Don't Panic - Dig Deep
Special Guest Column by Dan the Man Mattox
We have all had that moment. Despite all our research, mock drafts, preparation and planning, we see our grand plans, our hopes and dreams, our "gotta have him" stud sniped a pick ahead of ours. What should we do? Flip the table and find a new group of friends to draft with? That's one idea. Sneeze the board over? Well kids, this isn't 1978, and this isn't checkers. Rather, this is often a high stakes game - one that those of us with the fever pour our hearts, souls, and often bank accounts into, for four months a year. And that's not including research and draft prep time. Fear not friends, for I have the solution to your problems. DON'T SWEAT IT! Stay calm, consult your cheat sheets, and press on. When your stud gets sniped, turn to these low cost alternatives, who should offer similar production to their more high-profile counterparts.
Why sweat Davante Adams, when you can grab Geronimo Allison?
According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Adams is going off the board in a 12 team standard scoring league as the 17th overall pick. Wow! For a guy that was waiver wire fodder just a couple years ago and has never served as a true number one with Aaron Rodgers? Adams is a nice player, but we have yet to see what he can do drawing the attention of a number one. I suggest his running mate, Geronimo Allison. He is currently going off the board at pick 157, just ahead of the legendary Josh Doctson. Many camp reports indicate Allison has the trust of Rodgers, which is key in this offense. If Rodgers trusts you, he feeds you like a hungry baby. He also is not one to force the ball into double coverage, hence the appeal to the aforementioned Allison. I'm not saying Geronimo is gonna dive into WR1 status anytime soon, but I am saying he potentially could be a sneaky touchdown leader among Green Bays wideouts. Not bad for pick 157.
Why sweat Kareem Hunt, when you can grab Latavius Murray?
Hunt is currently going off the board as the tenth overall pick. Is no one taking into account the Andy Reid effect, or a looming bowling ball named Spencer Ware? Hunt started last season on record pace before Reid let the air out of his tires. It wasn't until late in the season, when the Chiefs were faced with not making the playoffs, that he remembered who his best player was and started feeding Hunt again. Who's to say he won't have the same mid-season amnesia? Or perhaps Ware regains his pre-injury form and this becomes a (*gasp!*) timeshare. You really want to spend the tenth overall pick on a timeshare? Enter Latavius Murray. Yes, he's somewhat of a plodder. Yes, he's pretty much an afterthought now that Dalvin Cook is healthy. But you can use that to your advantage. Murray is an absolute hammer inside the ten. Anyone else remember when Barry Sanders had almost 1500 yards in 1998, yet had fewer touchdowns than "Touchdown" Tommy Vardell? Murray is going off at pick 115, several spots behind the mummified corpse of Adrian Peterson. Take Murray late and savor the flavor of ten rushing touchdowns.
Why sweat Julio Jones, when you can grab Mike Williams?
Jones is currently going off the board as the 14th overall pick. He has tremendous name value and will no doubt have at least a couple monster games every year. But did you know that Julio has back-to-back 1400 yard seasons and only 9 combined touchdowns to show for it? Williams could potentially eclipse that total THIS SEASON. Granted, he likely won't put up the sick yardage totals, but you also aren't taking him 14th overall. Williams, the 7th overall pick last year, is going off boards at pick 104. Don't forget that Philip Rivers lost his projected red zone hammer in Hunter Henry. And old friend Antonio Gates' social security number is 3. So there should be plenty to eat for a big-bodied, 6'3 monster like Williams. Rivers will feed him every chance he gets. He certainly isn't Julio Jones, but the potential for 12 touchdowns in a high powered Charger offense is superior value for a triple digit pick.
These are just three examples of the hay to be made later in the draft. If you are lucky enough to draft the big guns, by all means do, just don't throw your season in the toilet if you don't. Dig deep, do your research, and roll the dice on some of these bargain basement gems. Above all, have fun!