Dy'Nasty Fan'Tasy (DNF)
Owner: Kirk Gagnon
2022 Season: 2nd Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract; Changes in Italics)
QB: *Trevor Lawrence ($8x3), Marcus Mariota ($1x2)
RB (-1): *Miles Sanders ($13x2), Jonathon Taylor ($9 '23), *Dameon Pierce ($7x3), *Cam Akers ($10 '23, $1 '24), *Brian Robinson ($5x3)
WR (-2): *Drake London ($9x3), Justin Jefferson ($10 '23), Kyle Phillips ($1x2), Denzel Mims ($1x2)
TE: *TJ Hockenson ($13x3), Irv Smith, Jr. ($6x2), Foster Moreau ($1 '23)
K: *Tyler Bass ($1x2), Jason Myers ($1x2)
DEF: Tennessee ($1 '23), New Orleans ($1 '23)
Franchise Options
QB (-1):
RB:
WR:
TE:
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st (+2): Quentin Johnson, WR (1.04, 8/WR3), Jonathon Mingo, WR (1.12, 13/WR5)
2nd(+ 2): Chase Brown, RB (2.06, 33/RB10), Tyjae Spears, RB (2.11, 17/RB5)
3rd (-1);
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Christian Watson ($8)
Malik Willis ($7)
Chris Evans ($6)
CAP (2023)
$276 ($2 DM) (+$63/0 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: A+ (Previous A)
DNF went into the Rookie Draft with 1x late round 3rd, but little need to improve. However, far be it from owner Kirk to refuse some trades that would provide him some stock in the rookie draft.
DNF traded away two expensive, aging players for some draft capital and an improved CAP.
While losing the contracts, particularly the Christian Kirk contract did his grade no favors (reduction by 1/3), the overall effect was positive in a big WAY!
In the DFFL 2023 Rookie Draft, DNF selected a Top 10 rookie in Quentin Johnson! He then bolstered his positional depth with Mingo (WR) and two RBs who will compete for future starting positions for Cincinnati and Tennessee.
Furthermore, the trades DNF executed brought in an enviable +$63 in CAP space, while improving dead money to 0.
PROGNOSIS:
DNF is one of the toughest teams to beat in DFFL. This is nothing new. However, the new DNF team could prove more resilient than previous squads as the team is pretty young. With no glaring positional holes or issues, DNF still found a way to tweak the team in a positive direction.
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Knockin’onEvansDoor (KED)
Owner: Chad Lewber
2022 Season: 5th Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract)
QB: Lamar Jackson ($35 ’23), Matthew Stafford ($11x2)
RB: *Kenneth Walker III ($8x3)
WR (+1): Diontae Johnson ($20x2), Chris Godwin ($9 ’23), D.J. Chark ($9 ’23), Isaiah McKenzie ($5 ’23), Nelson Agholor ($8 ’23), *Rondale Moore ($7 ’23, $8 ’24, $9 ’25), Amari Rodgers ($6x2)
TE (+1): George Kittle ($36 ’23), Hayden Hurst ($4 ’23)
K:
DEF: Los Angeles Chargers ($3 ’23), Tampa Bay ($2x2)
Franchise Options
QB:
RB: Isaiah Pacheco
WR: Juju Smith-Schuster
TE:
K: Younghoe Koo
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st (+1): Anthony Richardson, QB (1.10, 3/QB1)
2nd:
3rd: Puka Nacua, WR (3.09, 60/WR22)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
**Zilch**
CAP (2023)
$201 ($13 DM) (+ $35/-$3 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: C+ (Previous D)
KED had one of the bigger make-overs of any team in the DFFL this offseason.
Shedding away monster short term contracts for Chubb and Barkley, who did little to help KED’s playoff hopes, KED was able to put some money back into his coffers and get some draft capital to help build the aging franchise. Unfortunately, KED did nothing in the Rookie Draft to begin building some RB depth, which he sorely needs after dumping two running juggernauts.
KED added depth at receiver with Hayden Hurst, TE, Carolina, and brought in one of DNF’s albatross contracts, Diontae “can’t score TDs” Johnson in recent trades. Honestly, the only positive on Johnson is as a depth piece – I could not add any additional grade positives for this move.
In the DFFL Rook Draft, KED improved immensely! One of the First Round winners (the other being DNF), he selected Anthony Richardson – Swiss Army future fantasy producer and Top 10 Rookie per PFF. With his only other pick in the draft, KED stole Puka Nacua, WR with the Rams, from the clutches of RAF. If Puka remains healthy, he has all the hallmarks of a Amon-Ra-like receiver on a very, very needy team.
The KED franchise improved its CAP and DM situation by over $30. This will be needed to help build some depth at RB and WR in the upcoming Auction. I suspect KED will fill his practice squad with some gomers who can come to his aid in the event he suffers from a positional crisis – as what occurred with his QBs in 2022.
Decision on Pacheco is a probable Franchise tag. While KC is a tough place for fantasy players not named Mahomes or Kelce, the Auction is going to be scorched earth for spending on what’s left of the RB1s. I’m not sure teams like KED are competitive in these bidding wars, so Pacheco is a safe bet.
PROGNOSIS:
KED is way better shape than where he was at the end of the ’22 season! While more work remains in building RB and WR depth, KED truly stacked his QB position. If DMM doesn’t come calling in the next few months, providing everything from players to picks for Richardson, it will mean his pride has got the better of him. KED has much work to do, and it appears he will start the season in the basement of MALT Division. However, KED can now claim underdog status, and proudly display the “Comeback Kid” banner with a solid showing in Auction. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toe It Up (TIU)
Owner: Bart D’Angelo Senior
2022 Season: 7th Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract)
QB: Josh Allen ($55 ’23)
RB: Rashad Penny ($21 ’23), Devin Singletary ($30 ’23), *Zack Moss ($1x3), Michael Carter ($8x2)
WR: D. J. Moore ($36 ’23), Stefon Diggs ($25 ’23), Robert Woods ($17 ’23), Tee Higgins ($7 ’23), *Sammy Watkins ($5x3), *Kadarius Toney ($8x2), *Gabriel Davis ($5x2)
TE: Dawson Knox ($1 ’23)
K:
DEF: *Buffalo ($1x3)
Franchise Options
QB: Geno Smith
RB: Jamaal Williams, Raheem Mostert
WR: Tyler Boyd
TE (-1):
K: Nick Folk
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft
1st: Dalton Kincaid, TE (1.08, 10/TE1)
2nd (+1): Jayden Reed, WR (2.08, 14/WR6)
3rd (+1): Justin Shorter, WR (3.06, 56/WR25), Jake Moody, K (3.12, yeah/yeah)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
Tylan Wallace ($5)
Dyami Brown ($5)
Alec Pierce ($7)
Khalil Shakir ($6)
CAP (2023)
$174 ($6 DM) (-$14/0 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: B- (Previous C+)
Honestly, the big offseason move for TIU was the trade of KC TE Travis Kelce. While Kelce required a tag to play for TIU in 2023, he was the better of the franchise options, IMO.
TIU did pick up a one-year Stefon Diggs contract. Diggs will be asking for a re-sign, which I’m not sure TIU gives him. He’s aging, getting a bit feisty on the sidelines, and might not be worth the expense. He is however great for TIU for the 2023 as the WR1 for a great offense.
TIU’s Taxi Squad remains a big mystery, with several players not necessarily jumping off the sheet for ’23 fantasy production. Perhaps Alec Pierce is the only player best postured for a super-sophomore surge in targets. I just dunno.
TIU actually reduced CAP space from pre-rookie draft, which was already not great. Given the likelihood of a multi-year expensive Josh Allen contract, the CAP gets tenuous when pondering a franchise tag of the remaining gomers on roster. My best guess is Jamaal Williams gets a tag from TIU, but this could be a waste of money depending on how the Saints use Kamara (if Kamara doesn’t serve some suspension time). The best bet is simply to refrain from tagging in 2023, and hope CAB, DNF, PTS, and others salvo each other on Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones, and Davante Adams. Toe can then sneak in and compete for some of the little known goobs, like Williams and Perine.
The Rookie Draft helped TIU at WR, but did nothing for the RB position. I’m not sure who’s following the Cook Crisis in Minnesota, but it looks almost a sure bet Dalvin will be behind Tua in Miami. This leaves Mostert where he typically is this time of year, a question mark. PROGNOSIS:
TIU improved ever so slightly with a Top 10 draft pick, adding a WR1 and building in his WR depth. However, CAP did not improve for what should be a tough slog in the Auction, and RB depth remains a concern. The TE spot did take a yuuuge dive with the loss of juggernaut, Kelce. But honestly, Travis Kelce is probably not going to recreate the production in 23, just sayin.
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CeeDee’s Nutz (NUT)
Owner: Cody Lutke
2022 Season: 8th Place
Returning Players ( * Solid Contract)
QB (-1): Justin Herbert ($7 '23), *Mac Jones ($7x3)
RB (-4): Elijah Mitchell ($21 ’23), Najee Harris ($9 ’23), *Travis Etienne ($8x3)
WR: *Mecole Hardman ($9x3), Chase Claypool ($7 ’23), Donovan People-Jones ($5, ’23), Courtland Sutton ($28x3), CeeDee Lamb ($8 ’23), Jakobi Meyers ($11 ’23)
TE: Darren Waller ($19 ’23), *Cole Kmet ($14x3)
K:
DEF: *Indianapolis ($1x3)
Franchise Options
QB:
RB (+2): Dalvin Cook, Josh Jacobs
WR:
TE: (+1) Travis Kelce
K:
DEF:
2023 Rookie Draft Capital
1st (+1): Bijan Robinson, RB (1.01, 1/RB1), Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR (1.03, 3/WR1), Jordan Addison, WR (1.05, 4/WR2),
2nd (+2): 0 Zach Charbonnet, RB (2.03, 6/RB3), Michael Mayer, TE (2.12, 16/TE3)
3rd: Tank Bigsby, RB (3.02, 19/RB6)
Practice Squad (Taxi)
CAP (2023)
$197 ($27 DM) (+$3 / +27 DM)
OVERALL GRADE: A (Previous B+)
The team making the most moves in the offseason is 2022 8th place NUT. Owner, Cody, hasn’t let a few deployments get in the way of building his franchise.
**UPDATE (2)**
NUT added a 3rd Franchise option with Josh Jacobs from UGG on 11 June. 22 Transactions!!
Decisions for tag are Dalvin Cook, Josh Jacobs, and Travis Kelce. I can't make heads or tails other than NUT plans some future trades in the future.
NUT utilized all the levers of fantasy football to maximize future potential for the franchise – adding 3 additional draft picks, to include a total of 3 firsts!
Disappointingly, NUT traded away a ton of talented players and solid contracts. Breece Hall, Chubb, and Khalil Herbert are postured to some great things for their respective teams in ’23. Additionally, Tua was sent packing to TMW, reducing the talent in NUT’s backup QB room. By all accounts, Tua is healthy and ready to make Miami and all Miami’s receivers great again. The positive move in all these trades was NUT’s acquisition of Cowboys WR1, CeeDee Lamb.
NUT’s depth remains solid, and though his CAP improved by negligible numbers, he doesn’t need to accomplish much in auction to be very competitive in MALT Division. The primary reason for this is NUT’s draft picks.
In the DFFL Rookie Draft, NUT claimed 4 TOP 10 Rookie players – all of which should be making their mark in fantasy production early and often. Additionally, NUT pulled in talent at all relevant fantasy positions, except QB.
PROGNOSIS:
NUT was already on the way to a great ’23 season, but through a host of offseason moves truly improved potential for many of years to come. As I write this, NUT continues to churn on more possible decisions. My only advice would be to take an operational pause before the Auction. The strategy of building a talented, cheap, winning team for at least 4 years appears to be working. I would be cautious as to not move beyond diminishing returns.
**As of 11 June, NUT did not take my OpPause advice. We'll see what comes next with NUT.
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