Continuing with the season recaps, here are other installments in the series:
SiriusXM IDP League
Dirty Dozen League
This league was originally drafted in 2012 with the UTH strategy and won it all in year one. After a middling finish in 2013 (5-8 record, thanks to Trent Richardson and David Wilson), it bottomed out this year, partly by design.
- 12 teams, Full PPR
- 25-man rosters, 2 taxi spots
- Start 1-2-2-1 with 2 RB-WR-TE flex
2014 Rookie Draft Haul
1.06 Carlos Hyde
Just missed out on Odell Beckham going at 1.05. With two mandatory running back starters I was more than happy to get Carlos Hyde here. Even though I liked the wide receiver talent quite a bit, I knew one or two would fall into the late first. Once on the clock, I had a bevy of offers to move down, including 1.08 + 3.08 + Bryce Brown (or Nick Toon). Based on my draft board, that package would have ended up as Davante Adams and Jerick McKinnon, plus the throw-in for Carlos Hyde.
1.10 Davante Adams
I traded my last share of Trent Richardson for the 1.10 straight up. Richardson led me to a title in 2012 in this league, but that seemed like a decade ago. Was happy to get the pick in this deep draft of wide receivers.
1.11 Allen Robinson
I traded 2.04 + 3.02 for this pick plus 4.11. The entire deal ended up as giving Marqise Lee and Charles Sims for Allen Robinson and Josh Huff. Still happy with the deal as Robinson spent the year on the taxi squad.
2.03 Austin Seferian-Jenkins
This is a spot I wish I had gone Donte Moncrief, who I feverishly tried to trade back into the mid-second to acquire after this selection. Tight end was a blackhole for me in 2014, but like Seferian-Jenkins and Ladarius Green heading into 2015. I actually traded for this pick, plus getting Danny Woodhead (pre-injury) and dealt away Justin Hunter.
4.08 Jeff Janis, 4.10 John Brown
I dealt my 2015 3rd for this pair of picks. I had both as solid third round picks on my draft board, so getting them a year early was an easy decision.
4.11 Josh Huff
Third round NFL draft pick that Chip Kelly was familiar with, checks out metric-wise, and has a depth chart in-flux heading into 2015. Huff was an easy stash with 27 roster spots include the taxi space.
The Season
I quickly realized that, while I had the wide receiver horses, running back production and a lack of even low-TE1 numbers were a big hurdle. After a slow September and October, I was already looking ahead to 2015 with my player evaluation and strategy. Mark Ingram was on and off as a fantasy starter with his injury. Christine Michael neve got a chance with a healthy Marshawn Lynch. Frank Gore remained healthy. Danny Woodhead got hurt. Latavius did not get a chance until late in the season. My running backs needed situational help to be solid starters and none, other than Mark Ingram at moments, had that help. The good news is I earned the 1.01 draft position due to my middling quarterback production, developing youngsters at tight end, and primary backups littering my running back depth chart.
Noteworthy Moves
In addition to the rookie draft trades, here are the moves of note:
8.9.2014 Acquired Theo Riddick
I would drop him before picking him up for good later. In full PPR and with a need at running back, Riddick could be a huge pickup come 2015 if Reggie Bush finishes the season with a fizzle. Plus only $2 million of dead money makes Bush a possible cut candidate with Riddick outperforming Bush in a similar role at points this season.
8.23.2014 Acquired Allen Hurns
Tried to flip him during his strong start to the season, but nothing materialized, turning him into a hold into the offseason. Will try for a rookie pick upgrade or a package deal.
8.24.2014 Acquired Corey Washington
I would later drop Washington for Tyler Gaffney, who was IR-eligible and was another potential help at running back next season.
10.22.2014 Acquired Zach Mettenberger
Colin Kaepernick is my starter, but with 6pt passing touchdowns, he is a middling option to say the least. While I like Kaepernick, Mettenberger has plenty of upside if he is the Week 1 starter.
11.5.2014 Acquired Mark Sanchez
Another upside play for the future. I thought I would be able to deal him shortly after acquisition, but few teams had any semblance of a need at quarterback. I see Sanchez with decent odds to return to the Eagles and be the starter next season. If not, an easy cut at rookie draft time.
11.17.2014 Acquired Duron Carter
I was successful in about half my leagues of picking up Carter when added to the MFL player database. He was a no-brainer in this depth of league.
11.19.2014 Acquired Ray Rice
Was pretty surprised to see him on the waiver wire. Like the other running back pickups, this is throwing players against the wall into the offseason to see what sticks. Rice looked better than 2013 in the limited snaps I saw this year, but still has the ‘he is done’ possibility.
12.3.2014 Acquired Nick Toon
One of my stashes for the offseason. Is Marques Colston done? He is due $20 million over the next two seasons. Joseph Morgan is also a free agent.
Season-Ending Roster
QB
Colin Kaepernick, Mark Sanchez, Zach Mettenberger
RB
Carlos Hyde, Mark Ingram, Christine Michael, Latavius Murray, Theo Riddick, Ray Rice, Tyler Gaffney, Danny Woodhead
WR
Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, Allen Robinson, Davante Adams, Cordarrelle Patterson, Torrey Smith, Charles Johnson, John Brown, Duron Carter, Jeff Janis, Josh Huff, Allen Hurns, Kenny Britt, Nick Toon
TE
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Ladarius Green
Rookie Picks
1.01, 2.01, 4.01, 5.01
Outlook
The wide receivers are the cornerstone of this team. Frank Gore and Marshawn Lynch moving on would help my running back situation tremendously in 2015. Even some combination of Theo Riddick, Danny Woodhead and Ray Rice in primary pass-catching roles would be passable. As always, the rookie picks will be best player available. In the offseason I will look to move a lower-ranked wide receiver or two.
