CFB Industry Dynasty Awards

CFB Industry Dynasty Draft Awards

Yesterday, we rolled through a round-by-round dissection of a 14-team, 26-round CFB dynasty draft that showcased the smarts and strategy of some of the sharpest minds in the industry. Today, it is time for ye olde team awards. If this one runs as long as Monday’s, something has gone horribly wrong (Update: It didn’t run as long as Monday’s!).

The “I Don’t Need to Draft a Quarterback Early And You Can’t Make Me” Award: Winner, Alex Hardin

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
RB	Cook, Dalvin(Jr) - FlaSt	1	12	12
RB	Barkley, Saquon(So) - PSU	2	3	17
R/W/T	Jamabo, Soso(So) - UCLA	3	12	40
R/W/T	Chubb, Nick(Jr) - UGA	4	3	45
WR	Ishmael, Steve(Jr) - Syr	5	12	68
R/W/T	Butler, James(Jr) - Nev	6	3	73
RB	Vann, Shaq(So) - E Mi	7	12	96
WR	Boyd, Devonte(Jr) - UNLV	8	3	101
WR	Lazard, Allen(Jr) - IASt	9	12	124
WR	Craig-Myers, Nate(Fr) - Aub	10	3	129
QB	Prukop, Dakota(Sr) - Oreg	11	12	152
QB	Solomon, Anu(Jr) - Ariz	12	3	157
QB	White, Mike(Jr) - W Ky	13	12	180
RB	Williams, Stanley Boom(Jr) - KY	14	3	185
WR	Norris, Nicholas(Sr) - W Ky	15	12	208
RB	Patrick, Jacques(So) - FlaSt	16	3	213
QB	Rush, Cooper(Sr) - C Mi	17	12	236
RB	Griffin, Taj(So) - Oreg	18	3	241
WR	Johnson, Tyron(So) - LSU	19	12	264
TE	Nauta, Isaac(Fr) - UGA	20	3	269
WR	Gentry, Tanner(Sr) - Wyo	21	12	292
TE	Lingen, Brandon(Jr) - Minn	22	3	297
WR	Morgan, Teldrick(Sr) - MD	23	12	320
QB	Smith, Garrett(So) - ULMon	24	3	325
D/ST	Utah - D/ST	25	12	348
WR	Kroll, Jesse(Sr) - C Mi	26	3	353

Step right up and claim your stubborn prize, Mr. Hardin. While several teams waited until the fourth or fifth round, Hardin tested his luck into the 11th, when he finally selected Oregon QB Dakota Prukop. It didn’t take long for him to stock up at the position, as Hardin backed up his Prukop selection with Arizona’s Anu Solomon and Western Kentucky’s Mike White. In the rounds preceding this sudden burst of quarterbacking talent, he filled out his skill-position cupboard with running backs in five of the first six rounds, headlined by Dalvin Cook and Saquon Barkley.

The “Baby Gap” Award: Winner, Wes Huber

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
WR	James, Richie(So) - MidTN	1	6	6
QB	Rypien, Brett(So) - Boise	2	9	23
WR	Turpin, KaVontae(So) - TCU	3	6	34
RB	Warren III, Chris(So) - Tex	4	9	51
RB	Harris, Damien(So) - Ala	5	6	62
R/W/T	Matthews, Izzy(So) - ColSt	6	9	79
QB	Eason, Jacob(Fr) - UGA	7	6	90
RB	Williams, Antonio(Fr) - OHSt	8	9	107
WR	Robertson, Demetris(Fr) - Cal	9	6	118
WR	Westbrook, Dede(Sr) - Okla	10	9	135
R/W/T	Brooks, Shannon(So) - Minn	11	6	146
QB	Webb, Davis(Sr) - Cal	12	9	163
RB	Feaster, Tavien(Fr) - Clem	13	6	174
WR	Morgan, Drew(Sr) - Ark	14	9	191
R/W/T	Thomas, Lexington(So) - UNLV	15	6	202
WR	Zamora, Ishmael(So) - Bayl	16	9	219
WR	Johnson, Isaiah(So) - Hou	17	6	230
RB	Dorceus, Doroland(Jr) - Mem	18	9	247
QB	Evans, Jerod(Jr) - VaTec	19	6	258
TE	Akins, Jordan(So) - UCF	20	9	275
WR	Mack, Austin(Fr) - OHSt	21	6	286
RB	Ball, Warren(Sr) - Akr	22	9	303
RB	Kamara, Alvin(Jr) - Tenn	23	6	314
WR	Gibson, Torrance(Fr) - OHSt	24	9	331
RB	Wadley, Akrum(Jr) - Iowa	25	6	342
WR	Dudek, Mike(So) - Ill	26	9	359

To a man, we all mixed in underclassmen to our merry bands by varying degrees. Some focused on the young pups more than others. And then there was Wes Huber. In 25 selections not including his defense, which has no class unless it has gained sentience, Huber drafted a whopping...OK, I’ll be honest, I started to count the number of freshmen and sophomores on his team and then realized that I could probably count the number of juniors and seniors on one hand. Not quite, but eight is low enough. He opened the draft by selecting Middle Tennessee sophomore wideout Richie James at No. 6. That set the tone well enough. He would not pick an upperclassman until he hopped on the Sooner Schooner with Dede Westbrook at pick No. 135 in the 10th round.

The “Old Person Gap” Award: Winner, Thor Nystrom

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Mahomes II, Patrick(Jr) - TxTch	1	4	4
TE	Samuels, Jaylen(Jr) - NCSt	2	11	25
QB	Dungey, Eric(So) - Syr	3	4	32
RB	McGuire, Elijah(Sr) - ULLaf	4	11	53
WR	Cannon, KD(Jr) - Bayl	5	4	60
WR	Carrington, Darren(Jr) - Oreg	6	11	81
WR	Taylor, Trent(Sr) - LaTec	7	4	88
R/W/T	Bogan, Jamauri(So) - WestMI	8	11	109
RB	Thomas, Jahad(Sr) - Temp	9	4	116
R/W/T	Boone, Mike(Jr) - Cin	10	11	137
R/W/T	Moore, Ronnie(Sr) - BGSU	11	4	144
R/W/T	Wales, Anthony(Sr) - W Ky	12	11	165
WR	Stovall, Melquise(Fr) - Cal	13	4	172
R/W/T	Strickland, Dontae(So) - Syr	14	11	193
RB	Walker, Kareem(Fr) - Mich	15	4	200
WR	Batson, Cameron(Jr) - TxTch	16	11	221
R/W/T	Grant, Janarion(Sr) - Rut	17	4	228
RB	Hilliard, Dontrell(Jr) - Tul	18	11	249
WR	Platt, Chris(So) - Bayl	19	4	256
QB	Knight, Trevor(Sr) - TxAM	20	11	277
RB	Brewer, D’Angelo(Jr) - Tuls	21	4	284
RB	Nall, Ryan(So) - OreSt	22	11	305
QB	Myers, Kent(Jr) - UtSt	23	4	312
QB	Ferguson, Riley(Jr) - Mem	24	11	333
WR	Massington, Eldridge(Jr) - UCLA	25	4	340
D/ST	Iowa - D/ST	26	11	361

I don’t believe I have seen advertisements for the Old Person Gap, but while watching the Olympics, I did see the old American staple of the political attack ad, this particular one attempting to tear down Donald Trump. Three months to go, friends. I, for one, cannot wait for the debates which will allegedly occur. They are going to be bizarre theater at its finest.

Tangent aside, my Rotoworld colleague and friend Thor Nystrom receives the Old Person Gap Award for his selection of a whopping 18 seniors or juniors. His roster is more lopsided in the inverse than Wes’. The offshoot of this is that Nystrom has positioned himself to make a run for the title this season, at least until he careens headfirst into my team of noble warriors. Until that day, he can rest content with the veteran passing prowess of Pat Mahomes, the 1-2-3 receiving combo of K.D. Cannon, Darren Carrington and Trent Taylor and the strong running work of Elijah McGuire, who ULL head coach Mard Hudspeth said “looked like Elijah McGuire” after the Ragin’ Cajuns opened August camp. Thor also drafted Jahad Thomas. I have nothing to say about that. Hoot?

The “3.847 Miles” Award: Winner, John Laub

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
RB	Fournette, Leonard(Jr) - LSU	1	13	13
RB	Freeman, Royce(Jr) - Oreg	2	2	16
R/W/T	Perine, Samaje(Jr) - Okla	3	13	41
R/W/T	Hill, Brian(Jr) - Wyo	4	2	44
QB	Kizer, DeShone(Jr) - ND	5	13	69
WR	Godwin, Chris(Jr) - PSU	6	2	72
WR	Cobbs Jr., Simmie(Jr) - Ind	7	13	97
QB	Howard, Skyler(Sr) - WVU	8	2	100
WR	Adams, Rodney(Sr) - SoFL	9	13	125
R/W/T	Johnson, Xavier(So) - SoAl	10	2	128
RB	Guice, Derrius(So) - LSU	11	13	153
WR	Brown, Noah(So) - OHSt	12	2	156
WR	Thompson, Cody(Jr) - Toled	13	13	181
QB	Potter, Kenny(Sr) - SJSU	14	2	184
RB	Jones, Xavier(So) - SMU	15	13	209
D/ST	Michigan - D/ST	16	2	212
TE	Freeman, Billy(Sr) - SJSU	17	13	237
TE	Everett, Gerald(Jr) - SoAl	18	2	240
WR	Davis, Robert(Sr) - GASt	19	13	265
QB	Zaire, Malik(Sr) - ND	20	2	268
QB	Stidham, Jarrett(So) - Bayl	21	13	293
RB	Harrington, Keith(So) - WaSt	22	2	296
D/ST	San Diego State - D/ST	23	13	321
QB	Moore, Hayden(So) - Cin	24	2	324
WR	Cain, Desmond(So) - Ill	25	13	349
RB	Harris, Paul(Sr) - Hawaii	26	2	352

I also thought of calling it the “WTF Award,” the “Wait, Seriously?” Award, or the “Jealousy Is Not Becoming” Award. With his first four picks, John Laub selected Leonard Fournette, Royce Freeman, Samaje Perine and Brian Hill. Those four backs combined to rush for 6,771 yards last season, the equivalent of 3.847 miles. And that is with Perine rushing for “just” 1,349 yards. If he bounces back to approach the 1,713 yards he rumbled for as a freshman in 2014, Laub’s squad might just surpass four miles of running during the 2016 campaign.

In case you are curious, that quartet scored 58 touchdowns on the ground combined in 2015. Poor Brian Hill, a beautiful gem trapped in the unforgiving wilderness of Wyoming, managed just six of them as the Cowboys limped to a 2-10 season.

The “There’s a Power 5 Now?” Award: Winner, Joshua Chevalier

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Flowers, Quinton(Jr) - SoFL	1	9	9
QB	Ward Jr., Greg(Sr) - Hou	2	6	20
WR	Lucas, Keevan(Sr) - Tuls	3	9	37
WR	Sperbeck, Thomas(Sr) - Boise	4	6	48
RB	Jones, Aaron(Jr) - UTEP	5	9	65
RB	Dayes, Matthew(Sr) - NCSt	6	6	76
R/W/T	Hunt, Kareem(Sr) - Toled	7	9	93
R/W/T	Richard, Demario(Jr) - AzSt	8	6	104
R/W/T	Bouagnon, Joel(Sr) - NIU	9	9	121
WR	Pascal, Zach(Sr) - OD	10	6	132
D/ST	Alabama - D/ST	11	9	149
QB	Guarantano, Jarrett(Fr) - Tenn	12	6	160
RB	Whaley, Devwah(Fr) - Ark	13	9	177
WR	Duvernay, Devin(Fr) - Tex	14	6	188
QB	President, Chad(So) - Tuls	15	9	205
RB	Walton, Mark(So) - MiaFL	16	6	216
WR	Samples, Ra’Shaad(Jr) - Hou	17	9	233
WR	Mitchell, Dillon(Fr) - Oreg	18	6	244
RB	Swinney, Eric(Fr) - Miss	19	9	261
RB	Hawkins, Johnathan(So) - Buff	20	6	272
RB	Johnson, Jordan(Sr) - Buff	21	9	289
TE	Smith, Jonnu(Sr) - FLInt	22	6	300
WR	Dickson, Tren’Davian(Fr) - Hou	23	9	317
RB	Cain, Ellis(Fr) - Marsh	24	6	328
R/W/T	Swanson, Terry(Jr) - Toled	25	9	345
D/ST	Miami (FL) - D/ST	26	6	356

Could have fooled Joshua Chevalier, who steered clear of the more familiar Saturday afternoon crew to give some love to those in the shadows. 16 of his 26 picks came from schools outside of the Power 5. That includes each of his first five picks. He snapped the streak by selecting NC State RB Matthew Dayes in the sixth round. One stretch from Rounds 20-23 saw him draft not one but two players from Buffalo in running backs Jonathan Hopkins and Jordan Johnson. South Florida QB Quinton Flowers and Houston QB Greg Ward came off the board with his first two picks.

The “I Want To Use the Same Gimmick Again But Can’t” Award: Winner, Jon Moore

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
WR	Kirk, Christian(So) - TxAM	1	7	7
WR	Ridley, Calvin(So) - Ala	2	8	22
WR	Williams, Mike(Jr) - Clem	3	7	35
R/W/T	Rudolph, Travis(Jr) - FlaSt	4	8	50
RB	Cox, Marcus(Sr) - App	5	7	63
R/W/T	Callaway, Antonio(So) - Fla	6	8	78
R/W/T	Smith, Tre’Quan(So) - UCF	7	7	91
QB	Litton, Chase(So) - Marsh	8	8	106
R/W/T	Cain, Deon(So) - Clem	9	7	119
QB	Hill, Kenny(Jr) - TCU	10	8	134
R/W/T	Martin Jr., Tavares(So) - WaSt	11	7	147
RB	Gipson, Teriyon(Sr) - NM	12	8	162
R/W/T	Lane, Jerome(Jr) - Akr	13	7	175
RB	Hines, Nyheim(So) - NCSt	14	8	190
D/ST	Louisiana State - D/ST	15	7	203
TE	Butt, Jake(Sr) - Mich	16	8	218
RB	Foster, Hyleck(Jr) - Marsh	17	7	231
TE	Wheatley, Tyrone(Fr) - Mich	18	8	246
QB	Neal, Riley(So) - Ball	19	7	259
RB	Marshall, Marcus(So) - GATec	20	8	274
RB	Deal, Taiwan(So) - Wisc	21	7	287
QB	Holman, Justin(Sr) - UCF	22	8	302
WR	Edwards, Bryan(Fr) - SCar	23	7	315
RB	Wand, Warren(So) - ArkSt	24	8	330
D/ST	Georgia - D/ST	25	7	343
RB	Smith, De’Veon(Sr) - Mich	26	8	358

Just letting you in on how the sausage is made, sometimes when you’re trying to think up creative titles, it is really really hard. And with Jon Moore’s team, I just wanted to use the same framework I used for John Laub, except with receivers instead of running backs. I won’t do it, though. For starters, Moore’s receiving corps still requires just a little bit of seasoning. His top two picks in Christian Kirk and Calvin Ridley are both entering their sophomore seasons. This year, Kirk should have the added benefit of not walking around in a locker room in which Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray have casually splashed gasoline while asking for matches. And Ridley is just so stupidly good that Lane Kiffin would have to actively not utilize him for him to plateau. Which, you know, kind of happened with O.J. Howard. Howard then magically erupted in the title game against Clemson, almost as if he was talented the entire time. Weird how the world works. Behind Kirk and Ridley, Moore also holds trump cards in Mike Williams, Travis Rudolph and Antonio Callaway. Rudolph is rock solid, but Williams (neck) and Callaway (suspension) both come with their own special question mark.

The “So You’re Saying There’s a Chance” Award: Winner, Travis Haney

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Jackson, Lamar(So) - Lou	1	2	2
WR	Marks, Gabe(Sr) - WaSt	2	13	27
QB	Trubisky, Mitch(Jr) - UNC	3	2	30
RB	Jones II, Ronald(So) - USC	4	13	55
RB	Conner, James(Jr) - Pitt	5	2	58
R/W/T	Jones, Markell(So) - Purd	6	13	83
WR	Scott, Artavis(Jr) - Clem	7	2	86
R/W/T	Williams, Joe(Sr) - Utah	8	13	111
WR	Ross, Fred(Sr) - MisSt	9	2	114
TE	Andrews, Mark(So) - Okla	10	13	139
QB	Francois, Deondre(Fr) - FlaSt	11	2	142
R/W/T	Williams III, Rawleigh(So) - Ark	12	13	167
R/W/T	Williams, Preston(So) - Tenn	13	2	170
WR	Campbell, George(So) - FlaSt	14	13	195
RB	Webb, Ralph(Jr) - Vand	15	2	198
WR	Allen, Chance(Sr) - Hou	16	13	223
WR	McCleskey, Jalen(So) - OkSt	17	2	226
WR	White, Ka’Raun(Jr) - WVU	18	13	251
TE	Hikutini, Cole(Sr) - Lou	19	2	254
QB	Adams Jr., Vernon - (N/A)	20	13	279
R/W/T	Edwards, Gus(Jr) - MiaFL	21	2	282
QB	Darnold, Sam(Fr) - USC	22	13	307
RB	Daniels, Jr., LeShun(Sr) - Iowa	23	2	310
WR	Gray, Deante'(Sr) - TCU	24	13	335
D/ST	Michigan State - D/ST	25	2	338
D/ST	Clemson - D/ST	26	13	363

As I mentioned in my round-by-round breakdance, I thought Travis Haney drafted Lamar Jackson too high at No. 2. That was far from his only pick that carried an inherent boom-bust quality. Two rounds after selecting Jackson, he turned around and took North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky. This continued throughout the draft. By the end, Haney had collected a bevy of lottery tickets. Among them: USC RB Ronald Jones II (fantastic explosivity as a freshman, but has to contend with Justin Davis for carries), Pitt RB James Conner (MCL/cancer recovery), Utah RB Joe Williams (never played a full season of collegiate ball as the featured back), and Oklahoma TE Mark Andrews (plenty of preseason hype, which is worth about as much as my signature). Sparkling upside here, but not without its risk. If it all comes through, the team could crush fools.

The “Tenuous Thread of Fantasy Life That is the Quarterback” Award: Winner, Chris Kay

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Stockstill, Brent(So) - MidTN	1	10	10
RB	Pumphrey, Donnel(Sr) - SDSU	2	5	19
RB	Catalon, Duke(So) - Hou	3	10	38
QB	Russell, Seth(Sr) - Bayl	4	5	47
WR	Atkinson, Josh(Sr) - Tuls	5	10	66
R/W/T	Lawry, Ray(Jr) - OD	6	5	75
R/W/T	Young, Marquis(So) - UMass	7	10	94
WR	Jones, Zay(Sr) - ECU	8	5	103
WR	Samuel, Deebo(So) - SCar	9	10	122
R/W/T	Willies, Derrick(Jr) - TxTch	10	5	131
QB	McIlwain, Brandon(Fr) - SCar	11	10	150
RB	Moore, Jalin(So) - App	12	5	159
RB	Ford, Keith(Jr) - TxAM	13	10	178
QB	Hill, Taysom(Sr) - BYU	14	5	187
WR	Echols-Luper, Cameron(Jr) - ArkSt	15	10	206
QB	Grier, Will(Fr) - WVU	16	5	215
QB	Franklin III, John(Jr) - Aub	17	10	234
WR	Peterson, Avery(So) - Cin	18	5	243
WR	Vaughns, Tyler(Fr) - USC	19	10	262
TE	Sprinkle, Jeremy(Sr) - Ark	20	5	271
WR	Darboh, Amara(Sr) - Mich	21	10	290
WR	Austin, Jaelan(So) - TCU	22	5	299
RB	Williams, Jamaal(Sr) - BYU	23	10	318
TE	Johnson, Chris(Jr) - Hou	24	5	327
RB	Malepeai, Vavae(Fr) - USC	25	10	346
D/ST	Boise State - D/ST	26	5	355

Chris Kay’s quarterback draws are walking a thin line. He opened the draft by selecting Middle Tennessee QB Brent Stockstill, then selected Seth Russell in the fourth round. Beyond that pair, he took South Carolina QB Brandon McIlwain, BYU QB Taysom Hill, West Virginia QB Will Grier and Auburn QB John Franklin III. None of McIlwain, Hill or Davis have yet to truly take control of starting jobs, while Will Grier can only take control of the remote as he serves out his suspension into autumn of 2017. Should Stockstill or Russell fall injured, Kay’s depth/lack-thereof could be crippling in the immediate future. Another graybeard gunslinger would have served as a nice solidifying piece on the bench.

The “Give Me the Darts, I Wanna Throw Them for 10 Rounds” Award: Winner, Jourdan Case

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
RB	McCaffrey, Christian(Jr) - Stan	1	1	1
RB	Gallman, Wayne(Jr) - Clem	2	14	28
R/W/T	Hood, Elijah(Jr) - UNC	3	1	29
R/W/T	Stockton, Justin(Jr) - TxTch	4	14	56
QB	Browning, Jake(So) - Wash	5	1	57
WR	Stringfellow, Damore’ea(Jr) - Miss	6	14	84
WR	Burt, John(So) - Tex	7	1	85
R/W/T	Hicks, Kyle(Jr) - TCU	8	14	112
WR	Harry, N’Keal(Fr) - AzSt	9	1	113
R/W/T	Thompson, Mark(Jr) - Fla	10	14	140
R/W/T	Tucker, Thomas(Jr) - SJSU	11	1	141
QB	Lamb, Taylor(Jr) - App	12	14	168
WR	Westerkamp, Jordan(Sr) - Neb	13	1	169
QB	Fitzgerald, Nick(So) - MisSt	14	14	196
TE	Yurachek, Ryan(Jr) - Marsh	15	1	197
WR	Hobbs, Justin(So) - Tuls	16	14	224
RB	Johnson, Kerryon(So) - Aub	17	1	225
WR	Johnson, Collin(Fr) - Tex	18	14	252
WR	Butler, Akilian(So) - Boise	19	1	253
WR	Johnson, Isaiah(Fr) - WaSt	20	14	280
RB	Canada, Squally(So) - BYU	21	1	281
QB	Kendall, Austin(Fr) - Okla	22	14	308
RB	Ozigbo, Devine(So) - Neb	23	1	309
WR	Jernighan, Quin(Fr) - W Ky	24	14	336
RB	Wright, Jordan(Fr) - ULLaf	25	1	337
D/ST	Northwestern - D/ST	26	14	364

Jourdan Case opened the draft by selecting upperclassmen with 11 of his first 15 picks. After he scooped up Marshall junior TE Ryan Yurachek in the 15th round, though, a funny thing happened: He did not select another upperclassman the rest of the way. Case instead treated his final nine non-defense picks as a sort of Dr. Moreau’s prospect island. Hopefully without the creepy experiments. Among the younglings that he brought into the fold as the draft drew (by degrees) to a close, freshman wideouts Collin Johnson (Texas) and Isaiah Johnson (Washington State), freshman QB Austin Kendall (Oklahoma) and Auburn sophomore RB Kerryon Johnson. All 14 teams threw darts, but only Case asked for an entire handful of them at once. His dark plan has already been set into motion with Johnson’s ascension to the starting role at Auburn.

The “1-2 Knockout” Award: Winner, Mike Bainbridge

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Barrett, J.T.(Jr) - OHSt	1	11	11
QB	Mayfield, Baker(Sr) - Okla	2	4	18
RB	Smith, Ito(Jr) - SMiss	3	11	39
WR	Golladay, Kenny(Sr) - NIU	4	4	46
WR	Sutton, Courtland(So) - SMU	5	11	67
RB	Redding, Devine(Jr) - Ind	6	4	74
R/W/T	Vaughn, Ke’Shawn(So) - Ill	7	11	95
R/W/T	Newsome, Arkeel(Jr) - UConn	8	4	102
WR	Pringle, Byron(So) - K St	9	11	123
R/W/T	Green, Marcus(So) - ULMon	10	4	130
QB	Davis, Matt(Sr) - SMU	11	11	151
TE	Njoku, David(So) - MiaFL	12	4	158
RB	Robinson, Jovon - Aub	13	11	179
WR	St. Brown, Equanimeous(So) - ND	14	4	186
WR	Jones, Isaiah(Jr) - SMiss	15	11	207
RB	Frasier, Johnny(Fr) - NCSt	16	4	214
QB	Jonsen, Travis(Fr) - Oreg	17	11	235
WR	Landry, Darrion(Jr) - BGSU	18	4	242
RB	Washington, Juwan(Fr) - SDSU	19	11	263
RB	Mays, Devante(Sr) - UtSt	20	4	270
TE	Goolsby, DeAndre(Jr) - Fla	21	11	291
RB	McKoy, Kennedy(Fr) - WVU	22	4	298
QB	Stanton, Johnny(Jr) - UNLV	23	11	319
WR	Woods Jr., Darren(Fr) - UNLV	24	4	326
WR	Duke, Austin(Sr) - Char	25	11	347
D/ST	Florida - D/ST	26	4	354

I like to think I have the best quarterback combo in the league in Deshaun Watson and Chad Kelly (I like to think things), but as much as I want to anoint myself as the best ever (plenty of time to do that later), Mike Bainbridge has a pretty convincing case for the quarterbacking crown. In second-round pick Baker Mayfield, Bainbridge is a near-lock to finish with one of the top-five fantasy quarterbacks in the country barring injury or mysterious circumstance. The more interesting question to me is just what, exactly, he will be able to squeeze from Ohio State magician J.T. Barrett. Barrett’s phenomenal redshirt freshman campaign was a huge part of why the Buckeyes won the national title in 2014, even if Cardale Jones was the one who left the lasting impression via a dazzling aerial display from the Big Ten title game through to the national championship game itself. Neither Jones nor Barrett found the same success last season, probably because Urban Meyer tried to fly too close to the sun by playing both quarterbacks depending on the mood and flow and general being of each game. It worked in halting fashion. All the talk this offseason has been that we will see the best possible J.T. Barrett now that he is, without question, The Man. I buy it, though I think the Buckeyes could need a few weeks to gel simply given the massive turnover on offense.

The “Like a Rock” Award: Winner, Nick Whalen

QB	Falk, Luke(Jr) - WaSt	1	5	5
WR	Davis, Corey(Sr) - WestMI	2	10	24
RB	Mack, Marlon(Jr) - SoFL	3	5	33
WR	Ford, Isaiah(Jr) - VaTec	4	10	52
RB	Scott, LJ(So) - MSU	5	5	61
R/W/T	Hurd, Jalen(Jr) - Tenn	6	10	80
R/W/T	Clement, Corey(Sr) - Wisc	7	5	89
R/W/T	Jackson, Justin(Jr) - NW	8	10	108
RB	Holyfield, Elijah(Fr) - UGA	9	5	117
WR	Mabon, KeVonn(Jr) - Ball	10	10	136
RB	Pender, Mario(Sr) - FlaSt	11	5	145
QB	Dobbs, Joshua(Sr) - Tenn	12	10	164
WR	Villamin, Jordan(Jr) - OreSt	13	5	173
WR	Irwin, Trenton(So) - Stan	14	10	192
WR	Cleveland, Tyrie(Fr) - Fla	15	5	201
WR	Merritt, Kirk(So) - Oreg	16	10	220
WR	Davis, Kyle(Fr) - Aub	17	5	229
WR	Robinson, Corey(Sr) - ND	18	10	248
TE	Jones, Alize(So) - ND	19	5	257
RB	Jefferson, Johnny(Jr) - Bayl	20	10	276
QB	Kaaya, Brad(Jr) - MiaFL	21	5	285
WR	Tate, Auden(So) - FlaSt	22	10	304
RB	Crockett, Damarea(Fr) - Mizzu	23	5	313
RB	Ballage, Kalen(Jr) - AzSt	24	10	332
RB	Love, Bryce(So) - Stan	25	5	341
RB	Scarlett, Jordan(So) - Fla	26	10	360

I don’t think Chevrolet can file claim against me for using their slogan. I don’t even know if that is still their slogan. All I know is that during the Super Bowl two years ago, the car brand aired a commercial starring Bob Dylan (whose picture is staring at me from the opposite wall as I type these words in my apartment -- I am a Bobcat through and through) in which he said that there is “Nothing more American than America.” The pop bard of our times at it again. I digress. Like a rock, that is what we are talking about. And that honor I bestow upon Nick Whalen, who drafted sharply through the first four rounds, before he veered toward L.J. Scott in the fifth (who I compared to paint on Monday). Those first four picks, though, perfection. He started out with QB Luke Falk and WR Corey Davis, among the best at their fantasy positions almost any way you slice it. USF RB Marlon Mack followed, with Virginia Tech WR Isaiah Ford rounding out Whalen’s first foursome.

The “Running Back Quandary” Award: Winner, Ryan Rausch

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Rudolph, Mason(Jr) - OkSt	1	14	14
WR	Hart, Penny(So) - GASt	2	1	15
WR	Taylor, Taywan(Sr) - W Ky	3	14	42
R/W/T	Ollison, Qadree(So) - Pitt	4	1	43
RB	McMillian, Travon(So) - VaTec	5	14	70
QB	Evans, Dane(Sr) - Tuls	6	1	71
WR	Godwin, Terry(So) - UGA	7	14	98
RB	Samuel, Curtis(Jr) - OHSt	8	1	99
R/W/T	Mizzell, Taquan(Sr) - UVA	9	14	126
QB	Buechele, Shane(Fr) - Tex	10	1	127
R/W/T	Sanders, Miles(Fr) - PSU	11	14	154
WR	Jefferson, Van(Fr) - Miss	12	1	155
R/W/T	Foreman, D’Onta(Jr) - Tex	13	14	182
QB	Terrell, Zach(Sr) - WestMI	14	1	183
R/W/T	Ross, John(Jr) - Wash	15	14	210
D/ST	Ohio State - D/ST	16	1	211
RB	Dunn, Bri’onte(Sr) - OHSt	17	14	238
WR	McKenzie, Isaiah(Jr) - UGA	18	1	239
RB	Zaccheaus, Olamide(Fr) - UVA	19	14	266
TE	Pettis, Terry(Sr) - MidTN	20	1	267
TE	O’Grady, Cheyenne(Fr) - Ark	21	14	294
QB	Kolar, John(Fr) - OkSt	22	1	295
WR	Richards, Ahmmon(Fr) - MiaFL	23	14	322
RB	Philips, Ervin(Jr) - Syr	24	1	323
R/W/T	Smith, Sebastian(Sr) - Ohio	25	14	350
WR	Bruce, Sam(Fr) - MiaFL	26	1	351

A popular strategy in some corners was to simply load up on running back after running back. John Laub’s Fournette/Freeman/Perine/Hill run through the first four rounds illustrates that well enough. Ryan Rausch did not implement said strategy, waiting until the fourth round to take his first running back in the form of Pitt’s Qadree Ollison. While Ollison did rush for over 1,000 yards last season, that comes with a major caveat -- that of course being that James Conner was off self-healing an MCL injury while fighting cancer for essentially the entirety of the 2015 season. Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi figures to spell Conner with Ollison a fair amount during the upcoming campaign, but even so, his value is limited so long as big James is able to suit up on a week-to-week basis. Rausch followed his selection of Ollison with Virginia Tech back Travon McMillian, who is in a prime position to take advantage of Justin Fuente’s not-Frank-Beamer offense.

Over the next six rounds, Rausch would grab three additional running backs in Ohio State’s Curtis Samuel, Virginia’s Taquan Mizzell and Penn State’s Myles Sanders. Samuel should provide a fair bit of versatility as a receiver (though he does not figure to be used in a traditional workhorse mode) while Sanders serves as a nice future play once the transcendent Saquon Barkley is out of the picture with the Nittany Lions down the road. The lack of a true bellcow runner on Rausch’s roster (at least for the immediate future) concerns me -- unless you want to count McMillan as a belle here, which you could, theoretically. Mizzell is the sneakiest of these picks to me, though, particularly given the PPR format. While he has never rushed for more than last season’s 671 yards, he is an absolute fiend out of the backfield, nabbing escalating catches in each of the past three campaigns -- 29 in 2013, 39 in 2014 and a mind-boggling 75 in 2015. He actually ended 2015 having accumulated more receiving yards (721) than rushing yards (the aforementioned 671).

The “Don’t Sneak Up On People Like That” Award: Winner, Russell Clay

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
RB	McNichols, Jeremy(Jr) - Boise	1	8	8
RB	Gaskin, Myles(So) - Wash	2	7	21
WR	Washington, James(Jr) - OkSt	3	8	36
QB	Rosen, Josh(So) - UCLA	4	7	49
R/W/T	Warren, Mike(So) - IASt	5	8	64
R/W/T	Breida, Matt(Sr) - GaSo	6	7	77
WR	Gibson, Shelton(Jr) - WVU	7	8	92
QB	Mullens, Nick(Sr) - SMiss	8	7	105
WR	Hollins, Mack(Sr) - UNC	9	8	120
R/W/T	Chesson, Jehu(Sr) - Mich	10	7	133
WR	Miller, Anthony(Jr) - Mem	11	8	148
RB	Wilson, Nick(Jr) - Ariz	12	7	161
WR	Reynolds, Josh(Sr) - TxAM	13	8	176
WR	Henderson, Carlos(Jr) - LaTec	14	7	189
RB	Michel, Sony(Jr) - UGA	15	8	204
WR	Powell, Cornell(Fr) - Clem	16	7	217
WR	Pittman Jr., Michael(Fr) - USC	17	8	232
TE	Leggett, Jordan(Sr) - Clem	18	7	245
WR	Lodge, DaMarkus(So) - Miss	19	8	260
WR	Corley, Donnie(Fr) - MSU	20	7	273
WR	Davis, Drake(Fr) - LSU	21	8	288
QB	Allen, Kyle(Jr) - Hou	22	7	301
TE	Serigne, Cam(Jr) - Wake	23	8	316
RB	Yearby, Joseph(Jr) - MiaFL	24	7	329
D/ST	Wisconsin - D/ST	25	8	344
WR	Jeune, Ricky(Jr) - GATec	26	7	357

Russell Clay’s roster scares me. I’ll admit it. While he wasn’t necessarily drafting sexy all the time, he racked up a team with an absurdly high floor that also contains a few tricky, youthful wrinkles. While I loved most everything Russell did (seriously), I thought his most inspired stretch of picks came from rounds four through six. He had already stocked up on Jeremy McNichols, Myles Gaskin and James Washington -- three of my personal favorites -- when a light shone from the heavens to guide him toward the Chosen Rosen. The Messiah. The Hot Tub Kid With the Golden Arm. The Dude Who Wore The Hat With the Swear on Donald Trump’s Golf Course. Josh Rosen. I am so all-in on Rosen. I want him to blossom into a star. I also wanted to draft him, but the timing just didn’t work, you know, because I was like “I’m going to draft Chad Kelly!” one round after I drafted Deshaun Watson. Clay followed his Rosen pick by in-time snagging Iowa State RB Mike Warren and Georgia Southern RB Matt Breida over the next two rounds. Not as sexy as Josh Rosen, to be sure, but both proven contributors who should serve as fine complements to early-rounders Jeremy McNichols and Myles Gaskin.

He would later gather wayward creatures such as Arizona RB Nick Wilson, Georgia RB Sony Michel and Houston QB Kyle Allen.

The “Greatest Team in the History of Mankind” Award: Winner, Mark Lindquist

Pos	Player	Rnd	Pk	Ov
QB	Watson, Deshaun(Jr) - Clem	1	3	3
QB	Kelly, Chad(Sr) - Miss	2	12	26
WR	Smith-Schuster, JuJu(Jr) - USC	3	3	31
RB	Weber, Mike(Fr) - OHSt	4	12	54
RB	Scarbrough, Bo(So) - Ala	5	3	59
R/W/T	Adams, Josh(So) - ND	6	12	82
TE	Hodges, Bucky(Jr) - VaTec	7	3	87
QB	Patterson, Shea(Fr) - Miss	8	12	110
WR	Thompson, D.J.(Sr) - SMiss	9	3	115
WR	Coley, Stacy(Sr) - MiaFL	10	12	138
R/W/T	Gardner, Alex(Jr) - FLInt	11	3	143
R/W/T	Linwood, Shock(Sr) - Bayl	12	12	166
WR	Cracraft, River(Sr) - WaSt	13	3	171
WR	White, Tim(Sr) - AzSt	14	12	194
RB	Mixon, Joe(So) - Okla	15	3	199
QB	Mangum, Tanner(So) - BYU	16	12	222
WR	Howard, Theo(Fr) - UCLA	17	3	227
RB	Shell, Rushel(Sr) - WVU	18	12	250
RB	Martin, Kam(Fr) - Aub	19	3	255
QB	Knapke, James(Sr) - BGSU	20	12	278
RB	Coppet, Fred(Sr) - BGSU	21	3	283
WR	Hunter Jr., Torii(Sr) - ND	22	12	306
RB	McVey, Timothy(Jr) - AF	23	3	311
WR	Switzer, Ryan(Sr) - UNC	24	12	334
QB	McGough, Alex(Jr) - FLInt	25	3	339
D/ST	Washington - D/ST	26	12	362

This one goes to me, because I am writing the column and have that authority. In all seriousness, while my draft was probably not the Greatest in the History of Mankind, I do adore my team. Deshaun Watson and Chad Kelly should get the job done at quarterback and JuJu Smith-Schuster is a through-and-through fantasy stud. Even beyond those stalwarts, though, I was pleased with the way my depth filled out in the back half of the marathon. RB Joe Mixon and receivers Tim White and Ryan Switzer all add a phenomenal return element to the roster, while Theo Howard and Kam Martin stand as two youthful options that could develop into legitimately useful prospects for 2017 and beyond. And if both Mike Weber and Bo Scarbrough can capitalize on golden opportunities to seize the starting jobs at Ohio State and Alabama (respectively), I like my chances at a title run. Things will become sketchier if one of Weber or Scarbrough fails to win their job (or perform up to task afterward) and will become downright sketch city if neither back manages to ascend to glory. So I have that to look forward to should my squad head down the dark road to nowhere.