Courier fantasy football preview

Although our rankings are fairly similar, there are a couple of major concepts that the two of us take opposite sides on. These are the three issues that Chad and I disagree on the most:

1. Todd Gurley

E: Last year, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley sprung onto the scene after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered during his junior season at Georgia. In fact, Gurley set the record for most yards rushed in a player’s first four NFL games since the AFL-NFL merger, and also won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. This year, I expect nothing to change. Even though teams are now aware of Gurley’s innate rushing ability, Jared Goff, rookie quarterback and No. 1 overall pick, should lessen the weight upon Gurley’s shoulders whenever he is implemented in the Los Angeles Rams otherwise nonexistent offense. However, I expect the Rams to keep feeding Gurley and if the offensive line is any better than the atrocity put on last year, Gurley should have no problem attaining top rusher status.

C: Since the running back position is spread a bit thin this season, Todd Gurley is a very attractive mid-first round pick to most. However, despite boasting monster numbers last season, I’m not sold on repetition of such stats this year. The Rams are going to run into some growing pains this year and Gurley’s talents are going to be hurt by this. The team is going to be forced to pass in many of their games as they’ll be playing from behind, leaving Gurley’s usage  questionable. Drafting Gurley also comes with the infamous “sophomore slump” superstition. As a previous owner of both Doug Martin and Zac Stacy, it’s hard to rank Gurley as anything higher on my rankings than the overall RB No. 6 or 7.

2. Le’Veon Bell

E:  As my previous No. 1 overall back before his suspension, Le’Veon Bell poses an interesting case for fantasy owners. When he’s on the field, he’s an all-purpose nightmare for defenses. The problem is, he’s not on the field as much as he’d like to be. Last year, Bell was suspended  for two games following a DUI and marijuana-induced arrest. Then, after beasting on the field for about a month, Bell tore both his Medial Collateral Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament on a nasty tackle against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 8, and was subsequently placed on Injured Reserve and ruled out until next year’s opener. Now, Bell is serving a three-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. To me, Bell’s end-of-season ranking will depend on how long he can stay on the field, warranting my No. 6 rank at RB.

C: Last season was a major setback for Pittsburgh Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell, but I believe Bell to be due for a big year. Whether or not he slips to you in the second round of your draft is a shot in the dark, but he’s an absolute steal if you’re given the opportunity. Playing on a loaded Steelers offense with as much opportunity that Bell is given in the passing game is too much to pass up. Even with a three-game suspension, he’s still an undeniable treasure and wise owners should nab DeAngelo Williams in a late round to combat this early-season difficulty. Doing so will allow owners to remain afloat during the first few weeks as well as handcuff Bell in case of injury. Regardless of whatever situation Bell is going to be put into this season, he’s still the best halfback in the game.

3. No. 1 QB

E: It’s incredibly difficult not to rate Cam Newton as the No. 1 quarterback in the NFL after last season’s performance. He singlehandedly took the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl by putting up 35 TDs through the air and 10 on the ground on his way to an NFL MVP award, and all without his top receiver, Kelvin Benjamin. Benjamin was lost for the year to a torn ACL in the preseason. Now, with Benjamin healthy, Newton will look to avenge his Super Bowl loss and repeat as MVP. It’s hard to bet against that.

C: Seldom is the discussion for best fantasy quarterback so controversial. Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton proved himself last season in a multitude of ways: he clawed his way to the Super Bow along with winning the regular season MVP award. But, he still has a little more to prove if he’s going to take Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers’ spot as the No. 1 quarterback. Rodgers has been on top for a long, long time. He lost his best receiver, Jordy Nelson, to a torn ACL last season and it really hurt the offense as a whole. Such regression has scared many away from drafting him before Newton, but I expect Rodgers to reclaim his glory this year, benefitting from bounce back performances by Randall Cobb and Nelson’s return. Yes, Newton performed on a top-tier level last season, but even with the return of WR Kelvin Benjamin I am not sold on Rodgers taking a back seat just yet. It’s easy to jump on the Newton bandwagon, but I’d tread with caution; don’t risk an Andrew Luck-esque QB situation on your team.

BOTY (Bust of the Year):

E: I’m very concerned with Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas’ fantasy production this season with the Broncos’ woes at quarterback. Currently, the team’s depth chart lists rookie Paxton Lynch third, Mark “Butt Fumble” Sanchez second, and Trevor Siemian as the starter. Sieman, a seventh round draft pick in 2014, took just one snap last year backing up the now-retired Peyton Manning. None of these undesirable options will allow the Broncos’ offense to be as high-powered as previous years, which Thomas may suffer from greatly.

C: Last season, RB Devonta Freeman of the Atlanta Falcons was a man possessed. For the first five to six weeks he was an absolute phenom player and an obvious first-rounder for the next year. But due to a decline in fantasy production during the latter half of last season, I’m keeping my distance on draft day. Who knows, maybe his enormous touchdown output is sustainable from last year, but it is not likely at all. At best we are looking at a high-end RB2 this season, but you may have to pass up on too many other quality players to get him. Don’t risk it.

SOTY (Sleeper of the Year):

E: While unpredictable, Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett could have a breakout season in his second year in the league. Lockett was a special teams monster, ranking third in the NFL in both kick and punt return yards last season, and now assumes the No. 2 WR spot on the Seahawks. The coaching staff would like to use Lockett more, and it’s easy to see why: his raw athleticism makes him a viable threat each and every down. With Marshawn Lynch retired, the Seahawks will need to rely on the pass more, and WR Doug Baldwin can’t catch everything.

C: WR Chris Hogan of the New England Patriots has the potential to have a real breakout season. In his past two preseason games, Hogan has racked up a statline of 115 receiving yards and one touchdown on nine receptions. On a high-powered passing offense like the Patriots, it’s easy to get excited about what kind of numbers he can produce on a weekly basis. QB Tom Brady has already taken a liking to him, and I can see him potentially growing into a WR2-type role.