This dynasty team review focuses on a 12-team PPR league, start 1-2-3-1-2Flex. 30 man rosters with a 2-year taxi squad for all drafted rookies. The league is in year two after a 2015 startup. My team finished 6-6 and missed the last playoff spot on a tiebreaker in 2015 but was poised to make noise in 2016.
Preseason Outlook
Going into Week 1, this team had to be considered a strong contender, despite the LeVeon Bell suspension. My starting lineup was full of young productive players from top to bottom.
Jameis Winston
LeVeon Bell, Giovani Bernard
Mike Evans, Keenan Allen, Brandin Cooks, DeVante Parker
Coby Fleener
Behind the starters were productive and developing assets who could slide into the starting lineup for bye weeks or injuries.
Matt Jones, Tevin Coleman, Devin Funchess, Sammie Coates, Philip Dorsett, Clive Walford, Dennis Pitta
In addition, I had secured an additional 2017 2nd and 2018 1st as part of an offseason trade. For all of these reasons, I considered this one of my better dynasty teams with a solid young core, a chance to compete for a title, and with additional draft capital.
In-Season Results
While the suspension to LeVeon Bell would sideline him for the first three games, I expected a rotation of Giovani Bernard, Matt Jones, and Tevin Coleman to produce enough to keep me afloat. I did explore trading for DeAngelo Williams, but the owner insisted on a 2017 2nd as the price. I was not willing to part with a premium pick in 2017 for a few week rental. This may end up being a mistake.
Bell’s suspension combined with early season injuries to DeVante Parker and Keenan Allen led to difficult starting lineup decisions. This has been my downfall this season. Between my running back committee and inconsistent tight end play, I successfully started less than half of my optimal lineup each week. As a result, I started 0-4 with the worst start-sit efficiency in the league.
Current Roster
Jameis Winston, Kirk Cousins, Blaine Gabbert, Jimmy Garoppolo
LeVeon Bell, Giovanni Bernard, Matt Jones, Tevin Coleman, Kenneth Dixon, Jordan Howard, Jacquizz Rodgers, Orleans Darkwa, Matt Asiata, Lance Dunbar, Kenneth Farrow, Tim Hightower, Fitzgerald Toussaint
Mike Evans, Brandin Cooks, Keenan Allen, DeVante Parker, Devin Funchess, Sammie Coates, Phillip Dorsett, Anquan Boldin, Eli Rodgers, Cody Latimer, Cameron Meredith
Coby Fleener, Clive Walford, Dennis Pitta, Jack Doyle
2017 1,2,2,2,2,4,5
2018 1,1,2,3,4,5
Rest of Season Strategy
Despite the 0-4 record, I am not mailing in the rest of the season. My potential points and depth should allow me to climb in the rankings while other teams struggle to field a strong lineup due to injuries and bye weeks. My plan is to make trades of situational assets (such as Dwayne Washington and Josh Ferguson) to bolster my 2017 draft capital and to stand firm. If I have another few unlucky breaks and find myself with six losses, I may have to re-think my strategy. Even if the playoffs become unreachable due to losses, I do not see players on my roster as “must-sell” due to the youth of my assets.
Hopefully, Week 5 is a sign of things to come. Despite still making incorrect decisions on three potential starting spots, I produced the top score in the league and added my first win.
