That second list, with all the positions in cost order, was what I was looking for, thanks. But would you mind also posting each team’s results in one post for future reference?
Self review:
I deviated from my strategy significantly this year, which will end up costing me. I don’t know how much I should detail my strategy lest you all use my fantasy genius against me. But in general terms, I prefer to seek value in the middle of the draft after the big expensive guys are gone and build the most efficient dollar per point team I can manage, and it’s worked for me in the past.
QB - Aaron Rodgers $58, Ryan Tannehill $1
One of the things I’ve consistently done in this league was to try to find a value QB who could maybe do 20-30% less than the best QBs but cost 1/4th as much, but every year I ended up regretting it, and often trading for a better QB. The relative values of QBs to the rest of the positions in this league changes due to the scarcity at the position relative to normal leagues. The fact that QBs are the top absolute scorers become worth more - you can’t count on easily grabbing a top 12 QB like you generally can in smaller leagues, and the dropoff is steep from there. QBs gain in relative terms due to their absolute score generation in a league where replacement level players are much worse and reliable point scorers are scarcer.
That said, it makes the top QBs more valuable relative to the top RBs, but I don’t know if I had to really go out and spend a ton for Rodgers. In previous years I’d have gone for Vick at $29, Cutler at $23, and Roethlisberger at $18 as much better point per dollar values. I’m not sure yet if I’ve made a mistake. But in terms of reliable, high ceiling points production, Rodgers has got to be the single most valuable player in the league.
Tannehill - well, I was down to $1 picks and in this league not everyone can draft a backup QB. Getting a starter for $1 is a good thing even if he’s going to suck. There’s at least some upside there.
WR - AJ Green $36, Julio Jones $35, Kendall Wright $7, DeVier Posey $1.
My receiving corps is young, speculative, and not that cheap for what it is. High ceilings, risky floors, only okay value. In the past I’d probably draft one $30 receiver and try to get a bunch of $15-22 guys. Not sure if I made the right call here. I’m not even sure I’m in love with my expensive guys, but based on the WR market at the time they seemed reasonable values. Posey is a pretty decent lottery ticket for when Andre Johnson gets hurt. My guys definitely have upside and chance to surprise, but maybe I should’ve gone lower risk and diversified more by picking up more $20 guys.
TE Vernon Davis $21, Jordan Cameron $1
I like Davis this year - SF’s receivers will clear out space for Davis to work, but Smith isn’t good enough to get the ball to the deep receivers consistently, which is the ideal circumstances for Davis - room to run, and lots of targets. I think he’s going to be the 4th TE this year, with the upside to go even higher, so pretty good value. Jordan Cameron is a lottery ticket - he’s one of the basketball player converts that could surprise.
RB Johnathan Stewart $16, Ryan Williams $11, Isaiah Pead $6, Alfred Morris $3, Javon Ringer $1.
I list the RB position late because that’s how I ended up addressing it in the draft. Just not enough resources spent here, I was hoping I’d dig up some value very late, but when the time came, everyone else was chasing after all the same potential sleepers and I couldn’t do much. Johnathan Stewart is pretty solid value at $16, Ryan Williams likely becomes a starting RB and therefore decent value at $11, but the upside there is pretty limited. I’m clearly just patching in whatever I can manage at that point. Isaiah Pead can be nothing or maybe he’ll be a Darren Sproles type presence in St. Louis. And at Steven Jackson has a decent chance of breaking down this year. Alfred Morris is a low cost ticket into the Shanahan Running Back Minigame. I don’t like playing it, but Morris looked good so far, and he’s exactly the sort of guy that springs up out of nowhere under Shanahan. Good gamble. Javon Ringer is a pure lottery ticket for a Chris Johnson injury.
K/DST David Akers $2, Denver $1
Not much to say. Akers was far and away the best kicker last year and has a decent shot of repeating, so I’m willing to spend 1 extra dollar to pick him up. Denver was basically the last of the $1 defenses available. I don’t like them much, but they’ve got potential.
Overall, I like this team, but not as much as I’ve liked my past teams. My RB position is just too cobbled together. But a few things go my way - Green and Jones improve on their rookie season, Rodgers stays healthy, and one of those running backs becomes a solid starter, and my team is in good shape.