2019 Startup: How Will it Look? Round Two

This article is a continuation of “2019 Startup: How Will it Look? Round One.”

Round one led off with Odell Beckham Jr., and finished with Kareem Hunt. A total of seven running backs and five wide receivers are already off the board. Let’s get into round two of the 2019 PPR startup projection.

*All 2019 ages are taken as of exactly one year from June 1st 2018

*Because we are so early in the evaluation process, zero prospects were considered

2.01) Keenan Allen, WR LAC | Current DLF Rank: 13 | 2019 Age: 27

It was such a treat to see the healthy Keenan Allen. He was even better than I expected. Only DeAndre Hopkins and Antonio Brown were able to beat his 2017 numbers, as he put up 102 receptions for 1,393 yards and six touchdowns. If Allen’s next season can look like his last, he could very well sneak into the first-round of startups. With talent, age, and production on his side, there will be many that absolutely fall in love with him. Los Angeles’s quarterback situation isn’t at all set for the future. Keenan Allen might be so talented that it doesn’t really matter.

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2.02) Davante Adams, WR GB | Current DLF Rank: 15 | 2019 Age: 26

I’m one of many who thinks Davante Adams is going to, put plainly, dominate going forward. He’s undoubtedly Aaron Rodgers’ number one receiver and should be able to prove why all season long. Adams has been a touchdown machine over the last two years but has yet to crack the 1,000 mark. He should have no problem accomplishing that this year. I think we’ll see him come into 2019 with back-to-back to back top 15 seasons. At age 26, he’ll be a second rounder you can take to the bank.

2.03) Leonard Fournette, RB JAX | Current DLF Rank: 17 | 2019 Age: 24

I’m quietly looking for big things out of Leonard Fournette in 2018. Not that his rookie year wasn’t impressive in itself, but I think the former fourth overall pick can truly break out this fall. Fournette pounded the rock all season long in Jacksonville’s throwback offense but was far from efficient. If he can get to 4.4 or 4.5 yards per carry, his numbers should skyrocket. I think the LSU superstar could come into 2019 startups fresh off of a top-eight RB season that saw him rush for 1,300 yards.

2.04) Julio Jones, WR ATL | Current DLF Rank: 11 | 2019 Age: 30

No, it’s not time to freak out. I don’t care that Julio Jones had a total of three touchdowns this past season. Impressively, he was still able to be a strong WR1 in spite of the lack of end zone appearances. Because of who Julio is, I have no doubt he’ll be an elite receiver once again in 2018. Jones has averaged 103 receptions, 1,579 yards, and six touchdowns over the last four seasons. This man is still an absolute beast.

Unfortunately for Jones, he won’t be dominating forever. At age 30, much like with A.J. Green, we as potential owners will have to take the age factor into heavy consideration. We all know Julio is a supremely special talent. It’s just going to come down how much faith drafters have in his game as he continues to grow older.

2.05) Dalvin Cook, RB MIN | Current DLF Rank: 18 | 2019 Age: 23

This Viking team is going to be a whole lot of fun. It won’t be easy in an offense with Kirk Cousins, Stefon Diggs, and Adam Thielen, but I think Dalvin Cook will officially become a household name in 2018, if he isn’t already. The FSU star was taken in round two of the 2017 draft and was immediately given the keys to the Minnesota backfield. After three impressive games tragedy struck as Cook tore his ACL and was out for the remainder of the season. If he bounces back, which it sounds like he will, Cook will be one of the better assets in fantasy.

2.06) Christian McCaffrey, RB CAR | Current DLF Rank: 21 | 2019 Age: 22

Watching Christian McCaffrey as a runner was honestly pretty frustrating in his first year as a Panther. It’s not only that he wasn’t getting a ton of carries, it’s more about the fact that he could never really break out in that area of his game. His 3.7 yards per rush are definitely something that needs to change. As a receiver however, I was very, very happy with what I saw. McCaffrey has already proven that he is one of the more polished pass-catching backs we have in the NFL and may just be getting started. Over the years, as he balances his game and continues to refine his craft, he’ll be a PPR stud.

2.07) Joe Mixon, RB CIN | Current DLF Rank: 24 | 2019 Age: 22

I’m obviously expecting Joe Mixon to take a big step in his second season in Cincinnati. The Sooner rushed for a mere 626 yards on 3.5 yards per carry and only found the end zone four times. Mixon may have been a bit of a disappointment, but we all know the talent is there. And fortunately this season, the opportunity will be as well. He only started seven games in 2017 and perhaps because of that, was never really able to get into a groove. Being the clear leader of the backfield will hopefully help him truly come into his own. I think this young kid will enter 2019 as one of the hottest names in the industry.

2.08) Tyreek Hill, WR KC | Current DLF Rank: 20 | 2019 Age: 25

As fun as he is to watch, Tyreek Hill might just be the most annoying player to play against in all of fantasy. He’ll be at two or three points late in the third quarter and after one 80-yard reception, suddenly be having a productive game. I wasn’t sure if Hill would be able to follow up his electric rookie season, but he did just that as he posted a true WR1 year. He’s in an ultra-exciting offense and is perhaps the best big-play receiver in the NFL. Hill isn’t just a fun, flashy pick, he’s as good as it gets near the end of round two.

2.09) Allen Robinson, WR CHI | Current DLF Rank: 22 | 2019 Age: 25

Allen Robinson has played four seasons in the NFL. Just one of those has been what we call solid. Of course, this last campaign was ended before it really got started, but can we really trust Robinson? While I’m not 100% certain, I’m betting on him quickly establishing himself as a WR to be feared in Chicago. ARob will step in right away and be the number one receiver for a budding team with a serviceable young quarterback. We could see Robinson’ ADP change quite a bit in an imperative year to his career. Let’s hope has found his home with the Bears.

2.10) Melvin Gordon, RB LAC | Current DLF Rank: 19 | 2019 Age: 26

Draft Melvin Gordon here and you’re getting someone who will be an absolute workhorse for the next handful of seasons. Very few backs pound the rock at the rate Gordon does and that doesn’t look like it will be changing anytime soon. While his offensive line hasn’t helped him out very much, the former Badgers’ 3.8 career yards per carry must improve going forward. Gordon is as safe a pick as any. He isn’t going to put up outstanding numbers or single-handedly win you games. But he sure will give you some stability at a premium position which is just about as valuable as it gets.

2.11) Amari Cooper, WR OAK | Current DLF Rank: 27 | 2019 Age: 24

Let’s just say it. Amari Cooper’s 2017 was abysmal. The former first-rounder had a respectable .5 touchdowns per game, but only caught 3.4 passes a game for 47 yards. Yikes. Cooper must bounce back in a big way to regain owners trust. If he can match what he did in his first two seasons with 1,100 yards and 5.5 touchdowns, he’ll establish himself as a consistent fantasy starter once again. If Cooper is going to climb back into the top 25 of rankings, he and Derek Carr must rekindle their once-scary connection.

2.12) A.J. Green, WR CIN | Current DLF Rank: 16 | 2019 Age: 30

A.J. Green is still one of the better players the NFL has to offer. I don’t mean any disrespect with the 2.12 pegging. Bottom line is, there are two factors that stand out as negatives when evaluating his stock. The first is rather obvious, Green’s age now starts with a three. You have to think he’ll begin to decline in a few years. Secondly, whether it’s Andy Dalton or not, their quarterback situation just isn’t fantastic, which is always a little scary.

For teams trying to be immediate contenders, Green is an easy pick. We just don’t see many receivers with his natural ability and consistent production. And who knows? Maybe a shakeup at quarterback could revitalize his career, and make the longtime star feel like he’s 25 once again.

Have a question about your team, a current player, or a prospect? Please leave a comment below. I’m always glad to interact with readers. If you have a more specific and in-depth question that you want to talk more about, feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]. Hope you enjoyed the article!

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