I had my first Fantasy Draft this week within the OFFL — Our Frivolous Fantasy League. The OFFL has been round since 1985, the longest operating Fantasy league that I’m conscious of. Here are my daring predictions for gamers taken in rounds one to 5.
ROUND 1
Justin Jefferson would be the No. 1 Fantasy WR — Jefferson is within the legendary third 12 months for receivers, the place historical past suggests they are going to break by means of to the following degree. If he didn’t “break through” final 12 months, I can’t wait to see what he accomplishes in 2022. Randy Moss is the very best WR in Minnesota Vikings historical past. He was poetry in movement, flying previous defenseless backs with ease in a flash of purple and gold. His finest season was in 2003 with 111 receptions for 1,632 yards and a staggering 17 TDs. Jefferson got here near Moss final 12 months with 108 receptions for 1,616 yards and 10 TDs. New head coach Kevin O’Connell and offensive coordinator Wes Phillips arrive in Minnesota sizzling off the Rams’ championship season. They orchestrated an offense round Cooper Kupp, who had a ridiculous 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 TDs. I’m not predicting these pinball numbers, however I do count on Jefferson to thrive on this new system to finest the data of Moss. That must be ok to rise to the highest of the WR charts for 2022.
ROUND 2
Josh Allen will shatter QB factors scored — Ignore the “don’t take a QB early” crowd. The Bills have been third within the NFL in 2021 with 483 factors scored. This 12 months they must rating much more. The Buffalo protection was ranked No. 1 final 12 months, however they performed one of many best schedules within the NFL, going through such simple marks because the Commanders, Texans, Jags, Saints, Panthers, Falcons, Jets (twice) and Dolphins (twice). The Bills allowed simply 10.3 factors per recreation in these ten contests. Conversely, once they performed the large boys — the Chiefs (twice), Bucs, Titans and Colts, they gave up an astounding 170 factors in 5 video games, for a dismal common of 34 factors per contest. If the Bills are to make it to the Super Bowl, Allen goes to need to put up gargantuan numbers to offset his suspect protection. He faces a assassin’s row of the Rams, Titans, Ravens, Chiefs, Packers, Vikings, Bengals and a resurgent AFC East. I’m predicting 50 whole TDs speeding and passing (sure, 50) with over 5,000 passing yards and 600 speeding yards. Anything much less and the Bills shall be house for the vacations.
ROUND 3
David Montgomery shall be a Top 15 RB — Volume is king in Fantasy. Montgomery averages over 20 touches per recreation. His 15 factors per begin in 2021 tied him with Aaron Jones (eleventh in PPR scoring), Josh Jacobs (twelfth) and Nick Chubb (thirteenth). Missing 4 video games final season, Montgomery nonetheless completed as RB19 in PPR codecs. How he achieved this with the NFL’s worst head coach is a miracle. The since-fired Matt Nagy’s mish-mash recreation plans regarded like Arena League soccer; chucking the ball everywhere with gadget performs and no balanced assault. Only Nagy might make Pro Bowl WR Allen Robinson decline to 38 receptions final 12 months after catching 102 in 2020. New offensive coordinator Luke Getsy made Aaron Jones a topflight again in Green Bay. With cellular QB Justin Fields operating Getsy’s run-pass-option offense, Montgomery will thrive each speeding and receiving. Draft him with confidence.
ROUND 4
Kyle Pitts will end Top Three at TE — The Falcons will path in most video games and need to throw lots. They don’t have any veteran WRs that would make many NFL rosters. Do the names Bryan Edwards (traded from the Raiders), Olamide Zaccheaus (undrafted free agent), KhaDarel Hodge (minimize by the Lions), Damiere Byrd (minimize by the Bears) or Frank Darby (2021 sixth rounder) strike worry within the hearts of foes? I feel not. At least the Falcons realized their dearth of WR expertise by making Drake London the primary wideout drafted in 2022. Besides London and Pitts, who’s new QB Marcus Mariota going to throw to? Pitts is one thing particular. He had the second-most receiving yards by a rookie tight finish in NFL historical past final 12 months with 1,026. Mike Ditka has held the report (1,076 yards) since 1961. That’s plenty of time between stellar rookie campaigns. If you noticed Pitts’ spotlight reel 52-yard reception in final week’s preseason recreation towards the Jets, you is likely to be tempted to draft him the No. 1 TE in Fantasy.
ROUND 5
Rhamondre Stevenson is a Top 20 RB — Bill Belichick believes within the dreaded RB by committee. But Belichick does love RBs that may catch. From 2016-2020, Patriots RB James White averaged 50 receptions, 500 yards and 5 TDs. Last 12 months the much less gifted Brandon Bolden chipped in 41 catches for 405 yards and two TDs. White retired and Bolden is in Vegas, leaving a golden alternative for Rhamondre. He is the very best receiving again on the Pats. Big, quick and elusive, his model is the other of north-south operating teammate Damien Harris. I count on Harris’ carries to decrease a bit since Rhamondre missed 5 video games in 2021. Therefore, if we extrapolate Stevenson’s speeding totals based mostly on final season, he may have 900 yards and eight TDs. Add the anticipated receiving function (50/500/5), and he’s in a degree whole class with first/second rounders Fournette, Mixon, Kamara and Cook. Don’t wait too lengthy to pounce on Rhamondre at your draft; even the famously unfavorable Belichick praised him to the Boston press this week.
Next week: Last Minute Draft Advice
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This season I’m teaming up with FantasyGuru.com, the best supply for Seasonal, DFS (Daily Fantasy Sports) and Sports Gaming recommendation. Look for Fantasy Billboard each week within the Daily News and a separate column at FantasyGuru.com. Check it out.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com