The DLF Mailbag

Jaron Foster Posted On February 24, 2017

Welcome to the latest edition of the weekly mailbag.

Send your questions using the DLF Mailbag Form and we may answer them 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 us 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.

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Let’s get to it!

1. Going into the offseason my team currently sits with the following players under contract:

QB – Mariota
RB – Tevin Coleman, CJ Anderson and Jerrick McKinnon
WR – Dez Bryant, AJ Green, Allen Robinson, Stefon Diggs
Notable Practice Squad players – Kevin White, Kenyan Drake, Keith Marshall, Leonte Carroo and Alex Collins

I have picks 1.3, 2.3 and 2.4 in the upcoming rookie draft. I think I could trade Dez Bryant to acquire Todd Gurley. Do you think that is a wise move to trade WR depth for Gurley? If so, should I then replace Dez with Mike Williams and go two RBs in round 2 in the rookie draft or reach for another RB like McCaffrey at #3 (the last two rookie drafts owners have gone nuts reaching for RBs! I got Leonte Carroo at the end of the 2nd round)

Brad in Pittsburgh

(12 teams, PPR, 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1FLEX, 1TE, 1K, 1DST)

Brad, in this situation I would absolutely deal Dez Bryant for Todd Gurley. Actually, even if I wasn’t the Gurley truther that I am, I would recommend it. In January ADP, Gurley (14.50) is one spot behind Bryant (14.33) so in this respect the value is essentially a wash.

While age is already a factor in the mock drafters’ minds, I like the idea of getting a top young running back to start in a 2-RB league over a wide receiver who would push another deserving player to the bench. You wouldn’t be able to start Bryant, Green, Robinson and Diggs at the same time, so while bye weeks and injuries are always a factor, I’d prefer to acquire the running back.

With this in mind, you are in a great spot to use the 1.03 draft pick. You can try to package it with a player to move up, you could trade it for a veteran, or you could use it on your choice of remaining rookies (if I infer correctly, you would prefer Williams over Davis here). Keep in mind the possibility that a wide receiver is taken in the first two picks and you could be looking at a running back.

As we have not yet even reached the Combine, the draft board is still very much in flux so it is difficult to recommend second round picks, but I generally go best player available (regardless of position) with all of my draft picks. If you have a core of starters with Mariota, Gurley, Coleman, Green, Robinson and Diggs, you’re in great shape to not worry about positional needs in the draft.

2. I’m in year 2 of a total rebuild. I’m fairly happy with my depth and talent at all the offensive skill positions with one exception: WR. Through trades and high draft picks, my depth chart shakes out like this:

Allen Robinson
Willie Snead
Devante Parker
Kevin White
Phillip Dorsett
Breshad Perriman
Laquon Treadwell

I also have picks 6, 8 and 10 in the first round of this year’s rookie draft. Should I stay the course with this group or spend one or multiple picks on another rookie WR to pair with my stable of inconsistent ones?

Matt in Chattanooga

(12 teams, PPR, IDP, 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1FLEX, 2DL, 2LB, 2DB, 1DFLEX, 1K)

Matt, I’d love to see the rest of your roster if this is your area of weakness. There are certainly some 2016 disappointments in this group, though it is still an extremely young core with high upside. That said, I can see why you would be looking for more consistency from the position.

Directly to your question, I don’t think you should reach to take a wide receiver if the best player available at 1.06 is a running back. Even in an IDP league, I would only consider taking a running back or wide receiver in the first round of a rookie draft, so you have a lot of flexibility with three picks in the top ten. What I’d probably try to do first is to move up to get a top four pick to land Davis or Williams (though not until closer to the draft).

Alternately, depending on how many rookie picks you have and how many bench spots you can create, I’d look to move one or more of the rookie picks for a reliable veteran. Many rookies, even in the first round, do not pan out (based on your perception of your boom-or-bust receivers I am sure you agree) I would target a “boring” receiver (Jamison Crowder?) who has shown something in the NFL. A late first could even net you something in addition to a player like Crowder.

You’re in a good spot, with many young wide receivers who still have trade value if you choose to go that route as well as lots of picks to work with. Contact other owners to see who is interested in making trades and what is available. You have lots of time before the rookie draft to figure out which direction you’d like to go.

3. Where do I find the 2017 rookie ADP data? It was there a while back and now it’s gone.

Victor in Vermont

Victor, great question I’m including as a general FYI. Rookies are added to DLF’s mock drafts in February, so with the next ADP update here you will see 2017 rookies included.

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Jaron Foster

Contributor at Dynasty League Football

A data analyst by profession, Jaron has been writing for DLF since 2012. Native New Englanders, Jaron and his wife are introducing their son (2010) and daughter (2014) to the Patriots. You can regularly find him on Twitter and in the DLF Forum at odd hours.