2017 George W. Bush Draft Recaps - Pick 9

PICK:

9TH OVERALL

TEAM:

CALEB’S BUKAkE PARTY, owned by Tieg Bean

TOP 5:

Tieg took his usual approach to the draft, selecting 3 running backs out of his top 5 picks. Believe it or not, Tieg has done this each of the past three drafts (2017, 2016, 2015). The only thing that was unusual about Tieg’s approach was that he did not get Lesean McCoy for the first time in the history of our league. Tieg generally picks high in the draft and has that luxury, but this year he had to draft down with the plebeians like Lamone and myself.

For a quick summary, Tieg took the following players in rounds 1 through 5: Jordy Nelson, Devonta Freeman, Doug Baldwin, Zeke Elliot and Kareem Hunt.

I’ll start with the WRs, who should be no-doubt studs this year. Jordy and Aaron Rodgers have a Daenerys/Drogon mental connection, while Doug Baldwin is arguably the most underrated WR in the league. You can pencil Jordy in for 12 touchdowns and Baldwin in for 90 catches, 1,000 yards. These two will anchor his WR corp todos los NFL Domingos.

As for the RBs, we had some interesting picks. Devonta Freeman fell to Tieg at 12, which was kind of shocking. Freeman has been a top 6 RB each of the last two seasons and nearly won the Super Bowl with his performance vs. the Pats (28-3, lol). I see no reason why he shouldn’t be a top 5 back again this year. Tieg then took the elephant of the draft room in round 4. While Zeke might miss the first half of the season, the suspension is not final and Tieg is always a second half team. (**BREAKING: seems like he might actually pull a Brady and fight the suspension - stay tuned). His next pick was Kareem Hunt, the de-facto starter on the Chiefs. Hunt is completely unproven, but he should be the #1 back on a good team. Opportunity can be more important than talent in fantasy as we all know.

NEXT 5:

Tieg drafted well in the middle rounds, taking Tyreek Hill, Tyler Eifert, Derek Carr, Rex Burkhead and Spencer Ware. Actually let me re-phrase that. Tieg had 4 good picks and one TURRIBLE pick in the middle rounds. Come on mannnnn, Spencer Ware is out for the year.

Anyways, Tyreek Hill was a breakout star last year who can return kicks, catch passes and take handoffs out of the backfield. He can spin left, he can spin right, it don’t make no difference. He can block, tackle, score the touchdown, snap the ball and kick the extra point. Hell, the boy will fill up the Gatorade cooler, walk the dog and paint ya back porch. I’m tellin ya, the boy can flat-out play some football……..AND HEE CAN PASSSS.

Anyways, Tyler Eifert was a nice risk/upside pick in the 7th round. He’s constantly injured but he’s a beast when he does play and catches a ton of TDs. Derek Carr in the 8th round was a nice pick as well. I’ve heard people call him a bust candidate this year, but idk WTF they’re talking about. Great offensive line, two great receivers, Raiders defense stinks and he's coming off a big year…..what am I missing? Tieg also took Rex Burkhead in the middle rounds, one of the 10 running backs who should play well for the Pats this year. If Gillislee is healthy he’s likely the #1, BUT if Gillislee misses anytime, Burkhead should be the Pat’s #1 back.

LAST 5:

Tieg wrapped up his draft with the Texan’s D, Adam Thielen, Caleb Sturgis, Dwayne Allen, Sam Bradford and his engagement photos. Let’s take a quick look at each.

Texan’s D and Caleb Sturgis – solid pickups. A healthy JJ Watt means the Texans are is a top 5 unit and they get to play vs the Jags twice…BORTLES (They did lose Aj Bouye though….). I’m not sure the Eagles kicker is where I woulda gone but their O should be decent this year.

Thielen and Dwayne Allen – meh, I’m not investing in Thielen. He’s more of a DraftKings type guy. As for Dwayne Allen, I won’t even say it.

Sam Bradford – pretty confused with this one, Bradford stinks.

Engagement Photos – so, so, so, so lame. At least you got to smoke before them. Loved how Tieg refused to get ready until after we left so we couldn’t harass him. Savvy move Tieg, savvy move.

STRENGTH:

Tieg’s front-line starters are some of the best in the league. Once Zeke comes back, I don’t think anyone will have a better QB, RB, RB, WR, WR combo than Derek Carr, Freeman, Zeke, Jordy and Baldwin. That’s just scary good. As long as everything goes to plan (re: no injuries) and Zeke comes back on fire then Tieg is gonna be a big problem come playoffs.

WEAKNESS:

Depth is definitely Tieg’s #1 weakness, but I have one more thing to say…..

Tieg had his fiancé at the draft this year – that is pretttyyy prettttyyy, pretttay weak. Although I’m not sexist when it comes to the workplace, there is one place I am sexist – FANTASY FOOTBALL. Sam is great and cool and all that, but comeon man. No girls allowed. Was Tieg hosting the draft as a ploy so that he could be at his place before the engagement photos? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe go fuck yaself. All I do know is that if Emma finds out one of the WAGs was at the draft then I am fucked. And by fucked I mean in for 15-20 minutes of harassment.

DRAFT GRADE, PREDICTION AND FINAL NOTES:

I give this draft a B+, with the potential to go to an A*. While Tieg arguably has the best set of starters, he’s gonna have to do some work with his bench. His team is really top heavy, but he currently has little to no depth. Although it’s possible to find good guys on waivers throughout the year, there are no guarantees in fantasy football.

*If Zeke ends up playing this year then this is an A, flat out. Zeke in the 4th round = A.

This is subject to change based on Zeke, but I predict Tieg will start the year in the middle of the pack - let’s say 3-5 through 8 weeks. Once Zeke gets back he’ll rip off 5 wins and a row and finish at 8-5. Tieg always gets stronger as the year goes on and his team is set up perfectly for that this year. After making the playoffs at 8-5, I say Tieg will win the league and be your 2018 GEORGE W BUSH FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPION.

Like I said above, Tieg’s front-line starters are top notch. Yes his depth is lackluster, but we have a deep free agent pool and he can freely drop half of his bench players. Seriously, no one is picking up Spencer Ware, Sam Bradford, Adam Thielen or Dwayne Allen. Assuming Tieg’s top guys perform and he makes a few solid free agent pickups, he’ll be the team to beat this year. It’s been nearly 4 years since his last title so it might be time again. Touche Tieg, touche.