As the season winds down, the labor situation is drawing increased attention.
There’s no guarantee owners and players will reach a deal to keep NFL football going. But if a deal does get done, we can expect an expanded 18-game regular season.
How will that affect fantasy? Lots of ways.
The NFL could add another off week to help players heal, meaning 20 weeks of regular-season football. So the fantasy regular season would last 15 or 16 weeks instead of the standard 13 now. No complaints here.
Rosters would have to expand, both real and fantasy. Part-time players would see bigger roles, and we might see running back-committees go from two to three or four members.
This would reward fantasy teams with depth, as opposed to a few stars. Your fantasy team probably would carry up to five RBs and up to six WRs apiece.
Smart fantasy players should embrace the change. Deeper roster knowledge = bigger edge.
Pro Football Focus’ exclusive player data would be an even bigger help.
Subscribers know, for instance, that Lance Moore finished 2010 as the No. 7-ranked wideout in just 567 snaps. He had a fine catch percentage (71.7, with just 3 drops) and he doesn’t commit penalties, which endears him to Drew Brees and Sean Payton. Owning the best committee receivers like Moore becomes critical in a longer season.
As for running back examples, PFF’s rushing ratings put Danny Woodhead No. 5 and Brandon Jacobs No. 9, much higher than the public perception. Again, those are committee backs whose value would increase in an 18-game slate.
Depth at tight end also will matter (as it did this season when injuries struck).
You don’t need me to tell you Vernon Davis is among the best tight ends. He tied for third with 11 broken tackles. But I bet you can’t guess who he’s tied with: Daniel Fells and Jermaine Gresham, according to PFF data.
That’s good info when you’re looking for a backup tight end, one you might start a few times in 2011 in the right matchups.
For now, let's just hope there is a 2011 season, so we can put this knowledge to work.
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