Merry Christmas to those who celebrate. Happy Wednesday to those who don't.
Here's brief a rundown of some of the most shockingly good fantasy performers based on preseason ADPs. Surely this isn't a comprehensive list. Whoever I've forgotten, give a shout. On a day when many of us give and receive gifts, let's take a moment to thank players who gave us fantasy gifts.
At QB, Josh Allen's preseason average draft position was 22. That's right: insane. In my June team rundown I pointed out that Allen was the #2 scoring QB from weeks 12 to 17 last season and pushed him as "an absolute steal in two-QB leagues." And Ryan Tannehill was off the fantasy grid with a QB-51 ADP. All he needed was a new team, and look what's become of him. Finally, Gardner Minshew (QB-83) and Kyle Allen (QB-91) weren't supposed to see the field under pretty much any circumstances. Instead, they've helped out many-a-two-QB-leaguer.
At RB, Raheem Mostert leads the way. Did you know his preseason RB ADP was 259? Neither did I 'til I started researching this. And teammates Bo Scarbrough and J.D. McKissic pitched in for a few weeks despite their respective RB-168 and RB-208 marks. Boston Scott (RB-201) offered surprising desperation streaming value. And long-shot Jonathan Williams (RB-228) gave managers two must-start performances.
At WR, my favorite undrafted receiver broke out in part because of Preston Williams' injury, and in part because he's simply that good: DeVante Parker, whose preseason WR-74 ADP was the epitome of short-sightedness. D.J. Chark (WR-104) was arguably an even bigger breakout star, averaging even more fantasy points per game while catching balls thrown by less-talented QBs (yes, Ryan Fitzpatrick is better than Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew). And what about Terry McLaurin (WR-116)? I thought Trey Quinn would be Washington's #1 receiver. Others thought Paul Richardson. A few of you wisely grabbed McLaurin after his Week 1 bust-out. Finally, Zach Pascal (WR-163) took over as Indy's #1 receiver thanks to injuries; if only he played on a more pass-friendly team.
At TE, one of my favorite bargain tight ends the past two years, Jonnu Smith, was only a TE-51 this summer. Sure enough, another Delanie Walker injury catapulted the talented Smith to relevance; he'll be one of my favorite bargains next summer if Walker calls it quits. Kaden Smith (TE-107) is one of those rare third-string tight ends to achieve fantasy usefulness, while Rams backup Tyler Higbee (TE-71) did one better by achieving fantasy stardom. And Jacob Hollister (TE-86) became a solid streamer after beginning the season in anonymity.
Finally, the Patriots DST is far and away one of the best DSTs in fantasy history, and they started the year as the consensus 12th-ranked option. Yet more proof to wait until the end to draft a defense.
Here's brief a rundown of some of the most shockingly good fantasy performers based on preseason ADPs. Surely this isn't a comprehensive list. Whoever I've forgotten, give a shout. On a day when many of us give and receive gifts, let's take a moment to thank players who gave us fantasy gifts.
At QB, Josh Allen's preseason average draft position was 22. That's right: insane. In my June team rundown I pointed out that Allen was the #2 scoring QB from weeks 12 to 17 last season and pushed him as "an absolute steal in two-QB leagues." And Ryan Tannehill was off the fantasy grid with a QB-51 ADP. All he needed was a new team, and look what's become of him. Finally, Gardner Minshew (QB-83) and Kyle Allen (QB-91) weren't supposed to see the field under pretty much any circumstances. Instead, they've helped out many-a-two-QB-leaguer.
At RB, Raheem Mostert leads the way. Did you know his preseason RB ADP was 259? Neither did I 'til I started researching this. And teammates Bo Scarbrough and J.D. McKissic pitched in for a few weeks despite their respective RB-168 and RB-208 marks. Boston Scott (RB-201) offered surprising desperation streaming value. And long-shot Jonathan Williams (RB-228) gave managers two must-start performances.
At WR, my favorite undrafted receiver broke out in part because of Preston Williams' injury, and in part because he's simply that good: DeVante Parker, whose preseason WR-74 ADP was the epitome of short-sightedness. D.J. Chark (WR-104) was arguably an even bigger breakout star, averaging even more fantasy points per game while catching balls thrown by less-talented QBs (yes, Ryan Fitzpatrick is better than Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew). And what about Terry McLaurin (WR-116)? I thought Trey Quinn would be Washington's #1 receiver. Others thought Paul Richardson. A few of you wisely grabbed McLaurin after his Week 1 bust-out. Finally, Zach Pascal (WR-163) took over as Indy's #1 receiver thanks to injuries; if only he played on a more pass-friendly team.
At TE, one of my favorite bargain tight ends the past two years, Jonnu Smith, was only a TE-51 this summer. Sure enough, another Delanie Walker injury catapulted the talented Smith to relevance; he'll be one of my favorite bargains next summer if Walker calls it quits. Kaden Smith (TE-107) is one of those rare third-string tight ends to achieve fantasy usefulness, while Rams backup Tyler Higbee (TE-71) did one better by achieving fantasy stardom. And Jacob Hollister (TE-86) became a solid streamer after beginning the season in anonymity.
Finally, the Patriots DST is far and away one of the best DSTs in fantasy history, and they started the year as the consensus 12th-ranked option. Yet more proof to wait until the end to draft a defense.