Fantasy Football 2016: Matt Camp's Initial Preseason Big Board
When you begin draft preparation for a new fantasy football season, it can be quite overwhelming, especially if you haven’t kept up on the events of the offseason. Of course, there really is no offseason anymore in the NFL, with a major event happening almost every month of the season when you include the combine, free agency, the draft and minicamps.
Luckily, you can get caught up in a hurry, and this look at the 2016 rankings will be a big help. I should stress that this is the first of many updates you’ll be seeing throughout the month; transactions, injuries and potential suspensions, like the looming four-game absence of Le’Veon Bell, will certainly shift projections.
What I’ll be focusing on in this article and subsequent updates are players with good values, potential sleepers and some you want to avoid either completely or at their current average draft position (ADP), which I’ll track as we move through the preseason.
With an abundance of leagues moving to the points-per-reception (PPR) format, that will be the standard format used in all rankings. If you’d rather see non-PPR rankings, you can find those here. The PPR rankings will get weekly updates similar to this one throughout the preseason, so be sure to keep checking back after each week of games.
Top 100: Stay Positive
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Based on current ADP data, the first 100 picks are comprised of 10 quarterbacks, 39 running backs, 40 wide receivers and 11 tight ends. My top 100 is almost identical with the small differences being 38 running backs, 42 wide receivers and 10 tight ends.
If you subscribe to the best-player-available strategy, it makes sense to favor wide receivers since they have been more reliable than running backs as a whole and aren’t as easy to replace in terms of production. When enacting that strategy, you may find yourself torn between multiple players, so if a tie needs to be broken, I usually favor the player in the best situation.
Here are the teams I’d consider to be the most fantasy-friendly based on talent, coaching and volume:
- Arizona Cardinals
- Baltimore Ravens
- Indianapolis Colts
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans
- New Orleans Saints
- New England Patriots
- Carolina Panthers
- Atlanta Falcons
And on the other side of that, here are some teams you might want to avoid for some of the same reasons:
- St. Louis Rams (besides Todd Gurley)
- Tennessee Titans
- San Francisco 49ers (besides Carlos Hyde)
- Cleveland Browns
2016 Preseason Top 100 PPR Rankings
| 1 | Antonio Brown PIT (8) | WR | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Julio Jones ATL (11) | WR | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Odell Beckham Jr. NYG (8) | WR | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | DeAndre Hopkins HOU (9) | WR | 6 | 5 |
| 5 | Todd Gurley LA (8) | RB | 5 | 4 |
| 6 | David Johnson ARI (9) | RB | 4 | 6 |
| 7 | Lamar Miller HOU (9) | RB | 10 | 13 |
| 8 | A.J. Green CIN (9) | WR | 7 | 7 |
| 9 | Ezekiel Elliott DAL (7) | RB | 9 | 9 |
| 10 | Rob Gronkowski NE (9) | TE | 8 | 12 |
| 11 | Adrian Peterson MIN (6) | RB | 12 | 8 |
| 12 | Brandin Cooks NO (5) | WR | 23 | 23 |
| 13 | Brandon Marshall NYJ (11) | WR | 20 | 21 |
| 14 | Dez Bryant DAL (7) | WR | 11 | 10 |
| 15 | Eddie Lacy GB (4) | RB | 29 | 25 |
| 16 | T.Y. Hilton IND (10) | WR | 27 | 27 |
| 17 | Allen Robinson JAC (5) | WR | 13 | 14 |
| 18 | Devonta Freeman ATL (11) | RB | 16 | 18 |
| 19 | Le'Veon Bell PIT (8) | RB | 21 | 11 |
| 20 | Keenan Allen SD (11) | WR | 15 | 16 |
| 21 | Mark Ingram NO (5) | RB | 22 | 24 |
| 22 | Amari Cooper OAK (10) | WR | 24 | 22 |
| 23 | Jordy Nelson GB (4) | WR | 14 | 15 |
| 24 | C.J. Anderson DEN (11) | RB | 33 | 38 |
| 25 | Carlos Hyde SF (8) | RB | 40 | 43 |
| 26 | Doug Martin TB (6) | RB | 28 | 29 |
| 27 | Dion Lewis NE (9) | RB | 39 | 40 |
| 28 | LeSean McCoy BUF (10) | RB | 26 | 30 |
| 29 | Golden Tate DET (10) | WR | 35 | 34 |
| 30 | Sammy Watkins BUF (10) | WR | 38 | 31 |
| 31 | Mike Evans TB (6) | WR | 19 | 20 |
| 32 | Thomas Rawls SEA (5) | RB | 51 | 41 |
| 33 | Randall Cobb GB (4) | WR | 31 | 33 |
| 34 | Demaryius Thomas DEN (11) | WR | 25 | 26 |
| 35 | Jeremy Maclin KC (5) | WR | 36 | 39 |
| 36 | Danny Woodhead SD (11) | RB | 48 | 53 |
| 37 | Kelvin Benjamin CAR (7) | WR | 45 | 37 |
| 38 | Jamaal Charles KC (5) | RB | 17 | 17 |
| 39 | Jordan Reed WAS (9) | TE | 34 | 36 |
| 40 | Aaron Rodgers GB (4) | QB | 43 | 46 |
| 41 | Andrew Luck IND (10) | QB | 52 | 55 |
| 42 | Matt Forte NYJ (11) | RB | 37 | 35 |
| 43 | Alshon Jeffery CHI (9) | WR | 18 | 19 |
| 44 | Donte Moncrief IND (10) | WR | 50 | 48 |
| 45 | Cam Newton CAR (7) | QB | 41 | 42 |
| 46 | Travis Kelce KC (5) | TE | 57 | 62 |
| 47 | Julian Edelman NE (9) | WR | 32 | 32 |
| 48 | Jarvis Landry MIA (8) | WR | 30 | 28 |
| 49 | Jeremy Hill CIN (9) | RB | 65 | 71 |
| 50 | Greg Olsen CAR (7) | TE | 42 | 45 |
| 51 | Eric Decker NYJ (11) | WR | 44 | 50 |
| 52 | Latavius Murray OAK (10) | RB | 47 | 47 |
| 53 | Russell Wilson SEA (5) | QB | 54 | 59 |
| 54 | Ameer Abdullah DET (10) | RB | 78 | 78 |
| 55 | John Brown ARI (9) | WR | 66 | 60 |
| 56 | Tyler Eifert CIN (9) | TE | 86 | 72 |
| 57 | DeVante Parker MIA (8) | WR | 68 | 67 |
| 58 | Larry Fitzgerald ARI (9) | WR | 56 | 49 |
| 59 | Duke Johnson CLE (13) | RB | 55 | 56 |
| 60 | Giovani Bernard CIN (9) | RB | 58 | 64 |
| 61 | Drew Brees NO (5) | QB | 62 | 69 |
| 62 | Ben Roethlisberger PIT (8) | QB | 69 | 73 |
| 63 | Jordan Matthews PHI (4) | WR | 53 | 52 |
| 64 | Doug Baldwin SEA (5) | WR | 46 | 44 |
| 65 | Emmanuel Sanders DEN (11) | WR | 60 | 58 |
| 66 | Frank Gore IND (10) | RB | 70 | 77 |
| 67 | Melvin Gordon SD (11) | RB | 77 | 79 |
| 68 | DeMarco Murray TEN (13) | RB | 49 | 51 |
| 69 | Michael Floyd ARI (9) | WR | 61 | 54 |
| 70 | Ryan Mathews PHI (4) | RB | 64 | 61 |
| 71 | Matt Jones WAS (9) | RB | 63 | 57 |
| 72 | Kevin White CHI (9) | WR | 85 | 80 |
| 73 | Zach Ertz PHI (4) | TE | 81 | 92 |
| 74 | Theo Riddick DET (10) | RB | 93 | 96 |
| 75 | Carson Palmer ARI (9) | QB | 76 | 83 |
| 76 | Delanie Walker TEN (13) | TE | 59 | 66 |
| 77 | Eli Manning NYG (8) | QB | 89 | 97 |
| 78 | Charles Sims TB (6) | RB | 84 | 86 |
| 79 | Josh Gordon CLE (13) | WR | 94 | 103 |
| 80 | Michael Crabtree OAK (10) | WR | 74 | 74 |
| 81 | Marvin Jones DET (10) | WR | 79 | 82 |
| 82 | Allen Hurns JAC (5) | WR | 71 | 65 |
| 83 | Jeremy Langford CHI (9) | RB | 72 | 63 |
| 84 | Arian Foster MIA (8) | RB | 88 | 88 |
| 85 | T.J. Yeldon JAC (5) | RB | 82 | 91 |
| 86 | Coby Fleener NO (5) | TE | 73 | 68 |
| 87 | Isaiah Crowell CLE (13) | RB | 117 | 106 |
| 88 | Gary Barnidge CLE (13) | TE | 83 | 84 |
| 89 | Steve Smith BAL (8) | WR | 116 | 108 |
| 90 | Matthew Stafford DET (10) | QB | 132 | 144 |
| 91 | Tyler Lockett SEA (5) | WR | 75 | 75 |
| 92 | Justin Forsett BAL (8) | RB | 101 | 90 |
| 93 | Rashad Jennings NYG (8) | RB | 100 | 98 |
| 94 | Derek Carr OAK (10) | QB | 114 | 111 |
| 95 | Stefon Diggs MIN (6) | WR | 108 | 115 |
| 96 | Sterling Shepard NYG (8) | WR | 104 | 101 |
| 97 | Julius Thomas JAC (5) | TE | 91 | 95 |
| 98 | Shane Vereen NYG (8) | RB | 134 | 132 |
| 99 | Markus Wheaton PIT (8) | WR | 107 | 105 |
| 100 | Jay Ajayi MIA (8) | RB | 90 | 76 |
Quarterbacks: Everybody Gets One
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According to MyFantasyLeague.com's ADP information, of the top 12 quarterbacks drafted in 2015, Cam Newton, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford were the only ones to finish in the top 12 in fantasy scoring.
That means if you waited to pick your QB and got someone like Carson Palmer or worked the waiver wire to pick up Kirk Cousins or Ryan Fitzpatrick, you were able to strengthen your team elsewhere through the draft.
This strategy still applies in 2016. Instead of spending a high pick on last year’s top quarterback, Cam Newton (ADP 43), or paying up for Aaron Rodgers (ADP 45.8) or Andrew Luck (ADP 56) coming off disappointing seasons, you might be better off waiting for someone like Eli Manning (ADP 97.5), who’s coming off the board as the 10th QB.
Targets Based on Value
Carson Palmer, ARI (ADP 85, QB8): In 2015, Palmer posted a career-high nine games with at least 300 yards passing, and that’s coming off a 2014 campaign that was shortened by a torn ACL. Palmer has an abundance of talent in his receiving corps and will likely get a bigger boost out of the backfield with David Johnson leading the way.
Eli Manning, NYG (ADP 97.5, QB10): Manning has attempted at least 600 passes and thrown for 4,400 yards and 30 touchdowns in the last two seasons, which obviously has a lot to do with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., but also a poor defense that put a lot more pressure on Manning and the offense to keep the team in games. While the Giants have invested a lot of money to improve their defense, they also added rookie wide receiver Sterling Shepard, who could make an immediate impact.
Matthew Stafford, DET (ADP 147.5, QB17): Stafford may have burned fantasy owners in the past, but if you’re overlooking him this season, you must be ignoring how great he played in the second half of 2015. Over the final eight games of the season, Stafford threw 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions while completing 70 percent of his attempts.
Losing Calvin Johnson is big (and likely factors into Stafford's low ADP), but the addition of wide receivers Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin to join Golden Tate gives Stafford plenty of options when you also include tight end Eric Ebron and pass-catching specialist Theo Riddick out of the backfield. Stafford is the perfect example of why you can’t hold a grudge over previous poor performances. Jump on him when others will be dumb enough to pass.
Players to Avoid
Tony Romo, DAL (ADP 124.5, QB13): Romo’s name value seems to be carrying too much weight to fantasy players. Considering Romo hasn’t played a full season since 2012, is coming off breaking his collarbone twice last season and turned 36 in April, there’s enough to be concerned about if you stop there. Factor in that he hasn’t attempted more than 535 passes or thrown for more than 3,828 yards in the last three seasons in what’s clearly a run-first offense, and you have way too much working against him.
Potential Sleepers
Joe Flacco, BAL (ADP 195.8, QB23): I’ve never advocated Flacco as a reliable fantasy option, but a new coach can change perception quickly. When the Ravens brought Marc Trestman in from Chicago, he didn’t have a lot of success as a head coach, but he’s always been fantasy-friendly, as we saw with Josh McCown. While Flacco was limited to just 10 games in 2015 due to a torn ACL, he tied a career high with five 300-yard games and set a career high with 279.1 yards per game. Flacco was averaging 41.3 attempts per game, which is almost three more than his next best season (2013). According to Flacco, he’s not worried about playing in the preseason, per Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, and it’s not like he needs many reps at this point in his career. From a volume standpoint alone, Flacco is worth looking at as a strong fantasy backup with starter potential.
Other names to monitor: Jameis Winston, TB (ADP 141.8, QB16), Marcus Mariota, TEN (ADP 153.5, QB19)
2016 Preseason Quarterback Rankings
| 1 | Aaron Rodgers GB (4) | 2 | 2 |
| 2 | Andrew Luck IND (10) | 4 | 4 |
| 3 | Cam Newton CAR (7) | 1 | 1 |
| 4 | Russell Wilson SEA (5) | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | Drew Brees NO (5) | 5 | 6 |
| 6 | Ben Roethlisberger PIT (8) | 6 | 5 |
| 7 | Carson Palmer ARI (9) | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | Eli Manning NYG (8) | 8 | 10 |
| 9 | Matthew Stafford DET (10) | 18 | 19 |
| 10 | Derek Carr OAK (10) | 13 | 13 |
| 11 | Joe Flacco BAL (8) | 24 | 29 |
| 12 | Andy Dalton CIN (9) | 15 | 15 |
| 13 | Tom Brady NE (9) | 11 | 9 |
| 14 | Blake Bortles JAC (5) | 9 | 8 |
| 15 | Ryan Tannehill MIA (8) | 21 | 22 |
| 16 | Marcus Mariota TEN (13) | 19 | 17 |
| 17 | Philip Rivers SD (11) | 10 | 12 |
| 18 | Jameis Winston TB (6) | 17 | 16 |
| 19 | Matt Ryan ATL (11) | 20 | 20 |
| 20 | Tyrod Taylor BUF (10) | 16 | 18 |
| 21 | Ryan Fitzpatrick NYJ (11) | 22 | 24 |
| 22 | Jay Cutler CHI (9) | 23 | 25 |
| 23 | Tony Romo DAL (7) | 12 | 11 |
| 24 | Alex Smith KC (5) | 25 | 28 |
| 25 | Kirk Cousins WAS (9) | 14 | 14 |
| 26 | Brock Osweiler HOU (9) | 26 | 23 |
| 27 | Teddy Bridgewater MIN (6) | 28 | 21 |
| 28 | Jared Goff LA (8) | 34 | 26 |
| 29 | Josh McCown CLE (13) | 37 | N/A |
| 30 | Sam Bradford PHI (4) | 32 | 31 |
| 31 | Mark Sanchez DEN (11) | 29 | N/A |
| 32 | Colin Kaepernick SF (8) | 33 | 32 |
| 33 | Blaine Gabbert SF (8) | 31 | 35 |
| 34 | Carson Wentz PHI (4) | 35 | 33 |
| 35 | Jimmy Garoppolo NE (9) | 38 | N/A |
| 36 | Robert Griffin CLE (13) | 27 | 27 |
| 37 | Paxton Lynch DEN (11) | 39 | 34 |
| 38 | Trevor Siemian DEN (11) | 41 | N/A |
| 39 | Cody Kessler CLE (13) | 45 | N/A |
| 40 | Geno Smith NYJ (11) | 30 | N/A |
Running Backs: You'll Need Some Luck
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As I discussed in my Ultimate Blueprint, ADP information shows an abundance of wide receivers taken in the first three rounds, specifically in the first round, which has pushed legitimate RB1 candidates down the board. Of the first 36 picks, 21 of them are WRs.
That means you could end up with Mark Ingram (ADP 24.5, RB9), Eddie Lacy (ADP 25.5, RB10) or Doug Martin (ADP 28.8, RB11) if you start your draft with one or even two wide receivers. That’s a spot I’d love to be in to open my draft.
I’ll continue to advocate the philosophy of getting one strong, reliable RB in the first four rounds and loading up on a mix of potential and established players later on in the draft.
Targets Based on Value
Carlos Hyde, SF (ADP 48.3, RB17): Hyde’s coming off a lost season thanks to a stress fracture in his foot that limited him to just seven games, so he’s still fairly unproven entering his third year. The excitement stems from his talent and potential for a big workload and strong fantasy production in head coach Chip Kelly’s offense.
Under Kelly, the Eagles were 11th in rushing attempts in 2015, seventh in 2014 and fourth in 2013. Considering the 49ers don’t have much established talent in their passing game, Hyde should be leaned on heavily. If he can stay healthy, he could easily be a good RB1.
Danny Woodhead, SD (ADP 54.5, RB20): While I may not have to do as much convincing as previous seasons, I still see Woodhead going lower than he should. He’s a polarizing player because of his unique role, but it’s a role he excels at in a big way. Last season, Woodhead was third among running backs in scoring and played every game. Obviously, his value takes a big hit in non-PPR formats, so you have to adjust accordingly.
In his two healthy seasons with the Chargers (2013, 2015), Woodhead racked up 156 receptions on 191 targets for 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns as a receiver. He doesn’t do a lot of work as a runner, but he did have 204 carries for 765 yards and five touchdowns over that same span.
Even if Melvin Gordon is able to handle a consistent role as the team’s lead rusher, Woodhead is far too important in his role to lose significant touches. I’m not expecting him to repeat as an RB1, but he’s a perfect RB2 and a nice value.
Players to Avoid
Jamaal Charles, KC (ADP 17.8, RB7): Including Charles in this group is simply about where he’s being drafted and not so much his talent. Yes, Charles has shown he can come back from a torn ACL and perform at a high level, but this is the second time he’ll have to return from a major knee injury. It’s fair to wonder if his explosive ability will come all the way back, especially with the amount of touches he’s racked up over an eight-year career.
One of my biggest concerns is how safe head coach Andy Reid will be with Charles, considering he’s been extra cautious with him in the past for something less serious, like an ankle sprain. Plus, with the team deciding to bring back Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West, Reid knows he has other options he can trust besides Charles. Based on his ADP, expectations look way too high for Charles. I’d rather have him as a solid RB2 instead of the strong RB1 classification he’s getting.
DeMarco Murray, TEN (ADP 52, RB19): Murray was a big bust in Philadelphia, but that’s only part of my concern with where he’s being drafted. He comes to a Tennessee team that has questions about their offensive identity. Murray had issues running out of the shotgun in Philadelphia, which is a concern since that’s the formation quarterback Marcus Mariota is most comfortable in, as we saw last year.
In June, Murray told Jim Rome of CBS Sports Radio that he liked head coach Mike Mularkey’s system because it’s strictly downhill, which is what he’s been accustomed to his entire life. The team still has an identity issue if it takes its franchise QB or starting RB out of their comfort zone.
Plus, you have the issue of selecting Derrick Henry in the second round of this year’s draft. That’s a strong investment in a running back, so there has to be worry about Murray’s workload. I don’t have confidence in the Titans as a whole, and this situation looks like it has the potential to get ugly. Even if he gets off to a good start, I don’t see Murray keeping it up as a reliable RB2.
Jeremy Langford, CHI (ADP 62.3, RB24): The hype on Langford doesn’t make sense to me because he didn’t look particularly good last season (3.6 YPC) and you cannot assume he’s going to get the volume of a typical lead back. The Bears selected Jordan Howard in the fifth round of this year’s draft, and they still have experienced backs like Ka’Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers to threaten for touches.
According to Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune, head coach John Fox will likely stick with the committee approach, which “promises to be hell for fantasy owners.” To further that point, Dan Durkin of The Athletic notes that Fox has coached one team that’s had one back carry the ball 60 percent of the time.
Langford isn’t good enough to buck that trend and is far from a lock to be a solid RB2. Instead, he’s in a big group of RB3s you’ll likely have to shuffle in and out of your lineup all season, so don’t go reaching for him at his current ADP.
Potential Sleepers
Tevin Coleman, ATL (ADP 106.3, RB40): As a rookie, Coleman was bitten by the injury bug during the preseason (hamstring), start of the regular season (ribs) and end of the regular season (concussion). In the midst of all that, Devonta Freeman stepped in and wound up as the top back in fantasy football. While Freeman’s fantasy production was strong, a deeper look at the numbers shows his rushing production fell off in a big way in the second half of the season.
After rushing for at least 100 yards four times in the first eight weeks, Freeman had just two games of at least 73 rushing yards the rest of the way. Over his final seven games, Freeman rushed 113 times for 347 yards (3.1 YPC) and just two rushing touchdowns.
The Falcons coaching staff seems to be well-aware of that and wants to do something about it. Running backs coach Bobby Turner told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's D. Orlando Ledbetter that "Free had a good year, but I’m expecting even a better year. Well, you’re saying, how can it be better? It can be even better with less carries or less catches because I’d obviously like to get Tevin (Coleman) more involved and that also keeps Free fresher.” According to Andrew Hirsh of the team’s site, they want to get Coleman more carries and feature him more in the passing game.
While I still think Freeman will have a big enough role, specifically in the passing game, to be a low RB1, not enough is being made about how much Coleman’s role could expand. The team was comfortable enough to enter last season with him as the starter and clearly want to get him involved more, so he’s definitely worth a shot as an RB4 with plenty of upside.
Other Names to Monitor: Bilal Powell, NYJ (ADP 116, RB44), DeAndre Washington, OAK (ADP 152.5, RB52), Wendell Smallwood, PHI (ADP 178, RB60)
2016 Preseason Running Back PPR Rankings
| 1 | Todd Gurley LA (8) | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | David Johnson ARI (9) | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | Lamar Miller HOU (9) | 4 | 5 |
| 4 | Ezekiel Elliott DAL (7) | 3 | 4 |
| 5 | Adrian Peterson MIN (6) | 5 | 3 |
| 6 | Eddie Lacy GB (4) | 12 | 10 |
| 7 | Devonta Freeman ATL (11) | 7 | 7 |
| 8 | Le'Veon Bell PIT (8) | 8 | 6 |
| 9 | Mark Ingram NO (5) | 9 | 9 |
| 10 | C.J. Anderson DEN (11) | 13 | 14 |
| 11 | Carlos Hyde SF (8) | 16 | 17 |
| 12 | Doug Martin TB (6) | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | Dion Lewis NE (9) | 15 | 15 |
| 14 | LeSean McCoy BUF (10) | 10 | 11 |
| 15 | Thomas Rawls SEA (5) | 19 | 16 |
| 16 | Danny Woodhead SD (11) | 18 | 20 |
| 17 | Jamaal Charles KC (5) | 6 | 8 |
| 18 | Matt Forte NYJ (11) | 14 | 13 |
| 19 | Jeremy Hill CIN (9) | 25 | 26 |
| 20 | Latavius Murray OAK (10) | 17 | 18 |
| 21 | Ameer Abdullah DET (10) | 29 | 30 |
| 22 | Duke Johnson CLE (13) | 21 | 21 |
| 23 | Giovani Bernard CIN (9) | 22 | 25 |
| 24 | Frank Gore IND (10) | 27 | 29 |
| 25 | Melvin Gordon SD (11) | 30 | 31 |
| 26 | DeMarco Murray TEN (13) | 20 | 19 |
| 27 | Ryan Mathews PHI (4) | 23 | 23 |
| 28 | Matt Jones WAS (9) | 24 | 22 |
| 29 | Theo Riddick DET (10) | 33 | 38 |
| 30 | Charles Sims TB (6) | 31 | 32 |
| 31 | Jeremy Langford CHI (9) | 28 | 24 |
| 32 | Arian Foster MIA (8) | 34 | 34 |
| 33 | T.J. Yeldon JAC (5) | 32 | 36 |
| 34 | Isaiah Crowell CLE (13) | 43 | 41 |
| 35 | Justin Forsett BAL (8) | 39 | 35 |
| 36 | Rashad Jennings NYG (8) | 38 | 39 |
| 37 | Shane Vereen NYG (8) | 45 | 47 |
| 38 | Jay Ajayi MIA (8) | 36 | 28 |
| 39 | Chris Ivory JAC (5) | 35 | 37 |
| 40 | Darren Sproles PHI (4) | 48 | 50 |
| 41 | Bilal Powell NYJ (11) | 40 | 44 |
| 42 | Jonathan Stewart CAR (7) | 26 | 27 |
| 43 | Jordan Howard CHI (9) | 52 | 55 |
| 44 | Derrick Henry TEN (13) | 46 | 43 |
| 45 | Jerick McKinnon MIN (6) | 50 | 53 |
| 46 | Tevin Coleman ATL (11) | 42 | 40 |
| 47 | DeAngelo Williams PIT (8) | 37 | 33 |
| 48 | DeAndre Washington OAK (10) | 51 | 48 |
| 49 | LeGarrette Blount NE (9) | 49 | 51 |
| 50 | Shaun Draughn SF (8) | 64 | 66 |
| 51 | James Starks GB (4) | 57 | 58 |
| 52 | Andre Ellington ARI (9) | 70 | 74 |
| 53 | C.J. Prosise SEA (5) | 41 | 42 |
| 54 | Kenneth Dixon BAL (8) | 44 | 45 |
| 55 | Javorius Allen BAL (8) | 47 | 49 |
| 56 | Wendell Smallwood PHI (4) | 56 | 60 |
| 57 | Cameron Artis-Payne CAR (7) | 73 | 71 |
| 58 | Spencer Ware KC (5) | 71 | 64 |
| 59 | Tim Hightower NO (5) | 60 | 67 |
| 60 | Josh Ferguson IND (10) | 61 | 63 |
| 61 | Khiry Robinson NYJ (11) | 84 | 89 |
| 62 | Charcandrick West KC (5) | 67 | 52 |
| 63 | Benny Cunningham LA (8) | 81 | 85 |
| 64 | James White NE (9) | 62 | 70 |
| 65 | Chris Johnson ARI (9) | 66 | 57 |
| 66 | Darren McFadden DAL (7) | 53 | 54 |
| 67 | C.J. Spiller NO (5) | 69 | 65 |
| 68 | Dexter McCluster TEN (13) | 87 | 96 |
| 69 | Devontae Booker DEN (11) | 58 | 56 |
| 70 | Ronnie Hillman DEN (11) | 63 | 72 |
| 71 | Mike Gillislee BUF (10) | 75 | 82 |
| 72 | Matt Asiata MIN (6) | 107 | N/A |
| 73 | Alfred Blue HOU (9) | 82 | 91 |
| 74 | Keith Marshall WAS (9) | 86 | 76 |
| 75 | Chris Thompson WAS (9) | 54 | 59 |
| 76 | Ka'Deem Carey CHI (9) | 78 | 78 |
| 77 | Fozzy Whittaker CAR (7) | 114 | N/A |
| 78 | Karlos Williams BUF (10) | 55 | 46 |
| 79 | Stevan Ridley DET (10) | 106 | 92 |
| 80 | Alex Collins SEA (5) | 91 | 75 |
| 81 | Kenyan Drake MIA (8) | 68 | 69 |
| 82 | Branden Oliver SD (11) | 105 | N/A |
| 83 | Jonathan Williams BUF (10) | 89 | 73 |
| 84 | Robert Turbin IND (10) | 90 | 87 |
| 85 | Donald Brown NE (9) | 101 | N/A |
| 86 | Alfred Morris DAL (7) | 74 | 62 |
| 87 | Lance Dunbar DAL (7) | 65 | 77 |
| 88 | Paul Perkins NYG (8) | 59 | 61 |
| 89 | Tre Mason LA (8) | 88 | 86 |
| 90 | Kelvin Taylor SF (8) | 104 | 83 |
| 91 | Christine Michael SEA (5) | 80 | 81 |
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Wide Receivers: Load Up
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Building your team around wide receivers has been the way to go for years now, but it seems your average fantasy player is just starting to catch up to that trend, so it won’t be as easy to do this year.
Because so many receivers are flying off the board in the first three rounds, it’s even more important to find the breakout stars in Rounds 4-6. I tend to take more chances when it comes to high-ceiling receivers, but try to limit them to those in the best situations. For instance, I may take Tyler Lockett (ADP 75.8, WR35) and his potential upside in Seattle over someone safer like Michael Crabtree (ADP 75.5, WR34) in Oakland.
Another tip is to look for receivers on teams with defensive concerns. If a defense can’t keep a team close, there’s more reason to throw. That’s certainly helped Odell Beckham Jr. rack up 288 targets over his first two seasons as part of a New York Giants team with a poor defense. Antonio Brown has certainly been helped by Pittsburgh’s struggles on defense in recent years. That’s not taking away from the talent of those players, just pointing out something that gives them an extra boost.
Targets Based on Value
Brandon Marshall, NYJ (ADP 20.8, WR12): Marshall is coming off his sixth season (of 10) with at least 100 receptions and his eighth season with at least 1,000 yards. He’s never had the opportunity to play with a great quarterback at any point in his career, when you consider names like Jay Cutler, Kyle Orton, Chad Henne, Matt Moore, Josh McCown and Ryan Fitzpatrick, yet he should be on his way to Canton.
Because of that, I wasn’t too concerned with idea of Geno Smith starting for the Jets this season, but that became a moot point (for now) after Fitzpatrick finally agreed to a new deal. Head coach Todd Bowles made it clear Fitzpatrick has the starting job, despite Smith leading the way in all offseason workouts, per NFL.com's Kevin Patra. Marshall tweeted a picture of Fitzpatrick’s arrival at the team’s facility and was clearly happy the situation was finally resolved.
I’m not sure why there’s so much confidence in players like Jordy Nelson (ADP 15, WR8), Keenan Allen (ADP 16, WR9) and Alshon Jeffery (ADP 18.5, WR10) to take them over Marshall when he’s done nothing but produce and remains in great shape. Considering he finished third in wide receiver fantasy points last year, I’m already building in a slight regression by ranking him as my WR7. Draft him with confidence.
Brandin Cooks, NO (ADP 23.5, WR14): After an injury-shortened rookie year, Cooks took the step forward we hoped for in 2015 with 84 receptions for 1,138 yards and nine touchdowns. I think he’s capable of even more.
Cooks didn’t exactly light it up in the early part of the season, posting just one game with 100 yards and just one TD over the first seven weeks. He scored eight TDs and had three games of at least 100 yards in the final nine games.
Other than Willie Snead, the Saints don’t have an established wide receiver in the mix, and the only experienced receiver who will challenge Cooks for targets is new tight end Coby Fleener. Plus, the Saints will have an average defense, at best, meaning lots of pass attempts for Drew Brees.
Cooks wound up as the 13th-best fantasy receiver last season, yet is coming off the board as the 14th wide receiver this year. He could easily jump into the top 10 in 2016, and possibly the top five. Snatch him up if you can.
Golden Tate, DET (ADP 35, WR21): I’ve already explained how well Matthew Stafford and the Lions played in the second half of last season, so I’m having a hard time with Tate coming off the board as the 21st wide receiver. He’s more of a high-end WR2 than a low-end WR2, and with Calvin Johnson gone, Tate has the potential to creep into WR1 territory.
Since joining the Lions in 2014, he’s led the team with 189 receptions on 272 targets, which comes out to an excellent 69.5 percent catch rate. The Lions added Marvin Jones and Anquan Boldin this offseason, so while Tate will be considered the top option in the passing game, defenses still have to respect the rest of the receiving corps, including tight end Eric Ebron and running backs Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah.
Moving to Jim Bob Cooter’s offense last season worked wonders for the Lions and should only help more with a full offseason to install the scheme. It’s an excellent situation for Tate to take a step forward.
Other Names to Monitor: Tyler Lockett, Sea (ADP 75.8, WR35)
Players to Avoid
Doug Baldwin, SEA (ADP 45.3, WR24): Baldwin is one to avoid at his current draft position, but not completely. After the bye last season, Seattle clearly made an effort to ramp up its passing attack, and it worked, with Baldwin being the biggest beneficiary.
He was the third-best fantasy wide receiver over the season's final eight games, which included a five-game stretch that featured 11 touchdowns. That came after he was 41st at the position in fantasy scoring over the first eight games. It’s a huge difference that relied heavily on finding the end zone.
Baldwin’s rise picked up when the team lost Jimmy Graham to a torn patellar in Week 12. According to general manager John Schneider, per Seahawks.com's Tony Drovetto, the team plans on being careful with Graham, and he’s on track to be ready for Week 1.
With Graham expected back and Tyler Lockett also in the mix and on the rise, Baldwin is less likely to repeat his stellar performance from the end of last year. I don’t hate his low-WR2 classification, but spending a top-50 pick on him seems too rich.
Other Names to Monitor: Alshon Jeffery, CHI (ADP 18.5, WR10), Corey Coleman, CLE (ADP 99.8, WR39)
Potential Sleepers
Kevin White, CHI (ADP 82, WR36): White isn’t a sleeper in the sense that he’d be coming out of nowhere to have a productive season, especially since he’s a former first-round draft pick of just a year ago, but in the sense that he could greatly outplay his current fantasy draft status and end up with better numbers than teammate Alshon Jeffery.
White’s rookie season was lost to a shin injury that eventually required surgery, so this year’s training camp will be the first he’s able to fully participate in during practice. The buzz around White is already picking up and will only continue if he’s able to flash his supreme talent during preseason action. White said he’s already put in time with quarterback Jay Cutler, and Cutler said White is “going to be something special,” per Jeff Dickerson of ESPN.com.
Jeffery’s had issues staying on the field, including last year when he was limited to just nine games, and that likely played into the team’s decision to not offer him a long-term deal over his franchise tag. It also indicates that the team believes it has something more in White. At his current ADP, he might be a steal in your draft, but if his talent shows up in preseason action, White could fly up draft boards.
Other Names to Monitor: Sterling Shepard, NYG (ADP 102, WR41), Michael Thomas, NO (ADP 152, WR55), Phillip Dorsett, IND (ADP 149.8, WR54), Breshad Perriman, BAL (ADP 182.3, WR65)
2016 Preseason Wide Receiver PPR Rankings
| 1 | Antonio Brown PIT (8) | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Julio Jones ATL (11) | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Odell Beckham Jr. NYG (8) | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | DeAndre Hopkins HOU (9) | 4 | 4 |
| 5 | A.J. Green CIN (9) | 5 | 5 |
| 6 | Brandin Cooks NO (5) | 13 | 14 |
| 7 | Brandon Marshall NYJ (11) | 12 | 12 |
| 8 | Dez Bryant DAL (7) | 6 | 6 |
| 9 | T.Y. Hilton IND (10) | 16 | 16 |
| 10 | Allen Robinson JAC (5) | 7 | 7 |
| 11 | Keenan Allen SD (11) | 8 | 9 |
| 12 | Amari Cooper OAK (10) | 14 | 13 |
| 13 | Jordy Nelson GB (4) | 9 | 8 |
| 14 | Golden Tate DET (10) | 20 | 21 |
| 15 | Sammy Watkins BUF (10) | 22 | 18 |
| 16 | Mike Evans TB (6) | 11 | 11 |
| 17 | Randall Cobb GB (4) | 17 | 20 |
| 18 | Demaryius Thomas DEN (11) | 15 | 15 |
| 19 | Jeremy Maclin KC (5) | 21 | 23 |
| 20 | Kelvin Benjamin CAR (7) | 24 | 22 |
| 21 | Alshon Jeffery CHI (9) | 10 | 10 |
| 22 | Donte Moncrief IND (10) | 26 | 25 |
| 23 | Julian Edelman NE (9) | 19 | 19 |
| 24 | Jarvis Landry MIA (8) | 18 | 17 |
| 25 | Eric Decker NYJ (11) | 23 | 26 |
| 26 | John Brown ARI (9) | 31 | 31 |
| 27 | DeVante Parker MIA (8) | 32 | 33 |
| 28 | Larry Fitzgerald ARI (9) | 28 | 27 |
| 29 | Jordan Matthews PHI (4) | 27 | 28 |
| 30 | Doug Baldwin SEA (5) | 25 | 24 |
| 31 | Emmanuel Sanders DEN (11) | 29 | 30 |
| 32 | Michael Floyd ARI (9) | 30 | 29 |
| 33 | Kevin White CHI (9) | 39 | 36 |
| 34 | Josh Gordon CLE (13) | 38 | 42 |
| 35 | Michael Crabtree OAK (10) | 34 | 35 |
| 36 | Marvin Jones DET (10) | 36 | 37 |
| 37 | Allen Hurns JAC (5) | 33 | 32 |
| 38 | Steve Smith BAL (8) | 49 | 46 |
| 39 | Tyler Lockett SEA (5) | 35 | 34 |
| 40 | Stefon Diggs MIN (6) | 46 | 48 |
| 41 | Sterling Shepard NYG (8) | 41 | 41 |
| 42 | Markus Wheaton PIT (8) | 45 | 43 |
| 43 | Vincent Jackson TB (6) | 50 | 52 |
| 44 | Steve Johnson SD (11) | 69 | 72 |
| 45 | Dorial Green-Beckham TEN (13) | 52 | 49 |
| 46 | Pierre Garcon WAS (9) | 61 | 66 |
| 47 | DeSean Jackson WAS (9) | 37 | 38 |
| 48 | Laquon Treadwell MIN (6) | 48 | 45 |
| 49 | Tavon Austin LA (8) | 43 | 47 |
| 50 | Chris Hogan NE (9) | 64 | 59 |
| 51 | Sammie Coates PIT (8) | 59 | 57 |
| 52 | Devin Funchess CAR (7) | 58 | 58 |
| 53 | Travis Benjamin SD (11) | 51 | 51 |
| 54 | Breshad Perriman BAL (8) | 68 | 60 |
| 55 | Willie Snead NO (5) | 40 | 40 |
| 56 | Torrey Smith SF (8) | 44 | 44 |
| 57 | Kendall Wright TEN (13) | 55 | 61 |
| 58 | Rishard Matthews TEN (13) | 60 | 64 |
| 59 | Corey Coleman CLE (13) | 42 | 39 |
| 60 | Mohamed Sanu ATL (11) | 53 | 53 |
| 61 | Robert Woods BUF (10) | 76 | 76 |
| 62 | Phillip Dorsett IND (10) | 56 | 54 |
| 63 | Terrance Williams DAL (7) | 67 | 67 |
| 64 | Kamar Aiken BAL (8) | 47 | 50 |
| 65 | Anquan Boldin DET (10) | 65 | 68 |
| 66 | Brandon LaFell CIN (9) | 74 | 82 |
| 67 | Cole Beasley DAL (7) | 96 | 100 |
| 68 | Seth Roberts OAK (10) | 72 | 77 |
| 69 | Michael Thomas NO (5) | 54 | 55 |
| 70 | Kenny Britt LA (8) | 73 | 95 |
| 71 | Tyler Boyd CIN (9) | 71 | 71 |
| 72 | Nelson Agholor PHI (4) | 66 | 62 |
| 73 | Rueben Randle PHI (4) | 70 | 78 |
| 74 | Justin Hardy ATL (11) | 84 | 91 |
| 75 | Bruce Ellington SF (8) | 62 | 74 |
| 76 | Mike Wallace BAL (8) | 63 | 65 |
| 77 | Jermaine Kearse SEA (5) | 87 | 85 |
| 78 | Danny Amendola NE (9) | 80 | 84 |
| 79 | Andrew Hawkins CLE (13) | 113 | N/A |
| 80 | Jarius Wright MIN (6) | 119 | N/A |
| 81 | Will Fuller HOU (9) | 79 | 69 |
| 82 | Eddie Royal CHI (9) | 86 | 98 |
| 83 | Ted Ginn CAR (7) | 77 | 73 |
| 84 | Ty Montgomery GB (4) | 101 | N/A |
| 85 | Chris Conley KC (5) | 91 | 101 |
| 86 | Josh Doctson WAS (9) | 57 | 56 |
| 87 | Cecil Shorts HOU (9) | 107 | 105 |
| 88 | Davante Adams GB (4) | 82 | 81 |
| 89 | Kenny Stills MIA (8) | 98 | N/A |
| 90 | Albert Wilson KC (5) | 95 | N/A |
| 91 | Victor Cruz NYG (8) | 89 | 63 |
| 92 | Quincy Enunwa NYJ (11) | 135 | N/A |
| 93 | Jamison Crowder WAS (9) | 90 | 94 |
| 94 | Leonard Hankerson BUF (10) | 117 | N/A |
| 95 | Philly Brown CAR (7) | 97 | N/A |
| 96 | Rashad Greene JAC (5) | 132 | N/A |
| 97 | Brian Quick LA (8) | 108 | N/A |
| 98 | Jaelen Strong HOU (9) | 78 | 86 |
| 99 | Braxton Miller HOU (9) | 99 | 80 |
| 100 | Pharoh Cooper LA (8) | 85 | 88 |
| 101 | Rashard Higgins CLE (13) | 115 | 89 |
Tight Ends: Stay Safe or Believe the Hype?
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Are there 10 game-changing tight ends in the league? That answer is a resounding no, but there have been plenty of potential players over the years we hope to see dominate fantasy football—like Tony Gonzalez or Antonio Gates in their prime, or Rob Gronkowski in his current form.
Finding consistency is hard enough at the tight end position, so it’s been nice to see players like Jordan Reed, Travis Kelce and Tyler Eifert take the next step to consistency with the talent to hit the ceiling of Gronkowski in any given week. Of course, as soon as that happens, values shoot up, which is why Reed (ADP 36.3) might cost you a top-35 pick this year. Kelce (ADP 62.3) and Eifert (ADP 72.3) aren’t going as high, so they might be better values.
If you’re content with consistency without the high ceiling, you’ll be aiming for someone like Delanie Walker in Tennessee, although he’s no longer flying under the radar with an ADP of 66.3. Antonio Gates also falls into that category, but he’s much cheaper with an ADP of 111.5.
Targets Based on Value
Zach Ertz, PHI (ADP 91.5, TE10): Ertz’s potential has been talked about since he entered the league in 2013, but it wasn’t until last year’s performance that he finally became a reliable fantasy option—and that didn’t even happen right away following sports hernia surgery that kept him out for the entire preseason.
In the midst of major offseason changes for the Philadelphia Eagles, most notably the firing of head coach Chip Kelly, the team made sure to lock up Ertz with a long-term deal in January. With that kind of commitment, Ertz should continue to have a big role in this offense, which should be a bit more conservative under new head coach Doug Pederson, at least compared to Kelly’s scheme.
Ertz was ninth in tight end fantasy points last season, so as the 10th TE off the board with an ADP of 91.5, he’s a nice value with a chance to improve on his career numbers from 2015.
Players to Avoid
I’m not put off by any player’s ADP in the tight end group, but be careful with Coby Fleener (ADP 68.3, TE6) in New Orleans. He has a 58.4 percent catch rate for his career, which is terrible for a tight end.
Potential Sleepers
I had to pull Pittsburgh's Ladarius Green (ADP 89, TE9) off this list when Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reported that Green had two plates inserted into his ankle during the offseason. Green opened training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list and has to refine his cutting. He could fill a big role after the retirement of Heath Miller, the suspension of wide receiver Martavis Bryant and the potential suspension of running back Le’Veon Bell.
Other Names to Monitor: Clive Walford, OAK (ADP 182.3, TE22)
2016 Preseason Tight End PPR Rankings
| 1 | Rob Gronkowski NE (9) | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Jordan Reed WAS (9) | 2 | 2 |
| 3 | Travis Kelce KC (5) | 4 | 4 |
| 4 | Greg Olsen CAR (7) | 3 | 3 |
| 5 | Tyler Eifert CIN (9) | 9 | 7 |
| 6 | Zach Ertz PHI (4) | 7 | 8 |
| 7 | Delanie Walker TEN (13) | 5 | 5 |
| 8 | Coby Fleener NO (5) | 6 | 6 |
| 9 | Gary Barnidge CLE (13) | 8 | 9 |
| 10 | Julius Thomas JAC (5) | 11 | 11 |
| 11 | Ladarius Green PIT (8) | 10 | 10 |
| 12 | Eric Ebron DET (10) | 13 | 15 |
| 13 | Antonio Gates SD (11) | 12 | 12 |
| 14 | Zach Miller CHI (9) | 17 | 18 |
| 15 | Dwayne Allen IND (10) | 14 | 16 |
| 16 | Jimmy Graham SEA (5) | 18 | 13 |
| 17 | Martellus Bennett NE (9) | 16 | 14 |
| 18 | Clive Walford OAK (10) | 23 | 20 |
| 19 | Jason Witten DAL (7) | 15 | 17 |
| 20 | Jordan Cameron MIA (8) | 21 | 24 |
| 21 | Charles Clay BUF (10) | 20 | 22 |
| 22 | Jared Cook GB (4) | 24 | 21 |
| 23 | Austin Seferian-Jenkins TB (6) | 19 | 19 |
| 24 | Vance McDonald SF (8) | 22 | 25 |
| 25 | Kyle Rudolph MIN (6) | 27 | 28 |
| 26 | Benjamin Watson BAL (8) | 26 | 29 |
| 27 | Jacob Tamme ATL (11) | 39 | 23 |
| 28 | Will Tye NYG (8) | 25 | 27 |
| 29 | Maxx Williams BAL (8) | 38 | N/A |
| 30 | Richard Rodgers GB (4) | 30 | 33 |
| 31 | Ryan Griffin HOU (9) | 45 | N/A |
| 32 | Jeff Heuerman DEN (11) | 32 | 36 |
| 33 | Tyler Kroft CIN (9) | 47 | 26 |
| 34 | Virgil Green DEN (11) | 41 | N/A |
| 35 | Lance Kendricks LA (8) | 35 | 39 |
| 36 | Brent Celek PHI (4) | 49 | N/A |
| 37 | Darren Fells ARI (9) | 42 | N/A |
| 38 | Garrett Graham DEN (11) | 46 | N/A |
| 39 | Tyler Higbee LA (8) | 33 | 30 |
| 40 | C.J. Fiedorowicz HOU (9) | 57 | N/A |
| 41 | Niles Paul WAS (9) | 48 | N/A |
| 42 | Dion Sims MIA (8) | 59 | N/A |
| 43 | Mychal Rivera OAK (10) | 56 | N/A |
| 44 | Crockett Gillmore BAL (8) | 43 | N/A |
| 45 | Larry Donnell NYG (8) | 37 | N/A |
| 46 | Josh Hill NO (5) | 44 | N/A |
| 47 | Austin Hooper ATL (11) | 29 | 31 |
| 48 | Jermaine Gresham ARI (9) | 50 | N/A |
| 49 | Luke Willson SEA (5) | 51 | N/A |
| 50 | Garrett Celek SF (8) | 52 | N/A |
| 51 | Jack Doyle IND (10) | 61 | N/A |
| 52 | Marcedes Lewis JAC (5) | 68 | N/A |
| 53 | Jeff Cumberland SD (11) | 62 | N/A |
| 54 | Jace Amaro NYJ (11) | 34 | 37 |
| 55 | MyCole Pruitt MIN (6) | 54 | N/A |
| 56 | Gavin Escobar DAL (7) | 67 | N/A |
| 57 | Jesse James PIT (8) | 58 | N/A |
| 58 | Hunter Henry SD (11) | 31 | 32 |
| 59 | Nick Vannett SEA (5) | 73 | 34 |
Defenses: More of the Same
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I’m sticking to my sound logic of waiting on a defensive selection until the final three rounds, or if you’re really smart, the final two rounds. The NFL is way too offensively driven to have consistently dominant fantasy defenses, so unless your scoring favors defenses, don’t be a hero and take the Broncos or Seahawks in the 10th round.
There are no values to discuss since most fantasy players are wise enough to wait until the end of the draft to grab their defense.
Consider the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants the possible sleeper defenses this season. Jacksonville gets Dante Fowler back from the injury that cost him his rookie season and spent a first-round pick on Jalen Ramsey to strengthen its secondary. It also added Prince Amukamara and Malik Jackson in free agency. The Giants spent big money in free agency to improve their woeful defense, but their value is tied to a favorable schedule, specifically in their own division.
2016 Preseason Defense Rankings
| 1 | Denver Broncos DEN (11) | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | Seattle Seahawks SEA (5) | 1 | 2 |
| 3 | Arizona Cardinals ARI (9) | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | Carolina Panthers CAR (7) | 4 | 3 |
| 5 | Houston Texans HOU (9) | 6 | 5 |
| 6 | Los Angeles Rams LA (8) | 5 | 7 |
| 7 | New England Patriots NE (9) | 8 | 8 |
| 8 | Kansas City Chiefs KC (5) | 7 | 6 |
| 9 | New York Jets NYJ (11) | 11 | 9 |
| 10 | Buffalo Bills BUF (10) | 12 | 13 |
| 11 | Cincinnati Bengals CIN (9) | 10 | 12 |
| 12 | Minnesota Vikings MIN (6) | 9 | 11 |
| 13 | Jacksonville Jaguars JAC (5) | 19 | 16 |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins MIA (8) | 16 | 19 |
| 15 | Green Bay Packers GB (4) | 13 | 15 |
| 16 | Baltimore Ravens BAL (8) | 18 | 23 |
| 17 | New York Giants NYG (8) | 21 | 18 |
| 18 | Philadelphia Eagles PHI (4) | 15 | 17 |
| 19 | Oakland Raiders OAK (10) | 17 | 14 |
| 20 | Pittsburgh Steelers PIT (8) | 14 | 10 |
Kickers: Keep Your Priorities in Order
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When it comes to kickers, you’re looking for accuracy and players in good situations with lots of opportunities to score. That explains why Stephen Gostkowski has been the best fantasy kicker for the last three years. He’s reliable, and the Patriots have a good offense. The same goes for Steven Hauschka in Seattle.
If I’m looking for a way to differentiate kickers, I’ll favor those who spend more than half the season indoors. Top options that fit in that category include Chandler Catanzaro in Arizona, Matt Prater in Detroit and Blair Walsh in Minnesota.
Don’t take a kicker until your last pick, and if you don’t have to draft a kicker, then use that pick for a flier at another position. You can always pick up a kicker before Week 1.
2016 Preseason Kicker Rankings
| 1 | Stephen Gostkowski NE (9) | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | Steven Hauschka SEA (5) | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Justin Tucker BAL (8) | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | Mason Crosby GB (4) | 4 | 8 |
| 5 | Graham Gano CAR (7) | 8 | 2 |
| 6 | Dan Bailey DAL (7) | 5 | 5 |
| 7 | Adam Vinatieri IND (10) | 7 | 10 |
| 8 | Chandler Catanzaro ARI (9) | 6 | 12 |
| 9 | Brandon McManus DEN (11) | 9 | 9 |
| 10 | Cairo Santos KC (5) | 11 | 15 |
| 11 | Matt Prater DET (10) | 13 | 16 |
| 12 | Josh Brown NYG (8) | 12 | 13 |
| 13 | Blair Walsh MIN (6) | 10 | 7 |
| 14 | Dan Carpenter BUF (10) | 15 | 21 |
| 15 | Chris Boswell PIT (8) | 14 | 6 |
| 16 | Josh Lambo SD (11) | 17 | 25 |
| 17 | Sebastian Janikowski OAK (10) | 19 | 17 |
| 18 | Mike Nugent CIN (9) | 16 | 23 |
| 19 | Phil Dawson SF (8) | 21 | |
| 20 | Greg Zuerlein LA (8) | 22 |
Special thanks to our friends at FantasyPros for assisting with our rankings layout in addition to providing stats.
Do you have a fantasy football question? Follow @TheMattCamp on Twitter.
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