2024 DFFL State of the League Series

HOPS DIVISION

RUDEAWFUL FITZ (RAF)

Owner: Rudolf Haden

2023 Season: 10th Place

2022 Season: 4th Place

The Team

(Elite Contract,

*not-graded)

QB:

Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, Desmond Ridder

RB:

Tony Pollard, Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller, Jaleel McLaughlin

WR:

Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Joshua Palmer, Romeo Doubs, Trey Palmer

TE:

Trey McBride

K*:

Younghoe Koo

DEF*:

New York Jets, Denver Broncos

Elite Contract: (Top 10 QB, Top 15 RB, Top 20 WR, Top 5 TE) + (Under or within $5 for Auction Value)

“Sponsored” by Fantraxhq.com

Players to Watch (PTW):

Tony Pollard (RB) - The Fitz had a couple of positions trending in the Top 5 in 2023, so not all was lost. Unfortunately, both of those players were the kickers, one of which Aubrey is no longer part of the franchise. At no time did RAF have a RB who could bolster the team in point production. Rudolf sought out a wild card in the offseason. Even with a 7600% increase in contract cost, Rudolf tagged Pollard, seeing him as a great investment on a Titans team that will be using their RBs often. The Fitz selected no backs in the rookie draft, and has 3x remaining contracted backs with significant concerns. If Tony Pollard can revive the production he had in Dallas before injury as a Zeke backup, RAF will be a strapper, not to be taken lightly by the rest of DFFL. However, if Tajae Spears truly blows up as some think he might, then Pollard simply won't have enough play time to make him startable in RAF's lineup. At that point, the standard prayer/hope/luck process RAF has grown used to will take over at the RB position, and achieving anything more than a couple wins in 2024 will be fantasy.

Justin Fields (QB) - The QB position for The Fitz has been a nightmare since trading away Lamar Jackson many moons ago. RAF tried the likes of Ridder, Stafford, Wilson and others who much like the Denver Broncos haven't panned out to be the franchise QB they were looking for. Coming into 2024, RAF felt confident in riding Kyler Murray and Stafford into the NFL Regular Season. Then came the 2024 DFFL Rookie Draft. Rudolf was too excited when the opportunity arose to bring in desired rookies. Murray became expendable so that The Fitz could get in on the draft. Coming over in the Kyler Murray trade was 2022's fantasy darling, Justin Fields. Justin Fields, while not winning games for the Bears, managed to rack up quite a rookie season of Top 5er QB points. After being traded to the Steelers, perhaps the best thing that could have happen to Fields (aside from leaving the Bears) was having the likes of Russell Wilson as his "coach" in the QB room. RAF is gambling that Justin Fields will eventually be the QB at Three Rivers and with the change to a better football team/town become a more polished, capable QB. If Fields fails to take the next step with his talent and/or start at some point in 2024, The Fitz will be “in fits” once again.

Practice Squad (Taxi)

Jermaine Burton (WR - RS1)

Ladd McConkey (WR - RS1)

Troy Franklin (WR - RS1)

Bo Nix (QB - RS1)

The PiTS

(TK’s Player in the Spotlight) - Ladd McConkey WR Chargers will be a Godsend for Justin Herbie Herbert! His Geogia footwork and expected workload in LA will be too much for Jim Harbaugh simply to rely on the run all season. As the season progresses, L.A.dd will be in Top 20 receiver territory and casting Rudolf's Amon Ra St. Brown trade regrets further into the past.

CAP (2024) - $123 ($21DM)

Draft Capital (2025 +): 8 Picks (No 1sts)

OVERALL GRADE

D-

The Fitz suffers from "Sleeper Syndrome" in dynasty football. The franchise often fumbles away real talent while getting distracted by homers or "dollar stocks." What is left of the once storied DFFL franchise is a hodge podge of aging and/or "yet proven" players with more reason for concern than hope. The shining spot for RAF is at QB and TE. Both positions are Elite Contracts that RAF can build from for future success.

RAF has a lot of vacancies on the bench and absolultely abysmal depth. With all of DFFL's true talent more or less existing on other teams, RAF has little reason to expect the FFAA will afford the team any starters or reinforcements. While CAP is competitive, the needs at WR and RB are so expansive that negligible improvement is all that is realistic.

RAF has no significant capital for sought after future rookies, so "Sleeper Syndrome" will remain a pandemic for years to come pending significant changes with future trades. Keep in mind, RAF held no 1st Round pick the last 2x cycles yet picked 2x 1st rounders in the last 2 years.

Hops Division belongs in the hands of the owners of The Six and The Ala Barts for 2024. RAF is in the damp, dark cellar of the division unless something bizarre or illogical occurs to cast them into competition. RAF will be seeking sleepers over the next couple years to regain footing in DFFL, but is no where near being competitive for division let alone playoff contention in the near-term.