It is almost that time, ladies and gents!
The NFL regular season is right around the corner and that means that the fantasy football season is almost here! Since the early 2000's, fantasy sports has taken off all around the world, allowing fans to "draft" players or teams in order to compete against friends or strangers for money rewards.
I have been a big player in fantasy football since the 1990's, playing against guys 2-3 times my age at the factory that my father used to work at.
People are scouring through the internet, trying to help them get an edge on finding the right players to draft for their leagues, so I wanted to make a post listing who I think are the top 7 players to draft, the top three sleepers to get (players that will be good, but aren't getting a lot of recognition) and the three players I deem will be busts (players that will not meet the expectations set for them).
Top 7
1. Le'Veon Bell, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers - What can you say about Bell that hasn't been said. He is the most reliable player in fantasy football. He consistently runs for 1,000 yards, gets nearly 10 rushing touchdowns and catches at least 50 passes out of the backfield. The Steelers also will line him up in the slot, throwing him short passes and allowing him to elude slower linebackers out in space. He is the best player and should be drafted accordingly.
2. Todd Gurley, Running Back, LA Rams - Last season was Todd Gurley's coming out party (so to speak). He became the offensive player of the year last year, bruising defenses with ungodly rushing numbers (1,305 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns) while adding 64 caches for 788 yards. I do think he will take a step back this year, especially with the addition of Brandon Cooks at Wide Receiver and defenses will key on stopping him. I do still think he will put up great numbers and is the second best player available.
3. David Johnson, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals - Johnson was the consensus #1 pick last season, but his season was cut short due to a wrist injury. I do think we are going to find a player this year poised to rebound and set the fantasy world on fire. He has power, speed, can catch out of the backfield, and frankly, is the only offensive weapon the Cardinals have outside of Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Since the Cardinals have an oft injured QB in Sam Bradford starting (it could be rookie Josh Rosen, but I highly doubt it), the Cardinals will lean on Johnson to move the ball and I think fantasy owners will reap the benefits.
4. Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back, Dallas Cowboys - Elliott had a tough go at it last season. He had a hanging cloud all season, wondering when or if he would be suspended for an off the field incident. Because of this, he struggled early on. Once he finally got the hang of it, he was suspended by the NFL for six games, thus hurting fantasy owners. He still finished the season with 983 rushing yards and 7 rushing touchdowns. I expect him, with no suspensions on the horizon, to bounce back and be a top 5 player.
5. Alvin Kamara, Running Back, New Orleans Saints - The first surprise! Alvin Kamara was not a first round pick by the Saints, but played like the #1 overall pick last season as a rookie. He had 728 rushing yards with 8 rushing touchdowns, adding 81 catches for 826 yards and 5 touchdowns. He was a do-it-all back, especially in PPR leagues (points per reception), leading many teams who picked him up to a fantasy championship...myself included. I expect him to be even more involved in the offense this season, especially with Mark Ingram suspended for the first 2 games of the season. He is my sneaky pick for top fantasy player, but as of now, I still put him at 5.
6. Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers - The first Wide Receiver to be taken, and rightly so. Brown just keeps on producing. He is either the top receptions leader or top 3 receptions leader every season and doesn't look like he is going to slow down any time soon. Even though it might seem weird that two Steelers players are in the top 6, don't let that derail you from taking Brown. He will once again produce, especially in PPR leagues and will almost single handedly get you into playoff contention.
7. Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver, New York Giants - Beckham is a talent that doesn't come around very often. He can play on the outside or inside, he has great hands and has the speed and agility to score on almost every play. Last year, he season was cut short due to a broken ankle. There has been rumors swirling that he is unhappy about his contract, since he is still playing on his rookie deal that he signed, even though he has seen players drafted before and after him sign new deals. I think that will make him hungry to have a huge year in order to sign a huge contract. The Giants drafted Running Back Saquon Barkley, which should alleviate the pressure on QB Eli Manning to consistently force the ball to Wide Receivers. Some might say that Beckham's numbers would diminish then...not so fast. If you have a strong running game, that opens up more opportunities for the passing game, and I think Beckham will flourish with Barkley and new Head Coach Pat Shurmur.
Top 3 Sleepers
1. Jay Ajayi, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles - Ajayi was a top 10 pick last season, but was traded from the Dolphins to the Eagles. He split time last season with LaGarrette Blount, but this year, he's the man. I think he with will have a big season.
2. Sony Michel, Running Back, New England Patriots - Patriots running backs usually split time, but most usually put up the stats. Michel said the college football world on fire last season, making a name for himself in the CFB playoffs. The Patriots drafted him to replace Dion Lewis, who left for the Tennessee Titans, and I think Michel will do so...and more!
3. Allen Robinson, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears - Robinson was a big time producer in years past for the Jacksonville Jaguars, but missed all last season with a torn ACL. In the offseason, he signed with the Chicago Bears. I believe that Robinson will become young QB Mitchell Trubisky's favorite target and will make people forget about the entire season that he lost last year.
Top 3 Busts
1. Kareem Hunt, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs - Hunt was a savior for many teams that took a chance on him in fantasy last season. He was the top points RB for most of the year, so this season, he is being advertised as a top 10 player. I don't think he will have the kind of year predicted. Quarterback Alex Smith was traded to the Washington Redskins in order to make room for second year QB Pat Mahomes. I think Mahomes is going to struggle, thus teams will key on stopping Hunt. Though I think he will be productive in a sense, he will not be the MVP candidate that he is being drafted as.
2. Carlos Hyde, Running Back, Cleveland Browns - Hyde signed with the Browns this offseason to be there workhorse and is being drafted in most leagues as a top 30 player. Hyde has a history of injuries (hasn't made it through a full season yet) and I believe that fellow Running Back Duke Johnson is going to steal snaps away from Hyde, for he is a superior pass catcher. I could be wrong, but an often injured player is a huge risk to draft that high and I feel that he has big bust potential.
3. Jimmy Graham, Tight End, Green Bay Packers - Graham had a huge season last year for the Seattle Seahawks. Though he disappeared in a few games, he was one of the top TE's in regards to touchdowns. You would think that him signing with the Green Bay Packers, especially catching passes from All-World QB Aaron Rodgers, would set him up for a huge season. Not so fast. Graham has shown signs of slowing down, figuratively and literally. He doesn't have the same speed that he once had due to multiple knee and ankle injuries and I feel he will get lost in the shuffle. He might get you touchdowns here and there, but he is not a top 3 TE anymore. Huge bust potential!
There it is. An early cheat sheet for all you fantasy football players! Good luck to all of you in your new seasons and here's to hoping you come home with the First Place trophy in your league!
One love,
