Fantasy Football: 2016-2017 Preview
So Antonio Brown has basically reigned supreme the last two years in fantasy football, especially in PPR leagues, but he’s also a stud in standard leagues as well.
Heading into the 2016 fantasy season almost every mock draft you see has Brown going #1 overall.
I’m not saying that’s a bad pick by any means, but there are other players out there, believe it or not, who could outscore Brown this year.
And they are (drum roll please) …
Next: David Johnson
David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals
You might remember Johnson from last year when, if you were lucky enough to have claimed him off the waiver wire, he most likely led your team to fantasy glory.
In weeks 13 through 17, he racked up 658 yards and five TDs on 107 touches, which easily made his fantasy’s top-scoring RB during that stretch. He also averaged a healthy 4.6 yards per carry, including 2.3 after contact (fifth best among RBs).
He also has great value in PPR leagues and should be taken as the first running back off the board in all PPR drafts. Don’t forget that he caught 15 passes in Arizona’s two playoff games this season and that he has been running a lot of plays out of the slot during training camp, leading Cardinals’ GM Steve Keim to say about the mismatches Johnson is going to create in the passing game “it’s scary. It’s early, but I haven’t seen many like him.”
Just 24, the second-year back has a rare combination of power as a between-the-tackles runner, speed to get to the edge, vision upon reaching the second level and skills in the passing game.
With all that, he’s now the clear lead back in Arizona’s high-scoring attack, he carries the floor to help carry your fantasy team, but he also has the ceiling to be fantasy’s #1 overall player.
Next: Todd Gurley
Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
For a guy coming off a torn ACL and being thrown to the wolves as a rookie by the Rams, Gurley had a pretty good year.
Despite playing only 15 games, Gurley was named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the year after he finished with 1,106 rushing yards. He was also first among all NFL rookies in yards from scrimmage (1,294) and 100-yard games (five), and second in total touchdowns (10).
Keep in mind that the Rams finished last season with a 7-9 record, started Nick Foles and Case Keenum at quarterback, and don’t forget that Gurley was still a rookie coming off a major injury.
Now heading into 2016, Gurley is another year removed from the surgery, still plays for head coach Jeff Fisher who is as committed to the run as anyone in football and the Rams are now going to be breaking in a new rookie quarterback in Jared Goff.
What makes Gurley a candidate to be fantasy’s #1 scorer is volume, and not just in carries. Sure, he’s likely to run the ball over 300 times, but the Rams are planning on using Gurley as a complete three-down back, which means that catching 50+ balls and over 500 yards is not out of the question.
What’s also not out of the question is that Gurley has the potential to gain over 2,000 total yards and score 20 touchdowns. Those are the type of numbers that would make him fantasy’s #1 scorer.
Next: Julio Jones
Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons
If Antonio Brown doesn’t lead all fantasy in scoring, then Jones might be the odds on favorite to replace him.
In year one in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, who loves to get the ball into the hands of his lead receiver come hell or high water, Jones led the league in catches, which is PPR gold. Of course it also helps that Jones is really good anyway – a huge, fast matchup nightmare.
Three years in a row he’s averaged over 105 receiving yards per game and with Shanahan drawing up the plays, he saw 203 pass attempts last year, second most by any receiver in the past 10 years.
The biggest knock on Jones will always be that he’s injury prone as he tends to get more foot and ankle injuries than most players and Jones isn’t that great around the goal line, scoring only 6 and 9 touchdowns the last two years despite catching a zillion passes.
However, the Falcons added a decent second wide receiver in Mohamed Sanu in free agency, who gives them their best second option since Roddy White was in his hay-day. Plus, the Falcons will also feature the one-two punch of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman out of the backfield.
What this means is that defenses have more to think about this year than just stopping Jones. If Jones can approach double digits in touchdowns, then he can easily finish as the #1 scorer in fantasy football.
Next: OBJ
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, NY Giants
Can you name the players in NFL history with more than 180 catches, 2,600 yards and 25 TDs in the first two years? Keep thinking. Okay, stop. There’s only one and if you guessed Beckham Jr. you’re correct!
He’s finished fifth in WR fantasy scoring in each of his first two seasons despite missing four games in 2014 and one last year. Plus, over the last two years, he’s averaged 7 catches and 104 yards in the 26 games he’s started, with 24 touchdowns. In standard scoring leagues, those per-game numbers are within 1 percent of Antonio Brown.
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Need more? Fine. Beckham also had a streak of six consecutive 100-yard games last year and has topped the 100-yard mark 15 times over his brief career. He’s also scored multiple TDs on six different occasions.
Entering year three both he and Eli Manning should be more comfortable in head coach Ben McAdoo’s system. A system which led to career high numbers for Manning this year and things are looking even better this year.
If Beckham continues his career trajectory a 110 catch, 1,800 yard and 15 touchdown season is not out of the question. Numbers like that would push him into #1 fantasy scoring territory.
Next: Which Round 2 RB has the most upside?
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