Hows my fantasy football team?

Question

QB:
Daunte Culpepper
Trent Green

WR:
Reggie Brown
Antwaan Randle El
Greg Jennings
Samie Parker

RB:
Rudi Johnson
Ahman Green
Kevan Barlow

W/T:
Rod Gardner
Bubba Franks

W/R:
Brian Calhoun
Antonio Chatman

K:
Sebastian Janikowski

D:
AJ Hawk
Chris Harris

DB:
Brian Dawkins
Patrick Surtain

DL:
Bobby Carpenter
Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila

Bench:
Trent Dilfer QB
Adrian Peterson RB
Greg Lewis WR
Matt Bryant K

I got the 9th pick in a 16 person draft. This is also my first year playing fantasy football so any advice could help.

Answer 1

Well, for a first-time fantasy player it's not that bad. However, I'm sure as you gain experience, you'll be able to recognize your own flaws, but for now I'll give you a few tips which I hope will help out.
1) First, I'd say you are kind of weak in the WR department. Sure, those names are all decent receivers who have made names for themselves, but you need a touchdown scorer, a more explosive player who will put up the points. Reggie Brown will be receiving the majority of Donovan McNabb's passes, so he was a good pick, but there are better choices as a #1 receiver (e.g. Chad Johnson, TO, Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, Steve Smith, Chris Chambers, Santana Moss etc.) , and you have little support for Reggie. Randle El, although very successful in Pittsburgh, will not get as many passes on a Washington roster filled with talented receivers fighting for starting positions (i.e. David Patten, Brandon Lloyd) alongside superstar Santana Moss. However, an ending note on this WR discussion might be that Samie Parker was a smart pick. If you got him late, it was even smarter, because he is a grossly underestimated WR who will definitely be getting action this season in Kansas City. However, I'd look to pick more reliable and proven WRs in the future.
2) You made one blaring mistake with your RBs: you picked only one viable starter in Rudi Johnson. Johnson was an excellent choice, but the backups, Barlow and Green, are both RBs who seem to be on downward slopes in their careers. Green, victim to injuries and poor production, seems to have suffered a rapid downfall from his place amongst the top RBs in 2003. Last season, in 5 games he but up just 255 yards and averaged only 3.3 a carry. Also, Green has a history of fumbling the football, which is NEVER good with a RB in fantasy football. Anyway, you understand that there is uncertainty with Green, coming off an injury and unproven of late. It's still a question as to whether he'll return to his former glory. Now, on to Barlow. He was a big prospect in his early career, but has yet to prove himself as a real star--he's been decent, but not good. He's never been that great for fantasy football, because in fantasy FB numbers are what makes a player good--Barlow lacks the ability to put up big yards, and he has not put up enough touchdowns to make him a valuable starter for fantasy teams. However! The recent development of the trade from SF to NYJ could be a great thing or a terrible thing for Barlow. Cedric Houston and Derrick Blaylock are the current RBs for the Jets, but if Barlow proves himself in the remainder of the preseason they could let him share carries or even be #1 (however unlikely that may be). On the flipside, if he continues on a path of mediocrity, he'll sit the bench and won't help your fantasy team at all. In the future, keep in mind that RB are probably the most important part of a fantasy team, so do a little research to make sure your picks are safe ones that will be sure to produce on the field, and get your RBs early.
3) Your QBs are good, but keep in mind Culpepper performed poorly without Randy Moss in Minnesota last season. Despite good performance in preseason matches so far, the regular season will be a compeltely different test for Culpepper, and seeing whether he can pass that test or not could be key in your fantasy team's success. Maybe picking him so early wasn't a great idea, but for all we know it could turn out to be the greatest pick you made in the draft if he returns to his good form of the 2004 season.
4) On your defense, you picked some god guys. Just be wary of Carpenter, Harris, Hawk, all young players who have yet to make their mark on the NFL. Also, Surtain is not nearly as good as he once was in Miami, although still a reliable corner who can intercept passes with the best of them.
Conclusion: Sorry if I was being too critical, but you asked for opinions. I've been playing fantasy football for quite a while now, and have come in 1st place four times. None of those 1st places occurred during my first season--in fact, I didn't even make the playoffs my first season--so don't set your expectations too high. After this season, you'll learn to recognize certain trends, learn how to make safe picks, and in general become a smarter more experienced fantasy player. But win or lose, fantasy is fun as hell. So enjoy it, and I hope my advice helped.

Answer 2

Green won't put up the same numbers this year with Herm Edwards has coach. He loves to run the ball and doesn't throw it much. Your WRs are kind of weak but not too bad. See if Wilford from the Jags is out on waivers or Brad Jones from the Jets. Now your running backs are interesting. If Green keeps the job it won't be bad. Specially with Barlow being trading to the Jets. The problem with Barlow is he couldn't do much with the 9ers but he could do better with a better o-line. Gadner is trash, franks is a nice sleeper. Calhoun is a very nice pick. If Jones faulters then Calhoun will step in there and steal the job. Kicker isn't horrible could of done alittle better. Def is iffy but could put up numbers. Hawk will be a top def player. Greg Lewis won't do much, Adrian Peterson also has to pass Jones and Benson to start but Jones could be traded which could lead to Peterson/Benson spilting

Answer 3

Ok, if there's 16 people and you have categories for DB and DL, it looks good. Next time you draft though try to get a stronger RB first, R. Johnson's ok, but not great. It looks like you concentrated mostly on the Defensive guys, remember AJ Hawk is a roookie and you don't konw what he'll do this year. otherwise, it's ok

Answer 4

the previous answers are a little harsh. your team isnt that great, but for a 16 team league it aint all that bad either. im guessing nobodys team in this league is to impressive.

Answer 5

d. next time look at player rankings before picking. your wr are weak.

Answer 6

youre going to lose, sorry, better do your homework next year

Answer 7

i hope this isn't for money or you would be broke. if you want advice, don't quit your day job..... whatever that is.

Answer 8

OUCH!!! Good luck with that!

Answer 9

not very good