Position Dominance

What is position dominance? It simply means that you are loaded at a position. It gives you flexibility later in the year, and lowers risk.

Last season, I traded down in the first round and up in the second. I drafted Clinton Portis first and Chad Johnson second. In our league you can start one or two RB's. What were my next picks? RB, QB, RB, TE, RB,WR, RB. See a pattern?

So I like RB's. I think that a good one helps your team win, and an okay one is great for trade bait. I was taking into account that some of these guys wouldn't work out like I wanted. But if one started hot, maybe I could get a better player who was not so hot at the time.

There was another owner in my league who grabbed WR early and often. A third grabbed two QB's in the first 6 rounds. We clearly had the best depth at these positions. We were thus in a position to make trades to improve the rest of our team.

The owner with two top QB's didn't make any trades. He missed the playoffs.

The owner with the WR's made a couple of trades. He traded away Torry Holt to try and solidify his RB's. He also traded a future 2nd round draft pick for Willis McGahee, just before McGahee got the starting job. He too missed the playoffs, but he has several good keeper prospects for this year.

So who did I draft? Michael Bennett, Matt Hasselbeck, Quentin Griffin, Jeremy Shockey, Willis McGahee, Javon Walker and Chris Brown. It is important to note that I do not like Michael Bennett or Quentin Griffin. I like Minnesota RB #1 and Denver RB #1. I thought that these were the most likely candidates at draft time.

I traded Chris Brown for my starting defensive backs. Shortly after week 2 was finished I traded Griffin for Deuce McAllister, making my point about trading for a better player who is not doing so hot. Then, like an idiot, I traded McGahee. Of course I have extra picks in the 2005 draft now, and I wasn't likely to start him over Portis or McAllister.

To sum up, I feel it is a wise move to try and corner the market on a position. If you already have your starters, all the other owners will think you're done with that position. If there is a potential value when your turn comes, take it. You can cover all your bases and set yourself up for future success.