Fantasy

Each year, free agency has a sizeable impact on the NFL landscape. Teams are strengthened and weakened by the moves made on the market, and many of these switches impact draft strategies as well.

Free agency also has a major impact on fantasy football. The changing of teams and schemes can dramatically alter a player's fantasy outlook. Of course, it's never too early to examine fantasy outlooks.

With the scouting combine and the first week of free agency in the rearview, we're in the middle of mock draft season. This makes it a perfect time for a fantasy mock, which you'll find here, along with a list of the top 50 players in PPR formats—based on consensus rankings from FantasyPros, and a look at some notable free-agency moves that will impact future fantasy outlooks.

This is a two-round snake mock that doesn't include incoming rookies.

        

2019 Fantasy Football Mock Draft

1.01 Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

1.02 Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

1.03 Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

1.04 Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

1.05 Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

1.06 DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

1.07 Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

1.08 Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns

1.09 Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

1.10 Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

1.11 James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

1.12 Antonio Brown, WR, Oakland Raiders

2.01 Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

2.02 Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

2.03 Le'Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets

2.04 Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

2.05 Davis Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

2.06 Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

2.07 Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

2.08 Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

2.09 Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2.10 JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

2.11 George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

2.12 T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

       

Fantasy Football Top 50

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants

2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

3. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams

4. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers

5. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints

6. Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

7. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans

8. Devante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers

9. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

10. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints

11. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

12. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

13. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns

14. Le'Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets

15. Antonio Brown, WR, Oakland Raiders

16. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

17. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles

18. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

19. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns

20. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

21. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings

22. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

23. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

24. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

25. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

26. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers

27. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts

28. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs

29. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys

30. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

31. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

32. Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots

33. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings

34. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings

35. Brandin Cooks, WR, Los Angeles Rams

36. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams

37. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions

38. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts

39. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

40. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans

41. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears

42. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks

43. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

44. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos

45. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

46. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions

47. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans

48. Andrew Luck, QB, Indianapolis Colts

49. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots

50. Doug Baldwin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

        

Odell Beckham Jr. to the Cleveland Browns

The trade that sent star wideout Odell Beckham Jr. from the New York Giants to the Cleveland Browns has dominated headlines, and rightfully so. Elite players almost never get traded just as they are entering their primes.

When examining Beckham's outlook, we need to consider the scenery change. He's going from having aging Eli Manning to young gunslinger Baker Mayfield at quarterback. He's also moving to a more wide-open offense under Freddie Kitchens that was explosive enough to even make Breshad Perriman a thing last year.

While Beckham will be competing with the likes of Jarvis Landry, David Njoku, Antonio Callaway and Duke Johnson for receptions, he isn't likely to see as much double coverage because of it.

"When has Beckham ever played in an offense like that?" Michael Beller of Sports Illustrated wrote. "And the best part for him? He'll still be at the center of everything."

Beckham should see a slight bump in overall production in 2019. Just keep in mind that Kitchens' offense doesn't force feed the ball to one receiver. Landry, for example, had 49 receptions in eight games under Todd Haley and just 32 in eight under the head coach.

Naturally, the move also affects Mayfield and Manning. Expect the former to be a weekly must-start as long as Beckham is healthy. The latter, meanwhile, goes from being a potential streamer and spot starter to pretty much unplayable.

         

Le'Veon Bell to the New York Jets

While the Beckham move was arguably the highlight of an active trade market, the New York Jets' signing of running back Le'Veon Bell was the marquee move of free agency itself.

If Bell can be close to the player he was in 2017—when he produced 1,946 combined rushing and receiving yards to go with 85 receptions and 11 touchdowns—he will again be fantasy royalty.

The question, of course, is how close can he come to that kind of production? He won't be working in an offense that also features Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown anymore. He'll be playing with second-year quarterback Sam Darnold and Robby Anderson. He'll see more defensive attention in New York.

As Jeff Ratcliffe of Pro Football Focus explained, the move to Adam Gase's offense could also hurt Bell's value:

"A three-down workload is likely for Bell, but it isn't fair to simply expect the same production as we saw in Pittsburgh. Gase's Dolphins ran the fewest offensive plays last season, with just 878. The Jets weren't far ahead at 971. Gase ran the ball on just over 42% of the time, which was nearly identical to the Jets' run/pass ratio."

Bell probably won't be the same fantasy star he was in 2017, but if he's sitting there at the bottom of Round 1 or early Round 2, you should feel confident in pulling the trigger.

We saw last season that Roethlisberger's fantasy numbers were just fine without Bell—the absence of Antonio Brown is another story—but the move should significantly impact Sam Darnold's. He's definitely rosterable and may even emerge as a reliable fantasy starter. 

        

Nick Foles to the Jacksonville Jaguars

This is one of the more underrated free-agency moves as it relates to fantasy. While Nick Foles isn't going to suddenly be a must-draft quarterback now he's in Jacksonville, his arrival does have implications worth exploring.

The most obvious is a bump in value for running back Leonard Fournette. The former first-round pick struggled in 2018, both because of injuries and because of seeing regular eight-man fronts. The game plan for opposing defenses was to dare Blake Bortles to beat them, pretty much every single week.

This won't quite be the case with Foles, who has shown he can tear apart a defense that dares him.

The 30-year-old should also increase the value of pass-catchers like Dede Westbrook, Marquise Lee, D.J. Chark and recently added Chris Conley. None of these players are top-of-the-draft material, but when filling out your roster, don't forget to account for Foles.

The quarterback change also increased the value of the Jaguars defense, which was pretty much unplayable for much of last season. Jacksonville was handed several blowout losses because of its own offensive ineptitude and, late in the season, a lack of fight.

We aren't likely to see the same Jaguars defense that rocked fantasy in 2017, but the unit is now draftable.

For once, spring's arrival will actually signify the official start of baseball.

As everyone welcomes the spring solstice on March 20, the Seattle Mariners and Oakland Athletics will open the 2019 MLB season with the first of two games in Tokyo.

It's still winter, but spring training is well underway. With the season starting sooner than usual, fantasy baseball drafters can't procrastinate any longer. It's time to dig deep into strategies, sleepers and any slither of data one can find.

Others, however, may simply want to know what this whole fantasy baseball hoopla is about. First off, welcome aboard. Grab a seat and stay a while. The various formats and categories can be daunting at first, especially since this game demands a six-month commitment, but it's a captivating challenge for those who stick around for the whole ride.

Before getting into specific player targets and optimal draft tactics, here's a rundown of some general guidelines for beginners and casual gamers. There's more to it, but this is a good start to acing your draft.

      

Know Your League

The obvious one included in just about every advice article of this nature, it still bears repeating. As fantasy sites become more customizable, it becomes increasingly difficult for any analyst to know your specific settings. 

Drafters thus need to do their own homework.

Before firing up those rankings—making your own is highly recommended—get comfortable with the basics. Is the league scored by rotisserie, head-to-head or points? What are the categories? Is it a snake or auction draft? Are players added via an open waiver wire or a free-agency acquisition bidding (FAAB) system?

You may like Billy Hamilton's chances to steal 50 bags for the Kansas City Royals, but his value plummets in a points league that devalues steals in favor of more offensive outcomes such as OPS. Carlos Santana, on the other hand, becomes way more valuable in a points format with walks or any league that uses on-base percentage.

Roster sizes are also essential to know prior to a draft. A durable starter like Eric Hosmer is far more valuable in a 15-team league with a corner infield slot than a 10-team league without one. If only playing with a four-player bench and one or two IL spots, stashing Yoenis Cespedes isn't worth the hassle.

Those new to fantasy baseball may want to keep it simple by using the standard five-by-five hitting (AVG, R, HR, RBI, SB) and pitching (W, ERA, WHIP, SV, K) categories in a roto or head-to-head mixed league with 10 or 12 teams. After getting more comfortable, branch out to different scoring systems, try out an auction or even a keeper/dynasty league.

       

Don't Follow a Frigid Plan

This is where novices may want access to a foolproof plan guaranteed to win your league. Plenty of other analysts have touted distinct strategies, and plenty of them can work under the right circumstances.

Yet as simplistic as this will sound, no predetermined plan will succeed unless you draft the right players. 

You'll miss out on value by attaching yourself to a concrete strategy. Perhaps you want to avoid the extra volatility associated with picking starting pitchers in the early rounds. That's fine, but be ready to toss that ideology out the window if Gerrit Cole falls to the fourth.

Adjust to your draft, even if it means ditching your early blueprint. Take the value offered, but also alter your valuations when necessary. That could mean drafting some upside pitchers earlier than expected if they're all flying off the board.

No gimmick can beat drafting the best players, so don't leave too much value on the table. 

     

Mix Stability and Upside

Constructing a balanced team is vital, especially in a league where trading is rare or the free-agent market is barren. Balance doesn't only apply to filling every category. Drafters should also assemble the right blend of stability and upside.

Some drafters will take the Talladega Nights approach and chase upside with every selection. While there's no reward for fifth place, such a reckless scheme leaves little margin for error.

Besides, everyone seems to forget about the scene where Ricky Bobby's father explains that "If you ain't first, you're last" makes no sense. Pay leagues typically offer rewards for second and third, and at least there's more pride attached to placing fourth than ninth.

"Boring Is Best" should be your fantasy draft motto.

If you're drafting a bunch of rookies and 'five tool' players and guys who 'broke out' in 2018, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!

Boring players have the most value. Boring players win leagues.

I'll pass on Eloy and take McCutchen.

— Derek Carty (@DerekCarty) March 11, 2019

On the flip side, it's also a poor strategy to load up on players like Nick Markakis and Jon Lester who offer a steady floor, but lower ceiling. Taking Markakis as a fifth or sixth outfielder, however, isn't a bad idea for someone who already rolled the dice on Wil Myers and Byron Buxton.

Seek stability early, and shoot for the stars late. Adalberto Mondesi could ruin your season if he busts as a fifth-round choice, but you could drop Garrett Hampson with little remorse if he doesn't win a starting job out of spring. 

     

Pay Attention To Spring (But Don't Go Overboard)

Does spring training matter? Yes and no. As long as he's not throwing 88 mph, a healthy Max Scherzer allowing a few runs isn't a big deal. Lewis Brinson's stellar March at most warrants an end-of-draft flier, but it hardly forebodes a second-year breakout.

Pay no mind to a hitter's batting average or spring ERA. However, an aggressive young hitter drawing more walks or a pitcher upping his velocity and/or developing a new pitch merit attention. 

Although the hype machine can often go overboard, it's occasionally wise to pay attention.

In two spring innings, Jordan Hicks has recorded seven strikeouts. (One batter reached on a wild pitch.) The St. Louis Cardinals reliever, who routinely fired triple-digit gas last season, reached 103 mph in Tuesday's outing:

101, 103, 103.

It's March, but Jordan Hicks is already bringing heat. pic.twitter.com/Xy6R5H9UZC

— MLB (@MLB) March 5, 2019

Despite his dominant stuff, Hicks settled for a 3.59 ERA and 70 strikeouts in 77.2 innings last year. He has the skills, however, to take the same leap to stardom as Josh Hader last season. The Athletic's Jayson Stark made that comparison in a piece where Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux credited Hicks with wielding "the best fastball I've ever seen."

"There have been a lot of good ones through the years, you know, just based on velocity," Maddux said. "But the combination of the movement with the velocity? That really caught [my] eyes."

This is the time of year where every player is in the best shape of his life and ready to turn a new leaf. It won't always happen, so drafters must take those narratives with a grain of salt.

But when a guy is mowing down batters with a 103 mph heater deemed an all-time great weapon by a pitching coach entering his 38th season, it might be time to move him up draft boards.

The trade deadline is hours away for Pro and Public Fantasy Basketball Leagues, and fantasy players can make several last-minute moves that will help their rosters improve significantly.

The time in question is 11:59 p.m. PT on Thursday night, per Yahoo.com.

In an effort to improve rosters, we have recommendations of three players to add and three players to part with prior to the deadline.

The players to sell or trade are not necessarily expected to disappoint down the regular season's home stretch. The belief is that they would bring more of a return in a trade than they would by remaining on the roster.

       

Add

SF/PF Otto Porter Jr., Chicago Bulls

Otto Porter Jr. did not appear to be the wisest signing when the Washington Wizards gave him a four-year contract valued at $106 million. He was not starting, and while he was making a contribution, it wasn't worth anything close to what he was being paid.

The Wizards were thrilled to trade him to the Bulls, and he appears to be a different player in a Chicago uniform. The 25-year-old scored 20 points and had six rebounds in the 109-107 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night.

That kind of production is typical for Porter since coming to Chicago. He is averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game for the Bulls, and he is one of those players who could make a difference in the coming weeks.

            

C Myles Turner, Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers (40-22) are a solid, blue-collar type of team that has been outworking opponents this season, and Myles Turner is one of the keys to their effort.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCboiGvezJg

The 22-year-old is a tough defensive player and one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA. He is averaging a league-best 2.7 blocks per night, and he is contributing on the offensive end with 13.4 points per game while connecting on 50.3 percent of his shots from the field.

Turner is also corralling 6.9 rebounds per night, and he is not hesitant when he attacks the boards. He is averaging more than 28 minutes per game, and that figure should remain steady or go up because of his consistently strong defensive effort.

         

PG/SG Delon Wright, Memphis Grizzlies

Delon Wright was averaging slightly more than 18 minutes a game with the Toronto Raptors, and that average has increased by 10 minutes per game with the Grizzlies.

That means the 26-year-old has value in fantasy basketball, and Memphis is taking advantage of it because the Grizzlies need to give Mike Conley some help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ud2VTyty9I

Wright's opportunity to contribute should continue from this point forward. He scored nine points and added four rebounds in Wednesday night's loss to the Bulls, and he is averaging 8.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game with the Grizzlies.

       

Drop

PF/C Al Horford, Boston Celtics

Al Horford is one of the most honest and hardworking players on the Boston roster.

However, when it comes to chemistry, the 32-year-old and Kyrie Irving do not appear to complement each other very well at this point in the season.

Horford is averaging 12.9 points per game, and that's the same number he had last year. However, he played 31.6 minutes per game in 2017-18, but that number is down to 28.7 minutes per game this year. 

It seems the Celtics are more of a one-man show this year with Irving leading the way, as he had 31 points in Boston's 97-92 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Wednesday, while Horford had 13 points to go with his five assists and five rebounds.

Irving had just three assists in that game, and that number is one of the key factors in the recommendation to drop Horford.

         

C Marc Gasol, Toronto Raptors

This may be a little late in coming, but Marc Gasol has not taken on a productive role since coming to the Raptors in a trade with the Grizzlies.

The 34-year-old had just five points in Tuesday's rout of the Celtics, although he did have eight assists and five rebounds. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pphrxvBny5o

Gasol is averaging just 9.2 points and 5.8 rebounds in six games with the Raptors after averaging 15.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per game with the Grizzlies.

It doesn't seem as if the Spaniard will make the same offensive contribution with Toronto that he did in Memphis, but that doesn't mean the Raptors don't value him. However, his scoring opportunities are not as great, and it's time to move Gasol.

           

C Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder

The recommendation here is that trading Steven Adams should bring more in return than he will deliver by staying on your roster. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTHTurLCggc

The Thunder big man, 25, is averaging 14.7 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, and those figures should bring an excellent return in a trade.

Adams is a productive player, but he is averaging a career-high 34 minutes per game, and he may slow down in the final weeks of the season. Trade him now when his value is highest.

Fantasy football has become a modern staple of the game, as ubiquitous as cold beer or hot wings. Like hot wings, fantasy now comes in a variety of flavors, from traditional draft formats, best-ball leagues and daily fantasy sports.

There is no wrong way to play fantasy with friends, family members and coworkers, but dynasty formats can be some of the most rewarding. In a dynasty league, you keep most of your players from year-to-year, strengthening your roster through a yearly draft, free agency and trades.

Sound familiar?

As in real football, the decisions you make can affect your team for years to come. It can be frustrating and takes patience, but if you manage your team well, you'll be rewarded with, well a dynasty.

Depending on your league's format, you'll either be encouraged to or will be forced to select rookies from the 2019 NFL draft to place on your roster. With that in mind, here are some pre-combine projections for the top fantasy options.

Because team needs can vary in dynasty drafts, players aren't ranked here. Also, while IDP dynasty leagues do exist, defensive players aren't included here.

    

Kyler Murray, QB, Oklahoma

Reigning Heisman-winner Kyler Murray isn't going to fit on every NFL team. This makes him quite a bit of a risk for fantasy owners. Whichever team drafts him must embrace his ability to win from the pocket while also allowing him to use his incredible speed on occasion.

Murray, who amassed 4,361 yards passing, 1,001 yards rushing and 54 touchdowns in 2018, is a true dual-threat quarterback, However, he shouldn't be allowed to run regularly at the pro level due to his slight frame—he's listed at 5'10" and 195 pounds.

If you can afford to take a flier on a quarterback, Murray could pay big dividends. He isn't going to have the rushing numbers of Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen, but he could be a cross between a Jackson-type and a Baker Mayfield.

Like all rookie quarterbacks, Murray is a big risk. If you have an unstable quarterback situation, he probably isn't the gamble for you.

    

Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State

Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins represents less of a risk, but he doesn't have the upside of potential ground yardage. Haskins is a pure pocket passer with an archetypal 6'3", 220-pound frame. Haskins can sling it, too, as evidenced by his 4,831 yards passing and 50 touchdowns in 2018.

"This guy's got a cannon for an arm," NFL Network's Charley Casserly told NBC Sports Washington. "He can stretch the field vertically and horizontally."

Haskins' value will largely depend on where he lands. If he ends up with, say, the New York Giants, he'll have the good fortune of playing with guys like Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram—once he takes over for Eli Manning, anyway. Haskins has the tools to take advantage of such a strong supporting cast.

If Haskins ends up with a team like the Miami Dolphins, though, he'll have little to work with out of the gate. Haskins is a player to draft with the long game in mind—if you have, say Tom Brady or Ben Roethlisberger on your roster.

     

Josh Jacobs, RB, Alabama

While there isn't a Saquon Barkley in this draft class—there may not even be a Nick Chubb, for that matter—running back is usually a position that can at least benefit your team from Day 1. Unfortunately, there isn't a clear RB1 currently on the board.

This should change after the combine.

Right now, Alabama's Josh Jacobs is the name generating buzz. He's a fast and shifty runner who wasn't beaten down by a heavy workload under Nick Saban. Dane Brugler of The Athletic ranks Jacobs as his top back in the class.

Here's the caveat with Jacobs. While his limited workload means he will be fresh for the NFL, it also means we don't know if Jacobs can handle being an every-down back. He may only be a complementary option, especially early in his career, though as Kamara proved with the New Orleans Saints, that doesn't mean he can't be a fantasy star.

There is a bit of a risk-reward factor with Jacobs, but he should be able to help your dynasty franchise early and over time.

    

D.K. Metcalf, WR, Mississippi

Mississippi wide receiver D.K. Metcalf is likely to see his draft stock skyrocket after the combine. He's a tremendous athlete with a hulking 6'4" frame and a legitimate NFL No. 1 wideout skill set. As long as his medical checks are good—his 2018 season was cut short by a neck injury that required surgery—he'll almost certainly be a high first-round selection.

Metcalf has everything you look for in a future fantasy WR1. However, you have to draft him knowing that he may not reach his potential for two or three years.

While Metcalf has a Josh Gordon-type ceiling, he's also a raw prospect. In part because of the neck injury, he only played in 21 career college games over three seasons. He is a capable route-runner, but he isn't polished and doesn't have an extensive route tree.

If you're desperate for wide-receiver help now, you're probably better off acquiring an established starter. However, if you can afford to be patient at the position, Metcalf may prove to be the best dynasty player in this draft class.

    

T.J. Hockenson, TE, Iowa

The tight end position isn't quite the standout spot in fantasy. However, it's one that most fantasy managers can afford to upgrade. If you have one of the few top-tier guys like Travis Kelce, George Kittle or Zach Ertz, then you're set. If you have someone from the vast second tier, then you've been waiting for a prospect like Hockenson.

Not only is Hockenson ready to contribute right away, and he should be an instant upgrade over the likes of Austin Hooper, Trey Burton and Kyle Rudolph. He also has the potential to be the next Kittle or Ertz within a year or two.

"Hockenson has it all," Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller wrote, while also labeling him as the best tight end in the class.

If you're set at quarterback, running back and receiver, Hockenson may be the perfect rookie target for you.

    

Other Worthy Rookie Dynasty Targets

Darrell Henderson, RB, Memphis

N'Keal Harry, WR, Arizona State

Noah Fant, TE, Iowa

A.J. Brown, WR, Memphis

Damien Harris, RB, Alabama

Drew Lock, QB, Missouri

David Montgomery, RB, Iowa State

Before the NBA returns from the All-Star break on Thursday night, fantasy basketball managers still have time to reassess their rosters for second-half title pushes.

Although some gamers might have needed the pause as much as a fatigued NBA player, others may feel like a streaking shooter who must shake off the rust and regain their rhythm. A successful fantasy owner monitors the day-by-day minutiae for minutes and usage alterations to gain an edge off the waiver wire. Everyone now, however, will have to circle back all the way to Valentine's Day to refresh their memories.

Timed shortly after the trade deadline, managers have also had days to dissect the immediate aftermath of several transactions. In most cases, the sample sizes are too small to form lasting conclusions. Yet with the NBA regular season set to conclude as soon as April, gamers might have no choice but to act now and hope the trends stick.

Let's look at a few free agents, each owned in no more than 20 percent of Yahoo leagues, to pluck off free agency as NBA action resumes.

                 

Avery Bradley, PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (20 Percent Owned)

Avery Bradley has already run the gamut in three games with the Memphis Grizzlies. After a pedestrian eight-point debut, he made 15 of 21 field-goal attempts to drop a season-high 33 points with six rebounds and assists apiece. 

Then he posted 15 points and five assists against the Chicago Bulls. Maybe those tallies are just right.

The defensive-minded guard never gained much traction with the Los Angeles Clippers, with whom he averaged 8.2 points per game with the worst field-goal percentage (38.3) since his rookie campaign. Before the move, however, he notched 15 points in 40 games for the Detroit Pistons after making his mark with the Boston Celtics.

Bradley also showed some signs of life prior to the latest in-season trade. He closed January's final seven games with 12.9 points (11-15 in every game), 4.7 rebounds, and 2.7 assists before a three-tilt swoon.  

According to NBA.com, he solidified a higher usage rate (24.3) in his Memphis arrival than any Grizzlies guard beside Mike Conley has posted this season. They sorely need a perimeter producer, so look for Bradley to fill the void over their final 23 games.

               

Dion Waiters, SG/SF, Miami Heat (18 Percent Owned)

The break is typically the time for players to enjoy a tropical paradise, but fantasy gamers can celebrate the NBA's return by purchasing a ticket to Dion Waiters Island.

Since returning from offseason ankle surgery on Jan. 2, the mercurial shooting guard has registered just 9.9 points and 22.6 minutes in 18 games for the Miami Heat. Before the break, however, he began to look comfortable with an expanded starting role.

In Miami's past four games, Waiters averaged 16.8 points and 3.8 assists in 33.8 minutes. Back to his own ways, the aggressive shooter made 16 of his 36 three-point attempts.

Per David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel, Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra commended Waiters' progress.

"You can see he's starting to get his step back and be able to get into the paint and make plays," Spoelstra said. "It makes our offense more dynamic."

Although hardly a multi-category contributor at his finest, the 27-year-old has shown a propensity to score in bunches. He averaged 15.8 and 14.3 points over the past two seasons, respectively, while setting personal highs in field-goal (42.4 percent) and three-point (39.5 percent) shooting during a breakout 2016-17 campaign.

Even if he's not the most efficient or versatile producer, Waiters is at least a hot hand worth riding out of the intermission.

                 

Jake Layman, SF, Portland Trail Blazers (14 Percent Owned)

In Layman's terms, Jake had a nice stretch right before the break.

In five February contests, the forward posted 16.2 points per game for the Portland Trail Blazers with a 64 field-goal percentage. He put a bow on the surge by tallying 17 points and one Michael Jordan shrug in a 129-107 win over the Golden State Warriors.

Jake Layman hit 'em with the Jordan shrug. 🤷‍♂️#RipCity pic.twitter.com/VvvxntBZ4Z

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 14, 2019

Dating back to Jan. 1, he's averaging 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 three-pointers per game. Before the hiatus, he swiped two steals against Golden State after swatting four blocks against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He won't be a league winner, but fantasy managers should shrug alongside Layman and add the scorching-hot shooter. There's a scoring opportunity in Rip City for someone to grab beyond Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. 

                

Marquese Chriss, F/C, Cleveland Cavaliers (10 Percent Owned)

The eighth overall pick in 2016's NBA draft, Marquese Chriss has been foisted to three teams in as many seasons. But this relationship could last.

Chriss played 23 combined minutes in his final 12 games with the Houston Rockets, who shipped him off to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade involving the Sacramento Kings. The 21-year-old logged 23 minutes in his Cavs debut, reaching double-digit points (13) for the first time this season.

Given enhanced playing time for the lottery-bound squad, Chriss has recorded 14.3 points and 6.3 boards, with a 55 field-goal percentage and 20.4 percent usage rate in four games, per NBA.com.

Since being traded to Cleveland, Marquese Chriss' per 36 averages over 4 games are 21.2 points and 9.3 rebounds.

— Kellan Olson (@KellanOlson) February 14, 2019

Entrenched in a tight race to the bottom—resuming with Thursday's pivotal matchup against his first franchise, the Phoenix Suns—Cleveland should keep giving Chriss as many minutes as he can handle. While a returning Kevin Love also commands playing time, he could continue to sit when a back-to-back arises. It also won't be surprising to see him rested later in the season to maximize the Cavs' odds of landing a top pick.

A raw talent with immense upside, Chriss is the perfect player to utilize during a tank. He won't lead Cleveland to more victories, but he could help fantasy investors pursue a title.

The 2018-19 season has moved past the All-Star Game, and that means every game is critical for teams fighting to make the playoffs or improve their playoff position.

Team LeBron got the best of Team Giannis Sunday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, and after three more days off for the NBA's non-All-Stars, the season will pick up again Thursday night.

Once the schedule resumes, it will be a sprint to the end of the season as the final 24-25 games take on new meaning for management, coaches, players and fantasy owners.

The searching and hoping part of the season is over in fantasy basketball. Mistakes can no longer be tolerated, and it's not about finding the solution later. It's about finding the solution right now.

There are six games on Thursday night's schedule, nine more Friday and 12 on Saturday. We take a look at two players to start, two players to sit and two players to add to your roster based on this week's schedule.

      

Start 'Em

Jaren Jackson Jr., Power Forward, Memphis Grizzlies

At this point in the season, you want to bring in players coming into their own and playing with confidence on a consistent basis. Jackson appears to be one of those players.

While the Grizzlies are at the bottom of the Southwest Division with a 23-36 record, this team has split its last six games and appears to have not quit on this season yet.

The opportunity should be there for Jackson to establish himself the rest of the season. He has been solid all year, and there have been clear improvements in recent weeks. 

Jackson is averaging 13.8 points and 4.7 rebounds per game while playing slightly over 26 minutes nightly. His numbers have increased in February, as he is averaging 16.8 points and 5.0 rebounds while playing 29.2 minutes this month.

The Grizzlies play back-to-back games Friday and Saturday, hosting the Clippers and then heading to Cleveland.

Jackson is the 64th-ranked player by ESPN.com, and he should have an opportunity to climb the ladder this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86M0V0r0bZg

   

Otto Porter Jr., Small Forward, Chicago Bulls

Acquired from the Washington Wizards in a trade at the deadline, Porter has fit in brilliantly with his new team in his first four games with the Bulls.

Porter is scoring 22.5 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, and he is also shooting 62.1 percent from the field. The Bulls have needed a go-to scorer, and while that was not necessarily going to be Porter's role when the Bulls made their move for him, he is doing the job in that area.

Even if he can't reach the 22-point mark each and every night, he looks like a sensational add from a fantasy perspective. Porter is averaging 13.5 points and 5.6 rebounds for the season, but his numbers over the last 10 games are the same 22.5 and 5.8 they are with the Bulls.

The Bulls closed the first half of the season with a 122-110 win over the Grizzlies, and while one game is just that, this team has to do better down the stretch than it has to this point in the season.

The Bulls are at Orlando on Friday night before hosting the Celtics on Saturday, and we don't see Porter slowing down any time soon.

    

Sit 'Em

    

Al-Farouq Aminu, Power Forward, Portland Trail Blazers

Aminu has been a steady player for the Trail Blazers, but Portland faces two tough road games once the All-Star break is over.

They open with a game at Brooklyn on Thursday night followed by a rough assignment in Philadelphia on Saturday. Portland has lost five of its last seven road games, so this does not appear to be an ideal situation for Aminu.

The Portland power forward is averaging 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Aminu may give the Trail Blazers the rebounds they expect, but scoring on the road can be difficult. Aminu is averaging 8.9 points on the road, and we see the Nets and Sixers keeping him from reaching those totals.

He has been dropped by 7.7 percent of ESPN.com's fantasy players, so keep Aminu on your bench this week.

    

Danny Green, Shooting Guard, Toronto Raptors

Green has been a solid contributor for the Raptors throughout the season, but he has been dropped by 7.1 percent of ESPN.com's fantasy players and is starting to trend downward.

Green is averaging 9.8 points and 4.0 rebounds this season, and those numbers have stayed fairly close at 9.5 points and 4.0 rebounds in his most recent games.

The Raptors have home games against the San Antonio Spurs and the Orlando Magic this week, but Green has better splits on the road than he does at home. He is averaging 10.6 points on the road and 8.9 points per game at home.

The Raptors play two games on the road the following week, and we may decide to put him back in the lineup at that time, but he will sit this week.

    

Add 'Em

   

Caris LeVert, Small Forward, Brooklyn Nets

LeVert will play an important role with the Nets as the season heads toward the home stretch. The combo player—he can also play the shooting guard spot—has been added to more rosters than any other player, per ESPN.com.

LeVert's ownership rate has increased from 30.0 percent to 56.0 percent on ESPN rosters, as he has returned from a long layoff following a dislocated ankle. He is coming back to a thriving team that is contending for a playoff spot.

LeVert is averaging 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over the 17 games he has played this year, and he has two games this week to reward his fantasy owners.

    

Jabari Parker, Small Forward-Power Forward, Washington Wizards

It looks like the Wizards have made a couple of savvy additions with Parker and Bobby Portis, as both players were acquired from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline.

Just as Porter appears to be a strong fit for the Bulls, Parker has the scoring talent to become an impact player for fantasy owners.

Parker's scoring numbers are not over the top in his first four games with the Wizards, as he is averaging 12.3 points per game. However, Parker is shooting 51.3 percent from the field in those games. That's an improvement from the 47.4 percent he was shooting with the Bulls.

The 2018 NFL season recently ended, but it's never too early to get a jump-start on next season's fantasy strategy—especially if you're in a keeper league. Some leagues require keepers to be submitted shortly after the draft, and many don't allow for offseason trades before the submission deadline.

Who doesn't want to fleece a friend or family member and acquire a top-tier fantasy keeper?

The tricky part of evaluating keepers at this point in the offseason is that several standout players will find new homes in free agency. Incoming rookies can affect keeper rankings too, as players like Saquon Barkley, Baker Mayfield and even Phillip Lindsay did this past season.

Below, you'll find a pre-free agency ranking of the top 50 fantasy keepers—based on PPR scoring formats—along with an up-close look at some risk-reward players.

                

2019 Fantasy Football Keeper Rankings

1. RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

2. RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

3. RB Ezekiel Elliott, New York Giants

4. RB Todd Gurley, Los Angeles Rams

5. WR DeAndre Hopkins, Houston Texans

6. RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

7. WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

8. WR Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

9. WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pittsburgh Steelers

10. WR Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants

11. WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

12. WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

13. WR Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers

14. WR Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons

15. RB Le'Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers

16. RB Melvin Gordon, Los Angeles Chargers

17. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

18. RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

19. RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals

20. WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

21. QB Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

22. TE George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

23. TE Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles

24. WR Amari Cooper, Dallas Cowboys

25. RB Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions

26. WR Stefon Diggs, Minnesota Vikings

27. RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

28. RB James Conner, Pittsburgh Steelers

29. RB David Johnson, Arizona Cardinals

30. WR Brandin Cooks, Los Angeles Rams

31. WR Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings

32. WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

33. QB Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans

34. WR Kenny Golladay, Detroit Lions

35. WR Robert Woods, Los Angeles Rams

36. RB Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons

37. RB Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers

38. RB Sony Michel, New England Patriots

39. QB Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

40. WR T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts

41. WR Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans

42. QB Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns

43. RB Phillip Lindsay, Denver Broncos

44. WR Alshon Jeffery, Philadelphia Eagles

45. RB Leonard Fournette, Jacksonville Jaguars

46. WR Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons

47. QB Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams

48. WR Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns

49. RB Marlon Mack, Indianapolis Colts

50. QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

              

15. RB Le'Veon Bell

Le'Veon Bell is listed here as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but for all intents and purposes, he has no team. Bell refused to play under the franchise tag in 2018 and therefore has spent a year away from football. This makes him a major risk for both the team that signs him in free agency and for fantasy owners.

Adding to the risk factor is the reality that Bell may not be as productive a back in an offense other than Pittsburgh's.

Mike Garafolo of NFL Network believes Bell will land with the Baltimore Ravens. While Baltimore's run-oriented offense could help Bell thrive as a runner, he would essentially be splitting carries with quarterback Lamar Jackson. Baltimore's run-based attack would also hurt Bell's receiving numbers—not a good development in PPR.

Keep in mind that a lot of Bell's value is based on his receiving numbers. He had 1,291 yards rushing in 2017 but also added 85 receptions and 655 more yards.

Even if Bell lands in a balanced offense, the pieces around him could also hurt his value. If he lands with the New York Jets, for example, he would largely be on a team devoid of threatening downfield receivers. Defensive attention would be on Bell in a way it couldn't be in Pittsburgh. If not for these risks, Bell would be ranked much higher.

              

20. WR Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers

One big reason it was hard for opposing defenses to key in on Bell when playing Pittsburgh was wideout Antonio Brown. Brown has remained one of the top pass-catching threats in the league over the past six seasons. He's caught at least 100 passes in each and forced opposing teams to regularly employ double teams.

Like Bell, though, Brown is most likely headed to a new home. While he is under contract through 2021, he has also requested a trade and recently said goodbye to Steelers fans on Twitter.

Assuming Pittsburgh gives into Brown's demands, he will be playing elsewhere in 2019. The lingering uncertainty about his future makes Brown a big boom-or-bust keeper.

The problem is that Brown doesn't have any control over where he lands. As Albert Breer of The MMQB reports, the Steelers won't be sending him to play with Mayfield or Tom Brady.

"The Steelers, as I understand it, are against trading him in the division and against trading him to the Patriots," Breer wrote. "They'll listen to offers from the other 27 teams."

While this leaves open the possibility of Brown still landing with a top-tier quarterback, but what if he doesn't? What if Brown ends up playing with a running quarterback like Josh Allen or ends up in a crowded receiving corps like the Los Angeles Rams'? Brown may just never be the guaranteed fantasy producer he was in Pittsburgh.

While Ben Roethlisberger may have had a strained relationship with Brown, he also helped make him a star. Leaving Pittsburgh could be bad for both Brown and for fantasy owners.

             

50. QB Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has long been a logical fantasy keeper. He is one of the most gifted passers the game has ever seen. However, he has disappointed over the past two years. Injuries curtailed his production in 2017, and last season, his level of play wasn't on par with what we've become accustomed to.

Rodgers passed for 4,442 yards in 2018 but threw just 25 touchdowns. These are fine numbers, but they don't necessarily warrant using a keeper spot.

If you have faith that Rodgers can rebound, though, using a keeper spot on Rodgers could be a shrewd move. He will be playing in a new system under head coach Matt LaFleur and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. If they can get the most out of Rodgers, he will again be a top fantasy quarterback. He may even return to an MVP level.

Rodgers was the pick for ESPN's Matt Bowen in a recent panel of 2019 MVP predictions.

"I'm betting on Rodgers' talent here and a new offensive system under new coach Matt LaFleur that will mesh more with the modern passing game," Bowen wrote.

We've seen what modern passing attacks can do for quarterbacks like Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes. If one can do the same for Rodgers, it could mean big trouble for opposing defenses.

The 2018-19 NBA season is once again flying by, and fantasy owners have reached a critical point when it comes to earning a spot in the fantasy playoffs.

As we hit Week 18, it is becoming more critical with each game to put the best possible lineup on the floor for your matchups. The time for experimenting is long over.

We have identified a couple players to consider starting, sitting and adding for your lineup based on the limited schedule, as the NBA hits the All-Star break this week.

There are 11 games scheduled Wednesday night, and three more on Thursday before the All-Star weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.

        

Start 'em

Lauri Markkanen, Power Forward, Chicago Bulls

It doesn't matter that the Bulls rarely win and that new coach Jim Boylen has not affected anything close to a turnaround with the team. They have a true stud in Markkanen, who is averaging 18.4 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the season.

More than the season-long numbers, Markkanen is trending up at this point in the season. He is averaging 21.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game over his last 10 games, and it has been even better in the four games he has played in February, with Markkanen averaging 27.8 points and 12 rebounds.

The Bulls play two games this week, beginning with Monday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks and continuing with Wednesday's game with the Memphis Grizzlies, followed by the All-Star break

Markkanen is the 50th ranked fantasy player, per ESPN, and he should continue to rise as he demonstrates that he is one of the Bulls' most important players.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pwvwennZfs

Lou Williams, Shooting Guard, Los Angeles Clippers

It's not often that we are in the habit of recommending a 32-year-old shooting guard who comes off the bench, but Williams has been a factor all season for the Clippers, and he has been on top of his game recently.

Williams is averaging 19.2 points and 5.3 assists for the season, and he has picked it up recently. He is scoring 21.4 points and handing out 6.7 assists per night in his last 10 games

Williams has had some dominant games coming off the bench, and he has games this week against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Phoenix Suns.

The Clippers have plenty of momentum after their come-from-behind 123-112 victory over the Boston Celtics Saturday night, and Williams should be primed for a couple of big efforts.

        

Sit 'em

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfDultYm5Og

Donovan Mitchell, Shooting Guard/Point Guard, Utah Jazz

Mitchell is one of the more underrated players in the NBA, but that's not the case from a fantasy perspective.

Fantasy owners know that Mitchell has been productive all season, and he is averaging a robust 22.4 points and 4.0 assists per game.

His numbers have been especially notable in the last 10 games, scoring 25.5 points and handing out 5.4 assists per game over that span.

Nevertheless, our recommendation this week is to sit Mitchell because he has just one game and it's on the road against the Golden State Warriors

This is a risky maneuver because Mitchell has been so productive, but the Warriors will go all out to win their last home game before the All-Star break and concentrate on stopping Mitchell.

Mitchell scored 19 and 17 points in earlier meeting with the Warriors, but he has had two rough shooting nights—including a 5-of-26 effort in a 108-103 Utah victory on December 19.

      

Marcus Morris, Power Forward/Small Forward, Boston Celtics

The Celtics have been a streaky team all season, and their hot streak appears to be over after losing back-to-back home games to the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.

Morris has been a steady performer throughout the season with an average of 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per night, but his numbers have dipped a bit with a mark of 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per night over the last 10 games.

The Celtics have a key road game at Philadelphia coming up Tuesday night and a home game against the Pistons Wednesday. The Celtics are 2-0 against the Sixers so far this season, and Morris has averaged 19.5 points in the two games. But this game is in Philadelphia, and the home team will be in a payback mode.

Morris is averaging 14.0 points in three games against the Pistons this season.

He is not going to perform as well this week, and it's time to drop him.

     

Add 'em

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHX5qjyLnX0

Bobby Portis, Power Forward, Washington Wizards

Now that he has been rescued from the Chicago Bulls, Portis has an opportunity to play with more freedom with the Wizards.

Two games does not necessarily prove anything, but Portis is off to a solid start with the Wizards. He is averaging 20.0 points and 9.0 rebounds in his first two outings with his new team, and that should mean he will continue to get a good opportunity to play significant minutes.

He is averaging 28.5 minutes in the two games with Washington, significantly more than he played for the Bulls.

Portis and the Wizards have two games this week on the road against the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors, and his impressive start with Washington should continue.

     

Terry Rozier, Point Guard, Boston Celtics

While everything we said about the Celtics in our look at Morris still holds, Rozier could play a key role in Boston's two games this week against the Sixers and Pistons.

That's because Kyrie Irving suffered a sprained knee in the Saturday night loss to the Clippers, and he will likely be limited in the short term.

Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe reported that Irving had an MRI Sunday and has a right knee strain. He is listed as day-to-day.

With that injury as the backdrop, Rozier becomes the main man in the Boston backcourt for the time being. Rozier is averaging 9.1 points and 4.3 assists per game, but those numbers go up to 14.2 points and 5.9 assists per night as a starter.    

The NBA trade deadline helped shift the landscape of the 2018-19 season on the court, and it could also lead to significant changes in fantasy basketball.

Tobias Harris was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers and could help the team win the Eastern Conference, although he may struggle to maintain his statistics while competing with talented teammates for touches. Ben Simmons, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler could also see fewer shots as everyone shares the rock.

Despite the negatives, there are quite a few players who can benefit from increased roles and playing time following the trade deadline. Here are some options to look for on the waiver wire poised for a big second half of the season.

               

Ivica Zubac, C, Los Angeles Clippers (12 percent owned)

The two Los Angeles teams don't make deals often, but they broke tradition in the deal that sent Ivica Zubac from the Lakers to the Clippers, which Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN documented.

The 21-year-old was finally getting legitimate playing time with the Lakers, but he should also have a big role with his new team, per Jovan Buha of The Athletic:

Ivica Zubac will be the Clippers’ new starting center. Clips finally got their answer at center, if only temporarily.

— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) February 7, 2019

Harris' departure and Marcin Gortat's waiving has created a lot of playing time in the frontcourt for the Clippers, with only Montrezl Harrell left as a reliable option down low. Zubac should get plenty of minutes, allowing him to continue his recent impressive play.

In his past nine games, the center is averaging 14.1 points, 7.2 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game. 

He can maintain or improve upon these stats for a team that likes to put up points and just lost its leading scorer.

                       

Bobby Portis, PF, Washington Wizards (30.7 percent)

Now in his fourth year in the NBA, Bobby Portis is finally hitting his stride at this level.

He scored a season-high 33 points in his final game with the Chicago Bulls before being traded to the Washington Wizards:

Bobby Portis dropped a season-high 33 PTS and 9 REB last night for the @chicagobulls! 👀#BullsNation pic.twitter.com/QFDVU2mwq4

— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 3, 2019

After averaging 14.1 points and 7.3 rebounds per game, it's clear he can make an impact regardless of where he is playing.

Washington isn't going anywhere this season, but the team will need someone besides Bradley Beal to score points with John Wall hurt and Otto Porter gone. The absence of Porter and Markieff Morris will also create extra playing time at the forward spots, even with Trevor Ariza still on the roster.

The Wizards will want to showcase Portis and Jabari Parker for the rest of the year as their prizes in the Porter trade, and the former could be in for a big second half of the season.

               

Cedi Osman, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers (25.7 percent)

The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the teams that cleaned house as much as they could before the deadline, with Rodney Hood and Alec Burks gone.

Cedi Osman can take advantage, especially after his recent hot streak.

The forward has scored at least 20 points in three of his past five games, although he is dealing with an ankle injury that will keep him out through at least Friday, per Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com.

When he comes back, Osman should be one of the go-to options on a team that doesn't have many alternatives.

Consistency might be a problem, but the upside is there for the second-year player.

                   

Luke Kennard, SF, Detroit Pistons (6.7 percent)

This one might be more of a long shot, but if you have space on your roster, there is a lot of upside with Luke Kennard going forward.

Reggie Bullock and Stanley Johnson are gone, leaving minutes and shots available on the wing for Kennard to take over.

The 2017 lottery pick hasn't lived up to expectations, but he is averaging 14.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per 36 minutes this year. He is also a 39 percent shooter from three-point range in his career and might be the team's best outside shooter left on the roster.

Detroit should finally give him a full opportunity to show what he can do over the next few months before evaluating the team in the offseason.

If he plays to his potential, he could be a valuable player on the court and in fantasy.

                           

Note: All roster information courtesy of ESPN.com.

Now that the NFL has closed the final chapter on another season, fantasy football players can reflect on the results and pursue other hobbies before returning with fresh eyes for 2019 draft prep.

Or they can just start now.

The NFL, or any major sport, never leaves the spotlight. While some fans redirect their attention to basketball, hockey and baseball, others started their football rankings immediately after the New England Patriots hoisted the Lombardi Trophy on Sunday.

For everyone already getting antsy entering the first weekend without football, let's take an early look ahead with a 2019 fantasy mock draft. The following results stem from a 12-team draft, using a half-point-per-reception scoring system, conducted against automated teams via FantasyPros' Draft Wizard.

Keep in mind that offseason moves, injuries and the NFL draft will undoubtedly shake up the league's landscape by the summer. Never lock into player evaluations so early.

This is merely the first of many practice runs before getting a better sense of how to approach 2019 drafts.

                   

Mock Draft Results 

QB Baker Mayfield, CLE (11.123)

RB Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (1.3)

RB Aaron Jones, GB (2.22)

WR Mike Evans, TB (3.27)

WR Julian Edelman, NE (4.46)

WR Mike Williams, LAC (6.70)

TE Evan Engram, NYG (8.94)

FLEX Derrick Henry, TEN (5.51)

DST Cleveland Browns (15.171)

K Michael Badgley, LAC (16.190)

BN Will Fuller, HOU (7.75)

BN Kenneth Dixon, BAL (9.99)

BN Antonio Callaway, CLE (10.118)

BN Jamaal Williams, GB (12.142)

BN DeVante Parker, MIA (13.147)

BN Tom Brady, NE (14.166)

         

Wide receivers have infiltrated the first round in recent years, but anyone drawing a top-four pick (in any format) must revert to conventional practices and snag an elite running back.

While most backfields remained group efforts, Todd Gurley, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott and Christian McCaffrey all dominated as undisputed bell-cow backs during the regular season. The top choice is tougher given Gurley's postseason vanishing acts, so indecisive drafters should cross their fingers for pick No. 4.

Selecting one spot earlier, Elliott narrowly edges out McCaffrey. Averaging a gargantuan 25.5 touches and 131.6 yards per game, including the playoffs, he offers the highest floor—on a weekly and season-long basis—in all of fantasy football.

The same can't be said about Derrick Henry, who averaged 46.0 total yards per game as a touchdown-or-nothing flex play through Week 13. Anyone who somehow made the playoffs with the middling Tennessee Titans running back, however, rode him to a title.

Henry turned into Jim Brown in December, churning out 585 rushing yards and seven touchdowns—he had 474 yards and five scores in 12 prior games—over the last four contests. According to ESPN.com's Turron Davenport, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith wants to keep feeding his 6'3", 247-pound back.

"Derrick will be a big part of the offense," Smith said. "He has a rare skill set. Derrick's a home run hitter. We are taking another step hopefully with him. What he did over the last five weeks will open up a lot of things."

Henry fell to the fifth round against computers, but humans prone to recency bias likely won't exude such patience. He could leap as high as the third round, which is reasonable in non-PPR formats. Yet PPR and half-PPR drafters shouldn't reach too early for a volatile rusher who caught 15 of 18 targets.

Those sick of being told to wait on a quarterback will hate this summer's pre-draft coverage.

Looking back at FantasyPros' consensus average draft position (ADP), Andrew Luck, 2018's No. 5 quarterback in fantasy points, was the only passer taken inside the top 10 to outperform his draft slot (No. 9). The top three performers (Patrick Mahomes, Matt Ryan and Ben Roethlisberger) all went after Matthew Stafford, the 10th signal-caller off the board at pick No. 91 overall.

Aaron Rodgers, who finished sixth in quarterback scoring, averaged 0.7 fantasy points per game more than Mitchell Trubisky, the overall QB15, who was typically drafted in the 15th round (176 ADP). 

Unless Mahomes slips, keep playing chicken with the deep position. Even if that just means taking the inevitable Philip Rivers discount, there's value waiting well beyond the top 100 picks. Although no one is likely to match Mahomes' massive outburst, Baker Mayfield offers considerable upside.

Despite not making his first start until Week 3, last year's No. 1 draft choice compiled 3,725 passing yards and 27 touchdowns in a promising rookie campaign. After the Cleveland Browns fired head coach Hue Jackson at the end of October, Mayfield outscored all but nine quarterbacks, with 19.0 fantasy points per game from Week 9 onward.

As a reward for resisting the expensive passers, consider pairing one upside play with a stable veteran. While it's not imperative to grab two quarterbacks, it's hard to pass on a six-time Super Bowl champion in the 14th round.

Tom Brady, who will turn 42 before next season begins, accrued his fewest passing touchdowns (29) and most interceptions (11) since 2014. He has also, however, eclipsed 4,100 passing yards in each of the past seven full seasons, so he's a fine floor option if name recognition and real-life value don't artificially inflate his price.

                    

Note: All fantasy scoring data obtained from FantasyPros