RB life, after the top 4

[SmokingMonkey]

12 team PPR league
QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, FLX, K, DST

pick #5
I'm assuming some kind of Charles/McCoy/AP/Forte order goes before me - these guys all drafted RBs in the first round last year, and I'm expecting the top 4 to do the same again.

right now, I have Lacy/Ball as the 2 that I'm deciding between.
An outside case could be made for Calvin Johnson, but I would really prefer to get a RB at #5, then load up on WRs after that, due to starting 3 + 1 flex.

I'm leaning towards Lacy.

I was actually surprised that there wasn't already a Lacy v Ball thread, unless I missed it when I was looking.

thoughts??

 

[TREFF]

Well, you know who I'd take, and I'm sure you've read why. However, I don't know your league, Ball's ADP might allow him to fall back to you, and get both Lacy and Ball, that would be the only thing I'd consider. I know he got to me in the second on virtually every ESPN league I did.
So yea, how helpful was that? ?

 

[Nosferatu]

I would take Lacy over Forte. Everyone is all worried about AD being 29 and having over 2200 touches but he's only like 9 months older than Forte and Forte has 1900 touches, why aren't people worried? I would take Calvin over Ball, obviously much of it depends on your leagues scoring.

Edit... Okay it's a PPR, I see why Forte goes top 4. I would take Lacy and if not Lacy then Calvin.

 

[TK21775]

ESPN has him rated 25th so he doesn't show up on the big board until a few picks have gone off board, was hoping people who didn't see him just assumed he was drafted but he's been going 2nd round for sure in mocks there; yahoo has him 10th so first round on that site

 

[HizzleRocker]

12 team PPR league
QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, FLX, K, DST

pick #5
I'm assuming some kind of Charles/McCoy/AP/Forte order goes before me - these guys all drafted RBs in the first round last year, and I'm expecting the top 4 to do the same again.

right now, I have Lacy/Ball as the 2 that I'm deciding between.
An outside case could be made for Calvin Johnson, but I would really prefer to get a RB at #5, then load up on WRs after that, due to starting 3 + 1 flex.

I'm leaning towards Lacy.

I was actually surprised that there wasn't already a Lacy v Ball thread, unless I missed it when I was looking.

thoughts??

Honestly, I would consider looking at another position if all 4 of those go. Why have the at best 5th best RB, when you can have the best QB or the best WR? I would look to Peyton at that point or maybe Calvin.

 

[SmokingMonkey]

thx for the quick replies fellas - I like your thinking Treff.
I already have a good feeling that the end of the 1st rd will be more WRs (and Graham) from talking to some of the other owners.

Would love it if Ball falls back to me in the 2nd, no way in hell Lacy falls that far, so that'll probably be the way I go WED night.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Lacy is the safer pick, so I would go lacy... But be careful about lacy, last season he was the offense due to Rodgers getting hurt... WIth Rodgers back, one of them two have to have a below expected season... It just is not very likely for a top 5 QB and a top 5 RB... Unless the offense scores like the broncos did last year...

To be honest, I would go lynch- even though he is a hot head...

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Honestly, I would consider looking at another position if all 4 of those go. Why have the at best 5th best RB, when you can have the best QB or the best WR? I would look to Peyton at that point or maybe Calvin.

I won't take Peyton unless he comes back to me in the 2nd. I'm not a QB first guy, and probably never will be.

Also, I like Thomas, Dez, Green as just as likely to finish #1 overall at WR, that's why I narrowed it down to Lacy/Ball.

good thoughts, but I just don't like the sacrifice I'd have to make at RB in order to get one of those 2 guys.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

I think lacy could turn out to be the top fantasy back in the league for many of the same reasons ball could be elite. I am not touching lynch. I think he is going to start seeing the effects of age and wear and tear on his body this year. I would consider taking Peyton at 5 because I don't have much faith in lacy, even though that decision could burn me.

Either way, I would definitely take lacy over ball. I just think he's more proven, a better runner, and is in a similarly explosive offense. Ball still has a big question mark. Has he improved his pass blocking? If his pass blocking is still poor, I could see Denver go in another direction at running back because protecting manning is much more important than getting ball touches.

 

[TKOSpikes]

You know my answer too. Ball.

 

[Bandit]

I would actually go Megatron there since you start 3 WR plus a flex. Some of the running backs that we covet in the MBBRL don't seem to be as coveted in other leagues including, Ball, Bell, and Bernard, so I'm sure one of them will be there in the 2nd.

 

[wilwhite]

I think Lacy could keep it close in regular scoring - PPR, I'd definitely go with Ball. Check out last year's tosses to RBs.

GB:
Lacy 35 receptions
Starks 10
Franklin 4

Denver:
Moreno 60
Ball 20
Hillman 14

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

I would actually go Megatron there since you start 3 WR plus a flex. Some of the running backs that we covet in the MBBRL don't seem to be as coveted in other leagues including, Ball, Bell, and Bernard, so I'm sure one of them will be there in the 2nd.

I'm not as high on ball, bell or Bernard either. Ball should be an early second rounder. The first round is for proven players and Ball is far from proven. He might not even be the starter if he can't protect manning. If you invest that much in ball and then he doesn't see the field at the capacity that a starter should, then you just lost your league with that pick.

Bell is also a second rounder. I think he's a much more proven back and much more likely to get starter calibre touches. Balls ceiling is much higher though. Bell is more of a you know what you'll get second rounder.

Bernard shouldn't be touched in the second round. He's a very talented runner, but I'm not sure he is going to be a traditional starter. I think he'll be the head of a running back by committee. There is just too much competition in that backfield. I might take him as a flex in the fourth or fifth, but I doubt he'll be available there.

 

[TKOSpikes]

Fudge, you're forgetting that the Broncos trust Ball already...he'll be on the field more than Moreno was last year.

And Gio is a special talent. The competition you're referring to is a rookie and an old man, neither of which will see 3rd downs...and Bernard's goal line status is not in jeopardy...not sure why you're giving him a fourth round grade, when he will get more work than last year...which was a high RB2.

 

[MilkSpiller22]

Honestly, as much as I like both Lacy and Ball, I think Lacy is the safer pick, but I think ball has the more upside... The reason is solely because ball will catch more balls... Lacy is a better runner, but I have a hard time seeing both Rodgers and Lacy both having ELITE seasons... if ball can catch around 50 balls(Moreno caught 60 last season) then Ball can get more touches than lacy... It is very hard to Be an elite RB on a Pass first team, unless you are a good receiver too... And ball is better...

But I would avoid both of them at the 5th overall and go WR... BTW I would draft Calivin, DThomas and Graham all before the 5th best RB...

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Honestly, as much as I like both Lacy and Ball, I think Lacy is the safer pick, but I think ball has the more upside... The reason is solely because ball will catch more balls... Lacy is a better runner, but I have a hard time seeing both Rodgers and Lacy both having ELITE seasons... if ball can catch around 50 balls(Moreno caught 60 last season) then Ball can get more touches than lacy... It is very hard to Be an elite RB on a Pass first team, unless you are a good receiver too... And ball is better...

But I would avoid both of them at the 5th overall and go WR... BTW I would draft Calivin, DThomas and Graham all before the 5th best RB...

Calvin has been the best wr in the nfl for several years now, but he's getting older. He started having health problems last year and I think they will hinder him again. I think wr becomes a crap shoot this year. There are 6 Wrs that could be argued to be the top wr this year. That's why I'll wait til the second or third for a wr.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

Fudge, you're forgetting that the Broncos trust Ball already...he'll be on the field more than Moreno was last year.

And Gio is a special talent. The competition you're referring to is a rookie and an old man, neither of which will see 3rd downs...and Bernard's goal line status is not in jeopardy...not sure why you're giving him a fourth round grade, when he will get more work than last year...which was a high RB2.

I'm not sure they do. I think the front office foresaw him being the number one guy, but that's not entirely indicative that the coaching staff feels the same way. All it takes is for ball to blow a few assignments causing Manning to get flattened before they move onto the next guy. Which brings me to my original question. Has he improved his pass blocking?

 

[SmokingMonkey]

Calvin has been the best wr in the nfl for several years now, but he's getting older. He started having health problems last year and I think they will hinder him again. I think wr becomes a crap shoot this year. There are 6 Wrs that could be argued to be the top wr this year. That's why I'll wait til the second or third for a wr.

agree completely on the bold points - that is why I won't be taking him at #5.
I feel like Lacy and Ball both have legit shots at being top 5 RBs, and there is an outside shot that I could still get Ball if I draft Lacy first.

 

[TKOSpikes]

I'm not sure they do. I think the front office foresaw him being the number one guy, but that's not entirely indicative that the coaching staff feels the same way. All it takes is for ball to blow a few assignments causing Manning to get flattened before they move onto the next guy. Which brings me to my original question. Has he improved his pass blocking?

You're not sure they trust him? He took over late last year, and they let Moreno walk, and left themselves with Hillman and Anderson (not 3-down backs). The ball is Ball's (after Peyton), make no mistake, this is undisputed. ...and yes, since late last year, they have been more than impressed with Ball's blocking, hence everything I just said. The only thing that stops Ball is an appendectomy gone wrong, or a nasty case of fumblitis... in which case, I still think they'd work through it with him.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

You're not sure they trust him? He took over late last year, and they let Moreno walk, and left themselves with Hillman and Anderson (not 3-down backs). The ball is Ball's (after Peyton), make no mistake, this is undisputed. ...and yes, since late last year, they have been more than impressed with Ball's blocking, hence everything I just said. The only thing that stops Ball is an appendectomy gone wrong, or a nasty case of fumblitis... in which case, I still think they'd work through it with him.

I don't see it that way. I guess this is just one of those points where well have to agree to disagree, and wait and see in the regular season. I'm also a firm believer in value based drafting. I think Ball can be had in the second in most of my leagues, and I would seriously consider him there.