September 3rd 2017
Sunday Afternoon Edition
Fantasy Watch List
Studs & Duds
Even with plenty of drafts left to be
completed this weekend (still have several myself), I’m going to start turning
my attention away from who to draft, but rather toward what to expect from some
of your draftees or draft prospect.
By now we’ve heard a lot of the
conversations and we are familiar with the many fantasy player names, so here’s
my take on a few of this year’s Studs and Duds. And when I say dud, just be
clear not a bust. A dud is player that does not live up to the draft position
or hype. So let’s get to it.
Studs (Target these players)
No surprise here with the Steelers running
back Le’Veon Bell. Everyone knows his name and they’ve seen his work. The only
question folks are asking, is the first pick Bell or Cardinals running back
David Johnson. In my book the choice is Bell, everyday and twice on Sunday. No
disrespect to DJ, he’s going to have a big season, but the pick is Bell. Last
season, Le’Veon played in just 12 games and finished as the No.3 fantasy
running back (PPR format) last season and averaged 26.5 fantasy points per game
(Johnson averaged 25.5). Bell is a gifted runner with smooth moves, and an elite
pass catcher (75 receptions last season). Entering the 2017 season, Bell is
healthy and a major compliment to an offense that looks poised to make a lot of
noise this season.
In the NFC North, the Bears have a grinder
in their backfield by the name of Jordan Howard; this kid is a stud. He’s going
to be available at the turn of the 1st and 2nd round and should go ahead of
running backs like Jay Ajayi, Todd Gurley, and DeMarco Murray. Last season
after missing the first game, Howard didn’t start for the Bears until week 4
and finished as the No. 10 fantasy running back (PPR format), he was 9th in
standard leagues. Howard rushed for over 1,300 yards in 2016, including 7
100-yard games. He’s the bell-cow in Chicago and should put up even better
numbers in 2017.
Duds (drafting too high)
There’s no question Texans wide receiver
DeAndre Hopkins is a top talent in the NFL, but last season with insufficient
quarterback play he finished 2016 as the No. 26 wide receiver. His line for
2016 was 78-954-4 on 151 targets. This season he’s going to be playing with a
rookie quarterback, so even if he sees the same volume this season it’s hard
for me to see his quarterback being dramatically more efficient. As good a
player as Hopkins is, if he takes a step up finishing closer to 80-1,000-5
(which would have put him as a borderline top 20 fantasy receiver last season),
a borderline top 20 receiver is where I see Hopkins ceiling this season. He’s
being drafted as the No. 16 fantasy receiver in PPR format (according to FFC),
but there are other player options I like ahead of him like; Kelvin Benjamin, Michael Crabtree, Davante
Adams, and even Martavis Bryant.
Although I am on high on this kid and a
big fan of running back Christian McCaffrey, even in PPR format I don’t expect
a near top 10 finish. McCaffrey could conceivably catch 60-65 balls this
season, but I believe 125 carries is probably near his ceiling for his first
season with a projected finish around 190.5 fantasy points; this would be in
line for just outside the top 20 last season. McCaffrey looks like he could be
a special player, but his current ADP of 2.12 (No. 12 fantasy running back
according FFC in PPR) is a bit too rich and tall order for the rookie (if you ask me). If you are going to want the Panther’s
rookie running back for this season, you will have to reach for him early in your draft, but
that’s what it is a reach in the 2nd round.
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