QB:
Terrelle Pryor,
Mark Sanchez
RB:
Montee Ball,
LaRod Stephens-Howling,
Chris Polk,
Ronnie Brown
WR:
Markus Wheaton,
Dexter McCluster,
Brandon Gibson,
Nick Toon,
Mario Manningham
TE:
Rob Housler
PK:
Josh Scobee
TD:
Oakland Raiders,
Jacksonville Jaguars
Overview:
Wait. Are you serious?
You did your research. You put your years of experience to work. And this ---
THIS --- is the team you ended up with? How is that even possible? Did you think this was a points-per-suck league?
To call this the
Worst.
Team.
Ever.
would forever cheapen those three words.
You know, normally I like this job. I get to sit here and assess people's fantasy teams. It's fun. I try to help them out. I learn from them and hopefully they learn a little from me. But then someone like you comes along and ruins it. WHY ARE YOU WASTING MY TIME WITH THIS TEAM??! I could be using these electrons and milliseconds to rate the team of someone who cares. Someone with a chance. But that ain't you, buddy, that's for sure.
QB Summary:
We have Terrelle Pryor rated #32 among quarterbacks, so we're not even sold on him as a fantasy starter in your league. And we're not sure that Mark Sanchez (our #33-rated QB) is likely to provide much help.
Incidentally, these two have a terrific combined schedule and a decent playoff schedule too. If you simply played the one with the better matchup each week, this is the schedule you'd face:TB | NE | BUF | TEN | SD | KC | NE | CIN | NO | NYG | BUF | TEN | MIA | OAK | KC | CLE
Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Some members of our staff have Mark Sanchez ranked as high as 29th, which would make him a fine second quarterback. Heath Cummings defends his high ranking as follows: "Please don't mistake the fact that I'm higher on Mark Sanchez than most as evidence that I think he's worth consideration in 2013. It's more of an indictment of those I have ranked below him. I'm also not convinced that he won't be the starting quarterback when the season opens."
RB Summary:
We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Montee Ball ranked at #31 and LaRod Stephens-Howling ranked 67th.
Chris Polk is a very weak third running back. Ronnie Brown also looks somewhat weak as a fourth RB.
A quick note about the same-team Stephens-Howling/Markus Wheaton duo you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more (not less) consistent than a comparable-scoring different-team pair. See
this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.
Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Montee Ball is ranked #21 by some of our writers. Adam Harstad reasons, "Willis McGahee is the second oldest RB in the league (behind Fred Jackson), and doesn't have much left in the tank. Knowshon Moreno was inherited by the current coaching staff, and they clearly are not believers of his; they've drafted two RBs in the first three rounds, and had Moreno as a game-day inactive in half of their games last season. Denver's brass has discussed their belief that Hillman is more of a change-of-pace back. Into this void steps Montee Ball, a hyper-productive college back whose stock slipped a little as some questioned his athleticism. Despite a slow 40 time, Ball is a perfect schematic fit for Denver's offense, which is loaded with talent at every position and figures to remain elite for years to come."
Some members of our staff have Chris Polk ranked as high as 46th, which would make him a fine third running back. Matt Waldman defends his high ranking as follows: "Polk was a terrific college player with excellent receiving skills. He broke more legit tackles at Washington than any 2012 prospect I studied. He's also in much better shape than he was this time last year and earning a shot to unseat Bryce Brown for the No.2 job. Don't be surprised if this happens in name, but in role I think Brown will still see enough looks to keep this backup job a committee that renders both a little less useful than desired. "
WR Summary:
We see both your starters at receiver as below average. Markus Wheaton is our 61st ranked WR, and we have Dexter McCluster at #72.
Brandon Gibson is a very weak third receiver. Nick Toon also looks somewhat weak as a fourth WR.
Because you're not particularly strong overall at the position, adding some depth here was a good idea. But we're not convinced Mario Manningham is the right player for the job. Check
the end of the report for some alternative suggestions.
Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Markus Wheaton is ranked #53 by some of our writers. Andy Hicks reasons, "It won't take much for Markus Wheaton to win the number 3 role for the Steelers. Should he do that, then he stands an excellent shot at strong contributions in 2013. Following the departure of Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders need help in a big way and Wheaton should be that help. It's not inconceivable for Wheaton to beat out Sanders by the end of the year either. The Steelers have a knack for getting immediate production out of wide receivers drafted in the 3rd round onwards (Brown, Sanders, Wallace etc). His progress must be monitored throughout the preseason however as he will not see playing time if he isn't ready. "
Some of our staffers have Dexter McCluster as high as #57. Heath Cummings's take: "McCluster will get one more chance to succeed under his third head coach. There's no doubt about his speed and quickness but to this point no one has figured out how to get the diminutive receiver involved in the offense. "
TE Summary:
With only Rob Housler, who we don't think is starter-quality in this league, this position is likely to be a trouble spot for you all season.
Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Rob Housler is ranked #18 by some of our writers. Bob Henry reasons, "When doing projections for Housler and the Cardinals, I considered a few different angles: 1) Carson Palmer's tendency to check down to Brandon Myers last year as a Raider, 2) Housler's athleticism and 16.2 YPC from his last two seasons at FAU and 3) Bruce Arian's vertically oriented offensive system that led to the Colts TEs producing 74 catches, 825 yards and 5 TDs last year. Housler's 9.3 YPC last year was more due to the Cardinals inept quarterbacking than it was indicative of his ability. While Arian will install a passing attack aimed at stretching the field, Palmer will probably need to check down frequently which means plenty of targets for Housler. Don't be surprised if he catches 60-to-70 passes for 700+ yards and 4-5 TDs this year - making him an excellent bargain on draft with low TE1 potential. He'd have higher dynasty value if Palmer were younger or if the Cardinals had a viable long-term solution."
Kicker Summary:
We don't think Josh Scobee is starter quality in this league. Keep a sharp eye on the waiver wire.
Defense Summary:
When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Raiders', along with the combined schedule that each would create:
Raiders + Chargers = IND | JAX | TEN | DAL | SD | IND | JAX | PIT | PHI | NYG | MIA | TEN | CIN | NYJ | KC | SD
Raiders + Browns = MIA | JAX | MIN | CIN | SD | DET | GB | PIT | PHI | NYG | CIN | TEN | JAX | NYJ | CHI | NYJ
Raiders + Buccaneers = NYJ | JAX | DEN | ARI | SD | PHI | ATL | PIT | PHI | MIA | ATL | TEN | DAL | NYJ | KC | SD
