Midseason Report Card: The Pretenders
7. Jeff, “Dalvin & Hobbs”, Overall Grade: B-
Starters:
QB: D [Daniel Jones — QB26, Sam Darnold — QB3o]
RBs: B+ [Dalvin Cook — RB7, Miles Sanders — RB 25]
WRs: B+ [DJ Moore — WR 13, Robert Woods — WR20, Diontae Johnson — WR50]
TE: A [Jonnu Smith — TE4]
FLEX: B [Myles Gaskin — RB20, Jamison Crowder — WR32]
IR: Nobody of relevance
Depth:
QB: C- [Ryan Fitzmagic, Joe Flacco]
RB: C- [Justin Jackson, Travis Homer, Deejay Dallas]
WRs: C+ [Chris Conley, Jakeem Grant, N’keal Harry, Mecole Hardman, Hunter Renfrow, Quintez Cephus]
TE: A- [Jared Cook, TJ Hockensen]
Strengths: Skill player depth. Loaded for RBs and TEs especially
Weaknesses: QB. Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold were supposed to take a next step but now they may be out of a job next year. Jeff traded for Fitzmagic, but it’s Tua time now. Moving forward Jeff may need to invest in a high end QB if he wants to make a serious run.
X-Factor: Daniel Jones, after a tough early season schedule, DJ looked much better in his outing against a tough Philly defense. He’s got a tough matchup against Tompa Bay this week but from there, could be seeing a lot of plus matchups. Something that could tilt the favor in Jeff’s hand
Biggest Overperforming: Jameson Crowder. While he’s often overlooked in fantasy, Crowder has quietly performed very well. Even though he plays for the Jets, he’s produced at a WR3 pace even while missing a couple games.
Biggest Underperformer: Miles Sanders. I could’ve talked about his QB again but I’ll give them a break. Sanders has performed well this year, but the problem is that he’s been missing games. It may be an unlucky year for Philly where everyone gets injured but, they need Sanders to stay healthy
What Went Wrong: Jeff’s team is very good outside of his QB position. Especially in a superflex league, QB can make or break your team. Currently, his QBs are outside the top 24! Yikes. His RB group of Cook, Sanders, and Gaskin are near the tops of the league. DJ Moore and Robert Woods continue to be reliable at the WR position and Diontae Johnson flash big games when he’s healthy. His TE group has flourished as well, Jonnu is breaking out and Hockenson has shown some growth in his sophomore season. Could we see a trade for a big time QB soon? Jeff may need to if he wants to contend this year.
Preseason Prediction: 7–6, 4th place
Current Standing: 3–4, 7th Place
8. Kevin, “Pop Lockett Drop It”, Overall Grade: F for Farmacy
Starters:
QB: C [Tua Tagovailoa — QB — , Baker Mayfield — QB2o]
RBs: B [Kareem Hunt — RB6, Antonio Gibson- RB18]
WRs: B+ [Tyler Lockett — WR2, Allen Robinson — WR11, DJ Chark — WR37]
TE: B- [Noah Fant- TE11]
FLEX: D [Mike Williams-WR76, Bryan Edwards — WR125]
IR: Saquon Barkley, Dallas Goedert, Michael Pittman Jr.
Depth:
QB: C- [Jameis Winston, Nick Mullens, Alex Smith, Dwayne Haskins]
RB: C- [Anthony McFarland, Chris Thompson]
WR: C [Miles Boykin, Kendrick Bourne, Isaiah Coulter, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Dante Pettis, Hakeem Butler (WR/TE)]
TE: D [Kaden Smith]
Strengths: WR. Tyler Lockett is playing exceptionally well, ARob is a reliable target hog, but outside of that there aren’t many bright spots on his team right now.
Weaknesses: QB. Baker struggled against elite defenses and failed to take a next step. Haskins got benched. And Tua is TBD. Also, do not recommend spending FAAB on Alex Smith.
Points. Kev has the lowest points for and max points for.
X-Factor:
Biggest Overperforming: Antonio Gibson
Biggest Underperformer: Baker Mayfield
What Went Wrong: Saquon’s early season injury really put Kev’s team at a handicap from the get go.Fant and Goedart have failed to breakout so far. And everyone outside Kev’s top 6–8 players are a real crapshoot. Kev has since been quietly accumulating draft capital in what appears to be a lost season for his squad. He now has 3 1st rounders (Mitchell, Jason, and his) and will be looking at 2021 and beyond.
Preseason Prediction: 5–8, 10th place
Current Standing: 3–4, 8th Place
9. Jas, “OBJ: Number 2 Receiver *poop emoji*”, Overall Grade: C
Starters:
QB: B- [Ryan Tannehill — QB10, Cam Newton — QB25]
RBs: C [Jonathan Taylor — RB19, Boston Scott- RB50]
WRs: B- [Justin Jefferson — WR16, Juju Smith Schuster — WR31, Keelan Cole — WR29]
TE: B+ [Mark Andrews — TE7]
FLEX: B- [Laviska Shenault-WR39, AJ Green — WR53]
IR: CMC, Raheem Mostert, OBJ, Desean Jackson, Parris Campbell, Jalen Reagor
Depth:
QB: C- [Philip Rivers, Ben DiNoobie]
RB: D [Jamycal Hasty, Devine Ozigbo]
WR: C+ [Scotty Miller, Cedrick Wilson, Quez Watkins, Antonio Brown, Russell Gage, Isaiah Ford, John Ross]
TE: C [Mo Alie-Cox, Richard Rodgers]
Strengths: WR. Not much to say about this team as it has been riddled with injuries. He’s gotten some nice production to round out the back end of the group (Keelan Cole and Lavishka Shenault)
Weaknesses: QB. Even though Tannehill is playing lights out this year, Cam and Philip Rivers have not. Cam, especially, has been quiet after making some noise in the beginning of the year.
X-Factor: Antonio Brown. Last chance for AB? We’ll see how he produces in a loaded offense.
Biggest Overperforming: Justin Jefferson. Rookie broke out with some big fantasy weeks.
Biggest Underperformer: Juju Smith-Schuster. Another not so great year for Juju.
What Went Wrong: Jason’s team has had his fair share of injuries, but it’s also his lack of depth that has been hurting him. Sure, it’s hard to reproduce CMC’s value with bench players but, there aren’t many reliable bench options for his team. Luckily, newly acquired Jalen Raegor comes back, then CMC comes back soon, then Mostert. If this team can hang tight while it’s stars come back, it may sneak into the playoffs.
Preseason Prediction: 7–6, 5th place
Current Standing: 2–5, 9th Place
10. Ryan, “Kittles n Bits”, Overall Grade: C
Starters:
QB: B [Deshaun Watson — QB5, Derek Carr — QB21]
RBs: C [Chris Carson — RB11, Damien Harris- RB68]
WRs: B+ [DK Metcalf — WR15, Chase Claypool — WR26, Brandon Aiyuk — WR38]
TE: A+ [George Kittle — TE2]
FLEX: D [Curtis Samuel — WR52, Corey Davis — WR54]
IR: Courtland Sutton, Tyrell Williams
Depth:
QB: B [Jimmy Garoppolo]
RB: D [JD McKissic, Wayne Gallman, Derrius Guice, Mike Boone, Lynn Bowden ]
WR: C- [Damiere Byrd, Randall Cobb]
TE: B [Cameron Brate, David Njoku, Gerald Everett, Greg Olsen, Irv Smith Jr]
Strengths: Young WR core. The emergence of DK Metcalf and Chase Claypool have made his group look very promising. (Aiyuk is pretty good too)
Weaknesses: RB. By design, Ryan has traded his RB depth in James Conner and David Montgomery for future draft picks as he looks to mount a comeback in 2021 and beyond
X-Factor: Brandon Aiyuk. We’ll see how Aiyuk can produce without Deebo Samuel.
Biggest Overperforming: Chase Claypool. The rookie is showing up with plenty of redzone targets and making the most of his opportunities.
Biggest Underperformer: Derrius Guice. 6th round pick wasted on this scumbag.
What Went Wrong: Ryan had his fair share of bad luck. Sutton went down in week 1 and Guice got suspended/released before the season. After trading Connor and Montgomery, his RB situation looks very bleak but has a good WR group that he shouldn’t have to worry about going forward too much. His WRs are young and all entering their prime years (DK literally looks like Julio). His QB have played well (with the exception of Jimmy G), but Carr and Jimmy could potentially be replaced for younger options next year.
Preseason Prediction: 4–9, 11th place
Current Standing: 2–5, 9th Place
11. Brandon, “Redeem Team”, Overall Grade: C-
Starters:
QB: C+ [Carson Wentz — QB7, Drew Lock — QB35]
RBs: A- [Ezekiel Elliot — RB4, Mike Davis — RB8]
WRs: B- [Deandre Hopkins — WR1, Jerry Jeudy — WR62, Michael Gallup — WR51]
TE: B [Hayden Hurst — TE8]
FLEX: B+ [Melvin Gordon-RB26, Todd Gurley- RB9]
IR: Zach Ertz
Depth:
QB: C- [Tyrod Taylor]
RB: B- [Chase Edmonds, Malcolm Brown, Jamaal Williams, Jordan Howard, Nyheim Hines]
WR: C+ [TY Hilton, Marvin Jones, Anthony Miller, JJ Arcega Whiteside]
TE: C- [Trey Burton, Donald Parham]
Strengths: RB depth. Brandon has by far the most RB depth in the league and with the recent injuries to Aaron Jones and Kenyan Drake, his handcuffs of Jamaal Williams and Chase Edmonds get a huge boost in value.
Weaknesses: WRs and TEs not named Deandre Hopkins. Jeudy, Gallup, Hilton, and Hurst have all underperformed to some degree so far this season. This can change quickly but so far, they have to pick it up for Brandon.
X-Factor: Zeke. The offense looks like a mess but maybe Zeke can turn it around.
Biggest Overperforming: Mike Davis. He’s been playing very well with CMC gone, but how big will his role be when he is back?
Biggest Underperformer: Gallup. He was set for a 3rd year breakout after having a great sophomore season. Unfortunately due to the addition of Ceedee Lamb and the injury of Dak, the chances of his fantasy breakout look bleak.
What Went Wrong: Much like Jeff’s team, Branden’s team really needs a QB. He’s been solid in every position but having only 1 startable QB (Wentz) has hurt Branden badly. Additionally, Branden invested in the depth of his WR group, but aside from Hopkins, they have severely underperformed. His team isn’t the youngest (Gurley, Gordon, Hilton, Jones) so is it time to buy or sell for Branden?
Preseason Prediction: 6–7, 9th Place
Current Standing: 2–5, 11th Place
12. Steven, “Baskin Dobbins”, Overall Grade: C-
Starters:
QB: A- [Kyler Murray — QB1, Joe Burrow — QB14]
RBs: C+ [CEH — RB10, JK Dobbins- RB44]
WRs: B [Robby Anderson — WR7, Ceedee Lamb — WR18, Jarvis Landry — WR40]
TE: C [Mike Gesicki — TE16]
FLEX: C- [Henry Ruggs — WR90, Deebo Samuel — WR85]
IR:
Depth:
QB: B [Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew, Andy Dalton]
RB: C- [Gus Edwards, Peyton Barber, Kerryon Johnson, Alexander Mattison, Benny Snell]
WR: C [Christian Kirk, Dez Bryant, Greg Ward]
TE: C- [Dan Arnold, Jordan Akins, Matt Asiasi]
Strengths: QB. Kyler and Burrow look like studs.
Weaknesses: RB depth. Dobbins hasn’t really gotten a shot to play and CEH now enters a RBBC with Le’Veon
X-Factor: Henry Ruggs. He’s been banged up but has looked promising in games he’s played
Biggest Overperforming: Robby Anderson. He’s been another recipient of leave Adam Gase, then play very well. I.e Ryan Tannehill, Devante Parker.
Biggest Underperformer: Jarvis Landry. Maybe the OBJ injury opens up more opportunities for him?
What Went Wrong: Well, we predicted Steven’s team would not be good this year. Even with stellar QB play, the rest of the team hasn’t been able to match that production. CEH and Dobbins have somewhat struggled to lock down lead roles, but maybe that’ll change next year. While Robby Anderson has outperformed his draft position, Deebo, Ruggs, and Landry have underperformed. Maybe Gesicki can turn it around with Tua at QB.
Preseason Prediction: 3–10, 12th Place.
Current Standing: 2–5, 12th Place
