Carlsson Codiacs - Footballguys.com team analysis

QB: Drew Brees, Philip Rivers, Josh Freeman
RB: Darren McFadden, Stevan Ridley, Jacquizz Rodgers
WR: Torrey Smith, Jordy Nelson, Kenny Britt, Greg Little
TE: Fred Davis, Ed Dickson
PK: Justin Tucker

Overview:

This team is built around strong quarterback play. But it has some serious issues post-draft. Your only real core strength is at quarterback, yet that's often the easiest position to fill during the season. Your weaknesses at both running back and receiver put you in a hole before any games have played. To end up with a team constructed like this, you probably did not get value on some of your selections. The players themselves are not necessarily bad --- you just might have paid more than what they were worth.

To make this team into a serious contender, you are going to need to be extremely active in trades and on the waiver wire. You esentially need to turn over significant parts of this roster. Last year running backs like Alfred Morris and Vick Ballard could be had dirt cheap at the draft. Additionally, wide receivers like James Jones and Cecil Shorts were available after a lot of the drafts. You are likely going to need to land some of this year's top waiver plays, so pay close attention to increased workloads, targets, injuries, etc.

Players we particularly like on this team include Kenny Britt and Justin Tucker. We have both these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 55 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 35 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 8 percent chance of making the playoffs.

QB Summary:

You don't need us to tell you this, but we'll tell you anyway: Drew Brees should ensure that your production at the quarterback position is among the best in the league. We have him as the #1 QB according to your scoring rules, and we figure he gives you about a 2.0 point-per-game advantage over an average starting QB.

Our projections don't show Philip Rivers as being a top-notch backup, but the issue will be moot as long as Brees stays healthy.

Incidentally, Rivers has what we project as a neutral matchup (JAX) during Brees's bye.

Josh Freeman is a solid depth pick.

RB Summary:

We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Darren McFadden ranked 19th and Stevan Ridley ranked at #20.

Jacquizz Rodgers is a little below average as a third running back.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Darren McFadden ranked as high as 15th. Adam Harstad defends his high ranking as follows: "Darren McFadden is a lightning rod. In the last four years, he has twice averaged over 5.0 yards per carry... and twice averaged under 3.5 yards per carry. In 2010 and 2011, he averaged 128 and 110 yards from scrimmage. In 2009 and 2012, he averaged 50 and 80. Some see him as the electric talent and the engine driving Oakland's top-10 rushing offense in its only two non-losing seasons of the last decade. Others see him as the injury-prone back who has missed 23 games in his 5-year career and never appeared in more than 13 contests in a single season. I think he's a sublime, if scheme-dependent, talent who will certainly transform your franchise if you draft him. Whether that transformation is for the better or the worse remains to be seen."

Stevan Ridley is ranked #17 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average second running back. Adam Harstad reasons, "Ridley faces plenty of competition for his job in New England, and his future is far from settled. He benefited last year from New England threatening to set an NFL record for most offensive plays in a single season. At the same time, do you know how many 24-year old RBs already have a top-10 fantasy finish under their belt right now? That would be four- Ridley and last year's trio of top-10 rookies (Morris, Martin, and Richardson). He's a young player on the rise in an elite offense. If he holds off his competition, his outlook is rosy."

Jacquizz Rodgers is ranked #35 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine third running back. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Something about Jackson's age and mileage leads me to think Rodgers is an underrated back with upside, especially in PPR leagues."

WR Summary:

We see both your starters at receiver as below average. Torrey Smith is our 18th ranked WR, and we have Jordy Nelson at #26.

Kenny Britt should serve as a very solid third receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Greg Little, on the other hand, is an average-at-best fourth WR.

We might suggest adding a bit more depth here. See the end of the report for some suggestions on who to pick up.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Jordy Nelson is ranked #10 by some of our writers, which would make him a great second receiver and even a legitimate WR1. Jeff Tefertiller reasons, "Nelson will see ample targets with Greg Jennings now in Minnesota. He makes plays after the catch and will be a strong fantasy WR1 at a WR2 price in most leagues."

Greg Little is ranked #42 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average fourth receiver. Jason Wood reasons, "Little has been overtaken by Josh Gordon, and the last thing I want to do is draft the #2 receiver on a team with Brandon Weeden at quarterback."

TE Summary:

This is a pretty motley crew. We don't see Fred Davis as a viable starter or Ed Dickson as an above average backup. Help is needed.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Fred Davis ranked as high as 10th, which would make him a fine first tight end. Anthony Borbely defends his high ranking as follows: "Davis has made a very impressive recovery from his torn Achilles injury. Davis is likely to be the second option in the passing game behind Pierre Garcon and should be in the mix to be a top-10 TE this year. I consider Davis among the most undervalued players at any position this year."

Some members of our staff have Ed Dickson ranked as high as ninth, which would make him a great second tight end and even a legitimate TE1. Mark Wimer defends his high ranking as follows: "With Dennis Pitta out for the season, Dickson vaults into fantasy TE #1 territory. The Ravens need to rely on the tight end more this year with Anquan Boldin now hanging his cleats in San Francisco and Jacoby Jones as the likely #2 wide receiver on the squad. However, Dickson's absence due to a hamstring injury (he returned to practice on August 19) opened the door to Visanthe Shiancoe and Dallas Clark to sign with the Ravens - the picture at tight end is now murkier than before Pitta and Dickson were hurt."

Kicker Summary:

With Justin Tucker, you should be above average at the position.