Dynasty League Draft Order?

[Avaholic]

I'm about to join a dynasty league for the first time (keep any players as long as you want). How does this information change a draft strategy? If anyone is bored, would you mind giving me your top 20 (2 rounds in a 10 team draft) to go off of in this format?

1. LT
2.
3.
4. Reggie Bush??
5.
6. Addai/Maroney??
7.
8. Adrian Peterson??
9.
10. Antonio Gates??
11.
12. Calvin Johnson??
13.
14.
15.
16.
17. Jay Cutler??
18.
19.
20.

[eff1ngham]

What are the stat categories and scoring? Because that does matter quite a bit in keeper leagues (even more than in regular leagues). Most speficially, negative cats for QBs, passing TD values, pts per catch, and return yards.

But without knowing that, I'd say the top 20 players would go like:

1) LaDainian Tomlinson - No question. And he's in his prime
2) Steven Jackson - His age and pass catching ability put him here
3) Joseph Addai - In their offense he could be another Edgerrin James
4) Frank Gore - Doesn't have the hands of LT or SJ, but close
5) Larry Johnson - If he keeps up this amount of carries he won't be around as long
6) Laurence Maroney - He was born in 1985 for god's sake!!
7) Peyton Manning - Never misses a game
8) Rudi Johnson - Doesn't catch enough to be ranked higher
9) Ronnie Brown - I think he'll get more involved in the passing game
10) Reggie Bush - Especially if he keeps returning. Plus he's a better pass catcher than some WRs in the league
11) Maurice Jones Drew - Same boat as Reggie for returning, plus Fred Taylor won't be around forever
12) Willie Parker - Doesn't catch than many passes, and may lose some GL carries here and there
13) Brian Westbrook - Injury concern, but still in his prime
14) Cedric Benson - Won't have to split time anymore
15) Steve Smith - He's in his prime, but not returning kicks (which hopefully means less injuries)
16) Clinton Portis - He's entering the prime years of his carrer
17) Willis McGahee - Ditto
18) Marshawn Lynch - Looks like he could catch a lot of passes
19) Parson Palmer - The next best thing to Petyon Manning
20) Larry Fitzgerald - Has more TD catches than how old he is. Plus with Matt Leinhart he has someone to get him the ball for a long time

[Avaholic]

Excellent! That was exactly the type of response I was looking for. Thanks for taking the time to put that together. :yes:

I don't have the league settings from the commish yet, and yes those are very important. Like if a passing TD is 4 or 6, points per reception, etc. I'll post those as soon as they are available.

I think my biggest thing is weighing performance NOW (ie. Marvin Harrison) vs. locking up the young upside (ie. Calvin Johnson). And getting in the heads of my buddies to figure out how biased they plan on being towards youth. :D

[Doctego]

I have found fantasy football easier than most to ride the producing vets and wait on the rookies.

[eff1ngham]

The problem with drafting a lot of young player is that you think, at the time, "sweet, this team is set for like 10 years!," but the problem is that some of the young talent will be out-produced by vets for a few years, and then in when that draft class comes around you'll be wishing you had picks to take some of them.

For example, Marvin Harrison vs Calvin Johnson. Harrison should be able to out-produce Johnson for at least 3 more seasons. After that, sure it'd be nice to have Calvin, but I bet in 3 more years there will be another stud wideout who'll be going pro. Hell, look at some recruiting classes in the offseason, pretty much every year USC gets a running back who could be better than Reggie Bush

[Doctego]

The problem with drafting a lot of young player is that you think, at the time, "sweet, this team is set for like 10 years!," but the problem is that some of the young talent will be out-produced by vets for a few years, and then in when that draft class comes around you'll be wishing you had picks to take some of them.

For example, Marvin Harrison vs Calvin Johnson. Harrison should be able to out-produce Johnson for at least 3 more seasons. After that, sure it'd be nice to have Calvin, but I bet in 3 more years there will be another stud wideout who'll be going pro. Hell, look at some recruiting classes in the offseason, pretty much every year USC gets a running back who could be better than Reggie Bush

And what if you go with a 6 year plan and the league folds in 3 years??

[Avaholic]

And what if you go with a 6 year plan and the league folds in 3 years??

Yep. I should go after championships while I can, and get paid early.

Maybe my new strategy will be to hype up all the young guys, then draft for this year. There is already a guy swearing he's taking Bush with his first pick. I might find that I've got a solid any-year fantasy team, surrounded by weak young competition.

[eff1ngham]

You always want to play to win this year. Never give up and plan for the future unless you have no hope of even making the playoffs (just like in real life). Even if you take someone who you know only has a year left (Brett Favre, ....maybe), make sure you get a young backup early. But in any case, never plan ahead at the cost of winning this year. Calvin Johnson may be a stud, but he's not going to outscore any of the top 10 recievers this year I bet

[Patriot0103]

I think my biggest thing is weighing performance NOW (ie. Marvin Harrison) vs. locking up the young upside (ie. Calvin Johnson)

One word: Fitzy

23 years old and is already considered an elite fantasy WR (yes, he was hurt last yr. but it don't matter). Now he'll have Leinart to work around. You'll also probably see guys like Steve Smith, maybe Chad Johnson taken before him. Great keeper target in terms of performance now and the age factor.


As far as Calvin "The Truth" Johnson, I'm pretty much 100% sold on the kid. It might take him a year or 2 until he reaches elite status (I doubt it takes 3 or more), but I can't see him turning out to be a bust. He will be roster worthy this yr. and I can see him being a fine fantasy #2. Someone will reach on him early though, so it's your call if you're willing to do that. Personally, I'd consider it with the attitude that I can make it up with some sleeper WR's.

I see Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson as being similar to Fitzy-Boldin...Two fantasy studs on the same team.