Fantasy Football Big Board Heading into Preseason Week 2
If there’s noteworthy news in the offseason, usually it’s something negative. Positive reports about players in offseason workouts mean little to me, but when trying to fill the football void, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of something as simple as a rookie learning the playbook.
With training camp winding down and a week of preseason action already behind us, player evaluation, injury updates and game performance become more important, although minor stories can get overblown. Should you worry about what a depth chart looks like in early August? They might as well print them on toilet paper.
If there’s news on top players, it typically relates to a potential contract extension or something major like an injury or off-field issue. The Atlanta Falcons rewarded Devonta Freeman with an extension, which is a strong vote of confidence, but not a move that should greatly alter his fantasy value.
When the NFL announced a six-game suspension for Ezekiel Elliott, it seriously shook up what the rankings look like, and they could change again if his suspension is shortened or taken to the courts. Elliott’s change in ranking is covered in the running backs section of this article. His suspension makes Antonio Brown a viable option if you have a top-three pick.
In subsequent updates to this article through the preseason, you’ll see players with good values, some you want to avoid at their current ADP and potential sleepers.
My rankings will be updated more often than this article, so you can bookmark this page to see the latest changes at any given point in the preseason.
Note: All ADP data from Fantasy Football Calculator. All fantasy stats used to calculate finishes from FantasyPros. All advanced stats calculated using data from Pro Football Reference. All stats are based on points per reception (PPR) format.
Top 100
1 of 7
Based on current ADP data, the first 100 picks are comprised of 10 quarterbacks, 39 running backs, 42 wide receivers and nine tight ends. My top 100 isn’t far off with 11 quarterbacks, 37 running backs, 42 wide receivers and 10 tight ends. In 2016, the top 100 consisted of 11 QBs, 39 RBs, 41 WRs and nine TEs.
If you look at the first 36 picks (top three rounds in 12-team leagues), ADP shows two QBs, 17 RBs, 16 WRs and one TE. By comparison, I have two QBs, 15 RBs, 17 WRs, and two TEs in my top 36. In 2016, the top 36 picks were made up of one QB, 13 RBs, 20 WRs and two TEs.
The key trend to focus on is the rise of RBs in the first 36 picks from 14 RBs in 2016 to 17 RBs in 2017. Confidence in RBs has returned, although that strategy could be risky, as the position remains volatile even if the perception indicates otherwise. Seeing David Johnson, Le’Veon Bell and Ezekiel Elliott dominate consistently in 2016 is one of the primary causes for the renewed love of RBs, yet that ignores the disappointing season of Todd Gurley.
Top 100 PPR Rankings
Quarterbacks
2 of 7
Notable Changes in Rankings (since start of training camp)
12. Matthew Stafford, DET
13. Dak Prescott, DAL
14. Philip Rivers, LAC
15. Eli Manning, NYG
16. Tyrod Taylor, BUF
While I initially considered Taylor a value, his stock took a big hit when the Buffalo Bills traded Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams and acquired Jordan Matthews from the Philadelphia Eagles. That leaves Taylor with a completely different receiving corps compared to last year, as two of the additions (Matthews and Anquan Boldin) joined the team during the preseason. Taylor went from a potential top-12 QB to a fantasy backup.
Targets Based on Value
Russell Wilson, SEA
Current ADP: 77.6/QB6
My Ranking: QB4
Matthew Stafford, DET
Current ADP: 118.1/QB14
My Ranking: QB12
Overvalued Players
Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
Current ADP: 104.5/QB12
My Ranking: QB17
Potential Sleepers
Carson Wentz, PHI
Current ADP: 141.3/QB19
My Ranking: QB18
Other Names to Monitor
Andrew Luck, IND
Current ADP: 84.5/QB7
My Ranking: QB5
2017 Quarterback Rankings
| 1 | Tom Brady NE (9) |
| 2 | Aaron Rodgers GB (8) |
| 3 | Drew Brees NO (5) |
| 4 | Russell Wilson SEA (6) |
| 5 | Andrew Luck IND (11) |
| 6 | Matt Ryan ATL (5) |
| 7 | Derek Carr OAK (10) |
| 8 | Jameis Winston TB (11) |
| 9 | Kirk Cousins WAS (5) |
| 10 | Marcus Mariota TEN (8) |
| 11 | Cam Newton CAR (11) |
| 12 | Matthew Stafford DET (7) |
| 13 | Dak Prescott DAL (6) |
| 14 | Philip Rivers LAC (9) |
| 15 | Eli Manning NYG (8) |
| 16 | Tyrod Taylor BUF (6) |
| 17 | Ben Roethlisberger PIT (9) |
| 18 | Carson Wentz PHI (10) |
| 19 | Andy Dalton CIN (6) |
| 20 | Carson Palmer ARI (8) |
| 21 | Jay Cutler MIA (11) |
| 22 | Joe Flacco BAL (10) |
| 23 | Blake Bortles JAC (8) |
| 24 | Brian Hoyer SF (11) |
| 25 | Sam Bradford MIN (9) |
| 26 | Alex Smith KC (10) |
| 27 | Jared Goff LAR (8) |
| 28 | Trevor Siemian DEN (5) |
| 29 | Deshaun Watson HOU (7) |
| 30 | Josh McCown NYJ (11) |
| 31 | Mitch Trubisky CHI (9) |
| 32 | DeShone Kizer CLE (9) |
| 33 | Brock Osweiler CLE (9) |
| 34 | Mike Glennon CHI (9) |
| 35 | Paxton Lynch DEN (5) |
Running Backs
3 of 7
Notable Changes in Rankings (since start of training camp)
3. LeSean McCoy, BUF
4. Devonta Freeman, ATL
5. Melvin Gordon, LAC
6. DeMarco Murray, TEN
7. Jordan Howard, CHI
8. Jay Ajayi, MIA
9. Leonard Fournette, JAC
10. Christian McCaffrey, CAR
11. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL
Elliott was initially ranked as the No. 3 RB, but when his six-game suspension was announced, he slipped eight spots, although that still puts him in the RB1 range. I wrestled with the decision of how far to drop Elliott knowing that he might not serve all six games or could try to push the suspension back by taking it to court. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Elliott is “ready for a long battle” as it pertains to fighting the suspension.
While each player moved up with Elliott dropping from RB3 to RB11, McCoy moved up two spots, as he jumped over Freeman. Following the trade of Sammy Watkins and a lack of a true No. 1 WR in Buffalo, McCoy could see an even bigger role as both a runner and a receiver.
For the time being, neither Ajayi (concussion) nor Fournette (foot) will move, but if they are still battling injuries next week, adjustment could be made.
Targets Based on Value
Danny Woodhead, BAL
Current ADP: 44.2/RB19
My Ranking: RB12
C.J. Anderson, DEN
Current ADP: 57.6/RB24
My Ranking: RB18
Bilal Powell, NYJ
Current ADP: 59.7/RB25
My Ranking: RB16
Mark Ingram, NO
Current ADP: 61.4/RB26
My Ranking: RB17
Terrance West, BAL
Current ADP: 86.5/RB36
My Ranking: RB21
Darren Sproles, PHI
Current ADP: 135.6/RB51
My Ranking: RB36
Overvalued Players
Todd Gurley, LAR
Current ADP: 18.1/RB10
My Ranking: RB14
Lamar Miller, HOU
Current ADP: 26.8/RB12
My Ranking: RB19
Spencer Ware, KC
Current ADP: 48.2/RB21
My Ranking: RB34
Dalvin Cook, MIN
Current ADP: 35.5/RB17
My Ranking: RB26
Paul Perkins, NYG
Current ADP: 71.3/RB29
My Ranking: RB39
Eddie Lacy, SEA
Current ADP: 80/RB33
My Ranking: RB41
Derrick Henry, TEN
Current ADP: 80.5/RB34
My Ranking: RB50
Potential Sleepers
Kareem Hunt, KC
Current ADP: 88.9/RB37
My Ranking: RB34
C.J. Prosise, SEA
Current ADP: 104.7/RB43
My Ranking: RB31
Kyle Juszczyk, SF
Current ADP: Undrafted
My Ranking: RB43
Other Names to Monitor
Thomas Rawls, SEA
Current ADP: 103.6/RB42
My Ranking: RB40
Samaje Perine, WAS
Current ADP: 107.7/RB44
My Ranking: RB37
2017 Running Back PPR Rankings
.jpg?w=256 "Commanders Giants Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Commanders Giants Football")
Wide Receivers
4 of 7
Notable Changes in Rankings (since start of training camp)
5. Mike Evans, TB
6. T.Y. Hilton, IND
For the time being, Evans moves ahead of Hilton. Until we get more clarification on Andrew Luck’s shoulder injury, there’s no ignoring the real possibility of Luck missing at least Week 1. Even owner Jim Irsay wouldn’t confirm Luck’s status for the opener, according to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star. A game or two without Luck isn’t terrible for Hilton, but obviously not ideal.
34. Sammy Watkins, LAR
I wasn’t as high on Watkins as others coming into the preseason because of his injury history, but his value took an immediate hit when the Los Angeles Rams acquired him in a trade. Tyrod Taylor isn’t a superstar, but he’s a much better QB for Watkins than Jared Goff.
Watkins joining a new team during the preseason with a new coaching staff and young QB trying to battle back from a terrible rookie campaign is not a situation conducive to a bounce-back season for fantasy.
Targets Based on Value
Golden Tate, DET
Current ADP: 48.4/WR24
My Ranking: WR17
Stefon Diggs, MIN
Current ADP: 61.5/WR30
My Ranking: WR13
Pierre Garcon, SF
Current ADP: 74.9/WR34
My Ranking: WR24
Tyrell Williams, LAC
Current ADP: 96.6/WR42
My Ranking: WR26
Kenny Britt, CLE
Current ADP: 118.4/WR49
My Ranking: WR39
Overvalued Players
Demaryius Thomas, DEN
Current ADP: 30.2/WR15
My Ranking: WR22
Tyreek Hill, KC
Current ADP: 38.1/WR18
My Ranking: WR27
Michael Crabtree, OAK
Current ADP: 42.7/WR21
My Ranking: WR36
Jarvis Landry, MIA
Current ADP: 46.5/WR22
My Ranking: WR29
Potential Sleepers
Adam Thielen, MIN
Current ADP: 114.4/WR47
My Ranking: WR38
Corey Coleman, CLE
Current ADP: 118.2/WR48
My Ranking: WR46
Josh Doctson, WAS
Current ADP: 137.3/WR54
My Ranking: WR57
Other Names to Monitor
T.Y. Hilton, IND
Current ADP: 21.1/WR10
My Ranking: WR6
Jordan Matthews, BUF
Current ADP: 109.9/WR45
My Ranking: WR43
Zay Jones, BUF
Current ADP: 143.5/WR56
My Ranking: WR81
2017 Wide Receiver PPR Rankings
Tight Ends
5 of 7
Notable Changes in Rankings (since start of training camp)
4. Jimmy Graham, SEA
5. Jordan Reed, WAS
I moved Graham over Reed based on the health of both players. Reed opened training camp on the PUP list because of a toe injury, but he has since been fitted with orthotics for cushioning, according to Liz Clarke of the Washington Post. The hope is he’ll return to action next week, but he doesn’t know if he’ll play in the final three preseason games.
On the flip side, Graham told John Clayton of 710 ESPN Seattle that he feels "almost a hundred times" better than he did at this time last season (via Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com). Considering Graham was still the No. 4 TE in total fantasy points last season at less than peak shape, expectations should be higher for 2017. I’m considering moving him ahead of Greg Olsen to the No. 3 spot.
Targets Based on Value
Zach Ertz, PHI
Current ADP: 104.5/TE11
My Ranking: TE7
Jason Witten, DAL
Current ADP: 154.3/TE18
My Ranking: TE14
Overvalued Players
Martellus Bennett, GB
Current ADP: 83.1/TE8
My Ranking: TE15
O.J. Howard, TB
Current ADP: 140.7/TE14
My Ranking: TE20
Potential Sleepers
David Njoku, CLE
Current ADP: Undrafted
My Ranking: TE19
Other Names to Monitor
Tyler Higbee, LAR
Current ADP: Undrafted
My Ranking: TE26
2017 Tight End PPR Rankings
Defenses
6 of 7
Because the NFL is way too offensively driven to have reliable and dominant fantasy defenses on a weekly basis, I’m sticking to my sound logic of waiting on a defensive selection until the final three rounds, or if you’re really wise, the final two rounds.
Toward the end of the preseason, I’ll provide defense targets to grab based on favorable schedules to open the season. Streaming defenses is a smarter strategy than investing a valuable pick in a highly ranked defense like the Denver Broncos.
2017 Defense Rankings
| 1 | Denver Broncos DEN (5) |
| 2 | Seattle Seahawks SEA (6) |
| 3 | Houston Texans HOU (7) |
| 4 | Kansas City Chiefs KC (10) |
| 5 | New England Patriots NE (9) |
| 6 | Minnesota Vikings MIN (9) |
| 7 | Arizona Cardinals ARI (8) |
| 8 | Carolina Panthers CAR (11) |
| 9 | New York Giants NYG (8) |
| 10 | Baltimore Ravens BAL (10) |
| 11 | Jacksonville Jaguars JAC (8) |
| 12 | Philadelphia Eagles PHI (10) |
| 13 | Los Angeles Rams LAR (8) |
| 14 | Pittsburgh Steelers PIT (9) |
| 15 | Green Bay Packers GB (8) |
| 16 | Cincinnati Bengals CIN (6) |
| 17 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers TB (11) |
| 18 | Oakland Raiders OAK (10) |
| 19 | Los Angeles Chargers LAC (9) |
| 20 | Atlanta Falcons ATL (5) |
Kickers
7 of 7
Don’t overthink kickers.
You’re looking for accuracy and players in good situations with lots of opportunities to score. It explains why Stephen Gostkowski of the New England Patriots is consistently among the best kickers.
If you don’t have to draft a kicker, don’t take one. You’re better off taking a flier on a player at another position since you can always pick up a kicker before Week 1. If you have to take a kicker, just wait until the final round to make that selection. This is another position to stream during the season.
2017 Kicker Rankings
| 1 | Justin Tucker BAL (10) |
| 2 | Stephen Gostkowski NE (9) |
| 3 | Dan Bailey DAL (6) |
| 4 | Matt Bryant ATL (5) |
| 5 | Mason Crosby GB (8) |
| 6 | Will Lutz NO (5) |
| 7 | Adam Vinatieri IND (11) |
| 8 | Matt Prater DET (7) |
| 9 | Sebastian Janikowski OAK (10) |
| 10 | Cairo Santos KC (10) |
| 11 | Graham Gano CAR (11) |
| 12 | Brandon McManus DEN (5) |
| 13 | Chris Boswell PIT (9) |
| 14 | Dustin Hopkins WAS (5) |
| 15 | Caleb Sturgis PHI (10) |
| 16 | Blair Walsh SEA (6) |
| 17 | Josh Lambo LAC (9) |
| 18 | Nick Novak HOU (7) |
| 19 | Mike Nugent NYG (8) |
| 20 | Steven Hauschka BUF (6) |
.jpg?w=480 "Commanders Giants Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Commanders Giants Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Chiefs Could Trade Up in Draft")
.jpg?w=600 "Burrow's IG Story Before Trade 🧐")