Led Zeppelin, TJ Watt’s $123M, and the NFLPA Director’s Strip Club Scandal: Fantasy Football Draft Season
While everyone was hyped about the new Superman movie this week, I went old school and watched Becoming Led Zeppelin on Netflix instead. No CGI. No capes. Just four musical prodigies from England melting faces and changing music forever. Because the music inspired this week’s newsletter, every story is themed around a Zeppelin classic. Furthermore TJ Watt got $123 million, the NFLPA executive director resigned after charging two strip club visits to the union, and Bryan Braman passed away at 38. Fantasy football draft season is here and the NFL delivered a full week of chaos.
Going to California — Mike Williams Retires
Mike Williams is headed west permanently. After 8 seasons with the Chargers plus stints with the Jets and Steelers, the wide receiver signed with LAC in March, landed on the PUP list Monday, and retired Wednesday. At 30 he is officially hanging up his cleats.
Fantasy football implications: Mike Williams’ retirement removes a veteran receiver from the Chargers depth chart. Because his departure opens up targets for younger receivers in Los Angeles, fantasy managers should monitor the Chargers wide receiver room closely heading into training camp. Furthermore any receiver who steps into Williams’ role as a big bodied red zone threat carries immediate fantasy football value.
Whole Lotta Love — TJ Watt Gets $123 Million
The Steelers just gave TJ Watt a whole lotta love — $123 million worth. That is a 3-year extension with a jaw-dropping $108 million guaranteed. Because Watt is the best pass rusher in the NFL, the Steelers had no choice but to pay him. Furthermore Micah Parsons is now side-eyeing Dallas like “I am going to get mine no matter what.”
Fantasy football implications: TJ Watt getting paid and staying in Pittsburgh is the best possible news for IDP fantasy football managers. Because Watt is the most consistent sack producer in the NFL and now has the financial security of a long-term deal, he is the undisputed number one overall IDP pick in every fantasy football format. Furthermore his new contract removes all holdout uncertainty — Watt will be in Pittsburgh and fully motivated from Day 1.
All My Love — Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Season 2
The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are back for Season 2 of their Netflix docuseries America’s Sweethearts. If you have ever drafted a kicker too early while watching their highlights — this one is for you. Because Season 1 broke Netflix viewership records, Season 2 is must-watch television for anyone who loves football drama, incredible athleticism, and Jerry Jones being Jerry Jones in the background.
Fantasy football implications: The Cowboys Cheerleaders docuseries has zero fantasy football implications. However any excuse to talk about the Cowboys reminds us that CeeDee Lamb remains one of the three best fantasy football wide receivers in the game regardless of what is happening in Jerry’s World.
Good Times Bad Times — Rice and Addison in Trouble
Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is headed for 30 days in jail and 5 years probation after last year’s 6-car crash during a street race. Because Rice is one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite targets, his legal situation is the most significant fantasy football story of the week.
Furthermore Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison pleaded no contest in his DUI case. The new charge? Wet reckless. California really does have a charge for everything.
Fantasy football implications: Rashee Rice’s jail sentence is a massive fantasy football red flag. Because 30 days in jail during training camp means missed reps, missed chemistry building with Mahomes, and potential suspension from the NFL, Rice’s fantasy value drops significantly. As a result avoid Rice in the early and middle rounds until there is clarity on his availability for Week 1. Furthermore Jordan Addison’s wet reckless charge is worth monitoring — the NFL could still hand down a suspension regardless of the court’s ruling.
Communication Breakdown — The Bengals’ D-Line Drama
First-round pick Shemar Stewart still had not signed with the Bengals over a behavior clause in his contract. Translation — if he misbehaves they might yank his guaranteed money. Stewart’s camp was not feeling that at all.
Furthermore pass rushing star Trey Hendrickson is holding out for a better deal or a one-way ticket out of town. Because the Bengals’ two best pass rushers were potentially watching from the couch with Week 1 against the Browns coming fast, Cincinnati’s defensive line looked more like a D-leak than a D-line.
Update: On Friday July 25 the Bengals and Shemar Stewart agreed to a four-year fully guaranteed contract worth $18.9 million. As a result Stewart is signed and the Bengals can breathe — at least on that front.
Fantasy football implications: Trey Hendrickson’s holdout is the remaining concern in Cincinnati. Because a motivated Hendrickson is a top-5 IDP pass rusher, his fantasy value skyrockets the moment he signs. Furthermore Shemar Stewart signing his rookie deal means the Bengals defensive line has a long-term future — which makes their entire defense more valuable in IDP formats.
Dazed and Confused — The NFLPA Strip Club Scandal
This one is wild. The Commissioner allegedly told NFL owners there would be no guaranteed contracts for quarterbacks. They all agreed. The players union knew. And said nothing.
Then the NFLPA’s executive director resigned after ESPN caught him charging two strip club visits to the union — including a $738 ride to Tootie’s Cabaret. In the words of Pac-Man Jones — “Ain’t nuthin wrong with goin to the Scrip Club.”
Yeah. Dazed and very confused.
Fantasy football implications: A weakened players union has long-term implications for NFL contracts, guaranteed money, and player leverage. Because the NFLPA’s credibility took a significant hit, future collective bargaining negotiations will be affected. As a result fantasy managers who rely on long-term contract security as a sign of player commitment should monitor how this situation reshapes the league’s power dynamics.
Stairway to Heaven — RIP Bryan Braman
Former Eagles and Texans linebacker Bryan Braman passed away at 38 after a battle with a rare aggressive cancer. A Super Bowl champion. A fearless player. Rest in peace Bryan. F*** cancer.
RIP Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan — two legends who defined an era and made everything louder and more entertaining. The world is quieter without them.
Football in July — Hall of Fame Game in 3 Days
The Lions versus Chargers kick off the Hall of Fame Game in just 3 days. Training camps are open. Preseason is back. And it has never felt earlier. Because the Hall of Fame Game marks the official start of fantasy football draft season, now is the time to grab your Commish Kit draft board before free shipping goes away.
Fantasy Football Draft Boards — Commish Kit
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is TJ Watt worth drafting in IDP fantasy football?
Absolutely. Because Watt just signed a 3-year $123 million extension with $108 million guaranteed, he is the most secure and dominant pass rusher in the NFL. He is the undisputed number one overall IDP pick in every fantasy football format. Furthermore his new contract removes all holdout uncertainty — Watt will be fully motivated from Day 1.
Should I draft Rashee Rice in fantasy football?
Avoid Rashee Rice in the early and middle rounds. Because his 30-day jail sentence means missed training camp reps and potential NFL suspension, his availability for Week 1 is genuinely uncertain. As a result wait until the late rounds before considering Rice as a high-upside flier if he is cleared to play.
Is Jordan Addison worth drafting in fantasy football after his DUI?
Monitor Addison’s NFL suspension status before drafting him. Because the league can hand down discipline independent of the court’s wet reckless ruling, Addison carries suspension risk heading into 2025. Furthermore missing games early in the season would devastate his fantasy football value regardless of his talent level.
Who is Shemar Stewart and is he worth drafting in IDP fantasy football?
Shemar Stewart is the Bengals’ first-round pick who signed a four-year fully guaranteed $18.9 million contract. Because he is a high-upside pass rusher with elite athleticism, Stewart is worth a late round IDP flier in deeper leagues. Furthermore landing alongside Trey Hendrickson gives him an ideal learning environment to develop quickly as a pro.
What happened to the NFLPA executive director?
The NFLPA’s executive director resigned after ESPN reported he charged two strip club visits to the players union — including a $738 ride to Tootie’s Cabaret. Because the union’s leadership credibility was severely damaged, future collective bargaining negotiations will be affected. Furthermore the situation highlighted a broader concern about the union’s failure to inform players about the alleged no-guaranteed-contracts agreement.
How long has Commish Kit been making fantasy football draft boards?
Commish Kit has been making fantasy football draft boards since 2002 and is based in Austin, Texas. As a result the brand has become the go-to draft board for fantasy leagues across the country, as featured on Thrillist.
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We’ll be back next time with more hot takes, cold cuts, and fantasy advice that probably won’t hold up in court. Looking for the ultimate fantasy football draft board? Commish Kit has everything you need—poster kits, stand-up corrugated boards, and a digital draft board so slick, your league might actually think you’re organized this year.
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