20/20 Interview with Levi Chappell

This week, proudly bearded DLF writer Levi Chappell took some time with us so you could get to know the real estate agent a little better. Enjoy!

Where are you from?

Born and raised Oregonian. I have lived in quite a few different cities in Oregon… but never lived anywhere else. I enjoy golfing, hunting, and pretty much anything outdoors, which is why I love everything about the pacific northwest. 

What do you do for your regular job?

I am in the real estate industry. I tend to stick more towards sales, but I help people amplify their real estate business’ and brand through better online rankings, more seller and buyer leads, more overall traffic, etc. 

What is the worst job you have ever had?

I honestly haven’t had any jobs that I really hated. A tough job that I had when I was growing up was “bucking hay” during the summers. I grew up in farmland and there was never a shortage of hay that needed to be tossed around. That is tough work, and you typically end up with some nice rashes. 

What is the best job you have ever had?

Probably the “job” I have now. My schedule is flexible, I can work from anywhere, and I simply get to help people in their business and give them more time in their life for the things that really matter. If I do my job right, then it’s a win-win for everyone. 

What do you consider your dream job?

This is tough to answer because I look at it a couple of different ways. My brother and I always joked about the best bang for your buck in pro sports, from a longevity standpoint (cough* Chase Daniel). A lefty reliever specialist in the MLB is a pretty good gig. Play once every couple of days to face one or two batters. But in all seriousness, I always dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour… so that would probably still be it. Although writing and talking fantasy football for a career wouldn’t be terrible either. That was a long and terrible non-answer. 

How long have you been in the industry?

I’ve been playing fantasy football and dynasty for a longtime… but finally decided to start a website, create my own content, and run a podcast tailored to fantasy and sports about 2-3 years ago. Eric Dickens reached out to me shortly and asked if I wanted to join DLF and it was a no-brainer. DLF is where it all started for me regarding dynasty about 15 years ago. So… technically about 2-3 years “in the industry” to answer your question. 

How did you get your break into fantasy football?

Like I stated above. I just wanted to start turning my thoughts and opinions into the content. So I launched a site and podcast, and shortly after… Eric offered me a position at DLF. 

What tool do you use the most on DLF?

Easily the trade analyzer. It’s hands down the best on the market, and I have looked at a ton of others. Everyone has their own values on players, but it’s always great to get a real-time value check on what you could and could not get for a player regarding his market value. 

What tool do you use the most outside of DLF?

I’m a film junkie and LOVE breaking down players. So NFL Gamepass replays and the coaches film is one of my favorite tools. For redraft purposes, I really like 4for4’s rankings and breakdowns as well. 

Who was the best sleeper you pegged that broke out?

Hard to remember too far back. But some of my favorite targets are rookie WR’s who underperform and are headed into their sophomore seasons. One of those was DJ Chark. I really loved his game tape and the obvious athleticism that he had. I tried to get shares of him everywhere after his rookie year and that turned out pretty well. This year, two guys I liked were Chase Claypool and Gabriel Davis (I think I wrote articles on both of them post NFL Draft) as 3rd round rookies or later. Both have smashed their rookie draft ADP’s. 

Who was your biggest whiff?

On man… where to begin. The one that always makes me laugh and only devy league owners will even recognize the name… I spent a decent devy pick on Marquez North. Who? Exactly. In a separate startup draft, I spent way too much money on Bishop Sankey going into his rookie year as well… those both sting.

What is the worst trade you have made?

Again, so many to go through. There were a lot of moving pieces in a deal I made, but I drafted a guy named Alvin Kamara in our rookie draft, and essentially ended up trading him before he ever played a snap in the NFL for Jarvis Landry. 

In another terrible series of events, I traded a late first-rounder for what I thought was a “sure” thing in Dante Pettis after his rookie year. That trade would have been bad enough even if the 1st rounder didn’t pan out… the 1.11 pick that year was AJ Brown. 

Who is your favorite underfollowed Twitter account?

I’ll give a two for one here. Fantasy Football Clinic is a great follow. They are always up for offering advice on Injuries and lineups. On another note… I’ve also bought a lot of sports cards from him. Haha.

Twitter “friendships” are funny, because I’ve never actually spoken on the phone or met in person, but consider Chris Kennedy a friend. Really great guy who is knowledgeable about fantasy football and golf. We’ll grab a beer one day!

Who is your favorite NFL team?

Growing up in Oregon with no professional NFL team, you were kind of on your own to choose a team. I never wanted to be a bandwagon fan. When I was younger and started watching football in the late ‘90s, it would have been easy to be a Cowboys or Broncos fan… but I always rooted more for the players. So to answer the question, unfortunately, I am a die-hard, lifelong, till death do us part, Detroit Lions fan. Ya… it’s tough.

Who is your favorite college football team?

I’ve always rooted for two schools. The Oregon State Beavers I would say is my “main” college team because I grew up watching their games, going to Reser Stadium, watching Steven Jackson, Chad Johnson, TJ “Who’s your momma”, etc. I will always love the Black and Orange, even through these recent rough years. 

The other is the University of Texas. I loved watching Ricky Williams tote the ball, and just followed and rooted for them since. Vince Young and/or Ricky Williams… it’s a toss-up as to who is my favorite college football player of all-time.

Who was your favorite player growing up?

You might be wondering… why on earth would he be a Detroit Lions fan? One player. Barry Sanders. A magician on the turf. Most talented RB of all-time. No debate in my opinion. 

Who is your favorite player of all time?

It’s still Barry Sanders. But Calvin Johnson is a close 2nd. Maybe the most physically imposing and gifted wide receiver of all-time. Being a Lions fan may have sucked over the last two decades, but watching Megatron play football was always a treat. 

What other hobbies or passions do you have outside of fantasy football?

Golf and hunting are two of my favorites. We are right in the thick of hunting season and the rut is in full swing. I also enjoy working out and playing music. 

What are some of your favorite movies?

Obviously depends on what genre you are in the mood for. If I’m going for a comedy it will either be Nacho Libre or Dumb and Dumber. Couple of others off the top of my head: Any of the Godfather movies, the Greatest Showman, Dan in Real Life, Remember the Titans, and almost any movie starring Christian Bale. 

Who are some of your favorite bands?

I like a large variety of music. A born and raised fellow Oregonian, Mat Kearney is one of the artists I listen to most. 

If I’m in the mood for country, it’ll be Garth Brooks, Eric Church, Brooks and Dunn, or Luke Combs

I am not a fan of “today’s rap”… so If I’m listening to rap, it would be someone like Jay-Z, The Roots, Jurassic 5, or Eminem.