Continuing with the season recaps, here are other installments in the series:
SiriusXM IDP League
Dirty Dozen League
Maximum Security League
Team UTH Dynasty League
Delta 11 Dynasty League
Delta 12 Dynasty League
Delta 15 Dynasty League
Delta 25 Dynasty League
Delta 27 Dynasty League
This was a 2014 summer startup draft with the intention to productively struggle in year two and load up on younger players. The target was a playoff run beginning in 2015.
- 12 teams, 0.5 RB PPR, 1.0 WR-TE
- 22-man rosters
- Start 1-1-2-1 with 2 RB-WR-TE flex
Noteworthy Moves
Here are the player acquisitions I made during the opening months of this league:
7.28.2014 Traded Keenan Allen for DeAndre Hopkins, 2015 1st
While Allen was the preferred option in the dynasty community and had the better 2013 rookie season, the projection model had Allen and Hopkins very close. I took the future first, which turned into 1.09, and Hopkins. As of today, I strongly prefer Hopkins straight up, making the 1.09 pure gravy.
8.6.2014 Added Brian Quick
I was aggressive adding Quick in the preseason in this league as the backend of the roster had more flexibility than most of my leagues.
9.20.2014 Added Charles Johnson
Another quality talent add to the wide receiver position.
10.1.2014 Added Tre Mason
Strange but true, Mason was dropped after his invisible start to the season. I was happy to use a significant portion of my waiver budget on the day two talent.
10.1.2014 Added Marquess Wilson
It is amazing looking back at the talent available in these more shallow roster leagues (22-man rosters). One key is to add dropped players of note to your watchlist the first time you see them in the transaction list – you may not remember when it comes time to fill out the waiver claims the following week. Missing on a future stud because you did not remember they were available is a horrible feeling.
10.23.2014 Was Offered 2015 1st for Jerick McKinnon, Percy Harvin, Tyler Eifert, Ladarius Green
I mention this because the first rounder ended up as the 1.01. I think that is an even deal and I doubt offering that package on draft day would get the pick.
10.29.2014 Added Kenny Britt
Free and playing his best ball in a few years. Will he be on my roster by Week 1? Probably not, but worth it to use as a PackageUp player until then.
10.31.2014 Traded Percy Harvin for 2016 1st
I was shopping Harvin in a few leagues for a future first at the time, this one was accepted. The team has the 1.01 in 2015 and, at best, is a middle of the road projection for next season with the upside to be in the top-3. Either way, a quality move as my younger receivers develop.
11.26.2014 Added Josh Huff
My go-to late-season wide receiver stash this season. A top-90 draft pick in a good offense that is free? Sign me up.
12.18.2014 Added Darren McFadden
The pickings on the youth side were slim to close the season. I am banking on McFadden to land somewhere with at least some buzz in free agency. If not, perfectly fine cutting him for rookie pick space in July-August.
The Season
After a 2-2 start, the team promptly lost four straight games to plummet from a potential playoff run. However, a four-game winning streak back to .500 (6-6) gave a glimmer of hope for the No.4, and final, playoff spot. I needed a win plus three teams to lose in the final regular season week, which did not happen. The good news? Despite my playoff opportunity late in the year, my potential points (optimized lineup each week) for the season that is used to determine the rookie pick order, I lagged all year. I ended up with the 1.02 draft position as I had plenty of non-producing young players stashed away for 2015.
Season-Ending Roster
QB
Andrew Luck, Mark Sanchez
RB
Isaiah Crowell, Tre Mason, Christine Michael, Jerick McKinnon, Robert Turbin, Alfred Blue, Darren McFadden, Tyler Gaffney
WR
Odell Beckham, Alshon Jeffery, DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Robinson, Brian Quick, Marquess Wilson, Steve Johnson, Jeff Janis, Josh Huff, Kenny Britt, Dwayne Bowe, Marlon Brown
TE
Tyler Eifert, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Ladarius Green, Crockett Gillmore
Rookie Picks
1.02, 1.09, 2.02, 3.02
Outlook
My running backs have plenty of upside and my starting three-to-four wide receivers can match up with any team in the league. Getting Tyler Eifert back and Austin Seferian-Jenkins as a second-year tight end will help tremendously. Oh, and three rookies in the top-15 to boot.
