I struggled to figure out how to best write up this article. I found myself stumped. What kind of article would be best? The last thing I wanted was to turn into is Steven A. Smith yelling so loudly and randomly that no one understands a word that comes out of my mouth.
So instead, I sought the influence of a few of my friends to help me out. Let's start with sage advice from Marv Levy.
Thanks Marv! I'm here. Step one completed. What's next? Talk to McDermott? Great idea. I have a suspicion I already know what he'll suggest. If you read the last article, you'll also know that he wants us to create more competition. So I thought, let's rank teams 1 through 12 again so everyone knows where they stand. How 'bout it coach?
But we already did that. And I don't want to change the rankings just yet. The three teams at the top have barely had a chance to inflate their egos.
Hey Freud, don't interrupt, it's not your turn. Plus, no one knows what that means. Maybe you should have a chat with Steven A. I think you two would get along swimmingly.
Back to football. So no power rankings. At least not for a while. Vince Lombardi, you're the greatest NFL coach of all time (and no, I have no apologies to give to Belichick for that assertion. Marv, I'm sorry, he just edged you out.) Do you have anything advice to offer?
Now we're talking. And yet, I can't help but acknowledge what I'm sure you're all thinking. "But coach, isn't that All or Nothing thinking? You know, the type of cognitive distortion that would have Albert Ellis rolling in his grave if he heard?"
Albert, I don't have time to lie on your couch, but do you have something quick to offer?
Uh... Thanks Dr. Albert. I don't get it. Get out of my head. You weren't invited in there. I wanted your input on the article. Not my life.
Interrupting again Freud? Did you have any luck helping Steven A? Can we get back to football? Actually, there might be something to this Sigmond. I could compare this draft with the last draft, but those seasons are over and we already have those results. That didn't help much.
Lombardi, you had the best advice and we're sticking with it, no matter what these psychiatrists say. Winners and Losers it is! Let’s find out who won the offseason, eh Rex?!
Winners:
Puro Macho- This starting lineup is deadly right now. The health of A.J. Green and James Conner are two of the biggest question marks as the season kicks off, but if they are healthy and stay healthy, the starting lineup can be set and left alone. I don't see a weakness in the entire starting group. I really like all of the guys. I like the bench upside too, but that comes with some risk. There are an awful lot of rookies to rely. I'm not sure how they will fare with this shortened offseason. Still, really solid roster.
Flint Tropics - As a whole, I'm mostly a fan of this roster. McCaffrey could have been the first pick and will probably win you some games all on his own. Brees is a solid fantasy bet every year. Your WR group is not flashy but should be uber productive. With Diggs out of the picture, Adam Theilen should eat targets. He'll be facing top corners week in and week out, but he's going to be force-fed enough to leave me unconcerned. Tyler Boyd does not get enough love in my opinion. He was productive last year without Green. With Green, he may be even more productive as coverage will roll away from him. I don't love youe TE groups. I'm not as high on Engram as many, but that's just me. I think Olsen will be much more productive in real life than in fantasy. I'd rather have Dissley. I'm also not very high on Fournette early in the year and we'll have to see if he can carve out a role. I don't see it early, but maybe as the year goes on.
The Walking Dez - I really like your running backs and wide receivers. You might have the best mix of high upside and high floor players across the league at those positions. I think TE is you're weakest position and am not as high on Fant as others. I need to see more from him before I like him as TE1 because plenty of tight ends over the years have oozed potential. I'm talking to you Eric Ebron, OJ Howard, and Hunter Henry. I'm not sure how much to trust the Broncos offense overall and most of that is because of Drew Lock. We'll see. Carson Wentz is a bit of a gamble. I don't know what he's going to give us this year. His health scares me. A lot. I'm also not sure who he's going to throw to outside Ertz. I like Jalen Reagor, but he's hurt. Jackson? An injury decimated Jeffrey? He has played at a MVP level before though and if he can get back there, it won't matter. He has upside. I like the roster.
Rafi Bomb - Here's another top draft in my mind. Really, really solid starting lineup across the board. No complaints with any of these players. I'd be happy with all of them. The season will hinge on production from Cam Newton. He's a huge question mark. He also has high upside in a creative NE offense, but reports out of Boston were not exactly glowing for any of the QB's. He looked like a shell of himself the last time he played. Hopefully he's healthy. The bench looks thin to me. Might be your undoing. Starting group though is dangerous.
TomBradyForever - Dude... you're right in the mix again this year. I think you're light at RB, but that's it. I'm not sure we'll ever see Arizona David Johnson again, but Houston is going to try. You're WR group is sick. I think your top 4 have a solid floor and high upside. Your other two have high upside potential and a scary floor. That doesn't bother me at all on the bench. Love the approach. You're clearly set at QB. If Antonio Gibson breaks out in Washington, and he may, I might just tab you as the favorite.
Snickle Frits - This team is is GREAT shape to begin the season. I love your running back group. you might have too many, but your top 2 are going to be ultra productive and both Gordon and Swift have a chance to be extremely productive as well. Your WR group is a little light, but you may be okay. ODB has a chance for a major bounce back year and is one of the only WR's that could be in the conversation for WR 1 overall at the end of the year if the Browns and Mayfield get it together. I think Allen will try to feed Diggs the ball and may have a few breakout games. Solid WR3. Deebo Samuel should be really good as well. I'm not a fan of Curtis Samuel and Mims, but Mims was probably your keeper pick so I get it. Waller should be really good, but you'll need to find a guy behind him. Great roster.
Kelly Tough - I'll try to make this one short. I'm not a huge fan of my QB's but I'm hoping Ryan or Big Ben will have a throwback season to some of their more productive years. I think they both have a chance. Besides that I love my WR's and honestly think I have 4 number one fantasy guys. Not WR1 overall but guys I'd be comfortable in the WR one position week in and week out. Sutton in particular doesn't get enough love outside of Denver. He has top 10 overall potential. If only he can get solid QB play. Hurst should surprise people. If not, I'm in trouble there unless Herndon can make good on the flashes he showed 2 years ago. I'm not counting on it. Kamara is primed for a bounce back season, if healthy. If not, at least I have Murray who was extremely productive in his absence last year. Zack Moss is the RB in Buffalo I want. I love Motor Singletary, but Moss will eat TD carries and may take over as lead back by the middle of the year.
Atwater - I'm sneaking this one in as the last winner, but it was close. Jacobs should be really good again. Woods is solid, but is allergic to the end zone. If he scores a few more times this year I'd feel much better. I'm low on DJ Moore, even though he's a Maryland guy, because of the QB situation there. We'll have to see what Bridgwater can do with him. Cooks will be productive as always. Watson may not have anyone else to throw to when Fuller gets hurt again. I've been fading all offseason on Aaron Jones. I could be wrong, but I think his TD's will decline significantly this year. He'll still be good, but I think Dillon will vulture touchdowns. Hokenson has a real chance. I'm meh on everyone else this season.
Losers:
Over the Taysom Hill - I like a few aspects of this team, but not sold. I'm hoping for Rodgers to have a productive year, but wouldn't bet a lot of money on it. CEH will likely be scary good this year in KC. Kittle is really solid and will be the primary target in SF. I don't trust Tyrod Taylor and am down quite a bit this year on Keenan Allen. The other receivers all have capped potential and their floors are a little to low for my liking. Boston Scott has a chance to break out so I like that roll of the dice. I'm meh on most of the other running backs outside of Montgomery and CEH.
BYU is poo poo - This team has some ground to make up. Chubb was a reach in my mind when there were7 or 8 other guys I would have rather had over him. He was great last year and may be this year again. We'll see. I'm not a fan of any of the other running backs. Hunter Henry has been waiting for a fantasy breakout season for 10 years it seems. I don't see it with Tyrod. Receiver is a little light for my taste. If Larry Fitzgerald can inspire confidence and raise the level of play for everyone on this roster, I'd feel better. I'm nervous for another bottom of the barrel season here.
Hopefully Not Third Worst - Might just be in the running for third worst by my estimation. Henry was another reach where I would have much rather had guys that were taken after him. AJ Brown should be a stud again. I'm not sure what we're going to get from TY Hilton. His best asset doesn't go well with Rivers. Higbee was another reach in my opinion. I might like Goedert better. I really like the potential for Jalen Reagor, once he his healthy. I think Dissly could really surprise. Mattison will need Cook to go down to be a viable play, though that's Cook's history. The rest of the roster is meh. It' s not a horrible roster, but will need a lot to go right for it to be a really good roster.
Washington Foreskins - I went back and forth on this one. Part of me likes the potential of the group. Wilson is the best actual QB in the league. There I said it. Fight me. Seattle just doesn't use him that way. They have a tendency to run, run, and let Wilson bail them out. And he does. I love Saquon. Cooper is a guy that I avoided this year because he has some weeks where he blows up and a few that he can't score more than 7 points. That's tough to count on week over week. If he can be more consistent, he's great. Edelman and Newton are a bad combo to me, but it may work better than I expect. I like Marvin Jones. Kelce is a no brainer. I think Bell with the Jets is a dumpster fire. I want nothing to do with it. Preston Williams will get targets, but I don't see much upside. Perriman has potential if Darnold takes a step forward. Chase Edmonds and Duke Johnson are handcuffs if something happens to the starters and with Drake and David Johnson, that's a real possibility.
And there we have it. If you don't like your analysis, remember:
