Another great draft in the books!  Good discussion about the rules so maybe we can make some traction with more rule changes in the coming years.  On to the fun!

[Editorial Note: The rule discussed at the draft to lower the voting threshold to 50% is available to be voted on now]

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For the third year in a row, the top scoring team (Testudos Revenge) missed the playoffs.  With an almost -19 luck rating for the TR, it really proves that it's better to be lucky than good.  In fact, three of the top four teams in the "Luck Ratings" made the playoffs this year and the two luckiest (MeggaMen and Norsemen) played in the finals.

The MeggaMen led the league (amazingly) with an 11-3 record but couldn't vanquish the ever-mighty Norsemen in the regular season or the playoffs, and fell in the finals (because I trusted a Philly QB when the game was on the line).  Byron has a record 7 titles under his belt now.

The Gallic Warriors played in yet another Toilet Bowl but managed to knock off the Sacks to secure the first draft spot.  Mike's record of 5-9 wasn't all that bad, but no team had less than 5 wins this year so unfortunately he made the cut (his 3rd Toilet Bowl trip and first in 18 years).  Amazingly, the top scoring team (TR) was only 1 loss away from being in Toilet Bowl contention himself, which would have really been nuts.

How's this for an even spread, 3 in each bucket. My predictions may not be any better than a coin toss but at least they're fun!

Nailed it 3 teams

Missed by 1 game 3 teams

Missed by 2 games 3 team

Blew it (missed by 3 or more) 3 teams

It's basically Byron's division to lose until someone steps up and challenges him.  It won't happen this year.

2021 Predicted Finish: 9-5

2021 Actual Finish: 5-8-1

2021 Results: No team was more disappointing last year than the Amish.  Josh came in as the defending champ and proceeded to only win 1 game in the first half (I predicted him to be a wild card but not even close).  With Lamar Jackson banged up and Calvin Ridley chilling out in the sports book, Davante Adams couldn't carry this offense and mediocrity was the result (his draft choice of Trey Sermon didn't exactly pan out either).  His strong play on D by Derwin James and Aaron Donald were not enough to keep his D afloat and they finished 3rd from the bottom in defensive points.  

Best Pick: Elijah Mitchell

Worst Pick: James Robinson

Draft Grade: C-

2022 Predicted Finish: 5-9

Summary:  I liked Josh's draft choice of Elijah Mitchell but I thought he took him a bit early, especially with his injury history.  That said, I considered protecting him and he's a hard rusher so he will probably be a good pick, if he can stay healthy.  Russell Wilson was a fine pick but early to take a backup, guess Josh is trying to prevent a repeat of last year in the event Jackson isn't full healthy.  His draft went downhill from there with guys who will split time (Robinson and Singletary) and guys with questionable QB situations (Njoku and Cooper)/  He'll field one of the strongest QB pairings (if Jackson stays healthy), solid RBs in Fournette and Mitchell, and a potential top WR in Davante Adams (depending on how he adjusts in LV).   On D, Aaron Donald and Chandler Jones will put up strong numbers and he has the best DB in the league in Derwin James, but his LBs are lacking.  It's possible the starts align and Josh claws his way into contention but he'll need everything to go right for that to happen this year.

2021 Predicted Finish: 12-2

2021 Actual Finish: 10-4

2021 Results:  Byron continues his domination of the league, with his 3rd season of 10+ wins in the past four years and an over 70% winning percentage over that span.  He started the season off with a bang, going 7-0 in the first half of the year but stumbled a bit in the second half, going 3-4 to close out the year.  He found his mojo in the playoffs though and battled his way to yet another league title.

Best Pick: Amon-Ra St. Brown

Worst Pick:  Jahan Dotson

Draft Grade: B+

2022 Predicted Finish: 9-5

Summary: Byron had yet another stellar draft and will continue to be a threat for the title.  He went WR-heavy early in the draft, by taking 3 wideouts with his first 3 picks, so he's banking on striking gold with at least one of them this year.  None were bad picks but some were a bit of a reach.  His defensive picks were all solid so he'll again field a strong D but probably not the #1 D he fielded last year.  On Offense, his entire season depends on his only QB, Patrick Mahomes.  He needs to wrap him in bubble wrap because if ANYTHING happens to Mahomes, his year is toast.  He'll field top notch, but no longer as top as they used to be, RBs in McCaffrey and Kamara with only unproven rookies behind them.  His WRs are scattershot and he'll probably get enough production out of them to get by but who knows if any will go beyond that.  His TE is set with Mark Andrews leading the way.  On D, his DLs are mediocre (at best) and he'll have a rookie DB so there are serious questions there.  His LBs are good and he brought back his favorite defender (the ever-reliable Fred Warner) and teamed his with Eric Kendricks.  Overall, Byron's team has the chance to win 10+ again but if anything happens to Mahomes or his WRs don't pan out, it could be a long year for him.

2021 Predicted Finish: 4-10

2021 Actual Finish: 6-8

2021 Results: Richard may have had the most up-and-down season I've even seen in 20+ years in the league.  He alternated wins and losses for the entire season, up until the very end when he lost 2 games in a row.  That's a pretty impressive show of mediocrity.  I have nothing more to say about that.

Best Pick: Derek Carr

Worst Pick: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

Draft Grade: D

2022 Predicted Finish: 4-10

Summary: Another poor draft showing from Richard will (yet again) have him on the outside looking in this year.  He took CEH alarmingly high, especially for a player who's never run for more than 800 yards, and generally made some curious picks overall (OL in the 4th round?  Thielen in round 3?).  He'll end up fielding Carr at QB, who could be a steal this year, but has only ancient Matt Ryan behind him.  At RB, Mixon is his guy and he'll need CEH or Miles Sanders to turn the corner.  At WR, Deebo Samuel will rack up points but he'll need to hope one of the other guys steps up this year.  On D, Montez Sweat is inconsistent but fine and his LBs are poor (outside of Holcomb).  DB will be a bright spot, with Jessie Bates and Minkah Fitzpatrick both top notch players.  In the end, it will be another long year for Richard and he'll be in contention for the Toilet Bowl.

2021 Predicted Finish: 6-8

2021 Actual Finish: 8-6

2021 Results: Don had an up-and-down first half but, unlike Richard, turned things around a little in the second to go 5-2 to close out the year.  He didn't last long in the playoffs though, falling in the first round to the MeggaMen.  Don has managed to turn this historically terrible franchise around, shaking off the perennial stink that Tim brought to it by going to the playoffs in 2 consecutive seasons, something that hasn't happened to the franchise in almost 20 years.

Best Pick:  Dak Prescott

Worst Pick: Rashad Smith

Draft Grade: C-

2022 Predicted Finish: 7-7

Summary: For as awful as I thought Don's draft was last year, he made up for it some this year in the early running but then things went off the rails.  His first five picks were solid but it fell off from there.  He'll field Prescott at QB (a steal in round 4) and at least 1 strong RB in Nick Chubb.  At WR, he'll probably field a 3-man group of Chris Godwin, DL Moore, and Lockett/Renfrow (depending on the matchup).  Not a group of stars but guys that will put up regular points.  With George Kittle at TE, he can let his WRs carry less load.  The real problems are on D, where a mediocre Christian Wilkins leads the group while, at LB, a strong TJ Watt stands alone (Rashad Smith was drafted in the 4th round but I'm not even sure he's on an NFL team).  At DB, this group is solid with Kevin Byard and Harrison Smith.  Yet another year where Don will give opponents headaches and compete for a wildcard spot.

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This one is almost a true toss-up with only a few wins separating all the teams.  I give the edge to Hall and Warren, based on their rosters and history, but the Warriors had a great draft and strong team so they could knock them both off.

2021 Predicted Finish: 7-7

2021 Actual Finish: 6-8

2021 Results: I don't toot my own horn often (ok, I do it alot) but here's what I wrote about Hall's team last year.

"Overall, his team is powered by three players; Wilson, Dalvin Cook, and Darren Waller and if one of them goes down or takes a step back, it could devastate his season."

Sure enough, Wilson had a down year and both Cook and Waller struggled with injuries throughout the year.  It showed, and the Crusaders limped to a 6-8 record, after 2 straight playoff seasons.

Best Pick: Darnell Mooney

Worst Pick: Jerome Baker

Draft Grade: B+

2022 Predicted Finish: 8-6

Summary: A new year always holds new opportunity and Hall did a good job of injecting some life into his team.  Gone is Wilson so Stafford assumes the starter role, he was the #5 QB last year and could be even better this year.  At RB, Ekeler will continue to lead the way with his receiving skill and, if Cook can actually stay healthy, he'll have one of the stronger RB tandems.  At WR, Brandin Cooks and Tee Higgins will lead the way, but Mooney could be a steal for him.  If Waller and Cook can stay healthy, Hall will have a formidable offense this year.  On D, he's just ok at DL but his LBs will put up numbers, led by the top-notch cow