i will do this if you still have a slot.

It took 4 weeks to get 12 guys registered and paid, can we really afford another 4 weeks to agree on a draft date?

That said, I sent you the two dates I can't do(23rd/29th) and would prefer a slow draft.

Also think 10 bench spots is too many but if that's what the league wants then I can work with it.

Wanted no parts of Todd Gurley. Drafted Gurley, yeah FF!

I like the Crowder pick in PPR Basically like getting Tate or Landry but a few rounds later

I would agree with that. Leaves plenty of time to waffle on your picks, which can be good or bad.

Have only had my pick taken from me twice (both by Momoney) when he selected Tate and Jacquizz Rodgers and I had them queued up as autopicks for the next selection

I made it all the way to round 12 before selecting somebody I had never heard of. Is that good?

I ran everybody's team through the FootballGuys team rater. Will post them here for future laughs.

Diggstown:

QB: Jameis Winston, Derek Carr
RB: Jay Ajayi, Todd Gurley, Doug Martin, Robert Turbin, DeAndre Washington, Jalen Richard, Damien Williams, James Conner, Kerwynn Williams
WR: Antonio Brown, Stefon Diggs, DeVante Parker, Kenny Britt, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay
TE: Greg Olsen
PK: Matt Prater
TD: Minnesota Vikings
Overview:

Congratulations! You seem to have grabbed quality players at every turn of this draft. It's rare indeed to be better than the average team at the three core positions (quarterback, running back and receiver), but we think this team is.

You must be among the favorites in this league and have positioned yourself to grab one of the playoff spots. But before you start engraving the trophy, realize that the draft is not the end of the story. Things can and do go wrong, so you need to remain diligent throughout the year to ensure you remain strong until the playoffs.

Players we particularly like on this team include Jameis Winston, Jalen Richard, DeAndre Washington, and the Vikings defense. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 85 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 80 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 69 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 7 of 2015:

Todd Gurley vs. CLE: 163 combined yards, 2 TD
Stefon Diggs vs. DET: 108 receiving yards, 1 TD
Doug Martin vs. WAS: 171 combined yards
Derek Carr vs. SD: 289 passing yards, 3 TD
QB Summary:

We expect Jameis Winston to be a solid starter. According to our projections, he's the #6 QB, so you should be better off than most teams in the starting quarterback slot.

Derek Carr, who we have rated as the #14 QB, is a nice backup and could conceivably emerge as either a starter for your team or, if Winston plays as expected, some tempting trade bait for teams with quarterback troubles.

Incidentally, Carr has what we project as a neutral matchup (NE) during Winston's bye.

RB Summary:

Your starting running back group is a strength, particularly Todd Gurley as a second running back. We figure them at a combined 1.2 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Jay Ajayi ranked sixth and Gurley ranked ninth.

Your bench doesn't look quite as strong. Doug Martin should be a good third running back. Robert Turbin, on the other hand, is an average-at-best fourth RB. DeAndre Washington should serve as a very solid fifth running back.

Since you're strong at the position, you probably don't absolutely need to roster more than five players here. Of your remaining guys, we like Jalen Richard the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

A quick note about the same-team Ajayi/DeVante Parker duo you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more (not less) consistent than a comparable-scoring different-team pair. See this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Jay Ajayi ranked as high as fifth, which would make him an above average first running back. Justin Howe defends his high ranking as follows: "I have my concerns with Ajayi, particularly his consistency - after all, 58% of his 2016 rushing yardage came across 4 games, his only 4 above 100 yards. But I also recognize the value in a three-down workhorse, especially when he's coming to me in Round 3. Not to mention, I remain intrigued by flashes of the slam-dunk workhorse from Boise State who posted 4,005 scrimmage yards and 51 touchdowns over his final 2 years there. I can definitely say he carries more upside than the rest of his tier."

Some members of our staff have Doug Martin ranked as high as 11th, which would make him a great third running back and even a legitimate RB1. Matt Waldman defends his high ranking as follows: "Martin has looked great in minicamp, which was the same drumbeat we heard two years ago when he returned to fantasy prominence. Martin has straightened out the issues he had that contributed to his PED-related suspension. He'll serve the remaining three-game punishment for 2017 and return as the starter. He's working with the first team in minicamp and earning rave reviews from multiple coaches and players. When Martin has been "on" he has been a top-3 RB, including a 2015 non-PPR total of 209 points. Remove three games of his per-game-average from that total and Martin would have still been the No. 10 fantasy RB that year. I have him projected as the No. 11 RB. It may be an outlier right now, but I'll stand by the logic of my assessment based on past production and current news about Martin."

WR Summary:

Your starting receiver group is a strength, particularly Antonio Brown as a top receiver. We figure them at a combined 2.0 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Brown is our first ranked WR, Stefon Diggs is #26, and we have DeVante Parker 33rd.

We see Kenny Britt as an average fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Marvin Jones is an excellent WR5. Kenny Golladay is a very weak sixth receiver.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Kenny Britt is ranked #32 by some of our writers, which would make him a great fourth receiver and even a legitimate WR3. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Britt and Coleman comprise a solid receiving duo for the Browns. On a poor team, Britt should see plenty of targets to outperform his draft slot. Both Kessler and Kizer and upgrades to the QB play Britt saw with the Rams"

TE Summary:

As you are well aware, Greg Olsen is an elite tight end. We have him ranked third overall at the position. He's about 1.6 points per game better than an average starting TE in this league.

We might suggest adding a bit more depth here. See the end of the report for some suggestions on who to pick up.

Kicker Summary:

We don't think Matt Prater is starter quality in this league. Keep a sharp eye on the waiver wire.

Defense Summary:

The Vikings are our #3 ranked defense, so you're in good shape here.

Mancrushin Mccaffrey:

QB: Marcus Mariota, Tyrod Taylor
RB: Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, Dion Lewis, Latavius Murray
WR: Odell Beckham Jr, Brandin Cooks, Jarvis Landry, Jamison Crowder, Mike Wallace, Laquon Treadwell, Chris Godwin
TE: Hunter Henry, Eric Ebron, David Njoku
PK: Graham Gano
TD: Carolina Panthers
Overview:

Your receivers are the strongest part of this team and you look good at tight end as well. It's rare for us to endorse a team with weaknesses at quarterback and running back, but we're doing it right here! You should have a contender here. But your margin for error in terms of inseason management could be a bit thinner than some of your competitors'. You must remain committed to finding 2017's emergent players at RB and QB.

Players we particularly like on this team include Odell Beckham Jr, Dalvin Cook, Mike Wallace, Jamison Crowder, and Eric Ebron. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 80 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 55 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 9 of 2016:

Latavius Murray vs. DEN: 127 combined yards, 3 TD
Marcus Mariota vs. SD: 313 passing yards, 4 TD
Tyrod Taylor vs. SEA: 289 passing yards, 2 TD
Mike Wallace vs. PIT: 124 receiving yards, 1 TD
Odell Beckham Jr vs. PHI: 46 receiving yards, 2 TD
QB Summary:

We have Marcus Mariota rated #9 among quarterbacks, which makes him a viable starter if not an exciting one. Tyrod Taylor, our #18 quarterback, should be solid as a backup, but we're not sure if he can hold down the fort as a starter if circumstances force him to be one.

Incidentally, these two have a terrific combined schedule and a decent playoff schedule too. If you simply played the one with the better matchup each week, this is the schedule you'd face:
OAK | CAR | SEA | ATL | MIA | IND | CLE | OAK | NYJ | NO | LAC | IND | NE | IND | MIA | NE

RB Summary:

We like Dalvin Cook as a second RB, but we consider your starting running backs, as a group, to be a little below par. Our projections have Christian McCaffrey ranked at #16 and Cook ranked 17th.

We may not love Derrick Henry at third RB, but we like the fact that you can hold the DeMarco Murray owner hostage. Alvin Kamara is a weak RB4. Dion Lewis is a little below average as a fifth running back.

Latavius Murray is a solid depth pick.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Christian McCaffrey is ranked #8 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine first running back. Alessandro Miglio reasons, "Overly optimistic? Perhaps. But Christian McCaffrey is a do-it-all back who landed in one of the most potentially explosive running offenses in the NFL. He should see the field a lot, and opposing defenses are going to have nightmares of Cam Newton running the read option with McCaffrey."

Some of our staffers have Derrick Henry as high as #13, which would make him a great third running back and even a legitimate RB2. Jeff Tefertiller's take: "The frequency in which Tennessee runs the ball, Henry could emerge as a viable RB1 this season. Murray is not getting any younger and Henry is very good. "

Some of our staffers have Alvin Kamara as high as #37, which would make him an above average fourth running back. Chad Parsons's take: "The Sean Payton and Drew Brees era has been fertile for pass-catching production at running back in New Orleans. Alvin Kamara offers more upside than previously strong receiving backs like Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles. Kamara adds an interior element capable of double-digit carries if Mark Ingram or Adrian Peterson should cede time on early downs."

Some of our staffers have Dion Lewis as high as #29, which would make him a great fifth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Matt Waldman's take: "Lewis suffered an ACL tear in 2015 and only saw limited time in 11 games of 2016 as he recovered from the injury and LeGarrette Blount dominated backfield touches. Despite that limited time, he averaged 4.4 yards per carry and converted 17 of 24 targets in the passing game. Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee are not guaranteed starters or heavy contributors just because they signed with the team. I'm willing to give Lewis another shot at this range, especially when he showed up well in the playoffs by becoming the first player in NFL history to have a rushing, receiving, and return touchdown in the same postseason game. I think he'll be ready for 2017 and the fact that he has been named the co-starter after a week of camp indicates the Patriots feel the same."

WR Summary:

Nice work here. We like all your starting receivers, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 4.3 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Odell Beckham Jr is our second ranked WR, Brandin Cooks is #15, and we have Jarvis Landry 20th.

Your bench also looks good. We love Jamison Crowder as a fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Mike Wallace will also be among the best WR5s in the league. Laquon Treadwell is a little below average as a sixth receiver.

We're not sure that Chris Godwin adds much, as you're already strong at the position and we aren't convinced he's roster-worthy in this league anyway.

TE Summary:

Though neither of them is elite, you have two viable starting tight ends in Hunter Henry and Eric Ebron. If one of them breaks out, or if you play the matchups well, you'll probably get good production from the position.

David Njoku is a solid depth pick.

Kicker Summary:

Graham Gano, our seventh ranked kicker, won't win the league for you, but he'll do.

Defense Summary:

The Panthers are probably not a difference-maker at defense, but they should be OK.

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Panthers', along with the combined schedule that each would create:

Weily Coyotes:

QB: Russell Wilson, DeShone Kizer
RB: LeVeon Bell, Duke Johnson, Eddie Lacy, Darren Sproles, Chris Thompson, Thomas Rawls
WR: Amari Cooper, DeAndre Hopkins, Larry Fitzgerald, Keenan Allen, Josh Doctson, Kevin White, Zay Jones
TE: Cameron Brate, Austin Seferian-Jenkins
PK: Cairo Santos
TD: Miami Dolphins, Oakland Raiders
Overview:

In a competitive league, almost every team has a weakness. It's almost impossible to build a team that is strong at all three core positions (quarterback, running back and wide receiver). Your backs and receivers look just fine. And while it's probably not accurate to describe a team with Russell Wilson as weak at the position, we do think you're dangerously thin. As Tom Brady reminded us of in 2008, even quarterbacks with spotless health records can go down at any time. Thus the lack of depth at QB is what's keeping this team from getting our full endorsement.

So although this team isn't perfect (few are), it should still be a strong contender.

Players we particularly like on this team include Larry Fitzgerald, Chris Thompson, Russell Wilson, and Darren Sproles. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 85 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 66 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 3 of 2015:

Larry Fitzgerald vs. SF: 134 receiving yards, 2 TD
Keenan Allen vs. MIN: 133 receiving yards, 2 TD
LeVeon Bell vs. LA: 132 combined yards, 1 TD
DeAndre Hopkins vs. TB: 101 receiving yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:

We expect Russell Wilson to be a solid starter. According to our projections, he's the #4 QB, so you should be better off than most teams in the starting quarterback slot.

As of now, we're not buying DeShone Kizer as a viable backup quarterback. Even though Wilson should be starting for you most weeks, we'd recommend an upgrade here if possible (we'll make some specific suggestions at the end of the report).

Incidentally, Kizer has what we project as a bad matchup (HOU) during Wilson's bye.

RB Summary:

Your starting running back group is a strength, particularly LeVeon Bell as a top running back. We figure them at a combined 3.2 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Bell ranked second and Duke Johnson ranked 25th.

Your bench also looks good. Eddie Lacy should be a good third running back. Likewise, Darren Sproles should be excellent at RB4. Chris Thompson looks great as a fifth running back.

Thomas Rawls is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Duke Johnson is ranked #19 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine second running back. Jason Wood reasons, "Two years into his career, it's clear the Browns don't view Duke Johnson as a 3-down asset. He's only carried the ball 177 times in 32 games. He has made a mark as a receiver (114 receptions) and will continue to play that role while Isaiah Crowell takes the 1st and 2nd down pounding"

Some members of our staff have Eddie Lacy ranked as high as 22nd, which would make him a great third running back and even a legitimate RB2. Jeff Tefertiller defends his high ranking as follows: "A healthy Lacy could be a force in Seattle. The only two concerns are Lacy's health (and weight control) and the play of the Seattle offensive line. If these two issues improve, Lacy will move up the rankings over the summer"

WR Summary:

Your starting receiver group is a strength, particularly DeAndre Hopkins as a second receiver. We figure them at a combined 1.8 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Amari Cooper is our #9 ranked receiver, Hopkins is #13, and we have Larry Fitzgerald 17th.

Your bench also looks good. We love Keenan Allen as a fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. We also see Josh Doctson as an above average WR5. Kevin White is a little below average as a sixth receiver.

Zay Jones is a solid depth pick.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some of our staffers have Amari Cooper as high as #6, which would make him an above average first receiver. Jeff Tefertiller's take: "Still very young (younger than some rookies in the 2017 NFL Draft), Cooper has big-time upside. He is a great route-runner and will only continue to get better."

Some of our staffers have Kevin White as high as #35, which would make him a great sixth receiver and even a legitimate WR3. Jeff Tefertiller's take: "White is talented but oft-injured. He needs a strong preseason to earn the WR1 job that many have handed to him already. Meredith is solid as a complement"

TE Summary:

This is a pretty motley crew. We don't see Cameron Brate as a viable starter or Austin Seferian-Jenkins as an above average backup. Help is needed.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Cameron Brate is ranked #12 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine first tight end. Jeff Pasquino reasons, "Right now, O.J. Howard is the "shiny new toy" for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after his first round draft selection. If that truly is the case by the time I draft my next team (or teams), I will gladly take Cameron Brate as a TE2 that is very likely to perform as a TE1 this season. Brate broke out last year with six of his eight touchdown catches coming in the final nine games last year. Jameis Winston loves to target the tight end position, and Brate stands to benefit even more with DeSean Jackson added to the mix as the WR2 for the Buccaneers this year. Jackson and Mike Evans will command respect from defenses, opening up the middle of the field for Brate. "

Kicker Summary:

Cairo Santos, our eighth ranked kicker, won't win the league for you, but he'll do.

Defense Summary:

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Dolphins', along with the combined schedule that each would create:

Jints56:

QB: Matthew Stafford, Blake Bortles, Carson Palmer
RB: Melvin Gordon, Isaiah Crowell, Ameer Abdullah, Jonathan Stewart, C.J. Prosise, Wayne Gallman
WR: Michael Thomas, Allen Robinson, Randall Cobb, Donte Moncrief, Sterling Shepard, Josh Gordon
TE: Jordan Reed, Kyle Rudolph, Charles Clay
PK: Dan Bailey
TD: Houston Texans
Overview:

In a competitive league, almost every team has a weakness. It's almost impossible to build a team that is strong at all three core positions (quarterback, running back and wide receiver). As you probably suspect, we perceive your weakness to be at the quarterback position. Of all the deficiencies to have though, this is usually the easiest one to mask.

Footballguys owner David Dodds even recommends you go into your draft with the goal of landing the top RBs and WRs while waiting to grab QBs late. Value-Based Drafting principles also suggest that teams constructed in this manner end up being strong. But for this team to reach it's full potential, you might need to have a quick trigger finger at the QB position and stay on the look out for good quarterback help. Last year Dak Prescott could be had very cheap in August, but ended up contributing to a lot of fantasy championships. In 2015 it was Blake Bortles; in 2014 it was Ben Roethlisberger; in 2013 it was Nick Foles. Quarterbacks like these can be found every year, and that could be the key to your team's success.

So although this team isn't perfect (few are), it should still be a strong contender.

Players we particularly like on this team include Jordan Reed, Charles Clay, Allen Robinson, Kyle Rudolph, Melvin Gordon, Isaiah Crowell, Ameer Abdullah, Blake Bortles, Sterling Shepard, and the Texans defense. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 99 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 99 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 88 percent chance of making the playoffs.
QB Summary:

We have Matthew Stafford rated #16 among quarterbacks, so we're not even sold on him as a fantasy starter in your league. But #18-rated QB Blake Bortles provides you with another viable option. So while the position doesn't figure to be a strength, with shrewd management and a little luck you might end up with decent production at QB

Incidentally, these two have a terrific combined schedule , though their playoff schedule isn't so great. If you simply played the one with the better matchup each week, this is the schedule you'd face:
ARI | TEN | ATL | NYJ | CAR | NO | IND | PIT | GB | CLE | CLE | ARI | IND | TB | CHI | SF

Carson Palmer is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.

RB Summary:

Nice work here. We like both your starting running backs, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 4.2 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Melvin Gordon ranked at #3 and Isaiah Crowell ranked 11th.

Your bench also looks good. We love Ameer Abdullah as a third running back. We also see Jonathan Stewart as an above average RB4.

Since you're strong at the position, you probably don't absolutely need to roster more than four players here. Of your remaining guys, we like C.J. Prosise the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by Maurile Tremblay's projections. Others have different takes:

Jonathan Stewart is ranked #32 by some of our writers, which would make him a great fourth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Matt Waldman reasons, "Cam Newton's touches as a runner have decreased in recent years and I believe that won't change. Stewart has quietly bene a top-25 option for three straight years. Christian McCaffrey will earn enough time as a receiver that I don't expect Stewart's red zone production (9 touchdowns last year) to suffer. "

Some members of our staff have C.J. Prosise ranked as high as 24th, which would make him a great fifth running back and even a legitimate RB2. Jeff Tefertiller defends his high ranking as follows: "Prosise was limited by injuries last year but has big-time potential as a receiver in the Seahawks offense."

WR Summary:

Your starting receiver group is a strength, particularly Allen Robinson as a second receiver. Michael Thomas is our #8 ranked receiver, Robinson is #13, and we have Randall Cobb 30th.

Donte Moncrief should serve as a very solid fourth receiver. Sterling Shepard is also a very nice WR5.

We might suggest adding a bit more depth here. See the end of the report for some suggestions on who to pick up.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by Maurile Tremblay's projections. Others have different takes:

Some of our staffers have Michael Thomas as high as #6, which would make him an above average first receiver. Jeff Haseley's take: "Michael Thomas is a trendy early second round pick for those looking to solidify their WR1 early on in the draft. The departure of Brandin Cooks to New England opens the door for Thomas to see an increase in targets and scoring opportunities. He finished 7th last year and the future is brighter than ever for the talented former Buckeye. Perhaps a Top 5 finish is in the cards? As long as Drew Brees continues to play at a high level, he'll have a shot. "

TE Summary:

We like the choice of Jordan Reed to start at tight end. We have him ranked second overall at the position. He's about 1.3 points per game better than an average starting TE in this league. Kyle Rudolph is another viable starting tight end in this league, and he'll likely play a big role as a flex starter.

Charles Clay is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.

Kicker Summary:

Dan Bailey, our fifth ranked kicker, won't win the league for you, but he'll do.

Defense Summary:

The Texans are probably not a difference-maker at defense, but they should be OK.

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Texans', along with the combined schedule that each would create:

tjmacc55:

QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Jordan Howard, Marshawn Lynch, Mike Gillislee, Kareem Hunt, Jamaal Williams, Joe Williams, Wendell Smallwood, Jeremy McNichols
WR: A.J. Green, Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead, Corey Coleman, Tyler Lockett, Taylor Gabriel
TE: Delanie Walker, Julius Thomas, Evan Engram
PK: Wil Lutz
TD: New York Giants
Overview:

Your starting lineup is respectable, but the lack of depth is a serious problem. If you're lucky enough to avoid the injury bug, you might be OK. But that's a tough thing to have to count on.

To make this team into a serious contender, you are going to need to be extremely active in trades and on the waiver wire. You esentially need to turn over significant parts of this roster. Last year running backs like Rob Kelley and Mike Gillislee could be had dirt cheap at the draft. Additionally, wide receivers like Tyrell Williams and Jamison Crowder were available after a lot of the drafts. Quarterbacks like Dak Prescott last year, Blake Bortles in 2015, and Ben Roethlisberger in 2014 could be had cheap just after draft time. You are likely going to need to land many of this year's top waiver plays to make any significant noise, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.
Players we particularly like on this team include Matt Ryan, Michael Crabtree, Willie Snead, and Wil Lutz. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 30 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 1 of 2014:

Julius Thomas vs. IND: 104 receiving yards, 3 TD
Marshawn Lynch vs. GB: 124 combined yards, 2 TD
Matt Ryan vs. NO: 448 passing yards, 3 TD
A.J. Green vs. BAL: 131 receiving yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:

We expect Matt Ryan to be a solid starter. According to our projections, he's the #3 QB, so you should be better off than most teams in the starting quarterback slot.

Despite your strong starting quarterback, we recommend taking a backup. See the end of this report for some specific suggestions.

RB Summary:

Your starting running backs should, as a unit, be adequate but not great. In particular we like Marshawn Lynch as a second RB. Our projections have Jordan Howard ranked seventh and Lynch ranked 15th.

Mike Gillislee is a little below average as a third running back. Kareem Hunt also figures to be a bit iffy as a fourth RB. We see Jamaal Williams as an average fifth running back.

Though some teams will probably be content to roster as few as five players here, it was not a bad idea to take a few extras because you're not particularly strong overall at the position. Of your remaining guys, we like Joe Williams the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

A quick note about the same-team Lynch/Michael Crabtree duo you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more (not less) consistent than a comparable-scoring different-team pair. See this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Jordan Howard ranked as high as fourth, which would make him an above average first running back. Jeff Haseley defends his high ranking as follows: "I loved what Jordan Howard was able to accomplish last year, but he's not sneaking up on anyone in 2017. You're likely going to have to risk a second round pick or maybe even a late first to get him on your roster. Is he worth it? Maybe. I'm not that confident in player who might be as good as he was as a rookie. Plus the Bears offense seems to be trending down, rather than up. The ride last year was memorable, but now he's a bit risky - and keep in mind his touchdown totals last year didn't exceed 7. I would put his likelihood of production increase or decrease around the same, 50%. "

Kareem Hunt is ranked #38 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average fourth running back. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Hunt's presence should impact the upside of Ware and West. he was drafted to have a regular role in the KC offense, especially the passing game"

Some of our staffers have Jamaal Williams as high as #36, which would make him a great fifth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Matt Waldman's take: "Williams plays at 212 pounds, but analysts often describe him as if he were in the 225-230 range. He's an aggressive finisher with balance and pad level. Williams has thrived in multiple blocking schemes and he's a solid receiver and pass protector. His burst is better than his measurements suggest. He'll earn a serious shot to start this summer if he can prove he's a quick study in the passing game (so far he has).The starter in Green Bay could have the upside of an RB2, but he'll have to earn the complete role. "

WR Summary:

While your lack of depth at the position concerns us, we do like all your starting receivers. A.J. Green is our #5 ranked receiver, Michael Crabtree is #18, and we have Willie Snead 28th.

We see Corey Coleman as an average fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Tyler Lockett is shaky as a fifth receiver. We see Taylor Gabriel as an average sixth receiver.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Corey Coleman is ranked #37 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average fourth receiver. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Coleman was mainly used on deep patterns last season. We are hopeful he will be better incorporated into the offense in year two. He is great with the ball in his hands"

Taylor Gabriel is ranked #56 by some of our writers, which would make him a great sixth receiver and even a legitimate WR5. Sigmund Bloom reasons, "Gabriel went on a tear from Weeks 8-16 last year when the Falcons started giving him more consistent targets in the passing game. He was so good at converting his usual 5-6 touches into big plays and scores that he was the WR12 in PPR leagues over that span. While that level of efficiency is tough to maintain, Gabriel's role could grow with a full offseason in Atlanta after he was claimed right before the season last year. He might not end up producing at the scalding clip he did in the second half of 2016, but Gabriel is easily worth a pick in the late rounds of your draft on the chance that he does."

TE Summary:

Delanie Walker is viable but below average as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #8). We're also not too fired up about Julius Thomas as a backup.

Evan Engram is a solid depth pick.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Delanie Walker ranked as high as fifth, which would make him an above average first tight end. Matt Waldman defends his high ranking as follows: "Walker is the most reliable receiver in this offense and the one that benefits greatly from the play-action game in Tennessee. The Titans hope to develop Jonnu Smith to replace Walker in a year or two but look for another solid TE1 yea from the veteran. I'm lower on Walker than my peers because of placement in overall rankings. I placed him here based on the fantasy value range of last year's No. 6 producer."

Julius Thomas is ranked #14 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average second tight end. Jason Wood reasons, "Thomas reunites with Adam Gase, his coach when Thomas was dominating in Denver. Cutler's signing keeps Thomas' upside versus initial fears of Matt Moore starting."

Kicker Summary:

With Wil Lutz, you should be above average at the position.

Defense Summary:

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Giants', along with the combined schedule that each would create:

Pindevil:

QB: Cam Newton, Carson Wentz
RB: Leonard Fournette, Bilal Powell, Mark Ingram, Jamaal Charles, T.J. Yeldon, Jonathan Williams, Devontae Booker
WR: Julio Jones, Alshon Jeffery, Emmanuel Sanders, Jeremy Maclin, Rishard Matthews, Devin Funchess
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen
PK: Nick Novak
TD: Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills
Overview:

Your receivers are the strongest part of this team and you look good at tight end as well. It's rare for us to endorse a team with weaknesses at quarterback and running back, but we're doing it right here! You should have a contender here. But your margin for error in terms of inseason management could be a bit thinner than some of your competitors'. You must remain committed to finding 2017's emergent players at RB and QB.

Players we particularly like on this team include Bilal Powell, T.J. Yeldon, Devin Funchess, Jamaal Charles, and Emmanuel Sanders. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 90 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 85 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 77 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 8 of 2014:

Rob Gronkowski vs. CHI: 149 receiving yards, 3 TD
Jeremy Maclin vs. ARI: 187 receiving yards, 2 TD
Emmanuel Sanders vs. SD: 120 receiving yards, 3 TD
Jamaal Charles vs. STL: 117 combined yards, 2 TD
Mark Ingram vs. GB: 175 combined yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:

We have Cam Newton rated #8 among quarterbacks, which makes him a viable starter if not an exciting one. And we're not crazy about Carson Wentz (ranked #20 among quarterbacks) as a backup. If Newton turns in the season we expect, this position won't ruin you, but it probably won't be a strength either. And if things go wrong, it could be a long year at QB.

Incidentally, Wentz has what we project as a neutral matchup (DAL) during Newton's bye.

RB Summary:

We like Bilal Powell as a second RB, but we consider your starting running backs, as a group, to be a little below par. Our projections have Leonard Fournette ranked 12th and Powell ranked 14th.

Your bench looks good and should help offset the unexciting starting unit. We love Mark Ingram as a third running back; he's a likely flex starter. Jamaal Charles should also be solidly above average at RB4. T.J. Yeldon is a handcuff, but we'd like him as a fifth running back even if you didn't have Leonard Fournette.

Though some teams will probably be content to roster as few as five players here, it was not a bad idea to take a few extras because you're not particularly strong overall at the position. Of your remaining guys, we like Jonathan Williams the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

WR Summary:

Nice work here. We like all your starting receivers, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 2.9 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Julio Jones is our #3 ranked receiver, Alshon Jeffery is #16, and we have Emmanuel Sanders 24th.

Your bench also looks good. Jeremy Maclin should serve as a very solid fourth receiver. Rishard Matthews should also be solidly above average at WR5. Devin Funchess looks great as a sixth receiver.

TE Summary:

As you are well aware, Rob Gronkowski is an elite tight end. We have him ranked first overall at the position. He's about 2.9 points per game better than an average starting TE in this league. Dwayne Allen is an adequate second tight end.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some of our staffers have Dwayne Allen as high as #19, which would make him a fine second tight end. Matt Waldman's take: "Allen is fantastic all-around TE who can't stay healthy. If he does, he'll provide a lot of help to the Patriots as a blocker and underneath receiver with red zone upside who could attain low-end TE1 production. "

Kicker Summary:

We don't think Nick Novak is starter quality in this league. Keep a sharp eye on the waiver wire.

Defense Summary:

Between the Seahawks and the Bills, you should get above average production here.

MoMoney:

QB: Andrew Luck, Ben Roethlisberger
RB: Ezekiel Elliott, Carlos Hyde, Adrian Peterson, Shane Vereen, Jacquizz Rodgers, Tim Hightower
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, Golden Tate, Robby Anderson, Jordan Matthews, Anquan Boldin, Cooper Kupp
TE: Zach Ertz, Austin Hooper
PK: Mason Crosby
TD: New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars
Overview:

We'll start by complimenting you on your strength at quarterback and receiver. As you know, it's very difficult in a competitive league to assemble a team that is strong at QB, RB, and WR, so just about every team will have a weakness. As you probably suspect, we perceive yours to be at running back.

In 2017, that's not an instant fantasy team killer like it might have been five years ago. Your league setup also doesn't mandate running back strength to the extent that many do. So in this particular case, we absolutely think you're strong enough elsewhere to overcome it. You've definitely got a good team here, but we'd feel better if we knew you were committed to keeping an eye out for the 2017 version of last season's David Johnson or 2014's C.J. Anderson or Jeremy Hill.

Players we particularly like on this team include Robby Anderson, Jordan Matthews, Tim Hightower, Anquan Boldin, Ben Roethlisberger, Golden Tate, and Mason Crosby. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 80 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 65 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 52 percent chance of making the playoffs.
QB Summary:

We have Andrew Luck rated #7 among quarterbacks, which makes him a less-than-stellar starter in this league. But we like the selection of our #11-rated QB, Ben Roethlisberger, to go with him. Hopefully between the two of them, you should be able to cobble together some good production at the position, but this strategy always carries with it the downside that you'll drive yourself crazy trying to decide who to start from week to week.

Incidentally, these two have a pretty nice combined schedule and a decent playoff schedule too. If you simply played the one with the better matchup each week, this is the schedule you'd face:
CLE | ARI | CLE | BAL | SF | TEN | CIN | DET | HOU | IND | TEN | GB | CIN | BAL | NE | BAL

RB Summary:

We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Ezekiel Elliott ranked at #19 and Carlos Hyde ranked at #22.

Adrian Peterson is a little below average as a third running back. Shane Vereen is also a fair-to-middlin' fourth running back. Jacquizz Rodgers should be a good fifth running back.

Tim Hightower is an excellent depth pick and good insurance for Hyde.

A quick note about the same-team Elliott/Dez Bryant duo you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more (not less) consistent than a comparable-scoring different-team pair. See this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Carlos Hyde is ranked #10 by some of our writers, which would make him a great second running back and even a legitimate RB1. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Hyde is talented and the QB upgrade should help. Also, having Kyle Shanahan (and his running scheme) should help Hyde. I do not make much ado about the rookie, Joe Williams. Hyde's biggest issue has always been his availability. "

Some of our staffers have Adrian Peterson as high as #19, which would make him a great third running back and even a legitimate RB2. Matt Waldman's take: "Many of the people I follow for NFL coverage on social media seem convinced that Adrian Peterson is no longer a quality NFL back. I haven't studied his games close enough to see what they saw (if they studied him), but I have spent the past 12 years studying running backs and blocking schemes close enough to tell you that, just from watching his early games, I saw more problems with the offensive line than a running back with diminished skills. Thus far in camp, Peterson has looked a lot like the same back he was when he won a rushing title three years ago. Peterson has been labeled the most powerful of the three Saints backs between the tackles on a consistent basis in practice. While never a great receiver, he catches outlet passes just fine. He'll earn them despite concerns stating otherwise. There are a lot "great receivers" that we hear about who never become factors in the passing game. "

Shane Vereen is ranked #43 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine fourth running back. Jason Wood reasons, "Vereen missed most of 2016 but is healthy and should return to his familiar role as a 3rd down specialist"

WR Summary:

Your starting receiver group is a strength, particularly Dez Bryant as a second receiver. We figure them at a combined 1.0 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Demaryius Thomas is our #11 ranked receiver, Bryant is #12, and we have Golden Tate 22nd.

Your bench also looks good. Robby Anderson looks great as a fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Jordan Matthews will also be among the best WR5s in the league. Tough to do better than Anquan Boldin at WR6.

We're not sure that Cooper Kupp adds much, as you're already strong at the position and we aren't convinced he's roster-worthy in this league anyway.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Demaryius Thomas ranked as high as eighth, which would make him a fine first receiver. Jason Wood defends his high ranking as follows: "Thomas' quarterback situation won't be any worse in 2016, and it could be much better"

Some of our staffers have Cooper Kupp as high as #40, which would make him a great seventh receiver and even a legitimate WR4. Matt Waldman's take: "The Rams are already impressed with Cooper Kupp on the field. He knows the entire route tree and multiple positions, which is rare for rookie receivers. Of the receivers I've studied at the Senior Bowl, Kupp was by far the best at releasing against press coverage that I have seen at the event. It may not translate immediately as a pro, but the odds are higher it will. He could start this year, and the Rams have him listed as such heading into training camp."

TE Summary:

Zach Ertz is viable but below average as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #7). We're also not too fired up about Austin Hooper as a backup.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Zach Ertz ranked as high as fourth, which would make him an above average first tight end. Jason Wood defends his high ranking as follows: "Ertz may never have a Travis Kelce-esque season, but he's an important cog in the Eagles wheel and will be an every-year fantasy TE1"

Some members of our staff have Austin Hooper ranked as high as 10th, which would make him a great second tight end and even a legitimate TE1. Matt Waldman defends his high ranking as follows: "During the Super Bowl, Hooper flashed the skill that made him Atlanta's pick as its future TE. He's a fluid, rebounder with a greater quickness after the catch than characterized. He may see some surprising competition from rookie Erick Saubert if the Drake product learns the offense fast, but that's a big "if". So far, Hooper has been praised for his production in camp and his work ethic. Matt Ryan has developed a stronger rapport with Hooper and expects a strong season from the starter."

Kicker Summary:

With Mason Crosby, you should be above average at the position.

Defense Summary:

The Patriots are probably not a difference-maker at defense, but they should be OK.

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. And you happen to have done just that. Here is the combined schedule of the Patriots and Jaguars:

Book of Eli:

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Dak Prescott
RB: Devonta Freeman, Lamar Miller, Terrance West, Frank Gore, C.J. Anderson, DOnta Foreman, Marlon Mack
WR: Kelvin Benjamin, Davante Adams, Cameron Meredith, Marqise Lee, Chris Hogan, Curtis Samuel, Mike Williams
TE: Jack Doyle, Antonio Gates
PK: Matt Bryant
TD: Denver Broncos
Overview:

We think you're looking good at quarterback and running back. The receiver corps is a concern though.

The good news is that, of all of the weaknesses to have, this one is usually the most survivable. At receiver, it's often relatively easy to find fill-in guys on a weekly basis until a better player emerges during the season.

Last year wide receivers like Tyrell Williams and Jamison Crowder went undrafted in many leagues. But these guys likely helped the fantasy teams that landed them in 2013. Stay atop the news and watch the target report to find the break out players weeks before the rest of the world wants them and you'll be in the mix.
Players we particularly like on this team include Terrance West, Devonta Freeman, Lamar Miller, Frank Gore, and Matt Bryant. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 55 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 38 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 17 of 2014:

C.J. Anderson vs. OAK: 107 combined yards, 3 TD
Lamar Miller vs. NYJ: 178 combined yards, 1 TD
Aaron Rodgers vs. DET: 226 passing yards, 3 TD
Terrance West vs. BAL: 106 combined yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:

You don't need us to tell you this, but we'll tell you anyway: Aaron Rodgers should ensure that your production at the quarterback position is among the best in the league. We have him as the #1 QB according to your scoring rules, and we figure he gives you about a 3.0 point-per-game advantage over an average starting QB.

We also love Dak Prescott as a backup. In fact, we think he's good enough to be someone's starting quarterback in this league. With Rodgers in place as your starter, he's something of a luxury for you. If he plays like we expect, you should be able to get good value for him in a trade after quarterback injuries hit some of your opponents.

Incidentally, Prescott has what we project as a neutral matchup (WAS) during Rodgers's bye.

A quick note about the Rodgers/Davante Adams hookup you've got here: while we think the effect of the quarterback/receiver hookup has largely been exaggerated in fantasy football circles, it does have a tendency to make your team somewhat more inconsistent than comparable scoring duos from different NFL teams. But if you like the players at both ends of the connection, we do not see any need to make a change because of it.

RB Summary:

Nice work here. We like both your starting running backs, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 2.7 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Devonta Freeman ranked third and Lamar Miller ranked 10th.

Your bench also looks good. Tough to do better than Terrance West at RB3; he's a likely flex starter. Frank Gore will also be among the best RB4s in the league. C.J. Anderson looks great as a fifth running back.

Since you're strong at the position, you probably don't absolutely need to roster more than five players here. Stashing DOnta Foreman, however, is probably a wise move in case something happens to Miller. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

DOnta Foreman is ranked #33 by some of our writers, which would make him a great sixth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "This high ranking is indicative of the lesser ranking of Miller. I project the two to split snaps closer to 50/50 than most expect. Even if Foreman gets 40% of the snaps, he will be a viable fantasy option some weeks. The recent arrest is not concerning enough to effect the ranking until more details are known"

WR Summary:

We see all your starters at receiver as below average. Kelvin Benjamin is our 25th ranked WR, Davante Adams is #27, and we have Cameron Meredith 47th.

Marqise Lee is a very weak fourth receiver. Chris Hogan is also a liability at fifth receiver. Curtis Samuel is a very weak sixth receiver.

Because you're not particularly strong overall at the position, adding some depth here was a good idea. But we're not convinced Mike Williams is the right player for the job. Check the end of the report for some alternative suggestions.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Davante Adams ranked as high as 14th, which would make him an above average second receiver. Chad Parsons defends his high ranking as follows: "The Packers are one of the few pass games to fuel multiple top-20 receivers with consistency. In fact, 5-of-6 recent seasons have seen two Green Bay receivers in the top-20 of points-per-game production. Even with a healthy Jordy Nelson, Adams is a safe WR2 bet with WR1 weeks mixed in."

Some members of our staff have Marqise Lee ranked as high as 45th, which would make him a fine fourth receiver. Steve Holloway defends his high ranking as follows: "Marqise Lee was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jaguars and had his most successful season by far in 2016. He played in all 16 games for the first time in his career and caught a career high 63 passes for 851 yards and 3 touchdowns. Allen Hurns, who is Lee's main competition, struggled with nagging injuries all season (five games missed) and has reportedly added weight this off-season to avoid hamstring issues. The added weight could turn into a negative for Hurns, who has never been a plus athlete running a 4.55 second 40-yard dash and managing only a 31" vertical. It is possible that Lee could move ahead of Allen Hurns in 2017."

Some of our staffers have Curtis Samuel as high as #51, which would make him a great sixth receiver and even a legitimate WR5. Jeff Tefertiller's take: "I am interested to see how the Panthers - a team that struggled to use the speed of Ted Ginn - will use both McCaffrey and Samuel. We can all see the upside, but will the Panthers?"

TE Summary:

This is a pretty motley crew. We don't see Jack Doyle as a viable starter or Antonio Gates as an above average backup. Help is needed.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some of our staffers have Jack Doyle as high as #8, which would make him a fine first tight end. Jeff Tefertiller's take: "With D Allen now in New England, I am the conductor of the Jack Doyle bandwagon. All aboard. He broke out last year and is now assuming a much larger role. "

Kicker Summary:

With Matt Bryant, you should be above average at the position.

Defense Summary:

The Broncos are our #1 ranked defense, so you're in good shape here.

Breesway gentra:

QB: Drew Brees, Deshaun Watson
RB: David Johnson, Theo Riddick, Paul Perkins, Samaje Perine, Elijah McGuire
WR: Doug Baldwin, Julian Edelman, DeSean Jackson, Corey Davis, Breshad Perriman, Robert Woods, Tavon Austin, John Ross, JuJu Smith-Schuster
TE: Jimmy Graham, O.J. Howard
PK: Justin Tucker
TD: Kansas City Chiefs
Overview:

Let's start by remarking that we appreciate your old-school leanings: you have a team marked by strength at the running back position. But with the quarterback and wide receiver both being less strong, you may need to do something to change the outlook of this team. Your deficiencies are likely to show themselves through the bye weeks, so try to manuever early in improving the quarterback and/or receiver positions before week four.

Keep an eye out for quarterbacks like Dak Prescott from last year, Blake Bortles from the year before, and Ben Roethlisberger from the year before that. All were available cheap in August, and all contributed to fantasy championship teams. Similarly, wide receivers like Tyrell Williams and Jamison Crowder were available after a lot of the drafts last season. Landing some of this year's top waiver players would be a huge help, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 31 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 15 of 2015:

David Johnson vs. PHI: 229 combined yards, 3 TD
DeSean Jackson vs. BUF: 153 receiving yards, 1 TD
Tavon Austin vs. TB: 41 receiving yards, 2 TD
Drew Brees vs. DET: 341 passing yards, 3 TD
Doug Baldwin vs. CLE: 45 receiving yards, 2 TD
QB Summary:

We expect Drew Brees to be a solid starter. According to our projections, he's the #5 QB, so you should be better off than most teams in the starting quarterback slot.

As of now, we're not buying Deshaun Watson as a viable backup quarterback. Even though Brees should be starting for you most weeks, we'd recommend an upgrade here if possible (we'll make some specific suggestions at the end of the report).

Incidentally, Watson has what we project as a neutral matchup (KC) during Brees's bye.

RB Summary:

Your starting running back group is a strength, particularly David Johnson as a top running back. We figure them at a combined 4.1 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Johnson ranked first and Theo Riddick ranked at #27.

Paul Perkins is a little below average as a third running back. Samaje Perine is also a liability at fourth running back. Elijah McGuire is a very weak fifth running back.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Theo Riddick is ranked #16 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average second running back. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "I expect Riddick to lead the Lions backfield in fantasy points this season. His receiving ability will allow him to put up solid points every week"

Some of our staffers have Samaje Perine as high as #27, which would make him a great fourth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Bob Henry's take: "No disrespect to Rob Kelley intended, but I believe Perine has as good a shot to lead his team in rushing yards and touchdowns as any rookie out there. Perine seems undervalued to me as a best pass blocker and his ability to contribute overall on third downs and he's an battering ram on short-yardage or goal line situations. Kelley will remain a formidable back and probably even begin the season as a starter, but Perine's abilities in those two areas will get him on the field early. His talent will keep him on it and expand possibly into a featured role. "

WR Summary:

We see all your starters at receiver as below average. Doug Baldwin is our 10th ranked WR, Julian Edelman is #34, and we have DeSean Jackson 35th.

Corey Davis is a little below average as a fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. But Breshad Perriman should be a fairly good WR5. Robert Woods should be a good sixth receiver.

Though some teams will probably be content to roster as few as six players here, it was not a bad idea to take a few extras because you're not particularly strong overall at the position. Of your remaining guys, we like Tavon Austin the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

A quick note about the same-team Baldwin/Jimmy Graham duo you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more (not less) consistent than a comparable-scoring different-team pair. See this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Doug Baldwin ranked as high as ninth, which would make him a fine first receiver. Steve Holloway defends his high ranking as follows: "Doug Baldwin was an undrafted free agent in 2011 and signed with the Seahawks following the NFL Lockout that year. Ever since Golden Tate left Seattle in free agency after the 2013 season, Baldwin has been the most targeted Seahawk player. He is a very efficient receiver averaging a 68% catch percentage for his career and 73% for the past three seasons. He has also increased his number of targets, receptions, and receiving yardage in each of the past four seasons and has ranked among the top ten wide receivers in both ppr and non-ppr scoring for the past two seasons. He will be a value selection again in 2017 for the third consecutive season. "

Julian Edelman is ranked #18 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average second receiver. Matt Waldman reasons, "2016 was Edelman's second-best season in his 8-year career. I don't think the addition of Brandin Cooks does anything to hurt it. The presence of a fully healthy Rob Gronkowski wouldn't, either. The greatest issue for fantasy owners considering Edelman is his health. Last year was the first season since 2013 where he played the full 16-game slate and just his second complete effort in an 8-year career. He's a strong PPR option with a dual outside/slot role and a reliable non-PPR option who should provide low-end WR2/high-end WR3 production in an excellent offense that has enough weapons to fill his box score with easy targets as Tom Brady moves him around the formation to exploit good pre-snap matchups. "

Some members of our staff have Corey Davis ranked as high as 31st, which would make him a great fourth receiver and even a legitimate WR3. Jeff Tefertiller defends his high ranking as follows: "Davis is an elite prospect who might disappoint fantasy owners in year one while playing in a run-oriented offense. He could be special, though, so patience is encouraged"

Breshad Perriman is ranked #40 by some of our writers, which would make him a great fifth receiver and even a legitimate WR4. Jeff Haseley reasons, "I'm starting to turn the corner on Breshad Perriman and have bumped him up my rankings after hearing about these credible quotes from recent team activities: "He's going to be one of the top receivers in the league this year. You can tell it's night and day with his confidence level" - Mike Wallace. "He's making big plays everywhere, catching everything that comes his way. Nobody I think is having a better camp than him so far." - Dennis Pitta (when he was still on the team) I'm still a bit wary given his injury history and lack of elite production, plus the addition of Jeremy Maclin puts a wrench in heightened expectations. You can't deny the hype though, and it's becoming clear that he's one to watch. "

Some of our staffers have Robert Woods as high as #44, which would make him a great sixth receiver and even a legitimate WR4. Jeff Pasquino's take: "Robert Woods left Buffalo via free agency for the Los Angeles Rams in part to show that he can be the top receiver in an NFL offense, and all the early news coming from the Rams has Woods stepping up his game this offseason. Woods sits atop the depth chart for Los Angeles and with the Rams losing Kenny Britt (Cleveland) via free agency, Woods could easily be the top receiver and primary target for Jared Goff. "

TE Summary:

Jimmy Graham should be above average as a starting tight end. We have him ranked fifth overall at the position. We don't see O.J. Howard as an adequate second tight end. An upgrade here would be nice, but if Graham holds up, it won't matter.

Kicker Summary:

With Justin Tucker, you should be above average at the position.

Defense Summary:

The Chiefs are our #4 ranked defense, so you're in good shape here.

Arnold Babar:

QB: Philip Rivers, Andy Dalton
RB: Ty Montgomery, Tevin Coleman, Giovani Bernard, Darren McFadden, Charles Sims, Branden Oliver
WR: Jordy Nelson, T.Y. Hilton, Tyreek Hill, Tyrell Williams, Adam Thielen, Allen Hurns, Cole Beasley, Mohamed Sanu
TE: Tyler Eifert, C.J. Fiedorowicz
PK: Dustin Hopkins
TD: Cincinnati Bengals
Overview:

Your receivers are the strongest part of this team. It's rare for us to endorse a team with weaknesses at quarterback and running back, but we're doing it right here! You should have a contender here. But your margin for error in terms of inseason management could be a bit thinner than some of your competitors'. You must remain committed to finding 2017's emergent players at RB and QB.

Players we particularly like on this team include Adam Thielen, C.J. Fiedorowicz, Tyrell Williams, Allen Hurns, Andy Dalton, Cole Beasley, T.Y. Hilton, Tyreek Hill, and Mohamed Sanu. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 85 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 62 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 6 of 2014:

T.Y. Hilton vs. HOU: 223 receiving yards, 1 TD
Giovani Bernard vs. CAR: 157 combined yards, 1 TD
Branden Oliver vs. OAK: 124 combined yards, 1 TD
Philip Rivers vs. OAK: 313 passing yards, 3 TD
Mohamed Sanu vs. CAR: 120 receiving yards, 1 TD
Jordy Nelson vs. MIA: 107 receiving yards, 1 TD
Andy Dalton vs. CAR: 323 passing yards, 2 TD
QB Summary:

We have Philip Rivers rated #10 among quarterbacks, which makes him a less-than-stellar starter in this league. But we like the selection of our #15-rated QB, Andy Dalton, to go with him. Hopefully between the two of them, you should be able to cobble together some good production at the position, but this strategy always carries with it the downside that you'll drive yourself crazy trying to decide who to start from week to week.

Incidentally, these two have a terrific combined schedule and a decent playoff schedule too. If you simply played the one with the better matchup each week, this is the schedule you'd face:
BAL | MIA | GB | CLE | BUF | OAK | PIT | IND | JAX | TEN | BUF | CLE | CLE | WAS | KC | DET

A quick note about the Rivers/Tyrell Williams hookup you've got here: while we think the effect of the quarterback/receiver hookup has largely been exaggerated in fantasy football circles, it does have a tendency to make your team somewhat more inconsistent than comparable scoring duos from different NFL teams. But if you like the players at both ends of the connection, we do not see any need to make a change because of it.

RB Summary:

We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Ty Montgomery ranked at #13 and Tevin Coleman ranked 24th.

We see Giovani Bernard as an average third running back. We think Darren McFadden makes a fine fourth running back. Charles Sims is a little below average as a fifth running back.

Branden Oliver is a solid depth pick.

As we mentioned earlier, the QB/receiver hookup tends to make your team a little more inconsistent. But that's not the case with the Montgomery/Jordy Nelson pair you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more consistent if anything. See this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Ty Montgomery ranked as high as 11th, which would make him a fine first running back. Jeff Tefertiller defends his high ranking as follows: "While I am high on the two Green Bay rookie backs, Montgomery will likely still lead the group in touches. His receiving ability will be heavily used. Montgomery is still growing as a RB and will improve this season"

Some members of our staff have Tevin Coleman ranked as high as 13th, which would make him an above average second running back. Justin Howe defends his high ranking as follows: "On raw numbers, Coleman doesn't project as a workhorse RB2 - though he's closer than you'd think - so his ADP will fluctuate wildly from draft to draft. Shrewd owners will appreciate both his timeshare contributions and the monstrous upside that would come in the event of a Devonta Freeman injury. He can hold his own and chime in RB1 weeks as is, but as the lead dog in an often-lethal Falcons attack, he would likely move mountains. All told, Coleman is a fine low-RB target in Round 4 or 5, with the ceiling of a top-eight back."

Some members of our staff have Giovani Bernard ranked as high as 29th, which would make him an above average third running back. Steve Holloway defends his high ranking as follows: "Giovani Bernard is coming off an ACL injury that put him on IR after week 11 of last season. His much lower 2017 ADP is due to the expectation of a slow return to health, reduced athleticism based on that injury and also the potential impact that Joe Mixon, drafted in the second round will have on Bernard's usage. Bernard has always had good burst, shiftiness and quick feet. He has previously shared the running back duties in Cincinnati with others, mostly Jeremy Hill. Bernard has always been prominent in the passing game as he averages 3.4 catches per game played over his four seasons. I suspect that he will maintain that role as the chief target among the running backs and will continue to get rushing carries. As long as he is healthy, he will be a bargain in 2017."

Darren McFadden is ranked #21 by some of our writers, which would make him a great fourth running back and even a legitimate RB2. Chad Parsons reasons, "McFadden is one of the cheapest, but highest upside, primary backup running backs in the NFL. If Ezekiel Elliott were to miss time, McFadden is a weekly RB1 without question."

WR Summary:

Your starting receiver group is a strength, particularly T.Y. Hilton as a second receiver. We figure them at a combined 3.8 points per game better than an average opponent in this league. Jordy Nelson is our sixth ranked WR, Hilton is #8, and we have Tyreek Hill 21st.

Your bench also looks good. We love Tyrell Williams as a fourth receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Adam Thielen will also be among the best WR5s in the league. We love Allen Hurns as a sixth receiver.

Since you're strong at the position, you probably don't absolutely need to roster more than six players here. Of your remaining guys, we like Cole Beasley the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Jordy Nelson is ranked #2 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average first receiver. Matt Waldman reasons, "I've been saying for 3-4 years that Nelson's skills are among the best among NFL receivers. Coming off an ACL tear, Nelson kicked it into high gear thanks to the emergence of Davante Adams as a legitimate fantasy starter. Adams' production was good for No. 7 overall among non-PPR fantasy wideouts and it's that combo of Nelson, Adams, and Cobb that is exhibit "A" of my argument that excellent players surrounding a top quarterback do not hurt a primary target due to the "too many mouths to feed" argument. Fantasy Ageists will worry about Nelson being 31, but top receivers often deliver strong production between the ages of 29-33. If you're worried the end comes at 30, I have two things to say: 1) You're only beginning to figure out what this life thing is all about 2)You won't have a difficult time selecting a different first-round receiver with top-10 potential in the first or second round, even if you miss out on another top-5 season by one of the most technically sound and physical receivers in the game right now. "

TE Summary:

Tyler Eifert is just OK as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #9). So the selection of C.J. Fiedorowicz, who we see as a solid backup, was wise.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Tyler Eifert ranked as high as fifth, which would make him an above average first tight end. Justin Howe defends his high ranking as follows: "Eifert isn't an especially popular pick due to a lengthy injury history - and few drafters are prioritizing him near Travis Kelce or Jordan Reed. But his career production isn't far off from either; his 20 full games from 2015-16 provided averages of 4.2 receptions, 50.8 yards, and a studly 0.9 touchdowns. Those scoring numbers aren't fluky, either. Eifert has been targeted 27 times in the red zone over that span and 13 times from inside the 10, 5th-most among all tight ends (despite missing 12 games). His solid offensive stake and red zone prowess are so stout that a 16-game season (or something close) would certainly return a top-4 TE finish, at worst. He fits in beautifully wherever the value drops off elsewhere, as a high-upside stab at a weak position. Round 7 seems about right in any format."

Kicker Summary:

Dustin Hopkins, our eighth ranked kicker, won't win the league for you, but he'll do.

Defense Summary:

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Bengals', along with the combined schedule that each would create:

jitneystand1:

QB: Kirk Cousins, Sam Bradford
RB: LeSean McCoy, DeMarco Murray, Danny Woodhead, Matt Forte, James White, Rex Burkhead
WR: Sammy Watkins, Pierre Garcon, Terrelle Pryor, Eric Decker, John Brown, Ted Ginn, Paul Richardson, J.J. Nelson
TE: Martellus Bennett, Coby Fleener
PK: Adam Vinatieri
TD: Los Angeles Chargers
Overview:

Let's start by remarking that we appreciate your old-school leanings: you have a team marked by strength at the running back position. But with the quarterback and wide receiver both being less strong, you may need to do something to change the outlook of this team. Your deficiencies are likely to show themselves through the bye weeks, so try to manuever early in improving the quarterback and/or receiver positions before week four.

Keep an eye out for quarterbacks like Dak Prescott from last year, Blake Bortles from the year before, and Ben Roethlisberger from the year before that. All were available cheap in August, and all contributed to fantasy championship teams. Similarly, wide receivers like Tyrell Williams and Jamison Crowder were available after a lot of the drafts last season. Landing some of this year's top waiver players would be a huge help, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.

Players we particularly like on this team include Danny Woodhead, Matt Forte, Rex Burkhead, and Coby Fleener. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 31 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 15 of 2015:

Danny Woodhead vs. MIA: 60 combined yards, 4 TD
Kirk Cousins vs. BUF: 319 passing yards, 5 TD
Sammy Watkins vs. WAS: 111 receiving yards, 2 TD
Ted Ginn vs. NYG: 85 receiving yards, 2 TD
Matt Forte vs. MIN: 104 combined yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:

We have Kirk Cousins rated #13 among quarterbacks, so we're not even sold on him as a fantasy starter in your league. And we're not sure that Sam Bradford (our #25-rated QB) is likely to provide much help.

Incidentally, these two have a terrific combined schedule and a decent playoff schedule too. If you simply played the one with the better matchup each week, this is the schedule you'd face:
NO | LAR | OAK | DET | CHI | GB | BAL | CLE | SEA | WAS | NO | DET | ATL | CAR | CIN | GB

A quick note about the Cousins/Terrelle Pryor hookup you've got here: while we think the effect of the quarterback/receiver hookup has largely been exaggerated in fantasy football circles, it does have a tendency to make your team somewhat more inconsistent than comparable scoring duos from different NFL teams. But if you like the players at both ends of the connection, we do not see any need to make a change because of it.

RB Summary:

Nice work here. We like both your starting running backs, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 2.6 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Our projections have LeSean McCoy ranked at #4 and DeMarco Murray ranked at #8.

Your bench also looks good. Tough to do better than Danny Woodhead at RB3; he's a likely flex starter. Matt Forte will also be among the best RB4s in the league. James White looks great as a fifth running back.

Rex Burkhead is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.

WR Summary:

We see all your starters at receiver as below average. Sammy Watkins is our 23rd ranked WR, Pierre Garcon is #31, and we have Terrelle Pryor 40th.

Your bench looks good and should help offset the unexciting starting unit. Eric Decker should serve as a very solid fourth receiver. John Brown should also be solidly above average at WR5. Ted Ginn should serve as a very solid sixth receiver.

Though some teams will probably be content to roster as few as six players here, it was not a bad idea to take a few extras because you're not particularly strong overall at the position. Of your remaining guys, we like Paul Richardson the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Pierre Garcon is ranked #27 by some of our writers. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Garcon is one of my favorite fantasy plays this season. He is drafted late, yet is the lone WR on a team who will have to throw often. Also, Hoyer is not a bad QB and Shanahan is calling the plays. "

Some members of our staff have Terrelle Pryor ranked as high as 15th, which would make him a great third receiver and even a legitimate WR2. Matt Waldman defends his high ranking as follows: "It's puzzling that Pryor didn't have more suitors in free agency. He dominated some good cover corners last year and his lack of WR1-caliber production was less his fault than that of youthful or poor quarterback play. He and Josh Doctson have the physical ability to challenge any tandem of receivers in the league as they add experience and develop a rapport with Kirk Cousins. Pryor should begin the year as the more reliable option and his experience in Hue Jackson's offense should help him adjust quickly to Jay Gruden's West Coast system. His work ethic to develop this fast as a conversion project from quarterback should carry weight among fantasy owners. He's already reached out and worked with numerous top receivers (current and former) this summer. Pryor has elite WR1 upside and while the talk of fantasy leagues is Jamison Crowder, he's a good all-around option who lacks that extra notch of athletic ability that Pryor offers. "

Some of our staffers have Paul Richardson as high as #44, which would make him a great seventh receiver and even a legitimate WR4. Matt Waldman's take: "Richardson's playoff production doesn't mean much to our staffers right now. Understandable, but I've always been towing the Richardson bandwagon and the fact that Seattle has already stated prior to the draft that it wants to target him more is enough for me to project him as no worse than a bye-week option. I think he has WR2 upside as a playmaker. While many expect Richardson to lose this spot to Tyler Lockett, he's starting ahead of Jermaine Kearse in the base offense opposite Doug Baldwin. A good sign that he'll be in a lot of three-wide looks."

TE Summary:

Martellus Bennett is just OK as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #12). So the selection of Coby Fleener, who we see as a solid backup, was wise.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Martellus Bennett is ranked #6 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average first tight end. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Aaron Rodgers made Jared Cook and Richard Rodgers viable over the past two years. Bennett is a huge upgrade over those two tight ends. Bennett has a shot to surprise fantasy owners with a TE1 finish"

Kicker Summary:

Adam Vinatieri, our 10th ranked kicker, is below average but probably adequate.

Defense Summary:

When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Chargers', along with the combined schedule that each would create:

jwwhite15:

QB: Tom Brady, Eli Manning
RB: Spencer Ware, Joe Mixon, Rob Kelley, LeGarrette Blount, Jeremy Hill, Alfred Morris, Kenneth Dixon
WR: Mike Evans, Brandon Marshall, Martavis Bryant, Kenny Stills, Brandon LaFell
TE: Travis Kelce, Jason Witten
PK: Stephen Gostkowski, Sebastian Janikowski
TD: Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers
Overview:

The quarterback position looks good, and we like your overall strength at the tradionally less important positions as well. But it has some serious issues post-draft. Your only real core strength is at quarterback, yet that's often the easiest position to fill during the season. Your weaknesses at both running back and receiver put you in a hole before any games have played. To end up with a team constructed like this, you probably did not get value on some of your selections. The players themselves are not necessarily bad --- you just might have paid more than what they were worth.

To make this team into a serious contender, you are going to need to be extremely active in trades and on the waiver wire. You esentially need to turn over significant parts of this roster. Last year running backs like Rob Kelley and Mike Gillislee could be had dirt cheap at the draft. Additionally, wide receivers like Tyrell Williams and Jamison Crowder were available after a lot of the drafts. You are likely going to need to land some of this year's top waiver plays, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.

Players we particularly like on this team include Rob Kelley, Jason Witten, and the Steelers defense. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 50 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 32 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 9 of 2014:

Jeremy Hill vs. JAX: 163 combined yards, 2 TD
Mike Evans vs. CLE: 124 receiving yards, 2 TD
Alfred Morris vs. MIN: 109 combined yards, 2 TD
Tom Brady vs. DEN: 333 passing yards, 4 TD
Eli Manning vs. IND: 359 passing yards, 2 TD
Martavis Bryant vs. BAL: 44 receiving yards, 2 TD
QB Summary:

You don't need us to tell you this, but we'll tell you anyway: Tom Brady should ensure that your production at the quarterback position is among the best in the league. We have him as the #2 QB according to your scoring rules, and we figure he gives you about a 2.3 point-per-game advantage over an average starting QB.

Eli Manning, who we have rated as the #16 QB, is a fine backup.

Incidentally, Manning has what we project as a neutral matchup (LAR) during Brady's bye.

RB Summary:

We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Spencer Ware ranked at #18 and Joe Mixon ranked at #26.

Rob Kelley should serve as a very solid third running back; he's a likely flex starter. LeGarrette Blount should be adequate at RB4. Jeremy Hill is a little below average as a fifth running back.

Though some teams will probably be content to roster as few as five players here, it was not a bad idea to take a few extras because you're not particularly strong overall at the position. Of your remaining guys, we like Alfred Morris the best, but you should keep the one you think has the best chance of putting up starter numbers. The rest might be considered expendable if you find you need roster space elsewhere.

A quick note about the same-team Ware/Travis Kelce duo you've got here. Though the effect is probably negligible, this kind of pairing is likely to make your team more (not less) consistent than a comparable-scoring different-team pair. See this article (which was written before the 2008 season) for more discussion.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Joe Mixon ranked as high as 14th, which would make him an above average second running back. Chad Parsons defends his high ranking as follows: "With Jeremy Hill falling out of favor and Gio Bernard recovering from injury, Joe Mixon is in an ideal situation to collect a strong share of the backfield in Cincinnati. Mixon is arguably the best two-way running back in the 2017 draft class and the Bengals drafting him in Round 2, despite his off-field concerns, points to a Round 1 grade by the team. "

LeGarrette Blount is ranked #26 by some of our writers, which would make him a great fourth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Matt Waldman reasons, "Another year, another season where folks underestimate Blount. He was written off for being too slow, but he illustrated why acceleration and change-of-direction quickness were always more important traits. He was written off for being a stiff plodder but continues to show great hip and ankle flexion to avoid penetration in the backfield, turning certain losses into moderate gains. He's now being written off in Philadelphia because he won't have Tom Brady and the Patriots' surrounding talent. However, Blount is joining one of the best offensive lines in the league and if you say that he doesn't catch enough passes, didn't New England field multiple receiving backs while Blount was the No. 7 fantasy RB last year and the No. 12 option for the first 10 weeks of 2015? Maybe the age monsters will rise from the edge of our flat earth and swallow Blount whole in 2017. It will be the first thing folks get right about him. "

Some of our staffers have Jeremy Hill as high as #29, which would make him a great fifth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Matt Waldman's take: "I'm accounting for the possibility that Hill will show enough this summer to remain an early factor. However, the future is Joe Mixon and Gio Bernard and the present is a bad offensive line. Hill is good enough to start in the NFL for a long time, but this is little more than a tryout year on a team likely to obscure his talents due to poor line play. I'm not drafting a piece of the Cincinnati backfield if I can help it."

WR Summary:

We like Mike Evans as a top WR, but we consider your starting receivers, as a group, to be a little below par. Evans is our fourth ranked WR, Brandon Marshall is #37, and we have Martavis Bryant 43rd.

Kenny Stills is a very weak fourth receiver. Brandon LaFell is also a liability at fifth receiver.

We might suggest adding a bit more depth here. See the end of the report for some suggestions on who to pick up.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some of our staffers have Brandon Marshall as high as #26. Jeff Haseley's take: "I like Brandon Marshall this year. He's performed well for every team he's played for, so I don't anticipate any learning curve issues. His tremendous skill set will see a lot of single coverage while Beckham will be the main focus most of the time. In my opinion he's an outstanding WR3 if you can get him there. "

TE Summary:

As you are well aware, Travis Kelce is an elite tight end. We have him ranked second overall at the position. He's about 2.1 points per game better than an average starting TE in this league. Jason Witten is a nice backup.

Kicker Summary:

At about 0.8 points per game above average, Stephen Gostkowski is our first ranked kicker, so you're set here. Given and your league setup, we don't really see a need to carry more than one kicker.

Defense Summary:

Between the Cardinals and the Steelers, you should get above average production here.

Anquan Boldin would rather retire than play for MoMoney. Damn, that's whack

I think we are at 3 season ending injuries plus a 6 game suspension of a top pick, all since we drafted. I predict a flurry of waiver moves week 1.

There are a couple ways I have found to do this.

If you are using desktop there is an option under the 'For Owners' tab that is labeled 'My Watch List' that shows everybody in alphabetical order - highlight a name there and click the button at the bottom of the page.

Also, if you click on a name from the 'Player Stats' tab it opens options at the top of that specific player's page. One of those is 'Add To Watch List'

If you are using the phone App you can search under 'Find A Player' on the left side then select a name from the list, then click the arrow at the top of the page(next to the map) and that will open up options for Add,Draft, and Add to Watch List

I agree the MFL site sucks but would like to echo thanks to the commish for setting this up. Putting something like this together is a thankless job for sure.

Also, I really enjoyed the slow draft even if it meant I checked that damn site 500 times in a week checking for my turn

C'mon Mancrushin' - I am not against trading but you can't offer me two of your bench warmers for two of my starters

So after 3 weeks we are going to have six 2-1 teams and six 1-2 teams?

#parity

Boscokid is Diggstown. Games like that are why I rejected a few trade offers before the season, seems like when he is on the catches and yards come in bunches for Diggs.

Still not 100% sold on Gurley but they are using him on the field almost every play

Really enjoyed the slow draft - absolutely hated the MFL software.