I think team by team reviews aren’t so interesting in a dynasty league where rosters don’t turn over that much. But maybe I’ll do these once every few years, I don’t know.
I’ll be using my own rating system to grade everyone’s rosters. This system uses projections from multiple sources, so none of these are based on my own personal opinions. I’ll be ranking the starters for this season, and rate each position group based on the strength of their maximum possible starters and one bench player. The number is an approximation of projected fantasy points over the season.
I’ll also be rating each team’s starters on youth, which is an estimation of fantasy points over the next four seasons. This factors in age-related decline based on the average time when players typically decline according to their position. If a team is older in the starting spots and younger on the bench, they might suffer in the rankings when no real problem exists. This is also heavily influenced by the youth of the QB, since they score so many fantasy points compared to the other positions.
**12. New York Fanboys - Ellis Dee (66.8) **
A near-miss playoff team last season that is in competition for the first pick in 2019. Expect a pm sometime around August 2019 about a draft day trade.
QB strength: 8th
Ellis had a really smart draft where he stayed patient and, aside from his first pick, just took the best value that fell to him in each spot. He did basically the opposite of what I did… which makes me realize I may have fucked up. Roesthlisberger still has a couple years of high production left, but behind that there was really nothing. Eli is done, and Mariota might be trash. It was very smart to draft Mayfield… but that was one hell of a reach. That was as bad as Trubisky last season, but at least Mayfield fantasy upside. Team fit is good, but the value wasn’t there. Which is fine, from time to time.
WR Strength: 11th
I like Jarvis Landry a lot, but behind that this team needs some real help. Funchess was nice last season and could still become a legit #1, but he’s a terrible route runner so I don’t see it. Crowder is just a guy, and Shepard might be the 4th option in the passing game now. Pettis was a smart pick though. The value was pretty fantastic. Relying on the rest of us to be idiots and pouncing on the obvious value that fell too far in the draft is a wise strategy.
RB Strength: 9th
I regret passing on McCaffrey for Mixon last season, even if I think Mixon will still become an RB1/RB2 in the next couple seasons. That said, Carolina is still trying to figure out what to do with him, so while his floor may be established, we don’t yet know exactly how good he can be. Behind that is Hyde, who has looked good and will probably outperform his projection. And then? Bilal Powell has been fine when he plays, but nobody wants to give him any run. Ronald Jones was a good value, but he has looked as bad as I can ever remember a highly drafted rookie looking in his first preseason. Very vulnerable, here.
TE Strength: 1st
This one is easy. I think my pair might be as good when Hunter Henry returns next season, but there’s no doubt this is the best top 2 in the league. It seems like so long ago that Kelce was someone I inherited.
Youth: 11th
This score is hurt by Roesthlisberger and Hyde, who are both old and on the way out. It was timely to pick up Mayfield and Jones as young replacements for next season and beyond.
11. Overly Sentimental - Overly Sentimental (67.3)
This team is a snake in the grass that could ambush anyone, held back by one critical flaw.
QB strength: 4th
Deshaun Watson has a very high score, and is a fantastic dynasty option. Goff is a great #2. I don’t think Watson is going to easily replicate what happened while he was healthy last season, but if he does, this is the #1 group by far.
WR Strength: 1st
The clear strength of this team, and the focus of his new owner’s draft. This is not only a strong group up top with Antonio and Davante Adams, but there is a ton of young depth with upside that isn’t factored into this rating. I imagine this ranking won’t change much for a long time.
RB Strength: 12th
Welp. This is what happens when you stack WRs 5-10 deep. It’s an interesting strategy to stack third down backs in a PPR league, but this team is going to need Kerryon Johnson to become a star, or this group is going to bring down the strength of this team for years.
TE Strength: 8th
Kittle was a wise choice in the draft, but if he doesn’t take the leap many are predicting, this could quickly turn into the worst group in the league.
Youth: 5th
The way the scoring works, if you have a young QB who is already projected to score a ton of fantasy points this coming seaosn, you’re going to do well in this metric (since QBs score so many points compared to other positions). That’s the case here. Even though Overly’s starters are by no means rookies, they all are young enough that his core should still be relevant for the next few years.
10. JB’s Gusterrhoids - Justin_Bailey (68.1)
This team is badly in need of a complete rebuild. I can give you my blueprint, but it will cost you $5. Or, say, an ancient, no-good, totally-not-worth-anything Larry Fitzgerald.
QB strength: 9th
Drew Brees is still a stud, and with him this team probably won’t be in the cellar. But the Saints are slowly transitioning to a running attack, so his production might rapidly decline through scheme and age. After Brees? God help this team. Dalton is trash. With Brees and nothing else, you’d think this team would have a small window to win a championship, but the rest of the roster isn’t strong enough to take advantage. Lots of work to be done on this roster.
WR Strength: 10th
Fitzgerald is still great, but this is probably his last season. This ranking doesn’t factor in that Edelman is suspended for four games, and that Jeffery is still hurt and is rumored to not be available for the first two weeks. The ranking is too high. DeSean can’t be counted on without Jameis, and wasn’t great even with him. Zay Jones had one of the worst rookie seasons I’ve ever seen for a higher pick. Things are really rough here.
RB Strength: 8th
This rank assumes Freeman is going to take the starting job soonish. This isn’t a bad group, but it’s a little vulnerable to bad matchups since it is going to rely on the Falcons’ pair.
TE Strength: 7th
Graham is fine, but there is concern that Rodgers just doesn’t give a shit about TEs. Hooper is a decent reserve, but might not be reliable unless he can make a jump this season. Hopefully Hurst recovers. This will be a stronger ranking next year for sure.
Youth: 12th
No surprise here. What is surprising, is this has apparently been a problem for a very long time. The following is from the first year of the league.
Welp. I guess youth is overrated in a dynasty league. I’m an idiot.