Fantasy Booking Keith Lee Through WWE WrestleMania 37
Sep 9, 2020
Bask in his glory.
Keith Lee has quickly proved himself as someone WWE should heavily invest in for the future.
With his intensity, size, speed and amazing athleticism, the "Limitless" moniker is truly fitting. So long as the company doesn't drop the ball pushing him, he could be on a rare path toward greatness.
All is well right now while he's the shiny new toy, but history has shown former NXT Superstars who were successful in the black-and-gold brand don't necessarily stay top guys after a move to the main roster.
The next few months leading up to WrestleMania 37 will be crucial in determining whether Lee is someone to give the world title to, or just another flash in the pan WWE didn't know what to do with.
When we say Keith Lee's been on fire, we don't mean to take it literally!
Instead of turning him into wasted potential, let's look at some fantasy booking scenarios of what WWE can do with The Limitless One on The Road to WrestleMania.
Before getting ahead of the game, the first point to address is the immediate roadblock ahead: Clash of Champions.
As it stands, Lee lost his No. 1 Contender's match to Randy Orton, who will face Drew McIntyre on September 27. The Scot successfully defended his title at SummerSlam, but The Legend Killer might walk out with the belt this time.
Not knowing what WWE has planned for that show makes it impossible to give Lee a proper trajectory, as the paths ahead divulge into far too many detours.
Generally speaking, though, if Lee is to be a big deal, a match against McIntyre or Orton for the WWE title at WrestleMania 37 would be the best thing he could be set up to do come March 28, 2021.
The key to this, though, is Edge. If WWE puts the title on The Viper, it may well be with a specific match in mind for Orton against The Rated-R Superstar. That wouldn't leave Lee room to reach this top-tier challenger status on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
In that scenario, Orton would likely fight Lee as one of his title defenses in the weeks following Clash of Champions.
In all likelihood, Orton vs. McIntyre will be a Hell in a Cell match, so that feud will stretch into November. That would be followed by a bit of a break for Survivor Series if a typical champion vs. champion layout is scheduled for that show, which would likely pit The Viper or the Scot against Roman Reigns and the NXT champion.
That would mean the former NXT champion would either fight Orton for the title on a random episode of Raw, or he'd wait until Tables, Ladders & Chairs in December before coming up short.
Whether it's Orton or McIntyre as champion, it would be too soon for Lee to fight them for the title and waste that match until closer to WrestleMania or even beyond, if there are other plans. That means we should treat Lee's future as not vying for the belt at least until he can win the 2021 Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber.
With that in mind, what should Lee do for the rest of September leading into Clash of Champions and through the remainder of 2020?
Since he's out of the world title hunt right now and Apollo Crews is still firmly feuding with The Hurt Business, it's too quick to rush him into a program with Bobby Lashley.
In the meantime, The Limitless One should start a feud with someone else just to give him something to do for now.
Take your pick on who he could fight: Dolph Ziggler is always good for a program where he's upset at a younger talent taking the spotlight, and Andrade is another notable option.
A feud or two like that could carry Lee into October and toward Hell in a Cell, which is likely to be November 1, and he could earn a title shot against Lashley for that pay-per-view.
After winning the title, Lee's role at Survivor Series would be representing Raw's midcard title scene against SmackDown's intercontinental champion and the North American champion from NXT.
Who would you like to see be the other two in this match if Lee was Raw's United States champion?
Alternatively, if WWE wants to hold off on a U.S. title reign for Lee, his feuds over the next two months could feed him into a leadership role as part of Team Raw for the traditional elimination match, rather than the champions showcase. The program with Lashley could then start after Survivor Series, and he could be crowned the new champion at TLC in December.
Ultimately, the goal is the same and all roads would lead to Lee as United States titleholder by the time the year ends.
With that belt in hand, he would be someone to watch at the Royal Rumble, but we can assume he wouldn't win that match. The same would go for Elimination Chamber if it were to determine who fights the Raw champion.
By this point, the next draft will have come and gone and there will be fresh opponents for The Limitless One to face in defense of the United States title. The specifics are up in the air, but there are plenty of potential contenders who could work some magic opposite him.
Still on Raw, there's Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Aleister Black and any number of babyfaces who could turn heel, like Ricochet and Mustafa Ali, as well as Samoa Joe, if he's able to return to action.
On SmackDown, who wouldn't want to see Lee against AJ Styles at some point? Braun Strowman, Cesaro, Daniel Bryan, King Corbin and Sheamus are other Superstars who could pair well with The Limitless One.
Who could have imagined we'd get this so fast into Lee's main roster run? That shows anything is possible in the coming months.
By the time WrestleMania 37 rolls around, Lee will have had a solid U.S. title reign and established himself as one of the major focal points on the red brand. His title defense will be a legitimate draw for the card, particularly against an opponent like Styles.
Assuming WWE is ready to take him to the next step, The Limitless One should drop the title at WrestleMania 37 or soon after so he can move into a more prominent role as one of the contenders for the WWE or Universal Championship, depending on if there are more post-Mania trades to shake up the roster.
Wishing for Lee to go all the way to win the Royal Rumble and win the WWE Championship at The Show of Shows is something worth getting behind, as he's an amazing performer who deserves that path to glory. However, with McIntyre and Orton the two most likely champions until then, neither may be the best opponent for him.
Perhaps Lee's journey to becoming world champion should take place after next year's WrestleMania with a SummerSlam win to capitalize on a full year on the main roster. Perhaps, with a bit of patience, WrestleMania 38 could be the place after he wins the 2022 Royal Rumble?
Whatever WWE has in store, let's hope it's worthy of Lee's potential, as he deserves to be booked like a true Superstar.
Anthony Mango is the owner of the wrestling website Smark Out Moment and the host of the podcast show Smack Talk on YouTube, iTunes and Stitcher. You can follow him on Facebook and elsewhere for more.
Fantasy Premier League Tips and Bargains in Every Position
Sep 7, 2020
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal during the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Arsenal at Stamford Bridge, in London England, Jan. 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Leila Coker)
Premier League fantasy football is serious business.
Over the years, it's grown from hobby and habit to occupation and, for some, livelihood. Millions play it, thousands devote their lives to it, and hundreds have wrapped themselves so tightly within the game that it's become a job.
Success is met with genuine respect. When world chess champion Magnus Carlsen is topping the leaderboards, it really hammers home how much of a skill it is.
With the 2020-21 Premier League season kicking off this week, it's time to pick your teams. We know the players, the prices and the fixtures; it's now time to make the decisions. Who makes your 15-man squad?
These calls aren't easy to make. Faced with a lengthy list of players in four different positions, it can be tough to settle on a selection. If you're feeling a little lost or if you've already changed your team 16 times and are pondering a 17th switch, then settle in and read our FPL bargain list and top tip hub, direct from three experts and curated by B/R.
Our panel is:
Rambo, presenter on the Fantasy Premier League show
FPL Family, Sam and Lee, FPL YouTubers and podcasters
They've supplied a bargain pick for each of the four position groups (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and forward) and also dropped a top tip each. Read on for their thoughts on difference-makers, transfers and more.
Goalkeeper is probably one the trickiest positions this season to find a cheeky cheap option without risking too much, but McCarthy is someone I like.
He's probably the cheapest goalkeeper who plays regularly for a club that could make the top 10. He'll have a lot of saves to make, so I wouldn't be backing him for his clean sheets but more so for his save points and to be able to spend that extra budget elsewhere.
FPL Family: Mat Ryan, Brighton, £4.5m
For us, the double-up at Brighton looks sensible.
Ryan's three clean sheets during Project Restart were a good indication of some form heading into the new season. With coveted centre-back Ben White staying at the club, the defence should improve, so I would expect a better clean sheet record for the new season.
In order to free up budget elsewhere, it makes sense to have Brighton's No. 2 (currently Christian Walton, £4.0m) as the spare keeper in case Ryan misses out for any reason.
Andy: Illan Meslier, Leeds United, £4.5m
With Meslier, I'm thinking outside the box a little bit.
Leeds United are probably one of the best sides to come up from the Championship in recent years, and we've seen what a good newly promoted defensive side can do in terms of clean sheets—just look at Sheffield United last year.
The only slight concern might be the opening fixtures with Liverpool, Manchester City and Wolves to play in the opening five gameweeks. But the beauty of cheap goalkeepers is the save points, and if those teams have plenty of shots, Meslier might be able to rack up enough points regardless of whether he keeps a clean sheet.
Bargain Defenders
Rambo: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool, £7.5m
This might sound ridiculous...but the most expensive defender this year is the bargain. Let me explain.
Alexander-Arnold costs £7.5m, but he clocked up over 200 points last season. If he played any other position, you'd be delighted by his price because of the number of points he returns.
Last season, Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne all outscored him, but they'll set you back by £11.5m-plus. It only makes sense to splash a bit extra on Alexander-Arnold and make the cuts elsewhere because no player is going to get over 200 points with a price of less than £9-10m.
Southampton loaned Kyle Walker-Peters from Tottenham during the January transfer window, and that proved to be a great move.
During Project Restart, KWP made six starts for Southampton (although he did get appearance points in the other three games Southampton played), keeping two clean sheets and registering a fantasy assist in that time.
Making the move south a permanent one has made KWP a great fantasy asset. While he doesn't have huge attacking potential, he looks set to be a regular starter in a reasonably solid Southampton defence. At £4.5m, that makes him an excellent fantasy addition.
Andy: Ruben Vinagre, Wolves, £4.5m
Vinagre has all the makings of a true FPL great in the bargain department.
When Willy Boly (£5.5m) is fit and available, Wolves are one of the best defences in the league. He clocked up 12 clean sheets in just 22 games last season. Vinagre can get a piece of that action for a full £1m less while Jonny is injured.
With Sheffield United, West Ham, Fulham, Leeds, Newcastle and Crystal Palace to come in the first seven gameweeks, there are plenty of clean sheets on offer.
The only concern would be if Wolves sign a new left-back who may come in as cover while Jonny (£5.5m) is out, making Vinagre a doubt for regular minutes. If that doesn't happen, however, Vinagre should have the role nailed down with defensive and attacking returns on the horizon.
Bargain Midfielders
Rambo: Tomas Soucek, West Ham, £5.0m
Right now, it doesn't feel like West Ham are a club to invest any FPL cash into, but Soucek's end to last season gives me a lot of encouragement about his price.
David Moyes had the big Czech playing almost as a second striker in the role we saw Marouane Fellaini occupy for Everton years ago. The Hammers will pump the ball into the box to Soucek, and although he's a big lad, he's got a deadly touch and finish, so he could be one to keep an eye on.
Paying £5m for the next-gen Fellaini is a steal.
FPL Family: Tomas Soucek, West Ham, £5.0m
There are so many important premium assets in the midfield this year that finding value in the budget options is going to be vital to a successful season.
Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) looks a good pick for Newcastle, as does Jake Livermore (£5.0m) for West Brom. However, even with the dreadful fixtures West Ham start the season with, Soucek looks like the standout budget option.
During Project Restart, he started all nine of the West Ham games—this is crucial as you need your budget players to be regular starters so you always have a viable bench—and during those nine starts, he managed three goals.
Andy: Bukayo Saka, Arsenal, £5.5m
There are a lot of £5.5m midfielders on offer this year, but few look like genuine standout options. Saka is, though.
He's playing for a side that will be fighting for a top-four place, and the opening fixtures also look great with a visit to Fulham in Gameweek 1 followed by a home match against West Ham in Gameweek 2.
As long as he gets minutes, he should be able to increase his attacking returns from last season, during which he registered five assists despite playing as a left-back for some of that time. Mikel Arteta clearly likes him, though, playing him out of position initially and then further forward once Kieran Tierney and Sead Kolasinac were fit in 2019-20.
If he can get into the front three ahead of Willian (£8.0m) and Nicolas Pepe (£8.0m), then he'll be an absolute bargain.
Bargain Forwards
Rambo: Eddie Nketiah, Arsenal, £6.0m
Sadly, Danny Ings' price (£8.5m)makes him hard to pick as a bargain, but there are a few knocking around at a similar range to where he was last season.
The one that stands out for me is Nketiah. I'm confident Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will have a positive season, but I fancy the young English prospect to shine. One reason for that is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang playing off the left-hand side, and another is a potential exit for Alexandre Lacazette down the line.
Nketiah looked confident last season, and a club in transition like Arsenal always has space for one or two hidden gems coming to fruition.
FPL Family: Che Adams, Southampton, £6.0m
I really fancy this to be Adams' breakthrough season.
Having struggled to consistently make the Southampton starting XI before the enforced break, he came to life after it. During Project Restart, he played in eight matches, starting four of them, and managed four goals and one fantasy assist.
A change in Southampton's formation to accommodate both Adams and Danny Ings in a two-man attack, coupled with Adams' pre-season form (a goal and an assist against Swansea) means Adams looks set to be a good asset for the 2020-21 season and will be in my squad for Gameweek 1.
Andy: Michail Antonio, West Ham, £6.5m
If Antonio can stay fit—and if he continues to play in a central position as the No. 9 (or alongside Sebastien Haller)—he'll be one of the highest-scoring forwards this year.
The fixtures aren't the easiest, but starting off with Newcastle United in Gameweek 1 before travelling to an Arsenal side that haven't impressed defensively for a while might see Antonio in the goals early.
The one thing that's let him down in previous seasons is his injury record, but there's a lot to be excited about based on what we saw during Project Restart. His expected goals per 90 minutes stood at 0.8 over nine games, per Football Reference. To put that in context, Sergio Aguero's were 0.86 for the season, and Salah's were 0.6.
Top Tips
Rambo: Don't over-tinker
I have this problem whereby I love to change things constantly, and I'm always trying to find the "clever" pick when, in reality, there's no such thing. Don't try to predict something you don't know.
Stick with what you know—or, as we call it, the eye test. If you've got a flavour for a player because you've been watching him, forget the stats and get him in your team before you end up over-thinking and over-tinkering to find space for all your favourite picks while also attempting to follow what everybody else is doing.
Don't be Claudio Ranieri; be Sean Dyche.
FPL Family: Make late transfers, not early ones
This season will likely throw up more complications than usual. We have already seen players such as Paul Pogba having to isolate as a result of the coronavirus. Therefore, waiting until closer to the deadlines to make transfers could be key to success in FPL.
If players are forced into isolation, you want to have the ability to move them on without having to take a points hit to do so. Have a transfer plan, keep an eye on the markets in terms of price rises and price falls, and where possible, hold those moves until the end of the week once we have seen the press conferences and know, as best we can, that we don't have other issues in our team.
Avoiding points hits is key to a successful FPL season.
Andy: Don't waste transfers
It sounds obvious, but too often, we get so excited about who we're bringing in and forget to consider why we might be taking a particular player out.
If you brought someone in because their next four fixtures are great, then why are you looking to remove them after just a week or two? There's nothing to say you can't change your mind, but it's worth considering whether you're taking that player out for the right reasons.
Ask yourself what has changed between bringing them in and now. Transfers are precious, and it can be too easy to get caught up in the latest bandwagon, forgetting why we picked a player in the first place.
Fantasy Football 2020: Sleepers to Target and Possible Team Names for Your Squad
Aug 28, 2020
Boston Scott, corredor de los Eagles de Filadelfia, festeja tras conseguir una anotación ante los Giants de Nueva York, el domingo 29 de diciembre de 2019 (AP Foto/Seth Wenig)
At this point, saying fantasy football sleepers no longer exist is about as useful as calling Clyde Edwards-Helaire a hidden gem.
The term "sleeper" doesn't quite hold the same gravitas these days. Now that fantasy football has thrust itself into the mainstream spotlight, even the casual player is aware of that talented backup running back or emerging wideout. There are no secrets anymore.
That doesn't necessarily mean even the popular preseason targets are getting drafted properly. Everyone knew about Darren Waller by the time 2019 drafts rolled around, but he still proved an immense steal who exceeded optimistic expectations.
Although these three players have garnered a bit of summer buzz, their average draft positions (ADP) don't reflect the hype. If not sleepers, they're at least recommended value picks to pursue on draft day.
Sleepers
Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Boston Scott's pass-catching prowess made him a terrific fantasy option during 2019's closing weeks.
Boston Scott had played 38 total snaps all season, per Pro Football Reference, before a Miles Sanders injury prompted him to match that total in Week 14's comeback win over the New York Giants last season. After making his presence felt with 128 total yards and a touchdown, the Philadelphia Eagles continued to play the 5'6" back alongside Sanders, who also enjoyed a strong December that has fueled RB1 consideration in 2020 drafts.
In his final four regular-season games, Scott submitted 151 rushing yards on 38 carries and 199 receiving yards on 23 catches. Per FantasyPros, that made him the ninth-highest scoring running back in half-PPR scoring, just two spots and 1.3 points behind Sanders.
Sanders is their unquestioned lead back with Jordan Howard out of the picture, but the Eagles didn't bring in anyone to assume a supplementary role. Scott remains second on the depth chart for head coach Doug Pederson, who has often frustrated fantasy players by spreading the wealth in Philadelphia's backfield.
Per PhillyVoice's Jimmy Kempski, Pederson spoke of Sanders and Scott as a pairing that can co-exist and play simultaneously.
"Boston, as you saw toward the end of the season, he became kind of our jet sweep guy," Pederson said. "He became a guy that we used, he and Miles both actually, out of the backfield together. It's a good combination of guys together there with those two and really look forward to these next few weeks just getting these guys ready for Washington."
Despite his immense pass-catching potential, Scott has an RB49 ADP in full-PPR drafts. His ceiling may be limited, as he's unlikely to assume a significant rushing workload even if Sanders was sidelined. At this price, however, Scott is likely to deliver a positive return on investment as a cheaper version of James White (RB31 ADP).
Allen Lazard, WR, Green Bay Packers
Allen Lazard should begin the season as Aaron Rodgers' No. 2 wide receiver in Green Bay.
For frequent consumers of fantasy football analysis, Allen Lazard may feel more like a "sleeper" that everyone likes. A No. 182 overall ADP, 65th among wide receivers, tells a different story of an end-of-draft dart throw.
Lazard hardly lit up the box scores last year, concluding his second season—he caught his only target as a rookie—for 477 yards and three touchdowns. Like Scott, he didn't get much of a chance until shining on Monday Night Football. His coming-out-party consisted of 65 yards and a key fourth-quarter touchdown in Week 6's victory over the Detroit Lions.
Despite drawing praise from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Lazard averaged just 4.7 targets per game from Week 6 onward. The allure of a starting role alongside a future Hall of Fame passer didn't materialize into fantasy reliability.
Why expect a different result? For starters, drafters aren't taking on any real risk at his minuscule going rate. Lazard has had another offseason to work with Rodgers, who has continued to hype the 24-year-old's potential.
"Everybody's talked about Allen," Rodgers said, per The Athletic's Matt Schneidman. "And it's pretty easy because the guy is a professional. He has worked on his game. I think for him to separate himself, he needs to continue to improve on the things he did last year."
If given more targets, a strong possibility since he's poised to open 2020 as Green Bay's No. 2 receiver, Lazard should delight fantasy drafters. His 67.3 percent catch rate last year represented a higher mark than Davante Adams has ever earned in a single season. Look for Rodgers to trust Lazard more, which will elevate his floor when his efficiency meets volume.
Blake Jarwin has the talent and athleticism to make a major impact as Dallas' starting tight end.
Nobody should sleep on the Dallas Cowboys offense after they led the NFL in total yards last season. Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and Amari Cooper are all top-shelf fantasy mainstays. While one can argue that Michael Gallup is undervalued at his WR29 ADP, he's more of a breakout candidate than a true sleeper. Rookie CeeDee Lamb figures to offer a few standout outings without much week-to-week consistency.
Blake Jarwin, meanwhile, continues to go overlooked.
With Jason Witten back from the broadcaster's booth, Jarwin took a back seat in 2019. Per Pro Football Reference, he played a majority of Dallas' snaps in just one game. The undrafted signee received 41 targets to Witten's 83, the 10th-highest tally among tight ends.
Jarwin, however, made the most of his scarce opportunities by corralling 31 catches for 365 yards and three touchdowns. Per Player Profiler, his 0.56 fantasy points per route ranked fifth at the position.
Replicating Witten's opportunities as the starting tight could yield immediate success. Prorate his 8.9 yards per target and 75.6 percent catch rate to Witten's target total, and Jarwin would have tallied 62 receptions and 738 yards.
Prescott also looked Witten's way 10 times inside the red zone. The 6'5", 250-pound Jarwin could slide effortlessly into the role.
Although drafting Lamb gives the Cowboys a star-studded trio of receivers, Randall Cobb left behind as many targets as Witten. There's plenty of room for Jarwin to flourish in this stacked offense. He's a superb upside pick for drafters who wait to fill the tight end spot.
Team Names
Look, hundreds of people have already used that Dak Prescott pun you just saw. "Fresh Prince of Helaire" and "Hooked on a Thielen" are fun, but they're in just about every list of team names.
So here are some (likely lame) suggestions that cater to this particular writer's weird tastes. Don't like them? Then dig deep into your soul for something that speaks to your heart.
Or just pick any generic name. It's really not that important.
A Thousand Miles Sanders
Get Swifty
Marlon Mack and Me
Kittle: Taste the Touchdowns (No, this is bad. Please don't use this one.)
Hunter Hurst Henry
Gallup Poll
Silence of CeeDee Lamb
Last Vance
Judge Jeudy
Jake Jortles
Note: All Average Draft Position data, updated as of August 28, obtained fromFantasyPros.
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy 2020: Latest Mock Draft and Cheat-Sheet Tips
Aug 26, 2020
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs the ball during practice at the NFL football team's training camp in East Rutherford, N.J., Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020. The Giants open their season against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
With less than a month to go until the start of the 2020 NFL regular season, fantasy football owners are flying somewhat blindly as they formulate a plan of attack ahead of their draft.
There's little insight to glean from the preseason when it comes to the elite stars. The top players either don't see the field or are clearly going through the motions while they prepare for more meaningful games.
The difficulty comes further down draft boards, where projecting a player's potential value isn't so straightforward. How much will rookies be impacted, for example? Perhaps the lack of a traditional preseason and fewer in-person workouts than usual could lead to a longer adjustment period for veterans on new teams.
Nailing the draft isn't easy in a normal year, and the unique circumstances for 2020 only add to the variability.
Here's a two-round mock in standard 12-team non-point-per-reception leagues.
Fantasy Mock Draft (Non-PPR Format)
1.1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers
1.2. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
1.3. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
1.4. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
1.5. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
1.6. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
1.7. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
1.8. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
1.9. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals
1.10. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
1.11. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
1.12. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Given the general emphasis on the passing game, it's tempting to reach for Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes in the first or second rounds.
Last year, Jackson finished with the second-most fantasy points (415.68) behind Carolina Panthers star Christian McCaffrey (471.20), while Mahomes was 14th (287.04) after missing two games because of injury.
One reason not to reach for the Baltimore Ravens quarterback is that you're basically banking on another record-breaking season. Jackson threw for a league-high 36 touchdowns while running for more yards (1,206) than any quarterback in history over a full season.
Lamar Jackson’s 10 BEST PLAYS from his MVP season! @lj_era8
Mahomes represents a somewhat safer bet despite not possessing Jackson's mobility. When he threw for 5,097 yards and 50 touchdowns in 2018, he posted the most fantasy points (417.08) at any position.
Maybe you think another 5,000-yard, 50-touchdown year is in store.
It's important to remember why running backs—and receivers to a lesser extent—are still such a prized commodity, though.
The gap between Jackson and Tom Brady, the 12th-highest-scoring QB, was 152.0 points. Although that's a sizable amount, consider 238.6 points separated McCaffrey from the 12th-best performer at running back, Chris Carson.
Failing to land an elite fantasy running back makes it hard to win your league. This might sound rote since it's perhaps the most repeated advice—along with waiting on a kicker until the final round—but target an RB in the first round, especially if you're near the top of the selection order.
In snake drafts, loading up on running backs in the first and second rounds is a solid approach because you can still get good value around pick No. 15 or 16. Once you start falling toward the back half of the second round, a wide receiver would be a better option.
Michael Thomas (374.60) was an outlier thanks to his record 149 receptions. Chris Godwin, Julio Jones, Cooper Kupp, DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, Julian Edelman and Allen Robinson all eclipsed 250 fantasy points.
That would be a nice return for a second-round selection in 12-team leagues.
Fantasy Football 2020: Dynasty Rankings, Cheat Sheet and League Names
Aug 25, 2020
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey arrives for an NFL football camp practice Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
One nice thing about fantasy football is that you can wipe the slate clean one year after completely botching the draft.
Having said that, continuity can be pretty fun, too. If you bought low on Austin Ekeler prior to his 2019 breakout, for example, then it would be nice to still get to enjoy the benefits in 2020.
That's where a dynasty league comes in. Especially if you're just getting a league started, this is when you really get to play the role of a general manager as you build a roster you expect to provide value beyond only one or two years.
Maybe you're truly in this for the long haul and want to load up on nothing but rookies and young players on the cusp of a breakthrough. Otherwise, it's important to strike a balance between inexperienced stars and veterans on the wrong side of the aging curve.
With that in mind, here's a cheat sheet for the top 30 players, followed by three incoming rookies who are worth potentially taking a few spots higher than they're generally considered to fall.
2020 Fantasy Dynasty Cheat Sheet (Non-PPR Leagues)
From the moment NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell called Clyde Edwards-Helaire's name on draft night, fans were salivating over how much he could feast in the Kansas City Chiefs' loaded offense.
The former LSU running back was seldom-used as a freshman and split carries with Nick Brossette as a sophomore. His opportunity to play a starring role arrived in his junior year, and he capitalized.
Edwards-Helaire finished with 1,414 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while catching 55 passes for 453 yards and one score. His performance might have gotten somewhat overlooked with Joe Burrow smashing NCAA passing records.
No one on defense could stop Clyde Edwards-Helaire 😳
The Chiefs will have to count on Edwards-Helaire a little earlier than they probably expected after Damien Williams opted out of the upcoming season.
"Clyde has done a great job in the reps that he has gotten," quarterback Patrick Mahomes said of his work so far in training camp, per The Athletic's Nate Taylor. "He's playing fast, and he has incredible vision. That's what's been the biggest thing so far."
As long as Mahomes is healthy, the passing game will be the focal point of Kansas City's attack. Between his work on the ground and as a receiver, Edwards-Helaire should have ample touches to become a standout fantasy stud right out of the gate.
J.K. Dobbins, RB, Baltimore Ravens
J.K. Dobbins, on the other hand, represents more of a long-term investment.
Mark Ingram II ran for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2019, earning his third trip to the Pro Bowl. Barring an injury, he'll remain the No. 1 ball-carrier for 2020.
Ingram's contract runs out after the 2021 season, and the Baltimore Ravens might choose to release him before then. The team would save $5 million by cutting him at the end of the 2020 season, per Spotrac.
Regardless, the Ravens selected Dobbins in the second round because they envision him playing a big role out of the backfield.
Dobbins ran for 4,459 yards and 38 touchdowns over three seasons at Ohio State. He probably slipped to the second round in part due to his 71 receptions for 645 yards and five touchdowns, which is solid if unspectacular production.
Even if Dobbins' contributions are largely limited to the ground game, his collegiate track record shows how effective he could be for Baltimore.
As with Dobbins, Tee Higgins' best days are probably well beyond the 2020 season after the Cincinnati Bengals placed the franchise tag on A.J. Green.
The franchise is at least building the nucleus of a dynamic offense with Burrow, Higgins and Joe Mixon.
Higgins had 135 receptions, 2,448 yards and 27 touchdowns in three years at Clemson. The fact he shared the field with Travis Etienne and Justyn Ross depressed his numbers somewhat.
"Higgins would be ideal for an offense that favors the deep ball," Bleacher Report's Matt Miller wrote of the former Tigers star. "He's almost unstoppable working down the field with his speed, elite hands and an unbelievable catch radius. Higgins is NFL-ready and should make an immediate impact."
Burrow averaged 10.8 yards per attempt as a senior at LSU, and Pro Football Focus' Anthony Treash explained how the Heisman Trophy winner was excellent on deep passes.
Burrow and Higgins should form a potent combination—just maybe not right out of the gate.
The month of August is arguably the best time of year for fantasy football enthusiasts, and here at Bleacher Report, we've gathered the NFL Staff and asked some of the most pressing questions of 2020...
Fantasy Football 2020: Players Who Should Be Getting Drafted Earlier
Aug 6, 2020
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods plays against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Not every fantasy football draft value qualifies as an unheralded sleeper. Some bargains are simply hiding in plain sight for all astute managers to see.
Last year, fantasy football writers were legally obligated to tout Chris Godwin as an under-drafted breakout pick. Ascending into the starting spotlight for a Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad coached by Bruce Arians, a notorious proponent for airing it downfield, the wideout looked poised to ascend to stardom.
That's exactly what happened. Even though the hype intensified throughout the summer, drafters still stole a stellar value by choosing a top-shelf wide receiver.
When a glaring bargain jumps off the page, take it. It doesn't necessarily need to take form in a potential league-winner like Godwin. It often pays to take the discount on a steady performer likely to at least make good on his price but well-positioned to outearn it by a sizeable margin.
Based on their consensus average draft position (ADP) in half-point-per-reception (PPR) leagues, courtesy of FantasyPros, the following three players are going far too late thus far.
Jordan Howard, RB, Miami Dolphins
Jordan Howard his piled up rushing yards and touchdowns at an elite rate during his four-year NFL career.
Drafters have quickly soured on Jordan Howard after a shoulder injury limited him to 10 games in 2019. He's going behind possible backups Kerryon Johnson, Ronald Jones Jr., Phillip Lindsay and new Miami Dolphins teammate Matt Breida as the 38th running back off the board.
Howard is a no-frills rusher whose upside is contained by limited involvement in the receiving game. And yet the market correction has gone too far for a former workhorse poised to get more reps than anticipated.
Since entering the NFL in 2016, the 25-year-old has compiled the third-most rushing yards (3,895) behind Ezekiel Elliott and Todd Gurley. As noted by FantasyPros' Kyle Yates, only Elliott, Gurley and Arian Foster have as many rushing yards or touchdowns in their first four seasons.
Howard padded most of those numbers with the Chicago Bears, who gave him at least 250 carries in each of his three seasons. When healthy, the Philadelphia Eagles instead used him in a committee with Miles Sanders. Nevertheless, he was the RB15 through Week 9 before suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him the rest of the way.
Although highly effective with the San Francisco 49ers, Breida averaged just 8.9 carries per game over his three-year tenure. The 5'10", 190-pound back still missed time in each of the last two seasons, so look for Howard to lead the way in rushing, even if he settles for 12-13 carries per game instead of 15 or more.
It's where he gets those touches that could make a major impact. Per Pro Football Reference, Howard received 12 handoffs inside the 10-yard line last season. If the Dolphins take the same approach, scheming Breida in open spaces and letting Howard bulldoze his way into the end zone, he can continue his streak of scoring at least seven touchdowns per season.
If that happens, Howard will at least serve as a solid flex or RB2 in the right matchup.
Woods could turn into 2020's greatest fantasy value pick if he reaches the end zone more often.
A juggernaut in 2018, the Los Angeles Rams' offense turned unpredictable on a game-by-game basis last year. Although he also endured a few duds, Robert Woods was the closest they had to a constant performer.
After registering a career-high 1,219 receiving yards in 2018, the 28-year-old stockpiled 1,134 yards in 15 games. He set personal bests with 139 targets and 90 receptions, which respectively ranked eighth and ninth among all wide receivers.
Unfortunately, he also scored just three touchdowns.
Even with the low touchdown tally dragging down his fantasy points, Woods finished as the WR17 in half-PPR leagues. His current ADP is WR26.
Is the thinking that he won't ever find the end zone in 2020? The more likely outcome is his touchdowns regressing to the mean. The USC product produced 12 of them in the previous two seasons; six scores could be enough to lead him to near-WR1 results.
The volume is superb for someone available beyond the top-50 picks. Over the last three seasons, Woods is averaging 8.7 targets and 75.9 yards per game. Amari Cooper, currently drafted 10th among all wide receivers, has posted 7.8 targets and 76.6 yards per contest since joining the Dallas Cowboys.
There's little downside to taking Woods at his current cost. Drafters are paying for his floor, so any touchdowns are gravy.
Hayden Hurst, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Hayden Hurst should get a golden opportunity to break out with the Atlanta Falcons.
The Hayden Hurst helium is going to keep expanding. By the end of August, any value could evaporate, leaving drafters instead to reach for the trendy breakout pick.
It might be wise to lunge a round or two earlier than his current No. 113 ADP (TE12) anyway.
The Atlanta Falcons led the NFL with 684 pass attempts last season, 51 more than the runner-up Carolina Panthers. A major benefactor of their high-volume aerial offense, Austin Hopper secured 75 of 97 targets for 787 receiving yards and six touchdowns in just 13 games. Only Zach Ertz, Travis Kelce, and George Kittle exceeded his 7.5 targets per contest. Under half-PPR scoring, just Kelce and Kittle averaged more fantasy points per game at tight end.
Hooper now plays for the Cleveland Browns. Atlanta replaced him by acquiring Hurst, a former first-round pick blocked behind Mark Andrews in Baltimore last season.
Hurst made the most of severely limited opportunities in 2019 by catching 30 of his 39 targets for 349 yards. Per Kelsey Conway of AtlantaFalcons.com, quarterback Matt Ryan expressed excitement about teaming up with the 6'4", 260-pounder.
"He is for sure one of the fastest and most athletic tight ends I've ever played with," Ryan said. "He's a mismatch problem, he's going to create separation and win in different ways than those guys did."
Hurst has jumped ahead of Hooper, Rob Gronkowski and Jared Cook as the TE9 in FantasyPros' consensus ranks. It's aggressive but easy to justify considering the perfect blend of talent and opportunity in the perfect environment for the 26-year-old to become this year's version of Andrews.
Note: All fantasy scoring and Average Draft Position data, updated as of August 5, obtained from FantasyPros.
College Fantasy Football 2020: Mock Draft, Cheat Sheet and More Strategy Tips
Aug 1, 2020
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields (1) during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri).
While the fate of the 2020 college football season remains somewhat unclear, it might still be business as usual for fantasy owners.
Some conferences have already taken steps with the COVID-19 pandemic in mind.
The Big Ten first announced in July that it was adopting a conference-only schedule, and the Pac-12 followed suit shortly after. The ACC rolled out its plan Wednesday, which sees Notre Dame join the conference for this year. Teams will play 11 games (10 ACC, one nonconference matchup). The SEC was the fourth domino to fall Thursday.
Those decisions will all carry implications for fantasy leagues, especially if the number of games played differs from one conference to the next.
Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley announced he's opting out of the 2020 season, which presents another variable. More players could follow his lead and sit out the year to focus on the 2021 draft.
Based on what we know now, here's a quick fantasy preview for 2020, with the player pool limited those at Power Five schools.
Mock Draft
Round 1
1. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State
2. Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
3. Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
4. Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas
5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
6. Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
7. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
8. Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
9. Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
10. Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
11. DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
12. Tamorrion Terry, WR, Florida State
Round 2
13. Max Borghi, RB, Washington State
14. Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
15. Isaiah Spiller, RB, Texas A&M
16. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
17. D'Eriq King, QB, Miami
18. Chatarius Atwell, WR, Louisville
19. Breece Hall, RB, Iowa State
20. Jayden Daniels, QB, Arizona State
21. George Pickens, WR, Georgia
22. Kedon Slovis, QB, USC
23. Ian Book, QB, Notre Dame
24. Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
Strategy Tips
Pay Attention to the Schedules
The Big 12 has yet to announce any alterations to its 2020 schedule, but the conference's hands are effectively tied. Outside of a temporary partnership with the ACC, a conference-only format is probably the most likely outcome.
ACC schools, meanwhile, could be left scrambling to fill that nonconference slot since Group of Five and FCS programs would be the only available options.
From a fantasy perspective, Power Five stars won't have those traditional "pay games" in which to pad their stats in a given week. Conversely, there won't be the kind of cakewalks during which coaches feel comfortable removing their best players at halftime.
During his Heisman Trophy-winning season in 2018, Kyler Murray's two worst games in terms of passing yards came against Florida Atlantic and Army. Oklahoma still has matchups against Missouri State and Army lined up but lost its date with Tennessee. Should the Sooners lose all of their nonconference games, a conference-only slate might benefit Spencer Rattler in the wide-open Big 12.
Independent of that is the absence of home-field advantage.
Justin Fields is shaping up to have a monster year. Ohio State's route to the College Football Playoff might be even easier if its road games against Michigan State and Penn State happen without fans or in front of a reduced crowd.
Don't Immediately Look to a Running Back
In standard NFL fantasy leagues, running backs are a prized commodity. They generally collect a high volume of points, and the gap between an elite running back and an average running back is higher than similar gulfs at other positions.
But college football's emphasis on the spread offense and passing games means quarterbacks can rack up a ton of points every week.
That's not to say you should ignore running backs altogether in early rounds.
Chuba Hubbard ran for 2,094 yards and 21 touchdowns while catching 23 passes for 198 yards in 2019. As long as he stays healthy, Hubbard is a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Travis Etienne has gained 1,600-plus yards in each of the past two years, and Clemson has to compensate for Tee Higgins' departure and Justyn Ross' spinal issue, which ruled him out for the entire season. Even with Trevor Lawrence under center, the Tigers might have to lean on Etienne more in 2020.
Just don't enter the draft with a mindset that you have to grab a running back in the first two rounds.
Fantasy Football 2020: Ranking the Top Handcuff Running Backs to Target
Jul 27, 2020
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Mark Tenally)
Fantasy football draft season has almost begun in earnest. And while this entire NFL, and, by extension, fantasy football season remains a question mark, we are one step closer to an on-time start to training camp. On Friday, the NFL and NFLPA reached an agreement on some of the outstanding health and financial questions for the collective bargaining agreement that may have prevented the season from kicking off.
Useful for fantasy football managers to know is that the 80-man roster deadline is Aug. 16, though if teams go with a split-squad setup, they can keep 90 players. Also, keep in mind that players will have seven days from the signing of the agreement to opt out of the season. It won't affect fantasy football drafts, but Kansas City Chiefs starting guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif became the league's first player to opt out of the 2020 season.
Most NFL players will now report Tuesday, save for Kansas City and the Houston Texans, who report earlier because they face off in the scheduled opener on Sept. 10.
By now, you should have a good handle on rankings for top skill-position players in both PPR and standard leagues. So we'll dive in with a little more detailed examination of a useful strategy to employ in your draft this year: handcuffing players, specifically running backs, from the same team.
It's useful in any season with health-status changes and unpredictable breakout performances always around the corner, but especially in 2020, when players could be re-entering quarantine, having a backup on your bench who could become a team's go-to back could change your season.
The following analysis is for standard, 12-team leagues.
On this year's fantasy rosters, Saquon Barkley has an average draft position (ADP) of three, behind only the Carolina Panthers' Christian McCaffrey and the Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott.
The managers who are investing their No. 3 overall pick in Barkley are banking on him remaining healthy and active throughout the season. But as we now understand, the chances of that happening for any player this season are far lower than in past years. If Barkley misses time, the New York Giants' next man up will be Dion Lewis. And fantasy managers would do well to have him ready to go on their benches, lest they miss him altogether on the waiver wire.
The Giants signed Lewis to a one-year deal this spring after he was released by the Titans. Last season, Lewis netted just 54 rushes for 3.9 yards per carry and 25 receptions for 164 yards.
Titans rusher Derrick Henry played in 15 games last season, so there wasn't an opportunity for Lewis to spell him for a bigger role. If all goes as planned in New York, Lewis will likely be a lightly utilized change-of-pace back for Barkley. If Barkley misses time like he did last season, however, Lewis' role will grow substantially.
While undrafted free agent Javon Leake and Wayne Gallman are candidates for a backfield committee in the event of Barkley's unavailability, Lewis is the best of the three in pass protection, and his 896-yard season with the New England Patriots in 2017, while perhaps never to be seen again, has tempted many teams to try to replicate that success.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon
With an ADP of 15, making him RB11, Aaron Jones is coming off the board within the first round of many fantasy leagues this summer. And managers have reason to be high on his potential this year; his 16 rushing touchdowns last season tied for the league lead with Henry, and he added another three through the air.
Jones also became the first Packers running back to surpass 1,000 rushing yards on the season since Eddie Lacy did it in 2014, however implausible that may seem.
However, some fantasy managers may take a pause on Jones in their drafts this summer after the Packers used a second-round pick to draft AJ Dillon. With 14 touchdowns last season at Boston College, Dillon could absolutely snipe some goal-line work from Jones this season.
But having them both on your roster at least gives you a better chance of playing the right one the right week; the best-case scenario is that there are plenty of touchdowns to go around for both Packers backs.
Indeed, the Packers' moves in this year's draft, together with hints from Matt LaFleur's scheme last year, suggest Green Bay may double down on the ground-and-pound game this season. Any why not? Preserving 36-year-old Aaron Rodgers' arm is prudent, and with a backfield including Jones, Dillon, Jamaal Williams, the share of passing touchdowns to rushing touchdowns will likely tip toward the latter.
Remember that Jones called his shot ahead of last season, saying on the Rich Eisen Show that he wanted to lead the league in touchdowns. He wound up doing exactly that, including the regular season and playoffs. Now that he's in a contract year, he's not going to let Dillon get all the glory at the goal line.
Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson
With Melvin Gordon singing with the Denver Broncos (and himself part of a great handcuff pairing with Phillip Lindsay), Austin Ekeler takes his place as the top running back for the Los Angeles Chargers. However, some fantasy managers have concerns about comments head coach Anthony Lynn made at the NFL combine about wanting "another guy" in the backfield with Ekeler.
As ESPN Senior Writer Matthew Berry reported, however, the Chargers still "see Ekeler as a 17-to-20 touch-per-game guy."
"They just won't all be runs," Berry continued. "In fact, they, not surprisingly, love Ekeler out of the backfield, lined up in the slot, etc. And those plays work best when you have another running back in the backfield (Justin Jackson?)."
The truth is, most NFL backfields these days operate with some form of committee, as much as the word may scare some fantasy managers. There are few true featured backs in today's league. And Ekeler offers upside whether you're playing in a standard or PPR (or half PPR) league. He will likely outperform his ADP of 25, especially given how much the Chargers plan to line him up all over the field.
Jackson's ceiling, meanwhile, could even make him a flex option regardless of Ekeler's availability. If Ekeler goes down, however, Jackson's 6.9 yards per carry last season should give fantasy managers confidence if they need to plug him in.
Fantasy Football 2020: Ranking Michael Thomas, Top PPR Flex Targets
Jun 19, 2020
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) scores in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
Heading into the 2020 NFL season (whatever form that takes), PPR has staked its claim as the most popular fantasy scoring format, according to a survey by Apex Fantasy Leagues.
That trend has been reflected in the wider industry. In 2018, Yahoo adopted half-PPR as its standard scoring format for new leagues, and ESPN made PPR its default in the same year.
There are still plenty of fantasy managers who deride PPR, arguing, among other things, that it gives too much weight to receptions that may go for no gain.
Chances are, though, most fantasy managers also find themselves in leagues that rely on half-PPR or PPR scoring, and as such, knowing how to draft within that scoring system will pay dividends in your league.
Fantasy rankings will change slightly between now and the start of the new season, mostly based on any injuries that may happen in training camp. But the top flex players in PPR leagues will remain fairly stable between now and then, so you can get your research done ahead of time and be ready to draft come late summer.
Let's break down the top 50 flex players to target in PPR leagues this year.
Ranking Top 50 PPR Flex Targets
1. Christian McCaffrey, CAR (RB1)
2. Saquon Barkley, NYG (RB2)
3. Michael Thomas, NO (WR1)
4. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (RB3)
5. Alvin Kamara, NO (RB4)
6. Dalvin Cook, MIN (RB5)
7. Davante Adams, GB (WR2)
8. Derrick Henry, TEN (RB6)
9. Joe Mixon, CIN (RB7)
10. Julio Jones, ATL (WR3)
11. Tyreek Hill, KC (WR4)
12. DeAndre Hopkins, ARI (WR5)
13. Austin Ekeler, LAC (RB8)
14. Kenyan Drake, ARI (RB9)
15. Chris Godwin, TB (WR6)
16. Travis Kelce, KC (TE1)
17. George Kittle, SF (TE2)
18. Miles Sanders, PHI (RB10)
19. Aaron Jones, GB (RB11)
20. Nick Chubb, CLE (RB12)
21. Josh Jacobs, LV (RB13)
22. Kenny Golladay, DET (WR7)
23. Allen Robinson, CHI (WR8)
24. Mike Evans, TB (WR9)
25. JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT (WR10)
26. D.J. Moore, CAR (WR11)
27. Amari Cooper, DAL (WR12)
28. Odell Beckham Jr., CLE (WR13)
29. Zach Ertz, PHI (TE3)
30. Leonard Fournette, JAC (RB14)
31. Adam Thielen, MIN (WR14)
32. Todd Gurley, ATL (RB15)
33. Cooper Kupp, LAR (WR15)
34. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC (RB16)
35. Robert Woods, LAR (WR16)
36. Calvin Ridley, ATL (WR17)
37. Keenan Allen, LAC (WR18)
38. Chris Carson, SEA (RB17)
39. Melvin Gordon, DEN (RB18)
40. A.J. Brown, TEN (WR19)
41. Le'Veon Bell, NYJ (RB19)
42. Courtland Sutton, DEN (WR20)
43. Mark Andrews, BAL (TE4)
44. DeVante Parker, MIA (WR21)
45. Tyler Lockett, SEA (WR22)
46. D.J. Chark, JAC (WR23)
47. James Conner, PIT (RB20)
48. David Johnson, HOU (RB21)
49. T.Y. Hilton, IND (WR24)
50. Terry McLaurin, WAS (WR25)
Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints
Especially in PPR leagues, Saints wideout Michael Thomas is ranked to be the first receiver taken off the board in fantasy drafts this year, and it's not hard to see why.
The 27-year-old provides a massive bang for your buck in PPR scoring, leading the league in receptions (149), targets (185) and yards (1,725) in 2019. In fact, his season was historic; in December, he passed Marvin Harrison's former record of 143 for the most single-season receptions in NFL history.
In a PPR league or otherwise, Thomas should be one of the first players you look to add to your roster this year. The fact that he added nine receiving touchdowns to those totals—tying for third-most in the league—doesn't hurt, either.
In 2019, he commanded double-digit targets 12 times. The addition of Emmanuel Sanders this offseason may have some fantasy owners wondering if Thomas' production can keep pace with last year, but it's safe to say he'll be the linchpin of the Saints' passing game this season.
Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams is the No. 2-ranked wide receiver on average ahead of fantasy drafts this summer but the No. 7 player overall. That is largely due to the outsize preference for pass-catching running backs in PPR leagues.
When it comes to a WR1, though, fantasy managers can feel confident in the 27-year-old, who doesn't have a lot of competition for targets in Green Bay this season.
For the second draft in a row, the Packers elected not to select a wide receiver, preferring to go with the group they have been developing over the last few years. As a result, Adams will be primarily flanked by free-agent signing Devin Funchess, in addition to Allen Lazard, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Equanimeous St. Brown.
The Fresno State product didn't deliver on his high ADP last season, finishing outside the top 20 in fantasy wideouts, but he also suffered a toe injury that kept him sidelined for multiple games.
As Fantasy Pros' Mike Tagliere pointed out, Adams has scored 16 or more PPR points in 23 of 27 games over the last two years. Expect him to live up to his billing this season.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is coming off his worst fantasy season to date in 2019, and it wouldn't be surprising if some fantasy managers are feeling gun-shy about drafting him this year as a result.
The 24-year-old netted 1,330 yards from scrimmage in 2019, and both his yards per catch (6.6) and total touchdowns (six) were down from the previous year (8.8 and 18, respectively).
However, Kamara played through knee, ankle and back injuries last season, as Saints running backs coach Joel Thomastold reporterson a call Monday.
Saints RB coach Joel Thomas is talking about the season Alvin Kamara had last year. Said no one really knows how much Kamara went through to play with knee, ankle and back injuries. Pointed out body language interpreted as something else, but Kamara was playing through a lot.
While staying healthy is no guarantee for any player in the NFL, it stands to reason that a healthier Kamara will be a more productive Kamara in 2020.
Setting aside the time he's missed due to injuries, the former University of Tennessee star's fantasy production speaks for itself. In 45 games, he has scored 25 or more PPR points 14 times, per Tagliere.
Drew Brees himself was not free from injury in 2019, and the 41-year-old signal-caller may be looking to hand the ball off more next season than he has before. If so, Kamara will be waiting.
