It's been a fun filled summer. I just finished up my summer internship at Cumulus Radio in Toledo, and it really was a lot of fun! My Junior year of college will be starting soon and I'll be Production Director of The Bowling Green Radio Sports Organization. Among the games I'll be announcing this year, one will be what very well might be the biggest football game in Bowling Green in many years. When the Indiana Hoosiers of the Big Ten come to the Doyt in September, I will be on the call for that game! That is one of the many reasons I can't wait for school to start but that's not what I'm here to talk about today.
Last night, I did my first real fantasy football draft of this year. I've done a decent among of mock drafts before last night. It took some preparation, some patience, and little bit of everything in between. Last year I was a little arrogant about my draft and I did have to tinker with my team a little bit, but I ended up winning the league anyway. Maybe this year will be different. I hope for my sake it's not. Nonetheless, I'll take a look at each and every team in this league and talk about what they did, who they kept (limit of three keepers) and everything else about their team.
First up, Austin Nader - Team Name: El Capitan
QB: Colin Kaepernick, SF
RB: Jamaal Charles, KC
RB: DeMarco Murray, Dal
WR: Jordy Nelson, GB
WR: Randall Cobb, GB
TE: Dennis Pitta, Bal
FLEX: Vincent Jackson, Bal
D/ST: Broncos D/ST
K: Adam Vinatieri, Ind
Bench: Torrey Smith, WR, Bal
Bench: Shane Vereen, RB, NE
Bench: Danny Woodhead, RB, SD
Bench: Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC
Bench: Delanie Walker, TE, Ten
Bench: Danny Amendola, WR, NE
Bench: Andy Dalton, QB, Cin
Ah, Nader. You finished second last year to yours truly. The only guy you kept was Jamaal Charles. You have the Green Bay top receivers, which is nice, but if Aaron Rodgers gets hurt again or they go to a more balanced offense both guys will go down in production. I like Kaep, he was on my team last season. When he's on he is really on. If he's off though, he is unplayable. Charles was good last year but is always an injury risk. Same thing for DeMarco Murray. I didn't know Dennis Pitta was still in the league. Bench is solid. Torrey Smith is the only guy in Baltimore (Steve Smith is crazy, but done). I like Vereen, in PPR. Ditto for Woodhead. Dwayne Bowe is on my never again list. Danny Amendola is always hurt. Delanie Walker is eh. And to be blunt on Andy Dalton, he really shouldn't be paid to play QB in the NFL. Your team name, eh.
My Grade: B-
Next will be, Andre Sobert - Team Name: Creme Fraiche
QB: Matt Ryan, Atl
RB: Doug Martin, TB
RB: Andre Ellington, Ari
WR: AJ Green, Cin
WR: Julio Jones, Atl
TE: Zach Ertz, Phi
FLEX: Keenan Allen. SD
D/ST: Jets D/ST
K: Matt Bryant, Atl
Bench: Cordarrelle Patterson, WR, Min
Bench: Toby Gerhart, RB, Jac
Bench: Kendall Wright, WR, Ten
Bench: Carlos Hyde, RB, SF
Bench: Brandin Cooks, WR, NO
Bench: Christine Michael, RB, Sea
Bench: Terrance West, RB, Cle
Look at this team, Andre. What are ya doing? Just kidding. You kept Martin, Green, and Julio Jones. Pretty solid top to bottom. Well if all those guys stay healthy. Doug Martin and Julio Jones were hurt almost all of last season. With his receiving core down Matt Ryan was unplayable last year. Andre Ellington has the potential to be a stud, but they don't stick to one running back in Arizona. Keenan Allen was awesome last year. Will he be the same with a new offense this season? When was the last time the Jets D scared people? At least a few years. I almost like the bench more than the starters. Cordarrelle Patterson should be awesome under Norv Turner. If he can almost do what Josh Gordon did last year he'll be a top ten receiver. I'll talk about Josh Gordon later. Kendall Wright should be good. Hyde and Christine Michael would be good if they aren't stuck in a back-up role. Cooks will be great if he gets some time on the field. I like West since he's behind an injury prone back in Ben Tate. Your team name, only cool if you're Randy Marsh.
My grade: B
Next up, Ben Thomas - Team Name: Kobe Salad Tossers
QB: Cam Newton, Car
RB: Arian Foster, Hou
RB: Gio Bernard, Cin
WR: Alshon Jeffery, Chi
WR: TY Hilton, Ind
TE: Vernon Davis, SF
FLEX: Chris Johnson, NYJ
D/ST: Bengals D/ST
K: Stephen Gostkowski, NE
Bench: Eric Decker, WR, NYJ
Bench: Russell Wilson, QB, Sea
Bench: Lamar Miller, RB, Mia
Bench: Marvin Jones, WR, Cin
Bench: Heath Miller, TE, Pit
Bench: Ravens D/ST
Bench: Rueben Randle, WR, NYG
Well there are some good things and some bad things. Keepers were Cam Newton and Arian Foster. Can't really argue with those. Starters are alright. Cam appears to be healthy after having a nagging ankle injury. Arian Foster was hurt last year as well. Gio Should have a really good year getting the chance to be the full-time lead back. Alshon Jeffery surprised everyone with his breakout last year. I think he will have good numbers but i don't know if he can be better fantasy wise than last year. TY Hilton is either really good or has three catches for 20 some yards. Ditto for Vernon Davis. Chris Johnson is past his prime but he doesn't miss games and should be the starting running back. The Bengal D should be good as long as they aren't killed by injuries like last year near the end of the season. That being said the bench is crap. Eric Decker is the only option on a bad offense. I like Russell Wilson more as an actual QB than fantasy QB. Lamar Miller is good if he is actually healthy and plays. Marvin Jones is hurt and will probably miss 2-3 games at least. Heath Miller? For real? Come on, man. Ravens D, eh. Rueben Randle is alright but not someone you'll tell your grandkids about. Your team name, as long as you're making fun of Dan Janning I'm okay with it.
My Grade: C
Next up, Dan Janning - Team Name: King of kings Kingdj248
QB: Matt Stafford, Det
RB: Adrian Peterson, Min
RB: Eddie Lacy, GB
WR: Antonio Brown, Pit
WR: Julian Edelman, NE
TE: Jordan Cameron, Cle
FLEX: Golden Tate, Det
D/ST: Panthers D/ST
K: Matt Prater
Bench: Anquan Boldin, WR, SF
Bench: Nick Foles, QB, Phi
Bench: Martellus Bennett, TE, Chi
Bench: DeAngelo Williams, RB, Car
Bench: Darren Sproles, RB, Phi
Bench: Steve Johnson, WR, SF
Bench: Charles Clay, TE, Mia
Oh, Danny. You're killing me here. A lot of hit and miss. Only keeper was AP. Stafford should be a top five quarterback just because of Calvin Johnson. Two great running backs in Lacy and AP. Antonio Brown is good but he doesn't have a high ceiling. Julian Edelman is only valuable if Gronk is off the field. Golden Tate will just be another receiver alongside Calvin that just won't be that good. Anquan Boldin is a good WR. Don't get me wrong, but he isn't fantasy relevant in a 10 team league. I like the Panthers D. You reached way, way too high for Matt Prater. Nick Foles is alright in an amazing offensive system, but he has no value on the bench. Bennett is okay but pointless on the bench. Same thing for Charles Clay. I'm sick of DeAngelo Williams. Sproles is good but better in PPR and i don't know if he gets the looks he did when healthy in New Orleans. Steve Johnson is the definition of eh. Your team name, and i don't want to understate this. MIGHT LITERALLY BE THE WORST TEAM NAME I'VE EVER HEARD/ SEEN IN MY LIFE.
My Grade: C-
Next up, Jon Oh - Team Name: Nomadic Wisdom
QB: Tom Brady, NE
RB: Le'Veon Bell, Pit
RB: Ryan Mathews, SD
WR: Brandon Marshall, Chi
WR: Percy Harvin, Sea
TE: Jordan Reed, Wsh
FLEX: Wes Welker, Den
D/ST: Seahawks D/ST
K: Justin Tucker, Bal
Bench: Jeremy Maclin, WR, Phi
Bench: Stevan Ridley, RB, NE
Bench: Mike Evans, WR, TB
Bench: Knowshon Moreno, RB, Mia
Bench: Philip Rivers, QB, SD
Bench: Fred Jackson, RB, Buf
Bench: Coby Fleener, TE, Ind
Oh, Jon. (pun intended) Like Danny a lot of hit and miss. Bell, Marshall, and Harvin were the keepers. Tom Brady is only fantasy relevant if Gronk is healthy, which is rare. Le'Veon Bell is a good running back but I don't believe in his talent, really. Marshall is good but let's see if this prolific Bears offense takes away from his looks. Harvin needs to be healthy and play in a different offense to be a fantasy stud. Jordan Reed was great last year, when healthy. Wes Welker was solid when healthy. Playing with Peyton Manning probably helped. The Seahawks Defense is awesome but you reached at least two rounds to get them. Maclin hasn't played in like a year and a half. Ridley is a fumble or two away from getting cut. Mike Evans will be good in a year or two. Knowshon Moreno has no place in the NFL let alone a fantasy team. Last year, I said Philip Rivers needed to stop playing football. (oops) But he has no value on a bench. Fred Jackson is as solid as they come. Coby Fleener might not be the top tight end on his own team. I don't like this team very much at all. Your team name, kinda lame.
My Grade: D
Next up, Kevin Zamfino - Team Name: Daisy Stop Barking
QB: Aaron Rodgers, GB
RB: Frank Gore, SF
RB: CJ Spiller, Buf
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Den
WR: Michael Crabtree. SF
TE: Rob Gronkowski, NE
FLEX: Terrance WIlliams, Dal
D/ST: Cardinals D/ST
K: Nick Novak, SD
Bench: Trent Richardson, RB, Ind
Bench: Steven Jackson, RB, Atl
Bench: Kyle Rudolph, TE, Min
Bench: Steve Smith, WR, Bal
Bench: Joe Flacco, QB, Bal
Bench: Jeremy Hill, RB, Cin
Bench: Hakeem Nicks, WR, Ind
Ah, Kevin. You kept Rodgers, Thomas, and Gronk. I like those keepers. Outside of that, there's not a whole lot of good on the team. I think this has to be the last year Frank Gore is relevant. Well unless it was last year. Spiller has to be better than last year. Trust me, he was my first pick last year. Crabtree is good as hell if healthy. Same thing for Gronk. I really do like Terrance Williams. Cardinals D should struggle with losses up front. Not to forget they play in what might be the best division in football. Trent Richardson could bounce back. Maybe. Steven Jackson might be done as well. Kyle Rudolph can be good if he plays similar to how Jordan Cameron played last year in Norv Turner's system. Steve Smith might be done. Flacco isn't relevant. Jeremy Hill is a good backup as long as the Lawfirm gets cut. Hakeem Nicks, get out. Team name, I don't get it, but eh.
My Grade: D+
Next up, Ben Lowry - Team Name: Your Mom No Showed
QB: Andrew Luck, Ind
RB: Matt Forte, Chi
RB: Reggie Bush, Det
WR: Calvin Johnson, Det
WR: DeSean Jackson, Wsh
TE: Jimmy Graham, NO
FLEX: Reggie Wayne, Ind
D/ST: 49ers D/ST
K: Steven Hauschka, Sea
Bench: Sammy Watkins, WR, Buf
Bench: Johnny Football, QB, Cle
Bench: Robert Griffin III, QB, Wsh
Bench: Antonio Gates, TE, SD
Bench: Tre Mason, RB, STL
Bench: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Mia
Bench: Blair Walsh, K, Min
Oh, Ben. You had the best keepers in Forte, Graham, and Megatron. I really like and hate this team at the same time. Andrew Luck is a really good quarterback. Forte is a stud. Bush is good if he's healthy and gets the touches. I don't think he does this year. Can't go wrong with Megatron. DeSean Jackson will struggle away from Chip Kelly's offense. Jimmy Graham is a monster. Reggie Wayne might have a good season. I don't think he does though. The Niners D is good but will struggle without two of their top linebackers in Navarro Bowman and Aldon Smith. This bench. Oh my God. You probably cost yourself a shot at the playoffs with this bench and i think i am being kind. I like Sammy Watkins but his quarterback is eh. I love me some Johnny Football but we don't know if he is the starter, Josh Gordon might miss significant time, and you already have Andrew Luck. RGIII is pointless on the bench. Antonio Gates is done. Tre Mason is a good backup but still a rookie. Ryan Tannehill isn't very good anyway and he is your 4th quarterback. I know why you have Blair Walsh on your bench (The infamous Blair Walsh incident) but you're wasting a bench spot to prove a point. During bye weeks and if a starter gets hurt you're done for. Your team names funny but doesn't really pertain to football.
My Grade: Starters B+, Bench D-
Next up, Brian Daley - Team Name: Papa BD
QB: Peyton Manning, Den
RB: Pierre Thomas, NO
RB: Darren McFadden, Oak
WR: Andre Johnson, Hou
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Ari
TE: Greg Olsen, Car
FLEX: Rashad Jennings, NYG
D/ST: Rams D/ST
K: Mason Crosby, GB
Bench: Zac Stacy, RB, Stl
Bench: Ben Tate, RB, Cle
Bench: Mike Wallace, WR, Mia
Bench: Cecil Shorts, WR, Jac
Bench: Greg Jennings, Min
Bench: Devonta Freeman, RB, Atl
Bench: Brian Hartline, WR, Mia
Oh my. I only like a few guys on this team. One of which was a keeper in Peyton Manning. I like Rashad Jennings and Zac Stacy. I hate Darren McFadden for trying to act like he's good at football. Pierre Thomas is still in the league? Cool. Andre Johnson is good when healthy. Larry Fitzgerald just hasn't seemed to put it together. Greg Olsen is eh. The Rams D is good because they might have the best front line in football. Ben Tate is good when healthy. Mike Wallace, eh. Cecil Shorts, eh. Greg Jennings, eh. See the trend? Just a bad team. Flatout bad. Your team name, are you really a papa? Probably not.
My Grade: D-
Next up, Joe 'Papa' Zamfino - Team Name: Beyond The White Walker
QB: Drew Brees, NO
RB: Marshawn Lynch, Sea
RB: Alfred Morris, Wsh
WR: Victor Cruz, NYG
WR: Roddy White, Atl
TE: Jason Witten. Dal
FLEX: Ray Rice, Bal
D/ST: Chiefs D/ST
K: Dan Bailey, Dal
Bench: Marques Colston, WR, NO
Bench: Bishop Sankey, RB, Ten
Bench: DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Hou
Bench: Riley Cooper, WR, Phi
Bench: Tony Romo, QB, Dal
Bench: Robert Woods, WR, Buf
Bench: Bills D/ST
You know this team is pretty solid. Keepers were Brees, Lynch and Witten. I don't know why you kept Witten. You could've got him whenever you wanted to. Lynch can be good but i don't know if he will get the carries he did last year. Plus he could be on a different team next year. Victor Cruz can be really good if Eli Manning decides to stop sucking. Roddy White needs to stay healthy. Last year he wasn't himself. Ray Rice could have a bounce back but lets wait on that. Chiefs D won't be as good as last year. Colston is what he is. Sankey can be the best rookie running back if he gets the carries. DeAndre Hopkins is a solid receiver but i don't know how many looks he gets. Riley Cooper is hit or miss. Romo is good but pointless on the bench. Robert Woods' last relevant moment was at USC. I like the Bills D. Just not on any bench. I like the team name.
My Grade: B-
Next up, my team - Team Name: Smokin' Jay Cutler
QB: Jay Cutler, Chi
RB: LeSean McCoy, Phi
RB: Montee Ball, Den
WR: Dez Bryant, Dal
WR: Pierre Garcon, Wsh
TE: Julius Thomas, Den
FLEX: Michael Floyd, Ari
D/ST: Patriots D/ST
K: Robbie Gould, Chi
Bench: Joique Bell, RB, Det
Bench: Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Den
Bench: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Oak
Bench: Josh Gordon, WR, Cle
Bench: Bernard Pierce, RB, Bal
Bench: Andrew Hawkins, WR, Cle
Bench: Andre Williams, RB, NYG
Of course I like my team. That's why I picked these guys. As long as Cutler stays healthy he can be a top 5 quarterback with that prolific offense. LeSean McCoy was awesome last year. He might have some looks taken from him but they will run so many plays it won't matter. Montee Ball should have a better year than Knowshon "I can't believe I'm paid to play football" Moreno did last year. Dez is a monster if he keeps his head on straight. I think Garcon is the best receiver on the Washington Professional Football Team. Julius Thomas is playing for the Broncos so as long as Peyton is there and he stays healthy he has a lot of value. Same thing for Emmanuel Sanders. Michael Floyd is good as long as he gets the targets. MJD could have a bounce back year after struggling last season. I took a flier on Josh Gordon. Worse case, I have to cut him. Bernard Pierce will start at least the first two games for the Ravens since Ray Rice was suspended. Andrew Hawkins could be the top target for the Browns if Gordon isn't on the field. If Andre Williams gets the goal line looks some people speculate he could be a vulture from Rashad Jennings. Of course I like my guys!
I won't grade myself so I don't look smug.
Thanks for reading!
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