Though, it did get me thinking. I know that we've managed this long without it, but maybe we should write into the rules (for future games) that if somebody that you have picked becomes inactive before the game starts (ie. between you picking them and the game itself starting), then you can exchange them for somebody else once all other drafting has finished without it costing you any of your money.
I think thats a fair idea. Mind you not gonna be much available at that point