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Q: I know next
year's draft is still nine months away, but I still have the bug since I didn't
win this year. I am in 12-manager keeper league, and due to various trades I
made this year, I have five picks in the first two rounds in 2004 (and no picks
in Rounds 3 and 4). Currently, I plan on keeping Ricky Williams.
Do you recommend that I pick up two more RBs since most of the good RBs will
gone by Round 2, or should I pick the best at each position? For example, should
I take RBs that will be available, such as Edgerrin James and Fred Taylor (for
a total of three), or take Edge and a WR (Hines Ward) that will allow me to
grab another good WR and a good QB who haven't been kept?
I also can reason that if I have three top RBs, I can use one for trade bait or use him when the other RBs have a bye or get injured.
Chris Anderson
Baltimore, Md.
A: First of all, congratulations on having five picks in the first two rounds. You mentioned that you didn't win your league this year, but you were wise enough to plan ahead and put yourself in a very enviable position for next year.
Every owner has a different strategy, but I am leaning more and toward running back depth. I learned my lesson this season when I actually had to depend on Kevin Faulk and/or Shawn Bryson in several weeks because of injuries and underachieving backs. If I had the chance to stockpile Williams, James and Taylor, I would jump at it. If you are able to start two running backs and a running back/wide receiver, you can't go wrong with that trio (or one very similar to it).
Remember, you still would
have additional picks in the first two rounds. You still should be able to grab
a big-time receiver and a productive QB. Then you can sit back and smile until
Round 5. There should be plenty of good players available when you pick again,
and, as you said, you will have plenty of trade bait.