1.) Last season was quite the rollercoaster. You started out dominant, fell off for a few weeks, and then began to gain momentum again once the playoffs started. Can you explain what happened last season and did you ever really feel out of championship contention?
It definitely felt like a rollercoaster ride. I don’t think I ever felt like I fell out of championship contention simply because my team would perform consistently. I hit a few rough patches losing some key players and some gambles not panning out. But my team never felt like it hit its full stride; one or two players would do really good and we’d pull it off. I was pretty hopeful that things would click eventually and my team would blow up but as long as they’d consistently put up points no matter who was the one performing the best, I thought I had a chance week in and week out.
2.) Similar to last season you opened up going WR-WR in the first two rounds (last year it was 3 WR in a row). What are your overall thoughts on your draft and who are some player(s) you were excited to get this year?
It proved to be hard last year to find a reliable pair of RBs last year so I thought I’d change it up this year and go 2 WRs and 2 RBs. I really like how my draft went, I think I got some guys that have pretty high ceilings and can put up huge games or at least have some consistent games like my team did last year. Joe Mixon was high on my list given how explosive that offense can be this year. Hoping that with all the talent on the outside, teams can’t stack the box making it easier for Mixon to have some great games. I feel like every year I gamble with Kyle Pitts and am always let down but I think this is the year he finally lives up to the hype! Overall I’m really happy with my team and don’t feel like there’s a bad pick I had and feel I have a pretty strong team overall
3.) I think the most interesting pick you made this year by far was the rookie Marvin Harrison Jr in the second round, going 24th overall. Is this a player you were actively targeting and do you expect he can live up to his expensive ADP as a rookie?
My co-gm (Frank) is high on Marvin Harrison Jr! I feel like he has the talent and explosiveness to have some huge games and thought it would be fun to give us a reason to watch some Arizona games haha. There’s always at least one rookie WR that just goes off and with a healthy Kyler Murray I definitely feel like he can have some huge games this year for us.
4.) Looking around your division and the entire league, who do you feel drafted well and who is your biggest competition to defending your championship this season?
I think a lot of teams drafted really well. In my division I feel like you can never count out Stan. I feel like he’s always given me the hardest fights year in and year out consistently since I’ve been in this league. You can never count Casey out either. I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before his team is looking scary. I like yours and Sammi’s team a lot too. I like my chances, but I think this draft class was pretty deep so only time will tell.
We want to thank the 2024 champion Roberto for his time with this annual interview with the champion and wish him and all other GMs best of luck this upcoming season.
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