GWBL - 2022 - Season Predictions (5th-1st)
GWBL – 2022 – Preseason Predictions & My Two Cents
Welcome back for the remaining teams: 5th place through 1st:
Fifth: A Finkle in Time, Frader
One: Frader’s QB Justin Herbert is getting a ton of MVP love this preseason. Herbs was right up there with Allen/Mahomes in fantasy production last year and Frader got him 15 picks after Allen and 7 picks after Mahomes in our draft. If you’re unfamiliar with the concept of “tier-based drafting”, all I can say is that THIS is how it’s done. I’ve seen some crazy projections for Herbert, including a 50+ TD season. He’ll put up 30+ a week in fantasy.
Two: Aside from Herbert I have to point out the amazing depth Frader has at WR. Diggs will be a WR1 with Allen, while Michael Pittman is expected to jump into the WR1 conversation. He’s a 3rd year WR breakout guy (like Tee Higgins, spoiler) and he got a huge QB upgrade. Trading Carson Wentz for Matt Ryan? Yuge upgrade. At FLEX he has Hunter Renfrow and Rashod Bateman, both expected to be big parts of their respective offenses. Renfrow will take a hit with the addition of Davante, but he’ll be useful in full PPR. Bateman should benefit from the departure of Marquise Brown. (I just found out that Marquise Brown is Antonio Brown’s cousin which is interesting….) Frader’s bench WRs are impressive as well – Brandon Aiyuk, and rookie stud George Pickens.
ESPN Ranking: 9th of 10
Fourth: Austin Ma-ssachoochoo, Ken Peabs
One: While his team name leaves something to be desired, Ken’s team does not. I love his top trio of RBs – Ekeler, Swift and Elijah Mitchell. Pass catching, workhorse, TD scoring backs on what should be productive offenses. He also has Damien Harris and Michael Carter on the bench. Michael Carter was a big hype pick before Breece Hall came around and he could very easily carve out a Kareem Hunt like role.
Two: Ken’s WR depth is right up there with his RBs – Mike Evans, AJ Brown, DK Metcalf as his starters with Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool and Michael Gallup on his bench. That’s 4 #1 WRs and two more with noteworthy upside. Ken also got a steal with Darren Waller – 6th round price tag for a guy who was going in Round 2-3 last year
ESPN Ranking: 7th of 10
Third: Trey Squared, Keetz
One: The first thing that sticks out is the concentration with the Bucs offense – TB12 and Leonard Fournette. Sure there may be some weeks where this bites him (like that Saints game last year), but overall this is going to be 40-50 points a week from your first two players. Fournette and TB12 have both had some distractions this offseason (Eddie Lacy diet and Giselle respectively), but I don’t think it impacts their game. If anything TB12 will take the off-field drama and use it as fuel.
Two: Keetz is really strong at WR which seems to be a theme on his squads year to year. Kupp was WR1 last year and Tee Higgins is about to make that coveted Year 3 breakout. Diontae Johnson just got paid and is always productive (when healthy). On the bench he has huge potential with former WR1 Michael Thomas, Chiefs addition MVS and Jahan Dotson. I think Dotson could be a rookie of the year candidate.
ESPN Ranking: 4th of 10
Second: How I Metcalf Your Mother, Kev
One: Is this the year Kev finally takes the GWBL title? No, but it’s the closest he’s been thus far. Mainly due to the absurd depth at RB – Mccaffrey, Aaron Jones, James Connor and Josh Jacobs. His bench RBs are HUGE lottery tickets as well – Nyheim Hines if anything happens to Jonathan Taylor and Sony Michel if anything happens to Austin Ekeler.
Two: It also helps when you have the best QB in the league, Patrick Mahomes. A lot of people are concerned that his production will take a hit without Tyreek, but I’m not one of them. Speaking of WR production, Kev also has 4 strong WRs – Mike Williams, Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper and Robert Woods.
ESPN Ranking: 2nd of 10
First: Jimmy2Times n the Mafia Don, Dylan
One: Dyl lost in the title game last year and I’m calling it now – he’s going to be the 2022 GWBL Champion. So what puts Dyl ahead of the field? Let’s start with Josh Allen who is going to be a nightmare for opposing defenses and fantasy managers alike. A 4th round price tag for the #1 QB in fantasy provides a nice margin. While we’re talking superlatives, I’ll bring up the new TE1 in fantasy – Mark Andrews. Move over Travis Kelce, Andrews is the new sheriff in town. Speaking of sheriffs, I haven’t watched the movie Tombstone in a while. Classic flick with an incredible cast. Put it on the list for this fall.
Two: You would think that investing early in QB/TE could leave Dyl bare at the RB-WR positions, but you would be wrong. As Matthew Berry says – WRONG WRONG WRONG WRONG. Javonte Williams is about to break out and Breece Hall is the 1:01 player in any rookie-only drafts. How did I make it this far without mentioning that Dylan has the #1WR in fantasy? He does – Justin Jefferson. Having the top player at QB-WR-TE is why Dyl will win the league.
ESPN Ranking: 3rd of 10
