Post by St. Louis Sting on Aug 19, 2016 16:45:31 GMT -5
Haven't done one of these in a while
Buffalo Wings
Biggest Asset: Andrew Luck
Best Value: Ryan Matthews ($2)
Worst Value: Julius Thomas ($47), Vincent Jackson ($34)
Position of Strength: QB
Position of Weakness: RB, TE, D/ST
Breakout Potential: John Brown
2016 Outlook: Things don't project to fly too high for the Wings this season. Having Andrew Luck back healthy and productive this season will be huge, but the RB situation does not look good, both in terms of talent and depth. An injury to the brittle Ryan Matthews would be devastating. The Wings are paying a hefty sum for their receiving options, but none of them stand out as truly elite options. There are some good defensive players mixed in, but the D/ST will be a black hole every week. All things into account, the Wings should not expect to sneak in the back end of the playoffs this season, especially with the new 6 team playoff, and are a candidate to be a bottom feeder.
Projected Record: 5-9
Clayhounds Dawgs
Biggest Assets: Larry Fitzgerald, Lavonte David
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Matt Stafford ($50)
Position of Strength: LB, DB, D/ST
Position of weakness: QB, RB, WR, TE
Breakout Potential: Melvin Gordon, Chris Conley
2015 Outlook: The Dawgs made a late run last season to keep them from being the laughing stock of the league, but things don't project too much better this season. The offense looks anemic at every position, and the newly drafted Jared Goff is unlikely to help that in the short term. On a positive note, the Dawgs have a lot of quality players (perhaps too many given the lack of offense) on the defensive side on the ball. And the D/ST tandem of Kansas City and Seattle should provide plenty of production there. Even with the defensive scoring changes, however, offense will always beat defense in fantasy leagues, and Clayhounds will likely flounder again this season.
Projected Record: 4-10
Connecticut Huskies
Biggest Assets: Alshon Jeffery, Khalil Mack
Best Value: Thomas Rawls ($1), Michael Crabtree ($1)
Worst Value: Aqib Talib ($14)
Position of Strength: K
Position of Weakness: RB, TE
Breakout Potential: Jameis Winston, Thomas Rawls
2016 Outlook: Last year's Huskies were an utter disaster, routinely failing to eclipse the 100-point mark and finishing with a 4-10 record. While the Huskies are still destined to finish in the league's back half, things do look better (though they couldn't really get worse). Another year of experience should help former #1 overall pick Jameis Winston improve on a promising rookie season. Thomas Rawls is set to head the Seattle backfield with the exit of Marshawn Lynch, and maybe some production out of a healthy Alshon Jeffery can begin to make the turn towards competitiveness. Depth will continue to be an issue at this stage, limiting the upside, but the Huskies will likely not repeat as the league whipping boy.
Projected Record: 6-8
Dallas Desperados
Best Assets: Cam Newton, Dez Bryant
Best Value: CJ Anderson ($3), Kelvin Benjamin ($5)
Worst Value: TY Hilton ($34)
Position of Strength: QB, WR, D/ST
Position of Weakness: TE (maybe)
Breakout Potential: Ezekiel Elliot, Matt Jones
2016 Outlook: I have never seen a team ravaged by injuries like the 2015 Dallas Desperados. After getting off to a blistering start, the entire Desperados team hit the IR, leading to an undeserved 4-10 record. Don't be surprised to see the Desperados go from bottom to top this season, as they are solid throughout and have plenty of depth up and down the roster. Add in #1 overall pick Ezekiel Elliot and we have a chance to see a great bounceback year in Dallas. Barring another unprecedented string of injuries, Dallas should be a shoo-in for a playoff berth.
Projected Record: 9-5
Montana Grizzlies
Best Asset: Todd Gurley, Greg Olsen
Best Value: Ben Roethlisberger ($2), Todd Gurley ($16), Mike Evans ($10)
Worst Value: Giovanni Bernard ($34)
Position of Strength: QB, WR, TE
Position of Weakness: D/ST
Breakout Potential: Donte Moncrief, Tavon Austin, Marcus Mariota
2016 Outlook: Look out for the Montana Grizzlies this year. The offense is loaded at all positions, with depth and talent both more than covered. An injury to Big Ben could cause some issues, but Mariota has the ability to turn himself into a more-than-capable backup to the big veteran. Perhaps the key to the Grizzlies' season is Jamaal Charles, however, as his performance coming off injury could determine just how good this team is. Expect to see a lot of teams bunched together hunting for those playoff spots this season, but Montana should more than likely find their way into the dance.
Projected Record: 9-5
New Jersey Haze
Best Asset: Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, DeAndre Hopkins, Le'Veon Bell
Best Value: Jarvis Landry ($1), DeAndre Hopkins ($12)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: QB, WR, TE
Position of Weakness: IDP Depth
Breakout Potential: Jay Ajayi, Markus Wheaton
2016 Outlook: Last year's runner up, the New Jersey Haze project to be right in the thick of things once again. They paid out the nose this offseason to retain their two RFA's, but the talent level they are getting is worth the price. The Haze feature without a doubt the best receiving corps in the league with Brown, Hopkins, and Landry all about virtual locks to finish top-10 at the position. The Haze aren't carrying any IDP depth currently, but the players they do have will be steady producers. That depth, along with a potential lack of quality depth behind Le'Veon Bell, are the only question marks around this great team.
Projected Record: 10-4
New York Nexus
Best Asset: Julio Jones
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Derk Carr ($35)
Position of Strength: QB, WR
Position of Weakness: RB, DB
Breakout Potential: Tevin Coleman, Devin Funchess, Sammie Coates
2016 Outlook: The Nexus hovered around .500 last season, but are likely to fall further from the .500 mark this coming season. There is some breakout potential on the roster, but with only one RB (who doesn't even start for his team), the Nexus are likely to flounder barring a trade or impact free agent pickup. The receivers are good, and the QB threesome headlined by the highly paid Derek Carr should perform well, but there is just no way around the RB problems.
Projected Record: 4-10
Norwich Nemesis
Best Asset: Devonta Freeman, Odell Beckham
Best Value: Devonta Freeman ($1), Odell Beckham ($1), Latavius Murray ($1)
Worst Value: Eddie Lacy ($55), Packers D/ST ($27)
Position of Strength: RB, WR, DB
Position of Weakness: None
Breakout Potential: Jordan Matthews, Tyler Lockett
2016 Outlook: Don't expect this team to go anywhere any time soon. Thanks to some absurd free agency signings, the Nemesis have young, elite talent locked up cheaply for what seems like eternity. The Nemesis should once again compete at the highest level, making a championship run behind their young studs. The only potential question mark is at QB, but the tandem of Eli Manning and Matt Ryan should be competent to push this team back into the top tier of the league.
Projected Record: 9-5
Pensacola Pelicans
Best Asset: Russell Wilson, LeSean McCoy
Best Value: Allen Robinson ($1)
Worst Value: Mike Wallace ($17), Muhammed Wilkerson ($14)
Position of Strength: QB, DL
Position of Weakness: None
Breakout Potential: Teddy Bridgewater
2016 Outlook: This team does not look to have a ceiling as high as some of the other teams in the league, but the floor is higher than most as well. The team can rely on Russell Wilson behind center, and the RB combo should be reliable. I predict some regression in the WR department, especially for Allen Robinson and Doug Baldwin. The new 6 team playoff could present a challenge to the Pelicans, as they will likely be battling for their playoff lives throughout the season. This is the definition of a bubble team, though the Pelican will benefit heavily from division matchups with the Nexus and Dawgs.
Projected Record: 8-6
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Best Asset: Adrian Peterson, David Johnson
Best Value: David Johnson ($10), Stefon Diggs ($1)
Worst Value: DeAndre Levy ($11), Justin Tucker ($8)
Position of Strength: RB
Position of Weakness: TE, DB
Breakout Potential: Blake Bortles, Jeremy Langford
2016 Outlook: Last season's NFL champion, the Ragin' Cajuns (formerly known as the Marauders) underwent a change in ownership during the offseason. The result is a new name and a new team. While likely to enjoy continued success, this team does not seem to have the firepower to repeat as champion given the talent of some of the other teams in the league. The RB depth is great, but questions remain at WR and there is basically no TE to speak of. Similar to the Pelicans, the Cajuns project as a bubble team this season with some potential to outperform expectations.
Projected Record: 7-7
St Louis Sting
Best Asset: Aaron Rodgers, AJ Green
Best Value: Tyler Eifert ($1), Jeremy Hill ($3)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: QB, WR, DL
Position of Weakness: None
Breakout Potential: Amari Cooper, Dion Lewis
2016 Outlook: Last season's regular season champions, the St. Louis Sting look poised to maintain a high level of competition with solid depth throughout the roster. There are no real holes, but the Sting lack the upside of some other teams. Due to the risk-averse contract philosophy of the Sting's management, the window may be beginning to close.
Projected Record: 9-5
Syracuse Warriors
Best Asset: Tom Brady, JJ Watt, Brandon Marshall
Best Value: Brandon Marshall ($14)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: WR, DL
Position of Weakness: DB, D/ST
Breakout Potential: Sammy Watkins
2016 Outlook: Syracuse looks like another bubble team, with a low ceiling and high floor. The Tom Brady suspension, coupled with Tony Romo's injury problems, could present a problem at QB. The Warriors also lack a true RB1 and will attempt to fill the role with quantity over quality. The Warriors have a track record of success, so I expect them to make the back end of the playoffs. We'll see where they finish up though.
Projected Record: 8-6
Buffalo Wings
Biggest Asset: Andrew Luck
Best Value: Ryan Matthews ($2)
Worst Value: Julius Thomas ($47), Vincent Jackson ($34)
Position of Strength: QB
Position of Weakness: RB, TE, D/ST
Breakout Potential: John Brown
2016 Outlook: Things don't project to fly too high for the Wings this season. Having Andrew Luck back healthy and productive this season will be huge, but the RB situation does not look good, both in terms of talent and depth. An injury to the brittle Ryan Matthews would be devastating. The Wings are paying a hefty sum for their receiving options, but none of them stand out as truly elite options. There are some good defensive players mixed in, but the D/ST will be a black hole every week. All things into account, the Wings should not expect to sneak in the back end of the playoffs this season, especially with the new 6 team playoff, and are a candidate to be a bottom feeder.
Projected Record: 5-9
Clayhounds Dawgs
Biggest Assets: Larry Fitzgerald, Lavonte David
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Matt Stafford ($50)
Position of Strength: LB, DB, D/ST
Position of weakness: QB, RB, WR, TE
Breakout Potential: Melvin Gordon, Chris Conley
2015 Outlook: The Dawgs made a late run last season to keep them from being the laughing stock of the league, but things don't project too much better this season. The offense looks anemic at every position, and the newly drafted Jared Goff is unlikely to help that in the short term. On a positive note, the Dawgs have a lot of quality players (perhaps too many given the lack of offense) on the defensive side on the ball. And the D/ST tandem of Kansas City and Seattle should provide plenty of production there. Even with the defensive scoring changes, however, offense will always beat defense in fantasy leagues, and Clayhounds will likely flounder again this season.
Projected Record: 4-10
Connecticut Huskies
Biggest Assets: Alshon Jeffery, Khalil Mack
Best Value: Thomas Rawls ($1), Michael Crabtree ($1)
Worst Value: Aqib Talib ($14)
Position of Strength: K
Position of Weakness: RB, TE
Breakout Potential: Jameis Winston, Thomas Rawls
2016 Outlook: Last year's Huskies were an utter disaster, routinely failing to eclipse the 100-point mark and finishing with a 4-10 record. While the Huskies are still destined to finish in the league's back half, things do look better (though they couldn't really get worse). Another year of experience should help former #1 overall pick Jameis Winston improve on a promising rookie season. Thomas Rawls is set to head the Seattle backfield with the exit of Marshawn Lynch, and maybe some production out of a healthy Alshon Jeffery can begin to make the turn towards competitiveness. Depth will continue to be an issue at this stage, limiting the upside, but the Huskies will likely not repeat as the league whipping boy.
Projected Record: 6-8
Dallas Desperados
Best Assets: Cam Newton, Dez Bryant
Best Value: CJ Anderson ($3), Kelvin Benjamin ($5)
Worst Value: TY Hilton ($34)
Position of Strength: QB, WR, D/ST
Position of Weakness: TE (maybe)
Breakout Potential: Ezekiel Elliot, Matt Jones
2016 Outlook: I have never seen a team ravaged by injuries like the 2015 Dallas Desperados. After getting off to a blistering start, the entire Desperados team hit the IR, leading to an undeserved 4-10 record. Don't be surprised to see the Desperados go from bottom to top this season, as they are solid throughout and have plenty of depth up and down the roster. Add in #1 overall pick Ezekiel Elliot and we have a chance to see a great bounceback year in Dallas. Barring another unprecedented string of injuries, Dallas should be a shoo-in for a playoff berth.
Projected Record: 9-5
Montana Grizzlies
Best Asset: Todd Gurley, Greg Olsen
Best Value: Ben Roethlisberger ($2), Todd Gurley ($16), Mike Evans ($10)
Worst Value: Giovanni Bernard ($34)
Position of Strength: QB, WR, TE
Position of Weakness: D/ST
Breakout Potential: Donte Moncrief, Tavon Austin, Marcus Mariota
2016 Outlook: Look out for the Montana Grizzlies this year. The offense is loaded at all positions, with depth and talent both more than covered. An injury to Big Ben could cause some issues, but Mariota has the ability to turn himself into a more-than-capable backup to the big veteran. Perhaps the key to the Grizzlies' season is Jamaal Charles, however, as his performance coming off injury could determine just how good this team is. Expect to see a lot of teams bunched together hunting for those playoff spots this season, but Montana should more than likely find their way into the dance.
Projected Record: 9-5
New Jersey Haze
Best Asset: Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowski, DeAndre Hopkins, Le'Veon Bell
Best Value: Jarvis Landry ($1), DeAndre Hopkins ($12)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: QB, WR, TE
Position of Weakness: IDP Depth
Breakout Potential: Jay Ajayi, Markus Wheaton
2016 Outlook: Last year's runner up, the New Jersey Haze project to be right in the thick of things once again. They paid out the nose this offseason to retain their two RFA's, but the talent level they are getting is worth the price. The Haze feature without a doubt the best receiving corps in the league with Brown, Hopkins, and Landry all about virtual locks to finish top-10 at the position. The Haze aren't carrying any IDP depth currently, but the players they do have will be steady producers. That depth, along with a potential lack of quality depth behind Le'Veon Bell, are the only question marks around this great team.
Projected Record: 10-4
New York Nexus
Best Asset: Julio Jones
Best Value: None
Worst Value: Derk Carr ($35)
Position of Strength: QB, WR
Position of Weakness: RB, DB
Breakout Potential: Tevin Coleman, Devin Funchess, Sammie Coates
2016 Outlook: The Nexus hovered around .500 last season, but are likely to fall further from the .500 mark this coming season. There is some breakout potential on the roster, but with only one RB (who doesn't even start for his team), the Nexus are likely to flounder barring a trade or impact free agent pickup. The receivers are good, and the QB threesome headlined by the highly paid Derek Carr should perform well, but there is just no way around the RB problems.
Projected Record: 4-10
Norwich Nemesis
Best Asset: Devonta Freeman, Odell Beckham
Best Value: Devonta Freeman ($1), Odell Beckham ($1), Latavius Murray ($1)
Worst Value: Eddie Lacy ($55), Packers D/ST ($27)
Position of Strength: RB, WR, DB
Position of Weakness: None
Breakout Potential: Jordan Matthews, Tyler Lockett
2016 Outlook: Don't expect this team to go anywhere any time soon. Thanks to some absurd free agency signings, the Nemesis have young, elite talent locked up cheaply for what seems like eternity. The Nemesis should once again compete at the highest level, making a championship run behind their young studs. The only potential question mark is at QB, but the tandem of Eli Manning and Matt Ryan should be competent to push this team back into the top tier of the league.
Projected Record: 9-5
Pensacola Pelicans
Best Asset: Russell Wilson, LeSean McCoy
Best Value: Allen Robinson ($1)
Worst Value: Mike Wallace ($17), Muhammed Wilkerson ($14)
Position of Strength: QB, DL
Position of Weakness: None
Breakout Potential: Teddy Bridgewater
2016 Outlook: This team does not look to have a ceiling as high as some of the other teams in the league, but the floor is higher than most as well. The team can rely on Russell Wilson behind center, and the RB combo should be reliable. I predict some regression in the WR department, especially for Allen Robinson and Doug Baldwin. The new 6 team playoff could present a challenge to the Pelicans, as they will likely be battling for their playoff lives throughout the season. This is the definition of a bubble team, though the Pelican will benefit heavily from division matchups with the Nexus and Dawgs.
Projected Record: 8-6
Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns
Best Asset: Adrian Peterson, David Johnson
Best Value: David Johnson ($10), Stefon Diggs ($1)
Worst Value: DeAndre Levy ($11), Justin Tucker ($8)
Position of Strength: RB
Position of Weakness: TE, DB
Breakout Potential: Blake Bortles, Jeremy Langford
2016 Outlook: Last season's NFL champion, the Ragin' Cajuns (formerly known as the Marauders) underwent a change in ownership during the offseason. The result is a new name and a new team. While likely to enjoy continued success, this team does not seem to have the firepower to repeat as champion given the talent of some of the other teams in the league. The RB depth is great, but questions remain at WR and there is basically no TE to speak of. Similar to the Pelicans, the Cajuns project as a bubble team this season with some potential to outperform expectations.
Projected Record: 7-7
St Louis Sting
Best Asset: Aaron Rodgers, AJ Green
Best Value: Tyler Eifert ($1), Jeremy Hill ($3)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: QB, WR, DL
Position of Weakness: None
Breakout Potential: Amari Cooper, Dion Lewis
2016 Outlook: Last season's regular season champions, the St. Louis Sting look poised to maintain a high level of competition with solid depth throughout the roster. There are no real holes, but the Sting lack the upside of some other teams. Due to the risk-averse contract philosophy of the Sting's management, the window may be beginning to close.
Projected Record: 9-5
Syracuse Warriors
Best Asset: Tom Brady, JJ Watt, Brandon Marshall
Best Value: Brandon Marshall ($14)
Worst Value: None
Position of Strength: WR, DL
Position of Weakness: DB, D/ST
Breakout Potential: Sammy Watkins
2016 Outlook: Syracuse looks like another bubble team, with a low ceiling and high floor. The Tom Brady suspension, coupled with Tony Romo's injury problems, could present a problem at QB. The Warriors also lack a true RB1 and will attempt to fill the role with quantity over quality. The Warriors have a track record of success, so I expect them to make the back end of the playoffs. We'll see where they finish up though.
Projected Record: 8-6