Fantasy Football 2017: Denver Broncos outlook
A year after hoisting the Lombardi Trophy with Peyton Manning, the Broncos offered putrid offense led by 2015 seventh rounder Trevor Siemian. Will their fantasy stars bounce back in 2017?
C.J. Anderson
Anderson is the most talented back in town right now, but for how long will that be the case? The team almost let him go last offseason, drafted a running back in the fourth round, and may attempt to bring in some competition again this year.
He’s been a very hot-and-cold back since an astounding run at the end of 2014 when he posted 648 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns in the last six games of the season. In 2015 he shared the workload with Ronnie Hillman, and didn’t take over full control of the backfield when challenged by rookie Devontae Booker last year before a knee injury sent him to the injured reserve in Week 7. That said, he’s a strong comeback candidate if the team doesn’t draft a back, and you should be snapping him up wherever possible.
Devontae Booker
Despite having the chance for a full workload after Anderson’s injury, the rookie was a huge disappointment in 2016. He ended the year with 612 yards and a 3.5 yards per carry average, showing no signs of becoming an NFL starter. He doesn’t need to be drafted unless you’re adopting a strategy of investing in handcuffs.
Demaryius Thomas
Obviously he isn’t still in his glory days (with a prime Peyton Manning), but Thomas has put together five straight seasons of 90-plus catches, 1,000-plus yards and five-plus touchdowns. He’ll turn 30 this season, which isn’t old for a receiver, and is one of my favorite buy low candidates for 2017. Mike McCoy is returning as the offensive coordinator, and will be sure to feature his star wideout.
Emmanuel Sanders
Like Thomas, Sanders has had consistently great statistical seasons, registering three in a row with over 75 catches, 1,000 yards and five touchdowns. The whole offense has sputtered in the last couple of years, and we can only hope the team gains some clarity at the quarterback position after both Trevor Siemian and rookie Paxton Lynch failed miserably to provide any spark in 2016. Whoever his signal-caller may be, Sanders is another mid-round option with the potential to provide a great return and out-perform his draft position.
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The Best of the Rest
Neither Siemian nor Lynch offered consistent fantasy production in 2016, and they are avoidable in your leagues at this point. If Lynch can take the job and get the most out of his receivers, he has the better upside. Kapri Bibbs does some grunt work as a backup runner, but won’t be startable unless both backs in front of him go down. Thomas and Sanders hog the targets on the outside, leaving none left for players behind them including the team’s tight ends.