NFL Fantasy Check Down: Preseason Fantasy Advice for the AFC North

As we all know, week 3 of the NFL Preseason offers fantasy owners a brief, last-minute fantasy scouting session for their upcoming drafts (or the first batch of waiver wire action for those who already completed their drafts). Here is some team by team, fantasy football advice based on what we’ve seen this preseason. Today, we’re going to cover the AFC North.

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NFL Fantasy Check Down: Preseason Fantasy Advice for the AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

We’ll start off with what we know for sure: Alex Collins is heck of a fantasy running back. Collins came on strong midway through the 2017 season and was probably a key factor in fantasy teams making a playoff push last year. If you go to the Fantasy Pros Average Draft Position (half point PPR), Collins is currently coming off the board as RB18 and is usually available in the third round of drafts.

That is a very affordable price for a guy who should be considered an RB2 in all formats. He hasn’t had a lot of work in the preseason, but that just means Baltimore is keeping him healthy to take on a massive workload in 2018.

There are some new faces this year on the WR core in Baltimore. Always reliable, Michael Crabtree signed a three-year deal with the Ravens. Former Arizona Cardinal, John Brown signed a one-year deal, and lastly, Willie Snead agreed to a two-year deal. None of them have done anything in the preseason worth writing about, but look for Michael Crabtree to get back into the WR2 conversation in fantasy. I’d let the other two go undrafted and see what happens.

When looking at the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football Leaders (weeks 1-16) Crabtree is coming off of one of his least productive fantasy season, finishing the 2017 campaign as the 26th wide receiver. He did finish as WR10 in 2016, and WR17 in 2015, so he has proven he can be a solid fantasy wide receiver.

Joe Flacco should be highly focused on getting Crabtree the football so let’s bank on Michael Crabtree to getting back to where he was in 2015-2016 in terms of fantasy production. He is currently being drafted in the late-fifth/early-sixth rounds of drafts, so there is a nice bargain on Crabtree, who should perform like a WR2 this season.

As for John Brown, he hasn’t really been a factor in fantasy football since finishing as WR22 in half point PPR formats back in 2015. It is highly doubtful Brown gets back into the top-25 fantasy wide-out conversation, but he is playing on a one-year deal so he will certainly be trying prove himself.

I’m not sure what to think about Willie Snead. He has had a few good games in his career, but there is nothing that suspects he should be on fantasy owners radars heading into the 2018 season.

The Ravens’ receiver that has stuck out the most this preseason, is long-awaited prospect, Breshad Perriman. Perriman has spent most of his young career dealing with injuries, so we really haven’t got to see what the 2015 first-round draft pick can do. Perriman is likely playing for a roster spot this preseason, but he has done his part to make cutting him, a difficult decision for the Ravens.

Breshad has racked up 8 catches for 112 yards and a touchdown through four games this preseason. Whether or not he makes the team, he is likely to find a job elsewhere in the NFL and may be worth a waiver wire target later in the season.

Baltimore did use a 2018 first-round pick on former Heisman Trophy winner, Lamar Jackson. He hasn’t shown much in regards to passing the ball, but he has been a very effective runner of the football. Throughout his four games in the preseason, Lamar has already rushed the ball 20 times for a total of 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Lamar may not see the field for quite some time in 2018, but if Flacco struggles early (which we know he is quite capable of doing), Lamar Jackson is going to be a very interesting fantasy quarterback. Sure, he may struggle with throwing the football, but those added yards on the ground can always lead to significant fantasy points.

Baltimore Ravens 2018 Fantasy Assets:

• Alex Collins (RB2)
• Michael Crabtree (low-end WR2, with high-end WR2 upside)
• Joe Flacco (low-end QB3)
• John Brown (low-end WR4, WR3 upside)
• Willie Snead (WR5, potential waiver wire target in the future)
• Javorius Allen (hancuff to Alex Collins)
• Hayden Hurst (currently injured, potential TE2 once he returns)
• Breshad Perriman (potential waiver wire target in the future)

NFL Fantasy – Cincinnati Bengals

We don’t need to spend much time talking about A.J. Green. He is also going to be the favorite target of Bengals’ quarterback, Andy Dalton, and has already shown this preseason that he is in mid-season form. Draft AJ Green as a WR1.

Second year running back, Joe Mixon, had a rough start to his professional career in 2017. He rushed for a sub-par 3.5 yards per carry, but he was rather efficient as a pass catcher out of the backfield. Looking back at the Fantasy Pros Average Draft Position (half point PPR), Mixon is going in the second rounds of drafts as a high-end RB2.

In my opinion, that is too early to be drafting Joe Mixon. A lot of blame for Mixon’s struggles last year can be placed on the offensive line issues. I do not think the Bengals did a great job with addressing those issues. Mixon has rushed 13 times this preseason and has only gained 24 yards. Yes, it’s the preseason, but those numbers concern me.

Call me crazy, but I think the best play is to let Mixon pass at his current ADP, and wait for guys like Alex Collins, Kenyan Drake, and Royce Freeman later in the draft.

Outside of A.J. Green, fantasy owners should be open to the idea of drafting second-year speedster, John Ross. Ross failed to catch a pass last season as a rookie, but he has been lighting up the box scores in his brief time on the field this preseason. Ross has caught four passes for a total of 115 yards (~28.8 yards per catch) and a touchdown.

Below is a video posted by the NFL on last Sunday’s contest against the Bills. You can see the deadly speed and play-making ability John Ross can bring to the table.

Currently going off the board as WR75 (most likely undrafted) in half point PPR leagues, John Ross provides fantasy upside that you’re simply not going to find on the waiver wire. He’s worth a late-round draft pick in all formats.

The only other wide receiver who I would deem as “fantasy relevant”, would be third-year man, Tyler Boyd. He has looked solid in his preseason work for the Bengals, bringing in seven catches for 59 yards and a touchdown. He shouldn’t be drafted in leagues at the moment, but keep an eye on him in the waiver wire throughout the 2018 season.

Tyler Eifert is finally healthy coming into the 2018 season. We all know what type of player he can be if he could stay on the field, he finished as TE6 on the back in the 2015 season. This was also the last time he played more than eight games in a season.

There are plenty of concerns to be had with Eifert, but fantasy owners can get Eifert at a borderline-free price point in round 13. If he can stay healthy, he certainly has the ability to out-perform that draft price. He is a nice late round target, who could end up being a TE1 this season.

Cincinnati Bengals 2018 Fantasy Assets:

• A.J. Green (WR1)
• Joe Mixon (mid-tier RB2, slight bump in PPR)
• Tyler Eifert (TE2, TE1 upside)
• John Ross (WR3, big upside)
• Andy Dalton (low-end QB2)
• Giovani Bernard (RB3, bump up in PPR)
• Tyler Boyd (WR4)

NFL Fantasy – Cleveland Browns

For a team that didn’t win a game in 2017, there sure are a lot of Cleveland Browns being drafted in fantasy for the 2018 season. Let’s start with the new off-season acquisition, Jarvis Landry. Landry has finished as a top-20 fantasy WR in each of the last three seasons, 2017 being his best finish yet, at WR10.

Landry is coming into the 2018 regular season with a rather quiet preseason, although he did see a total of 10 targets in the Browns “dress rehearsal” last Thursday against the Eagles. Landry has had an effective fantasy career with average quarterback play, so the Browns naming Tyrod Taylor their starter shouldn’t change where you’re drafting Landry. He is going to get a lot of targets in 2018, but I highly doubt he matches the nine touchdowns he had in 2017.

Josh Gordon has reported to the Browns’ facilities and is now being selected a few picks ahead of Landry in fantasy drafts. The Fantasy Pros Average Draft Position (half point PPR) shows Gordon being drafted as the 18th receiver off the board while Jarvis is sitting at WR21.

I understand that Josh Gordon can be an absolute fantasy stud, but there are so many question marks surrounding him. I’d advise fantasy owners to select Landry before Gordon. Jarvis continues to stay on the field each year and puts up solid fantasy points on a weekly basis. Stick with what works, and that is Jarvis Landry.

The running back situation in Cleveland seems to have fantasy drafters in a bit of a tough spot. Carlos Hyde is currently being drafted as RB27 while rookie Nick Chubb’s name is being called shortly after at RB39. They have both gotten a decent amount of work in the preseason, but it looks like this is Hyde’s job to lose.

Hyde has carried the ball 17 times for a total of 108 yards and a touchdown. That 6.35 yards per carry is not sustainable, but he looks good, nonetheless. Chubb on the other hand has struggled to get going. He has logged 40 carriers already this preseason and accumulated only 110 yards (2.75 yards per carry).

There is no doubt that Nick Chubb is a talented runner, but fantasy owners need to cool down with their love for Chubb. This is going to be Carlos Hyde’s job until he proves he cannot handle it. You’re getting an excellent value with Carlos Hyde in the fifth round of drafts. You can read more about Hyde’s value in my article from last week about Fantasy Football Value Picks.

There’s no need to dig deep into the quarterback conversation in Cleveland. Tyrod Taylor is going to be the starter while Baker Mayfield stands on the sidelines to further develop. You know what you’re getting with Tyrod – a serviceable QB2 in all fantasy formats. Baker has the higher ceiling, so feel free to draft him in dynasty leagues. He will eventually flourish in the NFL.

One of my favorite tight ends to target later in drafts this season is Browns’ tight end, David Njoku. With a current ADP of 117, I love the upside Njoku brings to the table in the tenth round of drafts. He has had a nice preseason thus far with six catches, for 71 yards and two touchdowns.

Cleveland Browns 2018 Fantasy Assets:

• Jarvis Landry (mid-tier WR2, bump up in PPR leagues)
• Josh Gordon (low-end WR2, WR1 upside)
• Carlos Hyde (RB2 in all formats)
• Tyrod Taylor (mid-tier QB2)
• David Njoku (TE2, TE1 upside)
• Nick Chubb (currently an RB4, RB2 upside if Hyde gets injured)
• Duke Johnson Jr. (RB3/flex in PPR formats)
• Baker Mayfield (stash for dynasty leagues, QB2 if Taylor gets injured)

NFL Fantasy – Pittsburgh Steelers

There isn’t a whole lot of new things to say about the Pittsburgh Steelers when it comes to fantasy football. Ben Roethlisberger finished the 2017 season as the seventh best quarterback in fantasy football. There is no reason that he shouldn’t be able to finish in the top-10 again in 2018.

Le’Veon Bell is arguably the best fantasy player in the game, so continue to draft him early in the first round. He has yet to report to the Steelers, so there is a little bit of a holdout concern. If you draft Le’Veon Bell, make sure you get his handcuff, James Conner.

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Conner has played nicely thus far in the preseason and looks like he’d be a fine fantasy asset if Bell were to miss some action in 2018. Conner has 161 all-purpose yards with a touchdown. Even his counterpart, rookie Jaylen Samuels has shown some play making ability  in the preseason. He has totaled 136 all-purpose yards and a touchdown.

Antonio Brown should continue to be the first wide receiver taken off of the board in 2018 fantasy drafts. Nothing more to add there. The other receiver from the Steelers who is making his way up the draft boards is 2017 breakout, JuJu Smith-Schuster. JuJu currently has an ADP of WR17, going late in the third round of drafts.

I cannot get behind that ADP. He is the #3 option in the Steelers offense. I’d much rather wait a few more picks and get guys like Jarvis Landry, Marvin Jones, and Demaryius Thomas. JuJu has tore up the preseason with eight catches for 121 yards and two touchdowns but, Antonio Brown and Le’Veon Bell weren’t on the field to demand targets, so take those numbers for what they are.

There hasn’t been much to note from the tight end position in Pittsburgh, but it appears Vance McDonald will be their TE1 for week 1.

Pittsburgh Steelers 2018 Fantasy Assets:

• Antonio Brown (WR1)
• Le’Veon Bell (RB1)
• Ben Roethlisberger (low-end QB1)
• JuJu Smith-Schuster (mid-tier WR2)
• James Conner (handcuff to Le’Veon Bell)
• Vance McDonald (mid-tier TE2)
• Jaylen Samuels (stash in dynasty leagues)

Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all the latest Fantasy Football news and analysis all throughout the NFL season.