For Fantasy Football, does it make sense to draft Peyton Manning in the top 5 of the first round?

Question

I have the number 4 pick in our draft. Should I go for Manning, or pick a back, like Alexander?

Answer 1

I would pass on Peyton, and go for a top tier running back. Assuming that you are in a league that allows for 1 QB and 2 RB.

Think of it this way...
Their are only 32 starting running backs in the NFL. Each Fantasy team will have at least one back up.
In a 12 team leauge thats 36 RB's
Running back fantasy value also has a significant drop off after the first 10 or so backs.

If you take Peyton first then the next shot you'll have in a serpentine draft will be with the 21st Pick.

My thoughts take a running back...
Try for Frank Gore, Joseph Addai or Larry Johnson. One of them should be available at the 4th pick.

If you pick up a QB in round 3, odds are you can still get Palmer, Brees, Brady, or Bulger. All of which have numbers comparable to Manning's

Answer 2

dude - maybe you shouldn't be playing fantasy football... 6 bye weeks? what on earth are you talking about? every NFL team has ONE by week. Back to your question - how many teams in your league and what position are you drafting. Peyton could go at the end of the first round (#11-12 or so) in a 12-team draft. Otherwise, take a RB. If you're sitting at #1 and take Manning you have effectively killed your draft. RB is the most important position in fantasy. #1 - LJ #2 Shaun #3 LT

Answer 3

In most systems, the top RB's will score more than any QB, but RB's also tend to vary a lot from year to year. With Manning, you know what you'll get, he's as close to a sure thing as there is in fantasy football. After 2 years of dealing with injuries to top RB's I took Manning with the 2 pick last year. Everyone thought I was nuts but I won the league.

Answer 4

At #4 the top RBs will be gone. Manning would be a good pick. He'll get you consistant points each week. You can still pick up 2 or 3 decent RBs in later rounds. I wouldn't pass on Manning at #4.

Answer 5

Depends on the scoring system in the league. Last year, only 3 RB's outscored Manning in the Yahoo default scoring system, which gave 6 points for a TD Pass. That will change this year with the drop in TD's Thrown from 6 to 4 points, at least in that scoring system.
See which position is favored by your league's point system. Generally, it's RB's, so here's a list of quality backs who might be available at 4:
LJ or Frank Gore, Alexander, Maroney, Addai, Westbrook, Rudy Johnson, Thomas Jones, Willie Parker, or Travis Henry.

Answer 6

Take a running back instead of Manning. To win in fantasy football, you had better have an impact running back. With your second round pick, you will probably have your choice of McNabb, Brees, Rivers, Bulger, Kitna, and Young. If you take Manning, then for an RB in the second round, you will be choosing from guys like McGahee, McAllister, Bush, Barber III, and Henry.

Personally, I like my chances with Gore and Bulger better than Manning and McGahee.

Answer 7

It depends on the scoring in your league, but most likely, no. RB are your big point makers, so go with LJ, Stephen Jackson, Alexander, Willy Parker, or Joesph Addai. Personally, I am a little skeptical about LJ and Alexander this season, and feel #4 might be too high for them.

Answer 8

Take Alexander
I'll take Manning with the number 5 pick

Answer 9

Being that you have the number 4 pick, LT and Johnson , and Gore, will be gone by then. If any QB is worthy of picking at that point, it would be Manning.

Answer 10

Get Manning if he's still available and Travis Henry should be still around for a top running back.