NFL Fantasy Football 2014

[BabyIrish]

Out of curiosity, who would you guys take if you ended up with the #1 pick this season? I would hate to draft there, but I'd be awfully tempted to take Gronk since I absolutely hate the idea of starting just about anyone else there. Every other TE seems to put up a clunker of a game every other week, and Graham/Thomas had massive downgrades leaving their old teams. Even if I snagged someone good like Kelce I would expect him to drop 5 points every other game while Gronk seemingly gets 15 on a bad week.

I'd take Antonio Brown or Matt Forte. I expect Fortes pass production to go up with Marshall gone.

 

[woolybug25]

I agree and in today's game I've started drafting WR's first. Take a top QB or RB if able but late first round go WR-WR. Has worked like magic last two years. There are so many 3rd or later round pick RB's that are studs as well as QB's that manage to score points. Late round WR's become a guessing game on when they will produce.

Do you not play in a PPR league? In a PPR league, I don't get how this strategy would be a good one. There are 5 or less great PPR RB's per season and then maybe another 10 that you could make an argument as a #1. If you wait to the third round, you simply won't be able to get a guy that you can lean on to get points at the position.

Additionally, if you're in a PPR league, WR is one of the easiest positions to get quality guys late in the draft. They are also the easiest to manage during the season, especially with how much teams spread the ball around nowadays.

 

[Luckylucci]

Funny, I've always done the opposite. Go RB heavy the 1st few rounds, with the exception of an elite QB, and then pick from low 1st tier to high 2nd tier WRs. If you have 2 top RBs you are hard to beat IMO.

I would agree if you can get one of the top 4-6 RB's. I've picked late in back to back years and won my league with what I posted. Is it perfect, no but I like it and it works for me.

 

[Luckylucci]

Do you not play in a PPR league? In a PPR league, I don't get how this strategy would be a good one. There are 5 or less great PPR RB's per season and then maybe another 10 that you could make an argument as a #1. If you wait to the third round, you simply won't be able to get a guy that you can lean on to get points at the position.

Additionally, if you're in a PPR league, WR is one of the easiest positions to get quality guys late in the draft. They are also the easiest to manage during the season, especially with how much teams spread the ball around nowadays.

Your entire point, though valid, has to nothing to do with a non PPR league which is what I play in.

 

[woolybug25]

Your entire point, though valid, has to nothing to do with a non PPR league which is what I play in.

That's why I specifically asked if it was non PPR in my post, since that would make more sense.

While that strategy doesn't make sense in PPR, I'm still not sure passing on RB's in a non PPR is that good of strategy either. There are still not that many RB's in the league that consistently deliver a lot of all purpose yardage and TD's. Most leagues have at least two slots for the position. So if you wait until later rounds, you open your roster up for a black hole at the hardest position to manufacture later in the season.

I don't know. Everything I still read, my understanding of the strategies, and past success tell me that RB is still a tough position to fill. It's foolish to pass up a sure fire RB for a WR, when WR's are a dime a dozen once the season plays on.

 

[arrowryan]

Same here. Football has changed so much, I put way more emphasis on QB/WR/TE than RB nowadays. I usually have gotten 3rd down backs in the middle rounds for PPR leagues who are worth it when you can take a couple stud WRs early.

Out of curiosity, who would you guys take if you ended up with the #1 pick this season? I would hate to draft there, but I'd be awfully tempted to take Gronk since I absolutely hate the idea of starting just about anyone else there. Every other TE seems to put up a clunker of a game every other week, and Graham/Thomas had massive downgrades leaving their old teams. Even if I snagged someone good like Kelce I would expect him to drop 5 points every other game while Gronk seemingly gets 15 on a bad week.

Le'Veon Bell

I'd take Antonio Brown or Matt Forte. I expect Fortes pass production to go up with Marshall gone.

You'd take Forte with Bell and Peterson still on the board? I would think that Forte would go at pick #4 or #5 in most drafts this year

 

[arrowryan]

I would agree if you can get one of the top 4-6 RB's. I've picked late in back to back years and won my league with what I posted. Is it perfect, no but I like it and it works for me.

Running backs go off the board so damn fast that you really have no choice but to go back-to-back receivers or QB/WR in the late first.

 

[woolybug25]

You'd take Forte with Bell and Peterson still on the board? I would think that Forte would go at pick #4 or #5 in most drafts this year

I would say even lower than that. A lot of Forte's value (I should know, he been my keeper since his rookie season) came from being in an offense that allowed him to catch a lot of balls out of the backfield. I'm not sure that is the case this season. He also has been a workhorse for a long time now, and as much as it pains me as a Bears fan, his shelf life is running dry.

What's worse is that I have to make the decision to give Forte one mor season as my keeper, or keep Eddie Lacy (of all people). I'm really leaning Lacy. I honestly think Forte may make it to pick 4-5 in my league, and 12 players will already be off the board as keepers.

 

[arrowryan]

I would say even lower than that. A lot of Forte's value (I should know, he been my keeper since his rookie season) came from being in an offense that allowed him to catch a lot of balls out of the backfield. I'm not sure that is the case this season. He also has been a workhorse for a long time now, and as much as it pains me as a Bears fan, his shelf life is running dry.

What's worse is that I have to make the decision to give Forte one mor season as my keeper, or keep Eddie Lacy (of all people). I'm really leaning Lacy. I honestly think Forte may make it to pick 4-5 in my league, and 12 players will already be off the board as keepers.

You really need to keep Lacy. I don't even think that should be up for debate lol

 

[Irish Insanity]

Le'Veon Bell



You'd take Forte with Bell and Peterson still on the board? I would think that Forte would go at pick #4 or #5 in most drafts this year

You'd take Bell at #1 missing the first 2 games?

 

[arrowryan]

You'd take Bell at #1 missing the first 2 games?

I could see him dropping to #2 because of the suspension but nothing more than that.

There is no running back in the NFL right like Bell (not even Peterson or Charles). If you're in a PPR league, Bell should be #1 and its not really even close. The guy not only had 1,400 yards rushing but he had 83 receptions in 2014 and wasn't too far away from hitting the 1,000 yard mark in receiving yards.

If a running back that had more receptions than Calvin Johnson, DeSean Jackson, Rob Gronkowski, AJ Green, and Vincent Jackson then there is no question that I'm taking him at #1

 

[BabyIrish]

Yes I'd take Forte over Bell and Peterson. Bells suspended and I don't know what Peterson is going to look like this year after his suspension.
Denvers rbs scored tds in bunches the past couple of years, Marshal is gone so I expect more production from Forte.
The only rb I'd consider taking above forte is Charles

 

[Irish Insanity]

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[woolybug25]

Wanted to get your opinions dudes...

I play in a 12 team PPR league. We each have 1 keeper. Who would you keep and why?

Eddie Lacy
Matt Forte
Gronk

 

[#1rish]

That's a tough one. Forte caught the ball quite a bit, but with a new coach, I'm not sure how that'll affect his targets. Gronk is a good bet for catches, but with Brady out the first 4 games, not to mention Gronk's injury-prone-ness, I'm on the fence. Lacy I think is a top-3 pick this year, but he didn't get many catches last year. I think it's something Green Bay is working on getting him to do more of though.

I'd go with Lacy. Not the ideal PPR candidate among the three, but he's good for 1,000+ yards and double digit TDs. I'd say 500 and 5 TDs. through the air as well.

 

[woolybug25]

That's a tough one. Forte caught the ball quite a bit, but with a new coach, I'm not sure how that'll affect his targets. Gronk is a good bet for catches, but with Brady out the first 4 games, not to mention Gronk's injury-prone-ness, I'm on the fence. Lacy I think is a top-3 pick this year, but he didn't get many catches last year. I think it's something Green Bay is working on getting him to do more of though.

I'd go with Lacy. Not the ideal PPR candidate among the three, but he's good for 1,000+ yards and double digit TDs. I'd say 500 and 5 TDs. through the air as well.

That's been my thought as well, but i'm a Bears fan and the thought of picking a Packer over Matt Forte is excrutiating. lol

 

[nlroma1o]

Wanted to get your opinions dudes...

I play in a 12 team PPR league. We each have 1 keeper. Who would you keep and why?

Eddie Lacy
Matt Forte
Gronk

What are the rules, regarding what round you picked them in and where that effects the next draft? Or is this an auction league?

 

[woolybug25]

What are the rules, regarding what round you picked them in and where that effects the next draft? Or is this an auction league?

Hell no. Simple snake draft. We do a lottery for the draft order, so I don't know where I will pick. Probably pretty low though, since I won the league last year and only have my name once in the punchbowl.

 

[nlroma1o]

Hell no. Simple snake draft. We do a lottery for the draft order, so I don't know where I will pick. Probably pretty low though, since I won the league last year and only have my name once in the punchbowl.

So if you keep Lacy, what pick does that count for?

For example, if you picked Forte in the second rd, and then you keep him. You lose your second rd pick this year. Correct?

 

[woolybug25]

So if you keep Lacy, what pick does that count for?

For example, if you picked Forte in the second rd, and then you keep him. You lose your second rd pick this year. Correct?

No. It doesn't count as a pick. We all get to simply keep one player and then we draft as normal.

 

[nlroma1o]

No. It doesn't count as a pick. We all get to simply keep one player and then we draft as normal.

Oh wow. Thats pretty generous.

Since its PPR and you still have your normal 1st and 2nd picks. I would honestly keep Gronk. You have the best TE who gets loads of targets. Even with Brady gone, Garapollo is still going to target him.

If you pick late (8-12) you can literally go WR WR in the first and second rd and be in very good shape.

 

[woolybug25]

Oh wow. Thats pretty generous.

Since its PPR and you still have your normal 1st and 2nd picks. I would honestly keep Gronk. You have the best TE who gets loads of targets. Even with Brady gone, Garapollo is still going to target him.

If you pick late (8-12) you can literally go WR WR in the first and second rd and be in very good shape.

Why is that generous? Every team gets to keep one guy from their previous squad. It doesn't benefit any team in particular. I feel like a lot of leagues have gotten out of hand with rules, auctions and player values.

There is no way that I am going into Rd 3 in my league without a RB. That's just not going to happen. By then, there wouldn't be a single #1 RB left on the board. I really don't get why so many people feel it's ok to suddenly break the golden rule of fantasy football. You have to have a #1 RB on your team.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Wanted to get your opinions dudes...

I play in a 12 team PPR league. We each have 1 keeper. Who would you keep and why?

Eddie Lacy
Matt Forte
Gronk

Gronk and it's not even close for me. And I hate the Pats. I don't trust Forte or the Bears offense. Lacy is a beast, but does he catch that many balls for PPR to matter?

 

[woolybug25]

Gronk and it's not even close for me. And I hate the Pats. I don't trust Forte or the Bears offense. Lacy is a beast, but does he catch that many balls for PPR to matter?

Here's my thing, he is one of the top RB's projection wise. I don't care if he catches balls if he scores 20 points a game for me. In my league, there are only about 5-6 "difference maker" RB's. Last year they were Bell, Charles, Murray, Forte & Lacy. After that, there are good players at RB and ones that have PPR value, but the position has the lowest amount of players that consistently score high point totals.

That being said... TE very well may be that way this season. With Gates suspended, Graham and Thomas moving teams, etc. It could be a very difficult position to draft this season.

 

[RDU Irish]

Gronk, no doubt. Forte is a points machine and consistent. I expect more of the same this year.

My keeper options that I am mulling over:

Antonio Brown
Matt Forte
Demarius Thomas

Thinking I take Forte - too much distance from top flight RBs to middle of the pack and finding WRs is a lot easier to do.

 

[woolybug25]

Gronk, no doubt. Forte is a points machine and consistent. I expect more of the same this year.

My keeper options that I am mulling over:

Antonio Brown
Matt Forte
Demarius Thomas

Thinking I take Forte - too much distance from top flight RBs to middle of the pack and finding WRs is a lot easier to do.

Exactly my thoughts in bold. Even with less passes thrown to him, Forte is going to get a lot of touches. He'll still be a good RB this year, which is a tough commodity in fantasy.

 

[RDU Irish]

Beauty of Forte, blow out or close game he is going to get touches. They don't have a back up that is going to steal many touches from him either.

9th pick out of 12 win a reverse snake draft. It will be interesting to see what keepers are kept.

Team 1 - Peyton Manning, Le'Veon Bell
Team 2 - Andrew Luck
Team 3 - Jimmy Graham, Tom Brady, maybe Mark Ingram or AJ Green
Team 4 - Arian Foster, maybe Greg Olsen - not much to choose from
Team 5 - Eddie Lacy
Team 6 - Aaron Rodgers, Dez Bryant
Team 7 - Marshawn Lynch, Randall Cobb
Team 8 - Wilson, Calvin Johnson or ODB
Team 9 - Me - Forte
Team 10 - Jordy Nelson, Drew Brees
Team 11 - DeMarco Murray, Alshon Jeffrey, Jamaal Charles (guy loves rbs so he is taking Murray or Charles)
Team 12 - Gronk, Romo, McCoy, Julio Jones (lf waiving keeper to get first pick is an option I wouldn't put it past this guy)


Drawing it out, RB and quality QBs will be hard to come by. Having Forte in the fold will help a lot and there should be lots of very good WRs available with my second and third picks.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Here's my thing, he is one of the top RB's projection wise. I don't care if he catches balls if he scores 20 points a game for me. In my league, there are only about 5-6 "difference maker" RB's. Last year they were Bell, Charles, Murray, Forte & Lacy. After that, there are good players at RB and ones that have PPR value, but the position has the lowest amount of players that consistently score high point totals.

That being said... TE very well may be that way this season. With Gates suspended, Graham and Thomas moving teams, etc. It could be a very difficult position to draft this season.

Do you know you're draft order yet, or will you before you pick you're franchise? That makes a world of difference.

 

[woolybug25]

Do you know you're draft order yet, or will you before you pick you're franchise? That makes a world of difference.

Here's my schedule:

Draft Lottery - Saturday, August 15th
Keeper Deadline - Monday, August 24th at 6:00pm
Draft - September 6th at 6:00pm

 

[IrishLion]

Why is that generous? Every team gets to keep one guy from their previous squad. It doesn't benefit any team in particular. I feel like a lot of leagues have gotten out of hand with rules, auctions and player values.

Generous might not be the right word, but it kind of eliminates the intended strategy and competitive balance that you usually see with a keeper league.

If I drafted Odell Beckham late in the draft last year and want to keep him, there should be something working in my favor over guys that are keeping players from early-round draft picks.