Thursday, September 20, 2018

The Chatter: Week 3

Last week was a 3-3 week for me, bringing my yearly tally to 8-4. Here’s a look at this week’s slate.

Premier Matchup: 2 Redeemed Renegades vs 3 Newby

Aaron Rodgers is still banged up, but there’s no question he is going to play. He plays Washington who have been tough against the pass this year. David has dropped Russell Wilson from his lineup in favor of the Buccaneer-red-hot Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has a great matchup against the Steelers. Matchup makes this close, but I’m still going to give the edge to Tony and Rodgers, even on one knee.
This matchup boasts several excellent receivers. David’s Michael Thomas has averaged 15.5 ppw through two, and looks the part of an every week top-five WR. David’s three other starters: Fuller, Cole, and Engram are all coming off successful weeks. Tony’s receivers are led by Davante Adams. Adams is Rodger’s go-to target at this point, and should be a WR1 each week. He is also starting, Allen Robinson, who is yet to find the endzone this season, and Tyler Lockett, who is averaging 9.5 ppw, and is Seattle’s #1 in place of Baldwin. Tony’s TE is Jimmy Graham, who has struggled to stand out in Green Bay. Both squads of receivers are good, but David’s are a little better at each level.
Tony has the better RBs, and it’s not close. ‘Zeke has scored 15 points in each of the first two weeks, and Christian McCaffrey is getting a lot of work, and piling up yardage though he’s yet to reach paydirt. David’s David Henry and LeSean McCoy have struggled. He’s starting Chris Thompson this week in place of McCoy. Thompson will see snaps and touches, but he’s receiving TD dependent in our league.
David and Tony have some of the most reliable defenses and kickers, and they’re fairly even, though I’d lean slight to Tony.
Tony will move to 3-0.

4 Old School vs 5 Zach Attack

This is a “not a rivalry” matchup. Gary should do well with Tom Brady facing the Lions. He should also enjoy another nice game from Tyreek Hill, who has enjoyed an exceptional start to the season. Gary still needs more from his RBs. Lamar Miller has been underwhelming, but he could get a boost from Corey Clement. Clement has been doing well with the touches he’s gotten, and should see an increased role in the Eagles’ offense. Gary spent an early pick on Greg Zuerlein, but he’s injured.
Zach has his own QB with a good matchup, Kirk Cousins at home against the Bills. Thien and Hopkins are WR1, OBJ needs to get things going this week. At running back, Zach has Melvin Gordon who has enjoyed a great start, but has a tough test against the Rams. Dalvin Cook has struggled and is nursing a hamstring injury, but the Vikings are facing the Bills.
This is a close matchup. I’ll take Gary in a mild upset.

7 Show Your Horns vs 8 Joshua Tree

Jason has ol’ reliable, Drew Brees, going again this week. He’ll have a pair of Lions receivers, Tate and Jones Jr, starting. The pair have been solid this year despite Detroit struggling, and neither of them being Kenny Golladay. Larry Fitzgerald has not been so great (but maybe someone off his bench could do better. Maybe someone who’s name starts with “Nels” and ends in “lor”). Each of Jason’s RBs, Barkley and Hyde, are averaging 13 ppw.
Jeff is still starting Case Keenum, whom he picked up last week when Ryan Fitzpatrick was available, just saying. He struggled last week, and has a tough matchup against the Ravens. He’s finally starting Desean Jackson after two great weeks (and of course this will be the week Jackson gets shut down). He’s doubling up on Bucs receivers, starting Chris Godwin as well. Both of his RBs have averaged double digit points as well. Though, I lean to Jason’s pairing this week.
With the better QB and RBs, I think Jason takes this matchup.

1 Fantasy Failures vs 10 McNabbers

Mahomes is ridiculous, and we can all just hope his play regresses. Gurley and Kamara are both playing like top-five RBs right now. Aaron’s receivers have had mixed results. AJ Green looks to be in top form. Gronk might be a little banged up this week. Keenan Allen faces the Rams, who’ve swallowed up every offense they’ve faced. Woods and Hogan are toss ups, though I like Hogan against the Lions with Gronk potentially limited.
Cam Newton came alive in the second half of last week’s game. He has a fine matchup against the Bengals. Kareem Hunt has struggled to get going this year. Last season, he was the most volatile RB1. Jordan Howard has also struggled, but at least Tarik Cohen has as well too, and Howard will get a chance against the Cardinals who have given up the most points to RBs. David’s receivers have struggled.
I don’t see Aaron slowing down yet. Kamara and Gurley are tough enough to contend with, but we need to see a chink in Mahomes’ armor before I pick against him.

6 In the Pits vs 12 The C’s

Philip Rivers has been great, averaging 31 ppw. However, he faces the Rams, who have given up the fewest points to QBs. Unfortunately I don’t see a QB worth spelling him this week. David Johnson has struggled to get involved, and faces Chicago, the defense that has given up the fewest points to running backs. Alex Collins looked good in spurts last week, and should be more involved. My receivers have been excellent, and they have good matchups this week. I especially like Mike Evans vs Pittsburgh. I picked up Dan Bailey this week (thanks everyone).
Looks like it’s Stafford’s turn again. He laid an egg week one, then scored 29 last week. He faces the Patriots this week, who were burned by Bortles. Even with my weak matchups, Jared has the inferior running backs. Marshawn Lynch has been a high RB2, but Bilal Powell is barely RB3 territory tonight. Jared’s receivers have been better than I expected them to be. He has Minnesota’s D vs the Bills.
Due to poor matchups, I’m vulnerable, and Jared has a real chance to pick up his first career win. I tend to win more games where I pick against myself. So, I’ll roll that way: Jared wins.

9 St. Louis Cardinals vs 11 Syracuse Lake Effect
Bryon is missing Le’Veon Bell and Joe Mixon. He lacks quality RB depth. I feel bad. Andy wins, no contest.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

The Chatter: Week 2 Predictions

I went 5-1 in my predictions last week. I only mispredicted my own matchup, typical. So, remember, you should always take this post seriously.
Interestingly, every team that won last week is playing a team that lost last week. It’s the winners vs the losers. There’s a chance we’re all 1-1 at the end of this week, a slim chance. I promise Jason and I will do our part to make it happen though!
While looking at the standings this week, I noticed it appears the first tie breaker is division rankings, before points. Is this the way it’s been in the past? Is that what we want? Does anyone have a problem switching to points?

Premier Matchup: 1 Show Your Horns vs 7 In the Pits

This matchup involves two of the more successful QBs last week. Drew Brees and Philip Rivers were top-5 QBs last week. They could be again this week. I have Rivers facing Buffalo, and the Bills made Joe Flacco look like Johnny Unitas last week. Brees faces the Browns, though the Browns have a good secondary and Myles Garrett is no joke. We’re even at QB factoring matchups.
Yahoo projects my running backs to outscore his, but I’m less optimistic. Both Barkley and Hyde played well last week, each scoring more than my pair. I also like their matchups better. David Johnson, as will always be the case, is the x-factor. He only received fourteen touches last Sunday, and is now dealing with a minor back injury. Collins barely touched the ball following his TD on the first drive. He didn’t produce on the few carries he was given, and it didn’t help that his best run (a 12 yarder) was called back. He has a tough matchup against the Bengals. I’m considering making a switch at RB, but I’m not thrilled by my options this week.
I do have an advantage at WR and TE. Mike Evans looked as though he’d recaptured his WR1 form, and Desean Jackson looks injured, which should give Evans more looks. Hilton was adequate last week, and I believe he’s still on the rise with Luck getting back into the swing of things. I’m benching Amari Cooper this week, and turning to Mike Williams, who is getting targeted by Rivers, and faces the Bills. He’s their redzone target anyways. Ertz led the Eagles in targets, hopefully there’s more production to come. Golden Tate was the only positive wide receiver for Jason, though Kyle Rudolph also scored. Larry Fitzgerald, and more importantly, his QB Sam Bradford, face the Rams this weekend. Edge my way.
Kickers and defense seem a wash.

This is a tight one. I’m not feeling confident in my RBs right now. So, I’ll give it to Jason.

5 St. Louis Cardinals vs 9 Zach Attack

Alex Smith and Kirk Cousins scored the same number of points last week: 23. I think Alex Smith has the better matchup for Andy, facing the Colts. Cousins is in Green Bay, and Green Bay’s secondary looks much improved though they’re far from an elite unit. I’d still call their QBs even.
Zach has the advantage at RB. Melvin Gordon scored a solid 14 last week, and gets Buffalo this week. His second RB, Dalvin Cook, struggled last week though, and Green Bay was pretty good at shutting down the Bears’ Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen last week. Andy may be without Devonta Freeman this week. If Freeman misses, he’ll have to turn to rookie, Kerryon Johnson, who was worthless, along with most of the Lions, last week. Jay Ajayi had a good week by virtue of his TD. He will still have to share snaps with Clement and Sproles.
This matchup features three of the five best wide receivers in football. OBJ is the best this week against the Cowoys. DeAndre Hopkins and Adam Thielen are also WR2 or better receivers. Andy has Julio Jones, but Corey Davis and Cooks are definitely a tier or two below Zach’s second and third receivers. Andy’s tight end is also worse. Advantage goes to Zach.
I like Zach’s kicker and defense better this week.

They’re even at QB and Zach has it everywhere else. I have Zach winning and moving them both to 1-1.

6 Newby vs 10 McNabbers

This matchup features two of the better rushing QBs in the league, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson. Wilson had a good week 1 performance, 25 points, and he faces the Bears who were torched by Aaron Rodgers in the second half of their week 1 meeting with the Packers. It does look like Wilson has lost another weapon in WR1, Doug Baldwin. Newton was more pedestrian for David H, scoring 19 points. I would have considered the Falcons a more difficult matchup, but the Falcons’ secondary is hurt, and I think they’ll be missing two starters. I’m leaning David’s way in this one, David Beehner that is.
PD has the better RBs, though neither Hunt or Howard, had a fantastic opening week. Lesean McCoy was not effective at all, along with the entire Bills offense. He has a chance to bounce back though facing the Chargers rather than the Ravens. Chris Thompson will see snaps, but I think he’s a little too receiving TD dependent in our league. Speaking of the Redskins, when will PD put his faith in AP?
The receivers are fairly even, but I’ll lean slightly to David Beehner. Michael Thomas is the only true stud in the bunch. He’s a WR1. Josh Gordon’s performance was encouraging for him as well. He has the better tight end, since PD is missing Greg Olsen. David’s Broncos receivers both benefited from Keenum’s play week 1, and they get a better matchup this week. They should be solid WR2s. Devan Funchess was not impressive week 1, but he’s still the best receiver on the Panthers.
Defense and kicker are even. PD has to like what he saw from Chicago last week.

This is a close matchup. It could go either way. David Hertweck needs Kareem Hunt (the archetype “boom-or-bust” player) to have a bounce back game. I’m going to play it sage and take Beehner.

4 Old School vs 11 Joshua Tree

With New England playing the Jaguars, Gary will turn to Deshaun Watson against the Titans. Watson had a crappy first game, but Gary’s betting he bounces back, or he believes the Tom Brady is washed up, and the Jaguars are a vastly superior team to the Patriots. Jeff kept Marcus Mariota instead of Alex Smith. Now, he’s dumped Mariota after just one game for Case Keenum. Keenum was a QB1 in our league last week, throwing for 3 TDs. He also threw three interceptions though. I think Keenum is volatile, but he doesn’t have a bad matchup this week. This is an interesting individual matchup, and could greatly influence the game. Watson has a higher upside this week, while I think Keenum’s 25 point effort a week ago is the best you’re going to get from him. I’d lean Watson’s way, but either could struggle, and Watson isn’t a sure-thing to be a worthy starter.
Jeff has the best RB in this matchup, James Conner, and he may have the best two if Leonard Fournette proves to be healthy. Fournette missed time in last week’s game with a hamstring injury, and it remains to be seen if he’ll play this week. He’s a fringe RB1 if he does. Gary’s weakness is still at RB. Lamar Miller still can’t find the endzone, and Royce Freeman finds himself in more of a timeshare than I’d anticipated. Advantage Jeff.
Gary has the better receivers and it’s not close. JuJu, Tyreek Hill, and Kenny Stills are all capable of big performances. Jeff may have the better tight end, Kittle, and Diggs is a real WR2 though. Jeff’s final two positions will be taken by players he added this week, Ted Ginn and Chris Godwin. Those are good pickups. Gary has an advantage if his guys show up, but as I’ve said all along, they’re as likely to bust as boom.
Gary has the better kicker and defense.

This is an extremely close matchup, and it may be determined by Fournette’s availability. I think Jeff made some wise moves at receiver and defense this week. I’m still going to lean Gary’s way though, since I trust his QB more.


3 Fantasy Failures vs 12 Syracuse Lake Effect

Aaron grabbed Patrick Mahomes, while other more established QBs were still on the board in the draft. Mahomes rewarded him with the third best QB performance, 36 points, of week 1. The Steelers let Tyrod Taylor score 26 points last week, so I like Mahomes to be a top-half starter again. Bryon will once again give the ball to Jared Goff. Goff gave an average, 21 point, performance last week. I think we’ll see consistency from Goff this year, regular 19-24 point performances, but I don’t think he’s going to often light it up. I’d say Mahomes is a top-half QB1, while Goff is a back-end QB1.
Aaron has better running backs and it’s not close. Both of Aaron’s running backs are top-3 this week. Alvin Kamara is coming off an extraordinary game, and faces the Browns who were just torched by James Conner. Bryon is still without Le’Veon Bell, and it’s not looking good. Joe Mixon could be a back-end RB1, but he has a tough test against the Ravens. Austin Ekeler is a starter in PPR leagues, but his production in our league is dependent upon a receiving touchdown. Aaron has a big advantage here. Standard Donald Trump rhetoric wouldn’t be an exaggeration to the describe the advantage Aaron has at running back.
Aaron also has an advantage at receiver, but it’s closer. Bryon at least has the best receiver in the matchup, Antonio Brown. However, Keenan Allen and AJ Green aren’t far behind. Aaron also has the superior TE, Gronk, though Kelce is just behind with Gronk facing the Jaguars. Bryon has a second solid receiver in Jarvis Landry, but Sammy Watkins may be in trouble. Patrick Mahomes threw  4 TD passes last week, and none of them were to him.
Bryon’s defense, Chargers, scored -3 last week, but they face the Bills this week, so maybe it’s worth Bryon giving them a second chance. Kickers and defense are even.

Bryon may be in some trouble as Bell’s absence continues. Aaron wins again.

2 Redeemed Renegades vs 8 The C’s

Tony was bailed out by Aaron Rodgers’ second half last week. As he and the Packers leaned on the discount double check return to lead them to victory. Rodgers is questionable, but I don’t think there’s any way he isn’t playing. That said, it’s going to be a tough test against the Vikings. Jared has hopefully learned his lesson. He should be starting Andrew Luck after Matthew Stafford was embarrassed by the Jets last week. He scored 22 points last week, and has an easier matchup against the Redskins (as opposed to the Bengals secondary). It’s hard to pick against Rodgers, but with the matchup and the injury, I think he’s even with Luck this week.
Tony has the two best RBs in this matchup. Ezekiel Elliott leads the way, and he’s a top-5 RB this week against the Giants. McCaffery has a good matchup, and is always a threat to break off a big play. Jared’s best RB is Lynch. Lynch scored last week, but wasn’t particularly effective on the ground apart from that play. He has a tough matchup Monday night. Jared will also start Bilal Powell again. Powell received 12 carries last week, and average 5 yards per carry. Unfortunately for him, teammate Isaiah Crowell was a beast.
On the bright side, Jared’s three starting receivers: Kenny Golladay, Michael Crabtree and Randall Cobb, all played well week 1. Unfortunately they have tougher matchups this week. Tony’s receivers were pretty good as well last week. Davante Adams is still the receiver to own in Green Bay, Allen Robinson looked decent with Chicago, and Tyler Lockett will be replacing Doug Baldwin as Russell Wilson’s go-to guy. Tony has the better TE, Jimmy Graham. I think Tony only has a slight edge here.
Tony definitely has the better kicker and defense. However, Jacksonville has to face New England, which could tick Tony’s defense down. Jared’s defense, Houston, plays Tennessee, and there’s question marks around the Titans’ QB.

Tony should win this, but Jared’s team is performing better than expected. He needs an upgrade at RB2 though.

Thursday, September 6, 2018

The Chatter: Week 1 Predictions

Premier Matchup: (c) Redeemed Renegades vs McNabbers

Both teams have top-5 QBs this week. Tony will have the advantage at QB most weeks; except those weeks he chooses to start Roethlisberger over Rodgers, which he does have a tendency of doing. But, Newton isn’t far behind this week with a favorable matchup against the Cowboys at home.
Tony has a slight advantage at RB as well, but it’s also close. Tony’s running backs will be playing each other. Ezekiel Elliott is a top-five RB this week, and most weeks. McCaffery is a fringe RB1 himself this week against the Cowboys. David will start Kareem Hunt and Jordan Howard. Hunt is a RB1 this week against the Chargers; Howard is a solid RB2 for me against the Packers Sunday Night.
Tony has the better receivers this week, but it’s another small advantage. His group is led by top-five WR this week, Davante Adam, and tight end Jimmy Graham. The Packers duo has a good matchup against rival, Da Bears, in Green Bay. Allen Robinson is also in that game, facing the Packers. He’s a WR2. Tony is starting Tyler Lockett over fellow Seahawk, and usual WR1, Doug Baldwin. Baldwin is banged up I guess, and facing the Broncos. We’ll see if that move pays off. David also has two receivers in that Denver-Seattle matchup. Thomas and Sanders face the Seahawks, and I’m sure he’s hoping one of them can score. David will start two more teammates, Devan Funchess and Greg Olsen who have a good matchup against the Cowboys.
I’ll take Tony to take his first step to reclaiming his title this year.

Syracuse Lake Effect vs Newby

David should have a small advantage at QB. Russell Wilson is at Denver, and has to deal with their pass rush, but he’s still a fringe top-five, sure top-ten QB this week. Goff I have as a back-end starter this week, playing in Oakland.
Bryon may have a problem on his hands in Le’Veon Bell. Bell continues to hold-out, and the prospect of him starting this week doesn’t look good. That is a gamechanger in this matchup. I still think Bryon has the best overall RB between these two teams: Joe Mixon. Mixon should be a fringe RB1 against the Colts. Both McCoy and Derrick Henry are solid RB2s this week for David. If Bell is unavailable this week, Bryon may have to turn to Seahawks rookie, Rashaad Penny, and I don’t think he’s ready to contribute. That would give David an advantage at RB. If Bell plays, and I heard somewhere he wii. Bryon will have a sizeable advantage at RB.
David and Bryon each have a top-five receiver this week: Michael Thomas and Antonio Brown, respectively. Brown probably is still the slightly better matchup though. Their other wide receivers are pretty even. Bryon has the better tight end, Travis Kelce. Bryon has a slight advantage here.
David has an advantage at kicker and defense.
It’s looking more and more like Bell won’t play, so I’m inclined to take David.

Zach Attack vs Fantasy Failures

Zach will have a small advantage at QB, even with Wentz out. Cousins is one of the best backup QBs in our league. Aaron has tapped first-year starter, Patrick Mahomes to be his starter. I like Mahomes, but I want to see what he can do away and against a tough division rival.
Aaron will have an advantage at RB all season. This week, he has two top-five RBs. Gurley is no.1, obviously. Kamara will benefit from a matchup with Tampa Bay, and Mark Ingram’s absence. Zach potentially has two RB1s as well. Melvin Gordon and Dalvin Cook could score a lot of points this week, but they’re a cut below Aaron’s pair.
This matchup hosts the two best groups of receivers in our league. I lean slightly Aaron’s way, and that’s mostly due to Gronk’s advantage over Trey Burton. OBJ has to face Jacksonville as well. Though, I do believe Hopkins will have a big game for Zach as a top-three WR against NE. Aaron’s wide receivers are all top-fifteen receivers this week.
This is a huge early matchup in our league. Both teams may come into the week believing they’re the best team. I think Aaron comes away as the leader in a high scoring affair.

Joshua Tree vs St. Louis Cardinals [do not] Rule

This QB matchup should be fairly even. I have Matt Ryan as the worst QB of the two that could start this week. I would not start him against the Super Bowl winners. Andy’s Alex Smith and Jeff’s Marcus Mariota are fairly evenly matched though. I would lean slightly to Smith.
Both of Andy’s RBs are going thursday night. Devonta Freeman is a fringe RB1 at best against the Eagles, and more likely a mid-high RB2. Ajayi I have as a solid RB2 as well. Jeff meanwhile has the best RB in the matchup, Leonard Fournette; he’s a rock solid RB1. However, he may struggle choosing a viable second running back. Sony Michel is expected to miss this week. Tevin Coleman has a tough matchup, the Eagles, and there’s Freeman. Right now, Jeff is going all in on Nyheim Hines. Advantage goes to Andy. Things have changed. Jeff picked up James Conner, and Le’Veon Bell still hasn’t reported. I’m swinging Jeff’s direction at running back, assuming he starts Conner. Wait, Coleman plays in a few hours, and Jeff is still starting him; I doubt he’ll flip it before the game starts. Sigh. Back to Andy.
Andy as better receivers, and it’s not close. It will be interesting to see Ridley go head-to-head with Julio tonight though. Actually, there a lot of interesting Falcons in this game. Andy has the superior RB and WR: Freeman and Julio, while Jeff has a RB and WR as well, just the inferior two: Coleman and Ridley. Andy also has Atlanta’s TE.
I have Andy taking this one. Conner could make things interesting if Jeff starts him, but I still think Andy has a much more balanced team.
In the Pits vs Old School

Gary has his choice of top-five starters at QB. Either will have a good advantage over Philip Rivers. Rivers is a Top-12 QB this week though; he’s home against the Chiefs. I expect that to be a competitive, and likely high scoring game.
The greatest advantage in this matchup is held by me at RB. I have the two best running backs between Gary and I. David Johnson is back [along with my championship aspirations], and is a top-three RB this week. Alex Collins should be a solid to high end RB2 against the Bills. Gary meanwhile, has some options at RB. He’ll start Royce Freeman, who I have a few spots below Collins. Then he’ll start either Lamar Miller or Peyton Barber, likely Miller. Miller’s a back end RB2 this week.
My wide receivers are better, but they have tough matchups. The most productive receiver might be tight end, Zach Ertz, who plays tonight. Gary has a bunch of big-play players: Hill, JuJu, and Stills, and is always dangerous. Our receivers are even this week, but Gary’s have more potential.
This one is close. I think my RBs will prevail over Gary’s QB

The C’s vs Show Your Horns

I don’t mean to positively reinforce Jared’s first round selection, but I think Stafford is the best QB in this matchup. I like him at home against the Jets to be a solid QB1. Brees also has a good matchup at home against Tampa Bay. Luck should be a third QB1 in this matchup but I have him a little behind Stafford and Brees.
Saquon Barkley is the best RB in this matchup. He faces Jacksonville, but should still be a fringe RB1 in his first career game. Jason will also likely start Carlos Hyde against the Steelers, rather than root for Alfred Morris against his beloved Vikings. Either would be a reach as a second RB this week. Jared’s best running back will be Marshawn Lynch, who has a tough one against the Rams. He’s a fringe RB2. Bilal Powell will be the worst RB starting this week. I take that back, Jeff may still start Nyheim Hines.
I think Jason has better receivers. It will be interesting with three Lions receivers going: Jones and Tate for Jason, Golladay for Jared. Crabtree is a wildcard, as he is always a threat to score, and we’ll see how quickly Doyle reconnects with Luck.
I’ll take Jason.

Wednesday, September 5, 2018

The Chatter: 2018 Preseason Power Rankings

The Players 2018 Preseason Power Rankings


I'm going to keep my introduction as short as possible (this is the last thing I'm writing, and I want to just post this and go to bed). The following is a look at each team, and ranking them based on how I expect them to perform this season. It is meant to be fun, and drive discussion. It is not meant to tear down anyone. It's not meant to disparage. I write these articles each year with the best intentions. If anyone is hurt, just remember (and Aaron has the stats to prove it), my record in this league is one of the worst. I'm coming off a year where I missed the playoffs. In seventeen seasons, I've only one the championship once (though the same could be said of everyone else not named: Aaron, Andy, or Derek). Now, despite my lack of success in the league. I have been extremely successful at predictintly the league winner. Just last year, Tony sat atop my 2017 Preseason Power Rankings, and he went on to win the title and trophy. So, there's pretty good odds that the team named at the end of this list will be out champion. Enjoy.

The Bottom


12 The C's


I believe Andrew Luck can bounce back, and be an at-least average starting QB in fantasy this year. There's risk, yes, but he's still a top-five QB on talent, and he has the weapons to match. Matthew Stafford seems to be an unnecessary luxury, although he provides Jared with a stable substitute. The thing is, Jared paid way too high a cost for Stafford, the number two pick. He still needed starters at RB and WR, and there were players worth starting available namely, Adam Thielen (WR14) and Royce Freeman (RB15). Jared clearly felt unsure about Luck, and wanted assurances. It was his first draft with us, and maybe he worried we'd take QBs early. If this was the case, then why not keep Dak Prescott? I have Prescott averaging just a point less than Matthew Stafford per week (19.3 ppw vs 20.3). My point isn't to pile on, Jared was certainly in a tough spot, but there were better options available to him. With that said, QB is a strength for Jared.

Running Back will be Jared's weakest position. Marshawn Lynch will be Jared's best running back. Lynch is the twenty-first RB on my board. He's in a good situation in Oakland, and I don't expect Doug Martin to steal many carries. By spending his first pick on Stafford, Jared had to wait until the end of the second to take another RB, and there wasn't an obvious pick at that point. Bilal Powell has been a useful RB3 the past couple of seasons. However, he is more of a utility back than an everyday back, and has more value in PPR leagues. The Jets brought in Isaiah Crowell this offseason, and he should see the bulk of the carries. Even if Crowell gets hurt, I imagine McGuire will take his place on first and second down. Jared's third, and final, running back is Devontae Booker. I'd love this pick if he had taken Royce Freeman in the first. It's still a good pick in our ninth round. Booker is a talented running back, and should split carries (30/70) with Freeman. He can be a RB2 if Freeman gets injured, or falters. Jared has one solid starter in Lynch, though he's no longer fantasy stud. However, he doesn't have a second viable starter, and also lacks depth with just three running backs rostered.

Jared has a couple of my favorite breakout candidates this year: Jamieson Crowder and Kenny Golladay. However, he doesn't have a single wide receiver I have ranked inside the top-36 (we start 36 wide receivers each week). Crowder and Golladay certainly have WR3/2 upside, with both capable of emerging as their team's best receiver this year, but both Washington and Detroit have a variety of weapons at their QBs' disposal. Michael Crabtree was a magnet for the ball in the redzone in Oakland, and could prove to be equally effective in Baltimore. However, he could also take a step back in a new situation and with a worse QB. Randall Cobb isn't a bad option on the bench, but I'm betting (seriously betting, look at my draft) that he'll be Rodgers' fourth or fifth option this year. Jack Doyle will be a solid TE for Jared, even with Eric Ebron in the fold, but I have Delanie Walker higher on my list (and Jared could have kept Delanie Walker).

I do not approve of Jared's decision to draft two kickers and two defenses, especially since he kept a kicker. If he's going to take a kicker in the draft anyway, he could have kept a second QB, Prescott, or a second TE, Delanie Walker. Minnesota is the fourth ranked defense; Matt Bryant is the fourth ranked kicker. Hopefully they prove to be reliable, so Jared can dump the excess for RB depth.

Regardless of how Luck performs, Jared will be strong at QB with Stafford. He needs to add depth, and preferably high upside depth, at RB. He needs to get lucky there. Lynch's RB1 days are gone and Jared lacks a solid starter behind him. Jared's three WRs are fringe starters, but there is some upside there. His defense should provide Jared with some points at least. This team could be worse, but I do feel it could have been a lot better with just a couple of tweaks: take a RB in the first and keep Walker or Prescott in place of the kicker.

QB: B
RB: D+
REC: D+
D/K: A-
GPA: 1.96

11 Joshua Tree


I'll say one thing, Jeff is loyal. He drafted Marcus Mariota early as a rookie, and he is sticking to him, no matter the cost. Marcus Mariota is the eighteenth QB on my board a tier below a large group of suitable starters: Roethlisberger, Stafford, Goff Rivers, Ryan, Mahomes, and Garoppolo. Jeff had the opportunity to keep Alex Smith, who's the ninth best QB on my board. I have Smith being worth more than a point per game more than Mariota.

By virtue of finishing last two years ago, Jeff has a bonafide RB1, Leonard Fournette. Fournette is the seventh best RB entering the season. He's also one of the safest RBs in the league, who will get consistent work as an every-down back. Jeff also kept Tevin Coleman who has proven to be a back end RB2 even when Devonta Freeman is healthy, and RB1 when he's hurt. Jeff used both of his first round selections on a pair of lottery ticket rookies: Nyheim Hines and Sony Michel. Hines was a veritable overdraft at #4, and I don't like his outlook this season behind Mack and Wilkins in a non-PPR league. Michel is a good pick though. He's being talked up like a potential every-down back on one of the best offenses in the league. There's significant risk associated with Michel though. He's working on coming back from injury, and will likely miss week 1. Once healthy he joins a crowded backfield where Rex Burkhead, James White, and Jeremy Hill will all have roles. Still, Michel is a high upside prospect who could become a starter for Jeff.

Jeff has the second worst group of receivers in the league. He kept Stefon Diggs, who is a solid WR2, and could finish the season in the low teens. He's the twentieth receiver on my board. His first pick at wide receiver came in the third round. He took Calvin Ridley. Ridley is, possibly, the best rookie at wide receiver this year. He could become a top receiver some day. This season he is behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu on the depth chart. Rookie wide receivers generally take time to develop, and become consistent fantasy contributors. Jeff had a plethora of stable options available to him at the time. He followed up on the Ridley pick by taking Jordy Nelson. During the offseason, it was difficult to project who would get targets between newcomers Nelson and Martavius Bryant for the Raiders. Now, with Bryant gone, Nelson should be in a good position, and I like him as a solid WR4, possibly WR3. Jeff used a third straight pick on a receiver, taking Allen Hurns. Hurns is a good pick, and should receive plenty of action in Dallas as their number one receiver. Paul Richardson is another solid guy, who has shown flashes of potential to be a fantasy starter, but we'll have to see how he fits in Washington with so many weapons at Cousins' disposal. Jeff has a good tight end, Delanie Walker. He's sixth on my board. He also took George Kittle who has some potential in the 49es emerging offense. The tight end position gives Jeff's receiving corps a little boost.

Jeff did not take a kicker, so he'll have to grab one before the weekend, and he took Dallas' defense which was not on my list of the top-24 defenses. Jeff grabbed Ryan Succop. He's a fine kicker, fourteenth on my list.

Jeff isn't great at any position. His best is at RB, where he has a true RB1 in Fournette. Coleman may be adequate for the time being, but he's not an exciting starter while Freeman is healthy. Sony Michel could turn the tide though, if he establishes himself as the lead back for New England, he could his running back tandem would be above-average in the league. Unfortunately, I rank Marcus Mariota as the league's worst starting QB. Jeff's receivers are behind the rest of the league, though I do like that he grabbed Walker as his tight end. Jeff didn't need to take Dallas' defense.

QB: C-
RB: C+
REC: C-
D/K: C
GPA: 1.99

The Pack


10 Show Your Horns


Jason kept Drew Brees. I have Brees ranked eighth. He is starting to slow down, and I think his top-five days are behind him. Last season Brees tied for eleventh amongst QBs in our league.

Jason's team took a blow the day before the draft. Jerrick McKinnon tore his ACL, and will miss the season. Jason would have ranked higher on this list if he were able to pair McKinnon with Barkley, alas that's not going to happen. Jason did use his first pick on Saquon Barkley. Barkley follows Fournette, and Elliott as a potential rookie stud and RB1 available to the worst team from last season. Either keeper, Carlos Hyde or, second round pick, Alfred Morris, will serve as Jason's RB2. I have them ranked #28 and #35, respectively. Both could serve as a capable starter since they're expected to be their teams' lead back to start the season. Morris especially has a great opportunity with the 49ers, but Matt Breida could take the job as well. Hyde will share snaps with Duke Johnson Jr, another of Jason's keepers, and Nick Chubb, but Hyde should get the lion's share of carries to start the season. Johnson is more valuable in PPR leagues, but he should have his weeks, and could score more than Hyde. Jason also took Latavius Murray. Murray is a great fourth RB. He should still see some carries even with Cook healthy, and would immediately become a solid RB2 if Cook gets injured.

Jason has three wide receivers I have ranked as starters (top-36): Marvin Jones Jr, Larry Fitzgerald, and Golden Tate. However, he lacks top-end talent at receiver, as not one of them do I have tanked in the top-15. Nelson Agholor is a solid backup, especially with Jeffery injured to start the season. Mohamed Sanu is a nice depth piece. Jason's TE will be—get ready to display your best shocked faceKyle Rudolph of the Vikings. He's a middle-of-the-pack starter at TE, and should be fine.

Jason grabbed my tenth rated defense, New England, and my thirteenth rated kicker, Adam Vinateri, but who cares?

There's a big jump between Jeff and Jason. Jason is solid at QB, even if Brees is nearing the end. Barkley is a good get, but Jason's RB2 will be below average. Jason has three solid receivers, but none of them are going to WR1s this year.

QB: B-
RB: C+
REC: C+
D/K: C
GPA: 2.53

9 St. Louis Cardinals [Do Not] Rule


Andy kept Matt Ryan, and was opportunistic, taking my ninth rated QB, Alex Smith, in the eighth round. Ryan would be a solid starter, but I like Smith a half ppw more. Smith's moving to a new team, Washington, and I think the move should be beneficial for him. He's looking to build on a career year.

Andy kept a solid pair of running backs, Devonta Freeman and Jay Ajayi. Freeman, when healthy, is a back-end RB1. Ajayi has the potential to be a fringe RB1 to high RB2 as he enters his first full season with the Eagles. Ajayi may have to split snaps with several backs though: Sproles, Clement, and Smallwood. Andy supplemented his keepers by taking a—prepare your best look of absolute astonishment—rookie running back. Kerryon Johnson is expected to be Detroit's lead back, at least between the 20s. However, Theo Riddick should be on the field on third down, and LeGarrette Blount will get carries inside the redzone (Andy did pick up Blount at the end of the draft). Johnson looked good during the preseason, and could be a RB2 this season. Andy grabbed Giovanni Bernard as well. Bernard should just be depth for Andy. The days of him splitting work with Jeremy Hill, and them both being top-24 RBs are gone.

Julio Jones is still a top-five receiver entering the season. In addition to Julio, Andy kept Brandin Cooks, now playing for the Rams. I have Cooks twenty-first. He has failed to live up to WR1 expectations the last couple of years. Andy drafted Corey Davis in the second round. Now in his second year, Davis could be primed for a breakout campaign, and could emerge as a top-twenty receiver. Andy drafted a trio of great wide receivers, Cooper Kupp, Josh Doctson, and Rishard Matthews. There are teams with more quality at the top, but Andy has one of the deepest groups of receivers, and Davis, Cooks, Kupp, and Doctson could all take a big step forward this season. I do believe the tight end position drags this group down a little for Andy. His is Austin Hooper, who I have ranked eighteenth at the position.

Andy took my sixth ranked kicker, and twelfth ranked defense. They should be fine.

Andy is another team that should be happy with their QB; Smith shouldn't lose him points. Andy has a back end RB1 in Freeman, but solid RB2 in Ajayi. Kerryon Johnson is a good backup with the potential to be a starter. Andy has a balanced team of receivers, and he has plenty of upside at the position.

QB: B-
RB: B-
REC: B
D/K: C+
GPA: 2.78

8 Newby


David took the best QB available in the first round, Russell Wilson. Wilson was far-and-away the best fantasy QB in our league last season, averaging 25 points per game last season. He lost targets Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson in the offseason, but Seattle's running game has been strengthened, and that should be a boon for him. I like Russell as a sure top-five QB, and highly probable top-three QB.

David kept two RBs: LeSean McCoy and Derrick Henry. McCoy could face suspension at anytime (except week 1 apparently) with a pending investigation involving a home invasion of an ex-girlfriend. If eligible for the season, McCoy has back-end RB1 upside, and shouldn't stray too far from that; he'll likely be a top-15 RB if he plays 14-16 games. Henry has tremendous upside in our league. He's a potential 10 rushing TD back. Dion Lewis will share snaps with Henry though, and he has proven at other stops to be more than a pass-catching running back. Henry is entering his third season, and has yet to grab the brass ring, and become a fantasy savant, but the potential is there. David's main backups will be Jordan Wilkins, Tarik Cohen, and Chris Thompson. All of whom are my second favorite running back on their respective teams this season. Wilkins may open the season as the Colts' starting running back if Marlon Mack isn't ready to go. That gives him a good opportunity to take the job. However, I don't think he's as talented a runner as Mack, and doesn't have as much upside this year. Cohen and Thompson each would be more valuable in a PPR league. Thompson is primarily a pass catcher, and is a RB3 at best in our league. He's never going to carry the ball more than 10 times with AP, Kelley, and Perine also in Washington. Cohen is a more dynamic change of pace back, and holds real upside, especially if Howard struggles to stay on the field again. David also snagged Chris Ivory just in case McCoy misses time at some point this season. With 16 roster spots, it's not a bad move.

Michael Thomas is a true WR1. He's the fifth best receiver on my board. I do believe David made a mistake keeping Josh Gordon over Adam Thielen though. Thielen is a fringe WR1, fourteenth on my board, and he is one of the safest receivers. I think his downside is low WR2. Meanwhile, Gordon has WR1 upside as well, but carries significantly more risk. I don't think there's enough difference in upside between the two to take the chance on Gordon—then again, I've never been a big Gordon believer. Gordon missed preseason, and may be slow coming out of the gate as well, which could cost David the first few weeks. David's remaining three receivers are all breakout candidates. Will Fuller has the best track record entering this season, as long as he stays healthy. Fuller benefits from DeShaun Watson's return and playing opposite of Hopkins. Fuller's a legitimate WR3 to start the season. Keenum Cole and John Ross are a pair of receivers I love, especially John Ross. I think he can be special. I do think Ross will be a little boom-or-bust this season, and dependent upon the big play. Cole has a chance to be Jacksonville's best receiver. David kept Evan Engram. He's just a cut below the elite tight ends; I have him ranked fourth. He could have a big year on the Giants' improved offense.

David took my top kicker, and third best defense for what it's worth.

David has a top-five QB. A pair of starter worthy running backs, though McCoy has his risks this season, and there are questions surrounding his depth pieces. He also lacks a top-end RB1. David has good receivers though, and one of the best kickers and defenses in the league.

QB: A-
RB: C
REC: B
D/K: A
GPA: 2.89

7 Old School


If we started two QBs, Gary would be in GREAT shape. He kept two top-five QBs, Tom Brady and Deshaun Watson. Brady is safe, and Watson is explosive, so they make a nice pair.

Gary came into the draft with just one running back, Lamar Miller, with whom he's been frustrated with two years of mediocrity. So, he made running back a priority in the draft, spending his first three picks on the position. He procured three good ones too. Royce Freeman shouldn't have fallen to him. He's the fifteenth ranked running back on my board. Freeman has a lot of supporters following preseason, and Denver has a great track record with running backs—save for my first pick of this cycle, Monte Ball. There's a good chance Freeman is going to be a solid RB2. Next, Gary grabbed Mark Ingram, who I had tabbed as my ideal round 2 target, and then I forgot to draft him—leaving him for Gary. Ingram is suspended four weeks, but when he returns, he'll be a starter. Last year both he and Kamara were RB1s. Ingram should continue to get carries for the Saints, despite Kamara's breakthrough last season. Peyton Barber was Gary's third pick. Barber is the starter in Tampa Bay. He will have an opportunity to entrench himself at the position, though there is Ronald Jones II waiting to prove himself as well. I like Barber as a RB3. Gary may be missing a true RB1, but he has four good options, three of whom I think will finish the season ranked in the top-25 amongst RBs.

Gary kept two good receivers. Tyreek Hill is a fringe WR1, with explosive potential, although week-to-week he can be inconsistent. The same could be said for JuJu Shushcter-Smith. JuJu has great upside, and will have some great weeks. I've got him as a mid-to-high WR2, though he's a little reliant on the big play. Gary ignored receivers in favor of running backs early in the draft. I still like his third wide out, Kenny Stills. He was on my breakout list, though he still carries some risk (and boom-or-bust tendencies like the rest of Gary's receivers), so I had him as a fringe WR3/WR4. He took an early flier on Michael Gallup, but I love the value taking Sterling Shephard and Dede Westbrook late. He's got good depth. Gary's TE is David Njoku, who seemed to be every expert's favorite sleeper TE.

Gary grabbed my second ranked defense, and second ranked kicker. You can tell by his ranking how much stock I put into that.

Gary has two great QBs, but he only gets to start one. He was fortunate to have Royce Freeman fall into his lap, and he has several good options at RB. However, he doesn't have a true RB1 still. Gary has a variety of dynamic receivers, but I think he'll struggle with consistency from them. He has a high ranked kicker and defense.

QB: A
RB: C+
REC: B-
D/K: A
GPA: 3.01

6 McNabbers


Cam Newton is the number five QB on my board. It's easy to look over Newton, since NFL pundits have knocked on him since he lost in the Super Bowl. However, as the best rushing QB in the league, he still has tremendous value in our fantasy league—at least until we score completion percentage. David took Jimmy Garappolo in the midst of the sixth round QB run. He's one of several interchangeable QBs ranked between tenth and seventeenth. Garappolo could emerge as a solid QB1 by seasons end.

David kept one of the better pair of running backs, Kareem Hunt, and Jordan Howard. Hunt is the eighth ranked RB on my sheet. He's not a player I love, because he is extremely volatile week-to-week. He'll have a few 30 point weeks, but he'll score fewer than 10 in the same number of weeks. Howard could be a RB1 as well, as long as he stays healthy. He could benefit from an improved Bears squad this season. He's the eleventh best running back. David's third running back will be Adrian Peterson. That was a nice selection in the second round. It appears Peterson will be the starter to begin the season for the Redskins, but others (Thompson for sure, possibly Kelley and/or Perine) will be in the mix as well. David got one of the best values in the draft, taking Marlon Mack in the fourth round. Mack should be the starter for the Colts. I think he's the back there with the most talent. He may start the season injured, which will give Jordan Wilkins an opportunity. But, I expect Mack to receive the bulk of carries when he returns. Mack could breakout to be a RB2 this season, or he could be a huge bust. Luckily, he's just David's fourth RB.

David has five receivers ranked inside my top-40. Demaryius Thomas and Devin Funchess were his keepers. They're both mid-to-low WRs for me. Thomas has been a top receiver in the past, but he has struggled to duplicate that success without Peyton Manning, although his QB situation seems to be more settled than it's been since Manning retired. Funchess is a player I'm a little lower on than some. I think WR20 is his upside. David took Thomas' teammate, Emmanuel Sanders, in the first round. That was a little early, and I think there were several better receivers there: Goodwin, Woods, Landry, Fitzgerald, etc. Sanders is actual the receiver I have ranked lowest of these five. However, David got tremendous value later. He took Alshon Jeffery, who I have as a solid WR2, two rounds later, and he grabbed Davante Parker, who is perennially a breakout candidate, and number thirty-six on my cheat sheet, in—astonishingly—the ninth round (fourteenth with keepers). That's not to mention Cam Meredith who I have ranked just outside the top-40, and has a chance to be a WR3 or better with the Saints opposite Michael Thomas. David's TE is Greg Olsen, who, again, if healthy, is a fine starter.

David drafted my eighth ranked kicker, and fourteenth ranked defense. They'll do fine.

QB and RB will be strengths for David. Newton and Garappolo are a good pair of QBs, with the former being a top-five fantasy starter. He has two fringe RB1s. Though, I think they're a little to volatile to rely on. He has several good receivers to chose from. However, I think they're all WR2s-WR3s, and he lacks high end talent at WR and TE. David's kicker and defense aren't special, but they'll be fine.

QB: B+
RB: B+
WR: B-
D/K: C+
GPA: 3.00

The Contenders


5 In the Pits


I drafted Philip Rivers for the second straight season (I dropped him midseason and picked up Matthew Stafford). He's still suitable starter at QB. Rivers is the thirteenth QB on my board, but I have him scoring just half a point less than the eighth ranked QB. I also drafted Dak Prescott. You can call it unnecessary, but I like Prescott to be fantasy relevant again this season. He's one of the best dual threat QBs in the league, and that has value in ours. He's scored at least six rushing TDs each season he's been in the NFL. I also like his schedule during our playoffs.

I kept two running backs. David Johnson returns after getting injured Week 1 last season, and ruining my chance to follow up on the greatest regular season in our league's history (2016). Johnson still looks the part of an elite wide receiver, and can finish the year as the very best performer at any position. I put him fourth on my list, because he is coming back form injury, behind only fellow elite backs: Gurly, Elliott, and Bell, who are all found on rosters further down this ranking. My second keeper is Alex Collins. Collins came out of nowhere to finish last season as the fourteenth best RB. I have him ranked sixteenth this season. He was a steady performer a year ago, and I believe he has one of the highest floors amongst running backs ranked lower than eleven. He is a solid RB2, but has less upside than many running backs. I used my second and third round picks to secure Green Bay Packers running backs, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones. Truth is, I'd been talking up Mark Ingram's value despite suspension for weeks. I could have grabbed a fringe RB1, sure-thing RB2, in the second round (really, the seventh with keepers). Then, I became distracted by the prospect of actually drafted a fantasy relevant Packer, and completely forgot about Ingram—I'm not happy with myself. I like Williams. He will be the starter for a good offense to start the season. Aaron Jones is more dynamic, but will be suspended for the first two games of the season. I hope one of them, either one, establishes themselves enough to be a solid second running back option. I definitely overdrafted Jones. However, I felt it was necessary considering either could be the lead back by week four. Luckily it didn't hurt me as I was still able to capture my targets further down the draft, and get a QB worth starting. CJ Anderson, a fixture on my teams this cycle, will be my fifth RB. I think he'll have a role with the Panthers, and I'm less than confident McCaffery can hold up to the workload he'll receive this season. Anderson has RB2 upside if McCaffery goes down, or if Anderson takes over early-down work.

My receiving corps is the highlight of my team. I kept a tight end, and two wide receivers of my own, before trading my fourth overall pick for a third wide receiver. Mike Evans leads the group. I've held onto Evans the last three seasons, and I'm hoping he can have a bounce-back campaign. At his best, Evans is a top-ten receiver, and at worst he's a WR2. Evans may struggle to start the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the ball though. Amari Cooper is my second receiver. Cooper has failed to live up to WR1 expectations, but he still has that potential, especially now that Michael Crabtree is in Baltimore. Cooper also has top-ten upside, and should get a ton of targets, though he'll have to deal with his opponent's best corner each week. TY Hilton is third keeper at wide receiver. Fun fact: this was the second straight year I had offered my first round pick to Jeff for Hilton; this year I got him. I could have kept Allen Robinson, or I could have drafted Adam Thielen. Instead, I decided to trade for Hilton. I have him ranked higher than any receiver available in the draft.I think Hilton will have a resurgent season with Andrew Luck healthy again. I think I have three #1 WRs. All three of those players I have ranked between tenth and thirteenth amongst wide receivers (I have Thielen just behind them at fourteenth). However, I admit they are all coming off disappointing campaigns in 2017, but this is the final year of our cycle, and I'm ready to roll the dice. Julian Edelman is my fourth wide receiver. He's going to miss the first four weeks of the season due to suspension, but he will return week five. That's perfect time, as Mike Evans goes on bye that week. Edelman is a solid WR2 when he returns. I overdrafted another Packer, Geronimo Allison, in the fifth round. I took him over several players I had higher on my board, namely, Robby Anderson and Josh Doctson. Part of the reason I did this was because Gary said to me, “You know, that Packers receiver, Randall Cobb, is still out there.” To which, I couldn't help but saying, “You're right Gary, I will take a Packers receiver!” I'm hilarious. Anyways, I could have taken Alex Smith that round instead, who as I said earlier, I like a half point better than Rivers, and then taken Allison, but Fantasy Football is meant to be amusing. At the end of the draft I picked up Mike Williams. I think Mike Williams as WR1 upside, but the Chargers are deep at receiver, and he could get lost in the crowd as well.

I grabbed my tenth ranked kicker and eleventh ranked defense.

I'm using my personal cheat sheet to create this document, so obviously I'm going to score fairly high, duh. David Johnson is back, giving me an elite RB. In fact, my top-five teams each have a top-five running back. Alex Collins is an adequate backup, if not exciting. I think I have a couple decent depth pieces. Ertz and three fringe WR1s gives me one of the three best receiver groups in the league. I have a good-enough QB, Philip Rivers. I did not go out and grab a top defense and kicker, but I don't think it'll hurt me too badly.

QB: C+
RB: B+
REC: A-
D/K: C+
GPA 3.10

4 Syracuse Lake Effect


Bryon's QB is Jared Goff. The former #1 pick pick finished last season as the seventh best fantasy QB, and was the starting QB on Tony's championship squad. There's no reason to believe Goff won't be a QB1 again. He still helms one of the best offenses in the league.

As I'm writing this, I hear Le'Veon Bell will play week 1. That's great news for Bryon, bad news for David Beener (his week 1 opponent). Bell is the second highest ranked running back. He's been holding out (a storm that's been brewing for a couple of years), but when he plays he's an elite running back. Unfortunately it does always seem like Bell has something troubling going on at the start of the season. Bryon kept Joe Mixon to start alongside Bell. Mixon failed to meet expectations as a rookie a season ago, but he looks well positioned to breakthrough this year. I ranked him thirteenth. He should be a high end RB2, with back end RB1 upside. Bryon found himself a little flustered in the first round. He found himself on the clock immediately following a bathroom break, and quickly announced his pick to be Jerrick McKinnon, who tore his ACL the day prior. He searched his list for a new player, and announced Royce Freeman. Freeman though, had been taken two picks prior (cut him some slack, he was in the bathroom, at least he didn't also ask for Nyheim Hines). After an Aaron-sized-delay, Bryon took Seahwaks rookie, Rashaad Penny. I, like many, strongly considered taking Penny in the first round, a couple of months ago. Then, it became apparent he wasn't ready to be the guy in Seattle. Enter Chris Carson, a talent running back entering just his second-year. Penny has potential, but I do not think he's going to develop into a useful RB2 this year. Bryon's hoping by the time he needs a spot-start Penny will be worked into the offense. Bryon took a fourth running back three rounds later, taking Nick Chubb, Cleveland's rookie running back. Chubb is a guy I thought might be a great late round pick before preseason, but like Penny he hasn't proven capable of supplanting Carlos Hyde. Meanwhile, Hyde looked great, and Duke Johnson Jr. will be their third down back. Austin Ekeler and Spender Ware provide Bryon with some more depth. Ware is especially intriguing, as a steady presence in the backfield to contrast the volatility of Kareem Hunt.

Bryon has the best wide receiver in fantasy football, Antonio Brown [you're welcome], who he has kept since the second season of this cycle [I drafted him in 2014, and traded him for Jeremy Hill prior to the 2015 season. To be fair, Hill did give me a 13 rushing TD season]. He also kept Sammy Watkins. I have never been a big fan of Watkins. I have him lower than most. However, Kansas City could be a good situation for him, playing over a dynamic receiver like Tyreek Hill. Watkins could be a solid WR2 this season, but I see him more as a fringe WR2 to high end WR3. Bryon selected Jarvis Landry in the third round. That's a good pick. Landry is another player I've always been low on, deeming him a PPR darling. However, he was a WR1 in our league last season. I think he's just outside the top-20 this year with Cleveland. Bryon's backups will be Kelvin Benjamin, DJ Moore, and Pierre Garcon. I think Benjamin could click in Buffalo, entering his first full season with the team. However, he could easily be irrelevant due to poor QB play. He's a tough WR4 to trust. I think DJ Moore was a little bit of an overdraft, being taken over guys like Keenum Cole and Robby Anderson (remember, I admitted to overdrafting Allison the pick prior), but he has potential, though I'd bet on Curtis Samuel having a better season than Moore. Garcon is a good fifth receiver. He won't score many touchdowns, but he has a chance to be a steady contributor in San Francisco, and Garappolo will need to rely on the veteran at times. Bryon has the second best TE to start the season, Travis Kelce.

Bryon took my fifth ranked kicker and defense.

Bryon has been trying to sculpt a championship winner all cycle. He has as much star power as any team, with Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown on the roster. Joe Mixon gives him a potential high end RB2. Jarvis Landry and Sammy Watkins are solid starters as well, and Travis Kelce is an elite TE. Jared Goff will perform like a QB1 again. I do worry about Bryon's depth though. I think some misteps in the draft have led Bryon to have one of the worst benches in the league. Most importantly, it seems Pittsburgh is getting fed up with Bell, and that could spell doom for this team.

QB: C+
RB: B+
REC: B+
K/D: B
GPA: 3.11

The Favorites


3 Zach Attack


Zach failed to keep my third ranked QB, Russell Wilson, and I hope it bites him in his Randy Bullocks. Despite dropping Wilson, Zach may have been the most fortunate team when it comes to QBs. Carson Wentz fell to the fifth round (tenth including keepers). That's ridiculous. The rest of us failed miserably. [I could have taken Wentz instead of Allison that round, crap. Ingram and Wentz, sigh.] Wentz proved last season he can be a top-three QB. However, he first needs to get healthy. Until then, Zach has Kirk Cousins who will do just fine as a starter.

Zach kept one of the best pairs of running backs. Melvin Gordon and Dalvin Cook are both RB1s to start the season. I love Melvin Gordon. I have him ranked fifth, just behind the elite, tier 1 quartet of Gurley, Bell, Elliott, and Johnson. Cook is a fringe RB1, but has the talent to entrench himself amongst the best RBs in the league. That is, as long as he stays healthy. Cook missed the majority of last season. I expect Latavius Murray to share more carries with Cook than most expect. Zach is the only team to keep three running backs. His third is Kenyan Drake. Drake is eighteenth on my board. He's not a running back that really excites me, and I don't think the Dolphins are a team that will generate a lot of points. However, he should get a plenty of opportunity, and that goes a long way in fantasy football. In addition to having the best, sorry, second best [Mark Ingram], third running back in our league. Zach has the best fourth running back, Rex Burkhead. Burkhead a steal in the third round, taken after players like: Bilal Powell, Jordan Wilkins, Nyheim Hines, Rashaad Penny, and [forehead to desk] Aaron Jones. Burkhead could easily perform as a RB2 this season. Any of New England's RBs could be the one to own, but if I had to bet on one to be a starting caliber RB, it'd be Burkhead. I think 8+ TDs (total TDs) is within reason. Zach also took Matt Breida who has a decent chance of being the 49ers starter if he proves more effective than Alfred Morris.

Wide receiver is Zach's favorite position. He began this cycle by taking Calvin “Megatron” Johnson (did you forget about him already?). This year, Zach kept two of the three best WRs: DeAndre Hopkins (2) and Odell Beckham Jr (3). I haven't seen an elite WR bust in some time. So, Hopkins and OBJ have a very good chance to be two of the five best receivers by year's end. Zach filled out receiver slots by adding the best wide receiver available in the draft, Adam Thielen, who I've aleady said was fourteenth on my board. I do worry Thielen may take a step back this season with Cousins at the helm, as Stefon Diggs takes a step forward. Zach took yet another wide receiver in the second round, preseason all-breakout team member, Marquise Goodwin. To be honest, Zach probably took Goodwin at the perfect time. Zach took a pair of fliers late in the draft. Rookie, Anthony Miller, and John Brown both have as good a chance as any to breakout this year. Zach's TE will be Trey Burton. I like Burton. I think he can be a top half TE1, but I don't think he will approach the elite TEs.

Zach grabbed my eleventh ranked kicker, and eighth ranked defense.

Now we get to the truly elite teams. Zach had a tremendous draft. I'm not sure he had a single bad pick. Thielen, then Goodwin, then Burkhead, then Burton, then Wentz, then Cousins. That's a stellar first six rounds, especially after he kept five of the best keeprs in the league. I still think Zach should have kept Wilson instead of Drake, and he will lost about a point per game not having Wilson in his lineup. Wentz has top-three QB potential, but we don't know when he'll return. Zach has two great RBs, and the best third and fourth RBs as well. However, although I have Gordon ranked fifth, there's a big gap between Gordon, and the top-four RBs: Gurley, Bell, Elliott, and Johnson. Zach of course as great receivers, and Burton should be a fine starter at tight end.

QB: B
RB: A-
REC: A-
D/K: C+
GPA: 3.31

2 Redeemed Renegades


Tony's first pick this cycle was Aaron Rodgers, and he's kept him all the way through. Rodgers is my top QB this year. Not one to be satisfied with the best fantasy QB (and good thing too, last year at least), Tony took Ben Roethlisberger. First of all, if you have Aaron Rodgers, you really only need a backup for their bye week (Yes, I know Rodgers missed the majority of last season due to injury). So, how can you possibly miss the fact that the Steelers and Packers share a bye week? That's FF101.

Tony is yet another team at the top of my power rankings with an elite RB. Ezekiel Elliott is number three on my list. He's a steady performer, and should be a safe bet to finish amongst the five best running backs. Tony also start second year RB, Christian McCaffrey. I love McCaffrey as a player. I don't love him as a fantasy player in a non-PPR league. He's the twentieth RB on my list, which is lower than every other list I've seen. There's been talk of trying McCaffrey as an every-down back this year. That's interesting. It should make Carolina fun to watch. It certainly gives McCaffrey the opportunity to be a RB1 in our league. However, it also gives him the opportunity to get injured. I think Tony made a nice first round selection, taking Dion Lewis. Whenever he's healthy, Lewis has performed like a starter in our fantasy league. He's more than you're average pass-catching, third-down back. I think he and McCaffrey could end up with similar stat lines. Tony's fourth RB will be rookie, Ronald Jones II. Jones II was supposed to be a potential top-20 RB this season. However, he has struggled, like several other rookies, to get acclimated to the NFL, and is currently burried on his team's depth chart. The difference between Jones II and guys I've spoken out against: Penny and Chubb, is draft position. Tony didn't take Jones II until the seventh round. That's great value, and as his fourth RB, Tony doesn't need Jones II to take the Bucs' starting job, but if he does, it's a nice bonus.

I used to make fun of Tony savagely for having absolutely abysmal wide receivers. I remember offering him trade after trade in 2016, in the midst of my heralded regular season run, offering him wide receivers for running backs. He declined, as he always does [Tony has never traded in the history of our league]. I looked him in the eye, and told him he'd never win the league with receivers like those. He didn't win in 2016, but he did the following season with improved receivers. Entering 2018, his receivers are even better. Tony kept two receivers in my top-12 (making them both WR1s). Davante Adams is the sixth ranked receiver. He has become the go-to receiver in Green Bay, which is a good position to be in. Doug Baldwin has strung together several great seasons in a row, and is one of the receivers with the highest floor. Tony used his pick at the turn to take a third receiver, Allen Robinson II. I had the opportunity to keep Robinson, but deemed him too risky (especially once Adam Thielen became available, and I ultimately moved the pick). Robinson has fringe WR1 potential. However, he has spent a lot of his NFL career injured already, and has been a disappointment the last two seasons. He's looking to breakthrough again with a new team, Da Bears. Tyler Lockett is Tony's only backup receiver. He's a fine backup, though I wish he had more depth. Lockett hasn’t emerged a consisntent fantasy contributor yet. However, he'll have the opportunity this season with so many of Russell Wilson's weapons moving on. Jimmy Graham is my fifth ranked TE. He could become a favorite of Aaron Rodgers' this season, and be a top-three TE, or he could fade into the background, like so many of Green Bay's TEs. Tyler Eifert is a great add by Tony, when healthy Eifert can be a top half TE1.

Tony always takes his defense and kicker early. This year he has my third ranked kicker, and highest ranked defense.

Tony's on a quest to become the league's first ever back-to-back champ. I think he has a good chance. It's always good to win the league the year before we keep five. Tony, like the teams ahead of him and behind him on this list, had five of the best keepers in the league. Tony has the best QB in fantasy football. I have Rodgers being worth 3.5 points more than a middle-of-the-road starter at QB (while I have just a 1.5 point difference between the seventh ranked QB and eighteenth, Marcus Mariota). Tony also has an elite RB, Elliott, and decent trio behind him: McCaffrey, Lewis, and Jones II. Either McCaffrey or Lewis should serve as a RB2. Tony's receivers are another strength. He has two potential WR1s, and another potential WR2, Allen Robinson. Jimmy Graham could benefit from playing with Green Bay. Tony also has the highest ranked defense and third highest ranked kicker. He has the most balanced team in the league.

QB: A
RB: B+
REC: B+
D/K: A
GPA: 3.40

1 Fantasy Failures


Dear God, hear my prayer, don't let me be right this time.

Aaron took his QB in the midst of the QB run between rounds five and six. He got his guy, Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs let a pretty good QB go, Alex Smith, to leave the starting position to Mahomes. He is on many experts' breakout list for 2018. Mahomes is a big armed QB, with loads of potential. It remains to be seen whether or not he can be a top-ten QB this year though, it's just his first year as a starter. Mahomes great weapons though: Sammy Watkins, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, and Kareem Hunt, for a start. I like Mahomes. I have him ranked fifteenth, which is only an eighth of a point behind my eighth ranked QB (Brees). Mahomes has the most upside of any QB in that tier.

Aaron kept the very best pair of running backs in our league. He owns the best running back in fantasy football, Todd Gurley. Gurley has matured and morphed into an absolute beast. Aaron has a knack for beastly, all-purpose, Rams RBs. Marshall Faulk led Aaron to his first championship in 2001. Aaron also kept Alvin Kamara. I'm lower on Kamara than most. He's just my ninth ranked RB. I think Ingram will step right back into his role with the Saints once he returns from suspension, and as a result, Kamara's touches will be less than the other RB1s. Still, Kamara had a tremendous rookie sason, and should be a RB1 once again. Aaron is one of the few teams with two top-12 (RB1) starters. Aaron has a good set of backups as well. Chris Carson is the starter in Seattle, and he may have broken out his rookie season a year ago, if not for injury. Isaiah Crowell joins the fantasy failures again. He is the starter, and likely carrier on first and second down. He could perform well above his draft position if the Jets' offense clicks with Darnold. John Kelly is a handcuff worth having, and a talented back in his own right. I'm not a fan of James White (First of all, he's a Patriot); I don't think he's as useful in our league as he is in others. Aaron has the best running back in the league; the best pair of starters, and really good depth. This unit is the best in the league.

Believe it or not, it's Aaron who has the best set of receivers in our league, not Zach (who has two top-three wide receivers). Aaron kept two top-ten wide receivers of his own: Keenan Allen and AJ Green. Allen seems to have put his injury riddled past behind him, and cemented himself as a WR1. He is the primary target for a solid QB and great offense. Green has been a WR1 for a number of years in a row now. He's one receivers with the highest floor. Aaron took Chris Hogan in the first round. Hogan is now New England's top wide receiver. I have him as a back end WR2, but he could outgrow that ranking with ease, especially with Edelman out the first four weeks of the season. Aaron's fourth wide receiver is Robert Woods. Woods would be a starter on most other teams in our league. He's a fringe WR2/solid WR3 on my list. However, we don't know who is going to develop into Jared Goff's primary target yet; it could very well be Woods. Aaron stole Robby Anderson in the fourth round. Anderson is another player I have ranked as a starter. He had a terrific 2017 season, despite having a worse QB than Sam Darnold, who will be throwing to him this year. Finally, Aaron's tight end is, of course, Ron Gronkowski. Gronkowski has become a fixture of Aaron's teams (Aaron held him last cycle too, right?). Gronk is the undisputed best TE in fantasy football. He accumulates points like the eighth ranked wide receiver on my board (coincidentally, AJ Green). That gives Aaron three top-eight wide receivers. He also took a flier on Jordan Reed, who can be a top-three tight end if healthy.

Aaron drafted my sixth ranked defense, and ninth ranked kicker.

Aaron is the favorite entering the season. Luckily, his is an easy team to root against. He has a high upside QB. The best pair of starting running backs, including the best fantasy football player tis year, Todd Gurley. He also has the best groups of receivers, including Gronk. Despite waiting till the final two rounds to take a defense and kicker, Aaron got a good pair.

QB: C+
RB: A
REC: A
D/K: B
GPA: 3.42

 Good luck everyone, let's have some fun!