$1,250 FFPC Rookie/Free Agent Draft Review
Editor’s Note: We hope you’ve been enjoying our FFPC draft coverage. The high stakes component makes for an intriguing variable and readers should appreciate these coaches paying the price to compete at this level while also giving these drafts extra attention. The FFPC games are unlike any other in the industry due to their length of time and visibility in the space. Since beginning their dynasty games in 2010, they only continue to gain in popularity. Whereas DLF is a place you can call home for the best dynasty content to your win league, the FFPC provides the best platform to apply our content – the top competition on the planet and huge dollar purses are just an added bonus!
Welcome to our third installment of our 2015 FFPC draft coverage!
DLF and the FFPC are new partners for 2015 and, as such, we’ll be covering a number of rookie and maiden dynasty drafts to be used as another source of reference for your own drafts. The thought here is that the “high stakes” label brings with it a higher degree of fantasy coaching experience and performance. These coaches are putting serious money on the line with the hope of greater payouts at the end of the rainbow and you can bet that most coaches put a lot of work and research into each selection. With this particular FFPC dynasty league requiring a $2,500 entry fee, there’s no room for mistakes.
This review is a $1,250 12-team rookie/free agent draft. Standard scoring Point Per Reception (PPR) format with the exception that tight ends receive 1.5 PPR. Passing touchdowns are worth the standard four points while rushing and receiving touchdowns bring six points each.
For review purposes I will be covering the first three rounds of this draft as rounds four and beyond saw primarily non-rookie free agents. Unlike my previous reviews, I’m not going to go in depth with the selections as the main goal here is for you to see the rookie selections to gauge shifting value as draft season progresses.
If you’re ready to step up to the most serious competition on the planet, we highly suggest you check out the FFPC Dynasty Games!
Let’s dive in!
Round One
1.01 Todd Gurley, RB STL
No surprise here, he’s been first in every reviewed FFPC draft thus far.
1.02 Melvin Gordon, RB SD
Gordon sneaks into the top two. This is likely a selection more to do with a need at running back than anything else. Again, Gordon’ limited receiving production could keep his fantasy points down, but I believe he has enough natural ability to bridge this issue
1.03 Amari Cooper, WR OAK
Easy Choice
1.04 Kevin White, WR CHI
The fourth pick is likely the easiest selection of the top four.
1.05 Nelson Agholor, WR PHI
I still don’t feel good about Agholor. He fit’s Kelly’s system well but that doesn’t mean that he’s a top five rookie selection. I still see him as the third best receiver to come out of USC in the past three years, after Marquis Lee and Robert Woods.
1.06 DeVante Parker, WR MIA
I expect he may start dropping a bit with news that his ankle injury is still giving him problems and he’s now gone under the knife again. It’s a situation to watch
1.07 Breshad Perriman, WR BAL
He has Julio Jones upside and is in the offense to make it happen. Problem is that comparisons are easy when it’s the only thing you’ve got. What happens when the lights go on is what really matters.
1.08 T.J. Yeldon, RB JAX
Most think that the Jacksonville running game is terrible when that’s not the case at all. The running game was effective but they had to play catch-up so often that rushing attempts faded. Yeldon looks the part of a NFL back.
1.09 Duke Johnson, RB CLE
VERY surprised to see his name in the first round. Shocked in fact. Johnson has talent but he’s clearly mid second round at best on my board.
1.10 Dorial Green-Beckham, WR TEN
His value is all over the board in rookie drafts but in the FFPC drafts, he’s going very late in the first. Likely due to the high stakes variable combined with the high risk of DGB.
1.11 Tevin Coleman, RB ATL
I think we’re going to have to wait 12-24 months to see what Coleman becomes. It looks like an even split for carries in the Atlanta backfield from my vantage point.
1.12 Ameer Abdullah, RB DET
Much like Coleman above, Abdullah’s role is undetermined and there’s a lot riding on it. I think this selection is a good point for his upside vs. the present risk. He has plus-skills for PPR leagues.
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Round Two
2.01 Devin Funchess, WR CAR
A true wildcard, but one with great size and better speed than was displayed at the Combine. He improved his 40 time by .20 at his pro day.
2.02 Jay Ajayi, RB MIA
My problem with Ajayi has nothing to do with his heart or skills as a runner. I don’t have him on my board for the first two rounds for the simple fact that Miami cannot afford to lean on him for carries. His knee condition will not improve but will deteriorate more rapidly with usage. This fact alone means that you should expect the Dolphins to limit his touches.
2.03 David Johnson, RB ARI
Another wildcard. I still think most are too high on Johnson but the drums have stopped beating a bit since being selected by Arizona. He’s got PPR talent and some rushing chops … but he’s not overly dynamic and remains stiff in the hips.
2.04 Josh Hill, TE NO
Hill is the first free agent to hear his name called. It’s a good spot for him.
2.05 Maxx Williams, TE BAL
A superb value selection at #17 overall. He should see touches immediately and has the offense and receiving ability to be productive in his first year.
2.06 David Cobb, RB TEN
He’s in a very intriguing situation. He’s a younger and better Shonn Greene and has only Bishop Sankey in front of him. He’ll garner carries in his rookie year.
2.07 Jaelen Strong, WR HOU
When you put on the tape you can see talent, size and ability. What I don’t see is the “it” factor or domination. His situation is as good as you can hope for and he’s a good selection in the middle of the second round of rookie drafts.
2.08 Phillip Dorsett, WR IND
He’s got unquestionable dynamic and ability, but he’s just one weapon of many for Andrew Luck and the Colts. I question if there are enough balls to go around. At 2.08, however, he’s a good selection.
2.09 Tyler Lockett, WR SEA
I think many are looking too deep at Lockett. Everything on the surface suggests he’s going to be a limited role player on a team full of receiving role players.
2.10 Devin Smtih, WR NYJ
Smith is off my board for anything prior to the end of the third round. I just don’t care for his NFL fit or situation.
2.11 Duron Carter, WR IND
A real stab here.
2.12 Sammie Coates, WR PIT
The Steelers, like the Packers, are known for their draft acumen related to receivers. Coates has a high upside but without any level of collegiate consistency or production that suggests he’ll make the jump.
Round Three
3.01 Jameis Winson, QB TB
An easy choice to make at the top of the third round
3.02 Matt Jones, RB WAS
I think most are overdrafting Jones in the second round, but I like him at the top of the third.
3.03 Chris Conley, WR KC
This year’s Combine Workout Warrior. I don’t understand the fit in K.C. but there’s no questioning the fact that they have holes to be filled – so there’s a chance.
3.04 Javorius Allen, RB BAL
I like Allen’s situation and NFL size. I think many are overlooking his potential. He’ll see touches in ’15 but his best bet will be late in 2016 or 2017.
3.05 Marcus Mariota, QB TEN
He’s got a lot of work ahead of him but a good head on his shoulders. He makes for a relatively easy pick in the mid third round if available.
3.06 Marques Colston, WR NO
Aging veteran that still sits atop the NO depth chart.
3.07 Darren McFadden, RB DAL
As I write this he’s riding the pine nursing a minor hamstring tweak, nothing new. Joseph Randle now seems locked into the starting role but DMc still has a chance.
3.08 Cameron Artis-Payne, RB CAR
Much like Allen above, Artis-Payne has good size and an even better situation. Look for him to be given an opportunity in ’15. He’s a player that could well outplay this drafted selection within 24 mos.
3.09 Reggis Bush, RB SF
There’s still gas in the tank here and a situation where he’ll get plenty of touches.
3.10 Jeremy Langford, RB CHI
One of my favorite sleeper backs. You’ll need to be patient but with Forte’ turning 30, he’ll get his chance sooner rather than later.
3.11 Justin Hardy, WR ATL
Has a chance to fill the vacancy left by Harry Douglas. For what it’s worth, he’s a long shot.
3.12 Josh Huff, WR PHI
I think Huff has a chance to outproduce Agholor in 2015.
Summary
It won’t be long until we get into FFPC maiden drafts and, for the most part, rookie values seem to have mostly stabilized. Again, the high stakes nature of these FFPC drafts brings with it a focus more on safety and eventual production and away from perceived risk.
With any luck, you can use these drafts as a barometer for rookie value and trends for your own drafts. Good luck!
Follow Jeff on Twitter: @DLF_Jeff
You can find Jeff on Twitter at @dlf_jeff
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