5 Low End Players To Keep An Eye On In Fantasy Football This year
These 5 players are in interesting situations that could bring them surprise value
As we head into Fantasy Football Draft Weekend, many of our readers will be stuffing their homemade rosters with the best the NFL has to offer. Most people know who the best players are, and even the sort of best. But who are the players who could explode on contact. We look at one from each of the major positions.
Quarterback: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Ummm, why? Last year Baker was everyone’s darling, and he was regularly scooped up in the mid round of drafts as he headed into the season with a slew of talent around him. Unfortunately for him, his coach was a clueless buffoon who’s offensive schemes couldn’t get people open, and Mayfield himself showed little development behind a porous line. Now, in comes a proven offensive coordinator from an offense that can run and throw. A system that has made perennial dud Kirk Cousins look good. The offensive line is improved. The team added a quality tight end that can catch, which is always a young QBs best friend because nothing saves an errant throw like a colossal catch radius. Mayfield and Landry both suffered through injury, dramatically reducing both their breakaway speed and separation ability.
Prediction: Baker sneaks into the top 12 by seasons end
Running Back: Brian Hill, Atlanta Falcons
Ummm… why? Todd Gurley is the definitive starter for this team, but I have no idea why. He is clearly on the downside of his career, which is a shocking thing to say at his age, but true. He is a shell of the Todd Gurley who was drafted. He has lost explosiveness, big play ability and has never been great at catching. His chronic knee problem is very serious, and in an NFL that eats running backs for breakfast, a player coming into a season with an already established injury is unlikely to leave that season intact. This feels like Devonta Freeman last season all over again, with the injury sapping the explosiveness, the lack of pass catching and the slow wear and tear eliminating from a starter role. Brian Hill, on the other hand, has almost 0 tread on his tires, something I always look for in this position. He has shown tremendous improvement in camp, and he has worked on his pass catching. At this point he looks like the number two running back, on a high scoring team with a chronically injured lead back.
Predication: He is getting more touches than Gurley by the fantasy playoffs
Wide Receiver: Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Ummm… Why? Williams is coming off a severe leg injury, with little pedigree, and with quickly developing studs Mike Gesicki and Devante Parker likely to pile up touches. So why is he here. First, Parker is already banged up. He has missed over a week of practice with what seems like a lower body issue. Parker has long struggled with lower body issues, so this is a major red flag. Second, this team is going to have to throw. Their defense will not be an embarrassment, but between the very difficult schedule and the non existent pass rush, they will give up a lot of points. Third, Williams has looked great in camp, and no signs of the injury remain. Fourth, he may not have pedigree, but that did not stop him from matching Parker catch for catch in the first half of the season before the injury. Right now, I would rather have Williams than Parker.
Prediction: Finishes the season with the same numbers as Parker… or better
Tight End: Chris Herndon, NY Jets
Ummm… why? This team is going to be bad. The defense has lost key pieces from a unit that stunk to begin with. Adam Gase knows nothing about coaching defense. Their schedule is terrible. Their quarterback is young, but growing. The real question for this team is who is going to catch the ball? Jamison Crowder? A solid but unspectacular slot guy. Breshard Perriman? Already banged up and it is VERY possible that last seasons playoff explosion was a mirage (better wide receivers injured, offense that throws non stop, and elite passing quarterback at least by attempts, completions and touchdowns). After that it is a who’s who of practice squad level call ups. There are going to be a lot of targets to go around here, and I believe he will be the beneficiary, with his size, speed and athleticism.
Prediction: Finishes second on the team in targets… with 8 touchdowns
Flex: Mecole Hardman, Kansas City
Ummm… why? Mecole has speed to burn, just like Tyreek Hill. Right now he is third on the depth chart behind the uninspiring and oft injured Sammy Watkins. I think he will usurp the uninteresting Watkins and quickly be the second most targeted Wide Receiver. While I don’t think he will be an elite performer in this offense barring an injury to the fragile hamstrings of Hill, I do think he will have several great games in a similar tier to what Watkins did in week 1 last year. If you watch the match-ups carefully, you can find a team with a weak second cornerback they will attack. Not that they have an elite running back, tight end, and wide receiver, teams will have to account for all three levels. This will open the weak side for explosive plays. Now in his second year, with a stronger grasp of the offense, I predict he will be a usable player in a 12 team flex. If you think you might lose, he would be a good choice as an all or nothing guy to save the week.
Prediction: 3 or more times, he will be a top 10 wide receiver for a week.
Your Mayfield pick surprised me. Let the games begin 🏈
Forgot to ask..... Who gets more fantasy points... Brady or Newton ? Who wins more games?