Top 5 Teams Based on Five Rounds of RML Fantasy Draft
by JoeBartel | 6 years ago | 0 Comments
No introduction needed, it’s just the first bit of Madden 19 content of the year! For brevity’s sake I compiled my personal opinions on the top-5 teams thus far through the first five rounds of our fantasy draft. There’s a variety of factors that I’ve used to put together these rankings, but much of it is based on the position of the player, age and development, with some understanding of the future contract implications mixed in as well.
5. Browns
1st round – CB Jalen Ramsey, 23 years old, 97 overall
2nd round – S Tyrann Mathieu, 26 years old, 93 overall
3rd round – MLB Bobby Wagner, 28 years old, 97 overall
4th round – WR Davante Adams, 25 years old, 88 overall
5th round – G David DeCastro, 28 years old, 95 overall
There’s a clear top-4 drafted teams, but you could make a case for a wide variety of teams at the No. 5 hole. Honorable mention to the Jaguars, who selected at least two players I planned on taking right after, the Steelers, who save for a DJ Chark head-scratcher have amassed an intriguing roster, and the Broncos, who have young players who actually are pretty good! No. 5 for me, however, goes to the Browns if only because they got the best fantasy draft asset in all of Madden – Jalen Ramsey – at the No. 3 spot. While the core is on the older side, I’m not entirely sure that is a bad thing in this Madden, particularly with the regression system looking to be a major detriment for younger players. This roster is set up perfectly for Frankie to win any sim game his heart desires, but he should be enamored enough with the team to make a run at a potential division crown.
(Best selection – Jalen Ramsey)
4. Saints
1st round – MLB Myles Jack, 22 years old, 84 overall
2nd round – DE Bradley Chubb, 22 years old, 80 overall
3rd round – CB Kendall Fuller, 23 years old, 82 overall
4th round – RB Derrius Guice, 21 years old, 78 overall
5th round – DE Chandler Jones, 28 years old, 89 overall
Let’s start with the bad first. On a two-year contract, Jones probably isn’t that bad of a deal. But he’s young enough where you could realistically see a scenario where the Saints could retain Jones at 30 years old, but he’s not quite old enough where he’ll be asking for the Madden-discounted veteran prices. There’s not a lot of DE talent on the board already by Round 5, so it makes sense to acquire someone, but if this is the “someone” available, I think I would have just went in a different direction and tried to find value at the position later. Fuller also wasn’t exactly a shining pick in my opinion given guys like Calvin Ridley, Hunter Henry, and OJ Howard were all available for the taking. I recognize the need to get a young cornerback is great, but devoid of any standout attributes, he’s just...a young corner. That being said, the foundation of Guice, Jack and Chubb is easily the best development core on any team thus far. Killing two birds with the development linebacker stone will be a fantastic boon for the Saints, and the run on young linebackers in the first round was bookended by arguably two of the best players available which is kind of astounding to think about (Deon Jones and Roquan Smith are leagues better obviously).
(Best selection – The Chubby Jack)
3. Chiefs
1st round – TE Evan Engram, 23 years old, 85 overall
2nd round – RB Christian McCaffrey, 22 years old, 87 overall
3rd round – MLB Shaquem Griffin, 23 years old, 72 overall
4th round – WR Calvin Ridley, 23 years old, 77 overall
5th round – RB Joe Mixon, 22 years old, 81 overall
Young guys, plus trade chips? You bet I’m on board with this draft! For argument’s sake let’s pretend as if Griffin will struggle to be anything more than a speed demon in the middle of the field – his 91 speed and youth will make him a valuable trade commodity to turn around. And while the RB position is deep, there’s probably someone willing to take on a 22 year old should the two-back set not work as Maddening intends. The player’s developments should also make them progress quickly so long as the Chiefs can remain competitive in the tough AFC West. There’s an argument to be made that Evan Engram is the worst pick through five rounds, and when a 90 speed TE is the worst pick, you’ve had a pretty damn good draft.
(Best selection – Calvin Ridley)
2. Lions
1st round – QB Deshaun Watson, 22 years old, 82 overall
2nd round – WR John Ross, 23 years old, 76 overall
3rd round – DT Vita Vea, 23 year old, 79 overall
4th round – C Travis Frederick, 27 years old, 96 overall
5th round – Derrick Henry, 24 years old, 86 overall
Rumor has it Weasel splatted all over the room after hearing the team BLD assembled in RML. Internally I’ve debated whether the run on young QBs in the first round was a good way to build a competitive roster, but there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that Watson deserved to be a top-10 selection. Perhaps I’m thinking of the Madden player more than the team when judging this roster, but having played BLD on a number of occasions, he’s shored up just about every weakness that I’ve been able to discover. Leonard Fournette was arguably the biggest difference maker for the Redskins last season, and now Derrick Henry enters the scene with the possibility of actually upgrading his speed along with his carrying, essentially making him an indestructible tank. And on the off chance you do stop Henry, make sure you aren’t bringing down safeties in the box because Ross will burn you. And if you happen to lock up both of those options, Watson has probably already ran down the sideline for 15 yards. It’s going to be a nightmare and a half defending this roster, and I would expect it only will get worse with a number of talented skill players still on the board.
(Best selection – Deshaun Watson)
1. Colts
1st round – WR Odell Beckham
2nd round – WR Deandre Hopkins
3rd round – QB Aaron Rodgers
4th round – RG Zach Martin
5th round – C Brandon Linder
How the fuck did we let this happen, RML? We are playing for second place as of now.
(Best selection – Every round?)