Jerry’s World Wonder (JWW)
Owner: Brian Dembinski
2022 Season: 1st Place (Defending Champions)
Returning Players ( * solid contract)
QB: Patrick Mahomes ($46 '23).
RB (-1):
WR (-1): Michael Thomas ($37 '23, $23x2), *Michael Gallup ($18x3), Michael Pittman Jr. ($7 ’23), Rashod Bateman ($7x2)
TE (-1):
K (+1): *Justin Tucker ($4x3), Matt Gay ($1 ’23)
DEF:
Franchise Options
QB (-2):
RB (-3):
WR:
TE (-1): Evan Engram
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st: Devon Achane, RB (1.09, 22/RB7) **Received in Trade from DMM**
2nd (-1): 2 CJ Stroud, QB (2.02, 13/QB3)
3rd: Eric Gray, RB (3.03, 40/RB13), Deuce Vaughn, RB (3.05, 37/RB12)
Practice Squad (Taxi) – Traded Ridder to RAF, received Williams from RAF
Matt Corral ($7)
Pierre Strong ($5)
Jameson Williams ($8)
CAP (2023)
$237 ($37 DM) (+$80 / +$21 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B (No Change)
This offseason, JWW shed almost every contract that got him to glory, past an anemic DNF, to win a Championship in DFFL! While some of these contracts were rather expensive and either at the end, or nearing the end of their tenure, this was a seismic shift for the defending champs in DFFL. Based on these moves alone, JWW dove like a kamikaze from a B to a D grading.
HOWEVER, with all the contracts JWW shed he also gained a ton of capital for spending in the upcoming Auction in September. Additionally, JWW wasted no time in amassing a number of future picks which will breathe new life into the franchise for the future.
After dumping and trading multiple franchise tag possible players, JWW settled on Evan Engram as his likely choice for the 2023 tag. This is not popular when discussed in Twitter channels among all the armchair experts. But for DFFL, this is a solid decision – every league is different when it comes to values and team needs.
JWW did little to buoy the franchise grade regarding depth at WR, even with the addition of Michael Gallup. The Dallas Offense, while on fire, will rely on Gallup to make continued positive production steps. He has it in him to make his $18 a year contract worth it!
JWW has no starting RB.
In the Rookie Draft, JWW traded away their 1st Rounder and a 2nd Rounder. Never a good thing when attempting a repeat on the DFFL Championship. However, JWW traded for DMM’s 1st, and while Achane is not a Top 10 rook he helps JWW’s RB depth. JWW built depth at QB and RB with remaining picks.
On the plus side, JWW added a number of 1st and 2nd round picks for future rookie drafts. He also traded away a mid-to-back of the pack QB and brought in a troubled, yet talented WR for his practice/taxi squad.
Finally, JWW improved his CAP for the Auction by over $80 (million) bucks!! Even with increases in DM, this is one of the more enviable pots for Auction power.
PROGNOSIS:
JWW has mucho worko to do-oh! Absolutely no RB and very little depth on roster. Come to think of it…significant starter holes as well. JWW is obviously building his team around BIG Patrick Mahomes (who will receive his due with a new contract extension).
I have a vision – JWW will be bidding fast and furious on the big RBs and WRs in the Auction. If you have designs on Davante Adams, Josh Jacobs, or Aaron Jones – to name a couple – BPT have to go through a torrent of up bids from “DFFL’s Team”.
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UGG Life (UGG)
Owner: Mike “Mooch” Petronis
2022 Season: 3rd Place
Returning Players ( * solid contract)
QB: *Joe Burrow ($6 ’23, $9 ’24)
RB (+1): A.J. Dillon ($7 ’23), Nick Chubb ($56 ’23)
WR (-1): *Jerry Jeudy ($8 ’23, $11 ’24), *Ja’Marr Chase $9x2), Tyler Lockett ($23 ’23)
TE: *Hunter Henry ($10x2)
K: *Justin Tucker ($4x3)
DEF: New England ($8x2)
Franchise Options
QB: Daniel Jones
RB (+1): Austin Ekeler, Aaron Jones, Josh Jacobs, D’Onta Foreman, Chase Edmonds
WR: Davonte Adams
TE: Gerald Everett, David Njoku
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st: 0
2nd: 0
3rd (-1): Cedric Tillman, WR (3.11, 26/WR11)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Zamir White ($6)
CAP (2023)
$270 ($0 DM) (+$16 / -$48 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: A (Previously A-)
UGG was one of the few DFFL franchises to make very little change in offseason. Of course, changes were not necessary for UGG to remain a significant force in DFFL.
While trading Gallup to JWW was not ideal for his WR position, UGG did add short-term contracts at both WR and RB. Both acquisitions are starters and will help UGG’s attempt to reclaim DFFL glory in 2023.
UGG is pretty well stacked and postured to do great things at all of the roster positions except WR. The Gallup trade requires that UGG look to improve the WR position in the Auction. He needs not only depth but additional starters as well.
It appears his RB committee will include the great Austin Ekeler, who was brought over in trade with JWW. Ekeler will likely get the tag for UGG, which will send a number of very solid players to Auction. No doubt, UGG will be one of the strong bidders to bring back the likes of D Adams, Josh Jacobs, and maybe even Aaron Jones.
In the Rookie Draft, UGG was mostly absent. He did draft an outside the Top 20 WR, which might help depth in the next two years. This was already a hole for UGG, and the offseason did nothing to build any capital. Additionally, no change for the practice squad/Taxi.
However, UGG made some financial changes and zeroed out his DM – bringing his already enviable CAP to a 3rd best in DFFL!
PROGNOSIS:
While UGG was non-existent in the Rookie Draft, he has a team of talented youngsters who can truly do damage to anyone else’s squad in DFFL. As a result of getting their finances in order, the UGG franchise is very wealthy and can compete with anyone for WR, RB, and TE depth. The only place UGG has glaring needs is with future picks. Also, the Taxi Squad is diminished, which I’m sure will be filled by the end of Auction.
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The MEGA Watts (TMW)
Owner: Steven Ranes
2022 Season: 6th Place
Returning Players (A+ Contracts - *)
QB: *Deshaun Watson ($11x2, $1 ’25), *Tua Tagovailoa ($6x2)
RB (-1): *Derrick Henry ($50x2), Leonard Fournette ($22 ’23), CEH ($9x2)
WR: *Tyreek Hill ($48 ’23, $42x2), Keenan Allen ($37x3), Kenny Golladay ($3x2), Van Jefferson ($2 ’23), DeAndre Hopkins ($13x3), Deebo Samuel ($40 ’23), *Nico Collins ($6x3)
TE: *Tyler Higbee ($5x2), Donald Parham ($1x2),
K: Harrison Butker ($5 ’23)
DEF: San Fran ($1x2), BMore ($1x2)
Franchise Options
QB: Sam Darnold
RB: Mark Ingram II
WR:
TE: Mark Andrews,
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st: 0
2nd (-1): Sam LaPorta, TE (2.05, 15/TE2)
3rd (-2):
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Rachaad White ($7)
CAP (2023)
$130 ($10 DM) (+$22 / +$5 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: C+ (Previous C)
TMW completed an overhaul of his contracts in the 2023 offseason. The big highlights were bringing in Derrick the King Henry for Alvin Kamara and bringing in Tua for the busted Kyler. At every position, the Watts did what was required to fix some of the production issues they suffered from in 2022.
Watson and Tagovailoa have a ton of potential for the coming season, and I suspect by Week 4, TMW will have a QB controversy for who starts. While RB requires depth, King Henry is a great player for start and forget starting roster decisions. He awaits Fournette’s landing spot and CEH pecking order in KC. I wouldn’t hold my breath for anything good to come out of either. However, TMW should be able to pick up a couple of nice RB2 depth pieces behind Henry in the Auction.
WR depth is an issue as well. DeAndre Hopkins’ landing spot reduces his contract from a “solid” one, and creates some holes requiring fill in Auction.
Unless a trade for Travis “Elvis” Kelce, I believe Mark Andrews is the better franchise tag candidate on the Watts’ roster. Having said this, I’m not sure TMW tags anyone pending a better tag candidate is received in a trade. Auction will provide some decent TE options for a much cheaper price.
Relatedly, in the Rookie Draft, TMW selected Sam LaPorta (TE) with the Lions, who could very well be a TE1 at the start of the ’23 season! This makes tagging a TE on roster unnecessary in my opinion. The Watts did trade away a 2nd rounder and both 3rd rounders, which does little to improve future talent and depth.
Finally, TMW has the second lowest CAP in DFFL at $130. This probably makes tagging a player less likely, as TMW will need to add potentially expensive depth pieces for his roster.
PROGONOSIS:
TMW did some good things in the offseason, improving their position within their division. With some solid Auction drafting, TMW could be competitive. Obvious concerns remain with CAP, and ensuring some waiver capital in the event of in-season injury or issues with the roster.
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Dead Money Millionaire (DMM)
Owner: Lewis Edmonds
2022 Season: 11th Place
Returning Players (A+ Contracts - *)
QB (+1): Matt Ryan ($10 ’23), *Jalen Hurts ($6x3), Jacoby Brissett ($1x3), Kyler Murray ($30x3)
RB (+4): Saquon Barkley ($65 ’23, $51 ’24), Nyheim Hines ($19 ’23), Tyler Allgeier ($7x3), Eno Benjamin ($1x2), Tony Pollard ($9 ’23), Jalen Warren ($1x2)
WR (-2): Jarvis Landry ($10x2), Parris Campbell ($1 ’23), Curtis Samuel ($4 ’23), *Allen Lazard ($1x2), KJ Osborn ($1x3), Russell Gage ($1 ’23)
TE: *Mike Gesicki ($11x2), Jonnu Smith($4 ’23)
K: Matt Prater ($3 ’23)
DEF: Cleveland ($2 ’23)
Franchise Options
QB:
RB:
WR:
TE:
K (-1):
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st (-2): Devon Achane, RB (1.09, 22/RB7) **TRADED to JWW**
2nd (-2):
3rd (+1): 0 Josh Downs, WR (3.01, 23/WR9)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
George Pickins ($7)
Jelani Woods ($6)
Hassan Haskins ($6)
CAP (2023)
$197 ($15 DM) (-$116 / +$12 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: C+ (Previous A)
The only team other than RAF to make the most offseason moves and come up worse off than before is DMM.
Bottom line up front, acquiring expensive players who may not be playing for part or all of the upcoming season, dumping Rookie picks like hot rocks, and reducing Auction capital hurt DMM prior to Auction.
Let’s dive in…
DMM entered the offseason with a whopping $300+ in CAP. He then traded for Kyler Murray, who is broken and costing an exhausting $30bones over the next 3 years! We all see Arizona as a mostly broken team, looking to mend itself from the Front Office to the Waterboy. While DMM retains a solid contract for Jalen Hurts – his starting QB, of course – Murray does little to provide any workable depth in the short-term.
At RB, DMM certainly upped the ante bringing in Barkley. While expensive, Barkley has Top 5 potential in what will be a really good Giants offense. Unfortunately, the other RB depth pieces brought in are not looking great. Potentially Tyler Allgeier backs up Robinson in a way that makes him fantasy starting possible, but I’m not holding my breath. The Falcons offense will probably be pretty predictable after Week 3, and I’m guessing Robinson will be the RB producing.
At WR, DMM departed with Justin Palmer! Palmer has every potential to be the WR we all think he can be. Sure he has a ton of competition, but the contract itself is cheap and long-term with a lot of upside on a juggernaut passing offense. He did rid himself of Deandre Hopkins, who is in a contract quandary in Arizona. However, this is not a good or bad thing until we know where he ends up.
In the Rookie Draft, DMM traded away all of his picks. Well, okay, he picked a Top 30 Rook in Josh Downs (homer move, RAF approved). However, DMM traded away his one 1st Rounder – Achane. This was preceded by both 2nds being traded away by the Millionaires. I find this baffling, but I’m sure a strategy exists where Yours Truly is not privy.
Finally, DMM’s CAP declined by over $100 (million), while DM increased by $12. Given the likely depth requirements at every position minus TE, DMM will have to find some bargains to fill the roster.
PROGNOSIS:
Honestly, DMM did himself no favors in offseason! Of course, anything could happen and it’s very possible DMM finds what he needs in Auction at bargain prices to be competitive in the division. However, when CAP, Taxi / Rookie strength, and contract health are all depleted, it becomes difficult to find the silver lining. I believe DMM, like RAF, have much work (and prayer) to prevent a 2023 showing at the end of the Consolation Bracket in 2023.
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