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QB:
Michael Vick,
Andrew Luck
RB:
Arian Foster,
Maurice Jones-Drew,
Rashad Jennings,
Alfred Morris
WR:
Larry Fitzgerald,
Jordy Nelson,
Reggie Wayne,
Alshon Jeffery
TE:
Jason Witten,
Jared Cook
PK:
Garrett Hartley
DB: Eric Weddle,
Mark Barron
LB: Daryl Washington,
Curtis Lofton,
Lavonte David
DL: Justin Tuck,
Robert Quinn
In a competitive league, almost every team has a weakness. It's almost impossible to build a team that is strong at all three core positions (quarterback, running back and wide receiver). As you probably suspect, we perceive your weakness to be at the quarterback position. Of all the deficiencies to have though, this is usually the easiest one to mask.
Footballguys owner David Dodds even recommends you go into your draft with the goal of landing the top RBs and WRs while waiting to grab QBs late. Value-Based Drafting principles also suggest that teams constructed in this manner end up being strong. But for this team to reach it's full potential, you might need to have a quick trigger finger at the QB position and stay on the look out for good quarterback help. Last year Cam Newton could be had very cheap in August and September, but ended up contributing to a lot of fantasy championships. In 2010 it was Michael Vick and Josh Freeman; in 2009 it was Brett Favre; in 2008, the same could be said of players like Aaron Rodgers, Kurt Warner, and Matt Cassel. Quarterbacks like these can be found every year, and that could be the key to your team's success.
So although this team isn't perfect (few are), it should still be a strong contender.
Players we particularly like on this team include Jordy Nelson, Rashad Jennings, Garrett Hartley, and the Eagles defense. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
This team is a virtual lock to go to the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 16 of 2011:
Jordy Nelson vs. CHI: 115 receiving yards, 2 TD
Arian Foster vs. IND: 174 combined yards, 1 TD
Jared Cook vs. JAX: 169 receiving yards, 1 TD
Maurice Jones-Drew vs. TEN: 124 combined yards, 1 TD
Reggie Wayne vs. HOU: 106 receiving yards, 1 TD
Larry Fitzgerald vs. CIN: 105 receiving yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:
We expect Michael Vick to be a solid starter. According to our projections, he's the #7 QB, so you should be better off than most teams in the starting quarterback slot.
Andrew Luck, who we have rated as the #19 QB, is a nice backup and could conceivably emerge as either a starter for your team or, if Vick plays as expected, some tempting trade bait for teams with quarterback troubles.
Incidentally, Luck has what we project as a bad matchup (CLE) during Vick's bye.
RB Summary:
Nice work here. We like both your starting running backs, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 4.6 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Arian Foster ranked first and Maurice Jones-Drew ranked 20th.
Your bench also looks good. Rashad Jennings is a handcuff, but we'd like him as a third running back even if you didn't have Maurice Jones-Drew.
We're not sure that Alfred Morris adds much, as you're already strong at the position and we aren't convinced he's roster-worthy in this league anyway.
WR Summary:
Nice work here. We like both your starting receivers, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 1.7 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Larry Fitzgerald is our third ranked WR, and we have Jordy Nelson at #8.
Your bench also looks good. Reggie Wayne should serve as a very solid third receiver.
Alshon Jeffery is a solid depth pick.
Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Some of our staffers have Alshon Jeffery as high as #42, which would make him a great fourth receiver and even a legitimate WR3. Steve Holloway's take: "Jeffrey is a very talented rookie wide receiver for the Bears with the opportunity to play opposite Brandon Marshall. His low ADP is based on the perception that he can be lazy. He has a great opportunity as the likely second receiving option for Jay Cutler. Recent wide receiver performances by fellow Southeastern Conference rookies Julio Jones and A.J. Green bolster my confidence in Jeffrey's chances to be productive immediately with the Bears."
TE Summary:
Jason Witten is just OK as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #9). So the selection of Jared Cook, who we see as a solid backup, was wise.
Kicker Summary:
With Garrett Hartley, you should be above average at the position.
DB Summary:
Eric Weddle saw his role change to more of a centre field, ball-hawking player last season. The result was a career-high seven interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Although Weddle may be designated as a free safety, his tackle numbers should still hover around the 65-75 regions. His opportunity for big plays makes him a valuable commodity in leagues that reward extra points for such plays. Weddle is a low-end DB1.
Former Alabama player Mark Barron will step in immediately as the starting strong safety for the Bucs. Barron, a physical, violent tackler with good skills in coverage and a nose for the football, could reach the heights of Eric Berry in his rookie year. Barron should be a DB2+ as an every down player for Tampa Bay.
LB Summary:
One of the new kids on the block in New Orleans, Curtis Lofton signed a five-year deal with the team this offseason. With Jonathan Vilma's year-long suspension likely to stand, Lofton becomes the every-down middle linebacker. Lofton should exceed 100 solo tackles and be the consistent player he has been in Atlanta. He is an exceptional all-round talent and should be drafted in the top tier of linebackers in any league. Update 8/22: Lofton is dealing with a high ankle sprain which could be a worry heading into the season if it lingers. Barrett Ruud was acquired via trade and could be a good stop-gap player in a pinch.
The former TCU star and 2010 second rounder came into his own in a brilliant sophomore campaign. Washington was a tackle machine with nearly 95 solos (close to top five for his position), and also flashed explosiveness and big play ability with 5 sacks and 2 INTs. Already one of the most athletic young ILBs in the game, he is just scratching the surface of his formidable potential, and looks like a future Pro Bowler. Washington is one of the most solid LB1 selections in IDP leagues, and coveted defenders overall in dynasty leagues.
Rookie Lavonte David packs a punch despite his sleight frame. David is a quick twitch linebacker with good instincts and sideline to sideline burst. Most of all, he is a punishing tackler. David will slot in at the weak side linebacker position and be an every-down player for the Buccaneers. His upside is as an LB2.
DL Summary:
A nagging neck injury derailed Justin Tuck's entire 2011 season. Although he only missed a total of five games due to the injury, he was visibly hindered and lacked the explosiveness he usually possesses. He should be back to his normal self in 2012, however.
Quinn was selected 14th overall in the 2011 draft, despite being treated as a senior in high school for a benign brain tumor (thought to be in full remission), and a lost junior season at North Carolina for improper benefits. The Rams found the risk acceptable, largely on the strength of a sophomore season in which he was among the nation's leaders in sacks and FFs. In limited action as a rookie, he had 5 sacks and showed his athleticism with 3 blocked punts (he was also a three time state heavyweight wrestling champ as a prep). Quinn will now start and play a much bigger role. Only 22, if he fulfills his massive potential, St. Louis will sport one of the top young DE bookends in the league. A borderline DE2 and great DE3, he has eventual DE1 upside with physical maturation and technical refinement.
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