While I don't like to overstate the impact of preseason games, there were a few notable implications from last night's contests:
(1) In Jacksonville, no one seized control of the starting QB job. Blake Bortles saved his season by overcoming some painful-looking football early by finishing strong, while Chad Henne did little to make his case, other than not turn the ball over. Whoever wins this battle will be on a short leash.
(2) In Philly, Wendell Smallwood outplayed LeGarrette Blount while splitting first-team snaps. Meanwhile, Corey Clement appears to have a leg up on Donnel Pumphrey for the final RB spot. Smallwood continues to offer more draft value than any Eagle running back.
(3) In Miami, DeVante Parker might be developing a stronger rapport with Jay Cutler than Jarvis Landry is. Parker's upside is obvious. But he's missed time in each of his two NFL seasons and must stay healthy to have a chance to unseat Jarvis Landry as the Fins' #1 receiver (yes, this is entirely possible).
(4) In Carolina, Cam Newton played. That's all that's needed to be said on that front. Cam's a draft bargain at his current ADP--assuming he's as close to 100% as he needs to be Week 1.
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Not many people in the fantasy universe are recommending drafting Ryan Succop. His average draft position in online competitions is 29th among kickers. The eight-year veteran and final pick of the 2009 NFL draft has never had a remarkable fantasy season. Last year he was 19th at his position. The two previous seasons he was 30th--despite playing all 16 games. That's the definition of fantasy irrelevance.
What would it take for Succop to be draftable? Primarily, a better offense than what he's used to. Kickers generally perform better when playing in high-powered offenses. Last year's top five fantasy kickers, for example, represented teams that were top 10 in offensive yards. Succop's teams over his career have averaged only the 22nd most points in each season. Four of those years he played for bottom-five teams when it came to scoring.
This year's Titans are better than 2016's 9-7 team, which was 14th in total points and 11th in yardage. A more experienced Marcus Mariota and a revamped receiver corps should produce more drives into opponents' red zones. Yes, that will mean more touchdowns. It will also lead to more field goal attempts.
And Succop actually doesn't need to kick from the red zone. He hasn't missed a field goal try between 30 and 49 yards since 2014. That's 30 straight makes, corresponding with increasingly accurate field goal kicking in each of the past three seasons. He's also connected on six of his past 10 from 50+.
For much of his career, Succop's mediocre play contributed significantly to his mediocre numbers. Lately it's been all about a lack of opportunities. In 2017, he'll be one of the league's busier kickers, culminating in surprising top 14 numbers.
(1) In Jacksonville, no one seized control of the starting QB job. Blake Bortles saved his season by overcoming some painful-looking football early by finishing strong, while Chad Henne did little to make his case, other than not turn the ball over. Whoever wins this battle will be on a short leash.
(2) In Philly, Wendell Smallwood outplayed LeGarrette Blount while splitting first-team snaps. Meanwhile, Corey Clement appears to have a leg up on Donnel Pumphrey for the final RB spot. Smallwood continues to offer more draft value than any Eagle running back.
(3) In Miami, DeVante Parker might be developing a stronger rapport with Jay Cutler than Jarvis Landry is. Parker's upside is obvious. But he's missed time in each of his two NFL seasons and must stay healthy to have a chance to unseat Jarvis Landry as the Fins' #1 receiver (yes, this is entirely possible).
(4) In Carolina, Cam Newton played. That's all that's needed to be said on that front. Cam's a draft bargain at his current ADP--assuming he's as close to 100% as he needs to be Week 1.
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Not many people in the fantasy universe are recommending drafting Ryan Succop. His average draft position in online competitions is 29th among kickers. The eight-year veteran and final pick of the 2009 NFL draft has never had a remarkable fantasy season. Last year he was 19th at his position. The two previous seasons he was 30th--despite playing all 16 games. That's the definition of fantasy irrelevance.
What would it take for Succop to be draftable? Primarily, a better offense than what he's used to. Kickers generally perform better when playing in high-powered offenses. Last year's top five fantasy kickers, for example, represented teams that were top 10 in offensive yards. Succop's teams over his career have averaged only the 22nd most points in each season. Four of those years he played for bottom-five teams when it came to scoring.
This year's Titans are better than 2016's 9-7 team, which was 14th in total points and 11th in yardage. A more experienced Marcus Mariota and a revamped receiver corps should produce more drives into opponents' red zones. Yes, that will mean more touchdowns. It will also lead to more field goal attempts.
And Succop actually doesn't need to kick from the red zone. He hasn't missed a field goal try between 30 and 49 yards since 2014. That's 30 straight makes, corresponding with increasingly accurate field goal kicking in each of the past three seasons. He's also connected on six of his past 10 from 50+.
For much of his career, Succop's mediocre play contributed significantly to his mediocre numbers. Lately it's been all about a lack of opportunities. In 2017, he'll be one of the league's busier kickers, culminating in surprising top 14 numbers.