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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. This week we’ll be discussing the NFC West.
*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 West:
QUARTERBACKS
Russell Wilson:
The top scoring QB in fantasy football last year, averaging 22 fantasy points per game, Russell Wilson will look to repeat that success in the 2018 fantasy football season. While many fantasy analysts will talk negatively about the Seahawks due to the additions other teams within the division have made on offense and defense, I believe the Seahawks offense, Wilson in particular, will flourish this season for a few reasons. The team has acquired 3 new offensive linemen since the middle of last season who will have a full offseason to get accustomed to Mike Solari’s & Brian Schottenheimer’s offense line/offensive scheme allowing for better protection for Wilson. The team drafted one of the more talented running backs in this year’s rookie class, in Rashaad Penny, who should open up the passing game with opposing defenses stacking up the box. Finally, the commitment to the running game by Pete Carroll this offseason only further opens up the possibility of new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer utilizing Wilson’s athleticism via rushing when teams start to focus their attention on Rashaad Penny. These three factors will help make Wilson a top 5 quarterback by seasons end. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Jimmy Garoppolo:
For only having a few weeks to master enough of the offensive to start for the 49ers in 2017, Jimmy Garoppolo certainly put his mark on the quarterback position in the bay area. While his 14.7 fantasy points per game last season isn’t a great statistic, look at the talent he elevated around him. Marquise Goodwin, George Kittle, & Garrett Celek all became fantasy relevant once he took over as the starting quarterback. Now you give him a full offseason of preparation, a refreshed running game with a new running back that better fits Shanahan’ s running scheme, in Jerick Mckinnon, and all of a sudden “Jimmy G” has the opportunity to turn a few heads and potentially be an every week starter for fantasy managers this season. I say “potentially” due to the additions on defense that their divisional counterparts in L.A. have made which could put a wrinkle in my assessment. However, looking at what Garoppolo did against the vaunted Jaguars defense in 2017 (3 total touchdowns & 242 yards passing) I have a feeling any defensive upgrades L.A. has made won’t hold this undefeated starting quarterback down. (@JorgeBEdwards)
RUNNING BACKS
Todd Gurley:
Gurley’s 23.4 fantasy point per game average in 2017 was dominant amongst running backs and even most quarterbacks. The additions on the defensive side of the ball, in Marcus Peters & Aquib Talib at cornerback, should only help the Rams in the time of possession battle allowing for more rushing opportunities for Gurley which will lead to more fantasy production than he had last year. He IS your #1 pick in fantasy football this year, NOT Le’veon Bell. If you pass on Gurley in your fantasy draft the team that does draft him WILL BE the team that defeats you in the fantasy playoffs in 2018. Period. (@JorgeBEdwards)
David Johnson:
Speaking of #1 fantasy football picks it was just a short year ago that David Johnson was being heralded as the #1 fantasy football pick in most fantasy football drafts in 2017. A week 1 wrist injury derailed what was to have been a promising season coming off a season in which not only rushed for 1,239 yards but also had 879 receiving yards accounting for a whopping 20 TD’s! While issues along the offensive line are a concern as well as the ambiguity of who will be the starting quarterback, Johnson’s talent should not be forgotten making him a sure-fire #4 pick in this year’s fantasy draft with a #1 pick upside. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Jerick McKinnon:
Averaging 9.63 fantasy points per game as the 2nd/3rd RB on the Vikings offense, McKinnon gets a fresh start as the lead back in San Fransisco. He’ll be incorporated into an offense that utilizes their backs not only in the running game but in the passing game. Last year’s starter, Carlos Hyde, accumulated 938 rushing and 350 receiving yards. While it remains to be seen if McKinnon will surpass that productivity, considering the amount of volume he is about to receive as the lead back I wouldn’t be surprised if he exceeded our projected 12 fantasy point per game average. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Rashaad Penny:
“It’s safe to say Rashaad Penny should have a prominent role in this offense during his rookie year. With incumbents Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise coming back from injury and with durability a concern for both of them Penny should command ample volume in the running game. Furthermore, his elusiveness running the ball will most certainly help to make up for any remaining deficiencies along the offensive line especially with opposing defenses having to plan for dual-threat running and passing plays featuring him and Russell Wilson which would raise his fantasy football value and even increase Russell Wilson’s fantasy value even more than it already is.
Talent and volume alone make him a viable flex option. Combine that with the improvements in the run blocking department made both in free agency and the draft, Penny could climb even higher up the running back rankings and make himself a viable RB2 by seasons end. In my opinion, I would not hesitate to spend a 4th or 5th round pick in redraft leagues during this upcoming fantasy football draft season on him. As training camp and the preseason approach, he has the potential to climb even up into 3rd or 4th rounds of drafts depending on health, opportunity, etc. While time will tell, for now, consider Rashaad Penny to have tremendous fantasy upside that could help you win your league in 2018!”- (@JorgeBEdwards) via Gridiron Experts. Read my FULL ARTICLE on Penny here!
WIDE RECEIVERS
Doug Baldwin:
With the loss of Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham, Seattle only has one week in and week out viable pass catcher and that is Doug Baldwin. While his projected 11.9 fantasy point per game projection is just that, a projection, Baldwin is basically Seattle’s only saving grace in the receiving department which should lead to an increase in his target volume making him a weekly starter in 1/2 point and full point PPR leagues. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Larry Fitzgerald:
Speaking of the only wide receiver target on a team, “Larry Legend” is basically all there is in the desert. Finishing as a top WR over the past few seasons, averaging 12.9 fantasy points per game in 2017, despite his age and quarterback play, look for Fitzgerald to be the go-to receiver for Arizona making him a viable weekly WR2. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Marquise Goodwin:
Goodwin earned 962 yards on the season despite playing with three different quarterbacks and averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game after Jimmy Garoppolo took the reigns of the starting QB position. Some might argue the return of Pierre Garcon might hamper his fantasy output in 2018, but I believe the rapport he built with Garoppolo is too strong to ignore. Clearly, the 49ers believe the same thing as shown by the signing Goodwin to a brand new contract this offseason. You should consider Goodwin to be the WR1 for this team and viable WR3/Flex play every week this upcoming fantasy football season. (@JorgeBEdwards)
TIGHT ENDS
George Kittle:
Replacing Garrett Celek as the 49ers #1 TE, Kittle is in a fantastic position climb the ranks of being a viable TE 1 for most fantasy football managers as the lack of receiving depth on the 49ers roster makes him a viable candidate for lots of passing volume. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Ricky Seals-Jones:
The lack of receiving depth makes for a great opportunity for this converted wide receiver now tight end. Seals-Jones came on last season to replace injured TE Jermaine Gresham and posted an average of 17.8 fantasy points per game during his first two games as the starter. Despite not maintaining that form of production for the rest of season due to lack of utilization his opportunities for receptions and fantasy point production this year should surely increase if rookie QB Josh Rosen takes the helm as the primary weapon for rookie quarterbacks, more often than not, is their TE. Look for Seals-Jones to take a big step forward this year and provide this team with a trusted receiving option at the TE position as well as help fantasy managers find some stability at the tight end position as a late round pick in their upcoming fantasy drafts. (@JorgeBEdwards)
LINEBACKERS
Bobby Wagner:
Wagner’s ability to fly all over the field to make tackles is the calling card for this elite linebacker. Many consider him one of the best linebackers in the NFL and is one to definitely target high in your fantasy drafts in terms of an IDP position. Not much more needs to be said here about him. He should be the first and at the very least the second linebacker off your draft board this upcoming season. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Reuben Foster:
Off the field issues notwithstanding, it is hard to question Reuben Foster’s talent at middle linebacker for the 49ers. Hampered by injuries for a chunk of his rookie season Foster slowly started to turn in consistent performance after consistent performance to finish off the season averaging 7.5 fantasy points per game on the season. Given ample opportunity, there is no reason Foster can’t finish with over 120 tackles this upcoming season. The guy is that talented. However, given his off the field issues I wouldn’t waste an early pick in your fantasy drafts as any future infractions might cost him his spot on the 49ers. All that being said if you’re able to pick up Foster as your LB3 or 4 you could be setting yourself up for LB1 upside this coming season. (@JorgeBEdwards)
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Budda Baker:
From weeks 10-17 Budda Baker averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game in 2017. 10.5. Read my earlier recap of what I think of Budda Baker’s fantasy outlook HERE. FYI he’s good. Draft him. Start him. Win with him. (@JorgeBEdwards)
Lamarcus Joyner:
Free safety Lamarcus Joyner, who was franchise tagged this offseason, is in a prime position to build on his first season at safety after converting from cornerback under Wade Philips in 2017. Joyner averaged 6.8 fantasy points per game last season, and with teams avoiding the cornerback tandem of Peters and Talib look for Joyner and his counterpart John Johnson to rack up a huge chunk of fantasy points for this secondary this season. (@JorgeBEdwards)
John Johnson:
The strong safety for the Los Angeles Rams, entering his second season in the NFL, will certainly best tested early and often by opposing quarterbacks this upcoming season as he is the least experienced member of this Rams secondary. That reasoning certainly was true during his rookie season where he posted 75 total tackles when tested by opposing offenses. Playing strong safety already puts one in a position to acquire a high volume of tackles/fantasy points for the defensive back position. Now with a secondary boasting unquestionably the best cornerback tandem in the league and a franchise-tagged safety Lamarcus Joyner, Johnson will once again be labeled the “weak link” in this secondary allowing for plenty passes defensed and interception opportunities on top of high tackle numbers he is sure to get at his position. (@JorgeBEdwards)
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN
Chandler Jones:
The league leader in sacks in 2017, Jones, who is making the switch to defensive end from outside linebacker this season, is one of the elite defensive ends in the league right now. Averaging 7.9 fantasy points per game last season Jones is ranked as our #4 defensive lineman and should be targeted early in your IDP drafts this coming season! (@JorgeBEdwards)
Aaron Donald:
With Ndamukong Suh taking over at defensive/nose tackle this season, look for Aaron Donald to wreak havoc at the defensive end position this year! Despite holding out for 2 games last season due to a contract dispute, Donald still averaged 6.0 fantasy points per game at the DL position and accounted for 11 sacks on the season. The addition of Suh this offseason will free up Donald to make more plays along the defensive line elevating Donald’s draft stock in IDP circles making him a fantastic player to target as your DL 1/2 during your drafts this year.
Check out our podcast this week where we’ll be talking more about the NFC West 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 NFC North!
As always thanks for checking out FANTASY IN FRAMES!
