In 1999, despite already drafting both a starting quarterback (Vinny Testaverde) and a backup quarterback (Troy Aikman), I decided to use my final pick, which was the final pick in the draft, on an unknown Kurt Warner, who had just “earned” the starting job when Trent Green tore his ACL in the final preseason game. Warner exploded on the scene and dominated that year.
After Vinny was lost for the year in week one and I lost patience with Aikman, I inserted the red-hot Warner into my starting lineup in week six. I would lose that week. I wouldn’t lose again, winning 11 straight, including the championship, led by my first-team All-Robio quarterback, Mr. Irrelevant, Kurt Warner.
Why do I tell you this story? First, because I absolutely love talking about myself. Two…Warner is the ultimate success story for a category three pick: A first-team All-Robio quarterback, who leads his team to a championship.
Speaking of category three…
We’ve been debating for years about who is the best at picking out category three players. And when I say debate, that means just Matt bragging about Wes Welker. Yet, is he the greatest picker of talent in the last five rounds? Well, I’ve done the research and I have an answer for you and a whole lot more.
Here is my criteria for a player to be on the below lists…First, I’ve started with the 2003 season, when the majority of the league members were in the league. Second, a QB-TE-DST had to finish top-10 and a RB/WR had to finish top-20 at their position.
BY THE NUMBERS
Since 2003, 900 players have been drafted in rounds 11-15. Of those, 97 players fit the above mold; just over 10%.
Of the 97 starter-worthy draft picks in category three, seven were traded, 27 were cut (26 of those were picked up by someone else), seven were benched while 56 became either starters or roto-starters for the team that drafted them. However, only 41% of the total players (40 players) were kept the following year and only 24 of those 40 were kept for a third season. As for redshirts, only two players in league history (Alshon Jeffery 2012-2015) and Jeremy Maclin (2013-2016) avoided the draft pool for four years and neither lasted on the same team.
Wide receivers are the most common position when it comes to finding sleepers after round 11, as 26 finished among the top-20. Defense-Special Teams are second with 23, which isn’t a surprise, since many teams wait until category threee to draft a DST. Quarterbacks are next, as 19 top-10 arms were drafted after round 11, followed by 16 tight ends and lastly, 13 running backs (that’s less than one per year).
Since 2003, no skilled player drafted in category three has ended up as the top player at their position. However, four DSTs have been drafted after round 11 and finished as the top defense. They were Ravens (Rob M) in 2006, Packers (Bob) in 2009, Broncos (Matt) in 2015 and Vikings (Rob M) in 2016. Meanwhile, one quarterback (Palmer) has managed to finish #1 in his second year.
Colby is the king of getting his hands on category three players after the draft. Five times he has gotten ahold of someone else’s category three starters. However, four of those times came via a trade. Calderon is the king of picking up cut category three starters. He has added via free agency four starter-worthy category one keepers during the season.
The Broncos D have been drafted in category three a league high three times (and finished in the top-10). They were drafted by David in 2005, Rob Masterson in 2012 and Matt in 2015. However, only Matt kept them all season (they finished first). As for actual players, a handful have been drafted twice. They are Big Ben (2009, 2013), Carson Palmer (2004, 2015), Chris Cooley (2006, 2010), Dustin Keller (2010, 2011), Matt Ryan (2008, 2016), Owen Daniels (2007, 2012) and Jeremy Maclin (2010, 2013). Maclin is the record holder for amount of teams and years drafted and/or kept in category three. When he was taken in 2010 by Colby, he played for two teams for three years. Matt snagged a injured Maclin in 2013 and redshirted him. He would eventually play for three teams over four years for a total of five teams in seven seasons.
And lastly, Masterson is the master of keeping players and actually starting them from category three. He’s kept and started eight players he drafted after round 11. However, seven of those players were defenses or tight ends (which is only slightly less impressive). Also, Rob’s 13 total starter-worthy draft picks from category three are a league best. But will that make him #1 on my list? Read and find out.
FIRST-TEAM ALL-CATEGORY THREE TEAM
QB – Cam Newton | Bob (2011) Bob used a 11th round pick to draft a rookie quarterback and all that rookie quarterback did was lead Bob to a second straight championship, scoring over 500 points in the title game. The Panthers signal caller was a three-year starter for Bob and while he never earned an All-Robio award, he still finished strong: 4th, 8th and 6th among all quarterbacks.
RB – Jordan Howard | Colby & Eric (2016) How thin are we with running backs in category three? Howard is the only one to ever get drafted, kept and finish among the top-12 two straight years. The Bears rookie back was drafted by Colby with the second-to-last pick in the draft, but he cut him for Brock Osweiler before week one even kicked off. Well, four weeks later, Eric dropped $56 on him and got himself the best rookie not named Elliot. After keeping him this past season, he didn’t quite live up the preseason expectations, but still managed to finish 12th among all backs. Eric will most likely keep him for a third year.
RB – Alvin Kamara | Bob & Don (2017) Yep, running back in cat three is this thin. By finishing as the third best back in football, Kamara is the highest ranked category three running back…ever. Bob ended up sending the rookie to Don at the trade deadline, to help him get Ingram and Elliot.
WR – Odell Beckham | Griff (2014) Arguable the greatest category three player ever, Beckham was a stud for three seasons for Griff. In 2014, he technically finished just #23, but that’s because he missed some time early in the season. By the time the second half got rolling, the rookie wideout was clearly the best in the business. He was kept the next two years and finished as the 4th best and 5th best receivers. Sadly, he was suspended for the 2015 title game, so he wasn’t on the field when Griff dominated Colby for the championship.
WR – Wes Welker | Matt (2007) Arguable the most famous category three player, only because Matt will always remind you he drafted him. Welker twice cracked the top-10 (finishing 8th in 2007 and 7th two years later). More importantly, he help lead Matt to two titles in 2007 and 2009. His only hiccup? He fell to 21st in 2008, as Matt managed just three wins.
TE – Tony Gonzalez | Matt (2011) He was suppose to be washed up…he wasn’t, as a move to Atlanta was sort of a re-birth for the greatest tight end in fantasy history. In three seasons as a 14th round pick and keeper, he finished 3rd in 2011, 2nd in 2012 and 4th in 2013.
DST – Packers DST | Bob (2009) As I’ve pointed out up top, plenty of category three defenses have done well over the years, but the Packers were both productive and delivered results. For Bob, they were a three-year starter and finished 1st, 2nd and 13th. In his final two years, they were his starting defense on Bob’s back-to-back title runs in 2010 and 2011.
SECOND-TEAM ALL-CATEGORY THREE TEAM
QB – Carson Palmer | Matt & ROB M (2004) Sometimes one must not just look at what a player did for his team, but what he managed to do beyond stats. No, not charity. Fuck charity. When Matt drafted Palmer in 2004 in round 11, it was an afterthought. Jake Plummer was Matt’s starter, so it was surprising to see that Neatock even had Palmer on his final day roster, especially after he finished just 16th among arms. Yet, he did. Of course, Matt had little faith in him as a starter, as he drafted David Carr in round nine and Drew Brees in round ten (yes, three straight quarterbacks).
Anyhow, Palmer ended up being the best quarterback that season, earning a 1st-team All-Robio award. Obviously, Matt started him and he led the Neatocks to eight wins in 2005. In 2006, he kept him again and Palmer did well (finishing 5th), but Matt struggled (winning only three games all year). Thus, in week five he shipped him to Masterson for Tatum Bell and Randy Moss. Bell was nothing but a bench player and Moss was sucking it up in Oakland. Yet, the next year Randy was in New England and produced the best season ever by a wideout, earning Matt another All-Robio performance and his first championship. So technically, Matt got two 1st-team All-Robio awards from this pick.
RB – Chris Ivory | Rob M (2014) When Rob grabbed his hometown starting running back in round 13 of the 2014 draft, I’m sure he didn’t expect great things from him. In fact, in his first season, he never earned a starting spot, ending the season as the 17th best back. Yet, Masterson kept him around and in 2015, he exploded, earning a third-team All-Robio award. The following year, Ivory would switch teams and Rob would move on.
RB – DEMARCO MURRAY | ROBIO & RICH C (2011) I would prefer not to put Murray here, simply because I cut him so early, he did nothing for me, but finding elite running backs in category three ain’t easy. Like I said, I drafted Murray in round 13, but cut him early. However, when he finally took the starting job in Dallas, it was Calderon who grabbed him. He would finish his rookie year as one of the better ones; overall finishing 16th.
Rich would keep him, but in his sophomore campaign, he got hurt and eventually got moved to Calderon’s bench (finished 37th). In his final season with Rich, he struggled out of the gate, but after week ten, he was the best back in football. He finished the year 9th and help lead Calderon to his first ever title.
WR – Brandon Marshall | Rob M (2007) While he doesn’t get the press that Welker gets, Marshall proved to be a solid pick for Masterson in that same draft. He was a three-year starter for Rob, always finishing as a WR-2…13th in 2007, 11th in 2008 and 17th in 2008. He’s just one of eight players to be category three pick/keepers and start for three straight seasons.
WR – MICHAEL THOMAS | Rob M & GRIFF (2016) The Saints rookie wide receiver was taken in round 11 by Griff in the 2016 draft and while he was always a potential sleeper, he proved his worth finishing as a solid WR2 (#16). Griff obviously kept him and despite having trouble scoring touchdowns, he jumped up to the 12th best receiver. Griff should keep him again in 2018 and I see little reason to believe he won’t make another leap forward.
TE – JASON WITTEN | GRIFF (2007) Griff caught a break, drafting Jason Witten in the height of his career with the 13th pick in the 2007 draft. The Cowboys tight end, who was just starting to work with newbie Tony Romo, finished the year as a third-team All-Robio TE. In the following season, Griff would keep him and he would finish as a second-team All-Robio. In his final season (all three as a starter), Witten would finish as the 7th best TE.
DST – Bears DST | Eric (2010) Drafted in round 12 of the 2010 draft, the Bears defense was kept twice by Eric and proved to be a great three-year starter. They earned a third-team All-Robio award in their first season, dipped to 6th in year two, but in their final run with Eric in 2012, they finished first among all DSTs.
BY TEAMS
Note: Sorry Marc Pattini…you didn’t draft any Category One starters in your first draft. You get no write-up love.
11. Richard Burrier
T
here is a two-way tie for team that produced the least amount of category three “wins.” One of them is Jeff, but since he’s been a solo artist in the league in less time than Rich, Mr. Burrier earns the label of “team with the least amount of cat three wins”. Yep, that’s one hell of a label.
Anyhow, Burrier actually found two solid starters way back in 2003, his second year in the league in Keenan McCardell (#8) and Tom Brady (#10), although he cut the Pats quarterback, since he was starting Peyton Manning that same year. yes, imagine a time when one team could have both Brady and Manning (of course latter was fantasy’s top rated passer). As for McCardell, the Jaguars’ wide receiver was a solid starter all season long, finished 8th among all receivers. However, Burrier cut him too in week one and Don picked him up in week six and started him.
In 2007, Burrier drafted the 6th best D (Seahawks) in round 11 and started them all year long. Then in 2014, he finally hit a big winner, drafting DeAndre Hopkins in round 13. He would keep Hopkins for three seasons, getting two stellar years (#11 in 2014, #3 in 2012), before he hit a wall his junior year (#34). That’s it. Buying a fantasy magazine the day of the draft just doesn’t pay like it once did (or never did).
10. Jeff Greenblatt
In 10 seasons, Jeff has grabbed just four category three starters and of those four, none ever became full-time starters for him. In 2012, he drafted Owen Daniels, who finished 4th among tight ends, but he cut him before the season ended. Three years later, he drafted the 9th best D (Ravens), but cut them as well. Both those fellas ended the year as other team’s starters.
In 2011 and 2012, Jeff managed to snag Darren Sproles and Lance Moore. The latter finished as the 17th best receiver and rotated in and out of Jeff’s lineup. Sproles was also a part-time starter in 2011 as the 11th best back in football. He became Jeff’s only category three keeper, but he lived the 2012 season on Jeff’s bench, unable to duplicate his 2011 success.
9. DON VOZZOLA
Mr. South Beach has managed to draft six starter-worthy players in category three. That’s not a high number. Worst yet, of those six, only one managed to become a full-time starter. Two were roto-starters, while the others sat on his bench or were cut.
Brandon Stockley got the ball rolling for Don back in 2004. The 11th round pick managed to be the 15th best wide receiver that year. Don kept him around, but he was relegated to the bench, sitting behind Joe Horn and Eric Parker. A year later, Don found Joey Galloway, but released him before the season started. If only Don knew he was cutting a 2nd-team All-Robio wideout. In week two, Griff picked him up and started him, the 4th best wide receiver, all season long.
In 2012, quarterback Josh Freeman was Don’s 12th round pick. He lasted only four weeks, before getting cut and picked up by Griff. While Freeman finished 10th that year, Don struggled rotating in three different quarterbacks the remainder of the season.
In 2013, Don finally hit a mini-jackpot, but more than anything else, this pick was the beginning of the end of Don being relevant in this league. Let me explain. That year, he drafted running back Fred Jackson. He finished the year #11 among all backs and was the only full-time category three starter in Don’s career. The following season, Don could have kept him, but decided not to, instead choosing to keep no one. Yet, in the 2014 draft, he used a fifth-round pick on…Fred Jackson; a guy he could have just kept in round 11.
Anyhow, in 2014, he managed to draft the ageless Antonio Gates in round thirteen. He started a handful of games for Don, as the 5th best TE in football. Two years later, it was Matt Stafford in round 11. He also rotated in and out of Don’s lineup, finishing as the 9th best QB.
8. Colby Hall
Surprisingly, with all the homework Colby does, he has not mastered the category three; although he has managed to find a couple of gems. In his first season, he along with his partner Jeff, managed to find Muhsin Muhammad. When Muhsin’s teammate, star Steve Smith, got hurt that year, it was Muhammad who filled the void. In our regular season, he finished as the #3 wide receiver (he was #1 after sixteen games). As a second-team All-Robio receiver, he was a starter on the league’s highest scoring team that year.
The following season, Colby nearly struck gold again, when T.J. Houshmandzadeh was picked in round 13. He looked like a All-Robio candidate, until fading at the end, finishing 13th among wide receivers. He still managed to start for Colby all season long though.
Unfortunately, it would be five more years before Colby struck anything again in category three, this time landing another receiver; Jeremy Maclin. He ended up finishing 11th in 2010, but not for Colby, who in week five shipped him to Burrier for Michael Turner (who finished as the 9th best back). Of course, as a category three keeper, Rich looked like the winner in that trade, but Maclin was never able to relive his 2010 glory. He ended 2011 on the IR and was so bad in 2012, he rode Rich’s bench (finishing #53).
In 2013 and 2015, Colby managed to find a pair of quarterbacks late in the draft. In 2013, it was Big Ben, who finished 9th. However, Colby cut him in week two and Ben started for Molly beginning in week four. Two years later, he didn’t make the same mistake when he drafted Carson Palmer in 11. The Cardinals QB ended the year as a third-team All-Robio quarterback and help lead the Pounders back to the title game that year.
Finally, in 2016, Colby found a pair of sleeper backs in Trevon Coleman and Jordan Howard. Unfortunately, Mr. Hall was quick to cut, sending the rookie Howard on his way out before the season started. By week four, Eric paid $56 for him and got the 9th best back in football (keeping him in 2017). While Coleman was decent at best in 2016 (#23), Colby kept him and actually started him a few games with Freeman out (finishing 13th in 2017).
Of course, when we talk about category three players, we have to also talk about the ones who benefit from the pickups. Colby is the master of picking up category three picks that turn out well, but get cut or traded. In 2006, Colby received the Jaguars DST in a trade with me. In 2010, he traded for Hakeem Nicks the year Matt drafted him, kept him two seasons and shipped him off to Burrier. Two years later, after Eric redshirted and kept Alshon Jeffery, Colby picked him up and held on to him for nearly three years. In 2016 alone, Colby managed to get two category three starters. That year, Griff traded him Matt Ryan, but Colby later shipped him off to Calderon. Weeks later, Colby received from Bob, Dak Prescott.
7. Rich Calderon
O
f course, for someone to pick up a category three winner, someone else needs to get rid of him and the leader of that group is Calderon. Six times in his career he has had a category three starter and either cut him or traded him away (five were cuts, one was traded and one of those cuts came in the second season). Overall though, Calderon has drafted a solid 10 starter-worthy players in category three.
In his first season in the league, Rich made two great category three picks; drafting Moe Williams in round 13 and Steve Smith in round 15. Yet, the former failed to last a week, while the latter survived for one game. Williams (who finished the year on Bob’s bench) would go on to finish as the 12th best back, while the guy Rich cut him for, finished 65th. Luckily for Rich, Steve Smith remained unmolested on the wire, allowing for Calderon to pick him back up in week eight. He ended the season as Rich’s starter, finishing 11th among all receivers.
The following year, the great pick turned out to be Drew Bennett. The Titans wide receiver sat mostly on Rich’s bench, until getting hot at the end, finishing the year as the 7th best wideout. In 2006, Rich drafted Chris Cooley in the 12th and Philip Rivers in round 15. The former ended up being the 8th best TE and a starter all season long. Of course, Rivers proved to be one of the more interesting picks. That year, he finished as Rich’s starter and the 8th best QB. However, the following year, as Rivers faltered (16th), Rich traded him to Burrier for Drew Brees. Rivers ended up doing well for Burrier the following season, finishing 3rd, but Brees, as Calderon’s third-round keeper, ended up being Rich’s first ever 1st-team All-Robio player.
Also in that draft, Rich drafted Chester Taylor in round 11. He did nothing in 2006, so Rich didn’t keep him, but in 2007, Taylor was the 8th best back. Luckily, Rich drafted him in the 10th round and he, along with Brees, led Calderon to the title game.
It would be four years before Rich would draft another starter in the last five rounds. This time it was the Chargers D in 2013, but he cut them and they finished #6 as Griff’s starter. Three years later it was Brandon LaFell, who only finished 40th. However, Rich kept him, cut him and he finished 19th on Eric’s roster.
In 2015, Rich again drafted well, Jonathan Stewart in round 12,, but cut him quickly. This time he cut the 9th best back in football, who ended up as a starter for Jeff (the second time Rich had cut a top-10 back that he drafted in category three).
In 2017, Calderon snagged a pair of starter-worthy players in Adam Thielen and Jack Doyle. The latter he cut (he finished 10th on Eric’s team), but he held on to Thielen, who became the man in Minnesota. He ended the year as Rich’s starter, earning third-team All-Robio (the only All-Robio player Rich has drafted in Category Three and kept on his team).
6. Robio Murray
I’ve had some mixed results with my category three starter picks. Overall, I’ve found nine, although a third were defenses. Two were cuts that proved to be very helpful to others and that doesn’t even include David Johnson (who I drafted in round ten) and Deshaun Watson, who I drafted late last year and should haunt me the next two seasons. I’ve also been a big redshirter, having done it three times. Speaking of…
My first big find was Rod Smith, who I took with the 11th pick in 2005. I slapped a redshirt on him, as he finished 17th, but I didn’t keep him, instead choosing Vince Young, who bombed. A year later, I drafted the sixth best defense (the Jaguars) in round 11, but traded them to Colby with Kevan Barlow for Rudi Johnson in week six. Sadly, Rudi got hurt and bombed.
In 2008, I drafted rookie quarterback Matt Ryan in round 15 and went back to the redshirt well. He finished 11th. I kept him and sat him on my bench, but his stats dipped (19th). I tried him one last time, but again he wasn’t able to make that jump to elite. I ended up cutting him, because I had Philip Rivers, who finished ranked 3rd. Okay, now pay attention. Ryan, who finished the season as the 8th best quarterback, was picked up by Colby right away. Then two weeks later traded him to Neatock for Marshawn Lynch. Then 16 minutes later, traded Lynch and Jeremy Maclin to Burrier for Michael Anderson. Anyhow, Ryan remained on Matt’s bench, Lynch did nothing for Rich, while Anderson ended up as the 9th best back in fantasy that year. Now breathe.
Also in 2010, during the daft, I picked up alt-injured Darren McFadden, who has his best year as a pro, earning a 3rd-team All-Robio award. I kept him and he got off to a hot start in 2011, but got hurt and my season went south. The following year, I kept him again and again, he got off to a hot start, only to get knocked out again. He made it back in time to play on my 2012 championship team, although he only scored 56 fantasy points. Say what you want about McFadden, he was one of three players or defenses drafted and kept as a category three guy, to play in two title games (losing in 2010, winning in 2012).
Now let’s step back a season to 2011. That year, I drafted rookie running back DeMarco Murray in round 13. Yet, I decided I must have Jermaine Gresham and cut the Cowboys rookie in week two (Don picked them up and started the #7 defense). As for Murray, Calderon swooped in and he became a three-year starter for him. In 2011, Murray finished 16th. In 2012, he struggled, only finishing 37th, although remained a starter for Rich. Yet, it was 2013 when Murray really paid off. In his final season with Rich, he was the 9th best back in football, helping led Calderon to his first championship. You’re welcome.
In 2015, I was able to grab the Panthers DST in round 12, who started for me all season long, barely missing out on a All-Robio award (4th best D). Also that year, I drafted the injured Jordy Nelson and stashed him. In 2016, the move looked brilliant. The following season, he was a full-time starter, who earned a third-team All-Robio award (my second career All-Robio Cat 3 player). However, in 2017, with Rodgers injured, Nelson’s wheels came off and he crashed and burned (44th).
Lastly, in 2016, I found Jimmy Graham in round 13. Yet, before the season started, I cut him for Spencer Ware (which worked out, as he finished 11th) and Masterson picked him up. The Seahawks TE has been a two-year starter for Rob, finishing top-four both seasons.
5. Griff Coomer
Griff has had some success with category three players. He’s found 11 in total. Seven managed to start or rotate in for him, six were kept for a second year and two lasted a third.
Of course, Griff didn’t find success until 2007, when he landed both the second best defense (Ravens in round 11) and the third best TE (Jason Witten in round 12). For those counting at home, that’s a second and third-team All-Robio award. He would end up keeping Witten for two more seasons. The Cowboys tight end would deliver a 2nd-team All-Robio in 2008 and then finish 7th in his final season.
In 2009, he snagged Big Ben in round 11. He finished 9th that year, but remained on Griff’s bench behind Matt Schaub when that use to mean something. In 2010, Griff again grabbed a pair of starters. Wide receiver Mike Williams went in the 12th round, but Griff let him go in week seven. Calderon picked him up, traded him a week later to me that netted him a worthless running back. Williams finished the year on my bench, as the 18th best wideout.
Yet, the true pot of gold in 2010 was Jamaal Charles. This proved to be his breakout year. With the second-to-last pick in the draft, Griff landed the league’s third best back, thus Charles became the lowest drafted All-Robio player of all-time. He looked like a stud keeper, thus Griff kept him (along with Arian Foster), but in week one, Charles blew out his knee; his season was done (this is sort of Griff’s thing, right David Johnson?). Surprisingly, Griff did not stash Charles and keep him. He should have, as Charles bounced back to finish as a top-10 back the following season.
It would four years before Griff would grab another starter, but his 2014 collection is arguable the best; purely for how much he got. Griff managed to draft three starters in round 11-15, starting with the Cardinals Defense (8th best) and Delanie Walker (#6). Those two rotated in and out of Griff’s starting lineup. Yet, the king of the picks was Odell Beckham. The rookie wide receiver technically only finished 23rd in our regular season, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He missed some time to start the season, but the end, he was the best wideout in football. Over the next two years, he would continue to produce as an elite WR, finishing 4th and 5th as a feature WR in Griff’s starting lineup.
The following year, in round 12, Griff took Derek Carr. Showing no patience, he let Carr go in week two. I then picked him up, but only for a few weeks, before Molly grabbed him. He would finish the year on her bench, as the 9th best back. She decided to keep him, which would have paid off, as he finished as the 5th best QB, but she mistakenly drafted Big Ben as well in round three, so Carr spent most of his time on the bench. Marc Pattini took over in 2017 and kept the Raiders QB, but he fell off the map, finishing as the 37th best QB. At least he was able to unload him to me for Jerick McKinnon.
Anyhow, in 2016, Griff managed to find another pair of starters. He took the Buccaneers DST in round 13 and made them his starter for the year (they finished 9th). However, two rounds later, he drafted Matt Ryan. Yet, in week eight, he shipped him to Colby with Quincy Enunwa for Martellus Bennett and Jonathan Stewart. He did this because he had Cam Newton. Too bad he didn’t get more. Ryan, who finished as the 3rd best QB was traded by Colby to Calderon for Devontae Booker. Ryan would end up leading Calderon to his second title.
Still, don’t feel too bad for Griff. He managed to pickup Michael Thomas off the wire (cut by Masterson) in 2016 and he became a solid WR2 for him for two straight seasons as a 11th round keeper.
4. Eric Vozzola
It took a few years for Eric to find a starter-worthy guy in category three, but he finally landed on in 2005 with receiver Eddie Kennison. The Chiefs wideout was taken in round 11. However, despite finishing as the 15th best back, he did not end the year as a starter for Eric.
The following season, Eric hit a pair of home runs. In round 12, he snagged his starting quarterback with Michael Vick, who earned a third-team All-Robio award. He remains the one of only two non-defensive All-Robio Eric has found in category three. Of course, one pick later, he found his second one, when drafted and started Kellen Winslow. Now he finished the year as the 4th best tight end, but Eric kept the Browns’ tight end and he managed to earn a second-team All-Robio award in 2007). Unfortunately, that’s when the run ends. Eric would keep him another season, but in year three, he fell to 21st among all tight ends.
However, also in 2008, Eric grabbed the Buccaneers DST in round 11. They were his starter all season long, finishing 6th among all D’s. In 2009 though, he did not keep the Bucs D, but he did draft a aging Brett Favre. Well, he looked fantastic. He became a surprise starter for Eric, finishing the year as the 5th best quarterback. Sadly, Eric expected the magic to continue into 2010, but it didn’t. Favre looked old, finished 30th among all arms and ended up on Eric’s bench.
In 2012, Eric grabbed a rookie wideout from Chicago and slapped a red shirt on him. He kept Alshon Jeffery all season on his bench and was allowed to keep him for three more years. Yet, two weeks into that (new) first year, Eric let him go. Colby grabbed him and got a solid player; one he would keep for two more seasons. In 2013, Jeffery would earn a second-team All-Robio starting for Colby. The following season, he dipped a bit, but still finished #13 among all receivers. Unfortunately, in his final season with Colby, he got hurt and ended his time with Mr. Hall on the IR.
In 2015, Eric used a 12th round pick to grab Le’Veon Bell’s handcuff. DeAngelo Williams. Yet, Eric didn’t hold onto him for long. He should have. Bell got knocked out for the year, Calderon picked up Williams and ended the season with a stud back, one who finished 11th, despite not starting until midseason.
In 2016, Eric went back to the defensive well and got a hold of the Ravens in round 11. They remained his starter all season, finishing the year as the #2 defense in all the land.
3. Bob Castrone
Bob has done a lot of great things in this league. However, one of them has not been drafting a lot of starters in category three. Yet, when he has found one, they’ve been pretty damn good and useful. In his first season in the league, he used his final pick to take Marc Bulger, who ended up finishing the season as Bob’s starting quarterback. He was the 8th best quarterback.
The following season, he grabbed another later quarterback, this time Drew Brees (also round 15). However, unlike Bulger the year before, he cut Brees quickly. He finished as Molly’s starting quarterback and the 5th best in fantasy.
It would be another five years before Bob would draft another starter in category three. In 2009, it was a defense. And not just any defense, but the league’s top defense (the Packers) in round 14. He started them all year and kept them. In 2010, they kept the goods going, finishing as the league’s second best D. Bob kept them again in 2011. They did fall off (finishing 13th), but they were three year starters, helping to land Bob two league championships.
In 2011, Bob took rookie quarterback, Cam Newton. The former Auburn Tiger came out of nowhere and dominate, finishing the year 4th and scoring over 500 points in the title game. Like the Packers before him, Newton would be kept two season, becoming a three-season starter for Bob. Over the next two seasons, Cam would finish 8th and 6th among all quarterbacks.
In 2015, it was defense again, as Bob landed the Bengals D in round 14. They were a solid #6 DST on the year and a full time starter. The following season, Bob took Dak Prescott in round 11. The Cowboys rookie shocked a lot of folks, finishing as the 7th best QB. He ended up trading him to Colby for Brandon Marshall.
In 2017, Bob drafted unknown Alvin Kamara in round 13. Despite sitting third on the depth chart, he was kept around and by midseason he was a starter. However, with Deshaun Watson on deck as a keeper in 2018, Bob decided to ship the rookie to Don for Zeke Elliot and other parts. Kamara finished the year as a second-team All-Robio back.
2. Rob Masterson
If volume is what impresses you, then Masterson is your guy. He’s the record holder for category three players who meet my criteria. That’s basically three category three keepers every four seasons in the league. However, if you dig a little deeper, you’ll see why I keep Rob off the top spot. Half of those were defenses/special teams and three more were tight ends. Thus, 75% of his cat three starters are positions that don’t typically get drafted until much later in the draft. Let’s see what we have.
Rob’s category three touch began back in 2004, when he snagged Donald Driver in round 11. The Packers wideout proved to be the 15th best receiver in football. However, in week ten, Rob shipped him off to Bob in week ten (along with Reuben Droughns) for Kevin Faulk and Javon Walker. While Walker gave Rob a third-team All-Robio receiver, it didn’t land him wins, as he dripped five of his last six games, including a quarterfinals loss to Bob.
Also that year, Rob drafted his specialty, a solid defense. That season it was the Jets, who finished as the league’s fifth best D. However, Masterson didn’t realize what he had. He cut him in week three and they finished the season on Bob’s squad.
Two years later, Rob landed the Ravens D in round 12. It was a beautiful pick, as they ended the season as the top D. Rob kept them, but they failed to reproduce the magic, finishing 15th.
In 2007, Masterson found arguable his best category three keeper, when he drafted Brandon Marshall in round 11. He would become Rob’s only three-year starter, getting kept twice. While he never made the jump to elite status, Marshall finished each season ranked #13, #11 and #17.
With Marshall’s time up, in 2010 Rob managed to snag a starting tight end with hometown hero, Dustin Keller, in the 14th round. Oddly enough, despite finishing as the 5th best tight end, Rob did not keep him or any in the 2011 draft. Yet, in round 13, he drafted Keller again. Again, the Jets TE started for Rob, finishing 7th (and again Rob did not keep him).
In 2012, Rob went back to his defensive roots, finding the #2 ranked defense (the Broncos) with the 14th pick. Unfortunately for Masterson, he cut them in week two and it was Calderon who got to enjoy their second-team All-Robio status.
The following season, it was another tight end. Rob drafted Jordan Cameron in round 11. The Browns’ tight end would end the year as the fourth best TE and managed to pass Delanie Walker for Rob’s starting TE spot. Rob did keep him for the 2014 season, but Cameron proved to be a one-hit wonder. He finished 30th among all tight ends, finishing the year on Masterson’s pine.
In 2015, Masterson went homer with Chris Ivory in round 13. During that season, Ivory was decent, but not great, finishing 17th among all backs. Rob kept him around on his bench all season, which allowed him to keep him in 2016. That proved to be a wise more. Ivory had his best fantasy season ever, earning third-team All-Robio (5th best back) starting for a 8-win Masterson squad.
Also that year, Rob began a three-year run of grabbing starter worthy defenses. In round 14, he picked the Chiefs DST. They were his starter all season, finishing 5th. The following season, he grabbed the Vikings DST. They did even better, finishing 1st.
In 2016, Rob actually drafted the Saints Michael Thomas, but he cut him quickly. Griff grabbed him and has enjoyed his WR2 status for two straight seasons. However, Masterson did his own free agent grabbing, when he picked up and kept Jimmy Graham. He went back-to-back top-five among all tight ends the last two seasons. Also in 2017, he drafted the Panthers DST in round 11 and they finished as his starter and the 9th best D in fantasy.
1. Matt Neatock
Yep, we’re finally here, unless your Neatock and you just skipped to yourself. In 2004, Matt drafted Carson Palmer in round 11. It was no big deal. He finished 11th and sat on Matt’s bench. However, Matt decided to keep him. While Neatock didn’t have much faith in him (he drafted two other quarterbacks earlier), Palmer proved to be the real deal. He finished as the #1 quarterback in all of Robioland.
In 2005, Matt brought him back and while he did well, finishing 5th, Matt traded him in week six to Masterson (along with Andre Johnson) for Tatum Bell and Randy Moss. This worked out quite well for Matt. Despite trying to trade Moss in the offseason (finding no takers), the new Patriots receiver exploded as the league’s top wide receiver in 2007.
Also in 2007, Matt found a pair of nice, white wide receivers. Kevin Curtis went first in round 11. He finished 11th among all receivers, but Matt cut him. However, it was two picks later where Matt hit a home run. He took Wes Welker, who would start for him, finishing as the 8th best receiver. He would prove to be a two-year keeper and starter for Neatock; finishing 21st in 2008 and 7th in 2009, helping to lead Matt to his first two titles.
In the middle of all that, Matt also managed to draft the Eagles DST in round 11 of the 2008 draft. They started for him, finishing 4th among all DSTs.
In 2010, with Welker long gone, Matt took Chris Cooley in 2010. The Redskins tight end, did finish the year as the 10th best tight end, but Matt released him back into the wild. That proved to be a mistake, as the tight end spot was a hole Matt never was able to fill. Meanwhile, I picked up Cooley and sat him on my bench.
However, Matt wasn’t too sad, as he landed Hakeem Nicks also that year in round 14. Nicks was a solid, finishing 13th among all receivers. Yet, Matt didn’t enjoy his success, trading him to Colby in week three. It was Mr. Hall who kept him and enjoyed starting him in 2011 as the league’s 12th best receiver. However, in year three, Nicks struggled, so Colby traded him to Burrier, who benched him. He ended the season as the 33rd best receiver. In case you want to know, Matt received a variety of players in that Nicks trade, but the one good piece he got was Michael Vick, who was the starting quarterback on Matt’s nine win team.
In 2011, Matt would again draft a three-year starter, but this time, he’d keep him around. Tony Gonzalez was available in round 14 and Neatock was happy to land him. He finished that year as a third-team All-Robio player. The following season, he did even better, finishing as a second-team All-Robio player. In his final season with Matt and in the league, he finished 5th. He was a solid three-year starter.
In 2012, Matt took the Patriots defense in round 12. It proved to be a solid pick. He started them and they finished the year as the 5th best D.
In 2013, Tony Gonzalez’s last year of keeper eligibility, Matt snagged a injured Jeremy Maclin, who had a adventurous four seasons as a keeper. That year, Matt redshirted him, since he was out for the year before the season began. The net season, he traded him to me in the largest trade in league history (nine players). Oddly enough, of those nine, only two finished the year as a starter. Matt got Dez Bryant (8th best receiver), while I started Maclin (who earned a third-team All-Robio award).
However, the next year I would trade Maclin to Masterson. He eventually started for Rob, finishing 17th among all receivers. Rob, of course, kept him, but when he struggled, Rob cut him. Later that year, Matt would spend $50 of auction money to pick him up and sit him on his bench.
In 2015, Matt took the Broncos DST in round 11. He kept them around, they started for him and finished as a first-team All-Robio defense. They became the second first-team All-Robio performer for Matt in category three (Palmer was the other).
In 2016, Matt went homer and took Carson Wentz. The rookie was fine his rookie season, finishing 23rd. However, Neatock did not redshirt him and even started him in a game. He decided to keep him in 2017 and tried desperately to trade him. By doing this, he guaranteed Wentz would be a star and he was. He finished the year as second best quarterback.
ALL CATEGORY THREE STARTERS PlayerPosDraftRdDrafted ByYear OneYear TwoYear ThreeYear FourFinished With Tom BradyQB200313Rich B#10Cut/Picked Up---Don Moe WilliamsRB200313Rich C#12Cut/Picked Up---Bob Keenan McCardellWR200315Rich B#8Cut//Picked Up---Don Marc BulgerQB200315Bob#8Starter--- Steve SmithWR200315Rich C#11Cut/Reclaimed--- Brandon StockleyWR200411Don#15Benched--- Muhsin MuhammadWR200411Colby#3Starter--- Carson PalmerQB200411Matt#16Benched#1Starter#5Traded-Rob M Drew BennettWR200411Rich C#7Starter--- Donald DriverWR200411Rob M#15Traded---Bob Jets DefenseDST200412Rob M#5Cut/Picked Up---Bob Drew BreesQB200415Bob#5Cut/Picked Up---Molly Rod SmithWR200511Robio#17Redshirted--- Eddie KennisonWR200511Eric#15Benched--- Broncos DefenseDST200512David#7Cut/Picked Up---Rich B Joey GallowayWR200512Don#4Cut/Picked Up---Griff T.J. HoushmandzadehWR200513Colby#13Starter--- Jake PlummerQB200515Molly#8Cut/Picked Up---Don Jaguars DefenseDST200612Robio#6Traded---Colby Chris CooleyTE200612Rich C#8Starter--- Michael VickQB200612Eric#3Starter--- Ravens DefenseDST200612Rob M#1Starter#15Starter-- Kellen WinslowTE200613Eric#4Starter#2Starter#21Bench- Philip RiversQB200615Rich C#8Started#16Traded#3Started-Rich B Kevin CurtisWR200711Matt#11Cut---Free Agent Seahawks DefenseDST200711Rich B#6Starter--- Brandon MarshallWR200711Rob M#13Starter#11Starter#17Starter- Owen DanielsTE200713Jeff#7Starter#5Starter#10Starter- Wes WelkerWR200713Matt#8Starter#21Starter#7Starter- Jason WittenTE200713Griff#3Starter#2Starter#7Starter- Dallas ClarkTE200713Molly#5Starter#6Starter#3Starter- Bucaneers DefenseDST200811Eric#6Starter--- Eagles DefenseDST200811Matt#4Starter--- CowboysDST200812Robio#7Cut/Picked Up---Don Matt RyanQB200815Robio#11Redshirted#19Benched#8Cut-Matt/Colby Ben RoethlisbergerQB200911Griff#9Bench--- Miles AustinWR200911Molly#5Starter#12Starter#55IR- Brett FavreQB200913Eric#5Starter#30Bench-- Packers DefenseDST200914Bob#1Starter#2Starter#13Starter- Darren McFaddenRB201011Robio#6Starter#24IR#27IR- Chris CooleyTE201011Matt#10Cut/Picked Up---Robio Mike WilliamsWR201012Griff#18Cut/Picked Up---Rich C/Robio Bears DefenseDST201012Eric#3Starter#6Starter#1Starter- Jeremy MaclinWR201012Colby#11Traded#34IR#53Bench-Rich B Hakeem NicksWR201014Matt#13Traded#12Starter#33Traded-Colby/Burrier Dustin KellerTE201014Rob M#5Starter--- Chargers DefenseDST201015Rich C#6Cut/Picked Up--Griff Jamaal CharlesRB201015Griff#7Starter#93IR-- Cam NewtonQB201112Bob#4Starter#8Starter#6Starter- Darren SprolesRB201113Jeff#11Roto#28Bench-- Dustin KellerTE201113Rob M#7Starter-- DeMarco MurrayRB201113Robio#16Cut#37Bench#9Starter-Rich C Tony GonzalezTE201114Matt#3Starter#2Starter#5Starter- Josh FreemanQB201212Don#10Cut/Picked Up--Griff Patriots DefenseDST201212Matt#5Starter-- Lance MooreWR201212Jeff#17Roto-starter-- Broncos DefenseDST201214Rob M#2Cut/Picked Up--Rich C Owen DanielsTE201214Jeff#4Cut/Picked Up--Bob Alshon JefferyWR201215Eric#95Redshirt#3Starter#13Starter#37IRColby Fred JacksonRB201311Don#11Starter-- Ben RoethlisbergerQB201311Colby#9Cut/Picked Up#7Bench--Molly Jordan CameronTE201311Rob M#4Starter#30Bench-- Jeremy MaclinWR201313MattN/ARedshirted#5Traded#17Traded#79CutRobio, Rob M, Matt Brandon LaFellWR201314Rich C#40Benched#19CutEric Cardinals DefenseDST201411Griff#8Roto-starter-- DeAndre HopkinsWR201413Rich B#11Starter#3Starter#34Starter- Antonio GatesTE201413Don#5Roto-starter-- Martellus BennettTE201413Molly#4Starter-- Chris IvoryRB201413Rob M#17Benched#5Starter-- Delanie WalkerTE201413Griff#6Roto-starter Odell BeckhamWR201414Griff#23Starter#4Starter#5Starter Jordy NelsonWR201511RobioN/ARedshirt#6Starter#44Bench Carson PalmerQB201511Colby#3Starter#21Benched Broncos DefenseDST201511Matt#1Starter Derek CarrQB201512Griff#9Cut/Picked Up#5Roto#37TradedMolly, Marc, Robio Jonathan StewartRB201512Rich C#9Cut/Picked UpJeff DeAngelo WilliamsRB201512Eric#11Cut/Picked UpRich C Rams DefenseDST201512Jeff#9Cut/Picked UpRob M Cardinals DefenseDST201512Robio#4Starter Bengals DefenseDST201514Bob#6Starter Chiefs DefenseDST201514Rob M#5Starter Matthew StaffordQB201611Don#9Roto#9 Michael ThomasWR201611Rob M#16Cut/Picked Up12StarterGriff Dak PrescottQB201611Bob#7TradedColby Matt RyanQB201611Griff#3Traded#16StarterColby/Rich C Jimmy GrahamTE201613Robio#3Cut/Picked Up#4StarterRob M Bucaneers DefenseDST201613Griff#9Starter Tevin ColemanRB201613Colby#23Roto-starter#13Roto Carson WentzQB201614Matt#23Benched#2Starter Vikings DefenseDST201614Rob M#1Starter Jordan HowardRB201615Colby#9Cut/Picked Up#12StarterEric Ravens DefenseDST201711Eric#2Starter Panthers DefenseDST201711Rob M#9Starter Alvin KamaraRB201713Bob#3TradedDon Adam ThielenWR201713Rich C#6Starter Jack DyleTE201714Rich C#10Cut/Picked UpEric
Комментарии