Returning to "bold predictions," here are two guys headed in opposite directions: one swapping out a disappointing 2015 for a return to fantasy relevance, and the other following up a career year with what is sure to be a disappointment.
(15) Ryan Tannehill (QB-22 ADP) will be a top 12 QB. For a guy who posted low-end QB1 numbers in two of the last three seasons, Tannehill is getting less love this preseason than most players. Just as Andy Dalton was inexplicably underappreciated last summer, Tannehill has all the makings of being a difference maker for fantasy title contenders. Don’t pass on new Head Coach Adam Gase’s #1 offseason project. Tannehill has never missed a game in four NFL seasons, has steadily increased his passing yardage each year, and set a career high in yards per attempt (7.2) in 2015. Jarvis Landry and Devante Parker will both be 1,000-yard, 7+ TD wideouts, anchoring what will be a much-improved passing offense. Those keeping score at home know I tagged Tannehill as a top 10 QB earlier this summer. But the addition of Arian Foster—despite being a solid pass catcher—might mean a bit more running, which on balance could knock Tannehill down a couple of spots.
(16) Danny Woodhead (WR-35 ADP) will not be a top 45 RB. One of last season’s biggest surprises, readers of this page knew in August that Woodhead was highly undervalued:
http://www.fantasyfootballforwinners.com/2015/08/bold-predictions-danny-woodhead-and.html
But obviously I didn’t anticipate just how good he would be, partly because he played all 16 games, and partly because highly touted rookie Melvin Gordon fell flat. Lost in the excitement over Woodhead is his advanced age (31 ½) and poor rushing numbers (3.4 YPC last year, and hasn’t cracked 4.0 since 2011). Finally, Woodhead benefited last season when Phil Rivers’ receivers were decimated by injuries. None of the 91 experts compiled by Fantasy Pros ranks him outside the top 45. Expect fewer carries, less involvement in the passing game, greater injury risk, and all-around disappointment if you’re drafting him anywhere near his ADP.
(15) Ryan Tannehill (QB-22 ADP) will be a top 12 QB. For a guy who posted low-end QB1 numbers in two of the last three seasons, Tannehill is getting less love this preseason than most players. Just as Andy Dalton was inexplicably underappreciated last summer, Tannehill has all the makings of being a difference maker for fantasy title contenders. Don’t pass on new Head Coach Adam Gase’s #1 offseason project. Tannehill has never missed a game in four NFL seasons, has steadily increased his passing yardage each year, and set a career high in yards per attempt (7.2) in 2015. Jarvis Landry and Devante Parker will both be 1,000-yard, 7+ TD wideouts, anchoring what will be a much-improved passing offense. Those keeping score at home know I tagged Tannehill as a top 10 QB earlier this summer. But the addition of Arian Foster—despite being a solid pass catcher—might mean a bit more running, which on balance could knock Tannehill down a couple of spots.
(16) Danny Woodhead (WR-35 ADP) will not be a top 45 RB. One of last season’s biggest surprises, readers of this page knew in August that Woodhead was highly undervalued:
http://www.fantasyfootballforwinners.com/2015/08/bold-predictions-danny-woodhead-and.html
But obviously I didn’t anticipate just how good he would be, partly because he played all 16 games, and partly because highly touted rookie Melvin Gordon fell flat. Lost in the excitement over Woodhead is his advanced age (31 ½) and poor rushing numbers (3.4 YPC last year, and hasn’t cracked 4.0 since 2011). Finally, Woodhead benefited last season when Phil Rivers’ receivers were decimated by injuries. None of the 91 experts compiled by Fantasy Pros ranks him outside the top 45. Expect fewer carries, less involvement in the passing game, greater injury risk, and all-around disappointment if you’re drafting him anywhere near his ADP.