Today’s episode featured a Colts fan, an Eagles fan, a Broncos fan, a Steelers fan (my co-host), and yours truly (Bears fan). We discussed fantasy football, season headlines, expectations, and Week 1 matchups of the NFL season. Watch us have a blast as I’m getting ready for 4 fantasy football drafts today. Podcast info below:
I’m ranking the projected 32 starting quarterbacks entering the 2017 season. Obviously, parts of this list are debatable, but (I believe) this is the most accurate list to date.
Bottom of the Barrel
Bryce Petty
32) Bryce Petty – NY Jets
You have to start somewhere.
31) Jared Goff – LA Rams
Can’t wait to see what he’s made of.
30) Cody Kessler – Cleveland
It’s the Browns (future starting to look bright though).
29) Brian Hoyer – San Francisco
Somehow he finds his way on the field.
28) Tom Savage – Houston
We’ll see. He has a lot of weapons around him though.
27) Trevor Siemian – Denver
Not sure how long this will last, but he had some good moments last season.
26) Mike Glennon – Chicago
Hopefully, he’s mentally tough. He’s in a lose-lose situation.
Hot Seat
Blake Bortles
25) Blake Bortles – Jacksonville
He has more career pick-6’s (11) than career wins (10). Let that sink in.
24) Alex Smith – Kansas City
It’s not his first time on the hot season and won’t be the last.
23) Ryan Tannehill – Miami
Something has to give. He’s getting paid too much money to be this inconsistent.
22) Sam Bradford – Minnesota
Even though Teddy Bridgewater is still recovering from his injury, the Vikings gave up way too much to not make the playoffs.
21) Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo
The Bills Organization may not believe in Tyrod, but he has enough talent to keep them in games.
20) Joe Flacco – Baltimore
That Super Bowl win seems so far away…
Decent
Carson Wentz
19) Carson Wentz – Philadelphia
He should be higher on this list when the season is over.
18) Kirk Cousins – Washington
It’s Kirk Cousins or bust for Kirk Cousins. He won’t be back next year.
17) Eli Manning – NY Giants
Good Eli. Bad Eli. Ugly Eli. Which one will show up this year?
16) Carson Palmer – Arizona
Even though the offense is talent, the end may be near for him.
Promising
Dak Prescott
15) Dak Prescott – Dallas
Dak has given Dallas “hope” to end their two-decade Super Bowl drought.
14) Marcus Mariota – Tennessee
This offense should be fun to watch. He continues to get better.
13) Jameis Winston – Tampa Bay
He may end up in the top 10 by the end of the season. He has the potential to lead the Bucs into contention.
12) Andy Dalton – Cincinnati
Just needs to get it done in the playoffs.
Very Good
Andrew Luck
11) Andrew Luck – Indianapolis
He has the talent to be an elite quarterback (just needs an offensive line). He just needs to get it done.
10) Philip Rivers – LA Chargers
He has been consistent over his career but has yet to get over the hump.
9) Russell Wilson – Seattle
Russell has championship-pedigree. Will he be able to put it all together again is the question.
8) Cam Newton – Carolina
Overall, he’s possibly the hardest quarterback to bring down (even with that bad offensive line). He still has accuracy issues (misses high) but he’s still dangerous.
7) Matthew Stafford – Detroit
He proved that didn’t need Calvin Johnson to put up big time numbers. Just need the organization to change its culture.
6) Derek Carr – Oakland
He’s knocking on the door of elite status. He was having an MVP-caliber season before the season-ending leg injury. Expect big things from him and the Raiders.
Elite
Drew Brees
5) Drew Brees – New Orleans
He’s been so good for so long. Just wished their defense would’ve been better over the years.
4) Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh
His window is closing to get his 3rd Super Bowl title with his elite offense. Super Bowl or bust right now.
3) Matt Ryan – Atlanta
He finally put his skills and potential together last season and lead the Falcons to the Super Bowl. Will they get back to the big stage?
Crème De La Crème
Aaron Rodgers
2) Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay
“The human cheat code” is way too talented to only have one Super Bowl ring in his career. The window will be closed sooner than later.
1) Tom Brady – New England
I don’t know how much more he has in the tank at age 40, but until we show signs of him coming down to Earth, he’s the best.
This was my first time doing a live draft, and as the commissioner of my league, I’ve decided to host the event at a local Buffalo Wild Wings. The combination of friends, food, drinks, sports, and trash talking was exhilarating. Just being amongst good company in person enhanced the experience.
We were able to sit in the bar area with enough space to be comfortable. The restaurant supplied us with a draft kit that consisted of a draft board, a banner for the winner, a license plate cover for the loser, coupons, and other welcoming items.
Draft Board
Banner
License Plate
Player Names
The draft itself was interesting nonetheless. There were a few unexpected picks that made some people revise their strategy. Regardless of what happened during the draft, everyone enjoyed themselves and wants to do it again next year.
In this particular league, we start 2 quarterbacks, and personally, this was the best team (Nino Brown) I ever selected. This is a PPR (points per reception) format with 17 rounds in the draft. Just being able to take Antonio Brown with the second overall pick made everything else easier for me in the later rounds. I feel like I’m the team to beat but you need the judge. My team consists of:
Antonio Brown, Lamar Miller, LeSean McCoy, Ben Roethlisberger, Julian Edelman, Tom Brady, Randall Cobb, Demarco Murray, Sterling Shepard, Philip Rivers, Marvin Jones, Antonio Gates, Matt Jones, Spencer Ware, Zach Ertz, Jets D/ST, and Revert Aguayo.
Note: This list is who is the best wide receiver right now. Past accolades and accomplishments alone will not move you higher on the list. This list is based on skill, talent, age, and the ability to perform.
Honorable Mentions:
Andrew Luck (Colts), Carson Palmer(Cardinals), Drew Brees (Saints)
5) Ben Roethlisburger, Steelers
When Jerome Bettis retired “Big Ben” was given the keys to the offense. Roethlisburger’s passing numbers have gotten better every season. When Pittsburgh added weapons Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell, Roethlisburger numbers started to excel. Now the team is a contender again despite a subpar defense.
4) Russell Wilson, Seahawks
In the past, Seattle’s success came in the running game. However, with Marshawn Lynch and Thomas Rawls being banged up last season, Wilson was forced to win games with his arm. Doug Baldwin had a career year due to Wilson’s efficiency. You add that with his mobility and intangibles, the newlywed is hard to stop.
3) Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Rodgers is the most gifted passer in the NFL. As a Chicago Bears fan, I despise him, but he’s phenomenal. Last season, Rodgers struggled without his number one target, Jordy Nelson. With Nelson back, that offense joins the best in the league. We’ll probably see more discount double checks in the near future.
2) Tom Brady, Patriots
Brady has been elite for the past 12 seasons. System or no system, Brady continues to be consistent and dominate no matter what weapons he has around him. However, he does have a great weapon this year in Rob Gronkowski. Brady’s high football IQ and allows him to succeed no matter what obstacles.
1) Cam Newton, Panthers
Newton is the true definition of growth. It’s hard to find any flaws. Physically he is 6’5, 240 pounds. His running ability gives him leverage over the other quarterbacks on this list. Last season he took an big step with his passing despite not having his best wide receiver. He elevated the play for the wide receivers he did have. Wide receivers who would not be starters on any other team. Without Von Miller, the Carolina Panthers are more than likely your defending champs.
A few days ago I did a blog about fantasy football players that you should avoid (hopefully some people took my advice). I guess it’s only right to release a list of players that MIGHT make your fantasy football teams shine depending on how you already drafted.
Of course, you should draft the can’t miss players like Jamaal Charles, Adrian Peterson, Antonio Brown, Aaron Rodgers, Julio Jones, Le’Veon Bell, and so on… but when you starting to get beyond round 5, things can get interesting, especially if you’re drafting without a strategy (sad but it happens). I’m going to take a page out my own play book and share my top 5 sleeper list for 2015.
Here’s a few other players you should keep your eye on as well:
Brandon Cooks (NO)
Mike Wallace (MIN)
Davante Adams (GB)
Amari Cooper (OAK)
Jarvis Landry (MIA)
Top 5:
5. Ameer Abdullah
The rookie from Nebraska has caught quite a few people’s attention during the preseason. I know it’s just preseason (believe me I know), but he’s shown his value. He’s a dual threat (rushing and receiving) with a great combination of speed and agility. If Joique Bell continues to be hit with the injury bug, Abdullah’s upside is tremendous.
4.Tyler Eifert
The former Stud from Notre Dame can be exactly what is missing from the Cincinnati Bengals’ passing game. With A.J. Green and Jeremey Hill receiving majority of the attention on offense, Eifert should be able to get open, especially with his size and speed. Andy Dalton will find this man so he should find his way to your starting line up.
3. Todd Gurley
The former Georgia Bulldog is coming off an ACL injury. Typically, it takes 2 years to get back and be productive (Adrian Peterson doesn’t apply here), but taking a chance on Gurley should almost be required. He is going to be the face of the franchise due to his special ability as a ball carrier. Another appealing feature is that fact that St. Louis doesn’t have an identity or a real offense. By default, Todd Gurley is the offense once he returns.
2. Martavis Bryant
Martavis Bryant has shown flashes of superstardom with his ability to make spectacular catches and ability to get open. Even though he’s suspend for the first quarter of the season, he’s worth stashing on your bench. With Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell receiving majority of the attention from opposing defenses, Bryant should have favorable matches every week in an offense that’s looking to score 30 points per game, according to Big Ben.
1. Sam Bradford
An accurate quarterback plus a chip Kelly offense equals instant success (only if he stays healthy). Sam Bradford is actually in an offense that has weapons and not just replacement players. Chip Kelly’s quarterbacks have ranked in the top 5 for fantasy points ever since he became head coach. In addition, this is a pivotal moment in Bradford’s career so he’s playing with an edge. Drafting Bradford would be a steal pass round 8.
It has been 8 years since Michael Vick has went to jail (yes 8 years already), and some people are still trying to backlash his occupation. There’s a petition going around in Pittsburgh with over 15,000 signatures in hopes for Vick’s new team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, to release him.
Michael Vick first arrived in the NFL in 2001 and made an impact since day one. The have been few quarterbacks that scrambling ability such as Randal Cunningham, Steve Young, and few others. However, Vick revolutionized the QB position forever with is off the charts speed, agility, and acceleration. The NFL has never seen a player that can throw the ball approximately 60 yards with a 4.25 40 yard dash time.
Vick spent his first 6 years in Atlanta demolishing defenses like a wrecking ball. In case you forgot how explosive he was, he’s some highlights below:
The link shows his highlights in Atlanta, the allegations, and his time in Philadelphia. Vick served 23 months in prison and 2 more in a halfway house for his infamous involvement in dogfighting. Ever since being released, Michael Vick has been ridiculed for his part in harming of the dogs. People have protested and signed petitions to keep him out the league. Even though he’s still employed by the NFL, how long does Michael Vick have to deal with this? What else does he have to do to be okay in the court of public opinion?
Michael Vick has served his punishment in the court of law, rightfully so. We all understand the severity of his actions but how come he’s constantly getting harassed? He’s made speeches about his changes, and he’s one of the few athletes who is serious about the changes he has made in his life.
How come majority of people didn’t backlash Plaxico Burress when he became the “Cheddar Bob” of the NFL? Even though the incident was self-inflicted, he still had a firearm on him and went to jail for nearly 2 years. He played in the NFL 2 more years after that.
What about Donte Stallworth committing vehicular manslaughter in 2009. He was suspended for the 2009 season and spent 30 days in jail. He ended up playing 3 more years afterward. How come “the people” aren’t at his throat for taking somebody’s life (yes, he KILLED a human)?
Better yet, what about his current teammate “Big Ben” Roethlisberger. “Big Ben” was accused of raping a woman back in 2008. He was found guilty, but a settlement was made to dismiss the case. How often do you see people holding up signs or signing petitions to remove him as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Same thing that be said about Kobe Bryant and his Colorado scandal. He took some heat for a while, losing sponsors and endorsements, but eventually, the majority of people have forgotten that even occurred.
How come we can’t let go of what Michael Vick has done? In my eyes, he’s done more than enough. This country loves to give second chances, and who are we to judge for his actions… he did the crime and did the time. He’s made motivational speeches and had done community service. Other players have done worse and don’t get this much treatment from “fans”. It’s 2015, let it go.
JGoodWithSports 