-Position by position preview and A look behind the scenes at the
grades for all 12 teams. Racketeers’ historic run
-2017 Projected Standings to the 2016 Dudemen
-2017 Rookie Draft Recap Championship
THE BULLDOGS’
DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
Things are not always
as they seem….
$14.99 August 2017
Our Sponsors
r/DynastyFF
1
15
The Bulldogs’ Dirty Little Secret Racketeers Redemption 5
Things are not always what they seem... 2016 was the year of the Racketeers
25 letter from commissioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Sweattyballs 2017 rookie draft review. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Go balls deep inside GM Sweatt’s head Coaches/Media Polls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
29 Racketeers team preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Are You Afraid of the Dark? bulldogs team preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
GM Ellis isn’t explorers team preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
37 showboats team preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
The Interview dunkaroos team prev. .ie. .w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Meet The Dudemen’s newest GM sting team preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
generals team preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
sounds team preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
delinquents team preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
Magnum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
cleats team preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
jaguars team preview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
WHY your team sucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
red sticks team preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
red sticks re-tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
top 2018 off-season trades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
the art of the deal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
gm Report cards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
The Process
The
Conundrum
that has
become the
Kansas City
Sounds
41
2
DUDEMEN FANTASY LEAGUE
August 22, 2017
Dear General Managers,
Last year, we were on the cusp of something great. This year, we are
past greatness and looking to become legendary. In two short years, our
League has officially become the greatest league in the world. It has provid-
ed triumphs and heartbreaks. It has made us strategize and study. It has
made us laugh and cheer. Most importantly, it has kept us closer than we
otherwise would be.
You guys make being the Commissioner easy, even you GM Sweatt.
Every team brings something unique to the table. I can’t wait to watch the
story lines unfold during the 2017 season. It’s anyone’s guess who will take
home the trophy this year. There’s one thing for certain: Football is back, ba-
by!
Here’s to another great season for the Dudemen Fantasy League.
Sincerely,
Zach “Commish” Ring
ZACH RING
3
4
RACKETEERS’ REDEMPTION
After GM Ring and the Ridgeland Racketeers’ second place finish in 2015, they finally got
their redemption after dominating the Federal Explorers 178 to 128 in the 2016 Dudemen
Championship. With so many key players returning, fans better get used to the Racketeers
continuously knocking on the Championship door.
General Manager Zach Ring is team played these last few weeks the St. Louis Showboats, Beale
standing against the back wall of and I think we’ll be competitive Street Bulldogs, and Kansas City
the visitor’s locker room. He’s for a long time.” Sounds. “The camaraderie, the
soaked in champagne, and he’s focus, the talent. It was all just
not the only one. It has been less He pauses and smiles. the perfect recipe for a Champi-
than an hour since the Racket- onship.”
eers won their first ever “It’s more than having the
Dudemen Championship and eve- best record or the most talent. Montgomery was a key factor
ryone in the locker room is You have to perform in the in the semifinal victory over the
drenched in champagne and rev- playoffs” he says with a grin. Bulldogs. He paced the Racket-
eling in an unforgettable Champi- “And that’s exactly what we did” eers with a season high 31 point
onship performance. he says before chugging the rest performance.
of the bottle of champagne he’s
The celebration is far from been holding. While Montgomery had his
over, but Ring is already being season high point performance in
asked about what’s next for the It was a legendary playoff run the semifinals, several other play-
franchise. for the Ridgeland Racketeers. In ers saved their best performance
two playoff games, the Racket- for last. Russell Wilson, Travis
“I love our core. DJ, Sammy, eers averaged 154 points, with a Kelce, Jordy Nelson, and Sammy
KA13, Trav, Doctson, and Jordy. record breaking 178 points in the Watkins all scored their season
Obviously we won without a cou- Championship. high in the Championship.
ple of those guys this year, but
they’ll be crucial going forward. “This was, by far, the best But with the 2016 title under
I’m just ecstatic with how this team I’ve been on” says Ty Mont- their belts, it’s finally OK to look
gomery, who has spent time on
5
forward, not just for the fans but Champs, and we’re perfectly fine instant to the last place Sting.
for the players themselves. with that. Each team has a to
stand on its own merit, it’s own Pryor isn’t holding any grudg-
“Enjoy it, and live off it— two feet. Those are the challeng- es, though. He said “GM Ring
you’re a legend forever,” Ring es.” gave me the opportunity and I
says. “But at the same time, proved that I belong in this
what’s cooler than winning one The biggest challenge in 2017 league. I’m glad I got my Champi-
championship? Winning two.” is replacing wide receivers Julian onship ring, but I’m not going to
Edelman and Terrelle Pryor, who sit around and sulk about being
This team, constructed by were both traded during the off- traded to the worst run franchise
Ring, should start 2017 as the season. Edelman was such a big in the league.”
odds on favorite to win a second part of what the Racketeers did
straight Dudemen Championship. on the field and he was the lead- Because the team built by
It is an embarrassment of riches, er in the locker room. Ring would Ring is deep, there are options
really. famously tell Edelman “you go, for replacing Edelman and Pryor,
we go” before every game. The which made the trades easier.
The Racketeers return seven Edelman trade was made as a cap The Racketeers have backups,
of their eight starters from their saving move, but he will be sorely and the backups have backups.
Championship team. They also missed.
add a healthy Keenan Allen, Josh “Everybody’s going to be gun-
Doctson, and Sammy Watkins, The Pryor trade, on the other ning for you, everybody knows
along with newcomers Derrick hand, was the stunner heard how good you are,” Ring says.
Henry and Joe Mixon, the 3rd around the league. Terrelle Pryor “Everything went right for you, so
overall pick in the rookie draft. was scouted and groomed by how do you go out there and re-
Ring. The two had a connection peat that? I think it’s playing with
Yeah, the Racketeers aren’t rarely seen between a GM and a that same kind of passion, that
going anywhere. The new season player. Ring was the only one to same attention to detail. That
presents new opportunities. believe in the quarterback turned was a fun run. I’m ready to do it
wide receiver as Pryor became all over again.”
“We’ll all take a few days to crucial to the Racketeers season.
let this one sink in and enjoy it,” After a rash of injuries ran The first Dudemen Champion-
says David Johnson, Racketeers’ through the wide receiver depth ship was just the beginning for
star running back, “but after that, chart, Pryor stepped up in a big the Ridgeland Racketeers. Is the
it’s back to work. We’ll have a way. Then he was traded in an league even ready?
target on our back, as the
6
The 2017 draft talent was one of the best in the last 3 years, and the entertainment value of this draft did
not disappoint, with a total of four draft-day trades. Many GM’s stockpiled picks because of the per-
ceived elite depth, especially at the running back and tight end positions. Leonard Fournette, Christian
McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, Corey Davis, Dalvin Cook, and Mike Williams highlighted this deep class, but
they likely won’t be the only future stars that were drafted this year. Here is a breakdown of how the
first round went down.
1.04: COREY DAVIS, Wide Receiver, WMU
1.03: JOE MIXON, Running Back, Oklahoma
1.02: CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY, Running Back, Stanford
1.01: LEONARD FOURNETTE, Running Back, LSU
ST. LOUIS DALLAS RIDGELAND KANSAS CITY
SHOWBOATS DELINQUENTS RACKETEERS SOUNDS
GM Sweatt had marked this McCaffrey was the #1 rookie Over the past three years, Mix- The Sounds traded up with the
day on his calendar for a year on the Delinquents’ draft on's off-field issues have over- Dunkaroos after seeing Davis still
and this was an easy choice. board from the beginning. GM shadowed his on-field accom- available at pick 4 (giving up pick
Fournette is a freak of nature Mosby ended up trading up plishments, but that did not 6 and 10), who was many ex-
and likely the best combination with the Dunkaroos after ru- stop GM Ring. Once you look pert’s #1 rookie. Davis was a
of speed and power that has mors that CMC wouldn’t be past the red flags, he is a top-3 collegiate monster, posting 332
come into the draft since Adri- available at Pick 4. CMC is one pick in any draft. Mixon is an catches, 5,285 receiving yards
an Peterson. Fournette runs of the most polarizing players explosive athlete who could be and 52 touchdowns during his
downhill in a very angry way in the this draft. He leaves a dominant force in the NFL. record-breaking career at West-
and punishes would be tack- Stanford after posting 3,922 Taking him in this draft means ern Michigan. While his competi-
lers, commonly leaving them in rushing yards, 99 catches, GM Ring believes any trouble tion can be questioned, he post-
his wake. The questions sur- 1,206 receiving yards and scor- he’s had is all in the past. In a ed 52 catches for 701 yards and
rounding him revolve around ing a total of 31 touchdowns. draft full of great talent, Mixon five touchdowns in nine career
his durability and pass catching The Delinquents are getting a may actually be the most gifted games against the Big Ten. Davis
ability, though he showed nice multidimensional runner with player of them all. Mixon is can run any route on the route
promise in the pass catching flex appeal who can carry the expected to step in and con- tree and is simply built physically
department at the combine. ball 20 times or catch it 10 de- tribute right away as the Rack- and mentally for the NFL. Davis
Fournette will provide the pending on the game plan. eteers’ RB2. If he can learn will provide the Sounds a weekly
Showboats an RB1 plug-&-play CMC is a lock for a weekly RB2 anything from David Johnson, WR2/FLEX. He is expected to be
from Week 1. with RB1 upside. then watch out. a top 5 WR in 2 years.
NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison:
Adrian Peterson Devonta Freeman Le'Veon Bell A.J. Green
7
1.08: ALVIN KAMARA, RB, Tennessee
1:07: O.J. HOWARD, TE, Alabama
1:06: MIKE WILLIAMS, WR, Clemson
1.05: DALVIN COOK, RB, Florida State
ST. LOUIS DALLAS STARKVEGAS GLUCKSTADT
SHOWBOATS DUNKAROOS STING GENERALS
Cook has a power, speed and Williams is a powerful receiver Howard has struggled to live Ascending, competitive runner
elusiveness combo that is rare- who thrives on back shoulder up to hype that has come with who has flashed explosive NFL
ly seen. He was ultra- throws and is fearless going his play-making ability while at talent at various times over the
productive in college, finishing through the middle. He’s great Alabama, but some scouts put last two seasons. A committed
with over 1,000 rushing yards at going up for 50/50 balls. He the blame on the staff and runner with excellent balance
in every season at FSU. Cook has a lot of competition for scheme. He has elite athletic who finds yardage that isn't
may not have the best offen- targets in Los Angeles early on traits and raw talent, but must blocked for him. While he has
sive line in the league, which but he has the tools to be add polish to go along with never logged 20 carries in a
caused him to fall out of the productive early in his career. those attributes. He should single game, he has the talent
top 4, but he still gives GM In the long-term, he has the become more productive as a to play on all three downs. The
Sweatt the best rookie RB duo talent to be a WR1 for the pro and lock down the TE posi- Generals will have to be pa-
seen in a long time. Dunkaroos. tion for the Sting. tient but the talent is there.
NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison:
LeSean McCoy Alshon Jeffery Greg Olsen Jamaal Charles
1.12: D’ONTA FOREMAN, RB, Texas
1.11: EVAN ENGRAM, TE, Ole miss
1.10: JUJU SMITH-SCHUSTER, WR, USC
1.09: JOHN ROSS, WR, Washington
BEALE STREET DALLAS KANSAS CITY STARKVEGAS
BULLDOGS DUNKAROOS SOUNDS STING
Ross is an instant-impact weap- JuJu will get dinged for his lack Engram is one of the most Foreman has outstanding foot
on who scored 23 touchdowns of speed and separation ability dynamic TE’s that has came quickness and wiggle for a back
on just 112 touches. There are but he reminds many of through the NFL in recent his size, but will need to run
major concerns about his dura- Anquan Boldin with his strong years. He’ll have every oppor- behind his pads and with more
bility, as he’s had two major hands, physical approach and tunity to make an impact early aggression on the next level.
knee injuries, and some feel he ability to win the 50/50 catch- and often. Engram will have to He can also handle a big work
may be a bit of a one trick es. While GM Ellis will have to work on his blocking to be a load. Foreman will spend the
pony. He could be the next be very patient with him as he true tight end. However, at his first year backing-up Lamar
D-Jax and provide the Bulldogs attempts to climb the depth 6’3″ and 234 pounds, he can be Miller. If Miller struggles again
with inconsistent production or chart, it would be no shock to a matchup nightmare. GM Dor- or gets injured during 2017,
be the next Antonio Brown and see him as one of the best re- nan is willing to let him devel- Foreman could crack the top
be truly electric. Look for him ceivers one day. For now, he is op, but he also wants to see 24 RBs. Look for him to be a
to be a solid flex player with a weekly FLEX player the Dun- some of Engram’s potential in weekly FLEX player with RB2
WR2 upside for the Bulldogs. karoos. year one. upside.
NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison: NFL Comparison:
DeSean Jackson Anquan Boldin Jordan Reed Jonathan Stewart
8
2017 Preseason Coaches Poll
Rank Team 1St Place Votes High/Low
Ridgeland Racketeers 3 1/3
1
2 Beale Street Bulldogs 3 1/4
3
4 Federal Explorers 2 1/8
5
6 St. Louis Showboats 1 1/8
7
8 Gluckstadt Generals - 3/10
9
10 StarkVegas Sting - 4/12
11
12 Kansas City Sounds - 4/11
Clutch City Cleats - 4/11
Dallas Dunkaroos - 6/11
Dallas Delinquents - 5/11
Jacktown Jaguars - 3/11
Baton Rogue Red Sticks - 10/12
9
The Dudemen League
2017 DUDEMEN
MEDIA POLL
Rank Team Projected 2017 Record 2016 Record
1
2 Ridgeland Racketeers 10-3 10-3
3
4 Beale Street Bulldogs 9-4 8-5
5
6 Federal Explorers 8-5 9-4
7
8 St. Louis Showboats 8-5 6-7
9
10 Dallas Dunkaroos 7-6 6-7
11
12 StarkVegas Sting 7-6 2-11
Gluckstadt Generals 7-6 7-6
Kansas City Sounds 6-7 4-9
Dallas Delinquents 6-7 4-9
Clutch City Cleats 5-8 7-6
Jacktown Jaguars 4-9 9-4
Baton Rouge Red Sticks 1-12 6-7
1100
2017
PREDICTION
1st2016
10-3
The Racketeers may be even better than last year and that’s a scary thought for 2016
the rest of the league. The reigning Champs return their 2016 core, along with
adding several major pieces that weren’t involved in the Championship run of 2016. RECORD
10-3
Points per game
108.1
There is only one player, Sammy Watkins, still on the Racketeers that was drafted by Points Against per game
GM Ring in the Inaugural Draft, and even Watkins has been traded away and reac- 97.9
quired. A completely rebuilt roster, while still winning the Championship, is a one of
WINS TREND
a kind feat. The Racketeers have been in the Championship game for two straight
years, and look to be the favorite to get there again in 2017. It won’t be easy, as noth-
ing in this league is easy, but Ring has to be feeling good about his chances to repeat.
8 10
Quarterbacks Demarco Murray. That hasn’t changed in 2015 2016
Russell Wilson returns as the signal caller for 2017, but Ring hopes Henry slowly takes over HISTORY
the Racketeers in 2017. He had a very up and the lead back duties as the season progresses.
down 2016 season as he dealt with ankle inju- Ty Montgomery, Mike Gillislee, and rookie Joe All-time Record
ries and a below average offensive line. If Wil- Mixon, three high upside players, will round 18-8
son can improve upon his 21 passing touch- out the running back depth and provide RB2
downs in 2016, he’ll have a chance to give the consideration for the Racketeers. A+ Playoff Appearances
Racketeers another dimension in their offense 2015, 2016
that they didn’t have in 2016. The main goal is Wide Receiver/Tight End
to stay healthy, which should result in another The Racketeers have a wealth of riches at wide Playoff Record
top 10 season. Philip Rivers will back up Wil- receiver. Barring injury, Ring could roll out 3-1
son and fill in when necessary. Rivers isn’t three WR1s with Jordy Nelson, Sammy Wat-
Championships
2016
Runner Up
2015
TOP ASSETS
what he used to be, but he can still rack up top kins, and Keenan Allen. Watkins and Allen 1) David Johnson, RB
12 seasons. Quarterback is not the strength
for the Racketeers, but the position won’t hold have battled injuries throughout their careers, 2) Jordy Nelson, WR
the team back . B+
so there’s no guarantee that either can make 3) Sammy Watkins, WR
Running Backs 4) Keenan Allen, WR
it through a full season, or even through Week 5) Travis Kelce, TE
One. Nelson was acquired in week 9 of the
2016 season and went on to become the Rack- KEY MOVES
When you have David Johnson, you don’t even eteers most important receiver on their path ADDITIONS
need another running back. DJ puts up enough to the Championship. The only concern with Derrick Henry (traded)
stats to count as two players, contributing in Nelson is age, as he will be 32 when the 2017 Joe Mixon (Drafted 1.03)
both the running and receiving games. He ran
for over 1,200 yards, caught 80 passes for over Zay Jones (Drafted 2.03)
800 yards, and scored 20 touchdowns in 2016,
culminating in one of the best all around sea- season begins. After the big three, there’s Wil- Mike Gillislee (traded)
sons of all time. He was the main reason the
lie Snead, Josh Doctson, and rookies Zay Jones SUBTRACTIONS
and Cooper Kupp. Snead should see more tar- Julian Edelman (traded)
Lamar Miller (traded)
gets in 2017 after the departure of Brandin Terrelle Pryor (traded)
Cooks. Several experts see Snead as the
Racketeers won 10 games, accounting for 27% breakout receiver of 2017. Doctson will look to
of the Racketeers’ total points. Now he’s back break out after his injury riddled rookie cam-
for another season, ready to wreck the league paign. The two rookies will sit and wait their
again. Second year running back Derrick Hen- turn, most likely not contributing until 2018.
ry, acquired in an offseason trade, takes over Travis Kelce is the star tight end for the Rack- IMPACT ADDITION
for Lamar Miller at RB2. Henry looked good in Joe Mixon - The Racketeers
2016, displaying power and surprising elusive- eteers. He’ll look to continue his ascension to acquired the rookie Joe Mix-
ness, but he was second on the depth chart to becoming the overall #1 tight end. WR: A+ TE:
A on with the hope that he can
slide into the 2nd RB slot.
11
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Russell Wilson 2016 Trade RACKETEERS $30 1
2 Philip Rivers 2016 Trade GENRALS $5 1
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 David Johnson 2016 Trade RACKETEERS $4 1
2 Derrick Henry 2017 Trade RACKETEERS $1 2
3 Joe Mixon 2017 Rookie Draft $0 3
4 Ty Montgomery 2016 Waiver Wire ROOKIE $1 2
5 Mike Gilleslee 2017 Trad RACKETEERS $1 2
6 Rex Burkhead 2017 FA Draft SHOW BOATS $13 2
7 Joe Williams 2017 Rookie Draft RACKETEERS $0 3
8 Tarik Cohen 2017 FA Draft $1 3
9 D’Angelo Henderson 2017 FA Draft ROOKIE $1 3
ROOKIE
WR PLAYER ACQUIRED ROOKIE SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Jordy Nelson 2016 Trade 2016 TEAM $47 1
2 Sammy Watkins 2016 Trade $28 1
3 Keenan Allen 2016 Trade RACKETEERS $25 1
4 Willie Snead 2016 Trade RACKETEERS $8 1
5 Josh Doctson 2016 Trade RACKETEERS $1 2
6 Zay Jones 2017 Rookie Draft RACKETEERS $0 3
7 Nelson Agholar 2017 FA Draft RACKETEERS $12 3
8 Cooper Kupp 2017 Rookie Draft $0 3
ROOKIE
TE PLAYER ACQUIRED FREE AGENT SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Travis Kelce 2016 Trade ROOKIE $16 1
2 C.J. Fiedorowicz 2016 Waiver Wire $1 2
3 Seth DeValve 2016 Waiver Wire 2016 TEAM $1 2
RACKETEERS
RACKETEERS
RACKETEERS
ALL EYES ON David Johnson around you. The only thing holding him SCOUNTING REPORT
What can be said about David Johnson back is the guy in front of him. Henry will
that hasn’t already been said? The continue to split time with Demarco Mur- an opposing coach’s take on the Racketeers
offense runs through him more than any ray in 2017, but hopes to get a bigger
offense runs through a single other player share of the carries than he did in 2016. “GM Ring knows what he’s doing and
in the league. He's also reliable off the Should Murray go down to injury, Henry has built a very solid team. I think the
field, working in the community and do- could be in line for a huge season. That’s Racketeers make the playoffs again,
ing charity work all around Ridgeland. the reason he’s the Racketeers’ X factor. but a repeat will be hard to accom-
Johnson could improve on his yards per He’ll either be good or great.
carry but that's really nitpicking. He still plish. They are a deep team, but
averaged 4.5 yards per carry in 2016 be- KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Health there is a whole lot of risk, especially
hind the 26th ranked offensive line in the The Racketeers were able to win the
league. Better and healthier offensive line 2016 Championship despite losing Sam- at wide receiver. I also don’t think
play should catapult Johnson to another my Watkins, Josh Doctson, and Keenan relying on Derrick Henry and Joe Mix-
top three finish. If there’s one concern, Allen all to injury. Lamar Miller was also
it’s the workload. How many 300+ touch in and out of the lineup, ultimately miss- on for RB2 position is very smart.
seasons can a player have before wearing ing the Championship game. Watkins and Overall, they are rightfully the favor-
down? Allen were supposed to be two of the ite, but they aren’t unbeatable and
main cogs on offense. GM Ring traded
X-FACTOR Derrick Henry away Miller this offseason, but he’s look- probably won’t repeat.”
Derrick Henry proved in his rookie year ing forward to getting his three receivers
that he can play in this league. Several back for the 2017 season. The Racketeers
draft pundits pegged him as too big and should make the playoffs again, but
stiff to succeed at running back. Henry health will be a key factor in whether
proved them all wrong in 2016, showing they can repeat.
that he can either run through you or
ROOKIE REPORT Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Joe Mixon Running Back Oklahoma #4
Pick Zay Jones Wide Receiver East Carolina #16
1.03 (3) Cooper Kupp Wide Receiver Eastern Washington #29
2.03 (15) Joe Williams Running Back #20
3.02 (26) Utah
3.14 (38)
12
2017
2ndPREDICTION
9-4
We’re a long way from the Bulldogs’ magical 2015 season. You remember? 13 2016
-0, crushing opponents each week. Then the playoff choke and a third place
finish. Last year resulted in another playoff berth and another playoff choke. Maybe RECORD
year 3 is the year it all comes together in the playoffs for the Bulldogs. Although an-
other undefeated season is unlikely, GM Sullivan still boasts one of the league’s top 8-5
rosters. Last year wasn’t a failure, but it was a step back. The Bulldogs went from a
Points per game
105.1
Points Against per game
95.2
WINS TREND
13 win season and a semifinal loss to an 8 win season and a semifinal loss. GM Sulli-
van will try to get over the hump in year 3. The good news is, there’s been little turn-
over on this team. The bad news is, there’s been little turnover on this team. 12 8
Quarterbacks Wide Receiver/Tight End 2015 2016
Cam Newton and Matt Ryan make up the best
quarterback tandem in the league. Like the Bull- The Bulldogs have a 1-2 combo at wide receiver HISTORY
dogs, Newton couldn’t follow up his magical 2015 that would make other team’s envious. DeAndre
season with a similar 2016 season. Now he has new
and improved weapons, which should lead to a Hopkins and Amari Cooper are two of the best All-time Record
season more in line with his 2015 season. While players in the league, regardless of position. 21-5
Newton faltered, Ryan ascended to the top of the Cooper is a big play waiting to happen and Hopkins
quarterback depth chart. Ryan had a career year in may have the best hands in the game. But like Playoff Appearances
2016 with over 4,900 passing yards and 38 touch- 2015, 2016
downs compared to 7 interceptions. Sullivan ex-
pects a similar year in 2017 for his star quarter- Playoff Record
back. Look for the Bulldogs to put one of their
quarterbacks on the trade block to try and bolster Gurley and Newton, Hopkins had a very disap- 1-2
another position. A+
pointing season in 2016. Most of Hopkin’s struggles Championships
Running Backs
Sullivan struck gold in the 2015 draft with Devonta can be blamed on quarterback play, but his quar- Runner Up
Freeman and Todd Gurley. But much like the rest terback situation hasn’t changed much for 2017.
of the team, Gurley floundered in 2015 behind a
terrible offensive line and subpar quarterback play. Meanwhile, Cooper should continue to thrive in an TOP ASSETS
Gurley has all the talent in the world, but needs offense that his perfect for his strengths. Cooper
just a little help in order to properly utilize it. It’s
almost a guarantee that Gurley has a better year in also needs to find a way to perform more consist- 1) DeAndre Hopkins, WR
2017, but how much better is the biggest question. ently in the latter half of the season for the Bull- 2) Amari Cooper, WR
It’s hard to run against stacked boxes every week,
but GM Sullivan will try to find away to get his stud dogs’ Championship aspirations to come true. 3) Todd Gurley, RB
running back some running lanes. Freeman, on the
other hand, is one of the most underrated running Complementing the top two receivers are Tyreek 4) Devonta Freeman, RB
backs in the league. He has 27 touchdowns over
the past two years, so look for him to continue to Hill, rookie John Ross, and the newly reinstated 5) Greg Olsen, TE
torch defenses in 2017. GM Sullivan also made one
of the biggest free agent signings by opening up Martavis Bryant. All three players are big play KEY MOVES
the checkbook for Marshawn Lynch. Lynch will threats waiting to happen, which could lead to sev-
form a 3 headed monster for the Bulldogs that will
be hard to stop. CJ Prosise and Dion Lewis fill in at eral boom or bust weeks. It’s a risk Sullivan is more ADDITIONS
RB4 and RB5. A
than willing to take. Tight end is set with the ever John Ross (drafted 1.09)
Taywan Taylor
consistent Greg Olsen, but Sullivan will be looking (drafted 2.07)
for his replacement in the coming years. Marshawn Lynch (signed
WR: A TE: A for $54)
SUBTRACTIONS
Demarco Murray (free
agency)
IMPACT ADDITION
Marshawn Lynch —Lynch
didn’t come at a cheap price
but he slides into the Bull-
dog’s weekly RB2 and FLEX
conversation.
13
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Cam Newton Inaugural Draft BULLDOGS $8 1
2 Matt Ryan Inaugural Draft BULLDOGS $6 1
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Todd Gurley Inaugural Draft BULLDOGS $28 1
2 Devonta Freeman Inaugural Draft BULLDOGS $5 1
3 Marshawn Lynch 2017 FA Draft FREE AGENT $54 3
4 Dion Lewis BULLDOGS $2 1
5 CJ Prosise 2016 Trade BULLDOGS $1 2
6 Kenyan Drake 2016 Rookie Draft BULLDOGS $1 2
7 Time Hightower 2016 Rookie Draft FREE AGENT $1 3
WR PLAYER 2017 FA Draft 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 DeAndre Hopkins ACQUIRED BULLDOGS $31 1
2 Amari Cooper BULLDOGS $21 1
3 Brandon Marshall Inaugural Draft BULLDOGS $14 1
4 Chirs Hogan 2016 Trade BULLDOGS $5 2
5 Martavis Bryant BULLDOGS $4 2
6 Braxton Miller Inaugural Draft BULLDOGS $2 2
7 Tyreek Hill 2016 FA Draft BULLDOGS $1 2
8 John Ross 2016 FA Draft $0 3
9 Taywan Taylor 2016 Waiver Wire ROOKIE $0 3
10 DeDe Westbrook 2016 Waiver Wire ROOKIE $1 3
2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE
TE PLAYER 2017 Rookie Draft SALARY YEARS REM.
2017 FA Draft 2016 TEAM
1 Greg Olsen $14 1
2 Coby Fleener ACQUIRED BULLDOGS $4 2
3 Adam Shaheen BULLDOGS $1 3
2016 Trade
2016 Waiver Wire ROOKIE
2017 FA Draft
ALL EYES ON Todd Gurley cate those numbers after a year off, the SCOUNTING REPORT
What could go wrong went wrong for Bulldogs might have their missing FLEX
Todd Gurley in 2016. He averaged less player needed to get to the Champion- An opposing coach’s take on the Bulldogs
than four yards per carry in fourteen out ship. He comes with a cheap contract, so
of sixteen games last year, failing to sur- there is no risk involved here, only re- “The bulldogs are looking strong. This is a
pass 900 yards rushing for the entire sea- ward, especially after GM Sullivan was team that will take to the air this season and
son. Playing in the worst offense in the the only GM willing to sign Bryant. look to the passing game to put points on the
league is a good excuse for his shortcom- board. Sullivan has done a nice job keeping
ings last year, but he has to improve in KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP
2017 for the Bulldogs to get over the 2016 was the fluke, not 2015 his team on the same page but they will
hump. Gurley will get more than enough The Bulldogs were led by Cam Newton, ultimately suffer a few losses this season if
touches, but he has to make them count. DeAndre Hopkins, Todd Gurley, and their backfield can't put up big numbers. A
Look for his receiving prowess to see Devonta Freeman in 2015, which resulted key position to watch is the players running in
more action in 2017 as GM Sullivan will in a 13-0 perfect regular season. Three of the FLEX. Sullivan has been known to make
try to get his running back in space. If those players experienced miserable sea- the wrong decision with players here in the
Gurley lives up to his hype, the Bulldogs sons in 2016, despite their talent. The past (2017 season) and if he does a better job
may run the league for the second time drop-off in production led to a decrease managing the position this year he should get
in three years. in wins by 5 games. GM Sullivan will look a couple extra wins. There is no doubt the
to split the difference in 2017 with 10-11 team has talent, with several options at the
X-FACTOR Martavis Bryant wins. He has the roster to do it. He just flex position: Thomas, Fleener, Ross, Mar-
Welcome back Martavis Bryant. After a needs his players to prove that 2016 was shall, & Lewis...just to name a few. Sullivan
year long suspension, Bryant is back in the fluke season, not 2015. This may be will have to get up extra early on Sunday to
the league and ready to get on the field. the last hurrah for the Bulldogs, with the
The year before his suspension, he racked majority of the core players playing in the get his team in order.”
up 50 catches for 765 yards and 6 touch- final year of their contract. The lack of
downs and looked well on his way to be- trading and acquisitions done by GM Sul-
coming a top 15 receiver. If he can repli- livan also hasn’t helped.
ROOKIE REPORT
Pick Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Wide Receiver Washington #8
1.09 (9) John Ross Wide Receiver Western Kentucky #26
2.07 (19) Taywan Taylor
14
15
Note: The making of this article required long hours,
sleepless nights, sweat (not sweatt), blood, and
tears. Everything in this article is the complete truth
and an accurate portrayal of events.
I received an anonymous tip in April 2017 about
how one General Manager in the league may not be
who he says he is. The accusation was so strong and
so unbelievable that I almost ignored it. Thankfully, I
trusted my gut and put on my investigative pants.
This story centers around General Manager Ken Sul-
livan and the Beale Street Bulldogs. The same team
that had an undefeated regular season in 2015. GM
Sullivan is regarded as one of the best General Man-
agers in the league and one of the favorites heading
into the 2017 season.
16
Blood is everywhere. I’ve never windows that were tinted just the table, eat his breakfast (usually
seen so much blood in my life. He’s enough. I didn’t want to stand out, hard boiled eggs), and drink his
just standing there, staring, not but I also didn’t want to get caught. milk while his fiancé did the same.
saying a word. I’m going in and out I had been staked outside the Sulli- Then he’d make his way to the liv-
of consciousness.“ van residence for three days now ing room where he would turn on
with hardly any leads or evidence. HGTV. He loved Chip and Joanna
Help me, please.” I manage to Sullivan started his day the same Gaines. He would also go for a daily
mutter. way everyday. He’d walk outside in run, usually around five miles. I fol-
his boxers and a robe around 6am, lowed him one day just to cover all
He barely takes a step toward me, holding a cup of coffee, and check my bases, but it amounted to noth-
then pauses. the mail. He always left the cur- ing. He waved and nodded to
tains to his massive kitchen and neighbors, stopped to pet a dog,
“Don’t touch him, Ken!” says a living room windows open. If he and ran up some steps pumping his
voice from the darkness of the al- was hiding something, he wasn’t arms like he was Rocky.
ley. very secretive about it. Therefore, I
None of this was out of the ordi-
————————————
It was sunny and warm on this par- was able to get a good view of nary and I would have already giv-
ticular day in Memphis, Tennessee. what he does once he goes back en up had the 2017 Rookie Draft
I could smell the freshness of a inside. not have been that night. I figured
newly trimmed lawn across the Obviously I couldn’t sit directly out- if I would learn anything to shed
street as I sat down the block from side his house, so I’d have to drive light on the anonymous tip, it
GM Sullivan’s house. I rented a na- by a few times every hour. From would be that night.
vy blue Chevrolet Equinox with
what I could tell, he would sit at ————————————
The thing I couldn’t work out in my
head was why it seemed Sullivan
hadn’t done anything to prepare
for the draft in the three days I’d
been observing. I never saw him at
his computer. I never saw him with
any kind of documents. He ate his
breakfast, lunch, and dinner, went
for his run, and watched TV.
The Bulldogs had the number nine
pick in the Draft, so maybe he just
knew which two or three players
he wanted and that was that. But
every other General Manager in
the league was working the phones
and reviewing scouting reports.
Not Sullivan. I felt like I almost
needed to go knock on the door
and remind him about the draft.
Then it happened… The break I was
looking for.
————————————
”Have you heard about the Bull-
dogs looking to move into the top 3
17
of the Draft?” That was a text I re- “What do you want now” Mosby ————————————
ceived from Dax Mornan, a journal- spat back to me. It was now or never. I had to act on
this information. It was also perfect
ist for the Dudemen Post. I didn’t This obviously wasn’t my first time timing as Sullivan was leaving his
want to tip him off of what I had dealing with Mosby. We had a house for his daily run. I let him get
been working on, so I just replied rocky history, but that’s for anoth- about a mile in before driving up
“no, what are you hearing?” er time.
“I have a strong source within the “Well I don’t mean to bother you, next to him and screeching to a
Beale Street organization that has but I’ve heard a rumor regarding stop. He looked at me with serious
told me GM Sullivan called GM your pick tonight and an offer from confusion. I think I almost gave him
Mosby offering Todd Gurley for the GM Sullivan.” a heart attack.
#2 overall pick” said Dax.
“Of course you have, she, I mean I quickly asked “have you offered
How was that even possible? I had he is just always working all the Todd Gurley to the Delinquents for
eyes on Sullivan for three days at angles” Mosby said in an irritated the second overall pick?” He
that point and he had been living voice. looked dumbfounded. “Uhh Todd
the most ordinary life imaginable. I Gurley? Uh um oh my running
hadn’t even seen him pick up a “So there’s truth to the rumor” I back” he said confusingly. “Yes,
phone, let alone do any team re- asked. that’s him. So is the rumor true” I
search. I had to get the truth so I “Of course. That’s all I’ll say. I’m inquired with a hint of annoyance
hung up with Dax went straight to hanging up now.” The phone in my voice.
the source. clicked after that and I was more
At this point, another car drove up.
“General Manager Mosby, how are confused than I had been since I It was his fiancé, Katie Webb. “Get
you doing” I asked over the phone. found out GM Sweatt was a girl. in the car, Ken” she yelled to him.
18
Sullivan, without thinking twice, walked around me and got in the car.
The moments that happened after that are still somewhat of a blur to me. I was sprinting, looking for any
kind of escape. At this point, I was out of the Sullivan neighborhood and in an alley outside the Bulldog Bar
(named after the local team). The bar wasn’t far from the neighborhood, but I still felt like I had run a mara-
thon.
Going into that alley was a terrible mistake.
————————————
I was cornered and she was blocking my exit. Yep, Webb was standing there, holding a knife. It had all clicked
at this point. That anonymous tip told me that Sullivan wasn’t the one running his team. I just wasn’t sure
what exactly that meant. But now I knew, Webb was calling the shots for the Bulldogs. She’s the one that
went 13-0 in 2015. She’s the one that made the playoffs again in 2016. And she’s the one that has made the
Bulldogs a favorite again in 2017.
None of that really mattered for me at that point, as she was coming toward me with the knife. She was so
quick. I didn’t even have time to react. The pain was so sharp and so painful. I was immediately clutched over
on the ground, losing what felt like gallons of blood by the second. I had been stabbed in the stomach and
Webb had disappeared.
I’m not sure how long had passed, but I gained just enough consciousness to see Sullivan standing there,
looking at me in horror. “Help me, please” I pleaded. He started to take a step toward me when Webb
emerged from the darkness, demanding Sullivan not to help me. Sullivan was motionless for a few seconds
before reaching into his back waistband and pulling out a gun.
It’s true what they say, your whole life flashes before your eyes when you know you’re about to die. All I
could manage to say was “why” before Sullivan raised the gun and… Pointed it at his fiancé.
“KEN! What are you doing?” Webb cried out.
“I can’t do it anymore. The secrets and lies are too much. I need to take back control.”
19
Sullivan said as he bent down to put pressure on the gash in my stomach, while keeping the gun pointed at
Webb with his other hand. Then he whispered “I’m the one that called in the anonymous tip.”
Just as he said that, I heard the sirens. The last thing I remember before blacking out was Webb being led
away in handcuffs, crying and screaming at Sullivan.
————————————
When I woke up in the hospital, Sullivan was sitting in the chair in the corner of the room. He saw me start
to awaken and made his way to my side. He explained everything. How he had only been the face of the
team, while Webb was the controller. She made all the trades, acquisitions, and draft picks. She even had all
texts sent to Sullivan about the league automatically forwarded to her phone so she could respond. Sullivan
told me he couldn’t live like that anymore. He’s the one that bought the team. He wanted sole control.
This is a dangerous business I’m in. I asked Sullivan if I could write this story about what happened. He said it
would tarnish his legacy but he’s fine with it because it’s time for him to build a new legacy. I also asked if he
had anything he wanted to say.
“Never bring a knife to a gunfight.”
————————————
Once I was out of the hospital, I was able to visit Webb, who now spends her days in the Beale Street Wom-
en’s Correctional Facility. Sullivan came with me as I was a little timid about going by myself. She apologized
to me. She also said she still has a relationship with Sullivan and still hopes marry him one day. Sullivan visits
her at least twice a week to discuss anything from football to his marathon training.
I didn’t notice it at first, but I did when Sullivan went to hug Webb across the table. The little scar behind
Sullivan’s ear. I would have typically thought nothing of it, but Webb was rubbing it as she winked at me.
There’s no way she planted something in his brain, right? No way she’s still controlling the Bulldogs. There is
just no possible way. Right?
Rack Zing, Dudemen News
20
2017
3rdPREDICTION
8-5
General Manager Jonathan Simon is one of the top GMs in the league. He had 2016
his Federal Explorers ranked #1 in the Power Rankings for several weeks in
2016 and had them on the cusp on the Championship. The Explorers ended up fin- RECORD
9-4
Points per game
120.2
ishing in second place, but look poised to make another run in 2017. Every key play- Points Against per game
er from the 2016 team is returning. This is a team that lead the league in scoring by a 97.9
wide margin in 2016. The Explorers are a top heavy team, with 5 superstars and sev-
WINS TREND
eral role players. That recipe only works with perfect health, which has been so far
so good for this team. Simon knows his Championship window is now and is willing
to do whatever it takes to win it all, even if that means trading his future.
79
Quarterbacks isn’t much depth behind them. A- 2015 2016
There’s not much room for improvement when you HISTORY
have Tom Brady and Derek Carr on the roster.
Brady looked as good in his 17th season as he has All-time Record
in any other season in his career and he is showing 16-10
no signs of slowing down. In 12 games, he threw
for 3,554 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 2 intercep- Playoff Appearances
tions. Insane numbers for a 38 year old quarter- 2015, 2016
back. Simon’s succession plan at quarterback is the
Playoff Record
2-2
Championships
best in the league. Derek Carr will take over for Wide Receiver/Tight End Runner Up
Brady when he retires, which may not be for an- 2016
other 5 years. In the meantime, Carr will fill in
when needed as he builds off his breakout 2016 Dynamic. Elite. World-class. All words that can de- TOP ASSETS
campaign. The eye-liner wearing QB threw for al- scribe the Explorers’ duo at wide receiver. No other
most 4,000 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2016. He’d
be QB1 on most other teams. A+ team in the league even comes close to competing 1) Odell Beckham, WR
Running Backs with the duo of Antonio Brown and Odell Beckham 2) Antonio Brown, WR
The Explorers’ running backs may not be the best Jr. These two receivers have averaged 220 catches, 3) Jordan Howard, RB
group on the team, but they were probably the key 2,968 yards, and 23 touchdowns between them 4) Melvin Gordon, RB
to success in 2016. A lot was expected out of Mel- over the last two seasons. Both receivers are al- 5) Devante Parker, WR
vin Gordon when he was drafted two years ago,
but he failed to live up to the hype in his rookie most guaranteed to catch 100 passes and double KEY MOVES
season. Last year was a different story, as he fin-
ished with close to 1,000 yards and 10 touch- digit touchdowns. DeVante Parker and Tyrell Wil-
downs. If not for an injury in Week 13, which es- liams back up the Explorers’ two studs, but they ADDITIONS
sentially cost him 4 games, he would have likely Kenny Golladay
finished second in the league in rushing with a few are no slouches themselves. Parker has a hard time (drafted 3.12)
more touchdowns. The guy that actually finished
second in the league in rushing, Jordan Howard, staying healthy and is inconsistent, but he has SUBTRACTIONS
also plays for the Explorers. Howard provided a shown a knack for making the big play. Williams Randall Cobb
huge boost to this team in 2016 as he came out of
nowhere, racking up chunk play after chunk play. took advantage of a Keenan Allen injury in the first (free agency)
He displayed a unique combination of vision and
power, getting better as he got deeper into the week on his way to a 1,000 plus yard season along
game. The sky's the limit for both these young run-
ning backs, but they’ll need to stay healthy as there with 7 touchdowns. It’s impossible to know if he
can keep up that kind of production with the return
of Allen, but even a small drop-off in production
would be more than tolerable for GM Simon. Tight
end will be an open competition for the Explorers
and is easily the worst group on the team. Austin IMPACT ADDITION
Hooper and Charles Clay are the tight ends. Both Kenny Golladay —The best
pick of the draft. Golladay,
players have limited upside and very low floors. who is already starting for
WR: A+ TE: D the Lions, could end up the
best receiver the in draft.
21
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Tom Brady Inaugural Draft EXPLORERS $5 1
2 Derek Carr 2015 Waiver Wire EXPLORERS $5 1
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Melvin Gordon Inaugural Draft EXPLORERS $31 1
2 Jordan Howard 2016 Rookie Draft EXPLORERS $1 2
3 Latavius Murray JAGUARS $2 3
4 Brandon Oliver 2017 FA Draft FREE AGENT $2 3
5 Donnel Pumphrey 2017 FA Draft $1 3
6 Troymaine Pope 2017 FA Draft ROOKIE $1 2
2016 Waiver Wire EXPLORERS
WR PLAYER SALARY YEARS REM.
ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM
1 Odell Beckham $63 1
2 Antonio Brown 2015 Trade EXPLORERS $57 1
3 Devante Parker Inaugural Draft EXPLORERS $7 1
4 J.J. Nelson EXPLORERS $2 2
5 Tyrell Williams 2016 Trade EXPLORERS $1 2
6 Malcolm Mitchell 2016 Waiver Wire EXPLORERS $1 2
7 Devin Funchess 2016 Waiver Wire EXPLORERS $3 1
8 Geronimo Allison SOUNDS $1 2
9 Rashard Higgins 2016 Trade EXPLORERS $1 2
10 Jaelen Strong 2017 Trade EXPLORERS $1 2
11 Kenny Golladay 2016 Waiver Wire EXPLORERS $0 3
12 Ricardo Lewis 2016 Waiver Wire $1 3
2016 Waiver Wire ROOKIE
TE PLAYER 2017 Rookie Draft FREE AGENT SALARY YEARS REM.
2017 FA Draft
1 Austin Hooper 2016 TEAM $2 1
2 Charles Clay ACQUIRED $1 2
RACKETEERS
2016 FA Draft RACKETEERS
2016 Waiver Wire
ALL EYES ON OBJ & AB The big question is can he do it again? If SCOUNTING REPORT
How can you even choose between Anto- he can, the Explorers will be one of the
nio Brown and Odell Beckham Jr? As long heavy favorites to win the 2017 Champi- an opposing coach’s take on the Explorers
as both continue to average around 16 onship. If his 2016 season proves to be a
points per game, the Explorers will find fluke, GM Simon may be scrambling to fill “Does GM Simon know he can only
themselves towards the top of the stand- his FLEX positions. start 4 wide receivers at most? I
ings once again. The only thing that can mean, he's loaded at WR but I still
slow these two down is their quarterback KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Tight Ends
play. Both receivers are in similar situa- The Explorers are two deep at every feel like his lack of depth at running
tions with aging quarterbacks who look position except for tight end, where it back and tight end is going to hurt
like they’re on the back end of their ca- can be argued that they don’t even him. But then again, most teams
reers. The quarterback concern is likely have a starting caliber player. Look for
overblown as both receivers are talented GM Simon to work the phones all sea- don't have 8 sure things in their
enough to produce with any quarterback. son until he finds a consistent tight end. starting lineup, so he should still be a
The antics of OBJ are also overblown. Counting on Charles Clay and Austin top 5 team. OBJ and AB can make up
There is nothing wrong with proposing to Hooper at tight end in an otherwise
the kicking net in the middle of a game. intimidating lineup is a risky move for a for a missing TE or FLEX player.
team in the middle of their Champion- Devante Parker is a guy I really like
X-FACTOR Tyrell Williams ship window. Then again, Simon has
Williams was a complete unknown head- shown loyalty to his players throughout this year now that he has Cutler
ing into the 2016 season. All he needed his career, so he may roll the dice with throwing him the ball.”
was a Keenan Allen injury to become a his current set of tight ends. The TE duo
known commodity in the fantasy commu- may also surprise everyone this year
nity. He took advantage of his increased and provide solid week to week scor-
playing time and rewarded GM Simon ing.
with over 1,000 yards and 7 touchdowns.
ROOKIE REPORT Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Kenny Golladay Wide Receiver Northern Illinois #36
Pick
3.12 (#36)
22
ST. LOUIS 2017
SHOWBOATS 4thPREDICTION
8-5
This is the year GM Davis Sweatt has been building towards. The three year 2016
plan. The details of said plan are about as secret as the recipe for Coca Cola. If
the Showboats miss out on the playoffs in 2017, Sweatt may not be allowed back in RECORD
his own building. A pair of six win seasons and no playoff berths is not enough for
the championship starved fans of St. Louis, especially with talk of a potential move to 6-7
Points per game
103.3
Points Against per game
108.6
Los Angeles. Sweatt feels ready and confident to make a run in 2017 as evidenced by WINS TREND
his offseason moves and top 5 draft picks. The rookies are expected to vault this team
to the playoffs, which may be unfair expectations for them. But it comes with the ter-
ritory of being a Showboat. GM Sweatt believes in the three D’s, which he believes
will bring him to the promised land. 66
Quarterbacks the team in rushing. Behind them are two players 2015 2016
Andrew Luck is the sole quarterback on the Show- with potential to contribute - Thomas Rawls and
boats depth chart, not that it’s a bad thing. GM Rob Kelley. Both have shown what they’re capable HISTORY
Sweatt’s favorite tag line is “All you need is a little of in this league, but are also at risk of losing their
Luck”, as he always capitalizes the L so anyone job. Kelley looks like the most average running All-time Record
reading will get the joke. Luck is already one of the back on the planet, but he “falls forward”. Falling 12-14
best quarterbacks in the game and still only seems forward is his best attribute, so it’s tough to see
to be scratching the surface. He’d tell you the only him hanging onto the job long-term. Rawls, on the Playoff Appearances
reason his on field success hasn’t led to many wins other hand, has plenty of talent but his reckless
is because of his incompetent owner and general running style makes it hard for him to stay healthy. Playoff Record
manager. This year could be the year, though, as A 0-0
the Showboats roster has been improved in all as-
pects. Luck has also been patiently waiting to grow Championships
an enormous playoff beard A+
Runner Up
Running Backs
Wide Receiver/Tight End TOP ASSETS
GM Sweatt will count on his running backs to fill his 1) Leonard Fournette, RB
flex spots most weeks since he has a shallow re- 2) Brandin Cooks, WR
ceiving core. Despite a lack of depth, the Show- 3) Rob Gronkowski, TE
boats do have 4 talented receivers. Brandin Cooks 4) Andrew Luck, QB
and Stefon Diggs will platoon at WR1 and WR2. 5) Jay Ajayi, RB
Cooks may have the most weekly upside of any KEY MOVES
player in the league, but also comes with a very
low floor. He is a speedster that can beat a second- ADDITIONS
ary on any play. Diggs is the man in the middle, Leonard Fournette
(drafted 1.01)
racking up catches in the intermediate part of the Dalvin Cook (drafted 1.05)
field. Diggs has limited touchdown upside, but it’s SUBTRACTIONS
rare to see a slot receiver with his type of big play Mike Gillislee (traded)
potential. Sweatt will look to Cam Meredith and
Corey Coleman to provide depth to his top two
This running back depth chart is as deep and tal- receivers. Both players might even have the poten-
ented as any other team in the league. Young, fast, tial to take over for Cooks or Diggs if one of them
strong, and skilled are all words to describe this were to struggle. They say Sweatt likes tight ends
crew. There are three players who can be the #1 and it’s proven by looking at his roster. Rob Gron- IMPACT ADDITION
running back on the Showboats - Jay Ajayi, Leonard kowski and Delanie Walker are two of the best Leonard Fournette - GM
Fournette, and Dalvin Cook. Fournette and Cook tight ends in the game. Gronk is as elite as they Sweatt loves his running
are the newly drafted rookies, while Ajayi is enter- come, when healthy. GM Sweatt loves to see Gronk backs. Fournette is expected
ing his third year. All three should prove to be spike his balls. to contribute right away and
weekly starters for the Showboats. Ajayi was one WR: B TE: A+ eventually become the prem-
of GM Sweatt’s best finds and is expected to lead ier running back in the
league.
23
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Andrew Luck Inaugural Draft SHOWBOATS $44 1
2 Jay Cutler 2017 FA Draft FREE AGENT $1 3
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Jay Ajayi 2015 Waiver Wire SHOWBOATS $7 1
2 Leonard Fournette 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
3 Dalvin Cook 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
4 Rob Kelley 2016 Waiver Wire $7 2
5 Thomas Rawls 2015 Waiver Wire SHOWBOATS $10 1
6 Jeremy Hill SHOWBOATS $3 3
7 Chris Carson 2017 FA Draft SHOWBOATS $7 3
8 Devontae Booker 2017 FA Draft $1 2
9 Jerick McKinnon 2016 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $2 1
2015 Waiver Wire SHOWBOATS
WR PLAYER SHOWBOATS SALARY YEARS REM.
ACQUIRED
1 Brandin Cooks 2016 TEAM $34 1
2 Stefon Diggs Inaugural Draft $2 1
3 Cameron Meredith Inaugural Draft SHOWBOATS $1 2
4 Corey Coleman 2016 Waiver Wire SHOWBOATS $1 2
5 ArDarius Stewart 2016 Rookie Draft SHOWBOATS $0 3
6 Mohamed Sanu SHOWBOATS 2 3
Rookie SHOWBOATS
TE PLAYER 2017 FA Draft SALARY YEARS REM.
STING
1 Rob Gronkowski ACQUIRED $44 1
2 Delanie Walker 2016 TEAM $3 1
3 Erik Swoope Inaugural Draft $1 2
Inaugural Draft SHOWBOATS
2016 Waiver Wire SHOWBOATS
SHOWBOATS
ALL EYES ON Leonard Fournette give the Showboats another weapon to SCOUNTING REPORT
When you’re the number one draft pick, unleash on Sundays. A productive Cole-
all eyes will be on you. That just comes man would also increase the Showboats’ An opposing coach’s take on the Showboats
with the territory, especially when you Championship odds exponentially. Sweatt
are touted as a generational running expects elite production, the fans expect “Not counting my own team, the
back. Leonard Fournette runs a 4.5 forty it, and the rest of the league expects it. Showboats are my favorite team.
yard dash as a 240 pound man. That’s There is so much potential at running
just unfair and a nightmare to opposing KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Experience back, but also a lot of risk. Fournette
defenses. The only concern with Four- With such a young roster, GM Sweatt may go the Gurley route, meaning
nette, similar to any other player, is nag- expects a slow start to the season. His he's an extremely talented player on
ging injuries. GM Sweatt knows he hit the prized rookies will need to get acclimat- a terrible team, thus making him a
jackpot with his new running back and ed to new offenses and the speed of bust candidate. I don't know if I'm a
can’t wait to unleash him on the field. the game. Same for Corey Coleman, believer in Ajayi yet. Besides 3 huge
He’s also apparently told his confidants who is basically a rookie. After a few games last year, he looked like Rob
how to keep his prized prospect healthy, games, these guys should feel more Kelley. The Showboats have just
with a little wink. comfortable. Learning to win is a diffi- barely been on the outside looking in
cult task, especially after two losing the past 2 years, so I think they make
X-FACTOR Corey Coleman seasons. Sometimes losers just stay
Last year was a lost year for Corey Cole- losers, but Sweatt is fully confident that the playoffs in 2017.”
man, who was a first round pick in 2016. he has built a winning roster. Game
While he had to sit out most of the year, experience is just as important to
he was able to study his playbook and Sweatt as it is to his players, as he
become mentally prepared for 2017. GM learns where to play his guys and which
Sweatt made Coleman spend a lot of time lineups work.
with him while he was injured. If Cole-
man lives up to his draft pedigree, it’ll
ROOKIE REPORT
Pick Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Running Back LSU #2
1.01 (1) Leonard Fournette Running Back #6
Wide Receiver Florida State #23
1.05 (5) Dalvin Cook Eastern Washington
3.13 (37) ArDarius Stewart
24
SweattyBalls
A pair of 6 win seasons, hundreds of bargain bin acquisitions, one relocation, and the most eccentric owner in the
league - that’s the St. Louis Showboats in a “nut”shell. Led by General Manager Davis Sweatt, the Showboats are
looking to break the trend of barely missing the playoffs. At his end of season press conference, Sweatt said “it has
always been a three year plan. I didn’t expect us to compete until year three. We have two picks in the top 5 in the
2017 Draft, where we expect to fill in the missing pieces to make this team a championship contender.”
Sweatt employs a strategy that he feels will revolutionize the game. He calls it SweattyBalls, which is currently in the
process of being trademarked. What is SweattyBalls? Let’s just let Sweatt describe the strategy himself:
I’m sure you have all heard of the theory called the “butterfly effect”. It claims that the theoretical scenario such as
the small flutter of a butterfly’s wings in California can create the global ramifications of a hurricane in the Atlantic
Ocean. Pretty crazy, right? They even made a movie about it starring Ashton Kutcher. He keeps going back in time
to his past childhood. The smallest change in action creates a completely different life for him in the years to come.
I know what you might be thinking. “What does this have to do with the SweattyBalls strategy, Mr. Sweatt?” Well,
it might surprise you to know that the best decision I ever made for my team happened about 575 days ago. I am
still reaping the rewards and will be for about 3 years from now (or 1,095 days). “My butterfly”, if you will, goes by
the name, Josh Gordon. Yes, Josh Gordon. One of the most important players that I drafted in the 2015 inaugural
draft, and I haven’t even started him one game. “Davis you’re an idiot”. I can still here GM Mosby’s voice echoing
in my head almost like it was yesterday. Gordon was suspended the whole season when I drafted him. In fact, he
still hasn’t returned to the NFL. However, that beautiful butterfly of a man gave me the first overall pick in the
2017 Draft, which resulted in a running back by the name of Leonard Fournette. Trading my butterfly was how I
25
acquired GM Ring’s 2017 First Round Draft Pick, which eventually was traded along with GM Dornan’s 2017
First Round Draft Pick to GM Ragan for his 2017 First Round Draft Pick (AKA THE #1 pick).
Some people say I’m crazy, a “mad scientist”. I call it thinking ahead. It’s the point of this game. Figuring out
which fluttering little butterflies are going to turn into the next Atlantic Ocean hurricane.
I know this league is set up to where I could trade Brandin Cooks and my First Round Draft Pick for an expensive
player that you may plan on cutting anyways. I get it. I’m not going to be that guy. Re-signing my top three
players has always been my strategy. I overpaid for Andrew Luck, Brandin Cooks, and Rob Gronkowski in hopes
of spending less on them after their contracts end. Cheap players on long contracts are the name of the game.
Corey Coleman and two top 5 draft picks for a total of $3 is a great foundation.
Will I win next year? I don’t know. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t. But I’m not going to jeopardize what I’m doing
just so I can help another team save money, while also giving them additional assets.
“But it’s about winning the league…why are you trying to save so much money with your ‘mediocre’ players
when you can have Julio Brown Beckham, Jr. for $55?” I have two answers to respond:
A. Congratulations that Julio Brown Beckham, Jr has helped you win. Now, you better believe I’m going to make
sure you pay to keep both him and Deandre Dez Robinson with the money I’m saving.
B. I take you back to my beautiful little butterfly, Josh Gordon, at the beginning of this article… who still hasn’t
played an NFL game since 2014… And gave me the #1 pick in the draft. If a player that hasn’t played 1 game in
the entire history of our league helped me get the #1 pick, why couldn’t my SweattyBalls strategy win the Cham-
pionship as well? “Hurricane Gordon” is brewing my friends. You better be boarding up those windows, bitch-
es.
Mic drop. The league has been put on notice.
It’s an interesting strategy to say the least. The way things look, most teams will have plenty of cap space in 2018
(Sweatt’s butterfly year), so this is a strategy that could backfire if Sweatt is counting on having more cap space
than everyone.
What would you rather have? Leonard Fournette and Julio Jones or Leonard Fournette, Brandin Cooks, and Dalvin
Cook? It’s a difference of $25, but option one seems more likely to result in a Championship. Sweatt seems to be
caught up on the fact the Jones, like Cooks, is in the last year of his contract. But you would think with all this cap
space he plans on having, he would have no problem re-signing Jones, a clear upgrade over Cooks. Let’s do a little
what if: If GM Sweatt had traded Cooks and a First Round Pick for Julio Jones at the beginning of the 2016 season
like GM Mosby offered, the Showboats would have gone 8-5 instead of 6-7 and would have finished in third in the
Playoffs.
Sweatt is playing his own game that has resulted in nothing of significance. That could change in 2017, as most
pundits are predicting the Showboats to make their first playoff appearance due to the addition of Leonard Four-
nette and Dalvin Cook. Everyone saw what Ezekiel Elliott did for the Clutch City Cleats in 2016, and are expecting
similar results for Fournette, Cook, and the Showboats.
We’re a season away from finding out if GM Sweatt’s strategy was all worth it.
2266
2017
5thPREDICTION
7-6
Eleven total wins in two years, a cross town rival GM who is always making 2016
splashes, a fading fan base, and a silent owner has been the recipe for the Dun-
karoos’ struggles for the past two seasons. Has General Manager Daniel Ellis learned RECORD
from his mistakes? Look at his 2017 Rookie Draft haul and the answer may be yes.
Trade after trade landed him pick after pick and player after player. It was just 6-7
Points per game
97.8
Points Against per game
105.3
what Dunkaroo fans desperately needed. A new hope. This struggling franchise may WINS TREND
have just turned the corner. It all depends on the GM. Ellis has assembled a strong,
contending team but it takes more than that to compete. In season management is
probably the most important aspect of managing a team and GM Ellis has not shown
the ability to succeed at that… Yet. 56
Quarterbacks 2016. Both running backs provide GM Ellis 2015 2016
The Dunkaroos have a nice blend of youth and with a capable option at RB2. A HISTORY
experience at quarterback. One of the moves All-time Record
GM Ellis made during the Rookie Draft was 11-15
acquiring Ben Roethlisberger from the Kansas
Playoff Appearances
City Sounds. Big Ben provides the experience, Playoff Record
while Carson Wentz provides the youth. When
GM Ellis analyzes the stats, he’ll see a clear Championships
answer to his weekly start/sit debate. Big Ben Runner Up
is an entirely different player when he plays at
home, versus when he plays on the road. In TOP ASSETS
home games during the 2016 season, he com-
pleted 70% of his passes and threw for 20 Wide Receiver/Tight End 1) Le'Veon Bell, RB
touchdowns compared to 5 interceptions. In
road games, he completed 59% of his passes Out with Demaryius Thomas and in with Allen 2) Allen Robinson, WR
with 9 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. That 3) Emmanuel Sanders, WR
stark contrast will provide Ellis the confidence Robinson, Jordan Matthews, Mike Williams, 4) Devante Adams, WR
to start Wentz when Roethlisberger is on the
and JuJu Smith-Schuster. The Dunkaroos’ wide 5) Mike Williams, WR
receiving corps experienced a full makeover KEY MOVES
during the 2017 offseason. ARob takes over as
road. B the WR1. He’s coming off a disappointing 2016 ADDITIONS
Running Backs season, but has all the measurables and talent Allen Robinson (trade)
Le’Veon Bell is perhaps the best running back Jordan Matthews (trade)
in all of football and he is the centerpiece to to be a top 5 wide receiver. All he needs is Ben Roethlisberger (trade)
the Dunkaroos. Due to suspension, Bell only
played in 13 games in 2016, but he still ran for consistent QB play. Emmanuel Sanders is back Mike Williams
the 5th most yards. He also had 75 catches,
second most among running backs. Bell is a do as the WR2 after another 1,000 yard season. (drafted 1.06)
JuJu Smith-Schuster
Davante Adams, the Dunkaroos #3 receiver, (drafted 1.10)
burst onto the scene in 2016 with 12 touch- SUBTRACTIONS
downs and almost 1,000 yards. He is perhaps Demaryius Thomas
the best WR3 in the league. The two rookies, (free agency)
-it-all back that routinely puts up monster Williams and Smith-Schuster, will compete
weeks. There isn’t much behind Bell, but there with Jordan Matthews, Marvin Jones, Will
are viable RB2 candidates. Doug Martin, who Fuller, and Mike Wallace for FLEX duties. This
is suspended the first four games of 2017, will deep and talented receiving corps almost
battle Theo Riddick and James White to be the makes up for the Dunkaroos’ tight ends. Jack
Dunkaroos’ RB2. Riddick and White are almost Doyle and Zach Miller will battle it out for IMPACT ADDITION
strictly receivers. White actually had more re-
ceptions than he had rushing attempts in starting tight end duties. WR: A+ TE: A Allen Robinson - ARob gives
the Dunkaroos the #1 WR
they’ve been lacking.
27
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Ben Roethlisberger 2017 Trade SOUNDS $7 1
2 Carson Wentz 2016 Waiver Wire DUNKAROOS $1 2
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Le’Veon Bell Inaugural Draft DUNKAROOS $60 1
2 Theo Riddick Inaugural Draft DUNKAROOS $3 1
3 Doug Martin Inaugural Draft DUNKAROOS $12 1
4 James White 2016 Waiver Wire DUNKAROOS $1 2
5 Aaron Jones DUNKAROOS $0 3
6 Stevan Ridley Rookie FREE AGENT $1 3
2017 FA Draft
WR PLAYER 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
ACQUIRED
1 Allen Robinson DELINQUENTS $14 1
2 Davante Adams 2017 Trade DUNKAROOS $2 2
3 Emmanuel Sanders 2016 Waiver Wire DUNKAROOS $36 1
4 Mike Williams DUNKAROOS $0 3
5 Juju Smith-Schuster Inaugural Draft DUNKAROOS $0 3
6 Jordan Matthews Rookie $31 1
7 Marvin Jones Rookie JAGUARS $5 1
8 Will Fuller DUNKAROOS $1 2
9 Mike Wallace 2017 Trade $5 2
10 Eli Rogers Inaugural Draft JAGUARS $1 2
11 Josh Gordon DUNKAROOS $2 3
12 Qunicy Enunwa 2016 Trade DUNKAROOS $1 3
2016 Auction Draft RACKETEERS
TE PLAYER 2016 Waiver Wire RED STICKS SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Jack Doyle 2017 FA Draft 2016 TEAM $6 2
2 Zach Miller 2017 FA Draft $2 1
DUNKAROOS
ACQUIRED DUNKAROOS
2016 Waiver Wire
2015 Waiver Wire
ALL EYES ON Le’Veon Bell He had a career year in 2016, finishing SCOUNTING REPORT
The only thing holding Le’Veon Bell back second on his team in yards and catches.
are drug tests and injuries. Concerns of Now he’s the only show in town. If Doyle An opposing coach’s take on the Dunkaroos
him failing another drug test are very can build on last year’s success, the Dun-
real. There has been talk of lesser penal- karoos’ tight end situation may not be so “GM Ellis is somehow frustrating and
ties for failed drug tests, but until that dire after all. With decent tight end play, lovable at the exact same time. Good
day comes GM Ellis needs to keep an eye the Dunkaroos could be a dangerous luck getting a hold of him to discuss
on his star running back. If Bell plays a full team. trades. We've seen what one player
16 game season, he will lead the league
in rushing. He would also lead the league KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Allen Robinson can do for the Racketeers (DJ) and
in every receiving category for a running Will the real Allen Robinson please Cleats (Zeke). This is the year Le'Veon
back. That’s better than David Johnson stand up? ARob dominated the league
and that’s better than Ezekiel Elliott. in 2015 with over 1,400 yards. Then he Bell carries the Dunkaroos to the
That’s how good Le’Veon Bell is. His pa- followed up his stellar 2015 season by playoffs. If ARob can become a WR1
tience as a runner is something that has not even reaching 900 yards in 2016. again, they'll actually have a chance
never been seen in the NFL. His patience The list of wide receivers who have had
is also beat to death by every commenta- a 1,400+ yard season and have not had to win it all. That is, if GM Ellis
tor, but that’s how ridiculous it is. Watch a similar season for the rest of their doesn't get in his own way.”
him play and you will just be amazed by career is slim. So odds are, 2016 will be
what he’s able to do. Robinson’s outlier and 2015 will be the
norm. The talent is there and if he can
X-FACTOR Jack Doyle put up WR1 numbers again, the Dun-
Jack Doyle is the TE1 by default. Doyle karoos could ride him and Le’Veon Bell
doesn’t do anything spectacular, but he to their first ever Dudemen Champion-
does everything well. They may be all he ship.
has to do in an Andrew Luck led offense.
ROOKIE REPORT
Pick Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Wide Receiver Clemson #6
1.06 (6) Mike Williams Wide Receiver #9
Running Back USC #32
1.10 (10) JuJu Smith-Schuster UTEP
3.04 (28) Aaron Jones
28
He sits in the dark.
There’s no sound. There’s
no windows. The door is
closed. His phone is the furthest
thing from his mind. Does he even
have a phone? No one really knows.
He’s focused. He’s calm. Then…
He smiles.
General Manager Daniel Ellis has led his Dallas
Dunkaroos to back to back losing seasons as fans
are growing restless. The consensus among supporters
is that Ellis exhibits a lack of effort that is uncommon among
his peers. He’s unresponsive to trade requests, he’s inactive
on the waiver wire, and he occasionally doesn’t set his starting
lineup.
Ellis will quietly tell you that his team has only lost one more
the Showboats, one of the most active teams in the league, o
years. It’s hard to be patient with a General Manager, who, b
like he’d rather be doing anything else than winning footba
The smile quickly turns into a frown. Then back to a smil
The laughter isn’t loud. It’s calculated.
You see, Ellis doesn’t like negativity. He wants people
happy. He also knows he has a plan. A plan that has b
The league. He fully believes his plan will make the D
in four first round draft picks over a two year span,
the top seven. Two have already resulted in Allen R
This is why
29
g
e game than
over the past two
by all accounts, seems
all games.
le. Then comes to laughter.
to like him. He wants to make people
been in the works since his first season in
Dunkaroo faithful happy. His plan has resulted
two in the top five and the other two likely to be in
Robinson. What will be the result of the other two?
y he smiles.
30
2017
6thPREDICTION
7-6
It was a season to forget for GM Colton Ragan and the StarkVegas Sting, which is 2016
the main reason Ragan has gone All In on the 2017 season. Most pundits around
the league expect the Sting to at least triple their wins this year. The high expecta- RECORD
2-11
Points per game
90.0
tions are due to Ragan’s diligent offseason work to rebuild his roster. The Sting have Points Against per game
upgraded every position on the roster and look poised to make a run in 2017, espe- 113.8
cially with a locker room full of veteran leaders. If this season turns out to be another
WINS TREND
bust, Ragan may rethink is strategy and start the process of rebuilding. The Sting
will look to end their playoff draught. They should have a good chance to equal or
beat their total career wins in 2017 alone.
52
Quarterbacks Baldwin to the potential of Kevin White and Ter- 2015 2016
GM Ragan’s biggest splash this offseason was trad- relle Pryor. Bryant is a true, dominating WR1 that is HISTORY
ing for superstar, Aaron Rodgers. With Rodgers, always near the top of the league in touchdown
Ragan never has to worry about who to start at receptions. Baldwin is one of the best slot receivers All-time Record
quarterback. Rodgers threw for a remarkable 40 in the league and also has a nose for the endzone. 7-19
touchdowns to only 7 interceptions in 2016. He is
Playoff Appearances
one of the most accurate quarterbacks to ever play Playoff Record
the game and is showing no signs of slowing down. 0-0
He has a knack for the miraculous, completing sev-
Championships
eral Hail Marys over the last few years. Rodgers will Runner Up
be relied upon to consistently score 20+ points a
week. Tyrod Taylor provides a competent backup TOP ASSETS
to Rodgers. Taylor does it with his arm and legs,
but plays on a run first team, which caps his poten- 1) LeSean McCoy, RB
tial. Ragan will be happy to give Taylor a spot start 2) Dez Bryant, WR
during Rodgers’ bye week . A+ 3) Aaron Rodgers, QB
4) Lamar Miller, RB
Running Backs Then there’s White and Pryor. White has all the 5) Doug Baldwin, WR
What looked like a weak link in January has all of a measurables in the world to be a top flight receiv- KEY MOVES
sudden turned into a strength of this team. Trading er, but cannot manage to stay healthy for even half
for Lamar Miller and drafting D’Onta Foreman have a season. Pryor made the switch from quarterback ADDITIONS
solidified the running back position for the Sting.
Those two will pair with LeSean McCoy and Spen- to receiver look like child’s play, staking his claim as Aaron Rodgers (trade)
cer Ware to form a very good four-headed attack. Lamar Miller (trade)
McCoy stayed healthy in 2016 and racked up over the most athletic player in the league, regardless of Terrelle Pryor (trade)
1,200 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns. As long as
he can remain healthy, he should put up similar position. The tight end position may be what holds O.J. Howard (drafted 1.08)
numbers in 2017. Miller, who is coming off a down
year, will line up next to McCoy as RB2. He’ll con- back the Sting in the end. With Martellus Bennett, D’onta Foreman
and OJ Howard, there is no sure thing from week to (drafted 1.12)
week. Ragan will have to play the guessing game SUBTRACTIONS
Derrick Henry (traded)
for who to start . WR: A TE: C Isiah Crowell (traded)
cede a portion of his 2016 carries to newcomer,
D’onta Foreman. The hope is that this will result in
less wear and tear and provide fantasy value for
both running backs. A
Wide Receiver/Tight End Impact Addition
GM Ragan has a wide array of receivers in his arse- Aaron Rodgers - Rodgers will
nal, from the consistency of Dez Bryant and Doug continue to torch the league
in 2017 and drastically
31 upgrades the String’s QB
situation.
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Aaron Rodgers 2017 Trade STING $34 2
2 Tyrod Taylor 2016 Trade RACKETEERS $2 1
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 LeSean McCoy 2016 Trade STING $42 1
2 Lamar Miller 2017 Trade RACKETEERS $31 1
3 Spencer Ware 2017 Trade RED STICKS $4 1
4 D’Onta Foreman 2017 Rookie Draft $0 3
5 Jonathan Williams 2016 FA Draft ROOKIE $2 2
6 Orleans Darkwa 2017 FA Draft STING $1 3
FREE AGENT
WR PLAYER ACQUIRED SALARY YEARS REM.
2016 TEAM
1 Dez Bryant 2016 Trade $55 1
2 Doug Baldwin 2015 Waiver Wire STING $2 1
3 Terrelle Pryor STING $1 2
4 Kevin White 2017 Trade RACKETEERS $12 1
5 Rishard Matthews 2016 Trade STING $5 1
6 Robert Woods 2015 Waiver Wire STING $2 2
7 Tyler Boyd 2016 FA Draft STING $1 2
2016 Trade STING
TE PLAYER SALARY YEARS REM.
ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM
1 OJ Howard $0 3
2 Gerald Everett 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
3 Martellus Bennett 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $3 2
4 Julius Thomas DUNKAROOS $2 3
5 AJ Derby 2017 Trade BULLDOGS $1 3
2017 FA Draft FREE AGENT
2017 FA Draft
ALL EYES ON Aaron Rodgers worth such a significant investment, even SCOUNTING REPORT
Aaron Rodgers makes jaw-dropping play going as far as switching from number 13
after jaw-dropping play. Some of the to number 11. Will all that be enough to An opposing coach’s take on the Sting
throws he makes seem utterly impossi- become the Sting’s WR2? White isn’t
ble. He has single handedly ruined the giving up hope, but Ragan might if he “They can only go up from here,
dreams of so many teams. That is exactly underperforms again in 2017. right? I know that locker room has
what GM Ragan expects him to continue seen a complete overhaul this offsea-
to do in 2017. Rodgers is one of the big- KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Depth son, but I still have concerns about
gest guaranteed scorers in the league. His On the surface, the Sting look like a top 5 the General Manager. Health will be
down weeks are good weeks for a lot of team, but this is football and things hap- a big factor in how far they make it
quarterbacks and his big weeks and week pen, especially with injury prone players this season, but they have the talent
winners. Rodgers will provide the con- like LeSean McCoy, Lamar Miller, Dez to win it all. I’m not sold on Kevin
sistency and leadership this squad needs Bryant, and Kevin White. The best teams White ever living up to his draft hype.
to succeed as he tries to lead the Sting to can replace starters with capable players. I also don’t think Lamar Miller is a
their first playoff berth. Weathering injuries during the course of
a season is nothing for a talented General bellcow running back. I LOVE OJ
X-FACTOR Kevin White Manager. So the big question is - Can GM Howard though. I think he’s the fu-
Will the on field performance ever live up Ragan take the next step and become a ture face of the Sting and will domi-
to the hype? Kevin White came into the top notch manager? It is unlikely that the
league looking like the next Julio Jones. Sting start the season with the same nate for years to come.”
Now he’s going into year three with 19 starting lineup that they end the season
total catches for 187 yards and no touch- with, so it is very important to find capa-
downs. Granted, injuries have derailed ble backups. Ragan has a mountain to
his first two seasons, but the clock is tick- climb after a last place finish in 2016.
ing on this top 10 pick. White is doing
everything he can to prove that he was
ROOKIE REPORT Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
O.J. Howard Tight End Alabama #7
Pick D'onta Foreman Running Back #18
1.08 (8) Gerald Everett Tight End Texas #30
1.12 (12) South Alabama
2.12 (24)
32
PREDICTIONS
Each Dudemen GM shared their bold prediction for the upcoming season.
33
Tyreek Hill finishes as a top 12 WR, Winston and Evans are the 2017 QB1 and
leading the Bulldogs to another WR1, respectively. Yet, the Sounds still
disappointing semi-final loss. manage to miss the playoffs.
Terrelle Pryor Sr. finishes the season M. Gordon and J. Howard both have
as the #1 scoring WR and leads significant drop-offs from their
the Sting to a top 4 finish. ‘16 production, which leads to
Explorers missing the playoffs.
The Showboats miss the playoffs, yet After hitching his horses to too many WRs
again, as both Ajayi and Fournette finish and not enough RBs, GM Dornan’s team
sucks (again) and he completely changes his
outside of the top 12 scoring RBs.
strategy entering into the ‘18 season.
Injuries and bad breaks will cause the The Sting finish in the top 3 in
Racketeers to miss the playoffs. scoring offense but finish in the
Either the Bulldogs or Racketeers will bottom 3 of the standings.
go 13-0 this year, then lose in the
semi-finals. The Racketeers will miss the playoffs.
Derrick Henry finishes as a top 10 NYJ have 2 WRs go for over 1,000 yards.
running back, ahead of David Johnson, One being Robby Anderson who will lead
and leads the Racketeers' backfield. the Cleats back the playoffs.
34
2017
7thPREDICTION
7-6
The Gluckstadt Generals (formerly the Music City Saints) are one of the most 2016
talented teams in the league, but due to a previous GM who couldn’t capitalize
on his talent, this team underperformed. Two seasons down, one playoff berth, zero RECORD
playoff wins. Enter General Manager Justin Hillhouse to help the Generals maximize
their potential. GM Hillhouse has an extensive track record of success. It will be in- 7-6
teresting to see how this team looks between now and the end of the season. The ros-
Points per game
108.3
Points Against per game
106.4
WINS TREND
ter has enough talent to make the playoffs and with better leadership, this team
might be a serious Championship threat. If the Generals continue to increase their
win total by one win each year, they’ll finish 8-5 in 2017 and a clear playoff team. 67
Quarterbacks er Alshon Jeffery, acquired in an end of season 2015 2016
The Championship window is quickly closing for
Generals quarterback, Drew Brees. Despite turning trade with the Racketeers, is ready for a fresh start HISTORY
38 in January, Brees still finished third in points in in a new place. Jeffery is supremely talented, but
2016 and is showing no signs of slowing down. The
Generals should once again finish near the top of has always been held back by his quarterback and All-time Record
the league in quarterback play. Brees, who is capa- offensive system. Hillhouse should be able to bring 13-13
ble of putting up week winning performances, will out the best in a rejuvenated Jeffery. Michael
be the every week starter. Deshaun Watson was Thomas, the second year receiver out of Ohio Playoff Appearances
selected by the previous ownership in the second 2016
round of the Rookie Draft. He will be able to sit and
learn until Brees hangs it up. The Generals are set Playoff Record
at quarterback. A+
State, showed that he was no joke during his rook- 0-1
Running Backs
LeGarrette Blount came out of nowhere in 2016 to ie season. He is the Saints WR1B to Jeffery’s WR1A. Championships
provide the Generals with 18 touchdowns. Thirteen
of the eighteen touchdowns came from within the Thomas had 92 catches, 1,137 yards and 9 touch- Runner Up
three yard line. It will be near impossible for Blount downs during his rookie season. Those numbers
to replicate his 2016 numbers again. Blount failed
to record four yards per carry in 2016 as the most are unheard of for a rookie. There is not a better or TOP ASSETS
touchdown dependent running back in the league. more consistent WR3 in the league than Jarvis
Mark Ingram remains the RB1 on the Generals, but
his situation took a hit with the signing of Adrian Landry. Landry had near identical stats to Thomas 1) Michael Thomas, WR
Peterson. He had his best season of his career in in 2016 with 94 catches, 1,136 yards and 4 touch- 2) Alshon Jeffery, WR
2016, rushing for 1,000 plus yards and 6 touch-
downs to go along with 43 catches and another 4 downs. After the top 3 receivers, GM Hillhouse will 3) Jarvis Landry, WR
be able to FLEX one of Jeremy Maclin, Jamison 4) Jordan Reed, TE
Crowder, or Kelvin Benjamin - his 4th through 6th 5) Mark Ingram, RB
receivers. Injury is the only concern at tight end. KEY MOVES
Jordan Reed is a top 3 talent at tight end, but has
battled injuries throughout his career. If he can ADDITIONS
stay healthy, the Generals will be a top 5 team in Alshon Jeffery (trade)
Alvin Kamara
the league. WR: A+ TE: A (drafted 1.08)
SUBTRACTIONS
n/a
touchdowns. Those numbers will be hard to reach
in 2017 while splitting carries, but he should still
get enough volume to be an every week starter..
The Generals have a few quality backups in Bilal IMPACT ADDITION
Powell, Terrance West, and rookie Alvin Kamara. Alshon Jeffery - Jeffery
GM Hillhouse has to hope Kamara eventually takes comes to Gluckstadt ready to
over for Ingram as his RB1. B start fresh. With a new QB,
the sky is the limit for this
Wide Receiver/Tight End talented wide receiver.
The Generals’ wide receivers are stacked. Newcom-
35
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Drew Brees Inaugural Draft GENERALS $19 1
2 Carson Palmer 2017 FA Draft RACKETEERS $1 3
3 Alex Smith 2016 FA Draft GENERALS $2 2
4 Deshaun Watson 2017 Rookie Draft $0 3
ROOKIE
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED SALARY YEARS REM.
2016 TEAM
1 Mark Ingram 2016 Trade $36 1
2 LeGarrette Blount 2016 FA Draft GENERALS $8 2
3 Terrance West 2016 Trade GENERALS $1 2
4 Bilal Powell Inaugural Draft GENERALS $4 1
5 Alvin Kamara 2017 Rookie Draft GENERALS $0 3
6 Robert Turbin 2017 FA Draft ROOKIE $2 3
7 Tyler Ervin 2016 FA Draft BULLDOGS $4 2
GENERALS
WR PLAYER ACQUIRED SALARY YEARS REM.
2016 TEAM
1 Michael Thomas 2016 Rookie Draft $1 2
2 Alshon Jeffery 2016 Trade GENERALS $50 1
3 Jarvis Landry RACKETEERS $16 1
4 Jamison Crowder Inaugural Draft GENERALS $4 2
5 Kelvin Benjamin 2016 FA Draft GENERALS $27 1
6 Jeremy Maclin Inaugural Draft GENERALS $9 1
7 Brandon Lafell Inaugural Draft GENERALS $5 2
2016 FA Draft GENERALS
TE PLAYER SALARY YEARS REM.
ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM
1 Jordan Reed $3 1
2 Jason Witten 2016 Trade GENERALS $5 2
3 Austin Seferian-Jenkins 2016 FA Draft GENERALS $3 1
4 Jake Butt 2016 Trade GENERALS $0 3
2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE
ALL EYES ON Michael Thomas stay healthy, he could put up the best SCOUNTING REPORT
Michael Thomas finished his rookie sea- season of his career and lead the Gener-
son second all time in receptions for a als to the Championship. GM Hillhouse An opposing coach’s take on the Generals
rookie and seventh all time in yards for a has learned that the key to success is a
rookie. Not only did he put up great num- strong wide receiver duo. “I like the Generals. Find their weak-
bers for a rookie, he also finished ninth in ness. Running back? Nah, they have
the entire league in receptions and yards KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Rushing Attack
and tied for sixth in touchdowns. What Where will the running back points come enough there where it won’t hold
can he do for an encore? Generals fans from for the Generals. Mark Ingram’s them back. Wide receiver is absolute-
are all too eager to find out. That’s why value took a huge hit with the AP signing, ly stacked. GM Hillhouse is lucky that
all eyes are on the exciting second year but he should still get enough touches to
receiver. No one thought he would be- warrant a start. The depth after him may GM Bowman is a Saints fan and
come this good, this fast but he has a be a problem. Blount, Powell, and West drafted Michael Thomas last year.
chance to join the ranks of the elite in are all decent running backs but none of I’m looking forward to seeing what
2017. them may be able to provide the weekly the new ownership can do. This team
consistency needed to win it all. Alvin likely went from the least active team
X-FACTOR Alshon Jeffery Kamara is very talented, but enters a to one of the most active teams. That
Alshon Jeffery is one of the most talented crowded backfield. His best bet in his could be all the difference in making
receivers in the league. He can make eve- rookie year may be to carve out the third a serious run at the Championship.”
ry catch and run every route. He can out- down role. GM Hillhouse will be on the
muscle the defender or outrun them. His lookout for trade partners since he has
only problem has been staying healthy the assets to acquire a running back. If
and finding a consistent offense. He may he’s able to find a RB2, the Saints will be
have solved one of those problems by one of the toughest teams to beat in the
signing with a team that has a young, up league.
and coming quarterback. If Jeffery can
ROOKIE REPORT Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Alvin Kamara Running Back Tennessee #11
Pick Deshaun Watson Quarterback Clemson #26
1.08 (8) Michigan #35
2.07 (19) Jake Butt Tight End
3.07 (31)
36
Justin
Hillhouse
General Manager
It is a very exciting but bittersweet time around the this time I realized I was witnessing the official changing of the
Dudemen league. Just recently, GM Bowman and the Saints guard. As GM Bowman made his final exit from the building, GM
forfeited their spot in the league and GM Hillhouse of Jackson, Hillhouse and I went up to the executive office and settled in for
MS took over the squad. After signing the deal with the league, our chat. He was a little nervous, but very open and excited for
Hillhouse was quick to make a name change to his newly ac- the interview.
quired team and overnight, the Music City Saints became the
Gluckstadt Generals. At the time of this interview, all of the pa-
per work was complete, all the checks were written and Hill- DANI: Good Evening GM Hillhouse. On behalf of the league,
house was in the process of getting the team’s new headquar- thank you for taking time to talk with me. I know this is an ex-
ters moved from Nashville to Jackson. citing time for you so how about we go ahead and get started.
After a few phone calls between myself and GM Hill- HILLHOUSE: Welcome and yes I am very excited. I am sorry you
house, we decided we would meet at the Saints’ office in Nash- had to see GM Bowman’s final departure. I know he was a well
ville, TN. He had mentioned he had a few more things to get respected General Manager and friend to many in the league. I
from the office and would be having a final team meeting before intend to send occasional updates about the team to his secre-
moving the squad south. Upon my arrival to the Nashville office tary in case he wants to know how it’s going.
building, I was surprised to see a relatively empty parking lot.
One vehicle in the lot caught my eye, however. A silver Chevro- DANI: No need to apologize. He is the past and you are the fu-
let pickup with a front license plate reading “BEEF” was parked ture. This should not take very long…. I have a few questions I
near the front door and the bed of the pickup was full of boxes. would like to ask you. To kick things off, how does it feel the be a
GM Hillhouse met me in the parking lot and we entered the part of the Dudemen?
building together. It was then, that it clicked. There in the main HILLHOUSE: I’m glad to be a part of it for sure. I know of/have
lobby was GM Bowman with his arms full of boxes and his new- mutual friends with a few of the GMs in this league through
born child tucked away on his chest sleeping.
business ventures and such, so it’s nice not being complete
A mere smile and nod was the only exchange between strangers with everyone.
Hillhouse and Bowman. I was a bit uncomfortable, but it was at DANI: Yes, they are a great group, and I have always enjoyed
37
Dudemen Magazine Exclusive
working and talking with them. What goals do you have for the come a contender down the road.
Generals this year? DANI: From my perspective over the past couple of years, it
HILLHOUSE: In the words of the great philosopher Jake Taylor, takes bold, risky, and smart moves to be a contender in this
there’s only one thing left to do: Win the whole thing, (grins) league with the exception of the 2015 Championship falling in
paraphrasing, of course. We just want to win. the Jaguars hands. Who’s your favorite player on your team?
DANI: Understood. Your team has always been in the running. HILLHOUSE: You can’t knock the Jags for winning the Champi-
Speaking of which, by the looks of it on paper, GM Bowman has onship. That’s not easily done on pure luck. To answer your
set you up to succeed and seems to have the team headed in question, when healthy, I love Jordan Reed. He is an absolute
the right direction. Since you took over your team instead of freak and matchup nightmare. Seeing as he has a problem stay-
building it, what are your plans to kind of make it your own over ing on the field though, I’ll go with Drew (Brees).
the next 1-2 years? Also, what is your view of your team as it is DANI: I like Reed myself. It will be up to you to keep him
right now? healthy though. Do you have any reservations or concerns about
HILLHOUSE: As GM, the first thing I will look to do is restructure the league? Or are you all in?
some of the awful contracts I have at the moment. I cringe every
time I see the contract of WR turned OL Kelvin Benjamin. I also HILLHOUSE: think I’m all in. I will preface it by saying it’s a
need to do a good job of drafting some running backs in the little intimidating taking over an existing team. It’s a challenge to
coming years. The previous owner did a good job of setting me gain the respect of the players as the brand-new General Man-
ager. I’m just the new guy trying to fit in.
up with some great WR talent.
DANI: Yes, yes… Drafting will be important for many around DANI: I am sure you will fit in just fine. You were highly regard-
the league it seems. As for Benjamin, yes he showed up a little ed coming in and the decision to bring you into the league was
overweight, but only with time will we see what he is capable of. not taken lightly. Are you more a hunter or gatherer when it
Let’s look within the league for a minute. Who do you view as comes to your team?
the top 2-3 teams in the league? HILLHOUSE: Depends on the standings. Early on I’ll be pretty
HILLHOUSE: With just a quick glance at the teams in the passive. Later on, I’ll be seeking out trades.
league, 3 teams stood out to me: Ridgeland Racketeers, Federal DANI: Fair enough. There’s a wide variety of types of General
Explorers, and Beale Street Bulldogs. I think if the Bulldogs can Managers in the league. Some are more active. Some of more
find any semblance of run blocking for Todd (Gurley), and if they passive. Let’s keep moving - What three things would you bring
get Nuk back to his 2015 form, I think GM Sullivan’s team has a on a deserted island?
chance to dominate.
HILLHOUSE: (chuckles and shakes head) Logically… a Costco
DANI: Indeed. I do agree with your choices, but I also believe sized box of waterproof matches, fishing tackle, and a machete.
your squad is up there as well. Conversely, who do you view as
the bottom 2-3 teams? DANI: Solid choices… I would feel safe if I were on the deserted
island with you. Ok, Ok, back to the league with one last ques-
HILLHOUSE: (a laugh and smile) You aren’t wanting me to tion. Would you rather be in the Red Sticks situation, rebuilding
make friends I see. I think, in no particular order, the teams that with 5 first rounders, or the Sting’s situation, a good team on
will struggle this year will be: Sounds, Jaguars, Red Sticks
paper with a lot of veterans?
DANI: Fair assessment of the bottom. I believe others around HILLHOUSE: Red Sticks definitely. Since I’m a Mississippi State
the league would agree with you. You’re replacing an owner alum, I’ve had the whole “Next year is our year” outlook en-
who made 6 total acquisitions in the past two years. Can you be grained in me since birth. I obviously want to win, but a lot of
more active than that?
draft picks would also help me build this team with my players.
HILLHOUSE: Absolutely. However, I will say that I won’t make DANI: Solid choice. Thank you for your time GM Hillhouse. It
moves just out of boredom. If I think I have a shot to win it all, has been a pleasure and we look forward to watching the
I’ll be aggressively shopping. If I have fallen out of the playoff Generals’ season unfold this year.
race, I will most likely try to trade some pieces to help me be-
38
2017
8thPREDICTION
6-7
Hear that? The Sounds. They're coming. The Sounds went into 2016 with Champi- 2016
onship aspirations. With Mike Evans leading the charge, the Sounds scored 121
RECORD
4-9
points in a week one win. Then the wheels came off, week by week, for the next five Points per game
weeks. The excitement of the week one win quickly turned to disappointment during a 94.6
five game losing streak that effectively ended the Sounds’ season as they limped their
Points Against per game
96.6
way to a second straight 4-9 finish. This was a team that was pegged as the fifth best WINS TREND
team in the league heading into the 2016 season. General Manager Max Dornan didn’t
let the disappointing season stop him from acquiring three first round draft picks in the
2017 draft, and four picks in the top 13. The draft picks, along with Mike Evans, are giv-
ing the Sounds faithful reason to be excited for the 2017 season. 44
Quarterbacks the playoffs. B 2015 2016
With the departure of Ben Roethlisberger in the
offseason, Jameis Winston now steps in as the man HISTORY
at QB for the Sounds. He will look to build off a
solid sophomore year, which shouldn’t be an issue Wide Receiver/Tight End
with the arrival of his new weapons - Desean Jack-
son, OJ Howard, and Chris Godwin. DJax gives Win- If there’s a strength on this team, it’s at wide re- All-time Record
ston a deep threat that he hasn’t had thus far in his ceiver. Mike Evans is the star of the team and con- 8-18
career, Howard gives him an absolute monster at sidered a top 3 overall asset in the league. Golden
tight end, and Godwin is one the most talented Playoff Appearances
incoming wide receivers. If Winston can cut back
on the interceptions, he should be in line for a Tate will line up out wide on the other side of the Playoff Record
huge year. The Sounds will need it to have any shot
at the playoffs. B+ field as the Sounds’ WR2. He provides a very con- 0-0
Running Backs sistent floor every week. After Tate, the depth Championships
The Auction Draft was a welcome sight for GM Dor-
nan. He was planning to do whatever it took to get chart is a little less clear, but it’s also full of poten- Runner Up
Demarco Murray and he got his man. Murray im- tial. Donte Moncrief fills in at WR3 and a weekly
mediately becomes the Sounds' RB1. Murray en-
joyed his second best season in 2016 with over FLEX play if he can stay healthy. He has a chance to TOP ASSETS
1,200 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns. RB2 is a take over as the WR2. The potential is there as he
different story. Tevin Coleman, Duke Johnson Jr.,
and three rookies (Kareem Hunt, Wayne Gallman, caught a touchdown in 7 of the 8 games he played 1) Mike Evans, WR
and Jeremy McNichols) will fight for that spot. in 2016. The rest of the depth chart is full of un- 2) Corey Davis, WR
Coleman showed signs of becoming a budding star
in 2016, but he still splits his time with the Devonta knowns and potential with Laquon Treadwell, 3) DeMarco Murray, RB
Freeman. He should provide enough touches to be
the every week RB2, but Johnson and Hunt will be Marqise Lee, Tyler Lockett, and rookie Corey Davis. 4) Donte Moncrief, WR
chomping at the bit if he falters. Johnson will con-
tinue his role as the pass catching running back, Treadwell has a load of talent, but looked com- 5) Golden Tate, WR
occasionally providing value at the flex position.
GM Dornan expects at least one of his rookie backs pletely lost in 2016. An offseason should do him KEY MOVES
to take over a starting spot sometime in 2017. The
best bet is Kareem Hunt, who could potentially be wonders. GM Dornan is counting on Corey Davis to ADDITIONS
the Sounds best running back in 2017. If Hunt be- immediately step in as a FLEX starter. Kyle Rudolph,
comes the Chiefs lead back, the Sounds will be in Golden Tate (trade)
fresh off a breakout year in 2016, fills in as TE1. He Kyle Rudolph (trade)
39
is expected to be even better in 2017. Rookies Evan Pierre Garcon (trade)
Corey Davis (drafted 1.04)
Engram and David Njoku will battle for back up Evan Engram (drafted 1.11)
tight end duties, with both providing high ceilings Kareem Hunt (drafted 2.01)
and low floors. Both tight ends are dripping with David Njoku (drafted 2.06)
DeMarco Murray (signed
athleticism, but it usually takes 2-3 years for a tight for $55)
end to make his mark in the league. WR: B TE: C SUBTRACTIONS
Eddie Lacy (released)
Ben Roethlisberger
(traded)
IMPACT ADDITION
DeMarco Murray - Instantly
becomes the RB1 for the
Sounds.
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Jameis Winston 2016 Trade SOUNDS $7 1
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 DeMarco Murray 2017 FA Draft BULLDOGS $55 3
2 Tevin Coleman 2015 Trade SOUNDS $14 1
3 Duke Johnson 2016 Trade SOUNDS $5 1
4 Kareem Hunt 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
5 Jeremy McNichols 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
6 Kenneth Dixon 2016 Rookie Draft SOUNDS $1 2
7 Wayne Gallman 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
WR PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Mike Evans 2016 Trade SOUNDS $38 1
2 Golden Tate 2017 Trade RED STICKS $19 1
3 Donte Moncrief 2016 Trade $17 1
4 Corey Davis 2017 Rookie Draft SOUNDS $0 3
5 Pierre Garcon 2017 Trade ROOKIE $5 2
6 Laquon Treadwell 2016 Trade RED STICKS $1 2
7 Marqise Lee 2016 Waiver Wire SOUNDS $1 2
8 Tyler Lockett 2016 Trade SOUNDS $2 1
9 Chad Williams 2017 FA Draft SOUNDS $4 3
ROOKIE
TE PLAYER ACQUIRED SALARY YEARS REM.
2016 TEAM
1 Kyle Rudolph 2017 Trade $2 1
2 Evan Engram 2017 Rookie Draft RED STICKS $0 3
3 David Njoku 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
ROOKIE
ALL EYES ON Mike Evans but has trouble staying healthy. He re- SCOUNTING REPORT
At only 23 years young, Evans showed portedly made several highlight reel
the league that his drop issues in 2015 catches in minicamp. This is also a con- An opposing coach’s take on the Sounds
were an outlier and not the norm. Evans tract year for Moncrief and he knows it. If
exploded for 96 catches, 1,321 yards, and he puts up a big year, he’ll be due for a “The Sounds are overhyped once
12 touchdowns in 2016, including a two significant pay increase. Lastly, and the again. I’d be surprised if they won
touchdown performance against Richard main reason Moncrief is the X-Factor for more than 4 games again. I agree
Sherman in week 12, proving that he can- the Sounds, is his knack for finding the that the rookies are nice, but it’s hard
not be stopped. Add in the fact that his end zone. He is arguably the best receiver to see them making much impact this
quarterback is getting better each year at making his catches count. year. Mike Evans is awesome. There’s
and we could be witnessing the beginning no denying that. There are just too
of a Hall of Fame career. The addition of KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP The Rookies many unknowns elsewhere on the
Desean Jackson’s deep threat ability What a haul for the Sounds in the 2017
should also open things up for Evans in Rookie Draft. GM Dornan was able to nab roster to see this team being a
the middle of the field. GM Dornan will four first round talents with his seven serious threat. Who knows though,
most likely start long term contract nego- rookie picks. The headliner is Corey Davis,
tiations with Evans in 2017, but that the record breaking receiver from WMU. we’ve seen the Jags win the
shouldn’t be a distraction to his on field He will provide a weekly FLEX play for the Championship. Lastly, it’s pretty
production. Sounds, with the talent to become the much a guarantee that one of the
WR2 behind Mike Evans. The three other
X-FACTOR Donte Moncrief impact rookies are Evan Engram, David better players will get hurt.”
Donte Moncrief goes into the 2017 sea- Njoku, and Kareem Hunt. Engram and
son stating “I’ve never felt this good.” GM Njoku will be counted on at tight end,
Dornan hopes his wide receiver is right while Hunt is expected to become a
because the team needs him. Moncrief starting running back by the middle of
has flashed his potential every season, the 2017 season.
ROOKIE REPORT Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Pick
1.04 Corey Davis Wide Receiver Western Michigan #1
1.11 Evan Engram Tight End Ole Miss #12
2.01 Kareem Hunt Toledo #13
Running Back
2.06 David Njoku Tight End Miami #10
2.11 Wayne Gallman Running Back Clemson #21
3.03 Jeremy McNichols Running Back Boise State #24
40
The Conundrum that has become the Kansas City Sounds
41
t wasn’t long ago when the Kansas City Sounds were thought to be on the cusp of joining the likes of the
Racketeers, Bulldogs, and Explorers. General Manager Max Dornan was flying high. He had several play-
ers ready to break out. He was so confident in his team that he swapped first round picks with his most
hated rival, assuming he’d easily finish ahead in the standings. Boy, did that backfire.
Injuries and underperformers replaced breakouts and consistency, leaving Dornan no choice but to
change his strategy. There will be no more trading for high profile players that have had no prior success.
There will be no more reaching on free agents. From now on, it will be all about trusting the process.
Dornan plans to build on youth and bargain bin players. He wants to win the small trades and build
through the draft. It may be a boring strategy, but Dornan thinks it will lead to long term success. In order for
that to happen, he must also win the draft and acquire draft picks. “Buy as many lottery tickets as possible” is
his motto: the more picks, the better the odds of drafting a franchise player.
If you look at the Sounds bench, GM Dornan has done a nice job of acquiring some young talent.
Kareem Hunt and Jeremy McNichols both have a shot to win a starting job. Tyler Lockett and Laquon Tread-
well both can be solid WR3/4 this year if things go their way. Evan Engram and David Njoku are two of the
best TE prospects in the last 3-4 years.
Dornan wants to hear fans chant “Trust the Process” during the first game of the season. He wants
everyone to buy into his strategy. Not everyone agrees with the strategy though as an anonymous GM re-
cently said “(Dornan) does the kind of stuff people talk about late at night after three or four beers, because
theoretically it just might work, but it never actually does.” This GM, who didn’t want to be identified,
doesn’t believe that building a team solely around 21-22 year olds is the right idea. He might be right. The
Sounds have a combined 6 top 17 picks on the roster from the 2016 and 2017 drafts - Laquon Treadwell, Ken-
neth Dixon, Corey Davis, Evan Engram, Kareem Hunt, and David Njoku. Treadwell and Dixon didn’t show
much in their rookie years. Treadwell managed just 1 catch in wasted year, while Dixon earned himself a sus-
pension to start the 2017 season. It’s yet to be seen what the 2017 rookies can do, but it’s tough to count on
players this young to win games in this league, unless you’re extremely patient.
How did swapping first round picks with the aforementioned rival turn out? Well, the Sounds ended
up finishing in third to last, while the Showboats finished in seventh. A top three pick and a first tier rookie
turned into a mid round pick and a second or third tier rookie. It’s safe to say Dornan learned his lesson. It’s
not smart to be brash and bold in your strategy. It is smart, however, to be confident.
The Process is no longer built on false confidence. Players will be treated as assets. They will be given
enough time to show their worth. Dornan has been burned too many times by a player that he had a year too
early or a year too late (Davante Adams, Jamison Crowder, Ty Montgomery, and Terrance West)
The Sounds scouting department has even been overhauled. Players are evaluated more on perfor-
mance than measurables. Dornan wants results like 11 other General Managers in the league, but after a pair
of 4 win seasons, he may be feeling a little more urgency and a bit hotter seat than the other GMs.
Losing is no longer acceptable… Unless it’s part of The Process.
42
DALLAS 2017
DELIQUENTS 9thPREDICTION
6-7
Pegged by many as a top five team going into the 2016 season, the Dallas Delin- 2016
quents stumbled their way to a 4-9 record, finishing in 11th place. It wasn’t the
season General Manager William Mosby expected as his team was decimated by in- RECORD
juries and underperformers. The most disappointing part of the season was the per-
formance of wide receiver, Allen Robinson. Along with Julio Jones, Robinson was 4-9
Points per game
93.6
Points Against per game
103.0
supposed to provide the Delinquents a 1-2 punch that would have been unrivaled in WINS TREND
the league. Instead, he fell flat, unable build off his elite 2015 season. This led to Mos-
by cutting ties with Robinson in the offseason, trading him for two first round draft
picks, including the fourth pick in the 2017 draft. Mosby has an affinity for splashy
trades, which is exciting, but the trades have yet to result in many wins on the field. 74
Quarterbacks Wide Receiver/Tight End 2015 2016
Marcus Mariota is the leader at the helm for the
Delinquents. He looks to be every bit of a future The star of the team and veteran leader is Julio HISTORY
pro bowler, but is somewhat capped by his run first Jones. Jones is widely considered the best receiver
offense. He provides tremendous upside, as well as
single digit floors. Mariota had below average re- in the league. He had the most dominant perfor- All-time Record
ceivers in 2016 that he made look like decent re- mance of the year in Week 11 of 2016. He caught 11-15
ceivers. Now he has a surplus of talented wide re- 12 passes for 300 yards a one touchdown. He gives
ceivers, which should make him even better in the Delinquents a chance to win on any given week Playoff Appearances
2017. If he’s able to take the next step, GM Mosby 2015
won’t have to worry about acquiring another QB to
compete for the starting job. B Playoff Record
Running Backs even when the rest of the team struggles. Julian 0-1
The running back position for the Delinquents was
in need of a complete overhaul and that process Edelman is the Delinquents WR2 and provides the Championships
started with their first round pick in the draft,
Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey automatically steps team with a consistent 10 point floor each week. Runner Up
into a starting role. CMC is a do it all back that After Edelman, the Delinquents have two solid, yet
should have a solid weekly floor. Mosby also trad-
ed for Isaiah Crowell in the 2017 offseason, giving unspectacular receivers in Michael Crabtree and TOP ASSETS
the Delinquents another starter at running back. Sterling Shepard. Crabtree and Shepard will be
Crowell is expected to do big things in 2017. Ameer
Abdullah started out as the starter in 2016 and will weekly FLEX considerations. At tight end, Tyler Ei- 1) Julio Jones, WR
now slide into the RB3 role and try to stay healthy fert and Cameron Brate will battle for weekly 2) Isiah Crowell, RB
for the first time in his career. When healthy, he
looks like an explosive running back, capable of big starts. Eifert is the clearly superior player, but has a 3) Christian McCaffrey, RB
weeks in the rushing and receiving game. It’s safe
to say GM Mosby has a type when it comes to run- hard time staying on the field. Brate has a lower 4) Ameer Abdullah, RB
ning backs - they have to be able to catch passes.
Along with CMC and Abdullah, the Delinquents ceiling, but is more reliable. The duo is near the top 5) Tyler Eifert, TE
have Darren Sproles, Charles Sims, and Shane Ve-
reen. The Delinquents have a monopoly on the of the league at the position and one of the KEY MOVES
smaller, pass catching backs. Maybe they’ll be strengths of the team. WR: A- TE: B+
enough to put the Delinquents back in the playoffs.
A- ADDITIONS
Julian Edelman (trade)
Christian McCaffrey
(Drafted 1.04)
Isaiah Crowell (trade)
SUBTRACTIONS
Allen Robinson (traded)
IMPACT ADDITION
Isaiah Crowell - Crow is an
underrated running back that
will look to make a name for
himself in 2017.
43
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Marcus Mariota Inaugural Draft DELINQUENTS $5 1
2 Eli Manning 2017 FA Draft DUNKAROOS $10 3
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Ameer Abudllah Inaugural Draft DELINQUENTS $31 1
2 Isaiah Crowell 2017 Trade RED STICKS $14 1
3 Christian McCaffrey $0 3
4 Jamaal Charles 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $3 3
5 Charles Sims 2017 FA Draft DELINQUENTS $4 1
6 Darren Sproles 2016 Trade DELINQUENTS $3 1
7 Shane Vereen Inaugural Draft DELINQUENTS $3 2
8 Jalen Richard 2016 FA Draft DELINQUENTS $2 2
9 DeAndre Washington DELINQUENTS $1 2
2016 Waive Wire DELINQUENTS
WR PLAYER 2016 Rookie Draft SALARY YEARS REM.
2016 TEAM
1 Julio Jones ACQUIRED $60 1
2 Michael Crabtree DELINQUENTS $3 1
3 Julian Edelman Inaugural Draft DELINQUENTS $22 1
4 Sterling Shepard 2016 Trade RED STICKS $1 2
5 Travis Benjamin 2017 Trade DELINQUENTS $9 3
6 Tajae Sharpe 2016 Trade $2 2
7 Taylor Gabriel 2017 FA Draft JAGUARS $1 2
8 Chris Hogan 2017 Trade RACKETEERS $1 3
DELINQUENTS
TE PLAYER 2016 Waiver Wire FREE AGENT SALARY YEARS REM.
2017 FA Draft
1 Tyler Eifert 2016 TEAM $6 1
2 Carmeron Brate ACQUIRED $1 2
DELINQUENTS
2016 Trade DELINQUENTS
2016 Waiver Wire
ALL EYES ON Julio Jones proven running back, but he isn’t giving SCOUNTING REPORT
Year after year, Julio Jones finishes as a up on the potential. Abdullah can be-
top 3 receiver. It’s as consistent as GM come David Johnson lite and that’s what An opposing coach’s take on the Delinquents
Mosby trading away a star player. The Mosby expects. If Abdullah fails again in
only thing that has ever held Jones back 2017, the Delinquents can cut ties for no “Has anyone checked to make sure
are nagging foot injuries (that he usually penalty. GM Mosby isn’t forcing McCaffrey to
plays through). He is capable of single
handedly winning weeks. He gets the KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP Role Players stay with him? For CMC’s sake, I
targets and the catches, but has always Michael Crabtree has been one of the hope he produces. There’s a lot of
lacked the touchdown upside that you best acquisitions of GM Mosby’s tenure. pressure on that kid. It could unravel
see with other star receivers. If he can He has become a dependable WR2 and
manage to catch a few more touch- touchdown machine. He’ll need to con- fast if he falters or starts slow.
downs, he could enter a realm of produc- tinue his streak of 900+ yards and 8+ Overall, the Delinquents aren’t bad.
tion that we’ve never seen before. As touchdowns for the third season in a row They could easily make the playoffs.
Julio goes, so goes the Delinquents. in order for the Delinquents to make a
run. He’s not the only one though; Ster- Julio Jones is capable of carrying
X-FACTOR Ameer Abdullah ling Shepard also needs to average a simi- them, but with the addition of Edel-
For two years now, it has looked like lar stat line. If those two can average 10+
Ameer Abdullah was on track to become points a week, the Delinquents will make man, Crowell, and CMC he won’t
a top 10 running back. Fumbling prob- the playoffs, where anything can happen. have to. This is one of those teams
lems made him hard to trust during his Add a healthy Tyler Eifert, another touch- that could get hot at the right time
first season and an injury ended his sec- down machine, to the mix and a Champi-
ond season after two weeks. Now he’s onship is possible. That’s a lot of factors and shock everyone else.”
healthy again and entering his third sea- that have to go right, but the fans believe
son, the breakout season. GM Mosby has in Dallas.
put a lot of trust and money into his un-
ROOKIE REPORT
Pick Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Running Back Stanford #3
1.02 (2) Christian McCaffrey
44
MAGNUM
He gets his haircut by bare breasted women
in bow ties. He buys a new car every week just be-
cause he can. He makes eight-digit bets on random
horse races, and usually wins. He has hundreds and
hundreds of guns. All kinds of guns. And he takes
pictures of himself next to his customized Gulf-
stream IV jet, which has his personal trademark - a
skull partially covered with a black bandana - paint-
ed on the tail. He is the ultimate antidote. He
doesn’t follow the cookie cutter rules of life. He is
William “Magnum” Mosby, owner and general
manager of the Dallas Delinquents.
Mosby shows hints of his flashiness with his
brash trades, but most of the GMs around the
league don’t know the full extent of his lavishness.
They usually see this sloth-like human who goes
through the motions of the day. It’s when darkness falls that Magnum comes out. While other GMs are tuck-
ing in their kids and watching tv with their wives, Mosby is just getting started. Go to any VIP section in any
high end club in Dallas and you’re likely to see Mosby surrounded by several models. He drinks high end
scotch and looks about as calm and collected as one can be con-
sidering his surroundings, assuming he hasn’t had too much
scotch. We’ll get to that later. DJ Khaled, a famous musician,
even stops to get his picture with Mosby. That’s considered nor-
mal in Mosby’s world.
Last month, Julio Jones, the Delinquents’ prized wide re-
ceiver, was spotted driving around in Mosby’s Mclaren. The
month before, right after being drafted second overall, Christian
McCaffrey was seen boarding the Gulfstream IV jet with several
scantily clad women. Obviously, it’s no secret that Mosby lets his
players partake in his lifestyle. To Mosby, a happy team is the
dream.
Perhaps the most notorious late night story about Mag-
num comes from a close friend of his who didn’t want to be
45
named. The night started like any other for Magnum. Scotch on the
rocks, girls in his lap, soft rock playing in the background at his 12 bed-
room mansion. After an hour or so, they head to the rooftop bar at Nikkei, an upscale res-
taurant/bar in Dallas. Magnum is wearing his signature platinum tracksuit with the Delin-
quents logo above the left breast. He continues to drink scotch on the rocks as he orders a
12 ounce filet for everyone in his party. After dinner, they all head to a high scale bar east of Dallas.
This is where things started to get out of hand. The drinks continued to flow in their VIP section in the
upper corner of the bar. Magnum danced with the girls in his party as well as calling any other attractive girl
he saw to his section. At around 2 in the morning, Magnum was obviously feeling the affects of everything he
had drank and snorted. Him, along with several in his crew, were sitting around the small table in their sec-
tion. Magnum was telling some story about him and McCaffrey celebrating after he drafted him. Mid sen-
tence he starts to barf. He cups his hand and catches a lot of it, but a considerable amount ended up on his
chest.
Bug eyed, he looks around the table,
and promptly gulps the vomit he caught in his
hands. He just chugged it. Right down the
pipe. Then he stands up, wipes his hands on
his legs and exclaims: “You didn’t think I was
ready for this? You didn’t think I was pre-
pared? I AM ALWAYS PREPARED.”
At the moment, as his crew stared in
awe, he rips off his filthy track suit in one flu-
id motion. The legs perfectly snapped apart
as the buttons popped like a machine gun.
And what is he wearing underneath? Another
platinum track suit. Everyone was dumbfounded and amazed at the same time as Magnum started dancing
around like he just scored the winning touchdown.
Mosby runs his team similar to how he runs his life. He loves the flash, the glory, and winning. Last
year was a depressing one for him as his team limped its way to 4 wins, but he’ll be damned to let that hap-
pen again.
Just as Mosby morphs into Magnum, watch for the Delinquents to morph into a contender in 2017.
46
2017
10thPREDICTION
5-8
There are two ways to rebuild. One - Work hard, trade, acquire, scout, stay up 2016
all night crunching numbers trying to figure out how to be competitive. And
two - the General Manager Lyle Manning way - be the worst team, get the first pick, RECORD
draft a franchise saving player. The Cleats went from last in 2015 all the way to third
in 2016, all thanks to the addition of one player. That meteoric rise in the standings 7-6
may be hard to repeat in 2017. Will Zeke, once again, be enough? How about a
Points per game
101.2
Points Against per game
99.5
WINS TREND
healthy AJ Green and Carlos Hyde? Those three players could carry the Cleats. Ex-
pectations have been set after the 2016 season and Clutch City fans want more. They
want an active owner. They want better depth. They want a Championship. 37
Quarterbacks Wide Receiver/Tight End 2015 2016
The new and improved Matthew Stafford sits atop The Cleats wide receiver position is a wasteland HISTORY
the Cleats’ depth chart at quarterback. Stafford has behind star AJ Green. AJG is a beast at WR, but he
become a lot more conservative in recent years, alone can’t make up for the lack of depth like Zeke All-time Record
which has led to less yards and touchdowns, but can at running back. GM Manning got a few sur- 10-16
also less interceptions. He finished 7th in QB scor- prise performances in 2016, but it will be hard to
ing last year, right behind Dak Prescott and in front count on that again. Playing WR2 roulette with Playoff Appearances
of Blake Bortles. If Stafford can become more con- DeSean Jackson, Breshad Perriman, and Adam 2016
sistent from week to week instead of booming one Thielen every week will prove to be a tough task.
Playoff Record
1-1
Championships
week and busting the next, he could find himself in All three players are more suited for the FLEX posi- Runner Up
the top 5 at the end of 2017. GM Manning needs tion. There is potential with rookie Chris Godwin.
Stafford to find the balance between gunslinger The exciting receiver from Penn State could give TOP ASSETS
and game manager. B the Cleats the necessary boost at WR but that likely
Running Backs won’t happen until 2018 at the earliest. Eric Ebron 1) Ezekeil Elliot, RB
This is where the turnaround happened. Enter Eze- and Zach Ertz give the Cleats a nice 1-2 punch at 2) AJ Green, WR
kiel Elliott. Zeke was the Cleats’ first overall pick in
the draft and he did not disappoint. It’s very rare TE, although both are inconsistent. Everyone is still 3) Carlos Hyde, RB
waiting for Ebron to live up to his top 10 draft sta- 4) Eric Ebron, TE
tus. This season could be the year he breaks out. If 5) Zach Ertz, TE
for a rookie to do what he did. Zeke led the league that happens, the Cleats will finish a lot higher in KEY MOVES
in rushing with over 1,600 yards. He also had 16 the standings than 10th. Ertz will have stretches of
total touchdowns and 32 receptions for 363 yards. games where he is the overall TE1, then he’ll have ADDITIONS
That was enough production to be the Cleats’ RB1
and RB2. An encore in 2017 is expected. While stretches where he is barely worth a start. Just like Chris Godwin
Zeke puts up enough numbers to count for two (drafted 2.04)
running backs, GM Manning knows it will be nice to at the WR2 position, Manning will have a tough Jamaal Williams
have Carlos Hyde back. When healthy, Hyde is a
time deciding who to start at TE. WR: B- TE: B (drafted 2.10)
SUBTRACTIONS
n/a
top 10 RB. Hyde has yet to play a full season, but
usually flashes brilliance when he does play. He
played in 13 games in 2016, accumulating 988
rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. If you extrapolate
that over a 16 game season, it equals over 1,200
yards and 7-8 touchdowns. He will be a major key
to the Cleats’ 2017 success. Behind him is the rook- IMPACT ADDITION
ie Jamaal Williams, who has made some noise Chris Godwin - Godwin is the
pushing TyMo for carries. If he can win the GB impact addition by default.
jobs, the Cleats can contend. A He may not have much im-
pact in 2017, but he could
rise up the depth chart fairly
quickly.
47
QB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Matthew Stafford Inaugural Draft CLEATS $7 1
RB PLAYER ACQUIRED 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Ezekiel Elliott 2016 Rookie Draft CLEATS $1 2
2 Carlos Hyde 2015 Trade CLEATS $36 1
3 Gio Bernard DELINQUENTS $13 3
4 Darren McFadden 2017 FA Draft FREE AGENT $9 3
5 Eddie Lacy 2017 FA Draft SOUNDS $19 3
6 Chris Thompson 2017 FA Draft CLEATS $2 1
7 Jamaal Williams 2015 Waiver Wire ROOKIE $0 3
8 TJ Yeldon 2017 Rookie Draft DELINQUENTS $3 3
2017 FA Draft
WR PLAYER 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
ACQUIRED
1 AJ Green CLEATS $51 1
2 Adam Thielen Inaugural Draft CLEATS $1 2
3 Desean Jackson 2016 Waiver Wire CLEATS $10 1
4 Allen Hurns CLEATS $2 1
5 Breshad Perriman 2016 Trade CLEATS $10 1
6 Robby Anderson 2016 Trade CLEATS $1 2
7 Chris Conley 2016 Trade CLEATS $4 1
8 Chris Godwin 2016 Waiver Wire ROOKIE $0 3
9 Torrey Smith 2015 Waiver Wire FREE AGENT $3 3
10 Anara Darboh 2017 Rookie Draft ROOKIE $0 3
2017 FA Draft
TE PLAYER 2017 Rookie Draft 2016 TEAM SALARY YEARS REM.
1 Zach Ertz ACQUIRED CLEATS $2 1
2 Eric Ebron CLEATS $5 1
3 Vernon Davis Inaugural Draft CLEATS $1 2
Inaugural Draft
2016 Waiver Wire
ALL EYES ON Ezekiel Elliott problems come from being such a colli- SCOUNTING REPORT
Zeke. Zeke. Zeke. Lead the league in rush- sion seeker. The Cleats desperately need
ing: Check. Jump in the Salvation Army Hyde to stay healthy in 2017. This team An opposing coach’s take on the Cleats
kettle: Check. Carry team to a third place needs another reliable starter besides
finish: Check. What’s next for Ezekiel El- Zeke and AJ Green. That’s why Hyde is “Maybe I’m higher on the Cleats than
liott? Only 22, the only thing that can the X-Factor. He has the ability. Now let’s most, but I think they make the
stop him is himself. There’s no guarantee find out if he has the durability. playoffs again this year. Depth is
that he won’t screw up. He’s already
been under investigation for domestic KEYS TO CHAMPSHIONSHIP The GM great and all, but the starting lineup
violence, he’s been in multiple car wrecks Nine acquisitions in 2015. Eight acquisi- is what wins games. Barring health,
since being drafted, he’s been caught on tions in 2016. That’s it. That’s the amount the Cleats have perhaps the RB1 and
camera lifting a girl’s shirt at a Mardi Gras of acquisitions for the entire season. Sev- WR1 by the end of the season. GM
parade (but who hasn’t done that?), and enteen total acquisitions in two years for Manning may hold them back to an
he allegedly knocked out a DJ. If Zeke can GM Manning. Only the Generals have extent, but it’s hard to screw up the
keep himself out of trouble, he’ll have a less. The Generals also have somewhat of
chance to break the all time rushing rec- an excuse since they have the more tal- starting lineup on this team. The
ord. ented overall roster. But for a team like Cleats are right there with the Sting,
the Cleats that roster so many players Generals, and Showboats as mid-tier
X-FACTOR Carlos Hyde that will never contribute, you’d expect teams that will be fighting for the 5th
Carlos Hyde has battled injury after injury more activity from the GM. Who knows
throughout his young career. If he can how many missed opportunities there and 6th playoff spots.”
stay healthy, he’d be the RB1b to Zeke’s have been. A few more acquisitions in
RB1a. Hyde is an excellent running back 2016 may have resulted in a Champion-
who brings excellent power, sudden ship.
burst, balance and great feet. He is a
brute to tackle, but part of his injury
ROOKIE REPORT Player Position College DLF Rank Stars
Chris Godwin Wide Receiver Penn State #17
Pick Jamaal Williams Running Back #32
2.04 (16) BYU
2.10 (22)
48
49
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