The 09' All Slacker Fantasy Football Team

Every year I seem to draft with somebody who doesn’t do any homework at all and basically drafts his team based on what he saw in 08’ or years past. You’ll probably see him picking up a fantasy magazine on the way to the draft and asking everybody a million questions during the draft about who is on what team now, who is injured and other things of that nature. On one hand it’s good because you know they will miss opportunities only drafting players they are comfortable with. On the other hand, you know this will be the first guy to start talking trash if somehow his team gets off to a hot start and he really has no idea what he’s doing. I guess that’s one of the reasons this game is so popular.

If you are one of those people, congratulations on making the effort to do some research this year, you might want to check out some player rankings and my other blog entries as well. As a matter of fact, I would prefer that you go there now, this article will only help you slack even more.

Here’s a quick rundown of what this person’s team might look like this year based on player rankings, mock drafts and what I feel should be available. For the sake of time I just choose to pick 6th because it’s in the middle and to only have 12 rounds:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson- although he’s going in the 2nd round of most expert drafts, this guy still thinks he’s a top 3 value.

2. Clinton Portis- may actually provide good value in the second round but he’s just picking him because he knows Clinton plus the only strategy he’s ever heard is RB RB is the first two rounds, so he’s probably missing out here.

3. Steve Smith- again, just picking a player he knows and filling a position of need.

4. Terrell Owens- hears about him every day in the news, always slips down draft boards because of the gamble associated with his personality but doesn’t stop this guy from taking him.

5. Jay Cutler- here is where he really starts getting hurt. Picks Jay Cutler to fill a need and because he’s heard all about him being traded to the Bears. He really loses out with much better value available for quarterbacks in my opinion.

6. Chad Johnson- hasn’t been in camp all year but this guy is shocked he’s still available. Tons of other huge potential like Lee Evans, Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson but he knows Ocho Cinco therefore he plays it safe.

7. Darren Sproles- I may be giving him a little too much credit here backing up his #1 pick with a fairly solid value in the 7th round.
8. Kellen Winslow- knows he needs a TE so picks Winslow despite the risk…might actually be good value here though.

9. Torry Holt – here is where savvy players really take advantage of guys that don’t know what they’re doing. Missing out on more huge potential like Felix Jones, Donnie Avery or Anthony Gonzalez who might be available but they have no clue.

10. Philadelphia Defense- an older defense that lost Brian Dawkins, not the greatest value here.

11. Matt Hasselback- picks a backup qb instead of investing in another rb.

12. David Akers- picks a kicker and defense on the same team. Not a real big deal but I never liked it because if you’re defense is playing well, the team will probably be winning and the offense will have more of a tendency to run the ball and score less. Also too many players on the same team puts you at risk of being inconsistent due to poor matchups, especially in a tough division like the NFC East.

So as you can see the team is pretty old and injury prone. Also, not much potential here, you’re basically hoping that these players can keep putting up the same numbers. So they almost always end up picking players based on where they are at and not what they could become...that is what fantasy fooball is all about, especially toward the later rounds. Finding those players that have high ceilings and potential, but you'll only know of those players if you do your homework. Like the old adage says, "not preparing is preparing to fail".

Well, I guess there’s always the waiver wire. Keep an eye out for my all potential team coming soon.