The DLF Mailbag

Eric Hardter Posted On November 5, 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!*

In a 10-team, 1QB league what should I look for in a trade where I give up either Cam Newton, Russell Wilson, or Tyrod Taylor? I am set at receiver and tight end, and I currently have two 2016 first round picks (one will be top-three). I don’t believe in trading solid offensive talent for defense in this league which means I’m looking at acquiring either help at running back, or draft picks. There is a standing offer for a mid round 2016 first for Cam, but I don’t think it’s enough. Of the three quarterbacks, who would net the most value and what should I get in return? – Chris in CA

To the back end of your question, Panthers signal Cam Newton will net you the largest return via trade. He’s been playing out of his mind this season, has simply been more consistent than Russell Wilson, and has a longer track record of success than Tyrod Taylor. And given the fact you have the latter two on your roster, I’d have no qualms with shipping Newton off for a nice return. As for that point, I’d definitely take the mid-first round pick – the simple fact is there are 32 starting quarterbacks in the league, with a good portion of them start-able on a weekly basis. I just don’t see the demand for a signal caller in such a small setting, and would look to expand your arsenal of future picks.

I’m sitting in first place at 7-1 and my receivers are Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall and Randall Cobb. Cobb’s production is concerning, and I’m considering dealing him for Keenan Allen. Is this a decent deal, or would you stand pat with Cobb? – Alex in Canada

With the benefit of hindsight we now know this simply doesn’t make sense, so instead let’s examine the two components of this trade separately. As for Packers’ receiver Randall Cobb, I’m not worried – yes, he slowed down somewhat, but Green Bay has faced a tough slate of defenses and he is still easily leading the team in targets. Carolina will be a tough test this week, but Cobb remains a great, young player.

As for Keenan Allen, he’s a guy I’d still be actively looking to buy. No, he won’t score you any points this year, but if you have depth you can trade away to acquire him, or if you have a rebuilding squad with aging assets, I’d seek to make a move. Allen was on a tear early on this season, and should remain an elite asset in 2016 and beyond.

I’ve gotten destroyed the past week in injuries. I’ve lost Le’Veon Bell, Arian Foster and Carlos Hyde. I’ve decided to blow it up and trade for future draft picks. The question is now, which two of the following players do I keep: Bell, Foster, Jamaal Charles, Demaryius Thomas or Randall Cobb? – Ben in NH

I’ve already extolled Cobb’s virtues above, and prefer him to most all running backs in a dynasty setting, especially if they’re aging and injured. However, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is not one of these ball carriers, and despite his season-ending injury he remains one of the, if not the best running back asset in dynasty. He’s still an easy choice for a keeper to me.

And unfortunately for Mr. Cobb, the second cut is even deeper, as Demaryius Thomas remains one of the best receivers in the game despite quarterback Peyton Manning’s noodle arm. He’s still racking up targets, receptions and yards in bunches, and I have to believe the scores will come. To me, he’s the best of the bunch you listed.

I’m in a highly competitive multi-QB league where you can start 1-3 quarterbacks. Teams usually try to start three quarterbacks because they are able to score more consistently than other positions. I’ve been targeting Allen Robinson for some time. His owner has offered me Robinson and his second round pick (15-17 range) for Derek Carr. My other quarterbacks are Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson. I’m fairly strong at receiver with Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas and Sammy Watkins. Does it make sense to give up an ascending Derek Carr for the upside of Allen Robinson? – Mike in WI

I’m as big an Allen Robinson truther as there is, and honestly not the biggest backer of Derek Carr, but even I can’t endorse this move. The fact is quarterbacks are king in a superflex league, and your setting above is like a superflex on steroids. So even though A-Rob is a high-end WR1 in only his second season, Carr is currently a QB1 on that same timeline. The second round pick isn’t enough to bridge the gap here – I’d stand pat and roll with the excellent QB/WR corps you already have.

[inlinead]

We keep eight players in my league every year. A team in my league lost Le’Veon Bell this week and just traded for Jamaal Charles. It seems he’s thrown in the towel for this year. He also has no receivers to speak of but is strong at running back. I’m looking to make a push for this year and just lost Matt Forte for at least a couple weeks. I have Jordy Nelson to offer and was wondering what can I get? I offered Nelson and my second round pick for Lacy, but do I need to offer more? – Johnny in VA

I like the timing of your grand design – you need help at the position, and Packers running back Eddie Lacy stands as one of the better buy-low candidates in dynasty football. However, even given Lacy’s underwhelming start to the season, the fact is he’s out there scoring points while Jordy Nelson isn’t. Even though your prospective trade partner is looking towards next year, he’s still the one taking the “zero” on the year, and as such the onus is on you to sweeten the pot. Given where your team is likely to fall if you can swing this deal, you might need to add a first round pick instead of a second, and get a smaller piece back (i.e. a third round selection) in addition to Lacy.

I was offered Keenan Allen and Alfred Morris for TJ Yeldon. In a vacuum, is this fair? I am intrigued by the possibility of Alf going to a new team next year that likes him, and getting Keenan cheaper than usual due to his injury. – Jason in MI

I like the deal. I’ve already spoken to Allen being a smart buy right now earlier, and the fact is you’re not giving up anything in the way of a proven asset to acquire him. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Jaguars ball carrier TJ Yeldon, and have liked what I’ve seen from him so far this season. He’s a true three-down ball carrier who stands to get more goal line work as the season drags on, and has the looks of a solid, low-end RB1 or high-end RB2 moving forward. However, I still believe Allen will hit highs that Yeldon won’t, and adding in the wild card that is Alfred Morris (a free agent after the season, as alluded to in the question) is the cherry on top of this deal.

I’m in a TD-heavy scoring league. I’m contending now and been offered Peyton Manning and either Chris Johnson or Frank Gore for Matthew Stafford by a team that’s rebuilding. I’m starting Carson Palmer, so either quarterback would be my backup. Should I take this deal? And should if so, Johnson or Gore? – Chris in OH

I’d absolutely do the deal before he rescinds it! Yes, you’d be getting older if you made this deal, but you’d also be getting a lot better, as the youngest asset in the deal (Matt Stafford) also happens to be the worst. He’s simply not good, as the numbers have reflected for years now. Even if Manning keeps playing Duck Hunt, and Chris Johnson is on the wrong side of 30 (I prefer him to Frank Gore given the expected volume and goal line opportunities), these are guys who can help you win games. And to bastardize Colonel Nathan Jessup, “we are in the business of winning games. You want them on your roster. You NEED them on your roster!”

I’m a major contender in a 14-team IDP PPR league, who pushed through injuries and CJ Anderson’s disappearance. I’ve been pushing to get Matt Forte for a while now, since my running backs have been a bit weak. I kept getting denied, until recently when he re-started the talks. He offered Forte and an early third round pick for my first (it’s probably going to be a mid to late first, not mine originally), CJ Anderson, and Kamar Aiken. Is this too much to give up for an aging and now injured star running back? Will Anderson take the reigns of that spot? Am I thinking about this too much, and should I ride Forte to a championship? – KC in OR

I think it’s too much. While on the surface it doesn’t appear like Matt Forte’s injury should keep him out for awhile, the Bears guard their injury secrets as if it’s Fort Knox. They’ve already led us astray on both Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White, so truth be told there’s no reason to imagine we’ll get the full picture this time either. As such I think I’d stand pat for now – while we need to see a lot more out of him, CJ Anderson finally put some good play on film last week, and with a few more efforts like that we could see the pendulum tilt back towards him. Heck, even Kamar Aiken has seen a value spike, and is now going to be the number-one receiver on his offense! If Forte was healthy I could see making this deal, but there’s just too much uncertainty to give up a side full of appreciating assets.

I have been offered a package of Latavius Murray, Breshad Perriman, John Brown, a mid first round pick and a early second round pick next year for Le’Veon Bell, Andrew Hawkins and Ka’Deem Carey. I also have an offer where I’d give up Bell for Willie Snead, CJ Anderson, a late first, an early second and a third round pick. I wasn’t planning on selling but was wondering if either of these deals are worth making? – Morgan in MI

I definitely wouldn’t accept the second deal, as I don’t think you’re getting nearly enough in return. The first deal, however, is tantalizing, as all of Latavius Murray, Breshad Perriman and John Brown are worth the equivalent of first round picks to me, meaning you’d essentially be receiving four first rounders and an early second for Bell. Yes, Bell is a transcendent talent, but that’s a nice mix of currently performing talent plus future prospects that should keep you competitive for years to come. You certainly don’t have to deal Bell, but at the end of the day the offer is fair, especially given his injury. Giving up studs hurts, but this is a solid return.

Follow me on Twitter @EDH_27

[ad5]

Author
Recent Posts

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.