Since the 2001 season, 208 players have played in a Robioland title game. 35% of those players (74 in total) were free agent pick ups. No team has ever reached that final game without at least one free agent pick up. The draft matters, but championships can be won on the wire. Here are my picks for the best free agent additions in 2014. They are not ranked, but in order based on when they were picked up.
TOP FREE AGENT PICK UPS:
STEVE SMITH, WR-BAL | PICKED UP WEEK 2, COLBY After a 296-point performance in week one, the 35-year-old receiver was snatched up by Colby. He’s continued to put up solid numbers, including three games that have topped 200, including a 398-point performance in week four. He was traded to Jeff for Ahmad Bradshaw, one of two backs attempting to get both 1,000 yards rushing and receiving.
JUSTIN FORSETT, RB-BAL | PICKED UP WEEK 2, RICH B The Ravens running back was not projected to be a starter on his team, yet produced 228 points as the third-down back in week one. Burrier grabbed him, but it wasn’t anything to celebrate until Bernard Pierce got hurt and Forsett was named the starter. He’s rolled off four straight 190-point performances and as a starter for Burrier, as turned the Super Dupers into a playoff contender.
LARRY DONNELL, TE-NYG | PICKED UP WEEK 3, RICH B His numbers haven’t been great the past two weeks, but Rich is 3-1 with the Giants’ tight end as his starter, replacing Ladarius Green.
TOM BRADY, QB-NE | PICKED UP WEEK FOUR, BOB It’s hard to put Brady on this list, simply because Bob has yet to start him, so he’s had no impact on his games (that’s what happens when you have Aaron Rodgers), yet I’m going to keep him here because since Bob added him to the roster, he’s found his gravy. Pre-Bob the QB averaged just 133PPG. Post-Bob he’s averaging 376PPG.
JERICK MCKINNON, RB-MIN | PICKED UP WEEK FIVE, BOB Another guy Bob grabbed to help stock up his bench. McKinnon was named the starter two weeks ago and since then has delivered 164 and 202 fantasy points, including a 103-yard rushing effort this past week against a tough Bills’ defense.
BRIAN OLIVER, RB-SD | PICKED UP WEEK SIX, ROBIO After watching Ryan Mathews, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown all go down, Oliver stormed out of the gates producing 484 and 308-point games. However, he’s cooled off in his last two (stiffer competition), averaging just 140 points per game.
RONNIE HILLMAN, RB-DEN | PICKED UP WEEK SIX, JEFF Right now, this is looking like the free agent pick up of the year. Since Monte Ball went down, Hillman has scored 232, 326 and 275 points. With the way Ball was running before the injury, the starting job may stay with Hillman. The irony is, running back is Jeff’s strength and despite his point totals, the Broncos back has never left Jeff’s bench.
CHANDLER CATANZARO, PK-ARI | PICKED UP WEEK SEVEN BY RICH C A kicker…really, Robio? Why not. He’s the second best kicker in the league and is averaging two more points per game than Monte Ball. Enough said.
TRE MASON, RB-STL | PICKED UP WEEK SEVEN BY RICH C So far, Mason has had a nice two-game audition and even though Jeff Fisher keeps saying all the wrong things, it’s hard to see how the Rams don’t keep giving this guy opportunities. In two games, he’s produced 125 yards on just 23 rushes, delivering a 230-point game this past week. In fact, Rich is so confident, he has slid Mason into his starting line for week eight.
WAIT AND SEE:
DENARD ROBINSON, RB-JAC | PICKED UP WEEK EIGHT BY DON The Jacksonville backfield has been a disaster this year, that is until the former Michigan quarterback finally was given a go. He delivered for 127 yards and a touchdown (314 fantasy points). With that, he became Don’s first transaction of the year. Welcome.
ANTHONY DIXON, RB-BUF | PICKED UP WEEK EIGHT BY RICH C It’s hard to believe that Buffalo lost not one, but two running backs this past week. This opens the door for two guys. Right now, Dixon is the projected starter. He’s a between-the-tackles runner just like Fred Jackson.
BRYCE BROWN, RB-BUF | PICKED UP WEEK EIGHT BY ROB M Remember that one two-week period two years ago when Brown was the toast of the town? Subbing in for an injured LeSean McCoy, the rookie ripped off a 178-yard game, followed by a 169-yard game (four TDs in total). Well, prior to this week in Buffalo he was running the scout team. Based on those two weeks two years ago, I traded away a very talented rookie wide out. I sure hope he passes Dixon on the depth chart soon.
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