Draft Reaction

For as long as I can remember, this has been one of my favorite weeks of the entire year. Honestly. Take some time right now and think about it. What is there not to love about this week?

· It’s week one of the NFL. Every single fan has reason to carry at least some optimism. It’s probably the only week of the season where this is true. It was true for far too many Buffalo Bills seasons throughout my life. No matter how good or bad your team will be this year, this week is a week to celebrate something. Even for Seahawk fans this year!

· As a Blackfoot kid, it’s right at the start of the Eastern Idaho State Fair. If you haven’t been, you’ve missed a wonder of the world. I’m convinced no state fair comes as close to checking all the boxes of what you would want, need, and reminisce about in a fair. Love it!

· College football is kicking off.

· In fact, all of football has moved from what feels like a never-ending practice to actual games. (Let’s not get into how many actual games I got to play in post pee wee league.)

· The weather is finally beginning to change and the sight and scent of fall begins to creep in. As a teenager, it meant an end to moving irrigation handlines was somewhere in sight for me.

· It’s Labor Day, which means one less day of school as a kid and as an adult, a paid day off.

· As a parent, the kids are back in school after a long summer.

· The days are still long enough to feel like there is enough time to do things after work or after school.

· Growing up, Madden and NCAA football had both been released just long enough to have a great feel for the game and a long labor day weekend often got earmarked for gaming.

I could add more, but I think you get my drift. I absolutely love this week!

I’m just about as excited for our upcoming fantasy season. Let me get serious for a minute. I was super excited to see every single person drafting live. This may be the first time that has happened. Not only is it the only reason we could slog through the draft issues we had with keepers, but it also means you’re all invested. I don’t take that lightly and have a great deal of appreciation for it. Thanks for trusting me as commissioner and choosing to put effort into this league. I think you all know it, but I’ll say it anyway. I genuinely count all of you as friends and appreciate you all. That includes our newcomers Chris and Kaitlyn, who I’m excited to have this year. Serious kudos to you all for patiently working through the SNAFU’s we had and for how expertly I thought you all drafted. I’m intrigued to see how this season transpires.

On to the draft reaction!

I typically have a few main takeaways formulated right after the draft and I’m usually so full of myself that I think I know who is going to be good and who is going to struggle. This reaction piece normally comes together easily. Not so this year. So, instead of ranking who won and who lost this draft, I’m going to make a few observations and omit the predictions because I honestly could see nearly every team being really good or struggling with their record simply because of how good everyone else’s roster is. We all have strengths and weaknesses in our teams and I don't see anyone standing out as dominant right out of the gate. If you want to find my thought’s on your team quickly, I have teams listed by draft order. Enjoy!

Call of Judy

QB - Hard not to love what you did here. In Josh Allen you have someone who likely ends the year with the most fantasy points of the year. Slam dunk pick. I’m bullish on Tua. The Dolphins have almost no choice but to throw their support behind him all year. They finally have given him some weapons and his protection should be solid. I’m less bullish on Winston, but a lot of smart people think he can get it figured out this year. At minimum you have the best fantasy QB in all of football and 2 solid options that have the potential to be really good.

RB- Your depth is questionable, but it’s easy to love league winner Lenny at RB1 and I think Etienne is a nice lottery ticket at RB. If he blows up, he has talent and speed to win you weekly matchups all on his own. I wouldn’t want anything to do with Buffalos backfield this year because I think they are actually going to split snaps between Singletary, Moss, and Cook. I know you’re a BYU homer and I loved watching Allgeier in college, but I don’t think it will translate to the NFL. I’m not a scout though and I’ve been massively wrong before. Just ask me about my thoughts on Josh Allen after watching him live Wyoming vs Utah State. Yikes!

WR- I would have liked to see you take another player or two here, but that’s hard to do with 4 QB’s on your roster. With 2 WR positions to fill and a flex position, I think you're light here. I love Samuel, especially with a new contract and a 49ers team that will need to lean on their playmakers with a young QB. I like talented 2nd and 3rd year WR’s and think Davonte Smith will benefit from the addition of AJ Brown to open the field for him. They should be solid. Moore will get a lot of reps but I’m really down on the Jets. I hate taking unknowns on bad teams. He’s gotten a lot of preseason buzz though so we’ll see. It’s just a really bad Jets offense. Claypool is a player I put on my do not draft list. We don’t know what they’ll get out of their QBs and I think the team is over the moon on the potential that Pickens gives them. I think Pickens takes over of Claypool by midseason. Someone has to catch passes in GB so Doubs is as good as a guess as anyone. Rodgers is so finnicky with his WR’s that they all feel like question marks to me.

TE- Pitts is going to dominate this year. I had every intention of taking him in the 4rd round but didn’t expect to see CeeDee staring at me in that spot so good on you there. AO gets a lot of buzz so he’s worth a dart throw even if Russ Wilson seems to hate tight ends.

Over the Taysom Hill

QB – Rodgers is always solid, even if everyone wants to bury him this year with no proven weapons at WR, I think he’ll figure it out. I’d rather ride with him than bet against him. I’m less sold on your other QB options. I love what the giants have done in the offseason adding Brian Daboll, but don't see a transformation of Daniel Jones on the horizon. I really want to like Zach Wilson, but I think the Jets are such a train wreck and he's been so mismanaged up to this point in his career that he may be unsalvageable. A lot of really smart NFL people seem to like Davis Mills but he's another one that I wouldn't hold my breath on. I think your super flex position might be a little weak.

RB- Going with two running backs is definitely a bold strategy. It's not terrible in our league though where we only have one mandatory running back position. The two options you have are studs. Jonathan Taylor might be the best running back in the league and AJ Dillon is 1A 2 Aaron Jones’ 1A. This light of a running back room as a gamble, but it definitely allowed you to pick up depth elsewhere. If you don't have any injuries here, you'll be dominant.

WR- Your top three wide receivers are on offense’s that I think are going to light it up this year. You have wide receiver one in Buffalo, wide receiver two in Cincinnati, and wide receiver two in Minnesota. Christian Kirk got paid a ton of money in Jacksonville, so you know they're going to force him the ball. Darnell Mooney is the only wide receiver in Chicago that I think has real upside. Rashad Bateman is a guy who has gotten a lot of offseason publicity and could break ou in Baltimore. I love this room.

TE- Darren Waller is a plug and play tight end. I wonder if his touchdown production may go down with Devante Adams but even if so, he'll be solid. You have more inside information on Robert Tonyan than I do. He's a player with potential for positive regression.

Joe Buck Yourself

QB – Justin Herbert is “the next thing” at quarterback that should probably finish in the top five at QB with all the scoring that will have to happen to keep up in the AFC West. I would be less thrilled with Ryan Tannehill as my QB 2 superflex. I think the Titans are really going to struggle and may not even make the playoffs this year. I like Robert Woods as a secondary option in my offense so much more than as my primary target. I think it's asking too much for Traylon Burks to be WR1 so early in his career. I guess the one positive for Tannehill is he still has his legs and so that should raise his floor.

RB- I want to like your running backs stable, but I see a bunch of question marks after Joe Mixon. you have the best handcuff in the league in Alexander Mattison and another one in Tony Pollard who would be the top handcuff, but he does carry some standalone value. Mixon is a set it and forget it guy. I usually like throwing darts at productive offenses, but CEH was supposed to be a thing the past two years and I don't think he will ever be. I think he'll be tough to trust all year. If Ezekiel Elliott or Davin Cook go down, you could win the league.

WR- Keenan Allen maybe my favorite wide receiver that never gets talked about. All he does is go out, make plays, and finish as a top fantasy wide receiver. I love that pick. I like Robert Woods so much more in NFL football than I do in fantasy football. I'm not sure he and Tannehill are the best fit and I just don't like him as my number one wide receiver target in an offense. Dionte Johnson is typically a guy I like to target in fantasy, he just has a major question mark at quarterback. Michael Thomas is on my do not draft list, but I understand why you take the plunge. He's a pick that will either make you look like a genius or end up being a waste of a pick. I don't love the report that his Achilles was acting up again. Tyler Boyd will have his games where he will show up, but as the third option with 2 young dynamic receivers in Cincinnati, I think he will have some weeks where he just doesn't show up. Jalen Tolbert is a nice late round flyer in what I expect to be a good Dallas offense.

TE- Kelce is TE1. Easy pick to love. Not any depth to speak of here so finger crossed he stays healthy.

Ligma

QB – As much as I hate Tom Brady, I respect him, and he put up crazy fantasy numbers last year. Unless his bionic arm goes out, which it hasn't to this point, he should have another fantastic year. I think Mariota is going to struggle though. He's not quite the dynamic rusher he was when he was younger, and I think that Atlanta team is going to be tough to watch. You might have to keep an eye out for another quarterback.

RB- I love Nick Chubb. I don't think he gets enough credit. That Browns offense is going to struggle to begin the season, but I think he's going to get his yards and touches. Aaron Jones should be solid but may give up some production to AJ Dillon. Zeke Elliott is someone that media wants to count out, but I think Dallas still wants him to be the man. I feel like Jacksonville wants to move on from James Robinson, but he refuses to let them. You've got a solid running back room here.

WR- I'm not a huge fan of your wide receiver group. Brandin Cooks should be what he has been the last few years; solid but not spectacular. Aman-Ra St Brown should eat targets for an improved Lions team. Amari Cooper has a lot of talent and produced in Dallas with a really good quarterback, but I think he's going to almost disappear for the first half of the season with the Browns. When DeShaun Watson returns, his production should improve and hopefully you're still in the playoff hunt. I haven't heard good things about Kadarius Toney coming out of Giants camp. I think he could find his way in Brian Daboll’s doghouse. Garrett Wilson is as good of a flyer as any rookie. Isaiah McKenzie will be like a lot of wide receivers 3’s in productive offenses; really hard to predict when he will show up and when he will disappear.

TE- Dawson Knox should be a decent option at tight end. Mike Gesicki is a guy I wouldn't roster. He's being asked to play tight end for the first time in his career and is really struggling. I think he's going to see a major dip in production.

Washington Foreskins

QB – Lamar Jackson is a slam dunk pick as QB1. They're going to get him running the ball even more this year and unless he gets hurt, he'll be a top producer. Maybe even a fantasy winner. Jared Goff should be average, but not outstanding in your superflex position. Kenny Pickett seems poised to take over at some point this year. All first-round rookie quarterback seemed to do that nowadays.

RB- You know who I like most in your running back room? Nyheim Hines. I think the Colts are going to try to find a way to expand his role and we all know that Matt Ryan loves his checkdowns. David Montgomery is a running back that has been given every chance to take over and he hasn't. He was on my do not draft list this year. My hot take is their backup RB Khalil Herbert will be starting by the end of the year. Shanahan and his running backs are hard to trust too. I think Elijah Mitchell has a ton of talent, he's obviously showed that, but I honestly don't know who is going to lead the running back group over the year. I have the same concerns about Patriots running backs. Stevenson is the guy that has gotten the most buzz, but honestly who knows? Bill Belichick likes to screw with everybody, fantasy footballers included.

WR- I love your top two in Devante Adams and Tyreek Hill. Two major studs for sure. Juju has a chance to resurrect his once promising career, but I personally didn't want to bet on it. Rondale Moore should get a lot of run to begin the year but may be phased out enough opportunities by the end of the year when Hopkins and Hollywood Brown are both up and running. Then again, Hollywood Brown may get end up hurt and Moore may be productive all year. I don’t love being in the business of owning old WR’s even if they play with Mr. Bündchen.

TE- The 2020 Eagles TE group! Neither is elite, but both are reliable. That’s not a bad thing. You’ll likely be playing the matchups every week.

Flint Tropics

QB – Not much analysis is needed at your quarterback position. Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott should both lead really good offenses and be reliable producers. You stole my last pick in Malik Willis. If you can't tell by my draft, I want every quarterback who can run on my fantasy team. I think there's a chance he's actually starting by the end of the year it could be someone that put you over the top in the playoffs. The question is, can you hold on to him that long?

RB- Kamara is my favorite fantasy player of all time. I picked him as a throw away late round pick and was able to keep him for multiple years as my keeper. I'll always have a soft spot for him because of that. He makes me want to bet on him even with Jamis Winston at QB. Kareem Hunt is talented but unhappy in Cleveland. I don't know if he gets enough production to be RB2. I wanted to like Rashaad Penny, but don't really. You were smart to pick up Ken Walker. I know you're a Seahawks guy, so you probably have more intel there than I do. Seems like a decent dart throw on White, but I'll just be honest. I didn't select a single rookie running back this year because I think in two or three years, we're going to forget pretty much all this class of running backs for fantasy purposes. Next year rookie running backs though? That's a different story.

WR- I'm a big fan A.J. Brown, Chris Godwin, and Brandon Aiyuk. Godwin is a wide receiver, kind of like Keenan Allen, that I think doesn't get enough credit for how good he is. I didn't want to touch Seahawks wide receivers, but again you're the insider there. Metcalf has all the talent in the world but if Tom Brady can't throw himself the ball, I'm not sure DK Metcalf can either. Shout out to Gisele for that astute observation.

TE- I'm not sure I have words for your tight end position. I'm sure you feel nervous about it as well. It's a position that is really hard to fabricate production.

Tom Brady Forever

QB – You and your Patriot love brother! Maybe it's just the Bills fan in me, but I love that he is the patriots QB. The Matt Patricia/Joe Judge led offense has the potential to be such a tire fire, that I’m going to go out of my way to watch as many Patriot games as I can. I have a feeling it is going to be good for me and terrible for Mac Jones. Matt Ryan should be the same as he has been for years where he should get you middling production. I don't think Deshaun Watson should be playing this year but that's just me. Hard to predict what he will be after being out of the league as long as he has.

RB- I like your top two running backs more than anyone else in the league. They are also two of the biggest gambles injury wise in the league. If they both stay healthy, you are going to have a chance to win every single week just because of them. I'm not a huge Cordarrell Patterson fan, but Zamir White may get some significant run by the end of the year.

WR- I wish Terry Mclaurin had a better quarterback. He's another wide receiver I really like. His production will likely be limited by Carson Wentz. Jalen Waddle has a chance to be really good this year and should give you good production, especially if Tua takes the step forward I think he will. I feel like the Cardinals are a bit of a gamble this year but reuniting Marquise Brown with Kyler Murray has a chance to be really good, at least until D-Hop returns. I really like Tyler Lockett too, I just dislike Geno Smith at QB. I would honestly feel better about Seattle’s WR’s if Drew Lock were starting. MVS has a chance to be really good in KC too, we just don’t know how he’s going to mesh and how that will shake out. I wouldn’t roster Landry. As I said earlier, I don’t want to be in the business of owning older WR’s that carry more value to a team in real life than in fantasy.

TE- You’re set with Mark Andrews. I think he has a chance to end the year as TE1. Hunter Henry is wasting his talent in NE right now with that offense.

Rafi Bomb

QB – Russell Wilson is a puff piece in an interview, but the exact opposite on the field. I think he has a chance to be top five and a legitimate MVP candidate this year. Trevor Lawrence should improve and a lot of smart NFL people I follow predict him to have a fantasy breakout year. Should be a solid combo.

RB- I really like your running back duo in Deandre Swift and Najee Harris. I wouldn't mind having either of them as my RB1. I’m less thrilled about your other two running back options. Antonio Gibson will be given a lot of opportunities to start the year, but I don't expect him to finish the year with a major role in that offense. Miles Sanders is another running back who has been given every opportunity to run away with that thing and can't seem to do it. I think the Eagles best running back is Jalen Hurts.

WR- I'm still mad at you for taking Gabe Davis one pick before I was going to take him. I think there's a real chance he ends up with double digit touchdowns and over 1000 yards this season. He's going to produce for you. I like your combination of Mike Williams and DeAndre Hopkins. Mike Williams will probably get injured just in time for Hopkins to step in and take over. I know Russell Gage has been given some love this offseason, but I’m not sure I’m buying it. You are more plugged in on the Giants than I am throwing a dart at Wandale Robinson.

TE- George kittle should be a solid option, even though I expect Trey Lance to struggle as a passer. He's just too talented not to. Hayden Hurst has a lot of talent too, but it's never put it together. Maybe on the Bengals…

Puro Macho

QB – I think you have three really good options at quarterback. I think quarterbacks that can throw and run win league championships. You have one of those in Kyler Murray. Matt Stafford is on a dynamic offense and will be super reliable. Baker Mayfield is a nice option to have in your pocket.

RB- You probably know it already, but I see RB as your weakest position. Conner will likely experience a negative regression, especially in TD’s, and I just have a feeling that he’s not going to be the same guy. I don’t know. I may be wrong. I studied way too much Breece Hall this draft season, mostly because the Bills were supposed to take him, and I came away not nearly as impressed as I should have been. I don't know what The Jets are going to do, at RB but I'm not sure he ends up getting a lot of run, even if he's given the opportunities. The Ravens are definitely going to run the ball, but it's so hard to trust who their running back is going to be. Kind of like the Eagles. Their best running back is Lamar Jackson. I don't know what the Rams are going to do it running back, but Henderson is a good RB4 option. Isaiah Spiller was probably my favorite RB to come out of the draft this year, but his opportunities are going to be limited. I honestly don't know anything about Pacheco outside of getting some late buzz this fantasy offseason.

WR- You have two really good options at wide receiver in Chase and Pittman. It's really hard to know what to do with the rest of those rookie wide receivers. It's not often they come in and have dominant years like chase did last year. London has the size to potentially make it work, but I think that Atlanta offense is going to be bad. I think the Tennessee offense is going to be bad too. I don’t know if Moore will get the snaps to make a difference but is a good keeper selection.

TE- Schultz is solid and Thomas has a chance to bounce back, if he can stay healthy.

Snickle Frits

For all the grief I gave you last year after the draft, you found a way to grind that roster and end up runner up again. Major kudos in doing that. I don't have much grief to give you over your draft this year.

QB – Burrow is a slam dunk at QB1 in a dynamic Bengals offense. I don’t like Wentz, but he should produce well enough to be a decent superflex option. I like the quarterback handcuff, he's another guy I wonder if you’ll be able to carry all year.

RB- I like all your running backs, minus Josh Jacobs. Reports out of Giants camp is Barkley looks like the old Barkley and will be a primary focus of that Giants offense. Tons of potential there, if he’s healthy. It's easy to love Ekeler in a dynamic Chargers offense. Cam Akers has a lot of talent; we'll have to see how he bounces back from injury. Raheem Mostert is another guy with a lot of talent end upside on what should be an improved Dolphins offense.

WR- Mike Evans should dominate early and be his normal self all year. Allen Robinson has the talent and opportunity to be a major producer. The only thing that makes me nervous about him is Matt Stafford has always shown love to his main WR and if he stays in love with Cooper Kupp, Robinson’s opportunities may be limited. I love the selection of Michael Gallup. He will get opportunities in Dallas. I had him on my board close to guys like Adam Theilen. Hunter Renfrow has been forgotten a bit in the Adams hoopla, but should be the same guy, if not better underneath with Adams. I’m not a fan of the Patriots offense so Meyers is likely replaceable. He’s allergic to TD’s I think.

TE- Hockinson is decent and should have some production, though I think this position is one that could needle at you.

Atwater

QB – I feel like you have two QB2 options and a guy in Justin Fields who can’t get any help in Chicago. He has running potential though so he’s a nice guy to have on your bench to keep an eye on. The Minnesota offense has a chance to be really good so Cousins makes sense, he’s just probably not top tier. Derek Carr is probably in the same boat for me. He has some weapons though so it's going to be interesting to see what he does with Devante Adams.

RB- Bro… your RB room is the Broncos and the Bills RB3. You know what's happening in Denver better than I do. I hate any kind of timeshare for both Gordon and Williams because if either one was given the job, you could make out fine at this spot since you only have to start one RB in our league. It’s shaky depth at best. I honestly don’t think Cook is going to be a thing in Buffalo until next year at the earliest.

WR- You clearly have the best wide receiver tandem in Cooper Kupp and Justin Jefferson. That’s just stupid good. Jerry Judy is nice to have as your third option and will be interesting to see how he and Russ Wilson mesh. I like the talent of Josh Palmer, I just don't know if he's going to get enough opportunities in LA. Chris Olave should get plenty of opportunity, given the Saints investment in him. Christian Watson was a good keeper selection.

TE- All I can say here is… ehhhh…. clearly your weakest position and I think you’ll have your work cut out for you here all year.

Side note… When did Darius Leonard change his name to Shaquille? I must have missed what happened there.

And that's a wrap. Best of luck to everyone this season!