Dynasty League 2024 Post-Draft Analysis
Reiterating the same thing I do every year, what you’ll see below are my opinions, so don't take them to heart, because I’m far from 100% right, and if you look back at the past iterations of this I’m sure you’d see that. What you will see is which pick from each team intrigued me the most and a brief analysis on that pick, or the team's draft as a whole, or maybe their season outlook because of the draft....who knows what my brain will come up with as I write, I certainly don't.
Rob
Most Intriguing Pick: QB Jayden Daniels (WAS)
Analysis: His QB room now consists of Kirk Cousins, Matthew Stafford, Brock Purdy and Jayden Daniels. Definitely not a room that Daniels is guaranteed to step into and start each week. However, Cousins is coming off that Achilles injury and Stafford has had problems with his back and is now entering his age 36 season. In short, Daniels could be competing with Purdy for QB1 snaps by the end of the year.
Bryar
Most Intriguing Pick: RB Jonathon Brooks (CAR)
Analysis: There was definitely a collective gasp in the draft room when this pick was made, so I don’t think anyone would disagree in the intrigue that lies here. Brooks is a very talented back, and had he not torn his ACL back in November, he may have gone in the first-round, and then him being taken at 3 in our draft would not have shocked anyone. But that’s not what happened, and if his Head Coach is to be believed, he won’t see the field for Carolina until week 3 or 4. The most intriguing part about this pick is Bryar’s RB room. Kyren Williams was phenomenal last season, but the Rams drafted Corum and the threat of lost touches is very real for Williams, Rhamondre Stevenson took a big step backward last year while also dealing with injuries, Alvin Kamara is reportedly dealing with a back injury and he’s now 29 which is like 35 in RB years. Needless to say, there’s definitely room for a potential Brooks Rookie of the Year run if he takes over as the main ballcarrier for Carolina right away when he hits the field.
Joel
Most Intriguing Pick: WR Ladd McConkey (LAC)
Analysis: Nabers is a special talent, and when he has a consistent passer under Center he’ll no doubt turn into a premier player at the position. But until then, he could be outplayed by McConkey. By all accounts, McConkey was lighting it up for the Chargers prior to the foot thing Herbert is dealing with and the injury that McConkey suffered during camp as well. The Chargers Receivers are bad enough that McConkey has a clear shot at being their WR1, and Storm Surge’s Flex options are limited enough that McConkey could become a regular in their lineup.
Ryan
Most Intriguing Pick: WR Rome Odunze (CHI)
Analysis: No denying Odunze’s ability, had he gone to Atlanta or the Jets in the draft there may have been some points in his direction to be the second player taken in our draft. Instead, his fate is tied to Caleb Williams, a Chicago team that historically struggles with their Quarterbacks, and an OC that doesn’t like running a lot of three Receiver sets. Of course, a year from now he could have a new OC, and prime real estate opposite D.J. Moore, but the Williams factor will still be there. If he can outplay all of those concerns right away, he will make a leap toward the top of Ryan’s Receiving corps.
Curt
Most Intriguing Pick: RB Marshawn Lloyd (GB)
Analysis: This pick is intriguing because it really felt like Curt did not want to make it. I can’t believe you drafted a Packer…smh. I’m not the biggest fan of Lloyd’s, he had some serious fumbling problems in college and if that carries over he’ll find himself riding the bench. But he’s the best change of pace option the Packers have rostered (Dillon is their projected RB2, but he plays very similarly to Jacobs). Xavier Worthy in the first was interesting too. Curt has a pretty stacked group of Receivers, but given Worthy’s ridiculous speed and the QB throwing to him, could he maybe make starting roster decisions more difficult for Curt every week?
Fred
Most Intriguing Pick: TE Ben Sinnott (WAS)
Analysis: Fred, this was the only pick that hurt me a little inside. Good job. I was going to take him with the next pick. If Sinnott can shake off the rookie Tight End stigma he could be exactly what the Ferocious Felines need. Dalton Schultz is currently the TE1 with Tyler Higbee still recovering, but the Texans are so stacked at Receiver it’s hard to imagine Schultz being a consistent enough fantasy player. Bonus pick, Trey Benson. I think him going at 1.06 surprised a lot of people. He’s had a rough preseason and training camp so far (though last night he looked better), will he do enough this year to help in the Felines’ rotation, or even enough to put himself as the front-runner for the RB1 role for Arizona next year when Conner’s contract is up?
Lance
Most Intriguing Pick: RB Jaylen Wright (MIA)
Analysis: Another explosive back for the Dolphins, that’s three very similar RBs in that room. Thankfully, Mostert has shown a propensity for injuries throughout his career, and last season Achane demonstrated that his career could go the same route. Javonte Williams’ seeming resurgence this training camp alleviates the need I have for a Back to immediately take over, but it would be nice if Wright could plant himself firmly as Miami’s RB1 before the end of the year.
Trey
Most Intriguing Pick: TE Brock Bowers (LV)
Analysis: Bowers, widely viewed as a top 4 dynasty talent (in non-“superflex” leagues), slid all the way to pick 7, where Trey solidified his replacement for Kelce who will turn 35 during this season. Kelce also took a little step back last year from his norm, a possible sign of things to come? If so, Trey is already prepared.
Nathan
Most Intriguing Pick: RB Chase Brown (CIN)
Analysis: If I didn’t have Burrow and Chase already, Brown would’ve been in consideration for me at pick 2.03. From everything I’ve read, he has looked like the top RB in Cincy’s camp. He’ll still have to deal with a timeshare with Zack Moss to start, but if he outplays him, his share will get bigger as the season goes on, and this is a good offense to be in if you don’t want to face stacked boxes. What it means for Fear Itself? Well, Jahmyr Gibbs was exactly what they needed last year with Aaron Jones struggling to stay healthy and a revolving door at the RB2 spot. Jones is back for Fear Itself, along with Devin Singletary and Jaylen Warren, but Brown provides the insurance he needs if those guys struggle, and potential replacement if he just flat-out outplays them. Blake Corum has that kind of potential too, but he’ll be dealing with Kyren Williams, not Zack Moss.
Alex
Most Intriguing Pick: QB Caleb Williams (CHI)
Analysis: Williams is intriguing no matter what way you spin it. Tons of arm talent and athleticism, but an arrogance that leads me to believe he’s been told he’s the greatest thing since Betty White every day of his life. With the full weight of expectations on him, he will need to block out the noise and keep his mind clear if he’s going to avoid the psychological pitfalls that come with playing the position. For Alex, he represents the hope of finally nailing down the QB position that’s alluded him for all these years. Justin Fields who?
As usual I don't give out grades, but I do like to speculate on who I think had the best draft. If I were to give that achievement to anyone this year it would be my Dad. From a talent standpoint alone I would’ve said Pastor Dad, but I also like to account for teams that fill major needs, and Storm Surge may very well have just rebuilt their Receiving corps. My dad wanted me to pass along a message to everyone, he said “take notes, this is how a rebuild is supposed to be done.” He'll still be looking at the back of my jersey every year, so I’m not concerned. Thank you all for another amazing draft and I wish you all the best this season!
Here’s a look ahead at week 1:
Michael Style (0-0) vs Storm Surge (0-0)
Dad’s first game in the league and he gets the reigning champ. The same team that helped him get a head coaching job after the work he did as the assistant coach in last year’s divisional round. Perhaps there will be a little salute to him as Michael Style raises that banner into the rafters. To say his offseason has been eventful would be an understatement. He has so many new faces on the roster it’s almost unrecognizable. Can the moves he’s made translate to this team’s first winning season and/or first playoff appearance in league history? Alex could tell you a thing or two about turnarounds seeing as how he went from picking first after our inaugural season, to winning a title in year 5.
Fear Itself (0-0) vs Space Rangers (0-0)
Nathan has won the East division every year except year one, and I plan to start out this season hurting those chances of him making it 5 straight division titles. With my shiny new Receiver, healthy QB, and last year’s #1 pick entering a new coaching era, I’m feeling pretty good. But of course, I’ll have to deal with our league’s back to back MVP and last year’s #2 pick. Plus, there’s that 8-3 record Nathan has against me.
ay_Bilat (0-0) vs Ferocious Felines (0-0)
Every year Yahoo lists Trey at or very near the top of their projected standings. And every year Trey finishes at or near the top of the end of the season standings, but then the playoffs roll around. Best win percentage in the league, but only two championship appearances and one trophy…shame. The Felines, on the other hand, seem to consistently outperform expectations, it all started with that 6 seed winning the championship in year 2. Oddly enough, Yahoo has these two as our projected #1 and #2 teams. I expect a barnburner. Oh, and Fred, Trey is up on you 8-5.
Kade’s Dawgs (0-0) vs Fantasy Fairies (0-0)
Curt came into the league with sky high expectations. Nearly 25 years of fantasy football under his belt, and more fantasy football knowledge than these kids would know what to do with. Unfortunately, that has not translated to trophies. He did make the championship year 1, but he hasn’t been able to get back. He’ll be looking for some of his recent draft investments to start pulling their weight as he tries to fight back for supremacy in the East. Ryan enters his third year in the league just looking for signs of life on his team outside of Hurts and Brown, just one or two more cornerstones he can build around. It’s unfortunate that his predecessors ran the team into the ground. Curt has not yet lost to you Ryan, he’s up 4-0 and he can taste that 5thwin.
Shenron’s Wish (0-0) vs NUKEM (0-0)
Talking to Bryar after the draft about that first pick he made, he said “this isn’t a team that one player is going to turn around, it’ll be a process.” Well, that process starts here as Bryar looks for what pieces he can count on and what needs to be cut out and tossed to the side of the road. Meanwhile, Pastor Dad is coming off his worst season to date thanks to plenty of high profile injuries. His team is basically back at full health and even more stacked than it was at the start of last season. He is ready to show that last year was a fluke. Bryar leads this series 7-5, but prior to last season’s debacle, Pastor Dad was lording a three game win streak over Bryar (and was up 7-3).