May NFL Mailbag - Running Backs, IDP, Sammy or Amari?

It has been a long time since I have done a mailbag article and I almost forgot how much fun they are. My favorite part about this, are my interactions with you, the reader.

I am always open to answering questions on Twitter or Reddit, but most of the time, those are quick response from prior knowledge. Occasionally, I get a question I need to dive into a little more, but you don’t have the same space on those platforms as you do in an article.

Getting the opportunity to expand on your questions in an article is awesome, so expect to see more of these coming soon. Moving forward, each mailbag article will have some type of theme, looking for questions directed at that topic. This week though, we have a whole bunch of questions to kick off the first mailbag article of the year. If you have questions and want a shout out on Twitter, keep an eye out for my tweets asking for questions and send them my way.

Fantasy Football Mailbag

What second year receiver are you expecting the biggest breakout from? (So no Kupp/Juju since they already did) - @BeerFueledFF

Aside from the two mentioned in the question, @slic117 jumped in and said Corey Davis does not count either, but he was too easy. My pick until Brandon Marshall signed with the Seahawks was Amara Darboh, and while he could still offer some fantasy value, Marshall will see those red zone targets in his place. I’m still buying Darboh, because Paul Richardson and Jimmy Graham leave behind 175 targets from 2017. The defense in Seattle won’t be great and Russell Wilson may need to throw more this year. Marshall won’t see but half of those targets at best.

I think we see several receivers from last year take a step forward including Trent Taylor in San Francisco, Kenny Golladay in Detroit, Taywan Taylor in Tennessee and Dede Westbrook in Jacksonville. Westbrook has the potential to be the WR1 on his own team. In dynasty formats, I am buying as many second-year receivers as possible this offseason. Value is down right now and you could pick up some guys with good upside. John Ross is dirt cheap right now and could become a boom or bust receiver with big play ability.

Other than the NYG, which running game improves the most this year and why? - @GOATdistrict

I think Cleveland is one of my favorites, but from a fantasy football standpoint, it’s going to be a nightmare for owners. Nick Chubb, Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson will combine for a RB1 season, but combining for one doesn’t offer a whole lot of help for owners.

Assuming you really want me to answer this question from a fantasy football standpoint, I have one team that I like from a different perspective. It wasn’t the addition in the backfield, it was the subtraction from the backfield and the addition on the offensive line.

The Cincinnati Bengals should be much improved in 2018. The Bengals ran for 1366 yards last season and 3.6 yards per carry, both second to last in the league. I will actually be writing an article on Joe Mixon in the next couple of weeks, so I don’t want to give away too much, but I expect big things from them this coming season.

Laurel or Yanny ??? - @ChiRuxinDFS

You can’t have a mailbag article without one question outside the box. Yanny all the way for me.

Who would you rather take a chance on drafting this year at RB. Marlon Mack or anyone in Denver? - @Envisionff

Although Marlon Mack has continued to gain steam this off-season as the Colts decided to against making a big splash in free agency or the draft to add a running back. Even though Mack appears to be the RB1 in Indy, taking Royce Freeman from Denver is an easy pick for me. I think the Broncos truly view Freeman as a lead back that will carry a large workload, and adding Case Keenum was a huge upgrade to help the pass and run game. I think Freeman as much more upside.

The addition of Nyheim Hines for the Colts has been a low-key addition that fantasy owners should be keeping a very close eye on. Hines was a former slot receiver at NC State and can run his routes well and knows the route tree. He is going to be all over the field playing out of the backfield, playing the slot and lining up wherever a mismatch can be found. I think he is worked slowly into the game plan and will take some substantial touches away from Mack as the season wears on.

Who is your top IDP pick? -@TheScorecrow

Taking a quick second to promote our new, updated rankings on Rotoballer! Everything you need to win your league this year, and now that includes IDP rankings by yours truly. In those rankings, I have Luke Keuchly listed as my number one overall IDP this coming season. I know there are concerns over his health, but when he is on the field, he is the best linebacker in football, especially from a fantasy football perspective.

Things can always hinge on your league scoring, but linebackers will typically score the most out of all defensive positions. My top three players are all linebackers and include Bobby Wagner and Deion Jones. Joey Bosa and Demarcus Lawrence round out the top five as well, and sit higher than most due to an increased sack potential. If you are in an IDP league, make sure you check scoring settings though. If a sack is worth substantially more than a tackle, you will want guys with great sack potential.

Amari Cooper or Sammy Watkins? Both, IMO, have disappointed and seem to get their tires pumped more than they’ve shown they deserve in fantasy. - @FantasyReich

This was easy for me as well. Amari Cooper all the way. I really don’t understand how a majority of the fantasy community has soured on Cooper, but not Sammy Watkins. Watkins will need to fight for targets with Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce but Cooper should lead the Raiders in targets. I don’t think Jordy Nelson or Martavis Bryant will offer a high enough ceiling to be a better play than Cooper this season or moving forward. I would pick Cooper 10 out of 10 times.

More 2018 Fantasy Football & ADP Analysis