2011 Fantasy Football Position Wars: 2nd, 3rd Tier Players Key to Draft Strategy

Positional Wars

It is time to start shaking the cobwebs off and preparing for the 2011 fantasy draft season and no one is more excited than I am. As the lockout ended, leagues quickly started getting set up, drafts were scheduled and Top 200 sheets were being printed faster than the government...eh, well never mind.

In past seasons you have heard both Hatty and me discuss strategy on when to take a RB versus a QB and much aligned with Hatty, my previous thoughts on this topic have gone out the window. I have learned that game planning, researching and spending countless hours over decisions such as “Peterson or Foster????” is not the best use of your time. Don’t get me wrong, doing your research is important but going in thinking “I have to take RBs in rounds 1 and 2” is not ideal.

In this piece, I am going to highlight the best things to strategically consider and identify some second and third tier guys that you can circle should you miss out on a position. The person who wins your league is undoubtedly going to be the team that adapts the best during the draft and who works the waiver wire the best throughout the season. Remember that.

Quarterbacks

So when the likes of Tom Brady, Michael Vick and Peyton Manning are off the board and you are staring at tiers 2-5, here are some good options:

1) Josh Freeman: The kid had a great year last year and the Buccaneers are the youngest team in the league. They have also added some nice pieces thanks to the draft and free agency and gotten rid of question marks such as Cadillac Williams. Freeman is a player.

2) Jay Cutler: Yeah, I said it. The Bears have shored up their running game and the team supports Cutler regardless of your views on his postseason injury. The guy can still sling it. They also acquired everyone the Cowboys cut which gives them speed and size to go along with some experience that they didn’t have last year.

3) Sam Bradford: This kid was a great waiver pick up last year and ranks in the 10-20 range in most quarterback pre-rankings. If I miss on the big guys to grab other positions early, I like taking a chance on Bradford. With Sims-Walker accompanying Danny Amendola, Donnie Avery and Brandon Gibson, it should allow the Rams' speed to show.

Running Backs

So 12 of the first 24 picks are RB and you went QB/WR to start your draft. No worries, here are a couple of guys to keep on your list:

1) Matt Forte: I have seen this guy slip as low as 20 in some pre-rankings. Some are concerned with Marion Barber but I wouldn’t be. Forte also should get a major bump in any PPR league.

2) LeGarrette Blount: He is a beast and if you tackle him, he will beat you up. Enough said. I like the youth in Tampa Bay and this kid was a huge surprise last season.

3) DeAngelo Williams: Again someone I have seen slide as low as 23 in rankings. Last year he was hurt and was a looming free agent. Now he is healthy and the team has shown commitment across the roster to fielding a winner. The Panthers may win four games, but expect a bounce back year from Williams.

Wide Receivers

1) Austin Collie: The next Wes Welker. He is a must grab in any PPR league. Colts have a lot of weapons but Manning looks Collie's way as much as he does to Dallas Clark and Jacob Tamme. Big red zone target.

2) Deion Branch: Everyone is talking about Chad OchoCinco joining the Pats. Defenses will focus on him and the chemistry between Brady and Branch will never go away.

3) Mike Sims-Walker: He is the main guy in St. Louis and will be a primary target for Sam Bradford.

4) Bonus: James Jones: Greg Jennings will continue to see mass coverage and it says a lot when you are a third WR and your QB publicly states that you are essential. Expect a big year from this kid.

If you are focused on sleeper tight ends and kickers, then your focus is in the wrong place.

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Keep an eye out for an ongoing piece and feel free to email suggestions around content or players you would like to see more analysis on.