Fantasy Football: 5-for-5 preseason edition

Tight End:

1.              Travis Kelce, KC

2.              George Kittle, SF

3.              Mark Andrews, BAL

4.              Darren Waller, LVR

5.              Evan Engram, NYG

As in each above category, Travis Kelce’s top ranking should come as a surprise to no one. Nor should Kittle’s number 2 ranking, as both of these stud tight ends held the same spots at the end of last season.

Mark Andrews and Darren Waller both enjoyed breakout seasons a year ago and are in situations suitable to replicate such successful seasons. Evan Engram gets the nod at number 5, in the second tier of tight ends, due to the lack of receiving weapons on the rest of the Giants’ offense. Without the health concerns, he’d be ranked higher than this.

One omission from my top 5 that likely will not be left out of most is Zach Ertz. The emergence of Dallas Goedert, the new receiving options in Philadelphia, and Ertz’ downtrend in recent years lead to his fall in my rankings.

D/ST:

1.              49ers

2.              Bills

3.              Steelers

4.              Ravens

5.              Chargers

The primary takeaway from my top 5 Defense/Special Teams plays is that the Patriots aren’t in it. I think the Patriots lost enough key players on defense and the atmosphere around the team will change so much that it will knock the Patriots’ stellar defense from a year ago back down to Earth.

The next two best defenses from a year ago, the Steelers and the 49ers, both find themselves in the top 5. The Ravens were one of the highest risers in the second half of last season, which will continue to propel them this season. The Bills’ combination of success last year and additions to the team this year boost them to the number 2 spot.

My dark horse this season is the Chargers, who have continued adding talent to their defense this offseason with the likes of Linval Joseph, Chris Harris, Jr., and first rounder Kenneth Murray. They will be a breakout in fantasy this season, jumping from D/ST 21 last year to the top 5 this year.

I’d like to emphasize that these are projections that will almost definitely not come true. If they do, I expect praise and celebration to the fullest extent. No one truly knows what the fantasy football season holds in store. We can only project based on past trends, early team scheme reports, and our own best judgment.

Please, I welcome all comments and opinions on the matter and would truly enjoy to enthusiastically discuss different opinions regarding rankings. Here’s to hoping we still have football this season, and that all players, coaches, executives, and fans remain safe while doing so. Good luck to all fantasy players this season, and everyone stay safe until this pandemic has come to an end.