Drafting in the RazzBowl tournament is a lot like watching the movie Mrs. Doubtfire. You know the one. Robin Williams dresses like an elderly British nanny in an attempt to get to spend more time with his kids after he and his wife split up. He gets to do his impressions, the kids are in on it, he puts cake icing all over his face. Hilarity ensues. But there’s also heartbreak, and silliness, and tears, and all sorts of mixed emotions. Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you’re watching a comedy or a drama. How am I supposed to feel about this?!
So it is with RazzBowl drafts, which combines all aspects of fantasy football, including a Bestball format in Weeks 1-10 plus a manager-selected lineup format once the playoffs begin in Week 11. Add in a $10 free agent budget (with no $0 bids) for Weeks 1-10 just for some spice in your life. It’s full PPR but also 6 points per quarterback touchdown. You don’t have to worry about kickers and defense, but all that means is by round 20 the skill position players are looking mighty thin.
How am I supposed to feel about this?!
Needless to say, the draft strategies in this tournament are as diverse as the league rules, and it’s especially challenging considering the level of competition in each league.
I (@kirkseysports) was fortunate enough to land in League 5 with an extraordinary group of fantasy football savants including:
Jeff Trela (@jtrela20)
Scott Frankel (@scottfrankel13)
Clark Olson (@ClarkOlson)
Rudy Gamble (@RudyGamble)
Jonathan Impemba (@jimpemba777)
Jeff Bell (@4WhomJBellTolls)
Dan Fornek (@fornekdf)
Aaron Pags (@FantasyTriage)
WorldsBestCommish (@Snaley3)
Zach Meyer (@ztmeyer56)
Mauricio Gutierrez (@MGutierrezNFL)
Below is a recap of our draft and thoughts on the picks from many of the participants in our little corner of #RazzBowl.
Draft Recap
First, the full draft board:
And a quick snapshot of my team at the number five draft slot:
My general strategy for my “5×5” team was to go heavy on elite pass catchers and get one top-eight quarterback after securing a workhorse running back who would also ideally demand a healthy dose of targets. Assuming a healthy Dak Prescott, I believe I found that in Ezekiel Elliott, who averaged 7.8 targets per game the first four weeks of 2020 with Prescott healthy.
I have no concerns whatsoever with my wide receiver corps, and will count on north of 400 targets from the Ridley-McLaurin-Kupp trio. I sprinkled in some week-winning upside guys like Marquez Valdes-Scantling with PPR target hogs like Sterling Shepherd and Jamison Crowder.
There is only a razor thin margin between George Kittle as my number three tight end and Andrews as my number four this year. I think positive regression is coming Andrews’ way in 2021 after he scored only four touchdowns on 20 Red Zone targets last year. For context, Travis Kelce and Jimmy Graham both had 22 looks in the red area and they came down with 10 and 8 scores, respectively.
My RB2 situation is a little murky, but I believe in the pass catching ability of all of my running backs and hopefully someone has separated themselves from the pack by the time playoff weeks roll around.
I would have loved a Chargers stack as part of this team, but I just missed on Keenan Allen early and then was sniped on Mike Williams two picks before I went in round 9. Laviska SheGOAT is a fine consolation prize, however.
As for the rest of the league, grab a cold one and settle in for their thoughts on our draft.
What was your best/favorite pick of your draft?
Scott Frankel – The two guys I got at the turn (Chase Claypool in round 6 and Ronald Jones in round 7) were my favorites. Claypool and Jones combined for 19 total TDs last year between the 2 of them and these guys are my RB3 and WR4.
Dan Fornek – My favorite pick of the draft was probably Rashod Bateman at the 10.01. I think he has the talent to be the WR1 in Baltimore this year and so to get a guy who could lead his team in targets in the 10th round is huge, especially when he’s the fifth WR I took. He could wind up in my starting lineup most weeks.
Clark Olson – My favorite pick was Aaron Jones at 2.5. Aaron Rodgers reported to camp shortly thereafter. I also liked getting Mahomes at 3.8 to pair with my first round pick of Tyreek Hill (and my 11th round pick Mecole Hardman).
WorldsBestCommish – My favorite pick of the draft had to be Tom Brady in the 8th. I had a feeling there would be a run on QB/TE coming up and to get Brady who I view as a top-5 guy that late has to be my favorite.
Looking back, what is something you wish you had done differently in the draft?
Dan Fornek – I wish I would have been more aggressive targeting stacks for my team. Stacking players is a huge advantage and outside of Darren Waller and David Carr I don’t really get that scoring upside as consistently as I would have liked, which can be very helpful.
Jeff Trela – If I could go back I wish I would have taken a premium handcuff RB over James Conner. Considering I started my draft RB, RB, RB, Conner (round 10) will rarely make my starting roster, while an Alexander Mattison or AJ Dillon if thrust into a lead role by injury could be tremendous value.
WorldsBestCommish – During my second pick, I knew there was a slim chance of news coming out about Aaron Rodgers and I was starring at Davante Adams. I wish I would have stalled out the clock, if I would have done so I would have heard the news prior to my pick. DeAndre Hopkins being there made it a bit easier to pull the trigger early but strategy-wise next time I would wait.
(author’s note: Aaron Rodgers would officially come back to the Packers right after his pick)
Jon Impemba – Seeing how my RBs turned out I would have probably been better off taking a RB in round three instead of taking Robert Woods.
How did you approach this modified Bestball format?
Rudy Gamble – I wanted a strong wide receiver crew, a good QB1/WR stack if possible, and avoid too many players with bye weeks in the playoffs (weeks 10-14).
Jeff Trela – I approached the modified Bestball the way I do most best balls, with the difference being my third QB (Cam Newton) and taking the second TE very early (Mike Gesicki, round 12). When you don’t draft a position early in best ball formats, you can leverage it by having better depth at that position than your opponent. Also tried to stay out of the late bye weeks with my first few picks after taking Derrick Henry (week 13) in the 1st.
Which team(s) look to be the most formidable in League 5?
Clark Olson – I think teams 1 (Frankel) and 10 (Naley) look pretty solid, but any of these teams would be good if their late round picks hit.
Jon Impemba – Team 10 (Naley)
Jeff Trela – I feel like team 10 (Naley) could be the most formidable team in the league, especially if Higbee clicks like many think he will. His wide receivers are pretty sick and perfect for Bestball. If Javonte Willams delivers he can have as good a RB room as mine and as Jeff Bell who went RB, RB, RB to start
(author’s note: Our drafters all seem to like Naley’s team. This draft was mostly complete, obviously, before the Colts lost Carson Wentz and one of their offensive linemen to injury, but Naley is the early clubhouse leader)
Who will wind up being the best pick of the entire draft?
Rudy Gamble – Mike Williams in Round 9 (author’s note: Thanks, Rudy. That one hurts)
Scott Frankel – Two of my favorite picks that could be huge were both rookie running backs in round 6 from UNC. If Michael Carter and especially Javonte Williams have big seasons that is going to be huge for their teams. Those were two guys where I was really hoping to get at least one.
Jon Impemba – I think Jaylen Waddle taken in Round 10 has the best chance to return the greatest value.
