The Roster Shuffle

By XFL Fantasy Doctor of FantasyRef.com

(16 February 2001) --Well, we are two weeks into the XFL season. Hopefully you are all having success in your fantasy leagues. Last week I talked about defensive players and what to look for in a trade. This week, let's take a look at your fantasy roster.

Players on your roster fit into one of three categories: 1) Fantasy Starters, 2) Backups, and 3) Long Shots. This holds true no matter what fantasy league you are in, or even what sport you are following. However, you are all here for XFL advice, and most of you are enrolled in the Sandbox league, so we will focus on the 20-man Sandbox roster. That being said, with some minor modifications, this blueprint can be made to fit the restrictions of any fantasy league.

I. Starters

These are the players who produce every week and who you must choose from to fill out your starting lineup. Sandbox requires only one QB. In the small XFL league, some of you may have more than one starting QB, while others were shut out in that department. Ideally, you want one starter and his backup (see part II). You also need five starters between RB and WR each week, and hopefully you have one or two extra just in case. Only one K and TE is required, and there is really no reason to carry more than one at either position. Defensively, Sandbox uses individual stats and requires three players from any defensive position. You should have four (five max.) defensive players on your roster, all of which could start any given week. If your league utilizes team defenses, you only need to keep one on your roster. In total, 12-15 spots on your Sandbox roster should be filled by players who produce on a constant basis.

II. Backups

For your top fantasy players, you want to have their backups on your roster. This is especially true for your starting QB and RB. If you own Rashaan Salaam, consider yourself lucky. But if he falls victim to injury, you will wish you had Brent Moss around. At QB, having the top two players on any team will ensure you have a starter every week (except in Las Vegas where they may have to dip into their third spot). Think of all the fantasy owners who had Charlie Puleri and Ryan Clement on their roster as their two QB's. As the season began, they were jumping for joy, and probably dancing in the face of every other owner in the league who had to start Jim Druckenmiller in Week One. However, with Clement injured and Puleri possibly heading to the bench, this owner may be without a starter for Week Three. Therefore, it is imperative you have your starting QB's backup, your starting RB's backup, and possibly even the third or fourth guy behind your top WR.

III. Long Shots

Including your starters and a couple of backups, you have filled 14-18 spots on your roster. With a twenty man limit, that leaves you with anywhere from two to six spots available for this last category. Sometimes called sleepers, your long shots are guys who are not currently producing enough to consider them starters, if they are producing at all. They can be prominent backups to players on other fantasy teams in your league, players coming off injury, or players buried on the depth chart who you just feel will someday crack the starting lineup. Most of your roster moves will be of players in this category.

Bottom Line

You should have one starting QB (hopefully) and his backup. If you have more than one starting QB, acquire the backup to whichever QB you wish to retain and consider the other starter as trade bait. You should have five to seven starters between RB and WR. There are few RB's who receive enough playing time to be considered fantasy starters (maybe 15 tops), so the majority of your Off Flex spots will be filled by WR's. Also, since RB's are so scarce in this league, grab the backup to your top back. Unless there is an injury, you should only carry one K and TE. On defense, carry three to five players and rotate them week to week based on their opponents. Scour the waiver wire and fill in the remaining slots with players you feel to have the most
potential. Look for any starters that may have been overlooked, or any backup QB's or RB's. Next, grab third string backs (Charles Wiley, Ben Snell, Joe Aska even), players coming off injury (Damon Dunn, Charles Jordan, maybe even Chris Brantley), or anyone you feel may someday make an impact (Steve Smith).

Best of luck to all of you!!!

Have a fantasy football dilemma, sent it to me at
xflfantasydr@fantasyref.com