In light of the new draft trend (1 Viewer)

[rizzler]

Before I begin, I used the term 'old school' as it was how the "Rate my Team" feature introduced my team... and it got me thinking.

note: we start 1qb, 2rb, 3wr, 1te, 1 rb/wr/te flex, 1k, 1def

The recent (past 2-3yrs) trend I have found in most all of my leagues, specifically my 'big money' league is the WR heavy approach. everyone seems to load up on WRs (after the big 5 RB or so are gone) and that trend goes for a good 3-4 rounds with other positions sprinkled in of course...

So knowing this, I thought to myself.... If I see this trend happening very early on (I was picking from the 4 spot, of 12) I am going RB HEAVY if the positional players at RB are guys I am high on.

So it goes like this...

rnd 1 - gore

2 - s jax (an effing STEAL at 2.09.. and I had a sick feeling he might fall with ppl so low on him)

3 - Best (I am the Conductor for the Best Hype Train)

so.. first 3 rounds I am the ONLY one who has gone 3rbs... with only 1 other person having 2rbs

4th round comes back and Im faced with a decision... grab a decent w/upside WR (i wanted Crabtree) or grab a RB i was coveting around this stage , who is a great matchup play, amazing bye week fill in, and insurance policy against any injuries to my first 3)

note: as I mentioned earlier we have a flex where we can start a RB, I already have the 3 filled.

so... I grab the guy I can count on for solid numbers but is always underrated... Addai

**gore, s jax, best and addai**

my first WR ends up being Ocho Cinco, which I find very reasonable and expect good things from.

te ends up being witten

qb is a committee of Kolb and E. Manning.

So... does anyone else still kick it old school and go RB heavy??? (if it comes to them... as I always say you play what you're given)

I absolutely love this strategy and find you can get great steals while others are riding the trend.

what say you?

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

I agree. You can get late steals, but the problem I've seen this year is there are VERY few (IMO) WR prospects that I'd want to rely on in the round 8+ range.

 

[Happy Ragnarok]

I don't think the problem with this strategy is that you can't find viable receivers late...

I don't even think it's that there aren't viable sleepers filling the late round WR ranks this year...

The problem is that this strategy almost invariably puts you in an early season hole. Fill your ranks of WRs from rounds 8 and on with good, high quality WR sleepers, and chances are that yes, one or two of them will prove to be valuable starters. BUT, unless you get really lucky, it'll take a month or so to sort out exactly which ones they are. By the time you do, you've played three or four weeks with your WR corps in transition (if not in an outright shambles).

It can work out, and even if it takes a while, 8-4 or whatever can theoretically put you in the playoffs. But your margin for error is awfully slim.

I like filling out your RB's first. But taking bench ones that soon puts you behind the 8-ball some of the time.

 

[rizzler]

I agree. You can get late steals, but the problem I've seen this year is there are VERY few (IMO) WR prospects that I'd want to rely on in the round 8+ range.

I got a few guys i consider steals at WR, that expect ok numbers from, with upside...But find a good TE is vital in this scenario... A guy who puts up WR2 like numbers... hence I grabbed Witten

 

[PhantomJB]

Before I begin, I used the term 'old school' as it was how the "Rate my Team" feature introduced my team... and it got me thinking.note: we start 1qb, 2rb, 3wr, 1te, 1 rb/wr/te flex, 1k, 1defThe recent (past 2-3yrs) trend I have found in most all of my leagues, specifically my 'big money' league is the WR heavy approach. everyone seems to load up on WRs (after the big 5 RB or so are gone) and that trend goes for a good 3-4 rounds with other positions sprinkled in of course... So knowing this, I thought to myself.... If I see this trend happening very early on (I was picking from the 4 spot, of 12) I am going RB HEAVY if the positional players at RB are guys I am high on.So it goes like this...rnd 1 - gore2 - s jax (an effing STEAL at 2.09.. and I had a sick feeling he might fall with ppl so low on him)3 - Best (I am the Conductor for the Best Hype Train)so.. first 3 rounds I am the ONLY one who has gone 3rbs... with only 1 other person having 2rbs4th round comes back and Im faced with a decision... grab a decent w/upside WR (i wanted Crabtree) or grab a RB i was coveting around this stage , who is a great matchup play, amazing bye week fill in, and insurance policy against any injuries to my first 3)note: as I mentioned earlier we have a flex where we can start a RB, I already have the 3 filled.so... I grab the guy I can count on for solid numbers but is always underrated... Addai**gore, s jax, best and addai**my first WR ends up being Ocho Cinco, which I find very reasonable and expect good things from.te ends up being wittenqb is a committee of Kolb and E. Manning.So... does anyone else still kick it old school and go RB heavy??? (if it comes to them... as I always say you play what you're given)I absolutely love this strategy and find you can get great steals while others are riding the trend.what say you?

I am COMPLETELY down with this strategy picking from the #4 hole with a RB/RB/WR/WR/Flex league format. Would add J.Charles to the list of Rd 2/3 candidates. Grant may also fall.Seeking to address WRs by drafting three in Rds 4-6 among the Ocho/Crabs/Nicks/Maclin/Garcon/Bowe/SS squared/Floyd/Sim-Walker grouping with the hopes that one of them will emerge as a WR1 to perform as well as the well-identified Top 12 that are going in late 2nd/early 3rd.Then looking at the Gonzo/Winslow/Z.Miller crew in Rd 7 followed by QBBC. I think there are some tasty AFC/NFC West QB values to be had.

 

[rizzler]

I wouldve gone Charles over Best (both were available) if Haley wasnt the coach...

the guy is THAT dumb and stubborn that I cant trust the RB that I love so much.

but as I said, Im super high on Best.... so I was more than glad to grab him.

I actually love my team, and really happy with this strategy

 

[ATC1]

Problem is that it's not just a trend of FF drafts, but a trend of the NFL to complimentary RBs, coaches setting up the run with the pass now, or coaches using short routes and screens to slot WRs as an extension of the run.

 

[PhantomJB]

I wouldve gone Charles over Best (both were available) if Haley wasnt the coach...the guy is THAT dumb and stubborn that I cant trust the RB that I love so much.but as I said, Im super high on Best.... so I was more than glad to grab him.I actually love my team, and really happy with this strategy

I'm similarly hoping for someone to slide through the cracks late 2nd. Best is so hyped right now he may not make it back around but would be more than happy with Charles in early Rd 3.I do believe Haley's mind games will subside once games are for real and from a FF drafting standpoint they've been great since the T. Jones fear factor has lowered Charles' ADP significantly in the past 3-4 weeks.

 

[Gr00vus]

Problem is that it's not just a trend of FF drafts, but a trend of the NFL to complimentary RBs, coaches setting up the run with the pass now, or coaches using short routes and screens to slot WRs as an extension of the run.

That's why it's important to lock up the rbs that (in your estimation of course) will be big producers early. If you wait you're playing the back end of the draft guessing game with the RBs which is a smaller pool than when you play that guessing game with WRs (or QBs) for leagues that start 2 RBs (let alone those that have a flex in addition).In 4 leagues last year I made the playoffs in all but the one I didn't go RB/RB (and sometimes RB) in.

 

[PhantomJB]

Problem is that it's not just a trend of FF drafts, but a trend of the NFL to complimentary RBs, coaches setting up the run with the pass now, or coaches using short routes and screens to slot WRs as an extension of the run.

I hear you to some degree. But there also seems to be a lack of true stud WRs that are clear #1 options in top offenses. This has resulted in a huge 2nd tier of WRs that have WR1 upside, if not for the whole season than on any given day.Not at all trying to say this strategy is the be-all, end-all or that other strategies wouldn't work. Just like to have some type of plan going in otherwise decision-making during the draft can become very random and subject to second-guessing later.

 

[bigmiiiiike]

For many years I have been the guy who almost always opens with 3 RBs in the first 4 picks, or 4 RBs in the first 5 picks. This year I like my team better in every mock I do where I take either two WRs or a WR and QB in the first 3 picks. I continue to like the finished product when I jump on Gates in the 4th. The reason is that there are so many guys I'm happy with at RB in rounds 5-8. I honestly think Portis, Foster, Barber and Bradshaw have a decent shot to put up SJax #s (nonPPR) this year. I do not feel that the WRs available in rounds 5-8 can equal what you get from the Megatron/Roddy White/Jennings guys in the 2nd and 3rd.

I like your thinking in theory, but unless you really nail 3 top 12 guys with your first four RBs, you'll be battling uphill at every other position.

 

[rizzler]

Problem is that it's not just a trend of FF drafts, but a trend of the NFL to complimentary RBs, coaches setting up the run with the pass now, or coaches using short routes and screens to slot WRs as an extension of the run.

That's why it's important to lock up the rbs that (in your estimation of course) will be big producers early. If you wait you're playing the back end of the draft guessing game with the RBs which is a smaller pool than when you play that guessing game with WRs (or QBs) for leagues that start 2 RBs (let alone those that have a flex in addition).In 4 leagues last year I made the playoffs in all but the one I didn't go RB/RB (and sometimes RB) in.

exactly!i have gore pegged to increase his carries load to about 260 at leastsjax around 310best at 250and addai about 220These arent guys I expect to be sharing a load, by any means... including donald brown... I feel the Colts have seen enough to not give him the carries to hurt addai

 

[HenryWinklerRulez]

The late round WR's ur gonna get stuck with are guys like Kenny Britt, Mohhamed Massaquia, Aromashodu or Knox, etc. This guys are serious risk plays. There's decent RB's in those rounds or even later who are red zone RB's that have started every preseason game and are in line to start the regular season such as MB3. The difference between Jahvid Best, Stephen Jackson and MB3 could be pretty small while the difference between Randy Moss/Andre Johnson/Greg Jennings/Miles Austin from Kenny Britt is massively huge.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

Not sure why I kind of feel ashamed to admit it, but I am still pretty "old school" ......but in most of my leagues we only have to start 2 WR's and can start 3 RB's with the flex....99% of the time my flex is a RB on any given week....I think the huge difference comes in leagues where you have to start 3 WR's.....that changes things quite a bit....

this old school strategy continues to be pretty successful for me even in the changing times of FF, but again it has more to do with your starting lineup options than anything else.....if you can start 3 RB's every week, I think an arguement can be made for taking 4 pretty early.....with bye week issues (especially weeks with 6 teams on a bye) and injuries, having 4 solid RB's can actually put you in in front of the 8 ball against your competition each week.....I have just found that it is possible to find some WR's to plug into the 2 required starting spots pretty easily.....and with the new trend RB value has been falling so much it is hard to pass up.....many of my teams this year will have guys like Floyd and Gaffney on them who are way undervalued right now and will pair up nicely with a solid stable of 3 studs at RB.....

 

[PhantomJB]

For many years I have been the guy who almost always opens with 3 RBs in the first 4 picks, or 4 RBs in the first 5 picks. This year I like my team better in every mock I do where I take either two WRs or a WR and QB in the first 3 picks. I continue to like the finished product when I jump on Gates in the 4th. The reason is that there are so many guys I'm happy with at RB in rounds 5-8. I honestly think Portis, Foster, Barber and Bradshaw have a decent shot to put up SJax #s (nonPPR) this year. I do not feel that the WRs available in rounds 5-8 can equal what you get from the Megatron/Roddy White/Jennings guys in the 2nd and 3rd. I like your thinking in theory, but unless you really nail 3 top 12 guys with your first four RBs, you'll be battling uphill at every other position.

Agreed. Which I translate into a need to be flexible. Wouldn't advocate forcing the issue if RB value doesn't present itself with those picks. But if that happens then almost by definition a WR1 screamer falls your way so will gladly jump on that and shift gears.

 

[meatwad1]

Loading up on rb is the smart play here. They are so scarce that having more of them puts you at an extreme advantage. Taking four at once could work in your favor too, since it might cause a panic where people are reaching for backs in 4 - 8. In my opinion, once the top 5 wrs are gone, they are a dime a dozen and every year many good ones will fall/go undrafted in a ten team league. QBs and TEs even more so. As a matter of fact, I think almost every year the person who picks the first TE in the third round gets burned, not because he sucks, but rather because you could have gotten a similarly performing guy in the 8th - 10th rounds.

 

[redBourne]

Problem is that it's not just a trend of FF drafts, but a trend of the NFL to complimentary RBs, coaches setting up the run with the pass now, or coaches using short routes and screens to slot WRs as an extension of the run.

That's why it's important to lock up the rbs that (in your estimation of course) will be big producers early. If you wait you're playing the back end of the draft guessing game with the RBs which is a smaller pool than when you play that guessing game with WRs (or QBs) for leagues that start 2 RBs (let alone those that have a flex in addition).In 4 leagues last year I made the playoffs in all but the one I didn't go RB/RB (and sometimes RB) in.

Doesn't necessarily matter that you went RB/RB and made playoffs. Last year in my work league I went RB/RB/RB when everyone else was snatching up the 5th qb and other WR's. I finished dead last. It's all about taking players that won't underperform by a huge margin. Mine did, and I paid the price. I feel like I saw some statistical analysis on this before, on this forum, where the percentage of top 20 rb's were a bigger guessing game then that of WR's when judging from prior years performance. Anyone else remember such a topic?

 

[HenryWinklerRulez]

it all depends on where you pick. if you're picking int he top 5 of your draft then u grab one of the RB's, if ur picking at the back end of the draft then u definately go WR-QB or WR-WR. It's stupid to pick S Jax or Deangelo with the first pick.

 

[Chaka]

This could be a very good strategy (although my experience is that most people still covet RBs too much), but it all depends on where you draft from and who is available at your draft slot.

You could argue that grabbing 2-3 stud WRs early and then while everyone is scrambling for WRs you can pilfer all the sleeper and high upside RBs in the mid rounds is also a good strategy.

Drafts are to dynamic to lock yourself into a specific strategy.

 

[Gr00vus]

The late round WR's ur gonna get stuck with are guys like Kenny Britt, Mohhamed Massaquia, Aromashodu or Knox, etc. This guys are serious risk plays. There's decent RB's in those rounds or even later who are red zone RB's that have started every preseason game and are in line to start the regular season such as MB3. The difference between Jahvid Best, Stephen Jackson and MB3 could be pretty small while the difference between Randy Moss/Andre Johnson/Greg Jennings/Miles Austin from Kenny Britt is massively huge.

I don't know exactly what point you're trying to illustrate but guys like Britt/Aromashodu/Masseqoi haven't been going anywhere near as high as guys like Best/Jackson/Barber in the drafts I've done so far. I'm talking like 8 or more rounds apart.

 

[rizzler]

damn this is some great discussion

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

I think the huge difference comes in leagues where you have to start 3 WR's.

Which is the scenario we're talking about. When you have to start 3 WRs you're going to have a hard time finding 3 that you are confident to start.I used to be an RB early guy, too.

 

[rizzler]

I think the huge difference comes in leagues where you have to start 3 WR's.

Which is the scenario we're talking about. When you have to start 3 WRs you're going to have a hard time finding 3 that you are confident to start.I used to be an RB early guy, too.

but how confident are the other guys who HAVE to start 2rbs??? some of these guys have harrison and portis... m bush and bradshaw...I have 3 bellcows able to start each week... and what I picture to be a decent, but not amazing WR core.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

I think the huge difference comes in leagues where you have to start 3 WR's.

Which is the scenario we're talking about. When you have to start 3 WRs you're going to have a hard time finding 3 that you are confident to start.I used to be an RB early guy, too.

his scenerio also includes the ability to start 3 RB's with the flex......and part of my old school thinking still tells me to plug RB into the flex whenever possible.....I will admit, I haven't ever really played in a league where you are starting 6 guys between RB/WR (guess one could be another TE, but not likely)....so I haven't really broken down the use of that extra spot, but my gut still says you want to make that flex spot a RB, especially if everybody else is going WR heavy and you can get a stud RB to fill that flex spot...........

 

[Gr00vus]

Problem is that it's not just a trend of FF drafts, but a trend of the NFL to complimentary RBs, coaches setting up the run with the pass now, or coaches using short routes and screens to slot WRs as an extension of the run.

That's why it's important to lock up the rbs that (in your estimation of course) will be big producers early. If you wait you're playing the back end of the draft guessing game with the RBs which is a smaller pool than when you play that guessing game with WRs (or QBs) for leagues that start 2 RBs (let alone those that have a flex in addition).In 4 leagues last year I made the playoffs in all but the one I didn't go RB/RB (and sometimes RB) in.

Doesn't necessarily matter that you went RB/RB and made playoffs. Last year in my work league I went RB/RB/RB when everyone else was snatching up the 5th qb and other WR's. I finished dead last. It's all about taking players that won't underperform by a huge margin. Mine did, and I paid the price. I feel like I saw some statistical analysis on this before, on this forum, where the percentage of top 20 rb's were a bigger guessing game then that of WR's when judging from prior years performance. Anyone else remember such a topic?

Sure, if your player evaluation is off it doesn't really matter what position you take in the early rounds - you'll probably lose regardless. Putting that aside, if you're making a conscious decision to slough a position or overemphasize one, to me it makes more sense to slough the position that has a bigger pool and emphasize one which has scarcity - particularly in tight leagues. You can go into a draft thinking you'll just sweep up all the sleeper RB darlings in the mid rounds, but I never see it work out that way in drafts I'm in. Your margin for error is much smaller with the RBs than WR or QB because there are less of them. If you're a subscriber take a look at the swinging for the fences article. In the drafts I've been in the RBs mentioned there are generally all gone by round 9 or so. The receivers mentioned there generally don't even start getting taking until that point (or a round or two earlier in a couple of cases). Some of those WRs don't even get drafted. Now you may not like the particular names on that list, but you can switch the names and the principle is the same.

 

[Fat Nick]

I think the biggest drawback is that if you're the ONLY one doing this, you can pick up a relative advantage. Even if you pick RB/RB/RB, there are still quality RB's left in the 4th if everyone has been doing WR/WR/WR. Meanwhile, everyone else going WR/WR/WR has left you with a BIG disadvantage at the position when your WR1 is a guy like Crabtree or worse. One of the big reasons, IMO, that the Stud RB theory got so big was that after a point, you just KNEW everyone was going to draft RB's...so if you didn't, you'd miss out. I think the original basis for the Stud RB theory passed a while back, but since it was the dominant, and most widely-used theory, you HAD to draft an RB, becuase they had inherent value.

If the trend shifts to the "Stud WR" theory, I think you'll see people start following it if for no other reason than they know WR's will be gone if they don't take them...hence WHY they'll be gone. It's a cycle.

Taking RB/RB/RB may be smart, but in the end, you've added 2 great scoring totals to your team, and the 3rd RB won't get you much if you don't have a flex spot (which you do, so maybe it makes more sense). My basic theory is that I won't pick a guy who will be a back-up till I've filled 2/3 of my starter spots (with some exceptions). Having the best RB corp in the league does you no good if you can't start them.

 

[bigmiiiiike]

I think the huge difference comes in leagues where you have to start 3 WR's.

Which is the scenario we're talking about. When you have to start 3 WRs you're going to have a hard time finding 3 that you are confident to start.I used to be an RB early guy, too.

but how confident are the other guys who HAVE to start 2rbs??? some of these guys have harrison and portis... m bush and bradshaw...I have 3 bellcows able to start each week... and what I picture to be a decent, but not amazing WR core.

I wouldn't be comfortable if ALL I had was Harrison and Portis, but if I only have one RB after 4-5 rounds, I plan to stockpile the mid-round tier guys with my next 3-4 picks. So, if you have AP in the 1st, Megatron in 2nd, Brady in 3rd, SS or Gates in 4th, Crabtree in 5th, my next 3 picks will be from the Portis, Foster, Reggie Bush, Michael Bush, Forsett, Harrison, Bradshaw, Jacobs, Cadillac, DMC, Forte cluster. If I can get 3 of these guys to go with AP, I'm confident I can get quality starts out of my RB2 from one of those guys.

 

[Warhogs]

I think another factor to consider is know your league. I play in a league of guys that have played for 20 years now. This strategy does not work well because it is very tough to find trading partners during the season. Last year I drafted Ray Rice and Knowshown Moreno as my 3rd and 4th RB and my team struggled because nobody would tarde me a quality WR for a quality RB. Again, I just wanted to point out that when you are coming up with a draft strategy factor in the tendencies of your league mates.

 

[Stinkin Ref]

after looking/thinking more about the 6 spots.....I still think I would lean a little more toward going old school, but it would definately depend on what is there, and after 6 rounds I could easily see having 4 RB's and 2 WR's while punting the TE and QB position.......

that 6th spot with the flex is the key for me....so if I commit to the idea that I am rolling 3 RB's every week....I would probably have four by the end of round 6 and take my chances.......

it will be intresting to see what happens this year in weeks weeks 8-9 with 6 teams on bye and scenerios like this playing out......there will be some crap players getting started....

 

[Mystery Achiever]

it all depends on where you pick. if you're picking int he top 5 of your draft then u grab one of the RB's, if ur picking at the back end of the draft then u definately go WR-QB or WR-WR. It's stupid to pick S Jax or Deangelo with the first pick.

I will be drafting 9th and disagree woth this. From the actual drafts I've looked at, I see a very good chance of getting Turner and Jackson in the first two rounds. I doubt I'd take RB 3 in round 3. Starting to get too thin at WR by the time it gets to 5.09 from what I've seen.I ran a mock team starting with those two through Rate my Team and got the old school comment, also!

 

[Stinkin Ref]

one thing I noticed in a few drafts I have done so far with the old school approach is that if you still use it, people still see it, and I have seen a run on a bunch of 2nd-4th tier RB's before they should by guys that have gone some combination of WR/WR/TE/QB early which in turns allows some decent WR value to be there for the guys that went RB/RB....

many times the WR/WR guys then punt the WR position until way too late which actually works against them in some ways and the "advantage" they initially gained at the position........

 

[rizzler]

I think the biggest drawback is that if you're the ONLY one doing this, you can pick up a relative advantage. Even if you pick RB/RB/RB, there are still quality RB's left in the 4th if everyone has been doing WR/WR/WR. Meanwhile, everyone else going WR/WR/WR has left you with a BIG disadvantage at the position when your WR1 is a guy like Crabtree or worse. One of the big reasons, IMO, that the Stud RB theory got so big was that after a point, you just KNEW everyone was going to draft RB's...so if you didn't, you'd miss out. I think the original basis for the Stud RB theory passed a while back, but since it was the dominant, and most widely-used theory, you HAD to draft an RB, becuase they had inherent value. If the trend shifts to the "Stud WR" theory, I think you'll see people start following it if for no other reason than they know WR's will be gone if they don't take them...hence WHY they'll be gone. It's a cycle. Taking RB/RB/RB may be smart, but in the end, you've added 2 great scoring totals to your team, and the 3rd RB won't get you much if you don't have a flex spot (which you do, so maybe it makes more sense). My basic theory is that I won't pick a guy who will be a back-up till I've filled 2/3 of my starter spots (with some exceptions). Having the best RB corp in the league does you no good if you can't start them.

not everyone was going wr/wr/wr, though one did... most had an RB by round 3, even a qb of course... these guys are pretty sharky, if you know what I mean... 'midrange' guys and sleeper RBs starting flying mid to end round 4 and into rnd 5 and later... this is where I grabbed ocho, witten, other wrs and my Qbs

 

[hook014]

I think the biggest drawback is that if you're the ONLY one doing this, you can pick up a relative advantage. Even if you pick RB/RB/RB, there are still quality RB's left in the 4th if everyone has been doing WR/WR/WR. Meanwhile, everyone else going WR/WR/WR has left you with a BIG disadvantage at the position when your WR1 is a guy like Crabtree or worse. One of the big reasons, IMO, that the Stud RB theory got so big was that after a point, you just KNEW everyone was going to draft RB's...so if you didn't, you'd miss out. I think the original basis for the Stud RB theory passed a while back, but since it was the dominant, and most widely-used theory, you HAD to draft an RB, becuase they had inherent value. If the trend shifts to the "Stud WR" theory, I think you'll see people start following it if for no other reason than they know WR's will be gone if they don't take them...hence WHY they'll be gone. It's a cycle. Taking RB/RB/RB may be smart, but in the end, you've added 2 great scoring totals to your team, and the 3rd RB won't get you much if you don't have a flex spot (which you do, so maybe it makes more sense). My basic theory is that I won't pick a guy who will be a back-up till I've filled 2/3 of my starter spots (with some exceptions). Having the best RB corp in the league does you no good if you can't start them.

not everyone was going wr/wr/wr, though one did... most had an RB by round 3, even a qb of course... these guys are pretty sharky, if you know what I mean... 'midrange' guys and sleeper RBs starting flying mid to end round 4 and into rnd 5 and later... this is where I grabbed ocho, witten, other wrs and my Qbs

I would have gone WR in the fourth rd if I were you. Yeah you have depth, but it's your starting lineup that counts. Also going TE early may not have been wise with this strategy. Just another lost opportunity to shore up your rec's in a year that has a deep pool of TE's. This is the move you may regret come december.I noticed that you mention Ocho twice but never who your other WRs are. And you'll need some of those for byes too.So, who are they?

 

[fridayfrenzy]

Is it PPR?

Many more leagues are PPR, and that means that WRs score more than RBs, so if the OP is a PPR, your flex will not be very good relative to other teams who go WR heavy and you made a mistake going with three RBs.

 

[rizzler]

NO, it is not PPR... my strategy would have changed...

WR are... ocho cinco, floyd, hester, louis murphy, mike williams TB, gaffney

I purposely targeted Mike Williams and Gaffney (as I believe their production will exceed their ADP by leaps and bounds.

 

[thatguy]

Did something similar in my 2 player keeper league that starts QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, Flex, TE, K, Def. Had a very difficult time deciding who to keep out of Rice, DWill, Brees, Calvin, and Austin. Our league has a bunch of tight wads, so no one was offering good value for any of those guys, despite many of my league mates having awful keeper options. The best offers were of the 8th round variety or later (which is actually a tenth round pick with 24 players kept), and for that price, I'd rather throw the players back in the pool to increase the talent at the top of the first round, thus making it more likely that a quality player falls to me at 1.9.

So, I ended up keeping Rice and DWill. At 1.9, I was lucky enough to get Calvin back (so I essentially got him in the 3rd round). This would not have been possible had I not thrown all 3 of those guys back, as both Austin and Brees went before my pick. Then, at 2.4, I grabbed Best. I was without a 3rd round pick as I traded it for Ricky Williams last season to make a championship run. I took Harvin as my WR2 (I am mildly concerned about his health, but I don't think it will be as big an issue as some here believe). Was able to snag Hester, Aromahodu, and Royal as backups, as well as Sidney Rice very late (figured he was worth a flier, especially given that this league has an IR slot). My QBBC consists of Cutler & Eli, and my backup RBs are LT, LJ, and Bernard Scott. Lastly I was able to get Gonzo very late, after 10+ TEs were already off the board.

I really like how my team turned out, I think it should be a solid contender as perhaps the favorite if things pan out favorably over the course of the season.

So, I definitely like the strategy, FBG's Rate My Team called my team "old school" as well. However, I do think you should try to snag at least one stud WR if at all possible.

 

[GregR_2]

I don't think the problem with this strategy is that you can't find viable receivers late...I don't even think it's that there aren't viable sleepers filling the late round WR ranks this year...The problem is that this strategy almost invariably puts you in an early season hole. Fill your ranks of WRs from rounds 8 and on with good, high quality WR sleepers, and chances are that yes, one or two of them will prove to be valuable starters. BUT, unless you get really lucky, it'll take a month or so to sort out exactly which ones they are. By the time you do, you've played three or four weeks with your WR corps in transition (if not in an outright shambles).It can work out, and even if it takes a while, 8-4 or whatever can theoretically put you in the playoffs. But your margin for error is awfully slim.I like filling out your RB's first. But taking bench ones that soon puts you behind the 8-ball some of the time.

Very good post. This is exactly how it played out for me last year. Went 3-2 the first 5 weeks mainly because I didn't know which of my WRs were hitting their upside yet. Once I got that dialed in I cruised on with 9 straight wins.One thing worth noting about the strategy in general. The more people who pursue a particular strategy, the more correct it is for you to follow along as well. If everyone is taking WRs and you're the only one taking RBs, then there are still great RBs there for these other teams to take after they clean out WR, but when you get back to WR there isn't as much left.Though it worked out well for me last year waiting on WR, I realized after the draft that I could have waited on a few other positions and taken WR earlier and had a better overall team. This year I made that adjustment and I think I probably have a stronger team overall because I do have definite starting WRs while the rest of my team is still nearly as strong as last year.

 

[hook014]

NO, it is not PPR... my strategy would have changed...WR are... ocho cinco, floyd, hester, louis murphy, mike williams TB, gaffneyI purposely targeted Mike Williams and Gaffney (as I believe their production will exceed their ADP by leaps and bounds.

Your rec's are better than I thought they would be. You could roll with Ocho, Floyd/ Gaffney and be alright.Non PPR is a big factor here. You'll be a strong contender, good job.

 

[bshell27]

I used this strategy in a 12 team start 2 rb's 2 wr's and a flex. Ended up with the 7th spot and here is how it played out

Turner, Matthews, Cedric Benson 1 2 3

Ochocinco 5 Finley 6 Nicks 7

After that I ended up with, in no particular order,

Ahmad bradshaw, Leon Washington, Malcolm Floyd, Devin Hester, Mike WIlliams TB, Joshua Cribbs (Return yard league)

I could NOT pass on Matthews at 2.6 for some reason. I wish I had taken Miles Austin there. Then Benson 3 and focus on RB's I had to pass on due to already having three.

 

[Bad Mojo]

As you can see I used this method of thinking did not pickup a wr until the 9th round

I start 2 TE

 

[ATC1]

I definitely agree to it depends on where you are drafting and who is there.

But in my nonPPR leagues I feel that members in the league do like to get RBs early. Myself and one other guy usually take this as an advantage to go WR/WR. In my case I'll go WR/WR/QB/TE then when the rest of the league is starting the QB/WR/TE run I'll find value at RB. Then Go with Forte, Brown, Addai, Moreno. Up until this week I was able to get Foster and Best there as well.

1.07 - AJ

2.04 - Calvin Johnson

3 - T. Brady

4 - D. Clark

5 - Forte

6 - R. Brown

7- A. Bradshaw

8 - Knox

9 - Portis

 

[Papa Georgio]

I didn't read the whole thread so excuse me if this is a Honda but the other positive to the old school strategy is that more WR's come from no where every year that are not even drafted. Adding depth or even starters through waivers is easier with WR's.

 

[Restricted]

qb is a committee of Kolb and E. Manning.

Just a heads-up. They have the same bye week.

 

[Black]

I have been doing the opposite (WR early, load up on RB rds 5-10) even in non-PPR leagues for about 5 years.

IMO, it is always to your benefit to buck the trend. If WR are going early, then get the stud RBs. Handcuff them to mitigate the (great) risk of RB injury.

But, to pull this off, you need to be ready with many mid-late round WR who are rookies, undervalued, or could be positioned to break out. I think there are a fair amount. You'll need about 6 if you have a 16 man roster and can start 3 WR.

Steve Smith CAR

Chad Ochocinco

Wes Welker

Terrell Owens

Dwayne Bowe

Malcom Floyd

Michael Crabtree

Steve Smith NYG

Jeremy Maclin

Johnny Knox

Bernard Berrian

Pierre Garcon

Percy Harvin

Dez Bryant

Devin Hester

Mike Williams

Jacoby Jones

Mike Thomas

Lance Moore

Dexter McCluster

Josh Cribbs

Vincent Jackson

Austin Collie

Anthony Gonzalez

 

[rizzler]

qb is a committee of Kolb and E. Manning.

Just a heads-up. They have the same bye week.

hahaha, ya I knew that... but couldnt pass on Eli in the 10th.I took Orton too as a filler.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

NO, it is not PPR... my strategy would have changed...WR are... ocho cinco, floyd, hester, louis murphy, mike williams TB, gaffneyI purposely targeted Mike Williams and Gaffney (as I believe their production will exceed their ADP by leaps and bounds.

Your rec's are better than I thought they would be. You could roll with Ocho, Floyd/ Gaffney and be alright.Non PPR is a big factor here. You'll be a strong contender, good job.

He has to start 3 WRs though. So it's all three of those, then another guy for bye week fill-ins.Though, Ocho and Floyd could be a descent 1 and 2 of 3.

 

[Ilov80s]

I didn't read the whole thread so excuse me if this is a Honda but the other positive to the old school strategy is that more WR's come from no where every year that are not even drafted. Adding depth or even starters through waivers is easier with WR's.

True, but at RB the middle rounds are loaded with guys who have top 15 potential. The late rounds are full of guys who have potential to be serviceable #2 RBs or flex starters. I don't see that at WR. I hate to rely on the waiver wire because you often find yourself fighting with 10 other teams over the same 2-3 guys. Obviously, it all depends on draft position and what your leaguemates do, but I think you have a much better chance going after safe top end WRs early and gambling on 5-6 RBs in the mid-late rounds than you would going the opposite direction. I feel in this years draft where every RB save for a handful are either in a RBBC or are unproven as an NFL starter, you can have just as much success gambling on a stockpile of RBs in rounds 3-6 as you can rounds 1-4. Besides, say you do like the OP and stockpile RBs early. It is likely, one will bust (injury, poor performance, ends up splitting too much time). That leaves you with 3 RBs. Ideally, you want 3 RBs who can play in case of injury, so it leaves you in a tough spot if you are planning on trading one of them. Lets say you do decides to trade one of those RBs, at best you are going to get a WR who you could have just drafted in the 2nd/3rd round anyway.

 

[rizzler]

I didn't read the whole thread so excuse me if this is a Honda but the other positive to the old school strategy is that more WR's come from no where every year that are not even drafted. Adding depth or even starters through waivers is easier with WR's.

True, but at RB the middle rounds are loaded with guys who have top 15 potential. The late rounds are full of guys who have potential to be serviceable #2 RBs or flex starters. I don't see that at WR. I hate to rely on the waiver wire because you often find yourself fighting with 10 other teams over the same 2-3 guys. Obviously, it all depends on draft position and what your leaguemates do, but I think you have a much better chance going after safe top end WRs early and gambling on 5-6 RBs in the mid-late rounds than you would going the opposite direction. I feel in this years draft where every RB save for a handful are either in a RBBC or are unproven as an NFL starter, you can have just as much success gambling on a stockpile of RBs in rounds 3-6 as you can rounds 1-4. Besides, say you do like the OP and stockpile RBs early. It is likely, one will bust (injury, poor performance, ends up splitting too much time). That leaves you with 3 RBs. Ideally, you want 3 RBs who can play in case of injury, so it leaves you in a tough spot if you are planning on trading one of them. Lets say you do decides to trade one of those RBs, at best you are going to get a WR who you could have just drafted in the 2nd/3rd round anyway.

does the exact same not apply if you go WR heavy first 3-4 rounds... one or two will bust or get hurt, then what? same boat...i took the wr depth knowing one or two should pan out and play well for me... and took addai as injury insurance... i have no intentions on trading my RBs unless im forced to.but thats FF.

 

[MikeApf]

I like the old school approach but I think your strategy somewhat depends upon where you draft. What you did worked fine at 4, but I had a recent draft where I picked last in a 10-team league, at a time where all the top RBs were off the board. This is a keeper league, so many top guys, like Rice, were not even available to be drafted.

As a result, I ended up spending my first two picks on WRs -- Wayne and Moss -- to lock in elite talents at that position (this is a PPR league).

After that, I focused on the next tier down of RB and tried to grab a handful to see who would pan out. I ended up with a group including A Foster, R Brown, J Charles, and J Harrison.

I'm not ecstatic about my team or anything but I think drafting where I did and in a keeper league with some top RBs out -- I did the best that I could. If I would just tried to bang out RBs with my first 3-4 shots I would have missed out on the top RBs AND the top WRs. This way I got top WR and feel that I can squeeze out production of 2 of those 4 RBs any given week.

So, I like your strategy but in the end there are a lot of factors, making your strategy somewhat dependent on the particulars of your league.

M

 

[Cenobite]

The late round WR's ur gonna get stuck with are guys like Kenny Britt, Mohhamed Massaquia, Aromashodu or Knox, etc. This guys are serious risk plays. There's decent RB's in those rounds or even later who are red zone RB's that have started every preseason game and are in line to start the regular season such as MB3. The difference between Jahvid Best, Stephen Jackson and MB3 could be pretty small while the difference between Randy Moss/Andre Johnson/Greg Jennings/Miles Austin from Kenny Britt is massively huge.

I agree. There is a serious drop off in WRs after the first 20-25. In a start 2 WR league your strategy is plausible. In a start 3 WR league, I see some problems.