Dynasty League Fantasy Football: Proactive Pickups

In the land of dynasty, much of our time is being spent tinkering with our rosters a few final times before the draft comes in April.  We provided you with a “buy” and “sell” list earlier in the week, but there are two other intriguing names not mentioned that we wanted to talk about in more detail.

Marc Bulger and Josh Johnson are two quarterbacks who are available in virtually every league out there.  With free agency around the corner, many coaches are ready to pounce when a free agent signs or a player is traded.  This type of reactive behavior is rewarded many times.  Dynasty league veterans know that being proactive is much, much more prudent.

Before you dismiss this article in its entirety, consider these players a little more closely.

Marc Bulger, QB, FA

Bulger is a veteran quarterback who spent the entire season helping Joe Flacco in Baltimore. While it may seem like he’s been around forever, he’s still only 33 years of age. While he was content being with the Ravens as a backup last year, word is he’s ready to battle for a starting job again, and there should be no shortage of suitors looking for a veteran signal-caller.

Bulger’s career numbers are very good.  He’s thrown for almost 23,000 yards and has a touchdown to interception ratio of 122/93. Considering some of those numbers were posted with some very bad teams in St. Louis, that’s nothing to dismiss.

He’ll likely cost you nothing but a roster spot at this point in time. If a team like Arizona comes calling for Bulger, he could be a very valuable No. 2 quarterback in a deep dynasty league, capable of very good numbers with the weapons he’d have at his disposal.

I know I’d much rather just add him now instead of using a pick in the next rookie or free agent draft on him. If he doesn’t get a starting job, simply cut bait.

Josh Johnson, QB, TB

Savvy dynasty league owners already know where we’re going on this one.

If Johnson stays in Tampa Bay, his value is minimal behind Josh Freeman. However, there’s a certain former collegiate coach who has a vested interest in him. His name: Jim Harbaugh.

Johnson was a star at the University of San Diego under Harbaugh. In 2007, he posted a ridiculous 2,976 passing yards, 674 rushing yards, and a combined 44 touchdowns with just one, ONE interception for the Toreros.  Think that’s a fluke?  He had 81 touchdowns and 13 interceptions the two years prior.

The 49ers are in need of a young quarterback to mold and Harbaugh is said to be smitten with Johnson. Now, it’s quite possible that Kevin Kolb or Marc Bulger could end up in San Francisco, but Johnson is still very intriguing, not to mention available in most leagues.

Harbaugh’s offense is likely to be built on precision, accuracy and intelligence. These were all traits that made Johnson a very good college player. While his competition was certainly not up to par, it’s hard to argue with the numbers he’s put up. He’s also looked more than capable in Tampa Bay when given a chance to play.

Bulger and Johnson are two very cheap (if not free) pickups in virtually any league.  I’d want to be the one to pluck them now, then say “I told you so” later if things work out. If they don’t, you’ve likely wasted nothing, but taken your first step into proactive dynasty league roster building behavior regardless.

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