Training camp is upon us, folks. In a couple more weeks, preseason games will begin. August is prime Fantasy Football draft time. There are still a little bit of time to get your draft strategy down, and to use eDraft’s Mock Draft tool to be prepared for every scenario. Even with all the preparation you will do, there will still be questions left unanswered, and that’s totally normal. There is no such thing as a dumb question, and some of the big ones will be answered right here, right now.
The Three-Headed Monster
So, you have a top pick in your draft, eh? You’re quite distraught. Do you go LeSean McCoy and Chip Kelly’s offense? What about the best himself, Adrian Peterson? But wait, Jamaal Charles was out of this world last year.
A case could easily be made for all three at number one.
Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs’ superstar was money last season.Charles had nearly 2,000 yards from scrimmage, including 1,287 rushing yards. He had a combined 19 touchdowns, one of only four players in history to have 12 rushing scores and seven receiving. That is what sets Charles apart from every other player in fantasy football, his dual threat ability.
Charles had a whopping 70 receptions in 2013, one of only four backs in the NFL to hit that mark. in comparison, McCoy had 53 catches, and Peterson had only 29. Peterson is virtually unseen in the passing game, with only 171 yards receiving and less than six yards per reception.
Another reason to pick Charles, is the lack of players challenging him for touches. In the passing game, there’s the always up-and-down Dwayne Bowe and Donnie Avery, who has never gone over 1,000 yards or five touchdowns. Rushing wise, the backup to Charles, is Knile Davis. His second season in the NFL, and his first one was nothing to brag about. Expect another 300-plus touch season for Charles.
LeSean McCoy, Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles
While Charles is the clear-cut number one, McCoy is the second best option. McCoy is going into his sixth season in the NFL, and he has never been under 4.1 yards per carry in any given season. So, if consistency is what you’re looking for, McCoy could be it especially because of his durability. He has only missed six games in his five seasons.
McCoy also scores, and scores a ton. He’s averaging the littlest bit under ten touchdowns a season. The former Pitt Panther could miss some of his carries and catches this season than he’s used to getting. Darren Sproles has come over from New Orleans, and will be a huge part of Chip Kelly’s offense. With the departure of DeSean Jackson, someone has to get more footballs, and who that is remains to be seen.
Regardless of offseason additions and whatnot, Shady is still Shady. And he’s still in Kelly’s offense, so he is in great shape for a top-three fantasy pick.
Adrian Peterson, Running Back, Minnesota Vikings
Look, Peterson has been one of the best running backs of our generation. But, his days as the premier fantasy running back are over. Now, just because he isn’t THE back, doesn’t mean he isn’t a top one. What Peterson lacks in receiving ability, he makes up with consistency. He’s scored ten or more touchdowns every single season he’s been in the league. Every. Single. One.
Peterson is going to be 29 years old this season, which means that dreaded 30-year old wall is coming up. He seen a major, major drop off from his historic 2,000 yard season. Peterson rushed for nearly 800 yards less total, 40 less per game and dropped from 6.0 yards per carry to 4.5. What Peterson has going for him, like Charles, is the absolute lack of depth behind him. There is virtually no one to rush the ball now that Toby Gerhart has departed to Jacksonville.
The Quarterback Dilemma
You’ve heard it again and again: Wait to draft a quarterback. And, while those people are not wrong, it’s not a bad idea to grab one of the top signal callers. If you are in the back end of the first round and the elite players are gone, like Calvin Johnson, Jimmy Graham and Matt Forte, take one of the top-three QBs.
Everyone has a pretty solid quarterback, but solid and even good, doesn’t give you an advantage. Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, and Drew Brees do. Last season, 13 quarterbacks scored at least 240 points or more, the most since 1960. So, either get one of the top guys, or wait a couple rounds.
Case in point, you want to know the difference between Nick Foles and Matthew Stafford? 16 points. That’s not a big gap considering Stafford’s average draft position has him as a top pick in the fourth round, while it would only take a mid-fifth rounder to land Foles. While it’s only a round difference, that extra pick in the fourth could get you, say, Larry Fitzgerald or Victor Cruz.
“Oh yeah, I need a Tight End”
Let’s just forget about Jimmy Graham for a bit. He is far and away the best tight end in fantasy, and even Julius Thomas isn’t even close. But you want to know who is close to Thomas? Everyone. Tight End is just like quarterback, if you can get the elite, get it. “Good” doesn’t give you an advantage over your opponent.
Let’s play the same game: Does anyone know the difference between Julius Thomas and Greg Olsen who was a top-ten tight end in 2013? 34 points. Sure, that’s a sizeable amount. But does Thomas’ high third round pick present as much value as Olsen’s sixth round selection? Not at all.
To recap, be the first to pick a tight end or be the last. There are a ton of great tight ends going into 2014, like Dennis Pitta, Kyle Rudolph and Charles Clay.