This season review is for a 12-team PPR league, start 1-2-3-1-1Flex with 30-man rosters and a 2-year taxi squad for all drafted rookies. This was Year 2 for the league. Even with a UTH start-up, I performed well in Year 1 but unfortunately was the first team out of the playoffs in 2015.
Offseason Roster
Jameis Winston, Kirk Cousins, Blaine Gabbert, Jimmy Garoppolo
LeVeon Bell, Giovani Bernard, Tevin Coleman, Matt Jones
DeAndre Hopkins, Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, DeVante Parker, Sammie Coates, Devin Funchess, Phillip Dorsett
Coby Fleener, Clive Walford
1.06, 2.06, 3.06, 4.06, 4.08, 5.06
Offseason Outlook
When I analyzed my roster, this was a team poised to break out in 2016. While there were weaknesses at quarterback and tight end, I thought a committee approach would be enough. I saw a solid running back and wide receiver corps. My plan was to hit running back hard in the rookie draft in order to flip for 2017 draft capital. While I saw this team as a team ready to win, I was not willing to mortgage my future and move all-in for 2016.
The Draft
- 1.06 Kenneth Dixon
- 2.06 Jordan Howard
- 3.06 Wendall Smallwood
- 4.06 Josh Ferguson
- 4.08 Demarcus Robinson
- 5.06 Dwayne Washington
The Trades
I completed 6 trades in this league during the offseason and regular season. These trades were all made focusing on adding draft capital with the exception of the trade for Julio Jones.
| Give | Get |
| Deandre Hopkins, 2017 3rd (3.09) | Brandin Cooks, 2017 2nd (2.11), 2018 1st |
| Wendell Smallwood | 2017 2nd (2.05) |
| Dwayne Washington, Josh Ferguson | 2017 2nd (2.04) |
| Keenan Allen, Cameron Meredith, Don Jackson, 2017 1st (1.09) | Julio Jones |
| Matt Asiata, CJ Fiedorowicz | 2017 2nd (2.10) |
| Jordan Howard | 2017 1st (1.08) |
While all are good value, I did sell Jordan Howard low. With my injuries at running back, Howard could have contributed to a stronger playoff roster. In addition to the trades made, I had the opportunity to acquire Travis Kelce for my 2018 1st but passed.
Season Result
After a slow start due to LeVeon Bell’s suspension and poor start/sit decisions, I managed to sneak into the playoffs as the 5 seed. Reaching the semis, I lost two straight matchups despite strong performances from my team. The 4th place finish was a disappointment but just emphasizes the randomness of fantasy football playoffs.
Current Roster
Jameis Winston, Kirk Cousins, Mike Glennon, Jimmy Garoppolo
Le’Veon Bell, Giovani Bernard, Kenneth Dixon, Tevin Coleman, Matt Jones, Tim Hightower
Mike Evans, Julio Jones, Brandin Cooks, DeVante Parker, Sammie Coates, Devin Funchess, Phillip Dorsett, Eli Rogers, Anquan Boldin
Coby Fleener, Jack Doyle, Dennis Pitta, Clive Walford
1.08, 2.04, 2.05, 2.09, 2.10, 2.11, 4.09, 5.09
2 2018 1sts
Takeaways
When you build a solid UTH roster, year 2 is dangerous. It is easy to see your team as a contender and push ‘all-in’ to increase your title chances. A strong UTH roster should have 5-10 players ready to make the jump into starting lineups in Year 2. It is important to identify players you expect to flip and players who can grow into core assets and hold them tight. While I gained value through my trades this season, my best move was not trading away my young talent. This will allow players like Phillip Dorsett, Devin Funchess, and Clive Walford the opportunity to grow on my bench. While churning for picks is attractive, it is more likely that third-year players will break out to become contributors for my fantasy team. I do not see any of these players as core assets, but I will wait for them to flash in-season in order to move them for a premium pick or upgrade.
