👉 TAP TO SAVE 30% WITH CODE NEW
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 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.

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Kevin McGonigle

Seeing Time at Third Base
St. Louis Cardinals

Jurrangelo Cijntje to Continue Building Up as Switch-Pitcher
Jonah Tong

Looking to Develop his Offspeed Pitches
Gerrit Cole

to Return in May?
Nathaniel Lowe

Reds Bringing in Nathaniel Lowe
Shohei Ohtani

Could Pitch in the Cactus League
Terry McLaurin

Commanders Want Terry McLaurin to Get 10 Targets a Game
Rhett Lowder

Manager Praises Rhett Lowder During Rotation Battle
Chris Taylor

Returns to Angels on Minor-League Deal
Ha-Seong Kim

Braves Hope Ha-Seong Kim Can Return in Early May
Patrick Sandoval

Throws Live Batting Practice
Adrian Del Castillo

Held Back by Calf Issue
Brayan Bello

Adds a Curveball to Arsenal
Grant Holmes

Will be in Opening Day Starting Rotation
Reynaldo López

Reynaldo Lopez Will Open Season in Starting Rotation
Jesús Sánchez

Blue Jays Acquire Jesus Sanchez From Astros
Joey Loperfido

Astros Not Done Dealing After Joey Loperfido Trade
Jesús Sánchez

Joey Loperfido Traded to the Astros
Munetaka Murakami

Will Primarily Play First Base, Could See Some Time at Third
Jordan Westburg

Oblique is Progressing, Still on Track for Opening Day
Owen Caissie

in Position to Claim Everyday Role?
Dylan Beavers

a Name to Watch in Spring Training
Deandre Ayton

Remains Day-to-Day for Lakers
LeBron James

Posts Historic Triple-Double in Win
Ja Morant

Still Without Clear Return Date
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Expected Back After All-Star Break
Oscar Tshiebwe

Enters Concussion Protocol Thursday
Naji Marshall

Exits Early with Foot Strain
Daniel Gafford

Leaves Game with Ankle Issue
Jordan Binnington

Records 26-Save Shutout Against Czechia
Connor McDavid

Ties Canadian Record With Three Assists in Olympic Debut
Josh Morrissey

Hurt in Olympic Opener
Robert Williams III

Will Not Play Against Utah
Deni Avdija

Sidelined vs. Jazz
Alexandre Sarr

to Miss Multiple Weeks
Naji Marshall

Gets Upgraded to Probable
Myles Turner

Will Not Play Thursday
Caleb Martin

is Downgraded to Doubtful
Jeremy Sochan

Heading to New York
CFB

Trinidad Chambliss Eligible for 2026 Season
Kyle Kuzma

Cleared to Play Against Thunder
Ryan Rollins

Remains Sidelined Against Thunder
Shaedon Sharpe

Sidelined Against Utah
Scoot Henderson

Available Again on Thursday
Deandre Ayton

Ruled Out on Thursday
Isaiah Hartenstein

Resting on Thursday
Jalen Williams

Will Not Play Thursday Against the Bucks
CFB

BYU's Parker Kingston Charged with Felony Rape
Cameron Young

Looking for Pebble Beach Success
J.J. Spaun

Looks to Turn Things Around at Pebble Beach
Collin Morikawa

Eyes Turnaround at Pebble Beach
Jake Knapp

Brings Hot Form to Pebble Beach
Nick Taylor

in Good Form Going into Pebble Beach Event
Viktor Hovland

Carrying Momentum Into Pebble Beach
Tommy Fleetwood

Set for 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Harris English

Looks to Build on Steady Form at Pebble Beach
Justin Rose

Tuned in for AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Keegan Bradley

a Boom-or-Bust Play at Pebble Beach
Maverick McNealy

Playing Well with Pebble Beach Looming
Russell Henley

Carries Momentum to Pebble Beach
Shane Lowry

Makes 2026 PGA Tour Debut at Pebble Beach
Michael Kim

Putting Well with Pebble Beach on the Horizon
Billy Horschel

a Little Rattled After Consecutive Missed Cuts
Ben Griffin

Solid But Not Spectacular Early in 2026
Wyndham Clark

Has Question Marks Heading to Pebble Beach
Daniel Berger

Heating Up at the Right Time for Pebble Beach
Jordan Spieth

Looking For a Return to Form at Pebble Beach
Juuse Saros

Starting Wednesday
William Nylander

Iffy for Olympic Opener
Martin Necas

Ready for Thursday
Drake Maye

Says his Shoulder Injury was Significant
Xander Schauffele

Trying to Get the Motor Going at Pebble Beach
Hideki Matsuyama

Trying to Overcome Sunday Collapse
Kenneth Walker III

Runs Away With Super Bowl MVP Honors
Vinicius Oliveira

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Mario Bautista

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kyoji Horiguchi

Dominates At UFC Vegas 113
Amir Albazi

Gets Dominated At UFC Vegas 113
Rizvan Kuniev

Earns His First UFC Win
Jailton Almeida

Drops Decision At UFC Vegas 113
Marc-Andre Barriault

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Michal Oleksiejczuk

Gets His Third Win In A Row
Las Vegas Raiders

Klint Kubiak Confirms he Will be Next Raiders Head Coach
Jonas Rondbjerg

Out for Olympics
Brad Marchand

Good to Go for Olympic Opener
Gabriel Landeskog

Healthy for Olympics
Jack Hughes

Cleared for Olympics
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Returns to Super Bowl After Injury Scare
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Being Evaluated for Concussion, Questionable to Return
James Pearce Jr.

Arrested Following Police Chase
Quinn Hughes

Enters Olympics in Red-Hot Form
NHL

Juho Lammikko Returns to Switzerland
Pavel Zacha

Misses Olympics
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF