WatchBlog here. Again, WatchBlog is not saying these are the worst teams, just that these managers got the worst value overall when picking players as compared to when their players got drafted on average. That doesn't mean these 6 bottom teams can't do well. Well, a couple of you probably can't do well, but I digress... Let's get to it.
7. Quail Hunters - C+
After 2 consecutive CFFFL Championship titles, the Quail Hunters knew they would have a target on their backs, and would have to be on their game to contend for the 3-peat. They would also have to actually draft their own team after the Commish took a hardline approach to absentee drafting. Amanda "So, this is a draft, huh?" Cook came prepared to show her titles weren't all bought and paid for solely with the drafting blood, sweat, and tears of her Dad. Taking the best QB in the league wasn't a bad way to start. Add a solid RB in Matt Forte, a solid WR duo of Roddy White and Marques Colston, and the Hunters seemed to be fairing pretty well. The 5th round was not as strong, as TE Kyle Rudolph was taken a couple of rounds earlier than necessary, but didn't hurt the Hunters as much as it could as they were able to still pick up at decent RB in the 7th. A much better draft than this grade would suggest, but lack of depth at the most important positions could mean a de-throning is on the horizon.
8. Dreaming Chickens - C+
The Dreaming Chickens did not do as well as expected in value-drafting players. Cindy "I don't care about value picks, just give me healthy ones" Cook has been a top level manager since the league's inception. But an early pick of Drew Brees (as compared to most leagues) which was then followed up by the real reach of RB David Wilson in the 2nd round was the start of a Chickens' trend of picking 6 out of 8 players earlier than other leagues. Now, perhaps Cook had more insight than earlier drafters on the Wilson pick because of a recent injury to another Giants RB, making Wilson a more valuable asset. Problem is, it was still just David Wilson. At least 4 or 5 higher caliber RBs were still on the board when that pick was made. That being said, Cook still has a strong team, and will likely contend again for a playoff run. David Wilson won't be the reason why.
9. The Benders - C
After a year off to focus on not getting the West Nile Virus again, Matt "I still love the Lions, but I'd rather win this year" Johnson has returned to the CFFFL after just missing the playoffs in 2011. With the number 1 pick overall, his prospects of improving from a 7th place finish 2 years ago looked good. The safe and universally approved #1 pick of Adrian Peterson was a good start, and his 2nd pick of WR Larry Fitzgerald was solid as well. The pick of TE Jason Witten, however was questionable given that the aging tight end wasn't being picked in most leagues for 2 more rounds, and #1 TE Jimmy Graham was still available. But given the undeniable Cowboy homerism nearby in the draft room, the 3rd round pick was probably Johnson's last opportunity to snag Witten. Overall, The Benders did a nice job of picking up quality players at each position with the exception of a number 2 running back. Most puzzling was the drafting of 2 backup QBs, but 0 backup RBs. If Johnson's WRs perform well, then maybe that decision won't come back and bite him.
10. MotherBoy - C
The Commish was looking to redeem himself after a horrible 2012 campaign that saw his team collapse down the stretch and miss the playoffs, just 1 year after being in the CFFFL title game. With the third overall pick, he was a assured a stud RB, which his team MotherBoy got with the selection of Doug Martin. After 3 rounds, Gary "If you don't have an RB next to your name, just don't call me until the 7th Round" Cook had 2 potential stud RBs and a stud WR. However, the draft didn't end there. The next 4 picks were all reaches of varying degrees, with the biggest reach coming in round 7 with the pick of WR Chris Givens. As much as MotherBoy focused on RBs this draft (total of 5) the pick that will determine their fate will be QB Colin Kaepernick. If this QB continues to grow, and can score both running and passing TDs without injury, MotherBoy can erase the horror of 2012 with a deep 2013 playoff run.
11. Cow Pokes - F
The Cow Pokes had rebounded from a last place finish in 2011, to make the playoffs in 2012. For 2013, it appeared that Norman "if drafting Cowboys is wrong, I don't wanna be right" Cook had figured out how to temper his love for all things Cowboys, and just draft the best players. And the first 2 rounds echoed that sentiment as the Pokes picked up 2 stud RBs, and neither were Cowboys. But then the 3rd round happened, and DeMarco Murray was still available. Even though he still had no QBs or WRs, it was simply too much for Cook to resist. Murray was drafted way before he should have been, and 5 of his next 6 picks would also come earlier than necessary for those players, including a backup TE in the 5th round that sent everyone in the draft room searching for whether or not the player actually existed. It could have been worse, as Cook apparently forgot to draft Tony Romo with his #1 pick overall, and thus got the QB for the much closer to market price of a 7th round pick. The bad news for the Pokes is that their team is not good. The good news, however, is that Cook will have replaced half the team by week 5, and if they make the playoffs again this year, it will be because of shrewd post draft moves. WatchBlog won't bet against it.
12. tmititw - F
The most interesting team in the world certainly had the most interesting draft of the day. Gary "I don't always draft QBs before I should, but when I do, I draft RGIII" St John was anxious to make an impression on the league he was joining for the first time. Mission accomplished. He had a plan, and seemed to follow it. Problem was, for this grading scale, the plan didn't involve drafting players in rounds where they deserved to go. Again, nothing wrong with many of the players St John drafted, but because many were significant reaches, there was really no choice but to deliver a failing grade. Is it possible this team is actually filled with sleeper picks that everyone else just underestimated? Yes. Should tmititw started pouring over free agent lists just in case? Also, yes.
Well, that's how WatchBlog sees it. As always, nothing will be settled here, so don't sweat your bad grades. Go out and prove me wrong. WatchBlog out.
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