I believe Jaguars and Titans will make the Playoffs this season.
Jaguars QB Blake Bortles will rebound this season. Improved front office, coaching, worked with Tom House on Mechanics. More offensive balance with improved running game. Will be a QB 2 with upside.
Titans QB Marcus Mariota
With improved weapons and development Mariota will be the QB I target as part of my yearly strategy to be the last team to take my 1st QB, but first to have 2. Eric Decker has double digit TD in 3 of last 5 seasons.
Ravens WR Jeremy Maclin should be able to excel in the slot for the Ravens. Baltimore has led the NFL in pass attempts each of the last 2 seasons. Maclin may have lost some burst down the field, but should excel in the slot. WR3 with PPR upside.
Danny Woodhead will be the back to own in Baltimore this year. With Pitta’s hip injury, Woodhead will pick up the slack in the short passing game. Terrance West isn’t much of a threat in the backfield and Kenneth Dixon wasn’t impressive last year. Dixon also will serve a 4-game suspension to start the season.
I view Saints WR Michael Thomas as a top 5 WR in fantasy football. Antonio Brown, Julio Jones, Odell Beckham JR. Michael Thomas, Jordy Nelson.
Saints WR Willie Snead has put up solid numbers in back-to-back years. Thomas will be a stud, but Snead will have his numbers go up as well.
Rams WR Robert Woods may be a popular WR5 this season. Tavon Austin is what he is and Cooper Kupp will play in the slot. Woods will lead Rams in receptions this year.
49ers QB’s will target Pierre Garcon early and often. PPR players will enjoy rostering Garcon more so than standard scoring players.
Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett dynamic playmaking ability needs to be used more this season. Coming back of broken Fibula and Tibia is something to track. Lockett is an excellent late rd gamble.
Packers TE Martellus Bennett set a career-high with 7 TD last season. I believe he easily sets career-high again this season.
I’m very torn on where to rank Ty Montgomery. Improved Pass protection could be his key to getting the most playing time. Right now, I’m leaning towards viewing him as a value pick instead of a player to reach up for in drafts.
Viewpoints of Kelvin Benjamin have changed dramatically since he came into the league. Went from great red zone threat and value to overweight bust in the eyes of fantasy owners. Its true Benjamin was out of shape last season; I blame the Panthers offense as a whole for falling off instead of blaming just Benjamin. Here’s his numbers.
2014 73 catches 1008 yards 9 TD.
2016 63 catches 941 yards 7 TD.
Don’t be a scorned Benjamin owner that lets him fall far in this year’s drafts. I believe Benjamin will out perform his draft slot.
Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey usage is tough to predict. Cam Newton is a runner instead of a check down passer. Switching styles could help Newton stay healthy long term. Would also make McCaffrey much more valuable. The drafting of McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel show a change in offensive philosophy. Make sure you have solid depth behind McCaffrey if you want to pay the cost to draft him.
Browns WR Corey Coleman has had hamstring problems dating back to his freshman year at Baylor. I’m scared to spend a WR-4 pick on him at this point. Coleman unfortunately lacks one crucial ability and that is availability.
If I had to choose 1 Patriots RB it would be Mike Gillislee. Had 8 Rushing TD last year. Rex Burkhead will see early down work with Gillislee as well. James White is the pass catching back. Dion Lewis will be a complimentary piece may help in return game.
Steelers WR Martavis Bryant has 14 TD in 21 career games played. Coming off a year suspension at age 25, Bryant should still possess elite athleticism. Playing opposite of Antonio Brown, a more mature Bryant should have a field day. I’m using a franchise tag to keep Bryant in my dynasty league.
Jets WR Quincy Enunwa may be Captain Garbage Time this season with the Jets expected to be among leagues worst teams.
Pay attention to Austin Seferian-Jenkins in training camp. Has cut out alcohol gotten in better shape and this is probably his last shot to have a career. ASJ shouldn’t have to fight for targets in this week receiving corps.
Lions RB Ameer Abdullah will be a stand by your man pick for me this season. Abdullah is coming back from Lisfranc surgery last season. With lack of surrounding talent in backfield, I’ll take a mid-to-late gamble on Abdullah one more time.
The Vikings backfield looks murky to some, but I’m not fearful of Dalvin Cook getting stuck behind Latavius Murray this season. Murray will be TD dependent again, while Cook should be able to carve out a role in the passing game. Cook for the round picked will be a better value than Murray this season.
Jets RB Matt Forte will get overdrafted based off of name recognition. Bilal Powell is younger and has more burst than Forte at this point. The Jets plan to use a committee at running back this year. Forte sadly could just be a bye week replacement running back at this stage of his career.
Bengals RB Joe Mixon will be a top 15 RB this season. Bernard coming off ACL tear and Jeremy Hill is too slow to get more than what is blocked. Go up to get Mixon.
Chargers TE Hunter Henry is a top 8 TE in fantasy football. I believe he does serious damage in LA this year. Antonio Gates will play less snaps this year and serve as a compliment to Henry.
Chiefs WR Chris Conley will take over for the departed Jeremy Maclin. Has 4.35 speed. Tyreek Hill is the projected Z receiver with Conley taking over the X. Conley is worth a late rd flier.
Redskins ILB Zach Brown has an opportunity to take a starting job away from Mason Foster or Will Compton. Buffalo’s run defense stunk last year and Brown was a portion not the entire problem. Could be a LB3 if he wins a starting job.
Jaguars ILB Myles Jack is taking over play-calling duties for Paul Posluszny this season. Jack has tremendous upside and should be a target for IDP owners.
Dolphins MLB Raekwon McMillan is a player to follow as camps get underway. McMillan was a solid tackler at The Ohio State University. Could be a popular early waiver claim in IDP leagues.
Colts ILB Jon Bostic is a player to pay attention to in training camp. Bostic is a former 2nd rd pick that flamed out in Chicago and New England. Colts LB corps is a wide open competition at this point. Sean Spence, Antonio Morrison, Edwin Jackson are also in competition for reps on the inside.
Giants MLB B.J. Goodson is another player to track in training camp. The LB corps for the G-Men leaves a lot to be desired. Goodson worked as the starting MLB in OTA’s.
Bears SS Quentin Demps was a late bloomer with the Texans. Demps should be able to carry over his production to Chicago due to a lack of play makers around him.
I believe Falcons Defense will take a bigger step forward this year based off their young talent gaining experience. Talent will not be impacted negatively by coaching changes. Head Coach Dan Quinn is a defensive guy, draft the Falcons with confidence.