Here. We. Go.
Welcome back to your weekly 4-EYED PREVIEWS for the 2019 fantasy football season!
I am Jorge Edwards (FantasyFBJorge on Twitter) and for the next 16 weeks, I’m going to be previewing for you players on offense and defense that I believe will give you the advantage to winning your fantasy football matchup each and every week. This will, also, be posted just in time for you to make your weekly waiver-wire claims!
Now, in this weekly article series, I won’t be advising you to start the obvious players in fantasy football such as Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, or Julio Jones. Barring injury you should be starting those players week in and week out.
Instead, I’m going to be discussing the role players and/or lesser-known players on offense and defense that are more than likely on your league’s waiver-wire or manning a spot on your bench. These are the players that can make the difference between winning or losing from week to week. As Al Pacino stated in the movie “Any Given Sunday”, “Football is a game of inches!” So, too, is fantasy football…..granted the inches in real football are on an actual field and the ones in fantasy football are on a phone screen…but you get the point.
To give you my analysis I’ll be referencing data from the following sources:
- FantasyData.com
- Pro Football Focus (PFF)
- NFL’s Next Gen Stats
- ESPN Fantasy
Also, as a reminder, we, here at Fantasy In Frames, refer to all player statistics using 0.5 PPR scoring and for IDP purposes utilize our default scoring rubric which can be found on the image below.
Week 1 of the NFL’s regular season has arrived and with it comes plenty of opportunities for role players to leave a lasting impression on fantasy managers going forward this season. While there is not much statistical data to go off of this week, we have to remember that fantasy analysis is part analytics and part using a logical thought process. Our goal at Fantasy In Frames is to help make you a better fantasy football manager both in terms of having you utilize the advice that we offer as well as the game-winning thought process that goes along with breaking down advanced analytics. Furthermore, as the season progresses more and more names and storylines will be discussed in this weekly article series. That being said let’s discuss a few players that jump out to me that deserve to be in your starting lineup this week:
Justin Jackson-RB (LAC): Rostered in just 32.1% of ESPN leagues, Jackson should be the running back to have out of the Chargers backfield. I mean I get it Austin Ekeler has been touted as the starter, but did we all forget what happened last year when Melvin Gordon missed games down the stretch?! Ekeler was relegated to passing down work, and it was JACKSON who was the primary ball carrier coming out of the backfield. In games when he was pressed into heavy usage (weeks 13-15) Jackson averaged 11.7 fppg, 67.3 total yards from scrimmage, 0.6 TDs. During the preseason in 2019 he’s led all running backs on his team with the most fantasy points per game from within the 5-yard line with 2.1 pts. Ekeler on the other hand has averaged -0.6 pts when in scoring position. In a game where the Chargers will more than likely be playing ahead against the Colts on Sunday look for Jackson to have the bulk of the carriers down the stretch and especially from within scoring distance making him an excellent pick and start this week. He’s currently projected on ESPN to score 8.2 fantasy points.
Michael Gallup- WR (DAL): Projected to be Dallas’ #2 WR receiver behind Amari Cooper, Gallup is a prime position to make a jump in his sophomore season in this offense. You saw glimpses of Gallup’s talent throughout the regular season last season as well as during the preseason this season. According to FantasyData, he’s projected to average a team-leading 14.0 yards per reception indicating his role as the deep threat option in the passing game in Dallas. The Giants in terms of points allowed give up the second-most fantasy points to opposing #2 wide receivers on defense, with slot receivers being their biggest vulnerability, according to ProFootballFocus. With defenders likely covering up the middle of the field to make up for that deficiency Gallup is in a great position to take advantage of that matchup this Sunday versus the Giants. According to ESPN fantasy, Gallup is projected to score 8.5 fantasy points this Sunday making him a legitimate flex candidate with WR2 upside.
Jamison Crowder-WR (NYJ): The newly acquired slot WR receiver for the Jets (and former Washington Redskin….sigh) faces a Bills defense that ranks second in most receiving points allowed per game to slot WRs in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus. With Robby Anderson drawing attention downfield and Le’Veon Bell drawing linebacker attention out of the backfield Crowder is in a prime position to be the primary receiving threat in week 1 for the Jets. ESPN has him projected to score 8.0 points this week. I say you can safely expect double-digits from him in week 1.
Jerome Baker-LB (MIA): Baker has taken advantage of all of his opportunities this offseason in Miami. With the release of Kiko Alonso and the recovering Raekwon McMillan missing all of the preseason, Baker is in a tremendous position to become the staple of that linebacking corps in Miami. In 2018 he graded at 76.3 in terms of run-stopping, his best statistical category, according to PFF. This preseason in all of his appearances he’s graded out at 91.1. Facing a Raven’s team that is primarily a run-heavy offense look for Baker to make his way into IDP scene in a BIG WAY come Sunday.
Darnell Savage, Jr.-DB (GB): The rookie out of University of Maryland is manning the starting strong safety position for the Packers in week one and with the ability to play extremely effective against both the run and in pass coverage look for Savage to “WOW” IDP enthusiasts against the Bears on Thursday night. Facing a Bears team that utilizes their tight ends in the passing game scheme look for tackles numbers to add up for Savage this week!