Coleman's Favorite Players Rounds 1-5
With fantasy drafts quickly approaching, it is important to have a plan for who you want to get in each round. Also, be sure to check out fellow experts Eric's and Sean's favorite players. Here are my favorite players to target in each round (12 team, Standard Scoring).
Round 1: David Johnson
ADP: 1.04
David Johnson unfortunately missed just about all of 2017 with a fractured wrist, and it seems that people are forgetting he was fantasy football’s #1 ranked player in 2016. Johnson led all RB’s in snaps, touches, scrimmage yards, targets, receiving yards, and of course, fantasy points. He carried the ball inside the opponent’s 5-yard line 22 times, the second most among RB’s. He registered a top-10 fantasy week in 69% of his outings, the highest percentage for his position. The best player on a team with another QB controversy, he should emerge as a workhorse yet again. His injury happening early last year and not being to his legs, you have nothing to worry about with DJ going forward.
Round 2: Michael Thomas
ADP: 2.05
Michael Thomas is second in fantasy points since entering the league, trailing only Antonio Brown. In each of his 2 pro seasons, Michael Thomas has ranked in the top-10 in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns. He has managed to secure a 28% target share, an abnormally high number for a Drew Brees led-offense. He finished with WR2 or better numbers 75% of the time in 2017, a percentage second only to Deandre Hopkins. Since 2011, Thomas’ 80.6% rate of finishing as a WR3 or better is the best in football, right ahead of Antonio Brown’s 79.2%. With Mark Ingram suspended and ceding the lead back role to Alvin Kamara, Thomas should see more work near the goal line, raising his TD total. He has very little competition for targets in New Orleans, and as long as Thomas is catching passes from Drew Brees, you can count on him in your lineup.
Round 3: Alex Collins
ADP: 3.06
Alex Collins joined Baltimore just before the start of the 2017 season, took the starting job, and ran with it. No pun intended. He finished as fantasy’s RB21 despite playing in over 35% of Baltimore’s offensive snaps. Collins averaged 4.7 yards per carry including 2.1 yards after contact, both of which ranked in the top-13 among RB’s. Collins was RB8 in standard scoring leagues from weeks 8-17 last season. In that stretch, he had 6 top-15 finishes including 3 top-10 finishes among RB’s. Collins’ re-signed contract and Dixon’s absence from camp clarify who the Ravens’ lead back will be this year. With the return of the previously injured, top-tier offensive guard in Marshal Yanda, Collins’ blocking should be better and set him up for another big year.
Round 4: Demaryius Thomas
ADP: 4.10
DT has managed to obtain a target share of at least 23% in each of his past 7 seasons, including 26% just last year. In those 7 years, he has finished no lower than WR16. He’s finished in the top-10 in terms of targets each of the past 4 seasons. He’s managed all of this with shaky QB play, and his floor should only go up with the addition of Case Keenum. Currently the 18th WR off the board, DT’s high floor and high ceiling combined with improved QB play should see him return numbers similar to his 2012-2014 fantasy football glory days. Thomas is a high-end WR2 in 2018.
Round 5: Jarvis Landry
ADP: 5.07
Over the past 4 seasons, Landry has been on the receiving end of the 6th most targets and the 3rd most receptions in the NFL. Even despite his stats seeming very PPR dependent to make him valid in fantasy, Landry has finished as WR15, 16, and 14 over the past 3 years in standard scoring. He has been a top-14 fantasy WR the past 3 years, including a finish as WR5 last year in PPR scoring where he caught a career best 9 TD’s. The Browns have been lining him up all over the field, as opposed to how the Dolphins used him which should only increase his scoring opportunities, as he’s probably their most talented red zone threat. Corey Coleman’s departure and Josh Gordon’s absence from camp has allowed Landry to create the best rapport with both of Cleveland’s QB options. Landry’s floor is a low-end WR2, high WR1 upside. Getting him at his current ADP is a steal.