For the love of the game.
Whether you want to admit it or not, the home league is usually the one you really want to win. This is the league that comes with all the bragging rights. Beating twelve of your closest friends after a whole season of trash talking is the pinnacle of fantasy football. This is why we play the game. And wouldn’t you know it, I so happen to be the reigning champion of my home league. Can I do the unlikely and go back to back? Let’s find out.
The Draft.
In my opinion the season is won or lost on draft night. No doubt, knowledge, skill, and a little luck is also needed to win. This is where you carefully craft the foundation of your team. Without a strong foundation your team is headed for a collapse. Let’s see how this years’ draft played out for me.
Some context before I get into the nitty gritty. This year we decided to do a super flex league. For those of you that don’t know, this just means we have the option to start a second QB every week. This type of league basically throws out all conventional drafting strategies. QBs are definitely a premium in this league. So, keep that in mind as I do my round by round analysis.
Round 1: Live by Anthony Richardson, Die by Anthony Richardson.
QB is the name of the game in round one. I made it a point to not leave round 1 and 2 without taking a QB. You have to risk it to get the biscuit. So why not take the QB with the biggest upside? You don’t have to tell me how much of a gamble it is taking this guy. He played a total of 5 weeks last season before his season came to an end due to an A/C joint injury. This guys IS ELECTRIC! Im willing to take the bad for the upside he offers. That will definitely be the theme of my team this year.
Round 2: Kyler Murray
I decided to go with Kyler Murray with my second pick. Someone said when he scrambles, he looks like a toddler running away with something. That may or may not have been the deciding factor on my decision. With an elite TE and a new WR1, I like the upside that comes with Kyler.
Round 3: De’Von Achane
After taking QBs with my first two picks, I decided to find my RB1. I guess you can say I went with the Hero RB strategy this draft. I wanted to get my game changer this round. This man was the definition of explosive last season. 800 yards and 8 TDs on 108 attempts, say less.
Round 4: DJ Moore
Now that I had my running back, it was time to start hammering our WRs. This was the only pick were I really second guessed my decision. DJ is a good wide receiver, but he has a rookie throwing him the ball. He put up outstanding numbers with Justin Fields throwing him the ball. Fields is seen as a mediocre thrower of the ball, at best. I’m hoping the hype behind Caleb is real and not just smoke.
Round 5: Rashee Rice
Rashee’s NFL eligibility was up in the air all off season, due to some legal issues. Normally I have some pretty strong opinions on players squandering their opportunities doing dumbass things. Call me hypocritical, but the man is a YAC DEMON. This guy can take a slant to the house on any play. Once it was pretty much a guarantee he wouldn’t be suspended this season, he was a MUST draft.
Round 6: Zay Flowers
I know what you’re going to say… “The Ravens are a running team”, this is true. But, Flowers seems to be the only competent receiver on the team. This man is gonna soak up most of the targets and that was the sole reason I drafted him. Targets=opportunities. The more opportunities, the chances to put up a good weekly score.
Round 7: Jayden Reed
If you haven’t noticed the trend yet, I’m really banking on all these second year wide receivers. I’m hoping they continue to develop and take big leap in year 2. Jayden Reed was basically a poor man’s Deebo Samuel his rookie year. They manufacture touches for him with designed runs. More touches equal more opportunities. I’m expecting a TD regression this year, but there is no doubt he is their best weapon on offense.
Round 8: Brian Robinson Jr.
If you don’t like having only one RB through 7 rounds, then you wont like the Hero RB strat. I’m banking on my WR’s to carry the bulk of my scoring on a weekly basis. I like Robinson this year even though he’s going to be competing with Ekeler for touches. I still think he’ll be the lead back in this offense. With a new OC and new rookie QB who likes to run, I think Washington will be a decent offense this year. They have potential to perform well.
Round 9: Nick Chubb
This is my gamble pick this year. Chubb suffered a horrific injury last year when he essentially tore every ligament in his knee. He’s projected to be back after week 5. With Watson looking like a shell of his former self, I expect the Browns to run the ball a lot to cover his deficiencies. If Chubb can retain even half of what he was last year, I’ll take that all day in the 9th round.
Round 10: Brock Bowers
I have made sure to be taking Bowers in every draft I can. This guy was a beast at Georgia, where he racked up 26 TDs. Even though he’s a rookie, I think he will have an immediate impact on the Raiders this year. I’m hoping for a lot of Red Zone targets. This is a gut pick and I hope my gut is right.
Round 11: Brian Thomas Jr.
Rookie upside! That’s what I’m hoping for with these last two picks. Thomas was a TD machine his last year at LSU. 17 TDS… I’m hoping that translates to the NFL level. He was drafted by Jacksonville. He will most likely be the number 3 guy behind Kirk and Davis. Im betting on the chemistry growing with Lawrence over the season. Maybe this pick will look like a steal at the end of the year?
Round 12: Chase Brown
It’s time to fill out the bench of my team. This pick was solely made hoping that brown will somehow usurp Moss for the RB1 role. He is way more explosive than Moss, but his pass blocking has much left to be desired. If he can somehow get that part of his game to improve, that should pave the way for more opportunities.
Round 12: Cole Kmet
The back up tight end? Kmet finished as the TE 8 in PPR last year. Caleb, as a rookie is going to need a safety blanket. I’m hoping Kmet will fit into that role perfectly.
Round 13: Chicago DEF/ST
Da Bears! Chicago finished the season on a tear defensively last year. Let’s see if that carries over into the new season. Chicago also has one of the easier schedules this year, opponent wise.
Round 14: Jordan Mason
As a niner fan, I know how important the back up running back is. At 28 years old CmC isn’t getting any younger. I don’t want to jinx my own team, but I think he’s due for an injury. If that were to happen, mason becomes the most valuable handcuff in the league. He is now number 2 on the depth chart with, Elijah “My bones are made of glass” Mitchell officially out for the season. I will hold mason just in case.
This is how my draft went. According to the Yahoo report card, my draft received a D-. Let’s see how that grade holds up over the course of the season. I will be posting weekly updates on how my team is performing. I like the way my team looks on paper. But the game ain’t played on paper. Can I defend my throne and become the first repeat winner of our league? Be sure to stick around and find out.