Many of you have your fantasy football leagues this weekend, so I thought I’d offer up some thoughts.
Should I have done this sooner? Probably, but I just finished my third draft last night (one more tomorrow and then I’m done I think) so I’m well equipped with the information of who is going where. So, here are some fantasy tips on what I have learned this year:
-These first two bullet points are rules for every year. Please, just trust me. The first, is don’t take more than one kicker or more than one defense. You only need one. Worry about the bye weeks when they happen. Stockpile your RB’s and WR’s while others take backup kickers. You will need them.
-The second rule: Don’t take your kicker and defense until your last two picks. I don’t care if someone decided to take a defense and all of a sudden there is a run on them. Don’t panic. You can still grab someone like the Bills (I really like them this year) with your last pick. I got the Jags D late in just about every draft I did last year. Build your RB and WR depth while others are taking kickers and D’s.
-Careful taking Tom Brady. Who am I to tell you to stay away? He threw for 50 TD’s last year and is obviously worth a first-round pick. But think carefully about where you grab him. I’ve noticed teams with Brady as their QB have terrible RB depth. For whatever reason, that is the way the draft is breaking this year. I don’t love having two marginal starting RB’s regardless of who my QB is.
-Have we not learned our lesson on Reggie Bush yet? Apparently not, because he continues to go in the 3rd and 4th rounds of the drafts I’ve seen. Do yourself a favor, just let someone else take him. You are better off with Kevin Smith from Detroit.
-Detroit’s Calvin Johnson (aka Megatron, aka Bolt) continues to go in the 4th round. If you love Calvin (and I really do) and you pick early in the fourth, you’ll have to grab him. He won’t come back. And, if he does…can I play in your league next year?
-Edgerrin James is falling. Edge has been falling to the seventh rounds of 12-team leagues. I don’t love him, but that’s really tough to pass up at that point.
-I refuse to offer any advice on where and whether or not to take Chad Johnson (I don’t care about the name change). He is sliding because of the torn labrum, but how long should you let him sit on the board? That’s a question for another person. I really don’t want to tangle with that one.
-The Dolphins RB situation is a bit muddy. Yes, Ricky Williams is now the starter. But, Ronnie Brown isn’t far behind. They will get rotated during the season and, when you throw in the fact that the Dolphins stink, this is a situation you may want to avoid. Don’t take either guy in the first four rounds at least.
-Avoid Willis McGahee. I’m not sure where that lazy, injured dude from Baltimore would have to fall before I’d grab him. I haven’t heard anything good out of Baltimore all preseason.
Guys that I like:
I mentioned before that you should collect RB’s and WR’s while others are getting in on the runs for defenses and kickers. Well, here are some guys to add to your stable:
-Ray Rice: A monster at Rutgers, this guy will spell the end of McGahee’s tenure in Baltimore. I have a tough time believing that Willis is a Raven in 2009.
-Felix Jones: While he may not get a ton of reps early, how do you keep this talent off the field?
-Steve Slaton: I love my rookies, huh? If you can grab Ahman Green along with Slaton, you’ve done well. Slaton had a bad year at West Virginia last year, but was considered a first-rounder after the previous season. This guy can play and John McClain of the Houston Chronicle says that he will be the starter at some point this year.
-Chris Perry: He’s the starter in Cincinnati and he’s going late. I love this pick for value. Rudi’s days are numbered and he’s even said as much.
-Justin Fargas: Everyone is jumping on McFadden, but he’s not the starter yet. I don’t like Fargas for the whole season, but he’s a nice player that has been productive when he’s played. You can have him late.
