Dynasty leagues have taken the stage as rookie hype and the NFL Draft are converging in under a month. Ricky Valero (co-Founder and editor/writer for Music City Drive-In [MCDI]) put out the call-to-action across the MCDI frequencies to compose a league of avid fantasy footballers determined to build dream teams. Heading the call were an eclectic assortment of individuals representative of the breadth and scope of the MCDI community.
Managers and Draft Order
- Matthew Fox (@Knighthawk7734; MCDI Editor/Writer – Movies/Sports, co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast and Matt and Ricky Happy Hour, and FSWA member)
- n1ckwh1t3
- captaincrohns11
- Chris Clarkson (@chrisclarkson91; MCDI Writer – Sports/Gambling)
- MNMiller (@MNMillerFilmRev; MCDI Contributor – Film/Television, Proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society. Was once called the smartest reviewer alive by Jason Issacs, but chooses to ignore the sarcasm.)
- Jack Lautaret (@JackLautaret; MCDI Writer – Movies/Awards)
- Ricky Valero (@rickyvalero_, co-Founder of MCDI, Editor/Writer – Movies/Sports/Awards, Creator of @banana_meter and bananameter.com)
- Jacob Throneberry (@Tberry57; co-Founder of MCDI, Editor/Writer – Movies/Awards)
- Jason Astarita (@AstaritaJason; MCDI Writer – Sports)
- Erik Jarboe (@WEJarboe; MCDI Writer – Sports)
- Tim Rever (@timreve; MCDI Writer – Sports)
- MalibuMatt
League Settings
Roster – QB, RB, WR, TE, QB/RB/WR/TE, RB/WR/TE (x3), bench (x12), IR (x2), and taxi (x2).
Modified Traditional Scoring Features – PPR, six point passing TDs, .5 premium for TE receptions and .25 points per completions and rushing/receiving first downs.
Bonuses and Penalties – Negative six points for interceptions returned for a TD, negative one point for a QB sack, two bonus points for: +40 yard passing/rushing TD, 200+ yard rushing/receiving game and 400+ yard passing game, and four bonus points for a 50+ yard passing/rushing/receiving TD.
Current Draft Board
Behind the Curtain
Several managers were gracious enough to discuss their thoughts on the opening stages of the draft.
Did you have a plan or point of emphasis heading into the draft?
Matthew Fox (@Knighthawk7734; MCDI Editor/Writer – Movies/Sports, co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast and Matt and Ricky Happy Hour, and FSWA member)
“Heading into the draft my plan was to take Jonathan Taylor at 1.01. He’s my No. 1 Dynasty Running Back and running backs are the hardest position to nail down, so I felt like that was the pick.”
MNMiller (@MNMillerFilmRev; MCDI Contributor – Film/Television, Proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society.)
“I planned to target either Josh Allen or Justin Herbert with my first pick. I then wanted to target a young RB with an established QB and a backfield to themselves. I selected Javonte Williams over Harris because of Pittsburgh’s questionable QB outlook this year.”
Tim Rever (@timreve; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“I had some players I wanted in specific areas. AJ Brown and CeeDee Lamb were must-haves for my roster, so I moved up to ensure I could snag them both.”
Erik Jarboe (@WEJarboe; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“Put simply, my point of emphasis is/was “don’t look like an idiot.” I’m the new kid on the block here, and the old adage about first impressions is very much in play. This is further compounded by the fact that I’ve never done a dynasty league before. So as long as I’m not, like, drafting Tim Tebow or anything, I think I should be fine.”
Jason Astarita (@AstaritaJason; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“The smaller starting roster was an impetus for trying to reconfigure draft capital towards the opening rounds. In particular, the players with first round ADP seemed to be the ideal combination of youth, observed production and upside that were unparalleled in the following player groups. Acquiring an additional first round pick was a key component.”
How do you feel about your team and were there any surprises?
Matthew Fox (@Knighthawk7734; MCDI Editor/Writer – Movies/Sports, co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast and Matt and Ricky Happy Hour, and FSWA member)
“When I got a chance to trade for 2.01 I jumped on it, and Harris falling to me was a player I couldn’t pass up. Had I stayed, I would have double-punched the QB position. I was glad to grab Russ at 2.12 and then to get Tua at 5.01, following up with Kirk Cousins to give me three solid QBs, solidifying a crucial position in Super Flex.”
MNMiller (@MNMillerFilmRev; MCDI Contributor – Film/Television, Proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society.
“I paid a hefty price to move up in the first round, missing out on some top-tier WRs and TEs. I planned to target WRs in the rookie draft. I was pleasantly surprised Kirk was still available in the 10th round, and I expect Gabriel Davis to have a breakout season.”
Tim Rever (@timreve; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“I did not anticipate Kyler Murray slipping to me at 1.11, but I’ll gladly have him anchor my squad. As of now I’m pleased with my team, but will have to hit on some picks in the mid-rounds to compete in this stacked league.”
Erik Jarboe (@WEJarboe; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“If there was an idea of strategy, it really comes down to roster construction for me. Drafting from the 10-slot is rough, in my opinion. At that position you’re really at the mercy of who’s left on the board, and I just have to bank on the fact that if I select someone in the first round, they will, 100% of the time, get injured. Despite this, and somewhat ironically, Dak was sitting there and it felt like a no-brainer. An established, young and talented quarterback with weapons all over the field is a solid foundation for my roster. I’m happy to get DK and Joe Mixon with my next two picks, but from here I think it’s time to start thinking about TE or getting my second quarterback. Again, it all comes down to who’s available and if Ricky has gotten tired of trading yet.”
Jason Astarita (@AstaritaJason; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“The start has been great! I tried to accommodate less of a productive struggle approach and attempted to capitalize on value to make a contending team with a wide window of success. Part of the surprise was the QB moratorium during round two, which led to my selection of Jalen Hurts at 3.11. It also seemed like great value when Jacob Throneberry picked Justin Fields at 4.05 and Jack Lautaret picked Aaron Rodgers at 4.07.”
Outside of your own team, who do you believe has had the best draft thus far?
MNMiller (@MNMillerFilmRev; MCDI Contributor – Film/Television, Proud member of the Las Vegas Film Critic Society.)
“Jarebagetime managed to snag Joe Mixon, Derek Henry, DK Metcalf, Devonta Smith, and Allen Robinson along with Dak at QB? If they can find an upgrade at TE, they may be the team to beat this year.”
Tim Rever (@timreve; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“MNMiller has built a tough, well-rounded squad thus far. He’s scooped a bonafide top-3 dynasty player at each position. Waller and Herbert stick out as league-winners to me.“
Erik Jarboe (@WEJarboe; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“It’s hard to say simply because there have been so many trades that I don’t exactly know who’s on who’s team. I’ll give the early edge to MalibuMatt. I’m bitter that he sniped Mac Jones, but his roster so far is well built.”
Jason Astarita (@AstaritaJason; MCDI Writer – Sports)
“Tim Rever’s build really fits my eye. He is one of two teams that waited until the seventh round before selecting their first RB, utilizing an anti-fragile approach. He hit on Kyler Murray as the last elite tier player on my board at 1.11 and moved similarly to acquire power at WR with Ceedee Lamb and A.J. Brown in the second round. I’m also bullish on T.J. Hockenson and Tim threaded the needle gracefully with that selection at the end of the fifth. We will likely butt heads over unsightly RBs fairly soon, which will be amusing for some in attendance.”
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Jason Astarita (@AstaritaJason) is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with an MS in Psychology (Industrial and Organizational), having completed his undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of San Diego. His passion for fantasy sports is over a decade old, but has been focused on the novel format of Superflex Best Ball in the Dynasty Fantasy Football arena. #superbestball
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