Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Time to Panic?


Calm down, Jack! It's only Week 4!

We're three weeks down in the 2015 NFL season. While some people's early picks have performed admirably, there have been many others that have played like a pile of breadsticks. Let's take a look at some of these early-round RB disappointments and see if it is actually time to panic.

Marshawn Lynch (ESPN ADP of 7.1)


There is no doubt people have not been getting the value they expected out of Lynch. He has been averaging barely over 6 points a contest in standard formats thus far. He's a little banged up right now. Marshawn feels your pain, guys. However, anyone truly doubting that he will bounce back to form in your league is a fool. Last season, he also had stretches early on in the year where he was not putting up first-round numbers. However, he turned it on when it mattered most with big performances in games that aligned with most leagues' fantasy playoffs. Once his hamstring no longer becomes an issue, there is no doubt he will enter to elite status.

Panic level: 2/10

C.J. Anderson (ESPN ADP of 12.4)


Last year's waiver wire wonder has severely underwhelmed owners thus far in 2015. He has averaged an abysmal 2.3 YPC and to make matters worse, he has been battling a couple of injuries. Some people may worry that Ronnie Hillman or even Juwan Thompson may take the lead back role from Anderson, but they haven't performed too well either. The real problem with Anderson lies within his offensive line. A Peyton Manning-led team has uncharacteristically been relying on its defense thus far, and to expect Anderson to put up numbers similar to his 2014 second-half ones would be foolish. However, Gary Kubiak has come out supporting Anderson as the lead back and any lead guy in a Peyton Manning offense is worth keeping on your team. Basically, Anderson is player you have no choice in rostering mainly because his value is at rock bottom at the moment.

Panic level: 6/10

DeMarco Murray (ESPN ADP of 12.2)


Last year's rushing champ has started 2015 in an absolute nightmarish fashion. He has rushed for just 11 yards in two full games, and his team's running game looked significantly better with him on the sidelines in Week 3. However, anyone who actually watched the two games he played in will tell you that nobody else would've done much better behind his offensive line. Perhaps Philly's Week 3 success is more of a testament to improved play on the line more than the improvement in the backfield, but Sproles and Mathews have undeniable talent. It wouldn't surprise me if they saw increased touches, but there is little chance Murray doesn't get the bulk of the carries after being paid handsomely in the offseason. 

Panic level: 7/10

Jeremy Hill (ESPN ADP of 19.8)


Hill was tremendous in his rookie campaign last year, but it appears as if he is already in the Marvin Lewis doghouse in 2015. Nobody is surprised that Gio Bernard has been handling most passing/3rd-down snaps, but the fact that he has been a significantly better runner too is a cause for concern. Hill's 3.0 YPC and two fumbles have been the reasons why he has received less carries than Bernard in the last two games. Bernard has been taking his opportunity and rolling with by averaging 5.7 YPC and an average of 4 grabs a game. Right now it appears that he is the lead back, but Hill should still see the goal-line/red zone opportunities. 

Panic level: 5/10







Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Creating the Perfect Quarterback


Today on ESPN, members the NFL Live crew were given the task of constructing "The Perfect Backup Quarterback." There were five components (Mind, Heart, Arm, Footwork, and Legs) that needed to be decided on in order to create such a monster, and I'm having a hard time disagreeing with any of their choices. Tim Hasselbeck was immediately called a "homer" for picking his brother Matt for the "Mind" category, but any QB that has been in the league for 30 years (his words, not mine) must have a decent football IQ and was more than worthy of winning this category. 

Using the knowledge I have accumulated in my years of watching football, I wanted to make up my ideal quarterback. I will not limit myself to just backups, but will be including starters, Pro Bowlers, Champions, and MVPs as well. Let's get this party going.

Mind - Jon Kitna


Kitna was the master of leading the huddle. Despite bouncing around 4 NFL and 1 NFL Europe teams in his career, Kitna never had a problem with gaining the respect of his teammates on the gridiron. Throughout his playing career of nearly 20 years, Kitna gained an unmatched amount of knowledge that other gunslingers would kill for. After hanging up the cleats, Kitna immediately got into the coaching game at the high school level. His Lincoln High School (Tacoma, WA) squad, which is the same school he attended, went 11-1 in 2014 with Kitna at the helm. He also messed around and taught some math at his alma mater. He resigned from his position prior to the 2015 season, and took his talents to the bright lights of Waxahachie High School in Texas. 

Also considered: Peyton Manning and Drew Brees

Heart - Byron Leftwich


Super Bowl champion Byron Leftwich did whatever it took to get a win for his team. Whether that was by playing with a broken left tibia in college or slinging perfect spirals to Jimmy Smith in Jacksonville, Long Ball Leftwich was a warrior for his teams. In The Replacements, Coach Jimmy McGinty wanted his players to have "miles and miles of heart." If he didn't have the luxury of having Shane Falco at quarterback, there is no doubt McGinty would've looked for a guy like Leftwich.

Also considered: Tom Brady and Tim Tebow

Arm - Jake Plummer


Nobody could toss the pigskin with more muscle than Jake the Snake. That is a fact. When Plummer went in the shotgun, everyone in the building knew that sucker was going deep. If the common man were to get in the way of one of Plummer's spirals, there is a good chance the ball would've went right through them. After walking away from the game at the conclusion of the 2006 season, Plummer did not let his money maker go to waste. He put his arm to good use by getting into the professional four-wall handball game after his retirement and was a nightmare for fellow opponents. He is rumored to have knocked over at least 14 walls with his unmatched handball velocity.

Also considered: Brett Favre, Drew Bledsoe, and Daunte Culpepper

Footwork - Dan Orlovsky


Everybody is aiming to be the QB with the second-best pocket awareness because Orlovsky has held the #1 spot down for awhile. It is the main reason why he still has a job in this league. If he wanted to, Dynamite Dan could tear up dance club with his feet but he would rather tear up opposing secondaries. This was by far the easiest choice out of the five categories.

Also considered: Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers

Legs - Jeff Garcia


The career leader in broken ankles caused, Jeff Garcia could tear apart defenses with his legs and rocket arm. With 2,140 rushing yards to his name, the first name I thought of when thinking of mobile QBs from my childhood was Mr. Garcia. Jeff's cleats would leave smoke trails and defenders behind him during his days at Candlestick. Many opposing players still currently suffer from whiplash from trying to keep an eye on Garcia.

Also considered: Mike Vick and Steve McNair

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What if we were able to combine all of these traits into one person? What would the results be? What would he look like? Well, I got my best people on it and this is what they came up with...
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Turns out the perfect quarterback has been here all along.









Average All Star of the Week - NFL Week 3 Edition


Rushing 14 times for 51 yards may not get you a lot in this life, but it will get you one thing. What is this one thing you ask? It is none other than the NFL Average All Star of the Week (NFLAASOTW) award. That is exactly what Melvin Gordon of the Chargers did this past weekend in his team's 31-14 loss to the Vikings. Not only did he average 3.6 yards per carry, but he also recorded zero catches on one target. Gordon woke up, packed his cold-cut sandwich lunch, and turned in a performance that will only be remembered by people like myself who appreciate total normality. 

Gordon was humbled when he heard about receiving this prestigious award, "I knew I had a chance at the NFLAASOTW when I looked at my stats midway through the game, but I didn't even think I would be the frontrunner for this award from my own team! I almost feel guilty when you have guys like Stevie Johnson (3 catches, 46 yards) and John Phillips (4 catches, 35 yards, 3 hot dogs consumed) out there who turned in absolute granola bar performances. I would like to thank my family and all of my past coaches."

Unfortunately for lovers of perennial averageness like myself, winning this award does not guarantee future mediocrity. Last week's winner, Chris Johnson, notched 150 total yards and 2 touchdowns in his first performance since winning the inaugural NFLAASOTW. Johnson could not be reached for comment because I did not want to talk to someone who refuses to acknowledge their roots like that.

Saturday, September 26, 2015

Week 3 Sleepers To Watch


It takes absolutely zero skill to put a consensus stud in your lineup each Sunday. Oh you started Antonio Brown? You mean to tell me that you put Tom Brady in your lineup? Wow. You are a fantasy renegade. You are so brave.

The fantasy owners who find the diamonds in the rough are the ones taking home the big money at the end of the day. Being able to pick out a star amongst a crowd of mediocrity is a necessary skill for fantasy football success, and we all know that is the only brand of success that truly matters in life. For these rankings, I will be using the ESPN Weekly Rankings as a reference for where each player stands in Week 3.

Quarterback

Jameis Winston - Ranked #26 for all QB's in Week 3

Famous Jameis has a great scenario for himself on Sunday. He faces a Houston defense that has been allowing the 2nd most points to opposing QB's in 2015. In his first two career starts, Jameis has put up respectable fantasy numbers that should only be improved upon after facing Houston. Mike Evans may not have recorded a catch in his season debut last week, but he should getting closer to full strength which will give Winston a nearly unstoppable target. It is also important to note that the Texans offense will be having a tough time moving the ball all day with the return of Arian Foster being pushed back to at least another week and DeAndre Hopkins being a little banged up for this matchup. There will be plenty of 3-and-outs for them and plenty of opportunities for Winston and the Buccaneers to score.

Other QB Sleepers: Andy Dalton (ranked 18th) and Blake Bortles (20th)

Running Back



David Johnson - Ranked #35 for all RB's in Week 3

David Johnson has been everything he can in the first two weeks to become the go-to guy for the Cardinals this season. If your league rewards players for their special teams exploits, David Johnson is a must start for you this week. He also displayed great promise in his 5 carries last week in which he gained 42 yards. Although Chris Johnson got the start  and the bulk of the carries last week, the undeniable play-making ability of David Johnson should earn him some extra reps in the backfield. His matchup isn't so bad either. The 49ers surrendered 3 touchdowns via the run last week versus the Steelers.

Other RB Sleepers: T.J. Yeldon (ranked 19th), Darren Sproles (47th), and Lance Dunbar (50th)

Wide Receiver


Cole Beasley - Ranked #53 for all WR's in Week 3

The injury bug has bitten Dallas big time in the early stages of the 2015 season. Brandon Weeden is no Tony Romo, so the Cowboys offense will operate a little differently. Terrance Williams is the go-to guy for them through the air, but Beasley should be the one to act as a safety net for Weeden. Without Romo and Dez Bryant, there is a good chance the Cowboys play from behind for the majority of their contest against the Falcons. The Cowboys will have to move the ball through the air if that's the case, so Beasley should see a lot of short screens coming his way.

Other WR Sleepers: Dorial Green-Beckham (ranked 62nd) and Tyler Lockett (64th)

Tight End


Mychal Rivera - Ranked #30 for all TE's in Week 3

In last week's victory against the Ravens, Derek Carr got the ball to wideouts Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree early and often. When the Raiders go on the road to Cleveland, things will not be as easy for whoever has the misfortune of being matched up against Joe Haden. That means there is a good chance he looks for his top TE target in Mychal Rivera more often in Week 3. Last week against the Titans, the Browns struggled to defend against the TE position despite Delanie Walker being out. Look for Rivera to have his first fantasy relevant performance of 2015 on Sunday.

Other TE Sleepers: Jared Cook (ranked 14th) and Scott Chandler (26th)



Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Average All Star of the Week - NFL Week 2 Edition


For his mediocre efforts in the Cardinals' 48-23 win over the Bears, Arizona RB Chris Johnson has been named the NFL Average All Star of the Week (NFLAASOTW). Starting in place of the injured Andre Ellington, Johnson stepped in a tepid way by gaining 72 yards on 20 carries. He was also targeted once in the passing game, but sadly did not make the grab. In his post game interview he went on to say, "I watched 'A Goofy Movie' for the first time in awhile on Saturday night and forgot how silly of a movie that was. Before taking each of my 20 carries, I had a smile on my face thinking of how crazy and fun Goofy is. It made me realize this is just a game and life should not be taken so seriously all of the time." Chris Johnson and the Cardinals moved to 2-0 with the win.

Friday, September 18, 2015

Week 2 Fantasy Rundown



After cooling down from last week's hot takes, I have decided to do some more of the same this week. For Week 2, I will be making predictions based on each upcoming matchup this Sunday and Monday. Let's get down to it....

Texans @ Panthers

In this Super Bowl 50 preview matchup, I think Greg Olsen puts up over 20 points in standard league formats. The Texans struggled to cover Travis Kelce last week, and it doesn't get any easier for them in Week 2. Look for Olsen to get on track with about 80 yards and two scores. 
The Houston offense should see a slight upgrade with Ryan Mallett at QB, but nobody except for DeAndre Hopkins should be in your lineup from this team. Arian Foster can't get back soon enough for them. They have gone 2-14 in games without him versus a 33-20 record in games in which he gets at least one carry.

49ers @ Steelers

It is unrealistic for one to expect Carlos Hyde to replicate his Week 1 performance throughout the whole season, but he should have no problem against a brutal Pittsburgh defense. Hyde tallying a score with over 100 yards should be very attainable. The Niners shut down a below-average offense in the Vikings, but the various offseason losses will hurt them in this matchup. 
Antonio Brown will continue to be the most dependable WR in fantasy, and will have no problem reeling in double-digit catches. However, DeAngelo Williams will come back down to earth after his solid Week 1 showing.

Buccaneers @ Saints

The good news for Bucs fans (and fantasy owners) is that Mike Evans looks to be good to go in Week 2. The return of Evans makes Jameis Winston a sneaky play against the weak New Orleans defensive unit in daily fantasy leagues. 
Brandin Cooks was picked early in most drafts (Average: 14th WR taken, 40th overall in ESPN leagues), and his tepid 4 catch, 49 yard performance probably had owners worried. Those worries will be thrown to the side after Week 2 against the Buccaneers and their terrible secondary. Cooks is the guy in New Orleans, and anyone who is a #1 WR with Drew Brees is going to accumulate monster numbers.

Lions @ Vikings

The long awaited return of Adrian Peterson was a major letdown to those who took him with their first round pick. I wouldn't worry too much about it since the Vikings were playing from behind for the whole contest. I would still hand the ball off to Purple Jesus no matter what the score was, but I am also not a NFL coach. Against a diminished Lions defense, Adrian Peterson should get back to his normal self. 
If I were a Calvin Johnson owner, I would be a little worried about his 4 targets in Week 1. Golden Tate has a great 2014 season, and perhaps his chemistry with Stafford has grown to the point where he is the new go-to guy for them.

Cardinals @ Bears

If healthy, Carson Palmer is a top 5-10 fantasy quarterback. The numbers don't lie with 279 yards/game and 30 TDs over his last 16 starts (More importantly, a 14-2 record). Palmer and his main targets John Brown and Larry Fitzgerald are good plays for both season-long and daily fantasy match ups in Week 2 against Chicago. Michael Floyd and his nagging injuries do make me hesitant to play him. The great CJ2K is slated to start this week, but I'm staying away as it is likely he struggles early and his carries get taken away by David Johnson.
Matt Forte would be a MVP candidate if he were on a playoff team. He looked as good as ever in Week 1 and remains a must-start. I do see the Cardinals running away with this one, so expect Alshon Jeffrey to clean up in garbage time.

Patriots @ Bills

The Bills have been running their mouths to the media this week. Any Patriots fan will tell you that is a bad idea for other teams to do. Expect Tom Brady and his teammates to come out of the gates fast, and remind everyone who has been running their division forever. The Bills have only surrendered 3 touchdowns to Tight Ends since the beginning of last year, but Gronk will surely add to that total.
From a purely football standpoint, Tyrod Taylor had a great Week 1 showing. From a fantasy football standpoint, he was just decent. Expect him to put up better numbers mainly because the Bills jumped out to a huge lead early in the game against the Colts. This game should be close throughout, and Taylor should get plenty of more opportunities to throw the rock. It doesn't look too good for LeSean McCoy owners this week, so pick up Karlos Williams if you can. 

Chargers @ Bengals

For those who took Melvin Gordon in their drafts (Like myself), Week 1 was very frustrating for you. Danny Woodhead took away all of the red zone carries, Gordon had a fantastic touchdown run called back, and he also fumbled later in the game. Not all hope should be lost as it should be reiterated that the Chargers used a first-round pick on this guy. I believe he will see more carries in the future, but for now Woodhead is the guy you want in fantasy. Keenan Allen bounced back from his sophomore slump in a big way last week, but will face a much bigger challenge from the Bengals secondary.
Another frustrating thing for my team last week was seeing what was once AJ Green's red zone looks being given to Tyler Eifert. Green will always be Dalton's guy, but there is no doubt Eifert is primed for a big year. AJ will still get the majority of the targets this season, but it would be no surprise if his normal touchdown numbers go down.

Titans @ Browns

Marcus Mariota put together one of the best rookie QB debuts the league has ever seen in Week 1. While it is not fair to expect similar numbers (mainly his 4 TD passes), he still only threw 16 passes. That number will go way up this week in what should be a closer matchup against an above average defense. Joe Haden will keep Kendall Wright in check, so Delanie Walker will be the Titan to keep an eye on in this contest.
Johnny Football was named the starter for Week 2 in Cleveland. While the big plays are certainly possible, the multiple turnovers can't be ignored. What makes Manziel an interesting fantasy play for me is his ability to run. If you're feeling lucky, there is probably no better candidate for a cheap play in daily fantasy at QB.

Falcons @ Giants

Julio Jones made a gigantic statement on MNF. He is perhaps the best WR in fantasy and real football due to his combination of QB and physical tools. I expect this game to be a shootout, and Julio Jones will once again feast. Tevin Coleman looked very dependable in Week 1 for the Falcons, and those who took him in later rounds had to have been pleased with what they saw from the rookie.
The Giants have already found themselves in the NY media doghouse, but one thing I have learned is that Eli and Coughlin perform best when they are doubted. Eli Manning should have a huge day, and the connection he found with Odell Beckham Jr last year will be seen again in Week 2. If I had to choose any back to play from NY, it would be Shane Vereen due to the likelihood of a pass-happy game between these two teams.

Rams @ Redskins

The Rams provided the biggest surprise of Week 1 by defeating the Seahawks, but anybody who watched it will tell you that they are a legit team. Their defense played extremely well, and should be ranked #1 for this week's match ups. While their variety of options on offense is a good thing for them in real football, it is a downfall for fantasy football. Tavon Austin provides big-play ability in Special Teams, but can't be relied on a week-to-week basis. All three backs are solid (Cunningham, Mason, and soon Gurley), but I wouldn't play one until one of them wins the job outright. Todd Gurley will eventually be that guy to win the job, but it is anyone's guess as to when that happens.
Alfred Morris has been one of the most dependable backs in fantasy over the last few years, but it is hard to trust him against this Rams defense that kept Marshawn Lynch in check. With DeSean Jackson out, there is absolutely no reason for you to be starting anyone else from Washington.

Dolphins @ Jaguars

One of my hot takes was that Lamar Miller would be in the running for Fantasy MVP in 2015. That did not get off to an ideal start in Week 1, but I expect him to explode in Week 2 against the Jags. In a game that the Dolphins should handle easily, Miller should get plenty of more opportunities to make plays in this matchup. 
TJ Yeldon showed promise in his rookie debut for Jacksonville, but he has been placed in an unfortunate situation. His offensive line isn't great, and his QB is more concerned with what the fans are saying about him than his own performance. If the Jaguars were capable of producing more first-downs and creating more red zone opportunities, Yeldon would be a premier option at RB. That will not happen in Week 2 against a very good Miami defensive line.

Ravens @ Raiders

Joe Flacco came out of the gates ice cold in 2015, but he has a great opportunity to put that in the past against the Raiders in Week 2. The Raiders defense wasn't strong to begin with, but injuries to Nate Allen and Charles Woodson only make things worse for them. Flacco will be in playoff Flacco form. The Oakland offense will be giving the ball back to Baltimore very often in the form of 3 and outs and turnovers, so plenty of Ravens will be good fantasy plays this week.
Derek Carr's injury is not supposed to keep him out of this week, and that is great news for Amari Cooper owners (Terrible news for Matt McGloin owners). As someone who drafted Cooper, I am expecting him to tally up big numbers at the end of this contest which should see the Raiders trailing big time in the 4th quarter.

Cowboys @ Eagles

Although Tony Romo stepped up big time after Dez Bryant went down in Week 1, he will feel the loss in a significant way in Week 2. While he should not be benched in your lineup, he will not maintain last weeks performance (356 yards, 3 TDs) throughout Bryant's absence. Dez being out does provide the most value to Jason Witten owners. Cole Beasley and Terrance Williams are players to buy low on in both daily and regular leagues.
Sam Bradford looked like his preseason-self in the second half of Monday night's contest with the Falcons. His interception in the 4th was due to a dropped pass, and he strung together an impressive streak of completions at one point. Although he will not throw 52 passes each week, his usage will be high in Chip Kelly's offense. DeMarco Murray, against his old squad, should get much more than the 8 carries he saw last week. However, the explosiveness that Darren Sproles should not be ignored when factoring into Murray's usage.

Seahawks @ Packers

It is hard to imagine the Seahawks starting off at 0-2, but it is entirely possible due to this matchup. The Packers did not do a good job in stopping Matt Forte, so expect Marshawn Lynch to return to his dominant ways. The Packers have always struggled against mobile quarterbacks, so Russell Wilson should be primed for a big day at Lambeau.
With Kam Chancellor out, the Seattle secondary gave up nearly 300 yards to Nick Foles. It is scary to imagine what Aaron Rodgers will do to them on Sunday Night. I know Rodgers struggled mightily against Seattle in both contests last season, but him and the rest of the  Packers offense should be in for a good night at their home field.

Jets @ Colts

The Jets offense had themselves a very good showing in Week 1 against the Browns. The Colts defense is not on the same level as Cleveland's, so another solid showing will be in store for Fitzpatrick and friends. Chris Ivory is a high-level RB2 with this offense and is going to provide great value for his draft stock (ESPN ADP of 64.2 overall/23rd for RBs). Ryan Fitzpatrick is a very good play for this week on the road in daily fantasy leagues if you are looking for a more affordable option.
The Bills defense looked like the real deal, so there should be no shame for the Colts' underwhelming Week 1 performance. The Jets defense is a very respectable unit as well, but it is hard to imagine that the Colts offense does not get back on track on Monday Night. I would stay away from anyone involved in their running game this week, but their aerial attack will not see similar struggles. If T.Y. Hilton sits, Donte Moncrief is a must start in both daily and season-long leagues. It looks like Andre Johnson may be stuck on Revis Island, so that would make Dwayne Allen a solid play along with Moncrief this week.




Friday, September 11, 2015

25 Fantasy Football Hot Takes For 2015



With one game in the books for the 2015 NFL season, we were reminded of a few things. First being that Tom Brady is pretty good at football. Brady was on a mission last night to put all of the offseason's circus behind him with a MVP-caliber performance. We were also reminded of the incomparable pass-catching talents of Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown. Both players are deservingly being the first players taken at their respective positions in fantasy drafts across the Sports Nerds World. 

For people like myself, the sad feeling caused by the end of the summer season is only cured by the arrival of the NFL season. The Lombardi trophy is up for grabs again between the 32 NFL teams (except the Redskins), and we can all look forward to melting into our couches each Sunday for the next few months. Without further ado, here are the hottest of takes for the upcoming fantasy football season....

1. My bold and completely unbiased prediction for fantasy MVP this season is Tom Brady (Lamar Miller as runner-up).
2. My not-so-bold prediction for fantasy MVP is Andrew Luck.
3. Amari Cooper will finish as a top 5 WR.



4. Rob Gronkowski will break Randy Moss' receiving TD record (23) this season.
5. The top 5 QB's in order will be Luck, Brady, Rodgers, Wilson, and.......Bradford.
6. Last year was the Year of the WR, but this year rookie RBs will thrive as 4 rookies will finish in the top 20.
7. Anybody in a PPR league that didn't take Antonio Brown number one overall made a huge mistake. He will break Marvin Harrison's record for receptions in a single season (143). 
8. The New York Jets offense will be very good this season. I can't believe I just typed that.
9. Nobody will dominate garbage time quite like Alshon Jeffrey this year. His garbage time prowess will help propel him into the top 10 for WR's.
10. This will be the first season that Andre Johnson will record double-digit receiving touchdowns.



11. Cameron Artis-Payne is definitely worth drafting with your late-round pick.
12. Jeremy Maclin will have an even better season this year than last year's season which saw him finish inside the top 10 for his position.
13. Frank Gore will join Emmitt Smith and Ricky Williams as the only backs to rush for more than 1,000 yards after turning 32 years old.
14. Eli Manning will greatly outscore big brother Peyton in 2015.
15. Even at age 36, Steve Smith will eclipse 85 catches and 1,000 yards.


16. Nobody has ever had over 2,000 receiving yards in a season. Julio Jones will be the first to do it.
17. Late-round TE's Tyler Eifert, Kyle Rudolph, and Josh Hill will all finish in the top 8 at their position. They are all also going to be 25 years old this season.
18. Given his ADP, people are forgetting how talented Sammy Watkins really is. Tyrod Taylor will be more than capable of getting him the ball.
19. The only cuffs really worth having for top RB's are Knile Davis and Ronnie Hillman.
20. Marques Colston will return to being a top-level fantasy WR in '15.
21. Dorial Green-Beckham will be a top 25 WR in the second half of the season.
22. Danny Woodhead will have over 80 receptions this year.


23. Vernon Davis will return to being a top 10 TE.
24. Davante Adams is currently the 24th WR being drafted in ESPN fantasy leagues, but he will finish outside the top 45 for wideouts this season.
25. Cam Newton will finish outside the top 18 for QB's.

I hope these takes weren't too hot for all of you. Remember to go with your gut and never take a defense or kicker before your last two rounds. Best of luck to you fantasy degenerates.