[SIZE=3]Aschaffenburg Stallions 2013:
QB:
Tom Brady
Andy Dalton
EJ Manuel
RB:
Ray Rice,
Giovani Bernard
BenJarvus Green-Ellis
LeVeon Bell
WR:
Larry Fitzgerald,
Danny Amendola
Tavon Austin
Kenbrell Thompkins
TE:
Kyle Rudolph
Zach Sudfeld
PK:
Randy Bullock
DEF/ST:
San Francisco 49ers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers[/SIZE]
Overview:
This team is built around strong quarterback play. Despite not being strong at running back and receiver, we think this team should be in the mix.
Nevertheless, we feel compelled to mention that the RB and WR positions make us a bit nervious and are likely to require some attention throughout the year. We'd feel much better if we knew you were committed to scooping up 2013's breakout players at RB and WR. Getting one or more of these would take this team to the next level.
Players we particularly like on this team include Danny Amendola, Ray Rice, Andy Dalton, and Randy Bullock. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.
Bottom line:
- [*=center] With great inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
[*=center] With good inseason management, we think you have about a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs.
[*=center] With average inseason management, we think you have a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
QB Summary:
Tom Brady is our #4 quarterback so he's a good start to a QB corps. Andy Dalton, who we have ranked #13 among quarterbacks, also gives you an advantage over your competitors in the QB2 slot.
EJ Manuel is a good third QB.
A quick note about the Brady/Danny Amendola hookup you've got here: while we think the effect of the quarterback/receiver hookup has largely been exaggerated in fantasy football circles, it does have a tendency to make your team somewhat more inconsistent than comparable scoring duos from different NFL teams. But if you like the players at both ends of the connection, we do not see any need to make a change because of it.
With the Dalton/Giovani Bernard pair, the story is different. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more consistent if anything. See
this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.
RB Summary:
We like Ray Rice as a top RB, but we consider your starting running backs, as a group, to be a little below par. Our projections have Rice ranked at #6 and Giovani Bernard ranked 32nd.
We see BenJarvus Green-Ellis as an average third running back.
Because you're not particularly strong overall at the position, adding some depth here was a good idea. But we're not convinced LeVeon Bell 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:
Some of our staffers have Giovani Bernard as high as #20, which would make him a fine second running back. James Brimacombe's take: "With the Bengals shelling out a high second round pick on Bernard, they clearly have a vision for him in their offense. Bernard has such great speed, quickness, elusiveness, and hands that he will make life hard for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and should overtake him in production even in his rookie season. Some may question his size (5-8 200 lbs) and think he can't be an every down RB, but the fact is he has all the tools to succeed. "
Some of our staffers have BenJarvus Green-Ellis as high as #28, which would make him an above average third running back. Jeff Pasquino's take: "The Bengals added a new rookie tailback to the mix in Round 2 of the NFL Draft, selecting Giovani Bernard. The Bengals are building their offensive weapons, and now have both Bernard and veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis as a two-back committee for this year. Bernard will get some work as both a third-down back and also likely get a few series himself this season, but Green-Ellis will likely get more total rushes and goal line chances for 2013. "
LeVeon Bell is ranked #17 by some of our writers, which would make him a great fourth running back and even a legitimate RB2. Bob Henry reasons, "I've watched enough of Bell at Michigan State to feel confident in his ability to beat out his competitors to become the Steelers next featured back. Often miscast as T.J. Duckett/Jerome Bettis type, Bell has good hands, instincts in the passing game, good feet and I believe he's absolutely capable of playing three downs and immediately becoming one of the few true workhorse-type running backs in a league becoming devoid of them."
WR Summary:
Depth is a serious concern, but we do like your starting group, particularly Danny Amendola as a second receiver. Larry Fitzgerald is our eighth ranked WR, and we have Amendola at #13.
Tavon Austin is a little below average as a third receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Kenbrell Thompkins is also a liability at fourth receiver.
We might suggest adding a bit more depth here. See
the end of the report for some suggestions on who to pick up.
Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Larry Fitzgerald is ranked #2 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average first receiver. Matt Waldman reasons, "If there is anyone happier than Larry Fitzgerald to see Carson Palmer in Arizona, it would be Carson Palmer. These two are excellent talents in need of each other. You may not believe me when I say this about the Palmer, but we all know that Fitzgerald just needed a competent passer with the deep accuracy and willingness to target him in tight coverage. Judging by the ridiculous number of catches that Rod Streater and Darrius Heyward-Bey dropped in tight coverage last year, I think we should see a return to PPR an performance prominence for Fitzgerald in a big way. The next 2-3 years might be the final hurrah for the big guy's fantasy standing as an elite option. Take advantage of it if you can. I see a Cutler-Marshall dynamic happening in Arizona, but w/more emphasis on the pass due to an average running game at best. "
Some members of our staff have Tavon Austin ranked as high as 26th, which would make him an above average third receiver. Matt Waldman defends his high ranking as follows: "Any team drafting Austin this high has to have a plan for using him as a high-volume slot and backfield weapon. I see him more as a slot option for the Rams, but he'll provide them some versatility. I think the volume will be high enough for him to make him a nice PPR target as a WR2/WR3 depending on your risk tolerance. "
TE Summary:
Kyle Rudolph is viable but below average as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #8). We're also not too fired up about Zach Sudfeld as a backup.Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:
Some members of our staff have Kyle Rudolph ranked as high as fifth, which would make him an above average first tight end. Jeff Pasquino defends his high ranking as follows: "Kyle Rudolph was the favorite target for Christian Ponder last year, thanks in part to the loss of Percy Harvin for over half of the year. Ponder and Rudolph connected all year to give Rudolph impressive numbers. Both players will look to build on last year's efforts as the Minnesota passing game develops with new wide receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Greg Jennings. Defenses will have to play Adrian Peterson first, which should open up the middle for Rudolph to take advantage again this year."
Zach Sudfeld is ranked #12 by some of our writers, which would make him a great second tight end and even a legitimate TE1. Matt Waldman reasons, "Sudfeld is a huge target with fluid athleticism. He has excellent concentration to win the ball in tight coverage while making adjustments that expose him to big hits. He has above average NFL athleticism at his position. He's not super fast, but he's quick and agile. Expect Sudfeld to be a hot commodity while Rob Gronkowski is on the bench early in the season and don't expect his production to drop off completely once Gronkowski returns. There's room for a player like Sudfeld to produce in 12 personnel sets. "
Kicker Summary:
With Randy Bullock, you should be above average at the position.
Defense Summary:
We think the 49ers are the #2 defense in the league, at about 1.6 points per game above average. You probably don't need a backup.
]
