For additional insights, check out the analysis on the first Red vs. Blue Draft from Dr. Roto.
The second Red vs. Blue Draft was held on Friday, July 31, 2020. Here, I look at the best, and worst value picks of each team and give an overall analysis of each team’s chance to win.
(Click image to zoom)Team 1
Best Pick: RB J.K. Dobbins BAL 7.1
After loading up on wide receivers, securing the top two Baltimore running backs was a solid move at the 6-7 turn.
Worst Pick: WR Larry Fitzgerald ARI 12.12
DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk, plus Kenyon Drake out of the backfield, will be the main targets for Kyler Murray in Arizona this season. Fitzgerald is Hall of Fame-bound but will be 37 years old when the season starts.
Analysis: This team is strong with RB Christian McCaffrey and depth at wide receiver. Injury-prone Carson Wentz, as the lone quarterback, is a concern that may need to be addressed with waiver wire moves.
Team 2
Best Pick: WR Cooper Kupp LAR 3.2
Los Angeles projects as a high volume passing team in 2020, and Kupp hauled in 94 passes last season. WR Brandin Cooks was traded to Houston, which should result in additional targets and receptions for Kupp.
Worst Pick: QB Josh Allen BUF 10.11
Buffalo has a decent backfield, with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, which signals Allen may not run as much this season. That would hurt his fantasy numbers, and the 10.11 pick position is too early for my liking.
Analysis: If rookie wide receivers Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III produce, this team will be a contender. This is another squad that needs to address depth issues at the quarterback position.
Team 3
Best Pick: RB Ronald Jones TB 7.3
With Peyton Barber moving on to Washington, the path is clear for Jones to see a significant uptick in playing time and touches this season. Rookie RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn is the only competition in this backfield.
Worst Pick: RB Marlon Mack IND TB 10.10
Indianapolis traded up to select RB Jonathan Taylor during the 2020 NFL Draft, and he projects as the workhorse for the Colts. I would only draft Mack if Taylor were already on my roster.
Analysis: A lack of “star power” means second and third-tier players need to produce for this team to have a competitive season.
Team 4
Best Pick: QB Drew Brees NO 13.4
While we are running out of seasons to say it – Brees is projected to have another great year. The Saints are loaded with receiving talent that will drive defense’s crazy. Brees, Thomas, and Cook are a solid weekly stack opportunity.
Worst Pick: WR Antonio Brown FA 14.9
It’s unlikely Brown will play another snap in the NFL, so this was a wasted pick. He has been suspended for the first eight games of the 2020 season if a team does take a chance.
Analysis: Drafting Brees, Thomas, Cook, and Murray means this team is all-in on New Orleans. Cleveland Clowns will be a contender if the Saints offense mirrors numbers from previous seasons.
Team 5
Best Pick: RB Le’Veon Bell NYJ 4.8
Bell ran behind one of the worst NFL offensive lines in the league last season, and it showed in his numbers. New York revamped their o-line, and Bell will see plenty of touches in what should be an improved Jets offense.
Worst Pick: RB LeSean McCoy TB 13.5
McCoy turned 32 in July and is on the downslope of his career. He joins a loaded offense, and I can’t see Shady getting much playing time behind Ronald Jones II and rookie running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn.
Analysis: DeAndre Hopkins will have a big season in Arizona, but Team 5 has questionable wide receiver talent after that. He will need a big year from players like Keenan Allen and Will Fuller.
Team 6
Best Pick: WR A.J. Green CIN 6.7
If Green can stay healthy, and Joe Burrow produces solid numbers during his rookie season, this pick will be one of the top steals of the Red vs. Blue II draft.
Worst Pick: RB Rashaad Penny SEA 14.7
I don’t like buying damaged goods, and Penny (ACL) is expected to miss the first six weeks of the season. If or when he returns, Penny will join a crowded backfield in Seattle.
Analysis: Missing out on RB Alexander Mattison, as a handcuff for Dalvin Cook, may haunt Team 6. I do like the overall roster of this squad, though.
Team 7
Best Pick: TE Zach Ertz PHI 6.6
It is doubtful Ertz will fall to the middle of the sixth round in very many drafts this season. Ertz has been the Eagles leading receiver over the last four seasons, and his chemistry with QB Carson Wentz is off the charts.
Worst Pick: RB Devonta Freeman FA 14.6
Freeman is still unsigned, and I will take this worst pick call back if he lands with a running back needy team.
Analysis: Depth at running back is his main concern.
Team 8
Best Pick: RB Aaron Jones GB 2.5
Aaron Jones racked up 1,558 total yards and is a dual-threat with his pass-catching ability. His 19 touchdowns tied for the most in the league last season with Christian McCaffrey.
Worst Pick: WR Marvin Jones DET 6.5
Marvin Jones is a reliable receiver who has good chemistry with Lions QB Matthew Stafford. Health is a concern as he has missed ten games over the last two seasons. Taking him at 6.5 is a little too early for me.
Analysis: If Matt Ryan or Baker Mayfield have a productive season, Team 8 will be a contender in this league.
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Team 9
Best Pick: WR Brandon Aiyuk SF 12.4
First-round draft pick Brandon Aiyuk is expected to hit the ground running in Week 1. He is a field stretcher the 49ers lacked last season and gives Team 9 an option while Deebo Samuel recovers from a broken foot.
Worst Pick: RB Derrius Guice WAS 7.9
Entering his third year, Guice has just 49 career touches on his stat sheet. Injury-prone, Guice missed his entire rookie season due to injury and played just five games last year. The Washington backfield is very crowded.
Analysis: Depth at quarterback and running back is an issue for Fantasy Newb. RB Todd Gurley needs to return to his glory days for this team to be a contender.
Team 10
Best Pick: QB Kyler Murray ARI 7.10
The addition of WR DeAndre Hopkins, plus having pass-catching RB Kenyon Drake for a full season, will help Murray build on his rookie season. A suspect defense means the Cardinals will be in a lot of high-scoring games.
Worst Pick: RB Darrell Henderson LAR 9-10
I am not as high on Henderson after the Rams selected RB Cam Akers in the second round of the 2020 Draft. A dreaded timeshare backfield is forming in Los Angeles, and a receiver would have been a better pick here.
Analysis: Drafting Miles Sanders, Kenyon Drake, and Jonathan Taylor gives Team 10 one of the strongest running back rosters in this league. Wide receiver depth is the biggest issue for this team.
Team 11
Best Pick: TE George Kittle SF 4.2
George Kittle has racked up 2,430 receiving yards and ten touchdowns over the last two seasons. The addition of WR Brandon Aiyuk will help the 49ers stretch the field and open up more space underneath for Kittle.
Worst Pick: RB Nyheim Hines IND10.2
Indianapolis has a fantastic offensive line, but getting touches will be an issue for Hines. Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack are both ahead of Hines on the Colts depth chart. More productive options were available.
Analysis: Nick Chubb is the only full time starting running back on this squad. Team 11 needs a big year from the combo of Dak Prescott and Michael Gallup to win the championship.
Team 12
Best Pick: QB Patrick Mahomes KC 3.1
What’s not to like about the most dynamic player in fantasy football?
Worst Pick: WR N’Keal Harry NE 8.1
Following a quiet rookie season, Harry has nowhere to go but up. However, there were more productive receivers still available on the board. I also would have considered adding another running back with this pick.
Analysis: Team 12 is thin at running back, and I am not sold on Derrick Henry matching his 2019 numbers. High production from wide receivers and tight ends is needed to keep this crew competitive.
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