RudeAwful Fitz (RAF)
Owner: Rudolf "Mike" Haden
2022 Season: 4th Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract, Changes in italics)
QB (-1):
RB: Alvin Kamara ($57x3), Ezekiel Elliott ($69 '23)
WR: Mike Williams ($31 '23), Mike Evans ($32x2), Odell Beckham, Jr. ($12 '23), Marquez Valdez-Scantling ($12 '23), Amari Cooper ($41 ’23, $26x2), Jalen Tolbert ($7x3), Corey Davis ($24 '23), *Romeo Doubs ($6x3), KJ Hamler ($5 '23, $1 '24).
TE:
K: Evan McPhearson ($7x2)
DEF:
Franchise Options
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RB (-2):
WR:
TE:
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st (+1): Marvin Mims, WR (1.11 - 21/WR8)
2nd (-1):
3rd: Michael Wilson, WR (3.10 - 31/WR13)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Trey McBride, TE ($7)
Jameson Williams, WR ($8)
Desmond Ritter, QB ($6)
Kyle Trask, QB ($6)
CAP (2023)
$51 ($56 DM) (-$95 / -$24DM)
OVERALL GRADE: D (Previous B-)
The offseason has not been kind to RAF.
**UPDATE**
Recent trades saw RAF acquire 4x decent veteran WRs in Evans, Williams, OBJ, and MVS. This really helped with depth at this critical position. However, questions remain regarding production capacity of these additions. Are they producers with all the younger talent competing for targets in their offenses?
Also, CAP is so low after the trades that RAF will be faced with absolutely no bidding power in the upcoming Auction. Depth will need to come from long-shot, miracle players in the post Taxi snake draft. RAF will be faced with dire straits if and when a player is hurt; particularly at RB.
The breaking news is that RAF will NOT be franchising a player in 2023. This means Aaron Rodgers goes to auction, where his price will be too far away for RAF to buy.
As a result of previous assessed changes and the new changes, RAF's grade further depletes to D. This franchise is in trouble and will require some future deal-making to get on track.
In the DFFL 2023 Rookie Draft, RAF gained a first and lost a second round pick. Both of RAF’s picks (Marvin Mims, WR; Michael Wilson, WR) are not considered Top 10 in PFF rookie standings, thus does not change grading from pre-Rookie draft.
RAF’s Taxi Squad improved significantly, adding two QBs. The first, a starting QB, and likely 3yr cheap contract, Desmond Ritter will lead the Falcons and could be a candidate for RAF’s starting lineup. The jury is still out on Kyle Trask (QB) prospects for starting in 2023, but 1 out of 2 aint bad. These moves improved RAF’s grade.
PROGNOSIS:
Big Trouble in RAFdom!! Believe it or not, RAF’s situation has become even more dire in the offseason. Depth continues to be a concern. CAP and players who will be suspended or may be suspended exacerbates an already difficult future season. Based on pre-auction status, RAF is no longer competitive in HOPs Division, and will need a few miracles and future picks/ trades to get back into contention.
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More Than a Thielen (MTT)
Owner: Tim "Cheesy" Annen
2022 Season: 10th Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract)
QB: Ryan Tannehill ($13 '23)
RB: Darrell Henderson ($33x3), Antonio Gibson ($7 '23), D'Andre Swift ($7 '23)
WR: Adam Thielen ($41 '23), AJ Brown ($28 '23), Terry McLaurin ($26 '23), Darnell Mooney ($21x2), Marquez Callaway ($16x2), *Devonta Smith ($8x2), *Deven Duvernay ($6x3),
TE: Dallas Goedert ($20x2), Robert Tonyan ($1x2)
K: Greg Joseph ($1 '23), Brandon McManus ($1 '23)
DEF: Minnesota ($4 '23)
Franchise Options
QB: Derek Carr
RB: David Montgomery
WR:
TE: Noah Fant
K:
DEF: Green Bay
2023 Rookie Draft
1st: Rashee Rice, WR (1.07 - 18/WR7)
2nd (+1): Kendre Miller, RB (2.04 - 9/RB4), Will Levis, QB (2.07 - 30/QB4), Jalin Hyatt, WR (2.10 - 25/WR10)
3rd: Tank Dell, WR (3.07 - 28/WR12)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Terrace Marshall ($7)
Skyy Moore ($8)
Kenny Pickett ($7)
David Bell ($7)
Tyquan Thornton ($6)
CAP (2023)
$155 ($12 DM) (No Change)
OVERALL GRADE: B- (Previous C-)
The offseason for MTT has been very, very quiet.
MTT remains in a tough CAP situation with a number of expensive, questionable long-term contracts. But my characterization of MTT’s “rebuild mode” was taken to heart by owner, Cheesy.
However, the DFFL 2023 Rookie Draft was good to MTT. MTT brought in a whopping 5 players to the Thielin Franchise! He added a second rounder and picked a Top 10 rookie per PFF with the selection of Kendre Miller. Overall, MTT drafted 3x WR, 1x RB, and 1x QB – all of whom could be starting and bringing in good fantasy production by mid-season.
MTT no longer has a conundrum to deal with on Tannehil’s contract as he has some depth at that position – he can now leave it be, and potentially trade him away. QB Kenny Pickett should now get a multi-year, while MTT waits to see how Will Levis shakes out in Tennessee.
Henderson is a big, fat CAP problem for MTT. This contract remains a lesson to DFFL owners on what could happen when you give a player what he wants for multiple years (Henderson $33 for 3 years). Swift went from one RB committee in Detroit to another in Philadelphia, where, frankly, he ended up in a worse situation for fantasy purposes. Swift now has to compete with Penny, Gainwell, and oh…Hurts, for RB production.
Franchise tag for MTT is easier to decide after the Rookie draft. Carr is placed in free agency, and David Montgomery (Lions RB) becomes the most probable candidate for tag. However, we already are hearing of injuries plaguing the 25 yo former Bear. Allegedly, not serious, but I see a bad omen here for in-season health.
PROGNOSIS:
MTT improved his team one whole grade as a result of draft decisions and NFL offseason transactions involving his players/contracts. MTT improves above RAF to take the #3 spot in HOPS Division moving into the Free Agency Auction. My, oh my, the difference a couple months make! CAP is a limiting factor with MTT, but it’s less important overall given the makeup of his team.
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Point Six (PTS)
Owner: Mike Poleski
2022 Season: 11th Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract)
QB: *Jared Goff ($13x3), Jameis Winston ($6x2), Trey Lance ($7x2)
RB: Kareem Hunt ($20 '23), Javonte Williams ($9 '23), *J.K. Dobbins ($8x2), Kenneth Gainwell ($7 '23)
WR (-1): DK Metcalf ($29x3), *Jahon Dotson ($8x3), *Amon Ra St Brown ($7x2), Elijah Moore ($7x3),
TE: *Kyle Pitts ($8x2)
K: Daniel Carlson ($4x2), Robbie Gould ($1 '23)
DEF: LA Rams ($7 '23)
Franchise Options
QB:
RB (+1): Christian McCaffrey, James Conner
WR: Allen Robinson II, Brandin Cooks, Julio Jones
TE:
K:
DEF: Pittsburgh Steelers
2023 Rookie Draft
1st (-1): Jahmyr Gibbs, RB (1.02 - 2/RB2), Zay Flowers, WR (1.06 - 8/WR4)
2nd: Bryce Young, QB (2.01 - 11/QB2)
3rd:
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Tyrion Davis-Price ($6)
CAP (2023)
$243 ($3 DM) (+$5 / -$1 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: A (No Change)
The state of PTS Franchise is really, really great heading into Free Agency Auction!
While the grade did not change from pre-Rookie Draft, PTS did not have much room to grow for an already solid squad.
A very solid draft, continued CAP luxuries, a Top 5 RB Franchisee Candidate and improved player prognosis are the main reasons PTS is the team to beat in HOPS.
PTS traded away Herbert for risky Trey Lance. Additionally, PTS traded away a solid WR contract in Aiyuk. However, the acquisition of Jared Goff (QB Lions) and Bryce Young (QB Carolina) in the offseason/draft moves completely neutralizes any negatives with losing Justin Herbert. Therefore, offseason transactions/trading largely were a wash for PTS.
The RB position for PTS improved with the news that Javonte Williams is ahead of schedule on his injury – likely to start for Broncos in Week 1. The RB position for PTS is already one of the most lucrative, high-value back rooms in DFFL.
In the DFFL 2023 Rookie Draft, PTS improved that running back room with the selection of Top 10 Draft rookie, Jahmyr Gibbs (RB Detroit). Mike also selected a Top 10 WR in Zay Flowers. Even though Mike traded away a 1st in offseason transactions, he used his remaining 2nd round pick to nab #11 ranked Bryce Young (QB Carolina). This, my friends, is a very good draft for HOPS leading PTS.
Things actually improved for The Six’s WR position with the suspension of rookie Jameis Williams (WR Lions) for 6 games of 2023. Now, ARSB will truly lead the Lions receiver corps with no real competition. Elijah Moore moved to Cleveland where he is expected to be one of the top receiver options for Desean Watson.
PROGNOSIS:
The Rookie Draft and NFL offseason improvements for injuries truly helped PTS become one of the more exciting teams to watch through 2023 and likely for a few years to come. While CAP will take a major hit with the expected Franchising of PTS Homer, Christian McCaffrey, Mike needs very little in Free Agency Auction to improve his team. The CAP remaining is more than sufficient to participate in the auction while improving his team as necessary for any unforeseeable in-season positional issues.
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Cranberries ala Bart (CAB)
Owner: Bart D'Angelo
2022 Season: 12th Place (Offending Toilet Bowl King)
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract)
QB: *Justin Fields ($7x2), Zach Wilson ($8 '23, $6 '24),
RB (+2): Rhamondre Stevenson ($5 '23), *Breece Hall ($9x3), *Khalil Herbert ($1x2)
WR (+1) : DeVante Parker ($16 '23), *Garrett Wilson ($7 '23, $8 '24, $9 '25), *Chris Olave ($7 '23, $8 '24, $9 '25), Jaylen Waddle ($8 '23), Christian Kirk ($17x2), *Treylon Burks ($7x3)
TE: *Pat Freiermuth ($7x3)
K:
DEF:
Franchise Options
QB:
RB: James Robinson
WR: Cooper Kupp, Marvin Jones
TE:
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st (-1): 1st Added in 2024.
2nd (-2): Roschon Johnson, RB (2.09 - 24/RB8)
3rd: Israel Abanikanda, RB (3.08 - 29/RB9)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Wan'Dale Robinson ($6)
James Cook ($9)
Isiah Spiller ($8)
D'Wayne Eskridge ($7)
CAP (2023)
$284 ($17 DM) (+1 / +5 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B+ (No Change)
CAB shed more draft picks in the DFFL 2023 Rookie Draft than the Denver Broncos in the Russell Wilson trade of 2022. Obviously, CAB traded these picks for players less likely to disappoint.
CAB improved his contracts markedly, and actually improved his CAP situation heading into the Free Agency Auction. CAB improved his WR and RB corps through a slew of lucrative trades. Breece Hall (RB, Jets), Khalil Herbert (RB, Bears, Treylon Burks (WR, Titans), and Christian Kirk (WR, Jags) were 4 of the more blockbuster talents CAB acquired for his Toilet Bowl winning franchise. Talk about upward momentum!!
CAB is another of HOPS’ franchises that struck gold on cheap and talented players, and will be able to add depth as necessary during the upcoming Auction. The expected franchising of Cooper Kupp will take a nice bite out of the CAP space used in Auction and in-season waiver needs. However, few WRs exist in Auction or anywhere else with the potential to be a production juggernaut, as is the case with Kupp.
In the 2023 DFFL Rookie Draft, CAB traded away both 1sts and 2x 2nds. He came away with two RBs meant to build depth in his starting backfields (Chicago and New York). Essentially, CAB used his draft capital to improve his veteran starting lineups. I think this strategy pays off and ensures his competitiveness in the 2023 season.
PROGNOSIS:
CAB’s grade reduction from pre-Rookie draft does little to highlight the great season that is ahead for the franchise! Grade was reduced only as a result of lost Rookie Draft pick capital, which often improves both current and future worth of a team (Top 10 Rookies, etc.). The grade change is largely negligible as CAB is a vastly improved team from 2022!
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