Dynasty Diaries: 12 team, Non-PPR, 2QB Rookie Draft
In this series, I give you an inside look at all of my teams, their history and my plans for the future. I’d like to provide some insight into struggles I’ve faced, and reveal weekly thoughts and feelings on anything and everything football. Join me as I succeed or crash and burn. For more information on the leagues, check out the introduction or any previous post. If there is anything more you’d like to see or any questions you have, please let me know in the comments section.
Not every league has the traditional 12 teams, PPR, standard lineup and scoring and is hosted on MyFantasyLeague. In fact, while most ADP and rankings you see are based on those settings, almost every trade or draft conversation on Twitter comes with an extra line or two with some caveats:
“… But it is a superflex.”
“… But you can start up to five running backs.”
“… But I only have Player X on a contract for one more season.”
This means rookie drafts will look different and trades that seem ‘obvious’ simply aren’t because we don’t know the full details. I’d encourage owners to always keep in mind their own league settings – if you feel you should value someone differently from the “consensus” because your league warrants it, then do so.
I’ve talked a ton about the joys of league variety in the past (particularly 2QB and superflex leagues), and having something new, challenging and exciting was what got me into dynasty football in the first place. The International Dynasty League is the first I joined (and created), and is a 2QB league that’s non-PPR and includes kicker and defenses. While most ADP and rankings are useful as a guide, I almost strictly use them to help rank within positions for this league, and value each one as I see fit. Naturally, quarterbacks and receivers are bumped up (as you’ll see in the draft).
Unlike most of the dynasty leagues you see, ‘IDL’ is hosted on FleaFlicker. The site has its benefits (it’s free), but again unlike MFL doesn’t have a draft timer or option to pre-draft your picks. Our rookie draft lasted almost a month.
This 2QB dynasty rookie draft will hopefully give another outlook on how players can and should be valued differently, and how it’s important to build your own team.
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International Dynasty League (0-0)
In a previous article, I outlined the move made to get out of the first round but acquire two second round picks in the process. I began the draft with the 2.01, 2.06, 2.08, 3.08 and 4.08.
I’ve listed the full draft below. Remember earlier when I mentioned every league has its caveats? In this one, our pool also includes the current free agents who weren’t picked up before we closed waivers – so you’ll see some veteran names sprinkled in.
1.01 – Leonard Fournette, RB JAC
1.02 – Christian McCaffrey, RB CAR
1.03 – Corey Davis, WR TEN
1.04 – Dalvin Cook, RB MIN
1.05 – Deshaun Watson, QB HOU
1.06 – Joe Mixon, RB CIN
Fournette should be at the top of most drafts. Especially in non-PPR, he makes complete sense as there are concerns with his ability to contribute as a pass-catcher (I don’t share those concerns). There aren’t any surprises who the top five non-quarterbacks were, but just like my other 2QB rookie draft, a quarterback was taken early enough to shake up the first round. In this case, the owner already had two starters, so it must be based on the belief that Watson will turn out to be a great pro. Again, QBs are so valuable that it never harms to have great starters.
After Dalvin Cook was taken at 1.04, I’m sure a number of owners (like me) were attempting to get in on Mixon. In fact, after Watson was taken, I know multiple owners were offering for the 1.06. Thankfully for me, the drafter was a Bengals fan, and he took his guy. I’d gone a little crazy for “value”, but it’s important to remember the pick on the clock is always going to be a hot commodity and you don’t want to get in a bidding war.
1.07 – Mike Williams, WR LAC
1.08 – John Ross, WR CIN
1.09 – D’Onta Foreman, RB HOU
1.10 – OJ Howard, TE TB
1.11 – David Njoku, TE CLE
1.12 – Kareem Hunt, RB KC
D’Onta Foreman was an unexpected selection ahead some hotter dynasty names, but I like the pick. Lamar Miller hasn’t proven to be the bellcow back we’d hoped for, and Foreman could be in line for some action early. I think he’s a great fit in Houston.
Even though it didn’t affect any of the picks in this round, I was weighing up the running back landscape and decided to make a move. I’d been yearning for running backs all off-season, and decided to trade Travis Kelce and the 2.06 for Ameer Abdullah and Kenneth Dixon. Ameer is the player I’ve targeted in every single league this summer, and I managed to pick up another share. Why move Kelce, you ask? In this format, even as the top overall tight end, he finished behind the RB22 (Bilal Powell) and the WR16 (Jarvis Landry) in scoring. Even if he repeats as a top tight end, that’s not the upside I want. I’ve got depth at tight end, but am struggling at running back. I’m completely on board with buying low on Abdullah,  and I’ll even pay up a fair price. Dixon, while initially suspended, will get a chance to make his mark in the second half of 2017.
2.01 – Alvin Kamara, RB NO (my pick)
2.02 – Curtis Samuel, WR/RB CAR
2.03 – Samaje Perine, RB WAS
2.04 – Jamaal Williams, RB GB
2.05 – Marlon Mack, RB IND
2.06 – Patrick Mahomes, QB KC
This is the section of the draft where you really get an idea of the importance of running backs in non-PPR leagues – everybody is after them. Although Kamara is perceived as a purely pass-catching back, I believe he’s more talented than that. Perine or Williams have just as much chance at early success – in fact, these two might have been better short-term options.
The owner who picked Watson might be peeved that his second pick (Marlon Mack) was made before either of the other two top quarterbacks were taken, but like in every case – if your player turns out a success, you quickly forget about where you took them. Mahomes in the middle of the second round looks like a 2QB bargain.
2.07 – Evan Engram, TE NYG
2.08 – Golden Tate, WR DET (my pick)
2.09 – Mitchell Trubisky, QB CHI
2.10 – Juju Smith-Schuster, WR PIT
2.11 – DeShone Kizer, QB CLE
2.12 – James Conner, RB PIT
I had Engram in mind, but he’d fallen so far it was no surprise he was snapped up one pick before me. I could argue he’s the top tight end in the class, but at the very least he should be in the same tier as the two who went ahead of him in this draft. This was a great pick.
Golden Tate was the first veteran taken, and I made that leap. He’s going between the 1.06 and 1.07 rookies in our ADP data, but again that’s for PPR and Tate is a catch-heavy scorer. I didn’t love any running backs in this tier, and despite considering Trubisky, felt a QB3 sitting on my bench holds less value than someone who could be a flex play during the season.
3.01 – Zay Jones, WR BUF
3.02 – Cooper Kupp, WR LAR
3.03 – Gerald Everett, TE LAR
3.04 – Aaron Jones, RB GB
3.05 – Chris Godwin, WR TB
3.06 – Marshawn Lynch, RB OAK
I expected Marshawn Lynch to go a lot earlier than this, and he could be the pick of the draft if he’s any way back to his old self. I don’t believe a professional NFL team would give him a shot if he hadn’t proven to be physically ready to go, and while he may have lost a step, he’s in a potent offense and should have plenty of scoring opportunities.
Zay Jones and Chris Godwin are a pair who fade into insignificance in non-PPR leagues unless they become top targets on their teams. We’ve certainly reached the point where immediate production seems unlikely.
3.07 – C.J. Beathard, QB SF
3.08 – Taywan Taylor, WR TEN (my pick)
3.09 – ArDarius Stewart, WR NYJ
3.10 – Joe Williams, RB SF
3.11 – Jack Doyle, TE IND
3.12 – Chad Williams, WR ARI
Beathard is likely going undrafted in all of your 1QB leagues, but one owner took a shot here. I wasn’t very excited about the running backs here, so went with a player with draft capital who I adore in Taylor. It was a toss-up between him and Chad Williams, as both are players who should perform better than their dynasty ADP suggests. Joe Williams’ selection in the third round could pay off if it turns out he does warrant the hype he’s receiving.
4.01 – Denver Broncos D/ST
4.02 – Joshua Dobbs, QB PIT
4.03 – Pierre Garcon, WR SF
4.04 – Jeremy McNichols, RB TB
4.05 – Wayne Gallman, RB NYG
4.06 – James White, RB NE
4.07 – Carlos Henderson, WR DEN
4.08 – Jake Butt, TE DEN (my pick)
4.09 – Kenny Golladay, WR DET
4.10 – Adam Shaheen, TE CHI
4.11 – Elijah Hood, RB OAK
4.12 – Julius Thomas, TE JAC
The fourth round was a mixed bag of rookies and veterans. Garcon could be an NFL WR1 selected with a fourth round rookie pick, and Carlos Henderson fell a lot further than he perhaps should have. I’m banking on Butt returning to full health will my selection here.
5.01 – Ryan Mathews, RB PHI
5.02 – Donnel Pumphrey, RB PHI
5.03 – Paul Richardson, WR SEA
5.04 – Chad Kelly, QB DEN
5.05 – Mack Hollins, WR PHI
5.06 – Rex Burkhead, RB NE
5.07 – Brian Hill, RB ATL
5.08 – Arizona Cardinals D/ST (my pick)
5.09 – Davis Webb, QB NYG
5.10 – Rico Gathers, TE DAL
5.11 – Jonnu Smith, TE TEN
5.12 – George Kittle, TE SF
6.01 – New England Patriots D/ST
6.02 – Christian Hackenberg, QB NYJ
6.03 – Jordan Leggett, TE NYJ
We closed out the draft with more roster-fillers and “gambles”. Our own Curtis Patrick will approve of the Chad Kelly selection, and Rex Burkhead had his 15 minutes as the hottest dynasty asset before Mike Gillislee came along. Rico Gathers is a hot sleeper name in Dallas, but like everyone here, he’s a long shot.
Since we have 25-man rosters, I had 24 players and was still needing to add a defense and kicker before the season, I pounced on the Cardinals. Of course, there’s a strong argument to be made for not filling those positions until closer to the season and instead select a high-upside flier, but the unit scored the most points in this format last year and has a ton of playmaking IDPs. When I offered up seven receivers and four tight ends on the message board, I received no offers – so it’s not a certainty I’ll be able to free up space. At some point, I’ll have to in order to house a kicker, but that’s why the trade offers on my end will keep flowing.
News and Notes from Around the Leagues
We also wrapped up our rookie draft. I made a move to acquire Dalvin Cook, and have come out of the draft stocked up with running backs (but no receivers). The draft review is on the way.
I’m feeling very relaxed after the recent rookie draft. Next step: acquire a quarterback or two.
Despite planning to trade away my rookie money, I played the price enforcing game for too long and got stuck by spending my whole budget on David Njoku. I really like him, but am not sure I would prefer him alone to a few cheaper stabs in the dark. At least I acquired a top tier rookie in a heavily-depleted draft.
It’s been a quiet summer for the Polite Penguins in this league as I traded away all of my rookie and devy cash. The only major development was a day of deliberation over a Marcus Mariota trade offer. I stayed put, and realized how highly I truly do regard him. This could be the last off-season to acquire the player who I believe is truly elite for a reasonable price (unless you’re trying to get him from me).
As always, if you have any questions please ask. Similarly, if there are any leagues, formats, experiences or topics you’d like me to talk about, drop them in the comments section.
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As well as editing for DLF, James writes for Sky Sports and can be found on Twitter at @JS_Football
- 2022 Rookie Class: An Early Look at Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh - January 31, 2022
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: Quez Watkins, WR PHI - July 15, 2020
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Update: John Hightower, WR PHI - July 7, 2020
