My SportsIllustrated.com Experts League team

The fifth annual SI.com Experts League drafted on Aug. 21 with 12 owners fighting it out for the title. I, Dave Gawron, represent SportsBuff.com in this league. Here are links to the actual draft -- pick by pick & team by team.

I had the twelfth pick out of twelve teams. Looking at the 2007 scene, it was wise for me to walk away with two running backs after the first two picks...

1. Cedric Benson, RB, CHI
2. Lawrence Maroney, RB, NE

I really wanted Willie Parker or Rudi Johnson here. Benson and Maroney are in great team situations, but neither is proven. I'll cross my fingers. I let Travis Henry go because if Jay Cutler struggles, his production could suffer. Maurice-Jones Drew still has Fred Taylor to contend with and also a shaky quarterback situation. I don't trust Brandon Jacobs with Reuben Droughns around.

3. Andre Johnson, WR, HOU
4. Antonio Gates, TE, SD

Gates is a beast at his position. I was totally happy to get him here. Johnson was one of the last of what I consider the "safe stud" WRs available. I picked him over T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Lee Evans, but any of those would do. Concerning Javon Walker, I'm not sold on Jay Cutler yet. I wanted a top WR, so I let rookie RB Adrian Peterson and veteran Jamal Lewis go here.

5. Marion Barber, RB, DAL
6. Jerious Norwood, RB, ATL

They're time-share RBs, but so are the other RBs available here. The new coaching situation in Dallas clouds the RB situation, but Barber should at least be a worthwhile FLEX and RB bye fill in. Norwood should take over for Dunn at some point and should do well with no Vick around to steal rushing yards from the RBs.

7. Mark Clayton, WR, BAL
8. Tony Romo, QB, DAL

I wanted Vince Young here, but Romo will do as a lead QB. I wanted a relatively safe WR, and Clayton fits the bill. Santonio Holmes was another reasonable option, but I like the #1 WR on the Ravens over the #2 on the Steelers.

9. Drew Bennett, WR, STL
10. Brandon Jones, WR, TEN

The WR pool was really thinning out, so I grabbed two of the best left. I just missed out on Devery Henderson, who I really like this year.

11. Jake Delhomme, QB, CAR
12. Mushin Muhammad, WR, CHI

Neither pick is inspiring, bu QBs were thinning out and I wanted a good platoon partner for Romo. I also like having a vet WR around for my WR5, and Mush is still #1 on the Bears, so he was a good choice.

13. Dolphins, D/ST, MIA
14. Matt Schaub, QB, HOU

I love getting the Dolphins defense down here. They should be one of the elite defenses, and I like the rookie Ginn returning kicks. Schaub is a terrific fantasy QB3. He'll fill in fine in case of injury.

15. Michael Pittman, RB, TB
16. Stephen Gostkowski, K, NE
17. Panthers, D/ST, CAR
18. Eagles, D/ST, PHI

There was really nobody left at this point. I love getting Gostkowski as my kicker. I figured I should get another RB. Pittman should get enough touches to score some points each week, with Alstott down for the count. Tampa Bay has a phenominally easy schedule against really weak run defenses. CAR and PHI will likely be my first drops when free agency begins, but taking them allowed me to keep them away from other teams.

Fantasy Football draft tips and advice

It's that time of year... fantasy football draft time. I have some advice to pass along, so here it goes...

RUNNINGBACKS (RB)

Your first round pick needs to be a runningback, regardless of draft slot. If you draft in slots 1-5, your second pick may be a wide receiver if the runningbacks are looking weak. Otherwise, consider a second runningback in Round 2. If you play with a FLEX, consider a third in rounds 3 and 4 if there's a decent one available. Otherwise, wait until about rounds 7 or 8 to nab somebody like Marion Barber or Jerius Norwood.

Other RB notes: beware the fragility of Maroney - take Parker or Rudi first... don't underestimate Westbrook and Reggie Bush in PPR leagues... avoid clouded situations like Jones/Bell in DET and White/Brown in TEN...

TIGHT ENDS (TE)

If you can grab Gates in rounds 3 or 4, do it. He's so much better than the rest. I don't like Winslow's fragility or Gonzalez' advanced age. Vernon Davis is good to grab in Round 7 for his upside. Cooley is good there, too.

WIDE RECEIVERS (WR)

In non-PPR leagues, WRs should be low priority. In PPR, see if you can grab a stud or two in rounds 3 or 4. If you wait, look into Calvin Johnson and Santonio Holmes. Later, think Drew Bennett for good value in that STL offense.

QUARTERBACKS (QB)

Yes, the top 5 quarterbacks outscore the rest, but with QBs, platooning is a viable option. In one league I waited, and I ended up with Romo, Delhomme, and Schaub (who I LOVE late). I'll pick the best one to start each week and their overall production as a unit shouldn't be that far behind the top 5.

DEFENSES/SPECIAL TEAMS (D/ST)

This is not a position to worry about. You can definitely wait and still get good ones. Plus a unit or two will surprise during the season, so keep a close eye on D/ST free agents in your league in weeks 1 and 2. I've noticed good defenses like DEN, CAR, and DAL going late.

KICKERS

A dime a dozen. You can absolutely get good ones late. I like Gostkowski a lot this year.