Sunday Night Football Notes
Fantasy Football Strategy: Risk vs. Reward
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Brady will top the list of risky picks in 2009….
With the clock counting down to most fantasy drafts that will likely start in early august, fantasy owners must now start to consider their drafting strategy. Sure, you know the names and numbers, but if fantasy consistency will take you a long way.
In 2009 Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is going to head a list of risky fantasy candidates that owners must decide when is not too early to pull the trigger and take the risk. Last season, many fantasy owners saw their season’s hope flush down the proverbial toilet when Brady went down with injury in week one. Now fully recovered is he worth taking with a high draft position?
What about other quarterbacks like Carson Palmer (threw 26 touchdowns in 2007) and Matt Hasselbeck (threw 28 touchdowns in 2007) who will be returning from injury? With the quarterback position only requiring one starter in most leagues, it’s likely these two can be snatched up as high valued back-ups.
At other positions this option won’t be as likely. In the backfield, owners are looking for two solid plays and running back Steven Jackson may be one of those risk and reward picks this season. He will be valued as a low end RB1 or high-end RB2 by some, but could have a huge upside. Jackson appears to be a fantasy option that should get plenty of opportunity to hit his numbers. This is what fantasy owners must look for when considering making one of those risky draft selections.
By the same token, when you look at a player like Cutler going to Chicago; he lacks the same kind of skill set he had in Denver. The risk is his value could dip greatly with less production this season and it could cost an unlucky owner a high draft position to learn this fate. The former Bronco still has all his tools and there’s no doubt he will make his teammates better, but can he elevate their play to the same level where he was a top five fantasy quarterback.
Let’s not overlook the Antonio Bryant’s of the world. Just a year ago, out of nowhere Bryant turned in a spectacular season (83 receptions, 1,238-yards, 7 touchdowns) considering where he came from (did not play in 2007). In 2009 however, he could be looking at Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown thowing him the ball. A couple of names that hardly put fear in any defenses and ones that won’t offer a lot of appeal come fantasy draft time.
While there is some payoff along the risk and reward trail, for some fantasy owners’ consistency can pave its own way as well. Quarterbacks like Peyton Manning offer security due to their reliability and of course, consistency (4,000-yards passing, 27 touchdowns in 2008).
Lets not forget, the less than flashy players like Ryan Grant (312 carries in 2008) and Eddie Royal (91 receptions last season), while they won’t go overlooked on anyone’s draft list, they could offer as much value in a higher slot than many are projecting, simply because of the consistency factor and favored situation they will play in this season.
Consistency and safe bets can carry an owner a lot way, but winning in any fantasy league will require a little of both. So pick your poisons carefully and good luck this season.
By David Ortega
Check out more “Sunday Night Football Notes” every week!
With the clock counting down to most fantasy drafts that will likely start in early august, fantasy owners must now start to consider their drafting strategy. Sure, you know the names and numbers, but if fantasy consistency will take you a long way.
In 2009 Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is going to head a list of risky fantasy candidates that owners must decide when is not too early to pull the trigger and take the risk. Last season, many fantasy owners saw their season’s hope flush down the proverbial toilet when Brady went down with injury in week one. Now fully recovered is he worth taking with a high draft position?
What about other quarterbacks like Carson Palmer (threw 26 touchdowns in 2007) and Matt Hasselbeck (threw 28 touchdowns in 2007) who will be returning from injury? With the quarterback position only requiring one starter in most leagues, it’s likely these two can be snatched up as high valued back-ups.
At other positions this option won’t be as likely. In the backfield, owners are looking for two solid plays and running back Steven Jackson may be one of those risk and reward picks this season. He will be valued as a low end RB1 or high-end RB2 by some, but could have a huge upside. Jackson appears to be a fantasy option that should get plenty of opportunity to hit his numbers. This is what fantasy owners must look for when considering making one of those risky draft selections.
By the same token, when you look at a player like Cutler going to Chicago; he lacks the same kind of skill set he had in Denver. The risk is his value could dip greatly with less production this season and it could cost an unlucky owner a high draft position to learn this fate. The former Bronco still has all his tools and there’s no doubt he will make his teammates better, but can he elevate their play to the same level where he was a top five fantasy quarterback.
Let’s not overlook the Antonio Bryant’s of the world. Just a year ago, out of nowhere Bryant turned in a spectacular season (83 receptions, 1,238-yards, 7 touchdowns) considering where he came from (did not play in 2007). In 2009 however, he could be looking at Byron Leftwich or Luke McCown thowing him the ball. A couple of names that hardly put fear in any defenses and ones that won’t offer a lot of appeal come fantasy draft time.
While there is some payoff along the risk and reward trail, for some fantasy owners’ consistency can pave its own way as well. Quarterbacks like Peyton Manning offer security due to their reliability and of course, consistency (4,000-yards passing, 27 touchdowns in 2008).
Lets not forget, the less than flashy players like Ryan Grant (312 carries in 2008) and Eddie Royal (91 receptions last season), while they won’t go overlooked on anyone’s draft list, they could offer as much value in a higher slot than many are projecting, simply because of the consistency factor and favored situation they will play in this season.
Consistency and safe bets can carry an owner a lot way, but winning in any fantasy league will require a little of both. So pick your poisons carefully and good luck this season.
By David Ortega
Check out more “Sunday Night Football Notes” every week!
1 comment:
Hines Ward (Pit) .........
thanks
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