The Red Rockets went 8-6 in 2012 and barely missed punching a ticket to the playoffs. They had a very respectable season, however owner John Gallimore was far from satisfied with this result and felt as though his team was too far away from really competing with the top teams in the league and opted to blow it up and build for the future. This strategy finds the Red Rockets as one of the league's top favorites...for the #1 pick in 2014. Let's take a look at Mr. Gallimore's team.
QB1: Sam Bradford Rnk. #12 - Bradford undoubtedly offers upside but heading into 2013 he is currently far and away the worst starting QB in the Ultimate Dynasty League. The gap between a Romo and a Bradford is pretty wide let alone the gap between a Brees and a Bradford. Unless/until Bradford breaks out in 2013 the Rockets will be facing a big time disadvantage every week at the quarterback spot.
HB1: Marshawn Lynch Rnk. #3 - The most recent acquisition by the Rockets goes against their rebuilding plan to a degree as Lynch is already 27 with a good bit of mileage on him but for 2013 he's definitely still a capable HB1 in the league. While I personally don't have Lynch ranked quite as high as three, I think it's easy to say if the Rockets win some games this year it'll be due in large part to Beast Mode.
HB2: Stevan Ridley Rnk. #3 - Not a terrible 1-2 punch at runningback for the Rockets if the rest of the team was solid this is the kind of duo that could have you in the wildcard hunt. Ridley doesn't offer much upside but as long as he remains starting he has a pretty high floor. However Ridley definitely has to deal with the concern of Vereen eating into his touches but until further notice he's the goaline back in Foxboro.
FLEX: Ben Tate? Rnk. #12 - The Rockets lack a realistic flex option with players like LaFell, S.Hill, and Sanders in the mix, I think Tate has the most upside of all of them in 2013 if Foster struggles with injuries but as it currently stands the Red Rockets have the worst flex options in the league and it's not too close.
WR1: Torrey Smith Rnk. #11 - Out of the WR1's in the league Torrey Smith ranks pretty close to the bottom. In my opinion Smith would be an okay low end WR2 option for a team. This is another position that the Red Rockets will be coming up short at week in and week out.
WR2: Tavon Austin Rnk. #10 - I honestly think Austin is closer to 12th out of the WR2's in my league and would barely want him as a flex option in his rookie year. Austin has potential to one day be a solid fantasy contributor (I think a Welker type low end WR1, high end WR2 is his potential ceiling one day, while his floor is a better Dexter McCluster) but for 2013 he won't help the Rockets too much.
TE1: Brandon Myers Rnk. #10 - Myers is serviceable with little upside. I don't really have anything else to write about him.
NOTABLE BENCH: WR Stephen Hill, WR Emmanuel Sanders, QB Geno Smith - The bench of the Red Rockets is very unexciting with upside players few and far between. Hill has the measurables and even though he is beyond raw he could in a few years emerge as a fantasy contributor. Sanders is still young and could emerge as nice WR3 option this year as the 2nd option in the Steelers passing attack. Geno Smith could one day emerge as a good QB2 and a nice back up or rotation option for the Rockets.
2013 OUTLOOK: Due to the Rockets QB and receivers as well as how far the top 2 teams in their division are ahead of them, they have little to no chance to make any noise in the 2013 season. It would take some savvy trades to get this team in position to be a 5-6 win team this season which just isn't worth doing for Mr. Gallimore.
FUTURE OUTLOOK: Here's what the Rockets currently have so far on their rebuilding, a potential QB1 in Sam Bradford that has top 5 upside one day, a very solid and young HB2 in Stevan Ridley, a good HB1 in Marshawn Lynch who in future years should be at least a HB2 option, Tavon Austin and Torrey Smith who are solid WR2 options of the future (maybe even WR1 for Austin), and they have Ben Tate who could emerge as HB2-HB1 depending on what team he signs with next offseason. Not too bad, they are going to need to really draft well over the next few years but at least they most likely will be having a top pick in 2014 which should yield a potential stud as well as they will be getting first dibs on the waiver wire for most of 2013. This team can be turned around in a couple of years but John is going to have to make some shrewd moves and put a lot of effort into his team to eventually get the Rockets to the promised land.
