WatchBlog here. It is a new CFFFL season, and the only change in the players this year is at the top. A new Commish has been anointed, and the previous leader has been run out of town. (By run out of town, of course, WatchBlog means allowed to stay in the league and just enjoy himself rather than endure the hassle of keeping this sinking ship afloat...) The new Commish added a new venue for the Draft along with food, games, and spectators. Quite the show. Hopefully some substance lies beneath. WatchBlog will be here to cut through the glitz and glamor and get to what really matters. Speaking of what really matters, the 2015 CFFFL Draft is in the books. The highly anticipated WatchBlog grades are finally here. DISCLAIMER: WatchBlog grades are totally based on each pick in relation to where that player was picked on average across fantasy football land. These grades are not accurate predictors of who will make the playoffs (see last season results for proof), only who got the best value for each of their picks. Let's get to it.
7. Amy’s Team – C
After last year’s draft, which this CFFFL team’s owner had to miss due to illness, Amy “I love kickers!” Cook and her creatively named team, Amy’s Team, were hoping her presence in the draft room would help improve their chances of cracking the playoff ceiling. After a nice pickup of WR Dez Bryant in the first round, things were looking up. However, more rounds would come, with far less favorable results. 3 rounds into the 2015 CFFFL draft, and this team had only added a declining QB, and a KICKER to their roster but still no RB. Not exactly a recipe for success. Perhaps another draft day illness would have been a better strategy.
8. Josh’s Juggernauts – C
2014 was the first year for Josh’s Juggernauts to play in the CFFFL, and for ½ of the season, it appeared this new team was playoff bound. However, a second half plummet of epic proportions meant no playoffs, and a return to the drawing board for Josh “Tony Romo doesn’t need a running game to be good, right?” Cook entering into the 2015 CFFFL season. The shell-shocked Juggernauts played it close to the vest in the new draft, and had a relatively safe draft, only selecting players in their predicted slots. Other than drafting a bad TE about 3 rounds too early, the team made no risky or exciting moves, but after last year’s roller coaster ride, perhaps that is just what the Juggernauts were looking for.
9. The Battle Ostriches – D+
Conversely, there was no lack of risky or exciting drafting for the Battle Ostriches and Matt “Wait, you mean you can’t start 3 QBs?” Johnson. An unfortunate Detroit Lions bias was again at work, as Johnson reached massively to draft QB Matt Stafford to complement his 1st round WR, Calvin Johnson. His reaching for QBs didn’t end there, as he did it again in round 7, when he picked up perennial disappointment, QB Andy Dalton. And just to top his draft off, he picked up yet another shaky QB in Colin Kapernick in the 11th. Despite risky and head scratching draft strategies, the Ostriches are coming off a 2014 playoff appearance, so maybe they know something the rest of us don’t.
10. Max 20 Characters – D+
The reigning CFFFL champs came into the 2015 season with nothing to prove. After their owner had to be talked out of retirement after a single season in the league, Max 20 Characters perhaps did not have their heart in the 2015 CFFFL draft. This appeared evident as 5 of their first 8 draft picks were all an average of 3 rounds early for those players. John “DeMarco Murray plays for WHO now?” Cook, despite the reaches on paper, did end up with the best WR in the draft, and possibly one of the best RBs. Already working the free agent market, the Characters are perhaps showing they won’t surrender their crown without a fight. Unfortunately this poor draft will make this a harder fight for them to win.
11. Norman's Nifty Team – D
Coming off an appearance in the 2014 CFFFL championship game, Norman’s Nifty Team was flying high coming into the 2015 draft. Looking to build on the success of the prior year, this Nifty Team started strong with QB Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, the drafting strategy took a decidedly downward slide from there, beginning with the homer pick of TE Jason Witten in round 2, who wasn’t averaging selection prior to the 5th round. Add to that another homer pick of K Dan Bailey in ROUND 4, and even worse, ZERO WRs were selected prior to round 11. To make Norman “Let’s hope Dan Bailey can play slot receiver this year” feel even worse, he actually drafted a D/ST and a backup D/ST before selecting his first WR. A return to the CFFFL finals for this team will require this team to answer some serious questions. And no, Dan Bailey is not the answer to any of them.
12. Gary's Team – F
Ok, WatchBlog has to give Gary’s Team an F because some of the huge reaches they took on draft day. But WatchBlog has to acknowledge his first 2 picks of WR Odell Beckham Jr. and RB Jamaal Charles could be the best 1-2 combo picks of the draft. Perhaps this realization immediately went to their head, as round 3 almost single handedly assured them a failing grade when they picked WR Cole Beasley in the 3rd round, when he went UNDRAFTED in most all other FFB leagues. His second choice at WR was another Dallas Cowboy, Terrance Williams, who was, on average, drafted 5 rounds later than Gary “I have Odell Beckham, who really cares who my 2nd WR is?” St. John drafted him. Oddly enough, Gary’s Team may be really good, but when grading solely on the frequency of overreaching for draft picks, it wasn’t even close.
WatchBlog will get to the top 6 drafters soon. WatchBlog out.
