Sacrificing Talent for Depth (1 Viewer)

[BOJACK34]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.

I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?

Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

 

[dagwood]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

Bench players don't score anything in the playoffs. Depth only helps you in bye weeks and to cover for injuries during the season. Talent helps you win the playoffs.

 

[JGalligan]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

Bench players don't score anything in the playoffs. Depth only helps you in off weeks. Talent helps you win the playoffs.

This.

 

[DoubleG]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

Bench players don't score anything in the playoffs. Depth only helps you in bye weeks and to cover for injuries during the season. Talent helps you win the playoffs.

This 1000%.

 

[AngryPatriot]

agree, depth is overrated. And on top of making a team mediocre it's hard to know who to start!

 

[BobbyLayne]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

I'm always looking for other owners who want my depth for their talent.FF 101

 

[Billy Costigan Jr]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

Bench players don't score anything in the playoffs. Depth only helps you in bye weeks and to cover for injuries during the season. Talent helps you win the playoffs.

Bench players actually DO score in the playoffs.In fact, when choosing between two "good" players, say...QB "A" and QB "B"...your bench player is most assuredly going to outscore the guy you actually started.

 

[Shutout]

I'm going to go against the grain on the advice so far and give the OP a different view on his question about philosophy. IMO, especially in dynasties and holdover leagues, depth is a VERY valuable resource because:

A) You have to make the playoffs to win a league. Depth comes into play more here than anywhere else. There is nothing greater than rolling our your depth and getting a much needed win when you and/or your opponent are hit with bye weeks on your starters.

B) Once you have made the playoffs, its an absolute crapshoot and having depth can win your league. Last year, I lost a title because my team that had 1 loss during the year had no depth to deal with the Colts sitting Manning and Wayne. However, my 5-loss team won the league because I had guys like Driver and Garrard and such as depth that proved to have a good schedule at the right time (and those guys were added for peanuts).

C) BECAUSE so many people play that angle of selling out their potential and depth in order to get a hired gun for a playoff push, if you know what you are doing, you get a great deal that snowballs (such as giving Tom Brady and getting back, say, Sam Bradford and Tashard Choice....lots of value going forward and getting younger at the same time).

Basically, what I am gettin at is that in dynasty and keeper leagues, I believe in a philosophy of a season with four turns. I won't bore you with the details but for this thread it would advise that you play your talent early and then switch gears to depth and play the matchups. It may be coincidence only, but I have won more leagues with "average" players than I ever had with the darlings of the league and I always seem to find myself taking some "throw in" guy from late last year that turns into an important part of my team in the future or used as a trade maker.

 

[Da Guru]

If redraft leagues I try to get the best starting lineup and don`t even worry about my bench. Everytime I have won it is because I have made moves to give me the best starters possible.

Dynasty leagues are a bit different but I always go for the win..I am not looking to be the Jeff Fisher of FF.

 

[PhantomJB]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

I'm always looking for other owners who want my depth for their talent.FF 101

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. I believe this type of strict rule of "depth for talent" is going to evolve much like the "draft RB's 1, 2, 3" evolved.With the prolonged season and bigger, stronger faster players, injury risk for stud players that play every snap is very high. I don't think this year is an anomaly and not just for RB's. For that reason, depth is more valuable in the past ETA: (even in redraft), especially with trade deadlines 2-3 weeks prior to playoffs.Just as an example, I was offered Andre Johnson for Brandon Marshall and Brandon Lloyd. In years past I would obviously jump all over this deal. But this year not so much. If Marshall or Lloyd go down, at least I'm still competitive in the playoffs, but if Johnson's ankle snaps then I'm totally hosed.This may seem obvious given Andre has a known injury, but many of the top WR's have gone down so I think the risk is still significant (R.White, A.Collie, DJax, etc. plus all the TE's of course)

 

[dagwood]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

Bench players don't score anything in the playoffs. Depth only helps you in bye weeks and to cover for injuries during the season. Talent helps you win the playoffs.

Bench players actually DO score in the playoffs.In fact, when choosing between two "good" players, say...QB "A" and QB "B"...your bench player is most assuredly going to outscore the guy you actually started.

Obviously, every league has different rules. The leagues I play in only count the scores of the players in your starting lineup.

 

[dagwood]

As we move closer towards the playoffs, my league's transactions are heating up. Without going into too much detail, my league is a holdover league, based on auction prices and 3 year max holds, at a maximum cap. As in any league with this format, teams that are out of it are offering up their expensive studs for potential holds and teams that are still in the playoff hunt are trying to piece together their team for that final push.I'm stuck in a quandary where as I can't decide if it is worth it for me to trade away talent for potential playoff depth? I know this isn't the right forum for trade advice but for example, I have Brady, Gerrard, Cassel, & Hill (start 2 QB) Nicks, Calvin, Crayton, Burlson, & Meacham (start 3 WR). Owner I'm playing this week (trading deadline week) wants Brady or Gerrard for Dez Bryant. The way I see it, I have plenty of depth at QB for now up to playoff run with WR depth lacking a little. Normally I think I'd be ok with this deal, Bryant as a WR upgrade, depth filler, and potential keeper, but I can't come to grips with the fact that, come playoff time (if I even make it), given the scarcity at QB, do I want to have the options available or not?Again, this is not a "should I make this trade" question. I was just wondering what everyone's philosophies were on trading away talent for depth/options come playoff time.

I'm always looking for other owners who want my depth for their talent.FF 101

I'm going to play devil's advocate here. I believe this type of strict rule of "depth for talent" is going to evolve much like the "draft RB's 1, 2, 3" evolved.With the prolonged season and bigger, stronger faster players, injury risk for stud players that play every snap is very high. I don't think this year is an anomaly and not just for RB's. For that reason, depth is more valuable in the past ETA: (even in redraft), especially with trade deadlines 2-3 weeks prior to playoffs.Just as an example, I was offered Andre Johnson for Brandon Marshall and Brandon Lloyd. In years past I would obviously jump all over this deal. But this year not so much. If Marshall or Lloyd go down, at least I'm still competitive in the playoffs, but if Johnson's ankle snaps then I'm totally hosed.This may seem obvious given Andre has a known injury, but many of the top WR's have gone down so I think the risk is still significant (R.White, A.Collie, DJax, etc. plus all the TE's of course)

Unless you can play both Marshall and Lloyd, I think you are silly not to make that move for AJ.

 

[Bri]

Some good advice, just wanted to add don't overthink. There's a big trap looming over your head now.

 

[Cenobite]

I have sacrificed depth over talent. We start 2 Rbs and I have Foster and Turner as starters. On my bench are Snelling and Ward. If either of my 2 important starters gets injured, I know I have very capable back-ups that I could start. I passed over guys like Torrain and D. Brown so I could back up my starters. I would do it again without hesitation. I guess the answer lies in who you pass up when you target your back-ups.

 

[BOJACK34]

I'm going to go against the grain on the advice so far and give the OP a different view on his question about philosophy. IMO, especially in dynasties and holdover leagues, depth is a VERY valuable resource because:A) You have to make the playoffs to win a league. Depth comes into play more here than anywhere else. There is nothing greater than rolling our your depth and getting a much needed win when you and/or your opponent are hit with bye weeks on your starters.B) Once you have made the playoffs, its an absolute crapshoot and having depth can win your league. Last year, I lost a title because my team that had 1 loss during the year had no depth to deal with the Colts sitting Manning and Wayne. However, my 5-loss team won the league because I had guys like Driver and Garrard and such as depth that proved to have a good schedule at the right time (and those guys were added for peanuts).C) BECAUSE so many people play that angle of selling out their potential and depth in order to get a hired gun for a playoff push, if you know what you are doing, you get a great deal that snowballs (such as giving Tom Brady and getting back, say, Sam Bradford and Tashard Choice....lots of value going forward and getting younger at the same time).Basically, what I am gettin at is that in dynasty and keeper leagues, I believe in a philosophy of a season with four turns. I won't bore you with the details but for this thread it would advise that you play your talent early and then switch gears to depth and play the matchups. It may be coincidence only, but I have won more leagues with "average" players than I ever had with the darlings of the league and I always seem to find myself taking some "throw in" guy from late last year that turns into an important part of my team in the future or used as a trade maker.

I totally agree. Thanks for the response. This has been my primary league for years and it's a keeper league. The season is definitely broken down in stages. Using your talent and depth to get you through the bye weeks and into the upper echelon of the standings prior to the playoff push is utilizes a much different strategy then post-bye-week/playoff push and even playoffs. I feel that having the depth with solid players on mediocre teams is definitely worth the trade off then having your studs on "NFL Playoff Qualified" teams readily available. That being said, I think I'm going to pull the trigger on Brady for Bryant as I'm feeling ok with my QB's and would like to have the WR depth the final half of the season heading into the playoffs (assuming I get there). Not to mention I'll have the ability to hold Bryant into next year based on his salary in the league, something I wouldn't even consider with Brady.

 

[footballnerd]

go for the glory, except if its a keeper with huge value adp next year.