After an extended hiatus, due to soul searching summer travels, me and Zach return for a podcast that was recorded on two separate nights over the past couple of weeks so beware of #productionvalue.
I rambled a lot about missing out on Ezekiel Elliot last season while gushing over Joe Mixon’s fantasy potential. We don’t condone domestic disputes, but we condone fantasy production. We try to decide what a healthy Sammy Watkins can do for Tyrod Taylor. We also bring up Browns quarterbacks and Jeremy Maclin.
Hello everyone, and welcome to the first article in a series of position-by-position analysis before Training Camp arrives in a about a month. We’ll start off with the QB position, a position, unlike previous years, where there are many options that can leave us satisfied, while few that will make us feel sick. This is a good thing that means we can spend most of our research on assessing the HB and WR positions for the upcoming year, but it’s still important to figure out the path we want to take when choosing our gunslingers.
Below, I’ll be profiling my favorite options from this group while also weighing Strength-of-Schedule and any offseason changes or impacts from the draft. Then I’ll go over the options that I want to stay away from this year.
After the Jets cut Decker on June 12th after failing to find a trading partner and option, we knew it would only be a matter of time before he landed somewhere. And here we have it, as Decker signed with Tennessee a few days ago in a contract of 1 year for $5.35 million.
Almost immediately, Decker seems to love the fit, calling his union with the Titans a “perfect storm”. I can’t help but agree.
There are a lot of things to take away from this move and how it impacts Tennessee’s offense.
First off, let’s look at the addition of Decker to this Titans offense. Decker can now finally get into an offense that features a firm QB situation at the helm with 3rd-year arm Marcus Mariota. No more are the days of receiving passes thrown by the aging Ryan Fitzpatrick or the wildly inconsistent Geno Smith, or even the possibility of Bryce Petty or Christian Hackenberg. Hell, I would rather have Tennessee’s backup in Matt Cassel over these other options currently.
Decker can fit into the offense in more ways than one, and aside from the fact that Mariota does a very good job at spreading the ball around to his guys, we can assume that Decker will find a huge role in the redzone, and more importantly, in the slot, where he played most of his snaps in during the 2016 season. Mariota was also a fantastic QB in the redzone, where Decker was very active in during the ’16 season as well. These are things to get excited about, and to focus on during the season.
Did you know D. Parker has a 80 inch wingspan. He’s got the tools to catch everything thrown his direction and is one of “my guys” for 2017.
Wide receivers require an insane amount of research. I don’t spend near the amount of time on any other position before or after the draft. Initially, I’ll only have a couple guys on my radar. But you can’t go into the draft with just a handful of wide receivers on your radar. This is why we’ve got to figure out everybody’s guy. You’ll be able to get some fresh ideas from the links below and dominate your league.
Gridiron Experts: Zero WR Targets for 2017 Likes D. Jackson and W. Snead from the NFC South. These guys will face of twice in 2017 in what is expects to be a shootout.
So Called Fantasy Experts: Risers and Fallers, WR Edition Has B. Marshall and T. Pryor on the rise, you won’t believe who’s falling.
Roto Experts: Dynasty League WR Rankings Looks at the impact of players on the move like J. Maclin and A. Jeffery.
David Gonos: Top 75 WR Rankings and 3 Undervalued Tries to convince you that Austin, Benjamin and Cobb are worth consideration. He makes some good points, see what you think.
We Talk Fantasy Sports: WR Rankings with Deep Sleepers Has Austin and Cobb outside of the top 50, perhaps they didn’t read David’s article above? Maybe they did, Benjamin is ranked 33rd.
Fantasy Six Pack: PPR Mock Draft Study the wide receivers taken from round 3 to round 7, this is where you make your money at WR in the draft.
Fantasy Knuckleheads: 3rd Year Wide Receivers Here’s a trick I’ve learned to love, keeping track of those third year wide receivers. Much like a contract year running back, 3rd year wide receivers can make or break your fantasy team.
Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor aren’t the only ones getting overpaid to disappoint us this upcoming fall (More on this and much more next week when Tehol graces us with his presence on the Razzblitz podcast). Jeremy Maclin, who was recently released by the Kansas City Chiefs, has been signed by the Baltimore Ravens to a 2-year deal that will pay him 6 million this upcoming season. The other team involved in the sweepstakes, the Buffalo Bills, either couldn’t or wouldn’t match.
JJ and Denny decided to change the format up a bit for the month of June, where they’ll solely be answering questions from Twitter. They talk about Jeremy Maclin, breakout candidates, combs versus brushes, squatty potties, and more. Listen in browser: Episode 126 – Squatty Potties and Questions Answered Listen in iTunes Listen on Stitcher […]
Folks, it is already June and we are within double digit days from the regular season. When you’re in a dynasty league, the season never ends. I’ve been thinking about the 2017 season for my dynasty team since the day after week 16 ended. I guess that I’m like Bill Belicheck with four fewer titles. I may have won the championship, but I was 3 weeks behind everybody else in the fantasy football offseason. I’m just joking (kind of), that would be a bit obsessive.
Before I get into a few stand out players, I have just a little bit of house keeping. Zach and I started a podcast called Razzblitz and it’s really easy to find. If you subscribe to the Razzcast on iTunes or whatever app you download podcasts on, our podcast will be on that thread. Or, if you just click on the football side of the Razzball blog, our podcast will be up as posts as well. Zach and I want to provide you with as much fantasy knowledge as possible and keep each episode pretty digestible time-wise while doing so. We have two up so far this off season with Episode 3 and beyond coming soon…
You can never get to much input. Rather than sifting through the headlines you should consider pounding the links below. Vetted cream of the crop picks from around the web. You won’t be distracted by Trump headlines, fake news, or concerns over North Korea starting the next World War. Just pure fantasy football love.
Round 1
David Gonos believes Austin, Benjamin and Cobb are the most interesting players in his top 75 wide receiver rankings. In my opinion, Benjamin is nothing more than wasted talent in Carolina. Cam Newton needs to trade in his touchdown celebration for some accuracy lessons ASAP. Then again I am a Saints fan.
Round 2
Is Derek Carr‘s ADP to high for you? Photo Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
Overvalued and undervalued picks by Keith Lott at WeTalkFantasySports. He loves Garcon and hates Carr, at their current ADP. If you really don’t understand why ADP is important then you should read this for some perspective.
Round 3
The guys at Fantasy Six Pack, in their drunken stupor, had an epiphany. A wait and see approach to drafting a quarterback. This was an easy pick for me as I’m a full supporter of streaming quarterbacks and therefore waiting for late round quarterbacks in the draft.
Round 4
Want to take a stab at the Michael Thomas lottery? His ADP is on up there so you gotta pay to play. If you’re on the fence you should read what others expect of Thomas in 2017. I watched every catch he made last year, every single one. He knows how to get open (great routes and a great QB) and secure the ball, then fights for more yards. I’m usually very skeptical when grading sophomores but Thomas could break the trend.
Round 5
IDP fantasy footballers rejoice! If you’re laying in the alley wondering where you’ll get your IDP fix, look no further than the Gridiron Experts IDP rookie rankings. It’s a nine minute read of pure IDP ecstasy.
Round 6
The knuckleheads at “So Called Fantasy Experts” dissected a mock draft for us. Mock drafts are very important!! I always tell my kids: don’t drink and drive, wear condoms and mock draft as often as possible! Okay, I told you and used a bunch of exclamation points too!
Lucky Number 7
Brendan Cole is back in the saddle again. He kicks it off this year with some 3rd year wide receivers to take note of. Third year guys are special because usually the draft stock is low but the upside is high. Ever wish you knew the stock to buy low? That’s what’s up with 3rd year wide-outs.
Alright Knuckleheads here are some articles from our buddies around the web. You’ll see articles like this about once a week as I myself dig up interesting takes on some of the hottest topics headed into the 2017 fantasy football draft. Today we’re going to take a closer look at rookie wide receivers and running backs with Michael Tomlin and Richard Savill. You’ll then want to take a ride with David Gonos as he ponders the next best RB after the top 3. For you culture vultures, Bobby McMann correlates songs to his feelings toward players being drafted this season. You’ll wrap up with player values from Keith Lott and Mitchell Renz.
Rookie Hype
2017 Fantasy Football: Rookie Wide Receivers; Winners & Losers by Michael Tomlin – Wondering which wide receivers benefited from the draft? Who didn’t? Draft picks, we only get so many and you want to maximize your potential with each pick. There are winners and losers after the draft and knowing the difference can help you dominate your league.
The Fantasy Edge Podcast: 2017 Top NFL Rookies By Richard Savill – The drunks at FantasySixPack give their take on all the skill positions coming out of the draft with an emphasis on running back rookies and RB veteran FA signings like Adrian Peterson.
Strolling Through The Minds of Mad Men
Crowdsourcing Fantasy Football Advice
Who’s the 4th-Best Fantasy Running Back After the Big 3? by David Gonos – David has four guys he likes for the 4th spot. I’m all over his LeSean McCoy pick. Why he’s not the consensus is beyond me. McCoy had 14 touchdowns last year and over 1,600 all purpose yards. I reached for him in my most recent draft, as in, I drafted him as if he was a top 3 pick.
Randall Cobb is Fading Away by Bobby McMann – So, how’s your dynasty league going? Bobby cranks up the tunes and explores the dynasty value of some of the most radioactive dynasty players.
The Art of Crystal Ball Gazing
PPR Fantasy Football ADP Price is Right Game and Podcast by Mitchell Renz – If only this could have been hosted by Vanna White. Explore player values based on their current average draft position. One player they mention is B. Cooks (ADP 2.10) now in New England. As a New Orleans Saints fan I hated this trade to New England. But he won’t be circa 2007 Randy Moss, everyone needs to calm down. We all know Gronk is the guy to pay come draft time and even that pick has me sketchy due to his constant health issues.
5 Running Backs Being Overvalued by Keith Lott – Lott lays the wood down on several semi-popular running backs. The key take away here is this, you’re drafting starters in the first 8 rounds. Why go for “what if” running backs?
Tight End Flip Flip With FNTSY & Corey Parson
You have to watch the entire video or fast forward to the mid-way point for the TE discussion. Parson makes some valid points about Hunter Henry‘s value in 2017 and predicts Fleener to rebound this year in New Orleans.
Ultimate Football Fantasy 