I try to always keep an open mind and my wits about me. Other than that, anything goes! Makes for some unpredictable adventures out there in the real world. I've worked in the publishing industry for 10+ years and have been a member of the FSWA for 5+ years. Go Steelers!
Website URL: http://www.drinkfive.com
Sure, you just completed your draft recently but nobody's team is perfect from the start, and since then there have already been injuries, depth chart changes, and trouble with the law, right? Always room for improvement out there and so we'll scour the waiver wire to find a few guys that may get your team just a little bit closer to that finish line. Remember that missing out on just that one guy, just that one week, could make all of the difference at the end of the year!
Note: %owned is based on Yahoo! leagues at the time of publication.
Quarterback
Carson Palmer (ARI) - 63% owned - Palmer may not last all season with his advanced age and 'dead arm', but he projects to do well in the short-term at least. He plays against the Lions at Ford Field in Detroit this Sunday and can be locked in as a high upside QB2 for the time being.
Running Back
Jacquizz Rodgers (TB) - 62% owned - People do realize that Doug Martin is suspended for the first few games of the season, right? Rodgers is not built to last a full season of rough and tumble running back work, but he'll get you RB2 production on a weekly basis for the first 3 games of the season.
Alvin Kamara (NO) - 12% owned - With Mark Ingram and Adrian Peterson in front of Kamara this season, his best bet is to solidify a role as a passing-down back in the offense (a job formerly held by Travaris Cadet). We should see his usage rise throughout the season, and if either Ingram or Peterson were to miss time he could become a big weekly contributor.
Honorable mentions: Marlon Mack (IND) - 9% owned, De'Angelo Henderson (DEN) - 1% owned - Mack and Henderson are both outstanding athletes from this year's rookie draft that have a chance to carve out solid roles on their respective teams by midseason. In Mack's case, Frank Gore would need to step out of the way and in Henderson's case, Jamaal Charles and C.J. Anderson would have to disappoint.
Wide Receiver
Corey Davis (TEN) - 47% owned - A lot of fantasy owners were scared away by a hamstring injury that had Davis sidelined for the entire preseason, but it looks like he'll make his way onto the field starting in Week 1. Expect Davis to perform at a high level from early to midseason on, after he shakes a little rust off.
Tyler Lockett (SEA) - 44% owned - Lockett has proved himself as a talented receiver but took a step down in 2016 from his excellent rookie performance the previous year, only scoring 1 receiving touchdown as compared to his 6 in 2015. Now a 3rd year WR, he is a possible breakout candidate still available in more than half of Yahoo leagues.
Honorable mentions: Kevin White (CHI) - 49% owned, Kendall Wright (CHI) - 12% owned - One of these guys (and honestly I expect it to be Wright) will lead the Bears in receptions this year. If the cards fall just right, that could lead to a serviceable WR3 for the rest of the season.
Tight End
Julius Thomas (MIA) - 53% owned
Coby Fleener (NO) - 49% owned
C.J. Fiedorowicz (HOU) - 41% owned
Defense/Special Teams
Go with the Buffalo Bills (37% owned) this week, as they are playing the Jets.. and the Jets are going to be all-time bad this year.
Each new fantasy season comes complete with NFL rule changes and a selection of players scattered onto unfamiliar teams. Draft strategies can change from year-to-year depending on available talent and the fantasy information available. Preseason injuries can cost some players a whole season, changing the fundamental makeup of a team and creating fantasy relevance where there was none previously.
In short, change is an integral part of each season, and therefore a key factor in crossing the fantasy finish line. Tonight's podcast is all about embracing those changes and using them to your advantage in the year to come!
Listen to the Fantasy Finish Line Ep1: The Winds of Change
Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes to get notifications whenever we release a new episode. We also broadcast the shows live at http://www.mixlr.com/drinkfive on Tuesday nights at 8pm CT. Feel free to browse over and join in the discussion in the chat room!
It happens to the best of us every year - yeah, maybe you play in a fantasy football league (or several), and you pay close attention to what happens during the regular season, but over the off-season, we all get busy with real life and tend to tune out at least some of the NFL player and rule changes going on in the background. Now that draft season is upon us, I'm here to help catch you up on all of the relevant transactions and league news that you may have missed while out on the beach, or chauffeuring your kids to their various activities and events. So listen up!
NFL Ops has more specific details on 2017 Rules Changes and Points of Emphasis.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - Added Danny Woodhead (RB), Jeremy Maclin (WR), have suffered some off-season injuries (Kenneth Dixon (RB), Dennis Pitta (TE), Crocket Gillmore (TE)) that will severely impact their ability to make the playoffs and have positional depth late in the season.
Cincinnati Bengals - Added John Ross (WR), Joe Mixon (RB) from the 2017 draft. Coach Marvin Lewis does not have a contract extension, he could be out the door if the Bengals don't achieve something notable in 2017.
Cleveland Browns - Added Kenny Britt (WR) and Brock Osweiler (QB), drafted David Njoku (TE) and DeShone Kizer (QB). Losing Terrelle Pryor (WR), Gary Barnidge (TE), and Josh McCown (QB) leaves the Browns as a younger team going through a QB competition.
Pittsburgh Steelers - Added Knile Davis (RB) in free agency, as well as JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR) and James Conner (RB) from the 2017 draft. Martavis Bryant will return this year which should provide a needed boost to the offense, the loss of Ladarius Green (TE) in the off-season still leaves a question mark at the tight end position.
AFC South
Houston Texans - Added Deshaun Watson (QB) in the 2017 draft. The Texans have a QB competition between Watson and the incumbent Tom Savage. The loss of Will Fuller (WR) (2-3 months, collarbone) will cause the team to lean on their running game and on DeAndre Hopkins (WR), looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2016 season.
Indianapolis Colts - Not a lot of offensive additions in the off-season. The Colts' biggest concern is the health of Andrew Luck (QB), who underwent off-season surgery on his shoulder and is still not on the field. Amazingly, Frank Gore (RB) looks to still be the starter in Indianapolis - he may just play forever.
Jacksonville Jaguars - Added Leonard Fournette (RB) in the 2017 draft. Blake Bortles' (QB) quality of play this season will make or break the Jaguars.
Tennessee Titans - Added Eric Decker (WR), drafted Corey Davis (WR). The Titans lost Kendall Wright (WR) but upgraded their wide receivers overall with the addition of Decker and Davis. Marcus Mariota (WR) and Co. currently have the arrow pointed up and the weapons to do some damage.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - Added Jordan Matthews (WR) via trade, and Zay Jones (WR) in the 2017 draft. Rex Ryan was fired, the Bills hired a new coach and GM, Sammy Watkins (WR) was traded and the team also lost Mike Gillislee (RB). Rough sledding ahead for Tyrod Taylor (QB) and the Bills in 2017 as they try to find their footing.
Miami Dolphins - Added Jay Cutler (QB). Ryan Tannehill (QB) re-injured his left knee, causing the Dolphins (Adam Gase, specifically) to bring back retired QB Jay Cutler. The offensive and defensive talent is there if Jay Cutler can steer the ship adequately in 2017.
New England Patriots - Added Brandin Cooks (WR), Dwayne Allen (TE), Mike Gillislee (RB), Rex Burkhead (RB). The Patriots lost LeGarrette Blount (RB) and Martellus Bennett (TE), but that really doesn't matter. 40-year-old Tom Brady (QB) will lead this team to the playoffs once more, as long as he can stay healthy.
New York Jets - Added Josh McCown (QB). The Jets lost both of their veteran receivers Brandon Marshall (WR) and Eric Decker (WR) in the off-season, and Quincy Enunwa (WR) is out for the year with a neck injury (bulging disc). The QB competition is not even remotely interesting, and it will be a surprise if the Jets are not the worst team in the NFL this season.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Added Jamaal Charles (RB). Trevor Siemian (QB) is currently winning the QB competition in Denver, although Paxton Lynch (QB) is expected to supplant him at some point this season, if not by Week 1. Charles may or may not amount to any fantasy relevance depending on his health. The Broncos need to score more points on offense to go along with what is still one of the best defenses in the league.
Kansas City Chiefs - Added Patrick Mahomes (QB) and Kareem Hunt (RB) in the 2017 draft. The loss of Jeremy Maclin (WR) will have an impact on the Chiefs this season, but Travis Kelce (TE) and Tyreek Hill (WR) should have no problem carrying the banner. The big question is whether or not we'll see the rookie QB out on the field in 2017.
Los Angeles Chargers - Added Mike Williams (WR) in the 2017 draft. Williams has not been healthy so far this preseason, but the Chargers have enough weapons already to let him get back to 100%. Will the team be affected by its move to Los Angeles? Probably. The loss of Danny Woodhead (RB) is mostly spelled by Branden Oliver (RB) backing up a surging Melvin Gordon (RB).
Oakland Raiders - Added Marshawn Lynch (RB), Cordarrelle Patterson (WR). Latavius Murray (RB) departed from the Raiders in the off-season, and that's no issue now that the Raiders have been able to bring Lynch on board. There's a promising season ahead here after last year's late injury to Derek Carr (QB) cut 2016 short.
NFC North
Chicago Bears - Added Mike Glennon (QB), Markus Wheaton (WR), Kendall Wright (WR), Victor Cruz (WR). Added Mitchell Trubisky (QB) from the 2017 draft. The QB competition in Chicago is heating up after Trubisky performed better than expected in his first preseason game. John Fox's future in Chicago relies on whether or not the Bears have a successful season in 2017.
Detroit Lions - Added Kenny Golladay (WR) in the 2017 draft. Lost Anquan Boldin (WR). Eric Ebron (TE) is likely to step up his production this year, along with now healthy Ameer Abdullah (RB). Both are intriguing prospects in redraft leagues. Golladay is blowing it up in the preseason but it remains to be seen whether that will translate to regular season fantasy production behind Golden Tate (WR) and Marvin Jones (WR).
Green Bay Packers - Added Martellus Bennett (TE). The Packers lost Eddie Lacy (RB), James Starks (RB), and Jared Cook (RB) in the off-season, but none of them are necessary to the offensive nucleus that is Aaron Rodgers (QB) and his receivers. The Packers can always put points on the scoreboard, the question is if they can prevent enough points scored against them with their defense in 2017.
Minnesota Vikings - Added Michael Floyd (WR). Added Dalvin Cook (RB) in the 2017 draft. With Adrian Peterson (RB) off to New Orleans, the Vikings have to put their faith in their defense to keep them in games for an opportunity to challenge the Packers for dominance in the NFC North.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Not a lot of changes in the off-season. Previous OC Kyle Shanahan is now the coach of the 49ers, so there will some differences in the offensive play calling - it has been suggested that Julio Jones (WR) will be targeted more but in general the main players like Matt Ryan (QB) and Devonta Freeman (RB) should keep it business as usual in Atlanta.
Carolina Panthers - Added Christian McCaffrey (RB), Curtis Samuel (WR) in the 2017 draft. Lost Ted Ginn (WR) in the off-season. The Panthers will easily be in the running for a playoff position, but newly acquired players like McCaffrey may need some time to develop as offensive tools.
New Orleans Saints - Added Adrian Peterson (RB), Ted Ginn (WR). Added Alvin Kamara (RB) in the 2017 draft. It remains to be seen what Peterson has left in the tank, but the Saints' long-running combination of Drew Brees (QB) and Sean Payton (HC) may be running on fumes as well. In the meantime, Michael Thomas (WR) should continue to dominate downfield this year.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Added DeSean Jackson (WR). Added O.J. Howard (TE), and Chris Godwin (WR) in the 2017 draft. The Hard Knocks squad is poised to have a successful season in 2017 with a lot of offensive weapons for Jameis Winston (QB) to employ.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys - Added Ryan Switzer (WR) in the 2017 draft. A good amount of off-season drama surrounds the Cowboys this year, most notably including a 6-game suspension handed down to Ezekiel Elliott from Roger Goodell and the NFL. Other than that, the team remains mostly the same but has replaced some of their secondary with new faces. We'll see how that pans out.
New York Giants - Added Brandon Marshall (WR). Added Evan Engram (TE) in the 2017 draft. Marshall should provide a boost to the offense - Eli Manning (QB) needs to improve on last year's efforts but shouldn't have an issue with the huge talents of Marshall and Odell Beckham Jr. (WR), not to mention Sterling Shephard (WR). A concern is the running game - with the loss of Rashad Jennings (RB), can the Giants depend on Paul Perkins (RB) to lead the push on a weekly basis?
Philadelphia Eagles - Added Alshon Jeffery (WR), Torrey Smith (WR), and LeGarrette Blount (RB). With the additions of Jeffery and Smith, the Eagles shed Jordan Matthews (WR) and Dorial Green-Beckham (WR) in the off-season. Ryan Mathews (RB) was just recently cut from the team, and it will be interesting to see how all of these additions mesh together over the season.
Washington Redskins - Added Terrelle Pryor (WR). Lost Desean Jackson (WR) and Pierre Garcon (WR). Kirk Cousins is playing on a franchise tag, and Pryor is signed to a one-year "prove it" deal. The Redskins are certainly a formidable team offensively with weapons like Jamison Crowder (WR) and Jordan Reed (TE), but may have issues at RB as we see who comes out on top at the position over the course of the year between Rob Kelley (RB) and Samaje Perine (RB).
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Not many changes in the off-season. The Cardinals are still led by Carson Palmer (QB), Larry Fitzgerald (WR), and David Johnson (RB). They still have the opportunity to go far into the playoffs, but the age of Palmer and Fitzgerald could become a factor as the grueling season plows onward.
Los Angeles Rams - Added Sammy Watkins (WR), Robert Woods (WR). The Rams are trying to reinvent themselves, and most of that hinges on the success of Jared Goff (QB), now in his 2nd year as starting QB. With a dynamic offensive weapon like Watkins, a strong future in Todd Gurley (RB), and a talented defense, this team could hit .500 in 2017.
San Francisco 49ers - Added Brian Hoyer (QB), Pierre Garcon (WR), Marquise Goodwin (WR). New head coach Kyle Shanahan is going back to the drawing board and the 49ers have separated from Colin Kaepernick (QB), Blaine Gabbert (QB), Torrey Smith (WR), Quinton Patton (WR), and probably most importantly, Chip Kelly (HC).
Seattle Seahawks - Added Eddie Lacy (RB). The excitement this year from the Seahawks' camp mostly comes from the possibility of a resurgence from Lacy (though Thomas Rawls (RB) is a contender to cut into or take over the role as lead back), a healthy Jimmy Graham (TE), and a continuation of the success between Russell Wilson (QB) and Doug Baldwin (WR).
I'm here filling in for Tad this week as we wrap up the NFL regular season games on Sunday. What a great year! I'm sure we'll see a recap article to go over all of the bold predictions that have been made throughout the course of this season.. and I'll add one of my own to the mix!
Week 17 – HERE WE GO!!!!!!!!!
(HOME TEAM IN ALL CAPS)
16 – New England over MIAMI – I still have no idea how the Dolphins made the playoffs, but my crystal ball tells me that they won't be there very long. The Patriots, on the other hand, are playing for the first or second seed in the AFC. They'll devastate the Dolphins, guaranteed.
15 – Seattle over SAN FRANCISCO – Seattle has already made the playoffs, but they can actually still clinch a first-round bye if all goes well for them. Needless to say, their shot at that and their baby food matchup against the 49ers should lead them to victory.
14 – WASHINGTON over New York (Giants) – The Giants have locked in their trip to the playoffs, but Washington still has a chance to get in. It's likely that the Giants don't go 100% in this matchup.
13 – Kansas City over SAN DIEGO – Should be no surprise to anyone, the Chiefs are still trying to up their playoff seed and the Chargers will finish 5-11.
12 – Arizona over LOS ANGELES – The Cardinals had plenty of issues this year, but nowhere near as many as the hapless Rams. Los Angeles will finish the season flailing their arms.
11 – ATLANTA over New Orleans – Drew Brees may be locking up a ridiculous 5,000-yard season this week, but Matt Ryan has been the story this year - carving up defenses left and right. Well, the Saints' defense is already plucked and skinned.
10 – TAMPA BAY over Carolina – Technically, the Buccaneers can still make the playoffs, whereas the Panthers are out of the running. Look for Tampa Bay to pull out as many stops as they possibly can to get the win on Sunday.
9 – INDIANAPOLIS over Jacksonville – More of the same here, the Jaguars are a dismal team and Luck and Co. will be out in full force, according to reports.
8 – MINNESOTA over Chicago – After starting so well, the Vikings fell off the map - but they can still manhandle a team that has even less of an idea who they are, the Chicago Bears.
7 – PHILADELPHIA over Dallas – Ahh, week 17. The Cowboys have no business playing their starters, so they may show up for a series but expect this game to be mostly in the hands of the butt-fumbler, Mark Sanchez.
6 – Green Bay over DETROIT – The Lions season wasn't half bad, unfortunately, they aren't as good as a surging Packers offense, who will likely win by a touchdown or more in this matchup. BOLD PREDICTION: TY MONTGOMERY SHOWS UP AGAIN WITH 2 TOUCHDOWNS.
5 – Houston over TENNESSEE – After Mariota went down, the Titans lost a lot of upside. They'll still have a great rushing attack with Murray and Henry but won't be able to overcome the Texans if they can't pass the ball.
4 – CINCINATTI over Baltimore – The Ravens have been kicked out of the playoffs after their skirmish on Christmas Day with the Steelers, and they very well might spend the entire game just padding Steve Smith's stats before he retires.
3 – Buffalo over NEW YORK (JETS) – Sometimes a team plays better after firing their coaches. Whether or not that's the case, it doesn't matter - the Jets are about as low as they can get. Hey look, everyone, it's E.J. Manuel vs. Ryan Fitzpatrick! Yay...
2 – DENVER over Oakland – The Raiders could have taken this game if they hadn't lost Derek Carr. Sorry, Oakland fans - better luck next year!
1 – PITTSBURGH over Cleveland – Normally, the Steelers would have all kinds of confidence points here against the worst team in the NFL, but it looks like Ben, Brown, and Bell will all be sitting on the sideline this week, resting up for the big show. I still think that the Steelers can eek out a win, but it's no longer assured.