We are *done* with "32 Teams in 32 Days." So now we have two options: sit back and relax for two months, or keep digging in. Sitting and relaxing are overrated. That leaves option B.
For starters, the first NFL teams open their camps in nine days (for rookies), and by the week after, most players should have reported. So I'm going to spend the next week talking through some players and strategies that have been on my mind the past few months. Then, as always, we'll try to make sense of the news coming out of camp--but not overreacting to things like "D.J. Moore is showing great chemistry with Baker Mayfield." Remember when Ja'Marr Chase had trouble adjusting to NFL footballs? His ADP took a hit. Turned out to be irrelevant. So let's not get caught up with trending news. Instead, let's pick out buying and selling opportunities based on how potential Week 1 lineups compare to ADPs. That's where reality and draft decisions collide.
Speaking of Baker, yes, he finally got out of Cleveland. The Panthers are still in NFL purgatory, halfway between a much-needed rebuild and a postseason push. Remember, they were 5-5 last year with a backup for a QB and without CMC for more than half the year. For all intents and purposes, they had only one trustworthy receiver. And if Carolina had stopped Washington on 4th-and-3 in the 4th quarter in Week 11, they would have had prime field position in a tie game to take a late-game lead and move to 6-5. Instead, they gave up the conversion and lost, and then never won another game.
The franchise hopes/expects Baker will be an upgrade over Sam Darnold. When healthy, he should be. But it's not as obvious to me as maybe it should be. Darnold is more mobile and looked terrific last year before CMC went down. I don't think Baker's starting job is secure. He's not signed beyond this season. As unprepared as Matt Corral might be to take over, if this isn't a playoff team, I'd be shocked if the team doesn't turns to reins over to their rookie to see what he can do. For now, I see Baker as a "solid" streamer in the Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz camp. At his best, he'll be just fine. But "at his best" remains a huge question mark.
Shifting gears, PFN's fantasy draft kit is scheduled to be released this coming week. My rankings, individual player profiles, contrarian predictions, etc. are all in there. I'll share another announcement once the product's released. I can promise you--as much as I can promise anything--that if you liked my rankings in the past, you will be blown away by this draft kit. I can't say anything more. But I'm excited about all the research and analysis that went into it.
Finally, we have 141 competitors locked into Season 4 of the Premier Fantasy Football League. As some of you know, it's a free league for serious competitors who play for pride. Best teams move up to a higher division the following season; worst performers move down. I'm trying to see if I can round out one final division. If you want to join the league, or if you have questions, please ping me.
For starters, the first NFL teams open their camps in nine days (for rookies), and by the week after, most players should have reported. So I'm going to spend the next week talking through some players and strategies that have been on my mind the past few months. Then, as always, we'll try to make sense of the news coming out of camp--but not overreacting to things like "D.J. Moore is showing great chemistry with Baker Mayfield." Remember when Ja'Marr Chase had trouble adjusting to NFL footballs? His ADP took a hit. Turned out to be irrelevant. So let's not get caught up with trending news. Instead, let's pick out buying and selling opportunities based on how potential Week 1 lineups compare to ADPs. That's where reality and draft decisions collide.
Speaking of Baker, yes, he finally got out of Cleveland. The Panthers are still in NFL purgatory, halfway between a much-needed rebuild and a postseason push. Remember, they were 5-5 last year with a backup for a QB and without CMC for more than half the year. For all intents and purposes, they had only one trustworthy receiver. And if Carolina had stopped Washington on 4th-and-3 in the 4th quarter in Week 11, they would have had prime field position in a tie game to take a late-game lead and move to 6-5. Instead, they gave up the conversion and lost, and then never won another game.
The franchise hopes/expects Baker will be an upgrade over Sam Darnold. When healthy, he should be. But it's not as obvious to me as maybe it should be. Darnold is more mobile and looked terrific last year before CMC went down. I don't think Baker's starting job is secure. He's not signed beyond this season. As unprepared as Matt Corral might be to take over, if this isn't a playoff team, I'd be shocked if the team doesn't turns to reins over to their rookie to see what he can do. For now, I see Baker as a "solid" streamer in the Ryan Tannehill and Carson Wentz camp. At his best, he'll be just fine. But "at his best" remains a huge question mark.
Shifting gears, PFN's fantasy draft kit is scheduled to be released this coming week. My rankings, individual player profiles, contrarian predictions, etc. are all in there. I'll share another announcement once the product's released. I can promise you--as much as I can promise anything--that if you liked my rankings in the past, you will be blown away by this draft kit. I can't say anything more. But I'm excited about all the research and analysis that went into it.
Finally, we have 141 competitors locked into Season 4 of the Premier Fantasy Football League. As some of you know, it's a free league for serious competitors who play for pride. Best teams move up to a higher division the following season; worst performers move down. I'm trying to see if I can round out one final division. If you want to join the league, or if you have questions, please ping me.