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I competed in nine leagues this year, 11 if you include the Footballguys subscriber contest (I was eliminated two weeks ago) and the best-ball IDP mock where I'm third out of 14 teams in total points behind Aaron Rudnicki and Sigmund Bloom. Five of these nine leagues are dynasty formats.
This week, I'm reviewing my teams in these five leagues (three with large rosters with IDP and two average-size, non-IDP teams). I believe in looking back when the season is fresh in my mind so I can take notes on how effective my decisions were for each team. My hope is that conducting this review in this column will give you ideas on how to find worthwhile information that will help you in the future.
GameBreakers IDP Dynasty League
This is a dynasty league with a lot of Footballguys staffers - Jene Bramel, Aaron Rudnicki, Bloom, Bob Magaw/Dave Baker (affectionately known to me as the Thing With Two Heads), and John Norton. I took over this team in 2010 and it was a mess: My best quarterback was Alex Smith; I was flush with running backs, but you don't need to start one in this league; my ony two receivers worth starting were Steve Smith and Michael Crabtree (pre-breakout); and I didn't have a quality starting tight end in this 1.5 PPR for TE format.
We won't even get into my defense - the Cowboys looked better this year than my fantasy unit. So far, I've done a solid job of rehabbing this team. I just missed the playoffs the past two years and my weekly points totals have been higher than some of those contenders. This year, I'm the No.2 seed and had a bye during last week's crazy weather weak. Here's the roster, the moves I made, and comments about the personnel.
League: Gamebreakers
- Type: Dynasty
- Teams: 14
- Draft: Serpentine Order
- Lineup Options: 19 starters - 1 QB/0-2 RBs/3-5 WRs/1-3 TEs/1 PK/1-2 DTs/2 DEs/3-4 LBs/2 CBs/2-3 Ss
- Scoring: PPR + 1.5 PPR for TE; Penalties for interceptions (-2); Bonuses for length of TDs; 5 points for passing TDs; and yardage bonuses over 100 rushing/receiving and 300 passing. Details here.
- Win-Loss Record: 9-4 (Division Winner and No.2 seed.)
- Points Rank: 4th
| Position | Player | Position Rank | Draft/Free Agent | Comments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Peyton Manning | 1 | Trade for 2012 3.10 pick | This somewhat makes up for some of the worst trades I've ever made since I've played fantasy football (see "Hot Route" below). | ||
| QB | Russell Wilson | 8 | 2012 2.10 | 9th overall as my backup and heir-apparent to start. Good depth at QB. | ||
| QB | Ryan Tannehill | 15 | 2012 1.10 | The No.15 QB in this league is on my practice squad. I like it. As you can see, much better QBs than Alex Smith as my headliner three years ago. | ||
| RB | Bryce Brown | 78 | FA | This is the perfect type of league to stash cheap RBs and use patience. The only issue is that RBs lack great trade value in this format. I found this out when I had 1000-yard backs like Rice, Gore, Mathews, and Willis McGahee on this roster. | ||
| RB | Frank Gore | 14 | 11.11 | Frank Gore is a lot like Alfred Morris in terms of fantasy production. You know more often than not you'll get reliable production and the occasional huge game. Not an exciting option like C.J. Spiller, but a player you can build a round and not think much about. With a roster this big, I love players like Gore. | ||
| RB | Ryan Mathews | 19 | 2010 1.01 | Mathews was my 1.01 during my first season. The Chargers back has been the exact opposite of Gore while he's been on my team, but I think he's rounding into form as a reasonable RB2 with RB1 upside some weeks. I think Ray Rice has another year or two before I have to think long and hard about his viability. It's probably time to focus on youth at this position. | ||
| RB | Ray Rice | 25 | 2008 1.06 by prior owner | The hip injury has hampered Rice's production all season and the offensive line's struggles haven't helped. I tried dealing him in another league, but I'm glad the owner I was negotiating with was coming in way too low with his offers. I think Rice has another year or two unless Baltimore drafts a back before the third round in 2014. | ||
| RB | Jason Snelling | N/A | FA | Snelling was a bye-week injury option and in this league's free agency system, it costs money to even participate in first-come, first-serve waivers. I routinely run out of money by mid-season in this league. In fact, this league has a few peculiar rules that trip me and a few owners up each season. | ||
| WR | Marlon Brown | 43 | FA | Last spring, I made it a priority to begin upgrading my receiving corps because Steve Smith isn't getting any younger. Brown is flashing the talent that had UGA initially so excited about getting him. I might wind up with a WR3/WR4 after winning him in a summer free agent bid battle. | ||
| WR | A.J. Green | 6 | 2011 1.01 | As you can see, I had the 1.01 when I took over the team in 2010 and my talent was so spare that I had the 1.01 in 2011, too. Green has turned out to be the type of anchor player for this roster that I expect when I earn the 1.01 pick. This might be my least-favorite dynasty league (and it's not a bad one) in terms of some of the little ways it's run, but it's my favorite team in terms of personnel. | ||
| WR | Ryan Broyles | N/A | FA | Injuries may derail his career. I thought I traded for Broyles, but it appears I added him as a free agent. | ||
| WR | Michael Crabtree | N/A | 2009 1.02 by prior owner | Looking good after his injury and he should help me next year. | ||
| WR | Da'Rick Rodgers | N/A | 2014 3.10 | A 3.10 was a costly pick for a UDFA who got cut by his first team after training camp, but if Rodgers pays dividends as more than a one-week wonder for the Colts then I'm in good shape for the future. I think he will. Rodgers is a good example of betting on talent. It doesn't always work out, but I've lost more because of my lack of patience with talent - especially defensive talent - than picking players for their situation. | ||
| WR | Steve Smith | 35 | Orginal roster player | Slowing down but still a WR3 or flex-play. | ||
| WR | Kenny Stills | 58 | 2013 4.10 | The 2013 class of wide receivers was a deep group. Remember that about some of the players who didn't earn time on the field this year. Many of them will make nice buy-lows. Still is a promising WR3 or flex-play with WR2 upside if he can gain more rapport with Brees during the offseason. | ||
| WR | Marquess Wilson | N/A | 2013 3.11 | One of these patience plays from the 2013 draft class. | ||
| WR | Tavarress King | N/A | 2013 4.14 | Another patience play I traded up to get, although I was never really enamored with him as much as others. Still has a shot as a WR3/WR4. Taxi squad stash. | ||
| TE | Jimmy Graham | 1 | 2010 3.01 | I still remember making this pick and Bloom saying he wanted Graham in this round. Graham has been an unbelievable draft-day bargain. The league's No.4 player overall this year and between him, Green, and Manning, they have anchored my offense. | ||
| TE | Travis Kelce | N/A | 2013 1.10 | If he pans out and Graham stays healthy I'll be starting two tight ends and one back next year. | ||
| TE | Luke Willson | N/A | 2013 6.01 | Willson is a promising taxi squad player who looked good this weekend. He has TE1 athleticism and the Seahawks could really benefit from a presence in the middle of the field. You can never have enough tight ends in this league. I need to find 1-2 more fast because without Graham, my team is sunk. | ||
| PK | Dan Bailey | 11 | FA | Cowboys' kicker. | ||
| DT | Kevin Williams | 28 | FA | I'm out of money to acquire players in this league so I'm stuck with him. | ||
| DT | Henry Melton | N/A | FA | Hopeful this player on my IR returns full force. Melton had games last year that carried my defense for at least 3-4 games. | ||
| DE | Michael Bennett | 43 | FA | I have some serious work to do when it comes to upgrading this part of my depth chart. I drafted Brandon Graham and Jason Worilds as defensive ends but they became 3-4 outside linebackers. The same goes for Melvin Ingram III. If it wasn't for Greg Hardy, I wouldn't have a viable fantasy starter. | ||
| DE | Chris Canty | 64 | FA | As my daughter says, "Meh." | ||
| DE | Greg Hardy | 18 | FA | When you look at my other dynasty leagues you be able to tell that I watched Hardy at Ole Miss and took a shot on him late. | ||
| DE | Dion Jordan | 79 | 2013 2.10 | I'm more of a Barkevious Mingo fan, but figured I'd take a shot on Jordan. I won't be surprised if he's an OLB one day. DE is still a priority for this team in 2014. | ||
| DE | Mathias Kiwanuka | 57 | FA | I think Kiwanuka could have a late-career blooming if the Giants actually keep him at DE for a few years in a row and let him succeed Justin Tuck. It's a long shot, but on a roster this deep and lacking DE talent, I'm in wait-and-see mode. | ||
| DE | Cedric Thornton | 25 | FA | Lucked into Thornton early this year. Not that I've started him consistently until a month ago. | ||
| DE | Quanterus Smith | N/A | 2013 4.12 | Patience play for a small-school talent who gave Alabama's offensive line fits. | ||
| LB | Allen Bradford | N/A | FA | Patience play for the former USC RB who flashes skills in the preseason as an LB for Seattle. I want to see if he can progress this offseason and earn a starting gig with the Giants, who need LB help. | ||
| LB | Dannell Ellerbe | 38 | FA | Not a great year for Ellerbe, but he has been a bargain for me the past three years. | ||
| LB | Brandon Graham | N/A | 2010 3.10 pick acquired by giving up Kenny Britt | The most disappointing IDP pick I've made in every league in recent years. I thought Graham was a better DE candidate that Jason Pierre-Paul. I expected Graham to become a DE1 in short order for the Eagles, but he tore his ACL and then gained weight to be a bigger player when his calling card was explosive strength based on quickness and speed. This pick has set back my IDP rebuild on this side of the ball. | ||
| LB | Ryan Kerrigan | 46 | 2011 6.10 | Kerrigan has been a bargain until this year. Overall, my LB play has been a disappointment compared to last year where I looked like the LB Whisperer of IDP leagues. | ||
| LB | Shaun Phillips | 62 | FA | Bye-week addition this year. | ||
| LB | Craig Robertson | 56 | FA | Robertson was a surprise last year. This year, he's been a minor disappointment. | ||
| LB | Lawrence Timmons | 24 | 2007 3.07 via prior owner | My best starter - an LB2. Goes to show you that if you have great anchor players at QB, WR, and TE, it can elevate a mediocre team in big-roster leagues. | ||
| LB | Jason Worilds | 45 | 2010 4.11 | Worilds is finally looking like the disruptive player I loved watching at Virginia Tech. I was about to give up when the Steelers drafted Jarvis Jones. | ||
| LB | Larry Foote | N/A | FA | IR | ||
| LB | Melvin Ingram III | N/A | 2012 4.10 | Another disappointing player. I wish a 4-3 squad picked Ingram, because he if he was healthy and playing for a squad like Seattle, he'd be lights-out. He's on my Taxi Squad due to an early spring injury. | ||
| CB | Kyle Arrington | 50 | FA | Serviceable bye-week depth. | ||
| CB | Jerraud Powers | 29 | FA | Bad CB2, but I'm coping. | ||
| CB | Josh Wilson | 6 | FA | My personal nickname for him is "toast." I love toast, especially in IDP leagues. | ||
| S | Nate Allen | 21 | FA | I thought I drafted Allen in this league and then dumped and added him back a couple of times. I can't verify this info, but I can tell you that if Wilson is toast, Allen is at least a warm cheese steak roll. | ||
| S | Thomas DeCoud | 54 | 2008 8.06 by prior owner | DeCoud has struggled this year, but he's been a reasonable S2 for the past two seasons. | ||
| S | Duke Ihenacho | 25 | FA | Started strong and cost me some FA money to get him. Last week, the Broncos benched him. I hope he gets on track. | ||
| S | Earl Wolff | N/A | FA | Taxi Squad player I hope I have the patience to let sit. |
Lessons Learned-Anchor Players are Vital in Large Roster Rebuilds: Anchor players in large roster leagues are important. I stress the importance of anchors in dynasty leagues all the time and this squad is a good example. Take away Manning, Graham, and Green, and there's no way my squad wins the division, much less earns a playoff spot. This is especially true in a dynasty format where there's distance scoring for touchdowns.
Even when there isn't a scoring advantage for offensive players, consistent, big-play weapons provide a foundation for teams where you have defensive players with talent but inconsistent scoring potential. Look at my defense closely and you'll see that I don't have a true middle linebacker on this squad. Target the positions that give you both the most upside and consistency and then build around those players.
Lessons Learned-Learn How to Target Injured Players: Injured players are often good trade targets. Adam Harstad has done a fine job of making this point and I agree with him. Manning was an easy trade target for me two years ago. He had never been hurt, he was still playing at an elite level, and while this injury was scary, who would I likely get in the third round who would match Manning if he returned to form for another 3-4 years? You could look at my roster and make the point that Jimmy Graham was a third-round pick for this squad, but he's the exceptional case.
My advice to you, read Jene Bramel's injury reports and listen to him on the Audible. Learn which injuries are more difficult to regain peak athleticism based on position and you'll have a better risk-reward gauge for whom to target. Rob Gronkowski is a player I'd be targeting if I'm rebuilding. If you think about the number of knee surgeries Kellen Winslow had early in his career and he still provided a few good fantasy years afterwards, the Patriots' tight end is worth your patience.
Hot (Stinking Mess of a Team) Route IDP Dynasty League
Profiling this league in a fantasy article is a lot like having you as a house guest and the bathroom isn't clean. This league is the setting for two of the worst trades I have ever made in fantasy football. Both happened last year becuase I got sick of having a high-scoring team that lost a key player to injury and just missed making the playoffs.
I decided to blow up my team. And it was a team with some anchor players worth having this year: Peyton Manning, Marshawn Lynch, Antonio Gates. Even Von Miller. I got rid of them all. It might work out for me three years from now, but Manning has always been one of my favorite fantasy players to own and Lynch is my favorite football player in the game today.
This is another league with a lot of Footballguys staffers - Jene Bramel, Aaron Rudnicki, the Thing With Two Heads, and John Norton. Unlike Gamebreakers, I was in on the ground floor with this league. In addition to Manning and Gates, I also had Randy Moss, Chad Johnson, and Brandon Lloyd (once upon a time).
My disarray of a squad below. I hate my team, but I love the rebuild challenge ahead. I also value the lessons from my mistakes.
League: Hot Route
- Type: Dynasty
- Teams: 16
- Draft: Serpentine Order
- Lineup Options: 19 starters - 1 QB/0-2 RBs/3-5 WRs/1-3 TEs/1 PK/1-2 DTs/2 DEs/3-4 LBs/2 CB/2-3 Ss
- Scoring: PPR + 1.5 PPR for TE. Details here.
- Win-Loss Record: 3-10
- Points Rank: 13th
| Position | Player | Position Rank | Draft/Free Agent | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Russell Wilson | 8 | 2012 3.03 | A contributing reason I opted to trade Manning. | |
| QB | Carson Palmer | 16 | 2012 trade: Peyton Manning, Steve Smith, and Antonio Gates for Carson Palmer, Kendall Hunter, Dexter McCluster, Taylor Thompson and two first round picks in 2013 (Zach Stacy and Johnathan Franklin) | This is the worst deal I've ever made. I should have never given up these three players for less than two, high first-round picks and better options. When I looked at what I did at the end of last season, I decided to quit a few leagues and turn down invitations to others because it was clear I couldn't devote the time to really thinking through my decisions. | |
| QB | Ryan Griffin | N/A | FA | Taxi Squad patience play behind Drew Brees - smart, good arm, and pocket presence. | |
| QB | Sean Renfree | N/A | FA | Taxi Squad patience play behind Matt Ryan - possible free agent prize 3-4 years from now. | |
| QB | Brad Sorensen | N/A | FA | Taxi Squad patience play behind Philip Rivers - nice arm and release. | |
| RB | C.J. Anderson | N/A | FA | Free agent patience play with real ability who could usurp time due to injury or will bounce to a team in need of an RB. Think of Joique Bell's journey and a similar level of talent but a more agile style of play. | |
| RB | Joique Bell | 15 | 2010 start-up draft: 38.01 pick. | You can see, I valued Bell as far back as his rookie year. He's been on and off my roster, but I've stayed patient. When I say "monitor" a player, this is a good example. | |
| RB | Bryce Brown | 78 | FA | One of my more recent "monitor" selections. | |
| RB | Benny Cunningham | 62 | FA | Cunningham has potential to become a solid backup, but I'm not as enamored with him as I was Bell. There's some Alfred Morris-like skill with Cunningham that can be used if necessary. He could develop into a solid backup to Zac Stacy. | |
| RB | Johnathan Franklin | 85 | 2013 1.13 | Right now, this pick is looking like a mistake. I drafted for need rather than talent. I rarely do that, but I panicked in this league and didn't really think it through. There were wide receivers I should have taken first. Sometimes I don't follow my own advice. Hazards of the trade. | |
| RB | Kendall Hunter | 60 | 2012 trade: Peyton Manning, Steve Smith, and Antonio Gates for Carson Palmer, Kendall Hunter, Dexter McCluster, Taylor Thompson and two first round picks in 2013 (Zac Stacey and Johnathan Franklin) | Hunter still has a chance to succeed Frank Gore, but the bigger upside bet is Marcus Lattimore or another draft pick in 2014. | |
| RB | Bilal Powell | 33 | 2012 Trade: Delone Carter and 3rd round pick for Powell and 4th round pick. | Powell was off to a fine start but then the Jets' line play took a slide and then the Powell-Ivory cluster-bomb exploded. | |
| RB | Zac Stacy | 22 | 2013 1.14 | Part of what I got with the Marshawn Lynch/Von Miller deal. Not exciting, but still promising. | |
| RB | Spencer Ware | N/A | FA | Ware doesn't look like a guy I should be wasting a roster spot on, but I believe in his talent. The fact the Seahawks did, too was a huge reason why I kept him. Taxi Squad. | |
| RB | Chris Thompson | N/A | FA | Exciting speed and talent if he can get healthy. I'll wait another year to see if he earns some chances in a different offensive system that appears to be coming in Washington for 2014. | |
| RB | Shane Vereen | 39 | 2012 Trade: Brandon Lloyd for LaVon Brazill, Vereen, and 2013 4.06. | Hidden behind the "stank" of the two deals I hated is this trade. It might be one of the better deals I've made recently. If Vereen can stay healthy and Brazill earns a role as a possession receiver for Andrew Luck, this could pay off. My 4.06 is DE Quanterus Smith for the Broncos - a patience play at a position of need. | |
| RB | DuJuan Harris | N/A | FA | IR | |
| RB | Michael Smith | N/A | FA | IR | |
| WR | LaVon Brazill | N/A | 2012 Trade: Brandon Lloyd for Brazill, Shane Vereen, 2013 4.06 (Quanterus Smith). | I have always like Brazill's talent. If Andrew Luck becomes an elite fantasy QB, Brazill has a good shot to become the mashup of Eric Decker-Wes Welker for the Colts. | |
| WR | Greg Childs | N/A | FA | Just to make Jene Bramel laugh, although I love Childs' talent pre-injury. He would have been a WR1 in the NFL if not for those tendon injuries. I don't recommend adding him. | |
| WR | T.Y. Hilton | 22 | 2012 Trade: Marshawn Lynch, Von Miller, and a 2013 4th for T.Y. Hilton, Marvin Jones, Bruce Irvin, a 2013 1st (Travis Kelce) , and 2013 4th. | I hated giving up Lynch and I regret it weekly. However, I felt I needed to stock my depth chart with more shots at RB and WR. Mission accomplished, but not accomplished well at this moment. If the Colts revamp its offense to succeed with a vertical attack, Hilton can get closer to DeSean Jackson's production. | |
| WR | Marvin Jones | 36 | 2012 Trade: Marshawn Lynch, Von Miller, and a 2013 4th for T.Y. Hilton, Marvin Jones, Bruce Irvin, a 2013 1st (Travis Kelce), and 2013 4th. | I'm an unabashed fan and I believe patience will be rewarded with Jones. He's an inconsistent WR3, but I believe once Jay Gruden comes to his senses or is releived of his duties, Jones will be high-end WR3/solid WR2 for fantasy owners in the coming years. A risky play due to his situation, but I believe in his talent. | |
| WR | Andre Roberts | 84 | 2010 start-up draft: 17.16 pick. | Roberts has been a disappointment this year. I believe the injury that he sustained during the final game of the preseason hampered him all year. He's also not a great fit for this team right now. He might be a decent buy-low in a deep league like this one if he hits the free agent market in teh near future. | |
| WR | Rod Streater | 33 | FA | A solid free agent pick-up last year, who has helped my mediocre WR corps. | |
| WR | Kenbrell Thompkins | 61 | 2013 trade: 2014 2nd for Thompkins and 2014 4th. | I probably overpaid here, but I believe in Thompkins' talent. When I read the analysis of others who say he's an inconsistent player, they're talking about numbers and not skills. I believe he'll provide me solid fantasy WR3 value sooner than later. | |
| WR | Marquess Wilson | N/A | 2013 2014 | Patience play. | |
| TE | Clay Harbor | 43 | FA | Desperation pickup. | |
| TE | Taylor Thompson | 60 | 2012 trade: Peyton Manning, Steve Smith, and Antonio Gates for Carson Palmer, Kendall Hunter, Dexter McCluster, Taylor Thompson and two first round picks in 2013 (Zac Stacey and Johnathan Franklin) | Then the Titans added Delanie Walker in free agency. | |
| TE | Travis Kelce | N/A | 2013 1.16 | IR - Remember, this is a 1.5 PPR TE league. Kelce not panning out year-one really hurt this team. | |
| TE | Dwayne Allen | N/A | 2012 3.05 | IR - See above. | |
| PK | Mason Crosby | 5 | FA | ||
| DT | Star Lotulelei | 20 | FA | Not a bad free agent pickup after the draft. | |
| DT | Dontari Poe | 5 | FA | An even better preseason free agent addition. | |
| DE | Malik Jackson | 35 | FA | By-week option. | |
| DE | Greg Hardy | 13 | 2010 start-up draft: 53.16 pick - my last pick. | One of my better end-of-the-draft IDP pickups in recent years. | |
| DE | Corey Lemonier | 83 | FA | Worth a flier; Lemonier has talent. | |
| DE | Quanterus Smith | N/A | 2013 4.06 | Patience play. | |
| DE | Shea McClellin | 63 | FA | Patience play. | |
| DE | Derrick Morgan | 40 | 2010 start-up draft: 13.16 pick. | Patience wearing thin. | |
| DE | Devin Taylor | N/A | FA | Curiosity pick: Taylor has looked good. In fact, better than he did at South Carolina where he was a minor disappointment. | |
| DE | Corey Wootton | 43 | FA | Patience wearing out. | |
| LB | Vontaze Burfict | 4 | FA | One of my favorite steals, Burfict is the case of talent clothed in immaturity and whitewashed as a bust after making a poor impression to people who write and talk about football. You don't ignore a player like Burfict if he's sitting there at the end of a draft untouched. | |
| LB | Dannell Ellerbe | 39 | 2010 start-up draft: 25.16 pick. | A patience play who has yielded minor dividends. | |
| LB | Melvin Ingram III | N/A | 2012 Trade: Gave up T.J. Graham and 3rd round pick for Ingram. | I don't think I gave up much to get Ingram, but it might be another two years before he even does anything worthwhile for me. Not looking promising, but I like his talent. | |
| LB | Bruce Irvin | N/A | 2012 Trade: Marshawn Lynch, Von Miller, and a 2013 4th for T.Y. Hilton, Marvin Jones, Bruce Irvin, a 2013 1st (Travis Kelce), and 2013 4th. | Irvin still has a chance to develop into a productive fantasy player, but I'm less optimistic about his doing so after a year where he's improved his skill in pass coverage but he's not the force (yet) as a pass rusher I've been hoping for. | |
| LB | Shaun Phillips | 54 | FA | Bye-week player. | |
| LB | Patrick Willis | 51 | 2010 start-up draft: 3.16 pick. | I never thought I'd see Willis out of the top 15. He was an anchor player for my team and Navorro Bowman has cut the chain and set my defense adrift. | |
| CB | Prince Amukamara | 5 | FA | Drafted dropped and then readded. I can't tell you how many stars I've lost this way. | |
| CB | Darrelle Revis | 35 | FA | Roster depth after draft. | |
| CB | Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie | 53 | FA | Bye-week play. | |
| S | Kam Chancellor | 31 | 2010 Start-up draft:36.01 pick. | Minor disappointment this year. I'll stay patient. | |
| S | Thomas DeCoud | 55 | FA | Big drop in production this year. | |
| S | Major Wright | 18 | FA | Solid S2 on a squad without an S1. |
Lesson Learned - Trading is Like Dancing, Keep Moving: If you're going to make deals in fantasy football, you have to stay active. The heavy wheeler-dealer types are like performers on a stage. If they mess up a move, they keep on moving and play down the error - the show must go on. As they say, "close" counts in dancing, horseshoes, and nuclear war. The same can be said about trades if you keep on dancing. If you stop, the error becomes more apparent. Work through the awkwardness of a deal and continue making moves.
Lesson Learned - Demand "Now-Plays and High Picks" For Anchor Players: Peyton Manning, Marshawn Lynch, and Antonio Gates were core players for my team - a large-roster squad. Manning and Lynch warranted more than what I took for them. Gates was a minor surprise. While their time will end sooner than later, never take mediocre "could-be" players. Taylor Thompson, Dexter McCluster, Marvin Jones, and Kendall Hunter are "could-be" players. You want more "now" players than "could-bes" when making a deal.
Lesson Learned - Consider Allowing Anchor Players to Ride Into The Sunset: This isn't a hard and fast rule. If you're good at timing the end and getting a good deal for an Anchor Player, do it. However, if you drafted or acquired a player who has performed at or above your expected value and anchors your squad, it's not wrong if you hold onto them and accept that the profit you gained was years of service. Squeeze every last inch of undisputed starter value from them before letting them go.
Footballguys' STaff IDP Dynasty League - First-Year STart-up.
This team had a bad start, but I love my draft and my free agent additions. I believe that I'll be a playoff team in 2014. What hurt my squad was injuries to Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, Roddy White, and Steven Jackson. However, I have tremendous depth at receiver, linebacker, and quarterback, and a good position in the rookie draft.
This was a league where we could trade draft picks during the start-up and I made a lot of trades to get multiple picks at strategic points of the process and going longer periods of time between picks after I targeted players I valued. Although it didn't pay off this year, I'm excited about its talent.
League: FBGs IDP
- Type: Dynasty
- Teams: 12
- Draft: Serpentine Order
- Lineup Options: 19 starters - 1 QB/1-2 RBs/3-4 WRs/1-2 TEs/1-2 DTs/2 DEs/3-4 LBs/2-3 CBs/2-3 Ss
- Scoring: IOP-Style Score + 1.5 PPR for TE. Details here.
- Win-Loss Record: 5-8
- Points Rank: 7th
| Position | Player | Position Rank | Draft/Free Agent | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Russell Wilson | 7 | 4.03 | 33rd overall scorer and my future elite QB. | |
| QB | Tom Brady | 12 | 13.01 | Considering his woes with rookies and injuries at WR/TE I'm pleased. He has at least another two years of viable production and was coming on before the Gronkowski injury. | |
| QB | Jay Cutler | 26 | 22.03 | A terrific QB2 with high-QB1 upside if he stays in Chicago. I love the fit with the Bears and I agree that the potential for him to stay with Marc Trestman is too great to ignore. | |
| RB | Steven Jackson | 41 | 10.03 | Jackson was a "win-now" pick and one of my "mid-round" options in a league where I employed more of an "upside down" approach to my draft. I think Atlanta gives Jackson one more year to provide value. The Falcons aren't as far away as they seem with a healthy Roddy White and Julio Jones. | |
| RB | Joique Bell | 15 | 25.10 | Inconsistent RB2, but he has been a great value nonetheless. He'll remain a strong RB3 capable of RB2 production next year. | |
| RB | DeAngelo Williams | 30 | 20.03 | I knew what I was getting and I got it, although I was hoping for a little more. | |
| RB | Mike Tolbert | 38 | FA | Utility player of value. | |
| RB | Bryce Brown | 72 | 15.10 | Patience play. | |
| RB | Johnathan Franklin | 95 | 17.10 | Patience play. Eddie Lacy is a fine player, but Franklin flashed the goods against a Cincinnati squad that, at the time, was healthy. Lacy takes a lot of punishment and while I'll take the Packers' starter where I can get him, I have no delusions about him having career of 8-10 years as a starter. | |
| RB | Benny Cunningham | 67 | FA | Available roster spot after draft. Taxi Squad. | |
| RB | Spencer Ware | N/A | FA | Available roster spot after draft. Taxi Squad. | |
| WR | Dez Bryant | 12 | 1.10 | I was sold on Bryant's maturation. The back injury is a minor concern, but the one thing I don't see changing for the next 3-5 years is Tony Romo and Bryant. | |
| WR | Josh Gordon | 2 | 10.06 | 16th-best fantasy player overall in this league in the 10th round is a fantastic deal this year. I'm believe Gordon is also on the maturation track and his college and offseason troubles will be behind him. If they are, I have the makings of a dominant receiving corps. | |
| WR | Roddy White | 70 | 6.03 | I'm looking forward to next year with White. He's no longer a great dynasty player, but he's not done yet. I expect solid WR2 production from him next year and maybe the year after. | |
| WR | Michael Floyd | 23 | 11.05 | Floyd has been coming on as of late. He has WR1 potential. After Gordon and Alshon Jeffery, he's the WR from this 2012 draft class with high upside. | |
| WR | Reggie Wayne | 56 | FA | An FA pickup to replace D.J. Swearinger Sr and stash to IR, Wayne might be done. But how can I resist waiting to find out at this cheap of a price? | |
| WR | Marlon Brown | 52 | FA | Not bad production for a UDFA I picked up this summer. Brown has solid WR2 upside if he continues to develop. Joe Flacco has already commented that Brown has a knack in the red zone and he plays like he's 6'7" in this area of the field. Nice . . . | |
| WR | Da'Rick Rodgers | N/A | 28.03 | A fine debut last week, Rodgers hopefully found a home with one of the two best second-year quarterbacks in the NFL. Rodgers has always reminded me of Dwayne Bowe with a little more agility and a lot less maturity. I hope he grows up. If he does, he has a golden opportunity on a Colts offense that should be on the rise in 2014. | |
| WR | Kenbrell Thompkins | 57 | 28.05 | Injuries may be the reason Thompkins continues to get chances, but he also continues to make good on them. Love him as an end of my depth-chart option. | |
| WR | Marquess Wilson | N/A | 28.06 | Taxi Squad/Patience Play. | |
| TE | Rob Gronkowski | 14 | 2.03 | This hurts my team in 2014, but it's not catastrophic. It will cost me a roster spot because I doubt the Patriots put him on IR. Doesn't matter. | |
| TE | Travis Kelce | N/A | 11.10 | If Kelce plays to my expectation of his talent he can be in the top-half of fantasy tight ends in this league. The micro fracture surgery is worrisome, but he's young and doesn't have a significant history of injury. The Andy Reid offense is tight-end friendly. A healthy Kelce could become the go-to-guy. That said, I'm expecting 2015 as his launch date with 2014 as a preparation year. | |
| TE | Delanie Walker | 15 | FA | I dropped Chris Polk for Walker, who has been a solid TE1 down the stretch. I also had Tim Wright at one point, but not as much of a long-term believer in him. Can't say I am of Walker, either. | |
| TE | Joseph Fauria | 42 | FA | Fauria is the player I added after dropping draft pick Andre Roberts. I'm hopeful that Fauria can improve enough next year to become a valuable red zone threat for fantasy owners on a consistent basis. If he can become a better blocker or improve his route skills between the 20s, he has some potential to be a lesser version of Jimmy Graham. | |
| TE | Dion Sims | N/A | 37.10 | Charles Clay is ruling the roost in Miami and there's also the likelihood Dustin Keller returns next year. However, Sims is a physical talent with good hands. He has the best chance of becoming a complete tight end. At the same time, that phrase "complete tight end" can also have a bad fantasy connotation: "blocker first, receiver second." It could go down like that, too. | |
| TE | Ryan Griffin | N/A | FA | I was hopeful about DE Da`Quan Bowers, but I gave up on him to stock up on tight ends. Griffin is an underrated athlete with excellent hands. The loss of the head coach who advocated Griffin as a kid with a bright future might hurt his stock, but I'm hoping his new coach has an open mind. | |
| DT | Sen\'Derrick Marks | 11 | FA | Replaced Brent Grimes when I needed a defensive tackle. | |
| DE | Greg Hardy | 17 | 3.10 | Really up and down season for Hardy in this format, but I'm learning not to overspend on defensive ends in this format (see IOP league from last week's review) | |
| DE | Ropati Pitoitua | 32 | FA | Replaced Justin Tuck mid season. | |
| LB | Karlos Dansby | 1 | 26.03 | I have always been a huge Dansby fan and he's the No.3 player overall in this league. | |
| LB | Derrick Johnson | 8 | 5.07 | I thought Johnson would be in Dansby's position, but No.20 overall is still good. | |
| LB | Justin Houston | 22 | 12.03 | Houston is still a top-25 LB despite missing the past 2.5 weeks. | |
| LB | D`Qwell Jackson | 35 | 5.05 | When this guy isn't even starting for me weekly I know I picked well at LB. | |
| LB | Brad Jones | 44 | 16.03 | Jones missed three games, but he is No.24 among LBs in Fpts/gm average. Great depth at the very least. | |
| LB | Philip Wheeler | 41 | 26.06 | A steady and a terrific bye-week option. | |
| LB | Jason Worilds | 37 | FA | I drafted Worilds in every dynasty league when he was a rookie, but couldn’t hang onto him. It's paying off here as FA and a minor consolation prize. | |
| LB | Barkevious Mingo | 80 | 21.10 | A promising rookie who needs to add some man weight. | |
| CB | Brandon Boykin | 25 | FA | Replaced Chad Spann on my roster. | |
| CB | Corey Graham | 6 | FA | Roster depth after draft. | |
| CB | Terence Newman | 17 | FA | Roster depth after draft. | |
| S | Nate Allen | 23 | FA | Roster depth after draft. | |
| S | Tyvon Branch | N/A | 19.10 | A weapon for next year who didn't work out this. | |
| S | T.J. Ward | 4 | 27.10 | Bargain. | |
| S | Charles Woodson | 11 | 36.03 | I'm all about picking up the over-the-hill safety all the way back to the days of Sammy Knight. |
Lesson Learned - Build A Foundation With Core Positions And Work Outward: My running backs and defensive ends are weak and my tight end spot is shaky for at least the next year, but the reason I love this team is that I concentrated my efforts on building a foundation on receivers, linebackers, and quarterbacks. While I believe these three positions are the best areas of focus in a large-roster, IDP dynasty league becuase people horde QBs and WR-LB account for a significant percentage of your starting lineups, you can make other positions your focus as long as the result is creating a highly productive depth chart.
This depth chart at WR and LB provides me tremendous flexibility. I can trade my depth in the offseason for draft picks or players I covet. I can keep these players and focus on drafting for need. Or, I can do what I think is the best course of action: hold onto these players and draft for talent.
If I discover that the most talented players available to me in the draft are more wide receivers and linebackers, I'm taking them. It just means I'll have an embarrassment of riches. My trade negotiations should be even easier because I can afford to pick my spots, have some flexibility about whom to deal, but at the same time not allow my negotiation partner to dictate the player he wants without paying for it.
Lesson Affirmed - Veterans Are Worthwhile: Perhaps this is Charles Woodson's final year, but getting S1 production from a 36th-round pick is just as good, if not better than, playing the waiver wire. I always target veteran defensive backs - especially older safeties - in dynasty leagues and more often than not it works out like this. It allows me to be patient in deep drafts and not respond to runs at positions I don't think are worth the pick.
This also works with younger veterans who started their careers well, saw a dip in production due to injury or system, and then have potential to recapture that glory with renewed vitality and a better system fit. T.J. Ward is a prime example. Ward and Woodson were picked 8 and 17 rounds after Tyvon Branch and both are S1s this year.
HyperActive Dynasty League - TEam Defense-PPR-Flex-Heavy Lineups.
I was among the top points scorers in this league since I took over this team in 2009, but this year the bottom fell out. One of the reasons is that I continued giving up my draft picks to extend my playoff window one extra year and I also cut the wrong players: Joique Bell, Riley Cooper, Bilal Powell, Knoshown Moreno, and Victor Cruz among them.
This league allows me to start the widest variety of position types that I have ever encountered. If I want to go with four tight ends, one back, and one receiver, cool. If I want to go 4-1-1 at RB-WR-TE, that's also fine. It has allowed me to prospect at WR and TE for a few years because I rode Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, and Ray Rice to the playoffs since 2009.
This year, I'm in the dumper and I don't have a draft pick. I'll be in rebuilding mode for a year or two with this league.
League: FBGs IDP
- Type: Dynasty
- Teams: 14
- Draft: Serpentine Order
- Lineup Options: 8 starters - 1 QB/1-4 RBs/1-4 WRs/1-4 TEs/1 DEF
- Scoring: PPR Scoring. Details here.
- Win-Loss Record: 3-9
- Points Rank: 12th
| Position | Player | Position Rank | Draft/Free Agent | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Tom Brady | 11 | Trade: My 2012 1st round pick for Tom Brady | Starting Brady over Rivers tripped me up early, but it was the least of my woes. Still, I have solid depth for the next 2-3 year. My concern is how confident am I in Ryan Tannehill evolving into a QB1 and what do I do about it? | |
| QB | Ryan Griffin | N/A | FA | Probably depth I can't afford to be patient with but for now I'm holding onto him. Brees still has 2-3 years left at least, but Sean Payton has done well with young quarterbacks. | |
| QB | Philip Rivers | 4 | Trade: My 2011 1st round pick and Aaron Hernandez for Philip Rivers and Rob Gronkowski. | No.5 overall player in this league in 2013. | |
| QB | Ryan Tannehill | 13 | 2012 2.07 | My strategy was to get Wilson and Tannehill like I did in Gamebreakers, but it didn't work out here. | |
| QB | Brian Hoyer | N/A | FA IR | I've had Hoyer in a number of leagues over the years because I thought he'd be a better version of what we saw with Matt Cassel. Hoyer flashed it before getting hurt. I'm curious to see if Cleveland is open minded with him as its potential future under center. | |
| RB | C.J. Anderson | N/A | FA | Patience Play. | |
| RB | Bryce Brown | 72 | 2012 4.07 | Patience Play. | |
| RB | Ronnie Hillman | 60 | FA | Hillman could still become a player in the mold of Tiki Barber, a player with an underwhelming start to his career. However, it's clearly a miss for me right now. | |
| RB | Chris Ivory | 48 | FA | Talk about misses . . . I don't remember when I dropped Joique Bell, but I think it was for Ivory. | |
| RB | Ray Rice | 21 | Trade: My DeSean Jackson, Chris Simms, and 2011 2nd round pick for Ray Rice and Steve Smith | My bedrock crumbled this year due to a hip injury. I tried to acquire Le`Veon Bell before Bell emerged, no dice. | |
| RB | DeAngelo Williams | 30 | Original Player | Yep. | |
| WR | LaVon Brazill | N/A | FA | Last week was nice to see. I'm hoping it continues and translates to a real opportunity in 2014. | |
| WR | Vincent Brown | 77 | 2012 Trade: LeGarrette Blount, Michael Smith, 2014 1st 2014, 2nd, and 2013 2nd for Vincent Brown, Marvin Jones, 2013 4th, and 2014 4th | Brown is still worth a shot in deeper leagues, but the bloom on the rose wore off this year when the promise of Brown earning significant targets in the Mike McCoy offense took a backseat to Woodhead. He also didn't look good against tight single coverage on the perimeter and it's a bad sign. I'm going to be patient, but more from necessity than choice. | |
| WR | Brice Butler | N/A | FA | Flashes as a rookie, but who knows in Oakland where they rotate receivers like Subway rotates sandwich specials. I'm waiting for Cecil Lammey to be on a Subway commercial doing a secret handshake with Julius Thomas. | |
| WR | Juron Criner | N/A | FA | Patience Play wearing thin. | |
| WR | Marvin Jones | 36 | 2012 Trade: LeGarrette Blount, Michael Smith, 2014 1st 2014, 2nd, and 2013 2nd for Vincent Brown, Marvin Jones, 2013 4th, and 2014 4th | Jones is flashing some of the skills that I believe will make him a WR2/WR3 in fantasy leagues for the next 5-6 years. Wait and see mode. | |
| WR | Tavarres King | N/A | 2013 4.07 | Patience Play. | |
| WR | Dexter McCluster | 62 | FA | Drop-add-drop-add option over the past two years. | |
| WR | Denarius Moore | 46 | FA | Last year's flavor of Oak-town. | |
| WR | Steve Smith | 33 | Trade: My Armon Binns, 2013 1st, 3rd, and 4th | Smith was my push for the championship either two years ago or last, I don't remember. | |
| WR | Kenbrell Thompkins | 57 | 2013 4.06 | Productive use of a late pick. | |
| WR | Marquess Wilson | N/A | FA | Patience Play. | |
| TE | Antonio Gates | 7 | Original Player | Anchor Player in slow decline? | |
| TE | Rob Gronkowski | 14 | Trade: 2011 1st round pick and Aaron Hernandez for Philip Rivers and Rob Gronkowski | Now a patience player. I have too many patience plays right now - thus my record. | |
| TE | Levine Toilolo | N/A | FA | Ability is there to become an all-round player. I hope he has made the most of studying Gonzalez. If I were him, I'd be paying Gonzalez for tutoring during the offseason. Seriously. | |
| DEF | Denver Broncos | 8 | FA | ||
| DEF | Seattle Seahawks | 3 | FA |
Lesson Affirmed - Patience: I cycled through too many late round talents with upside during the past three years. Cooper, Cruz, Moreno, Powell, and Bell could have been the answers to make this team dominant and they were right under my nose as I was searching for those "1-2 extra talents."
Phenomz Dynasty League - TEam Defense and one College Keeper Option
I was among the top points scorers in this league since I took over this team in 2009, but this year the bottom fell out. One of the reasons is that I continued giving up my draft picks to extend my playoff window one extra year and I also cut the wrong players: Joique Bell, Riley Cooper, Bilal Powell, Knoshown Moreno, and Victor Cruz among them.
This league allows me to start the widest variety of position types that I have ever encountered. If I want to go with four tight ends, one back, and one receiver, cool. If I want to go 4-1-1 at RB-WR-TE, that's also fine. It has allowed me to prospect at WR and TE for a few years because I rode Antonio Gates, Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, and Ray Rice to the playoffs since 2009.
This year, I'm in the dumper and I don't have a draft pick. I'll be in rebuilding mode for a year or two with this league.
League: Phenomz IDP
- Type: Dynasty
- Teams: 14
- Draft: Serpentine Order
- Lineup Options: 8 starters - 1 QB/1-2 RBs/2-3 WRs/1-2 TEs/1 DEF
- Scoring: Standard Scoring. Details here.
- Win-Loss Record: 7-6
- Points Rank: 7th
I missed the playoffs on a points tiebreaker this year after coping with early-season woes that included losing Percy Harvin and Dennis Pitta to injury and Aaron Hernandez to murder charges. It was a tough season becuase entering it, I thought I had turned this team into a perennial contender. The good news is that this team is still on the ascent. There was a Pitta sighting last week and Harvin should be healthy next year.
This is probably the most well-run league I'm in and it's filled with Footballguys regulars in the Shark Pool. The owners are involved and mature and I'm glad that I earned the invite in 2009. I even recommended Fantasy Throwdown owner and friend Mike MacGregor for the league. He's now competing for the championship.
| Position | Player | Position Rank | Draft/Free Agent | Comments | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QB | Matthew Stafford | 3 | Traded 2010 1st round pick in 2009. | This move paid off. I had Mark Sanchez and I really didn't want him. | |
| QB | Russell Wilson | 7 | 2012 3.09 | Of course I took the guy I said was similar in style to Drew Brees before the NFL Draft. | |
| RB | Reggie Bush | 8 | Traded Michael Vick and Steve Slaton in 2009. | Love this trade. I didn't believe in Slaton despite his strong rookie year and I trusted my analysis of two players with opposite public perceptions (Slaton, good; Bush, not so good) but heading in equally opposite directions. | |
| RB | Giovani Bernard | 12 | 2013 1.07 | Finally, a first-round pick of a player I actually wanted. You have no idea how difficult this is for a guy who sells a book his competition buys. | |
| RB | Chris Ivory | 35 | FA | I picked him up last year, hoping he'd earn a nice spot as a free agent. There's still hope he can fulfill his promise in 2014. | |
| RB | Rashard Mendenhall | 30 | Original Player on roster | My first season inheriting this team (after the rookie draft) and he was the 1.01. | |
| RB | Bilal Powell | 37 | 2011 2.05 | Underwhelming returns until September of this year, but he hasn't built on the production. | |
| RB | Michael Bush | 77 | FA | Depth. | |
| RB | Ronnie Hillman | 69 | 2012 1.09 | Wiffing thus far. | |
| WR | A.J. Green | 5 | College player saved in 2009 (waited 2 years). | I held onto Green's rights in 2009 and 2010 just so I could get in him 2011. Well worth it. | |
| WR | Percy Harvin | N/A | College Player saved in 2008. | Harvin was one of the reasons this team appealed to me as a rehab project. I knew I'd get him in 2009 and while his health has been mercurial, he's been awesome when available. | |
| WR | Anquan Boldin | 17 | FA | Dropped and reacquired numerous times during the past two years. | |
| WR | Julian Edelman | 24 | FA | Dropped Anquan Boldin for him in 2011. He's kept me in contention until the final week despite my injuries. | |
| WR | Marvin Jones | 27 | FA | I dropped Cyrus Gray for Jones. Gray was a college player I had rights to, drafted, and he underwhelmed. | |
| WR | Kenny Stills | 51 | 2013 3.07 | Promising start. | |
| WR | Andre Roberts | 87 | 2010 3.02 | Hoping it was the injury at the end of he preseason that hurt his opportunities. Or hoping he finds another team that uses him to his potential as a solid WR3. | |
| WR | Stedman Bailey | N/A | 2013 2.07 | Taxi Squad - patience play. | |
| WR | Tavarres King | N/A | 2010 3.01 | See above. | |
| TE | Dennis Pitta | N/A | FA | Pitta's injury on top of Hernandez's arrest took the luster of my squad as a 2013 favorite. | |
| TE | Delanie Walker | 15 | FA | Serviceable, but it took weeks for me to find a suitable starter. | |
| PK | Steven Hauschka | 2 | FA | ||
| DEF | Titans | 17 | FA | Started well, finished poorly. | |
| College FA | Duke Johnson | 2013 4.07 | IR | Second year in a row that I've picked a college player who dazzled early and then suffered a knee injury (Ray Graham). Hoping Johnson can recover and then stay in school for his senior year and look like his old self. |
Lesson Learned - Be Willing to Wait on Great College Talent: Although I write the RSP, I don't always get to evaluate players who don't delcare for that year's draft. So when it's time to take the rights to a college player, I have learned that I would rather wait a couple of years if the talent I have seen is out of this world. A.J. Green qualifies.
Lesson Learned - Trust Your Analysis of Talent: I thought Steve Slaton was an elusive back with questionable vision behind a good offensive line. He had a number of big plays as a rookie that I thought would be best described as "fortunate" rather than skillful. On the other hand, I thought Bush was trying too hard to be a big-play artist when he had shown in college that he could hit a hole and take the harder yards rather than try for the home run all the time. It was a tough call, because the public sentiment was higher on Bush than Slaton. In the long run the deal has been a positive differencemaker for my team.
