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This continues our 4-EYED OBSERVATIONS series where we’ll be discussing with you the top fantasy football players per division in the NFL for the upcoming fantasy football season. We’ll be talking offense and IDP, specifically at the QB, RB, WR, TE, LB, DB, & DL positions.
*As a reminder to those who listen to or don’t listen (you really should) to our podcast, all of our projections and insight for IDP players is based on the FANTASY IN FRAMES IDP scoring rubric which we will be using for the 2018 season and in our IDP followers leagues this fall.*
Now that we have that out of the way below we have broken down our fantasy football topics, position-by-position for you. Without further adieu let’s discuss who we feel are the top fantasy football players to target in your drafts from the NFC South:
QUARTERBACKS: Drew Brees & Cam Newton
| QB | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| CAR | Cam Newton | 19 |
| NO | Drew Brees | 16.9 |
Drew Brees averaged 16.5 fantasy points per game all of last season, a departure from his normal 20 fppg average we’ve all been accustom to him having. With the Mark Ingram missing the first four games of the season opposing team’s will more than likely look to shut down the running game early since they only need to game plan for just 1 RB of the Saints prolific backfield, not two. This should mean the ”old” Drew Brees should return for the early part of the season. However, once Ingram returns things might turn back to the way things were in 2017. It’s for this reason why he shouldn’t be considered a top 5 fantasy QB anymore. However, if you’re able to grab him near the 8th round or later you’re still getting quite the catch.
Cam Newton brought an average of 18.8 fppg to fantasy managers last season. It’s no mystery in that as long as Cam is able to remain a dual-threat quarterback his fantasy value will always be high making him a top 5 fantasy quarterback year in and year out. (@JorgeBEdwards)
RUNNING BACKS: Devonta Freeman, Alvin Kamara, & Ronald Jones
| RB | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| NO | Alvin Kamara | 16 |
| ATL | Devonta Freeman | 13.1 |
| TB | Ronald Jones | 10.6 |
Devonta Freeman is coming off of a year in which he suffered from two concussions, an ACL/MCL sprain, and an acute case of fumble-itis. Not to mention he had a year that saw him get a decrease in targets in the passing game under new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian. Make no mistake about it this isn’t the Devonta Freeman from 2016. He’s a hard-hitting RB that will always be at risk for reinjury. That being said he’s a hard-hitting RB that can do tremendous things on the football field. Taking everything into consideration Freeman is a late 2nd/early 3rd round pick due to his upside and health.
Alvin Kamara had an unbelievable rookie season last year, and with Mark Ingram suspended the first four weeks of the season Kamara has the opportunity to fully seize control of this backfield in New Orleans. He’s a 1st round talent and should be considered an early 1st round pick in your fantasy drafts this upcoming season.
With Jameis Winston suspended the first three games of the regular season, Ronald Jones fantasy football stock is on the rise! While I have been open about my concerns with his durability, the number of touches he should receive with Winston suspended should go through the roof. ”RoJo” is a borderline 5th/6th round pick this upcoming season and has the potential to be the steal of your fantasy football draft. (@JorgeBEdwards)
WIDE RECEIVERS: Michael Thomas & Julio Jones
| WR | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| ATL | Julio Jones | 15.1 |
| NO | Michael Thomas | 14.2 |
Micheal Thomas & Julio Jones will be target monsters in 1/2 PPR and full PPR leagues this upcoming season for their respective teams. Both of which should be early to middle second round picks this season in your fantasy drafts.
TIGHT ENDS: Greg Olsen
| TE | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| CAR | Greg Olsen | 10 |
There’s only one truly great tight end in this division and that’s Greg Olsen, Cam Newton’s #1 target. Projected to average 10 fppg, you better be targeting him on draft day! (@JorgeBEdwards)
LINEBACKERS: Luke Kuechly, Deion Jones, & Kwon Alexander
| LB | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| CAR | Luke Kuechly | 10.3 |
| TB | Kwon Alexander | 9.5 |
| ATL | Deion Jones | 9.5 |
All are in the top 6 of our IDP-Linebacker projections early this offseason for a reason. All three are poised to be the best fantasy linebacker overall this season making them great early picks in your IDP drafts! (@JorgeBEdwards)
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Cameron Jordan & Jason Pierre-Paul
| DL | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| NO | Cameron Jordan | 6.4 |
| TB | Jason Pierre-Paul | 5.7 |
With Alex Okafor and rookie Marcus Davenport coming off of injuries it looks like Cameron Jordan will once again be the premier pass rusher for the Saints this year looking to match his 8.3 fppg.
Traded this offseason to Tampa Bay, Jason Pierre-Paul is once again in a position to be one of the premier pass rushers in the league with Tampa adding new lineman Vita Vea and Vinny Curry in the draft and through free agency respectively, revamping a defensive line that already had Gerald McCoy. All of this makes JPPa great value pick up later on in your IDP drafts! (@JorgeBEdwards)
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Keanu Neal, Justin Evans, & Marshon Lattimore
| DB | NFC SOUTH | PROJECTED AVERAGE/GAME |
| ATL | Keanu Neal | 8 |
| TB | Justin Evans | 7.2 |
| NO | Marshon Lattimore | 6.9 |
All in our top 20 projected DB’s with the two safeties, Neal and Evans, ranked 4th and 7th respectively and CB-Lattimore ranked 17th, which is good considering he’s a CB (strong safeties normally produce more points that cornerbacks). Neal, however, is the best of the bunch and well worth his current ADP or average draft position! (@JorgeBEdwards)
Check out our podcast this week where we’ll be talking more about the NFC South and potential sleepers you could rely on this season!
We’ll see you next week when we’ll be discussing the Top Fantasy Football Players In The AFC East!
As always thanks for checking out FANTASY IN FRAMES!
