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So after I wrapped up my draft last night with Scott Pianowski from Yahoo and some other industry types, all I could think is I’m hoping to keep Doc happy when he gets back from vacation with a winning team. Maybe I’ll have to soften him up with a few whiskeys…
Anywho, the league is a 12-team, non-PPR with 3 WRs, 2 RBs, and 3 flexes! That’s right, 3 flexes! I haven’t seen something flex that much since Arnold Schwarzenegger was going after another mistress and it didn’t end well…
In a league like this, it’s all about maximizing your touches (easy Albert Haynesworth). With no points for receptions, I wanted to stack up on running backs that would have a nice load in the backfield instead of throwing out scrub WRs in those last flex spots. So I went in going running back exclusive early on, passing on guys I would have otherwise taken. Here’s how the Razzballed roster shaped up:
QB – Tony Romo
WR – Anquan Boldin
WR – Steve Smith
WR – Danny Amendola
RB – Rashard Mendenhall
RB – Frank Gore
TE – Kellen Winslow
Flex – Ahmad Bradshaw
Flex – Tim Hightower
Flex – Fred Jackson
Bench – Johnny Knox
Bench – Arrelious Benn
Bench – Derrick Mason
Bench – Cam Newton
In a 12-team league, I don’t think this team is great, but it’s not bad either. I would probably play Johnny Knox over Steve Smith in week one, as Doc’s boy Cam Newton (who I picked just for him) is going to need a few games to get any sort of rhythm going. As a Panthers homer, I know this is going to be another long year…
Here’s how the picks went down round-by-round:
5th Overall – Rashard Mendenhall: I really wanted either Foster, Peterson, Charles, or Rice here, but to no surprise, they went in that order. I don’t really like Mendenhall, but stuck here at pick #5, it’s hard to take anyone else. Chris Johnson is holding out, I don’t like Michael Turner at all, and Andre Johnson, LeSean McCoy, and Roddy White have significantly more value in PPR formats. So I stuck with Mendenhall who hopefully doesn’t succumb to the curse of 370+ touches.
2nd Round – Frank Gore: I felt a lot better with my 2nd round selection of Frank Gore, with Matt Forte, Hakeem Nicks, and Vincent Jackson going immediately ahead of me. I would have taken Gore ahead of all of those guys, again stressing the importance of touches with no points for receptions. In any other format, I would have immediately picked Michael Vick who was still available (and got picked right after me), but I wanted to keep my RB-heavy strategy intact. But team Razzballed must reserve all hope that Gore can stay healthy at least most of the season.
3rd Round – Ahmad Bradshaw: Bradshaw was another pick that I loved with LeGarrette Blount, Miles Austin, Greg Jennings, and Mike Wallace going right before me. I like Bradshaw a lot more than Blount and still wanted to keep the RB juices flowing. Brandon Jacobs is looking great, but I don’t see their two-back system changing much from last year.
4th Round – Tim Hightower:  Hightower is probably the most divisive fantasy commodity heading into 2011. I remember being all about Ray Rice two years ago and not pulling the trigger in most drafts, causing some serious personal demons. Eh, well they’re not as bad as Dexter Morgan’s so I moved on and picked Arian Foster in almost every league last year causing some serious personal back patting. So I’m falling into the trap again and picking Hightower literally everywhere. The draft lobby was uproariously divisive, mixing praise and taunts with equal vigor. Hey, I like him a lot more than Ryan Mathews who was the RB taken right before me, and a lot more than Ryan Grant, Beanie Wells, and Mark Ingram who were the RBs taken immediately after. All in all, I love the pick. Hightower is going to get a lot of work and score his share of TDs. I like him even more in PPR formats with the pass catching abilities he’s shown in Zona, but in the 4th round of a 12-team league, I like Hightower here just fine.
5th Round – Tony Romo: My initial plan was to wait on QB and TE until very late, but Romo just fell to me. I think a lot of drafters had the same plan with high rated QBs going way below their ADPs, but Romo was impossible to pass up.
6th Round – Anquan Boldin:  I know, I know, Boldin as my WR1 is definitely not ideal. But hey, I went in with a strategy and think I fielded an all right team. I like Boldin to have a marginally better year than last year, but my expectations definitely aren’t too high. With Kenny Britt’s hamstring, off-the-field issues, and a new QB in town, I wanted to stick with Boldin rather than roll the dice on Britt’s tremendous physical talent. I needed a safer WR in the top spot rather than one with more upside.
7th Round – Fred Jackson: I don’t like Fred Jackson much, but I knew I wanted to fill my final flex spot with a RB here, and it was between Jackson and Addai (ugh). That’s like picking from the chick whose about to throw up from the one who is currently vomiting. It’s not gonna be pretty and you’re not going to want to brag about it, but you gotta do what you gotta do…
8th Round – Steve Smith (CAR): Definitely a homer pick, I had to roll the dice on Smith’s upside. Cam Newton has been atrocious in the pocket this preseason, but you never know what kind of numbers Smith might put up when Carolina is going to be behind (almost always). Like I previously stated, I would probably bench him week one to see what kind of chemistry he and Newton can have in a real game before starting him with any faith.
9th Round – Danny Amendola: To round out my starters (besides TE, K, and DEF), I really like Amendola here. I was actually surprised he was still around at this point with Nate Burleson the WR picked ahead of me, and Lee Evans and Robert Meachem picked immediately behind me. Amendola could easily have a quiet 1000 yard, 7 TD year. I’m not banking on it, but he is a big part of that offense and Sam Bradford loves him in the slot (that could be worded better…).
10th Round – Kellen Winslow: I hate Kellen Winslow. But for this late at TE, whatever….
11th Round – Johnny Knox: Johnny Knox this late is probably my favorite pick of the draft. After this selection it spawned a fair bit of Roy Williams bashing, making me feel even more Knox-ious. It was between Knox and preseason standout Antonio Brown, but I like Knox a little more and will feel better starting him early in the season.
12th Round – Arrelious Benn: Benn is definitely a pick where I’m panning for gold, but with my weak WRs, I wanted to be sure to have a few extra on my bench.
13th Round – Derrick Mason: Same for Mason, who I don’t expect much from, but might get a start at some point in the year. And he’s easily cuttable.
14th Round – Cam Newton: This one’s for you, Doc!
15th Round – Arizona: They’re playing the Panthers week one. I’ve been picking them in the last round in every draft.
So that rounds out the Razzballed roster (who cares about kickers?). Throw out some comments to let me know how I did and if you think Doc is going to challenge me to a duel for picking this team.
This is a really interesting strategy…and helpful because I’m in a league with a similar set-up. 12-team, same positions, but it’s a PPR and also gives points for return yards. Any suggestions on how you’d change your strategy for a PPR or returns?
I like your thought process a lot too. I’m doing a 10 team draft in a week that starts 2 RB, 2 WR and 2 flex, and so with even fewer starting QBs needed I’m definitely planning to wait wait wait for one, load up on RBs, and presumably be totally fine with someone like Big Ben or Matt Ryan.
Can’t say I’m much of a Hightower fan though, but I do respect your moxie. Personally I would’ve rather had any of the Grant/Ingram/Beanie trio there, though I do hate Ryan Mathews with the fire of a thousand suns.
We’re also brothers in Panthers masochism. Great strategy with picking up their week 1 opponent on D. I was actually planning to grab the Browns at the end of drafts since they’re facing the ginger-led Bengals, but shit, the Bengals O actually looked semi-competent vs. Carolina last week, whereas Cam…*ahem6-19ahem*.
How many catches you think Hightower hauls in this year?
Just finished my first real draft of the year – 1 ppr, auction league, 10 team let me know the outcome –
QB-Flacco (1)
WR-Nicks (35)
WR-Wallace (29)
WR-Austin (30)
RB- JC Superstar (53)
RB-Hillis (26)
TE Shiancoe (1)
K-Janikowski (1)
D- Empty
Best (18), Daniel Thomas (1), Tate (1), Rashad Jennings (1), Kendall Hunter (1), Jacoby Jones (1), Nate Burleson (1)
I need to cut bait on a back for a defense – any suggestions? additionally should I cut someone for a second QB and play matchups, if so who? Orton, Cutler, Mccoy probably best available.
Trade question. I’ve been offered his Romo and Lance Moore for my Welker and Matt Stafford. It’s a .5ppr league with 4pt passing touchdowns. Based on the projections here, it is an even swap. My first thought was to take it because Romo is a safer bet than Stafford, but then I saw the espn projections say it is very much in my favor, so now I’m thinking I shouldn’t because they are rarely correct. I also have Britt and Amendola that I could start over Moore. Any thoughts?
@EMC Squared: @EMC: With PPR, I would have definitely not skimped on WRs like I did. Guys later in the draft like Amendola (who I drafted anyway) and Davone Bess have great value in the later rounds. Returns are going to be even less important with the NFL rules change with the kick coming from the 35. Devin Hester might be a smart selection, but he’ll have some real clunker of games as well. A RB I like a lot for PPR is Reggie Bush. I really think he has a solid year and gets a good amount of check downs and screens.
@Pepe Silvia: I lovvvvve Matt Ryan. A lot of that has to do with my hatred of Michael Turner, who looks older and less elusive every year. I like Jason Snelling a lot, but he’s better as a pass catcher which only helps Ryan.
Even though it’s Shanahan, I don’t think Grant or Ingram will have close to the workload Hightower’s gonna get. Beanie Wells might be close, but he’s also going to have some atrocious games where Kevin Kolb throws 45 passes. I may be riding the hype too hard on Hightower, but RB gets really thin after round 3.
@emporers monkey: Conservatively, 45. I think Beck will look for him often. It’s not like Santana Moss or Anthony Armstrong are exactly big possession receivers.
@Broadstreetbrawler: I like your team, Flacco and Shiancoe for a buck each gives you a solid lineup. Like I said in my draft, go and pick up the Cardinals D and I’d probably drop Hunter. Hunter’s a good player, but honestly, no one in your league is going to pick him up most likely. I think you’re fine with just Flacco for the time being. As the first few weeks go by, then you can address having a backup if one of those guys on your bench isn’t doing much.
What about Cleveland’s D? They play Cinci week 1….
@sarge: They’re another great option, but I think Andy Dalton is a better game manager than Cam Newton right now. Also, while the Panthers backfield is much more talented, Cincy’s run game looks much better this season as a whole. But either way, you can’t really go wrong. I always pick a defense that’s going to play a horrendous offense in week 1 and stream from there.
@Pepe Silvia:
So I march down to Carol in HR and I’m like Carrroolll. Carrroolll! I gotta talk to you about Pepe. When I open the door what do I find? There’s not a single goddamn desk in the whole room. There is no Carol in HR. This office is a goddamn ghost town.
@JB Gilpin: My first draft of the season’s tonight and I have the #7 pick. It’s a PPR with a nice bonus at 100yds rec/rush and 300yds passing. IF the following three are the best avail, which do you take:
CJ2K, Andre, Rodgers? (I’m assuming McCoy over all 3…)
In my 16 team dynasty/auction league RBs are very scarce. Our auction was 3 weeks ago and Hightower hadn’t been named the starter yet, but another owner liked him almost as much as I do and I paid $21. At the time I was like, “Dang, that was too much money.” As the season gets closer I’m optimistic that it was a good move.
Best late RB flier (can afford to be patient with him): Helu, B. Tate, Harrison, Scott, D. Murray, D. Carter?
Was I crazy to start my draft Andre and Calvin at the 4th pick when I could have had Rice? Had Rice last year and he really didn’t impress me much. We are not ppr and we start a flex. Ended up with Ben and Stafford at QB, Gore, Felix and Best at RB, and Andre, Calvin, Steve (the Johnson triplets) and Dez as primary wides. TE is Daniels, K is Janikowski. D – who cares?
@bobbo: I’d actually take CJ in that situation. At this point it’s looking like he and the Titans are even closer to a deal and I think he has the best chance to hit that bonus in any given week.
@FishMan: In non-PPR, yea I think you’re a little crazy haha. Then again, nabbing Gore in the 3rd round (I’m assuming after nabbing Andre and Calvin in 1st and 2nd rounds) is one of the better values you could hope to get. I care a lot more about defense than kickers, it doesn’t matter at all the matchup a kicker has, but if a defense is playing a turnover prone bad offense, I can start them with a lot more confidence.
@bobbo: I agree with JB Gilpin – go with CJ there.
Ha ha, I’m doing the same thing with the Arizona DEF
@Steve Stevenson: I like Bernard Scott a lot. Benson’s about to jail and who knows if he gets any “Oz” treatment…
@Donny Kerabatsos’ Ghost: That’s a tough one, about as even as it gets. It’s a toss up starting Britt or Welker if you make the trade. I don’t think having the luxury of those options is worth the difference between Stafford and Romo. Even though Romo got hurt last year, he’s seen a lot more of the field than the young and (thus far) injury-prone Stafford. But I would never fault anyone for accepting that trade.
I would be the one getting Romo and Moore, and giving up Stafford and Welker. I’ll go ahead and accept it if you think it’s a toss up between Welker and Britt.
@Donny Kerabatsos’ Ghost: I gotcha, yea I read that wrong. I’d pull the trigger. Britt is definitely a risk, but could have some huge games. I don’t think Welker has much upside. .5 PPR diminishes Welker a tad, and all the sudden Brady has all kind of targets: Ochocinco, Welker, Branch, Tate, Hernandez, Gronkowski, Edelman…
10 team ppr. start 1qb/2rb/3wr/1te/1k/1d/1flex (flex can be any position, but each position only 4 times a season)
my roster:
QB: Rodgers, Peyton
RB: Foster, Charles, F. Jackson, D. Thomas, Ridley, J, Rodgers
WR: A. Johnson, Nicks, M. Thomas, St. Johnson, Rice, Bess, E. Sanders
TE: Finley, Cook
DEF: MIN, ATL
K: Some Kicker
Its a nasty team. I had great keepers, and made some moves to get some extra draft picks. That being said, I’m feeling deep at WR and light at RB. Agree?
If so, which WR(s) should I think about dealing for what type of RB?
Thanks.
@amscalone: Honestly, given what starting positions you gotta fill, I think you’re equally deep at RB and WR. You’ll be starting Foster and Charles at RB and AJ Nicks and Johnson at WR and probably Fred Jackson as your flex. I love Davone Bess in PPR to sub in and out of your flex and in your WR slots during byes. Other than that, I’m not a big Mike Thomas or Sidney Rice guy, so if you can get anything from them it might be worth testing the market. I don’t know what kind of RBs you get in return though. I don’t like Daniel Thomas much either for his rookie year. Maybe you can package Thomas and Rice or Thomas and Thomas (haha) for Hightower if whoever has him is low on him (you know I love him). Or maybe another 4th roundish RB like Best or Greene, but I don’t know if you’ll get that lucky.
If I was going to foresake elite WRs, I would have done it with the hopes of coming up better than Mendenhall/Gore. Rounds 3-6 (Bradshaw, Hightower, Romo, Boldin) aren’t exactly inspiring any confidence. Reaching for Hightower after reaching for Bradshaw didn’t help. This team is pretty weak, but it just goes to show how difficult it is to draft out of the middle this year. I’m not sure I would have abandoned my gameplan to draft Romo in the 5th with so many solid QBs available late.
@sean: I don’t really disagree with most of what you’re saying, trust me I didn’t like my draft position either, but Bradshaw a “reach” in the 3rd round of a 12 team non-PPR league? I think it’s a steal.
League gives a point for every 15 return yards, drafted Washington, Bess and Royal. Thinking of grabbing Cribbs for Royal, since he is looking to be starting at WR and returning kicks/punts and Denver’s passing game might not be all that and a bag of chips. Anyone else I should be looking at? Brad Smith, maybe? I was keyed in to the kickoff changes this season, so I’m assuming guys like Weems or Mariani (and probably Mike Goodson, since he’s #3 on the depth chart) aren’t worth grabbing anymore.
I’m also a noob to fantasy football – should I have two QBs?
@Feeding the Abscess: One thing I’ve learned over the years is we’re all noobs at fantasy football. If you have faith in your QB, you definitely don’t need to draft your backup, you can just pick one up before their bye week. If you don’t have any confidence and you have more than 3 or 4 bench spots, carrying an extra QB out of the gate can give you that extra security blanket, and I wouldn’t oppose it. As for returners in your line-up, I think you’re locked in on the main guys. You don’t want to start guys that will only touch the ball on returns, especially with the rule change limiting those opportunities even more. We don’t really know if Brad Smith is going to be that involved in the Bills offense, and the other obvious name is Devin Hester if he wasn’t drafted. Love Bess though, that was a great pick in your format.
I don’t understand why Kyle Orton is ranked so low still. I grabbed him as a backup to Flacco in a 16 team standard league in the 10th round. I will probably start him Wk 1 with Flacco playing PIT. I understand there is a new coach with new game plan, but they still have the same horrible defense. 3rd and 4th quarters this year will be no different than last year. He is going to air it out just like last year. A lot. I think he is the steal of the draft right now. He might not last all season, but the first half he has big upside.
So if Arian Foster’s injury is more serious than everyone is letting on, and he misses some time, who is the guy to get? TATE OR WARD?
@sarge: I’ve got Foster in a ton of leagues and I’m picking up Tate. He’s looked great this preseason and Derrick Ward is… Derrick Ward. AKA not very good.
@JB Gilpin:
We’ll have to agree to disagree on Bradshaw. I’m a Giants fan, and I wouldn’t want anything to do with him, especially at pick 29. He’s injury-prone, and he’s in a 50/50 timeshare. There are plenty of primary backs available at that point. Plus, you could have gone receiver and gotten a real WR1. Wayne, Austin, Wallace, VJax, DeSean could have been available based upon MDC ADP.
@sean: As I said in the article, Austin and Wallace were taken ahead of me. Vincent Jackson was taken in the second round. I don’t want Wayne at all who is in a decline and Peyton Manning has all sorts of question marks right now. DeSean Jackson might have been a better pick, but I’m glad we have 5 strong back. Best backs available at that point in the draft were Shonn Greene, Javhid Best, DeAngelo Williams and Knowshon Moreno. You would really want those guys ahead of Bradshaw? I could see the argument for Greene, but not the others.
I like the heavy RB draft strategy with 3 RB flexes. I’m just not feeling your picks from Round 10-14. Seems like you could’ve found a Braylon Edwards, Mario Manningham, Jacoby Ford, Earl Bennett (Knox will not be the star this year), or a Greg Little. Still, your 1st 7 picks are solid, and your 9th round pick was a steal. Just curious, what round did D. Woodhead go?
Doc,
I’m doing a 16-team league 2RB 2WR Flex no-ppr but you can flex a QB. Any thoughts on a strategy man? Imperative to draft two QBs first? Even if the second one is the 20th ranked or lower? Obviously will depend on draft spot…Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this format.
@P Smurf: Yea, my picks around then could have been better, I definitely wish I had passed on Winslow and taken a flyer on someone else a few rounds later. I do like Knox and Benn though as high-upside, low-risk late picks. Not sure why you think I could’ve found a Manningham, he went in the 4th haha. Ford went 2 picks after Winslow (maybe should’ve taken Ford there, but I hate owning Raiders), and I’m not a fan of Edwards, Bennett, or Little. Woodhead went in the 11th, right before my Knox pick. I like Woodhead, but he’s a lot more valuable in PPR.
What do you make of Laurinaitis’ situation with his pec injury and improved supporting staff.
I just noticed that Hawthorne is available in my 3 man dp league. I have Laurinaitis, DJohnson, Bishop and McClain. Do I drop Laurinaitis or McClain for Hawthorne?
Well done.
I’m a fan of PPR leagues — my main league has been PPR since day one (8 years back), so it’s challenging when I DON’T do a PPR league.
I’m not a Fred Jackson guy either. In fact, was just offered FJax for Amendola straight-up, in our PPR league. I’m hesitant for some reason.
Just had my draft! 1/2 ppr with 3 wr and a flex. I was ecstatic with how it turned out at the 7 spot out of 12
Round Pick Player Position
1. (7) Jamaal Charles RB
2. (18) Roddy White WR
3. (31) Mike Wallace WR
4. (42) Tony Romo QB
5. (55) Jahvid Best RB
6. (66) Beanie Wells RB
7. (79) Danny Amendola WR
8. (90) Mike Thomas WR
9. (103) Marcedes Lewis TE
10. (114) Willis McGahee RB
11. (127) Michael Crabtree WR
12. (138) Robert Meachem WR
13. (151) Stevan Ridley RB
14. (162) Delone Carter RB
15. (175) Alex Henery K
16. (186) Arizona DEF
I too have a draft similar to this format ( 14 team with 3 possible) starters. IDP though…good to dee that there are generally good WR spots available after going heavy) in the beginning. I’d be happy with this, especially with Romo at cube…
I too have a draft similar to this format (14 team with 3 possible RB starters). IDP though…good to see that there are generally good WR spots available after going heavy RB in the beginning – I can see and understand the benefit. I’d be happy with this, especially with Romo at cube…
Why did you go TE in 10th? If you dislike Winslow, then why not take another/better WR and just wait on TE until later????
Other than that, love me some bradshaw (at any price) and gore (at that price); way off the mendenhall bangwagon, probably would have gone with shady mccoy there, but I understand your predicament. Romo was a nice value as well where you got him, and knox seems like a steal. Hopefully one of your fliers on WR comes home and you can ship the league…GLGLGLGL
@Tyler: When I wrote up the recap, I shared your thoughts exactly… I’m liking Jared Cook more and more and wish I had waited a round or two to nab him. At the time Winslow was the best TE available and I just went for it… Definitely hoping to Razz-balltap this league, thanks man!
How have you guys not posted a fantasy football article in over a week with the season starting?
@Pat McCrack: See note at the top of the post. We have a temporary glitch.
Question – Do you give advice on which players to start each week ? For example If you have Drew Brees and Joe Flacco do you give advice on which QBS to start each week along with the rest of the positions. If not do you know any websites that might give advice ???
PS: I do have Brees & Flacco :)
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…..
Is the football site the only one on the new server??? Baseball and hockey are working fine for me. I guess Doc doesn’t need any more whiskey…
DOC! I see your printable PPR sheets are updated, but is the top 100 PPR posting up to date??? PPR draft tonight! Last year your rankings hooked up a filthy draft and I won it so hoping you can hook it up again!
Thanks!
*top 150 aka 2011 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS OVERALL – PPR
SITE NOTE: If you are seeing this post as the first on the site you are missing out on our newer posts! Razzball Football is not showing new posts on some browsers after we switched servers. Check out our new posts through http://football.razzball.com/category/2011-fantasy-football or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Razzball-Football/113224442022654
@Anthony: We do. Brees.
@longbeachyo: Not sure why. It’s unbelievably annoying.
@emceeperiod: Sorry, no updated overall rankings. Trying to keep on top of the others. I feel they are better for drafting. Hard to say this RB is better than this WR when it really depends on who you have drafted already.
Interesting stuff, but getting a bit stale. Its Sept. 6th and there are no new football posts.
When will there be an updated post? been a while man.
@Wally West: @fgfgsf: SITE NOTE: If you are seeing this post as the first on the site you are missing out on our newer posts! Razzball Football is not showing new posts on some browsers after we switched servers. Check out our new posts through http://football.razzball.com/category/2011-fantasy-football or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Razzball-Football/113224442022654
@Wally West: @fgfgsf: Can you guys see my response?