Drafts 3, Lawr 0

I knew I was in for a harried evening, and again it was enough that we had just returned from London a week ago, and I anticipated some let lag. However I did not expect a nasty little Crohns disease attack, adding to the confusion, along with my ability to concentrate for hours on end.

But, there I was, first banging through the Creativesports 2.0 NFFC contest, from 5 p.m. til 7 p.m. , Pacific. Then from 7-9 was The Knights of the Passover Table draft, which logically and happily enough was set to end at 9 PM, just as the BARF (Bay Area Rotisserie/Fantasy) draft commenced. As it was, the NFFC finished over a brisk 90-minute pace for the selection of 20 players each, while The Knights dragged on, stretching out selections thanks to auto-draft.

In the NFFC, I get to duke it out with Creativeports mates Scott Zeidman (BusterH), Greg Morgan, and Marc Meltzer — all successful NFFC players over the years — which should make for some fun competition during the season. As well, Dare Maybury, Elaine Corales, and Danny Cross are all taking a stab, making for plenty of public fodder for us, but similarly a chance for all of us to share observations and strategies.

So, let’s get to the meat. I drafted at the wheel, as optimal a spot in football as it can be in baseball. Let’s see who fell my way in this 14-team format.

And, I probably gave up a first week advantage drafting Carson Wentz, but in the opening day hubub, started him over Matt Ryan. I was also willing to take a chance on Martavis Bryant, who will not be on the roster come next week. Otherwise, let’s take a look,

Beyond the obvious — Wentz and Bryant — the team looks to be full of steady producers, including some guys with potential upside.

Then it was the Knights of the Passover table — a league conceived of at our group Pesach mean several years back — and which is no less competitive.

1. Philip Rivers LAC – QB:  Lots of weapons for a wily pro.
2. Davante Adams GB – WR: Lots of chances with Aaron Rodgers at the helm.
3. Chris Hogan NE – WR: I have lots of shares on lots of teams on the emerging star, Hogan.
4. Dalvin Cook Min – RB: He lost a year, but it doesn not appear Cook has lost any skill.
5. Lamar Miller Hou – RB: Hard to pass up a #1 RB.
6. Ricky Seals-Jones Ari – TE: Jones made a splash last year that ideally continues.
7. Tarik Cohen Chi – RB: Gottta play Cohen carefully, but surely every time he touches the ball something exciting can happen.
8. Adam Vinatieri Ind – K: Steady, and does it really matter with kicker?
9. Seattle Sea – DEF: A stream spot til I settle on something better.

Reserves:

1. Cooper Kupp LAR – WR: Love Goff’s fave target.
2. Corey Clement Phi – RB: Lotta upside if he gets a chance.
3. Jared Goff LAR – QB: Rams are hot, Goff leads the way.
4. Randall Cobb GB – WR: Don’t dismiss this vet who still works with Rodgers.
5. Ty Montgomery GB – RB: Yet another dismissed Packer: those who succeed stay!
6. Quincy Enunwa NYJ – WR:  A crapshoot that ideally comes to fruition.

BARF-O Rama: After a Passover stuffing, what could follow?

1. Tyrod Taylor Cle – QB: Waiting til the eighth round for a signal caller here might have been a mistake?
2. Tyreek Hill KC – WR: Lotta upside and promise. Now deliver!
3. JuJu Smith-Schuster Pit – WR: No question how many of us think break-out.
4. Chris Hogan NE – WR: As indicated, lots of shares.
5. Alvin Kamara NO – RB: Adds to a team with serious upside.
6. Chris Carson Sea – RB: #1 RB in Seattle for Week1, anyway.
7. Jordan Reed Was – TE: Solid mid-draft TE pick; just stay healthy!
8. Cooper Kupp LAR – WR: Lotta shares.
9. Tarik Cohen Chi – RB: Lotta shares here, too, and players with Cohen’s resume tend to fare well Week 1.
10. Matt Bryant Atl – K: Got seven points Thursday night. Just keep it up.
11. Los Angeles LAR – DEF: Hoping no letdown following a great 2017.

Reserves:

1. Ronald Jones II TB – RB: Love this rookie.
2. Bilal Powell NYJ – RB: He runs, he catches, and is well worthy of a late pick.
3. Eric Ebron Ind – TE: Solid back up should Reed struggle.
4. Austin Seferian-Jenkins Jax – TE: Not like me to take three TEs, but all three can catch and Seferian-Jenkins acts like a WR half the time.
5. Quincy Enunwa NYJ – WR: Another late gambit.
6. J. Nelson Ari – WR: It was late, and I don’t remember this pick , but one flub after six hours of drafting? He might not finish the season with me, but he should become a good FAAB bargain.

Tune into the NFL live on the FNTSY network, cohosted by Joe Gallina, George Kurz, and me, Sunday, 1:30-6 p.m.  PT, and stay tuned for details on the off-season Podcast of the Tout Wars Hour featuring Todd Zola and me. And, of course you can follow me @lawrmichaels.