Teddy Bridgewater’s gruesome injury shifts Shaun Hill to 2-QB-league fantasy relevancy. While Minnesota might shop around for a better replacement, Hill inherits a game manager role that netted Bridgewater a little over 200 yards and one TD per game in two seasons. Hill’s track record suggests that even at age 36, he can muster comparable numbers, placing him among the top 24-28 fantasy QBs. I haven’t pushed him that high up on my draft board yet; waiting to see whether the Vikings will stick with him. As long as he’s starting, he’ll surprise some people with enduring competency—a relatively high floor for a backup QB.
I’m also following news that, according to ESPN, Jamaal Charles is “behind schedule”: http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/212385/chiefs-continue-their-wait-for-jamaal-charles-and-tamba-hali. As many of you know, I’ve been down on Charles all preseason, viewing him as overvalued and someone to avoid at or near his average draft position. In my next preseason rankings (released tomorrow morning), he’ll drop further, while Spencer Ware will pop. As I’ve written before, there’s no reason for Kansas City to overwork Charles while two starter-capable RBs sit on the sidelines. More than ever, I’m urging caution on the Chiefs’ longtime franchise running back.
On the bold prediction front:
(42) Eli Manning (QB-9 ADP) will not be a top 15 QB. At age 35, Eli Manning is coming off a career year, compiling the most yards and TDs—along with pass attempts—ever. It was his second consecutive career year. Whether credit should go to Odell Beckham, Jr., or offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, or the combination of the two, or simply Manning’s growth as a quarterback, Eli enters this season as a universally embraced QB1 lock. Of the 90 experts compiled by Fantasy Pros, 84 place him inside the top 12. Notables at NFL.com, Yahoo! Sports, and Sports Illustrated, among others list him in the top 6. Last season the Giants’ run game produced the NFL’s second-fewest TDs (five). While I’m no fan of this year’s RBs, it’s inconceivable that they’d repeat this futility. Expect enough RB goal-line touches to keep Eli off his career highs. The yardage might be there, but the TDs will not.
I’m also following news that, according to ESPN, Jamaal Charles is “behind schedule”: http://www.espn.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/212385/chiefs-continue-their-wait-for-jamaal-charles-and-tamba-hali. As many of you know, I’ve been down on Charles all preseason, viewing him as overvalued and someone to avoid at or near his average draft position. In my next preseason rankings (released tomorrow morning), he’ll drop further, while Spencer Ware will pop. As I’ve written before, there’s no reason for Kansas City to overwork Charles while two starter-capable RBs sit on the sidelines. More than ever, I’m urging caution on the Chiefs’ longtime franchise running back.
On the bold prediction front:
(42) Eli Manning (QB-9 ADP) will not be a top 15 QB. At age 35, Eli Manning is coming off a career year, compiling the most yards and TDs—along with pass attempts—ever. It was his second consecutive career year. Whether credit should go to Odell Beckham, Jr., or offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, or the combination of the two, or simply Manning’s growth as a quarterback, Eli enters this season as a universally embraced QB1 lock. Of the 90 experts compiled by Fantasy Pros, 84 place him inside the top 12. Notables at NFL.com, Yahoo! Sports, and Sports Illustrated, among others list him in the top 6. Last season the Giants’ run game produced the NFL’s second-fewest TDs (five). While I’m no fan of this year’s RBs, it’s inconceivable that they’d repeat this futility. Expect enough RB goal-line touches to keep Eli off his career highs. The yardage might be there, but the TDs will not.