Make Fun of my Team
Okay, so there is no actual football news until camp starts and everyone covering the NFL is taking a vacation. (I probably would too, but our second magazine is due later than usual this year).
So instead of news, we'll talk about the subject no one cares about: My fantasy teams. Take a look at the results from yesterday's KPII draft and you can comment on what I'm missing, where I picked someone too early, and who I got at a good value. This was a PPR league with six points per passing touchdown.
QB: Jay Cutler (8.09), Matt Schaub (10.09)
RB: Adrian Peterson (1.04), Ronnie Brown (4.09), Jonathan Stewart (5.04), Kenny Watson (12.09), Pierre Thomas (13.04)
WR: Andre Johnson (2.09), Steve Smith (3.04), Marvin Harrison (6.09), Lee Evans (7.04), Vincent Jackson (11.04), Ernest Wilford (14.09)
TE: Owen Daniels (9.04)
K: Adam Vinatieri (16.09)
DEF: Steelers (15.04)
Comments: I have to admit I like this team, which is usually the kiss of death. We start three wideouts and a flex, which means I plan to start four wideouts ideally most weeks. This is a bit of a boom-or-bust team with AP, Brown, Stewart, and Harrison, but I thought they all came at good values. I feel comfortable with Daniels in this format, although I didn't love the pick because I could have had Todd Heap at 8.09, if I risked Cutler not getting back to me. But I love Cutler this season and couldn't keep risk waiting on him. Another favorite of mine at tight end, Zach Miller, went undrafted.
I am a little tired of being in these drafts with all the same people. Tom Kessenich and I seem to be working off similar draft boards. Andy Richardson from Fantasy Index was another guy who thought alike.
Comments
I'm not a believer in Cutler but you are and hey - if you are then take him. Last year I was a believer in Big Ben coming off his terrible year - I picked him up in Round 10 in a 12-team league with 6-point passing TD's. You have good insurance with Schaub. Riskiest picks are Brown and Harrison. I'd actually take Anthony Gonzales over Harrison. I don't like drafting any receiver over age 35, because you never know when they will blow up. How many times last year did the Colts say he would play the next week? You can't believe anything coming out of their mouths about his status and health. Galloway has defied my expectations, and TO is great, but I'm 36 and I know how long I take to heal. If anyone can continue to produce at his late of an age, TO is the one I'd believe in. He has a great work ethic, is supremely conditioned, and in a great situation to catch a lot of balls and score.
Posted by: KG | June 27, 2008 08:58 PM
Unless you get a huge steal at a position of strength, I think you have to draft your starters first.
With how close the RBs are from 10-45, you should probably draft WRs from rounds 2-5 in this format. You could have gotten Ronnie Brown production much later and didn't need to pick him if Stewart was still available.
I don't see the value in Brown, a guy who is coming off an injury to split carries on a team that may not score a TD a game.
I'd be interested in where Chris Johnson went. The Titans didn't waste another first round pick when they have so many offensive needs not to play him. (Well, they may have wasted the pick, but they plan to play him.) With that caliber defense and no passing game, the Titans will look to get over 2000 yards with White and Johnson combined, and Johnson could get the bulk of the carries. Plus, they plan to use him in a Reggie Bush role, which is perfect for PPR.
Also, I like the Schaub pick, and I'm not sure why you have him behind Cutler. Andre Johnson is significantly better than Brandon Marshall, and if Jacoby Jones comes on the way you suggest, the trio of Johnson, Walter, and Jones will give Schaub one of the NFL's more dynamic WR corps. Other than Cutler, the offense in Denver is a disaster.
Posted by: The Dude Abides | June 28, 2008 04:44 AM
I like the QB situation you've got -- I grabbed the same duo in a 12 man I just completed. The only downside I failed to notice beforehand was Den and Hou have the same bye.
I don't see Marshall getting more than a 2 game suspension, plus Scheff is going to really emerge this year. If they can get anything from the bevy of Djax, Colbert, Stokley, or Eddie Royal, then Cutler will emerge as a top 10 option.
Keep up the hard work of mocking every day!
Posted by: hayesj | June 28, 2008 11:49 AM
You can't help but be impressed with Chris Johnson's speed and like his potential in a 3rd down/Reggie Bush type role.
But as we saw with Bush & Deuce, Johnson will need LenDale pounding the ball on 1st & 2nd downs.
Johnson is too light in the a## to get the bulk of the carries.
Posted by: Stephen | June 28, 2008 12:29 PM
This is solid draft, Greg, good value in mid-rounds. However, your man-crush on Cutler seems at odds with your recent post on Brandon Marshall, who may be suspended or jailed due to criminal activity. So who's catching Cutler's TDs if Marshall is absent for an extended stretch? I say of Marshall is absent, Cutler takes a big hit, and that's a risky proposition for your starting QB, even if you get Cutler as a value pick in round 8.
Posted by: gary | June 28, 2008 02:34 PM
The people saying that you're weak at TE need to do some research. Daniels is a fine TE1 in any format, and has even more value in a PPR league. If I were you, I'd be happy I got him instead of Heap.
However, like others on here, I'm also a little weary of your starting QB. But, if you really believe in Cutler, then I can't fault you for that.
Posted by: Chris | June 28, 2008 06:01 PM
A very solid core with AP, Andre & S. Smith. Probably enough to win a lot of games for you. With those three, the rest of your team, which features a lot of boom/bust types may not matter as much.
Like others, I'm a bit wary of Cutler, but between him & Schaub they'll put up ok numbers.
I also agree with the Dude Abides: is there really much difference between the RBs available in the 3rd round and the ones in the 7th round? Seems like RB is stacked full of similar talent/potential this year once you get past the top 8 or so.
Thoughts?
Posted by: joshyjosh | June 29, 2008 10:56 AM