Drafting strategy, 16 team league (1 Viewer)

[Sid]

I decided to give this post it's own thread, in the hopes of getting some discussion on 16 team leagues, and specifically on the #4 spot, which I have in one of them. I posted the following:

**

I've got the #4 in a 16 team shark league. Portis is the easy decision, the rest of the draft is where I'm having problems deciding which way to go..

**

And the reply from Marc Levin was:

***

Problems? Impossible.

In leagues the size of half the NFL teams, your entire thinking scheme has to change and you have to take advantage of the BEST SKILL PLAYER at all times, regardless of position.

At 4 in a 16, I'd probably go Portis and look for a top-8 WR, Manning or Gates in the 2nd - same thing after the turn. I would platoon my RB2. Screw RB2 in that big a league - get yourself set up with players you KNOW you can count on at the other skill spots, and platoon your RB2 with whatever's available from the 4th or 5th round on. Just live with being behind some other teams at RB2, but WAY WAY ahead of most of the league at RB1 plus your skil players in rds 2/3.

If you have Portis, Manning, and Gates in a 16 team league, you are doing VERY VERY well - and since everyone else will (hopefully) look for WRs and RB2s, you have a decent shot at getting that lineup.

***

My followup here to that is this: Do you all agree with this strategy? In most mocks I've seen, Peyton is gone, and you need to choose either a top 8 WR or Gates, and neither will be around for 3.04, although I've seen a few where you can grab Harrison and then Gates falls, but most people at #1 snag him at 3.01 if available. Would you prefer a top 8 WR or Gates at 2.13? or Manning, if available? I'd pick Manning for sure, if available here. If he IS, then I'd guess there was an insane RB run, and a top WR or Gates may fall to 3.04...

Would you consider a RB at 2.13 if it was Bush.. or Westbrook?

Edit to add: for my league, no PPR, standard performance scoring, start 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 DT

 

[Biabreakable]

You need to pick best player available.

There are 3 16 team drafts going on in the Mock Draft forum. The one I participated in is done. This league gives 1pt/reception to Wr and 2pt/reception to Te. Zero for Rbs so that balances out positions somewhat. Not sure if your league gives PPR or not.

http://forums.footballguys.com/forum/index...howtopic=253551

Here is a team that drafted from the 4 slot:

1.04 Alexander, Shaun SEA RB Sat

2.13 Moss, Randy OAK WR

3.04 Bush, Reggie NOS RB

4.13 Mason, Derrick BAL WR

5.04 Houshmandzadeh, T.J. CIN WR

6.13 Falcons, Atlanta ATL TMQB(Vick/Shuab)

7.04 Stevens, Jerramy SEA TE

8.13 Wiggins, Jermaine MIN TE

9.04 Porter, Jerry OAK WR

10.13 Bears, Chicago CHI Def

11.04 Williams, Reggie JAC WR

12.13 Haynes, Verron PIT RB

13.04 Cardinals, Arizona ARI Def

14.13 Kasay, John CAR PK

15.04 Battle, Arnaz SFO WR

16.13 Scobee, Josh JAC PK

17.04 Morris, Maurice SEA RB

18.13 San Francisco SFO TMQB(Alex Smith/Dilfer)

 

[fornov]

Of the players you mentioned, I would take Manning if available. If not, I would take Gates at 2.13. I would definitely take Bush as a third option here, as I think he'll finish as a top 10 RB. Westbrook would be a good choice here too, but I doubt he would last. I would only go WR at 2.13 as a last resort, or if someone you really like falls to you (e.g. C Johnson, Holt). I don't think there is as big of a dropoff from WR7-8 to WR9-12 as most people do. I think Chambers, R Williams, Wayne, and Ward will all have big years. You can probably get one of them at 3.04 if you don't take a WR at 2.13.

 

[Raskell5]

Of the players you mentioned, I would take Manning if available. If not, I would take Gates at 2.13. I would definitely take Bush as a third option here, as I think he'll finish as a top 10 RB. Westbrook would be a good choice here too, but I doubt he would last. I would only go WR at 2.13 as a last resort, or if someone you really like falls to you (e.g. C Johnson, Holt). I don't think there is as big of a dropoff from WR7-8 to WR9-12 as most people do. I think Chambers, R Williams, Wayne, and Ward will all have big years. You can probably get one of them at 3.04 if you don't take a WR at 2.13.

No way do I take Westbrook at 2.13 in a 0PPR RB league. Any thoughts?

 

[Sid]

Of the players you mentioned, I would take Manning if available. If not, I would take Gates at 2.13. I would definitely take Bush as a third option here, as I think he'll finish as a top 10 RB. Westbrook would be a good choice here too, but I doubt he would last. I would only go WR at 2.13 as a last resort, or if someone you really like falls to you (e.g. C Johnson, Holt). I don't think there is as big of a dropoff from WR7-8 to WR9-12 as most people do. I think Chambers, R Williams, Wayne, and Ward will all have big years. You can probably get one of them at 3.04 if you don't take a WR at 2.13.

No way do I take Westbrook at 2.13 in a 0PPR RB league. Any thoughts?

One reason I thought he may fall down to the 29th pick..

 

[Raskell5]

Of the players you mentioned, I would take Manning if available. If not, I would take Gates at 2.13. I would definitely take Bush as a third option here, as I think he'll finish as a top 10 RB. Westbrook would be a good choice here too, but I doubt he would last. I would only go WR at 2.13 as a last resort, or if someone you really like falls to you (e.g. C Johnson, Holt). I don't think there is as big of a dropoff from WR7-8 to WR9-12 as most people do. I think Chambers, R Williams, Wayne, and Ward will all have big years. You can probably get one of them at 3.04 if you don't take a WR at 2.13.

No way do I take Westbrook at 2.13 in a 0PPR RB league. Any thoughts?

One reason I thought he may fall down to the 29th pick..

I think you would still be overpaying at 29. IMO take the best WR available.

 

[Sid]

Anyone else have an opinion on this? (shameless bump for the afternoon crowd)

 

[Sid]

One last bump, there must be some people struggling with this, or opinions..

 

[CA_7]

I would try and trade your 2nd and 3rd for another top 10 pick. Having Portis and another stud RB who is getting 75% of a team's carries in a 16 team league is a huge advantage :thumbsup:

 

[Sid]

Well, I may have to consider Tiki now, as the more conservative pick. I hear in my head, "you can't win your draft in round 1, but.."