Let Sleeping Dogs Lie - Sleepers to Avoid in 2017

I'm sure you've heard this expression before. Every year, the word "sleeper" is thrown around a lot as we're all anxious and eager to find the next big thing that no one is really talking about. Well, sometimes you just have to let the sleeping dogs lie. As tempting as it may be to believe […]

Draft Targets - Five Fantasy Football ADP Values

This article first appeared in the Metro news publication. As the NFL preseason rolls on, we'll be releasing analysis on players to target and avoid for your fantasy football drafts. Below you will find a few undervalued picks, players that should perform better than their ADPs or draft day costs, and an overvalued player as […]

Jared Goff (QB, LAR) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

Jared Goff had about as much fantasy value last season as Tim Tebow had. Maybe less. Goff did not quiet any doubters who thought the Los Angeles Rams were crazy to take him with the first overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft. He did not strap on a helmet until the second half of […]

Frankie Soler's Bold Predictions for 2017

Now this is going to be a fun little piece where a bunch of us here at RotoBaller get to swing for the fences. Bold Predictions, as the name implies, are all about calling your shot on some unconventional outcomes for the upcoming fantasy season. I'll be putting on my Infinity Gauntlet and rubbing my […]

C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE, HOU) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

By virtue of the position they play, the value of tight ends in fantasy football is often downplayed. Some of them can get similar target shares to top wide receivers (see the Travis Kelces and Kyle Rudolphs of the world), yet the production for most fantasy tight ends is largely predicated on two things: their […]

Carson Wentz (QB, PHI) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

Carson Wentz has “fantasy sleeper” written all over him. Saying Dallas’ Dak Prescott was the best rookie quarterback in the NFL last season is akin to saying Justin Timberlake was the most talented member of N' Sync. While other rookie QBs like Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch and Christian Hackenberg had no fantasy value or actually had […]

Five Undervalued Targets for Fantasy Football Drafts

This article first appeared in the Metro news publication. Welcome back RotoBallers. Training camps are underway, and we are putting out columns about undervalued and overvalued draft picks for 2017 fantasy football drafts. Last week I covered a few guys to target and avoid in your approaching drafts. Below are a few other players to keep […]

Maxx Williams (TE, BAL) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The tight end position has always been top-heavy in fantasy football, and that looks to be the case again heading into 2017. But for owners who don’t want to reach for Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce or Greg Olsen, it can be tough to find a tight end in the later rounds who can consistently produce […]

Fantasy Football Draft Targets and Avoids

This article first appeared in the Metro news publication.  Welcome back fantasy football fans. With training camps getting underway, it’s time to start getting ready to chase another championship. Below are some players to target and avoid as you prepare for your 2017 fantasy football drafts. Don’t forget to check out our 2017 draft sleepers and […]

The Perfect Pair - Two Mid-round QBs Who Can Combine for QB1 Value

In my home league for fantasy football, I've adopted the strategy of avoiding all the top quarterbacks. Some guy I knew in college is definitely going to pick Drew Brees three rounds early and someone else is going to think picking Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady is a tremendous value--they'll never have to worry about the […]

Dynasty Discount - Valuable Veterans

Hey there Rotoballers! Today we are taking a look dynasty startup drafts and some veteran players who still have fantasy values but are going later in drafts. Taking part in a startup dynasty draft is a much different beast than drafting for a regular redraft league. Age plays a big part in the valuation of […]

John Ross (WR, CIN) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

After an extremely successful collegiate career, the Cincinnati Bengals selected John Ross with the ninth overall pick in the 2017 draft. He went a bit higher than many expected, but his elite athleticism obviously struck a chord with the Bengals front office. Rookie wide receivers don't often make a huge impact in fantasy terms, but every […]

Tyrod Taylor (QB, BUF) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

How much time do you spend thinking about Tyrod Taylor? You don’t? Well, today I’m here to change that, because Tyrod Taylor is primed for a breakout season whether you realize it or not. Tyrod Taylor is the QB1 that no one is talking about. Sure, Buffalo is a run-heavy team with many question marks […]

Jesse James (TE, PIT) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The Pittsburgh tight end situation just hasn’t been the same since longtime Steeler Heath Miller announced his retirement in the winter of 2016. Miller served 10 years in Pittsburgh, accumulating over 6,000 receiving yards that were complimented by 45 touchdowns. He was a favorite target of quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and left a void that will […]

Bull Rush - Players Whose Market Share of Targets is Bound to Increase

Each NFL offseason is ripe with changes that impact the fantasy value of various players. Whether it's the player's team changing or the player changing teams, there are many things that can affect a player's season outlook that have nothing to do with his actual ability. Opportunity is one of the most important factors in […]

DeAndre Washington (RB, OAK) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The Oakland Raiders were sixth in the NFL in rushing in 2016. Employing a three-headed running back committee led by Latavius Murray, Oakland also got significant contributions from a pair of impressive rookies in DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard. While Latavius Murray turned his lead role into 1,052 yards from scrimmage and an RB13 finish in […]

Players Who Should Be Prioritized in PPR, but Faded in Standard Leagues

PPR is one of the more intriguing fantasy formats, as it rewards players more for real-life value. While standard formats emphasize touchdowns, PPR rewards players who contribute a significant amount to their teams; however, they are hindered by their inability to find the end zone, or negatively impacted due to their role on a lower […]

C.J. Prosise (RB, SEA) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

Before profiling C.J. Prosise as a fantasy football sleeper for 2017, it is important to note that I'm approaching this from a PPR position. CJ Prosise is far less valuable in standard leagues. In standard leagues, I just wouldn't draft any Seattle running back. In PPR leagues, Prosise is the guy I want not just […]

Running Back Handcuffs With Stand-Alone Value

The conventional wisdom in fantasy football that verges on outright dogma is that there is no more important position to a team’s success than a running back. While we have seen rule changes that have caused a spike in passing numbers and an increase in the popularity of PPR formats, championship teams from a year […]

10 Fantasy Football Predictions That Will Make Your Head Explode!

Fantasy football can be very unpredictable. In that way, it is a great metaphor for life. I found out this past week that a short story collection I wrote 13 years ago was politely mocked on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this past May. Jovial Jimmy mentioned my book, Ten Tales To Make Your […]

Ameer Abdullah (RB, DET) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

When it comes to fantasy football, the decision to draft a player is often heavily influenced by a ‘what have you done for me lately’ bias. Owners often place a greater stock in the most recent successes or failures of players than they do the much larger picture. Consider Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker, […]

Boom or Bust - Tight End Projections for 2017

Right now, there seem to be three names floating around whenever people talk about who the top fantasy tight ends will be: Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, and Jordan Reed. Here's the problem with that: two of those three players tend to...umm...miss a lot of games. I really hate the idea of labeling a player as […]

Josh Doctson (WR, WAS) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The Washington Redskins selected TCU wide receiver Josh Doctson with the 22nd pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Washington had good reason to take him that high; he has solid size, is a great route runner, and has tremendous red zone target potential. Unfortunately for Doctson, his rookie season went wrong in every way imaginable. He […]

Chris Conley (WR, KC) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

As you are nearing the back-end of your draft, it becomes time to take fliers on players with uncertainty surrounding how productive they will be. Properly using your late round picks involves accepting the fact that even though the player you are selecting could develop into a serviceable fill-in or even a starter, it is […]

Brian Hoyer (QB, SF) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The San Francisco 49ers have gone into a full rebuild. They've purged their roster of last years quarterbacks and brought in a new regime with General Manager John Lynch and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan. Shanahan brought with him a quarterback from his year in Cleveland to be the starter, journeyman Brian Hoyer. Lets be clear […]

Austin Hooper (TE, ATL) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

HOOP! There it is! At least that's what I yell every time Austin Hooper scores a touchdown (Okay I lied - I actually do that whenever he catches a pass. My friends really hate me). After he was seldom used in 2016, Austin could be Hoopin' it up a whole lot more in 2017. Hooper wouldn't […]

Jack Doyle (TE, IND) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The 2016 NFL season was far from a banner year for the tight end position as it relates to fantasy football. Travis Kelce was the consensus #5 TE heading into 2016 drafts and managed an impressive 85 catches, 1,125 yards, and four TDs. While this did net him a #1 finish at the position, his […]

Samaje Perine (RB, WAS) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

The Washington Redskins passing offense surprised last season, finishing second in the NFL in passing yards behind only the New Orleans Saints. However, their 21st-ranked rushing offense left plenty of room for improvement for the looming 2017 season. Second-year running back Matt Jones started the season as the lead back until his benching in week 8. […]

Ted Ginn Jr. (WR, NO) - 2017 Fantasy Football Sleeper

There have been times throughout history where great trios were at the top of their fields. The Three Musketeers, Three Stooges and Three Tenors are just a few examples of some of the excellent trios from the past with each member of that trio bringing something a little different to the table. The same can […]