DraftBuddy.com

Fantasy Baseball and Fantasy Football Draft Tools

Preliminary 2016 Wide Receiver Redraft Ranking Tiers

By Leave a Comment

A.J. Green

Miss out on the top two RB in your draft? No worries. It might even be better to set your team up with one of these stud WR, including the Cincinnati Bengals A.J. Green.

The last two days we posted preliminary quarterback tiers and running back tiers for the upcoming fantasy football season. Today, the longest list at 70 players, our preliminary wide receiver tiers.

Note the players are only tiered, not ranked within their groups, so focus on the tiers as opposed to where a player is situated relative to other players in their own tier.

Expect detailed projections and rankings, plus some fantasy football player commentary in the coming weeks. Feel free to post your feedback in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter.

Tier 1

A.J. Green
Antonio Brown
Julio Jones
Odell Beckham Jr.

Tier 2

Allen Robinson
DeAndre Hopkins
Dez Bryant
Mike Evans
T.Y. Hilton

Tier 3

Alshon Jeffery
Amari Cooper
Brandon Marshall
Demaryius Thomas
Jarvis Landry
Jordy Nelson
Larry Fitzgerald

Tier 4

Brandin Cooks
Doug Baldwin
Eric Decker
Golden Tate
Jeremy Maclin
Julian Edelman
Keenan Allen
Kelvin Benjamin

Tier 5

Allen Hurns
DeSean Jackson
Donte Moncrief
Emmanuel Sanders
John Brown
Jordan Matthews
Markus Wheaton
Randall Cobb
Sammy Watkins
Sterling Shepard ®

Tier 6

DeVante Parker
Kendall Wright
Kevin White
Marvin Jones
Michael Crabtree
Michael Floyd
Stefon Diggs
Steve Smith
Tavon Austin
Ted Ginn
Torrey Smith
Tyler Lockett
Vincent Jackson
Willie Snead

Tier 7

Bruce Ellington
Corey Coleman ®
Jerome Simpson
Kamar Aiken
Kenny Britt
Laquon Treadwell ®
Michael Thomas ®
Mike Wallace
Mohamed Sanu
Pierre Garcon
Robert Woods
Terrance Williams

Tier 8

Brandon LaFell
Danny Amendola
Dorial Green-Beckham
Jamison Crowder
Josh Doctson ®
Nelson Agholor
Rueben Randle
Sammie Coates
Travis Benjamin
Tyler Boyd ®

Tennessee Titans Team Report

By Leave a Comment

If there is a player to target on the Tennessee Titans for redraft maybe it is TE Delanie Walker. He quietly finished 9th in TE scoring last season.

If there is a player to target on the Tennessee Titans for redraft maybe it is TE Delanie Walker. He quietly finished 9th in TE scoring last season.

QB Marcus Mariota

Not convinced that Zach Mettenberger was the answer at quarterback, the Titans used the 2nd overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft to acquire Marcus Mariota. The Oregon product was touted for his accuracy, arm strength and ability as a runner in college but comes to the NFL with little experience running a pro-style offense. While Mariota rates as a solid dynasty prospect, we aren’t sold on his ability to emerge as anything more than a low end QB2 as a rookie. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt will have to adapt the offensive philosophy to suit Mariota’s experience as a no-huddle, spread-offense quarterback at Oregon. That is easier said than done. Rookie quarterbacks have generally have success when aided by a solid offensive line, a strong running game and some decent playmaking options in the receiving game. The Titans have question marks in all three areas. It takes a leap of faith to predict that Mariota will provide consistent fantasy production in 2015.

RB Bishop Sankey

As the first running back taken in the 2014 draft, Sankey joined the Titans with the expectation that he would emerge as a solid starter in his rookie season. However, his production failed to meet those expectations and there has to be some major concern in Tennessee that Sankey will never live up to his draft status. At just 5’9″ and 2009 pounds with solid but not great speed and marginal elusiveness, he looked overmatched as a rookie, failing to relegate veteran retread Shonn Greene to a purely backup role. By season’s end, Sankey had amassed just 572 rushing yards while averaging 3.7 YPC and finding the end zone twice. He was also only marginally more productive as a receiver, catching 18 of his 24 targets for 133 yards. During the offseason, the Titans beefed up their offensive line and used a 5th round pick on Minnesota running back David Cobb while drafting fullback Jalston Fowler in the 4th round. With the offense more heavily tilted to a power rushing attack, Sankey is not guaranteed to win the starting job from Cobb in 2015. He rates as a low end RB3 with some major risk and little upside given the state of the Titans offense. It’s worth remembering that the Titans view Dexter McCluster as a solid option in the passing game, further tainting Sankey’s fantasy value.

RB David Cobb

Taken in the 5th round of this year’s draft, Cobb has a chance to make an impact as a rookie on a Tennessee team that struggled mightily to run the ball effectively last season. Bishop Sankey failed to prove he was worthy of starting as a rookie in 2014, opening the door for the team to draft Cobb in 2015. At 5’11” and 229 pounds, Cobb has traits that are better suited to the physical running style that head coach Ken Whistenhunt wants to employ. While draft reports indicate that Cobb is a decent pass protector, he wasn’t much of a receiving threat at Minnesota, and that will limit his workload if he is unable to supplant Sankey in the starting lineup. However, he has a decent chance of making that happen and rates as a solid RB4 with some upside next season.

RB/WR Dexter McCluster

Signed prior to last season to a three-year, $9-million contract with $4.5-million in guarantees and another $3-million available through incentives, McCluster did his best to make the Titans look foolish to signing him to such an outlandish contract, gaining just 328 yards and scoring once on 66 touches while averaging 3.3 YPC and 7.6 YPR. Outside of the return game, McCluster never displayed any playmaking ability during his four years in Kansas City so it’s anybody’s guess as to why the Titans thought he would discover it as a Titan. While that’s bad enough, the situation seems even worse considering the Titans have indicated that they want to get him more involved in 2015. It goes without saying that McCluster has zero fantasy value.

WR Kendall Wright

After topping 1,000 receiving yards in his 2nd year in the league in 2013, Wright regressed badly in 2014, catching 57 of his 93 targets for 715 yards and six touchdowns. If it weren’t for the touchdowns, it would have truly been a disappointing season for Wright’s owners. As a slot receiver, his reception to target percentage of 61.2% is hardly awe inspiring and that holds true for his career average of 11.3 yards per reception. While a portion of his lack of production last season can be blamed on the Titans quarterback play and the fact that he missed two games, it is worth noting that the Titans weren’t a whole lot better at quarterback in 2013. Truth be told, the 5’10”, 195 pound Wright lacks playmaking ability and never should have been taken 20th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. He’s a slot receiver who doesn’t get enough separation and has trouble finding the end zone with just 12 touchdowns in three years on 336 targets. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, he rates as a low upside, WR4 who could see his snap count reduced in favor of Harry Douglas, who was signed to a modest three year contract in the offseason.

WR Dorial Green-Beckham

Apparently not convinced that fellow man-child Justin Hunter would establish himself in 2014, the Titans acquired his replica in Dorial Green-Beckham in the 2nd round of this year’s draft. At 6’6″ and 225 pounds with solid speed and outstanding athletic ability, the sky is the limit for Green-Beckham. And he had plenty of time last year to stare at the sky because he missed the entire year after being suspended by Missouri. With off the field concerns and having missed a year, it is foolhardy to expect him to provide consistent production during his rookie year. In fact, it won’t be a surprise if his main role is on jump balls in the red zone. He rates as a decent option in dynasty leagues but is waiver wire material in redraft formats as a player whose fantasy output will be touchdown reliant playing on a team that will struggle on offense.

WR Justin Hunter

Million dollar body, 10 cent brain. Meet Justin Hunter. Already on notice in Tennessee given the team’s selection of Dorial Green-Beckham in the 2nd round of this year’s draft coupled with the free agent signings of Harry Douglas and Hakeem Nicks, as well as head coach Ken Whisenhunt’s cryptic comments that “you either get it or you won’t be in this league anymore”, Hunter may have cemented his spot in the doghouse with an offseason arrest for stabbing, cutting, malicious intent and felonious assault. That doesn’t sound very nice and there is a chance that it could lead to a suspension at some point in 2015. A freak athlete with solid size at 6’4″ and 210 pounds (he spent the offseason bulking up), it appears that the proverbial light will never go on for Hunter.

WR Hakeem Nicks

After busting in his only season with the Colts, catching a woeful 38 of his 68 targets for 405 yards and four touchdowns, Nicks joins the Titans in 2015 hoping to resurrect his once promising career. While that was likely a wise choice given the Titans lack of proven wide receivers, the truth is that Nicks isn’t guaranteed a roster spot. His contract only included $100,000 in guarantees. Last year highlighted his lack explosiveness, averaging a career low 10.7 yards per reception. He will compete with Justin Hunter, rookie 2nd round pick Dorial Green-Beckham and Harry Douglas to play outside with Kendall Wright manning the slot position. Since he is just 27 and was once expected to emerge as one of the league’s top 10 wide receivers, Nicks is worth monitoring in the preseason.

WR Harry Douglas

After a reasonably solid six-year stint in Atlanta, Douglas was signed to a three-year, $11.25-million contract by the Titans in the offseason. Although he mainly operated out of the slot for the Falcons, that position is occupied by Kendall Wright in Tennessee so Douglas is expected to play both inside and outside in 2015 and he has had some access in that type of role, catching 85 passes for 1,067 yards and a pair of scores in 2013. While that’s the optimistic side of Douglas’ story, we expect that he was signed to provide depth at wide receiver more than anything. The Titans would love for 3rd year player Justin Hunter and rookie 2nd round pick Dorial Green-Beckham to emerge as outside threats with Wright continuing to man the slot. Also in the mix to play outside is former Giant and Colt Hakeem Nicks. It’s a muddled mess for Tennessee at receiver heading into training camp. Unless Douglas somehow emerges with a meaningful role, we can’t endorse him as fantasy worthy in 2015.

TE Delanie Walker

In his first season with the Titans in 2013, Walker finished as the 12th ranked fantasy tight end. Last year, he ranked 9th. What’s in store for Walker in 2015? Let’s go out on a limb and predict another lower tier TE1 ranking. The Titans will swap out a host of pretenders at quarterback for Marcus Mariota (okay, maybe that’s not being fair to Zach Mettenberger) and some pieces have been moved around at wide receiver, but overall the situation remains very similar to 2014. While it’s hard to fall in love with a 30-year old tight end coming off career highs in targets (106), receptions (63) and yards (890) playing in what figures to be an offense that will rank in the lower third of the league, you could do worse than Walker. Although his upside is limited, his floor is as a mid-tier TE2. We’re fine grabbing him as a lower TE1 due to his low risk factor.

MFL10s Draft Recap From 10th Pick—Start With Matt Forte, Julio Jones

By 1 Comment

matt_forte

Tony takes his first plunge into an MFL10 draft-only best ball league, and with the 10th overall pick selects Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte.

Having played fantasy football for five years and now in my second season writing about fantasy football, I’ve read and heard considerable excitement for MFL10 fantasy football leagues. I never took part in one however, until now.

MFL10s are leagues hosted by MyFantasyLeague.com. There are a variety of entry fee price points, the lowest and most common being $10 (hence, “MFL10”). The format is a single-season redraft league with performance plus PPR scoring. A valid starting lineup is 1 QB, 2 RB, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex (RB/WR/TE) and 1 DEF for 9 total starters, and 20 roster spots.

MFL offers in-season management MFL10 leagues closer to the start of the NFL season, but at this time MFL10s are draft-only leagues. There is no trading, free agency waiver add/drops, and you don’t even set your lineup each week. This is called “best ball” scoring. The website automatically inserts the best scoring, valid starting lineup each week.

I was very excited to get the draft started and kick off the 2015 fantasy football season. Let’s take a look at my draft picks, and from this you can get an early take on some players I like and where others are getting drafted.

1.10 RB Matt Forte, Bears

The draft started out as I expected, five of first six picks were running backs. As I sat waiting at 1.10, I was hoping to have tight end Rob Gronkowski fall to me, but unfortunately he was taken at 1.08. My first debate: Do I draft a proven running back or one of the top tier wide receivers? Remember, this is a PPR scoring league. My options were Matt Forte, DeMarco Murray, LeSean McCoy, Dez Bryant, Julio Jones and Demaryius Thomas. With only four picks between my 1.10 and 2.03, I knew I was going to land two of those six.

I decided to go with Forte. Those three WR are all pretty equal and with Murray and McCoy now on different teams, their respective roles are more uncertain. I know Forte, and the Chicago Bears for that matter, might be in a transition year with new head coach John Fox. However, Forte is in a contract year and it is highly unlikely the Bears resign him, so he might think he has something to prove to other teams. Plus, in 2014, Forte led all running backs in the league with 102 receptions, which is gold in a PPR league.

2.03 WR Julio Jones, Falcons

When I saw Julio Jones available my eyes lit up. As I stated previously, I value Jones, Bryant and Thomas very similar. Jones does have some injury history, mostly a tough 2013 season still fresh in our memories that saw him play only 5 games. When healthy however, Jones is one of the most dominant receivers in the league. I was very pleased with my starting two players.

3.10 RB Alfred Morris, Redskins

I was really hoping quarterback Aaron Rodgers would fall to me as I was ready for an elite quarterback. However, he was taken at 3.08. I took a look at RBs and WRs available and saw a bigger drop off at RB than WR. Alfred Morris has been one of the most consistent running backs since coming into the league in 2012. Over the course of his three seasons, Morris has ranked in the Top 12 every year. Also, amongst only five running backs to finish in the Top 12 running backs each of the past three season, Morris has the third best yards per carry at 4.52, behind only Jamaal Charles’ 5.10 and Marshawn Lynch’s 4.64. Morris is 7th in fantasy points at RB since joining the league (yes, PPR scoring) and is younger than all of these similarly high producing backs taken earlier in the draft. Morris is in the final year of his contract and while some think rookie RB Matt Jones may be Morris’ successor, I see Jones pushing Morris to be even better to prove he is worth a big contract and a starting position for any team next year.

4.03 WR Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers

With my starting running backs set, my focus now shifts to wide receiver and quarterback. Since quarterback is deep, I was looking at Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin or rookie Amari Cooper. With Watkins going at 4.01, I decided on Benjamin due to his one year experience in the league. I do believe Cooper will find instant success in Oakland, however, that is clearly a more risky proposition since we’ve witnessed Benjamin perform in the pros last season. Also, with Carolina’s addition of Devin Funchess, Benjamin might see some lighter coverage allowing for more scoring opportunities.

5.10 QB Peyton Manning, Broncos

Peyton Manning is one of the best in the game. Yes, his stats fell off half way through the 2014 season as many said he had a dead arm. I feel it was more the quadriceps injury that plagued him and only became known after the Broncos earlier than expected exit from the playoffs. However, besides an overhaul of the coaching staff, not much has changed for Manning on the field. All his weapons remain except tight end Julius Thomas, who went to the Jacksonville Jaguars. If this is Manning’s last year in the league (we’ve heard that before), I’d like to think he will do everything he can to go out on top. I’m more than willing to accept the risk of a “dead arm” with Manning’s statistical history on my side.

6.03 TE Greg Olsen, Panthers

Yes, I know I have a Panthers wide receiver on my team already. However, Greg Olsen is one of Cam Newton’s favorite targets, especially in the red zone. Olsen has consistently put up fantasy stats and ended as a top three tight end in 2014 in PPR formats. I’m willing to assume the risk of teammates on the same fantasy team, especially if the offense is moving in a positive direction, which the Panthers are.

7.10 WR Steve Smith, Ravens

Former Panther! Despite being 36 years old, Steve Smith proved his doubters wrong in 2014 with a Top 24 fantasy performance at wide receiver. He played all 16 games, did not show signs of injury, and can still burn defenders as evidenced by his 15 receptions over 20 yards and five over 40 yards. With Torrey Smith’s departure, Smith is line to lead the receiving corps again for the Ravens.

8.03 RB Joseph Randle, Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys bid farewell to DeMarco Murray in the offseason, the league’s leading rusher in 2014. With the addition of aged running back Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, at worst, may see a time share of carries behind the amazing Cowboys offensive line. Randle is worth the risk even at this moderate draft cost, as he has a good chance to earn the starting gig at some point for the Cowboys, even if not out of training camp. Note his Week 17 performance last season as the starter scoring three touchdowns.

9.10 RB Doug Martin, Buccaneers

Behind a new franchise quarterback in Jameis Winston, running back Doug Martin, as of right now, is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers leading running back, with Charles Sims maybe getting a bigger role. At this point in the draft, taking a running back that might be a starter Week 1 is worth the risk as Martin may have a breakout game or two still left in him.

10.03 WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Titans

If you read my Top 10 Rookie Wide Receivers, you know that Dorial Green-Beckham has been compared to Brandon Marshall, who has had a pretty good career if you ask me. With the young Tennessee Titans in a transition period, no one really knows what to expect from this offense. Green-Beckham could be an integral part of this offense in September.

11.10 QB Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater was the best rookie quarterback in 2014. He definitely progressed in his development to become the Minnesota Vikings franchise quarterback. With the Vikings addition of wide receiver Mike Wallace and running back Adrian Peterson returning, Bridgewater has all the weapons set up for success.

12.03 Roy Helu, RB – Raiders

Roy Helu ended his rookie contract after the 2014 season and once it ended, Oakland rushed to sign him. Helu has been a receiving back during his career. With the departure of Darren McFadden and retirement of Maurice Jones-Drew, next starter up is sophomore Latavius Murray. Murray played well his rookie season, but isn’t much of a pass catcher. Helu will definitely factor into the Raiders offense, especially on third downs, which translates into a worthy late add for a PPR league.

13.10 WR Doug Baldwin, Seahawks
14.03 TE Larry Donnell, Giants
15.10 WR Eddie Royal, Bears

I’m hoping the addition of elite tight end Jimmy Graham and Marshawn Lynch continuing his dominance will force defenses to load up the box, allowing Doug Baldwin to basically run free to make big plays. Larry Donnell is still young and does not have much competition behind him to challenge his starting job, which makes for a great bye week replacement for Olsen. There is a chance rookie wide receiver Kevin White does not make an immediate impact with the Chicago Bears. In such a case, the Bears will have to rely on Eddie Royal to produce, which makes for a good late round flier.

16.03 Arizona Cardinals Defense
17.10 Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

With all the quarterback troubles the Arizona Cardinals had in 2014, they finished 11-5 because of their dominant defense. Arizona did not lose many players in the offseason, so their defense should still be in the top seven in 2015. Pittsburgh Steelers defense was bad in 2014, but that may be mainly attributable to injuries. In 2015, besides an edge rusher, Pittsburgh has a well-rounded defense which should be drastically better.

18.03 RB Benny Cunningham, Rams
19.10 WR Aaron Dobson, Patriots
20.03 RB Matt Jones, Redskins

Benny Cunningham should serve as the third down, receiving back for the St. Louis Rams, so he has the chance to gobble up receptions from quarterback Nick Foles. Aaron Dobson was overhyped going into the 2014 season and was a major disappointment. Let’s see how his 2015 goes. Rookie Matt Jones is the backup to my starting running back Alfred Morris, so he is an insurance policy in case of injury.

Overall, I think my first MFL10 was a success. My team has some young talent, but is mainly comprised of proven veterans. A few things I noticed, which are on par with what the fantasy football draft trends have been the past few years: quality running backs are limited and go quickly, wide receivers are ridiculously deep, and outside of tight end Rob Gronkowski, wait on tight ends. I highly recommend MFL10s, so go sign up and get your draft on!