Wednesday, January 1, 2020

2020 CRFL Mock Draft: v1

The 2019 Columbia River Fantasy League season, like 2019 itself, is done and over with. The little trophy next to "Gem State Bruins" on Fleaflicker remains for another month, but trading has reopened and the 2020 draft season is already flowing. That means...mock draft time! As noted earlier, an unfortunate trade that went sideways for Brucey's crew means the Bruins are on the clock. What will they do with the #1 pick? What will Tri-State, Connell, and Spokane do with their multiple first round picks? Let's guess.

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For this initial mock draft, we'll base the selections off of Walter Football's first three-round mock draft of 2020. There are some projections here that would not make the fantasy community happy. As usual, this mock draft is suggesting what I think these teams should do, not what I think they'll do.

1. Gem State Bruins select...WR Jerry Jeudy NYG (Alabama)

This past spring, Brucey's crew traded away their 2020 first round pick to add an extra 2019 first round selection. Brucey would end up trading away that pick for running back Phillip Lindsay. Little did anyone know, Brucey's crew would have their worst season in CRFL history, meaning Gem State is picking 1.01. Ouch.

The Bruins acquired D.J. Chark last week, providing depth to an already string receiving crew. Still, BPA (best player available) has always been the approach for Gem State, and that won't change here. Jeudy has the chance to be a dynasty staple.

2. Wind River Bison select...RB D'Andre Swift MIA (Georgia)

The Bison had a shocking 2019 campaign. The addition of Keenan Allen didn't produce elite results, and the tandem of David Johnson and Alvin Kamara flopped. CeeDee Lamb is an option here, but running back is king in modern fantasy. Swift would have Josh Jacobs-like upside here.

3. Rockcliffe Bulls select...WR CeeDee Lamb LV (Oklahoma)

Speaking of teams who were plagued by injuries and underperformance. Injuries to Saquon Barkley and Adam Thielen, combined with Baker Mayfield bombing, hurt the 2019 Bulls. They'll bounce back by adding CeeDee Lamb, a potential star.

4. Vito's Vikings select...WR Justin Jefferson PHI (Louisiana State)

The Vikings found a gem in Chris Godwin and out-performed expectations, but still have a bunch of needs. Jefferson in Philadelphia is another potential WR1 situation, one the Vikings would benefit from should they draft a rookie.

5. Connell Conquistadors select...RB Chuba Hubbard NYJ (Oklahoma State)

I mentioned earlier some of these predictions from Walter Football are projecting future moves. Here's one of them. They project Le'Veon Bell to be moved elsewhere, and the Jets replace him with Day 2 selection Hubbard, who would instantly be a three-down back in this scenario.

6. Spokane Syber select...RB J.K. Dobbins TB (Ohio State)

The Spokane Syber have a solid foundation at quarterback and wide receiver, but running back is far and away their most pressing need, even after acquiring Kerryon Johnson. Dobbins was a superstar at Ohio State, rushing for over 2,000 yards his final season with the Buckeyes. He would be the clear starter for the Bucks an potential fantasy gold.

7. Tri-State Raptors select...RB Jonathan Taylor ATL (Wisconsin)

The Raptors had an amazing 2019 draft class, drafting A.J. Brown and Miles Sanders and acquiring Devin Singletary via trade. There is no clear need here, so BPA is the right call. Walter Football is guessing that the Falcons move on from Devonta Freeman. Taylor would be the starting back in Atlanta.

8. Emerald City Bucks...QB Joe Burrow CIN (Louisiana State)

The Northern Lights have packed their bags at the threat of global warming and are now in Seattle. The Bucks are absolutely stacked, but had some bad luck in 2019. The then Lights ranked dead last in the league (12th) in quarterback points. They might attempt to acquire a better quarterback than Wentz through trade, but if that doesn't work, Burrow is a real possibility here.

9. Connell Conquistadors select...RB Zack Moss KC (Utah)

The Conquistadors are on the clock again. They'll continue to stockpile running backs. Moss was selected in the third round in Walter Football's mock draft, but the possibility of Moss pairing with Patrick Mahomes is enticing from a fantasy perspective.

10. Desert Dreamers select...RB Travis Etienne BAL (Clemson)

The Dreamers broke out in 2019 as one of the league powers, and will follow Connell's lead by drafting based on situation. I personally don't think Travis Etienne falls to round 3 in the NFL Draft, but all the same Baltimore would be an amazing situation for Etienne.

11. Spokane Syber select...RB Najee Harris DET (Alabama)

Yet another scenario where a draft projection would suck for one of the CRFL teams. The Syber acquired Kerryon Johnson from Gem State for a third round pick. A shrewd move, that is if Johnson remains the lead back. Alabama's Najee Harris might fly up draft boards this spring, and in this scenario Syber drafts him in the hopes that one of the Detroit running backs breaks out.

12. Tri-State Raptors select...WR Laviska Shenault DEN (Colorado)

The slide ends for Shenault. Shenault is selected in the top 20 of Walter Football's mock draft, but to the Denver Broncos, who already have a WR1 in Courtland Sutton. Still, it is hard to deny Shenault's ability, and the Raptors who take a flier on him here.

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Draft season is just beginning. I'll attempt to do a few more mock drafts leading up to the 2020 NFL Draft in late April. Much is bound to change. Until then....fantasy football season never stops.