Week Three Strategy: It’s More Than the Draft
by John Hansen

If you followed our draft advice to a T this summer, there’s a good chance that you have two stud backs (yes, I’m including Shaun Alexander in the group) and a stud QB with a nice backup QB. That’s a fine foundation.

However, if you did follow our strategy to the letter, there’s a good chance that you own either Plaxico Burress or Johnnie Morton, two of our "Magnificent Seven" WRs. The other five have been okay this year so far, but these two have not.  .

The whole point to this strategy was this:

1. These WRs were all capable of posting #1 or #2 WR numbers yet were available often in the 4^th and 5^th round (maybe even later) in a 10 or even 12-team league.
2. The strategy meant that you’d be loaded at RB and QB, the two most important positions and the two hardest positions to recover from if you’re weak in them.
3. Finally, the strategy was based upon the notion that if one or more of these WRs imploded – which it appears Burress and Morton have through two games – that you’d be able to recover, since WR is the easiest position to recover from and since you’d be loaded at RB and QB.

If you own Burress and Morton and you’re frustrated, you have to do something about it – you have to be a fantasy football manager. You’re not a fantasy football draft war room expert; you’re a fantasy football manager (or coach, GM, whatever), meaning your job is not done after your draft.

So what do you do? Before I get into that, let me tell you what you should have done: You should have drafted some quality depth at WR. You should have been able to draft 1-2 WRs ranked by us outside the top-20 and inside the top-40. Sixteen of the 19 WRs ranked by us in that range have either scored or gone over 80 yards already this year (14 of the 19 have scored). You can take some chances at WR because there’s plenty of talent to go around. Hopefully, you have some of it to fall back on. If you don’t, you have to get some. Here’s how:

1. Get a breakthrough WR

It can be done. WRs Marty Booker, Troy Brown, Willie Jackson, and Bill Schroeder may not have been drafted in your league, but they were solid fantasy WRs last year. A few will emerge this season; get them.

Organize a list of the top WRs who could be in for breakout/surprise seasons and get as many as you can. Possible players now are:

1. Peerless Price, Buf – Last week I said to get a piece of this Buffalo offense. If he was available, I hope you did. I do seriously doubt he’ll be available in your league.
2. Donald Driver, GB – Potent and fantasy-friendly offense that he knows well.
3. Joey Galloway, Dal – He’s not exactly a candidate to be a "breakthrough" performer, but he could be one of this year’s surprise WRs. It’s clear they need him, and it’s clear that he’s capable of stepping up.
4. Donte Stallworth, NO – His score last week was a little fluky, but if this continues, he’ll be starting real soon and he could be huge.
5. Brian Finneran, Atl – At least last week he came back and was involved in the offense.
6. Quincy Morgan, Cle – He could still be a nice producer, although it looks like a WR committee here.
7. Corey Bradford, Hou – He’d be much higher on this list if he didn’t have a rookie QB, but after a few more weeks, David Carr may be much more comfortable and start getting him the ball more consistently.
8. Javon Walker, GB – Apparently, this is the year to draft rookie WRs. Whatever it is, Walker’s looking like a guy who could wind up with nice numbers this year. And if Terry Glenn goes down, he could really surprise.
9. Eddie Kennison, KC – He looked great Week One and he’s the team’s deep threat. Consistent production may not be there, but a few big games from him could help you.
10. D’Wayne Bates, Min – If it’s not Alexander, it will be he (unless they share the #2 role all year).
11. David Terrell, Chi – He’s not even a starter, but he’s scored twice already and could be big if a starter gets injured or if he can finagle the starting job.
12. Derrius Thompson, Was – He looks to me like he’s a solid option and one who could do well against lesser opponents.

1. Trade your starting QB

Last year you absolutely had to have one of the top-10 QBs. This year, you may not have to. There are some high quality backups this year, so if you feel you can acquire a stud WR for your starting QB, that may not be a bad idea.

If you’re able to hold more than two QBs, or if you’re sure you can always acquire someone solid on the Waiver Wire, you may be able to get by playing the match-ups. Quality backup types right now include:

1. Drew Bledsoe, NE
2. Michael Vick, Atl
3. Tom Brady, NE
4. Brad Johnson, TB
5. Tim Couch, Cle
6. Mark Brunell, Jac
7. Jay Fiedler, Mia

It would be hard to move a stud like Warner, Garcia, Manning, Culpepper, Brooks, McNabb, Favre, or Gannon. But it’s all about getting the most points out of your lineup as possible. See this example:

Stud QB A’s fantasy point average: 20 points
Disappointing WR’s fantasy point average: 5
Total: 25 points

Possible Team:
Solid backup’s fantasy point average (starting the right guy with good matchups): 16
Newly acquired stud WR’s points average: 13
Total: 29 points

Those 4 points could mean the difference between 1-2 wins and losses, and your entire fantasy season.

1. Acquire a so-so veteran

There are a few veteran WRs that have proved they can produce yet haven’t done much this year. A few of them could emerge as quality fantasy WRs. Here are a few examples:

1. Qadry Ismail, Ind – He’s probably not available, but if he is, he can bring you immediate help.
2. Ike Hilliard, NYG – The way Kerry Collins is throwing the ball, this former #1 pick whose playing for a big contract could be a nice surprise.
3. JJ Stokes, SF – He’s definitely in a good spot and will be a TD force at the very least.
4. Antonio Freeman, Phi – The talk in Philly is that he’s the team’s best WR. That’s got to mean something.
5. Jerome Pathon, NO – He did score last week and he’s sharing time with Stallworth, but if someone goes down, his value would soar.

1. Take a chance on a high-upside longshot

If you can spare the roster spot, go for the upside. It’s a long season and situations chance, mainly due to injuries. A few of the high-upside guys are included above, but here are few more.

1. Chad Johnson, Cin – I know he’s been a little inconsistent, but he’s improved as this year has gone on, and I think he’s the best WR on this team. I’m seeing all these rookie WRs excelling and I’m scratching my head wondering why the heck they don’t just throw the ball to this guy. He could emerge.
2. Jerry Porter, Oak – He scored last week and looks like a future fantasy option. If one of the veterans ahead of him went down, he could help you for sure.
3. Deion Branch, NE – Hey, who knows? Friend Steve Cohen saw him play live in the preseason and said he looked like Terry Glenn with heart. He’ll probably need an injury to make a huge impact, but NFL players tend to get hurt.
4. Justin McCareins, Ten – He could really surprise if cast into the starting role. The Titans really like his size and speed.

So there you have it. That’s my advice to you if you’re burned by our affinity for Burress and Morton this summer. Oh, and I should also mention that there’s 14 games left and it’s way too early to give up on Burress or even Morton. Call me stubborn, but I still think both could really help you the rest of the year.