1st time playing: Rate my team!

[Ajosu]

Okay, so I finally decided to give it a try. While I'm not experienced like many of the people in my league, I did a little research, know sports pretty well, and feel like I did okay with my draft. It's a 12 player league, with standard scoring as well as 1 PPR. My pick in the first round was 9th.

QB Matt Ryan (r4)
RB Marshawn Lynch (r3)
RB Knowshon Moreno (r5)
RB/WR Hines Ward (r6)
WR Larry Fitzgerald (r1)
WR Calvin Johnson (r2)
TE Zach Miller (r10)
D/ST Redskins D/ST (r15)
K Kris Brown (r16)
BE Jonathan Stewart (r7)
BE Eli Manning (r8)
BE Ahmad Bradshaw (r9)
BE Chris Chambers (r11)
BE Willis McGahee (r12)
BE Sammy Morris (r13)
BE Donald Lee (r14)

*added Le'Ron McClain RB to bench.
*added Michael Jenkins WR to bench.

In hindsight, I wish I would have done a few things differently. I didn't realize Lynch was out for the first 3 weeks when I picked him. I wouldn't have spent an eight round pick on Eli when I could have had Gerrard late in the draft, or J Russel in FA. However, Manning plays KC (who seems to have a pretty weak D) during Ryan's bye week.

My biggest concern is that my only surefire starting RB (Lynch) is out for the first 3 weeks, and the rest of my backs are either number 2 backs/committee backs(Bradshaw, Stewart, McGahee/McClain, Morris) or unknown quantities (Moreno). However, I am counting on at least one of Moreno/Stewart/Bradshaw to have a good year, and to have McGahee or McClain rack up a handful of touchdowns. I'm really wondering, though, if I should look to make a trade for a back who will likely get a bulk of his team's carries (JLewis, McFadden, Benson, Rice), and am wondering how much I should give up for one of them.

What does everyone think?

[Cliff Levingston]

The Lynch pick really screwed your RBs. Cliff Levingston thinks Moreno will be good especially in PPR leagues since Kyle Orton is Mr. Checkdown, but like you said, you've got backups everywhere else. Don't count on McClain or McGahee in Baltimore as Rice will be the feature back with the other two picking up the scraps. Also, if Matt Ryan was the best available QB in round 4, you should've waited a little longer and picked up a guy like Cutler. As you said, you reached for Eli pretty hard in the 8th.

On the positive side, you should have the best starting receivers in your league quite easily. Megatron + Fitz = lethal. You may want to end up finding a team with a wealth of running backs and seeing if you can turn one of Fitzgerald or Megatron + one of your backup running backs into a good receiver and good back.

[vincecarter4pres]

Cliff and yourself really summed it up well.
I also think Ryan in the 4th was a super reach.
Don't love Miller either and I would like to know guys on the waivers and you can drop guys like Sammy Morris, maybe Lee.

[Cliff Levingston]

Cliff and yourself really summed it up well.
I also think Ryan in the 4th was a super reach.
Don't love Miller either and I would like to know guys on the waivers and you can drop guys like Sammy Morris, maybe Lee.

Miller in the 10th could be one of his best picks. Russell looked for Miller over the middle a lot last year, and if he could find the end zone a few more times than last year, he could be a top 8 tight end.

[Maritimer]

Hmm, speaking of Miller, who would you guys take between Carleson or Miller?

[Cliff Levingston]

Hmm, speaking of Miller, who would you guys take between Carleson or Miller?

Miller. Carlson had a nice year last year with a different QB and coaching staff, while Miller will be back under the same staff with the same QB. He's the safer pick at least.

[vincecarter4pres]

Although you have me warming up to Miller, Cliff, I still like Carleson better.
Hasselbeck is a beast when he's healthy and he is solid in the red zone. They will throw it more then they run it red zone and maybe even goal line.
I don't love either, but I personally take Carleson over Miller all day...

[Ajosu]

Thanks for the input guys. Believe it or not, I probably have the second best starting WR's, as my buddy has Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, and TO! Still, I am very comfortable with Hines as my slot guy for now.

I didn't think about the Ryan Pick being such a bad reach, but after reading your response, vince, I agree it was a mistake, though hopefully not a fatal one.

I, too, really liked the value I got for Zach Miller.

I'm working on a list of proposed trades for my league to try to shore up my RB position. As soon as I finish it, Im gonna ask for your input on which one's look the best. I'm probably going to take Cliff's advice and look to move Calvin Johnson, though the mere thought of breaking up that recieving core gets me a little teary eyed! Anyhow, thanks again for the critiques.

[vincecarter4pres]

Ooh, I see Calvin as the 2nd best reciever in PPR FFL's this season, behind Moss. I don't even want to get into my overall top 10 until my last draft is over tonight, my fellow Nets Board drafters may just be reading this right now.
If you trade him, I suggest you get super high value back.
He was a monster last year recieving the ball from horrid a QB caroseul and then Culpepper.
This season he will have strictly Culpepper and/or Stafford, who looks very solid and he like s to go deep and seemed to be building a good repoire with Mega.
I could definitely see trading him, but again, get back major value!
Remember after week 4 you will have likely very solid RB's and you are one Deangelo Williams, Ray Rice, or Brandon Jacobs injury away from really good RB's.
Again, make sure you drop that bumb Morris and pickup someone that shouldn't be out there.
Lee as well if there is someone solid enough, and there likely is.

[Ajosu]

Okay, so looking through my league's rosters, I came up with 17 trade possibilities that would improve my RB situation, and also offer pretty fair value in return. Which one's do you like (remember this is a PPR league), and how fair do you see them being?

*every trade includes the RB of their choice between Lynch, Moreno, Jonathan Stewart, and Ahmad Bradshaw

A) Trade: Larry Fitzgerald and RB
For: Steven Jackson and Dwayne Bowie/Brandon Marshall

B) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: Steve Slaton and Dwayne Bowie/Brandon Marshall

C) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: Frank Gore and Marques Colston

D) Trade: Hines Ward and RB
For: Ray Rice and Antonio Bryant

E) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: DeAngelo Williams and DeSean Jackson/Eddie Royal

F) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: Brian Westbrook and TJ Housmenzadah?/Desean Jackson/Eddie Royal

G) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Maurice Jones-Drew and Anthony Gonzales/Donald Driver

H) Trade: Larry Fitzgerald and RB
For: Marion Barber and Reggie Wayne

I) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Thomas Jones and Reggie Wayne

J) Trade: Larry Fitzgerald and RB
For: Adrian Peterson and Vincent Jackson

K) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Clinton Portis and Vincent Jackson

L) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Kevin Smith and Vincent Jackson

M) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Michael Turner and Lee Evans

N) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Matt Forte and Bernard Berrian

O) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Ronnie Brown and Greg Jennings

P) Trade: CJ and RB
For: LaDanian Thomalinson and Braylon Edwards

Q) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Brandon Jacobs and Braylon Edwards

Some of these obviously look better than others talent wise, but remember I need the other guy to feel he's getting fair value in return. Given that it's a PPR (1 point) league, I like A, B, D, F, G, N, O, P. However, I am in such a need for a consistently good RB that I could look elsewhere. The Forte trade (N) looks the most appealing to me, but I need to have several backup trades in mind considering not everyone will see these trades as fair as I do.

[Cliff Levingston]

First off, don't give the choice between any of your running backs. Try first with Jonathan Stewart and see if anyone to bite. If not, go to Lynch. You should try to avoid giving up Moreno cause he'll likely be the work horse in Denver and take a lot of short little dump-offs from Orton.

A) Trade: Larry Fitzgerald and RB
For: Steven Jackson and Dwayne Bowie/Brandon Marshall

Say no to Brandan Marshall if you're giving up any starters, and Fitzgerald is the top WR. Not a bad deal with Bowe especially if Jackson sees as many passes as he did two years ago.

B) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: Steve Slaton and Dwayne Bowie/Brandon Marshall

This is better. Go for Slaton over Jackson, in Cliff Levingston's opinion at least; probably a little safer.

C) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: Frank Gore and Marques Colston

Colston has a chance to be a beast too, so this is a great deal provided your running back being included isn't Moreno.

D) Trade: Hines Ward and RB
For: Ray Rice and Antonio Bryant

No way that'll get accepted if the other guy is smart.

E) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: DeAngelo Williams and DeSean Jackson/Eddie Royal

Go for DeSean Jackson, but Cliff Levingston would be hesitant on that one; not convinced that Williams can come close to duplicating last year's results and Cliff Levingston is WAY high on Calvin Johnson this year.

F) Trade: Calvin Johnson and RB
For: Brian Westbrook and TJ Housmenzadah?/Desean Jackson/Eddie Royal

No. Westbrook is too unreliable.

G) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Maurice Jones-Drew and Anthony Gonzales/Donald Driver

Doubt he'll go for that, but grab Gonzalez if you're going to propose that one.

H) Trade: Larry Fitzgerald and RB
For: Marion Barber and Reggie Wayne

Intriguing. Cliff Levingston isn't too high on Barber this year, but is high on Wayne. Considering the PPR, you should probably avoid this one.

I) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Thomas Jones and Reggie Wayne

NO!!!! Avoid Thomas Jones.

J) Trade: Larry Fitzgerald and RB
For: Adrian Peterson and Vincent Jackson

No way you get this trade to go through.

K) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Clinton Portis and Vincent Jackson

Be careful about Portis this year; he's getting old and could be very worn down. Also, considering this is a PPR league, Cliff Levingston would pass on that one.

L) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Kevin Smith and Vincent Jackson

Much better than going after Portis, that's for sure, but you'll still want to be careful with this one. It certainly wouldn't be a horrible trade for you though as Smith will likely be very active in the passing game as well as the run game.

M) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Michael Turner and Lee Evans

Cliff Levingston would personally avoid that one. Not all that high on Turner as he beat up badly on bad defenses last year then mostly got shut down by the good ones. He faces a lot more good defenses this year, isn't a receiving threat and could fall prey to the curse of 370, if you know what that is.

N) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Matt Forte and Bernard Berrian

Don't think that'll get accepted, but go for it.

O) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Ronnie Brown and Greg Jennings

That'd be a great trade for you even though Cliff Levingston isn't super high on Brown right now, but he will catch some passes.

P) Trade: CJ and RB
For: LaDanian Thomalinson and Braylon Edwards

Nah. There's a decent chance that Tomlinson, like Portis, is getting worn down... and Sproles will definitely take a lot of 3rd down receptions from LT.

Q) Trade: CJ and RB
For: Brandon Jacobs and Braylon Edwards

Pass. Edwards is too much of a wild card and Jacobs isn't a threat to catch the ball much at all.

[vincecarter4pres]

I like C the best. I agree with Cliff, don't give them complete choice, offer Stewart or Bradshaw, at worst Moreno, but obly in a really good deal.

[Ajosu]

Thanks a lot guys! I know I put a lot out there, but I'm serious about trying to win!

I'm not too high on Turner, Jacobs, or LT either, for many of the reasons Cliff said.
While the Peterson trade will certainly get shot down, I don't think it is outrageous considering it's a PPR league. Maybe V Jackson makes it a little one sided, though.

I think I'm going to go for the fences and try the Forte trade first.
Next, I'll try the Jones-Drew trade.
Then Im torn between the next two, but I'll go for Gore first, then Slaton.
Should none of those work, I'd go for Ronnie Brown, then Kevin Smith.