X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

2017 Player vs. Player - Stefon Diggs vs. Devante Parker

You're on the clock. The timer's ticking. You're torn between two players. Who do you take? That's the question we'll debate in this player vs. player series. In this article, Charlie Kleinheksel advocates for Stefon Diggs (ADP 5.08) and Pierre Camus will make the case for DeVante Parker (ADP 6.01) in dynasty startup formats.

Fantasy football draft season is upon us and RotoBaller is here to help! In this series, two RotoBaller experts will discuss the merits of two players with similar value and average draft position (ADP). Remember that situations will change for all players over the course of the summer and it may impact where they are selected in drafts.

ADP data is taken from FantasyFootballCalculator as of July, 2017.

Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!

 

Stefon Diggs (WR, MIN) - Charlie

Here are three reasons I prefer Diggs:

  1. Role - Diggs is the Vikings clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. Diggs out-targeted Mike Wallace in 2015 and Adam Thielen in 2016, despite playing three fewer games than either of those other WRs. Neither Michael Floyd nor Laquon Treadwell should be considered a serious threat to eat into Diggs' workload. Floyd has been bounced from two teams already, and despite what the Vikings say, his hold on a roster spot is tenuous. As for Treadwell, here are the last six first-round WRs that earned ten or fewer receptions as rookies: Treadwell, Josh Doctson, A.J. Jenkins, Michael Jenkins, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and Rashaun Woods. Tight end Kyle Rudolph out-targeted Diggs last year, but that's okay. Rudolph's usage didn't impede Diggs. Conversely, if Rudolph (or someone else) misses time, Diggs would be first in line for increased usage.
  2. Volume - Having established Diggs primacy among Vikings WRs, what exactly is that role worth? Last year, it was worth 8.6 targets per game. That's a 137 target pace for the season. Diggs averages 1.7 PPR points per target, meaning a 16-game season would equate to 236 points, or a WR13 finish last year. There's no reason to expect a volume change. In games without Adrian Peterson over the past two years, the Vikings have averaged four more plays and seven more passing attempts per game. I'm not ready to say Dalvin Cook will be so good that the Vikings go back to their slow, run-heavy ways.
  3. Relative to DeVante Parker - Unlike Diggs, Parker is his team's second WR. Jarvis Landry remains well ahead of him in target share. For that matter, Parker (87) barely out targeted Kenny Stills (81) last year. I expect Diggs to earn more targets than Parker. Diggs is also a more efficient receiver. Sam Bradford averages 7.9 adjusted yards per attempt when targeting Diggs (eight percent above his AYA to other receivers), while Ryan Tannehill averages just 6.8 AYA when targeting Parker (12 percent below his AYA to other receivers). That relative inefficiency will make it hard for Parker to earn more targets, or to outproduce Diggs on the targets he does receive.

 

DeVante Parker (WR, MIA) - Pierre

The case for Parker as a superior choice also lies in three primary reasons:

  1. Team offense - The Dolphins took a while to gel, but by Week 6 they had it figured out. Jay Ajayi asserted himself as the main running back, Ryan Tannehill became comfortable with Adam Gase and the new offense, and the trio of talented receivers gave the team multiple options in the passing game. Unfortunately, injuries to the offensive line and ultimately to Tannehill as well derailed some of their success, although they wound up making the playoffs anyway. In year two of the Gase era, expectations will be even higher and the production should match. The Fins might not finish among the top passing teams in the league, but they don't need to be for Parker to make his presence felt in the red zone on a semi-regular basis. Keep in mind, the Vikings weren't much better last year in the pass game. Minnesota finished 18th in passing yardage and 21st in passing touchdowns, whereas the Dolphins were 12th in passing TD.
  2. Physical talent - Parker was a first-round pick for a reason. According to the Guru Score developed by @DynastyGuruFF, Parker finished with a perfect score and tied with Amari Cooper for best in the 2015 WR class. Diggs was a close third, but didn't post the same combine numbers and isn't as physically imposing. Parker stands at 6'3" yet ran a 4.45 40-yard dash and finished with a speed score in the 89th percentile. Diggs is a tad slower, but also undersized at 5'10", which explains why he fell to the fifth round. Parker has been dealing with nagging injuries and inconsistency in his first two seasons, but that could change. According to reports, he has improved his dedication to the game by changing his diet and training regiment for his all-important third NFL season. This could be the year where his talent shows on the field.
  3. Law of regression - While Diggs outperformed all expectations last season, it was mainly due to a high volume of targets. The Vikings will make a concerted effort to run the ball much more this season and to insert Treadwell in the passing game as well. Diggs will naturally see his market share drop by at least 25%. Parker disappointed greatly according to last year's ADP, but he will be a verifiable bargain this year. Assuming he doesn't suffer unfortunate injuries again, he has nowhere to go but up. His season-long stats (56 receptions, 744 yards, four touchdowns) aren't impressive, but he only fell 159 yards short of Diggs and actually outscored him. It's far from a stretch to think that Parker can put up a couple more big games and finish ahead of Diggs this year. Parker and the Dolphins seem to be on an upward trajectory, while Diggs doesn't figure to put up numbers any better than last season. When choosing between two players in similar situations at similar ADP, talent should always supercede in dynasty leagues.

 

More 2017 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Player Comparisons
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Brad Keselowski13 mins ago

A Tire Issue On Lap 118 Impacts Brad Keselowski's Day At Dover
Ryan Blaney56 mins ago

Finishes Seventh At Dover
Mika Zibanejad2 hours ago

Collects Two Points Sunday
Artemi Panarin2 hours ago

Notches Game-Winning Goal Sunday
Auston Matthews2 hours ago

Uncertain For Game 5
Ezekiel Elliott3 hours ago

Back With Cowboys
Noah Gragson3 hours ago

Nabs A Quality Top 10 Finish At Dover
Brock Boeser3 hours ago

Nets Hat Trick Sunday
Kyle Busch3 hours ago

Scores His Second Top-10 Finish Of The Year At Dover
Kevin Durant3 hours ago

Nets 33 Points In Game 4 Loss
Stuart Skinner3 hours ago

Blanks Kings On Sunday
Devin Booker3 hours ago

Racks Up 49 Points As Suns Go Down
Karl-Anthony Towns3 hours ago

Bags Second Consecutive Double-Double In Game 4 Win
Anthony Edwards3 hours ago

Crushes Suns
Jarred Vanderbilt3 hours ago

Listed As Questionable For Game 5
Delon Wright3 hours ago

On Track To Return Monday
Terry Rozier4 hours ago

To Remain Out For Game 4
Daniel Hemric7 hours ago

Ends Up Ninth At Dover
Ty Gibbs7 hours ago

Sneaks Into Tenth At Dover On Sunday
Bryson Stott12 hours ago

Smashes Pair Of Homers, Swipes Base
Khris Middleton15 hours ago

Can't Lift Bucks To A Win
Pascal Siakam15 hours ago

Flirts With A Triple-Double In Game 4
Tyrese Haliburton15 hours ago

Leads Indiana To Another Win
Myles Turner15 hours ago

Dominates Game 4
Joey Loperfido16 hours ago

On His Way To Houston
Tank Dell17 hours ago

In "Good Spirits" After Being Shot
Jamal Murray17 hours ago

Questionable For Monday Night
Luka Doncic17 hours ago

Struggles Shooting In Game 4
Bobby Portis17 hours ago

Ejected On Sunday
Kyrie Irving18 hours ago

Leads The Way On Sunday
James Harden18 hours ago

Steps Up In Game 4
Anthony Rizzo18 hours ago

Hits 300th Career Home Run
Paul George18 hours ago

Has A Strong Performance On Sunday
Connor Hellebuyck18 hours ago

Struggles Again Sunday
Nathan MacKinnon18 hours ago

Cale Makar Each Notch Two Points In Game 4
Derek Ryan18 hours ago

To Make Postseason Debut Sunday
Alexandar Georgiev19 hours ago

Stands Tall Sunday
Valeri Nichushkin19 hours ago

Notches Hat Trick Sunday
Vladislav Namestnikov19 hours ago

Takes Puck To The Head Sunday
Auston Matthews19 hours ago

Dealing With Illness
David Rittich19 hours ago

To Start Game 4
Nick Jensen19 hours ago

Rasmus Sandin, Nick Jensen Likely For Game 4
Casey DeSmith20 hours ago

Out For Game 4
Craig Kimbrel20 hours ago

Blows Save, Exits With Training Staff Sunday
Joel Embiid21 hours ago

Has Another Solid Game On Sunday
Jalen Brunson21 hours ago

Has A Record-Breaking Showing In Game 4
Bojan Bogdanovic22 hours ago

Injured In Game 4
Kawhi Leonard23 hours ago

Won't Play On Sunday
Kirk Cousins23 hours ago

Still Atlanta's Unquestioned Starting QB
Evan Carter23 hours ago

Absent On Sunday
Justin Jefferson23 hours ago

Vikings Optimistic Regarding Justin Jefferson's Contract Talks
J.J. McCarthy24 hours ago

Vikings Won't Rush J.J. McCarthy Into Starting Role
Travis Etienne Jr.24 hours ago

Jaguars Pick Up Fifth-Year Options On Trevor Lawrence, Travis Etienne Jr.
Zac Gallen1 day ago

Plans To Make His Next Start
Randy Arozarena1 day ago

Not Starting Against White Sox
Dylan Carlson1 day ago

To Start Rehab Assignment Early Next Week
Avisaíl García1 day ago

Avisail Garcia Placed On 10-Day Injured List
Yandy Díaz1 day ago

Yandy Diaz Back In Lineup For Rays
J.D. Martinez1 day ago

Taking A Seat
Martin Truex Jr1 day ago

. Is One Of The Top DFS Plays At Dover
Tyler Reddick1 day ago

Will Start Fourth At Dover
Michael McDowell1 day ago

Fade Michael McDowell For the Wurth 400 At Dover
Joey Logano1 day ago

Will Not Cause Much DFS Excitement At Dover
Noah Gragson1 day ago

Is Noah Gragson A Sneaky Tournament Play At Dover?
Uros Medic1 day ago

Returns To Win Column At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means1 day ago

Gets Knocked Out At UFC Vegas 91
Austen Lane1 day ago

Winless In The UFC
Jhonata Diniz1 day ago

Wins UFC Debut
Ryan Spann1 day ago

Suffers Third Straight Loss
Bogdan Guskov1 day ago

Gets Upset Win At UFC Vegas 91
Kyle Larson1 day ago

the Favorite to Win at Dover Despite Qualifying 21st
Chase Elliott1 day ago

a Core DFS Play at Dover
Alex Bowman1 day ago

Always Strong at Dover
Chris Buescher1 day ago

Has DFS Place Differential Upside at Dover
Ross Chastain1 day ago

Has Been One of Best at Dover in Next Gen Era
Josh Berry1 day ago

Has Top 10 Sleeper Potential at Dover
William Byron1 day ago

Expect William Byron To Be A Top Favorite To Win At Dover
Kyle Busch1 day ago

Obtains The Pole For Dover
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Scores Front Row Start At Dover
Zane Smith2 days ago

Unlikely to Contend After Practice Crash
NHL2 days ago

Jets Recall Axel Jonsson-Fjallby
Bobby McMann2 days ago

Progressing Well
Mathew Barzal2 days ago

Bags OT Winner Saturday
NHL2 days ago

Nick Robertson Moving To Fourth Line Saturday
William Karlsson2 days ago

Doesn't Skate, Expected To Play Game 3
Tyler Glasnow2 days ago

Exits Saturday's Game With Cramping
Auston Matthews2 days ago

Skates On Saturday
Kyle Bradish2 days ago

Set To Rejoin Baltimore Rotation
Joey Gallo2 days ago

Headed To 10-Day Injured List With Shoulder Sprain
Pete Fairbanks2 days ago

Tests Have Come Back Clean On Pete Fairbanks
Troy Franklin2 days ago

Broncos Trade Up To Select Oregon Receiver Troy Franklin
Zac Gallen2 days ago

Diamondbacks Optimistic About Zac Gallen's Injury
Rafael Devers2 days ago

Back At Third Base, Masataka Yoshida Starting
George Springer2 days ago

Resting Against Dodgers
Max Muncy2 days ago

Gavin Lux Sitting Saturday
Yandy Díaz2 days ago

X-Rays Negative On Yandy Diaz's Hand
Jhoan Duran2 days ago

Making Another Rehab Appearance Saturday
Deebo Samuel3 days ago

49ers Set To Keep Deebo Samuel, Brandon Aiyuk?
Luke McCaffrey3 days ago

Selected By Commanders 100th Overall
Jalen McMillan3 days ago

Heads To Tampa Bay
Tip Reiman3 days ago

Cardinals Take Tip Reiman At No. 82
Roman Wilson3 days ago

Selected 84th Overall By Steelers
Blake Corum3 days ago

Rams Select Blake Corum With 83rd Pick
Jermaine Burton3 days ago

Taken At No. 80 By Cincinnati
Trey Benson3 days ago

Cardinals Select Trey Benson With The 66th Pick
Malachi Corley3 days ago

Jets Trade Up To Select Malachi Corley
Ben Sinnott3 days ago

Taken At No. 53 On Friday Night
Adonai Mitchell3 days ago

Colts Snag Adonai Mitchell At No. 52
Jonathon Brooks3 days ago

Panthers Trade Up To Select Jonathon Brooks
New Orleans Saints3 days ago

Saints Take Kool-Aid McKinstry At No. 41
Keon Coleman3 days ago

Bills Select Keon Coleman At Pick 33
Alex Perez3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Matheus Nicolau3 days ago

Returns To Action At UFC Vegas 91
Ariane da Silva3 days ago

Ariane Lipski Looks To Extend Her Win Streak
Karine Silva3 days ago

Looks For Ninth Victory In A Row
David Onama3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Jonathan Pearce3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In Win Column
Uros Medic4 days ago

A Massive Favorite At UFC Vegas 91
Tim Means4 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 91
Austen Lane4 days ago

Searching For First UFC Win
Jhonata Diniz4 days ago

Making UFC Debut
Bogdan Guskov4 days ago

Gets Ranked Opponent At UFC Vegas 91
Ryan Spann4 days ago

Looks To Snap Losing Skid At UFC Vegas 91
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF