TTR - Draft Grades

Over the weekend, I was preparing our living room for the annual, 5-month long transformation from family gathering space to fantasy football war room. As my boys helped move furniture, set up TV2 and TV3, and examine viewing angles from all seats there was the obligatory barrage of questions:

“Daddy, who is better DeAndre Hopkins or Julio Jones?

“Daddy, who did Uncle J take in the first round?”

“Daddy, did you know that there is a player named Jake Butt?”

“Daddy, why does Uncle Matt sleep with a bag of food next to him?”

“Daddy, are you good at fantasy football?”

This last question stopped me…am I good at fantasy football?

After a few moments of contemplation, I turned to the boys and answered, “It’s not that I am good or bad at fantasy football, I don’t think, with all of the elements out of my control, good or bad is the right way to look at it. I think it is better to say that I am passionate about fantasy football, and that makes me a great manager. I put in the time to research, to think about, to work at putting together and managing the best team possible. As with anything in life, your effort and attitude are all you can control, and if you give your best, then, in the end, you can be proud of your effort.”

Oliver looked at me for a few seconds and said, “So do you think Uncle Matt likes McDonalds or Cool Ranch Doritos more?”

Yup…I am the Father of the Year material.

I present my in-depth draft grades. These thoughts vary from my initial effort from McCarran because #1 I’ve had time to take a deep dive into the draft, and #2 I was still pretty drunk at the airport. Additionally, I added a few “hindsight is a bitch” comments where applicable because much has happened since the draft in the NFL landscape. So from best to worst:

#1: Mexorean Supreme - 98, this is the best draft showing for Kim Jong Kommish in league history. He has top 5 talent at every #1 position along with strong #2s and bench options. The only knock is WR2 where depth is an issue with only C. Davis and a bad DJax. This might have been remedied by taking a WR instead of Brees. However, WR2 may be the easiest weakness to address in-season. Congrats Matty you are the preseason favorite…so that pretty much guarantees the Huevo, might as well just leave it at your house!

#2: Jameis-on & Sons - 94, it is always tough to grade my team, so I relied on the external sources more than with other teams, but the consensus is that my team is pretty damn strong. Of course, my RB corps is rock solid. The QBs, in terms of real football, are suspect, but when it comes to fantasy, it is stellar. Did you know Lamar Jackson, from the time he took over as a starter, was RB10? No, that’s not a typo, he was ARRR BEEE 10. I am pretty much starting 3 RBs and getting his, albeit meager, passing numbers. My WRs are great, but not amazing, lacking a top tier talent, although I like my depth. I could’ve done better at D/ST and K, which might have put me closer to Matt’s score, but then again it’s D/ST and K. HINDSIGHT: McCoy gets cut, but ends up on a better offensive, and with an injury to D. Williams, he might take over in KC. Also, Ballage loses his best lineman denting any value in the Dolphins rebuild. Finally, Coutee is already on IR, so that sucks.

#3: Sweep The Leg - 90, the majority of the Champ’s starters are top-notch, augmented by a standout group at RB and above-average depth at WR. Getting Montgomery in the 5th and T. Boyd in the 8th were both great value picks. I love the Justin Jackson pick in the 13th; this may end up as this season’s James Connor pick. QB is going to be Jason’s weak link and the reason his score is only an A-. With as much depth at that position, taking a player that is already injured and one that may be without his top weapon is unforgivable. One of the keys to the game is minimizing weekly risk, and Jason loaded up on risk at QB. If both Cam’s health and Zeke’s signing swing his way, then he’s good, but these things are far from guaranteed. I like Cam at the round value but would’ve liked to see a more solid pick than Dak at QB2. HINDSIGHT: Justin Jackson benefits from the continued Melvin drama.

#4: Type Tito Negative - 88, Eric started with a bang, and no I am not talking about the spankings. His first 4 are some of my favorite 4 picks in the first third of the draft. While I find better value (I don’t like Drake, but understand the pick, and prefer Lockett and Golladay to Diggs) with the next 4, they are pretty solid (Ryan and Henry and excellent at their drafted positions). Unfortunately, much like Eric’s nights, he faded as the draft wore on. Sanders and Fitz are average, while a D/ST in 11 and a K in 12 are too early, and definitely so if you aren’t getting the #1 in the respective positions. Taking 3 QBs, especially when one of them is named Marcus, hurts the late-round flyer potential. Smallwood is undraftable in my opinion.

#5: Slap My Mitch Up - 85, Angel put together one of my favorite RB groups from a late draft spot. Unfortunately, he can only start 2 of the 3 and he needs WR help. Cooks is a monster game waiting to happen, it’s just not going to happen consistently in the crowded Rams fantasy landscape. Outside of Cooks, I like Williams and Westbrook, but would’ve preferred to see less risk. Mayfield and Trubisky are a solid QB tandem, and Vance and Andrews are both great upside TEs. Don’t like the Ravens in 11, but it didn’t really hurt Angel’s draft that much given the run on D/STs and Ks that ensued (what the fuck are you all doing).

#6: Mahomes No Matter What - 83, Blas’ first 4 were all taken too early. This team could’ve been Chubb or Bell; Tyreek, OBJ, or Julio; Aaron Jones, Kerryon, or Devonta; and Godwin, Edelman, or Kupp. I understand it may come down to preference, but I have to take into consideration the consensus rankings. Taking a player a few spots ahead because you have a gut feeling is certainly within your right and privilege as an owner, but doing it in all of the first 4 rounds is unadvisable. That being said, Blas came away with a solid draft (love the Watson pick, and DJ Moore, Penny, and Sutton are great), just not the one that could’ve been. And to top it all off, a K in 7 is abominable.