Team Capsules: Bangkok Blitz

In a 12-part series, we take a look at each MFFL team, where they’ve been and where they’re going. We analyze the strength of their current roster build, what areas need improvement, and speculate what they might do in the coming months.

A look back

The 2019 season had to be a long, arduous process for the Bangkok Blitz. Under new ownership, expectations were unknown for the franchise, and the season turned out to be a valuable learning experience. After a slow start out of the gates, Bangkok basically balked on the 2019 season, believing it to be in their best interest to bottom out and begin building for the future. By the end of the first quarter of the season, they essentially were already shuffling around their lineup and considering trades and contemplating the best path forward. The Blitz squeezed out one victory — a nice one against a strong Jamaica team — but maintained their grasp on the first overall pick.

A look ahead

The skies are a lot more sunny in Bangkok as better days lie ahead. There shouldn’t be any doubt that the Blitz will be competitive in 2020, especially in the South Division, which was the weakest division in the MFFL in 2019. In trading away their assets last season, Bangkok not only acquired some young pieces who could be ready to take the next step in 2020, but they also worked their way to securing three of the top four picks in the 2020 MFFL Draft. While draft picks are never sure things, they definitely give a team ammo to land young stars at advantageous salaries. Additionally, the 2020 Draft is particularly deep at wide receiver and also has a handful of promising running backs. Between picks and a lot of cash, Bangkok will likely land some strong pieces that could propel them to a playoff run in 2020.

Quarterback analysis

The Blitz enter 2020 with a secure quarterback position. Among the moves they made last year was acquiring Dak Prescott, who finished as a Top 5 quarterback in the MFFL. They also paid down his 2020 salary. So, assuming no significant drop off, Prescott’s points per dollar will be a valuable asset. Baker Mayfield was projected to be a possible breakout candidate last season but it did not quite materialize. He’s surrounded by good weapons and is playing under a minimum-wage contract, thus, he remains a valuable piece to the puzzle.

Running Back analysis

Bangkok currently has just one significant running back under contract, and that’s second-year pro Devin Singletary, whom the Blitz drafted with the 16th overall pick in last year’s draft. Singletary finished as a strong RB2 and should be able to build upon his success last year. The Blitz need to add at least one more starter and likely two other moderate backups to bolster a position widely considered the most valuable in the MFFL. There are a handful of strong rookies available to them with their high draft picks, but they also have the cash to go aggressively after one of the available free agents.

Wide Receiver analysis

Through their rebuilding process, the Blitz acquired a pair of young playmakers at wide receiver in Michael Gallup and Christian Kirk. Both players flashed some great performances throughout the 2019 season, with Gallup finishing as a WR2/WR3 and Kirk a high-end WR4. As young playmakers, it is expected they will improve, but the Blitz surely will want to find some guys to solidify the top of the depth chart. Bangkok has a few solid prospects waiting in the Rookie Corral as well. N’Keal Harry, selected fourth overall last year, Mecole Hardman and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside all have promising futures. How big a step they take in their sophomore seasons remains to be seen.

Tight End analysis

As they sat atop the league’s Waiver Wire for most of last season, the Blitz had the opportunity to siphon players for their rebuild. One of those assets was tight end Chris Herndon, a guy who had a promising rookie season but missed almost all of 2019 due to injury. Additionally, the Blitz just traded two future picks to land second-year pro Noah Fant from the defending champion Christmas Island Crabs. Fant had a productive rookie season and finished as a high-end TE2, and has the opportunity to grow into a TE1 with a little more work. Tight end does not seem to be a big need for the Blitz this offseason, but is worth monitoring.

“What could be…”

Bangkok figures to be active in both the draft and the auction this coming August. They have four picks in the first round, giving them the ammo to go after a NFT player if they so choose. And even if they don’t, they have plenty of salary to throw at top free agents. The Blitz would like to retain receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mike Williams at the right price, but we could see them go after some of the free agent running backs like Alvin Kamara, Derrick Henry, Dalvin Cook, or Leonard Fournette, among others. Not only do they have the capital to land a top free agent running back, they could probably go after a top wide receiver as well. Michael Thomas, DeAndre Hopkins, Chris Godwin, Keenan Allen, and Cooper Kupp are among the available players.

Next up: Switzerland Squirrels