A comprehensive evaluation of each season is an important exercise for dynasty owners. Looking back at the good decisions, poor ones, and opportunities missed offer a chance to improve as an owner and speed up the learning curve after the sprint of yet-another NFL regular season. This league is a 32-team, two-conference setup with some big names in the fantasy industry. I was invited to take over an orphan team in the offseason and jumped at the chance to join the all-star cast and continue to develop my deep league and IDP chops.
16-team conference, PPR, Balanced scoring across all positions
I viewed 2014 as a building year as I had a number of rookie picks, but not much talent to build around, especially on offense. The team started out on fire, however, to the tune of a 6-2 start, looking poised for a playoff run in year one. A four-game losing streak to end the regular season turned the strong September and October into a distant memory. Despite finishing the regular season No.6 in total points, I was No.8 by record and watching the regular season among the 16 teams in the conference. Here are some of the key moves that I made – and did not make – this season:
June 10, 2014: Traded Larry Fitzgerald for 1.13, 2.13, Sio Moore, and Vince Williams.
When taking over the team, there were a few players that I needed to move quickly. Even with a deep league (can start up to five receivers and 16 teams), Fitzgerald was not in the my long-term plans. With my approach to look at 2015, Fitzgerald potentially was a detriment to my upcoming draft position. The 1.13 turned into Davante Adams, 2.13 ended up as Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and Sio Moore started plenty of games in the IDP-heavy scoring system with three or more linebackers in the starting lineup each week. Vince Williams did not finish the season on my roster. A strong win even if Davante Adams was the only returning piece in this deal.
June 12, 2014: Traded Mike Wallace for 2.16, 4.16
In addition to Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace was another ‘trade now’ piece when I took over the team. I proposed probably two dozen deals including Wallace around the league in the midst of working this final deal. It looked like a sell-low at the time, but knowing yourself as an owner is important. I trust myself with rookie picks and did not trust Mike Wallace sustaining value through the season. The picks turned into Blake Bortles and Jerick McKinnon. I dealt Bortles in-season and Jerick McKinnon is still seasoning on my roster.
June 12, 2014: Was Offered Josh Gordon for my 1.13, 2.01, 2.13, which I declined
I did not remember this opportunity until I looked back through the transaction log. Gordon had a year-long ban at the time and I did not want to give up those key picks to my rebuild with that risk. Since, the NFL policy has changed and Josh Gordon is back on the field and producing WR1 numbers. Those rookie picks I held close to the vest turned into Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, and Austin Seferian-Jenkins.
Rookie Draft: Mid-June
My Haul
- Sammy Watkins at 1.01
- Jordan Matthews at 1.04
- Davante Adams at 1.13
- Allen Robinson at 2.01
- Ryan Shazier at 2.04, over Tre Mason, Donte Moncrief of note
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins at 2.13
- Blake Bortles at 2.16, over Jarvis Landry, Derek Carr of note
- Deone Bucannon at 3.04, over Isaiah Crowell
- Jerick McKinnon at 4.16
- Jeremiah Attaochu at 5.04
- Khairi Fortt at 6.04
I like Ryan Shazier plenty, but not chancing Tre Mason and Donte Moncrief to 2.13 would have been preferred. I liked McKinnon over Crowell, but I was pretty casual with letting Crowell fall past 36 overall. Remember that the IDP scoring levels the positions quite a bit, but going defensive back over one of the better running back talents in the 2014 class is not wise.
August 6, 2014: Traded Darren Sproles, 2015 6th for Earl Wolff
I felt like I had to deal Darren Sproles and the offers were sparse. This was in the middle of Wolff having buzz with the a starting job. I lost this deal as I cut Wolff before October and even a mid-6th rookie pick can get a decent IDP player.
August 22, 2014: Acquired Keenan Robinson for cheap off the waiver wire
I have to thank Jene Bramel for this move as he was talking up Robinson more than once in the preseason. Robinson turned into an every-week starter this season.
September 18, 2014: Was Offered Rob Gronkowski for my Jordan Cameron, Greg Hardy, 2015 1st, which I declined
Obviously I would jump on this trade if faced with the option today. At the time, I was projecting that pick to be very early (like top-3), but it ended up in the 1.08-1.10 range instead. Jordan Cameron has plenty of upside entering free agency, but this was a missed opportunity.
October 14, 2014: Traded Blake Bortles, Joseph Randle, 2015 5th for Lamar Miller, 2015 3rd
This proposal hit my inbox one day and I jumped on the chance. Quarterbacks have more value in this 16-team league, but not this much. Philip Rivers is my starter and while I like Bortles, Miller has more value on my board and the future third (ended up a strong playoff team) is gravy.
November 5, 2014: Acquired Mark Sanchez from waiver wire
After trading away Bortles, this was a good opportunity to acquire a second NFL starter behind Philip Rivers (also had Mike Glennon at the time). Will look to deal Sanchez in the offseason for a rookie pick upgrade or to the Nick Foles owner.
November 26, 2016: Began stashing players for the offseason, including Jaron Brown, Zurlon Tipton, Marlon Brown, and Luke Willson of note.
Once eliminated from the playoffs, I dropped my kicker and a few lackluster veterans for stash options. The odds are that none of this quartet is on my roster come Week 1 of the 2015 season, but they were the clear best options on the waiver wire from a talent and opportunity perspective.
Season-Ending Roster
QB
Philip Rivers, Mark Sanchez
RB
Lamar Miller, Jerick McKinnon, Knile Davis, Rashad Jennings, Steven Jackson, Jonathan Stewart, Tyler Gaffney, Stepfan Taylor, Zurlon Tipton
WR
Sammy Watkins, Jordan Matthews, Davante Adams, Allen Robinson, Michael Floyd, Eric Decker, Jaron Brown, Marlon Brown
TE
Jordan Cameron, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tyler Eifert, Luke Willson
DL
Everson Griffen, Jurrell Casey, Desmond Bryant, Vinny Curry, Chris Jones (DT required)
LB
Keenan Robinson, Sio Moore, Miles Burris, Ryan Shazier, Josh Mauga, Quinton Coples, Jeremiah Attaochu, Justin Durant, Daryl Washington, Bjoern Werner, O’Brien Schofield, Khari Fortt
DB
Earl Thomas, Michael Griffin, Deone Bucannon, Quintin Demps
2015 Rookie Picks: Mid-1st, Mid-2nd, Mid-3rd, Late-3rd, Mid-4th
Overall, a quality first season with the added rookie talent at wide receiver, Lamar Miller via trade and the IDP athletes
