Welcome to "Money Talks". The general purpose of this column will be to give you some advice for one of the more popular methods of adding new fantasy players each week – the Free Agency Acquisition Budget, or "FAAB". What this is in a nutshell is a budget of money that every team is given to bid on free agents each week, much like in an auction. Usually this is done via blind bids, meaning that no other owner knows how much you have bid on a given player – unless you announce your bid in some sort of a poker-like bluff move. Some leagues do reveal all bids after the bidding is closed and waivers are processed, while other leagues just show winning bids. It can be fun to see if several teams bid on a given player or if an owner spent a ton of money on a guy no one else even wanted.
Enough of that for now. I will give both general advice and also some weekly assistance for this advanced waiver process in this column. I hope you enjoy and get the player(s) you want every week. Here we go.
ASSUMPTIONS
As with anything in fantasy football, not all leagues are the same. Some are big, some are small. Such is the way with FAAB waivers. Some leagues use a big budget of $1,000 per owner or more, while others use $100 or less. I will assume $1,000 for the purposes of this article and let you, the reader, do the math to adjust to your league. Another difference is that in some leagues the FAAB process is the ONLY way to get new players. Other leagues have the FAAB process first and then allow free transactions for that week on any player not getting a bid (so you can cover your kicker's bye, for example, for free). I will assume that is NOT the case here and think that every transaction will cost you something. If it does not, great – but at least you know why I might say to grab a kicker now for a buck.
Now let's talk about bidding in general. For many more experienced leagues, round numbers are the kiss of death. Even older leagues (and owners) start to see bidding trends over time ("Jeff loves to end in a 7"), which can be dangerous when you are trying to outbid everyone. The natural assumption is to bid in large round numbers – please avoid that temptation. $53 vs. $50 may seem like a trivial difference, but many more people bid $50 instead of adding a few extra bucks that can change who wins.
Another generally accepted rule – do not be stingy early in the year. Sure it is nice to hold on to extra "cash" in case a stud RB goes down for the year, but look around your league and count how many NFL backups are even available on the waiver wire. Not many? Right. Go big early on players who seem to come out of nowhere, like Victor Cruz last year. Most fantasy studs appear on the scene in September instead of weeks later.
There is a "ying" to the "yang" of the last rule – which is to not excessively churn your roster. While it may not seem like much, but if you drop 5-10% of your bankroll each week on bench players that never see the light of day in your lineup, then you are just wasting money. Think about it this way – if you save for a rainy day, you can be prepared to go all out for when you need that money to go "all in" on a player you really want. Of course the trick is figuring out which player is worthy of such a big bid.
Last comment for now – it is far better to bid on a player a week or two early instead of a week late. That can be the difference between a $3 player and a $300 player. If you really want Adrian Peterson’s understudy, get him now before Peterson pulls that hammy and everyone gets in on the action.
Week 3 Comment: Another item to discuss – who to drop. Keep perspective on your team. If you are short on running backs, you probably want to cut a different position player to grab running back depth. To say that another way, if you are strong and deep already at wide receiver, a sixth or seventh wideout is very unlikely to help. Let that steer your cuts.
Week 4 Comment: Bye weeks are starting now, so teams are going to be more active on the waiver wire, especially with New England off in Week 4. Kickers and defenses will be added and dropped, so start looking ahead and you’re your lineups for the weeks where you will be short a starter or two. Depth is going to play a bigger part in the next several weeks, so do not be afraid to add players for a rainy day now instead of later.
Week 5 Comment: Bye weeks are here, so some of the best deals are both players on a bye week or coming off of one. For example, New England and Tennessee were both off last week. With the idea of "out of sight, out of mind", players on both teams could be bargain acquisitions – and this general trend will continue through Week 12.
Week 6 Comment: The fantasy regular season is nearly half over, so if you are sitting on some free agent money, it is probably time to buy some guys you might need – now or later. Even if a player is only startable for 2-3 games, that is a big percentage of the fantasy regular season. Shoot the lock off of that wallet.
Week 7 Comment: Not only is the (fantasy) season half over, injuries are starting to pile up. Once you can start to get past some bye weeks, depth on rosters will matter. Add players and handcuffs accordingly.
Week 8 Comment: This week is a make or break waiver wire week to me. Pick up the wrong guys and you will pay dearly for it. Waiver wire money will cost you, as will the wasted roster spot, but also the missed chance to get someone else. I see lots of Fools' Gold this week, so read on and choose wisely.
Week 9 Comment: Time to make some moves. With stars from six teams on the bye week, it is either time to build some depth or to position your team for a playoff push. Throw the budget away and get some guys you want (and might need) for November and the fantasy playoffs.
Week 10 Comment: Time to make some moves. With stars from six teams coming off of the bye week, those guys could fly under the radar. it is either time to build some depth or to position your team for a playoff push. Throw the budget away and get some guys you want (and might need) for November and the fantasy playoffs.
Week 11 Comment: Bye weeks are almost behind us, with just six more teams to take a week off. Now it is time to roster some guys to back up your top backs and receivers and get the roster set for your fantasy playoffs.
Week 12 Comment: You are likely running out of time (and possibly dollars as well). Grab any applicable handcuffs and if you have enough money left, spend it now on a Top 5 waiver wire prospect. Even if you have a strong team, keep hot hands off of the opposing rosters.
Week 13 Comment: If your fantasy playoffs are imminent, make sure you have backups at each spot - even kicker. Anyone can get hurt down the stretch.
Week 14 Comment: If your fantasy playoffs are imminent, make sure you have backups at each spot - even kicker. Anyone can get hurt down the stretch.
BIG BUCKS
Big Bucks are reserved for immediate starter potential players (QB1, RB1/2, WR1/2/3, Flex, TE1) in most league formats.
- DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins ($215): Rishard Matthews broke several ribs, which paves the way for rookie Parker to start in Miami. Parker had 10 targets in Week 12, pulling down four of those for 80 yards and his first NFL touchdown. He added a second touchdown last week on a bad day for the Miami passing game. His upside is high here and he could be a player that wins some fantasy teams a playoff game or two in December.
- Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans ($203): Mariota had a huge day against the Jaguars, and we are at the point where rookies have enough experience to almost be considered veterans. Mariota is a viable fantasy starter now, especially with his running ability.
MEDIUM MONEY
Medium Money is reserved for players who could be bye week starters or that have upside potential on good matchups in most league formats.
- Ameer Abdullah, RB, Lions ($135): Abdullah had 17 touches on Thanksgiving resulting in 75 yards, and last week he followed up with 67 more yards on 13 carries. He is the closest thing that Detroit has to a feature back. If you need a flex RB with some upside (and he does return kicks, too) then he is worth considering.
- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Titans ($134): Green-Beckham is getting more targets from Marcus Mariota, and we saw what he can do this past week with over 100 yards and a touchdown. The Titans throw much better than they run, and that offers Green-Beckham a lot of upside.
- Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks ($133): Lockett has been stepping up quite a bit as a receiver for Russell Wilson. Lockett had a solid 7-90 day despite not finding the end zone. Once teams start covering Doug Baldwin more, I expect Lockett to score.
- Richard Rodgers, TE, Packers ($132, $164 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Aaron Rodgers loves his big tight end in the red zone, and Rodgers-to-Rodgers has become a weekly occurrence for the Packers. Rodgers (the TE) had a big day (8-146-1), capped off with the miraculous Hail Mary catch to win the game.
- Will Tye, TE, Giants ($131, $150 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Larry Donnell remains sidelined and the Giants keep finding themselves in “must throw” games. He produced against Washington in Week 12 and against the Jets in Week 13. He has high TE2 value with a little upside.
- Bilal Powell, RB, Jets ($131): The Jets are seeing Chris Ivory have a bit less room to run, so they are getting Powell more involved in the ground and passing game. Powell had over 100 yards and a touchdown against the Giants and has good upside going forward.
- Ted Ginn Jr, WR, Panthers ($130): If only Ginn had better hands, he would be a WR1 without question. He has elite speed but iffy hands, but even so he still can have a big day like he did on Sunday with two touchdowns. He’s tough to stomach and will frustrate you when you use him, but the upside is unquestionable here.
- Shaun Draughn, RB, 49ers ($130): I still do not think that Draughn is very good, but as long as he is the top running back for San Francisco and getting 15+ touches a week, he is a borderline RB2.
- James White, RB, Patriots ($129): I said a few weeks back that while everyone chased Brandon Bolden, go get James White instead. He paid off big against the Eagles with 10 catches, 115 yards and a touchdown. As always with New England, it is tough to predict usage but White has good upside if he is a key piece going forward.
- Chris Polk, RB, Texans ($127): The Texans have struggled to find a ground game after Arian Foster went down, but Polk stepped it up last week with 61 yards on the ground and an 11-yard touchdown catch. Not a bad RB2/flex option.
- Markus Wheaton, WR, Steelers ($116): Wheaton is the WR3 for the Steelers, and when Roethlisberger has a big day, so can Wheaton. He’s a tough weekly start decision, however. He has both WR3 / flex appeal and handcuff appeal to both Antonio Brown and Martavis Bryant.
- Brian Hartline, WR, Browns ($115): Not a sexy pick as Hartline is much more of a possession receiver, but you have to respect that he snared two scoring passes in Week 8 and continues to add receptions each week, including a 8-83 day in Week 13. Much more valuable in PPR leagues.
- Clive Walford, TE, Raiders ($115, $134 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Oakland throws, throws and throws some more, and it seems that Walford is the preferred tight end in the passing game right now. His numbers are respectable (5-53 in Week 13) and he offers up touchdown potential each week.
- Brandon Coleman, WR, Saints ($113): New Orleans finds themselves in shootouts each week, so all of their recievers are now viable. Drew Brees is going to have to throw a ton, and rookie Coleman has some value as part of that passing game. Coleman had a touchdown in Week 13 and has great size, so he has upside if the Saints want to give him more snaps and look towards the future.
- Ben Watson, TE, Saints ($109, $144 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): Remember this guy? Yes, he is still around and productive in New Orleans. The Saints keep finding themselves in shootouts, and Watson is a main contributor. He makes for a decent TE2 pickup.
- Darren Sproles, RB, Eagles ($105): Philadelphia changed up their backfield by using Kenjon Barner and Darren Sproles more in Week 13. Ryan Mathews is due back soon, so any Eagle RB pickup is risky. Sproles does have more PPR and kick return appeal, however, so he is worth more.
- Marvin Jones, WR, Bengals ($103): Andy Dalton had a solid game in Week 12, and he needed more wide receivers with Tyler Eifert out. Jones splits time with Mohamed Sanu, who is also a viable WR3/flex option.
- Cecil Shorts, WR, Texans ($101): Cecil Shorts continues to be a multi-dimensional contributor for the Texans, rushing for 11 yards in addition to his 6-91 receiving day. Not a bad WR3/flex option.
CHUMP CHANGE
Chump Change is reserved for players who are relatively considered to be a good flier pick to stash on a fantasy bench in case he blows up over the next few weeks and becomes a potential immediate or spot starter.
- Kerwynn Williams, RB, Cardinals ($97): The Arizona backfield is not settled, with David Johnson leading the way but Kerwynn Williams contributed a solid amount with 59 yards and a touchdown. I would put him as the RB2 in Arizona right now.
- Chris Givens, WR, Ravens ($89): Baltimore needs receivers, and Chris Givens is more likely to start the rest of the year as the WR2 than any other option they have. Givens only caught four passes and scored in Week 12 and three more on Sunday.
- Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Buccaneers ($88, $101 in TE-PPR bonus leagues): The young tight end finally got back on the field in Week 13, posting small numbers (3-31) but he could prove valuable the rest of the way.
- Charles Sims, RB, Buccaneers ($85): Tampa Bay is playing with attitude, and young legs like Charles Sims are helping the offense along. Doug Martin still leads that backfield but Sims is contributing as a rusher and receiver as the RB2.
- Antonio Andrews, RB, Titans ($79): I still do not trust the Titans’ backfield, but Andrews is the lead guy there. He has limited value as a RB2/flex.
- Kenjon Barner, RB, Eagles ($75): Philadelphia changed up their backfield by using Barner and Darren Sproles more in Week 13. Ryan Mathews is due back soon, so any Eagle RB pickup is risky.
- Orleans Darkwa, RB, Giants ($45): The Giants have a minimal ground game right now. Orleans Darkwa led with eight carries. He only had 33 yards with one catch, but he is getting the most work.
Questions, suggestions and comments are always welcome to pasquino@footballguys.com.