The Team I Wish I Had Drafted
It was a so-so year for me. I won one Beat Chris Liss league, didn’t cash in the other two or the Primetime. I got bounced in the first round of the Steak League playoffs and finished as a self buyer. I didn’t make the Dynasty League playoffs (even though I had the fourth most points and would have won the league based on my scores in the playoffs), and I didn’t do anything in Survivor or Circa Millions. It certainly could have been better.
Had I known in August what I know now, here’s what I would have done:
1.12 Saquon Barkley — This is chalk here, but I love older running backs this year, and Saquon should go off on the Eagles. No, I’m not worried that Jalen Hurts might score 14 rushing TDs in 15 games.
2.1 Jahmyr Gibbs — Also chalk, but I want to build a RB-heavy foundation with all these zero-RB midwits. You love your Tyreek Hill-Jaylen Waddle build? Sidebet?
3.1 Derrick Henry — Whew, glad he fell to me. I love starting out with three straight RBs, so nutless monkeys can criticize my poor draft structure!
4.12 Josh Allen — I like to get a stud QB early, you guys can wait on Kirk Cousins and Caleb Williams if you want.
5.1 Lamar Jackson — I know it’s early to double up, but I don’t want anyone snagging this value from me. Always punish the room even if it costs you! Sidebets anyone?
6.12 Brian Thomas — Receiver is definitely a position you can piece together if you know what you’re doing, and with Thomas I have an every week starter no matter how bad the quarterback play in Jacksonville.
7.1 Courtland Sutton — I want to buy into the Sean Payton Denver passing game. Russell Wilson, not Payton, was the problem, and Bo Nix is a stud.
8.12 Jordan Addison — I expect Sam Darnold to unlock Addison this year.
9.1 Brock Bowers — He’s no Kyle Pitts (who you took in Round 6), that’s for sure.
10.12 Rashid Shaheed — He’s liable to get hurt, but I need some early-season WR production from someone, and he’s better than Chris Olave.
11.1 Bucky Irving — I’m too thin at RB, needed some depth.
12.12 Jalen McMillan — In case I need some WR depth for the stretch run.
13.1 Adam Thielen — If a white receiver is still in the league at 34, he must be doing something right!
14.12 Cowboys Kicker — Always be the first to take the obvious stud kicker.
15.1 Broncos Defense — beasts.
16.12 Vikings Defense — beasts.
17.1 Steelers Kicker — Always draft a second stud kicker to back up your first one.
18.12 Zach Ertz — Need some TE depth, and Ertz could be useful in my Week 17 title game.
19.1 Jonnu Smith — You can never have too much TE depth. Controversial take: Smith will outproduce Waddle and Hill this year.
20.12 Sam Darnold — Who knows? He could be useful in the playoffs.
This obviously isn’t the ideal team, but it would win every league and generate plenty of action in side bets too.
And here’s some September 3-5 ADP to show this build was possible:
