RudeAwful Fitz (RAF)
Owner: Rudolf "Mike" Haden
2022 Season: 4th Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Desmond Ritter
RB:
Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara (Hd), Jamaal Williams, Ezekiel Elliott, Zamir White
WR:
K.J. Hamler (Hd), Tyler Boyd, Rashod Bateman, Marquez Valdez-Scantling, Van Jefferson, Jalen Tolbert, Romeo Doubs, Zay Jones, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Darius Slayton, Josh Reynolds
TE:
Tyler Higbee
K:
Younghoe Koo, Evan McPherson
DEF:
Denver Broncos, New York Jets
Players to Watch:
Romeo Doubs (WR): The 2nd year rookie in Green Bay's brand new offense highlighted star receiver ability over the '23 pre-season - until he experienced a hamstring injury. The 3rd Round '22 DFFL Rookie Draft pick was a calculated risk by RAF. Assessing Doub's speed and size as key attributes for a rebuilding Packers offense, RAF's gamble could still pay off. Truly the only factor standing in the way is Romeo's propensity for injury. However, with a 3-year cheap contract, if Romeo turns a corner this year with QB Love, RAF could be in position to improve standing in Hops Division just enough to eek into the 2023 DFFL Playoffs.
Desmond Ritter (QB): Selected in the 3rd Round '22 DFFL Rookie Draft by JWW, Demond Ritter became the latest rookie among a litany of JWW experimental prospects at the QB position. The Atlanta Falcons QB is the favorite for owners and coaching staff who see him as a franchise player. RAF traded for Desmond as part of JWW's spring cleaning sale after trading away Patrick Mahomes. RAF's gamble with Ritter is that he truly embodies the talent and fantasy production necessary to build a fantasy franchise around - or - to capitalize on future draft picks. Signed to a 3 year contract, Ritter will either develop into a Herbert-like player, or force coaches to make tough decisions on playing backups like Taylor Heineke.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Jaleel McLaughlin (Draft)
Mack Hollins (Draft)
Kyren Williams (Draft)
Trey McBride (RS2)
Marvin Mims, Jr (RS1)
Michael Wilson (RS1)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Jaleel McLaughlin (RB) BRONCOS rises to starter after a second ACL injury to Javonte Williams highlights his huge play ability and toughness. RAF selects McLaughlin for a contract in 2024. Mack Hollins (WR) FALCONS shocks the Drake London owners as he quietly snatches the WR1 spot and finds significant receiver chemistry with QB Desmond Ritter. Hollins replaces Jalen Tolbert as an active player, and RAF fields multiple trade offers for the big strong, team-player receiver.
CAP (2023) - $57 ($51DM)
OVERALL GRADE: C-
RAF followed a Sleeper Strategy for the start of what will be a very challenging 2023 campaign to lead Hops Division for a 2nd year, and get into the playoffs.
Firmly in Tier IV territory as a team, RAF requires multiple players having "sleeper"-like production to be successful in 2023. Contracting or drafting at Taxi a whopping DFFL leading 14 WRs, RAF is counting on 4-5 to hit like a well-used Vegas slot machine. While depth isn't an issue at QB, RB or WR, the TE position remains a concern for RAF. Additionally, the depth at WR is not ideal as many of the receivers would not start on other DFFL teams.
Essentially, RAF has too many D-List players and not enough CAP to compete for Waiver gold to get out of Tier IV territory. The prognosis is that RAF competes for 10th or 11th in the league, and attempts to bring in draft picks for 2024.
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More Than a Thielen (MTT)
Owner: Tim "Cheesy" Annen
2022 Season: 10th Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Ryan Tannehill, Russell Wilson, Kenny Pickett
RB:
Dalvin Cook, DeAndre Swift, Antonio Gibson, Kendre Miller
WR:
Adam Thielen, Terry McLaurin, Darnell Mooney, Skyy Moore, Devonta Smith, Terrance Marshall, Rashee Rice, Demario Douglas
TE:
Dallas Goedert, Robert Tonyan
K:
Greg Joseph, Brandon McManus
DEF:
Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers
Players to Watch
Rashee Rice (WR) - MTT selected Rashee, a KC receiver, in the middle 1st round of the '23 DFFL Rookie Draft. Rather than taking the safe route and allowing Rice to mature as a non-poachable RS1 on his Taxi Squad, MTT gave the young buck a 4 yr rookie contract. The selection and contract is the boldest fantasy move of the young DFFL fantasy season. The risks are numerous. Fantasy receivers have great longevity, but also often require time to develop in the depth chart for their team - Rashee won't have that probation period. KC has been a team of success for Mahomes, Kelce, and Butker. Most fantasy owners have been perplexed with finding consistent producers outside those just listed - apparently MTT feels none of that anxiety. Rice is a long-term cheap contract, and if he pans out, we should all get MTT's fantasy advice for the next rookie draft.
Kenny Pickett (QB) - Kenny received a 4 yr rookie contract at $7/yr from MTT at the start of this season. Many are saying Pickett will take a giant leap forward, and that the Steelers will be a playoff team as a result. The targets Kenny has are sound and talented - Allen Robinson, George Pickens, Diontae Johnson, Pat Freiermuth, and Najee Harris. If Kenny falters, MTT will be forced to reevaluate that position in the coming years, while attempting to figure out what to do with all those future years on Pickett's contract. If he succeeds, MTT can spend time building around the QB, and may just take a step to competing for Hops Division title in 2024.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Jordan Addison (RS1)
Will Levis (RS1)
Jalen Hyatt (RS1)
Tank Dell (RS1)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Jordan Addison (WR) VIKINGS supplants Justin Jefferson as the #1 wideout in Minnesota. His talent and playmaking ability highlights why he was a Top 5 rookie prospect in the DFFL draft. Tank Dell (WR) TEXANS quickly finds chemistry with first year QB CJ Stroud, and develops into the #2 WR. MTT regrets signing Rashee Rice and not Tank Dell as Tank's fantasy haul per week dwarfs Rashee's.
CAP (2023) - $100 ($50DM)
OVERALL GRADE: C
MTT is on the edge of Tier IV and Tier III strength as a franchise in DFFL. Like RAF, the Thielen's need a number of D-List players to develop into stars rather quickly.
MTT's biggest issue/concern is depth at just about every position. He really needs one of his 3 contracted QBs to become a Top 10 producer, and at the TE position, MTT needs Goedert or Tonyan to play like a Top 5er. If both of these things happen, MTT can compete this year in Hops Division.
MTT's CAP is enviable; however, the waiver wire in DFFL is not what it used to be. The CAP could be put to good use going after some expensive talented contracts or Taxi Squad signings, given the likelihood of breakouts.
The Thielen made some bold / controversial moves with contracts this year. If those moves don't pan out they will be firmly in rebuild mode, attempting to stay out of the Toilet Bowl at the end of '23.
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Point Six (PTS)
Owner: Mike Poleski
2022 Season: 11th Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Jared Goff, Bryce Young, Baker Mayfield
RB:
Christian McCaffrey, Javonte Williams, Isaiah Pacheco, Jahmyr Gibbs, JK Dobbins, Kenneth Gainwell
WR:
DK Metcalf, John Metchie, Brandon Aiyuk, Jahon Datson, Zay Flowers, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Elijah Moore
TE:
Evan Engram, Kyle Pitts
K:
Daniel Carlson, Riley Patterson
DEF:
LA Rams, Jacksonville Jaguars
Players to Watch
Elijah Moore (WR) - RAF traded Moore to PTS in the waning weeks of the '22 season, and shortly thereafter, Elijah was traded to the receiver-hungry Cleveland Browns. Many folks are rejoicing in Cleveland, because they feel Elijah showed streaks of greatness in this first year at the Jets. They believe with a new coaching staff and a solid QB, he can build on that first year and develop into a WR1. At issue is Elijah's known outbreaks when he feels his talents aren't being properly utilized. Ultimately, this attitude in the past has led to benchings and was likely impactful when the Jets sought his trade to another team. PTS will want Elijah to be all he can be, and help buoy the campaign for playoff glory in '23.
Kyle Pitts (TE) - Pitts remains PTS player on the hot seat, as he has yet to play like the TE he was billed to way back in 2021. At issue has been continued concerns at the QB position, along with Kyle's inability to break out as the top target receiver in the Hawks' offense. Ryan was on the downturn when Pitts was selected in his rookie year, and since Atlanta has moved from QBtoQB in search for the team leader. Perhaps they found that with Desmond Ritter, and perhaps Kyle Pitts will turn away from his "sophomore slump" and get going to be a Top 5 TE in fantasy. PTS is tired of waiting, but perhaps patience will prove a virtue?
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Gus Edwards (Draft)
Marvin Jones (Draft)
Adam Trautman (Draft)
Rico Dowdle (Draft)
Detroit Lions (Draft)
Tyrion Davis-Price (RS2)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Gus Edwards (RB) RAVENS becomes the bell cow in Baltimore after another injury sidelines JK Dobbins and Lamar Jackson. PTS will be quick to contract Gus, and is disappointed when Gus is hurt with season ending knee injury between Week 7-10. Adam Trautman (TE) BRONCOS quickly becomes Coach Sean Payton's answer for a lackluster and injury-plagued receiver corps, supplanting everyone's favorite Dulcich as the TE1 by Week 4.
CAP (2023) - $13 ($23DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B+
PTS took a slight downturn at the end of the off season as a result of trades; particularly at the QB position. As a result, PTS fell firmly into Tier II territory, still a Top 6 team who will be competing easily with CAB for Hops Division Title this year.
Depth and uncertainty at the QB position prevent PTS from being a favorite at the start of the season to win a DFFL title in 2023. However, all is not lost as Goff and/or Young could truly blow up from a fantasy production perspective, and reduce the tension at PTS Headquarters.
Similarly, at the RB position, while the roster is filled with star potential, injury-prone players like CMC, Javonte, and JK Dobbins, along with unknowns like Jahmyr Gibbs provides just enough pause to make PTS nervous. The expensive long-term contract for a Kansas City RB also is enough to trigger a panic attack in owners who see the RB position (esp. in KC) as tenuous year-to-year. PTS will need just enough good things to happen with at least 1-2 of his RBs, as he most likely wont have the ability to compete financially with waiver bids.
Still, in the world of fantasy, a solid WR corps is definitely enough to build a championship team. Zero-RB tells us not to dilly-dally with getting multiple high-powered runners; just have a good swath of receivers - at the WR and TE position. This, PTS has. PTS has the team that can reach playoff glory, and compete to bring home their first DFFL Player's Cup.
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Cranberries ala Bart (CAB)
Owner: Bart D'Angelo
2022 Season: 12th Place (Offending Toilet Bowl King)
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Justin Fields, Daniel Jones
RB:
Khalil Herbert, Josh Jacobs, James Conner, James Cook, Breece Hall, Rhamondre Stevenson
WR:
Cooper Kupp, Jaylen Waddle, Christian Kirk, DeVante Parker, Trelon Burks, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Isaiah Hodgins
TE:
Dalton Schultz, Pat Freiermuth
K:
Will Lutz, Chris Boswell
DEF:
Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks
Players to Watch
Pat Freiermuth (TE) - Pat got competition this year when the Steelers selected Darnell Washington - a strong, talented, huge presence on the field who turned heads during pre-season. DFFL owners are all trying to find the next Kelce, Kittle or Andrews, and based on the long-term contract CAB is fielding with Pat, he believes he has his TE. Much is dependent on this "new" Steelers team - one many believe will turn a corner. While there are many mouths to feed in terms of receivers and targets, Kenny Pickett already developed a nice chemistry with Freiermuth in '22. Will this develop into a Top 5 TE, or will Darnell Washington steel(sic) production and supplant Pat as the TE to have on the Steelers roster?
James Cook (RB) - James takes the RB1 title heading into the 2023 regular season in Buffalo. This is a prestigious position for any 2nd year rookie rb to contend with. At issue is the propensity for QB Josh Allen to steal runs - a lot, as well as Damien Harris, who was brought in along with Latavius Murray to spell any potential injury issues the team could face this year. Will James seize the initiative and run circles around the competition? Or will he allow room for one of the other backs to take too much of his production? CAB has him on a long-term rookie contract and is betting Cook is as talented and productive as his brother Dalvin was in Minnesota. If he James is what CAB expects him to be, The Ala Barts will be sitting pretty late in the DFFL playoff season. If not, this is a waste of space and money, and a constant reminder not to sign RBs (even rooks) to 4-year contracts.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Jeff Wilson, Jr. (Draft)
Atlanta Hawks (Draft)
Wan'Dale Robinson (RS2)
Isaiah Spiller (RS2)
Roschon Johnson (RS1)
Israel Abanikanda (RS1)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Jeff Wilson, Jr. (RB) DOLPHINS breaks out as the #1 RB in Miami, and his production matches Rhamondre Stevenson's by Week 7. Following a series of injuries in Chicago, Roschon Johnson (RB) BEARS pleasantly surprises coaches and fans alike, easily becoming the lead back by Week 8.
CAP (2023) - $20 ($21DM)
OVERALL GRADE: A
CAB has one of the best set of starters in the DFFL in 2023. CAB, DNF and NUT remain the sole Tier I teams, almost assured a spot in the 2023 Playoffs.
While injuries at QB and WR could certainly derail the ala Bart Train, most of CAB's positions are fortified and secure with solid depth. Interestingly, CAB's most improved position is RB, where last year he was starting the likes of 2nd string JaMycal Hasty. The tide turned in the offseason and CAB brought in multiple high powered runner producers: Khalil Herbert, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Josh Jacobs.
A poor omen for CAB is an immediate multi-week injury to his expensive Franchise Tag, Cooper Kupp. If his corps of WRs take 1 or 2 more hits, he could quickly find himself on the outside looking in. This would likely lead to drastic positional decisions (i.e., dropping Kupp) to salvage CAP for trades and Waivers since finances are tight heading into the regular season.
I suspect CAB is safe from any break glass decision-making, and will slide easily into the playoffs with sights on a second DFFL Player's Cup.
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