X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2017 Player vs. Player - Julio Jones vs. Mike Evans

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.

We continue this year's Player vs. Player series by looking at a pair of elite wide receivers that are going in the first round of virtually all redraft and dynasty startup drafts.

Nick Del Vecchio (@nickydelta) and Andrew C. Lovell (@andrew_lovell) take sides on behalf of owners in PPR leagues choosing between Julio Jones and Mike Evans, with each making a compelling case for his preferred player.

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

 

Julio Jones (WR, ATL) - Nick

Julio Jones took a slight step back in 2016 compared to the gaudy receiving numbers he put up in 2014 and 2015. However, 83 receptions for 1,409 yards with six TDs from a year ago kept him within elite status of all fantasy wide receivers. He averaged over 100 yards per game and an explosive 17 yards per catch. He is by far the best receiver on his team, and Matt Ryan will continue to force feed him the ball up and down the field. It sure looked to be the game plan during the NFC playoffs, as he totaled 15 catches for 247 yards and three scores in the two games against Seattle and Green Bay.

The one downside with Jones as far as fantasy production goes is that he only has reached double-digit touchdowns once in his career. He finished with six, eight, and six in his last three seasons, respectively. I believe he can easily get to 10 or more this season, as the offense will look to get him many more red-zone looks. New offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, the former Alabama and University of Washington coach, now replacing Kyle Shanahan, had this to say about Jones:

"I think, No. 1, they were still very good in the red zone, but when you have a player like Julio, it's making sure we maximize his opportunities because there is so much double coverage, there are so many unique coverages that roll his way that when we don’t get that, let's make sure he's one of the primary receivers on that play because it is such a tough matchup for anybody one on one."

As Sarkisian alluded to, when Jones sees single coverage, he is making the play. There have been a number of highlight-reel catches over his career in which he was draped by coverage, only to come down with the ball. His size, hands, catch radius, and sheer determination leads to a high amount of catches per game. Needless to say, that is huge for PPR leagues.

Perhaps the new play caller will dial up more slants and fade routes for Julio deep in the red zone, and a lesser amount of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman run plays. The bottom line here is that if Julio can catch more TDs than he has been, he should have no problem coming very close to being the number one overall WR in fantasy in 2017.

The Falcons' offense was historically great in 2016, finishing with a whopping 540 points, tied with the 2000 Rams for seventh most all-time. They managed to score 30-plus points in 11 games, along with five 40-plus games, good for second all-time. Atlanta recently locked up Freeman to a long-term deal, and a nice chunk of the offense will go through him.

However, whenever Ryan has a passing down, or audibles out of the run, you can expect that his first option is Jones. Expect another prolific season for Jones, along the lines of 90-plus catches, 1,300-plus yards, and at least eight scores.

 

Mike Evans (WR, TB) - Andrew

Let's get this out of the way right now: you can't go wrong with either Jones or Evans. Both are big, dynamic playmaking wide receivers in the primes of their careers who play in explosive offenses led by Pro Bowl quarterbacks. Outside of stars like Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr., and perhaps A.J. Green, Jones and Evans stand out as two of the most physically-gifted and productive wide receivers in the NFL right now. They are both studs.

But, of course, this is fantasy football, and you can only spend your first-round pick on one of them. Plus, let's be real: it's fun to debate! So while I love Jones, I love Evans just a bit more in 2017. Allow me to explain why.

Any argument in favor of Evans over Jones should begin with their ages. Jones will enter his seventh NFL season at 28 years old, while Evans (fourth season) is just 24. That might not seem like a huge difference, but it's enough of a gap to warrant a closer look. Jones, for instance, had his major breakout campaign in his fourth season, exploding for 104 receptions for 1,593 yards and six touchdowns back in 2014.

If Evans continues his upward trend, he could approach those types of numbers in 2017. The former Texas A&M standout has seen his receptions, targets, and receiving yards increase in each of his first three seasons. Jones, conversely, might have peaked, or at least plateaued over the last three seasons. Jones' average season from 2014-2016 looks like so: 107 receptions, 1,624 yards, six touchdowns. Again, that's an average. Most wide receivers will never post a single season of that magnitude. It's been a remarkable stretch, but are numbers like that maintainable for Jones? It would seem unlikely given a combination of two factors: Jones' injury history and the Falcons' wealth of weapons.

Jones missed two games and was limited in others last season as the result of a nagging toe injury. He had his third career surgery on his left foot in the offseason, and though all indications suggest he'll be ready to roll for the start of the season, it's a troublesome trend. The Falcons also added wide receivers Mohamed Sanu and Taylor Gabriel, and tight end Austin Hooper to an already-potent offense last year. As a result, Jones' reception total decreased by a staggering 53 catches.

Evans, on the other hand, started all 16 games last season and has played in 46 of 48 games overall since joining Tampa Bay as the No. 7 overall pick in 2014. Now, I know what you're thinking: But wait, the Buccaneers added speedy wide receiver DeSean Jackson and rookie tight end O.J. Howard in the offseason. Won't those additions negatively affect Evans like they did Jones? Possibly, but probably not.

Evans might not match or surpass his 96 receptions from last season, but he should find himself facing less double teams. That could mean more yards and touchdowns, the latter being an area where Evans already widely exceeds Jones. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Evans has 27 career touchdowns in three seasons, including a pair of 12-touchdown campaigns. Jones has 20 touchdowns over the same three-year span, but has topped eight touchdowns only once in his seven-year career.

In short, while Jones might have a slight advantage in receptions in 2017, the two wide receivers' yardage totals should be similar. But Evans could double up Jones in touchdowns, like he did last season, which pushes him ahead in this head-to-head debate.

If you pick Jones, you're drafting based on his track record, which is stellar. If you draft Evans, you're banking on another step forward as he pushes his already skyscraper-like ceiling even higher.

 

More Player Comparisons

[jiffyNews tags_include='19649' post_limit='15


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
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF