20/20 Interview with Tyler Justin Karp

This week, the newest, and perhaps most ambitious new writer we have seen in some time, Tyler Justin Karp, took some time to let you get to know him just a little bit better. Have fun!

 

Where are you from?

I’m from New York City. I’ve lived there my entire life outside of my time in college at Johns Hopkins.

What do you do for your regular job?

Honestly, I’m taking a shot at making this fantasy football thing work as a full-time career. I have a Masters’ Degree from Columbia in Sports Management, so I had planned to try and find a job in the field after I graduated in December 2019. However, the pandemic changed my plans and took away many of my opportunities in the real world. So, I’m giving my dream a chance instead.

What is the worst job you have ever had?

I don’t think I’ve ever really had a terrible job. I’ve essentially spent my entire life in school until the pandemic hit, and now I’ve been at home ever since. I did run a failed Internet company back in high school and college, though. That wasn’t my favorite experience.

What is the best job you have ever had?

Similar answer to the worst job. I did have a budding side career in the bitcoin industry back in 2013 and 2014. If you know anything about bitcoin now, being in that industry early was a great move. So that’s why it’s my best job.

What do you consider your dream job?

Oh, my dream job is to work in the fantasy football industry. There’s nothing I love more.

How long have you been in the industry?

I started writing in May 2019. But, I didn’t take this seriously until March 2020 or so. Since then, I’ve been grinding non-stop because I want to do this full-time.

How did you get your break into fantasy football?

One day, Dynasty Football Factory gave Twitter nobody a chance to be a writer. Then, they allowed that same relatively unknown guy to lead their content team. And recently, the Dynasty League Football team reached out to me and asked me to join their site. Considering that I’ve wanted to write at DLF since I started out and that I look up to lots of my DLF colleagues, I immediately jumped at the chance.

What tool do you use the most on DLF?

100% it’s the Trade Analyzer. I don’t use it to make trades, but I always like to check my work. There’s no better trade tool out there.

What tool do you use the most outside of DLF?

For sure, I’d have to say the Pro Football Reference website. That website has it all in terms of data.

Who was the best sleeper you pegged that broke out?

It’s Phillip Lindsay. In my first-ever dynasty league, I added Lindsay before the 2018 season when no one had heard of him. I don’t want to say I knew back then that I’d become a dynasty expert, but that was a good first sign.

Who was your biggest whiff?

In 2020, Tyler Higbee was 100% my biggest whiff. I got him completely wrong, and I thought he’d be a massive value in 2020 drafts. Whoops!

What is the worst trade you have made?

Oh, there are so many bad ones, but one stands out. During the 2019 season, I traded A.J. Brown plus for Robert Woods in a dynasty league. I won the title that year, so it doesn’t sting too much, but I literally dealt Brown a week or two before he broke out. I love Brown as a player so that one hurt.

Who is your favorite underfollowed Twitter account?

There are so many. It’s hard to give a single name, but if I had to choose, I’d go with @Between_SethFF. Check out what he’s doing and the empire he’s building. I think you’ll be happy you did.

Who is your favorite NFL team?

I’m a Giants fan. I grew up in New York, and I always preferred the Giants to the Jets. Plus, my dad is a Giants fan, so I suppose that rubbed off on me.

Who is your favorite college football team?

I’m not the biggest college football fan. I certainly don’t have a specific rooting interest. If I follow any college football, it’s based on a player I like rather than a team.

Who was your favorite player growing up? 

Growing up, I didn’t watch too much football. I remember Kerry Collins as the Giants’ quarterback when I started following the team. I also liked Tiki Barber during his prime years.

Who is your favorite player of all time? 

It’s definitely going to be an active player since I’ve become obsessed with football in the last couple of years. I think A.J. Brown is that guy that I can’t help rooting for. He has that unique skill set that draws me in as a fan.

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

I was a national chess champion as a kid. I still play sometimes because I love competitions that I’m essentially guaranteed to win. Other than that, I love taking walks, listening to music and podcasts, and playing sports/working out. I do play a bit of football and soccer, although I’m not great at either sport. I also love tanning and sunbathing if you want a more “out there” hobby.

What are some of your favorite movies?

From my Letterboxd, I list Mean Girls, Clue, Avengers: Infinity War, and Fight Club as my four favorite movies. I’m pretty open to experiences, though. I love nothing more than a good film.

Who are some of your favorite bands?

Interesting question. I’m not really a band person, but I do like some pretty trashy music. I’ll save myself the complete embarrassment of listing every artist I like. I’ll just say that I like Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Taylor Swift, and leave it there for now.