All Strength of Schedule Team

Strength of schedule can be integral to your success in your fantasy league. Being smart on draft day can assist you in your quest for the grand prize in your league whether it is a big cash payout, a fancy trophy or whatever else your league chooses. Here are some hypothetical picks in a 12 league draft focusing on weeks 14-17. These picks are assuming you pick somewhere in the middle of the pack, picks 5-8. To be successful in later weeks, you sometimes have to trust your gut and take some unpredictable picks in your draft. If you want to set yourself up for a playoff run and manageable playoff weeks, you have to walk a fine line. Here are 8 picks to ponder based upon strength of schedule. 1st round - RB Frank Gore; 2nd round - WR Calvin Johnson; 3rd round - QB Kurt Warner; 4th round - TE Dallas Clark; 5th round - WR Antonio Bryant; 6th round - RB Chris Wells or Jamal Lewis or Darren McFadden; 7th round - Def Chicago; 8th round - WR Bernard Berrian. Some of you may think I am off with some of these picks, but fantasy seasons are not won without taking chances. This is a hypothetical picking order based upon likely availability and strongly considering later weeks strength of schedule. Take a look at some of these guys on your draft day and if you feel like taking a chance and think you have a team worthy of the playoffs, pick one or two of them up to secure some late season points from favorable match-ups.

QB Kurt Warner, ARI (QB - #9)

Kurt Warner would be my pick in the 3rd draft round. He has surged back into the game. Warner is a great pick at QB and will ensure your playoff presence and get you solid points in later fantasy weeks. His average strength of schedule over the last few weeks is about 8th for QBs, but he is a great bet to over-perform. Facing San Francisco, Detroit, St. Louis and Green Bay over weeks 14-17, Warner should produce. He has posted solid points against SF and St. Louis in the past and can be counted on with his solid receiving core.

RB Frank Gore, SF (RB - #9)

My 1st round pick would be Frank Gore. Gore has shown that he can be productive even on a team that struggles. Gore has the third easiest schedule for weeks 15-17 and will be a safe #1 RB throughout the season. Look for Gore to put up big numbers later in the season vs. Detroit, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Arizona, all teams he has shown he can dominate in the past. Gore will get you the early season points you need to secure a playoff run in your league and then fire off some productive weeks in 14-17. Expect 18-25 points from Gore in these weeks as long as he is healthy. Maybe this is the year San Francisco makes a late season run and needs Gore more than ever.

RB Jamal Lewis, CLE (RB - #43)

Lewis is aging, but has put up nearly 1,000 yards over the past few seasons. His fantasy production has been up and down over the years and during each season, but he is a workhorse who will get carries. He could be a solid pick in the sixth round. I would have to consider Darren McFadden and Chris Wells in such a position and picks as well given their strength of schedule for later weeks. All three running backs are gambles as far as I am concerned. McFadden has competition, Lewis is older and Wells is a rookie. Lewis does have the struggles of his QBs in his favor. If they falter, he could capitalize on the ground game focus.

RB Darren McFadden, OAK (RB - #51)

McFadden is a gamble to a certain extent. His production has not been consistent and he has competition from Fargas and Bush, but I think he will be the number one in Oakland and show his prowess and value as a second year player. McFadden is fast and strong. I would take McFadden as a number six draft pick, but this would be a risky decision. His strength of schedule is appealing over the last few weeks. I guess it is a toss up between Wells, McFadden and Lewis.

RB Chris Wells, ARI (RB - #32)

Wells is a rookie, but he should secure the starting running back job in Arizona. Tim Hightower has been an alright back and James is a free agent, so Wells can step up to the plate. I like Wells' match-ups vs. San Francisco, Detroit, St. Louis and Green Bay in weeks 14-17. Wells should be able to tear through these defenses with the support of Warner and solid wide outs. Wells may be the safest of my considerations in the sixth draft round and for season-long production, but you must consider Lewis and McFadden as well with their schedules.