2021 MFFL Auction Grades

(analysis from post-auction results, before any other moves were made)

Grades and analysis are largely based upon statistical projections with a touch of subjective reasoning sprinkled throughout.

Criteria for grading includes:

• No kickers and defenses. They receive minimal contracts and skew the points per dollar metric.
• Projected points per player signed.
• Projected points per dollar spent.
• Average projected points per starter.

The grades aren’t exactly very lenient. Because to be honest, there was a whole lot of money thrown around for mostly moderate talent that is bound to yield a poor return on investment.

(Translation: there better be a whole heckuva lot of 1-year contracts this offseason.)

Let’s get into it!

*PPD = points per dollar

Ukraine Grainers — B+

I didn’t give any A’s away because I don’t feel like anybody excelled in the auction, and the numbers are there to back that up (at least according to projected points). But the Grainers got decent value out of a few signings, probably overpaid for Julio Jones, but retaining Russell Wilson to severely upgrade their quarterback position was a big move.
Best Value: Raheem Mostert, RB/SF ($3.2 / 71.47 PPD)
Most Questionable: Julio Jones, WR/TEN ($16.0 / 14.93 PPD)

Bangkok Blitz — B

The Blitz signed five players via the auction — and yes, because they traded for Tyreek Hill before the auction was complete, it counts toward their auction grade. Remarkably, the Blitz signed two kickers and two defenses — yes, the Blitz did that. And since they get tossed out of the equation, Bangkok’s one big move was acquiring/signing Hill to a league-record, league-high $34.9 million contract. The one thing the Blitz needed to address in the auction was a WR1 and they walked away with arguably the game’s best.
Best Value: Tyreek Hill, WR/KC ($34.9 / 10.49 PPD)
Most Questionable: Tyreek Hill, WR/KC ($34.9 / 10.49 PPD)

Jamaica Jerks — B

The Jerks had needs at RB2, WR2, QB and FLEX, and the Jerks addressed … the RB2, WR2, QB and FLEX. The Jerks received high marks in points per signing and points per starter thanks to big moves on Chris Carson and Mike Evans. They didn’t do as well in points per dollar spent as they had to give up a lot of money to land those playmakers. Matt Ryan was a good veteran backup quarterback pick-up and Randall Cobb — he who was requested by name — just might offer sporadic FLEX value.
Best Value: Matt Ryan, QB/ATL ($1.1 / 270.35 PPD)
Most Questionable: Chris Carson, RB/SEA ($16.8 / 16.76 PPD)

Switzerland Squirrels — B-

The Squirrels were in dire need of some help at the receiver position and help came knocking on the door at the auction. The Squirrels landed Odell Beckham and Adam Thielen and also added a couple nice “consolation” pieces at tight end in Tyler Higbee and Logan Thomas, after the team chose to let Mark Andrews walk. Tom Brady was an excellent pickup as well, as “Gramps” will help mentor young buck Trevor Lawrence.
Best Value: Logan Thomas, TE/WAS ($5.1 / 33.27 PPD)
Most Questionable: Odell Beckham, WR/CLE ($10.5 / 23.64 PPD)

Wake Island Wookiees — B-

The Wookiees have been in clear rebuild mode this offseason, shipping away stalwart Saquon Barkley and spending the past few weeks acquiring more draft picks for the future. Thus, the fact that they landed some pretty good value via the auction came as a bonus for the organization. The Wookiees received high marks in points per signing and points per dollar spent, but didn’t do so well in points per starter. The team landed some nice depth pieces in Robby Anderson, Jarvis Landry and Marvin Jones, and they also look to find some value in running back Myles Gaskin.
Best Value: Marvin Jones, WR/JAX ($3.5 / 61.53 PPD)
Most Questionable: Myles Gaskin, RB/MIA ($9.1 / 20.71 PPD)

Christmas Island Crabs — B-

The Crabs may be trying to play for the first overall pick in the 2022 draft, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t trying to find pieces they could flip for picks later. In doing so, they found moderate value in several “role players” who could be bait down the line for teams who might struggle with injuries. The Crabs locked up 13 non- kickers and defenses and spent the bulk of their money on two Top 5 tight ends.
Best Value: Nelson Agholor, WR/NE ($1.0 / 233.36 PPD)
Most Questionable: George Kittle, TE/SF ($25.0 / 10.35 PPD)

Turkey Jerky — B-

Turkey finished above average in points per signing and points per starter, and just below average in points per dollar spent. The team had a few high-priced players already on their roster, including Amari Cooper, whom they retained at a costly price. The team signed a stable of running backs, hoping to find someone to help fill the void of the departed Derrick Henry. Darrell Henderson, David Johnson, Leonard Fournette and Kenyan Drake may not put up spectacular statistics, but they could offer sporadic upside.
Best Value: Kenyan Drake, RB/LV ($1.0 / 152.45 PPD)
Most Questionable: Amari Cooper, WR/DAL ($16.0 / 16.27 PPD)

Egypt Pharaohs — C+

The Pharaohs started the auction period by doling out $25 million to Michael Thomas, who will miss a large portion of the season. With money out the window, they spent most of the auction sitting back and watching as they tried to fill holes when the big money from the rest of the owners was spent. The Pharaohs did above average in points per dollar spent, just okay in points per signing, and poorly in points per starter.
Best Value: T.Y. Hilton, WR/IND ($1.0 / 225.71 PPD)
Most Questionable: Michael Thomas, WR/NO ($25.0 / 8.36 PPD)

Nagasaki Kamikazes — C+

The Kamikazes were the first of three straight teams here who had the core of their lineup already intact and did not need to address much during the auction. The Kamikazes did well in points per starter, but below average in points per signing and points per dollar spent. Landing Robert Woods was their big addition, and they could afford to overpay him because they had the money. But he brought down their numbers because of it. Signing Mike Davis to a reasonable $6 million contract seemed like a good move, but the experts are not giving that move a good return on investment. Jamaal Williams and Xavier Jones were flyers.
Best Value: Mike Davis, RB/ATL ($6.0 / 30.77 PPD)
Most Questionable: Robert Woods, WR/LAR ($17.9 / 15.12 PPD)

Russia Renegades — C+

The Renegades were one of two teams not to sign a non- kicker or defense starter. As such, they bottomed out in points per starter and also did poorly in points per signing. They did lead the league with the highest points per dollar spent, though. They signed several backup tight ends and added depth to the FLEX.
Best Value: Nyheim Hines, RB/IND ($1.1 / 185.7 PPD)
Most Questionable: Jared Cook, TE/LAC ($1.8 / 79.4 PPD)

San Juan Scorpions — C

The defending champions, like the Kamikazes and Renegades, had most of their roster intact and did not need to address much. And like the Renegades, they did not sign a projected non- kicker or defense starter. The only other player they signed was second-year receiver Gabriel Davis, who comes with some upside.
Best Value: Gabriel Davis, WR/BUF ($2.0 / 62.74 PPD)
Most Questionable: Gabriel Davis, WR/BUF ($2.0 / 62.74 PPD)

Ecuador Ewoks — C-

The Ewoks were in limbo for much of the offseason, deciding whether to play for the 2021 season or prepare for 2022. They chose to go with the former when they signed DeAndre Hopkins to a huge contract and retained Ezekiel Elliott as well. That left them with little money to spend during the normal auction period, and they wound up scraping the bottom of the bargain bin. The Ewoks received an average mark for points per starter, given they had many needs to fill. But they were near the bottom in points per dollar spent and points per signing.
Best Value: John Brown, WR/LV ($1.0 / 142.25 PPD)
Most Questionable: DeAndre Hopkins, WR/ARI ($34.7 / 9.46 PPD)