With the real football season just around the corner and many fantasy drafts all wrapped up, some owners are dealing with internal turmoil circling around their roster. What happened? Everything seemed to go so well during the draft but somehow owners can’t help hating their rosters. As is true for most things in life, think before you act—and—lucky for fantasy football owners everywhere, this writer has done much of that thinking just in time for week 1! Below are players that should be available in most traditional 12 team formats according to FantasyPros ADP calculator. As the old saying goes: your mileage may vary.
10. Kamar Aiken (ADP: 323)
As fantasy owners click their league app’s player notes to check on Breshad Perriman's availability, savvy operators are snagging his stand-in, Kamar Aiken. The relatively unknown Aiken has a surprisingly lot in common with Perriman. Both went to UCF, both are bigger receivers (at 6’2” and 6’3”, respectively), and both have worn the number 11 at some point in their football careers. That, admittedly, is all this writer was able to dig up on Aiken. Oh that, and he’ll be the starter alongside Steve Smith Jr. for at least half the season.
9. Denard Robinson (ADP: 186.5)
When the Jacksonville Jaguars selected former Alabama running-back T.J. Yeldon early in the second round of this year’s NFL draft, many forgot the man who salvaged the Jaguars running-game a year ago after Toby Gerhart proved ineffective. To be candid, this writer was prepared to write-off Robinson as well; easily favoring Yeldon in nearly every mock draft. After the pre-season dust has settled, the Jaguars backfield remains unclear and given Robinson’s effectiveness over the past month and a half, he’s worth a look as a waiver wire power-play.
8. Christine Michael (ADP: 283)
Ah yes, the enigmatic Christine Michael, the ever-staple of pre-season fantasy sleeper lists. While Michael had seemingly waited his whole career for the wheels to fall off the Marshawn Lynch 18-wheeler, he may see his best chance at stardom in Dallas. The current Cowboy running-back situation is muddled to say the least and Michael adds little clarity, but what he does offer is a low cost buy-in to valuable running-back real estate. Think of picking up Michael like putting down $1,000 for a 1/4 chance to own L.A.’s The Vineyard mountaintop property—it will cost you comparatively very little to get a whole lot.
7. Allen Hurns (ADP: 249.7)
For many fantasy football owners, Allen Hurns was that week one anomaly that shouldn’t ever be mentioned again. Well, since he’s expected to play a major role alongside Allen Robinson in Jacksonville, it would be irresponsible to ignore the Miami alum. And even if someone tries to dismiss Hurns as a one hit wonder, kindly remind them that he caught for over 100 and 2 twice last year. Had Hurns been a highly regarded rookie, he’d be talked up much more often as a viable fantasy starter in deeper leagues--as he should be.
6. Leonard Hankerson (ADP: 246)
ATTENTION ALL JULIO JONES OWNERS: make it an effort to get Hankerson on your roster. Many Julio Jones owners expect a sweet WR1 season from their former Crimson Tide thoroughbred, and they should, but considering his injury record; caution should be taken. Hankerson fills the shoes of the outgoing Harry Douglas as the third receiver in Atlanta, except he’ll be playing alongside an even older Roddy White and projects as an overall better talent than Douglas. Jones-Hankerson is one of the better handcuff situations in the NFL; like the receiver version of Charles-Davis.
5. Crockett Gillmore (ADP: 385)
After the big names at TE are gone—and they’re gone quickly—many fantasy owners begin to scramble for the mid-tier names that have just a good a shot of failing as they do putting together respectable production. If this writer happens to be picking through the tight end bargain bin, Crockett Gillmore wouldn’t be a bad way to settle. The 6’6” 260 lbs. Gillmore was able to fend off rookie Maxx Williams for the starting role heading into the season. Tight ends in a Trestman offense tend to get favorable looks downfield and with the Ravens’ dearth of receiving options (sorry, Kamar), Gillmore owners may see a perfect storm of talent and opportunity.
4. Richard Rodgers (ADP: 189.3)
Once Jordy Nelson went down and condolences sent, fantasy football owners went scrambling to find the beneficiary to Nelson’s pass target inheritance. The will had a number of unfamiliar names like Jeff Janis and Ty Montgomery, even the crazy uncle, James Jones, came back around to pick through the scraps. Somewhere on this list is tight end Richard Rodgers. With the Packers likely moving more towards a more run-heavy attack—at least at the start of the year—Rodgers will get to see the field more. Rodgers may not become an over-night millionaire, but he’s at least comfortably within the thousand-aire range—right?
3. Dorial Green-Beckham (ADP: 185.2)
Don’t let the rookie QB or plodding offense scare you aware from this 6’5” 240 lb. pass catcher. While not technically a starter, DGB is tantalizingly close to fantasy stardom with only Kendall Wright and Harry Douglas ahead of him. Don’t be surprised for Green-Beckham to go on a mid-season surge a la Martinis Bryant from a season ago. The mammoth former Tiger/Sooner is a worthy stash in standard scoring leagues and in all leagues if he surpasses either starter.
2. Tyler Lockett (ADP: 194.3)
Like DGB, Lockett is buried behind a couple of marginal starters in a run-first offense. Unlike the situation in Tennessee, the Seahawks project to have an effective running game, a stifling defense, and an experienced quarterback. In leagues where return yardage factors into the bottom line, Lockett is a no-brainer add—as he’s shown his return-man prowess in the preseason. Otherwise, it may take some steady optimism until Lockett gets his chance to shine, but once he does, look out.
1. Brandon Coleman (ADP: 187.7)
While Brandon Coleman is not Jimmy Graham re-incarnate, he does assume a favorable role in one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses. Although the Saints haven’t released an official depth chart at the time of this article’s penning, Coleman was last seen hauling in four catches for 82 yards in last Thursday’s pre-season finale. Before that, he was playing second fiddle to only Brandin Cooks during the unofficial regular season dress rehearsal. Whatever the case, the Cole-train is gaining some serious steam heading into week 1.