Receivers go early in draft redux
When it comes to fantasy drafting, we all have regrets, don’t we? Wouldn’t you like a do- over on your Todd Gurley pick or, heaven forbid, Adrian Peterson? Maybe let Allen Robinson slide right by and takeMike Evans instead? Figured Jamaal Charles would be lighting it up for you by now? Yeah, not so much. That’s right, friends. It’s time for our semiannual exercise in self- flagellation, when we reflect back two short months on what could have been had we made all the right moves during our draft. Step right up for The Perfect Draft 2.0: Midseason Review.
We will draft from the middle ( fifth) position in a 10- team nonkeeper league using a standard scoring system that starts one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers and one flex, tight end, kicker and team defense.
Now, with the fifth pick of the 2016 Perfect Draft, we should have selected …
Round 1: David Johnson, RB, Cardinals. Johnson is the leader at the turn for fantasy MVP honors. Even on the two occasions when he was shut down on the ground, he made up for it as a receiver.
Round 2: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers. If you can’t have Julio Jones or A. J. Green, Evans is your guy. His six receiving touchdowns are tied for the league lead.
Round 3: T. Y. Hilton, WR, Colts. Unlike most seasons, there hasn’t been a receiver who has come out of nowhere to flirt with elite status. So if you wanted two top- shelf wideouts, you better have used premium picks on them.
Round 4: Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers. Despite his rough outing Sunday, Olsen still sets the pace at his position.
Round 5: DeMarco Murray, RB, Titans. Thought he was all washed up after his horrific tenure in Philly? Yeah, me too.
Round 6: Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers. After a rookie season in which he failed to reach the end zone, Gordon’s 10 combined touchdowns lead the league.
Round 7: TomBrady, QB, Patriots. Draft him and stash him tillWeek 5, then buckle up for the ride.
Round 8: Marvin Jones, WR, Lions. For a brief stretch, Jones was the leading wideout in fantasy. He’s trailed off significantly since then, but let’s keep him off our opponent’s roster just out of spite.
Round 9: Michael Crabtree, WR, Raiders. Like Evans, Crabtree has become a TD machine. He’s an integral part of the Raiders’ potent passing attack that’s just starting to hit its stride.
Round 10: LeGarrette Blount, RB, Patriots. Need a touchdown? Just stick the ball in Blount’s hands and enjoy. He’d be even more valuable if Brady wasn’t so selfish in the red zone.
11: Martellus Bennett, TE, Patriots. 12: Tevin Coleman, RB, Falcons. 13: Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons. 14: Vikings defense/ special teams. 15: SpencerWare, RB, Chiefs. 16: MikeWallace, WR, Ravens. 17: Matt Bryant, K, Falcons.
Catch ’ em while you can
TimHightower, RB, Saints: Mark Ingram was benched after fumbling for the second consecutive game, and Hightower promptly posted the Saints’ first 100- yard rushing game of the season. Against the Seahawks, no less. We don’t know how long Ingram will be in the doghouse, but Hightower is a must- add for his owners at the very least.
CharcandrickWest, RB, Chiefs: There’s a very good chanceWest will start in Week 9 against the Jaguars’ lowly run defense. SpencerWare is in the concussion protocol, and Jamaal Charles’ surgically repaired knee still isn’t right. West has had his moments in the past, and there’s every reason to think he can perform well again.
DerrickHenry, RB, Titans: DeMarco Murray is day- to- day with a toe he injured Thursday night, though it doesn’t appear to be serious enough to sideline him inWeek 9. That said, it’s a helpful reminder that Henry is just a play away from being the lead horse in a very productive stable.
Don’t be fooled
Nick Foles, QB, Chiefs: Alex Smith is almost certainly going to miss the team’s next game after two hard hits to the head Sunday. Foles stepped in and performed well against the Colts’ sorry defense, and he’ll draw the equally inept Jaguars next. But while Foles can be a capable backup, it has been three years since he pleased any fantasy owner.
Jamison Crowder, WR, Redskins: I actually think Crowder is a worthy add, given that he arguably has become themost effective wideout in the Redskins’ receiving corps. However, he’s heading into the bye, and the Vikings are up inWeek 10. Unless your bench is bottomless, he’s not worth stashing for two weeks.
J. J. Nelson, WR, Cardinals: His two- touchdown performance was a career- best for the secondyear wideout. But Arizona’s passing attack is still off- kilter, and Nelson benefitted from Michael Floyd’s inaction. Floyd and his fellow WRs will have the bye week to heal up, and Nelson should return to his tertiary role thereafter.