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Los Angeles Rams

What’s changed since last year? The Rams don’t have any big changes (or even minor ones) on offense to speak of. They let CJ Anderson walk as a free agent (now on the Lions) and they acquired Blake Bortles as a backup QB. Aside from that, what would you expect from a team that won the NFC Championship last season? There’s nothing broken, so don’t try to fix it! Cooper Kupp is on track to return and, had he stuck around all year (extrapolated stats), he would have had 80 catches, 1100+ yards and 12 TDs. This would have made him the WR8 in standard scoring, right between Michael Thomas and JuJu Smith-Schuster. Not bad company, and a good piece to have returning to your team.

Who is the breakout/3^rd year WR on the team? So, Cooper Kupp is a third year WR, but obviously he’s broken out. Last season saw Josh Reynolds fill in for him, and as a 3^rd year WR, he stands poised to step-up, if only he could get past any of the big 3 WRs on the Rams. Kupp, along with Robert Woods and Brandin Cooks have a stranglehold on the position, and without an injury to someone, it will be difficult for Reynolds to actually show what he’s got. I then turn my eyes over to Gerald Everett, 3^rd year TE whom I think will be incorporated into the offense more this season. His receptions more than doubled last year from his rookie season, and he’s still not being drafted (ADP 276, TE31). Everett saw 50 targets last year and if that number can creep closer to the 70-80 mark, then he’s going to be a great low end TE-1 option this year.

Who is a sleeper you can draft? When you take the team that went to the Super Bowl last year and don’t make any changes, your opponents would literally have to be asleep for you to get some real value on them. I will mention that right now, Cooks (ADP 40, WR15, Woods (ADP 41, WR16) and Kupp (ADP 48, WR21) are all on the positive side of draft value right now, but none of them are a steal.

What stud can you draft without hesitation? In the spirit of this question, there isn’t really anyone on the Rams who are a genuine stud, considering Todd Gurley is not the player he once was. Of the three main WRs I mentioned, I think that Cooper Kupp has the best potential to become a top-10 WR, and he’s the “cheapest” of the three, so grab him in the 5^th round if he’s available.

Who could be a waiver pickup during the season? My breakout candidate, Gerald Everett, is unlikely to be drafted in most redraft leagues and will be available for those of you who are planning on streaming TEs this season. If he has a big first couple of games, then he’s likely to wind up sticking on someone’s roster for quite a while, so keep an eye out for him early.

Who are the rookies to know on this team? Will any of them be relevant this year? Third round pick Darrell Henderson is currently on most people’s radar as the successor to Todd Gurley on the Rams. His current ADP of 86 and ranking of 113 shows me that his value is currently upside down and he should be avoided in drafts. The only reason to take him might be as a late round handcuff for Gurley, and that’s if you can get him at a more reasonable spot in the late 11^th or 12^th rounds. Henderson will come along, but let’s not ship Todd Gurley out of town just yet.

Seattle Seahawks

What’s changed since last year? The Seahawks let free agent RB Mike Davis walk, which should aid in clearing up their muddy backfield from last season. Chris Carson (ADP 51, RB21) has a clear path to the #1 spot, with Rashaad Penny (ADP 81, RB33) getting an increased role – I expect this to be a RBBC offense in no time. I also don’t expect either guy to really run away with a bulk of the carries, unless the other one is out with injury. The Seahawks also added one of the most hyped WRs in the draft, DK Metcalf, whom we’ll touch on in a moment. Needless to say, this should provide a boost to the passing game.

Who is the breakout/3^rd year WR on the team? For me, the guy to watch in Seattle is David Moore. Sure, they drafted a new WR, but Moore averaged over 17 yards per reception last season and is now in his third year in the offense. He should have a more active role with Doug Baldwin out of the picture and has a chance to really shine early before Metcalf can establish himself in the offense. His ADP of 286 tells me that he’s basically being ignored by drafters, so he’s available as a flyer at the end of deeper drafts.

Who is a sleeper you can draft? There’s no sleeper recommendations to draft on the Seahawks. Their main players, Lockett, Carson, Wilson and Penny are all being drafted around their rankings, and everyone else worthy of a flier will be available on the waiver wire.

What stud can you draft without hesitation? There’s no sure-fire studs on this team. Russell Wilson is the only one who comes closest, and he’s being drafted towards the end of the 9^th round currently. I’m worried that he’s only cracked 4000 yards in two different seasons, and has never eclipsed 35 passing TDs. He does run the ball a lot, though he ran the ball only 67 times last season, a career low, and had no TDs on the ground. His redeeming stat is that he’s never missed a game in his career. I guess I just gave you all the reasons why their best player is still not a fantasy stud.

Who could be a waiver pickup during the season? I’ve mentioned him a few times now, but David Moore is going to be the hot waiver wire pickup from the Seahawks. Keep an eye out for him early, though if DK Metcalf has a hot start, it’s likely to keep Moore buried on the depth chart. You can also watch for Nick Vannett at TE, the most likely candidate from a really sad bunch of fantasy TEs on the team.

Who are the rookies to know on this team? Will any of them be relevant this year? The Seahawks spent their second round pick on DK Metcalf, a guy who perhaps had the most hype before the draft and then saw his stock really fall during the days leading into the draft. He was finally taken on the second day and is currently listed as a starting WR on their depth chart. His ADP of 112 (WR43) and Rank of 151 really have me hesitant to recommend taking him, as I really don’t see any value in picking him. I do expect him to be fantasy relevant, considering he’s replacing Doug Baldwin.

San Francisco 49ers

What’s changed since last year? Lots have changed for the 49ers! Jimmy Garoppolo is back, one year after tearing his ACL in late September 2018. Based on the QB play that the 49ers got out of Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard last season, having Garoppolo back could rocket their offense to a top 10 spot in the league. The 49ers also acquired Tevin Coleman, who is slated to be the starting RB. This is an offense that showed some huge signs last year and is finally ready to move forward with healthy, first option starters at QB and RB.

Who is the breakout/3^rd year WR on the team? Dante Pettis is a 2^nd year guy who is most poised to have a big break-out season, though his hype is starting to be real all over the internet. His ADP is currently 80 and his consensus ranking is 77, so as a mid-rounder, he has a very high ceiling. Since he really has no rapport with Garoppolo, there is the reality that he does have a low floor, but signs so far in camp have been very positive for Pettis. He’s very likely to keep Marquise Goodwin at bay and will at least start the season ahead of the two rookie WRs that the 49ers drafted.

Who is a sleeper you can draft? Nobody on the 49ers really has proper sleeper value, though I like where you can get Deebo Samuel (ADP 191, WR60) and Jalen Hurd (No ADP) – both rookies. They’re flyers in deep drafts and will definitely be drafted in dynasty formats.

What stud can you draft without hesitation? George Kittle, if you’re not reaching for him, could be your ticket to the fantasy postseason. His ADP of 29 (TE2) and rank of 23 even shows that he’s got a bit of value and I’d endorse taking him pretty much anywhere in the third round, if there’s no one else you like available right there (he’s ranked right next to Antonio Brown, I know who I feel more confident in).

Who could be a waiver pickup during the season? Since Garoppolo has been out for basically an entire season, the WR core for the 49ers is rather up in the air. Marquise Goodwin (ADP 219, WR67) as well as the rookies Samuel and Hurd are all guys who should be available on the waiver wire. Whoever does start to click with Garoppolo is likely to be gone, perhaps before the season even starts, so keep a close eye on these three guys.

Who are the rookies to know on this team? Will any of them be relevant this year? The aforementioned Deebo Samuel, 2^nd round pick, and Jalen Hurd, 3^rd rounder, both will be looking to make their way onto the field this season. Samuel made a highlight reel worthy 45-yard catch over a defender in the first preseason game to set up a TD. Of course, Jalen Hurd would not be outdone and found the end zone twice in the same game. The future is looking good for this rookie combo and they should both find plenty of playing time in what looks like it will be a WR rotation. Once one or both of them gets established, they will certainly be fantasy relevant.

Arizona Cardinals

What’s changed since last year? Is everything a valid answer? Because nearly everything is different for the Arizona Cardinals. They have a new coach, Kliff Kingsbury, a new QB, Kyler Murray, and a hot rookie WR, Andy Isabella. They also got rid of JJ Nelson. The only recognizable parts of the offense are Larry Fitzgerald and David Johnson, though some people with deeper teams already have their eyes on Christian Kirk as well. Most importantly, the play caller and the signal caller are both new and this offense should look completely different than last year’s.

Who is the breakout/3^rd year WR on the team? Christian Kirk is a 2^nd year WR who was drafted in the 2^nd round in 2018. He seems to be a pick to click for many pundits. He had 68 targets last season in 12 games, so over a full season with a bit of a boost, it’s completely reasonable to expect him to get at least 100 targets. The Cardinals were 29^th in the league in pass attempts, a number that’s bound to get a lot better with Kingsbury’s air raid offense. Kirk has an ADP of 77 (WR32) and is a very solid mid round pick up as the first WR off your bench, with potential to be a WR2.

Who is a sleeper you can draft? This is basically a brand new offense this season, so there’s not a lot of options yet. Johnson, Fitz, Kirk and Murray are all being drafted at or near their expected value. There’s nobody I would recommend drafting from the Cardinals as a sleeper.

What stud can you draft without hesitation? There’s about to be a David Johnson renaissance in the desert. Johnson is currently at ADP 5 (RB5), Rank 5 and is basically being placed just outside the tier 1 RBs, but still ahead of any other position players on the board. I know you aren’t going to get great value for Johnson, but his production in a brand new offense that should know how to use an extremely talented and versatile player is too good to pass up. Johnson will be a stud this year, and considering the RB position is top-heavy, he’s the last man on the top that’s worth that early first round pick.

Who could be a waiver pickup during the season? Andy Isabella has an ADP and rank of over 200, so he’s likely to be available on the waiver wire early in the season. Look for him to hook up with fellow rookie Kyler Murray as they try to develop a rapport for when the team needs to eventually replace Larry Fitzgerald. I would also keep an eye on Ricky Seals-Jones at TE since that position is so hard to pin down a top 10 guy there.

Who are the rookies to know on this team? Will any of them be relevant this year? Well, just the first overall pick in the 2019 draft, Kyler Murray. Murray should be starting in week 1 and has already looked good in his first preseason game. He went an efficient 6 of 7 passing for 44 yards before exiting early, as is tradition in week 1 of the preseason. Murray will be the starter all year, and like most rookie starters at QB, is very unlikely to finish as a top 10 guy, but will be relevant as a streaming and backup option, as well as in 2-QB leagues. Andy Isabella was taken in the 2^nd round by the Cardinals, because when you get yourself a Lamborghini, you find some sweet accessories to go along with it. Isabella has a tougher road to regular playing time, but he should find his way on the field for a significant amount of targets this season and will be fantasy relevant by the middle of the year.

One-thousand, five hundred and twenty entries are all that’s between me and early retirement. It took 15 weeks to whittle the field of 1275 down to one in last year’s pool, so I should have my work cut out for me. I decided on two entries this year (mainly to make sure I survive week 1). The first few weeks of the season can be some of the toughest to predict, that’s why a quarter to half of all entrants usually drop out in these first few games. I was listening to an odds making expert on the radio suggesting picking weak teams in the first week to save the premium teams for later and went on to suggest taking the Cardinals over the Lions. I however do not subscribe to this philosophy and actually will pick the Lions in that game.

I say - don't make it hard until you have no choice. My picks this week are the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. Those two teams are the biggest favorites at 9.5 and 10 respectively and are both playing their games at home. We have been shown nothing in the preseason from anyone this year so I will assume that the Redskins and Bengals will still suck.

We are getting to the nitty gritty right now! Only two weeks remain in the regular season.

If you have been using our picks this year, then you are sitting pretty good in your year-long pool and are poised to take that top spot!

If you haven’t been using our picks, well then you deserve the low spot in the standings that you have right now! But hey, jump on the bandwagon now and maybe win a week or two!

…and never doubt me again! :)

WEEK 16 – HERE WE GO!!

(HOME TEAM IN ALL CAPS)

• 16 – SEATTLE over Arizona – The Seahawks get an easy tune up before their huge matchup with the 49ers next week.
  
  
• 15 – INDIANAPOLIS over Carolina – I think it’s safe to say that the Panthers were one of the most disappointing team in the league this season.
  
  
• 14 – SAN FRANCISCO over Los Angeles Rams – The ending of the Falcons/9ers game was just crazy – and made San Francisco realize that they can no longer leave anything to chance.
  
  
• 13 – LOS ANGELES CHARGERS over Oakland – After their dismal display in their last two games in Oakland, let’s just call them the ______________ Raiders until they officially move to Vegas. My BOLD PREDICTION this week is that THE LAS VEGAS RAIDERS WILL MAKE THE PLAYOFFS NEXT YEAR.
  
  
• 12 – PHILADELPHIA over Dallas – (sigh) … this game will actually decide a division winner…(sigh)…
  
  
• 11 – NEW ENGLAND over Buffalo – I still don’t see the Bills as a legitimate threat to the Patriots AFC East dominance.
  
  
• 10 – TAMPA BAY over Houston – Tampa has nothing to play for but are playing like a team with nothing to lose.
  
  
• 9 – Kansas City over CHICAGO – I know I said the Panthers were the most disappointing team this season…but then the Bears came to mind…
  
  
• 8 – New Orleans over TENNESSEE – Between this game and the game last week against the Texans, the Titans are getting a bad dose of reality
  
  
• 7 – Baltimore over CLEVELAND – It’s really hard to see the Ravens lose another game this year.
  
  
• 6 – MIAMI over Cincinnati – You know that feeling when you are watching a Pee-Wee Football game? It’s just so cute to watch them run around and try to play football. Yeah…that…
  
  
• 5 – DENVER over Detroit – I will say this, Drew Lock is starting the process of eventually coming close to the possibility of maybe changing my opinion on his legitimacy as a starting QB in the NFL.
  
  
• 4 – MINNESOTA over Green Bay – The Vikings are set to complete their “Don’t forget about us” run to the NFC North title! (side note, I almost just typed NFC Central – yay for nostalgia!)
  
  
• 3 – ATLANTA over Jacksonville – How did the Falcons pull off the upset in San Fran last week?? BECAUSE I PICKED THEM TO LOSE!!!!!
  
  
• 2 – WASHINGTON over New York Giants – Haskins vs Jones – the NFC East quarterback matchup of the future! With probably the same levels of stakes as there are this week!
  
  
• 1 – NEW YORK JETS over Pittsburgh – I still don’t think the Jets are as bad as their record says they are.