The DLF Mailbag
Welcome back to the DLF Mailbag! Let’s get to your questions.
Question One
I am weak at running back and was wondering what your thoughts were on two second-year guys. Henry, Ajayi, Blount, Clement, James White, Aaron Jones, and D’Onta Foreman is my set up right now. What would you do with Jones and Foreman? Are they a hold or a sell at this point? I have picks 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.5, and 2.8 in this draft so trying to map out my best option whether it is to package some picks with them or just sit for the time being. Thanks for the advice.
James in Florida
10 team 0.5 PPR, Start 1 QB 2 WR 2 RB 2 Flex 1 TE 1 DEF/ST
James,
Let’s start with Foreman because he is the easier of the two. I’ve been fighting the “Foreman will overtake Lamar Miller” narrative all off-season. Foreman suffered an Achilles injury in week 11 against Arizona which was unfortunate because he also broke out in that game. Achilles injuries are no joke. They aren’t like an ACL these days where we see players rebound the following season with some regularity.
I don’t think you will be able to count on him in 2018 at all so if you are competing this season, I’d look to move him for a piece that can help this season. If you aren’t competing, I’d still look to move him for an early-mid second round pick if you can find a suitor. This list of running backs that have successfully returned to relevant fantasy productivity is pretty short. Arian Foster is really the only one in recent memory.
Jones is the tougher prospect. I do think he is the most enticing fantasy option in the Packer’s backfield but Jamaal Williams played really well last season when Jones was lost to an MCL sprain in week ten. Ty Montgomery is also getting a lot of positive buzz this off-season. I thought they might move Montgomery back to wide receiver but as of this writing, it doesn’t seem to be the case.
So as good as Jones is, I’m not sure how the touches will work out in that backfield and if we are looking at a three-headed monster, it will be tough for any of the three to offer consistent week-to-week production. He is still a buy for me but if you can package him with your 1.4 or 1.5 and move up to get Barkley, Guice, or Chubb, that would be worthwhile.
Question Two
In our league, we are allowed five-offensive and five-defensive keepers per year. My top two RBs are Kenyan Drake and Jay Ajayi. I am currently picking 1.12 and 2.08 in our upcoming draft. I am torn between trading up in the first round for a chance at one of the top RBs or trying to trade some combination of Ajayi and pick(s) for Christian McCaffrey (note: I have a significant/borderline irrational man-crush on C-mac). Thoughts?
Greg in Connecticut
16 team 1 PPR IDP, Start 1 QB, 2 WR, 2 RB, 1 TE, 2 W/R/T, 1 DL, 2 LB, 2 CB, 2 S
Greg,
I too have an irrational man-crush on Christian McCaffrey so I’d like to formally welcome you to the club. Since you are working with those two RBs and those two picks, you will likely have to deal both of them plus a player to get to Christian McCaffrey, but if you can find that kind of deal I’d do it.
If you are using them to move up in the draft and grab a running back, I would try to get up to the 1.04 to guarantee yourself one of Derrius Guice, Nick Chubb, or Sony Michel. If you find the right owner and pump up the Eagles offense I’d say that Ajayi straight up for the 1.04 is pretty fair but I’d be willing to throw in the 2.08 if needed to get the deal done.
Question Three
I currently own the 1.05 and 1.09 in the upcoming draft. I have Zeke, Kamara, Julio, Keenan Allen, Michael Thomas, Gronk, and Ertz rostered. I assume the first four picks will be the top 4 running backs and I’m considering trading both my picks for future firsts and other assets because I’d rather grab a WR in the loaded 2019 class instead of this one. Do you think this is a wise strategy or should I just keep the picks and take the best available anyway.
Alex in Pittsburgh
12 0.5 PPR Start 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 2 FLEX
Alex,
I am generally a proponent of this strategy but I think the 1.05 is certainly too early of a pick to be trading for a random 2019 first. I’d definitely want something else on top of it. Perhaps something like your 1.05 for the 1.10-1.12 and the 2019 first. Crazy things happen in rookie drafts all the time and I’d probably hold on to it until it is on the clock just to make sure one of Guice, Chubb, or Michel doesn’t fall.
All it takes is one owner to fall in love with a wide receiver and one of them could fall into your lap. The 1.09 is a little easier to move straight up for a random 2019 first but there are certain players I love in that range. After the top four-five players are off the board, this draft is wide open and you could be looking at a nice player at the 1.09.
To sum it up, I would not move the 1.05 for just a random 2019 first. The 1.09 is close, but I’d really like to know who is available at that pick before doing so. Since picks generally have the most value when they are on the clock, I’d wait to move either of them until that point. There’s almost always someone on the board that another owner wants and are willing to pay the price to get their guy.
Question Four
Team A Gets: TE Travis Kelce
Team B Gets: TE Rob Gronkowski, and pick 1.12.
Seems pretty even, which side of the fence would you rather be on and why?
Brian in Massachusetts
12 team PPR 1 QB,2 RB,3 WR,1 TE,1 FLEX
Brian,
Give me Gronk and the pick. I know Kelce has been the TE1 the last two seasons over Gronk and that rumors are flying about him potentially retiring, but I don’t think that happens in 2019 and I think the two are relatively equal value wise. Since TE is a fairly replaceable position outside of the top five or so, I’d just take the extra pick and deal with a potential Gronk retirement after 2018. There are several players in that 1.10-2.04 range who I’d love to have on my roster, especially John Kelly and James Washington. Take the extra piece.
That will do it for this week! If you have questions you’d like answered in the next mailbag article please submit them here.
Creator and Co-host of Dynasty Game night, the fantasy football game show.
Creator and host of the Zookeeper Stories podcast.
- Two Players To Sell Before The NFL Draft (And One To Buy) - April 17, 2024
- Final Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Wide Receivers, Part Two - February 10, 2024
- Final Dynasty Rookie Report Card: Wide Receivers, Part One - February 3, 2024
