The 2014 season marked the third season that my fantasy football team, Big Mike Boyz, participated in the Damn D Fest's league, started by Matt D. in 2008. In late July, the annual draft lottery was held at David B's in Barberton to determine the draft order of the 12 participants, which is done in a snake format (draft order reverses from round to round). I was not able to attend, so Matt sent me a text informing me of my position. On August 24, the draft was held online for the first time in league history. A life draft was held the first six seasons, but it was becoming too difficult to get everyone together. Before the season started, everyone had to pay their $100 entry fee. There were two new owners in the league this season, Dave and Matt J. (Matt's BHS friends).
The championship was held in Week 16 since many NFL teams would be resting their starters in Week 17. The championship ended in a 77-77 tie with Lee, the league's 2013 champion. Lee won the tiebreaker based on having the best regular season record. Matt J. was the biggest overachiever of the season, winning his division with a 9-4 record despite a questionable draft. My drafting skills definitely approved this season, leading me to the biggest turnaround from 2013. I finished 3rd place with a 9-4 record after finishing 12th place (last) with a 2-11 record in 2013. Big Mike's Boyz overcame a low draft grade in 2012 to make the postseason, but that would not be the case in 2013.
This is a recap of my roster:
QB: I drafted Lions' Matthew Stafford in the 5th round to be my starter and he had a solid season. However, I drafted Seahawks' Russell Wilson in the 9th round and he ended up having a better season and was my starter for the 2nd half of the season.
RB: I drafted Bears' Matt Forte in the 1st round and he gave me the strong season I expected. I drafted Zac Stacy in the 3rd round to be my 2nd RB, but he was in a slump midseason and I traded for Saints' Mark Ingram, who had a strong finish after fighting injuries to begin the season.
WR: I drafted Packers' Jordy Nelson in the 2nd round to be my top WR, but I was forced to trade him at midseason due to my RB struggles. I drafted Texans' Andre Johnson in the 4th round, Saints' Marques Colston in the 6th round, and Colts' Reggie Wayne (WR-TE flex) in the 8th round to be my other starters. These three finished the season as my starters, in addition to 49ers' Anquan Boldin, who I picked up on the waiver wire. I received Vikings' Greg Jennings in the Nelson trade and he filled in at times when one of my starters had a bye week.
TE: I couldn't draft Tony Gonzalaz for the 3rd straight season since he retired before the season started, so I drafted Bears' Greg Olsen in the 7th round, who gave me a strong season. I picked up Titans' Delanie Walker off the waiver wire early in the season and he filled in at both the TE and WR-TE flex position early when I had players on byes.
K: I drafted Broncos' Matt Prater in the 11th round, but he was suspended for PED use the day after the draft. I replaced him with Prater's replacement Brandon McManus, but he struggled and I replaced him with Packers' Mason Crosby. After I cut McManus, the Broncos went on to do the same.
D: I drafted the Rams' defense, but they struggled and I replaced them with the Bills during the season.
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