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2016 Fantasy Football Guide
- Updated: July 9, 2016
Well folks, it’s that time of year again. Football season is almost here but more importantly, it’s almost time for fantasy football! Draft season is quickly approaching and it’ll be time to make those oh so critical decisions such as standard or PPR, auction or regular draft, team defenses or IDPs. Hell, nowadays there’s the decision of standard league or daily fantasy. The choices and various ways to play fantasy football continue to grow. Don’t worry. As the resident fantasy football expert here at GIIG, I’m here to help and give you the expert advice, analysis, and rankings you need to win your leagues.
Standard Rankings
These are my position and overall rankings for standard fantasy leagues that use default scoring and position settings. Make sure you scroll all the way down the page as there is a large break between the end of the standard rankings and the start of the PPR rankings.
Position Rankings
Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers |
1. Cam Newton, Car | 1. LeVeon Bell, Pit | 1. Antonio Brown, Pit |
2. Russell Wilson, Sea | 2. Todd Gurley, Stl | 2. Julio Jones, Atl |
3. Aaron Rodgers, GB | 3. Adrian Peterson, Min | 3. Odell Beckham Jr, Nyg |
4. Drew Brees, NO | 4. Ezekiel Elliott, Dal | 4. DeAndre Hopkins, Hou |
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pit | 5. Jamaal Charles, KC | 5. A.J. Green, Cin |
6. Carson Palmer, Ari | 6. LeSean McCoy, Buf | 6. Allen Robinson, Jac |
7. Andrew Luck, Ind | 7. Lamar Miller, Hou | 7. Dez Bryant, Dal |
8. Tom Brady, NE | 8. Thomas Rawals, Sea | 8. Alson Jeffery, Chi |
9. Blake Bortles, Jac | 9. David Johnson, Ari | 9. Jordy Nelson, GB |
10. Tyrod Taylor, Buf | 10. Doug Martin, TB | 10. Demaryius Thomas, Den |
11. Eli Manning, NYG | 11. Devonta Freeman, Atl | 11. Brandon Marshall, Nyj |
12. Phillip Rivers, SD | 12. Jonathan Stewart, Car | 12. Brandin Cooks, NO |
13. Derek Carr, Oak | 13. Demarco Murray, Ten | 13. Kennan Allen, SD |
14. Kirk Cousins, Wsh | 14. Mark Ingram, NO | 14. Sammy Watkins, Buf |
15. Jameis Winston, TB | 15. Eddie Lacy, GB | 15. Mike Evans, TB |
16. Matt Ryan, Atl | 16. Melvin Gordon, SD | 16. Kelvin Benjamin, Car |
17. Tony Romo, Dal | 17. Latavius Murray, Oak | 17. Amari Cooper, Oak |
18. Marcus Mariota, Ten | 18. Ryan Matthews, Phi | 18. T.Y. Hilton, Ind |
19. Andy Dalton, Cin | 19. Matt Forte, NYJ | 19. Golden Tate, Det |
20. Matthew Stafford, Det | 20. Ameer Abdullah, Det | 20. Doug Baldwin, Sea |
21. Ryan Tannehill, Mia | 21. Dion Lewis, NE | 21. Julian Edleman, NE |
22. Jay Cutler, Chi | 22. Justin Forsett, Bal | 22. Jeremy Maclin, KC |
23. Joe Flacco, Bal | 23. C.J. Anderson, Den | 23. Jarvis Landry, Mia |
24. Alex Smith, KC | 24. Chris Ivory, Jac | 24. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari |
25. Mark Sanchez, Den | 25. Carlos Hyde, SF | 25. Randall Cobb, GB |
26. Brock Osweiler, Hou | 26. Matt Jones, Wsh | 26. John Brown, Ari |
27. Geno Smith, Nyj | 27. Jay Ajayi, Mia | 27. Allen Hurns, Jac |
28. Teddy Bridgewater, Min | 28. Jeremy Langford, Chi | 28. Emmanuel Sanders, Den |
29. Colin Kaepernick, SF | 29. Jeremy Hill, Cin | 29. Jordan Matthews, Phi |
30. Robert Griffin III, Cle | 30. Duke Johnson, Cle | 30. Eric Decker, NYJ |
31. Paul Perkins, Nyg | 31. Corey Coleman, Cle | |
32. Frank Gore, Ind | 32. Steve Smith, Bal | |
33. Giovanni Benard, Cin | 33. Michael Crabtree, Oak | |
34. Danny Woodhead, SD | 34. DeVante Parker, Mia | |
35. Theo Reddick, Det | 35. Markus Wheaton, Pit | |
36. Charles Sims, TB | 36. Kevin White, Chi | |
37. LeGarrette Blount, NE | 37. Stefon Diggs, Min | |
38. Ronnie Hillman, Den | 38. Tyler Lockett, Sea | |
39. Rashad Jennings, NYG | 39. Kamar Aiken, Bal | |
40. DeAngelo Williams, Pit | 40. Desean Jackson, Wsh | |
41. T.J. Yeldon, Jac | 41. Sterling Sheppard, Nyg | |
42. Isaiah Crowell, Cle | 42. Willie Snead, NO | |
43. Chris Johnson, Ari | 43. Torrey Smith, SF | |
44. Darren Sproles, Phi | 44. Michael Floyd, Ari | |
45. Darren McFadden, Dal | 45. Donte Moncrief, Ind | |
46. Kenneth Dixon, Bal | 46. Kendall Wright, Ten | |
47. Charcandrick West, KC | 47. Tavon Austin, Stl | |
48. Ka’Deem Carey, Chi | 48. Vincent Jackson, TB | |
49. Derrick Henry, Ten | 49. Travis Benjamin, SD | |
50. Robert Turbin, Ind | 50. Tedd Ginn Jr, Car | |
51. Will Fuller, Hou | ||
52. Dorial Green-Beckham, Ten | ||
53. Marvin Jones, Detn | ||
54. Mohammed Sanu, Atl | ||
55. Laquon Treadwell, Mi | ||
56. Josh Doctson, Wsh | ||
57. Phillip Dorsett, Ind | ||
58. Pierre Garcon, Wsh | ||
59. Danny Amendola, NE | ||
60. Jermaine Kearse, Sea | ||
61. Terrance Williams, Dal | ||
62. Robert Woods, Buf | ||
63. Rishard Matthews, Ten | ||
64. Sammie Coats, Pit | ||
65. Kenny Britt, Stl | ||
66. Brandon Lafell, Cin | ||
67. Nelson Agholor, Phi | ||
68. Mike Wallace, Bal | ||
69. Rashad Greene, Jac | ||
70. Justin Hardy, Atl | ||
71. Michael Thomas, NO | ||
72. Victor Cruz, Nyg | ||
73. Davante Adams, GB | ||
74. Bruce Ellington, SF | ||
75. Stevie Johnson, SD |
Tight Ends | Defense/Special Teams | Kickers |
1. Rob Gronkowski, NE | 1. Arizona Cardinals | 1. Stephen Gostkowski, NE |
2. Greg Olsen, Car | 2. Denver Broncos | 2. Dan Bailey, Dal |
3. Tyler Eiffert, Cin | 3. Seattle Seahawks | 3. Justin Tucker, Bal |
4. Delanie Walker, Ten | 4. Houston Texans | 4. Graham Gano, Car |
5. Jordan Reed, Wsh | 5. Kansas City Chiefs | 5. Steven Hauschka, Sea |
6. Coby Fleener, NO | 6. Los Angeles Rams | 6. Chris Boswell, Pit |
7. Gary Barnidge, Cle | 7. Minnesota Vikings | 7. Chandler Catanzaro, Ari |
8. Jimmy Graham, Sea | 8. Cincinnati Bengals | 8. Mason Crosby, GB |
9. Travis Kelce, KC | 9. Carolina Panthers | 9. Adam Vinatieri, Ind |
10. Martellus Bennett, NE | 10. New England Patriots | 10. Brandon McManus, Den |
11. Julius Thomas, Jac | 11. Washington Redskins | 11. Josh Brown, Nyg |
12. Ladarius Green, Pit | 12. New York Jets | 12. Blair Walsh, Min |
13. Zach Ertz, Phi | 13. Oakland Raiders | 13. Roberto Aguayo, TB |
14. Eric Ebron, Det | 14. Baltimore Ravens | 14. Matt Bryant, Atl |
15. Antonio Gates, SD | 15. Philadelphia Eagles | 15. Matt Prater, Det |
16. Zach Miller, Chi | 16. Buffalo Bills | 16. Kai Forbath, NO |
17. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB | 17. Green Bay Packers | 17. Jason Myers, Jac |
18. Charles Clay, Buf | 18. Jacksonville Jaguars | 18. Nick Foles, Nyj |
19. Jason Witten, Dal | 19. New York Giants | 19. Sebastian Janikowski, Oak |
20. Jared Cook, GB | 20. Pittsburgh Steelers | 20. Dan Carpenter, Buf |
21. Dwayne Allen, Ind | 21. Detroit Lions | |
22. Jordan Cameron, Mia | 22. Miami Dolphins | |
23. Ben Watson, Bal | 23. San Diego Chargers | |
24. Larry Donnell, Nyg | 24. Chicago Bears | |
25. Jace Amaro, Nyj | 25. Dallas Cowboys | |
26. Kyle Rudolph, Min | 26. Atlanta Falcons | |
27. Vance McDonald, SF | 27. Tennessee Titans | |
28. Clive Walford, Oak | 28. Indianopolis Colts | |
29. Niles Paul, Wsh | 29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | |
30. Hunter Henry, SD | 30. San Francisco 49ers | |
31. New Orleans Saints | ||
32. Cleveland Browns |
Top 150 Overall |
1. WR. Antonio Brown |
2. WR. Julio Jones |
3. RB. LeVeon Bell |
4. RB. Todd Gurley |
5. WR. Odell Beckham Jr |
6. RB. Adrian Peterson |
7. WR. DeAndre Hopkins |
8. WR. A.J. Green |
9. RB. Ezekiel Elliott |
10. WR. Allen Robinson |
11. TE. Rob Gronkoswki |
12. RB. Jamaal Charles |
13. RB. LeSean McCoy |
14. WR. Dez Bryant |
15. WR. Alson Jeffery |
16. RB. Lamar Miller |
17. RB. Thomas Rawals |
18. RB. David Johnson |
19. RB. Doug Martin |
20. WR. Jordy Nelson |
21. WR. Demaryius Thomas |
22. WR. Brandon Marshall |
23. WR. Brandin Cooks |
24. WR. Kennan Allen |
25. QB. Cam Newton |
26. WR. Sammy Watkins |
27. RB. Devonta Freeman |
28. WR. Mike Evans |
29. WR. Kelvin Benjamin |
30. WR. Amari Cooper |
31. QB. Russell Wilson |
32. QB. Aaron Rodgers |
33. WR. T.Y. Hilton |
34. RB. Mark Ingram |
35. TE. Greg Olsen |
36. RB. Eddie Lacy |
37. TE. Tyler Eiffert |
38. WR. Golden Tate |
39. RB. Melvin Gordon |
40. RB. Doug Baldwin |
41. QB. Drew Brees |
42. QB. Ben Roethlisberger |
43. QB. Carson Palmer |
44. QB. Andrew Luck |
45. TE. Delanie Walker |
46. RB. Latavius Murray |
47. WR. Julian Edleman |
48. WR. Jeremy Mcalin |
49. WR. Jarvis Landry |
50. WR. Larry Fitzgerald |
51. WR. Randall Cobb |
52. TE. Jordan Reed |
53. RB. Ryan Matthews |
54. WR. John Brown |
55. WR. Allen Hurns |
56. WR. Emmanuel Sanders |
57. QB. Tom Brady |
58. TE. Coby Fleener |
59. QB. Blake Bortles |
60. WR. Jordan Matthews |
61. RB. Matt Forte |
62. RB. Ameer Abdullah |
63. TE. Gary Barnidge |
64. WR. Eric Decker |
65. TE. Jimmy Graham |
66. RB. Dion Lewis |
67. QB. Tyrod Taylor |
68. TE. Martellus Bennett |
69. WR. Justin Forsett |
70. RB. C.J. Anderson |
71. RB. Chris Ivory |
72. RB. Carlos Hyde |
73. WR. Corey Coleman |
74. WR. Steve Smith |
75. TE. Julius Thomas |
76. TE. Ladarius Green |
77. RB. Matt Jones |
78. RB. Jay Ajayi |
79. RB. Jeremy Langford |
80. WR. Michael Crabtree |
81. WR. DeVante Parker |
82. WR. Markus Wheaton |
83. WR. Kevin White |
84. WR. Stefon Diggs |
85. RB. Jeremy Hill |
86. RB. Duke Johnson |
87. WR. Tyler Lockett |
88. WR. Kamar Aiken |
89. TE. Zach Ertz |
90. TE. Eric Ebron |
91. QB. Eli Manning |
92. QB. Philip Rivers |
93. QB. Derek Carr |
94. RB. Paul Perkins |
95. WR. Desean Jackson |
96. RB. Frank Gore |
97. WR. Sterling Sheppard |
98. RB. Giovanni Benard |
99. WR. Willie Snead |
100. WR. Torrey Smith |
101. WR. Michael Floyd |
102. WR. Donte Moncrief |
103. WR. Kendall Wright |
104. RB. Danny Woodhead |
105. WR. Tavon Austin |
106. WR. Vincent Jackson |
107. TE. Antonio Gates |
108. WR. Travis Benjamin |
109. WR. Tedd Ginn Jr |
110. TE. Zach Miller |
111. D/ST. Arizona Cardinals |
112. D/ST. Denver Broncos |
113. D/ST. Seattle Seahawks |
114. D/ST. Houston Texans |
115. D/ST. Kansas City Chiefs |
116. RB. Theo Reddick |
117. RB. Charles Sims |
118. QB. Kirk Cousins |
119. QB. Jamies Wintston |
120. QB. Matt Ryan |
121. D/ST. Los Angeles Rams |
122. D/ST. Minnesota Vikings |
123. TE. Austin Seferian-Jenkins |
124. RB. LeGarrette Blount |
125. D/ST. Cincinnati Bengals |
126. D/ST. Carolina Panthers |
127. RB. Ronnie Hillman |
128. QB. Tony Romo |
129. D/ST. New England Patriots |
130. TE. Charles Clay |
131. WR. Will Fuller |
132. WR. Dorial Green-Beckham |
133. QB. Marcus Mariota |
134. RB. Rashad Jennings |
135. WR. Marvin Jones |
136. WR. Mohammed Sanu |
137. WR. Laquon Treadwell |
138. WR. Josh Doctson |
139. WR. Phillip Dorsett |
140. QB. Andy Dalton |
141. QB. Matthew Stafford |
142. QB. Jason Witten |
143. TE. Jared Cook |
144. WR. Pierre Garcon |
145. WR. Danny Amendola |
146. WR. Jermaine Kearse |
147. WR. Terrance Williams |
148. WR. Robert Woods |
149. RB. DeAngelo Williams |
150. RB.T.J. Yeldon |
PPR Rankings
PPR leagues are becoming more and more popular every year in fantasy football. However, most sites still don’t provide rankings, analysis or much acknowledgement of any kind towards this scoring system. Here at GIIG, we cater to what your wants and needs. So the next thing I want to bless you good people with is actual PPR rankings. For those of you new to fantasy football, PPR means points per reception. Points for reception are taken into account and the rankings of the skill positions will slightly differ from my standard rankings. The quarterback, defense/special teams, and kicker positions are all unaffected by PPR so I made no changes to those position rankings.
Running Backs | Receivers | Tight Ends |
1. LeVeon Bell, Pit | 1. Antonio Brown, Pit | 1. Rob Gronkowski, NE |
2. Ezekiel Elliott, | 2. Julio Jones, Atl | 2. Delanie Walker, Ten |
3. Dal Todd Gurley, Stl | 3. Odell Beckham Jr, Nyg | 3. Greg Olsen, Car |
4. Adrian Peterson, Min | 4. A.J. Green, Cin | 4. Tyler Eiffert, Cin |
5. Jamaal Charles, KC | 5. DeAndre Hopkins, Hou | 5. Coby Fleener, NO |
6. Lesean McCoy, Buf | 6. Allen Robinson, Jac | 6. Gary Barnidge, Cle |
7. David Johnson, Ari | 7. Jorday Nelson, GB | 7. Jordan Reed, Wsh |
8. Devonta Freeman, Atl | 8. Dez Bryant, Dal | 8. Jimmy Graham, Sea |
9. Lamar Miller, Hou | 9. Alson Jeffery, Chi | 9. Martellus Bennett, NE |
10. Doug Martin, TB | 10. Demaryius Thomas, Den | 10. Travis Kelce, KC |
11. Thomas Rawals, Sea | 11. Kennan Allen, SD | 11. Julius Thomas, Jac |
12. Mark Ingram, NO | 12. Brandin Cooks, NO | 12. Ladarius Green, Pit |
13. Eddie Lacy, GB | 13. Brandon Marshall, Nyj | 13. Anonio Gates, SD |
14. Matt Forte, Nyj | 14. Jarvis Landry, Mia | 14. Eric Ebron, Det |
15. Dion Lewis, NE | 15. Sammy Watkins, Buf | 15. Zach Ertz, Phi |
16. Demarco Murray, Ten | 16. Julian Eldleman, NE | 16. Charles Clay, Buf |
17. Jonathan Stewart, Car | 17. Mike Evans, TB | 17. Jason Witten, Dal |
18. Ryan Matthews, Phi | 18. T.Y. Hilton, Ind | 18. Zach Miller, Chi |
19. Melvin Gordon, SD | 19. Amari Cooper, Oak | 19. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TB |
20. Carlos Hyde, SF | 20. Golden Tate, Det | 20. Jared Cook, GB |
21. Ameer Abdullah, Det | 21. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari | 21. Dwayne Allen, Ind |
22. Latavius Murray, Oak | 22. Randall Cobb, GB | 22. Jace Amaro, Nyj |
23. Jay Ajayi, Mia | 23. Jeremy Maclin, KC | 23. Ben Watson, Bal |
24. Giovanni Benard, Cin | 24. Kelvin Benjamin, Car | 24. Jordan Cameron, Mia |
25. Duke Johnson, Cle | 25. Doug Baldwin, Sea | 25. Larry Donnell, Nyg |
26. C.J. Anderson, Den | 26. Allen Hurns, Jac | 26. Kyle Rudolph, Min |
27. Justin Forsett, Bal | 27. Emmanuel Sanders, Den | 27. Vance McDonald, SF |
28. Jeremy Langford, Chi | 28. Jordan Matthews, Phi | 28. Clive Walford, Oak |
29. Matt Jones, Wsh | 29. John Brown, Ari | 29. Niles Paul, Wsh |
30. Danny Woodhead, SD | 30. Eric Decker, NYJ | 30. Hunter Henry, SD |
31. Paul Perkins, Nyg | 31. Michael Crabtree, Oak | |
32. Theo Reddick, Det | 32. Steve Smith, Bal | |
33. Frank Gore, Ind | 33. Stefon Diggs, Min | |
34. Jeremy Hill, Cin | 34. DeVante Parker, Mia | |
35. Chris Ivory, Jac | 35. Markus Wheaton, Pit | |
36. Charles Sims, TB | 36. Kevin White, Chi | |
37. Rashad Jennings, Nyg | 37. Willie Snead, NO | |
38. LeGarrette Blount, NE | 38. Tyler Lockett, Sea | |
39. Darren Sproles, Phi | 39. Kendall Wright, Ten | |
40. Ronnie Hillman, Den | 40. Donte Moncrief, Ind | |
41. DeAngelo Williams, Pit | 41. Corey Coleman, Cle | |
42. Isaiah Crowell, Cle | 42. Sterling Sheppard, Nyg | |
43. Chris Johnson, Ari | 43. Michael Floyd, Ari | |
44. T.J. Yeldon, Jac | 44. Desean Jackson, Wsh | |
45. Darren McFadden, Dal | 45. Travis Benjamin, SD | |
46. Kenneth Dixon, Bal | 46. Kamar Aiken, Bal | |
47. Charcandrick West, KC | 47. Tavon Austin, Stl | |
48. Ka’Deem Carey, Chi | 48. Vincent Jackson, TB | |
49. Robert Turbin, Ind | 49. Marvin Jones, Det | |
50. C.J. Promise, Sea | 50. Mohammed Sanu, Atl | |
51. Torrey Smith, SF | ||
52. Tedd Ginn Jr, Car | ||
53. Dorial Green-Beckham, Ten | ||
54. Laquon Treadwell, Mi | ||
55. Will Fuller, Hou | ||
56. Danny Amendola, NE | ||
57. Phillip Dorsett, Ind | ||
58. Pierre Garcon, Wsh | ||
59. Jermaine Kearse, Sea | ||
60. Josh Doctson, Wsh | ||
61. Rishard Matthews, Ten | ||
62. Terrance Williams, Dal | ||
63. Nelson Agholor, Phi | ||
64. Robert Woods, Buf | ||
65. Kenny Britt, Stl | ||
66. Brandon Lafell, Cin | ||
67. Sammie Coats, Pit | ||
68. Michael Thomas, NO | ||
69. Davante Adams, GB | ||
70. Justin Hardy, Atl | ||
71. Victor Cruz, Nyg | ||
72. Rashad Greene, Jac | ||
73. Stevie Johnson, SD | ||
74. Bruce Ellington, SF | ||
75. Mike Wallace, Bal |
Draft Do’s & Don’ts
Do
- Draft receivers, draft receivers, and most importantly draft receivers.
- Draft a MINIMUM of 2 receivers with your first 4 picks.
- Draft a kicker with your last pick. Most leagues are 8-12 teams. If you checked my kicker rankings, my 12th ranked kicker was Blair Walsh. He actually led all kickers in points a few years ago. You’ll be just fine with him if you can’t snag Bailey or Gostkowski. You’re always better off trying to find the next great sleeper than picking a kicker in those late rounds. Don’t be the guy who picks a kicker with their 9th pick just to “fill the starting lineup.”
- Spend big and get multiple elite players if you’re doing an auction draft. In my experience, the team that goes all in on 3 elite players and surrounds them with a cheap but well thought out supporting cast wins over the more even spending rosters. If you can get Antonio Brown, Cam Newton and Adrian Peterson then dammit, go ahead and do it and the rest of the roster be damned.
- If you draft an elite RB that gets the bulk of his team’s carries and isn’t in a time share (like Adrian Peterson, Todd Gurley, etc), draft their backup (better known as a handcuff in fantasy terms). Chances are back up RBs behind those guys aren’t gonna go very high anyway so you can get them without having to reach. For example, if you draft Gurley, who has a injury history, you definitely want to get Tre Mason (who isn’t even ranked in the top 75 RBs on ESPN.com’s rankings) at some point in your draft.
- Draft your back up QB based on your starting QBs bye week. For example, if you draft Cam Newton (universally recognized as the top fantasy QB), then you probably don’t need to be looking for a backup QB until late. Even if Cam never gets hurt, his bye week is in week 7 and you’ll need somebody to start at QB that week. You should choose your backup QB based on which of the QBs available at the time you’re ready to draft a backup QB has the best matchup for week 7. Great backup options for Cam Newton would be Andy Dalton (Bengals play the Browns in week 7), Alex Smith (Chiefs play the Saints in week 7) or Jameis Winston (Bucs play the 49ers week 7). Of those choices, Winston would be my choice because not only does he have an easy week 7 matchup but he has more upside to break out and if Cam Newton does get hurt (God forbid), Winston might give my team a better shot at winning week in and week out.
Don’t
- Draft two running backs with your 1st 2 picks. (it’s not 2006 bro)
- (There is an exception to this rule but that’s a personal strategy of mine that I’m not at liberty to just give out all willy nilly).
- Draft more than four running backs. You only really need 3 running backs and maybe 1 handcuff (see draft do’s for more on handcuffs)
- Draft a defense early. (see my kickers point, remember 8-12 teams) Unless you’re in a freakishly large league everyone is gonna get a great or good defense no need to rush. In a 12 team league or larger, you’d want to draft one slightly higher than normal but with 10 teams or less you could be the last team to draft a defense and end up with the Patriots or Jets, not bad.
- Draft two defenses or two kickers. Yes it’s true every team has a bye week and at some point you’ll need to play another kicker and a another defense. That is why you really should try to draft kickers and defenses with bye weeks later in the season. If you get them with later bye weeks, you can carry extra offensive sleepers on your roster in the hopes of hitting the lottery or as a plan B in case one of your picks suffers a serious injury. If you have kickers and defenses with late bye weeks, you can wait till later in the year to cut offensive players that you don’t need and picked up bye week options then.
- Be cheap in auction drafts. Every year there’s one or two guys that haven’t spent a dime by the time all the elite players are off the board. They end up having to over pay for lesser players and ultimately end up with money left once the draft is over. You can’t take it with you so you always want to spend as close to all of the money in your budget as possible in an auction draft.
- Go by a draft sites rankings create your own. Going by a sites default rankings will only fool you into thinking you can wait and try a steal a player you really like because he’s low on the default board. Other players in your draft won’t give a damn about those rankings and neither should you. Of course there will be some steals you can get but your best bet is to make your own rankings and take the highest player on your board.
Overrated/Underrated
Overrated
- Jordan Reed is ranked too high – Don’t get me wrong, he’s a fine football player but he’s probably gonna get hurt and even if he doesn’t the Redskins have 4 good receivers and 3 tight ends that will play. There’s only so many catches to go around.
- Devonta Freeman – If we’re talking PPR, then go ahead and take him but in standard leagues his rushing production alone won’t be enough to justify a late 1st early 2nd draft pick. His production during the 2nd half of last season was very poor.
- David Johnson – I think Johnson is gonna play very well this year but I don’t think he’ll get the work load that justifies his top 10 ranking on almost every fantasy draft site I’ve seen. Chris Johnson actually ran well last year before he got hurt and the Cardinals brought him back for another year. He won’t get more touches than Johnson but don’t expect them to completely phase him out either.
- Carlos Hyde, Jaye Adai, Kendall Langford, and Matt Jones – Don’t get suckered into the “theres value because’s he’s a starting back” idea. There is some truth to that but 2 of those backs (Adai & Langford) are completely unproven, Hyde is a decent NFL back but is a victim of his surroundings as he runs behind a mediocre O-Line complimented by an even worse passing attack. And Matt Jones simply isn’t very good. He averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and only had 3 TDs last year on 144 carries.
- Andrew Luck – I’ve seen him ranked as high as 3 in some rankings and top 5 in most. On what grounds does Luck have to be ranked top 5 after the year he had last year. Even before he got hurt he was stinking up the joint and if you want to blame the offensive line that’s cool I would agree but guess what? The O-Line doesn’t figure to be much better in 2016. No way in hell am I drafting Luck over Wilson, Brees, Big Ben, or Carson Palmer.
- Frank Gore – Gore wasn’t that good last year and now he’s a year older and Luck is back to throw the ball more which most likely means less carries for Gore. He might have a few good games but they’ll be a lot of weeks where he rushes for 50 and 60 yards with no TD.
- Dion Lewis – I love Lewis for PPR but a top 20 RB ranking in standard leagues give me cause to pause. It’s a little to high risk high reward for my taste. He definitely balled out last year but the sample size was so small. Quite frankly the Patriots RB situation hasn’t been stable enough for consistent fantasy use since the Corey Dillon days. There are some weeks it seems they don’t even run the ball and then there’s a week some guy named Stevan Ridley rushes for 200 yards.
- Jordy Nelson – I’ve seen him ranked as high as top 5 receiver. Fresh off ACL surgery after a year his QB had the worst season of his career there are just a few other options I’d rather go with than Nelson this year. I’m fine with him in the top 10 but top 5-8 is definitely too rich for my blood.
Underrated
- A.J. Green in the 1st round – The Bengals lost both their 2nd and 3rd best receivers in free agency and didn’t get a big name in the draft. Brandon Lafell isn’t very good which means Dalton is gonna be throwing to Green even more.
- Thomas Rawals – There’s a lot of hype about a 2nd year NFC West RB but they got the wrong 1. Rawals was a flat out beast last year and did it behind a below average O-Line.
- Demarco Murray – It was just 2 years ago when he was the top back in fantasy and now he’s barely in some people’s Top 20? Playing in Tennessee where they will run the ball and maybe even utilize some read option with Mariota should really open things up for Murray to return to form. Don’t be fooled by one season where he was misused by Chip Kelly.
- Gary Barnidge – Many will steer clear of any Browns players but just because their win-loss record will suck doesn’t mean they can’t have any relevant fantasy players. Barnidge caught 79 balls for over 1,000 yards receiving and 9 TDs last season with nothing at QB. If RG3 actually plays well he could really be a steal for someone.
- Ben Roethlisberger – Am I missing something? I’ve seen this guy rated around 7 or 8 at best and sometimes lower but how is he not higher? He has both the best receiver and running back in the NFL at his disposal and is protected by 1 of the best O-Lines in the NFL. Baring injury he should be a top 6 QB at the least.
- Blake Bortles – Most people wouldn’t agree but I got him in my Top 10. It’s not even about his own ability but the ability of that loaded team around him. He’s got just enough talent to thrive with Robinson, Hurns, and Thomas to throw to.
- Latavius Murray – Only 7 RBs rushed for over 1,000 yards last year and this guy was 1 of them. Yet he’s not even ranked in the top 20 on some sites. That’s fine with me, I hope opposing players take Matt Jones, Jay Ajayi, and Frank Gore ahead of him in every league I’m in.
- Ryan Matthews – Another criminally underrated back. All Matthews did was rush for 5.0 yards per carry last season in a limited role for an unorganized team. He only started 6 games and rushed for over 500 yards and had 20 catches.
Sleepers
- Corey Coleman – A little of the Kamar Aiken and Stefon Diggs effect here. Those guys did numbers last year in large part because their simply weren’t any other receivers worth throwing to on their teams. Coleman is in a similar predicament and has even more talent than both.
- Paul Perkins – At some point, Perkins is gonna be the guy over Rashad Jennings. He’s just way more talented. The threat of the Giants passing game should open things up and give Perkins a nice standard box to run against.
- Kirk Cousins – There are no elite defenses in the NFC East and the Redskins are absolutely loaded at their skill positions. (See my overrated list about Jordan Reed for more details)
- Eric Ebron – Ebron showed a lot of improvement from his rookie to sophomore year. I expect the growth to continue in his third season. With Megatron retired, more opportunities for other guys and I fully expect Ebron to be one of the Lions best receiving options this year.
- Markus Wheaton – The Steelers for years now have gotten production from receivers only to see them leave for whatever reason only to replace them and still get good production. Plaxico Burress was first to leave and then Mike Wallace came along. He and Ward were gone and then Emmanuel Sanders stepped up, following with Antonio Brown and Martavius Bryant. With Bryant out the picture for a year (due to being an idiot), the stage is now set for the next breakout Steelers receiver in Wheaton.
My Fantasy Hot Takes
- Thomas Rawals will score more points than David Johnson in standard leagues
- Don’t draft Andrew Luck (you’ll most likely have to pick him too high to draft him)
- Todd Gurley will have more rushing yards and touchdowns than Adrian Peterson
- Tyrod Taylor should be a top 10 QB (Rushing Yards & TDs count more than passing yards & Tds)
- Tom Brady isn’t worth the trouble (I’m sure he’ll be great in the 12 games he plays but why pass up on a potential stud in round 4 or 5 to take a QB that will mist his 1st 4 games in such a loaded QB class?)
- Tyler Eiffert will be the 2nd best Tight End in fantasy (IF he stays healthy)
- Cleveland Browns will have 3 playable fantasy options (Coleman, Barnidge, Johnson)
- Marcus Mariota could be a sneaky sleeper (If they turn him loose as a runner)
- Year of the Jaguars