Toucher & Rich: Dave Richard On Gronk's Fantasy Value
With the football season just a few weeks away, it can mean only one thing: Fantasy Football drafts.
To get everyone ready for their upcoming drafts, or ways to improve their already-drafted team, CBSSports.com's Fantasy expert Dave Richard joined Toucher & Rich Thursday morning.
There have been a few changes in drafting strategies with a big emphasis on quarterbacks the last few years. Has anything changed this season?
"The point now, with your first pick you want to get it as safe as possible. Stud running backs still the way to go but there aren't that many around; there is only three, maybe four if you think Chris Johnson will bounce back. But once those stud running backs are gone, and we're talking about mid-first round, quarterbacks come into play. I've never been a proponent to selecting a quarterback in the first round, but I am this year because I don't think you can mess it up. Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees -- guys that in a standard league will get you 20 points a week. In PPR leagues, where receptions count, quarterbacks are devalued a bit."
Read: Dave Richard On CBS Sports
Locally, Rob Gronkowski had a monster year in 2011, both on the field and fantasy-wise. But many are expecting a big drop in Gronk's fantasy value. Does Richard agree?
"I have him as the second best tight end in fantasy football, one spot ahead of Aaron Hernandez and one behind Jimmy Graham. I think the reason why a lot of people are nervous about Gronk is the arrival of Brandon Lloyd," said Richard. "Lloyd is going to have a dynamite season; he always has when working with Josh McDaniels. This is the best quarterback he's had, and he's not going to see any type of double coverage, ever. everyone who comes in to play the Patriots will try to take away Gronk, Hernandez, Welker; the last guy they're going to think about is Brandon Lloyd -- unless he goes out and puts up 150 yards and 2 touchdowns each week. I don't know if that will happen, but if I'm looking for a good receiver, round 5 or round 6, it's going to be Lloyd."
Read: Fantasy Drafting Strategies
"As for Gronkowski, I think late round 2 to early round 3 is a good time to get him," said Richard. "He's not the best tight end in fantasy; I think Jimmy Graham will have better numbers when the season is over. Gronk is still going to be good, just not worth a first round pick."
For those going with quarterbacks early, Richard has a bit of advice for your other early round picks.
"If you go quarterback early, you probably can't afford to go tight end early too," he cautioned. "My rule for tight end is you can't reach for one, you have to let it fall in your lap... Don't do something crazy like Gronk in round 1 and Cam Newton in round 2."
A few other tips from Dave Richard:
Sleeper running backs: Washington's Evan Royster, New England's Shane Vereen and Pittsburgh's Rashard Mendenhall (who is likely out the first four/five games, but could be big for the Steelers upon his return).
Also, Richard says San Diego's Ryan Matthews is a bit of a health risk, but worth a second round pick.
As for Defenses, Richard says San Francisco and Houston are the two best, and possibly worth a pick in rounds 11 or 12, but there will be plenty of defenses worthy of a roster spot in the later rounds.
Some of his sleeper picks on defense include Buffalo, Detroit, Seattle and Denver.
For even more Fantasy Football news and tips, tune in to the Fantasy Football Show with Mike Lockhart and Jim Murray every Sunday morning from 8am-10am on 98.5 The Sports Hub!
