Monopoly - Week 17
Posted 12/24 by Jeff Pasquino and Teff Tefertiller, Exclusive to Footballguys.com
We can all remember the marathon Monopoly games of our youth. We would stay up late into the night rolling the dice and trying to acquire as many properties and cash as possible. Many lusted after Boardwalk and Park Place, while other collected the Railroad properties. The goal for Monopoly was to build the biggest empire as possible. Well, this is the same for dynasty leagues in fantasy football. The goal is to build such a "dynasty" that our team dominates year after year. Dynasty teams are built in many ways, just like with the game Monopoly. Every fantasy owner has their own style and types of players they prefer. Each week this article will examine players that are moving up and down dynasty rankings.
What are some of the ways to build dynasty teams? Some owners like to build teams to win in the short term while others like the youth movement. The other key is draft picks - some owners prefer to sell the picks for a proven veteran while other owners want to stockpile the picks in an attempt to strike it rich with the next great rookie prospect. What is the best way? It all depends on the owner. Some owners feel more comfortable with a top notch passer leading their team while others prefer to horde running backs. This diversity is what fuels dynasty leagues. For this reason, this weekly article will focus on players moving up and down the rankings. The players featured will be as varied as the owner preferences. Players will be from all positions and all talent levels.
This week, Jeff Pasquino's viewpoints are highlighted, in addition to an update to his Dynasty Rankings. The players mentioned below are viable in most leagues. There is little use discussing a player moving from 60th to 70th in the positional rankings. Fantasy owners care the most about the players at the top of the ranks. The rankings are available here:
Below are some of the biggest movers in the rankings. This week is the final week of Monopoly for the year, and I've decided to focus solely on running backs for three reasons. First, they are the most interesting topic at this time of year. Second, they are almost always the most valuable and coveted position in fantasy football, and third - I didn't see much movement at quarterback, wide receiver or tight end. So, here's a look at my Top 16 RBs for 2008 and an honorable mention:
Running backs
1. Adrian Peterson, MIN - (0) - Hard to pick against him at all. Aside from some injury issues and sharing time with Chester Taylor, he should be a Top 3 RB for several seasons to come.
2. Brian Westbrook, PHI - (+1) - If picking the most effective RB in the NFL when he is healthy makes me a "homer", well consider me a homer. Westbrook may be nearly 30 years old, but he is such a weapon that I would be comfortable owning him for the next 2-3 seasons and running him into the ground. He's just that good.
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, SD (+2) - Put me in the boat of saying that LT2 was hurt this year and he will rebound next year. He was the #1 RB for so many years and I don't see the tread coming off just yet. Another Westbrook-type career left in the tank. Run him into the ground.
4. Michael Turner, ATL (+2) - The Falcons offense has exploded this year, and Turner was a big part of that. Everyone had waited for this year after Turner's sitting behind Tomlinson, and it paid off.
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX (+6) - Now comes the time where he will be asked to be the top dog for Jacksonville. They may still bring in a secondary back to help him out (or use Chauncey Washington), but right now MJD looks to be a top fantasy back for the next several seasons.
6. Chris Johnson, TEN (+7) - LenDale White, please blocking our view of Chris Johnson. Johnson is one of the fastest , if not THE fast, players in the league, and if he stops losing touchdowns to White he will be a Top 5 fantasy rusher in no time.
7. Marion Barber, DAL (-5) - Our first major downslide, but not a huge distance. Barber needs to stay healthy and productive, but the threats to his playing time have always been there since splitting time with Julius Jones. Tashard Choice and Felix Jones will get 50% of the work next year, but Barber is a Top 10 rusher even if he only has 12-18 touches a game. The downside remains his health as he takes a lot of punishment.
8. Matt Forte, CHI (+4) - The Bears love to run the ball, especially in the cold months of November and December. He is their main weapon and accounted for over 35% of their total offense this year. He's a stud with no threats to his playing time other than Kyle Orton's inability to pass to teammates.
9. Steven Jackson, STL (+1) - Here's another top rusher that needs to stay healthy. He also needs a competent offensive line, because part of the reason he was both ineffective and hurt was due to poor blocking. If the Rams get that act together, SJax jumps back into the Top 5.
10. Marshawn Lynch, BUF (-6) - Marshawn Lynch is hoping for two things - a better offensive scheme next year and for Fred Jackson to stop stealing his workload. The news is out that Jackson is pretty good, which could cut into Lynch's touches. If the Bills ever get rolling and start to produce like they should, Lynch could ascend this list - but it is sketchy at best right now.
11. Frank Gore, SF (-4) - Another solid rusher with health concerns. Gore puts up great numbers when he is 100% and with the Mike Martz offense he should have had a stellar season, but yet he didn't. Gore needs to regroup and produce again in 2009 to move up into the Top 10.
12. DeAngelo Williams, CAR (+6) - I have always liked "DeW" for the Carolina Panthers, simply because I thought he was much better than his pedigree. He took the Brian Westbrook path to the NFL, as he dominated in total yardage at a smaller program in college as both a rusher and a kick returner. Despite getting selected in the first round everyone was questioning him, especially with Jonathan Stewart added to the team this season. Williams has had the last laugh so far with one of the quietest 20 touchdown seasons I can ever remember.
13. Clinton Portis, WASH (-5) - Portis is aging rapidly and is always banged up it seems. Much like Westbrook, he is a stud when 100% - the problem is that he never is 100% after midseason any more. Portis may be on his last legs over the next 2-3 seasons, but his owners should just hope for the best as they likely will get more out of him in their lineup than in trade value.
14. Brandon Jacobs, NYG (0) - So much for a RBBC hurting someone's numbers. Jacobs has put up impressive stats with 15 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards on just 219 carries, but the uncertainty with Jacobs is that he is a free agent next year. If he is behind a lesser offensive line he runs the risk of less production. Also it may hurt him if he is asked to work harder (more carries) as he already gets beat up over the course of 16 games.
15. Thomas Jones, NYJ (+5) - Who else had him in their Top 3 this year? Not me. I guess it helps to have Brett Favre back there as a passing threat. Unfortunately he is likely not there in 2009, but Jones' offensive line will be. If the Jets get a semblance of offensive balance, Jones could be a Top 12 back once again.
16. Reggie Bush, NO (-7) - He gets hurt. He shares time with somebody
- Pierre Thomas, Deuce McAllister - pick either one. But you cannot deny the
explosive force that he is in an offense (or kick return squad) when he gets
the ball in his hands. He can score from anywhere on the field. That's impressive.
If he ever gets 300 touches in a season, records could fall.
Just off the list..... (check the rankings folks):
17. Steve Slaton (fearing another RB in that backfield next year)
18. Ronnie Brown
19. Joseph Addai (Rhodes was better this year)
20. Darren McFadden (Get healthy and show me something)
21. Kevin Smith (Good numbers, but Detroit?)
22. Jonathan Stewart
23. Larry Johnson
24. Jamal Lewis
And lastly, honorable mention:
32. Derrick Ward, NYG (+10) - Over 200 yards on 15 carries gets your name mentioned. Plus he is a free agent in 2009. Did I mention that he is only 28? Ward could be the #1 free agent running back on the market next year. The Giants may sign him or Jacobs, but probably not both.
Well, that's a wrap on 2008. Hopefully you enjoyed this year's Monopoly column. Until we meet again.... Happy Holidays and see you next year.
