Continuing with the season recaps, here are other installments in the series:
SiriusXM IDP League
Dirty Dozen League
Maximum Security League
Team UTH Dynasty League
This league was originally drafted in 2011, promptly finishing dead last after going youth and wide receiver-heavy in the startup. After a title in 2012 and flaming out with two straight playoff losses in 2013, this team reloaded for another title push in 2014.
- 12 teams, 0.5 RB PPR, 1.0 WR-TE
- 22-man rosters
- Start 1-2-3-1 with RB-WR-TE flex
2014 Rookie Draft Haul
1.02 Sammy Watkins
A UTH follower opted for Mike Evans at 1.01 and I was more than happy to collect another young talent at receiver in Watkins at 1.02.
1.05 Brandin Cooks
I expected to get a look at Cooks or Odell Beckham in this spot. With Cooks landing on IR during the season, he freed up a roster spot for another upside play, but if redoing the draft, would prefer Beckham as of today.
1.10 Austin Seferian-Jenkins
I reached for one of ‘my guys’ here as I had nothing behind Jimmy Graham at tight end and love Jenkins long-term. Allen Robinson and Davante Adams were both available as well.
Noteworthy Moves
In addition to the rookie draft trades, here are the moves of note:
5.21.2014 Traded Trent Richardson, Hakeem Nicks for 1.05
The 1.05 turned into Brandin Cooks and at the time of the deal, Richardson still had value as the in-line starter for the Colts in 2014. Currently I doubt Richardson would garner even a late second from even a still-believer.
8.27.2014 Added Marquess Wilson
With the extended injury, he was dropped. I snatched him up as the talent was worth holding. He is on the fringe of my roster, but will get tiebreakers in his favor in the offseason or be a part of a #PackageUp deal.
9.10.2014 Added Justin Forsett
Forsett saved my running back bacon at times this season with C.J. Spiller, Rashad Jennings, and Giovani Bernard all out for a chunk of games.
9.12.2014 Added Matt Asiata
While not much of a fan, I snatched up Asiata with the potential to be a weekly RB2. After a game or two, I looked to deal him based on Asiata’s short-term value.
10.2.2014 Traded Matt Asiata + 2015 2nd for 2015 1st
I shopped Asiata around to the running back-needy teams in the league, looking for a rookie pick upgrade. The acquired pick ended up as the 1.03 in 2015, so a windfall of value added in the deal as I expected a mid-first at best.
10.8.2014 Added C.J. Anderson
Ended up dropping him for Kenny Britt a few weeks later. Anderson would have helped in the stretch run for sure. The upside was on the Anderson side, so a glaring mistake here as Britt is a #PackageUp player this offseason as he is on the roster fringe. On the flip side, Anderson would have garnered a future first at a minimum in this league as running backs are valued highly in the trade market.
10.29.2014 Added Kenny Britt
Not a bad flyer as Britt looks to be closer to his early-career form than any point of the last couple of seasons, but definitely looking to use Britt as a stepping stone to a better long-term asset.
11.17.2014 Added Duron Carter
Carter is a true wildcard this offseason, looking forward to seeing his workout numbers – the missing piece of his projection model profile.
11.19.2014 Added Charles Johnson
The clock expired on being able to monitor Johnson from the waiver wire – had to make room for the metric favorite as he started to get opportunity in Minnesota.
12.10.2014 Added Nick Toon
One of my go-to final stashes heading into the offseason. Since, Toon has flashed some in a New Orleans passing game that is searching for direction to close out the season.
The Season
After winning the league in 2012, I limped to a 4th place finish in 2013 following a strong regular season. After reloading for 2014, I was poised for another strong run. I opened 10-2 prior to dumping my final two games of the regular season, still winning the total points crown for the season. I squeaked out an 8-point win in the semi-finals prior to cruising to a 57-point victory in the title game thanks to Russell Wilson offsetting weak games from A.J. Green and Justin Forsett. Running back was my weak spot all season, but I patched holes enough to get by.
Season-Ending Roster
QB
Cam Newton, Russell Wilson
RB
Giovani Bernard, Rashad Jennings, Justin Forsett, C.J. Spiller, Danny Woodhead, Tyler Gaffney
WR
Dez Bryant, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas, A.J. Green, Sammy Watkins, Randall Cobb, Brandin Cooks, Michael Floyd, Torrey Smith, Marquess Wilson, Charles Johnson, Duron Carter, Kenny Britt
TE
Jimmy Graham, Austin Seferian-Jenkins
Rookie Picks
1.03, 1.12, 2.05
Outlook
As is the case with most of my teams, the wide receivers are the base assets. I picked up Russell Wilson off the waiver wire his rookie season and have yet to find a decent selling point for him or Cam Newton as of yet in this start-1 league. With the strength of the projected running back class in 2015, I project at least one of those 1sts end up as a running back as the best player available. Some #PackageUp deals will be a point of emphasis in the offseason, including guys like Torrey Smith, Marquess Wilson, Charles Johnson, and maybe a running back or two. Two titles in the last three seasons and I am thirsty for more.
