August 19th, 2016
Friday
Some Draft Strategy (Wait on the QB)
In my most recent draft, it was clearly evident waiting on your QB was the safe move. It's a pretty standard PPR league with a slight emphasis on yards, but like in most leagues the scoring differential from your top tier QB to the next levels presents very little drop off.
For instance the top QB's taken in our draft (3rd round) were your standard top guns; Aaron Rodgers (#7 ranked in 2015), Drew Brees (#6 ranked), and Andrew Luck (#2 ranked in 2014). I was able to take Carson Palmer (ranked #5) in the 5th round, drafting a top tier RB and two top 15 WR's with Kelvin Benjamin in the 4th round (a slight reach, but I think he has a bounce back season).
The quarterback has the alure of being the main guy, the driving force behind today's pass happy offenses, but aside from Cam Newtons 45 touchdowns last year the difference between the number three quarterback and the number 12 was by average 3.5 fantasy points per game.
Waiting on the QB can give you the opportunity to snag that top flight WR or that reliable running back to solidify your fantasy backfield. Let the other guy reach early for that signal caller, in the long run you'll be the benefactor.
That's my take
~David Ortega
August 17th, 2016
Wednesday
Early Fantasy Sleepers to Consider Late
Well the new fantasy is well under way and if you are like me, you've already had your share of multiple mock drafts as we get closer to to the actual. There's no time of the year quite like this, when fantasy frenzy takes over and consumes all of us fantasy gamers.
The training camps are in full swing and the fantasy rumor mill is churning on high. If you've been paying attention there is a lot of information out there , so just make sure you don't get lost in the clouds and take plenty of notes.
Week 2 of the preseason kicks off tomorrow and before you know it the 2016 season will be kicking off, so let's not waste any time and start talking some fantasy football.
I haven't done too much digging to this point, but looking at some of the changes in the offseason and the new lineups, these are some of my early sleeper picks I will be looking to steal in the mid-to-later rounds of my upcoming drafts....
With the departure of DeMarco Murray to Tennessee, running back Ryan Mathews appears to be pegged as the lead back in Philly now. Durability may be a concern, but if Mathews can stay on the field he's has shown the ability to produce (5.1 yards per carry avg) and could very well improve on his 7 total touchdowns from a year ago. Mathews is should be available from the middle of the third round or later, and that's where I would take him.
There's no question in Pittsburgh there's only one name opposing DB's will need to be concerned with and that's Antonio Brown. But fantasy owners should be keeping an eye on Darrius Heyward-Bey. With Martavis Bryant gone for the season, DHB could be a flyer fantasy owners could target late in their drafts. DHB has the potential for the big play and his 15 yards per catch average last season were his best numbers since his 64-catch, 975-yards, and 15.2 yards average in 2012.
One more quick note for the night, a couple of tightends I like that should go later in drafts (6th-to-7th rounds or later) are Dwayne Allen (Indy) and Martellus Bennett (NE). With Fleener now in New Orleans, Allen inherits the lead role as the primary pass-catching tightend and with Andrew Luck throwing to him, his numbers will improve vastly this season.
Over in New England, Bennett's arrival returns to quarterback Tom Brady his bookend tightends. Gronk is Gronk and will put up his Gronk like numbers, but expect Bennett to improve his 2015 numbers (53 rec/439 yards/3 touchdowns) with Brady throwing to him. He's a mid-round TE2 pick with a lot of upside potential.
That's my take
~David G. Ortega
August 16th, 2016
Tuesday
Fantasy Football
is Back!!
~David G Ortega
November 22nd, 2015
Sunday, Week 11
Sunday Picks: Who to watch, play, and avoid
If you play season long fantasy, it's time for the stretch run and time for your fantasy team to start hitting it's stride.
It has been a tumultuous season at best with so many significant injuries to many of the leagues best players. And like NFL football, fantasy football is a season-long battle of attrition and it's not how you start, but how you finish.
As we enter week 11, it's time to gear up for the post season and no time to be giving away any weeks; wins are now at a premium.
As always, looking up and down the slate, there are players to watch, plays to avoid, and must-starts.
Who-to-watch
RBs-Ronnie Hillman & CJ Anderson-DEN
With the Broncos going with quarterback Brock Osweiler today versus the Bears, it will be interesting to see how the running game gets going. Osweiler enables Kubiak to employ the type of offense he prefers to run which relies on the running game. Both Hillman and Anderson have shown they can have success carrying the ball . With the full compliment of the playbook, keep an eye on one of these two backs to finally get the Broncos running attack rolling.
Must-Start
TE-Eric Ebron, DET
The Raiders defense has been awful versus tightends this season, with only the Saints defense being worse. This season the Raiders have allowed a league leading 10 touchdowns to the tight end. Since week 7 Ebron is a top 15-tight end in receptions and yards; today versus the Raiders he's primed to move up the ladder. Start him.
WR-Michael Crabtree, OAK
With rookie wide receiver Amari Cooper drawing much praise and attention, quietly Crabtree has become a fantasy stud over the past several weeks. Last week was one of his more quiet Sundays, but since week 7 Crabtree has 24 receptions, 328 yards receiving, and 4 touchdowns, ranking in the top 10 among wide receivers. Start him.
Who-to-Avoid
QB-Jameis Winston, TB
The rookie quarterback has been pretty consistent this season for fantasy owners, but with a tough road matchup in week 11 versus the Eagles defense, this is no time to take any unnecessary risks. Winston is coming off a rough outing versus the Cowboys in week 10 and today he faces an Eagles defense that ranks 5th in the league with 12 picks and ranks 12th best (allowing points) versus quarterbacks. Winston is going to have great Sundays ahead of him, but today may not be one of them. Sit him.
That's my take.
~David G Ortega
November 8th, 2015
Sunday, Week 9
Sunday: Two-Minute Warning
I rarely get into the defensive side of fantasy, especially team defenses, but after last week's impressive display against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers I have to mention the Broncos defense.
Dominant last week, their play alone helped secure a needed win in one of my season long leagues. And the most impressive part was not the three sacks, 10 points allowed, and the safety, but rather the opponent they shut down. They have to be looked at as one of the top three and must plays in every format, every week.
This week should be no different facing a similar style quarterback that has athleticism and mobility and strong arm, but the Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has not been playing well. And while he has the ability to evade pressure in the pocket, he makes a lot of his plays from the pocket (which could play right into the Broncos wheelhouse).
Another defense worth riding today; facing a depleted and struggling Niners offense the Falcons defense is primed to put up solid numbers. The Niners offense is near the bottom and have allowed the 4th most sacks this season (28 sacks allowed); and at a great value in DFS, the Falcons defense should be in many of your lineups today.
Some other quick nuggets for Sunday;
I like Ben Roethlisberger to have a big passing day against the Raiders today; look for Martavis Bryant to see some downfield looks.
I like what we are seeing from Drew Brees and today could be another solid Sunday for wide receiver Brandin Cooks (12 receptions in his last two games).
A Sunday sleeper could be the Broncos running back CJ Anderson. Last week he ran very well and looked real comfortable in the backfield. He should also see some week in the pass game.
That's my take.
~David G
