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Fantasy Executive Desk: Week Seven Starts and Sits

Fantasy Executive Desk: Week Seven Starts and Sits premium
Corey Parson October 19, 2018 8:05PM EDT

Fantasy Football Musings from the Desk of the Fantasy Executive

Corey “The Fantasy Executive” Parson checks in regularly here on his new Xclusive Edge blog with his thoughts on the latest Fantasy news and trends. Corey is the host of the Fantasy Football Frenzy on the FNTSY Sports Network and is a widely known and respected multiple high stakes league winner. His championship resume includes a 2016 Fantasy League of Experts (FLEX) title and he has won high stakes and expert leagues every season dating back to 2013.

October 19 – Week Seven Starts and Sits

Starts

Nick Chubb – The Nick Chubb era begins in Cleveland. If you haven’t heard the news Carlos Hyde has been traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Chubb will take over the early-down work for the Browns. Chubb’s first test will come versus a Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense that has allowed a whopping 34 points per game.

Duke Johnson – Noticing a trend here? Earlier this week I told you to go pick up Duke Johnson, now I’m telling you to start him. With Hyde shipped off to Jacksonville Johnson has a clear path to more snaps and receptions. In Week 4,Tarik Cohen had 121 yards receiving against the Bucs.

Austin Hooper – Might as well ride the hot hands and they belong to Austin Hooper right now. In the past 2 weeks, Hooper has 22 targets. His numbers have been almost identical, in Week 5 he had 9 catches for 77 yards, last week he had 9 catches for 71 yards and a touchdown. Matt Ryan is looking his way.

Sits 

Mitchell Trubisky – The allure of a high scoring, up and down matchup vs the Patriots may have you thinking Trubisky is a good start this week. I get it, but the truth of the matter is there are better options than him this week if you are a QB streamer. I would start C.J. Beathard and Joe Flacco over Trubisky. Look for the Pats defense to frustrate Trubisky and keep him off balance.

Marvin Jones Jr. – Jones Jr. has disappointed so far this season. He has 3 touchdown receptions but not much else. In the Lions last 2 games he has 4 receptions for 64 yards. Matthew Stafford just isn’t looking his way. We are going into Week 7 and Jones only has 16 receptions.  Kenny Golladay is the man in Detroit now.

Greg Olsen – Olsen had 7 targets last week in his return. He was on the field for all but one of the Panthers offensive snaps. All of that being said, Olsen is still a sit for me this week. The Eagles defense is tops in the NFL in points allowed to tight ends. They shut tight ends down.

October 16 – Week Seven Waiver Adds

Ito Smith – Devonta Freeman’s season has come to an end. Tevin Coleman is the obvious Fantasy Football beneficiary. Problem is, Coleman hasn’t looked that good this season, and he is not built to carry the whole load. In my opinion, Smith will take over the Freeman role at some point this season.
Jalen Richard -As of this week, Richard is a must-own in all 12 team leagues. Marshawn Lynch is dealing with a groin injury that will likely cause him to miss time. Doug Martin will get carries as well in the absence of Lynch but he stinks and we always target the pass-catching back. Richard is currently getting a 24 percent target share. That’s number one in the league for running backs with more than 10 targets.
Duke Johnson – Johnson sitting on the waiver wire in your league. I guarantee it. Baker Mayfield is spreading the ball out in Cleveland. In his last three games, Johnson has nine receptions and 125 yards receiving on 12 targets. Duke’s season could be turning around just in time to give owners bye week help.
Albert Wilson – There is nothing really all that intriguing about the Miami Dolphins passing attack. Ryan Tannehill only throws it an average of 25 times a game. The WR corps is below average but they have a gem in Wilson. He is coming off a huge game, but what’s more interesting is his five  targets per game. A small bid for bench depth is what Wilson is worth.

October 13 – Week Six Starts and Sits

Starts 

Ito Smith – Last time Devonta Freeman was out for the Falcons Smith played on over 40 percent of the offensive snaps. Freeman is out again this week, so Smith will see an uptick in snaps in what should be a high-scoring game. Smith has multiple touchdown upside this week.

Kyle Juszczyk – Even with Matt Breida healthy. Juszczyk had fantasy value in PPR formats. Breida is looking doubtful this week so Juszczyk is a great start in PPR formats. Last week Kyle played in close to 70 percent of the offensive snaps, catching six passes for 75 yards.

Jameis Winston – Winston gets his first start of the season versus the beat Atlanta Falcons defense. The Falcons are 28th in the NFL against the pass. Winston is a QB1 this week and will likely throw for over 400 yards.

Sits 

Austin Ekeler – Ekeler is seeing fewer snaps and he isn’t getting the targets or carries he saw earlier in the season. He is extremely touchdown dependent. I don’t recommend you start him this week on the road vs the Browns.

Kenny Stills – In the past 4 weeks Stills has 10 receptions and only one for a touchdown. Stills had a promising start to the season but he can no longer be trusted in Fantasy lineups. The Bears defense has been dominating QB’s all season, this week they should feast on a gimpy Ryan Tannehill.

Greg Olsen – Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is hinting that Olsen will suit up this week. He is listed as questionable on the latest injury report. I would have to be beyond desperate to start Olsen. He could easily get re-injured, plus the matchup versus the Redskins is a poor one for the aging tight end.

October 8 – Week Six Waiver and FAAB Targets

Wendell Smallwood – With Jay Ajayi out for the season with a torn ACL Smallwood becomes the pickup of the week. Smallwood will definitely see an uptick in usage, but I would still temper my expectations. The Eagles will continue to use a committee approach at running back. Also, the Eagles are struggling on offense.  Smallwood is a nice add for running back starved Fantasy teams but I would spend no more than a quarter of my remaining FAAB budget to pick him up.

Alfred Morris – Morris likely hit the wire in 12 teams leagues two weeks ago. Now that Matt Breida is dealing with an ankle injury Morris could become a feature back. Morris won’t save your season and Breida should not be out for more than two weeks. If you need a plug-and-play running back for the next couple of weeks Morris is worth an eight percent FAAB bid.

C.J. Beathard – Beathard has thrown for over 298 yards in each of his starts. He has thrown  four touchdown passes and rushed for one. Beathard will be Fantasy relevant from here on. C.J. is the QB in a Fantasy-friendly offense on a team that will likely be playing from behind for the rest of the season. Beathard finished as a QB1 in Week Five. I don’t see that being a one-time thing.

Keke Coutee –  I honestly thought Coutee was a flash in the pan after his big game last week. This week I’m on board. Coutee has 17 receptions on 22 targets the last two weeks. He has been on the field for over 80 percent of the Texans offensive snaps over the past two weeks.  Coutee will be a nice player to own as Fantasy owners work through the bye weeks.

Jameis Winston – Jameis is back and the job is his. No matter what you think of Winston he has big-time Fantasy value as well something to prove. The weapons are there, so don’t be surprised if Jameis is in the QB1 convo for the rest of the season.

October 1 – Week Five Waiver and FAAB Targets

Taylor Gabriel – I wrote about him last week and he went off. His price will go up after the big game but still, keep your bid in the 8-10 percent range.

Mitchell Trubisky – The big six touchdown week for Trubisky is a great sign. He looking like he has a greater command of the offense. He is likely already owned in deeper and 2QB leagues. In 12 team leagues, he is a matchup-dependent streaming option.

Nyheim Hines – I have been saying for the last few seasons that the Colts backfield is not the place to look for Fantasy production. For the most part that has been the case. Hines is a different because of what he brings as a pass-catcher. Hines has 26 targets on the season. He is also increasing his snap counts every week.

Nick Chubb – Chubb may have been dropped by an impatient owner earlier in the season. The job in Cleveland belongs to Carlos Hyde but Chubb may have earned more carries with an impressive 105-yard, two touchdown performance. Chubb doesn’t really get many snaps, so keep your bids under 8 percent unless you are a Hyde owner.

Rashard Higgins – Higgins is not getting a lot of targets, but he does catch what comes his way. I like the fact that Higgins is playing in close to 70 percent of the Browns snaps. He could be a nice plug-and-play once the bye weeks ramp up.

September 29 – Week Four Starts and Sits

Chris Godwin – Godwin is living up to his potential so far this season. He is averaging 15 Fantasy points per game in PPR scoring. The combination of Godwin and Ryan Fitzpatrick has produced a touchdown pass in every game this season. DeSean Jackson is playing well also, but with 10 targets last week, Godwin has arrived as Tampa Bay’s true second option in the passing game.

Sony Michel – Patriots rookie Sony Michel is ready to take over as New England’s lead back. Rex Burkhead is out for the season and Michel has recovered from his preseason injury. The Patriots have a home game versus a Dolphins defense ranked 24th against the run. This may be the start of something for Michel owners.

Matt Breida – I bet you didn’t know that Breida is tied with Ezekiel Elliot for the league lead in rushing yards. Breida has been on the injury report this week. If he is active he could become the check down king for C.J. Beathard. Which makes him a good start in PPR leagues.

Sit

Derrick Henry – I will admit I was wrong in predicting a Henry breakout this season. The Titans offense can’t move the ball effectively. It’s not like Henry is not getting the carries, in each of the last 2 weeks he has received 18 carries. The problem is he is not doing anything with those carries. Henry is barely averaging three yards a pop. This week the Titans take on an Eagles rush defense that has been lights out this season.

Ben Watson – The Giants have struggled to cover the tight end position for the past few seasons. Many Fantasy owners went to the waiver wire this week and added Watson to stream versus the Giants. The problem is Watson is not that heavily involved in the Saints offense. Last week was his only Fantasy relevant outing so far this season. I don’t see the Saints scoring another 40-plus points this week. There are more reliable tight ends to stream than Ben Watson.

Matthew Stafford – Stafford is having a typical solid Stafford-like season. Nothing to brag about but nothing to sneeze at. This week the  Lions travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys. The Cowboys defense has been tough on opposing QBs this season. QBs are throwing for less than 200 yards a game vs. Dallas

September 25 – Week Four Waiver Targets

Ryan Tannehill – I have been very critical of Ryan Tannehill in the past. I don’t feel bad, he deserved it.  I have to give credit where credit is due. Tannehill has taken advantage of the Dolphins schedule to start the season, He is currently QB12 on the season. Tannehill should be in the weekly QB streaming conversation if the matchup is right.

Baker Mayfield – The Mayfield era in Cleveland kicked off with a bang in Week Three. Mayfield gave the Browns a spark and they actually won a game. The Browns have plenty of weapons on offense and Mayfield will be allowed to play without having to look over his shoulders. Like Tannehill, Mayfield should be in the weekly streaming conversation.

Dallas Goedert – It took three weeks but the Eagles rookie tight end now has Fantasy value. Carson Wentz returned and picked up where he left off, targeting the tight end position. We know Zach Ertz will still be the main guy, but the Eagles offense can support two Fantasy-relevant tight ends. Goedert had seven targets in Week Three, fifth most among tight ends.

Jordy Nelson – Nelson was likely dropped after barely being mentioned in the box scores in Weeks One and Two. Week Three was a throwback for Nelson owners. He caught six of his eight targets for 173 yards and a touchdown. So far we have seen Jared Cook and Amari Cooper each have big weeks. Derek Carr is targeting the player with the best matchup. Nelson will be a high-risk/reward player through the bye weeks.

Taylor Gabriel – He has 22 targets through three games. Gabriel will always be a risky boom-or-bust play but he should be owned in 12-team leagues as we approach the bye weeks. Keep your FAAB bids on the minimal side.

September 22 – Week Three Starts and Sits

Start 

Latavius Murray – Dalvin Cook is out this week, so Murray gets the running game to himself. Filling in for Dalvin Cook last season Murray had 10 games with at least 15 carries. The Vikings are 17-point favorites in this game, meaning Murray should get a nice workload to kill the clock with.

Matt Breida – On 22 carries this season Breida is averaging over eight yards a pop. It’s clear that he is a better more versatile running back than Alfred Morris. There will be a lot of offense in this game, so start Breida as a flex.

Eric Ebron – No Jack Doyle for the Colts this week, so  Ebron will be the primary tight end. Ebron has seven catches and two touchdowns through the first two weeks of the season. If Ebron is on your waiver wire pick him up and play him.

Sit 

Carson Wentz- I don’t think the Colts defense is anything special, that’s not the reason for this sit. Personally, I don’t like playing quarterbacks in their first game back from injury. Matter of fact, I think Nick Foles would still be starting if the Eagles won last week. Wentz may be back, but I doubt he is ready.

Derrick Henry – Henry was in the game for 44 percent of the Titans’ offensive snaps last week. That’s a good number but the production hasn’t come along with the snaps. The Jaguars defense has been dominant vs the run yet again.

Trey Burton – Burton is a player I liked a lot coming into the season. So far it’s not working out for Burton in his new home. Mitchell Trubisky is locked in on Allen Robinson. Burton has 10 targets through two games, but only five catches for 35 yards.

September 18 – Waiver Tips

Giovani Bernard – I wish I was fortunate enough to have Gio as a free agent in one of my leagues. If Gio is on your waiver wire he is this week’s top priority. Joe Mixon will be out for about a month, and Gio has the full workload to himself.

Chris Ivory – LeSean McCoy’s owners need to grab Ivory before a league mate snakes you. McCoy is dealing with cracked rib cartilage, although he should be the starter in Week 3. If I’m a McCoy owner I would rather be safe than sorry. If I’m not a McCoy owner and have the roster real estate I would put a dollar on Ivory.

Corey Clement – Clement filled in nicely for Darren Sproles in Week 2. The Eagles back scored a rushing touchdown and caught 5 passes for 55 yards. Sproles will not hold up all season so Clement will be a nice piece to have as we push toward the bye week. Plus, Jay Ajayi is dealing with a back injury.

Antonio Callaway – Josh Gordon is in New England. Antonio Callaway is the new starter for the Browns. Callaway is a dynamic WR who just needs more opportunities. Those opportunities will now come his way. In his first start last week Callaway caught 3 of his 4 targets for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Tyler Boyd – One preseason play made Fantasy Football owners run out and grab John Ross. That was a mistake. Tyler Boyd is the receiver not named A.J Green to own on the Bengals. Boyd proved that in Week 2 with 6 receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown. What I really liked was the 9 targets.

Willie Snead – Snead has double-digit points in PPR formats in each of the first 2 weeks of the season. Snead will not win your league for you, but if you have space on your bench to add him do so. You will thank me when the bye weeks start.

September 14 – Starts and Sits

Starts

Tarik Cohen – Cohen was not a big part of the game plan last week vs the Packers. He rushed the ball five times and caught three passes. Cohen is too talented to go back-to-back weeks with a limited role. I like him a lot this week in PPR vs the Seahawks defense.

Chris Godwin – Godwin showed up for his supporters in a big way in Week 1. Although it’s highly unlikely anyone had him in their starting lineups.

Will Fuller- The Titans defense gave up two touchdowns passes to Ryan Tannehill last week. So you can imagine what Deshaun Watson will do versus the unit this week. Even though Fuller is making his 2018 debut this week I don’t expect the Texans to have him on a pitch count. I like Fuller as a high upside flex option.

Sits

Jamaal Williams – Williams carried the ball 15 times last week for 47 yards. That isn’t terrible but that was against the Bears defense. This week versus the big bad Vikings defense it’s a good idea to sit Williams.

Amari Cooper – Things don’t seem to be improving for Cooper. Last week’s one-catch performance was just the latest disappointment from the Raiders wideout. This week he gets the always tough Broncos secondary in Denver. Cooper should be benched until further notice.

Kerryon Johnson – I am a huge fan of Johnson, as a matter of fact I own him on several teams. I’m sure he will have Fantasy value at some point this season. I’m not sure this will be the week, though. Last week versus the Niners, Vikings runners averaged less than four yards per carry. The Lions need to find an identity on offense before we can begin to trust Johnson in our starting lineups.

September 12 – FAAB Finds

Geronimo Allison – If you have to fight for Allison on your waiver wire that’s your own fault. I have been saying all preseason that Allison will play a big role in the Packers offense. Sunday night was just the beginning. Pay 12-16 percent of your FAAB to scoop him off the wire.

Brandon Marshall – Marshall will be Fantasy relevant in Seattle because there is no one else to catch the ball from Russell Wilson. Spend 10-12 percent of your FAAB on the veteran wideout.

Quincy Enunwa – Enunwa is back healthy and is already in the good graces of Sam Darnold. Enunwa will lead the Jets in targets this season. Enunwa is a more talented playmaker than Robby Anderson. Drop 9-11 percent of your FAAB budget on Quincy.

Cole Beasley – The Cowboys offense looked pitiful in the opener vs the Panthers. There may not be much to their passing game all season. Beasley won/t be on the wire if you are in a league with me. Beasley has too much sauce for the wire and should be owned in all 12-team PPR leagues. Eight to 10 percent of your FAAB budget should score Beasley.

Phillip Lindsay- Who saw this coming? Lindsay led the Broncos backfield in Fantasy production in Week One. The “other” Broncos rookie running back rushed 15 times for 71 yards and also had a receiving touchdown. Every Fantasy owner needs running back depth. Spend 18-21 percent of your FAAB budget on Phillip Lindsay.

September 7 

Starts

James White – Patriots backs are tough to trust, and tougher to trust in Week One. I’m pretty confident James White will get enough work to be a flex play in PPR formats to start the season. Most of the Patriots RBs are banged up. Couple that with a game that should be up-and-down, and you can look for Tom Brady to get the ball to old reliable Jimmy White.

 

Tyrod Taylor – Tyrod Taylor has a nice matchup this week at home versus Pittsburgh. Opposing Quarterbacks normally have big games vs the Steelers. It also helps that Vegas has the Browns with an implied point total of over 20 points this week. Taylor has some big-time offensive weapons at his disposal this year, not to mention Taylor has 14 rushing touchdowns in the past 3 seasons.

Kenny Stills – Stills is the only competent WR on the Dolphins. The departure of Jarvis Landry left a lot of targets to go around for the Dolphins. DeVante Parker is doubtful for Week One and isn’t good anyway. The Dolphins will be playing from behind, so Ryan Tannehill will have to wing it. Stills should see at least 7 targets.

Sits

 Chris Carson – Carson will have his chances to be in your starting lineup this season, but just not in Week One. The Broncos run defense remains awesome and they are even better at home. A rebuilt Seahawks offensive line will struggle. Yards on the ground will be hard to come by for Russell Wilson and the gang. In 2017 the Broncos defense only gave up 9 rushing touchdowns.

 

Peyton Barber – Much like Chris Carson, Barber will make your starting lineup at some point during the season. You will have to be extremely thin at RB to play Barber this week. Look for the Saints to get out early on their division rivals and not look back. Barber will have limited opportunities vs. a run defense that only gave up 11 touchdowns last season.

Jimmy Garoppolo – The Jimmy Garoppolo love train will have to wait. There is no way you can start him this week. In 2017 no team gave opposing quarterbacks fits like the Viking did. The Vikings defense only allowed 13 touchdown passes against them. Garoppolo was shaky on the road last season. Fantasy points will be hard to come by for Jimmy G in Week One

 

September 6

We are past the draft stage of the offseason and it’s time for the Fantasy points to start tabulating. With so much change in the past four days, there may be some hidden gems on the waiver wire or nifty trade acquisitions.  Here is a snapshot of some players that I believe are worth an early season add or trade offer. Please be careful who you drop when going to pick up players, for example, I was asked on Twitter if I would drop Dion Lewis to pick up Alfred Morris. Obviously, I would not.

James Conner – Conner is the big story this week and was the top add across the board in Fantasy leagues. Le’Veon Bell has likely played his final game with the Steelers. Conner is a very impressive second-year back who will reap the benefits of the Steelers’ Fantasy-friendly offense. Conner is not the talent that Le’Veon Bell is but he will be a projected RB1 every week he is the starter. I was willing to pay 65 percent of my budget to scoop up Conner as a Bell owner. If I did not own Bell and needed RB help I was looking to spend up to 50 percent of my budget for Conner. There were leagues where Conner went for 90 percent of someone’s FAAB budget. Tell me you were not that guy.

 

Antonio Gates – Old Man Gates has returned for one more run with his BFF Philip Rivers. Gates will resume his role as a red-zone target but don’t expect much. If you waited too long to grab a tight end on draft day a pickup of Gates will give you a touchdown-reliant streaming option.

 

Alfred Morris – Shout Out to Alfred Morris still getting an NFL paycheck. Morris will start the season as the lead back for the Niners. Morris is a very solid early-down runner who is familiar with and had success with the Kyle Shanahan offense. Morris has a career yards per carry over 4. He is a really good runner but he won’t catch any passes and that will limit his work.

 

Matt Breida – I’m always going to bid on the pass-catching running back. Breida is the Niners running back I value the most. Breida has shown flashes of being a good back and he is a better pass-catcher than Morris. Breida is a young multi-dimensional back.

 

August 30

With the NFL preseason coming to a close, I want to touch on some players who are rising up draft boards as we head toward kickoff.

Mike Williams – after sitting out the majority of his rookie season due to injury Williams is a favorite to have a breakout season in 2018. I like Williams and trust his talent. As a matter of fact, I recently pulled him up into the sixth round of a draft I was in. Williams will not have a breakout season but he will be Philip Rivers’ favorite target in the red zone. Williams won’t see many targets but will fill the role of Hunter Henry.

 

Marquise Goodwin – In 2017 Marquise was finally healthy enough to make an impact in Fantasy circles. In his first year with the Niners Goodwin saw over 100 targets. Goodwin had 10 games with at least 6 targets. When Jimmy Garropolo arrived in the Bay Area Goodwin’s game went to the next level. Pierre Garcon will not be healthy enough to lead the Niners in targets, that will be Goodwin. If you are drafting this week Goodwin will go in the fifth or sixth round.

 

Marshawn Lynch – The Beast Mode train is gaining steam as we approach kickoff. Lynch was going in the 10th round of Fantasy drafts a month ago, if you want the veteran now, you will have to pay a fifth-round draft price. Lynch has looked good in preseason. He is in much better shape than he was last year and looks quicker.  Lynch is a starting running back with a backfield to himself and that means a lot to Fantasy Football owners. Lynch will see close to 200 carries this season. I like Lynch better in standard leagues than I do in PPR leagues.

 

August 24

A big Weekend of drafts is on deck so its time for a rankings update. Hopefully, the weekend games are injury free. The pieces to the 2018 Fantasy Football puzzle are starting to come together. The first two rounds of drafts seem to be set beside a few players here and there. Training Camp battles appear to have clear winners and I think we know who all 32 starting quarterbacks will be. It’s time to get down to all the fun that is draft week.

 

Rankings Risers

I am a huge fan of Browns rookie running back Nick Chubb. Unfortunately, it looks like Chubb won’t have any real Fantasy value until 2019. Chubb has struggled to adjust to the NFL. The good news for Browns fans and Fantasy owners is that Carlos Hyde is looking like a bellcow running back. Hyde, who the Browns picked up in the offseason, is coming off a career year. Hyde has always been a solid between-the-tackle runners when healthy. Last season he flashed his ability to be an asset in the passing game. I’m not saying Carlos Hyde will flirt with 60 receptions again this season. Duke Johnson won’t have that. What Hyde will do is run the ball effectively and get the majority of the reps in the Browns backfield. Earlier in the week, I wrote about my love for Packers wideout Geronimo Allison. With news that the Packers are willing to move Randall Cobb coming out this week, I have taken an even stronger stance on Allison, moving him up to my 35th ranked WR in PPR formats. Remember his name on draft day.

 

Rankings Fallers

If Carlos Hyde is moving up draft boards that must mean Nick Chubb is moving down. Chubb is still a first round pick in rookie drafts. The big faller this week is Eagles Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery. He is looking like a candidate to start the season on the PUP list. That would leave Alshon out for at least the first six weeks of the season. Eagles Coach Doug Pederson has stated that Jeffery is doing well in his rehab but is not ready for football activity just yet. Mike Wallace is a player Fantasy owners should take a late-round flier on.

 

August 22

The latest Beat The Fantasy Executive league was a 28 round Best Ball draft that took place this past weekend. Most of you already know who I like early, so let me walk you through some of my late round fliers.

Geronimo Allison – Allison is one of my top guys to take late in drafts. I love the Packers’ passing game except for Jimmy Graham. Allison will not a see a healthy amount of targets in the weeks that Randall Cobb is healthy and active. Unfortunately for Cobb that won’t be too often. Allison could be second on the Packers in targets by season’s end.

 

Jeremy Hill – It’s been an interesting camp for Jeremy Hill. Three weeks ago he was on the roster bubble. As it stands now he could lead the Pats backfield when the season starts. Hill had bone spurs removed from his ankles this past offseason and he has been the Patriots best running back in training camp. Hill has rushed the ball 17 times for 82 yards and a touchdown in two preseason games. Hill and James White are the healthy Pats running backs that will carry the load early in the season.

 

Willie Snead – Snead has really flown under the radar in Ravens camp this summer. Last season, Snead was a popular mid-round pick until he was hit with a suspension. Snead was a dog in 2017. Let’s not forget, though, Snead had over 100 targets in 2015 and 2016. Draft Snead late or keep a close eye on him so you can grab him off the waiver wire early in the season.

 

August 17

It’s Friday so it’s time for updated rankings. Week 2 of preseason action has started and the pictures are getting clearer around the NFL.

 

Rankings Risers

 

Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor seems to be locked into the starting job. The Browns have nice weapons on offense and could be adding Josh Gordon and Dez Bryant to the mix soon. Tyrod is one of the most underrated players in the NFL. If you are in a 2QB or Superflex league, or just like to draft multiple quarterbacks, Taylor will be a nice fit for your roster. Peyton Barber gets a big boost in the rankings this week simply because he will be the Bucs’ starting running back. Rookie Ronald Jones has failed to impress. Barber will not be a three-down back but he has that skill set. Many people won’t remember this, but Barber led the Bucs in rushing last season.

 

Rankings Fallers

 

Rex Burkhead is a very talented player but this guy can’t stay on the field. Burkhead has been dealing with a knee injury for the majority of training camp. The Pats are saying that Burkhead has a minor tear in his knee that will not sideline him for long. Even if Burkhead is ready for Week One you better believe he will deal with this knee injury again during the season. Rishard Matthews has been one of my favorite value picks the past two seasons. That won’t be the case this season. Matthews has yet to practice this summer and no one has any idea whats going on with Matthews. The Titans’ young wideouts are playing well and they may have to bring in reinforcements at the position. Matthews will be sliding down the depth chart and rankings until there is more clarity on his undisclosed injury.

 

August 15

For at least a decade every so-called Fantasy Football expert has preached to owners to wait on your quarterback. It is sound advice, as quarterback is normally very deep and you don’t need the top player at the position to win your league. Dudes like Blake Bortles can get hot at the right time and lead you to Fantasy glory. In seasons past many local or home leagues will have guys that will draft quarterbacks in the first three rounds. From the draft boards I have seen this year that is no longer the case. Everyone, not just the “experts” are waiting on their quarterbacks. That means it is time to switch up the strategy and pay up for the big-name quarterbacks. I’m not saying to go overboard and draft Aaron Rodgers in the first round, but there is a method to my madness. Luckily I’m willing to share that with you.

Aaron Rodgers – I’m willing to draft Rodgers in round 4. Rodgers has a MFL 10 ADP of 50 overall. If Rodgers is on the board in the fifth round  that’s the steal of the draft. In the FLEX league draft I snagged Rodgers on the 6-7 turn. He should never be around that late.

 

Russell Wilson – Wilson has a MFL 10 ADP of 64 overall. This a guy who could win the NFL MVP this season. Wilson is the Seahawks’ entire offense. Whether its rushing or passing, the offense flows through Wilson. He can normally be found in Round 7 of drafts. Which is quite absurd.

 

Deshaun Watson- Watson may scare owners because he is coming off a torn ACL. Don’t worry about Watson. He is a young Russell Wilson, except he has one of the best receivers in the game to throw to. If he is on the board in the seventh round or later grab him and reap the rewards.

 

August 11

The first run of the Fantasy Executive rankings is here. Unfortunately, due to injuries in this weekend’s preseason games, some players no longer have rankings. My rankings will be updated every Friday so you will have them for your upcoming weekend drafts.

One of the players you will notice that I am lower on than the rest of the industry is Green Bay Packers tight end Jimmy Graham. I had Graham on multiple teams last season and I still think he has some game left in him. The reason for the low rank actually has nothing to do with Graham. It has to do with his new team and QB. Aaron Rodgers doesn’t care to throw the football to the tight end. Many will say he will target Graham in the red zone. Graham will be a nice decoy in the red zone but Rodgers will just likely run it in himself. Let’s use the last season Rodgers was healthy all year in 2016. Packers tight ends Richard Rodgers and Jared Cook finished as tight ends 36 and 38 in PPR scoring. They had 101 targets and three touchdowns between them. The last time a Packers tight end made noise in Fantasy it was Jermichael Finley. Rodgers ran him out of town.

 

Stefon Diggs is my 10th ranked wide receiver in PPR. Diggs’ teammate Adam Thielen is my 14th ranked wide receiver in PPR. I know Thielen finished as a Top 10 wide receiver last season, I still like Thielen, I’m just convinced Diggs is headed for a breakout season.The Vikings gave Diggs a big contract extension in the offseason, making him the sixth highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL. Thielen got his money last season, and his contract is nowhere near the size of Diggs’. I’m not just following the money with these two. I’m also looking at skill sets. Diggs is an elite route runner who many have compared to Antonio Brown. It doesn’t hurt that new quarterback Kirk Cousins also raves about Diggs’ game.

 


August 8 

Every year as more and more people get into Fantasy Football and start mock drafting, ADPs on certain players begin to change. Two players with Average Draft Positions headed in the wrong direction are Rashaad Penny and Tyreek Hill. Let’s examine both, starting with the new Seahawk. Penny (FantasyPros RB22 in PPR) was drafted by Seattle with its first selection in the 2018 NFL Draft. The San Diego State standout led the FBS in rushing and all-purpose yards. The 5-11 Penny was going in the third round of Fantasy Football drafts throughout the month of July. I have noticed over the past couple of weeks Penny’s ADP is starting to slide to the 4th and even 5th rounds. The reason mainly is because of the presence of Chris Carson, who is having a great camp. Carson, whose rookie season ended in Week 4 with a leg injury, has said that he is better prepared for the rigors of the NFL. Carson has created enough of a buzz to affect Penny’s ADP. Penny will have the opportunity to take this backfield from Carson but I don’t see it happening this season. As the Seahawks offensive line improves their running game should also. When Seattle was good, the rushing attack was the staple of their offense. In the past two seasons, the Seahawks have finished 24th and 25th in rushing, causing a major problem for the offense. Penny, along with Carson, will improve the rushing game this season, but not to the point that either will be a Top 12 Fantasy back. Penny should not be drafted any higher than Round 4. The Seattle backfield will be a nightmarish timeshare that will cause headaches for Fantasy Football owners.

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