Gr00vus
Footballguy
Alright, it's my yearly question:
For those of us who like to wait to the end of the draft (last or 2nd to last round) to take a defense (or those real risk takers who don't bother drafting one at all and pick one up off waivers before the 1st game), who are you targeting to be that defense? Asking this question last year directed me toward the Packers and Vikings - which really paid off.
To set the table lets take the "consensus" top 16 ADP defenses off the board (I hope I'm not giving away too much pay info here, but I need something to serve as a basis for discussion):
San Diego Chargers
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Giants
Green Bay Packers
Baltimore Ravens
Seattle Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles
Tennessee Titans
Buffalo Bills
Now your top 16 may look different, in terms of order and/or inclusion/exclusion, and it'd be interesting to hear your discussion of your differences with the above too.
For myself I think the Pats are overrated - they lost a couple of key players, and their already old core is yet another year older. I know they've got a good coaching staff, but I'm thinking they're going to give up much more in the way of yardage/points than people are expecting.
It also looks like the Seattle D is going to be on the field much more often than they've been accustomed to, which I think means they're being overrated as well.
I'm thinking the Redskins might be a good play - they have an ADP that would leave them undrafted in 12x18 leagues - however they're scheduled to play some tough offenses.
Denver is another one with a very low ADP that has received some higher "expert" rankings, but it looks like they might have a tough year on offense, particularly early in the season, and their defense wasn't that impressive last year.
Anyone think the Texans might be a real deep sleeper? Their schedule doesn't look too bad, I'd like to think they could improve on last season, but that would depend on some major improvements in the younger guys as they weren't that good of a unit last year.
Thought?
For those of us who like to wait to the end of the draft (last or 2nd to last round) to take a defense (or those real risk takers who don't bother drafting one at all and pick one up off waivers before the 1st game), who are you targeting to be that defense? Asking this question last year directed me toward the Packers and Vikings - which really paid off.
To set the table lets take the "consensus" top 16 ADP defenses off the board (I hope I'm not giving away too much pay info here, but I need something to serve as a basis for discussion):
San Diego Chargers
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
Chicago Bears
Dallas Cowboys
Pittsburgh Steelers
Jacksonville Jaguars
New York Giants
Green Bay Packers
Baltimore Ravens
Seattle Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Philadelphia Eagles
Tennessee Titans
Buffalo Bills
Now your top 16 may look different, in terms of order and/or inclusion/exclusion, and it'd be interesting to hear your discussion of your differences with the above too.
For myself I think the Pats are overrated - they lost a couple of key players, and their already old core is yet another year older. I know they've got a good coaching staff, but I'm thinking they're going to give up much more in the way of yardage/points than people are expecting.
It also looks like the Seattle D is going to be on the field much more often than they've been accustomed to, which I think means they're being overrated as well.
I'm thinking the Redskins might be a good play - they have an ADP that would leave them undrafted in 12x18 leagues - however they're scheduled to play some tough offenses.
Denver is another one with a very low ADP that has received some higher "expert" rankings, but it looks like they might have a tough year on offense, particularly early in the season, and their defense wasn't that impressive last year.
Anyone think the Texans might be a real deep sleeper? Their schedule doesn't look too bad, I'd like to think they could improve on last season, but that would depend on some major improvements in the younger guys as they weren't that good of a unit last year.
Thought?
I also like the addition of Kalimba Edwards.
I also like the addition of Kalimba Edwards.
I also like the addition of Kalimba Edwards.
mar Gaither Weak Side OLB - At 24 has most seniority on LB corps. His ability to play MLB was enough reason to let Jeremiah Trotter go (other than Trotter not being able to cover a dead log). Bradley's emergence lets him shift over to his more natural Weak Side spot. Is a solid, smart player but not a playmaker.So the LBs are very young but at least serviceable. If there's no progression, they are solid but unspectacular and could be a reason why the DST is worthless again for fantasy. The Eagles # of forced turnovers was pitiful last year and just adding Asante Samuel is not going to fix that. If Bradley becomes a poor man's Urlacher, and Gocong gets a green light to blitz a few times, it will help the DST points. And you'd hope DeSean Jackson cashes in a punt return for a nice bonus once in a while.Keep in mind Reid always undervalues LBs and will never draft one in the first two rounds. The key to the DST's success will be the DLine, which took a substantial hit now that Abiamiri is out long term. They have plenty of warm bodies at DE but Trent Cole has been the only dependable guy.
alert....but...
