With Week 1 of the 2018 football season right around the corner, it can only mean one thing: IT’S DRAFT SEASON!!!! Everyone at Blitzalytics has been poring over their rankings and mock drafts in anticipation. Now, while I’m sure many of you may not agree with these rankings, the purpose of them is to get a general sense of where the consensus ranks the top players. Since drafting is in fantasy football is all about maximizing value, knowing where your favorite players are slotted to go is important! You may think Jared Goff is a much better QB than most others, but if most people have him going later on in the draft, you can wait and still get your guy. On the flip side, rankings also tell you when you’re going to have to reach for guys you really want to get.

Below we have the Blitzalytics’ top 200 fantasy player rankings! As usual, these rankings are for 0.5 PPR leagues and are broken down by the consensus of our analysts. If you want to see the full breakdown, by position, and analyst check out the link below!

Check out Blitzalytics Positional Rankings!

Top 50

51–100

101–150

151–200

Written by Collyn Foster

Today I will Be discussing five players who I believe are in the conversation for the 2018 Defensive Player of the Year. I’ll give a short insight into their situation and also reasons why I believe they have a chance to take home the hardware. I am a huge fan of defense in football, I always enjoyed playing defensive line more than offensive line and watching the best of the best do their work is like an art form. I may be a bit biased, being a defensive line guy myself but the players we have in this league right now are some of the best defensive linemen to ever play this game. I am extremely excited to see how all of these players play this upcoming season and at the end of the day, the competition for this award is going to be insane and this list will fluctuate depending on injury and trade but for now, this is who I like to win the 2018 DPOY.

5. Luke Kuechly ( 22/1)

Much like Watt, Kuechly’s run at a DPOY trophy is based on his ability to stay on the field. He has missed games the past 3 seasons with a myriad of injuries, most being concussions. His dominance on the football field is unlike anything I’ve seen from a player. He is an extremely instinctual player who has the athleticism to make an impact on every play. He fills running lanes and breaks up passes like no other linebacker in the league. He can chase down runners sideline to sideline and can cover any shape or size of tight end you throw at him. He is also surprisingly good at playing the ball and has come away with 8 interceptions the past 3 years, which for a linebacker is fairly impressive. A full season of domination from Kuechly could be exactly what he needs to put himself in the conversation for DPOY.

4. Joey Bosa (11/2)

Already having 23.0 sacks going into his third season in the league is an impressive feat for a player, but watching him play, you can tell he is going to explode. Bosa’s presence on the field is terrifying for opposing coordinators, because of his wide range of pass rush combinations and athleticism. He is a player that you can pencil in for at least a sack a game in this upcoming season. It was recently reported he hurt his foot during training camp. That is a storyline I will continue to monitor and of course, like everyone else on the list, their place on it is dictated by their health status. Through his first two seasons, he has proven to be reliable and impactful against both the run and pass, and it helps to have someone like Melvin Ingram on the other side helping draw blockers away. But that works in the favor of both Bosa and Ingram and I think Bosa could take this opportunity to break out and become one of the best edge defenders in the league.

3. Von Miller (9/1)

Von Miller is the one player in the league that I watch and just think he makes everything look so easy. His speed around the edge is something that haunts right tackles and has caused many sleepless nights. He is the type of player who could go out this season and put up a smooth 20.0 sacks and be a dominant unstoppable force that leads the Broncos defense back to glory. Outside of his pure dominance on the field, he also will get the pleasure of welcoming a new running mate opposite of him in Bradley Chubb. The Broncos decided to go with bookend studs on either side of the defensive line, and I believe that Miller will take full advantage of Chubb’s presence and continue to eat tackles for breakfast en route to a DPOY consideration.

2. J.J. Watt (5/1)

Watt is coming off of an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2017 season and is looking to get back into his DPOY form. He is a previous recipient of the award and is one of the best overall players in the entire league. No matter where you line him up along the line, he is able to make an impact. He can beat you with speed, strength, technique, or a combination of all three. He is someone who has been a nightmare for offenses for many years but has struggled to stay on the field. Which is why a full season of healthy JJ could be one of the most dominant performances we’ve seen in recent history. He also is helped by the fact he will have other dominant players like Jadeveon Clowney, Tyrann Mathieu, and Whitney Mercilus lining up with him. I used to try and emulate my football game and defensive moves after him, so I’ve seen him at his most dominant and it is a very scary sight.

1. Aaron Donald (11/2)

With his contract situation being so up in the air, it is hard to tell when he will be back on the field, but when he is on the field, everyone knows. Donald is one of the most dominant interior defenders we have seen in many years. He is even in the discussion for the best overall player in the league. The man just ruins offensive gameplans, he will be in your QB’s lap before he turns to give the ball carrier the ball. His speed and size are outstanding for a player who plays the defensive tackle position. And like Bosa, he has a running mate next to him that will pull blockers and double teams away, and his name is Ndamukong Suh. Suh was the Aaron Donald before Aaron Donald, he had a few down seasons while with the Dolphins, but is looking to turn it around next to Donald. Donald’s production will not go unnoticed this season, especially not after he gets paid what I assume will be the highest salary ever for a defensive lineman. He’s going to get paid then prove he was worth every dollar, which is why he’s my favorite to win the DPOY honor.

Honorable Mentions:

Khalil Mack (11/2)
Jalen Ramsey (14/1)
Earl Thomas (N/A)
Demarcus Lawrence (22/1)

Written By: Jake Leicht

Over the past several weeks, I have completed four different mock drafts. Two of the drafts were 2QB standard scoring leagues, one was a .5 PPR league, and the other was just a normal standard scoring league. Today, I will be breaking down another standard scoring mock draft. I drafted from the number 11 overall position. We are finally at the bottom of the draft order, so I was able to draft some players that I had not yet broken down on my previous mock drafts. Like normal, this mock was completed using FantasyPros’ Mock Draft Wizard, and the roster settings are as follows: QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1Flex (RB/WR/TE), D/ST (team defense), and K. I drafted 6 bench players as well. Make sure to check out last week’s mocks, and stay tuned later in the week for more!

Final Roster

QB: Philip Rivers, LAR
RB: Kareem Hunt, KC
RB: Alex Collins, BAL
WR: Julio Jones, ATL
WR: Stefon Diggs, MIN
WR: Marvin Jones, DET
FLEX: Ronald Jones III, TB
TE: David Njoku, CLE
D/ST: New England Patriots
K: Greg Zuerlein

BENCH

BN: Chris Carlson, SEA
BN: Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
BN: Robby Anderson, NYJ
BN: Emmanuel Sanders, DEN
BN: Devontae Booker, DEN
BN: Jordan Wilkins, IND

Final Analysis

I am not really sure how I feel about this team. There are several players that I really like, but I feel like I am missing one big piece. I like my running back position after drafting Kareem Hunt in the first round. I like Alex Collins as well, but this is the first time that I have ever drafted him. Behind those two guys I have several players that have some high upside, but they are fairly young. Chris Carlson, Devontae Booker, Jordan Wilkins, and Ronald Jones III all have the opportunity to start and play heavy snaps for each of their teams.

Having Julio Jones and Stefon Diggs to start out my receiving corps is a great feeling. Marvin Jones is a guy I draft a lot because he does not get the respect he deserves in fantasy circles. Emmanuel Sanders and Robby Anderson are not sexy picks, but I needed to add depth behind my starters. Anderson could be really good if he could stay out of trouble. David Njoku has the chance to be a special tight end if he continues to grow with Tyrod and Baker as well.

Overall, I really like my team. I have older veteran quarterbacks in Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger that I was able to draft late. I was able to round my team out with proven players that can put up points in a standard scoring league while simultaneously drafting players with high upside.

Round 1

1) Todd Gurley RB — LAR
2) Le’veon Bell RB — PIT
3) Ezekiel Elliott RB — DAL
4) David Johnson RB — ARI
5) Alvin Kamara RB — NO
6) Antonio Brown WR- PIT
7) Saquon Barkley RB — NYG
8) DeAndre Hopkins WR- HOU
9) Leonard Fournette RB- JAX
10) Odell Beckham WR — NYG
11) Kareem Hunt RB — KC
12) Melvin Gordon- LAC

Analysis: I was all too happy to pick Kareem Hunt with the 11th pick in this standard mock draft. I think that Hunt will have a huge role in the Chiefs’ offensive, especially considering they will be playing with a first year starting quarterback in Pat Mahomes. Last season, he rushed for 1,327 yards on 272 carries and 8 touchdowns. Hunt also caught 53 passes for 455 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was not even the team’s third down back for most of the year. With the Chiefs using him a ton as a rookie, I would expect them to use him even more to take the load off of Mahomes this season as well. I like drafting running backs early in a standard league.

Round 2

13) Dalvin Cook RB — MIN
14) Julio Jones WR- ATL
15) Michael Thomas WR — NO
16) Davante Adams WR — GB
17) Keenan Allen WR- LAC
18) Jordan Howard RB- CHI
19) Devonta Freeman RB- ATL
20) Christian Mccaffrey RB — CAR
21) A.J. Green WR- CIN
22) Jerick McKinnon RB- SAN
23) LeSean McCoy RB- BUF
24) Rob Gronkowski TE- NE

Analysis: Julio Jones is one of the most physically gifted wide receivers in the league. It is not his fault that the Falcons do not target him enough in the red zone. Because of this, Jones is a better PPR receiver at this point in his career. If the Falcons do decide to target Julio close to the goal line like they target him between the 20s, he could easily post WR1 numbers. Last year, Jones had 88 catches for an astounding 1,444 yards, however he only had 3 touchdown catches. How does that even happen? I do think that the Falcons could pressure Steve Sarkisian to call more plays for Jones that could end in touchdowns. Drafting your favorite player in the league in the second round is easy to do, especially when he is the best player available.

Round 3

25) Mike Evans WR- TB
26) Adam Thielen WR- MIN
27) Joe Mixon RB- CIN
28) T.Y. Hilton WR- IND
29) Aaron Rodgers QB- GB
30) Amari Cooper WR- OAK
31) Derrick Henry RB- TEN
32) Doug Baldwin WR- SEA
33) Tyreek Hill WR- KC
34) Travis Kelce TE- KC
35) Stefon Diggs WR- MIN
36) Lamar Miller RB- HOU

Analysis: Stefon Diggs had one of the most iconic catches in the history of the NFL last season when he scored the game winning touchdown as time expired in the playoffs versus the New Orleans Saints. This year, I look for him to have a huge season playing with the Vikings’ new quarterback, Kirk Cousins. I believe that Cousins’ favorite receiver will be Diggs because of his versatile skill set and ability to make a play on deep balls. Last year with Case Keenum (a less dynamic QB), Diggs had 64 catches for 849 yards and 8 touchdowns. I believe that in this new offense led by Cousins, he could see double digit touchdowns and more receptions. In a standard scoring league that starts 3 wide receivers, Stefon Diggs makes for a nice pick in the back of the 3rd round.

Round 4

37) Allen Robinson WR — CHI
38) Alex Collins RB- BAL
39) Deshaun Watson QB — HOU
40) Jay Ajayi RB- PHI
41) Kenyan Drake RB- MIA
42) Brandin Cooks WR- LAR
43) Juju Smith-Schuster WR — PIT
44) Zach Ertz TE- PHI
45) Russell Wilson QB- SEA
46) Larry Fitzgerald WR- ARI
47) Tom Brady QB- NE
48) Jarvis Landry WR- CLE

Analysis: This is the first fantasy mock draft of the year that I have drafted Alex Collins. It is not that I do not like Collins, because I do. I believe that many fantasy football owners view him as a high upside back in a run heavy offense. They would be correct. At this point in the 4th round, I do not see any other running backs that I like. Collins is by far and away the best option at the position to me in a standard scoring league. Last year with the Ravens, he had 973 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns while only starting 12 games. If Collins is able to stay healthy, he could easily have a 1,000 yard season and double digit touchdowns. Those are great numbers for a running back being drafted as an RB2 in a standard scoring league.

Round 5

49) Golden Tate WR — DET
50) Demaryius Thomas WR- DEN
51) Josh Gordon WR- CLE
52) Alshon Jeffery WR-PHI
53) Michael Crabtree WR- BAL
54) Rex Burkhead RB- NE
55) Chris Hogan WR- NE
56) Rashaad Penny RB- SEA
57) Mark Ingram RB- NO
58) Sony Michel RB- NE
59) Marvin Jones WR- DET
60) Devin Funchess WR- CAR

Analysis: I am a sucker for Marvin Jones every single season. I absolutely love his upside in Detroit’s offense. Matt Stafford loves throwing the ball deep and taking shots down the field. Jones has the perfect skill set to make those types of plays for the Lions’ offense. Jones had a stellar season last year, even though fantasy football players do not recognize him for it. He had 61 catches for 1,101 yards and 9 touchdowns. Yeah, those are awesome stats in a standard scoring league. Marvin Jones is my WR3, and I think I will have him on a lot of my teams this fantasy football season.

Round 6

61) Kyle Rudolph TE- MIN
62) Ronald Jones III RB- TB
63) Corey Davis WR- TEN
64) Jimmy Graham TE- GB
65) Cam Newton QB — CAR
66) Greg Olsen TE- CAR
67) Marlon Mack RB- IND
68) Sammy Watkins WR- KC
69) Dion Lewis RB- TEN
70) Carson Wentz QB- PHI
71) Evan Engram TE- NYG
72) Royce Freeman RB- DEN

Analysis: Jones is the best back on the Bucs. I have drafted him in several leagues already. Here is how I broke him down:

“I think that Ronald Jones will be the starting running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Getting the USC rookie in the 6th round to pair with Elliott and Freeman is a great addition to my backfield. Last season at USC, Jones rushed for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdowns. I do have some questions about his playmaking ability out of the backfield due to the fact that he only had 32 receptions over his 3 seasons in college. His only competition for carries on the Bucs’ roster is Peyton Barber. Barber is okay, but the Bucs just used a 2nd round pick on RoJo in April, so it is apparent they are looking at him to lead their backfield for the next several seasons. I am all too happy to get a young starting running back in round 6.”

Round 7

73) Will Fuller WR- HOU
74) Marshawn Lynch RB- OAK
75) Delanie Walker TE- TEN
76) Jamaal Williams RB- GB
77) Tevin Coleman RB- ATL
78) Drew Brees QB- NO
79) Jordy Nelson WR- OAK
80) Kerryon Johnson RB- DET
81) Robert Woods WR- LAR
82) Tarik Cohen RB- CHI
83) Emmanuel Sanders WR- DEN
84) Andrew Luck QB- IND

Analysis: Emmanuel Sanders has had a really nice 8 year career in the NFL. Last season was one of his first. He only had 47 receptions for 555 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is pathetic, but so was his quarterback play. At this point in the draft, I do not think that there were many good options left at the wide receiver position. I think that having Case Keenum throwing him the ball will help Sanders, and I look for him to bounce back this upcoming season. Hopefully he can hold off rookies wide receivers Courtland Sutton and Daesean Hamilton and continue starting this season for the Broncos.

Round 8

85) Pierre Garcon WR- SF
86) Robby Anderson WR- NYJ
87) Nick Chubb RB- CLE
88) Kirk Cousins QB- MIN
89) Randall Cobb WR — GB
90) Jimmy Garoppolo QB — SF
91) Isaiah Crowell RB- NYJ
92) Julian Edelman WR- NE
93) DeVante Parker WR- MIA
94) Marquise Goodwin WR- SF
95) Cooper Kupp WR- LAR
96) Matthew Stafford QB- DET

Analysis: Robby Anderson is a very risky pick due to his legal problems. The fact is that he has some serious upside. He played in 16 games last year with some very questionable quarterback play. He accumulated 7 touchdowns on 63 catches and 941 yards. You have to think that playing with Sam Darnold will help, especially considering he can be a gunslinger. Yes, I am assuming Darnold will start. I am also assuming that Anderson stays out of trouble. I did not love picking Emmanuel Sanders, so I had to add some depth behind him.

Round 9

97) Carlos Hyde RB — CLE
98) Jacksonville Jaguars DST
99) Jamison Crowder WR- WAS
100) Aaron Jones RB- GB
101) Los Angeles Rams DST
102) Kenny Stills WR- MIA
103) Allen Hurns WR- DAL
104) Chris Thompson RB- WAS
105) Sterling Shepard WR- NYG
106) Duke Johnson RB- CLE
107) Chris Carson RB- SEA
108) Dez Bryant WR- FA

Analysis: I am a big fan of Chris Carson this season, especially after watching his first preseason game against the Colts last week. I believe that Carson is clearly better than Penny at this point, even though the Seahawks used a first round pick on him. He shows nice speed to go along with his physical running ability. I look for Carson to start for the Seahawks both early and late in the season. That is tremendous value out of a running back being selected in the 9th round.

Round 10

109) Kelvin Benjamin WR- BUF
110) Devontae Booker RB- DEN
111) D.J. Moore WR- CAR
112) CJ Anderson RB- CAR
113) Rishard Matthews WR- TEN
114) Minnesota Vikings DST
115) Ty Montgomery RB- GB
116) Calvin Ridley WR- ATL
117) Gio Bernard RB- CIN
118) Nelson Agholor WR- PHI
119) Marqise Lee WR- JAX
120) D’Onta Foreman RB- HOU

Analysis: Much like my last pick of Chris Carson, I am drafting Devontae Booker late in drafts if I can. I really liked what I seen from Booker in the Broncos’ running game, even though his stats did not look great. That is the benefit of actually watching preseason games. I do think that Denver will give Royce Freeman opportunities this season to win the job, but I expect Booker to win the job out of camp due to experience and pass protecting abilities. Again, Booker is just depth for me, so I feel good about drafting him in double digit rounds this year.

Round 11

121) Cameron Meredith WR- NO
122) Desean Jackson WR- TB
123) Corey Clement RB- PHI
124) Matt Breida RB- SF
125) Kenny Golladay WR- DET
126) Tyler Lockett WR- SEA
127) Mike Williams WR- LAC
128) Josh Doctson WR- WAS
129) Martavis Bryant WR- OAK
130) Philadelphia Eagles DST
131) Philip Rivers QB- LAC
132) Bilal Powell RB- NYJ

Analysis: I do not like drafting quarterbacks early in drafts unless I am playing in a 2QB league. I love getting valuable veteran quarterbacks that have a track record of fantasy success rather than spending up on the higher end quarterbacks. That strategy works perfectly for me in this mock draft because I was able to grab Philip Rivers in the 11th round. Rivers has some of the best weapons in the league in Melvin Gordon, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Tyrell Williams. I expect Rivers to put up low end QB1 numbers this season as long as he is healthy. I like his competitive nature as well.

Round 12

133) Dede Westbrook WR- JAX
134) David Njoku TE — CLE
135) Nyheim Hines RB- IND
136) Jared Goff QB- LAR
137) Paul Richardson WR- WAS
138) Legarrette Blount RB — DET
139) Latavius Murray RB- MIN
140) James White RB- NE
141) Anthony Miller WR- CHI
142) Jordan Reed TE- WAS
143) Theo Riddick RB- DET
144) Doug Martin RB- OAK

Analysis: David Njoku is a very intriguing fantasy tight end this year. Especially after his first preseason game where he caught 2 touchdown passes in limited action. Here is what I previously wrote about him:

“I rarely draft two tight ends in fantasy football. In this case, I see a young tight end in a pass happy offensive scheme with a quarterback that has fallen in love with his former tight ends. David Njoku is a physical specimen. Last season, he was one of the Browns’ best red zone receivers. I think that he will have a great relationship with Tyrod Taylor, making him a very intriguing TE2 option.”

Round 13

145) Pat Mahomes QB- KC
146) Mohamed Sanu WR — ATL
147) Michael Gallup WR- DAL
148) George Kittle TE- SF
149) Courtland Sutton WR- DEN
150) Trey Burton TE- CHI
151) Geronimo Allison WR- GB
152) Jared Cook TE- OAK
153) Jack Doyle TE- IND
154) Terrance Williams WR- DAL
155) Ben Roethlisberger QB — PIT
156) Ben Watson TE- NO

Analysis: Sure, Ben Roethlisberger never seems to stay healthy, but he is amazing when he plays at home. It helps that he has some of the best weapons in the league to play with in Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown as well as up-and-coming star JuJu Smith-Schuster. Big Ben is a safe top 15 QB bet, and he would probably be in my lineup most weeks when he plays at home. Not the greatest pickup, but safe.

Round 14

157) Frank Gore RB- MIA
158) Jordan Wilkins RB- IND
159) Austin Eckler RB- LAC
160) Peyton Barber RB- TB
161) Chris Ivory RB- BUF
162) Spencer Ware RB- KC
163) Vance McDonald TE- PIT
164) T.J. Yeldon RB- JAX
165) O.J. Howard TE- TB
166) Kenneth Dixon RB- BAL
167) Tyler Eifert TE- CIN
168) Los Angeles Chargers DST

Analysis: This pick is all upside. I do not draft kickers and defenses until my last two picks, so I like to take a shot in the dark on a young guy that could surprise people. This year, I am taking a shot on Jordan Wilkins. Wilkins is a rookie running back out of Mississippi that could be an immediate player for the Colts. I am not sure that Marlon Mack will be able to handle a full workload of carries, and Nyheim Hines is not exactly built like a guy that can handle a heavy load either.

Round 15

169) Keelan Cole WR- JAX
170) Kalen Ballage RB- MIA
171) Houston Texans DST
172) Denver Broncos DST
173) Mike Gesicki TE- MIA
174) Baltimore Ravens DST
175) Matt Ryan QB- ATL
176) Seattle Seahawks DST
177) New Orleans Saints DST
178) Christian Kirk WR- ARI
179) New England Patriots DST
180) Green Bay Packers DST

Analysis: The Patriots are an interesting defense to own because they have some playmakers. They also play in a division that has some very weak offenses. I do not get excited about defenses, and I typically stream them during the season.

Round 16

181) Stephen Gostkowski K — NE
182) Greg Zuerlein K — LAR
183) Justin Tucker K — BAL
184) Jake Elliott K — PHI
185) Matt Bryant K — ATL
186) Wil Lutz K — NO
187) Chris Boswell K- PIT
188) Harrison Butker K — KC
189) Matt Prater K- DET
190) Robbie Gould K — SF
191) Mason Crosby K — GB
192) Daniel Carlson K- MIN

Analysis: Greg Zuerlein is the best kicker in the NFL. He plays on a good offense in warm weather, and he has a huge leg. I would be happy to have him as my kicker in the last round.

Written by: George Haraktsis, @Blitzalytics

With the preseason finally here, it’s about time for fantasy players, new and old, to start participating in mock drafts. When it comes to any draft, whether it is rookie, redraft, dynasty, etc., preparation is absolutely key. You need to take the time to do as many mock drafts as you can and see how the board might play out. That’s why I decided to make your life a bit easier by doing some of the work for you and offering my opinions on this year’s fantasy draft!

Today we’ll be taking a look at a simple 12-team, .5 PPR scoring league where I’m picking from #11 and have mocked with the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator. It’s a fun and quick way to get your mocks in and not have to worry about the time-constrained mock draft lobbies other sites offer. The roster format is as follows: 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 FLEX, D/ST, K and 6 Bench players. My selections are bolded below. Keep an eye out for more mocks in the days to come!

Final Roster:

QB: Philip Rivers, LAC

RB: Melvin Gordon, LAC

RB: Derrick Henry, TEN

WR: Keenan Allen, LAC

WR: Larry Fitzgerald, ARI

WR: Amari Cooper, OAK

FLEX: Corey Davis, TEN

TE: Jordan Reed, WAS

D/ST: Pittsburgh Steelers

K: Justin Tucker, BAL

BENCH

BN: Dion Lewis, TEN

BN: Lamar Miller, HOUSE

BN: D.J. Moore, CLE

BN: Jack Doyle, IND

BN: Paul Richardson, WAS

BN: Bilal Powell, NYJ

Final Analysis: While this isn’t the best draft I’ve ever had, I cannot be mad about the results. My WRs seem to be set with a strong starting three of Allen, Fitzgerald, and Cooper, and have great depth beyond that as well. My QB is set with Rivers and my butt is covered with Doyle if Reed is ever injured. Gordon is a more than solid RB1 but my issues might be at the RB2 position. Henry, Lewis, and Miller are all toss-ups but hopefully at least one will pan out. Overall this is a B team that could become an A team with great in-season management and some players panning out!

Round 1:

1) Todd Gurley, RB — LAR
2) Le’veon Bell, RB — PIT
3) Ezekiel Elliott, RB — DAL
4) Antonio Brown, WR — PIT
5) David Johnson, RB — ARI
6) Deandre Hopkins, WR — HOU
7) Saquon Barkley, RB — NYG
8) Odell Beckham, WR — NYG
9) Alvin Kamara, RB — NO
10) Kareem Hunt, RB — KC
11) Melvin Gordon, RB — LAC
12) Julio Jones, WR — ATL

Analysis: With the news that the Chargers plan on using Melvin Gordon more in the passing game, this could not be a better pick at 11. Gordon has averaged 1,051 rushing yards, nine TDs, 49.5 receptions, and 448 yards receiving over the last two years. He has been one of the premiere RB1s in fantasy football over the last two years, and is poised to build on his already impressive resume. With no one in line to steal carries away from Gordon, and with his projected uptick in the passing game ahead, his ceiling is as high as it’s ever been. Landing an outright RB1 at pick 11 who has potential to finish as a top-5 RB is a great way to start off any draft in any format.

Round 2:

13) Michael Thomas, WR — NO
14) Keenan Allen, WR — LAC
15) A.J. Green, WR — CIN
16) Leonard Fournette, RB — JAC
17) Davante Adams, WR — GB
18) Dalvin Cook, RB — MIN
19) Christian Mccaffrey, RB — CAR
20) Devonta Freeman, RB — ATL
21) Mike Evans, WR — TB
22) Lesean Mccoy, RB — BUF
23) Jerick Mckinnon, RB — SF
24) Doug Baldwin, WR — SEA

Analysis: Going for back-to-back Chargers was not my plan, but Keenan Allen is just too good to pass up at this point in the draft. Allen finished as PPR’s WR3 last season and should pick up right where he left off. Allen put up career highs in catches (102) and yards (1393) in 2017 and was one of the most consistent wide receivers throughout the NFL season. He had double-digit fantasy performances in all but three games (9.4, 7.1, 9.4); and had three 30+ fantasy point games, and seven 100+ receiving yard games. Keenan is one of the league’s best and most consistent receivers when on the field, and a steal in the second round. With his injury-riddled history now a thing of the past, he should be in line for at least another top-five performance in 2018 and has the potential to finish as PPR’s WR1.

Round 3:

25) Rob Gronkowski, TE — NE
26) Adam Thielen, WR — MIN
27) Tyreek Hill, WR — KC
28) Jordan Howard, RB — CHI
29) Aaron Rodgers, QB — GB
30) Joe Mixon, RB — CIN
31) T.Y. Hilton, WR — IND
32) Josh Gordon, WR — CLE
33) Stefon Diggs, WR — MIN
34) Brandin Cooks, WR — LAR
35) Larry Fitzgerald, WR — ARI
36) Travis Kelce, TE — KC

Analysis: Picking Fitzgerald is never sexy, but always a welcomed addition. He’s earned three top-12 fantasy finishes at the position in the last three years, with one of those being a top-5 finish coming in 2017. He has had one of the most secure volumes in the league, either leading or tying for the lead on his team in targets since 2009, and has been targeted at least 100 times in each of his 14 seasons. He’s averaged 148 targets since 2009 and 152 during the last three years. He’s also involved heavily in the Cardinals’ scoring plans, averaging over 19.5 targets and 6 touchdowns in the Red Zone over the last three seasons. With all this volume coming his way, Fitzgerald has a chance to be a WR1 again, with a floor of WR2 at worst!

Round 4:

37) Alshon Jeffery, WR — PHI
38) Amari Cooper, WR — OAK
39) Mark Ingram, RB — NO
40) Zach Ertz, TE — PHI
41) Evan Engram, TE — NYG
42) Allen Robinson, WR — CHI
43) Demaryius Thomas, WR — DEN
44) Juju Smith-Schuster, WR — PIT
45) Derrius Guice, RB — WAS
46) Jimmy Graham, TE — GB
47) Marvin Jones, WR — DET
48) Kenyan Drake, RB — MIA

Analysis: With two very solid options at WR on my team already, it was time to take a swing at an upside guy here at WR, and Amari Cooper made the most sense. He has struggled to establish himself as a sure-fire WR1 since entering the league as a top-10 pick. After back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, Cooper only managed seven touchdowns and 680 yards on 48 catches in 2017. He was tied for third among wide receivers with ten drops, and posted a dismal 53 percent catch rate on his 90 targets ( per PFF.com). He is still only 24 years old and now has Jon Gruden as his coach, so he is definitely a major candidate for a bounce-back year. If he and Carr can get on the same page, he has a great chance at finishing as a WR1.

Round 5:

49) Golden Tate, WR — DET
50) Kyle Rudolph, TE — MIN
51) Jarvis Landry, WR — CLE
52) Russell Wilson, QB — SEA
53) Michael Crabtree, WR — BAL
54) Greg Olsen, TE — CAR
55) Chris Hogan, WR — NE
56) Jay Ajayi, RB — PHI
57) Sammy Watkins, WR — KC
58) Alex Collins, RB — BAL
59) Derrick Henry, RB — TEN
60) Rashaad Penny, RB — SEA

Analysis: I needed to address the running back position eventually and lucked into landing Derrick Henry in the 5th round here. Henry has finally been given the keys to the Titans backfield and should be a solid, but not spectacular, RB2. He offers little in the passing game, especially with Dion Lewis now in the backfield, but should get enough carries and touchdowns to suffice as a solid starter. Not a great pick but not terrible.

Round 6:

61) Tom Brady, QB — NE
62) Corey Davis, WR — TEN
63) Carson Wentz, QB — PHI
64) Deshaun Watson, QB — HOU
65) Cam Newton, QB — CAR
66) Delanie Walker, TE — TEN
67) Robby Anderson, WR — NYJ
68) Devin Funchess, WR — CAR
69) Emmanuel Sanders, WR — DEN
70) Julian Edelman, WR — NE
71) Kerryon Johnson, RB — DET
72) Randall Cobb, WR — GB

Analysis: We all know rookie WRs usually have trouble producing in fantasy football, so it’s no surprise that Corey Davis of the Tennessee Titans had a down year in 2017. Davis started his career hot, but a hamstring injury led to five missed games, which doomed the rookie to a lackluster year. There was hope though, as Davis averaged 7.5 targets per game in 2017. If we backtrack to the end of the regular season, Davis had at least seven targets in three of his last four games. Incorporating the entire season, including playoffs, Davis averaged 6.2 targets per game. If extrapolated across an entire 16-game season, that would be close to 100 targets for the rookie out of Western Michigan. This year, he is primed to be the number-one option in new OC Matt Lafleur’s offense, and could really surprise some folks. He clearly has some risk, but as my WR4 it’s a risk I’m willing to take, as I’m sure either he or Cooper will emerge from the pack with their performances.

Round 7:

73) Royce Freeman, RB — DEN
74) Kirk Cousins, QB — MIN
75) Robert Woods, WR — LAR
76) Marquise Goodwin, WR — SF
77) Will Fuller, WR — HOU
78) Pierre Garcon, WR — SF
79) Jamison Crowder, WR — WAS
80) Rex Burkhead, RB — NE
81) Jordy Nelson, WR — OAK
82) Cooper Kupp, WR — LAR
83) Lamar Miller, RB — HOU
84) Ronald Jones, RB — TB

Analysis: When you get to the seventh round of any draft, it is usually hard to find a starting running back still on the board. So it was a blessing to find Lamar Miller here. He has been a bust since signing his free agent contract with the Texans a few years back, but did have a moderate career resurrection last year with Deshaun Watson under center. With Watson at the helm, Lamar Miller averaged a healthy 13.16 fantasy ppg (1/2 PPR), a very solid output for a RB2. With a healthy Watson, I expect Miller to continue this type of success. If either Henry or my next pick Dion Lewis falter, Miller and his volume will be able to fill in easily for them. If neither of them falter, then he will be a premium FLEX option at worst.

Round 8:

85) Nelson Agholor, WR — PHI
86) Dion Lewis, RB — TEN
87) Devante Parker, WR — MIA
88) Sony Michel, RB — NE
89) Trey Burton, TE — CHI
90) Andrew Luck, QB — IND
91) Drew Brees, QB — NO
92) Sterling Shepard, WR — NYG
93) Kelvin Benjamin, WR — BUF
94) Jimmy Garoppolo, QB — SF
95) Allen Hurns, WR — DAL
96) Matthew Stafford, QB — DET

Analysis: The Titans didn’t give Lewis a four-year deal worth $20 million to sit on the bench. The Titans have plans for the former New England running back. Yes, he’ll have to battle Derrick Henry for touches in the offense, but I don’t think that that should be a problem. Think of these two as the Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman-like duo of Tennessee. Also, if either one gets hurt, I have it locked down in the backfield and have a chance at a number-one back either way. Current OC Matt LaFleur was a coach in Atlanta when Freeman and Coleman tore up the league in 2015–2016, so he has some experience in dealing with a situation like this. Overall, Dion Lewis will see about 15 touches a game and should be a great FLEX option in all PPR leagues.

Round 9:

97) Dez Bryant, WR — FA
98) Minnesota Vikings, DST — MIN
99) Carlos Hyde, RB — CLE
100) Marqise Lee, WR — JAC
101) Marshawn Lynch, RB — OAK
102) Isaiah Crowell, RB — NYJ
103) Tevin Coleman, RB — ATL
104) Tarik Cohen, RB — CHI
105) Jacksonville Jaguars, DST — JAC
106) Marlon Mack, RB — IND
107) Jordan Reed, TE — WAS
108) Philadelphia Eagles, DST — PHI

Analysis: This is definitely my riskiest pick of the entire draft, but I needed a TE and Reed was just ripe for the taking in this round. If he stays healthy, he has the potential to finish as a top-3 TE like he has before. He now has Alex Smith on his offense, who loves to throw to the TE and is seemingly over his turf toe issue that has plagued him over the better part of two seasons. On the flip side, Smith could hurt his toe again and miss a ton of games like he has the last two years. This is a risk that I’m willing to take.

Round 10:

109) Aaron Jones, RB — GB
110) D.J. Moore, WR — CAR
111) C.J. Anderson, RB — CAR
112) Calvin Ridley, WR — ATL
113) Duke Johnson, RB — CLE
114) Jamaal Williams, RB — GB
115) Chris Thompson, RB — WAS
116) Martavis Bryant, WR — OAK
117) Kenny Stills, WR — MIA
118) Rishard Matthews, WR — TEN
119) Kenny Golladay, WR — DET
120) Giovani Bernard, RB — CIN

Analysis: Some might think Funchess is the number one WR in the offense after last year’s performance, but his uptick in production can be attributed to Greg Olsen missing a lot of time. The Panthers did not add D.J. Moore to play as the №2 WR. He has been balling out at camp and will certainly get a ton of looks his way once the season starts. Great upside depth pick here.

Round 11:

121) Josh Doctson, WR — WAS
122) Tyler Lockett, WR — SEA
123) Ty Montgomery, RB — GB
124) George Kittle, TE — SF
125) Cameron Merh, WR — NO
126) Mike Williams, WR — LAC
127) Anthony Miller, WR — CHI
128) Danny Amendola, WR — MIA
129) Mohamed Sanu, WR — ATL
130) D’onta Foreman, RB — HOU
131) Philip Rivers, QB — LAC
132) Nick Chubb, RB — CLE

Analysis: I promise I did not go into this draft wanting to draft Chargers players exclusively but that’s exactly how it turned out! Philip Rivers is one of the most slept-on quarterbacks year after year in fantasy. He may not be a top-10 QB every week, but he could very well finish as one once the season’s over. In short, he is a great find in the 11th.

Round 12:

133) Frank Gore, RB — MIA
134) Jack Doyle, TE — IND
135) Dede Westbrook, WR — JAC
136) Chris Carson, RB — SEA
137) Los Angeles Rams, DST — LAR
138) Ben Roethlisberger, QB — PIT
139) Nyheim Hines, RB — IND
140) Tyler Eifert, TE — CIN
141) James White, RB — NE
142) Jared Goff, QB — LAR
143) Devontae Booker, RB — DEN
144) Patrick Mahomes, QB — KC

Analysis: I never draft a backup TE. Ever. However, this draft is a little different. Having picked Reed, I wanted insurance on the possibility of an injury. Doyle provides just that. He proved last year that he doesn’t need Luck to succeed, finishing as the TE7. So if Luck is injured, Doyle is still a safe pick. On the flip side, if Luck is healthy, Doyle has huge upside.

Round 13:

145) Corey Clement, RB — PHI
146) Tyrell Williams, WR — LAC
147) Desean Jackson, WR — TB
148) Chris Ivory, RB — BUF
149) Denver Broncos, DST — DEN
150) Los Angeles Chargers, DST — LAC
151) David Njoku, TE — CLE
152) Legarrette Blount, RB — DET
153) Geronimo Allison, WR — GB
154) Eric Ebron, TE — IND
155) Bilal Powell, RB — NYJ
156) Cole Beasley, WR — DAL

Analysis: With Elijah McGuire hurt, third-down opportunities will shift over to Bilal Powell. He provides a safe FLEX option in my lineup that I can play on bye weeks if necessary.

Round 14:

157) Samaje Perine, RB — WAS
158) Paul Richardson, WR — WAS
159) Vance Mcdonald, TE — PIT
160) Doug Martin, RB — OAK
161) John Ross, WR — CIN
162) Matt Breida, RB — SF
163) Matt Ryan, QB — ATL
164) Latavius Murray, RB — MIN
165) Theo Riddick, RB — DET
166) Peyton Barber, RB — TB
167) Spencer Ware, RB — KC
168) Mike Wallace, WR — PHI

Analysis: Why not take a shot on a guy who the Redskins signed to a very lucrative deal this offseason? Paul Richardson is clearly in the Redskins’ plans and could become a huge threat if the often-injured Josh Doctson goes down.

Round 15:

169) Houston Texans, DST — HOU
170) Marcus Mariota, QB — TEN
171) Baltimore Ravens, DST — BAL
172) New England Patriots, DST — NE
173) Kenneth Dixon, RB — BAL
174) Ricky Seals-Jones, TE — ARI
175) New Orleans Saints, DST — NO
176) Austin Ekeler, RB — LAC
177) Derek Carr, QB — OAK
178) Chicago Bears, DST — CHI
179) Pittsburgh Steelers, DST — PIT
180) Tyrod Taylor, QB — CLE

Analysis: Pittsburgh’s defense should suffice here. If not, I can easily stream a defense off waivers with no problem. I wouldn’t worry too much about defenses.

Round 16:

181) Stephen Gostkowski, K — NE
182) Justin Tucker, K — BAL
183) Greg Zuerlein, K — LAR
184) Wil Lutz, K — NO
185) Matt Bryant, K — ATL
186) Matt Prater, K — DET
187) Kai Forbath, K — MIN
188) Jake Elliott, K — PHI
189) Chris Boswell, K — PIT
190) Harrison Butker, K — KC
191) Dan Bailey, K — DAL
192) Mason Crosby, K — GB

Analysis: The same mantra for defenses goes for kickers. Grab one that is great for an offense, or just draft the GOAT Justin Tucker. If they don’t pan out, then just pick one up.

Written by Cody Manning

Week 1 of preseason football is in the books! We are now just a few weeks away from the regular season but it doesn’t mean that we are watching pointless football right now. Week 1 of the preseason is made for the players on the bottom of the 90-man roster, it gives them a chance to put film on their resume to avoid getting cut or for their next team’s consideration. One of the better parts of this week is that we get to see some rookies that we have been waiting to see perform in an NFL uniform. Don’t worry if you missed out on any of the early football action, I got you covered on some notable things that happened in the first week of preseason games.

Rookie Quarterbacks

The biggest thing for me this week was seeing the five first-round rookie quarterbacks that will be tied together for the rest of the careers. Baker Mayfield looked like a veteran, he was comfortable in the pocket and was able to zip balls into his receivers all throughout the game. He finished with 11/20 for 212 yards and 2 touchdowns. It appears that the Browns may have finally figured out their dreadful quarterback situation. Tyrod Taylor will have to play as perfect as he can because if Mayfield continues to shine all preseason then the Dawg Pound may start barking for Mayfield if Taylor’s play isn’t getting the job done.

Sam Darnold had a great first performance as a New York Jet. Darnold had the confidence that you want in a young quarterback. He showed off his mobility to stretch out plays and showed that when he zipped a ball in to cap off a touchdown drive. He ended the game with 13/18 for 96 yards and a touchdown. The Jets appeared to find a special one in Darnold, so they need to bring in a camp arm as it is risky to have him out there finishing preseason games like he did this week. It will be an interesting watch to see how the Jets quarterback battle plays out over the next few weeks.

Josh Allen gave the Buffalo Bills something to believe in after his first performance in NFL action. While he was far from perfect, he was able to show off his powerful arm throughout the game and he finished a two-minute drive with a touchdown to end his day. Allen final stat line included being 9/19 for 116 yards and a touchdown. If he can continue his development and work on getting his timing down with his receivers, then Allen could push for early playing time. We will see if he ends up getting any reps with the starters over the next couple games. If he does, then we could see Allen starting earlier then what most expected.

Josh Rosen based on his stat line, 6/13 for 41 yards and 0 touchdowns, most would consider he had an awful performance. But that is why you don’t want to be a stat scout. If you watch the game, you would have walked away with some good impressions. On his first series he was behind the backup offensive line and the Chargers had their starters still out there. Melvin Ingram ran free at him, Rosen delivered athrow and took a hit as he got his first NFL completion. He also showed his ability to avoid the pressure, reset his feet and deliver the pass. He did have a couple of down moments, but the Arizona Cardinals must have liked what they saw in their future franchise quarterback.

Lamar Jackson got to show off his skills during his now second NFL performance. He was able to prove that he can make those next level throws and show how dangerous he is with his feet as he broke a defensive lineman’s ankles as he scooted his way into the endzone. Jackson was 7/18 for 119 passing yards while also getting 21 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He still needs work on delivering the ball, but the Ravens must be satisfied with his progression so far. We will see if Baltimore shows off how they will use him with Joe Flacco in the next couple of games or make us wait until opening week.

Other Rookies

Quarterbacks always get all the love, so I can’t leave out any other notable rookies that got a chance to shine. Saquon Barkley showed off why he was the #2 overall pick on just one 39-yard scamper. Carolina Panthers top pick D.J. Moore was impressive with his 4 catches for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Philadelphia Eagles appeared to have found themselves an immediate contributor in their 2nd round pick Dallas Goedert. He had 4 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown.

While Mayfield got a lot of attention, one thing shouldn’t go unnoticed is his early chemistry with fellow rookie Antonio Callaway. The two connected 3 times which resulted in 87 yards and a touchdown. Harold Landry made a memorable play in his first action when he was able to bend around the tackle for a strip-sack which got draft fans still pondering how he fell to the Tennessee Titans in the 2nd round. Marquez Valdes-Scantling could end up being a steal for the Green Bay Packers. The receiver had 5 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.

Shaquem Griffin continues to show why he is a football player, not just a feel-good story. He racked up 9 total tackles in which 4 were made in a row on the first drive of the game. Michael Gallup only made one catch, but it was worth mentioning. Dak Prescott connected with Gallup on a 30-yard touchdown, the early chemistry could develop into a deadly duo for the Dallas Cowboys. Kerryon Johnson showed off his legs for the Detroit Lions as he could be an answer for their rushing woes. Royce Freeman was another rookie back who looks like he could be an immediate contributor, he had 4 carries for 38 yards and a touchdown.

Injuries

One of the worst parts of the preseason process is the injuries that happen before any ‘real’ action is going down. The most notable name for this week is the Washington Redskins rookie running back Derrius Guice. Guice tore his ACL on what was great run that showed he was ready to compete early in his career. I hope he has a healthy recovery and comes back ready for the 2019 season.

The San Francisco 49ers saw 5 players go down. Solomon Thomas, George Kittle, Matt Breida, Malcom Smith, and Gary Gilliam all left the game with an injury. Kittle and Breida should hopefully be back by the opening week. Thomas is currently in concussion protocol along with Gilliam. Smith is now week-to-week with a hamstring injury.

The Indianapolis Colts saw starting running back Marlon Mack suffer a hamstring injury which has put him on a week-to-week status. Their rookie receiver Deon Cain suffered a torn ACL which unfortunately ended his first season prematurely.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Vernon Hargraves suffered a groin injury which will put him out for a few weeks as he recovers for regular season action.

Other Notable Performances

While most starters play a series or two, there were some things that were worth mentioning. Andrew Luck and Ryan Tannehill both returned to the field after missing all last season. Luck finished 6/9 for 64 yards and Tannehill went 4/6 for 32 yards. Even though it didn’t count, Marshawn Lynch looked like he is ready for a big year when he went untouched on a 60-yard touchdown run that got called back on a holding call. In his first performance as the Minnesota Vikings starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins helped marched the team down the field as he went 4/4 for 42 yards and capped it off with a touchdown.