Top 50 Bold Preseason Predictions:
Shaun Suisham's freakishly unfortunate injury reminds us that kickers have one job: to kick the ball hard and with accuracy. Under no circumstances should they try to tackle someone. To all you kickers out there, no one will think worse of you if you simply run away--run away from the melee and seek refuge on the sidelines. I'm not saying you're not great athletes. Not saying you're not capable of bringing someone down. But if you're capable of scoring 130 points in a season, letting the other team get six isn't such a bad thing.
With that said, here's the next batch of predictions:
(29) Roddy White -- WR32 ADP
Prediction: Not a top 45 WR
No one doubts that the 33-year-old White's best days are well behind him. Last season’s 24th best fantasy WR has been trending at the #32 spot for many weeks. It's an overly optimistic assessment of a guy who, at best, will be Atlanta's #3 receiver in yards and TDs. Given the choice between White and a younger guy with more upside in the 10th or 11th round (like teammate Leonard Hankerson), I’ll take the upside guy.
(30) Drew Brees -- QB5 ADP
Prediction: Not a top 10 QB
For the first time in five or six years, Brees was not a top 2 fantasy QB in 2014. Yes, he was a model of consistency, posting double-digit standard-league scoring in all but one game (Week 17) en route to a sixth place finish. But we know the score: No Jimmy Graham; no Kenny Stills; and Marques Colston another year older. Moreover, the acquisition of center Max Unger (via the Graham trade) and the signing of high-upside / perennial-underperformer C.J. Spiller reinforces an acknowledged shift in offensive philosophy. The team ranked 19th in the league in rushing attempts, but were among the top 10 in rushing yards per carry. Their key to returning to the playoffs is to run it more, control the clock, and keep their lacking defense off the field. Brandin Cooks’ healthy return will only soften the blow of Brees’ decline. I’m eyeing, at most, 4,000 yards and 30 TDs, placing him in the 12th to 14th grouping. That means there’s little reason to draft him in 1-QB leagues.
(31) Austin Sefarian-Jenkins -- TE26 ADP
Prediction: Top 14 TE
Sefarian-Jenkins' ADP hasn't budged for over a month, which is ridiculous.. He averaged 10.5 yards per catch in an injury-plagued rookie year and could be a terrific red zone target for QB Jameis Winston. I’m expecting at least 600 yards and five scores, translating into top 14 TE production. In other words, if you miss out on the elite or near-elite TE you've been targeting, there are worse fliers you can take than Sefarian-Jenkins, who's sure to surprise nearly everyone this season.
Shaun Suisham's freakishly unfortunate injury reminds us that kickers have one job: to kick the ball hard and with accuracy. Under no circumstances should they try to tackle someone. To all you kickers out there, no one will think worse of you if you simply run away--run away from the melee and seek refuge on the sidelines. I'm not saying you're not great athletes. Not saying you're not capable of bringing someone down. But if you're capable of scoring 130 points in a season, letting the other team get six isn't such a bad thing.
With that said, here's the next batch of predictions:
(29) Roddy White -- WR32 ADP
Prediction: Not a top 45 WR
No one doubts that the 33-year-old White's best days are well behind him. Last season’s 24th best fantasy WR has been trending at the #32 spot for many weeks. It's an overly optimistic assessment of a guy who, at best, will be Atlanta's #3 receiver in yards and TDs. Given the choice between White and a younger guy with more upside in the 10th or 11th round (like teammate Leonard Hankerson), I’ll take the upside guy.
(30) Drew Brees -- QB5 ADP
Prediction: Not a top 10 QB
For the first time in five or six years, Brees was not a top 2 fantasy QB in 2014. Yes, he was a model of consistency, posting double-digit standard-league scoring in all but one game (Week 17) en route to a sixth place finish. But we know the score: No Jimmy Graham; no Kenny Stills; and Marques Colston another year older. Moreover, the acquisition of center Max Unger (via the Graham trade) and the signing of high-upside / perennial-underperformer C.J. Spiller reinforces an acknowledged shift in offensive philosophy. The team ranked 19th in the league in rushing attempts, but were among the top 10 in rushing yards per carry. Their key to returning to the playoffs is to run it more, control the clock, and keep their lacking defense off the field. Brandin Cooks’ healthy return will only soften the blow of Brees’ decline. I’m eyeing, at most, 4,000 yards and 30 TDs, placing him in the 12th to 14th grouping. That means there’s little reason to draft him in 1-QB leagues.
(31) Austin Sefarian-Jenkins -- TE26 ADP
Prediction: Top 14 TE
Sefarian-Jenkins' ADP hasn't budged for over a month, which is ridiculous.. He averaged 10.5 yards per catch in an injury-plagued rookie year and could be a terrific red zone target for QB Jameis Winston. I’m expecting at least 600 yards and five scores, translating into top 14 TE production. In other words, if you miss out on the elite or near-elite TE you've been targeting, there are worse fliers you can take than Sefarian-Jenkins, who's sure to surprise nearly everyone this season.