Ian Allan's Mailbag
Posted Jul. 31 at 01:50 PM
Publisher Ian Allan fields your questions on strategy, how to run your league, player ratings -- and whatever else you think of. Updated every Friday during the season; Tuesdays and Fridays during the last two months of the preseason. You must be registered and signed-in to submit a mailbag question. After you sign in at the top of the page, the link to submit a mailbag question will become visible.
Question 1:
I'm really starting to like Earl Bennett as a sleeper this year. I'm kind of getting the impression that Alshon Jeffery might take a little time to develop. Bennett has the skill set to be effective and he already has great rapport with Cutler. What do you think his chances are of him becoming a viable fantasy starter this year?
Cole Houchens [Carrollton, TX]
A:
Makes sense to me. I’m not counting on much from Jeffery. But you are aware the Bears traded for Brandon Marshall, right? And I keep reading about how Devin Hester will have a big role in the offense and do big things. Plus I think they’ll run the hell out of the ball anyway – that’s what they do best. So how is Bennett supposed to put up noteworthy numbers? I don’t see it.
Question 2:
Do you have auction values for players? If so can I have them and why don't you include them in your magazine?
Kent Bailey [PUYALLUP, WA]
A:
We don’t print auction prices because I fear they would hurt more than they would help. For auction prices to have any value, the scoring system and roster sizes have to be right. So to access our auction recommendations, you must go to the website. Click on “Custom Cheat Sheet”, then click on “Scoring Profile” (which is on the gray bar near the top of the page). Create a new scoring profile. In there, click on the box next to “Auction Values”. There are a couple of easy questions (How many teams in the league? What’s the salary cap? How many players are being purchased?) The more telling and valuable questions relate to how many players will be purchased for more than the league minimum. All of these players will be weighed relative to each other, using our stat projections. In general (for a typical league) I suggest you go with about 14 QB, 35 RB, 35 WR, 11 TE, 3 PKs and 4 DEF. It takes a couple of minutes to answer all these questions, of course, but once you go that route you’ll get information that’s a lot better than some wild ballpark auction guesses that aren’t really even close to accurate. And those auction preferences will then be stored in your area, available to network with the stat projection we release in the future.
Question 3:
Best is currently on the PUP, is he done in the NFL? If he can't be cleared 9 months after the concussion will he ever be cleared to play? I was hearing 3 months ago that he was ready to go, what has changed?
ERIC SCOLNICK [Redmond, WA]
A:
The Lions say he’ll be cleared – that he’ll be fine. But we’ve been hearing the same kind of stuff for months and months and months. I fear for Best, who had a similar, serious concussion incident at Cal. I fear he might be another Sidney Crosby. I believe Best will be cleared before long, but I have no confidence he can stay healthy for long. Once he suffers another concussion, that might be pretty much the end of his career. The Lions no doubt are worried about Best as well. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they looked to protect him by dialing back his role. And I’m sure they’ll have a Plan B option in place before opening day. If and when Best goes down this time, the Lions will know exactly what they’re going to do with those carries.
Question 4:
What's your current take on Kevin Smith? I dont think he was mentioned in the mag, and I haven't see anything on the site either. Too far off the radar right now?
Steve Tortora [WALLINGFORD, CT]
A:
I don’t think he’s off the radar at all. Along with the other Detroit running backs, he’s discussed extensively on page 138. Jahvid Best has the concussion issues. Mikel Leshoure missed all of his rookie season and is suspended for the first two games. Smith knows the offense a lot better than Leshoure – particular pass protection. I’m sure Smith will play a big role for at least some games this year. I think he’s worth a roster spot in typical fantasy leagues.
Question 5:
I'm picking first in a 12 team draft. Am I crazy for targeting Dez Bryant at 3.1? His ADP is lower than that but I know he won't be there for me in round 4. With Laurent Robinson gone I just have this feeling he's going to blow up and become elite. Taking him there though would mean drafting him ahead of guys like Jennings, Welker, AJ Green, Nicks, Julio Jones and Roddy White. What are your thoughts on what kind of year Dez will have and would you consider him at that spot?
Mike Koffski [CHICAGO, IL]
A:
Yes. I think you’re crazy. No way in a million years would I select Police Blotter 88 over the likes of Jennings, Green, Jones and White. Not even an option.
Question 6:
Got pick #5 in my PPR league. Torn between Calvin Johnson and Tom Brady. So indecisive, what you think?
William Wilkinson [Weymouth , MA]
A:
I will go with Johnson. My numbers indicate he’s a better – not by a lot, but better – and he plays wide receiver. I think the odds of finding a quarterback you’re really excited about in one of the next half-dozen rounds are a lot higher.
Question 7:
I love your magazine and have for many years. Two rookie drafts coming up. TD-only dynasty league. I'll have whoever I pick for his career. I pick second. Richardson or RGIII? PPR dynasty league. I pick seventh. Please rank D. Martin, M. Floyd, Blackmon, K. Wright, & Quick.
JOHN BENNETT [CHINO, CA]
A:
For the TD-only league, I would select Richardson. The running back position is tough to fill. Griffin is a great prospect, though. Luck, Richardson, RG3, Martin – I wouldn’t mind having any of the top 4 draft picks in that format. For the PPR league, I would have my heart set on Martin. He’s the guy I would love to see still on the board at No. 7. But I don’t think there’s any way that will happen; he’s going in the top 4. You’ll be taking one of the wide receivers. I would lean towards putting them at Wright-Blackmon-Quick-Floyd right now, but that order probably will change based on what happens in the next two weeks.
Question 8:
Our league is 10 teams, starting 2 QBs. 6 pts for all TDs. 1 point ppr. 1 pt for 10 yds rushing, 1 pt. for 20 yards passing/receiving. How would you adjust your value for QBs? Would it change your draft order in terms of positions? I always debate whether I should postpone a second rb or wr for a good QB.
Rick Hoeninghausen [YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY]
A:
Quarterbacks will dominate your draft. The 6-points-for-TDs works in favor of quarterbacks, and show does the double-quarterback option. That’s a lethal double whammy. According to my numbers, 11 of the first 15 players chosen should be quarterbacks, and 21 of the top 50. You must have two good quarterbacks. Now, I don’t think you are telling me the correct scoring system. You’re saying that receiving yards are treated like passing yards – just 1 point for every 20. I don’t believe that. I’ve never heard of a league doing that. That also deflates value of other players, particularly receivers. So with that scoring system, I don’t see my No. 2 wide receiver come up until 30th overall. But even if you switch to 1 point for every 10 receiving yards (which is what I believe your league actually uses), I still have 10 quarterbacks coming in before Megatron. I still have 10 QBs in the top 14, and 19 of them in the top 50 overall. It’s a QB-driven format.
Question 9:
Love the custom cheat and have used it the the last few years. This year we made a change and wondering what the best way to use the custom sheet this year? We start 1QB 2RB 3WR 1 FLEX (QB/RB/WR/TE) 1TE.
Marco Tavares [BILLERICA, MA]
A:
All of our rankings are built off the concept of what a player gives you beyond the ordinary. Look at what you can get in about the 8th-10th round of a typical draft. How many players at each position will be selected at that time. Then look at how much better is the guy you are considering in the 4th round? How much better is the 4th-round QB than the quarterback you would get in round 8-10? And how much better is the 4th-round RB than the running back you would get in round 8-10? That’s how you determine overall value. To determine how we would rank the guys in your format, use the “Custom Cheat Sheet” tab. Then click on “Scoring Profile”. Put in your exact scoring system, and click on the “Auction Prices” tab (even if you don’t use an auction or salary cap). Once you’re in that auction area, tell the computer you want to see prices for a league with about 14 QBs, 38 RBs, 44 WRs and 14 TEs. That should give you a pretty solid overall list. If one position seems to be over or under represented, you can adjust its value by lowering or raising the number projecting to be worth more than the minimum salary.
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Question 2: Do you have auction values...
Posted by Scott Kopischke | Aug. 01 at 06:15 PM
How would you break the distribution down for a ten team league? Starting 1QB, 2RB, 2WR, 1TE, 1D, 1K.
Question 4: What's your current take on...
Posted by PHIL SCARCELLA | Aug. 02 at 07:07 AM
Lynch vs McFadden in a PPR league ? I have Lynch and can get McFadden for a cheap pick - its a keeper league...please advise.
Question 5: I'm picking first in a...
Posted by BEN HOGEVOLL | Aug. 01 at 09:11 AM
I dont think Mike is really really crazy for considering Bryant, over at least a couple other wrs he mentioned.Bryant last year finished 19th overall in our league.He had 63 receptions for 928 yards with 9 tds.Jennings had 67 receptions 949 total yards with 9 tds.Bryant finshed the year better than Bowe,Antonio Brown and was within 6 total point of Aj Green and Nicks.I think Bryant coud have a huge year!
Question 5: I'm picking first in a...
Posted by David Hanley | Aug. 01 at 05:30 PM
I don't think Dez is crazy at that spot either. He has more upside that Julio, but probably more downside as well given his immaturity off the field.
Question 8: Our league is 10 teams,...
Posted by Rick Hoeninghausen | Jul. 31 at 07:53 PM
Just double checked, its 1 pt per 20 yards passing and receiving. League rule, not the Yahoo default. Thanks for answering my question!