others) stared the treacherous Lockout Beast in the face and executed a 16-round mock draft for Points Per Reception leagues -- an unenviable task given the inordinate number of question marks at wide receiver right now. Here's a rundown of my team (No. 6 pick):

Round 1: RB Ray Rice, Ravens (you can't go wrong with any of the Big Six)

Round 2: RB Peyton Hillis, Browns (surprised everyone with 61 catches last year)

Round 3: QB Drew Brees, Saints (the perfect pre-lockout, uh, lock, at pick No. 30)

Round 4: RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants (a leap of faith for 55 catches/11 TDs in 2011)

Can Lloyd duplicate last year's production?

Round 5: WR Brandon Lloyd, Broncos (averaged 5 catches/88 yards/.66 TDs in Tim Tebow's three rookie starts)

Round 6: WR Percy Harvin, Vikings (a healthy cinch for 75 catches/6 TDs, regardless of Minny's QB)

Round 7: WR Mario Manningham, Giants

Round 8: WR Malcom Floyd, Chargers (a stronger fantasy asset if he signs with the Pats this summer)

Round 9: RB Pierre Thomas, Saints (may have to fill Reggie Bush's PPR shoes this season)

Round 10: WR Hines Ward, Steelers (easily the best No. 6 receiver of any team in this league)

Round 11: RB Reggie Bush, Saints (could be PPR gold if he lands with another team, like Miami)

Round 12: RB DeMarco Murray, Cowboys (could be a starting tailback by October)

Round 13: D/ST New England Patriots

Round 14: PK Nate Kaeding, Chargers

Round 15: TE Dustin Keller, Jets (outside of Gates/Witten/Davis, I'm tempted to wait until Round 15 to grab a tight end in all 12-teamers)

Round 16: QB Alex Smith, 49ers (assuming the free-agent-to-be will still be San Fran's starter)

The Great 48

Here's a full listing of the June 23 mock draft, Rounds 1-4:

Round 1

1. Arian Foster, Texans

2. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs

3. Adrian Peterson, Vikings

McCoy caught 78 passes with the Eagles last season.

4. LeSean McCoy, Eagles

5. Chris Johnson, Titans

6. Ray Rice, Ravens (my pick)

7. Andre Johnson, Texans

8. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers

9. Calvin Johnson, Lions

10. Frank Gore, 49ers

11. Roddy White, Falcons

12. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

Round 2

13. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

14. Hakeem Nicks, Giants

15. Philip Rivers, Chargers

16. Steven Jackson, Rams

17. Greg Jennings, Packers

ICONIs McFadden ready for big things?

18. Darren McFadden, Raiders

19. Peyt on Hillis, Browns (my pick)

20. Matt Forte, Bears

21. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals

22. Michael Turner, Falcons

23. Reggie Wayne, Colts

24. Michael Vick, Eagles

Round 3

25. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs

26. Wes Welker, Patriots

27. DeSean Jackson, Eagles

28. Ryan Mathews, Chargers

29. Vincent Jackson, Chargers

ICONBrees and the Saints are ready to make another run at the Vince Lombardi trophy.

30. Drew Brees, Saints (my pick)

31. Mike Wallace, Steelers

32. LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers

33. Jahvid Best, Lions

34. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos

35. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers

36. Miles Austin, Cowboys

Round 4

37. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

38. Peyton Manning, Colts

39. Marques Colston, Saints

ICONHow will Mike Williams follow up his breakout rookie season?

40. Mike Williams, Buccaneers

41. Dez Bryant, Cowboys

42. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins

43. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants (my pick)

44. Austin Collie, Colts

45. Antonio Gates, Chargers

46. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (?)

47. Jermichael Finley, Packers

48. Shonn Greene, Jets

In Case You're Wondering ...

Tom Brady -- the top dog of the NFL Network's player rankings -- went 55th overall in the PPR draft. Perhaps more stunning, Cowboys QB Tony Romo went three picks ahead of Brady.

Before You Dismiss Chad Henne ...

Keep in mind that Henne, despite a pitiful 15-to-19 TD/INT ratio and 10 games with zero or one TD pass, was only one of six quarterbacks (Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub, Carson Palmer, Mark Sanchez, Ryan Fitzpatrick) to attempt 44 or more passes in at least three games last season. That figure is bolstered by Henne (32.6 pass attempts in 15 starts) and the Dolphins incurring only four blowout losses in 2010 (nine points or more).

Fan-Friendly Fridays

As my halcyon days with Sports Illustrated would attest, I'm available to answer your fantasy-related questions or Tweets, night and day. And as part of that process, I'll be posting the best questions in this space for every Friday column -- all the way into the fantasy-playoff days of late December. So feel free to reach me, via Twitter.

Choose Your Quarterback

For those with plans on drafting Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger with consecutive picks -- say Rounds 5 and 6 -- here's a week-to-week breakdown of which star shall shine brighter on any given Sunday:

Week 1 -- Roethlisberger (@ Baltimore) over Romo (@ N.Y. Jets)

ICONRomo's back from a season-ending injury and is ready to lead a loaded Dallas offense.

Week 2 -- Roethlisberger (vs. Seattle) over Romo (@ San Francisco)

Week 3 -- Romo (vs. Washington) over Roethlisberger (@ Indianapolis)

Week 4 -- Roethlisberger (@ Houston) over Romo (vs. Detroit)

Week 5 -- Roethlisberger (vs. Tennessee) over Romo (BYE)

Week 6 -- Roethlisberger (vs. Jacksonville) over Romo (@ New England)

Week 7 -- Romo (vs. St. Louis) over Roethlisberger (@ Arizona)

Week 8 -- Roethlisberger (vs. New England) over Romo (@ Philadelphia)

Week 9 -- Romo (vs. Seattle) over Roethlisberger (vs. Baltimore)

Week 10 -- Romo (vs. Buffalo) over Roethlisberger (@ Cincinnati)

Week 11 -- Romo (@ Washington) over Roethlisberger (BYE)

Week 12 -- Romo (vs. Miami) over Roethlisberger (@ Kansas City)

Week 13 -- Romo (@ Arizona) over Roethlisberger (vs. Cincinnati)

Week 14 -- Roethlisberger (vs. Cleveland) over Romo (vs. N.Y. Giants)

Week 15 -- Romo (@ Tampa Bay) over Roethlisberger (@ San Francisco)

Week 16 -- Romo (vs. Philadelphia) over Roethlisberger (vs. St. Louis)

Week 17 -- Roethlisberger (@ Cleveland) over Romo (@ N.Y. Giants)?Final Tally: Romo wins, 9-8

Target Practice

Here are the 32 wideouts to reach the century mark in receiving targets last year. It goes without saying: If you're seeking quality choices for Points Per Reception league drafts, bookmark this link as part of that preparation:

1. Roddy White, Falcons -- 179 targets

2. Reggie Wayne, Colts -- 176 targets

3. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals -- 173 targets

4. Brandon Lloyd, Broncos -- 153 targets

5. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins -- 146 targets

6. Santana Moss, Redskins -- 145 targets

7. Steve Johnson, Bills -- 142 targets

8. Terrell Owens, Bengals -- 139

9. Andre Johnson, Texans -- 138

10. Calvin Johnson, Lions -- 137

Will Dwayne Bowe continue to build on last year's momentum?

11. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs -- 133

12. Marques Colston, Saints -- 131

13. Hakeem Nicks, Giants -- 128

14. Mike Williams, Bucs -- 128

15. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals -- 126

16. Greg Jennings, Packers -- 124

17. Danny Amendola, Rams -- 123

18. Wes Welker, Patriots -- 123

19. Davone Bess, Dolphins -- 122

20. Miles Austin, Cowboys -- 119

21. Pierre Garcon, Colts -- 118

22. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles -- 115

23. Jabar Gaffney, Broncos -- 112

24. Mike Williams, Seahawks -- 110

25. Anquan Boldin, Ravens -- 109

26. Percy Harvin, Vikings -- 109

27. Eddie Royal, Broncos -- 105

28. Mike Wallace, Steelers -- 102

29. Michael Crabtree, 49ers -- 101

30. Braylon Edwards, Jets -- 101

31. Mike Thomas, Jaguars -- 101

32. Derrick Mason, Ravens -- 100

Cause For Pause

DeSean Jackson may be one of the NFL's most dynamic talents with the ball in his hands ... but it's important to note that he was only targeted 6.85 times in 14 games last season. To wit, PPR owners might want to think twice about grabbing D-Jax before Round 4 -- especially if Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Pierre Garcon, Percy Harvin or Jeremy Maclin are still on the board.

Where Mountain Men Runneth, Catcheth

It's never too early to speculate on my top 25 tight ends for 2011, the one position with virtually zero lockout uncertainty:

1. Antonio Gates, Chargers

2. Dallas Clark, Colts

3. Jason Witten, Cowboys

4. Vernon Davis, 49ers

5. Jermichael Finley, Packers

6. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions

7. Kellen Winslow, Jr., Buccaneers

8. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons

9. Owen Daniels, Texans

10. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars

ICONGronkowski scored 10 touchdowns during his rookie season.

11. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots

12. Chris Cooley, Redskins

13. Brent Celek, Eagles

14. Aaron Hernandez, Patriots

15. Benjamin Watson, Browns

16. Zach Miller, Raiders

17. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings

18. Dustin Keller, Jets

19. Heath Miller, Steelers

20. Todd Heap, Ravens

21. Jimmy Graham, Saints

22. Tony Moeaki, Chiefs

23. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals

24. Greg Olsen, Bears