DLF’s 2018 Predictions: Comeback Player of the Year
Most rookie drafts are in the rearview mirror and the NFL Preseason is now over. We’re all busy combing the news sites trying to keep abreast of all the important developments as we prepare for the best time of the year, the NFL season. That can only mean one thing – it’s time for us to put a bow on those reams of off-season content with DLF’s 2018 Fantasy Predictions. As we do every year, we have several different prediction articles for you in the following categories:
- Fantasy MVP
- Fantasy Rookie of the Year
- Sleeper Rookie of the Year (outside our top 24)
- Bust of the Year
- Fantasy Sleeper
- Best Dynasty Buy
- Best Dynasty Sell
- Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year
We take a few moments today to cover our choices for Comeback Player of the Year.
Jordan Howard, RB CHI
The obvious choices to me are Allen Robinson, Andrew Luck, Deshaun Watson or David Johnson. Instead of going with a player returning from injury, I’m going to go with a player returning to form and select Jordan Howard of the Bears. Howard did not have as great of a season as many would have hoped for last year but he looks poised to have a huge season under a new coaching staff. While Tarik Cohen will still get his touches, Howard has the looks of a fringe RB1 who could make some serious noise and help decide a lot of dynasty league championships this season. – Ken Kelly
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Mike Evans, WR TB
Not long ago, Mike Evans versus Odell Beckham Jr. as the top overall dynasty asset was a heated debate. Flash forward one year and neither had the season many were expecting. Beckham suffered a season-ending injury and Evans disappointed. Choosing Beckham would be too easy here, so I am going to go with Evans. As disappointing as his season felt last year, he still caught 71 passes for 1,001 yards and scored five touchdowns. Although his quarterback is suspended for the first three games, Evans had some decent stat lines with backup Ryan Fitzpatrick last year. Once Winston returns, I expect Evans’ production to take off. He only scored five touchdowns last year, but touchdowns are fickle and I project Evans to have around eight to ten this year. – Kyle Holden
David Johnson, RB ARI
My favorite definition of a bellcow back is one who manages 75% of snaps, 75% of carries and 75% of running back targets on his team. Using that standard, there were just two bellcow backs in 2017. Those players have enormous value because they’re such a big advantage against other teams. David Johnson is one of a handful of players who could manage it in 2018. Coming back from his injury won’t be easy and the Cardinals have some growing to do as a team but sheer volume can be a cheatcode for Johnson and we’ve seen him be amazing before. – Tom Kislingbury
Andrew Luck, QB IND
If you didn’t try to buy Luck over the last year and a half, I think you’re going to be sorry. He’s returned to playing football and while he certainly looks a little rusty in the preseason, I fully expect him to return to form a few weeks into the regular season. When he does, he immediately jumps back into the conversation as a top three quarterback in the league. While there are several new additions to the offense since Luck last took the field for a regular season game, trusted weapons TY Hilton and Jack Doyle are still around and Luck will find ways to get them the ball. Not only will 2018 be the year of Luck’s return, but we can only hope it will also be the return of his epic beard…that thing was awesome. – Brian Harr
Allen Robinson, WR CHI
This one seems too obvious, which gives me pause. However, I still think all the pieces are in place for A-Rob to return to form. The Chicago offense has a lot of positive momentum and I for one can’t wait to see how it plays out during the regular season. I expect Robinson to move back into the top 12 wide receivers this year in Chi-town and be the beneficiary of many touchdown passes from Mitchell Trubisky. I know it’s been long time since he was really relevant and that will make his comeback this year all the sweeter. – Ryan Finley
Dalvin Cook, RB MIN
The Minnesota Vikings have all the makings of an explosively elite offense…minus the offensive line. Alas, they’re not sitting on their hands, they recently went out and acquired Brett Jones from the Giants to protect themselves if center Pat Elflein isn’t ready to go by week one. I picked Cook because he looked like the real deal in the four games we saw last year. In PPR leagues he averaged 16.85 points per game and that includes a stinker in week two against the Steelers. He should be a middle round one dynasty pick this time next year instead of the top of round two. – Eric Olinger
Josh Gordon, WR CLE
The top candidates have all been sharply mentioned already. Luck, Watson, DJ, Cook and Robinson are all poised to return to form, so I’ll turn to arguably the most talented and gifted player in the NFL. The last time we saw a nearly full season from Gordon, it was the same year AJ Green had his last 1,300+ yard season and Gordon went ahead and put up 220 more yards than AJ Green in two fewer games with Jason Campbell at quarterback. It’s finally time for him to get back to football and no one brings what he brings to the table and this could be a very special pairing with Jarvis Landry. – TJ Calkins
Alshon Jeffery, WR PHI
Remember when Alshon put up back-to-back WR1 seasons? Maybe not, it’s in the distant fantasy past. But it did happen! Alshon was dominant but injured in 2015, then dealt with a suspension and lackluster quarterback play in 2016. It took him some time to get acclimated to his new team but he finally began looking a bit like his once dominant self by mid-season. This occurred despite playing with the shoulder injury that sidelines him right now and is keeping him from being a more popular value pick. Alshon proved over his final six games with Carson Wentz and then again in the playoffs that he can still be a dominant receiver. It’s going to be a matter of how quickly he can bounce back from shoulder surgery but I love Alshon to put up a season that surprises many in 2018. – Zach Wilkens
Dalvin Cook, RB MIN
This one’s simple. Cook set the world on fire when he was healthy last season and it’s hard to see another scenario this season. You can say you’re concerned about injury for him, but the same applies to basically every candidate for this category. Perhaps you could also go with David Johnson, but I’m worried that offense around him brings him down. It’s hard to see that happening in Minnesota for Cook. – Stephen Gill
David Johnson, RB ARI
This was the easiest one of these questions to answer. He absolutely dominated the league last time he played, and his injury wasn’t to his lower body. The Cardinals are going to run Johnson early and often and I’m here for it. – Bobby Koch
Josh Gordon, WR CLE
I already wrote up David Johnson in another category, so I’m using Gordon here. In his last “full” season (14 games), Gordon posted an elite 87/1,646/9 line on 159 targets. He should see plenty of targets as he returns once again. Gordon looks to have added a ton of muscle this off-season, and there have been reports he is as fast as ever. Gordon will also see better quarterback play from Tyrod Taylor and Baker Mayfield. He’s a risky option dynasty because of his issues with the NFL’s substance abuse policy, but he could give you a massive return if he plays all 16 games this season. – Justin Bales
Devonta Freeman, RB ATL
I don’t think Freeman’s 2017 was the next data point in a downward trend, I just think Atlanta just struggled last year all around. Freeman finished as the RB1 in 2015 and the RB6 in 2016 before finishing 13th last year, playing 14 games. So, a top five running back was hurt, suffered from reduced team production and has now dropped out of favor – I’ll take that shot. None of his efficiency metrics dropped off in 2017. His performance was still that of a top five running back, even with the presence of another top 24 running back sucking up touches. Freeman’s 26 years old and he is coming back to the top 12 in 2018. – Peter Howard
Josh Gordon, WR CLE
In his 2013 Pro Bowl season, Gordon produced 87 receptions, 1,646 yards, and nine touchdowns with the mediocre triumvirate of Brandon Weeden, Jason Campbell and Brian Hoyer throwing him passes. Either Tyrod Taylor or Baker Mayfield mark a significant upgrade from the porous quarterback play Gordon has known in Cleveland. The troubled Browns receiver is always a risky bet as he’s one deep inhale away from total league banishment. Yet, Gordon has millions of reasons to stay healthy as he’s a restricted free agent in 2019 and this is his last/best chance to get paid. – Josh Brickner
Dalvin Cook, RB MIN
Cook was lost early in 2017 and is reportedly completely healed in 2018. The offensive line for the Vikings is bad but the team has been trying to fix it. With Kirk Cousins at quarterback to threaten defenses, he should open some running lanes and move a few defenders out of the box for Cook. – Pete Lawrence
Who is your choice for comeback player of the year? Let us know in the comments below!
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Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK
