Saturday, August 19, 2017

FSH NOTEBOOK: DAVID'S DAILY DIGEST

August 18th 2017
Friday Late Night Edition






Fantasy Draft Watch

The Halfback Attack

Another Friday night and with nothing better to do than talk fantasy football, let’s jump right in with a couple of more players I like in 2017.

I no longer believe the hype, because I believe the talk around Vikings camp is truth; rookie running back Dalvin Cook will be their starting running back sooner than later. Cook ran with the starters through most of the first half in the team’s second exhibition game and looking at his numbers; 7 rushes for 40 yards rushing, 1 catch for another 10 yards. Cook was taken early in the 2nd round in this year’s NFL draft and it looks like he be paying dividends early this season. He’s no secret now and he’ll continue to rise in fantasy drafts, in my opinion he’s a solid low-end RB2 with plenty of upside. Fantasy owners should still find him available in the 3rd round of most drafts.

The Packers new running back Ty Montgomery was a big surprise last season, especially since he entered the season as one of the team’s wide receivers. Montgomery proved to be more than capable and pleasant surprise for fantasy owners. He would have been the number 10 fantasy running back from weeks 13 to week 17 last year. He’ll have his work cut out this season, since defenses will now game plan with him as a running back. Nonetheless, I like Montgomery very much this season, in particular in PPR formats. He’s a capable runner and a solid pass catcher (44 receptions in 2016). Montgomery didn’t see his running back duties increase until mid-season last year and this season he’s bulked up some and could see those duties increased even more in 2017. What I like most about Montgomery is the offense he is a part of that features quarterback Aaron Rodgers. We are hearing good things about Montgomery this camp and that has the potential to lead to greater volume. Montgomery may be going a little early for my taste (as early as the 2nd round in some leagues), but beyond the 3rd round the value is there with this pick.

The Giants 2nd year running back Paul Perkins  is currently positioned to enter this season as the team’s starter. Last season there were some flashes and his strong week 17 finish, toting the rock 21 times for 102 yards was eye-opening. Thus far Perkins hasn’t stopped the presses in camp, but I believe the former UCLA Bruin has the talent and skills to succeed at this level. If he can run with the job, there should be enough volume for Perkins to finish in the top 20 (RB2). So far what I am seeing in fantasy drafts, Perkins in going around the 6th and 7th rounds (depending on league size) which about where I would take him, maybe even a round later. The Giants have a full backfield and nothing is guaranteed at this time, so any earlier might be a little too risky, but any later than the 7th and that’s value that’s hard to pass up.

That’s My Take


~David Ortega


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