You're at work and you're looking to pass, er, find a constructive way to spend, time.
You have a fantasy draft in the next week, and you want to see what other fantasy fanatics are doing.
If so, you're in luck. ESPN's Live Draft Lobby is useful from both a constructive and an "I'm Bored, So Why Not?" standpoint.
If you use the link above, make sure to click on the "Mock Draft" tab on the left to choose a practice draft. The "Live Draft" tab will take you to a league that intends to play out the season. If you're only looking for mock drafts, this link will take you directly to that area of ESPN.com.
Before you start, there are a few things you should know:
- The broad selection of leagues and styles allows you to pick a time, format (rotisserie, roto auction, mixed, AL only, NL only, etc.) and size (10 teams, 12 teams, etc.) that are most similar to the leagues in which you compete.
- Look for "Snake" under the DRAFT TYPE header if you're in a league in which the draft order reverses after every round.
- Click on the "Slot Available" link that corresponds to the number at which you want to select. If you want to pick first, look for a league in which the top selection is available.
Believe it or not, you can learn a little, too. Here are five things you might realize after some time well-spent:
1. Which draft slots are more favorable
If you start your team with Albert Pujols, who will be left when your 12-team draft gets back to you at No. 24? Is the middle of the first round a better position?
The mock drafts will give you some insight, as long as you keep a few things in mind (more on that later).
2. Who's favored in close calls
Is Ryan Braun or Alex Rodriguez the clear-cut No. 3 overall choice? You might be surprised to find out it's A-Rod, even if some of us prefer Braun.
Is Hanley Ramirez the No. 2 pick? OK, you already knew he was. But if you have the third choice and are holding out hope the Marlins shortstop somehow will fall, don't. The mocks tell us you have about as much chance of that happening as A-Rod sitting down with Peter Gammons and telling us everything he didn't the last time he tried to come clean.
3. Where certain players are going
Are you a huge Tim Lincecum fan? You might be able to select the two-time reigning NL Cy Young Award winner in the 8-10 range of Round 1.
Do you think Joe Mauer will fall into Round 2? Not likely.
The mocks might also tell you who is overvalued and who's undervalued (Zack Greinke, Grady Sizemore and Dustin Pedroia come to mind in the latter category).
4. Hitters are almost every owner's first choice
That in itself isn't surprising, but the fact that Roy Halladay is being selected in the 12-13 range is. If you're in a 12-team league, chances are 11 of the first 12 picks will be position players. That could mean significant second-round value by taking the likes of Halladay, Felix Hernandez, Zack Greinke and CC Sabathia.
5. It's nice to leave early
Kind of like work, huh? Another benefit of a mock draft: Unlike the real thing, you don't have to wait to draft your seventh starting pitcher, backup catcher or fifth outfielder before you bail. You can exit the draft whenever you want and your fellow owners won't be affected (in your place will be "autopick," who might not draft better than you, but is certainly faster).
One final list before we go. Before you can learn from the mock drafts, you should keep a few things in mind:
- It's a mock, so don't take it seriously. The majority of what happens in that room will stay there (sounds like a tag line from "The Hangover").
- If owners are utilizing the full 90 seconds to select Wandy Rodriguez in the ninth round, you can bolt. If you're annoyed by Round 2, you can bolt then, too. Basically, you can bolt whenever you want.
- Don't join the live chat in a draft with strangers. That's just odd.
- If most of the draft is in autopick mode, it makes no sense to stay. At that point, the only thing you'll learn is the exact order of ESPN's rankings.
- If you see a lot of "Team 5," "Team 6" and "Team 7" references, it's also go time. If seven of the 12 draft slots weren't filled before it started, go back to work.