Help With My Fantasy Draft

[smoak]

All -

I am running a fantasy team for a friend of mine at work (he is already in two other leagues). Normally I'd draft all Redskins in sight b/c I don't really care about fantasy football, but the entry fee he is paying is over $100!!

So, I come crawling on my knees for any wisdom you can share on how I should approach the draft and putting together a team. I draft 9 and 16 in the first round.

[dj_stouty]

Anything for a fellow UD Alum...

Try to draft two RBs with your first round picks.

You should target the following guys with the 9th pick.
Willis McGahee
Kevin Jones
Dominic Davis
Clinton Portis

If any of these three are available..you are looking good.

At #16...I think your options are limited to taking a 2nd RB. Moss will be gone by this pick...and no other WR warrants a #16 pick, IMO. Look for guys like Rudi Johnson (stock has fallen lately) or Ahman Green fall to 16. If not...you could always gamble and take Culpepper as your starting QB.

Your next pick is #33. You could a zillion different ways with this pick. WRs like Joe Horn and Andre Johnson should be available...as well as some of the rookie RBs like JJ Arrington or Cadilac Williams. (Although Cad's stock has risen as of late). OR...you could go the TE route and spend a 3rd rounder on Gonzalez...who is worth taking early, as he produces better than most WRs.

Your best bet, IMO, would be to draft a team like this:

#9: Kevin Jones
#16: Ahman Green
#33: Andre Johnson

Whatever you do...DO NOT draft any other Redskins w/in the first 8 rounds. Moss has been falling to the 10th round, Cooley to the 13th and Patten isn't even getting drafted anymore. (Of course, this is assuming your league isn't full of Redskin homers)

PM me if you need any more help.

[fent]

Anything for a fellow UD Alum...

Try to draft two RBs with your first round picks.

You should target the following guys with the 9th pick.
Willis McGahee
Kevin Jones
Dominic Davis
Clinton Portis

If any of these three are available..you are looking good.

At #16...I think your options are limited to taking a 2nd RB. Moss will be gone by this pick...and no other WR warrants a #16 pick, IMO. Look for guys like Rudi Johnson (stock has fallen lately) or Ahman Green fall to 16. If not...you could always gamble and take Culpepper as your starting QB.

Your next pick is #33. You could a zillion different ways with this pick. WRs like Joe Horn and Andre Johnson should be available...as well as some of the rookie RBs like JJ Arrington or Cadilac Williams. (Although Cad's stock has risen as of late). OR...you could go the TE route and spend a 3rd rounder on Gonzalez...who is worth taking early, as he produces better than most WRs.

Your best bet, IMO, would be to draft a team like this:

#9: Kevin Jones
#16: Ahman Green
#33: Andre Johnson

Whatever you do...DO NOT draft any other Redskins w/in the first 8 rounds. Moss has been falling to the 10th round, Cooley to the 13th and Patten isn't even getting drafted anymore. (Of course, this is assuming your league isn't full of Redskin homers)

PM me if you need any more help.

i would be willing to bet that 100 dollar entry fee that culpepper isn't on the board by the 9 pick, much less the 16

[smoak]

Thanks DJ!

I watched Kevin Jones last night and he is who I am targeting at 9. I'm hoping for Portis at 16. McGahee I like, but I've never understood the love affair with Davis?? Is he good? Did he just have bad games the couple times I saw him play? I think of him almost as the older Eddie George... 3 yards and a cloud of dust. Maybe I'm wrong.

What about QBs outside Manning and Culpepper? Would McNabb be around at #16? Is he worth a #9? Are Harrison or Owens worth a chance at #16?

Oh and I am guessing the league is heavy with Iggle fans.

[redskin_rich]

What about QBs outside Manning and Culpepper? Would McNabb be around at #16? Is he worth a #9? Are Harrison or Owens worth a chance at #16?

Oh and I am guessing the league is heavy with Iggle fans.
After Manning and Culpepper, I wouldn't worry about QB until rounds 4 or 5. I got Favre in the middle of the 4th. As long as people don't start taking their 2nd QB's too early, you will get a decent one. Just don't be the last to take one. In my league, somebody that already had a QB took another to ensure that the team that hadn't drafted one yet, would not have a good one.

[MONK_in_HOF]

My advice if you wait on a QB like I usually do is to look for Bulger in the 5th or 6th and load up on RB,WR and maybe a top TE in the first 4-5 rounds. Rams have easy schedule and he has plenty of skill players around him, not 2 mention a healthy happy orlando pace on his blindside. I think he is in for a big year.

If you wait longer for a qb i would look at Delhomme who is undervalued and can be had from rounds 8-10 usually.

[MONK_in_HOF]

The most important aspect is just knowing how the point system works and knowing the roster limits/requirements.

[RedskinsDave]

What is the scoring? That's huge. Find a reputable cheat sheet and use it. Don't draft any Redskins. Homers never win. Why is this guy letting someone else draft for him?

[smoak]

Wow, is the scoring usually this complicated???

Offensive Scoring
Stat Name Point Value
PaTD Passing TDs 6 Points Each
Plus 1 points for Passing TDs between 40 and 59 yards
Plus 2 points for Passing TDs between 60 and 79 yards
Plus 3 points for Passing TDs of 80+ yards
PaYd Passing Yards .04 point for every 1 yard (1 point for every 25 yards)
Pa2P Passing Two-point Conversion 2 points each
PaInt Passing Interceptions -2 points each


RuTD Rushing TDs 6 points each
Plus 1 points for Rushing TDs between 40 and 59 yards
Plus 2 points for Rushing TDs between 60 and 79 yards
Plus 3 points for Rushing TDs of 80+ yards
RuYd Rushing Yards .1 point for every 1 yard (1 point for every 10 yards)
Ru2P Rushing Two-point Conversion 2 points each


ReTD Receiving TDs 6 points each
Plus 1 point for Receiving TD between 40 and 59 yards
Plus 2 points for Receiving TD between 60 and 79 yards
Plus 3 points for Receiving TD of 80+ yards
ReYd Receiving Yards .1 point for every 1 yard (1 point for every 10 yards)
Re2P Receiving Two-point Conversion 2 points each
Recpt Receptions 1 Point Each

FL Fumble Lost -2 Points each

FG Field Goals 3 points each
Plus 1 point for FG between 40 and 49 yards
Plus 2 points for FG between 50 and 59 yards
Plus 3 points for FG of 60+ yards
XP Extra Points 1 point each

MFG Missed Field Goal 30 yards or less -1 point each
MXP Missed Extra Points -2 points each
Defensive Scoring
Stat Name Point Value

DTD Total Defensive and Special Teams TDs 6 points each
SACK Sack 1 point each
STY Safety 2 points each
Int Interceptions 2 points each
DFR Defensive Fumbles Recovered 2 points each


PA Points Against, Total Points Scored Shutout = 10 points
1 - 6 points = 7 points
7 - 13 points = 4 points
14 - 20 points = 1 point
21 - 24 points = 0 points
25 - 30 points = -1 points
30+ points = -4 points


PRet Yd Punt Return Yardage .2 points for every 1 yard (1 point for every 5 yards)

Kret Yd Kick return Yardage .1 points for every 1 yard (1 point for every 10 yards)

[smoak]

Final Draft Rosters must be as follows:

2 Quarterbacks
3 Running Backs
5 Wide Receivers
2 Tight Ends
2 Defense/Special Teams
2 Place Kickers

Given that, should I reach for Tory Holt at #16 (assuming he is there)?

[smoak]

My advice if you wait on a QB like I usually do is to look for Bulger in the 5th or 6th and load up on RB,WR and maybe a top TE in the first 4-5 rounds. Rams have easy schedule and he has plenty of skill players around him, not 2 mention a healthy happy orlando pace on his blindside. I think he is in for a big year.

If you wait longer for a qb i would look at Delhomme who is undervalued and can be had from rounds 8-10 usually.

I'm definitely interested in Bulger. The Rams offense looked good, and I think they'll be decent. I would take Steven Jackson early if I didn't think Faulk would cut into his touches.

[smoak]

What is the scoring? That's huge. Find a reputable cheat sheet and use it. Don't draft any Redskins. Homers never win. Why is this guy letting someone else draft for him?

He just doesn't have the time I guess... He told me that he'd split the winning and isn't expecting to throw in $$$. I can't lose.

[dj_stouty]

i would be willing to bet that 100 dollar entry fee that culpepper isn't on the board by the 9 pick, much less the 16

I would take that bet in a heartbeat. Of all of the expert league drafts I've glanced at, C-Pepp hasn't even sniffed the first round.

His "value" is mid-2nd round....so let the buyer beware!

[dj_stouty]

I'm definitely interested in Bulger. The Rams offense looked good, and I think they'll be decent. I would take Steven Jackson early if I didn't think Faulk would cut into his touches.

Faulk won't cut into his touches anymore than Betts will cut into Portis' touches. You should draft Stephen Jackson with complete confidence that he will be a ruthless stud RB this season.

[smoak]

Faulk won't cut into his touches anymore than Betts will cut into Portis' touches. You should draft Stephen Jackson with complete confidence that he will be a ruthless stud RB this season.

Isn't Faulk goig to be the third down guy? Or am I mistaken?

Also, in this draft each team gets two picks in a round. My 9 and 16 are both considered first rounders. Maybe that is the norm, but I am new to competititve fantasy football.

[redskin_rich]

Final Draft Rosters must be as follows:

2 Quarterbacks
3 Running Backs
5 Wide Receivers
2 Tight Ends
2 Defense/Special Teams
2 Place Kickers

Given that, should I reach for Tory Holt at #16 (assuming he is there)?
Don't take Tory Holt at 16, get your RB's first. Take the best WR available in rd 3.
And don't worry about making a homer pick if it fits, I get a Redskin or 2 every year and have made the playoffs 5 of the last 6 years, in my league.

[MONK_in_HOF]

Go with the best 2 RB w/ your first 2 picks. That is your best bet. There probably won't be a great RB w/ your 3rd pick comes back around. The only players you should even consider with pick 16 other than RB would be Culpepper,TO, Moss.

[RedskinsDave]

Based on your scoring, you are pretty RB heavy.

[smoak]

Don't take Tory Holt at 16, get your RB's first. Take the best WR available in rd 3.
And don't worry about making a homer pick if it fits, I get a Redskin or 2 every year and have made the playoffs 5 of the last 6 years, in my league.

Yeah, but I need to avoid taking them just to have Redskins. I ususally care more about drafting guys I like (Skins, Favre, Harrison, etc) that winning.... but this guys $$$ are on the line.

[smoak]

When do I consider getting a defense? The Skins D should be around late b/c we aren't respected right? I'm not being a homer here... I think our defense is worth taking.

[redskin_rich]

When do I consider getting a defense? The Skins D should be around late b/c we aren't respected right? I'm not being a homer here... I think our defense is worth taking.
After you've filled all your starting positions and depth at RB and WR, take a Defense. You should easily be able to get Washington, they are ranked around 7th-10th among Defenses, fantasy-wise, since they only scored 1 TD last year.

[HAWGZHEAD]

Don't undervalue your D. Baltimore or N. England and a couple of others can get you 30 points a game. Maybe evn sneak in the top D in the 4th cause a D scramble amongst the other teams and walk away with a diamond in the rough with your next pick.

[MONK_in_HOF]

When do I consider getting a defense? The Skins D should be around late b/c we aren't respected right? I'm not being a homer here... I think our defense is worth taking.

U can probably land the skins D in the second half of your draft. D's go late usually, except for a few like Pitt, Bmore, NE, Philly usually start going anywhere from 4-7. If you are gonna pick a skin this is your best bet other than portis.
1.U can get them later in the draft
2.we have a good D and hopefully will have more TOs this year
3.You don't have to root for another NFL team to do good like you would if you had their D, just individuals on other teams.

[DUCKIN_TACKLERS]

Dude who is the leaque with as well. You gotta really look at the point system.(sorry if this has been mentioned). im finding this year that the RBs are going quick along with the top tier QBs. so I myself have decided to go top tier RB in the first (Best available with the least Questions). Then I am taking best Value at 2. In my leagues in the 3rd or later rounds I was able to still get my hands on Portis (Prob not anymore with the other night),Rudi Johnson (only broke the Bengals team rushing record)and Steven Jackson(a guy who easily could get 1200+yrds and 10 TDs. There is alot of Value later in the Draft at RB dont be afraid to draft a difference maker early instead of reaching for a guy like Ahmad Green or Lamont Jordan. The top of your draft will mostly decide how you do this year. Also a little trick I learned over the years is Wait on a QB unless Manning or Culpepper fall in your hands if you miss on these 2 you might as well stock up on top tier WRs who honestly are the ones that seperate good teams from bad. Then team up your top tier WR with his QB that is available later in the Draft. this will Double your points When they Score ie a TD is like 12pts instead of 6pts. A good example is in one league i drafted at the top like so.
1. Randy Moss (didnt want him but he was value)
2. Clinton Portis (not even homerism in the second round but what a steal)
3. Rudi Johnson (1400+yrds 12+ TDs in the third)
4. Javon Walker (another Value pick and stocked at WR now)
5. Roy Williams (best chance to break out of the players left)
Then I teamed MOSS up with Collins in the 6th Rd i took Collins after someone nabbed Farve so in the 6th Round I got a QB who is throwing the ball to Moss Porter Curry and has Lamont Jordan in the backfield. Thats a strong foundation. But most importantly instead of reaching for a QB i stacked my Skill Positions and had more options later in the draft so i didnt have to reach on any postition. Good luck hope i helped

[dj_stouty]

Then team up your top tier WR with his QB that is available later in the Draft. this will Double your points When they Score ie a TD is like 12pts instead of 6pts.

That strategy backfires at times. If your QB and WR are shut out in a particular game, you now have two starters with lower-than-average points for that week.

[DUCKIN_TACKLERS]

That strategy backfires at times. If your QB and WR are shut out in a particular game, you now have two starters with lower-than-average points for that week.
oh I should have said that I now usally grab the other Qb later if he is available in this example it would probably be harrington. If the Raiders are playing a Pittsburg like D that is dominating I leave in Moss but will Switch my QB to accomidate the Best Match up. Although taking out Collins for Harrington is hard to do sometimes. This stratagy almost alway works but there will be 1 or 2 weeks where it dose backfire.

[smoak]

That strategy backfires at times. If your QB and WR are shut out in a particular game, you now have two starters with lower-than-average points for that week.

Yeah, short of Manning and Harrison or Culpepper and Moss, I would think this is a bad idea.... And Harrington??? Is he even worthy of a backup spot? I'd rather have Ramsey in real life, but I relaize Detroit has more weapons so in "fantasy football" Harrington probably has some value...