GWBL - 2022 - Season Predictions (10th-6th)
GWBL – 2022 – Preseason Predictions & My Two Cents
Gentlemen,
Welcome to the 2022 GWBL Fantasy Football season. Due to popular demand, I will attempt to provide the league with some entertainment on the website www.protectoroftheleague.com. I’ll start by giving my two cents on each team along with my preseason rankings/final standings projection. No major themes here, just some initial thoughts about the draft and the strengths/weaknesses of each team. Let’s get into it, from Worst to First:
Tenth: The Washington Sentinels, Commish
One: You might think this is me reverse jinxing my team, but sadly it’s not. My team has the lowest Week 1 projection and is ranked 10th by ESPN. Its largely due to my RBs, who suck. I clearly have the worst starting RB combination with David Montgomery and AJ Dillon. I made the mistake of taking a WR with my first round pick and all the good ones were taken by the time my 2nd round pick came up. That miscalculation is really going to bite me in the ass. My bench RBs are intriguing, but unspectacular – Kareem, Raheem Mostert, Khalil Herbert and Kenneth Walker.
Two: I do like my WR-TE mix, but there are no sure things here. I made a huge bet on Kyle Pitts in Round 3 and that could bust if his QB situation drags him down. Davante is Davante, but I’m also banking on a breakout year from Ceedee Lamb. Marquise Brown and My Young Son Gabriel Davis are big pivot points for my roster. If those guys hit their potential I could have a very strong WR group. If they remain inconsistent then I’m going to be the Gabriel myself.
ESPN Ranking: 10th of 10
Ninth: Fresh Prince of Bhel-Aire, Rob D
One: Despite the fact Rob D got the 1st overall pick and the clear cut best player in fantasy, I’m projecting him to miss the playoffs. It’s not Taylor that’s the problem though, its his other RBs. Chubb is unbelievable and I’ll always hate Bill for drafting Sony over him, but the Browns offense is a big question mark for the first 11 weeks of the season. He also shares with Kareem Hunt. Cam Akers is his FLEX1 and he’s coming off an achilles injury. We’ll see how he looks tonight. Chase Edmonds is a fun and buzzy name, but he’s already dealing with an injury (has never stayed healthy). The bench isn’t much better, he just has 2 handcuffs for RBs who aren’t on his roster – Samaje Perine and Jamaal Williams.
Two: Questions abound at WR as well. Jaylen Waddle has been reduced to WR2 on his team and is dealing with an injury. Allen Robinson is going to be good this year, but he’s another WR2 and has been somewhat injury prone. The bench WRs have upside, but their range of outcomes is huge. Christian Overpaid Kirk, Allen Lizard, Tyler Boyd and Davante Parker.
ESPN Ranking: 1st of 10
Eighth: Henry Hurts, Tieg
One: Here’s a case where I won’t be shocked if this projection is completely wrong. (Although this is exactly where ESPN ranks Tieg.) Lets talk about the namesake – Jalen Hurts. The hype has gotten a little out of control for Hurts and I’m not 100% sold on him just yet. As for the other part of Tieg’s name – Derrick Henry is arguably the best RB in football. He’ll probably win Tieg 3 matchups by himself. That said, the cupboard is bare after Henry. Clyde Edwards Helaire is RB2 and his only bench RBs are Rashaad Penny and Mark Ingram. Free agency always produces some studs and Tieg will need to find them to be competitive at the position.
Two: His WRs are solid on paper, but I could see all of them having down years. Deebo will not produce the same rushing statistics he did last year, it’s just impossible. He also has a new QB. Keenan Allen is a year older and has been surpassed by Mike Williams. Terry Mclaurin is coming off a brutal year and has Carson Wentz throwing him passes (for now). Courtland Sutton is probably his highest-floor WR , but he’s also playing with a new QB this year. All in all 3 of these guys have new QBs, two of which have serious concerns about their ability (Wentz/Lance).
Another note: Tieg is rostering 3 TEs which is bizarre. Definitely has some potential at the position, but what’s the saying? If you have 3 TEs you have none.
ESPN Ranking: 8th of 10
Seventh: Groomer Esiason, Lamone
One: It was really difficult to keep Lamone out of the playoffs and I waffled on this one quite a bit. Ultimately I kept him out because his team is the perfect example of “yeah…, but”. YA BUTT. Moving on. Kyler Murray is a stud and just got a new contract…. But his work ethic is in question (see above), he doesn’t have Deandre Hopkins for half the year, and he always gets hurt. George Kittle is unreal…. But he’s already injured. Jamar Chase was unbelievable last year, but he’s not going to have that many big plays again. Jerry Jeudy got a big upgrade at QB, but he’s also WR2 behind Courtland Sutton.
Two: Alvin Kamara is a star, but he’s entering the back 9 of his career. Zeke has been a power house for ~5 years, but he looked worn down last year. Adam Thielen is a TD machine, but he’s old too. Antonio Gibson is the starting RB, but Brian Robinson will be back soon. While there’s a ton of star power on this roster, there is a very plausible scenario where half these guys miss their projections.
ESPN Ranking: 6th of 10
Sixth: Hill Bill, DMO
One: Our last playoff spot goes to DMO, who I project to make the playoffs for the first time in his 3 year GWBL career. Lamar Jackson has as much upside at QB as anyone and a 6th round price tag is a deal and a half. The contract situation is ugly, but Lamar is due for some positive regression after scoring just 2 rushing TDs last year. Turnovers are a problem for him, but aside from that he’s a fantasy star. DMO’s weak at TE, but Hunter Henry is a Mac Jones favorite and Cole Kmet could break out this year. TEs are easier to piece together in PPR – I don’t have stats to back that up, but that’s how I feel.
Two: DMO’s real strength is his RB-WR core. Dalvin, Najee, Singletary, Tyreek, DJ Moore and Brandin Cooks round out his starting lineup. Dalvin and Najee are cornerstones and Singletary looks to have the BUF RB job locked down. Tyreek has a QB downgrade to overcome, but he’s looked great so far. DJ Moore is ascending and it looks like this will be a big year for him. The addition of Baker Mayfield took Moore from a good fantasy WR to a great fantasy WR. Brandin Cooks is what he is – he’ll catch 70-80 passes for 1000 yards and 5-7 TDs. Book it.
ESPN Ranking: 5th of 10
