Beside the Championship Game, the draft is probably the most nail-biting experience of the season for most owners. You head into it with your worksheets and notes, having listened to hours of podcasts and you know EXACTLY what your team will look like when all is said and done. Brimming with confidence, you're ready to dominate.
The clock starts and you're off. The first player nominated isn't one that you're very interested in so you throw out a couple of low bids to test the water and drive up the cost. After a few minutes of frenzied bidding he's ultimately awarded to a rival - whew, good! The process repeats itself for a few more picks.
But then, the WR you're targeting to lead your team to a championship is nominated a little bit earlier than you anticipated. It's OK - keep cool. You know exactly what you're going to pay for him. Game time, baby.
The bidding commences and as the amount begins to climb higher and higher it occurs to you that you're not the only owner that REALLY wants him. You're feeling a little anxious because he's already reached the amount you had budgeted and there's no sign of slowdown. Plus, you've already watched your plan B and plan C receivers go to other teams!
Each tick of the countdown timer is a nagging reminder that you've gotta make a decision and do so quickly - "Will somebody shut that damn thing up!"
Before you know it, one of two things has happened: A) you just watched your rival snatch up your stud WR1 target and your draft strategy is ruined or, B) you just paid $12 more than you planned to sign him and your draft strategy is ruined.
We've all been there: you're about 30 minutes into the draft when the wheels begin to fall off and you have to resort to draft plan K. Seriously?! You didn't even have a draft plan K!
By the end of the night, you're looking back and regretting bids you didn't make and others you did. You're wondering how in the hell the team you drafted is so different than the team you had planned. Buyers remorse has set in.
In my many years of watching drafts and guessing which teams drafted best, I've come to understand something: your draft almost never went as bad as you think it did. But, it almost never went as well as you think it did either. No, really. It's true. I have the receipts.
In 2015, Bounty Hunters and Who Is You looked like they were the best of class. They ended the season ranked #8 and #11, respectively. Conversely, in that same season, Badazz Bri and Thundabuddies were at the bottom of the list and looked dead from the get-go. They finished season #3 and #4, respectively.
In 2017, the early favorites, Shady Green Resort and Los Perros Locos finished #10 and #12 - a far cry from where they were projected to finish. And last season's best draft was Chief Sticky Balls, who finished #4 and just out of the money.
I could go on, but you get the point. And since I've just made the case for you to disregard the draft grades, it's time to share this year's draft grades.
Before you go getting irked about your grade, please understand that these are not necessarily representative of my opinion about how well you drafted. Wait, scratch that - they are my opinions. But you should know that they're assembled with a lot of precision and thought as I slowly, and very dramatically, draw a grade at random for each team.
I'd be hard pressed to suggest those that earned an "A" don't deserve it. Clearly they have the talent to back up their grade. But if you ask me, I can see opportunities around the middle of the pack in each draft class too.
In the Sagebrush Cactus league, I can see Thundabuddies, Consolation Kings, and Los Perros Locos putting some pressure on those above them. The Golden Tate Warriors? They're just the defending champs and rarely has the top team not made the playoffs in the following season.
Over in Segundo, Shiva Kaminis and Ohio State Gunkeyes look to be balanced teams that could be a problem for opponents. And I'm not sure anyone's going to be stuffing the Tator Tots in their pocket either.
If you really wanted to pick a fight, you could probably even dig a little deeper down each list and find a few teams that might surprise folks. Who Is You has been to the SCL Championship Game two years straight - are you really ready to write them off? Jalenhouse Rock has a number of high-risk-high-reward players that could make them a contender if things go right.
And what about those at the bottom of the grade sheets? Could they outperform expectations and make a playoff push? Probably not, but let's not lose hope yet.
There's an entire season ahead and a lot can change. So, whether you're the valedictorian or you're in the corner eating crayons, I'd encourage everyone to stay focused, research, and put in the work needed to take you where you want to go...even if it's only the consolation bracket.
Good luck this season!
-- Commish
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