TLB Draft Rankings 2015

Ok, here's the deal. I have had almost no sleep with very little on the way. I'm not in the mood to be witty, but I want to get this done, so I can piss everyone off and get on with it. As per usual, this is my personal opinion and obviously it means very little. I'm not out to insult anyone, just calling it like I see it. Of course, I was the worst team in the league last year, so how I see it could easily be total bullshit. Anyway, on with it.

• 10- VA Sixpack -Sixpack takes the worst spot for the second year in a row. Due to some draft irregularities I know he wasn't thrilled with a couple of picks. I want to assure him this was unintentional, as I was in the room with the commish and he has no desire to cast any shadow on the integrity of the league. Anyway, the X's and O's show solid startng RBs with a middling group of WRs. Lots of suspensions and preseason injuries also are cause for concern.
• 9- Duke Dawgs - Yeah I rated both the Wickre boys super low in the draft. I'm that asshole. Couldn't be helped. Frankly, I hate this draft. There is literally only one player I had targeted for my own draft, Amari Cooper. The rest, nope. That said, I'm sure Darrick will find a way to contend for his third consecutive title and prove I have no clue what I'm talking about.
• 8- Florida Bull Gators - The newest member of the league in what is somehow his second TLB draft. There are some decent pieces, but as a whole it doesn't pop. The question is can Rodgers and the Texans' D overcome a less than thrilling WR corps?
• 7 - Evil Penguin -I'm not disappointed with my draft, but there were a couple of things I maybe should have done differently. Still it's a solid core group. But I'm afraid my starting RBs, who are both in the twilight of their careers, could be a major problem toward the end of the season. Calvin Johnson and Doug Martin need to return to the heights of their past glories to get this group fired up on Sundays.
• 6 - Heaven's Own - Kevin's picks were not bad. His has an impressive starting lineup (well except for Delanie Walker, bleah.) Heaven's Own is married to the Steelers tho, with both Big Ben and Bell and that could be feast or famine for him, with the schedule being what it is. Oh and nobody got better value on the keeper than Kevin.
• 5 - Innsmouth Fisheyes - The autodrafter who managed to throw a monkey wrench into the whole of the draft still managed to get a solid team together. Randall Cobb and Jamal Charles anchor the squad with Andrew Luck thrown in for good measure. The trouble will come with Greg trying to find a decent second RB and WR to match with those blazers each week?
• 4 - .Leesburg Leghounds - Adam is going to think this is very low. He's been non-stop rosterbating since Sunday. No denying it's a solid roster. Gronk, Julio Jones, Seahawks D. The big question mark will be RB. The old "RB whisperer" will have to find someone consistent enough to start each week. Some of his guys could maybe make it happen, but I'm not 100% sold. Also keeping a tight end, then taking Gronk in the second round just seems ridiculous to me.
• 3- .Dallas Danglers - Danglers always try to make a flashy move or two in the draft, attempting to prove Mike's just a little too clever for the rest of us. As such, Mike may have jumped on Arian Foster a little early, but who knows? (I'm hoping he did as the Alfred Blue owner.) Impressive WR tandem of Bryant and Beckham Jr. with plenty of depth behind them.
• 2 - Team Vipperman - The ADP king. There isn't really a weak spot on this roster. Sure Romo isn't Andrew Luck, but he is consistent and you can draft him 10 rounds later. Nice mix of dependable veterans and upstart young talent. Not sure if Carlos Hyde is going to pay off, but he has the opportunity and Nick has plenty of other options behind him if need be. Solid draft.
• 1 - FSU Warchant - The top dog. Lacy and Miller will likely put Cal in the driver's seat in a lot of matchups. Add in Antonio Brown and the skies the limit. Also I gotta tell you, I like the three defense thing. Didn't reach for any of them, but will consistently have a good matchup every week. Only question is will Eli be able to put up enough? 

All right. There it is. Let those high ranked feel vindicated. And those ranked low bring the hate. 

2014 TLB Draft Rankings

Toughest draft to date. No doubt. The keeper adds the need to balance the players with immediate value with the guys with long term potential. I noticed a lot more speculative picks this season, which means, of course, that a lot of you were doing your homework. I'd expect nothing less from a league this competitive.

Now about these rankings... What do I look for when rating a team. I look for a solid squad top to bottom. I think RBs and WRs are more important than QBs and TEs. Why? You start a bunch of RBs and WRs and when they get hurt it affects your team much more aversely. Which is why depth is so important. Someone waiting in the wings when injury strikes, is very important. Some of you may have different philosophies. I encourage you to do your own competing rankings. I'd love an alternate viewpoint. I'd also like someone else to have first hand knowledge of how difficult this shit is. Oh and someone else to hear the low ranking teams complain about how I rated them. I'd share that responsibility in a heart beat.

Getting on with it, here are the rankings. It's close. Everyone has a good team and can be in the hunt. Also we've learned that having a good draft doesn't win you a title. You gotta manage the team for an entire season, making the right moves, evaluating players every week to even have a shot at the title. Anyway here you go.

• 10. Va Sixpack - The good is that the two time champ has great Qbs, the best TE in the game and aa okay set of RBs. I'm just not sold on his WRs. I don't think there is a true WR1. A lot of guys who will have a good week and then go missing the next. Ohh and I hate to say it, but I don't think the Steelers' D is going to be a top 15 defense this year. I hope I'm wrong, but aside from Shazier, they haven't looked great.
• 9. Duke Dawgs - The "Surrogate" draft that was only approved to keep me from drafting between an aurtodrafter. I like Doug Martin, he's looked good, D. Thomas is a lock, but everyone else has a question mark next to their name. Still a couple of those late round rookies pan out and the defending champs could be right back in contention.
• 8. Heaven's Own - This draft is rated low solely on the absis of RB question marks. His WRs are in the argument for best in the league. (Megatron will maybe give him the edge.) But all those injury prone running backs make me nervous. Still if Gronk plays most of the season Kev's a real threat.
• 7. GAC Nation - This ranking feels a little low, but I'm not sure who I'd downvote. Gabe has solid RBs and good depth. His WRs are a little rough around the edges tho. Also GAC Nation is married to the Redskins. If Washington succeeds so will Gabe. They've looked pretty damn rough in the preseason tho. Also G pulled the trigger on Josh Gordon way early in my opinion. We'll see if he even gets to play.
• 6. Innsmouth Fisheyes - Scard of Lynch after several seasons of heavy carries, especially going all the way to the SB last season. Starting WRs are impressive. I wanted Keenan Allen to fall another two spots so I could grab him. I'm also intrigued by Dexter McCluster, who has always looked like he should be doing more. Maybe he will as a Titan. If so, the Fisheyes will see the playoffs.
• 5. FSU Warchant - Steady Cal has another good draft. He has some serious PPR RBs, although I'll never get over the way Trent Richardson fouled my team last season. That may be why Warchant is so low. Another strike is Cal dropping his kicker. I judge complete teams. I understand the wait and see approach at play here, I just deduct points for missing positions.
• 4. Evil Penguin - The more I look at my team the less I like it. The questions just jump out at me. Gio hasn't looked his best this preseason. Will Vereen be boom or bust every week? Am I really going to start the Bills defense regularly? Can any of my rookie players become the lottery winner I want them to be? That said, it's still pretty good. No?
• 3. Dallas Danglers - Solid list top to bottom. Romo has to stay healthy or Mike will be hitting the waiver wire hard for a replacement. I'm not all in on Zac Stacy with Bradford down for the season, but there's some potential on the bench. Harvin is also a boom or bust play. He could be gold or he could be pyrite. We'll have to wait and see.
• 2. Leesburg Leghounds - Nobody puts more effort into the draft than Adam. It paid off. Solid RBs and a good starting lineup of WRs. He could use one of his long shots to pan out to give him a little breathing room there, but it seems likely one will. I am a little amused by all his preseason moves tho. It shows a little lack of confidence in some of his picks.
• 1. Team Vipperman -  Nick is looking to put the Asterisk to bed. He did his homework and comes out with a pretty great draft. Solid RBs, although maybe missing a little depth there. A top tier receiving corps. that looks devastating. He's got Charles Clay in at starter... Dolphin fandom does odd things to a man. Rudolph will be there soon enough, I'm sure. And the Seahawks' D. The Commish has set himself up well for a second title run. 

That's it folks. I know at least half of you are upset. Sorry.  It's close. I mean last season if I recall correctly in the last few weeks of the regular season six teams were still in the playoff hunt. That's insane! it came down to the most ridiculous tiebreakers to decide who made it. (Completely ridiculous because they didn't break my way.) So there you go. Here's to 10 years in the TLB!

Who you should have kept

Since I already have the audacity to write a column on who's draft was good each season, I figured I'd double down and tell you guys who your keeper should have been. Why not? Clearly I'm completely full of shit, why not share it with everyone. I'll follow this year's draft order, since that's how Nick laid it down earlier. Also for the record, I'm not trying to dog anyone, just trying to get the fantasy ball rolling. It's been too quiet around the TLB heading into the season.

1. Leesburg Leghounds - Kept: Demarco Murray. : Should have kept: Brandon Marshall. Well, frankly, I'd say Adam nailed his keeper. It's hard to argue with a 1-2 round RB with the 6th pick. But, for the sake of argument, I said Brandon Marshall. Marshall is also going at the end of the 1st, start of the second round and he's significantly more dependable. He's a little more costly with a second round pick, but since Adam has the first pick, he's only giving up the 20th overall pick for a nigh guaranteed top WR. Still, he's probably right to go with Murray, all told. Curse him and his fantasy prowess.
2. FSU Warchant - Kept: Peyton Manning. Should have kept: DeMaryius Thomas. This is another nit picky one. It's hard to fault Cal for keeping the top QB on most boards with a 4th round pick. Still Demaryius Thomas is the second overall wideout on a lot of preseason boards and a 3rd rounder for him is money in the bank. 
3. Dallas Danglers - Kept: Percy Harvin. Should have kept: Antonio Brown. Mike is hoping that Harvin puts together an injury free season. If he does, Mike is a genius. Harvin will be fantastic for a 14th round value and maybe the best keeper of them all. If, however, he is actually Percy Harvin and doesn't play a full season, he's still pretty good value, but Antonio Brown in the sixth is also really great value, with a lot fewer question marks. I will admit to having a flagrant pro Steelers bias however.
4. Heaven's Own - Kept: Drew Brees. Should have kept: Eric Decker. Drew Brees in the third isn't bad value. He's a lock to be a top 5 QB every year. Plus Kevin is a Saints fan, so it makes perfect sense. Still Eric Decker could be set to have a big season as the only reasonable target for the Jets. It's a little more risky, but only costs him a 7th rounder. 
5. GAC Nation -Kept: Adrian Peterson. Should have kept: Danny Woodhead. OK, this looks ludicrous as I type it out. AP or Danny Woodhead is really no comparison. Gabe gave up his 5th overall pick for a guy who is probably going to be picked 3rd overall at the latest. Not a bad play. Plus AP is a machine. Still, giving up that first pick is tough. That's why you keep Woodhead, who had a decent season last year and looks to likely have an even better one on the horizon. 
6. VA Sixpack - Kept: Aaron Rodgers. Should have kept: Jordy Nelson. Aaron Rodgers in the second is safe and reasonable. Can't say anything bad about that pick. Still Jordy Nelson in the 8th, however, is a bit of an upgrade in my opinion. 
7. Innsmouth Fisheyes - Kept: Knowshon Moreno. Should have kept: Julio Jones. Knowshon had a great season last year, no doubt. With a 12 rounder it seems like a smart pick to keep him if you get that type of production. The problem is that his knees probably aren't going to allow it. Also he's Dolphin now and their Oline is sketchy at best. Still he did look ok in the third preseason game. Julio Jones struggled with injury and had a rough season in 2013. He's gonna be out to prove that was a fluke.
8. Team Vipperman - Kept: Eddie Lacy. Should have kept: Jimmy Graham. Fine, Eddie Lacy in the fourth is a home run. Can't deny that. But I'm second guessing here, so Jimmy Graham in the second is what's up. The single best tight end in the league in the second round. You gotta lock that down. 
9. Duke Dawgs - Kept: Leveon Bell. Should have kept: LeSean McCoy. If Le'Veon Bell had of not looked like ass in the preseason last year, I'd be the one keeping him this year. It's frustrating for me. Still he's a money pick in the 11th. but LeSean McCoy with the 9th overall pick is pretty damn money too. Champagne problems for the defending champs. 
10. Evil Penguin - Kept: Alshon Jeffrey. Should have kept: Giovanni Bernard. Yep, I even second guess myself. (Although, frankly, that's not unusual.) I antagonized on which of these two too keep. Alshon developed into a top tier receiver, which is hard to ignore with a 14th round pick. Gio in the 6th is also a great pick. Matt Forte in the second round was also in the mix. 

Anyway, hope you enjoyed my nonsense. Despite writing this early, I'm refusing to release it until after the draft. Can't let you guys know what I really think about later round players.

2013 TLB Draft Rankings

It's that time again, where I piss off half the league by telling them their draft was the slightest bit less than the rest of the teams. I know Darrick is still holding me ranking him dead last a season ago against me, but hey, he was a rookie and had some questions. How was I to know I'd see him in the final? Still I hit three of the other playoff teams in the top four. If only the Team Vip could have pulled through I'd have looked like a genius.

Anyway, this season was a dead heat. I seriously had no idea how to rank people. Everyone was jumping on those "deep sleepers" I always look for and it kinda sucked for me. So it's the narrowest of margins here. Everyone has a good team. Even the autodraft guys are solid. As such, I have to get super nit picky and judge you goons on the slimmest of criteria. Anyway, here's my 2013 rankings.

• 10. Heaven's Own - An autodraft casualty. Sorry man. I think Drew Brees is going to have a monster season. The starting RBs are dangerous, it's just some WR questions and Vernon Davis' potential disappearing act that made me downgrade Heaven's Own. Also while I hope the Steelers' D is the most dangerous in the league, I'm not sure I buy them there currently.
• 9. GAC Nation - You like running backs? Gabe does too. A lot. He's got 7 of them. The problem comes with his WRs, which have a ton of value in this here PPR league. Still with AP and Tom Brady if the Nation's WR pan out (I'm looking you Cordarelle Patterson) he's going to be tough to beat.
• 8. VA Six-Pack - Autodraft trouble. Three QBs. No doubt his QB situation is the best in the league. Rodgers to start with RG3 in his pocket. Yikes. Still my fellow Steelers fan needs those WR to come through for him. Nicks is injury prone, as is Rice. Also I fear Darren McFadden's utility. We'll see.
• 7. FSU Warchant - I feel like Cal always has a good draft that I don't understand. He picks workmen like players that are consistent and play well. They are never the guys I want, yet he still succeeds. I dunno. I fear Arian Foster's age and how hard he's been ridden in the past. Also I'm not a Mike Wallace believer. 
• 6. Team Vipperman - Nick is going to be pissed with this ranking, but what can you do. I fear for the health of Reggie Bush and CJ Spiller is great... it's just the rest of the Bills offense that's terrible. He does have great WR depth and Jimmy Graham, but I'm those RBs worry me. Also I find the Packers' defense to be a little suspect. 
• 5. Leesburg Leghounds - Adam flat out told me he was a top three team. He may be if those RBs pan out. As it stands now, lots of questions. Also three TEs on your roster is a knock. Sure Gronk may be awesome when he comes back, but right now a lot of real estate is taken up by TEs that may or may not be worthwhile. That WR core is second to none tho. Can't deny that.
• 4. Duke Dawgs - A substantial step up from last year and I debated going higher, but couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm scared of Monte Ball having to share a lot of the carries in an offense that has a lot of mouths to feed. Also his bench is a little wonky with 3 QBs. Still that starting lineup is going to be dangerous.
• 3. Innsmouth Fisheyes - Gregor comes through top to bottom in his best ever draft. On point. Solid starters for good value and an excellent bench with loads of upside. Fisheyes came to play this year folks. If Kaepernick plays like he did in the playoffs last season expect Innsmouth to inspire some serious horror in opponents.
• 2. Dallas Danglers - Debated Mike in the top spot, but couldn't do it because he only has 3 RBs on his roster and one is Mike Tolbert. Also his starting tight end, Cameron, is unproven. Still his starting lineup is impressive. If those RBs stay up and running Mike's squad is a beast.
• 1. Evil Penguin - Yes, I'm the douchebag that ranked his team in the top spot. Yes, I do feel like an asshole for doing. That said, I don't have a notable weakness. I need Russell Wilson to be the guy I hope he is, but he seems to be that guy. My RBs are unimpeachable, with lots of depth. My WRs are solid, with several guys with monster upside. So we'll see how it pans out. I fear the fantasy gods striking down my hubris, but I'm going with my gut here. As the defending champ I'm allowed a little leeway. I hope.

Anyway there it is. My rankings. I'm first. Fuck me, right? I didn't really take the keeper into account so much this season. That's going to take some getting used to, honestly. I'll once again offer my disclaimer. This is only my opinion from what I've seen so far. I've been way off occasionally, but usually tend to find some nuggets of truth. So enjoy my nuggets, fools!

2012 Evil Draft Ranking

It's once again time to upset half the league with my draft rankings. It's no easy job and, as always, based entirely on my own opinions and ratings of players. The separation between any two teams is negligible, but someone has to say you guys suck. So if you don't like it, complain to Adam.

• 10. Duke Dawgs - The new rookie struggled out of the gates. Started with MJD, which is suspect. he could come back in shape the week before the season and rack up yards, but I don't believe it. his RBs are full of questions and I thought he reached on Matt Ryan. He did, however, nab Aaron Hernandez right out from under me. We'll see if it pans out.
• 9. Dallas Danglers - Felt like Mike tried to get too cute with some of his picks. Rice is his lynch pin at RB, but Matthews is made of glass. Also his WRs are chock full of questions, like when will Kenny Britt go ahead and go to prison? Also Tebow... really? Cmon. 
• 8. Va Sixpack - Our two time champion comes back and skips the autodraft, but forgot to pick up running back depth in the process. Sure Shady is awesoem, but don't trst any of the other guys. That said, his QB situation is likely to rack up the running yards. His starting wideouts also have a lot of potential.
• 7. GAC Nation - These middle ranks are hard to quantify. Everybody had good bits, but also question marks. The Nation goes with Foster first, which is undeniable and has AP as his second RB and Bradshaw in at third. So solid across the board. His WRs are ok, but I'm a little skeptical, especially on his depth. Still a solid showing and some things could fall right and make Gabe a contender.
• 6. Heaven's Own - Don't think Kev has a really weak point. His backs are a little bit aged and that could be a problem. I like Gennings, but don't believe in the WR depth. Also I think the Jets D is suspect, although I think the Chiefs may make up for that.
• 5. Innsmouth Fisheyes - Gregor clearly did his due diligence in draft prep. A solid group of starters and some potential on his bench that may pan out. I'm not solid on the Seahawks D, but have been informed they are a sleeper, sooo... 
• 4. FSU Warchant - Another potent draft for Cal. His starters will match up with anybody in the league. RunDMC is potentially the best RB in the game and also potentially out for the season on every play. Could break either way. I'm not sold on Warchant's depth, lotta questions around the bench, but plenty of QBs.
• 3. Evil Penguin - Feel pretty good about my draft overall. Little afraid of my QB slot. Did not really want Romo, but made due with what was left. Feel like I've got the best RBs in the league and a solid crew of WRs. Still QB and TE could prove to be my Achilles heel.
• 2. Team Vipperman - The preacherman did it up, providing few weak spots in his starting lineup. Cutler is his biggest question mark. That and will Andre Johnson live up to his potential. His bench is also full of guys who could possibly be a lottery pick.
• 1. Leesburg Leghounds - The ol' leghumpers returned from a terrible season last year and had a solid one from the 10th pick this year. Starting with Brady and Graham and adding the 49ers D means that the Leghouds have the best players at three different positions every week. His RBs are not as flashy as he usually likes, but appear serviceable with some long shots on the bench. Here's hoping this ranking doesn't swell Adam's head to an unmanageable size.

So that's that. I calls em like I sees em and this is how it is for the moment. Go forth and be fruity.

2011 TLB Draft Rankings

Who's keyed up for football? I'm frigging ecstatic that the season kickoff game is mere days away. After all the unrest, all the questions of if this season was even going to happen, it's here! Been a flurry of football activity the last few weeks and it's been difficult to keep up with all the transactions, developments and separate the hype from actual talent.

And here we are post draft, seeing who managed to cram that football knowledge into their brain and make use of it. Another year of close drafts, well except for a few. Let me step up to my soapbox and ask how could so many of my TLB brethren allow themselves to go into the season with an autodrafted team. Sad. What could possibly be more important than this draft? Work? Feh. Previous Labor Day plans? Nope. Wife giving birth? I say no! You gotta get to the TLB Draft!!! So I've got a chip on my shoulder about these autodrafted teams. I'll try to judge them fairly, but it's definitely somewhat of a downgrade to my mind.

Last season I managed to have three of the four playoff teams in my top four including ranking our eventual (sigh) champion Adam at the top.. So maybe these rankings deserve a little more consideration. Maybe...

1. Team Vipperman - Had to give it to Nick this year. He crushed the draft. Great RB depth, solid receivers and players in the late rounds that could turn into lottery tickets. Only trouble may be if those long shots don't pan out and his starting lineup goes down to injury. But that's a serious doomsday scenario and pretty unlikely I'd guess. 
2. Leesburg Leghounds - Another great draft for our reigning champ, the damnable Leghounds. No less than four of his receivers I actively intended to draft. So yeah, I'm a little high on them. The knock comes against his running back group. Excellent starters, but unproven depth. Adam always prides himself on digging up an unknown treasure, but can his streak go on forever? Dunno. Hope not, I can't survive another year of him jawing about winning, especially with two trophies in hand. The thought makes me ill. Oh and Jared Cook? Not sure if he pans out. Might be a little bit of a deep sleeper for this 10 man league.
3. Warchant - It's safe to say Warchant went in with pretty much the same draft strategy as me. The problem I have is that he seemed to do it a little better than I did. The most potent starting receivers in the league, bar none. His starting RBs also have loads of potential, but both are injury risks and not 100% proven commodities. Still, a chance for serious firepower there. Bench is hit or miss, in my opinion, but not without prospects.
4. Evil Penguin - Feel pretty good about my squad. Got a bevy of RBs in my stable, so confident there, but I need the top guys to really break out if I'm gonna claim the TLB trophy once again. My starting WRs are exceptional as well, but don't feel great about my depth. Some potential, but no guarantees. Also I'm a little afraid Big Ben may not be able to withstand the beating he takes with that ragtag O-line in front of him. Oh and I waited to long to get a marquee D, which could haunt me all season long.
5. Dallas Danglers - Actively debated whether to put Mike or myself at number four, but decided to go with me because "Fuck that guy!" But it is somewhat close. He has solid WRs in the starting slots, with some upside guys on that bench. Hoping that his T.O. pick does not come back to haunt this league this season, but thinking about it... it probably will. Still, I'm not sold on Beanie Wells as a starter, but sadly think Hightower will plug in that slot and be potent. 
6. Va Sixpack - Sixpack managed to get in before the end of the draft and not get completely boned by the autopick. Reasonable running backs, but a spotty WR core, but some potential upside. Also if Vick remains uninjured and can repeat his success from last season that could be enough to win. But that IF is pretty big.
7. GAC Nation - Hate ranking my bro so low, but it's not a great squad. I don't believe in Sanchez and can't figure out what the Cards' D is doing on an actual team without a bye week involved. Quality receivers and solid starting RBs with some RB depth that has some potential upside. Plus even if things don't go his way he'll be able to console himself by living in fucking Hawaii. 
8. Heaven's Own - An autodraft victim, but came away with a fairly strong starting squad. His bench is sketchy however, Don't like that WR depth at all, but bench RBs seem like they could be ok with a couple of lucky breaks. 
9. Innsmouth Fisheyes - Autodraft did a number on the Fisheyes. Do not love the Deangelo Williams, Johnathan Stewart  or Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon pairings. Kind of makes it hard to win when your players are stealing points from one another. Also the three QB draft is kinda pointless in our 10 team league. 
10. East River Rats - The Rats also fared poorly at the hands of the computer. Another three QB draft, bleh. The Rats RB core is filled with guys that I personally believe have their best days behind them, could be trouble. And Garrett Hartley is also a painful pick as he's gonna be out for as much as 10 weeks. Brutal auto draft chicanery when you have to go to waivers to even complete the team for the first game. 

So there it is. For all the world to see. Looking forward to a good season and hoping to apply a liberal beating to each and every one of you reading this. Bawr!