47 Responses to “2012 Draft Guide: What Did You Miss?”

1. By Scott on Oct 16, 2012

   I will definitely get the Baseball Guide for next year. Thanks for all your help. Would you mind a football question? If Trent Richardson is out, Hardesty would be a good pickup and play this week against the Colts, right? My other option would be to pick up Daryl Richardson, I see the Rams are using him more and more….as SJax keeps not doing well. Which one of these 2 guys do you think will be a better handcuff for now and the future? Thanks!!

2. By Ray Flowers on Oct 16, 2012

   Scott – Hardesty is a moderate talent only. He will NOT replace the production of TRich. Hardesty would be a better option than Daryle Richardson though. Daryl isn’t likely to replace Jackson anytime soon.

3. By Steve on Oct 16, 2012

   Ray,

   Your draft guide was very helpful. However, I came in 2nd but that is bc the 1st place team just went off in the last 2 months. Every single player just took off and there was no looking back. Anyway, thanks for all the help.

   Question: Would you trade Foster/Tate for (a) Megatron, Marshall, or Harvin and Forte or (b) Dez and Run DMC?

   I have F-Jax, Alex Green, William Powell, and David Wilson as my other RBs with Cruz, Colston, James Jones, and Hawkins at WR. We start 2RB, 3WRs, and 1 RB/WR flex in my 1/2 ppr league.

   I’m also trying to get Felix or Hardesty on waivers but doubt it since I’m in the 9 th spot out of 10. I would drop David Wilson. Good/Bad idea?

   Thanks for all your time and help, Ray!

4. By Ray Flowers on Oct 16, 2012

   Steve – I certainly would do the deal. Foster/Tate for Calvin Johnson and Forte is a HUGE win for you. HUGE. Yes, I used caps twice on purpose. Tate is only a handcuff, so your trading a RB1 to get a RB1 and WR1 and you can play both every week whereas Tate shouldn’t be close to starting, not even close, in a 10 tm lg.

   I still like Wilson more than Hardesty, but I could be pushed to taking a chance on Felix, though see this – http://fantasyalarm.com/in-the-trenches-week-6-review-and-backfield-breakdowns/

5. By Vince on Oct 17, 2012

   Hi Ray, I wrote you earlier in the week and you said I needed depth in my RB’s I c johnson, M bush, B tate, M lynch, and D Brown. I’m thinking of dropping D brown and picking up one of these guys. I’m looking for the guy who’s arrow could be pointing up the rest of the season. D richardson, L howling, W Powell, V Ballard, A green,J rodgers, Both caralina running backs, woodhead and blount. Or do I stick with D brown? Thanks for all the help this baseball and football season.

6. By Steve on Oct 17, 2012

   Ray,

   The owner rejected the trade of Foster/Tate for Megatron/Forte. At least I tried. He does have Marshal and Harvin, too. Should I counter with one of them?

   Another trade possibility is the owner who has Spiller. I have F-Jax and can pair him with William Powell to try to grab Matthews who is on the bye. His other RB is CJ?K. What do you think?

   Thanks for your time, Ray!

7. By Ray Flowers on Oct 17, 2012

   Vince – Problem with the guys you speak of is that they aren’t much better options than a healthy Brown. Powell looked sharp and shouldn’t be on waivers, but bad o line and change at QB leaves status a bit up in the air. I’d take a shot on Green who all of a sudden the Packers are committed to as their lead back. He didn’t look great in his last game, but if he’s getting 20 touches a week in that offense he’s a must add.

8. By Ray Flowers on Oct 17, 2012

   Steve – Harvin is elite. I HIGHLY doubt the owner will take that, but certainly try. I’d also give you the thumb up if you can do the deal and get Marshall, but like I wrote earlier, Tate is just a handcuff and his value right now is nowhere close to the other three players.

   With Bills likely to continue splitting carries, I’d be very interested in getting Mathews. I would do fjax/powell for Mathews. Just go to the waiver wire and add the flavor of the week at RB – Jones, Hardesty – and you should be ok.

9. By Steve on Oct 17, 2012

   Again, THANKS, Ray! I’ll try all three and see which one bites! I’ll send in this order and update you on the progress, if any:

   F-Jax/Powell for Matthews
   Foster/Tate for Harvin/Forte
   Foster/Tate for Marshall/Forte

10. By john on Oct 17, 2012

    Hey Ray, i have two decisions on who to start this week..got a few byes..flacco or freeman..and sjax or alex green? what are your thoughts..thanks

11. By Matt K on Oct 17, 2012

    ppr league cobb, hawkins, crabtree or tanner in the flex? And non ppr league s. jackson or alex green, and rudolph or hernadez, also britt or any of these the 2 u don’t pick in the flex? thanks.

12. By Ray Flowers on Oct 18, 2012

    John – Flacco and SJax for me. For more see –
    http://fantasyalarm.com/In-the-Trenches-Wk-7-A-Positional-Breakdown/

13. By Ray Flowers on Oct 18, 2012

    Matt K – Go Cobb. Easily the best choice out of that crew this week. He’s a top-20 WR for me this week.

    SJax over Green.
    Start Hernandez. Should look to deal Rudolph not that aaron is healthy.
    Rudolph as flex.

14. By Vince on Oct 18, 2012

    Hi Ray, I appreciate all the help. I need your help with a trade. I would get Cutler, A peterson, Calvin johnson, j graham, m ingram, j blackman. I would send Brees, D thomas, C johnson, A gates, M bush, B gibson. I know I’m upgrading big time at WR, RB, and TE but is the loss of brees and getting cutler to much? Thanks

15. By Ray Flowers on Oct 18, 2012

    Vince – I HATE deals that are this big. Simply put – way too many parts to get a truly accurate read on.

    Cutler less than Brees.
    AD more than Thomas.
    Calvin J better than Cj2k.
    Graham (hurt) = Gates until we know how severe ankle issue is.
    Ingram worse than MBush.
    Blackmon = Gibson

    With the uncertainty around Graham, I honestly don’t know how much you improve.
    Still, AD, Calvin Johnson and Graham – worth the risk if you have a passable option at TE until Graham is good.

16. By Steve on Oct 19, 2012

    Ray,

    An update on the trade front. I tried for MegaTron, again, and the two I have out there are:

    Trade A
    Foster, Tate, Gates for MegaTron, Forte, and Gonzo
    (This owner has Vernon, too, and is hinting he may do this. Remember, he has Marshall and Harvin, but also Britt as his WRs. He can afford this.)

    Trade B
    Hardesty and Owen Daniels for Jennings
    (Last place team who unfortunately has the disappointing hype machine Finley. Also, only worth RBs are Gore and Bradshaw with DeAngelo on the bench. Jennings isn’t doing anything for him and most likely won’t for the next week or two and possibly until after the bye. If he doesn’t bite, I can always counter with William Powell and his brutal schedule vs top run defenses and Owen Daniels)

    I’ll keep you updated. I’m hoping I can pull off both deals.

17. By Ray Flowers on Oct 19, 2012

    Steve – If you can get CJ, Forte and Gonzalez, solid deal for sure.

    Deal B – so much uncertainty with Jennings. Could be a big win or big loss.

18. By Steve on Oct 19, 2012

    Thanks, Ray!

    Is it me or did the Yankees look old and desperate? It kind of sucks when the supposedly big players absolutely put up stinkers. No one on the Yankee roster hit well. Give credit to Detroit, too. Their SP was dominating! Another contributing factor is the loss of their leader. Jeter means so much to this team on and off the field.

    And look at what STL is doing. They were pretty much left for the scraps after Pujols and LaRussa left. Shows what a great sport baseball is and what a great baseball city STL is. LOVE BASEBALL! Sucks about the Red Sox, but they deserved it. Can’t believe a bunch of more spoiled and bratty bunch of players… or it was perhaps some and not all, but as a team, they should have straightened things out amongst themselves after seeing how dillusional the manager was and is. Can’t wait until the hot stove, but will enjoy this WS.

19. By Ray Flowers on Oct 19, 2012

    Steve – The Yankees all slumped at once. It happens. Take CANO who had one of the worst postseason in history. Cano had 24 hits in his final 39 at-bats in the regular season. 3-for-40 in postseason. Awful ? Sure, but that’s still .342 over 79 at-bats which is amazing.

    Yankees hit .157 (22-for-140) in #ALCS, 2nd lowest total among 172 teams that have competed in the LCS since ’69.

20. By Steve on Oct 19, 2012

    Cano surprised me but the rest of the team all seemed to play less than they did historically minus Jeter. However, they did manage to score a ton of runs, hit a ton of HRs, and knock in a ton of RBIs but their BA seemed to fall. Did it look that way or was it that way? Anyway, love it that Zito extended the series… And I think I have the owner 95% close to agreeing to me giving Foster and getting Megatron and Forte. I started with Mega, Forte, and Gonzo for Foster, Tate, and Gates but he wants to hold onto Gonzo esp after Vernon’s donut last night. He countered with the current offer. This was done over texting. I put in the offer thru our website and he has 2 min to accept to make it effective this week. I’ll update you, Ray. Thanks for all ur time and help, Ray.

21. By Jesse on Oct 20, 2012

    Hey Ray,

    Quick trade question for you: 12 tmr non-ppr, start 3 WR/2 RB/1 TE/1 Flex

    I give up Stevie Johnson and Miles Austin and get Gronk (week 9 bye) and Steve Smith (Car).

    My WR’s right now are:

    Julio
    Fitz (week 10 bye)
    Miles Austin
    Stevie Johnson (week 8 bye)

    TE right now is Jermaine Gresham (week 8 bye)

    Stevie usually will either by on my bench or flex (matchup dependent) except for bye weeks.

    Thanks as always for the help!

22. By Ray Flowers on Oct 20, 2012

    Steve – Hope the trade goes down.

    Sometimes teams just don’t get it done, and they fall into a funk together. Still, we’re talking a handful of games. Anyone can struggle in that short a period of time.

23. By Ray Flowers on Oct 20, 2012

    Jesse – Gresham is a passable TE option, but Gronk a huge add.

    The deal is fine as Smith becomes your WR3, a role he should fill with aplomb.

24. By Steve on Oct 22, 2012

    Ray,

    After 3 weeks of negotiating, this trade is what I finally executed at 12:58pm EST yesterday:

    I gave up Foster, Tate, and James Jones
    I get Calvin Johnson, Forte, and Britt

    Initial offer was Gonzo for me and Gates for them but they didn’t want to give up Gonzo. I switched in Jones and Britt since I have both Daniels and Gates Nd should be fine with them. Calvin gives me a mega 3 WRs with Britt the high upside 4th/depth WR. My current crop of RBs and WRs include:

    Calvin, Cruz, Collston, Britt, Forte, F-Jax, Alex Green, and William Powell.

    My RBs could improve, but Forte and Jackson catch passes as well. Arian isnt being thrown the ball this year which is surprising and one of the very rare reasons I was ok with dealing the #1 fantasy RB. I’ll try to grab the other ARI RB or R.Jennings but those will be long shots since I have the last waiver spot… Bu I can try. What do you think of the deal?

    Thanks for all your time and advice, Ray!

25. By Ray Flowers on Oct 22, 2012

    Steve – Great deal. CJ and Foster pretty much cancel each other out. Tate is only a caddy right now, and he injured his hammy yesterday too. Forte will KILL him in value. Britt, from this point on, very likely to match jones who will have to deal with jennings return shortly.

26. By Steve on Oct 23, 2012

    Thanks, Ray!

27. By Steve on Oct 23, 2012

    Wow! I just got an offer for Calvin from the last place team. They are offering Demaryius and DeAngelo… What a joke. The rest of his roster is Newton, Andre Roberts, Gore, Bradshaw, Finley, Hawkins, Stevie and Andre Johnson, and Jennings. I can counter with Demaryius and Andre Johnson for Calvin and Gates? I have Daniels on the bench this week. Would it be even worth it?

    I think I’m going to hold off for now because I just executed the mega trade. Best to let the dust settle before doing anything else. Plus, their roster has 5 on the bye and 1 injured with only 4 bench spots. It’ll be best to wait until next week at the earliest to think about trading again.

    Again, THANKS for all your time and help, Ray! Much appreciated!

28. By Ray Flowers on Oct 23, 2012

    Steve – I think Gates will be a top-5 TE ROTW. Said it before his big game last week. Would still rather have him than Daniels, but it’s close.

    Thomas/AJ for CJ/Gates is a fair deal… but it would be a bit odd to deal CJ after just getting him – I agree with you.

29. By Steve on Oct 24, 2012

    Thanks, Ray. The offers just keep coming. Another owner wants one of The just acquired Forte, Cruz, or Colston. Do you think Colston and Alex Green for Wayne amd Reggie Bush is a win win for me? I’m not going to deal Forte or Salsa Cruz. What do you think? Thanks, Ray.

    Also, can you believe the SF Giants? What a great comeback. These playoffs have been awesome. Also, can’t say I saw the Guillen firing coming. That was quick.

30. By Ray Flowers on Oct 24, 2012

    Steve – Giants run has truly been amazing. Marlins = total disaster. They have no plan, or their plan is to not have a plan.

    As for the deal, Green is awful. Give me Wayne/Bush.

31. By Jeff (AKA Kay's Dream Guy) on Oct 24, 2012

    Hey Ray, I have another FAAB question. I’m looking at Rashad Jennings in a PPR where I can start 3 hbs. How much of my $682 budget should I bid on him? My Hb’s are very inconsistent..I have S Ridley, D Martin, D Brown and Ballard, K. Hunter, plus Mendenhall.

    I don’t foresee needing to make a move at the other positions.. I have:

    Flacco and Vick at QB

    Calvin, Julio, Antonio,Crabtree, Vincent Brown at WR

    Graham and Rudolph at TE

    Walsh at Kicker

    Eagles and Vikings D.

    The only thing I’d need funds for is a bye week kicker. Is Jennings the guy I go all in on? I’m currently 4-3 sitting in 8th place since I’ve scored the 3rd fewest points in league.

    Thanks, Jeff

32. By Jeff (AKA Kay's Dream Guy) on Oct 24, 2012

    One more PPR question Ray. My Hb’s are McFadden,Morris, Peterson, Richardson,Mathews,Ballard and Hunter. I can only start 3 each week and have crap at WR(Torrey,Antonio,M Williams, Titus)

    Which of those Hb’s should I try to trade and could you give me a few Wr’s that I should target as fair trade value that may do good in the 2nd half? I was thinking Nicks??

    Jeff

33. By Steve on Oct 24, 2012

    Ray,

    Kung Fu Panda… Wow! I’m wondering if the Tigers can bounce back after their ace got pounded. It’s like they got kicked in the teeth… This surprised me.

    As for the trading, I offered the owner Alex Green and Colston and he countered with Cruz and Alex Green for Wayne and RBush. What do you think? I’m very hesitant on dealing Cruz because he has been so dominating in his career thus far… However, Wayne and RBush would/should score more than Cruz/Alex Green the rest of he season. What do you think? Should I accept dealing Cruz/Alex Green for Wayne/RBush?

    Thanks for ALL your time and help on these trade negotiations. I’m surprised the trade offers are flooding in now.

    Steve

34. By Matt K on Oct 25, 2012

    Ray, ppr league fasano or celek for te, and hunter, givens,crabtree, or one the the tight ends in the flex? Also I wanted to know why you and everyone else likes san fran def over Alanta every week? Because In my league they have outscored san fran by a lot every week and they both have good match ups this week, but All the experts have Alanta outside the top 10 d’s every week and I was just wondering why that is?

35. By Ray Flowers on Oct 25, 2012

    Jeff the Dream – Ridley and Martin are a solid top duo, not great but solid. If Menenhall is healthy you have a passable top-3. Of course, there’s no lock that happens. With MJD likely to miss weeks, and I’m thinking potentially longer, I’d go heavy on Jennings and say you spend like 85%. Your QB, WR, TE are all in good shape, so I’d go heavy for Jennings. See – http://fantasyalarm.com/in-the-trenches-wk-8-a-positional-breakdown/

36. By Ray Flowers on Oct 25, 2012

    Jeff the Dream – WRs to target see – http://fantasyalarm.com/in-the-trenches-wk-8-a-positional-breakdown/
    Nicks is on my list.

    As for deal, it all depends on who you have to move to get what. You are INSANELY deep here. You have five top-20 options so deal away.

37. By Ray Flowers on Oct 25, 2012

    Steve – The Giants are a great team. Pablo/Scutaro are just on fire.

    I dont mind helping out, but day after day with this trade stuff is wearing on me a bit. I’ve already said I dont want to deal Cruz, and that Green is terrible. Still, Wayne/Bush is a solid return I dont have a problem with.

38. By Ray Flowers on Oct 25, 2012

    Matt K – Simply put – the SF defense is better than the Falcons. Period.

    They have better players.
    They have the best pass D in lg based on yards allowed.
    They allow 99 yards on the ground, the Falcons 144.
    They are 2nd in the lg in pts allowed 14.3 (ATL = 18.8).

    You can’t predict pick 6′s etc. Unfortunately, fantasy football scoring for defenses does a VERY poor job replicating real world success. There is ZERO doubt the Niners have a better defense.
    
    Go Celek, but more on Fasano – http://blogs.rotoinfo.com/flowers/2012/10/25/coffin-corner-week-8-afc/

39. By Steve on Oct 25, 2012

    Ray,

    Thanks. I really appreciate all the time and advice. I was surprised at all the trade offers firing in after the Foster deal and value your opinion. My apologies, Oracle.

    Steve W.

40. By Jeff (AKA Kay's Dream Guy) on Oct 25, 2012

    Thanks Ray. I bid $604 of my $682 on Rashad but lost him to the owner who bid $666. I did pick up Dwyer for $61 to pair with Mendenhall.

    In my attempt to acquire Nicks or another WR, I got an offer from an owner who offered me Wes Welker and Michael Jenkins for Vick Ballard and Alfred Morris. I felt it was pretty fair so agreed to the deal. Hopefully Welker can get me a solid 12-15 points per week. It leaves me with Peterson, Mathews, Richardson and McFadden to pursue Nicks or another WR..I now have Welker,Antonio,Torrey and Mike Williams.

41. By John on Oct 25, 2012

    Hey ray, sjax and Bradshaw for ray rice. Who wins that deal. Thanks

42. By Ray Flowers on Oct 25, 2012

    Jeff Dream Guy – You had the depth to deal, and Welker is a strong add of course. Jenkins is garbage though, I’d much rather have seen you hold on to Ballard and just do Morris for Welker.

    Sorry bout Jennings. In my league I added him for $586.

43. By Ray Flowers on Oct 25, 2012

    John – All depends on what the backfields look like. Rice is clearly the best player, clearly, and Sjax has playing time concerns, and Brawshaw is missing practices yet again with his foot. If you need the one piece to put you over the top, Rice is clearly the winning side. If your backfield has dwyer, ballard types starting on a weekly basis, the duo of Jax/Brad is appealing.

44. By Jeff (AKA Kay's Dream Guy) on Oct 26, 2012

    Hey Ray, In a PPR, do you like LeSean McCoy or Adrian Peterson rest of the season? I’m a huge Eagles fan so don’t know if that is clouding my judgement.

    Peterson is leading the league in rushing and on a career high reception pace(despite only 3 in the last two games), but he does have a horrible playoff SOS, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston.

    McCoy definitely hasn’t be utilized as much as he should be in Philly’s running game, but he’s still on pace for around 64 catches and in comparison to Peterson, he is on avg scoring 15.2 ppg to Peterson’s 16.3 ppg. McCoy has a bit better playoff schedule on paper with Tampa, Cincy and Washington.

    One more thing, Peterson still has his bye while McCoy has yet to.

    Also, do you have any buddies that give out fantasy NBA advice that you could recommend? I joined and league and am looking for some draft strategy advice on a H2H points league.

    Thanks, Jeff AKA Kay’s Dream Guy(although she doesn’t know it yet)

45. By Ray Flowers on Oct 26, 2012

    Jeff Dream Guy – I’d take McCoy over AD by the slimmest of margins. Honestly, there really is little difference between the two. Pretty much a coin flip. Good point on the Bye week situation as well.

    @fenstysports on Twitter is Justin Fensterman. He produces my radio show, and knows the NBA well (he writes for KFFL.com on hoops).

46. By Jeff (AKA Kay's Dream Guy) on Oct 26, 2012

    Thanks Ray. I sent him a tweet. If I don’t have a strategy, I just end up with all 76ers.

47. By Ray Flowers on Oct 26, 2012

    Jeff the Dream – Better than me… I’d have all Warriors on my team.