2023 NCU Fantasy Football | Week 7 Picks + Trade Analysis!

 


We are entering midseason, where teams have begun to emerge from early season uncertainty and are making moves to position themselves as contenders for a title... or position themselves for future glory. This week we saw a couple of monster trades; let's check 'em out below: 

Trade #1 - Trojan Horses & Hurts Locker


| Trojan Horses received Javonte Williams and Davante Adams |

Adding a top-tier receiver in Adams and and RB depth in Williams (...potentially a starting-caliber player in 2023, but definitely a future keeper option) is incredible insurance for a team that's already scoring at a record-setting pace. Playing Troy has now gone from unnerving to distressing. Including Flowers made a hefty price even heavier — this is a rookie who projects to put up WR1 numbers sooner, not later. If he doesn't win it all, there will be a tinge of regret as he tries to recoup draft capital... but what are draft picks for, if not to acquire the talent to win a championship? Doesn't mean you have to actually use the picks during the draft. Troy probably overpaid, but only time will tell.

GRADE: B+

Hurts Locker received Zay Flowers, 1st (2024), 1st (2025), 2nd (2024), 2nd (2025), 3rd (2024) |

Flowers draws Stefon Diggs comparisons, and is being targeted heavily as possibly the best hope for WR production in Baltimore since... Steve Smith? At any rate, his future is extremely bright, and along with a giant pick package, Caleb will have plenty to work with going forward. Really a great move for a team that at 2-4, didn't have much chance at competing for a title. 

GRADE: A

Trade #2: Madison's Finest & Serenity Now!

Madison's Finest received Josh Jacobs and George Kittle |

I realize I'm evaluating my own trade, but using similar logic to the Trojan Horses/Hurts Locker deal, it was the right time to strike. Joe Burrow is getting healthy, Kyren Williams looks like a legitimate long-term threat at RB, and Jacobs/Kittle make this team look like the presumptive division champion and a threat to make a nice little run in the playoffs. The picks surrendered are not insigificant, but that's what it costs to add a high-usage 25-year-old running back in the middle of his prime. Kittle can be a week-winning TE, which you just can't get from most players at that position. It's almost a must-have for anyone with title aspirations.

GRADE: B-

Serenity Now! received 1st (2024), 1st (2025), 2nd (2024), 2nd (2024), 3rd (2024) |

At 4-2, Paul made the extremely difficult call to grab draft picks for 2024/2025 to ensure that he'll have the capital he needs to fill out a roster that currently boasts CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard. It's admirable to see someone try and build on a strong foundation, but the truth is that he may try and climb back into this thing if his team keeps winning. Now he can do whatever he wants — full agency! Not a bad position to be in.

GRADE: A


Now, the Week 7 picks:


The Numbers @ We Are Terrible

We have a couple of co-division leaders duking it out before heading into Round 2 of division games. Nathan's We Are Terrible looks healthy for the fight, while Lance continues to endure life without Justin Jefferson. And honestly, we have no idea when (or if) he'll be back in 2023. With The Numbers hamstrung, I see Nathan continuing his winning ways... WAT womps, 89 - 78.    — Jamaal Gilbert

Jabad's Sheep @ Clear Eyes Full Hearts

A couple of teams with no real hope for this year, playing out the string. Still, someone has to win... Sheep finally get off the schneid for a 63 - 60 victory.  — Jamaal Gilbert

Joseph Addai @ Madison's Finest

Madison's Finest made a huge move this week trading five high draft picks for Josh Jacobs and George Kittle. Those additions make Jamaal's squad a real team to watch. Even with their QB on a bye, I have to favor them over the worst set of starting WRs I have seen in years. Liddiard's failure to solve his WR issue might cost him another year without playoffs. If McCafferty plays on Monday against our proud purple, I would pick Ryan, but it is Thursday afternoon and McCafferty isn't practicing at all, so I assume he won't play and Jamaal will win 81-72. — Matt Hurm

The Algorithm @ Trojan Horses

Troy had a huge win last week giving my Minnow their first loss of the year. And then he added Javonte Williams and Davante Adams in a trade with Caleb. Williams is the most-talented RB in the league that doesn't score many fantasy points. He led the league in missed tackles before he got hurt and even then, he didn't score many fantasy points. But hey, maybe Troy know the secret formula to get fantasy points from an incredibly talented and oft-injured player. If he does, he won't miss the injured David Montgomery nearly as much as feared. I actually love Chris's matchups this week if Trevor Lawrence plays tonight (Thursday). There is just too much talent on Troy's side, but it will be close, 101-97.  — Matt Hurm

Garbage @ Country Bear Jamboroo

Amy is coming off an embarrassing loss to a given-up DJ, but Finney struggled so bad last week, Amy would have beaten him! Two teams coming off rough weeks. And this week both teams have their stud Bengals WRs, Higgins and Chase on bye as well as RB Hall for Amy. I just have more confidence in Finney's bench depth to fill those holes and I am taking the over on Herbert's projected 16 points against the Chiefs. That leads me to believe Finney will win 75-68.  — Matt Hurm

Fighting Minnow @ All Mahomies

It'll be a more chill week for Matt versus All Mahomies after battling — and succumbing to — the Trojan Horses last week in what could easily have been a championship preview. I don't see much resistance coming from All Mahomies, who were content to deal their namesake for a boatload of picks and the hope of Jonathan Taylor's future of galloping through defenses. Anyway, Minnow win 98-72 — Jamaal Gilbert

Hurts Locker @ Serenity Now!

Paul is tanking. So lame for the Super Show division leader. This is why he doesn't win Super Bowls. Caleb will win. 93-51.  — Matt Hurm

Laces Out @ Figment's Fart

I was able to get away with not caring much about Chris' team, but now at 3-3 and with some legitimate talent in Cupp, Meyers, and Aiyuk (plus spicy Tua), he has to be taken a little more seriously. I think he handles Dillon if he can put together a full lineup. And that's the thing... it's hard to know if the Laces Out franchise is truly in it to win it... but I'm definitely feeling dark horse contender vibes here. Laces lock it up, winning 88 - 74.  — Jamaal Gilbert


JamaalMatt
Week 3 Picks3-14-0
Week 4 Picks2-23-1
Week 5 Picks4-00-4
Week 6 Picks1-31-3
TOTAL RECORD10-68-8

See you next Thursday!

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