My team:
1.16 Mark Andrews, TE, BAL - Drafted as TE6. I drafted him last year at 1.9, but he dealt with multiple injuries last season and played just 11 games, including multiple games at less than 100%. He finished as TE6 in ppg. And he finished as TE4, TE2, TE3 in ppg in 2020-2022. So I anticipate a better outcome than last year. Playoff points are likely if he stays healthy. Really just looking for a safe pick here and think I got that. Expecting 275+ points.
2.1 Ravens, TMQB, BAL - Drafted as TMQB3. Finished last season as TMQB2 and the 2nd overall scorer, and this year will be the second in Monken's offense, which could result in some improvement. Playoff points are likely. The last time I drafted the Ravens TMQB was 2019, the only time I won Anarchy 2... of course, I drafted them in the 8th round and Jackson was MVP... but still hoping for a repeat performance. Expecting 450+ points.
In this format, I have typically focused exclusively on TE and WR in the first four rounds, but it has not often led to good results. I decided to change it up and get a premium TMQB early, hopefully ensuring a big points boost.
3.16 Drake London, WR, ATL - Drafted as WR19. Finished last season as WR38... but with Arthur Smith coaching and Ridder and Heinecke at QB. The Falcons will actually run a modern offense designed to get its playmakers the ball this year, and they probably have the biggest QB upgrade in the league moving to Cousins, who has been great for his #1 WRs over the past several seasons. I actually drafted him at WR44 last season, and it worked out okay... expecting much more this year. Atlanta should win its division, so playoff points are likely. Expecting 250+ points.
4.1 Kyren Williams, RB, LAR - Drafted as RB9. Finished last season as RB3 in total points (despite playing just 13 games) and RB2 in ppg. The Rams drafted RB Corum, so I expect Williams' touches will go down... but that was inevitable, since he averaged the most touches per game among all RBs last season. The Rams made the playoffs last season, so playoff points are definitely possible. Hoping for 200 points.
The only RB I drafted earlier than Williams in 16 previous Anarchy 2 drafts is Portis at 3.3 in 2009. That didn't work out (67.1 points). Last year, my first was Dobbins at 5.09 (9.7 points). Really hoping to change my fortune at RB this season.
5.16 Dolphins, TMQB, MIA - Drafted as TMQB13. Finished last season as TMQB12. Miami upgraded significantly at center and added WR Beckham, TE Smith, and RB Jaylen Wright. It seems that their passing offense is likely to improve as long as key players remain healthy. Playoff points are likely.
6.1 Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA - Drafted as RB20. Finished last season as RB2 in total points and RB3 in ppg. I expect some regression from last season, since it seems unlikely Mostert will score 21 TDs again, but he should still be the lead RB in the league's best offense for RBs. The key for him is whether or not he can stay healthy at age 32. If so, 200+ points seems likely.
Looks like I'm all in on the Ravens and Dolphins offenses. There were only 3 previous Anarchy 2 drafts in which I drafted both TMQBs this early, and I finished 8th, 9th, and 11th in those seasons, but... this is the year! And in 16 previous Anarchy 2 drafts, I have never had 2 RBs in the first 6 rounds, so I'm definitely trying a new approach. For the next turn, I planned to draft my TE2 if I liked anyone on the board and WRs otherwise, so WR2 for sure and maybe WR3 depending on the TE situation.
7.16 Cade Otton, TE, TB - Drafted as TE22. Finished last season as TE12. That included 2 playoff games, and he had 2 strong games in both. Not sure Tampa will make the playoffs again, so he may be a candidate for regression due to fewer opportunities. On the other hand, he is 25 and entering his 3rd season, so perhaps he makes up for it with improvement. Regardless, I couldn't wait another 31 picks after this turn to get my 2nd TE, and I thought he was the best available.
8.1 Romeo Doubs, WR, GB - Drafted as WR49. Finished last season as WR31, and all reports this offseason and training camp have been positive about him. I'm fairly surprised he was available. I know there is a gaggle of young WRs in Green Bay, but IMO Doubs is the best of the group. Some of the others will possibly get more deep targets, but Doubs should lead the WRs in targets if healthy. Green Bay looks like a playoff team, so expecting playoff points.
Much more balanced here than my rosters typically are at this point with 2 each at TMQB, RB, WR, TE. This actually put me behind most teams at WR at this point, but I was happy with the results so far. I planned to draft a WR at the next turn, maybe two, but planned to also consider RB and TE.
9.16 Jakobi Myers, WR, LV - Drafted as WR57. Finished last season as WR28 in total points and WR23 in ppg. He will probably regress given the addition of Bowers to the offense. On the other hand, the QB play of Minshew plus 2nd year O'Connell could be better than last year (Garoppolo and rookie O'Connell). Adams is old enough that he could be an injury risk and yet good enough that he could be a midseason trade candidate if the Raiders season is not going well... both situations are upside for Meyers. Also needed to get a Wolfpack alum on my team! Not expecting playoff points.
10.1 Zack Moss, RB, CIN - Drafted as RB37. Finished last season as RB30 in total points and RB24 in ppg. That was with the Colts. The Bengals let Mixon walk and targeted Moss in free agency. I know many believe Chase Brown will be the lead RB for the Bengals, but Moss should at least open the season as the lead RB, and, as the better pass protector, may be harder for Brown to unseat than many expect. Expecting playoff points.
Decided it would be more likely to find high upside late WRs than high upside late RBs. Still needed 2 WRs, 1 RB, 2 PKs, 2 DSTs, and 1 flex. Given my weakness at WR, I figured I would double up at the next turn if I liked the options.
11.16 Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL - Drafted as WR64. Finished last season as WR42. What an upgrade for Mooney, going from #2 WR for Fields to #2 WR for Cousins. Playoff points are likely. Expecting 150+ points.
12.1 Gabe Davis, WR, JAX - Drafted as WR65. Finished last season as WR86, but finished 2022 as WR27. This is an upside play based on the contract JAX gave Davis. I expect they will use him enough that he will return value at this draft position. Playoff points are possible. Expecting 150+ points.
As I wrote above, I took a shot at two high upside late WRs here. I planned to take 2 PKs at the next turn, followed by a RB and Flex at the next turn, followed by 2 DSTs at the last turn.
13.16 Jason Myers, PK, SEA - Drafted as PK17. Finished last season as PK4. The offense could be better with Carroll gone, so Myers should be in a good position to repeat last season's performance or get close to it. Playoff points are possible.
14.1 Cairo Santos, PK, CHI - Drafted as PK18. Finished last season as PK7. That was supporting a Chicago offense that finished #20 in offensive yards and in percentage of drives that ended in turnovers and tied for #18 in number of XPAs. The offense should be better, so Santos should be in a good position to repeat last season's performance. Not counting on playoff points.
I couldn't take the risk of not filling both PK spots at this turn and getting stuck with a PK who loses a PK battle and gets cut. So I felt I had to take two here. Last year, Butker was PK1 in this format, and he was the first PK drafted this year at 9.6. He only scored 38 and 42 points, respectively, more than the two I drafted here in the 13th and 14th rounds, so IMO it seems like a questionable strategy to take PKs as early as 9th, 10th, 11th rounds. Regardless, I'm happy with the two guys I was able to get here.
15.16 Tucker Kraft, TE, GB - Drafted as TE33. Finished last season as TE27. Once Musgrave got hurt last season, Kraft was as good or better. So he should have a solid role even if Musgrave remains healthy. Playoff points seem likely. Hoping for 100+ points here.
16.1 Kendre Miller, RB, NO - Drafted as RB59. Finished last season as RB73. Hoping for an increased role in his second season, with two older RBs ahead of him. I doubt the Saints will make the playoffs. Hoping for 75+ points here, but not holding my breath.
I considered taking either Elijah Mitchell or Kimani Vidal instead of Miller. Hope I don't end up regretting my choice here.
17.16 Rams, DST, LAR - Drafted as DST28. Finished last season as DST29. Nowhere to go but up, right? Playoff points are at least possible.
18.1 Panthers, DST, CAR - Drafted as DST29. Finished last season as DST29. Nowhere to go but up, right? Playoff points are not possible.
After the previous turn, I predrafted all but 5 DSTs for this turn, knowing I might be on the road. Naturally, every pre-drafted defense was taken before my pick, leaving me with these two as the best of the dregs. I was disappointed the Chargers went, since they are my favorite team, and I think their defense will be a lot better this year. Oh well.
TMQB - Ravens, Dolphins
RB - Williams, Mostert, Moss, Miller
WR - London, Doubs, Meyers, Mooney, Davis
TE - Andrews, Otton, Kraft
PK - Myers, Santos
DST - Rams, Panthers
Last year, this roster scored 3437.74 points, more than the league champ (3390.46). So all I need is an exact repeat of last season. And I'm sure that will happen!
