DLF’s Annual Preseason Predictions: Volume Two
This is one of our favorite times of the year. After working hard to produce content all off-season, we can finally look forward to the 2014 Fantasy Football season in our beloved dynasty leagues – that means it’s time for our annual fantasy predictions. We gathered some opinions from the DLF Team and compiled this list of predictions for the upcoming fantasy year. The categories were as follows:
Fantasy MVP
Fantasy Rookie of the Year
Most Overvalued Dynasty Player
Most Undervalued Dynasty Player
Fantasy Sleeper
Best Dynasty Buy
Best Dynasty Sell
Fantasy Comeback Player of the YearÂ
We shared the first four yesterday, so now it’s time to complete the roundtable.
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Ken Kelly
Fantasy Sleeper: Alfred Blue, RB HOU
Go big or go home, right? If and when Arian Foster gets hurt, the Texans are likely going to turn first to Jonathan Grimes. However, if Grimes fails to show more than he has in the past or if Blue continues to impress in practice, you could have yourself a sleeper of epic proportion.
Best Dynasty Buy: Robert Turbin, RB SEA
With all the hype surrounding Christine Michael, you’d think Marshawn Lynch was already gone and Turbin has torn his ACL. However, neither are true and Turbin has looked great this preseason. While everyone is jumping on the Michael bandwagon, Turbin has quietly kept his spot as “next in line” for the Seahawks. You can get him for peanuts at this point.
Best Dynasty Sell: Zac Stacy, RB STL
It’s been shared ad nauseum, but Stacy just isn’t worth his ADP in my opinion. I don’t see a dynamic runner when I watch him play and can’t help but feel like he’s “just a guy” in the end.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year: Reggie Wayne, WR IND
It’s amazing to me how much this future Hall of Famer is flying under the radar right now. Sure, TY Hilton is going to get some targets, but Andrew Luck will look for Wayne early and often this season.
Rob Shandler
Fantasy Sleeper:Â Ben Tate, RB CLE
Everyone has been expecting that one of Cleveland’s talented rookie running backs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell would steal Tate’s job as Cleveland’s Shanahan-system lead back. Tate wouldn’t allow it. While he may have to compete for touches later in his contract, it seems 2014 will be his opportunity to finally prove that he can stay healthy and dominate on the ground.  He has top five running back potential within a great scheme behind a solid offensive line.
Best Dynasty Buy:Â Jeff Janis, WR GB
Janis has Julio Jones-esque physical ability, but came to the Packers as a very unrefined receiver with a 50/50 chance of making the final roster.  He did. By clearing this hurdle, his talent will be entrusted to the hugely capable hands of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers. Two things must happen in the next 12 months to set the stage for a Janis value launch – he must leapfrog fellow rookie Davante Adams on the depth chart and the Packers must allow Randall Cobb to explore free agency.
Best Dynasty Sell:Â Randall Cobb, WR GB
As mentioned above, Cobb could find himself departing the extremely friendly Green Bay offense next off-season. The Packers just signed Jordy Nelson to a big deal and likely have enough talent in development to avoid a hefty contract offer to the diminutive slot receiver. This versatile playmaker and return man is nearly consensus in 2014 as a top ten receiver and that could change considerably by May of next year.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year:Â Michael Crabtree, WR SF
Crabtree has yet to put together a full 16 game season with Colin Kaepernick, who very much enjoys targeting this reliable possession receiver.  He has put together fantastic stretches of productivity, including a great stretch in the 2012 NFL playoffs.  Crabtree will be extra motivated to fill the stat line this season as he tries to validate a long-term contract.
Karl Safchick
Fantasy Sleeper: Robert Woods, WR BUF
The word “sleeper” is difficult to define in the dynasty industry. Some people consider Joique Bell a sleeper, but I like to dig a little deeper. I just took a peek at the August ADP data, and Robert Woods is being drafted as the WR56 (125 overall). While everyone is familiar with Woods, it seems as though they are overlooking him for whatever reason. Is EJ Manuel a bad quarterback? Yes, it seems so. Quarterback situations change, though. Last year many people stayed away from Josh Gordon since his quarterback was Brandon Weeden. Despite the Browns doing little to upgrade the quarterback position in season, Gordon was able to accumulate top receiver honors. I’m not trying to compare Woods to Gordon, they’re incomparable. Just showing the quarterback position can change quickly.
Best Dynasty Buy: Justin Hunter, WR TEN
I’ll define the “best dynasty buy” as the player I’ve targeted, and traded for, in every league I’m in. Justin Hunter is primed for a huge season. You’ll say “but the Titans quarterback situation is no good” just like you did when I mentioned Woods. The fact is, there are certain players talented enough to transcend situation. Hunter is one of them. If you’re still able, go buy at all costs.
Best Dynasty Sell: Marshawn Lynch, RB SEA
The best “sell” is the player you believe will fall off of the proverbial cliff. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if Marshawn Lynch‘s wheels fell off. Lynch has almost 2,000 touches in his career. At some point these great backs lose the ability to stay healthy and productive. I’d rather sell a year early than a year late.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year:Â Percy Harvin, WR SEA
There are plenty of fine candidates for this honor. Doug Martin comes to mind, but I want to talk about Percy Harvin. Have we really forgot about Harvin to draft him as the WR17? There’s very little Harvin can’t do. When comparing him to other receivers in his tier, you have to include his rushing stats. In leagues with return yardage bonus’ he gets an even bigger boost.
Scott Peak
Jeff Haverlack
Fantasy Sleeper: Jermaine Kearse, WR SEA
He’s not even on the map in most drafts until very late. He has great size, good speed and solid hands in an offense where he will be singled up constantly.
Best Dynasty Buy : Marvin Jones, WR CIN
For all the reasons I explained yesterday combined now with an injury – now’s the time to add him.
Best Dynasty Sell:Â Christine Michael, RB SEA
It’s amazing what people are offering for him and he hasn’t even overtaken Robert Turbin yet.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year:Â Jeremy Maclin, WR PHI
He looks like he’s back, refreshed, healthy and in an offense that will make good use of him.
Rob Leath
Fantasy Sleeper: Brandon Lloyd, WR SF
He looks rejuvenated and youthful in San Francisco’s offense. Â A potential contributor to be had for next to nothing.
Nick Whalen
Best Dynasty Buy:Â Â Justin Hunter, WR TEN
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year: Roddy White, WR ATL
James Simpson
Fantasy Sleeper: Jace Amaro, TE NYJ
Rookie tight ends are usually an easy ‘avoid’ for me, but Amaro is someone I’m willing to break tradition for. He is a fantastic receiving threat who can be a safety valve and red-zone target for Geno Smith. I’m looking at him as someone who will vastly exceed expectations.
Best Dynasty Buy: Justin Hunter, WR TEN
He is about to be the next big breakout receiver, so there is only a small window to take advantage before he blows up. Loved by many here at DLF, this might be your last chance to buy him as he will soon be one of the most valuable wide receiver commodities. He was my number one receiver in the 2013 class and I fully expect him to prove his talent this year.
Best Dynasty Sell: Trent Richardson, RB IND
Offload Richardson before it is too late. Similar to Toby Gerhart (and to some extent Rashad Jennings), I believe we are being lulled into a false sense of ‘starter value’ simply because we think he is going to be ‘the guy’ in the backfield. He is slow, clumpy and uninspiring and I don’t think volume will make up for that.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year: Percy Harvin, WR SEA
One of my all-time favorites, Harvin will be re-energized with dynasty football’s most underrated quarterback in Russell Wilson. I have no doubt that the Seahawks can be a run-first team and Harvin can still ‘get his’, and I think he returns to the days of being a PPR star and potential game-winner every week.
Eric Olinger
Fantasy Sleeper: Travis Kelce, TE KC
If we know anything about Alex Smith by now it’s he refuses to throw outside the numbers. Instead, he prefers to utilize running backs and tight ends. Kelce has shown to be a match up nightmare in the preseason and is in a prime position to breakout, big time.
Best Dynasty Buy: Victor Cruz, WR NYG
With the Giants’ offense struggling mightily this preseason, many have wondered if Eli Manning is done and if this offense will ever click. I don’t believe Eli is finished and I believe in this offense, specifically the after the catch ability of Cruz. His value is as low as it has been since his big breakout so he’s a target I’m trying to acquire.
Best Dynasty Sell: Giovani Bernard, RB CIN
Even though I believe Bernard is solid running back, I don’t believe his value will ever be higher than it is right now. With the addition of Jeremy Hill he won’t ever be a true feature back and could find himself in a long term committee. I’d be happy to have him as an RB2 but would worry having to rely on him for RB1 numbers.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year: Julio Jones, WR ATLÂ
If he remains healthy, I don’t see anyone threatening him for this honor. His catch-and-run touchdown in week three of the preseason reminded everyone how truly special he his.Â
Leo Paciga
Fantasy Sleeper: Percy Harvin, WR SEA
The age old adage, “out of sight, out of mind” holds true in this case because of Harvin’s recent, unrelenting string of injury issues. Finally, Harvin appears healthy and this summer he’s flashed the dynamic play making ability we all love so much. The Seahawks may have a run first mentality, but quarterback Russell Wilson is too savvy, too shrewd and just too talented to ignore the game changing ability this wide receiver brings to the offense. As long as Percy stays healthy, he’ll post WR1 numbers at a discounted draft price.
Best Dynasty Buy: Cody Latimer, WR DEN
Tall, strong, athletic, good speed and solid body control….we’ve thrown these words around all summer describing rookie Cody Latimer. For the moment he’s got some folks in front of him in the pecking order because Denver’s roster isn’t lacking for wide receivers or offensive options. The news of Wes Welker’s four-game suspension, however, may increase Latimer’s snaps and opportunities early on making him even tougher to obtain, but I encourage you to go knocking anyway. By the end of 2014, he’ll be a guy on the top of your wish list, but you’ll have to break the bank to open trade discussions.
Best Dynasty Sell: Andre Ellington, RB ARI
Ellington is elusive, quick to the crease and averaged over five yards per carry to go along with a tantalizing points per touch average. He’s also a tremendous asset in PPR leagues and should see plenty of targets in the passing game out of the backfield. While I may like the talents Ellington brings to the table, I love the value other owners are willing to pay to acquire this Arizona running back. Bottom line, I don’t like the fact Ellington added extra weight this off season and I hate that he turns 26 years old this February. I’d rather move him while the demand is high and value is readily available.
Fantasy Comeback of the Year: Roddy White WR, ATL
I could mention White’s teammate Julio Jones in this same section, but honestly we’re all expecting huge numbers from Julio if his feet hold up for the 2014 season. I’d rather discuss Roddy’s healthy return and the chemistry he has with quarterback Matt Ryan. That chemistry with Ryan is especially important because perennial All Pro tight end and security blanket Tony Gonzalez is gone from the Atlanta offense along with his boat load of targets. The Falcons defense also needs some work which equates to playing catchup on regular basis and a healthy Julio will attract plenty of defensive attention. Plenty of opportunities and open spaces for a talented, crafty veteran wide receiver – sounds like the perfect storm for the fantasy comeback player of the year for 2014.
Ty Miller
Eric Hardter
Fantasy Sleeper: Geno Smith, QB NYJ
Yes, Smith was largely terrible as a rookie, but he showed flashes finishing as a QB1 in five out of 16 games (31%).  That actually bested Lions signal caller Matt Stafford (10%), despite a vast disparity in supporting casts.  With an upgraded supporting cast and more freedom to run, Smith is a dark horse to finish the year as a QB1.
Best Dynasty Buy: Stevan Ridley, RB NE
Raise your hand if, like me, you were praying the Pats would actually cut Ridley. While this didn’t come to fruition, Ridley is still easily the best pure runner on New England’s roster and if he can hang onto the ball he should flirt with 1,000 yards and double digit scores in 2013.  More importantly, a new locale (away from taskmaster Bill Belichick) in 2015 could very well lead to a Michael Turner-esque type of career revival.
Best Dynasty Sell: Zac Stacy, RB STL
Stacy is a good, durable running back who glaringly lacks dynamic. Â Purely volume dependent in 2013 (he checked in dead last in my True Points metric for ball carriers with > 20 weekly touches), there’s a very real possibility he could cede work to the more dynamic Benny Cunningham. Â Still viewed as an RB1 in some circles, the time is now to cash out.
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year – Victor Cruz, WR NYG
Despite missing 2+ games to injury and playing for the moribund Giants offense, Cruz still finished just two yards short of his third consecutive 1,000-yard season.  New York hasn’t looked good this preseason, but neither did San Diego and Philip Rivers last year – I expect Cruz to be peppered with targets and ultimately finish the year as a PPR WR1.
Jacob Feldman
Matt Caraccio
Fantasy Sleeper: Lance Dunbar, RB DAL
Best Dynasty Buy: DeAndre Hopkins, WR HOU
Best Dynasty Sell: Rashad Jennings, RB NYG
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year: C.J. Spiller, RB BUF
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