AFFL 2022 Season Update #003: Roster Rules Changes Guidelines

Hi guys, first, the 2022 ‘preliminary’ salary cap number of $468.73m is now “official” and that makes the Cut Cap officially $234.365m (also, you’ll notice I’m moving away from rounding, because the MFL system allows it).
Next, there are some changes to the roster and starting line-up rules for this year, I’m still writing the actual new rules on the League Rules page, but until then, below are full guidelines to the changes:
Fullbacks – the thinking behind adding the fullback position is this:  even though the position has become mostly obsolete in the modern game, what exactly is the position of fullback other than just a runningback that carries the ball in specialized situations like 3rd downs and goalines?  Right? Well there are a ton of backs like this in the NFl and we as fantasy owners curse them out every Sunday when they vulture TDs. So, I came up with a set of scoring values that would put specific value on 1st downs and touchdowns to running backs that only have a few carries per game.  Here are the details of the new position:

  • The fullback position will now be available
  • It is a “designation” position like KR, meaning you have to have the ‘front office’ change the player’s designation to FB
  • Any RB can be designated FB, BUT, unlike KR, the designation will last to the end of the season.
  • RB’s can be designated FB any time, but once designated, that designation cannot be changed back to RB until the next offseason or upon acquisition by another team (either by trade or free agency)
  • The FB scoring rules are set-up to only benefit RBs that get few carries per game, so they tend to be very boom or bust – a FB could rack up 20+ points in a game, and then because of the scoring rules, if he gets one carry too many, he’ll lose all of them, so using one will be a gamble
  • There is a position limit of 1 FB and still a max 3 limit on the RB position and this will include FBs, so, teams that roster a FB, will only have 2 remaining RB spots
  • Teams can still ONLY START 5 OFFENSIVE STARTERS, so the FB position does not ADD to your starting line-up, it just gives you an additional option; also, it comes with no additional bench spot.
  • This will be a 1 season trial run, to see how the league likes it.  Because of this, FBs cannot be put under contract this season, BUT 1) can be shielded from the auction just by designating them, and 2) if it becomes permanent, can put them under contract next year, and can use their 2021 salary (which is this season’s “prior season formula”) as an additional Base Salary formula option
  • FB SCORING SAMPLE: This link shows the 2021 scoring of the top 100 RB’s with both the RB and FB scoring rules applied (green or gray).  It takes a minute to get your bearings on what you’re looking at, but you’ll notice it shows that ordinary starting runningbacks score much better under the RB rules, but also that a handfull of players who were making very low totals as RB’s now become starting calibre players under the FB rules.  The new FB scopring rules are listed on the top right.  Questions welcomed of course.

Kick Returner/Gunner – there are significant changes to the KR position as well, as follows:

  • There are now 2 starting KR spots
    • KR designation rules remain the same
    • No additional bench spot is added
  • The KR scoring rules have been modified:
    • None of the “return” scoring rules were changed, but
    • Scoring rules related to tackles, assists, forced fumbles, etc, were added to the existing scoring rules
  • The positions of LB and S have been added to the list of positions that can be designated as KR
  • This means teams can employ the second KR spot as either a second returner, or as a ‘gunner’
  • Like the original KR rules, the ‘gunner’ position scoring is not set up to produce very much and will likely only benefit the teams that can find the top 5 or 6 gunners each season
  • Like the new FB rules, this is for a one season trial to see how teams like it
  • KR SCORING SAMPLE – this link shows the top 32 defensive players with ONLY new defensive KR rules applied to them

Safeties:

  • As mentioned above, safeties can now be designated as KR’s; once designated, they count against your KR position limit of 2 not against the position limit on safeties.
  • The position limit on safeties has been raised from 1 to 2
  • Both safeties can be used as starters simultaneously
  • There are still only 5 starting IDP positions and no bench spots have been added.
  • This was done mainly because the league was set up on the idea of offensive/defensive parity, and the stats show that defenses, on average, are still scoring a little short of the offenses……..for those of you that like to plan ahead……..IF adding a second safety does not bring the desired parity, next season, a 6th starting IDP and 1 bench spot will be added