However, it all started back in 1996 at the height of Emmitt Smith's dominance of fantasy football. My dad brought home this thick, 200-page manifesto of rankings, statistics and articles devoted to this thing called fantasy football, and I fell in love.
I read that copy until it was dog-eared and raggedy. I had notebooks filled with statistics and rankings of my own and the following year I attempted to start up my own league. It only had a few people in it at first, but eventually blossomed into a home game of eight which included family, friends and neighbors.
My uncle let me draft his team in the league with my dad and the rest of the big boys when I was about 11. I knew a lot more about it than them, or so I thought, but I didn't do well the first year. With the nerves off in year two, I did win the league, easily.
In the league, my dad was known as the "Draftmaster," though I'm not quite sure how he acquired the nickname. Shortly after I won my first title, I was dubbed with the moniker "Draftmaster Jr."
The victory kicked off a stretch in which I placed every year of the league's existence, which ended in 2010 (R.I.P). Eventually as a junior high student, I found a financial backer who would stake half of the hefty entry fee, which was north of $100, so I could compete. By the time I got into high school and had a job of my own, I staked myself, and I rarely lost money.
These days I'm in about four to five leagues, only a few of which cost money, and not nearly as much as back in the day (unfortunately, I'd love to find an uber-competitive, high stakes game again). And while I also do fantasy baseball pretty competitively (currently in first 🙂) and have also done numerous basketball leagues, hockey leagues and daily contests. It is my first love of fantasy football that remains No. 1.
So, without further ado, please accept my humble rankings of the 2019 season, starting with the quarterbacks.
Wait, wait, wait.
Before we get to my rankings, we should look back at how I, Draftmaster Jr., did on my rankings/predictions a year ago:
Picked No. 1 for 2018, Tom Brady. Actually finished: 10. Brady had a sub-par year by his standards. However, he was still a No. 1 quarterback, and certainly worthy of being started each week, but not the best of picks by me, as he was not nearly the top QB.
Picked No. 2 for 2018, Aaron Rodgers. Actually finished: 8. Rodgers was injured for a second straight year, though he didn't actually miss any time, it did affect his play. Again though, not a terrible pick, as he was still a QB1.
Picked No. 3 for 2018, Deshaun Watson. Actually finished: 7. Another slightly off pick, but I'm getting closer, he was only four spots away from my projection.
Picked No. 4 for 2018, Kirk Cousins. Actually finished: 9. Another so-so pick. Dalvin Cook's injury hampered the running and screen game some, but Cousins put up pretty good numbers thanks in LARGE part to his receiving corps.
Picked No. 5 for 2018, Matthew Stafford. Actually finished: 18. This had to have been my worst pick. I really thought that the junktime Lions were going to be a thing, and that Stafford might have a resurgence, but I was dead wrong.
Picked No. 6 for 2018, Russell Wilson. Actually finished: 12. Once again, just a bit overestimated, but this could be due to the big jumps by some at the position. He also had NO offensive line and ran less, which I didn't see coming.
Picked. No. 7 for 2018, Matt Ryan. Actually finished: 3. This was the first one that I undersold a year ago, but again I wasn't too far off. Thus far, only one of my seven picks was off by more than 10 slots.
Picked No. 8 for 2018, Jared Goff. Actually finished: 6. This was probably my best prediction.
Picked No. 9 for 2018, Patrick Mahomes. Actually finished: 1. It might not seem like it, but this was actually a very good pick. Mahomes was getting drafted as the 12-15 QB a year ago, and a lot of times not even drafted at all. Very few people ranked him this high, so I'm giving my self a pat on the back for this, even if it was eight spots off.
Picked No. 10 for 2018, Drew Brees. Actually finished: 5. Another pick that wasn't too bad. Man I did a pretty good job, but it certainly helped that there were few injuries.
Only two of the 10 QBs I projected to be in the top 10 were not, and Wilson wasn't far off (nine points). The only top 10 QBs that I missed was the comeback of Andrew Luck (No. 4) and Big Ben Roethlisberger's second place finish.
Here are my 2019 rankings at quarterback:
1. Patrick Mahomes: Nobody in their right mind would not rank him at No. 1. He has even more weapons than a year ago with rookie Mecole Hardman joining the mix. Tyreek Hill is back sans suspension, and Mahomes is a year wiser. Even if he regresses and throws say 35 touchdowns instead of 50, he will still be hovering at the top of the fantasy quarterback ladder.
2. Andrew Luck: The Colts added Parris Campbell to the mix and should have a more effective running game with another year of Marlon Mack. They are going to not only be a good offense, but a really good team, and assuming this "Kevin Durant"-like injury isn't serious, Luck should have another big year.
3. Deshaun Watson: While he didn't fully jump into that no-doubt top five QB class last year. He did show a lot of flashes, and he runs for a lot of yards. He has a trio of really strong WR talent, so the sky is still the limit for Watson.
4. Aaron Rodgers: Hard to count out Rodgers as he is one of the best to ever play the position. He should be healthier this year, and he finished eighth with only one leg for half the year in 2018. Lots of talent for him to throw to as well.
5. Baker Mayfield: See, Beckham Jr., Odell.
6. Russell Wilson: I think Wilson will bounce back (I know that's what I said a year ago, and it was kind of true). He has a new toy in DK Metcalf, who could very well breakout, and should have a stable rushing attack to help him get more time in the pocket.
7. Matt Ryan: Julio Jones still has a year or two left in him, and the Falcons offense should be able to hold on to their mojo somewhat.
8. Dak Prescott: This might seem as a bit of a leap, but the Cowboys offense was sparked mightily after Amari Cooper showed up. Assuming that Zeke doesn't pull a Le'Veon Bell, Prescott (who is better than people think) might have that breakout fantasy season that I imagine. It should also help out Michael Gallup stock.
9. Kirk Cousins: It would be pretty hard for Cousins to fall out of the top 10 with Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs at his disposal. Not to mention Irv Smith, Kyle Rudolph and Dalvin Cook. Assuming that the OL is even half decent, Cousins will put up another 4k yards, 25+ touchdown season.
10. Philip Rivers: Lots of ways to go here, but Rivers is old reliable. A healthy Hunter Henry along with the duo of Keenan Allen and Mike Williams should sustain the aging Rivers for one more year.
11. Jared Goff 12. Cam Newton 13. Drew Brees 14. Tom Brady 15. Lamar Jackson 16. Ben Roethlisberger 17. Carson Wentz 18. Josh Allen 19. Jameis Winston 20. Kyler Murray
Finally, here is a few photos from the week of July 18-23. Enjoy.
