Dy'Nasty Fan'Tasy (DNF)
Owner: Kirk Gagnon
2022 Season: 2nd Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Mac Jones
RB:
Jonathon Taylor, Miles Sanders, Cam Akers, Deon Jackson, Dameon Pierce, Brian Robinson, Jr.
WR:
Justin Jefferson, Drake London, Christian Watson, Justyn Ross, Ihmir Smith-Marsette
TE:
T.J. Hockenson, Chigoziem Okonkwo, Irv Smith, Jr., Greg Dulcich
K:
Tyler Bass, Jason Myers
DEF:
New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs
Players to Watch
Jordan Love (QB) - The Green Bay Packers start only their 3rd different QB in 2 decades, starting Aaron Rodgers' backup, Love. Love has a great opportunity to shine as an NFL QB and fantasy producer. He has two solid runners (Jones, Dillon), and a spate of solid pass catchers - albeit the 2 "stars" seem injury prone in the last 2 years of their rookie careers (Watson, Doubs). Still, Jordan is primed for a solid start in 2023. DNF, who is typically cautious with signing long-term contacts to risky unknowns, sees a star in Jordan Love. The 4-yr contract towers above starter Lawrence's in terms of money, and is one year longer. If Love works out, DNF is sitting pretty at the QB position, and if not, he will be looking to fortify the position sooner vice later.
Christian Watson (WR) - Staying with the Green Bay Packers, who are truly a wild card team for fantasy and NFC North seeding, Christian Watson is the expected WR1/2 moving forward. Christian Watson received his 4yr rookie contract with DNF, and then days later was ruled out for Week 1 with a hamstring injury. The ChrisWats Contract frightens and frustrates owners like DNF, as he prefers to hold receivers on Taxi until they truly breakout in the depth chart. This did not happen with Drake London last year, and the jury is out on Christian so far this year. If he can stay healthy and gain some game time chemistry with Jordan Love, he can be a boon in fantasy production. However, if he continues to warm the bench with injuries, it only allows others in the receiving corps to gain the valuable on-field experience with Love.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Ty Chandler (Draft)
Malik Willis (RS2)
Quentin Johnson (RS1)
Chase Brown (RS1)
Tajae Spears (RS1)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Quentin Johnson WR CHARGERS quickly showcases his route running and speed. After Keenan Allen and Mike Williams each in separate games get hurt, Herbert doesn't notice, as Quentin absorbs all the receiving targets on the field. DNF refuses to sign (See Watson, London). Chase Brown RB BENGALS gets his chance to lead the Cincinnati backfield in Week 7 after police arrest Joe Mixon for shooting his AK over the heads of some neighborhood kids...and the Bengals are better for it.
CAP (2023) - $49 ($14DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B+
DNF is well bolstered for a run on the 2023 DFFL Playoffs. Depth isn't an issue at most positions, but concern surprisingly exists in the WR room. It just so happens, that WR is a very important position in fantasy, but particularly DFFL. Two slots are dedicated to the position, and based off injuries, production and committee uncertainty TEs and RBs are often not great FLEX fill-ins.
It's entirely possible that DNF's TE corps outscores his WR corps by Week 6 unless DNF brings in some depth at WR.
(I actually keep returning to DNF's wides, because I just don't remember the lack of depth when completing these SOTL's of past)
The CAP is solid for waiver and trade activities, and I suspect DNF will be reviewing DFFL rosters for receivers. DNF is a Top 6 DFFL team, and has a spot in the Top 4 of playoffs if he navigates the season smartly. DNF is a Tier I/II borderline team heading into Week 1.
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Knockin’onEvansDoor (KED)
Owner: Chad Lewber
2022 Season: 5th Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Lamar Jackson, Matthew Stafford, Jimmy Garropolo, Anthony Richardson
RB:
Joe Mixon, Damien Harris, Kenneth Walker III, Rachaad White, Chris Evans, Sean Tucker
WR:
Chris Godwin, Rashid Shaheed, Diontae Johnson, Nelson Agholor, Rondale Moore, Trey Palmer
TE:
George Kittle, Hayden Hurst
K:
Jason Sanders, Zuerlein
DEF:
Los Angeles Chargers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Players to Watch
Anthony Richardson (QB) - The Indianapolis Colts are in uncharted territory this season, and not in a good way. Their franchise RB refuses to play one more year in Indy, and the team has a slate of young unproven players. Richardson is just the fresh start, super rookie who could sortie this team out of danger and into future glory. Interestingly, this translates well to KED, who struggled at the QB position in 2022 after Lamar Jackson was injured. KED, by all indications, probably lost a shot at the DFFL Bowl and Player's Cup as a result. Anthony now has a 4yr rookie contract with KED, and he hasn't even played one down. The risks are clear and numerous, but the potential rewards are just too good to pass up.
Rachaad White (RB) - Early in the off-season, KED went to work on cleaning out the running back room. Gone were the likes of Chubb and Barkley, and IN were the young and inexperienced Kenneth Walker and Rachaad White. White has really no competition behind center with Baker Mayfield, and given Mayfield's knack in throwing short to RBs, Rachaad's potential to break out as a fantasy bell-cow is legit. As a result, KED offered a 4yr contract to the "untested" player; however, KED was rather quick to grab and sign to a 3yr, Sean Tucker (White's cuff). It seems KED is all in on the Buccs backfield, and with the multi-year contracts has a lot at stake.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Puka Nacua (RS1) Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Big shocker, KED has the fewest players on Taxi of anyone...again! Puka Nacua (WR) RAMS quickly ascends to the WR1 position in Los Angeles. Chad is happy, Rudolf is jealous/angry. Nacua sits the last 5 games as a result of injury.
CAP (2023) - $68 ($19DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B
KED has fielded a team of starters! Any DFFL team can be envious of the starting lineup, KED will be fielding in Week 1, and pending injuries, for the rest of the season.
Given George Kittle's injury prone body (not expected to play in Week 1), KED needs to fortify the TE position. In Hayden Hurst KED can not trust! Unless he is okay with average TE play, and given the difficulty most DFFL teams will have week-to-week, I wouldn't be all too worried.
The depth elsewhere is great, and the CAP situation is tops! I don't know what KED has against the Taxi Squad, but multiple sleepers remain on waiver who could quietly help the franchise in latter weeks of the season. This team has maybe too much invested in Tampa Bay under the leadership of Bowles and Baker. This is tenuous at best, but could workout in fantasy. KED is borderline Tier II/III heading into Week 1.
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Toe It Up (TIU)
Owner: Bart D’Angelo Senior
2022 Season: 7th Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Josh Allen, Kyle Allen, Kyle Trask
RB:
Alexander Mattison, Devin Singletary, Rashad Penny, Raheem Mostert, Michael Carter, Zack Moss
WR:
Stefon Diggs, Tee Higgins, D. J. Moore, Robert Woods, Kadarius Toney, Alec Pierce, Khalil Shakir, Sammy Watkins, Gabriel Davis
TE:
Dawson Knox, Isaiah Likely, Logan Thomas
K:
Anders Carlson
DEF:
Buffalo Bills
Players to Watch
Alec Pierce (WR) - Indianapolis is a wild card team with a new QB and a committee of untested or old running backs. Additionally, the wide outs all have a lot to prove this year. The question is whether the rookie QB will utilize the talent of players like Alec, who has the potential to nab #1 on the depth chart, or if it becomes a QB and RB game for the most part. Anthony Richardson has an arm, but its a rookie/NFL Untested arm nonetheless. TIU invested in Alec Pierce with a 4yr rookie contract, staving off attempts by the likes of RAF to poach said player. Pierce could be TIU's next Stefon Diggs, or he could be the next Isaiah McKenzie.
Tee Higgins (WR) - Tee Higgins is in the midst of a contract "dispute" with Cincinnati. I.e., it appears the Bengals are ready to bid Tee a fair thee well to start next season. TIU has Tee Higgins on a long-term expensive contract; ($40+) a year through 2026. This very likely means Tee Higgins will spend most of that time on another team, mixed in with other receivers, where he'll have to carve out a spot. This is unfortunate, as Tee is solidly in WR2 territory in Cincinnati, and with a QB like Burrow, that means big time fantasy production. The 2023 season could play out well for Tee and TIU, or it could be disaster for Tee - and therefore TIU's pocketbook and future CAP.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Latavius Murray (Draft)
Dalton Kincade (RS1)
Jayden Reed (RS1)
Hendon Hooker (RS1)
Justin Shorter (RS1)
Jake Moody (RS1)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Jaden Reed (WR) PACKERS takes the cheeseheads by the foam and dominates the target share and production among Green Bay's wide receiver corps (TIU no longer has a Tee Higgins concern). Jake Moody (K) 49ers gets a 4yr rookie contract by Week 6.
CAP (2023) - $34 ($7DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B-
TIU has significant depth concerns. Particularly at RB and QB. As it stands, TIU can't field a QB for Josh Allen's BYE. I suspect this will change, or maybe Kyle Trask will be the starter in Tampa Bay by then.
TIU has an outstanding set of wide receivers, and a number of depth wides who could easily by starters for many other DFFL teams come Week 4. The RB position is one injury away from being D-List and a prayer on Sundays.
TIU's CAP is not great, but can still provide some competition on waiver. Unless, TIU trades for some depth, they are locked in Tier III territory; dangerously close to Tier IV irrelevancy. Unfortunately, depth places this team on the outside looking in as we head into Week 1.
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CeeDee’s Nutz (NUT)
Owner: Cody Lutke
2022 Season: 8th Place
The Team
(Top Tier Contract)
QB:
Matt Ryan (Hd), Kyler Murray (Hd), Justin Herbert, Trey Lance
RB:
Elijah Mitchell, Bijan Robinson, Travis Etienne, Kareem Hunt, D'Onta Foreman
WR:
Jarvis Landry (Hd), CeeDee Lamb, AJ Brown, Michael Pittman, Jr., Michael Gallup, Mecole Hardman, Marquise Brown, Chase Claypool, Josh Palmer
TE:
Travis Kelce
K:
Mike Gay, Brandon Aubrey
DEF:
Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles
Players to Watch
Bijan Robinson (WR) - The #1 pick in the 2023 DFFL Rookie Draft, Bijan Robinson, has much on this shoulders as he begins his maiden NFL voyage deep in the cellar of the NFC South. Coupled with an untested QB in Desmond Ritter, he will attempt to prove all the hype was justified when he puts on his cleats and lines up behind the QB on Sunday. No one will be watching this rookie's performance closer than NUT. Bijan represents for NUT a strong and new beginning. NUT is well on his way to competing for Malt Division leadership, and therefore playoff glory. The pick, the contract, and the expectations make Bijan a focal point for the NUT franchise.
Michael Pittman, Jr. (WR) - Another Colt on the players to watch section you say?? Yes. Another Colt. This Colts team has all the hallmarks of a make-or-break DFFL fantasy story. Multiple players on the Colts were given multi-year contracts from DFFellers. None was so expensive as Michael Pittman's. Looking at this contract and measuring it against known fantasy production, I'd say find someone who loves you like NUT loves MPJr. Michael got his contract extended another 4 years with all the PAV asking prices! The same questions hold true for MPJr. that were for Alec Pierce....how well will Anthony Richardson ball for his receivers and for the Colts? We don't know yet, but DFFL is paying these players like they think the Colts are division leaders in less than 2 years. Michael can firm his claim on #1 receiver, or lose that distinction to Pierce...or maybe someones else. If he firms his claim on #1, and Richardson-Pittman dominate in all our fckn mouths, then this is salivating news for NUT.
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Darnell Washington (Draft)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (RS1)
CJ Stroud (RS1)
Zach Charbonnet (RS1)
Michael Mayer (RS1)
Tank Bigsby (RS1)
Rude's Taxi Prognostications - Darnell Washington (TE) STEELERS grabs TE1 from Pat F., and becomes Kelce-like by Week 7. Tank Bigsby (RB) JAGUARS shows Leveon Bell greatness after an injury takes out Travis Etienne in Week 4. NUT is happy he nabbed the rook.
CAP (2023) - $33 ($23DM)
OVERALL GRADE: A
NUT is solidly in Tier I territory as they glide into Week 1 of the 2023 DFFL Season. This status is largely due to the WR and RB depth (looking at the Taxi as well). NUT has a number of Practice Squad players who could easily get called up with injury and not miss a beat production wise.
Some concern lies at QB and TE. Though as I write this, NUT made a series of trades to bolster the TE position, and discard dead weight at the QB position. NUT is actively looking to add depth at QB, and as a result, very little prevents this franchise from playing in the Top 4 of the DFFL 2023 Playoffs this Winter.
CAP should keep NUT afloat for waiver competition in the event of a significant spate of injuries. This is the team to beat in Malt Division; easily competing with DNF for Divisional glory and then some.
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