Top PAFFL Contracts

Another former tradition that I've gotten away from is highlighting some of the great contracts in the PAFFL.  This historically was to highlight the new deals but I think its important to showcase the best deals regardless of what year they were put on as long as they carry the same characteristic which is high production per dollar cost value.  Thus the stars at more than $55 (at QB & RB or $35+ at WR) won't be on this list unless they're way out pacing LT's '06 or Brady's '07 production, which nobody is coming close to this year. 

Best PAFFL contracts - for those of you who don't know what the PAFFL is, its a fantasy football league with 16 teams that each have a salary cap of $500 to work with, we have an auction and each team is allowed to sign any player they acquire in the auction to a long-term contract (3 years) where they are guaranteeing the player that value.  This is a list of the best deals in the PAFFL.

QB's

• Kurt Warner ($6, 2009) - Isotopes - this is one of those sneaky great deals b/c Warner quietly threw nearly 30 TD passes last season and is on pace to top that number this year, all for the bargain basement price of $6. 
• J.T. O'Sullivan ($1, 2009) - Isotopes - O'Sullivan hasn't been winning like many 49'ers fans would like and he's been a turnover machine but he's also been the most productive QB they've had in nearly a half decade and a strong fantasy contributor, particularly given his cost to point production value.  His long-term potential is a bit murky but he's an incredible value this season. 
• Aaron Rodgers ($36, 2009) - Pomona - He's the top point scorer in the PAFFL so far this season, at $36 enough said. 
• Tony Romo ($55, 2010) - Ron Jeremy - Romo is a great deal b/c he's a top 5 fantasy QB who is surrounded by great talent and just entering his prime.  He was even more amazing last year at a buck. If he can become more consistent and the team can utilize more of its weapons, Romo could be a perennial 30+ TD passer over the next three years. 
• Drew Brees ($55, 2010) - Short Bus - like Romo, Brees is as solid as they come and continues to be a perennial top 5 fantasy QB.  He's a little less sexy than Romo b/c of the surrounding talent and organizational stablity but he's a fighter who is the heart & soul of the Saints, so don't forget about him. 
• Jay Cutler ($55, 2009) - South Whore - No one can argue that Cutler is an incredible talent and has the look of a perennial fantasy stud but he's never won, not even on the high school level and nearly 2.5 years into his tenure of running a team that had consistently won prior to his taking the reigns, NFL insiders are quietly starting to whisper that 13-15 won't cut it long-term.  In fact Cutler is starting to look like the once promising & prolific but turnover laden Aaron Brooks. 
• David Garrard ($10, 2008) - Beavercats - The Jags made a bet last year when they handed the team to Garrard but he responded with a strong '07 and has continued to grow in '08 despite the decimation of his offensive line and a still shaky WR core.  He's nowhere near the top 5 fantasy guys like Brees, Romo or Cutler but he's a solid QB2 who is a great value. 
• Kyle Orton ($16, 2010) - Team Kitty - who would have thought Orton maybe the long-term answer in Chicago, certainly none of the so called pundits.  What we knew is Rex Grossman was terrible, so Orton was kind of the unknown.  But at this point he has to be thought of as the long-term answer as he's brought a passing game to Chicago that was the only missing element between them and a Super Bowl victory in '06. 
• Matt Cassel ($8, 2009) - Beavercats - Cassel has played great considering he has not started a game since high school until week 2 of this season.  He's averaging more than 200 yards passing & 1.2 TD's / 0.8 INT per start, which over the course of a 16 game schedule would equate to over 3k yards passing and nearly 20 TD's.  He has a long way to go but he's been fortunate to have been handed the starting job during his NFL free agent year.
• Trent Edwards ($16, 2009) - East Bay Funk - The Stanford product, Edwards, was a conservative signal caller his rookie year but he's shown he's more than just a caretaker in his second season.  If he continues to progress at this rate, he will be a top 20 fantasy QB with a great fantasy contract (value wise) to boot. 
• Jason Campbell ($55, 2010) - Firkin Crawlers - I wanted to include at least one guy from every PAFFL team so here is the Crawlers submission, but on a serious note Campbell has shown that he's progressing and could become a fantasy QB1 next year with experience in the west coast system and the maturation of the rookie WR's the Redskins selected this year.

RB's

• Steve Slaton ($19, 2011) - Beavercats - anytime you can get a top 20 fantasy back for less than $55 its a great value but when that value is for three more years its up there at the top of this list.
• Chris Johnson ($58, 2010) - Ron Jeremy - There are other rookie backs who deserve to be on this list (such as McFadden, F. Jones, M. Forte, J. Stewart) but I can't include them all so CJ gets the nod since he's been by far the most explosive rookie RB and barring injury will likely be the NFL's offensive rookie of the year (though it will be close with Matt Ryan). 
• Tim Hightower ($11, 2010) - Pomona - He's not getting many yards but he'll cross 10 TD's this year which is incredible value. 
• Sammy Morris ($10, 2009 - East Bay Funk - Morris is a versatile back who w/ Maroney's season ending injury has the potential to breakout with 10+ TD's and 1000+ total yards and establish a permanent place in the Pats rotation for the future.  That would make him a great value for a RB2.
• Marion Barber ($55, 2010) - LFP - Barber is a sure fire top 5 fantasy back due to his scoring prowess and the offense surrounding him.  Its unclear if he'll be durable due to the way he runs but for now he's a stud at a quality starter cost.
• Reggie Bush ($55, 2008) - BINGO - Bush has often been cited as a bust and/or underachiever but from a fantasy perspective he's highly productive scoring TD's (on a per game basis when you include special teams scores). 
• Adrian Peterson ($55, 2010) - Short Bus - Peterson is arguably the game's best RB and if the Vikings were more balanced would be fantasy's top back as well.  With a solid salary, Peterson is way out performing his cost.
• Michael Turner ($2, 2008) - Fightin' Irie - The Falcons have heavily relied on their big free agent addition and he's responded with monster fantasy numbers, albeit in big, big chunks.  At any rate he has the look of a solid to very good fantasy back over the next three to four seasons and is a great fantasy value this year at $2. 
• Maurice Jones-Drew ($26, 2008) - Beavercats - MJD as he's referred to is one of the more underrated fantasy players in the NFL, he's the #5 overall TD scorer the past three years at the RB position and he continues to be productive regardless of the situation around him. 
• Derrick Ward ($3, 2010) - Fightin' Irie - Ward is arguably the most talented RB in NY, as he's outperformed Brandon Jacobs, 2nd year man Ahmad Bradshaw and any of the Jets' backs.  Problem is the talent and depth of his RB mates - but at $3 he's a steal for a guy producing like a nice flex starter in deep fantasy leagues. 
• Justin Fargas ($1, 2008) - Firefighters - The Raiders found a diamond in the rough last year when they elevated Fargas into the starting role.  He was a top 15 fantasy back over the 2nd half of last season and is a solid RB3 this year sharing with the rookie McFadden.  His long-term value is a bit murky but he's highly productive given him cost this year. 
• Carnel "Cadillac" Williams ($12, 2011) - IMT - This is based strictly on the positive rehab reports and the Bucs organizational love with him, as if he comes back and gets the opportunity, then he'll be a steal at this price over the next three years. 
• Ahmad Bradshaw ($2, 2009) - Team Kitty - Bradshaw maybe a product of a dominant NY Giants offensive line but the guy is nearly fantasy relevant during any Giants blowout as he's scored 3 TD's in garbage time. 
• Michael Bush ($11, 2011) - LFP - Bush looked good in limited time early in the season but he's contractually stuck behind Fargas & McFadden for at least another two seasons unless the Raiders can find a trade partner for him - which is a possibility in the off-season.

WR's

• DeSean Jackson ($12, 2010) - Jack Trippers - Jackson is easily the best rookie WR due to his talent and situation.  With apologies to Eddie Royal, this is the best new WR deal in the PAFFL.
• Eddie Royal ($3, 2010) - Firefighters - Royal is slippery smooth, a faster/quicker version of Wes Welker (IMO) who will be productive player in '09 & '10. 
• Brandon Marshall ($4, 2008) - South Whore - his contract is up but he's been the best WR value over the past two seasons, and likely will be a decent value at $55 next year too. 
• Greg Jennings ($8, 2008) - Pomona - Jennings along with Aaron Rodgers have personally propelled the stoners into 1st place in their division.  Jennings has been a top 10 fantasy receiver the past two years at a bargain basement price. 
• Wes Welker ($4, 2009) - Pomona - He's close to the production per cost of Brandon Marshall and has the added advantage of being locked in for another season.  However he's not nearly as explosive or dominant as Marshall. 
• Jerricho Cotchery ($13, 2009) - Naughty Thoughts - Cotchery was looking like a future stud but the arrival of Favre has ensured that he's a top 20 fantasy WR this year - and at $13 - he's one of the top 5 values as well. 
• Laveraneus Coles ($19, 2008) - BINGO - Coles is an underappreciated fantasy receiver who finally has a big-time QB to throw him the ball.  On a value basis he deserves to be on this list but he's not a great deal, just a solid one. 
• Devin Hester ($1, 2009) - Beavercats - on a per touch basis Hester has been the biggest TD playmaker in the NFL over the past three seasons.  If he can stay healthy, it appears his transition to receiver will make him fantasy relevant but he still has a lot of growing up to do.
• Antonio Bryant ($1, 2010) - Naughty Thoughts - this should carry a large asterik as Bryant is more likely to explode on somebody and get kicked out of the NFL than he is to continue to emerge into a viable NFL starter - but so far this year he's rejuvenated his career in Tampa. 
• Vincent Jackson ($21, 2010) - Team Kitty - Jackson has tremendous long-term potential and the Chargers have finally started to tap that talent this year.  He's still not on pace for 10 TD's or 1000+ yards but at least he's a top 30 fantasy WR with a LOT more upside this year and beyond. 
• Steve Breaston ($1, 2010) - East Bay Funk - Breaston looks like he's going to be Arizona's future starter opposite Larry Fitzgerald in '10 or sooner (Boldin wants to be dealt, expect it to happen this off-season) and has been productive in situations this year going for back to back 100 yard games once Boldin was hurt. 

TE's

• Anthony Fasano ($2, 2010) - Isotopes - the former Dallas 2nd round pick has found a home & playing time in Miami, and responded with a strong first half to the season.  He looks like a perennial top 10 TE but one that will never push the top 5, so he's a good value but not great. 
• John Carlson ($1, 2010) - LFP - this Seattle rookie looks like a keeper and the starter at TE for the Seahawks for years to come. 
• Jason Witten ($16, 2008) - Beavercats - Witten is a steal relative to his production the past two years.  He's scoring at or near Antonio Gates the past two seasons but costs nearly 1/3 as much.
• Kellen Winslow ($17, 2009) - South Whore - if we turned back the clock a year this would be a no brainer choice but a combination of arrogance, immaturity of Winslow and the team's offense underperforming have him hanging by a shoelace to this list.  But his talent makes this a good value over the next year+.   

Please make comments, let me know where I missed or am way off base.  To reiterate, a player who is being paid to be a top performer (defined as more than $55 for a QB or RB and $35+ for a WR) won't be on this list simply b/c their production to cost ratio will be low.  This list is simply for players who are way out performing their cost and/or have the potential to be more so in the next year. 

Comments

ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!ORTON!!!!!!!!

[Beavercats]

I wonder who posted ORTON!!!!!!ORTON...?

The question is what's the best contract?

[Jibaholic]

For me, Marshall @ $4 has been the best contract for me. Cutler @ $55 is third as his price was dictated to me by the rookie draft and the Isotopes hard-on for this Vandy grad.

2nd best for me has been Frank Gore @ $57. Last year he was a little weak but in his first year he was top 10 and it looks like he will be top 10 again. Anytime you can get a top 10 RB @ $55, I think its a great contract. I think Lynch at $55 should get some love too.

Can't believe that Cadillac made this list. Let IMT sit on that like they did with the Wolfe and get a whole lot of nothing out of it.

[Beavercats]

Gore is a good call, he's just underperformed the past 1.5 years due to the lack of talent around him which is why he didn't make the list.

Cadillac made it b/c of his past production ('05 NFL rookie of the year), his talent level and bargain basement price. He may never return to a featured role but he's being paid like a long-shot which is why its a good contract (IMO).

[Jibaholic]

One good season and a horrific injury puts him closer to Robert Edwards than Steve Slaton.

Cedric Benson @ $1 would be a better pick as he is at least playing.

[Beavercats]

Cedric Benson at $1 is not a good contract b/c he's never been good and never will be. Maybe I'm wrong, but nothing he has ever done has demonstrated that I am.