The rules of the league state that there is a two day approval period for trades. Does this count for draft pick trades? If so the discussion is moot...
Overview: We'll start by complimenting you on your strength at quarterback, receiver, and tight end. As you know, it's very difficult in a competitive league to assemble a team that is strong at QB, RB, and WR, so just about every team will have a weakness. As you probably suspect, we perceive yours to be at running back. In 2013, that's not an instant fantasy team killer like it might have been five years ago. And in this particular case, we absolutely think you're strong enough elsewhere to overcome it. You've definitely got a good team here, but we'd feel better if we knew you were committed to keeping an eye out for the 2013 version of last season's Alfred Morris, 2010's Peyton Hillis, or 2009's Jamaal Charles. Players we particularly like on this team include Cecil Shorts, Fred Davis, and Daniel Thomas. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted. Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 85 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 80 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 69 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 9 of 2012: Randall Cobb vs. ARI: 37 receiving yards, 2 TD Arian Foster vs. BUF: 111 combined yards, 1 TD A.J. Green vs. DEN: 99 receiving yards, 1 TD T.Y. Hilton vs. MIA: 102 receiving yards, 1 TD Peyton Manning vs. CIN: 291 passing yards, 3 TD QB Summary: You don't need us to tell you this, but we'll tell you anyway: Peyton Manning should ensure that your production at the quarterback position is among the best in the league. We have him as the #3 QB according to your scoring rules, and we figure he gives you about a 1.9 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 Manning stays healthy. Incidentally, Rivers has what we project as a neutral matchup (WAS) during Manning's bye. Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes: Some members of our staff have Philip Rivers ranked as high as 17th, which would make him an above average second quarterback. Heath Cummings defends his high ranking as follows: "The good news for Rivers is that his offensive line can't be much worse than they were in 2012. The bad news is that it doesn't look to be much better either. Rivers days of elite production are behind him but he should have a bounce back year and settle in as an above average QB2." RB Summary: We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Arian Foster ranked ninth and Chris Ivory ranked at #27. We see Ronnie Hillman as an average third running back. We think Jonathan Dwyer makes a fine fourth running back. We love Daniel Thomas as a fifth running back. Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes: Some members of our staff have Arian Foster ranked as high as second, which would make him an above average first running back. Anthony Borbely defends his high ranking as follows: "Foster has averaged more than 1800 yards from scrimmage and has 47 TDs in the last three years. With his high expected TD numbers, I think Foster has a great chance to be the top fantasy RB this year. There is some concern about Foster's back and leg issues, but he was activated from the PUP list and appears to be on target for the regular season opener. While there is risk, I am ranking Foster second to Adrian Peterson because of the huge numbers he has posted year after year. " Chris Ivory is ranked #20 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine second running back. Kyle Wachtel reasons, "Great combination of power and speed. Heading to a run-based offense. Health is the only obstacle." Ronnie Hillman is ranked #21 by some of our writers, which would make him a great third running back and even a legitimate RB2. Mark Wimer reasons, "I've been speaking with Cecil Lammey as he's watched the Broncos' early June OTAs/on into training camp, and the word is that Ronnie Hillman looks explosive and polished and that he's been running with the first team extensively. Meanwhile, Montee Ball has looked less impressive and is a rookie playing for John Fox. I've revised my Denver projections based on Cecil's observations and Hillman has vaulted up my running back projections/rankings, while Ball has fallen significantly. This is a camp battle I'll watch closely during preseason games/training camp reports. Hillman was listed first on the depth chart that Denver released during training camp. " Some of our staffers have Jonathan Dwyer as high as #26, which would make him a great fourth running back and even a legitimate RB3. Mark Wimer's take: "With Le'Veon Bell diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury, Dwyer becomes the likely beneficiary - he'll probably be the lead back in a running back by committee up in Pittsburgh. Isaac Redman would likely also contribute heavily in the RBBC scenario. " WR Summary: Nice work here. We like both your starting receivers, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 1.8 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. A.J. Green is our third ranked WR, and we have Randall Cobb at #13. Your bench also looks good. Cecil Shorts looks great as a third receiver; he's a likely flex starter. T.Y. Hilton is also a very nice WR4. We're not sure that Kenny Stills adds much, as you're already strong at the position and we aren't convinced he's roster-worthy in this league anyway. TE Summary: Vernon Davis should be above average as a starting tight end. We have him ranked sixth overall at the position. We also think Fred Davis is a starting quality tight end in this league. He's a luxury. Kicker Summary: With Phil Dawson, you should be above average at the position. Defense Summary: The Cardinals are probably not a difference-maker at defense, but they should be OK. When you don't have an elite defense, one option is a committee approach. That is, try to get two cheap defenses whose schedules fit well together. Here are a few teams who we think may be available and whose schedules fit best with the Cardinals', along with the combined schedule that each would create: Cardinals + Rams = ARI | DET | DAL | TB | JAX | HOU | CAR | ATL | TEN | IND | JAX | CHI | PHI | ARI | TEN | TB
Cardinals + Buccaneers = NYJ | DET | NO | ARI | CAR | PHI | ATL | CAR | SEA | MIA | JAX | IND | PHI | BUF | TEN | STL
Cardinals + Chargers = STL | PHI | TEN | DAL | OAK | IND | JAX | ATL | WAS | HOU | JAX | IND | PHI | STL | TEN | OAK
Is this a dynasty team? Click here to find out how it might look for 2014 season. [h=2]SCHEDULE ANALYSIS[/h]Green means GO (good matchup), red means STOP (bad matchup). Main starters highlightedAt the bottom of the table, the Relative Strength row shows you how strong we project your team to be, relative to your usual strength, in that week. This accounts for byes and matchups.