This is my main event for fantasy football, the $1700 buy-in NFFC Primetime. I wound up picking 11th (I had the fourth to last choice), and while in retrospect maybe I should have opted for ninth or 10th, I wanted to get a share of Jahmyr Gibbs which is why I chose that slot. I also ran through some scenarios beforehand — what if Ja’Marr Chase (still not signed) falls — do I take him in a fourth league? But as you’ll see, the first round was complete chalk, and no windfalls whatsoever fell to me.
But I had a plan for that, and I more or less executed it.
Without further ado, here are the results:
1.11 Jahmyr Gibbs — This was the most likely scenario, and it took me about two seconds to make the pick once the top three backs and seven receivers were gone. If Gibbs (who is not on the injury report) hadn’t had a hamstring injury in camp, I’d have him close to the middle of the round rather than the end. Let’s hope he doesn’t aggravate it.
2.2 Marvin Harrison — I would have taken either Puka Nacua or Jonathan Taylor, but no breaks here either. Both went at the turn, and I knew I was taking a receiver. Starting RB-WR is the easiest build, in my opinion, but Harrison was kind of an agnostic pick. I had considered Rashee Rice, but as Alan Seslowsky pointed out, while his suspension for hit and run might not kick in until after the season (when the legal process has run its course), that could be pushed up if his lawyers negotiate a plea. Between that an the presence of so many options for the Chiefs, I went Harrison over him narrowly. But it was a close call.
3.2 Stefon Diggs — I missed Malik Nabers, Cooper Kupp, (maybe Jaylen Waddle) and De’Von Achane who went with the four consecutive picks ahead of me, so it was Diggs, Nico Collins (his teammate who has a higher ADP), DeVonta Smith or (maybe) Derrick Henry. I went Diggs who I had personally ranked the highest, wouldn’t make it back to me, who I have in every league and was part of my “unfriendly” draft plan, i.e., the Plan B I had talked about.
4.11 Tank Dell — He’s too small to hold up, but whenever he played he produced, and he gives me a bit of a Diggs hedge. I also wanted Trey McBride on this turn (as I had Marvin Harrison and could have drafted Kyler Murray — who I love this year — later), but he went on the turn. I thought about taking McBride first, but they were side by side in ADP, and my Plan B was to stack Texans, so I went Dell and took a chance.
5.2 Chris Godwin — This was the one pick I kind of regret (though it’s debatable.) I like Jayden Reed a lot, but he was half a round lower per ADP, and there was some chance I could get him on the way back. I had Godwin everywhere last year, and he was a disappointment, but apparently he’s healthier now and is going back to the slot full time where he excels.
6.11 Jaxon Smith-Njigba — The other pivot off Godwin was JSN, and sure enough he made it back all the way, though he starts off as my first bench player. That’s okay though — you need at least five viable receivers throughout the year, and I didn’t have to take C.J. Stroud because if the guy at the turn took him, I would just pivot to the Kyler Murray/Harrison stack.
7.2 C.J. Stroud — He was there, and I executed Plan B. Yes, I have a weak first three rounds by ADP, but I have Gibbs, Harrison and a big piece of the Texans passing game which I think will lead the NFL in yardage.
8.11 Jaylen Warren — I needed a second back, and Warren is one. He’s a good pass catcher and should see half the snaps in Pittsburgh.
9.2 Brian Robinson — I like Robinson as a player, he’s the undisputed early-down option on what should be a better offense. (Think Ricky Pearsall, but at RB.) Too soon? Austin Ekeler will obviously see the passing-down work unless he proves totally washed up. The Robinson pick cost me David Njoku and Brock Bowers unfortunately, which was a gamble I knew I was making.
10.11 Jordan Mason — At 29 and playing into the Super Bowl, Christian McCalfinjury was already a risk, and that he’s “expected” to play Monday night rather than 100 percent fine is worrying. Mason could be a league winner if McCaffrey goes down.
11.2 J.K. Dobbins — The Mason pick cost me Jaleel McLaughlin, so I pivoted to Dobbins who still has a high ceiling if he can ever stay healthy.
12.11 Dallas Goedert — Tight ends had flown off the board, but I was happy to get Goedert who has been valuable on a per-game basis the last couple years and is still just 29 which is late prime for the position.
13.2 Dalton Schultz — Why not stack it even harder? The Texans could throw for 5,000-plus yards, and I have three of the four top targets and the QB.
14.11 Andrei Iosivas — He’s gotten a lot of buzz in camp, seems like the No. 3 receiver right now, Tee Higgins is hurt and Ja’Marr Chase is still unsigned.
15.2 Cam Akers — The Iosivas pick cost me Jalen McMillan who would have served as Godwin insurance, but Akers could easily take an aging Joe Mixon’s job. Maybe it’s too much Houston, but if it’s a top-three offense, I’m good with it.
16.11 Justin Fields — The backup QBs had flown off the board, and Fields has too much upside to pass up. Plus he might even start Week 1 with Russell Wilson already hurt, and if he plays well, he might never look back.
17.2 Harrison Butker — It’s either the based af kicker or a Younghoe for me. Plus he locked in a decent Week 1.
18.11 Dalvin Cook — He had only 67 carries last year for a bad Jets offense. What if he isn’t as washed up as we think? He could easily win that job over Zeke Elliott and Rico Dowdle.
19.2 Jonnu Smith — TE is my weakest position, so I took another upside gamble. What if he’s the Dolphins third target?
20.11 Giants Defense — I think I took them in all four NFFC leagues. They get the Darnold Vikings at home and then Jayden Daniels in his second career start. And they have three Pro Bowl level pass rushers.
Roster By Position
QB CJ Stroud
RB Jahmyr Gibbs/Jaylen Warren
WR Marvin Harrison/Stefon Diggs/Tank Dell
TE Dallas Goedert
FLEX Chris Godwin
K Harrison Butker
D Giants
B Jaxon Smith-Njigba/Brian Robinson/Jordan Mason/JK Dobbins/Dalton Schultz/Andrei Iosivas/Cam Akers/Justin Fields/Dalvin Cook/Jonnu Smith