We're midway through the 2015 fantasy season and the CRFL is still wide open. The trade deadline is next week and everyone is jockeying for position to either make a run at the title, or better position themselves in the 2016 CRFL Draft. I figured I'd take a look back to spring 2015 to see how everyone did in the 1st round of the 2015 CRFL Draft. Keep in mind we've had some turnover in ownership of certain teams, but here are my grades.
1.01 - Boise Bears select STL RB Todd Gurley A+
I won't pat myself on the back too much, but this obviously panned out. Some dynasty rankings already have Gurley as the #1 overall player.
1.02 - Laces Out (now NWO Wolfpac) selects SD RB Melvin Gordon B
The owner who made this pick is now gone, but he made the sensible pick before swapping Gordon for LeSean McCoy and Kevin White. Turns out, he forgot to set his pre-draft rankings and really wanted Kevin White instead (he's a Bears fan). Oddly enough, White now plays for Triple Option Kills. We trade a lot in this league.
1.03 - Huskerfan selects OAK WR Amari Cooper A+
Before Gurley's explosion, you could have made an argument Cooper should have gone at 1.01. Huskerfan drafted an elite WR to anchor his team for years to come. That's what everyone hopes to get in these high picks.
1.04 - Wind River Bison selects JAC RB T.J. Yeldon A
Talked with the WRB owner personally, and he was shocked both Gordon and Cooper were off the board. Bison didn't panic and selected Yeldon, who has turned into a much better pick than 2014 selection Bishop Sankey.
1.05 - La Mesa Badgerhawks of San Diego select TB QB Jameis Winston B-
One of the surprise picks of the first round. Nobody expected a rookie QB to come off the board this early, but the Badgerhawks greatly lacked at QB. Instead of continuing on with average fantasy QBs, they invested in Winston (and later Mariota too).
1.06 - German Pirates (now Digital Plumbers) select DEN WR Emmanuel Sanders C-
Autopick from an owner no longer in this league. I'm not a fan of picking non-rookies this early.
1.07 - Sparta Spartans (now Lynch Mob) select ATL RB Tevin Coleman C+
Sparta was a long-time team in the CRFL that unfortunately went cold on us into the season. He wouldn't have been happy how this pick panned out. Some 1st round pickers emerge with franchise cornerstones, others come away with busts. Harsh to call Coleman a bust, but Devonta Freeman doesn't look to be slowing down anytime soon.
1.08 - Sparta Spartans (now Lynch Mob) select CAR RB Jonathan Stewart B
I still hate non-rookies going in the 1st round, but this wasn't a bad pick at all. Stewart isn't getting younger, but this was a solid pick in the hopes that it would help his team win in 2015.
1.09 - Boise Bears select CHI WR Kevin White B-
White obviously hasn't lived up to his hype, being hurt and all. That said, I gave myself a B- because I flipped him for Melvin Gordon in a trade involving other players. Sure, Gordon has sucked too. Huh, maybe I should lower that B-.
1.10 - Brucey's crew selects DET RB Ameer Abdullah A-
Abdullah isn't seeing the snaps he should, but at 1.10 this is insanely good value. After seeing Odell Beckham go late in the 2014 CRFL draft, the late rounds of the CRFL draft continue to produce fruit.
1.11 - Sparta Spartans (now Lynch Mob) select KC TE Travis Kelce A-
At this point of the draft, grabbing a Top 5 caliber TE is pretty impressive. Probably shouldn't have been left without a keeper tag.
1.12 - Juice Box Heroes select TEN WR Dorial Green-Beckham B+
DGB, much like the rest of the Titans, is still growing. However, he has shown promise. Considering this is the final pick of the 1st round, I think this is a great long term pickup.
