Way back in 2006, a young sports reporter walked into the doors of Fanball world headquarters wearing a freshly dry-cleaned suit looking for a full-time gig in fantasy sports. After getting a lot of weird looks from the staff for overdressing, I met with the publisher, Bo Mitchell, who after several bribes finally relented and offered me a job. These days, Bo is vice president of content at SportsData, so he’s still kind of a big deal. He also was a guest co-host with me for one glorious Sunday on ESPN 1500’s Fantasy Football Sunday last season.
At any rate, Bo’s a guy whose brain is ripe for picking. And with mock draft season here, I figured it’s time to touch base with Mr. Mitchell to talk shop. So, Bo, my first question: Assuming your top three running backs are AP, Charles and McCoy, in some order, who is fourth, why is he fourth, and would you draft him over Jimmy Graham, Peyton Manning and Calvin Johnson?
Bo:
That day in 2006 was the last time I’ve seen you over-dressed, Magsh.
Bo Mitchell
As for your question, you’ve astutely identified what seems to be the consensus top tier in this year’s drafts. From there, owners need to consider the three players you listed (Manning, Johnson, Graham) as well as a few other running backs, including Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch, Eddie Lacy and probably even Montee Ball.
Typically at this point of a draft I would rather take the top player at another position rather than the fourth-best running back. I acknowledge that the “safe” running backs dry up in a hurry this year and I’d forfeit any chance of having a top-10 runner by passing on one with the fourth pick. However, “top-10” running backs go bust in fantasy football terms more than any other position. Even those top three aren’t immune.
Therefore, I’d likely lean toward Calvin Johnson. Manning’s numbers are going to regress somewhat and the quarterback position is loaded. I like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees just as much as Peyton. All three are very safe. Graham is tempting and he’s a differentiator given the gap between him and the next-ranked tight end on most owners’ cheat sheets. But I’m not sure that gap is as canyon-esque as some folks think. For instance, if (and it’s a sizeable if) Rob Gronkowski stays healthy, he’ll post similar numbers at a fraction of the price. That’s the thing: you can get tight ends that really should put up good numbers (e.g. Julius Thomas, Vernon Davis, Jordan Cameron and Kyle Rudolph) several rounds later.
I’m torn, but if I drafted today I’d select Megatron by a hair over Graham and Forte. (more…)
We’re 99 days away from the start of the NFL season – which means we’re, oh, about 59 days away from the hard-core start of the fantasy football draft schedule.
But when you’re the world’s 17th fantasy expert, you can’t shut down when it comes to the latest NFL fantasy news. We followed it as closely as possible in real time as it happened, but now that most of the offseason movement has taken place, we’ve had a chance to sift through the moves and take a closer look at what they all mean.
Editorial Director Andy Tellijohn and Fantasy Editor Anthony Maggio spent some time discussing Maggio’s observations and thoughts from a fantasy football perspective as teams head into organized team activities. Here’s what he had to say:
Andy: What does your top 10 look like? At what point in the first round do you start thinking WR or QB, if at all this season – and if not in the first, where?
Maggio: My current top 10: Charles, McCoy, Peterson, Calvin, Graham, Forte, Lynch, Manning, Brees, Green. I suppose that answers the question as to where I start thinking WR, QB, and TE. I think RB is quite deep this season, which means I’ll be grabbing other positions a bit earlier relative to past seasons.
Running reactions to the fantasy football ramifications of NFL Free Agency, by whatever Zoneblitz staffer happens to get there first.
April 16
This New York Jets team sure is making itself interesting. Chris Johnson signed a two-year deal with Rex Ryan’s club on Wednesday, finding about as good of a home as he could’ve as a 1B-type running back when it comes to his fantasy prospects. Sure, putting him as the No. 1 in, say, Arizona, might’ve been more desirable strictly speaking in terms of overall carries. But Johnson’s 1A is Chris Ivory, who isn’t happy if he isn’t hurt. When the two are on the field together, Johnson will get enough work to make him dangerous, and viable as a weekly flex play in 12-team leagues. And when CJ2K has to carry the load when Ivory’s on the shelf, he’s a must-start RB2, if not RB1.
– Anthony
April 2
So DeSean Jackson has signed with Washington. Normally I hate the Redskins’ big-time, big-name free agent signings, but this one may be an exception. Jackson himself will probably continue to be a boom-or-bust wide receiver for fantasy purposes. RGIII will take some shots throughout every game, hitting some and missing some. But what he does is open things up for Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed. He also knocks guys like Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan and Aldrick Robinson, who might have been each a notch too high on the WR ranks, down into a likely more appropriate spot in the pecking order. So Robert Griffin better start looking like the 2012 version rather than the 2013 one. The team is starting to erase any legit reasons for him to struggle a year removed from buckling up his knee. – Andy
In a potentially under-the-radar signing, Kenny Britt re-joined Jeff Fisher by signing with the Rams. Britt is supremely talented, though it’s been three years since he put up nearly 800 yards and nine TDs with Tennessee. He’s also a head case. A change of scenery should at least give him a shot to regain his 2010 form. He’s a big potential complement to Tavon Austin, at 6-3 and 215 pounds. While the Rams will probably add another wideout in the draft, I like Britt as a last round pick or a $1 auction guy who could be a great asset but who you wouldn’t miss if he happens to be the first guy you cut when someone better shows up. – Andy
March 27
We took a few days off. But there’s been news over the last few days too. Most recently the announcement this afternoon that Knowshon Moreno has signed with Miami. Adam Schefter broke the news on Twitter. And I think the guy who ends up looking best over this news is Montee Ball. He may still cede some carries to Ronnie Hillman, but Hillman spent more time pondering his night life vices the last few weeks of the 2013 season than he did actually seeing the field. Ball becomes the likely bell cow in Denver. As for Miami, I like Moreno better than Lamar Miller and I like Miller more than I like Daniel Thomas. But I’d rather not have to rely on any of the three. – Andy (more…)
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Andy P, good sleuthing. Horrible result from a horrible idea.
Guys I think we got our first clue this is going to be a small class I looked at the…
I like all the Senior Nominees but if I were to guess I'd say Sharpe,Holmgren Tyrer.
as per Tanier, he' active on social media with Hall stuff, especially with Talk of Fame and his own website…
Where you at, Robert The Greatest?