The DLF Mailbag

Eric Hardter Posted On September 7, 2015

dlfmailbag

Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly mailbag.

Send me your questions using the DLF Mailbag Form and I’ll include the best in future articles. Remember the guidelines to have the best chance at seeing your question get posted:

1.) Dynasty questions only, no start/sit questions

2.) Help me help you by providing sufficient information about your league (e.g. line-up requirements/PPR or non-PPR/etc.), and include your first name and where you’re from.

3.) Your chance of getting your question answered is inversely proportional to the length of the question.

Let’s get to it!

*Editor’s Note – For total team evaluations, please be sure to use the DLF Newsletter Team Advice Form!*

I went all in for this season because there are only two other teams that look like top contenders. In one trade I sold pick 1.01 (now Amari Cooper) and Keenan Allen for Calvin Johnson, and then later (pre-extension) I sold TY Hilton and Jordan Matthews for Demaryius Thomas and Mark Ingram. I loved my receivers I picked up, but I am feeling a little buyer’s remorse after the fact. I loved having young up and coming guys that panned out. The other guy went into full rebuild after joining our dynasty league this season. In a vacuum, was there a clear winner in these trades? – Travis in AZ

In terms of off-season value, you probably lost both of the trades you mentioned. Of course, it should be mentioned that said value isn’t based on points scored or games won, but rather by who has the “sexiest name.” And at this point in time, that typically equates to “younger = better.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I believe both Amari Cooper and Jordan Matthews have bright futures, and could even begin to realize them as soon as this season. TY Hilton is already a proven commodity, and has arrived as a WR1 – his recent extension only serves to lock him in there, in my opinion. Even Keenan Allen should bounce back and settle in as a WR2 with WR1 upside.

But with that said, Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas are two of the best receivers in the league, and in my judgment the likeliest to score a ton of points this year. Each should also have several good years remaining. Throw in Mark Ingram (who I’m admittedly not high on, but many are) and you definitively helped yourself win now, while still keeping your window open for the foreseeable future – all told I think the deals work for both of you.

I have to make the dreaded roster cuts by September 8th and am torn. I need to cut four of the following: Terrance West, Cameron Artis-Payne, Alfred Blue, Chris Polk, Zach Zenner and Charles Sims. Thoughts? – Gary in CT

[inlinead]I’d definitely cut the two Texans running backs, as I don’t believe either is overly talented and imagine there will be some sort of RBBC approach until Arian Foster returns. Next, I’d look to part ways with Cameron Artis-Payne – sure, it looks like he’s next in line should starter and bell-cow Jonathan Stewart go down, but he was a late fifth round pick, and much like in Houston I imagine he’d be stuck in a timeshare should Stewart miss time. Finally, I’d cut bait with Charles Sims. Quite frankly I just don’t think he’s all that good, and passing down viability on a bad offense isn’t enough to get me overly tempted. Ultimately, I believe both Terrance West and Zach Zenner have more upside than the rest of this motley crew.

I’ve heard a lot of ruminations that RG3 is failing because Gruden will not tailor his system to him. While that certainly isn’t his only obstacle, is Griffin finished or does he need a change of scenery? – Sean in CO

My guess is the truth falls somewhere in between. No, Robert Griffin III really hasn’t shown anything good on film the past few seasons and we’ve now heard rumblings from multiple coaching staffs that he’s simply not dedicated enough. With that said, it remains an enigma as to why Jay Gruden wouldn’t be even the least bit flexible as it relates to catering to his quarterback’s skill set. Ultimately though, I want to believe he still represents a modicum of upside, given what we’ve already seen him produce when completely healthy. If you have the room, he makes for a fine end-of-bench stash on the cheap.

I was thinking of trading my Mike Evans for his Amari Cooper and maybe TJ Yeldon? I was thinking of investing more in to splitting a great keeper for possibly two great keepers. Thoughts? – Ryan in NJ

I think that might be a little light for Bucs receiver Mike Evans, who would’ve been in the conversation for best rookie receiver season ever if not for the transcendent Odell Beckham. While I like Amari Cooper’s future, lightning typically doesn’t strike in the same place twice – in other words, expecting a rookie season like Evans’ to happen again would buck some serious trends. Extrapolating that, it appears to be a stretch that Cooper would surpass Evans in value anytime soon, and as such you’ll need a really strong piece to bridge that gap. Is TJ Yeldon that guy? Perhaps, but that just adds another unknown to the equation. I’d prefer you shoot a little higher as it relates to proven talent as the additional piece, perhaps along the lines of a Jeremy Hill (note: you’d need to add a little more to your side here) or Lamar Miller (ditto) instead. This would mitigate any potential damages if Cooper doesn’t pan out, and you’ll still gain at least one starter in the deal.

Dynasty keeper – who should I keep between Khiry Robinson or Charles Sims as final roster spot at running back? – Ken in OR

When it comes to final roster spots, I’ll always look to talent over situation, especially when it comes to players who should have more than a few years left in the league. As such give my Khiry Robinson, a guy who has managed 4.5 YPC across two seasons in the Bayou and is only an injury away to perpetual risks Mark Ingram and CJ Spiller from getting the shot he deserves. I’ve already provided my thoughts about Charles Sims above, and long story short I think he’s an underwhelming talent in an overrated situation. The upside simply isn’t there with Sims, but as we saw last year, Robinson has the tools to get the job done when called upon.

In a 10-team PPR league who do you think wins this trade in a dynasty league: Teddy Bridgewater, Lamar Miller and a 2016 second round pick for LeSean McCoy, Charles Johnson, Jay Cutler and Christine Michael? – Ryan in NC

Though LeSean McCoy is clearly being viewed as a player on the downswing of his dynasty value, the fact remains he’s locked and loaded as the Bills’ every-down running back, especially after the release of the venerable Fred Jackson. He already plays for coaches in Rex Ryan and Greg Roman who love to pound the rock, and the dual-threat presence of newly minted starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor should only serve to help open up running lanes. Though his glory years may be firmly behind him (despite being only 27 he’s already logged nearly 1,900 NFL touches), I believe McCoy has a great shot to fill up the stat sheet in 2015.

So even though Jay Cutler is a roster clogger, Charles Johnson adds enough value such that I still like the McCoy side and that was before Christine Michael was traded to Dallas. Lamar Miller is a great talent in his own right, and it’s getting to the point where I might take him over Shady in a one-for-one deal, but Teddy Bridgewater simply doesn’t move the needed in a 10-man league. For at least the next year, and possibly longer, LeSean should still be the Real McCoy.

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Eric Hardter

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

Eric is a Boston College chemistry grad school survivor with a minor in dynasty football. He prefers to utilize both statistics and sarcasm whenever possible, believes in process over results and thinks "Hot Takes" are the scourge of the fantasy landscape.