After sleeping on it, even though Hamlet wasn’t into the idea, I think changing the consolation bowl prize from draft order to FAAB money is the way to go.
By that I mean we keep everything exactly as it is now – 14 weeks, 4-person playoffs, last 2 weeks of the NFL season not used, kickers and defenses still on the rosters – and just do the minor tweak of changing the consolation bowl to $10 FAAB. (I kind of like $10 as an amount but am not married to it.)
At this point this is my vote, and I think I feel it pretty strongly. None of the reasons for it are strong on their own, but absent strong opinion, multiple weak opinions in concert adds up:
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14 game schedule doesn’t mess with league history. Admittedly a weak reason, but a reason.
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I distinctly recall Peyton Manning being held out the final two weeks of a season because the Colts had already clinched home field throughout. Pretty sure Andy Reid did that at least once also, probably with the Eagles during that decade of dominance in the NFC East during the 2000s. It’s rare, but it does happen. Technically speaking it’s better to have a two week cushion. Weak reason (because it’s so rare) but it’s a reason.
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6 teams is half the league. Playoffs in general should include less than half of whatever league. I hold this against the NBA and NHL and credit MLB for this in real life. (The NFL lost their credit for this when they added a playoff team last year, even though technically they’re still at 14 of 32 < 50%) So 4 teams is better than 6 for us. Another weak reason, but it is an actual reason.
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No work! 12 people online is a herd of cats. Consensus will never be reached even just because of apathy, so any changes (re-alignment?!) would be a major PITA, and slow, and it’s already almost August. This is actually a pretty compelling reason.
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I am feeling more and more strongly opposed to the consolation bowl winner getting better draft position. But I do want there to be an actual prize for winning it. Barring cash (strongly opposed), the only other advantage you can have is waiver priority / money.