Who were the most disappointing 2016 fantasy players? I’ve got a brief rundown on WRAL.com this
morning. No, injuries don’t count. Would be too easy, and the list would be too
long.
I like it when guys struggle, as long as they’re not on my team. How else can I acquire them midseason for
less than they’re actually worth? Or for
you dynasty leaguers, bargains are everywhere at anytime—and particularly when
the season’s coming to an end and you start to think about which guys you want
to keep for next year.
Among disappointing 2016 QBs, Cam Newton and Russell Wilson are
screaming “top 10 production” in 2017.
If you can latch onto one of them for no more than, say, and eighth
rounder, you should come out ahead, and possibly way ahead. Other guys who should improve next year
include Eli Manning (painfully overrated this season, and assuredly underrated
next summer pending offseason team adjustments) and Philip Rivers (consider
what he started with this season before injuries ravaged the Chargers’ roster).
At RB, Todd Gurley has nowhere to go but up. My hunch most of this season has been that
his relatively heavy rookie year usage—after missing a combined 38% of Georgia’s
games in 2013 and 2014—took a toll on him physically, and that this year we’re
witnessing the repercussions. While he’ll
remain a huge first- or even second-round risk, Gurley’s bell-cow status will
position him for at least a mild bounce-back 2017. Elsewhere, C.J. Anderson is worth targeting
in case Denver improves its offensive line.
Lamar Miller is a potential top 5 RB when healthy, but is probably
viewed by most as no better than a top 12 back.
And future starters Paul Perkins and Kenneth Dixon are deep keepers with
top 20 RB potential if they take over their respective backfields.
The WR list includes Sammy Watkins if you can get him for relatively
cheap; Donte Moncrief (incredible when healthy); DeVante Parker (Miami’s most
talented WR when healthy); and Martavis Bryant (remember him?). Underperformers like Brandon Marshall,
DeAndre Hopkins, and Allen Robinson are intriguing if you’re only giving up a
mid-rounder. But they’re only as
playable as their QB is serviceable.