Dave Richard

I tried doing something new in my mock draft this Tuesday -- and I fell flat on my face!

(No, I did not try a cartwheel or hand stand).

Instead of going with my usual QB-WR-WR theory that's been working for me, I took the No. 2 overall pick and went with Adrian Peterson in Round 1. The idea was that I could swipe a quality QB and WR in Rounds 2 and 3, then finagle talent elsewhere down the line.

Maybe it was my last minute change of theory, or maybe it was the 11 bright guys in the mock draft with me, but I found myself scratching my head more times in this mock than in any of my previous three drafts. NOT GOOD.

Here's the rundown ... I picked 2nd overall in the odd rounds and 11th in the even rounds.

ROUND 1: Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN

This was on the heels of my detailed look at the Vikings' schedule. I like their schedule quite a bit and wanted to see what it felt like to draft him. He's going to go second overall in a lot of leagues, so hopefully my team will be somewhat indicative of what a No. 2 overall team might look like.

ROUND 2: Drew Brees, QB, NO

I was hoping for Tony Romo to slip, but he went 14th overall (wow!). I would have gone with any of the three players taken in front of me over Brees: Clinton Portis, Larry Fitzgerald or Marques Colston. Six WRs went in Round 2.

ROUND 3: Plaxico Burress, WR, NYG

The first of many tough picks for me. I could have settled for Chad Johnson or Wes Welker, but Burress says he's 100 percent healthy and hoping to get paid. He's been working hard in New York ever since he got there and could be amazing if he can stay out of the trainer's room. A reach of sorts, but I bit. Also, I haven't been able to pull the trigger on Jamal Lewis in Round 3 yet this year ... something's stopping me from doing it in my mind. I guess Jamey Eisenberg's theory of Lewis getting paid and cutting back is weighing on me.

ROUND 4: Darren McFadden, RB, OAK

I'm finding myself drafting him a lot in Round 4 this summer, which could mean that either I'm taking him too high or everyone else isn't biting on him (or both). Maybe people are scared off by the whole Raiders thing, but they've become a good unit with the run. I think he's a high-yardage, low-TD type as a rookie. Other considerations: Thomas Jones, Willie Parker, Matt Forte, Michael Turner, LenDale White.

ROUND 5: Willie Parker, RB, PIT

I know, I know ... now i have TWO high-yardage, low-TD guys on my team. Hey, Parker will at least be my third RB, which is really not bad at all. Matt Forte, Brandon Marshall, LenDale White and Ronnie Brown were also considerations.