Well the CFFL begins it's 39th season! With the 40th season looming and plans to travel to Las Vegas for the 40th draft is beginning to take shape. But we still have to get through this season...And it all started with the draft at Chisler Headquarters.
Fantasy Bowl XXXVIII trophy was presented to the Monterey Bay Whales owner Brandon Cherry who was there virtually from California. This was his first championship in the CFFL and with Mahomes still on his team, he is looking to repeat.
This year we might have had a record of draft picks traded last year. There were 9 draft picks traded in the 2022 season. The Legion had 4 of them!
But as this season unfolds, these are only predictions based on the current drafted rosters and as we all know, many things happen throughout the season. Injuries happen. Trades happen. Waiver wires happen. For example, the Crew started out with Carr and was hopping to ride the Raiders, but by the trade deadline, they traded for Kyler Murray and Hopkins once again...to no avail. The Warbirds started with Tua and Hurts and eventually took the guess work on who to start by sending Tua to the Cocktails.
But there is one thing that you can count on...a Ferret top pick to struggle. Jonathan Taylor, picked with the number 2 pick in the draft last year by the Ferrets. He was coming off a 20 TD season. In 2022 he would battle injuries all season, playing in only 11 of the 17 games and score only 4 TDs. This year the Ferrets picked 3rd overall and took Travis Kelce. Could be a long year for Kelce....
So what will unfold this year? No one really knows (except for the Ferret curse), which is what makes football so great!
GREAT WHITE NORTH
Cherry's Chislers
Big Three: Burrow, Chase, Pacheco
10 point connection: Burrow to Chase and Boyd - Grade A+ |
| Burrow says I will be ready! |
QB Grade: A+ Joe Burrow is one of the top QBs in the league. Past two season he has thrown for 34 and 35 TDs and ran for 7 more. The only question will be his calf injury and if he will be ready to go full power in Week 1
RB Grade: C The running game will be anchored by either Chiefs or Commanders since he has both RBs on those teams. "Peak at my Butthole" Pacheco will likely get the start most weeks with Edwards "Scissor Hands" Helaire in the wings. Pacheco only had 5 TDs last season. Robinson and "Debbie" Gibson are the Commander backs.
WR Grade: B- Ja'Marr Chase was the top pick in the draft and gives the Chislers a deadly 10 point connection. Boyd adds another 10 point threat, so should be fun watching Bengals games in the Bunker. Quentin Johnston might be an x-factor or could be a bust. Jameson Williams will be a difference maker down the stretch when he comes off his suspension.
K/ST Grade: B Tyler "Kick his ass sea" Bass and the Bills are always in a position for points.
Alex's Animals
Big Three: Mixon, Adams, Lamb 10 point connection: Prescott to Lamb
QB Grade: B- Prescott's durability will be in question. He played only 12 games last season. In 2021 when he played a full season he threw for 37 TDs. Not sure I see that level this year. Brock Purdy isn't a bad back up option as when he played scored multiple TDs each week.
RB Grade: B- Joe Mixon returns with the Animals after being cleared of any wrong doings off the field apparently. He is always a threat to score 10 or more TDs, specially in that Bengal offense. AJ Dillon, while is a decent scoring threat, with the shift from Rodgers to Love, its a wait and see approach. I'm high on Tank Bigsby. He's a rookie that could get lots of goal line carries.
WR Grade: A- Davante Adams scored 14 TDs last year, 11 year before, 18 the year before. Safe to say he is a beast at the position, and maybe one of the best. CeeDee Lamb is a threat for 10 plus TDs and a nice 10 point connection. Gabe "I want to be called Gabe" Davis solid 7 TD player. Terry "Midichlorian" McLaurin can be great. Hopefully his turf toe doesn't nag him all year. Then they got Smith-Njigba. Talent there. He will be fighting for balls with Lockett and Metcalf.
K/ST Grade: C Kicker from Indy and a kicker from Carolina...meh
Fez's Ferrets
Big Three: Kelce, Kittle, Taylor?
10 point connection: None
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| Why did you draft me?? |
QB Grade B- Jared Goff seemed to resurrect his career in Motown. He could have an even better year this year. But there is always that threat that you could get Goffed!
RB Grade: C (A if Taylor plays) Such a big question about Taylor. Hates his owner. Wants traded. Will he play for someone else or reluctantly play for the Colts, or sit out? And the answer is he will sit on the PUP list for next 4 weeks and then who knows. The Ferrets best option if he doesn't go is Akers, who has never really lit up the score board.
WR Grade: B+ I'm giving it a B+ for a healthy Kelce. Both Kelce and Kittle can score over 10 TDs in a season. They did last year. However Kelce, who had 12 TDs by Week 11 had absolutely none the rest of the year. Now he was the first pick of the Ferrets, which spells doom for most players. Another TE, Dawson's "Creek" Knox could definitely provide some points.
K/ST Grade: C Looking for Maher in Denver to keep booting FGs for a struggling team...
R.C. Wrecking Crew
Big Three: Jacobs, Brown, Smith
10 point connection: Smith to Lockett
QB Grade: C Crew went with Geno Smith, who like Goff, was reborn last year. He threw for 30 TDs, the most in his career. Can he do it again? Or was he just a flash in the pan, one year success and go back to being same old Geno? He has the weapons to do it again. Crew hopes he can.
RB Grade: B+ Just before draft Josh Jacobs "Jingleheimerschmidt" signed, taking a load off Crew ownership. While he may have a slow start to the season, he is a top back in the league. Let's just hope he don't pull a hammy and be hampered all season. For reassurance they drafted their back up Zamir "Must have the" White. Khalil Herbert might surprise and start along side Jacobs
WR Grade: C+ Crew really only have 2 solid WRs. A.J. Brown, who did score 11 TDs last year, and Tyler Lockett, a nice 10 point connection. They should put up similar numbers. But then its just a bunch of flyers and fun names. Irv Smith was a sleeper hopeful pick. Marvin "Basketball" Jones is a flyer, hoping to get more attention from Goff. Freiermuth "Firemouth, say it right" had a whopping 2 TDs last year, but has a fun name and hoping to improve his numbers.
K/ST Grade: C- Greg "The Leg" Zuerlein will likely get start and the hope is that he benefits from a Rodgers led team and doesn't become a head case. If not there is always Cairo Santos "Todd Chontos".
Division Winner: Chislers
Playoff Teams: Animals
Staying Home: Crew/Ferrets
EASTERN BLOC
Stamm's Sinistars
Big Three: Lawrence, Ekeler, Hall
10 point connection: Lawrence to Kirk Grade B+
QB Grade: B+ Trevor Lawrence is becoming a top fantasy QB. He threw for 25 TDs and ran for 5 more. Has he turned the corner? They have added another weapon in Ridley so could he get to 30 TDs?
RB Grade: A They managed to grab one of the best RBs in the league in Austin Ekeler. He has scored 20 and 18 TDs the past two years and there is no signs that he is going to stop playing air guitar in the end zones. Hall is a pretty good RB2 if he can fully comeback from his injury last year. He will have to contend with Dalvin Cook now. To be safe, Sinistars drafted both Lions RBs, "Barry" Gibbs and Montgomery. Both could find paydirt quite often.
WR Grade: B- There is plenty of potential with the WRs but not a lot of big hitters. They traded for Christian "Captain" Kirk for a viable 10 point connection. "Mrs. Sue" Higgins scored 7 times last year and with the Bengals should hit that again or more. DeVonta Smith is another solid 7 or more WR. Andrews at TE is also solid. The potential comes with Skyy Moore and D.J. Chark "Not sure if he's a Cherry or a Clark".
K/ST Grade: C- Joey Slye "And the Family Stone" is kicking for the Commanders, hence C-
Jakes' Juggernauts
Big Three: McCaffrey, Diggs, Cooper
10 point connection: Fields to Mooney
QB Grade: C Justin Fields will take the helm for the Juggs. He hasn't thrown for over 20 TDs yet. But he does run a lot and had 8 TDs on the ground. They have upgraded his weapons so this will be a pivotal year. Raw Richardson will likely be an experimental project for the Juggs this year.
RB Grade: A- McCaffrey fell right in the Juggernauts lap on draft day. He can score a ton of TDs. He had 13 last year after two injury plagued seasons. If he can stay healthy, he would be over 15 this year! After Kamara's suspension, the Juggs could insert him into the line up and have a pretty nice 1-2 punch.
WR Grade: B+ Diggs, Metcalf and Amari cooper. All have shown flashes of brilliance in the past scoring 10 or more TDs. Zay Jones is ready to have a big year as well. If these guys take off and play to their potential, the Juggs might be hard to stop! Mooney is a 10 point connection but with the stable of WRs he might not even see the field.
K/ST Grade: A- Kicker Younghoe Koo "Cream on sum yung guy" has turned out to be a top tier kicker.
Kretz's Krauts
Big Three: Allen, Robinson, Moore
10 point connection: Allen to Kincaid C+
QB Grade A: Josh Allen has scored 177 and 182 points past two seasons. His ability and willingness to run makes him even more dangerous. Count on 35 or more TDs with 7-8 rushing TDs. He can take over a game all on his own. Unfortunately for the Krauts this is the only position with no question marks.
RB Grade: C+ Three backs are in Kraut camp. Rookie Bijan Robinson is projected to have a big year, and could score 10 or more TDs. But he is a rookie and who knows. Can Mattison take over the load in Minnesota from Cook? What role will Rashard Penny play in an over crowded Eagle backfield?
WR Grade: C+ There is really not a single player with out a question mark. D.J. Moore looks the most promising, but while he has looked good in preseason, its preseason. Calvin Ridley hasn't played in like 2 years. Michael Thomas has barley played in 3 years. Waller is now a Giant catching dimes from Danny. Kincaid and Musgrave are rookie TEs. Will all these guys pan out? We shall see, but a lot of questions.
K/ST Grade: B Butker kicks a lot of XPs instead of FGs but gets a lot of chances in Kansas City. McManus might get more starts. Pats D can score.
Molotov Cocktails
Big Three: Henry, Walker, Tua
10 point connection: None
QB Grade: C Would grade it higher on projections, but let's be real. It's Danny Dimes and Tua "Concussion Boy" Tagovailoa. Tua is going to have to stay healthy for the Cocktails to make a playoff run. Let's see if his Jiu Jitsu training helps.
RB Grade: A The Cocktails might have one of the best backfields in the league with Derrick "King" Henry and Kenneth Walker. Henry is a work horse and since 2018 has scored double digit TDs every year. Question is with all the carries he has, when will he finally breakdown? Walker had a good rookie season scoring 10 times and would seem he should be ready for an even better year. He may have to share more touches with rookie Charbonnet, but Cocktails got him too...And this was the team that proposed a rule to allow you to NOT start a RB...hmmm.
WR Grade: C- Looks like the Cocktails will be ground and pound because this group isn't that great. Guess you could say DeAndre Hopkins is the best of the lot. He can score double digits, but hasn't done that since 2018. Taysom "Utility Knife" Hill is listed at TE where he will likely stay, but he might get several chances to score. Brown plays for Cards who are terrible. Maybe Brandin Cooks finally lives up to expectations, but don't count on it.
K/ST Grade: C Probably going to be Cameron Dicker "The Kicker"
Division Winner: Sinistars
Playoff Teams: Juggernauts
Bubble Teams: Krauts and Cocktails
SAD SACK SOUTH
Weiland's Warbirds
Big Three: Hurts, Chubb, Etienne
10 point connection: Hurts to Goedert and Gainwell C+
QB Grade: A- Hurts scored 170 points last year, largely thanks to 13 rushing TDs. He's like a top tier RB that can throw for 20+ TDs. That makes him a dangerous weapon. If he stays healthy expect more of the same.
RB Grade: A Nick Chubb "chubb, chubb, chubb" will anchor this running attack. He is back that can get you 10 or more TDs a year. Etienne only had 6 TDs but look for this to increase as the Jags continue to improve. Does anyone remember Jerick McKinnon scoring 10 times last year? I don't. But he did. 9 were through the air. He has never done that in his career so can we expect him to do it again? Nah.
WR Grade: C Like the Krauts there are lots of questions and potential here. Will Beckham survive the entire year? Will he start both Charger WRs Palmer and Williams (should start Williams for sure)? Goedert had 3 TDs last year. Can he give the Warbirds more 10 point connections than 3? Jahan Dotson "We have Dotson here! See nobody cares" has the most points of any of them last year.
K/ST Grade: C+ Will Lutz is a good kicker. He might get more chances with Carr there now.
Monclova Dragons
Big Three: Jackson, Harris, Samuel
10 point connection: Jackson to Flowers and Bateman
QB Grade: B+ Lamar Jackson had a rough year in 2022 with injuries. But things are looking up with a new OC and weapons. Signs are pointing to a big year for Jackson. Could he get to MVP numbers from 2019 when he threw for 36 TDs and ran for 7 more? Let's not get carried away, but something around 25 TDs and 5 on the ground could happen.
RB Grade: B+ Najee Harris in his first two seasons has scored 10 TDs each year. While it is preseason, him and his Steelers have looked good, so there is no reason not to believe he can't get to 10 or maybe a few more this year. Mostert and Perine will be backing him up in a likely single back set for the Dragons.
WR Grade: C+ Dragons, after a trade for Zay Flowers, have two potential 10 point connections with "Jason" Bateman the other. Who will be Jackson's favorite target? This will be huge for the Dragons. If its Beckham then the Dragons' two might not be that valuable. But if not or Beckham gets hurt, Flowers and Bateman could have big years. Deebo "Dabo Sweeny" Samuel is always a threat to score. However in his career his TD totals are 6, 1, 14, and 5. So only once has he had a big year. Maybe Chris Olave will thrive with Derek Carr throwing to him...
K/ST Grade: C Looks like it is Riley Patterson for Detroit assuming he will be the starter. Badgley got released.
Toledo Titans
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| Get used to seeing this,, |
Big Three: Rodgers, Wilson, Waddle
10 point connection: Rodgers to Wilson B+
QB Grade: B Aaron Rodgers in New York City! With a fresh scenery will this be a happier Rodgers and produce those 30+ TD seasons once again? I am going to lean yes. He has some good weapons and seems excited. We will see if he lights it up or runs for his life with a weak OL in New York.
RB Grade: D The worst grade for RBs in the CFFL. Titans have three and none excite me. D'Andre Swift now plays in a very crowded Eagle backfield. Chuba Hubbard will be a back up to Sanders in Carolina. Deuce "Bag" Vaughn is a tiny guy.
WR Grade: B- Now the Titan WRs I don't mind. I think Garrett Wilson is going to have a monster year with Rodgers throwing to him. 10-13 TD catches. This gives the Titans a lot of 10 point connections and will keep them in a lot of games. Jaylen Waddle should get another 8 or so TDs and do the "waddle" in the end zone plenty of times. Theielen will be the main target for Bryce young in Carolina, but how often is Young going to be able to find Theielen? After those three it gets real thin for the Titans.
K/ST Grade: C Likely will be Boswell, which might get even more chances with an improved Steeler team. Hopkins who wasn't going to be the Charger kicker when Titans drafted him did find a home in Cleveland so not all lost with that pick.
Killer Bees
Big Three: Kupp, Pickens, Watson?
10 point connection: Stafford to Kupp, Jefferson or Watson to People-Jones C+
QB Grade: C Well...Watson was protected by the Bees in hopes he will regain his 2020 or 2019 self. He looked awful after about a 2 year hiatus. I think it might be somewhere in the middle. Then we got Stafford, who after a career year in 2021 had an injury plagued 2022. Rams look pretty depleted so not sure he will return to any where near those numbers.
RB Grade: D Along with the Titans, they have the worst RB grade in the league. James Cook had a whole 3 TDs last year. Elijah Mitchell behind McCaffrey. Stevenson in New England may be the starter but less than 7 TDs is the ceiling.
WR Grade: C+ Cooper Kupp was the top pick of the Bees. Kupp had a career year in 2021, but like Stafford, had to battle injuries all last year. Maybe he can get back to 10 TDs. Rams have no other place to throw the ball. Van Jefferson would be the other Ram, but just not that great. George Pickens could be the x-factor. He might have a break out season and has the skills to score 10-13 TDs.
K/ST Grade: A Bees typically have great kickers and special teams every year. This year, whether they wanted to or not, got two of the more prolific kickers in McPherson for Bengals and Myers for Seahawks.
Division Winner: Warbirds
Bubble Teams: Dragons, Titans
Staying Home: Bees
WILD WILD WEST
Iron Legion
Big Three: Herbert, Pollard, Allen
10 point connection: Herbert to Allen and Everett A-
QB Grade: A Herbert had 38 TD passes in 2021 and 31 in 2020 with 5 rushing TDs. In 2022 he only had 25. The talk is that he will be back into the 30s this year. He has all the talent to make it happen.
RB Grade: B+ Tony Pollard was drafted in the first round. He scored over 10 TDs last year sharing the backfield with Elliott. This year he will be the man. Question is, will he hold up all year as the feature back and be able to get in from the goal line? Aaron Jones has been known to put up big numbers but the future of the Packers with Love at the helm is up for question.
WR Grade: B With all the draft picks the Legion had on draft day, the Legion have plenty to chose from at the wide out position. Lazard playing with Rodgers again. Doubs and Watson put up good numbers with Rodgers last year, but now its the Love Story. Keenan Allen a solid 10 point connection along with Everett. Juwan Johnson and Cole Kmet are very viable TEs that will likely make the team.
K/ST Grade: A You can't go wrong with Justin "Mother" Tucker.
Monterey Bay Whales
Big Three: Mahomes, Barkley, Evans
10 point connection: Mahomes to Rice C
QB Grade: A+ Mahomes returns to the defending Champion Whales and is the defending League MVP! He had 192 points last year. Only one year over the past 6 years has Mahomes thrown for less than 35 TDs! He's a machine and if stays healthy all year should post similar numbers.
RB Grade: B+ The Whales were able to grab Saquon Barkley. He scored 10 times last year. This was after an almost 2 year rehab from an injury. While he wasn't happy about the franchise tag, he was able to get some incentives on his season which could mean even bigger numbers for this year. The other two RBs both could start too. Elliott was discarded by the Cowboys even though he scored 12 times! Will the Pats use him in a similar situation on the goal line? And then Pierce who looked good last year as a rookie and this year in the preseason. Not a bad stable.
WR Grade: C+ Not that high on the WRs for the Whales. Mike Evans, while has been great in the past, now has Baker Mayfield throwing to him. Hardman might benefit from playing with Rodgers, but before he played for Mahomes and didn't exactly score a bunch...Drake "Joker Face" London has yet to make a big splash other than his nickname. Rashee Rice, as a rookie, has to gain the confidence of Mahomes.
K/ST Grade: C Gano and Prater don't exactly strike me as huge leg talents anymore.
Cam's Killers
Big Three: Cousins, Hill, Sanders
10 point connection: Cousins to Hockenson B-
QB Grade: B I'm not that down on Cousins as many others are. He will get you close to 30 TDs and sometimes more with a run or two into the end zone. Now he will also occasionally give you the dreaded "Primetime" Cousins game. Just hope he has a lot of 1:00pm games.
RB Grade: C+ Miles Sanders scored 11 TDs last year in Philly with Hurts running in 13! So will Sanders be able to hit the end zone more with Carolina? It's a big step down in rosters so probably not. Jamaal Williams led the RBs in TDs in Detroit but now with the Saints. Not sure he will get the same opportunities this year. So more questions with two backs coming off good years but playing with different teams.
WR Grade: B- The Killer WRs are all banged up entering the season. Jeudy will miss some time. "Flying" St. Brown may be ready for Week 1, but how much will they use him to start the season? Hockenson "on my bread" dealing with back issues (then again who's not). Tyreek Hill however is healthy and ready to scorch opposing defenses. I see more than 8 TDs for Hill this year. As these WRs get healthy the Killers hope to still be in the hunt.
K/ST Grade: C Greg "Roy" Joseph will give Cousins to Hockenson an 11 point connection or stall protection.
Cabucki's Crush
Big Three: Jefferson, Garoppolo, Dobbins?
10 point connection: Pickett to Johnson
QB Grade: C- Who will the Crush go with? Jimmy G or "Baby Hands" Pickett? Jimmy G has a real issue staying healthy. He will have D. Adams to throw to so that is a huge upgrade to where he has been. Pickett appears to be coming into his own. And now he has the electric Pickens to throw too. My guess he starts with Jimmy G but ends with Baby Hands.
RB Grade: C+ Lots of questions here. James Conner over the past few years has been solid. But the Cards are a complete shitshow this year, so don't count on 10 TDs. J.K. Dobbins scored 9 in his rookie season and then got hurt year 2. Bounce back year? Crush are hoping so. Dalvin Cook, after 10 scores in Minnesota was let go for some reason and now plays for the Jets and Rodgers. Could be good, but they also have Hall so the chances could be less.
WR Grade: C+ I see two good WRs and a bunch of meh. The Good, Jefferson and Aiyuk. Justin Jefferson can take over a game and score multiple times. Ayiuk is a solid WR that could get close to 10 TDs on the year. The Meh? Diontae Johnson did have 8 TDs two years ago but now has to battle Pickens for targets. Elijah Moore could surprise in Cleveland, but let's not get carried away.
K/ST Grade: B Carlson kicked 137 points for the Raiders. Decent production for a lame team.
Division Winner: Legion
Playoff Teams: Whales
On the Bubble: Killers
Staying Home: Crush
So what can we expect in the 2023 CFFL Season?
In the North...Chislers will return to the top. Can't see this team with two consecutive losing
seasons...Ferrets season already over before we even start with Taylor on the PUP list, plus by Week 3 Kelce will be dealing with nagging injuries...Animals make some noise with a very strong passing attack...Crew just trying to get to next year and don't plan on trading any draft picks this time...
In the East...This could be a battle between the Sinistars and the Juggs. Sinistars' Lawrence to Kirk and Ekeler lead them to a division title. QB play for the Juggs leave them short...Krauts need so many questions answered that its hard to predict, other than Allen scoring a bunch...Cocktails will make lots of move and be competitive as always...
In the South...Will the Warbirds shed the Whrilybird label this year? They have the team to do so and are in the division to make it happen. Dragons surprise lots of teams with Jackson and Harris...Titans are a tough out at times, but with no running game they miss the playoffs...Bees draft day debacle haunt them all season long...
In the West...Legion have all the talent to win the division, but that's what I thought last year...Whales looking to repeat with second year with Mahomes...Killers team not too bad considering drafted from a wedding and have a shot at playoffs...Crush picks were all questionable and its another long year...
FANTASY BOWL XXXIX: Animals 45 Whales 32
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| See ya in Vegas for Draft 40! |
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