2017 AFC Fantasy Football Preview

Joe Robbins, Getty Images

August is quickly nearing its end and with it comes a new NFL season. In recent years fans get just as exicited if not more so for the fantasy season than the real one. Team managers are given a chance to wipe the slate clean from last year’s downfalls or reprise their role as league dominator. Today, I want us to take a closer look at the AFC in the first of our two part fantasy preview with Karl covering the NFC in the coming days. I’ll highlight a few players you should target in drafts as well as avoid.

Keepers

Many leagues these days allow managers to retain players free of charge. I’m listing my top five keepers from AFC team for leagues using standard scoring. When you’re planning your roster for the upcoming season make sure these guys remain on your team.

1. Le’Veon Bell, PIT- Best back in the league, hands down. His game translates to fantasy glory especially in PPR leagues. If Antonio Brown wasn't on this team, Bell could easily be Big Ben’s most elusive pass catcher.
2. Rob Gronkowski, NE- As with Bell, Gronk is above all when it comes to fantasy TEs. Nobody comes close. As long as Tom Brady is at the helm, I don’t see this changing anytime soon regardless of injury risk.
3. Antonio Brown, PIT- Some might argue that Julio Jones is emerging as the #1 recieving option in the NFL, but I say hold up. And this is coming from an Alabama alum, so you know its legit. Brown is a big play machine and his knack for finding the endzone is second to none.
4. AJ Green, CIN- Take a seat Julio. My #2 wideout is AJ Green. He’s got All-Pro hands and a QB about to finally live up to that outrageous contract. Where Jones falters is his redzone opporunity compared to the likes of Brown and Green. I’d bet my dollar on AJ this season especially as he’ll be looking to take his team back to the playoffs with the help of rookie Joe Mixon in the backfield.
5. LeSean McCoy, BUF- I know, I know. He plays on a shit defense in upstate New York. But the dude rakes. He has for years and there is no indication of him slowing down. He has no legit competition for carries and seriously, who else is going to tote that rock across the goal-line?

*Note: Never and I mean NEVER select a defense or kicker as a keeper for your team. This should go unstated but you’d be surprised.

Sleepers

These are a few players I like to target in the middle rounds, see them as diamonds in the rough. They are often overlooked for players on flashier teams or with more marketable names, but they will show you up on Sundays if they aren’t in your lineup.

1. Amari Cooper, OAK- “How can Amari be a sleeper? He’s being drafted in the 2nd-4th round…” I get it, guys. But after his first two seasons and Derek Carr’s emergence as an elite NFL signal caller, Cooper has the skill to put up top 5 WR numbers this season. His value takes a hit because of the Crabtree vulture effect, but regardless, Coop will get his touches.
2. Robby Anderson, NYJ- The Jets O is without Marshall, Decker and Enunwa. Where will those targets and TDs go?? Look no further than Robby Anderson. His biggest deterent has to be his QB as McCown but he’ll be the clear №1 this season. Don’t expect QB1 numbers from Anderson, but he’ll be a steal in the later rounds of your draft.
3. Kenny Stills, MIA- Long hyped and largly disappointing, I am seeing great things from Stills this Fall. Jay Cutler won’t always put the ball in his hands but when it does it’ll be for big gains. He scored on nearly 12% of his touches last season by the way.

Charles Krupa, STF

Busts

These guys will all be drafted in the top rounds of most drafts in standard leagues. I’m not so keen on these three players though for various reasons. You will want to avoid them come draft day.

1. Deandre Hopkins, HOU- Man, I hate to put Hopkins on this list. With Tom Savage refusing to give up his spot to Rookie DeShaun Watson, I can’t see an outcome where Hopkins will have the appropriate balls to warrant his high draft slot. Not saying he will have a terrible season, I just think rookie quarterbacks affect players too negatively to trust Hopkins as your WR1.
2. Tyrod Taylor, BUF- The ONLY reason I would select Taylor for my team is his ability to gain points from the ground. I have ZERO faith in his arm. Rumor around Buffalo says that the Bills management is awaiting the highly touted draft class coming next year to select their next QB. If they’ve already lost faith in Taylor, so have I.
3. Sammy Watkins, LAR- Despite all the hype and buzz about the newly acquired receiver, Watkins will not satisfy your fantasy needs this season based on the price. He’s being drafted too early for someone that won’t help you win a championship. Go with a more reliant option instead.

Breakout Rookie

Kareem Hunt, KC

Jamaal Charles is gone, ladies and gentlemen. There is no longer a clear bell cow in Andy Reid’s offense. We all know how much the man loves the run. Spencer Ware will most likely start the season on top the depth chart. Many experts felt Hunt was the best back in college ball last year, which is high praise for a guy in the same draft class as both Fournette, Mixon and Cook. With Hunt already receiving a few first team touches in training camp, it’s not far fetched to expect him to get his shot early on this season. Grab this dude in the middle of your draft and by the end of the season I bet he’ll be putting up consistent RB2 numbers in that Chiefs offense.

Comeback Kid

Marshawn Lynch, OAK

Again, not saying he will put up huge numbers and certainly won’t lead the league in rushing, but he has all the tools necessary to put up flex-worthy numbers. After losing Murray to free agency, the Raiders will turn to Beast Mode to punch it in from short yardage. With Carr’s air raid offense taking defenders out of the box, look for Lynch to pick up easy yards against most defenses. He’s certainly someone I’ll be targeting in the middle rounds.