Open the Control Room

baker mayfield

Week 2 Streamers

Week 1 is in the books. Whether you pulled a win in the first week of the season, or you’re determined to fix that losing record, you still have to think about streaming options for this week. Throughout this series, we will provide the best weekly options to stream at quarterback, tight end, and D/ST.  Keep in mind, each streaming option will be below 50% owned, according to ESPN. 

Week 2 Streamers Read More »

dfs week 5

FFPC Dynasty & Redraft Series: Week 1

The 2021 NFL season starts this week! Tampa Bay and Dallas kick off on Thursday night but you can still draft a Footballguys Players Championship team through Saturday. First place pays $500,000 and I finished third in the contest in 2019. It is now my life goal to take the big prize down. The Main Event also pays half a million and that would be fine, too.

Between these two large national redraft contests and all of my FFPC dynasty squads, I have 66 teams that I am managing. That is a lot of cheddar, a lot of waiver pickups, a lot of start/sit decisions, and a lot of time and energy. Everyone gets the prerogative to enjoy this hobby at whatever level they feel comfortable with. For me, it is a part-time career that involves the IRS and I have hired an assistant General Manager. That level may not be for everybody.

But for hardcore FFPC players like me, or for the more casual FFPC player, and for anyone in between, this is the first in a weekly series to give you actionable advice on the FFPC dynasty and redraft landscapes. I’d like to emphasize the Superflex format, but otherwise, I will focus on the waiver wire, trade market, general FF gamesmanship topics, and I will highlight one or two auctioned teams I bought from dynastydepot.com as those teams are all competing on their website for a handful of Main Event and FBG teams for 2022, as well as other weekly prizes.

FFPC Dynasty & Redraft Series: Week 1 Read More »

Chasing Ships and Flipping Pieces: Part 3

The season is almost upon us! In FFPC leagues, there are barely two weeks left before we have to cut our rosters down to 20, including a kicker and a defense. On some of my dynasty squads, I am facing some steep cuts and difficult choices. How do I go about deciding which players to cut? Can I make some two-for-one trades that clear roster spots for me, or players for picks? Am I going to be fielding a competitive team that can contend for the title? Will there be a couple of impact players available on the first waiver run, and if so, will I have room to roster them? What about some later-round rookie picks that flashed during the preseason and I want to develop them? 

Chasing Ships and Flipping Pieces: Part 3 Read More »

Fantasy Stock Up, Stock Down: AFC North

Welcome back to the “Fantasy Stock Up, Stock Down” series. We have just two divisions remaining, and this week’s coverage will focus on the AFC North. Check out the breakdowns for the: NFC West, AFC East, NFC East, AFC South, NFC South, and the AFC West divisions here at DFF as well, with the NFC North to follow soon. Keep in mind, there will be a player whose stock is up and a player whose stock is down from each team in this division.

Fantasy Stock Up, Stock Down: AFC North Read More »

2021 Projections: Cleveland Browns

Baker Mayfield had a bit of a sophomore slump in 2019, but we got to see him bounce back with a good 2020 season where he threw for 3500 yards and 26 touchdowns. I have him projected to expand on this in 2021 and collect almost 4200 passing yards along with 29 touchdowns. Seems pretty reasonable to me. A small increase in throws per game and adding a 17th game certainly make up for that increase in pass yards. This leaves Baker averaging 20.9 fantasy points per game, resulting in a low QB2 ranking. Baker’s current redraft ADP is QB16, this is a tad high for me. I would feel much better about getting him at the QB20-24 range, I am fading him at his ADP and so should you. However, if he happens to fall a few spots I would gladly take him in that previously mentioned 20-24 range.

2021 Projections: Cleveland Browns Read More »

Startup Strategies: Drafting to Reload, Not Rebuild

Rookie drafts are wrapping up and startups are the only thing getting dynasty owners through the off-season. If you’re a true dynasty degenerate, at least set yourself up for success from the draft. We’re not going to just set ourselves up for success now, but build a sustainable roster for the future to create a true “dynasty.” You don’t have to go all-in on big-name vets, nor do you need to only draft players under 26. Mix a little of both strategically.

Startup Strategies: Drafting to Reload, Not Rebuild Read More »

Rookie Quarterback Record Breakers

With the 2021 NFL Draft in the books and teams beginning their offseason mini camps, the NFL offseason is approaching a lull. We will overreact to one-on-one videos of a wide receiver breaking a defensive back’s ankles on a route when the receiver knows the play and the defensive back does not. Or it might be in the form of a running back making a decent-looking body catch against air. We may even see more statistics about Zach Wilson being 0-5 against teams with 10 or more wins in that respective season and posting just one passing touchdown in those five games.

Rookie Quarterback Record Breakers Read More »

Draft Stock Watch: Week 2

Spencer Rattler: 2021 Devy Profile

Spencer Rattler is currently the odds-on favorite to win the 2021 Heisman Trophy. At 6’1”, 205 lbs. he is shorter than the average NFL quarterback, but that isn’t keeping him from being projected at a stop option at the position in 2022. Rattler was the top quarterback in the 2019 recruiting class but was forced to sit his freshman season behind Jalen Hurts.

Spencer Rattler: 2021 Devy Profile Read More »

Sunday Divisional Storylines

I love writing these storyline pieces. Now that we’ve hit the playoffs, I want to cover all the games, bringing you at least something to think about when you watch the playoffs. Even though playoffs don’t count for our fantasy teams, playoff performances can have massive effects on future dynasty value. This piece will give you something specific to look for in each contest, which I hope helps you enjoy the games even more. We all play fantasy football to enhance our enjoyment of football, and I’m trying to add to that sense of happiness here. Fun is the most essential part of this hobby for all of us, including me.

Sunday Divisional Storylines Read More »

Week 14 Storylines

I love writing these storyline pieces. I will go through some of the games and discuss one dynasty-relevant storyline per team that I’m excited to see. I won’t cover every game, as I don’t feel like there’s necessarily an exciting storyline to discuss for every team. However, I’ll bring you my best insights from the games I select each week.

Week 14 Storylines Read More »

Start/Sit Week 13

Each and every week, I’ll be covering a handful of players that I believe will either exceed expectations or let your team down in a major way. Here’s who you should be looking at for Week 13.

It feels wrong, but Mitchell Trubisky is a perfectly fine streamer this week. Trubisky put up solid numbers in the team’s loss to Green Bay, and he should be a solid QB2 against the Lions in Week 13. Detroit is allowing the 7th most fantasy points and passing yards per game.

Start/Sit Week 13 Read More »

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 12

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 12

In this weekly piece, I will bring you some risers and fallers from a dynasty lens. Whether it’s injuries, performance, or value, I want to discuss how players have moved around. Based on the week’s events, I’ll give some advice on how to act on the market’s movement, whether it’s buying, selling, or holding. 

I won’t limit myself to talking about any specific players or teams because I want to have the freedom to discuss whatever is most relevant. Also, of course, there are more risers and fallers than those I’m listing. However, it’s impossible to cover every single one of them, as dynasty values change weekly for many players. With that said, let’s jump into the risers first, followed by the fallers.

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 12 Read More »

Week 8 Early Game Storylines

I love writing these storyline pieces. I will go through the games and discuss one dynasty-relevant storyline per team that I’m excited to see. Usually, I’ll split the games into two sets, covering the early games in one story and the later games in another. Also, I’ll do a special spotlight on the Thursday night game from time to time, as that’s a midweek contest. I like to go into more detail for that game, just for a change of pace.

This piece will give you something specific to look for in each contest, which I hope helps you enjoy the games even more. We all play fantasy football to enhance our enjoyment of football, and I’m trying to add to that sense of happiness here. Fun is the most essential part of this hobby for all of us, including me.

I’ve listed the home team first for each game to keep things organized. I won’t waste any more time, so let’s jump straight in!

Week 8 Early Game Storylines Read More »

NFL Player Props – Week 8

As always, part one of this publication is my weekly picks against the spread, with a deep dive into three picks that I feel will provide a nice payout to bettors. In part two, I look at three player props that I feel have a strong chance of paying out. This article will run the gamut and will include bets such as ‘passing yard totals’, ‘first player to score’, and even ‘total tackles’ for those who love defense.

In addition, I will also make one “Longshot Pick of the Week”. This pick will always feature a more difficult bet that has a greater than 2:1 payout. The odds may be tougher, but if you’re into some fun player props take a peek!

NFL Player Props – Week 8 Read More »

Week 7 Early Game Storylines

I love writing these weekend storyline pieces. I will go through the games and discuss one dynasty-relevant storyline per team that I’m excited to see. Usually, I’ll split the games into two sets, covering the early games in one story and the later games in another. In this article, I’ll look at the seven 1 PM games. This piece will give you something specific to look for in each contest, which I hope helps you enjoy the games even more.

Week 7 Early Game Storylines Read More »

Week 6 Early Game Storylines

As usual, I’m trying a different type of article this week. I will go through each of the early slate games and discuss one dynasty-relevant storyline per team that I’m excited to see. If I get a chance, I might look at the rest of the games in another article, but I wanted to start with only the first set. This piece will give you something specific to look for in each contest, which I hope helps you enjoy the games even more. I’ve listed the home team first for each game. I won’t waste any more time, so let’s jump straight in!

Week 6 Early Game Storylines Read More »

Looking Ahead to Week 7

In this weekly article, I’m going to look ahead to the following week. I’ll point out a few players below 40% owned on ESPN who have strong matchups next week that you can pick up ahead of time to beat the waiver run. I’ll also try and get ahead of breakouts that could happen in the current week, as predicting breakouts is the best way to save your FAAB budget.

Mecole Hardman is 40.2% owned and just misses the 40% cut. But, with Sammy Watkins out, he’s an absolute must-add ahead of a potential Week 6 breakout.

Looking Ahead to Week 7 Read More »

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 5

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 5

In this weekly piece, I will bring you some risers and fallers from a dynasty lens. Whether it’s injuries, performance, or value, I want to discuss how players have moved around. Based on the week’s events, I’ll give some advice on how to act on the market’s movement, whether it’s buying, selling, or holding. 

I won’t limit myself to talking about any specific players or teams because I want to have the freedom to discuss whatever is most relevant. Also, of course, there are more risers and fallers than those I’m listing. However, it’s impossible to cover every single one of them, as dynasty values change weekly for many players. With that said, let’s jump into the risers first, followed by the fallers.

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 5 Read More »

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 2

In this weekly piece, I will bring you some risers and fallers from a dynasty lens. Whether it’s injuries, performance, or value, I want to discuss how players have moved around. Based on the week’s events, I’ll give some advice on how to act on the market’s movement, whether it’s buying, selling, or holding. I won’t limit myself to talking about any specific players or teams because I want to have the freedom to discuss whatever is most relevant. Let’s jump into the risers first, followed by the fallers.

Dynasty Risers and Fallers Week 2 Read More »

Start/Sit Week 1

After what feels like the longest offseason in NFL history, football is back! You’ve finished all of your drafts and had some time to bask in the glory of your undoubtedly stacked roster, but now is the time to make tough decisions. Which players can you truly rely on in your crucial Week 1 matchups? Well, that’s where I come in. Each and every week, I’ll be covering a handful of players that I believe will either exceed expectations or let your team down in a major way.

Start/Sit Week 1 Read More »