- Ajallades Hennis
Fantasy Focus
We examine a few interesting training camp and preseason fantasy updates from around the NFL...
Fantasy Focus
Last season was a roller coaster ride for the Chargers. They started 5-1 then lost three straight, including 37-0 loss against the Dolphins. The Chargers followed up with three straight wins to improve to 8-4. They then dropped three out of their last four to fall to 9-7 and failed to make the playoffs. The 2015 season shouldn’t be any easier for the Bolts as 8-time Pro Bowl tight end, Antonio Gates, will be suspended for the first four games. On the bright side, the Chargers drafted running back, Melvin Gordon, with the 15th pick in the draft and Peyton Manning didn’t exactly look like himself toward the end of last season. With some good luck and good performances from Rivers and Gordon, the Chargers could make a push for the division.
Fantasy Focus
Last season the Washington Redskins had the worst record in the NFC East. This is the second season in a row for the Redskins, only improving by one game, earning the team a 4-12 record. However, how did a team that was at the top of the NFC East in 2012 fall so quickly to the bottom? The answer points to injuries and inconsistency in the coaching game. This season, the Redskins look to get back on top with a healthy starting lineup.
Going into a Points Per Reception draft without doing PPR specific research can ruin a fantasy season. Especially at the running back position, it is crucial to pay attention to who’s draft stock isn’t inflated by PPR scoring. We took a look at which fantasy RBs to stay away from.
Value. It’s all about value. It’s a cliché, but it’s true. You can’t open a draft strategy piece or general player analysis piece these days without hearing it, which is refreshing, but it also makes it harder to win your league when everyone is trying to employ the exact same strategy. I’ve talked about a key element of auction strategy (it applies for snake drafts as well, but please, do an auction) which is comprised of assembling a target list before the draft, so you have a general idea of who you believe best represents a “value” given what they are projected to produce and how the general public values that same player.
Fantasy Focus
After a crushing playoff loss the season prior, the Kansas City Chiefs were hoping to go back to the playoffs in 2014. Unfortunately, Andy Reid’s team dropped four of five games after starting the season 7-3. The Chiefs finished with an underwhelming record of 9-7 and failed to reach the postseason. With the addition of Pro Bowl WR Jeremy Maclin, the Chiefs believe they’ve solved their offensive problems and can get back to the playoffs in 2015.
Running back is arguably the most important position in your draft. Odds are you will be picking a running back in the first round, but considering the risky, fickle nature of the position, you will probably need to find good backs deeper in your draft or perhaps off the waiver wire. The deeper your league, the harder it is to find a good back. With that in mind, here's an array of running backs, ranging from guaranteed starters to unsigned backups, all of whom have the potential to provide good relative value thanks to other owners sleeping on them.
Buried underneath the avalanche of Tom Brady appeal news (and opinion) on Twitter earlier this week, was a significant development regarding the health status of St. Louis Rams uber-talented rookie running back Todd Gurley. The best health news of the week may belong to Kansas City safety Eric Berry (who is now cancer free), but the fact that Gurley, who tore his ACL less than nine months ago during his final campaign at Georgia, will open training camp on the active roster is a huge development that has plenty of fantasy implications.
Fantasy Focus
Despite a 3-13 season in 2014, the Oakland Raiders have young talent and seem to be on the rise. While no one should expect the “Silver and Black” to smell the playoffs, don’t be surprised if one or more offensive players breakout this season. Players like QB Derek Carr and RB Latavius Murray will look to build off successful 2014 campaigns and cement themselves as future stars of the NFL. Guys like WR Michael Crabtree, RB Roy Helu, and RB Trent Richardson will look to benefit from a change of scenery while fourth overall pick Amari Cooper will begin what he hopes to be a long successful career.
Fantasy Focus
The Indianapolis Colts made it to the AFC Conference Championship last season before falling to the New England Patriots. While the “Deflategate” scandal took over the headlines for the game, the Colts’ defense and poor running contributed to the blowout loss to the Patriots. The inability to defend and rush plagued the Colts throughout the season. However, this offseason the Indianapolis coaching staff made changes in the running game and was able to give Andrew Luck a stronger receiving corps. With these new tools, the Colts are hoping to advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2006.
