Team Summary:
We have finally dwindled down to our final set of previews beginning with 2017 DFFL runner-up Billy Norton. Billy’s team became the true Cinderella story of 2017 when he finished with a 6-7 record and beat out Colin by a total of 33.2 points to secure the sixth and final seed in the playoffs. His team then blew by House Targaryen and Marvin Lewis in Training to become the first six seed to reach the finals. Billy’s team was able to win because they peaked at the right time. After losing five straight from week 8 to week 12, they were able to drop 118.7 against Gabe, and a season high 144.7 in the semifinals against Jake. The slipper no longer fit when Billy ran into the fantasy juggernaut that was 2017 Kaden, but it was still an impressive run nonetheless. This wasn’t the first year that Billy was successful either, in 2015 the “Southern Bois” went 10-3 and grabbed the top overall seed before being defeated in the semifinals by eventual champion Mason Carruthers.
Looking Ahead:
Billy will look to feed off the momentum he built during last years playoff run. This season, Billy has chosen the name Blitz Cock and released the following statement regarding his new name:
“Last year I thought we were too passive. I think this year’s name really shows our mentality. We want to show the league that no gap, no matter how small, is safe. We are going to ram it down with force.” – Billy Norton
Billy exhibited his need to “ram it down with force” when he drafted two downhill running backs in Saquon Barkley and Dalvin Cook in the first two rounds. Both have been given lofty projections this season although they have only played a total of four NFL games between them. Barkley is a true rookie, while Cook tore his ACL in week four of the 2017 season and looks to bounce back. Both running backs have all the talent in the world, but come with some uncertainty heading into the upcoming season. Billy then switched gears in rounds three and four when he drafted WR’s Adam Thielen and Allen Robinson, followed by rookie RB Royce Freeman in round five. Robinson tore his ACL in week 1 of the 2017 and Freeman of course has never played an NFL game. All of this means that four of Billy’s top five picks played a total of five games in 2017. Billy snagged Alshon Jeffrey, Ronald Jones, Pierre Garcon, Jack Doyle, and finally his QB Patrick Mahomes all the way in round 10.
Billy did nothing if not take a shit load of chances in this draft. He’s got four RB’s on his roster and between his four RB’s, they’ve combined for four NFL games, all of them played by Dalvin Cook who is essentially a rookie as well this season. There’s no question that Ronald Jones, Royce Freeman, and Saquon Barkley are capable of big, or even huge numbers. It’s just a bit odd taking three rookies at your most important position in my humble opinion. The second thing that jumps out at me is that he drafted three players that are coming off serious season ending injuries from 2017. Dalvin Cook and Allen Robinson are both fresh off ACL tears, and Pierre Garcon missed most of 2017 with a neck injury. Even with all of the uncertainty, the team is packed with talent and fantasy potential. Both Barkley and Cook are projected to have huge years, Thielen will get plenty of looks from Kirk Cousins, and Allen Robinson will look to take over as Chicago’s number one WR. Jack Doyle was quietly a very good TE in 2017, and should continue to put up solid numbers. As for QB’s, it looks like Billy will go with a rotation of yet another rookie Patrick Mahomes, and the veteran red rifle Andy Dalton. Also keep an eye out for Alshon Jeffrey who will miss the first couple of weeks while he recovers from offseason surgery. Despite the high volume of rookies and players coming off injuries, this team has plenty of scoring options. The X factors are Barkley and Cook. I may have sounded skeptical about them, but it’s only because I have to be. I think both of them will finish in the top fifteen and both have the potential to finish top ten. If they do, it could be a very successful season for Billy.
Best Draft Pick: Dalvin Cook
I think he’s going to be huge in the Minnesota offense this season. He’s a true three down back with even more value in PPR.
Worst Draft Pick: Allen Robinson
He’s a popular candidate for a comeback year, and it could very well happen. I thought there were some better and safer options at WR in round four.
Sleeper: Ronald Jones
Jones is an explosive runner who is a threat to score at any moment. He is also playing in a Tampa Bay backfield that has no true workhorse.
Draft Grade: B+
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