Fantasy Football Preview – Offenses to Own
Fantasy Football Preview: High-powered offenses producing multiple fantasy relevant assets
Fantasy football owners love the offenses that put up 30+ points on a week in, week out basis. This type of high-powered offense produces multiple, viable fantasy relevant options for leagues. It allows for stacks, whether it be quarterback-wide receiver, or a wide-out-running back combination. It can be a risk for owners some weeks, when going up against a solid defense, but overall, it’s usually a good return on investment for owners.
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I will say though, that owning two separate wide-outs from the same team is a high risk, high reward investment. Banking on both wide receivers to have solid enough games to win you weeks is a risk. Later in this post, I’ll highlight a couple of teams where it is viable to own and start two wide receivers from the same team.
Fantasy Football Preview – 2016 Statistic Breakdown
It was a breakout year for this young Raiders’ offense, scoring in the top half in the majority of statistical categories. Let’s take a look:
With an improving defense, this can only spell positive game script for the Raiders. In addition, they add a veteran piece in Marshawn Lynch, and put him behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. This line helped Latavius Murray total twelve touchdowns and nearly 800 yards last season, imagine what it can do for a bulldozer like Lynch.
Players to Own
Starting with the quarterback, Derek Carr (6.08 ADP) is fresh off of a stellar season and a 5yr/$125 million extension. Totaling nearly 4,000 passing yards with 28 TDs and only 6 picks, Carr displayed why he’s one of the most exciting young quarterbacks in the NFL. He has the same weapons on the outside and adds Marshawn Lynch to the backfield. The run game should give Carr more time in the pocket and allow him make plays.
Looking at the wide-outs, Michael Crabtree (5.02 ADP) and Amari Cooper (2.10 ADP) have emerged as a top ten one-two punch as far as wide receiver combos go. In 2016, both receivers got over 1,000 yards receiving, 130+ targets, and 80+ receptions each. Crabtree received eight touchdowns and Cooper received five, so hopefully the touchdown numbers increase for Cooper. Derek Carr has found his recipe for success with these two, and there’s no reason to suspect that’s changing.
The biggest question mark coming into this season is Marshawn Lynch. The 31-year-old workhorse back took a year hiatus and has come back ready to roll. There’s no doubt that he’s physically able to produce RB1 numbers, but will he? At his current price tag of 2.06, you’re pretty much banking on that fact. The offensive line is prepped and capable to support his RB1 aspirations.
Fantasy Football Preview – Fantasy Gold Mine
This offense is the high price tag, high production. Highlighted by Le’veon Bell (1.02 ADP) and Antonio Brown (1.04 ADP), the Steelers are notorious for generating a ridiculous amount of offense. They genuinely have five, even six viable fantasy options within this offense. Here’s what they managed to do in 2016:
Players to Own
Ben Roethlisberger (8.01 ADP) is still at it. He’s a perennial QB asset that consistently finds himself in the top ten. He brings back Antonio Brown, his number one target, and gets up-and-coming Martavis Bryant (4.09 ADP) back from suspension. Add into the mix their newly drafted slot receiver Juju Smith-Schuster and Sammie Coates, Big Ben will have a bunch of 4 wide-receiver sets and should carve up secondaries all season long.
Antonio Brown has been a godsend for fantasy owners for the last three seasons and is sizing up to be one yet again. The Central Michigan product pulled in 106 receptions for 1,284 yards and 12 touchdowns, delivering his first round draft value. With Martavis Bryant‘s return, Brown’s targets and production shouldn’t see a regression, but an overall increase in the Steelers’ offense is a certainty.
Then comes Le’veon Bell. After turning down an extension, his future in Pittsburgh has become unknown. Regardless, he’s a top-two back in the league and will continue to provide proficiency in the run game and in receiving from the backfield. A true PPR superstar, along with David Johnson, and should return on his top three pick draft capital.
Fantasy Football Preview – The New and Improved LA Chargers
Now in competition to become Los Angeles’ main team, against the exciting (*insert laugh crying emoji) LA Rams, the Chargers still have their offense to lean on. Their defense is on the rise, and should play with some positive game scripts. Phillip Rivers returns to the helm (10.03 ADP) and is emerging as one of my favorite late round QBs to target. He has a plethora of options this year, and has the capability of finishing within the top ten of quarterbacks this season.
Moving onto the pass catchers in LA. Keenan Allen (4.09 ADP) is finally back. After two years of freak injuries, a lacerated kidney and a torn ACL, Allen is finally hoping to get back to his target-hogging ways. If you remember back to 2015, Keenan Allen was on track for 178 targets and 130 catches for over 1,400 yards. Tyrell Williams (11.02 ADP) will be lining across from Allen. He burst onto the season after Keenan Allen fell with an ACL injury and shocked owners. He ended up as the WR13 overall, tallying 1,059 yards and 7 TDs. With Allen back, his projected totals are due for regression, but he still holds value for fantasy owners as a potential FLEX play.
Mike Williams (11.03 ADP), first round wide receiver out of Clemson, has built up a lot of hype coming into his rookie season. Williams suffered a disc injury in his back and missed the remainder of OTAs. He has the build (6’4 218 LBS) that Phillip Rivers enjoys throwing to, so if he can stay healthy, he can become the number one option in San Diego before the end of the year.
Other notable pass catchers: TE Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry.
Run Game
Finally, the sophomore sensation is back in his third year as the feature back in San Diego. Melvin Gordon (1.08 ADP) bounced back from let down of a rookie season and turned in a huge second year. He totaled 997 yards and 12 TDs on 254 carries. finishing as an RB1. His draft value is a bit high, but if he can capitalize on his red zone carries as he did last year, he will return on value.
Fantasy Football Preview – Other Notable Offenses
Now I know I probably angered some folks by leaving a few teams out. Here’s some other teams that will produce multiple fantasy options:
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New England Patriots:
QB: Tom Brady
WR: Julian Edelman, Brandin Cooks
TE: Rob Gronkowski
RB: Mike Gillislee, James White
Green Bay Packers
QB: Aaron Rodgers
WR: Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb
RB: Ty Montgomery
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
QB: Jameis Winston
WR: Mike Evans, Desean Jackson
TE: Cameron Brate
RB: Doug Martin, Jacquizz Rodgers
Next: Three Players to Outperform Their ADP
Some of these teams provide great value, like your Tampa Bay’s and your San Diego’s. Others, like Pittsburgh and Green Bay, you gotta pay up to reap the benefits. Whichever way, keep this in mind come draft season. I’m out.
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