9. Joe, Overall Grade: B
Projected Starters: B
QB: A+ [Drew Brees]
RBs: B [David Johnson, Ameer Abdullah]
WRs: B- [Keenan Allen, Brandon Marshall, Cameron Meredith]
TE: C- [Austin Hooper]
K: A [Justin Tucker]
DEF: B- [Los Angeles Rams]
Depth: B-
QB: A+ [Matt Ryan]
RB: C- [Devontae Booker]
WRs: B [Corey Davis, Mohamed Sanu]
TE: C+ [David Njoku]
Strengths: David Johnson, QB, Backup QB
David Johnson was an absolute beast last season racking up 392 fantasy points, which led all non-QB positions. Even if you include QBs, he was 4th overall behind only Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, and Drew Brees, which is crazy considering the ease at which elite QBs can rack up fantasy points. With talk of the Cardinals aiming for a 1000 rushing AND 1000 receiving yard season from DJ, the rankings unsurprisingly list David Johnson as their number one overall 2017 redraft asset.
Speaking of Ryan and Brees, Joe enters 2017 with the best QB duo in the league, especially after Binh split his combo of Rodgers and Cam. If Joe can find a good offer, he would be wise to follow Binh’s lead. Having two of the top three scoring QBs doesn’t help the scoreboard much when only one of them can start on a weekly basis.
Weaknesses: TE, Backup RB
Two positions Joe could target in a trade are TE and backup RB. Joe has two very promising young TEs in Hooper and Njoku, but the rankings don’t think they’re ready to contribute compared to the other starting options in the D|League. Personally I like Hooper’s chances at breaking out this year, but like I mentioned in a previous preview, rankings are generally conservative when predicting jumps in production.
Devontae Booker’s value has fluctuated wildly over the past year, and will likely continue to do so in 2017 due to the Broncos crowded depth chart. The Broncos continue to list Booker 2nd behind CJ Anderson but Jamaal Charles is lurking, waiting to prove he’s healthy, and DeAngelo Henderson has flashed in the preseason. Long story short, Booker isn't a viable 2017 option unless/until some dominoes fall in Denver.
X-Factor: His WRs
Similar to J Tong, Joe’s receivers could really swing either way towards a strength or weakness. Unlike J Tong, all three of Joe’s receivers are gambles. Keenan Allen and Cameron Meredith are self explanatory — Allen needs to stay healthy and Meredith needs to prove last year wasn’t a fluke.
Let’s take a closer look at Brandon Marshall. This was in his younger days, but these are his average stats in the first year with a new team (which has happened 3 times): 1341 yards, 9 TDs. Again, he’s older now and is no longer the number one option, but there’s definitely a chance for one more good season.
Prediction: 9th, 6–7 record
Between Hooper and his WRs, the ceiling for Joe’s team is there. Of course, there’s plenty that could go wrong as well. Hooper could struggle like most young TEs do, Keenan hasn’t been healthy since 2014, Marshall is 33, etc etc. Unless the fantasy gods reward Joe after a nightmare 2016 season, Joe’s team will end up relying too heavily on Brees and DJ. Those two can win weeks on their own, but overall Joe will finish in the middle of the pack.
