Super Early 2018 CRFL Mock Draft: Fall Edition

The CRFL trade deadline has come and gone. The order of the standings will inevitably shift in the coming weeks, but owners of the picks can't begin to change again until trading reopens. There are always two races in every fantasy season: 1) the race for the league championship and 2) the chase for draft position for teams not realistically contending for a championship in a keeper league. Why not take a very, very early look at what might be come the 2018 CRFL Draft?

For this mock draft, I've chosen to base each player's landing spot via Draft Wire's three round mock draft.

2018 CRFL Mock Draft

1.01. The Valley Bulls select...RB Saquon Barkley SF (Penn State)

A lot can and will change between now and May 2018, including who might be picking #1 overall. What is unlikely to change is who will be taken #1 overall. Saquon Barkley is being hyped up to be potentially better than recent Top 5 RB picks Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette. VERY bold, but the Bulls will be hoping the hype is real. The Bulls would likely see a lot of offers for the 1.01, but whoever owns this pick should stick with it and draft Barkley.

1.02. Wind River Bison select...WR Courtland Sutton ARI (Southern Methodist)

The Bison have taken a huge tumble in 2017, largely thanks to David Johnson's season-ending injury. With Johnson, Jordan Howard, and Alvin Kamara in the fold, the Bison have no need at RB, but do need WR talent badly. Sutton would help fill that hole.

1.03. Schrute Farms selects...RB Derrius Guice WAS (Louisiana State)

The Farms traded Dak Prescott away in order to retain their original draft pick from Connell Conquistadors. The Farms just might be the worst team in the league, but two early wins this season leave them picking at 1.03 for now. They won't complain too much, nabbing Guice with this pick.

1.04. Coldwater Cards select...WR James Washington BAL (Oklahoma State)

The Cards made a controversial trade early in the season, parting with Leonard Fournette in exchange for DeVante Parker, who has since been injured, and 1st round and 3rd round draft picks. Not a meager return, but Fournette has been dominant since and would have served as the franchise cornerstone. Nonetheless, they'll draft grab the best player available in Washington with two picks available later in the round.

1.05. Brucey's crew selects...RB Damien Harris TB (Alabama)

The Crew aren't a weak team, but could stand to add depth at RB and WR. I'm guessing Harris would be replacing a cut Doug Martin in Tampa in Draft Wire's scenario. He would become the lead back for Brucey too.

1.06. Connell Conquistadors select...RB Nick Chubb MIA (Georgia)

The Conquistadors have been a dreadful team since joining the league, but are well-managed. Maybe too well-managed. This team is poor, but occupies to the 1.06 spot thanks to said solid management. Chubb wouldn't be a bad consolation prize with Jay Ajayi now in Philadelphia. 

1.07. Connell Conquistadors (via Gem State Bruins) select...WR Christian Kirk GB (Texas A&M)

Looks who is on the clock again! Connell acquired this pick at the deadline, shedding off excess QB depth to do so. The wise move leads to another top prospect going to Connell. A player of Kirk's talent with Aaron Rodgers throwing him the ball is an enticing combo. 

1.08. Wind River Bison (via Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors) select...QB Josh Allen LAC (Wyoming)

The Bison grabbed Courtland Sutton earlier in the round, and will be itching to draft local Wyoming hero Josh Allen with this pick. Allen would likely begin his career on the bench behind Philip Rivers to learn the ropes, but that won't stop the Bison from selecting him.

1.09. Huskerfan (via Vito's Vikings) select...RB Ronald Jones NYJ (Southern California)

To this point, considering the dominance of rookie RBs like Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette, Huskerfan has to be a little disappointed with how Christian McCaffrey has played to this point. In fact, Huskerfan briefly put McCaffrey on the trading block before the deadline, but no deal was reached. He'll draft Ronald Jones as insurance. 

1.10. Northern Lights select...WR Dante Pettis SF (Washington)

The Light have announced their presence, rising as one of the top teams in the league. There isn't really any weakness in the team, but T.Y. Hilton and Jarvis Landry have been inconsistent. Dante Pettis becoming Jimmy Garoppolo's #1 receiving target in Kyle Shanahan's offensive system? Sounds like an amazing value this late.

1.11. Coldwater Cards (via Spokane Spartans) select...RB Bryce Love OAK (Stanford)

As alluded to earlier, the Cards made a big mistake departing with Leonard Fournette. This pick will begin to plug that hole at RB. Love figures to the centerpiece at RB in an offense built to last with the Oakland/soon-to-be Las Vegas Raiders.

1.12. Coldwater Cards (via Gem State Bruins) select...QB Josh Rosen CLE (UCLA)

The Cards have their clock reset and pick again. This is the pick acquired in the Fournette trade. Marcus Mariota has struggled in 2017, leaving the QB position exposed. They'll hope Hue Jackson turns Josh Rosen into a superstar and add depth at another position of need.

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Disclaimer: yes, yes...we know. Everything will change by May 2018, but this is a fun exercise in the time being. The race for the #1 overall pick continues.

2017 CRFL Hall-of-Fame Inductees

When I created the Columbia River Fantasy League on Fleaflicker in 2011, the goal was to begin a keeper league with a dynasty feel that would eventually have an established history, instituting a realness to the funny game we love to play. It's amazing to think we're going on season #7 this fall, and we've added memories along the way. Enough so, that I believe it's time to create the CRFL Fantasy Hall-of-Fame.

The rules are fairly simple. To be eligible for the HoF, the player must be retired. The player must also have made a significant impact on results in the CRFL, meaning won lots of games for the fantasy teams they played for.

I'll ask for input from league members on who should be inducted, and with the caveat that the player(s) needs to be retired, we'll likely induct 0-2 players annually.

With those rules out of the way, and asking for input, I've decided to induct two players into the CRFL Hall-of-Fame.

QB PEYTON MANNING

NFL teams played for: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos

Manning's CRFL history: Drafted by Battle Creek Mayhem in the 2011 start-up draft, Manning was cut during the 2011 season and added by the Greece Spartans. One year and a name change later, Manning won the CRFL championship game for the Sparta Spartans. Manning totaled 23 points in the victory. To this day, the Spartans 2012 CRFL title is the league's only title won by a team other than what we now know as Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors and Gem State Bruins. Manning was traded to Pacific Warriors (now Kaneohe) in 2013 and went on to lead the Warriors to two championship victories (2013 and 2014). Manning remained with the Warriors until he retired, at which point Connell Conquistadors took a flier on Manning returning to the NFL. Manning was the starting QB for three different championship winning teams, but spent most of his fantasy career with what is now Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors. It only makes sense that Manning go into the CRFL Hall-of-Fame as a member of the Warriors.

WR Calvin Johnson

NFL teams played for: Detroit Lions

Johnson's CRFL history: Johnson was drafted by the Stockholm Lions (now Gem State) at 2.04 in the 2011 start-up draft. Becoming a rare mainstay on the team roster, Johnson played for the Gem State Bruins franchise for four seasons, winning a championship for the team in the league's inaugural season. While Johnson was on the roster, the Lions/Bears were always near to the top of the standings. A cornerstone of the franchise for several years, the Bears parted sold high on the Detroit receiver in 2015. Johnson spent that season and the last bit of his playing career with Wind River Bison before retiring. Gem State decided to trade for the retired Johnson so that he could retire with the Gem State Bruins. Johnson was drafted by Spokane Spartans in 2016 and briefly added to the Northern Lights in 2017, both hoping the former Lions product would be coaxed out of retirement, but as of the date of this post he remains retired.

2017 CRFL Breakouts, Busts

NFL training camps are up and running. With preseason games starting this upcoming week, football has finally arrived. With that in mind, I decided to field some questions about predictions for breakouts, busts, etc in the NFL and CRFL. Scott, the owner of the Northern Lights, also joined in on the discussion. Time will tell if we nail any of these predictions (or miss completely).

Who will be the breakout player of the season?

Jeremy - I cannot resist the allure of another dose of Ameer Abdullah hype. I loved Abdullah coming out of Nebraska. Whether it be via trade offers or draft, he has alluded me in the CRFL, but I'm still a huge believer in his talent. I'm predicting this is the year he stays healthy and gets the Lion's share (see what I did there?) of the carries for Detroit this season and ends up being a Top 10 RB.

Scott - In a system made for Aaron Rodgers, Eddie Lacy had 2,200 rushing yards in his first two seasons with Green Bay, and then began to struggle with injury. Now with the Seahawks, this situation is scary reminiscent to when Beast Mode came to Seattle. This system is made for a RB like him, and if healthy, I think he could be a Top 7 RB this year.

Who will be the biggest bust of the season?

Jeremy - I'm going to go bold here and predict that Antonio Brown will be the biggest bust of the 2017 season. Ben Roethlisberger has been hinting at retirement for awhile now, and frankly his heart might not be 100% in football anymore. Add in the fact that injuries are a staple of Big Ben's career, and I'm going to predict that the combination of a lack of desire and injuries see Brown's fantasy stock plummeting to Earth this season.

Scott - While I adore him as a person and loved watching his time in Seattle, I believe Marshawn Lynch is going to get hurt very quickly and be a big bust. He struggled very much in his last 2 years in the NFL staying healthy he is only older, and had time away from the game. While as fan I don't want this to be true, I don't think he will last very long before he falls to the injury bug.

Who will be the breakout rookie of the season?

Jeremy - Of course the homer in me wants to say Dalvin Cook, but I'm going to break a fantasy football rule and predict that O.J. Howard beats down past trends of rookies TEs and thrives immediately. I think the Bucs offense is going to blow up this fall, and Howard might grab 7-9 TDs this season. I expect the pool of top TEs to thin even further this season, making Howard a valuable commodity.

Scott - I want to be a homer and say Joe Mixon, which I don't believe is a far off idea at all. But for the sake of not choosing someone that I have on my team, I'm going to stick with Leonard Fournette, because I think his talent will overwhelm teams, quite like AP did when entering the league. He is still an absolute top talent. He could reach as high as Top 6 RBs this year in my opinion.

Who will be the biggest disappointment among the rookies?

Jeremy - Will not hesitate: Christian McCaffrey. I put my money where my mouth is with this pick by drafting Dalvin Cook ahead of McCaffrey, despite C-Mac going a full round before Cook did in the NFL draft. Bottom line: I think McCaffrey isn't built for an extensive role at RB. He'll be a weapon for Carolina, but I don't think he sees even action to ever warrant RB1 status. He's a Reggie Bush, C.J. Spiller type.

Scott - This is the easiest answer, Christian McCaffrey. He is all hype, and a talented player, but not even close to the value you should get for a early round pick. I don't think he falls in the Top 15 RBs this year.

Who will be the surprise breakout team in the CRFL this season?

Jeremy - Huskerfan has fought well enough to be in the playoff discussion every season, but hasn't broken through when it comes to genuinely contending. I think with Ajayi anchoring the squad and reinforced receiving depth (including Gronk), I think this is the year Huskerfan breaks out with anywhere from 8-10 regular season wins.

Scott - Huskerfan is loaded at WR, which truly helps win games. His only downfall could be Hyde falling early in the season and lack of reliable RB depth. But if his WRs pan out, he could be upgrading at RB in the early parts of the season.

Who will be the surprise bust in the CRFL this season?

Jeremy - I'm going to play the statistics here. Historically, the Wind River Bison have been a league doormat. 2-5 win team almost every season from 2011-2015, but then shocks the league with a 10-3 season in 2017. I'll take a random stab and say that was an aberration and the Bison regress.

Scott - Since reaching the Championship last year, the Spokane Spartans has taken a hard hit from core players on his roster getting old, or replaced. Big Ben is barley alive, Rawls is losing his starting job, and Stewart is on his way out, things are not looking promising for the Spartans this year.

Point blank: Who wins the CRFL in 2017 and why?

Jeremy - Well, the Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors seem to avoid misfortune and bad luck every season. Even though I'm predicting a down year for Antonio Brown; Aaron Rodgers, LeVeon Bell, and Julio Jones are still a terrifying combination. I think the Northern Lights give them a real push in conference, but once again the Warriors manage to win the league.

Scott - Gem State Bruins. Period. He has Top 10 talent at almost every postion. Gem State's RBs, WRs, and Defense (did you forget how important that is this year?) are ALL better than Warriors RBs, WRs, and Defense. And they are equal at QB. I also believe Gem State won't see the Warriors in the Championship this year. Warriors players are too old, and his depth his weak. I believe Northern Lights overthrows Warriors this year.

Final 2017 CRFL Mock Draft

The 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone, signalling the one week countdown to the 2017 CRFL Draft. As is tradition our fantasy draft that includes rookies and free agents will occur the Saturday following the draft. Badgerhawks has been on the clock since December. Will they draft Leonard Fournette? Who knows, but as of now I'm basing this mock draft off of what I think teams should do, not necessarily what I think they'll actually do.

2017 CRFL Mock Draft

1.01. Badgerhawks select...RB Leonard Fournette JAC (LSU)
Badgerhawks might have all the time in the world to make this pick, but it's unlikely he has much to think about. Unless something crazy happens (and some people have suggested McCaffrey goes before Fournette), Fournette is the obvious #1 overall pick in dynasty/keeper rookie drafts. Fournette landed with the Jaguars on draft day and figures to be a bell-cow talent right away for Jacksonville. 

1.02. Gem State Bruins select...RB Dalvin Cook MIN (Florida State)
The Bruins traded up two spots from 1.04 to 1.02, parting with their 2018 1st to do so. Why such a drastic decision? The answer: to ensure that a 1st round RB goes to Gem State. This trade clearly didn't pan out for the Bruins, who probably should have stayed at 1.04. Behind Carolina's OL and a top 10 selection, Christian McCaffrey will be hard for the Bruins to ignore. That said, the Bruins have preferred Cook from a talent standpoint. They'll roll the dice with Cook and live with the results. 

1.03. Huskerfan select...RB Christian McCaffrey CAR (Stanford)
Oh my. What a blunder of a trade by The Valley Bulls to allow Huskerfan into this #3 slot. Huskers don't really have a weakness at RB or WR, so he'll go BPA (best player available). Who the best player available is arguable, but I've been told the Huskers are determined to grab a RB with this pick. I doubt two 2nd round RBs go ahead of McCaffrey. His slide ends here.

1.04. Juice Box Heroes select...WR Corey Davis TEN (Western Michigan)
Juice Box deposited an extra 2018 1st rounder in exchange for moving back two spots to 1.04. It's looking like a wise move after Dalvin Cook's poor combine and plummeting stock, surrounding the 1.02 pick with more questions than before. The Juice Box has several pressing needs, but young WRs are gold in keeper leagues. Davis is a huge steal at 1.04.

1.05. Connell Conquistadors select...RB Joe Mixon CIN (Oklahoma)
The CRFL Buccaneers moved back to 1.05 from 1.04 after acquiring Doug Martin in a trade. As usual, 1st round draft picks tend to early in our fantasy draft. There will be some cogitating for Connell at this pick, but RBs are always in demand in the 1st round of the CRFL draft. The last of the big four RBs comes off the board to the Conquistadors. 

1.06. Northern Lights select...WR Mike Williams LAC (Clemson)
The drama continues during draft week. Just when we thought the draft order was set and done, the Northern Lights shipped off Rob Gronkowski and Allen Robinson to the Huskers in exchange for Tyler Eifert and this pick. The result becomes Mike Williams, whom the Chargers drafted at #7. Young, highly-regarded WRs are hard to come by in fantasy. A solid addition for the Lights.

1.07. Brucey's crew select...WR John Ross CIN (Washington)
At this stage in the draft, owners start picking the best player available instead of by need. While there is an argument for a few other players at this spot, it's really hard to ignore a WR taken at #9 in the NFL Draft. John Ross has a Hall of Fame WR in his way to top fantasy status, but at 1.07 he's too great of a value here to ignore. 

1.08. Northern Lights select...RB Kareem Hunt KC (Toledo)
The Northern Lights departed with a 3rd round pick to move up three spots in the 1st round and it pay off. The 1st round products are gone, but there is hype building around the Toledo Rockets RB that he might be the 2017 version of Jordan Howard. The Lights would be thrilled if that is the case. The Lights, who only a few months ago had no 1st round picks, emerge from this round with Mike Williams and Kareem Hunt.

1.09. Vito's Vikings select...RB Samaje Perine WAS (Oklahoma)
The Lonestars, while finishing at 5-8, have rebuilt this poor roster in a very short time. A 2017 breakout is in store for this team under new owner Vito, and their team only gets bolstered by having this 1st round pick. In desperate need of a RB to compliment Jordan Howard, the Vikings will gladly take a gamble on 3rd round RB Perine with the Redskins. 

1.10. Brucey's crew select...TE O.J. Howard TB (Alabama)
Bruce seemingly finds a way to have multiple 1st round picks every year. After grabbing John Ross a few picks ago, I'm thinking the crew go best player available here. Brucey LOVES his TEs, and Howard at 1.10 will be too much to ignore.

1.11. Wind River Bison select...RB Marlon Mark IND (South Florida)
The Bison finally broke out! After years of being in the CRFL cellar, the 10-3 campaign came as a shocker. I have it on good authority that the Wyoming-based Bison are really, really high on Brian Hill. Unfortunately, Hill fell into the 6th round and was drafted by the Falcons. The Bison will wait to grab the Wyoming alum, and instead grab Mack here.

1.12. Juice Box Heroes select...RB Alvin Kamara NO (Tennessee)
Heroes found his franchise WR, now he'll go BPA. Alvin Kamara is a solid RB, but unable to shed his 3rd down RB title, he falls here. He has Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson ahead of him on the depth chart. That said, if those two get hurt, Kamara could explode onto the scene.

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Mock draft season for the 2017 draft is officially closed. Mind you, it's never as straightforward as this mock draft indicates. There will be autopicks, dare I say maybe even at 1.01. Some free agents might sneak into the 1st round. Last year, soon-to-be studs like Michael Thomas slipped into round 2. The dust will settle late Saturday night, but for now a week of suspense is ahead as we wait for the 2017 CRFL Draft.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Badgerhawks

The 2017 NFL draft is tomorrow! The wait is killing me. In the mean time, I'll be doing the final preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. That final team is Badgerhawks, who thanks to fortuitous results at the end of the 2016 season, have the #1 overall pick. Is Leonard Fournette bound for the Badgerhawks?

2017 Keepers

QB Jameis Winston TB
QB Marcus Mariota TEN
RB Spencer Ware KC
RB C.J. Anderson DEN
WR Jarvis Landry MIA
WR Emmanuel Sanders DEN
WR Laquon Treadwell MIN
WR Martavis Bryant PIT

2017 Draft Picks

1.01
2.01
3.01
4.01
5.01
6.01
7.01
8.01
9.01
10.01
11.01
12.01

Preview

The Badgerhawks, the team that never trades. Their entire draft slate is spotless, no picks gained or loss. No green or red marks, only a clean white draft slate. One could argue their lack of ambition to make a move is the reason they've consistently been a bottom-dweller in the CRFL. This time however, an opportunity is presented to them: the #1 pick.

This isn't totally a bad team. Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston are two future QB1's. Spencer Ware and C.J. Anderson are a decent, maybe even deceptively good RB tandem. Jarvis Landry might be the most underrated WR in football. Now the 1.01 pick stares the Badgerhawks in the face.

I'll admit, the inactivity of this team lately leads to the concern that they might autopick Alshon Jeffrey. They should draft Leonard Fournette with that pick, an excellent building block for this team. Will that happen? The NFL Draft is less than 24 hours away, but we won't get the answer to the Badgerhawks question for another 9 days or so.

Until then....enjoy the draft!

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Juice Box Heroes

The 2017 NFL draft is this week! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Next up is Juice Box Heroes, who are still in rebuilding mode. Can Cam Newton return to superstar status to jump start this team?

2017 Keepers

QB Cam Newton CAR
QB Alex Smith KC
RB Tevin Coleman ATL
RB Derrick Henry TEN
RB Paul Perkins NYG
WR DeSean Jackson TB
WR Dorial Green-Beckham PHI
WR Terrelle Pryor WAS
TE Ladarius Green PIT
D/ST Denver Broncos DEN

2017 Draft Picks

1.04
1.12
2.02
3.02
5.02
6.02
7.02
8.02
9.02
10.02

Preview

The 2016 season was more of the same for the Heroes. It appeared for weeks that they were going to finish last, but an ill-advised victory over injury-riddled Gem State meant the Heroes would pick 1.02 in the 2017 CRFL Draft. They eventually traded back to 1.04, but gained a 2018 1st rounder in the process. The Heroes also have the 1.12 pick thanks to the horror Antonio Brown trade from a few years back.

The Heroes have followed the winning formula. They haven't stacked up on average free agent talent to compete right away. They've been patient, drafted rookies in the hopes that they turn into studs. Some have high potential (Derrick Henry), others haven't panned out (Dorial Green-Beckham).

This team has one elite talent in Cam Newton and three RBs who could end up being pretty good, but face competition within their backfields. I like DeSean Jackson's upside in Tampa, not sure how I feel about Terrelle Pryor. The new DST rules might make the Denver Broncos DST a real asset. There is potential for the Heroes to finish with a surprise 6-8 wins. Drafting a successful rookie at 1.04 would go a long way to getting this team out of the cellar.

2017 CRFL Mock Draft v5

The wait is almost over. The NFL draft will kickoff on Thursday April 27th. It's simply amazing how much can change with really, nothing actually going on. The "trends" suggest Dalvin Cook, a one-time top 10 projection, might fall to the 2nd round. Christian McCaffrey is supposedly a lock for a top 10 selection. Silly season has even seen the suggestion that the Cleveland Browns might select someone other than Myles Garrett with the #1 overall pick. Thankfully, the silliness will end soon and the draft will clear the chaos. For now, I'll base this final pre-NFL draft mock draft on the rumors and trends. With that in mind, let's see how this shakes out.

2017 CRFL Mock Draft v4

1.01. Badgerhawks select...RB Leonard Fournette SF (LSU)
Badgerhawks might have all the time in the world to make this pick, but it's unlikely he has much to think about. Unless something crazy happens (and some people have suggested McCaffrey goes before Fournette), Fournette is the obvious #1 overall pick in dynasty/keeper rookie drafts. With rumors emerging that the 49ers aren't high on Carlos Hyde, I'm going to predict that the 49ers trade down a few spots and grab Fournette.

1.02. Gem State Bruins select...RB Christian McCaffrey CAR (Stanford)
The Bruins traded up two spots from 1.04 to 1.02, parting with their 2018 1st to do so. Why such a drastic decision? The answer: to ensure that a 1st round RB goes to Gem State. Will Dalvin Cook still qualify as a 1st rounder despite his poor combine and growing concerns surrounding his character? The latest buzz suggests Cook could fall a long ways next week, and that Christian McCaffrey might go in the top 10. Behind Carolina's OL and a top 10 selection, he'll be hard for the Bruins to ignore. 

1.03. Huskerfan select...WR Mike Williams ARI (Clemson)
Oh my. What a blunder of a trade by The Valley Bulls to allow Huskerfan into this #3 slot. Huskers don't really have a weakness at RB or WR, so he'll go BPA (best player available). Williams fits the mold of a potential WR1, and he'll become the go-to target in a passing system in Arizona. 

1.04. Juice Box Heroes select...WR John Ross CLE (Washington)
Juice Box deposited an extra 2018 1st rounder in exchange for moving back two spots to 1.04. It's looking like a wise move after Dalvin Cook's poor combine and plummeting stock, surrounding the 1.02 pick with more questions than before. The Juice Box has several pressing needs, but I think the Browns fan takes the WR taken with the #12 pick.

1.05. Connell Conquistadors select...RB Dalvin Cook JAC (Florida State)
The CRFL Buccaneers moved back to 1.05 from 1.04 after acquiring Doug Martin in a trade. As usual, 1st round draft picks tend to early in our fantasy draft. There will be some cogitating for Connell at this pick, but Dalvin Cook falling to 1.05 will be a shock, one the Conquistadors will invite. Cook falling to Jacksonville in the 2nd round leads to this slip 

1.06. Huskerfan select...RB Joe Mixon CIN (Oklahoma)
The 1st round haul continues for the Huskers. Taking Williams at 1.03, I'm guessing he would balance things out and draft a RB here. There has been talk of Mixon slipping into the late 1st round, but I think 2nd round is more likely. Cincinnati has a history of ignoring off-the-field concerns and continue that tradition by grabbing Mixon in the 2nd round.

1.07. Brucey's crew select...RB Alvin Kamara PHI (Tennessee)
At this stage in the draft, owners start picking the best player available instead of by need. The Eagles are in the market for a RB. I'm projecting them to take Kamara in the 2nd round, where he might immediately become their three-down RB. Excellent value at this point.

1.08. Northern Lights select...WR Corey Davis TEN (Western Michigan)
The Northern Lights departed with a 3rd round pick to move up three spots in the 1st round and oh does it pay off. The RB heavy trend in the 1st round is nothing new, and because of it Corey Davis falls to the Lights. He could be a high-end WR1 as Marcus Mariota's go-to target. Huge steal in this spot.

1.09. Vito's Vikings select...RB Samaje Perine NYG (Oklahoma)
The Lonestars, while finishing at 5-8, have rebuilt this poor roster in a very short time. A 2017 breakout is in store for this team under new owner Vito, and their team only gets bolstered by having this 1st round pick. In desperate need of a RB to compliment Jordan Howard, the Vikings will gladly take a gamble on 2nd round RB Perine with the Giants. 

1.10. Brucey's crew select...WR Zay Jones SF (East Carolina)
Bruce seemingly finds a way to have multiple 1st round picks every year. After grabbing Kamara a few picks ago, WR figures to come into play at 1.10. I'm predicting the 49ers trade into the late 1st round to grab Zay Jones, who might immediately be their best offensive player. 

1.11. Wind River Bison select...RB Brian Hill DET (Wyoming)
The Bison finally broke out! After years of being in the CRFL cellar, the 10-3 campaign came as a shocker. I have it on good authority that the Wyoming-based Bison are really, really high on Brian Hill. Hill could go anywhere from the 2nd to 5th rounds of the NFL draft. Random stab: 4th round to Detroit. 

1.12. Juice Box Heroes select...TE O.J. Howard TEN (Alabama)
JBH found his franchise WR, now he'll go BPA. It's not often a rookie TE gets 1st round consideration, but O.J. Howard is being hailed as the Zeke of TEs. The Heroes will gladly take a gamble on him at 1.12

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Again, this mock draft will change throughout draft season, but it's a fun exercise. For now, the only certain is that Badgerhawks is on the clock...

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: The Valley Bulls

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Closing in on the final previews prior to the draft, next up are The Valley Bulls, who struggled in 2016 and might be a lock for dead last in 2017. Is there any hope? Hint: no.
2017 Keepers

QB Blake Bortles JAC
QB Matthew Stafford DET
RB T.J. Yeldon JAC
RB Giovani Bernard CIN
RB Danny Woodhead BAL
WR Larry Fitzgerald ARI
WR Brandon Marshall NYG
WR Golden Tate DET
WR Brandon LaFell CIN
TE Delanie Walker TEN

2017 Draft Picks

2.03
3.03
3.08
4.03
5.03
7.03
8.03
9.03
10.03
11.02

Preview

The picture in the left hand corner is of Larry Fitzgerald, and it tells you all you really need to know. When your best player is Fitz, it's going be a very long year. Add in the fact that the Bulls do not have a 2017 1st round pick, and frankly this might be the grimmest situation I've ever seen for a CRFL team.

The RB crew of Woodhead, Bernard, and Yeldon consists of all 3rd down RBs. They might keep the team respectable in certain weeks, but it's easily the league's worst RB group. The WR corps is entirely made up of players with WR2 ceiling, and Blake Bortles and Matthew Stafford are unlikely to be QB1's. The Bulls do have an elite TE in Walker, but might be better off trading him to a contender for a draft pick or two.

Beyond that, the objective for the Bulls is obvious. Winning is not in the cards, so tanking for Saquon Barkley and Bo Scarborough has begun. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Bulls only win 1-2 games this upcoming fall.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Huskerfan

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Moving down the 2016 standings in the Cascade Conference, we now look at the Huskers, who failed to make the postseason last fall. Is a bounce back season in order?

2017 Keepers

QB Matt Ryan ATL
RB Jay Ajayi MIA
RB Carlos Hyde SF
RB Mark Ingram NO
RB Jerick McKinnon MIN
RB Charles Sims TB
WR Amari Cooper OAK
WR Brandin Cooks NO
WR Kelvin Benjamin CAR
TE Tyler Eifert CIN

2017 Draft Picks

1.03
1.06
2.04
2.06
3.06
4.06
5.06
6.06
7.06
8.06

Preview

Missed opportunity. That's how the Huskers will feel about the 2016 season. Every year a surprise QB comes out of nowhere to be a high-end QB1. In 2016, that QB was Matt Ryan. The Huskers even saw the mid-season emergence of Jay Ajayi into a RB1, but ultimately failed to reap the benefits in the win column.

Coming into 2017, the Huskers are not particularly great or awful at any position, mostly above average across the board. Carlos Hyde and Mark Ingram are decent RB options, but certainly not elite. Same could be said for Brandin Cooks and Kelvin Benjamin behind Amari Cooper. A healthy Tyler Eifert figures to help their cause, but will Matt Ryan be able to post high-end QB1 numbers again?

The great news for this team is that their draft is stacked, including two top 6 picks at 1.03 and 1.06. They also have two 2nd round picks. With these draft assets in hand, I expect the Huskers to load up and possibly fight for Top 5 status this upcoming season. With Leonard Fournette and one of Dalvin Cook and Christian McCaffrey off the board, what Huskerfan does at 1.03 will be intriguing.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Gem State Bruins

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Next up on our list of previews is the Gem State Bruins, the most underwhelming team of the 2016 season. Can they stay healthy enough to succeed?
2017 Keepers

QB Andrew Luck IND
RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL
RB Todd Gurley LAR
RB C.J. Prosise SEA
WR Odell Beckham NYG
WR Julio Jones ATL
WR A.J. Green CIN
WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU
WR Tyler Lockett SEA
D/ST Seattle Seahawks SEA

2017 Draft Picks

1.02
2.05
4.05
4.08
6.03
6.08
7.08
8.08
9.07
10.07

Preview

The 2016 season for Gem State was in some ways a success, but also a massive failure. Despite a strong start to the season and seeing the growth of a future superstar in Ezekiel Elliott, the Bruins were bitten by the injury bug and flamed out in the wildcard round. Julio Jones and A.J. Green, combined with Todd Gurley's bust of a 2016 season led to a shocking early exit for the Bruins. Was it bad luck, or a sign of things to come?

Possibly both. Julio Jones and A.J. Green, for all their dominance, seem to be unavailable for the fantasy postseason on an annual basis. The Bruins acquired DeAndre Hopkins in the off-season to take some pressure off relying on those two, but in the process leaves a huge hole at TE.

Todd Gurley was a huge disappointment in 2016. He might rebound under new head coach Sean McVay, but the Bruins aren't leaving it to chance. Conceding their 2018 1st round pick, the Bruins have once again ascended up the draft board, this time to 1.02. They'll likely select a RB there in the hope that this selection will give the Bruins another option should Gurley continue to struggle.

Finding a solid TE and depth will be a challenge for Gem State, but ultimately health is the team's biggest obstacle. If they can stay healthy, another CRFL title is possible. If they can't stay healthy, another unlucky campaign might be on hand.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Brucey's crew

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. With the Basin Conference previews in the books, we now move to the Cascade Conference and its 2016 champion Brucey's crew. Can the Crew go back-to-back?

2017 Keepers

QB Drew Brees NO
RB Isaiah Crowell CLE
RB Jeremy Hill CIN
WR T.Y. Hilton IND
WR Tyreek Hill KC
WR Josh Doctson WAS
WR Sterling Shepard NYG
TE Jimmy Graham SEA
TE Jordan Reed WAS
TE Zach Ertz PHI

2017 Draft Picks

1.07
1.10
2.07
2.09
2.10
3.10
4.04
4.10
5.10
6.10

Preview

It happens every year, sometimes to multiple teams. A successful team flops the following season, or a flop from the previous season rises to the top. Brucey's crew won the Cascade Conference, his first conference title. A momentous achievement considering Bruce is an original member of the CRFL. Even so, the Crew might feel a bit bummed they didn't win the league considering they parted with David Johnson in the prior off-season.

Will the Crew repeat? A quick glance at the 2017 keepers of this franchise will leave one wondering how they won the conference in the first place.

The Crew have a deep draft with 5 picks in the first two rounds. That should really help build depth and maybe land a future stud or two. They'll need it, cause the current roster looks poised to struggle.

Drew Brees should continue to deliver QB1 numbers, but how long until retirement? The Crew need to find a future QB. The RB tandem of Isaiah Crowell and Jeremy Hill won't frighten anyone. With those two being the only returning RBs, expect the Crew to draft a rookie RB early. T.Y. Hilton leads a WR corps that otherwise has some upside, but also a surprising floor.

The Crew somehow have three TE1 caliber TEs. Might they use 1-2 of those guys as trade bait for a RB or WR?

The assets are there for the Crew to remain towards the top of the Cascade, but historically this is a team that bounces up and down the standings. A stacked draft could keep them in the title race, but I wouldn't be blown away to see them struggle in 2017.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Connell Conquistadors

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. The final preview of the Basin Conference belongs to the Connell Conquistadors, who knew when they joined the league that this team is rebuilding. Has progress been made?

2017 Keepers

QB Russell Wilson SEA
QB Carson Wentz PHI
RB Rob Kelley WAS
RB Doug Martin TB
RB Devontae Booker DEN
WR Kevin White CHI
WR Cameron Meredith CHI
WR Will Fuller HOU
WR Breshad Perriman BAL
TE Hunter Henry LAC

2017 Draft Picks

1.05
3.04
5.04
6.04
7.04
8.04
9.04
10.04
11.03
12.02

Preview

It didn't take a football genius to see that the Conquistadors were going to struggle. Despite a great trade to acquire Russell Wilson, giving Connell a much-needed franchise QB, the 'Dors fell to a 4-9 record. Frankly, they probably wish they had struggled even more. It's not every year a 4-9 record results in the 4th overall pick, but that was the case this year.

Connell acquired Doug Martin in the off-season and in return moved back to the 1.05 pick. TE Hunter Henry proved to be a steal in 2016, giving Connell a TE with TE1 upside going forward. Those are difficult to find. That said, this is a very young roster hoping a few gambles pay off. I loved Kevin White coming out of West Virginia. He could be great if healthy, but that health has alluded him.

All this said, 2017 very much appears to be another rebuilding season for the Conquistadors. In a brutally tough Basin Conference, it's not crazy to think Connell is picking 1.01 come 2018. That said, they've proven to be a smart team that does their homework. This team won't be winning a championship next season, but it's hoping to hit a home run with the 5th overall pick in the upcoming draft. Expect another rookie heavy draft haul in the hopes that the next Jordan Howard is Connell bound.

2017 Mock Draft v4

We're less than three weeks out from the NFL draft! It's become clear that we're in the thick of silly season, even to the point that some media are trying to convince the Browns to do something other than selecting Myles Garrett with the #1 pick. In recent weeks, player values have risen and fallen, and with mock drafts changing every single day, I've decided to take a different route this time. Instead of basing this CRFL mock draft on an existing NFL mock draft, I'll just "project" where the players will go. 

With these details now out of the way, let's see where things stand.

2017 CRFL Mock Draft v4

1.01. Badgerhawks select...RB Leonard Fournette CIN (LSU)
Badgerhawks might have all the time in the world to make this pick, but it's unlikely he has much to think about. Unless something crazy happens, Fournette is the clear #1 overall pick in dynasty/keeper rookie drafts. I've read that the Bengals are toying with the idea of taking a RB in the 1st round. Let's kick this mock off with some early drama. The Bengals trade up to grab Fournette. 

1.02. Gem State Bruins select...RB Dalvin Cook TB (Florida State)
The Bruins traded up two spots from 1.04 to 1.02, parting with their 2018 1st to do so. Why such a drastic decision? The answer: to ensure that a 1st round RB goes to Gem State. Will Dalvin Cook still qualify as a 1st rounder despite his poor combine and growing concerns surrounding his character? It's hard to tell. Projections range from top 10 pick to early 2nd round. For now, I give the talent edge to Cook.

1.03. Huskerfan select...WR Mike Williams ARI (Clemson)
Oh my. What a blunder of a trade by The Valley Bulls to allow Huskerfan into this #3 slot. Huskers don't really have a weakness at RB or WR, so he'll go BPA (best player available). Williams fits the mold of a potential WR1, and he'll become the go-to target in a passing system in Arizona. 

1.04. Juice Box Heroes select...RB Christian McCaffrey DEN (Stanford)
Juice Box deposited an extra 2018 1st rounder in exchange for moving back two spots to 1.04. It's looking like a wise move after Dalvin Cook's poor combine last week, surrounding the 1.02 pick with more questions than before. The Juice Box has several pressing needs, but I think RBs go off the board fast this year like past years.

1.05. Connell Conquistadors select...WR Corey Davis DET (Western Michigan)
The CRFL Buccaneers moved back to 1.05 from 1.04 after acquiring Doug Martin in a trade. As usual, 1st round draft picks tend to early in our fantasy draft. There will be some cogitating for Connell at this pick, but ultimately Davis being a 1st round WR selection gives him the edge.  

1.06. Huskerfan select...RB Joe Mixon CAR (Oklahoma)
The 1st round haul continues for the Huskers. Taking Williams at 1.03, I'm guessing he would balance things out and draft a RB here. There has been talk of Mixon slipping into the late 1st round, but I think 2nd round is more likely. Carolina preps its PR plan for the backlash of taking Mixon, but the Sooner RB has a high upside with the Panthers.

1.07. Brucey's crew select...RB Alvin Kamara PHI (Tennessee)
At this stage in the draft, owners start picking the best player available instead of by need. The Eagles are in the market for a RB. I'm projecting them to take Kamara in the 2nd round, where he might immediately become their three-down RB. Excellent value at this point.

1.08. Wind River Bison select...RB Brian Hill DET (Wyoming)
The Bison finally broke out! After years of being in the CRFL cellar, the 10-3 campaign came as a shocker. I have it on good authority that the Wyoming-based Bison are really, really high on Brian Hill. Hill could go anywhere from the 2nd to 5th rounds of the NFL draft. Random stab: 4th round to Detroit. 

1.09. Vito's Vikings select...RB Samaje Perine BAL (Oklahoma)
The Lonestars, while finishing at 5-8, have rebuilt this poor roster in a very short time. A 2017 breakout is in store for this team under new owner Vito, and their team only gets bolstered by having this 1st round pick. In desperate need of a RB to compliment Jordan Howard, the Vikings will gladly take a gamble on 3rd round RB Perine in Baltimore. 

1.10. Brucey's crew select...WR John Ross SF (Washington)
Bruce seemingly finds a way to have multiple 1st round picks every year. After grabbing Kamara a few picks ago, WR figures to come into play at 1.10. I'm predicting the 49ers trade into the late 1st round to grab John Ross, who might immediately be their best offensive player. 

1.11. Northern Lights select...TE O.J. Howard BUF (Alabama)
As stated earlier, the talent starts to thin out at this point in the 1st round. The Lights, who covet O.J. Howard, will be doing back flips if the Crimson Tide product falls to this spot. In this case, he does. It's unusual for rookie TEs to get drafted this high, but O.J. Howard isn't usual.

1.12. Juice Box Heroes select...WR Zay Jones LAR (East Carolina)
JBH found his franchise RB, now he needs help at WR. Much like the John Ross selection a few picks ago, Zay Jones won't have much competition with the Rams. He could instantly provide value to a team that needs it.

-----------

Again, this mock draft will change throughout draft season, but it's a fun exercise. For now, the only certain is that Badgerhawks is on the clock...

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Vito's Vikings

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. We're almost finished with the Basin Conference, and next up is the league's lone newcomer. Are Vito's Vikings ready to make an instant impact?

2017 Keepers

QB Tom Brady NE
RB Jordan Howard CHI
RB Kenneth Dixon BAL
WR Dez Bryant DAL
WR Michael Thomas NO
WR Michael Crabtree OAK
WR Corey Coleman CLE
WR DeVante Parker MIA
WR Willie Snead NO
K Stephen Gostkowski NE

2017 Draft Picks

1.09
2.08
3.12
5.05
6.05
7.05
8.05
9.05
10.05
11.04

Preview

The Range Lonestars couldn't make up their mind. Coming into the 2016 season, some believed they were a shoe-in for the 1.01 pick in the 2017 draft. Then they started to win. When it came to goals, the season ultimately ended up being a dud. The Lonestars didn't lose enough to garner a top pick, and also didn't win enough to make the playoffs.

New owner Vito enters into the fray with a balanced draft and key studs, but definitely needs RB help. Jordan Howard was one of the fantasy shocks of 2017 and figures to be the cornerstone of this franchise going forward. Kenneth Dixon is going to be suspended to open the season and the Vikings don't have any other RB kept, so finding depth there will be very important.

WR, however, should be no problem whatsoever. Outside of Willie Snead, all of the above listed WRs could end up being WR1 caliber talents. Back to the negative: the Vikings also don't have a returning TE. But they do have Tom Brady! All of this suggests the Vikings are much like the Northern Lights: a wildcard. They could be 2017's Spokane Spartans and shock the league, they could also struggle if depth isn't built up or if injuries strike.

Either way, Vito's Vikings figure to make an already tough conference even tougher.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Spokane Spartans

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Next up is the Spokane Spartans, who made a surprising run to the CRFL championship game in 2016. Is regression inevitable?
2017 Keepers

QB Ben Roethlisberger PIT
QB Sam Bradford MIN
RB LeSean McCoy BUF
RB Jonathan Stewart CAR
RB Thomas Rawls SEA
WR Jordy Nelson GB
WR Stefon Diggs MIN
WR Donte Moncrief IND
WR Michael Floyd NE
TE Travis Kelce KC

2017 Draft Picks

2.11
3.05
3.11
4.11
5.11
6.11
7.10
8.10
9.09
10.08

Preview

With the Gem State Bruins crashing out of the playoff race in the wildcard round, the path to the CRFL championship opened up for some non-Kaneohe franchise. That franchise ended up being Spokane, who brought a great season for the Wind River Bison to a surprisingly abrupt end. The following week, the Spartans then beat Cascade Conference champion Brucey's crew before being whipped by the Warriors in the title game. Can the Spartans repeat?

To be brutally honest, no. A quick glance at the returning keepers for the Spartans reveals that this team probably soaked in more good luck and fortune than any other league member in 2016. There are rumors of Big Ben possibly retiring soon. LeSean McCoy was a star in 2016, but there is talk that he might not fit well into this new offensive scheme. Not to mention, Shady is known for being fantasy football's most inconsistent RB1. Jonathan Stewart might not even start for Carolina, and Thomas Rawls definitely won't start for Seattle.

Jordy Nelson is a star, and should remain a star for 2017. Travis Kelce might be the most valuable TE in fantasy. All this said, regression to the mean is inevitable for the Spartans. They should finish middle of the table in 2017, but if they don't start finding some young talent for the future (no 2017 1st round pick), this team could be a dark horse to be drafting higher than expected come spring 2018 and possibly even beyond.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Northern Lights

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Third in the order are the Northern Lights, who were the Cardinals in 2016. Under new ownership in 2016, the Cardinals made the semifinals of the playoffs. Can they repeat the feat?

2017 Keepers

QB Dak Prescott DAL
RB Melvin Gordon LAC
RB Lamar Miller HOU
WR Sammy Watkins BUF
WR Allen Robinson JAC
WR Davante Adams GB
WR Tyrell Williams LAC
TE Rob Gronkowski NE
K Matt Bryant ATL
D/ST Kansas City Chiefs KC

2017 Draft Picks

1.11
3.07
3.09
5.07
6.07
7.07
8.07
9.06
10.06
11.05

Preview

Looking back at 2016, the results for the Northern Cardinals tell a tale of two extremes. On a weekly basis the Cardinals seemed to be either very unlucky or very lucky based on the Fleaflicker luck meter. Only three regular season games had a luck status of over or under +10/-10. That is living on the edge. There were highs of beating Gem State twice, and lows of losing to Range Lonestars once and Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors three times. Still, the Cardinals made it all the way to the semifinals despite a 1-4 start to the season. What is in store for 2017?

To be frank, it's hard to tell. Now the Northern Lights, big upgrades have been made this off-season by acquiring Melvin Gordon and Rob Gronkowski. That moves Lamar Miller to RB2, giving the Lights balance at a position where it is hard to find that quality. The real question for this team is the WR corps, one that includes Davante Adams, Sammy Watkins, Allen Robinson, and Tyrell Williams. All four of these WRs are capable of posting low-end to maybe even high-end WR1 numbers. They're also capable of underwhelming through injuries, lack of production, etc. A roll of the dice

At QB, Dak Prescott shocked the fantasy world by finishing Top 5 at his position as a rookie. With Tom Brady gone, Prescott is now the Lights unquestioned starting QB. Will he thrive again, or get hit with the sophomore slump some 2nd year QBs endure? The Lights would be wise to find a solid backup in the draft.

For 2017, the sky is the limit for the Lights, but could also struggle if key players don't come through. Armed with a few superstars, a balanced draft, and several toss-ups at WR, the Lights are a true wildcard. They remind me of Brucey's crew: I could see them winning the conference. I can also see, with a dash of bad luck and failed potential, finishing 4th in the Basin. Either way, the Lights will roll the dice and see where they fall.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Wind River Bison

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Next up on the list are Wind River Bison, who after years of stinking up the bottom of the standings, finally broke out in 2016 with a 10-3 season. Is an encore in the works?

2017 Keepers

QB Derek Carr OAK
QB Kirk Cousins WAS
RB David Johnson ARI
RB DeMarco Murray TEN
WR Doug Baldwin SEA
WR Demaryius Thomas DEN
WR Keenan Allen LAC
WR Randall Cobb GB
WR Jamison Crowder WAS
TE Eric Ebron DET

2017 Draft Picks

1.08
2.12
4.07
4.09
5.08
5.09
6.09
7.09
8.09
9.08

Preview

The pathetic Paniolos. That wasn't the official nickname of the Hawaii Paniolos, but it might as well have been. The Paniolos took their ball and left the islanders for Wyoming in 2015, where Wind River Bison went from rags to riches in two seasons. Following up 2015' 8-5 record, the Bison won 10 regular season games in 2016, all of which were in a row from week's 2-11. Bad luck led to an unfortunate three-game losing streak to end the season, but 10-3 still ranks as the best season in Bison/Paniolo history and one of the best overall in league history. A balanced 2017 draft plan and excellent off-season trading have the Bison poised to push Kaneohe again.

QB play will not be an issue with Derek Carr and Kirk Cousins making the keeper cut. Fantasy superstar David Johnson gives the Bison a chance to win every week, and while DeMarco Murray might not be the best RB for future purposes, he's a very good RB2 for Wind River.

In the final weeks before the keeper deadline, the Bison acquired Demaryius Thomas, Keenan Allen, and Jamison Crowder, revamping a poor WR corps into one with solid depth. There might not be a clear high-end WR1 in that group that also includes Doug Baldwin and Randall Cobb, but it does give the Bison depth it might need late in the season.

The Bison did swap Rob Gronkowski for Eric Ebron at the TE position, which doesn't help, but overall this team is formidable and should threaten for a position at the top of the standings again 2017. With good draft results and some luck next season, the Bison could be a real threat to become the 4th CRFL team to win a championship in the league's 7-year history.

2017 CRFL Draft Preview: Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors

The 2017 NFL draft is less than a month away! In the mean time, I'll be doing a preview of each of the 12 CRFL teams, where they currently stand, what they need to address in the draft, etc. Let's start off with the 2016 champion, Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors. It's good to be on top, but the Warriors have some question marks this spring as age begins to take its toll...

2017 Keepers

QB Aaron Rodgers GB
RB Le'Veon Bell PIT 
RB Devonta Freeman ATL
RB LeGarrette Blount FA
RB Matt Forte NYJ
RB Adrian Peterson FA
WR Antonio Brown PIT 
WR Mike Evans TB
WR Julian Edelman NE
TE Greg Olsen CAR

2017 Draft Picks

4.02
4.12
5.12
6.12
7.11
8.11
9.10
10.09
11.06

Preview

Bring the title tally up to three. Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors, the CRFL powerhouse, won its 3rd championship after defeating Spokane in the title game. While the Warriors figure to be a favorite (if not the favorite) to win the title again, it's all about the here and now for this team. As of the timing of this post, the Warriors have no 1st round picks this year, next year, and even in 2019! Of course, trading those picks have reinforced the team in the present, but in the process moved all the chips into the middle. The future be damned. With younger stars like Le'Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and Mike Evans, the Warriors will remain a contender going forward. That said, by sacrificing its future picks in favor of winning now, the death grip the Warriors have had on the league will begin to soften in the coming years as 6 of the 10 2017 keepers for Kaneohe are over the age of 30.

Don't get too excited. The Warriors are the likely title favorite again in 2017. But again, with no 1st round picks until 2020 and an aging roster, weakness is in sight for Kaneohe for arguably the first time in this stretch of league dominance.

CRFL Keeper Rankings 3/20/17

It's draft season in dynasty/keeper leagues across the fantasy footballing world, but I think I'm overdue on releasing the official CRFL keeper rankings. They are below. Abbreviation of NFL teams in gray, CRFL team names are in parenthesis. I did include rookies based on talent alone.

The keeper rankings are based on a combination of talent, situation, and age. I've kept true to that, but of course this is just my opinion. In addition to the keeper rankings, at the bottom of the page is a "future rankings" that ranks the future prospects each CRFL team has going forward based on the keeper ranks. I did it Roto style, so #1 rank = 50 points, #2 rank = 49 points, #3 rank = 48 points, #4 rank = 47 points, etc.

Keeper Rankings

1. RB Le'Veon Bell PIT (Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors)
2. RB Ezekiel Elliott DAL (Gem State Bruins)
3. RB David Johnson ARI (Wind River Bison)
4. WR Odell Beckham NYG (Gem State Bruins)
5. WR Julio Jones ATL (Gem State Bruins)
6. WR Antonio Brown PIT (Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors)
7. RB Leonard Fournette Rookie 
8. WR Mike Evans TB (Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors)
9. RB Melvin Gordon LAC (Northern Lights)
10. RB Jordan Howard CHI (Vito's Vikings)
11. WR Amari Cooper OAK (Huskerfan)
12. WR Michael Thomas NO (Vito's Vikings)
13. WR A.J. Green CIN (Gem State Bruins)
14. WR DeAndre Hopkins HOU (Gem State Bruins)
15. RB Jay Ajayi MIA (Huskerfan)
16. RB Devonta Freeman ATL (Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors)
17 WR Dez Bryant DAL (Vito's Vikings)
18. RB Todd Gurley LAR (Gem State Bruins)
19. WR Sammy Watkins BUF (Northern Lights)
20. TE Rob Gronkowski NE (Northern Lights)
21. WR Jarvis Landry MIA (Badgerhawks)
22. QB Aaron Rodgers GB (Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors)
23. WR Jordy Nelson GB (Spokane Spartans)
24. RB LeSean McCoy BUF (Spokane Spartans)
25. RB DeMarco Murray TEN (Wind River Bison)
26. QB Andrew Luck IND (Gem State Bruins)
27. WR Mike Williams Rookie 
28. WR Corey Coleman CLE (Vito's Vikings)
29. WR Allen Robinson JAC (Northern Lights)
30. RB Lamar Miller HOU (Northern Lights)
31. WR T.Y. Hilton IND (Brucey's crew)
32. WR Kelvin Benjamin CAR (Huskerfan)
33. WR Davante Adams GB (Northern Lights)
34. QB Derek Carr OAK (Wind River Bison)
35. RB Spencer Ware KC (Badgerhawks)
36. TE Travis Kelce KC (Spokane Spartans)
37. RB Dalvin Cook Rookie
38. WR Corey Davis Rookie
39. RB Mark Ingram NO (Huskerfan)
40. RB Derrick Henry TEN (Juice Box Heroes)
41. QB Cam Newton CAR (Juice Box Heroes)
42. WR John Ross Rookie
43. TE O.J. Howard Rookie
44. WR Alshon Jeffrey PHI (Free Agent)
45. RB Tevin Coleman ATL (Juice Box Heroes)
46. RB Eddie Lacy SEA (Free Agent)
47. WR Keenan Allen LAC (Wind River Bison)
48. WR Doug Baldwin SEA (Wind River Bison)
49. RB Alvin Kamara Rookie
50. QB Tom Brady NE (Vito's Vikings)

Future Rankings

1. Gem State Bruins (322)
2. Kaneohe Ikaika Warriors (202)
3. Northern Lights (166)
4. Vito's Vikings (138)
5. Huskerfan (107)
6. Wind River Bison (97)
7. Spokane Spartans (70)
8. Badgerhawks (46)
9. Juice Box Heroes (27)
10. Brucey's crew (20)
T11. Connell Conquistadors (0)
T11. The Valley Bulls (0)

Analysis: Quick glance at the point totals suggest that Gem State and Kaneohe are good bets to be top contenders for the foreseeable future. Connell and the Bulls are definitely looking to the draft for help, but things change quickly in fantasy football. Vito's Vikings would have been ranked near the bottom of this list last year.

The real surprise to me was reigning Cascade Conference champion, Brucey's crew, registering near the very bottom. I'm guessing the crew would have a lot of players ranked in the 51-70 range, however based on these rankings need to keep one eye on development for the future.

Overall, this maps out which teams are likely to be a factor in playoff races for years to come, and who need to start mining the draft for future talent.

Next update to these rankings will likely come in the summer post-NFL draft.