Despite a minor scare because of Yahoo's stupid servers, our draft commenced last night as all 12 teams gathered to draft their potential championship teams. This was the first draft using keepers so it was weird starting out at pick #5. As usual I give my personal grades to each team and trust me, I'm wrong a lot so don't take it personal if I give you a lower grade than you think you deserve. On to the Results!
Arturo's Beans (Me)
QB-Matthew Stafford, Ryan Tannehill
RB-LeSean McCoy, Joique Bell, Chris Johnson, Carlos Hyde
WR-Brandon Marshall, Randall Cobb, Rueben Randle, Mike Evans, Riley Cooper, Kenny Britt, Marqise Lee
TE-Vernon Davis
Overview: Having McCoy/Marshall off the bat as keepers is a definite plus. Off the bat I wanted Doug Martin in the 3rd but he didn't last long in the 2nd so I had to go with Randall Cobb as I wasn't in love with the running backs left. I like Cobb as a very high #2 to go with Brandon Marshall. I knew because of my draft position I had to take a QB in either the 4th or 5th round so I went with the best available in Matthew Stafford. He was my QB last year as well, and though disappointing the last few weeks, he's still a good bet for some massive numbers. Naturally running backs went dry, so I took Joique Bell and I'm up in the air with him. Not sure how much of a time split he will have with Reggie Bush, but hoping he can put up some good numbers. I'm not a huge Vernon Davis fan, but he slipped late enough to make him look like a value pick. Chris Johnson seems bla, but I think he can be a very solid flex play this season and if not, I'll hope rookie Mike Evans breaks out and takes his spot. Love getting Reuben Randle late and Carlos Hyde as well. I dunno why I took Riley Cooper, but I did. I actually like the Kenny Britt pick more and Marqise Lee is just a shot in the dark lottery ticket. I doubt he'll stay on my team.
Grade: B+ McCoy/Marshall is as solid as you can start. I love the WR Depth, I got a nice tight end and an elite QB. Running Back is a little weak though.
JTG's Warehouse (Drew)
QB: Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco
RB: Adrian Peterson, Andre Ellington, CJ Spiller, Lance Dunbar, Chris Ivory
WR: Julian Edelman, Golden Tate, Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews, Brian Quick
TE: Julius Thomas, Zach Ertz
Overview: Drew jumped back into the 2nd round and took Andre Ellington after already keeping Adrian Peterson. Ellington is a huge question mark as he zero track record as a lead back. His upside is enormous, but there is some bust risk here. I like the idea of C.J. Spiller as a flex play. It's probably a perfect spot for him to be in as he's not consistent enough to me to be a #2 but you'll take his production as a flex plus the occasional blow up games. Drew went elite tight end early with Julius Thomas. Excellent pick there as Thomas should be a beast in that offense (even more with Wes Welker being suspended). Drew's two backup running backs aren't much. I know people are trying to make Lance Dunbar into Joique Bell II, I'll believe it when I see it. Chris Ivory was just a last pick who's destined to become waiver fodder more than likely. Honestly, Drew's receivers underwhelm me. I'm not a big Edelman fan especially as a #1, and though Golden Tate should be pretty good in Detroit, I still view him as a lower end #2 high end #3. Kelvin Benjamin and Jordan Matthews are interesting. Benjamin has superstar potential and I really wanted him before Drew snatched him up. Brian Quick pick scratches my head. Zach Ertz is another fantasy expert favorite and if he pans out he should be a great spot start for Julius Thomas' bye. Drew waited a while for a QB, but he still got Jay Cutler, who probably represents the tail end of the tier of QB's I'd want starting. Joe Flacco as a backup...ugh.
Final Grade: B, I think the highest I can go is B, as this team hinges on potential. If Ellington, Benjamin, and Spiller hit, Drew will be a sneaky good team. If they don't, it'll be a long season for Drew.
Channel 4 News Team (Albert)
QB: Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers
WR: A.J. Green, Percy Harvin, Cordarrelle Patterson, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith, Greg Jennings
RB: Arian Foster, Maurice Jones Drew, Fred Jackson, Ronnie Hillman, DeAngelo Williams
TE: Jason Witten
Overview: Gotta be honest. Not digging this team too much. Love the Manning/Green Keeper combo. After that though...not really a fan. In my opinion probably the worst combination of running backs in the league. I don't think Foster is going to be great, MJD as a starting RB? Ronnie Hillman and Deangelo are borderline unrosterable, and Fred Jackson is meh. Receiver is Albert's strong suit but even there he's got old uninspiring veteran receivers in Boldin, Steve Smith, and Greg Jennings. Love Cordarrelle Patterson, think he can definitely be a top fantasy receiver, and Harvin could be good if he ever stays healthy (he never does though). Jason Witten is his tight end and he's reliable but he has little to no upside.
Final Grade: C. 5 years ago this would be an A+ with Boldin, Smith,Jennings, Foster, and Maurice Jones-Drew. I just don't see a ton of upside here. As always, could be wrong.
Dr. Light's Robots (Matt)
QB: Robert Griffin III, Alex Smith
WR: Jordy Nelson, Andre Johnson, Emmanuel Sanders, Sammy Watkins, Tavon Austin, Kenny Stills
RB: Jamaal Charles, Zac Stacy, Trent Richardson, Devonta Freeman
TE: Jordan Reed, Tyler Eifert
Overview: Matt started off with the Charles/Nelson Keeper combo off the bat. Not a fan of the rest of Matt's running backs though. Stacy looked pretty awful in the preseason and Trent Richarson is NFL cutable much less startable in fantasy. Freeman is a lottery ticket and could pay dividends if Steven Jackson gets hurt. I like the receivers Matt has starting though. I still think Andre Johnson has something left in the tank and Emmanuel Sanders for at least 4 weeks will have a bigger role than expected thanks to Wes Welker's suspension. I think Sammy Watkins will be the least productive rookie receiver of the ones being drafted. He's already been hurt, and has one of the worst starting QB's throwing to him in E.J. Manuel. Not too big on Tavon Austin either, but Kenny Stills was a nice late round pick. Matt's rolling the dice on two injury plagued Redskins, which is very risky in RGIII and Jordan Reed. Both have the talent, but can they stay healthy and can RGIII learn to adapt to a new offensive system? Matt backed up RGIII with Alex Smith and Reed with Tyler Eifert, neither inspiring choices.
Final Grade: B-. Me and Yahoo differ on this as they gave Matt a B+. If Griffin can stay healthy and be the Griffin of two years ago and if Zac Stacy can prove last year was no fluke, then Matt will make me eat my words as the rest of the supporting cast is pretty solid. If those two fail though, it could be a season of mediocrity for Matt.
NEXT!!! (Leland)
QB: Aaron Rodgers, Ben Roethlisberger
RB: Doug Martin, Ben Tate, Bishop Sankey, Terrance West, Darren McFadden
WR: Keenan Allen, Michael Floyd, Brandin Cooks, Justin Hunter, Marquise Goodwin
TE: Ladrius Green, Travis Kelce
Overview: Yahoo is CRAZY having Leland's prediction at 1-12. I really like this team a hell of a lot more than they do and it has the potential to be a big time powerhouse if certain guys reach their potential. For starting from scratch Leland did a hell of a job of drafting starting with Aaron Rodgers and Doug Martin. Martin has a chance to regain some of the fantasy glory he had from two years ago. Ben Tate, barring injury, should also be a good start, as he's the unquestionable #1 in Cleveland. Sankey is a good stash away running back (I wouldn't start him at all just yet, but Leland has plenty of depth to keep him on the bench until he gets more experience) and though Terrance West was awful in preseason, if Tate goes down, he's the handcuff to own. McFadden is basically roster fodder. Leland really hit a home run with those wide receivers. It's not crazy to think Keenan Allen/Michael Floyd/Brandin Cooks could be one of the more dangerous trios in the league. Justin Hunter is another receiver who could breakout as well. The potential of that foursome is seriously off the charts. Tight End is a little sketchy not because of talent, but because of roles. Both Green and Kelce have the opportunity to take over that #1 tight end spot on their teams respectively and if they get the playing time, both can be more than adequate in the fantasy game. Leland even backed up Rodgers with a solid QB in Big Ben. Excellent draft.
Final Grade: B+. I'm giving Leland a B+ because I love the balance. Young dominant receivers and deeeeep receiving core, one of the best QB's you can get and a solid RB foundation without the benefit of keepers. This team will not be 1-12 at the end of the day that's for sure.
Bigger Balls (Mayra)
QB: Andrew Luck, Eli Manning
RB: Le'Veon Bell, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Ahmad Bradshaw
WR: Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, Larry Fitzgerald, Marques Colston, DeAndre Hopkins, James Jones
TE: Kyle Rudolph, Antonio Gates
Overview: Mayra's got a pretty good looking team after keeping Dez and Antonio Brown off the bat. She added Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins, and James Jones to form a pretty solid WR group (outside of James Jones of course). Hopkins could end being a sleeper if he improves on what was a decent rookie season. Fitzgerald and Colston might be considered in the downswing of their fantasy careers, but I think they still have some left in the tank and plus as WR #3 and flex starters, the expectations are lower. The big question was running back and though I'm not personally a big Le'Veon Bell fan, he's not a bad pick at all, especially since Mayra only had to use a 3rd rounder on him. The rest of her running backs though are admittedly shaky, though in a PPR, Pierre Thomas is more than salvageable as starter. Sproles and Bradshaw though, not so much. Andrew Luck at QB gives Mayra a pretty damn good option, though how Eli Manning got drafted is beyond me. I have a feeling he won't last as Mayra's backup. Love the Kyle Rudolph pick as he's been one of the buzz players that fantasy experts expect to break out. Gates is pretty much finished, but if Mayra only has to rely on him one game, it should be ok.
Final Grade: B, definitely a contending team, though I'm curious how the running backs are gonna look throughout the season. A solid QB, top tier WR group, and a upstart tight end should be able to hide some of that RB weakness.
Rocket Man (Eugene)
QB: Cam Newton, Andy Dalton
RB: DeMarco Murray, Shane Vereen, Lamar Miller, Andre Williams, Jonathan Stewart
WR: Julio Jones, Victor Cruz, Jeremy Maclin, Markus Wheaton, Mike Williams
TE: Jordan Cameron, Martellus Bennett
Overview: I knew this team was gonna be dangerous when Eugene decided to keep Julio Jones and DeMarco Murray, that was the only beginning as I must say Eugene has one of the better looking teams in the league. Adding PPR Monster Shane Vereen to the mix is nice and although it was shocking where he went (33rd) if he stays healthy he could be well worth that early 3rd round pick. The depth behind them at RB is a little worrisome. Lamar Miller has been a disappointment and he still is battling Knowshon Moreno for starting duties, Andre Williams showed flashes in the preseason, but for now it's Rashad Jennings with some Williams mixed in, and the Carolina backfield gives me too much of a headache to ever want to go with anyone there. Victor Cruz, Jeremy Maclin and Markus Wheaton round out the key receivers and that's a solid bunch. Maclin needs to stay healthy of course, but Wheaton is a nice backup and plan and who knows at the end of the day he might even overtake Maclin as a starter on Eugene's team. Mike Williams doesn't excite me, not a fan of the Bills offense but in reality he shouldn't really factor in at all on this team. The only spot that sticks out is QB. Eugene didn't mean to draft Cam Newton but he did. Newton scares me, and though huge games do happen, he can pull out those single digit performances that kill fantasy weeks. If Eugene gets the fantasy monster Cam, this team is unstoppable. Eugene also was able to nab an elite tight end in Jordan Cameron. He should be in for a huge season, especially in PPR. Eugene also went Marty B and might even use him as a flex certain weeks in that high flying offense. If Cam gets hurt, Andy Dalton is Eugene's backup, eh, he's just a QB, not bad, not great.
Overall Grade: B+, Newton still has enough upside to make Eugene's overall draft a success. Health permitting, this will be a dangerous team to reckon with, no doubt.
The Bad Robofies (Dad)
QB: Tom Brady, Russell Wilson
RB: Gio Bernard, Alfred Morris, Knowshon Moreno, LeGarette Blount, Shonn Greene
WR: Torrey Smith, Terrence Williams, Kendall Wright, Aaron Dobson
TE: Jimmy Graham, Heath Miller, Zach Miller
Overview: Dad already has the bar none best Tight End in the game so after that solid start, Dad ended up going with Gio Bernard in 2nd round. The ultimate risk/reward pick. I don't know how the timeshare with Jeremy Hill is going to play out, but if Hill continues to impress like he did in preseason, this might have a chance to be a bust pick. I like where Dad got Alfred Morris, especially since Dad had wanted him in the 2nd round. He got to wait a round and still get him. Good value there, though admittedly in a PPR he loses a little value since he rarely catches passes. Moreno and Blount are involved in timeshares as well, basically hit or miss RB's unless an injury promotes them full time. Shonn Greene, meh, I'm sure Sankey will eventually take that role over, not a fan. Dad's receivers are intriguing as he reached a little for Torrey Smith (I like the reach though, Smith can be a game changer in this offense). Terrence Williams though as a #2? He's more like a #3 to me, as is Kendall Wright. I think Dad could've built a little more depth here had he not backed up Tom Brady so early with Russell Wilson. In a 12 team league, you can't be using 7th round picks on backup Quarterbacks. It's high price to pay especially if you are only planning on using Wilson once to cover Brady's bye. Dad also inexplicably took a 3rd tight end after taking Heath Miller (solid backup play), he took Zach Miller. Head scratcher indeed. I like the Aaron Dobson pick as a late round flier. I was looking at him too before Dad snatched him up.
Overall Grade: C+, the uncertainty of Bernard and the receivers behind Torrey Smith, plus a couple head scratching picks make this a total wild card team (as usual with Dad, lol). Dad certainly has more talent than he did last year (when he finished 3rd) so this is a team that can exceed expectations or fail to meet them miserably. I honestly don't know.
Baby Face Bybee (Kenny)
QB: Tony Romo, Colin Kaepernick
RB: Ryan Mathews, Frank Gore, Bernard Pierce, Benny Cunningham
WR: Calvin Johnson, DeMaryius Thomas, Vincent Jackson, Reggie Wayne, Stevie Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr.
TE: Dennis Pitta, Eric Ebron
Overview: Kenny to me had the best start to his team than anyone by keeping Calvin and Demaryius. If he could find a way to build on that, this team had a chance to stand out as above and beyond the BEST team bar none. I think it failed to meet those high expectations, but that doesn't mean I don't think Kenny is the favorite to win anymore. Kenny kept getting sniped at every round possible, and it threw a wrench into his plans. By adding Vincent Jackson and even Reggie Wayne as backup/flex, Kenny no doubt has the best receiving group in the league. It's scary good. Add a healthy Tony Romo in a shootout offense and that group right there can provide enough punch for mediocre running back play. Kenny wasn't thrilled with Ryan Mathews (I'm not either) but he's not that bad and I actually like Frank Gore (Kenny's #2) better. Bernard Pierce can be a good flex play while Ray Rice is out, but I wonder how much value he'll have the rest of the season when Rice is back. Benny Cunningham is a total flier pick who probably won't make it on Kenny's roster long. Neither will Stevie Johnson, Odell Beckham Jr. and Eric Ebron. Kenny got a steal in Colin Kaepernick as his backup. Kaep slipped all the way to the end of the 9th round. Kenny took Dennis Pitta as his TE. Pitta is another guy primed to have a breakout season. We'll see if he fulfills his promise.
Overall Grade: B+, the running backs are solid if not spectacular, but the team around it is great and Kenny should still be the favorite to win it all. The bench is a little lackluster as well, but Kenny's a shrewd player so he'll figure things out.
Hoosier Daddy (Ryan)
QB: Nick Foles
WR: Alshon Jeffery, Roddy White, Pierre Garcon, Dwayne Bowe, Jarrett Boykin, Andrew Hawkins, Cody Latimer
RB: Eddie Lacy, Rashad Jennings, Jeremy Hill, Ray Rice, James White
TE: Greg Olsen
Overview: Ryan put together a damn great contending team and I can see why Yahoo gave him best draft of the night honors. Keeping Eddie Lacy and drafting Alshon Jeffrey gives Ryan a super young high potential combo as both can be dominant at their positions. Ryan's receiving core is definitely solid with Roddy White and Pierre Garcon as the #2 and #3 respectively. That's a great trio to start every week. Even Dwayne Bowe and Jarrett Boykin are matchup based bye week fill ins and Andrew Hawkins is a intriguing filer as he might end being the #1 receiver in Cleveland when it's all said and done. Cody Latimer probably won't make a dent this season, but still as a stash it's ok. Outside of Lacy, Ryan has very solid core of running backs. Rashad Jennings should be good as a PPR RB, and Jeremy Hill's stock is rising as he looked damn good. I like the Ray Rice flier too, low risk, high reward possibility. James White is roster fodder. Greg Olsen isn't flashy but he's more than fine as a starting Tight End. I'm not a huge fan of Nick Foles but he should be fine as a QB 1.
Overall Grade: B+. Definitely a team to follow. Ryan should be a contender this season after a disappointing season last year.
Winter Is Here (Alex)
QB: Drew Brees, Carson Palmer
RB: Marshawn Lynch, Reggie Bush, Stevan Ridley, Mark Ingram
WR: T.Y. Hilton, Hakeem Nicks, DeSean Jackson, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Marvin Jones
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Jermichael Finley
Overview: Alex took over Mike Posey's spot in our league and kept Marshawn Lynch. He then got the QB he wanted the whole time after trying to trade down in Drew Brees. After that though, things get sketchy. Gronk is the ultimate of ultimate high risk high reward players. Just ask Leland last year how that panned out. If he stays healthy, he challenges Jimmy Graham as the best tight end in the game. If you're going to draft Gronk you need to draft a suitable backup, and that's not Jermichael Finley. Alex is screwed if he loses Gronk for any time. Speaking of screwed, Wes Welker is already suspended for 4 games so Alex already has to contend with that problem. The receiving core is hit and miss, like T.Y. Hilton and DeSean Jackson, not so much Welker (even before the suspension) Nicks and Amendola. Steven Ridley is such an enigma, he can be good, but his fumbling problems keep him from being a lead back. Reggie Bush is an ok #2 especially in a PPR but keep in mind he'll be sharing duties with Joique Bell. Mark Ingram is in a multi-back committee in New Orleans. Alex backed up Drew Brees with Carson Palmer.
Overall Grade: C- Brees has to have a monster season, Lynch can't regress, and Gronk MUST stay healthy for this team to contend. The receivers also need to be super consistent, which is something T.Y. Hilton has never been and Desean Jackson might struggle to do in a new offense with a new team.
Shock The Monkey (Mark)
QB: Matt Ryan
RB: Matt Forte, Montee Ball, Toby Gerhart, Steven Jackson, Danny Woodhead
WR: Michael Crabtree, Mike Wallace, Eric Decker, Cecil Shorts, Brain Hartline, Rod Streater, Malcolm Floyd
TE: Charles Clay
Overview: Leland taking Aaron Rodgers, ensured Mark had the best running back combo in the league. Ball and Forte should be fantasy MONSTERS this season. I like the 3 RB in a row in theory, just don't like Toby Gerhart, but I can be wrong about him. If he lives up to his draft status, Mark could also have the best flex player in the league. WHY DOES MARK LOVE STEVEN JACKSON?!? (AND BRIAN HARTLINE TOO!!) Terrible pick there, though I like the late Danny Woodhead pick. The receivers aren't my cup of tea. I don't like receivers on run first offenses (49ers, and the Jets tend to be too) or lackluster offenses (Miami and again Jets). TD's might not be there for Decker, so Mark better hope for a ton of receptions and yardage. I just don't like Mike Wallace. He has yet to show any kind of chemistry with Ryan Tannehill and is a boom or bust guy. Mark has 3 Dolphins on his roster with Charles Clay at his tight end. Clay's not a bad starter, he's probably the best I like of the 3 he has. Michael Crabtree has been great with Kaepernick I just don't see him as #1 fantasy receiver. Mark reached in the 3rd round with Matt Ryan, but hey, QB is so unpredictable that you never know when the run is going to start and if there's a guy you are targeting you should go grab him. It's understandable, but had he waited another round, he might've been able to get a better receiver and then get Ryan anyway. Rod Streater and Malcolm Floyd probably won't factor much into playing time for Mark.
Overall Grade: B-, The Forte/Ball combo along with Matt Ryan and possibly Gerhart being better than expected get this team to a low B. It can be a playoff contender for sure, but I'm not sure about winning the whole thing.
Enough of the on paper crap!! Time to start the season and play some games!!
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