Team Capsules: Turkey Jerky

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 was a wild ride with as many ups as there were downs for the Turkey Jerky. In seven of their 13 games, Turkey finished in the Top 5 in scoring. Unfortunately, in their six other games, they finished in the Bottom 4, creating a maddening case of schizophrenia that plagued their season. The team kept its fans on the edge of their seats for many contests throughout the regular season, culminating in a disappointing finish that saw them watching the playoffs from home. The Jerky lost back-to-back games in Weeks 3 and 4 by just three points each, which had to have Turks everywhere pulling out their beards. By midseason, the Jerky acquired star running back Derrick Henry, who helped catapult the Jerky offense into the upper echelon of the league. Turkey finished in the Top 5 in scoring in four of the final six weeks of the regular season. Unfortunately, two losses down the stretch, including one to division rival Egypt, saw the Pharaohs take first place in the East Division and Turkey get edged out of the postseason.

A look ahead

The Jerky have high aspirations for the 2020 season. They head into the offseason with three stars, but the fewest filled roster spots in the league. Having acquired running back Melvin Gordon in the offseason, he’ll pair with receivers Mike Evans and Amari Cooper to help engineer the Jerky offense for the upcoming season. Sony Michel figures to play a contributing role as well. When healthy and given the rock, he’s produced adequate numbers. The Jerky have one draft pick in the 2020 draft, Pick 13 overall. They should be able to add a young contributor with that selection. The Jerky also have a handful of free agents whom they’d surely like to retain, including Derrick Henry, Cooper Kupp and perhaps Jared Cook. The East Division was the weakest division in the MFFL in 2019, leaving the door open for Turkey to rebound. However, with Bangkok entering Phase 2 of their reclamation project and Egypt retaining some key contributors, the division could be a lot more competitive in 2020.

Quarterback analysis

Turkey has just one quarterback on its roster this offseason, and that’s third-year pro Mason Rudolph, who sits in the team’s Rookie Corral. Rudolph sure is good at picking fights with big angry men who clock him in the head with his own helmet. But whether he ever turns into a starting quarterback worthy of activating from the Corral is in question. The Jerky have a pair of aging veterans in Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady who are unrestricted free agents, but their price tag may be just a tad high. Considering the Jerky are tight on cap space, the $2.25 million transition tag might not be worth it. It’d probably be best for them to let those two hit the open market and see what the market deems their value to be. There are a handful of young rookie quarterbacks entering this year’s draft, but it probably wouldn’t be wise to use Pick 13 on one of them. The Jerky might want to entertain a trade to get a few more picks. There are a handful of veteran options available to them, and there usually are several who sign cheap contracts every offseason.

Running Back analysis

Turkey enters the offseason with a pair of serviceable running backs in Melvin Gordon and Sony Michel. After holding out for the first quarter of last season, Gordon returned and put up some big numbers, averaging 17.5 points per game in his reduced workload. With a new contract and surroundings, he figures to expand on that production in 2020. Michel, meanwhile, finished 2019 as a low-end RB2, high-end RB3. His production and usage both could improve in 2020 playing with a new quarterback. The Jerky also have veteran Carlos Hyde under contract for a manageable $1.00 million. Hyde is currently without a team and might latch on somewhere. Turkey wouldn’t save much money by parting ways with him, so it’s probably in their best interest to ride out the offseason and see where he lands. With all that said, we seem to be burying the lede here. Running back Derrick Henry, who had a terrific 2019 season, is an unrestricted free agent. The team will undoubtedly use a tag on him. They could place the EFT on him and ensure that he remains in Turkey next year. Or, they could risk losing him to a high bidder by placing the NFT on him. But in that scenario, they’d at least get two high draft picks, something they sorely need.

Wide Receiver analysis

The wide receiving corps will be a strength of Turkey for the 2020 season. The team has two WR1 prospects locked in with Mike Evans and Amari Cooper. Additionally, they have the restricted free agent rights to receiver Cooper Kupp, who finished 2019 as a WR1, but is probably more of a high-end WR2. Either way, if the team retains him, he’ll help form a formidable trio at the receiver position. The Jerky have a pair of serviceable unrestricted free agents in Marvin Jones and Tyrell Williams. But given their transition tag price of $9.75 million, it is not financially feasible to place the tag on either of them. Aside from retaining Kupp, the Jerky can stand pat at the receiver position and look for some cheap additions later in the auction.

Tight End analysis

The tight end cupboard is bare in Turkey. The Jerky have a pair of unrestricted free agents in Jared Cook and Vance McDonald who they could consider tagging. McDonald wouldn’t make much sense, but Cook finished the 2019 season as a TE1 and his prospects remain high for replicating that in 2020. A transition tag price of $2.75 million is certainly reasonable. Given the erratic play of tight ends, and each team’s desire to improve at or stabilize the position, Cook likely will receive a little action in the auction. Retaining Cook and pairing him with perhaps a young sleeper prospect is the best way to go for Turkey.

“What could be…”

Turkey has to be fiscally responsible heading into the 2020 Auction. They’re about in the middle of the league in terms of available cap space, but because they have to sign 14 players, they’ll inevitably have to target some sleepers or handcuff players. However, if Turkey places a franchise tag on Henry and Cook and retains Kupp either via a tag or matching his RFA rights, the team will be in great shape. They might be excessively top-heavy and lacking depth. But the corps of Henry, Gordon, Michel, Evans, Cooper and Kupp is rock solid and will surely win some games for them in 2020. Throw in a playmaking rookie at Pick 13 and a quarterback that can be had at a bargain, and they’ll be well on their way to competing for the East Division crown again.

Next up: Egypt Pharaohs