A five-pack of fantasy football risers

These players are on the upswing in fantasy football drafts.

With training camps in full swing and teams starting to take the field for their preseason openers, it can only mean that we’re drawing ever closer to Week 1, and the start of another NFL season. Along with that, of course, comes the beginning of another year of fantasy football. While some leagues have already held their drafts, many more will do so between now and Sept. 7 when the Kansas City Chiefs host the Detroit Lions in the Kickoff Game.

With that in mind, here’s a look at five players to keep an eye on as they climb up draft boards.

Examining how the Commanders’ QB situation impacts fantasy football plans

How does Washington’s unsettle QB situation impact the offense?

How else to open an article about the Washington Commanders situation under center than with John Madden’s famous musing, if you’ve got two quarterbacks, you have none. Such is life in DC, where the Commanders prepare to enter camp with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett set to battle for QB1.

Clearly, Brissett has a vast advantage in experience, starting 48 games across seven seasons. Compare that to Howell, who made one start as a rookie, which came in Week 18 against Dallas Cowboys backups. Where Howell has the edge is that he could still develop. Despite being a fifth-rounder, Howell was well regarded for his deep-ball accuracy, and he has deceptive athleticism.

It feels like Washington wants Howell to win the job. They’ve talked about his potential, and they chose to bypass a quarterback in this year’s draft. So, if Howell can avoid killer errors and shows growth, he should hold the job. If he falters, Brissett could step in – though even then they might take their lumps with Howell for a shot at USC’s Caleb Williams (or another QB) in next year’s draft.

Although Howell wouldn’t be worth drafting, let’s take a quick look at what his presence might mean for Washington’s other skill players, as well as if Brissett’s insertion would make any difference.

Fantasy football: 5 running back bust candidates for 2022

Fantasy football managers might want to reconsider drafting these running backs this summer.

A breakout player can give your roster a boost, and sleeper prospects off the waiver wire can save your fantasy football season, but drafting a bust can sink your season before it even begins.

Here’s a look at five bust candidates at running back this year that fantasy managers should consider avoiding at their current average draft positions.

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What to expect from the Washington Commanders backfield

How will Washington’s backfield shake out in fantasy football?

The Washington Commanders having a muddled backfield is nothing new. Difficulty predicting the main man has been normal the past few years, and often it wasn’t the back you thought it would be in August.

Trying to determine the impact of Commanders running backs Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr., J.D. McKissic and Jaret Patterson isn’t easy, but it does have a familiar ring.

When Washington drafted Gibson in 2020, he immediately became the primary back but was part of a platoon with McKissic and Peyton Barber. In 2021, Gibson had more than three times the carries as anyone else on the roster and responded with a 1,000-yard season. Things were looking up for Gibson to join the featured back fraternity.

Then Marty Hurney struck … again.

Hurney, the Commanders executive V.P. of player personnel, cut his front-office teeth as the Carolina Panthers general manager. He made headlines more than a decade earlier by doubling down on running backs. In the span of three drafts, he selected DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart – both in the first round.

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Fans remember how that turned out. Both posted strong numbers but were always viewed as a tandem. Both were drafted to be a RB1 in most formats, and both were formidable players, but they negated each other enough to become prone to having time-share stat lines too often.

You get the sense that the same is happening 14 years later in Washington. Two years into his career, the shifty, speedy Gibson is being joined a power runner to line up next to or at least behind him. There is very little subtlety about Robinson’s game. He’s a 230-pound power runner who attacks defenses and is yet another in a long list of Alabama running backs to transition to the NFL. Robinson waited his turn behind Bo Scarbrough, Josh Jacobs, Damien Harris and Najee Harris – the latter trio being currently viewed as three of the respective bell cow running backs for their franchises. Robinson is looking to be the next in line to quickly and successfully make the jump from ‘Bama to the NFL.

Complicating matters is that McKissic agreed in principle to a deal with the Buffalo Bills but backed out at the last minute and accepted a contract to stay with the Commanders. He carved out a role as a third-down receiving back, and his objective at this point is merely to hold on to that role.

The wild card here is Gibson’s penchant for fumbling, which can kill a fantasy player – especially when there are viable options to put that player in the coach’s doghouse for a game. In his first two seasons, Gibson has lost six fumbles. Washington didn’t really have the luxury of sitting him last year. With Robinson, they might.

Much in the same way the Panthers lit a fire under Williams by drafting Stewart, eventually Stewart kept earning more and more playing time and Williams had to learn to share the load. If one of them was injured, the other one thrived. But, the team was better off with the thunder-and-lightning combination they bring – even if it lessens their weekly numbers.

Fantasy football outlook

When it comes to putting a fantasy value on the top two Commanders running backs, it has all the earmarks of being a tale of two seasons. Gibson is going to get the benefit of the doubt early given Ron Rivera’s acknowledged loyalty to his veteran players. But, his fantasy value has already taken a hit with the arrival of Robinson. The rookie is likely to going to start the season on the low end of a 3-to-1 time share, but one of two things could change that as the season goes along.

The first could be that he forces the hand of the coaching staff by making the most of his opportunities – like Tony Pollard has done in Dallas. The other could be if Gibson’s fumbling remains an issue. Injury, of course, is a third path, but players tend not to lose their role to minor ailments.

For the yearlong fantasy numbers, the money is on Gibson. He still has RB2 value, but when you need fantasy wins in December, Robinson may be more valuable at that point – especially at a discount price on draft night. The rookie is a must-handcuff for Gibson owners and also has RB4 worth in his own right. McKissic serves as viable roster depth in PPR leagues but offers little beyond the occasional flex play out of desperation.

Fantasy football team previews: NFC East

A fantasy football snapshot of each team in the NFC East.

The 2022 fantasy football draft season is starting to heat up now that we’ve gone through the height of free agency and all of the chosen rookies have been assigned to their professional home cities.

The landscape has changed a great deal for many franchises after a whirlwind offseason, and our divisional preview series will help you stay on top of all of the changes to date.

AFC divisional previews

East | North | South | West

NFC divisional previews

East | North | South | West

Fantasy Football Market Report: Week 11

Fantasy football risers and fallers entering Week 11.

In fantasy circles, running backs are a premium because so few consistently carry 15 times or more in games. That’s what made Derrick Henry such a joy to watch (and have on your roster. In the eight games before injury, Henry had 219 carries for 937 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. After having 17 carries in Week 1, he had 20 or more in all of the subsequent seven games, including 28 or more carries in six of those.

So, with him gone, who picks up the mantle for the workhorse running backs? Hint: There aren’t many. By my count, there are currently just four.

Dalvin Cook has 15 or more carries six of seven games played. In the two games he has missed, backup Alexander Mattison has rushed 51 times for 225 yards. Jonathan Taylor has come into his own, with 15-plus carries in eight of 10 games. Najee Harris has hit that number in seven of nine games, including five straight games with 22 or more carries (the Steelers are 4-0-1 in those games). Alvin Kamara has 15 or more carries in six of eight games played.

A case can be made that the Cleveland Browns and Chicago Bears backfields fit in that category, but injuries of kept them down. If you ever wonder why elite running backs remain the most expensive fantasy investments, that should answer your question. So few are dominant that it makes them more precious, and King Henry was the gold standard.

Here is the Week 11 Fantasy Market Report:

Fantasy Football Risers

QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

It’s rare when you have the opportunity to acquire a quarterback off the waiver wire who has the potential to have the kind of games Newton is capable of having. He isn’t the star he was when the Panthers went to the Super Bowl, but when you have Christian McCaffrey as an ultimate weapon and a strong pair of veteran receivers, Newton has the ability to be a fantasy starter with the right matchups. He’s not an every-week starter, but he can bolster a roster and be a pick-and-choose type that can be plugged in as needed.

RB A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers

When the Packers drafted Dillon, they did so because they understand the conditions in which Green Bay plays – often a combination of cold, wind and snow. Dillon is a hammer whose value goes up as it comes to be later in the year. That is even more pronounced now that the regular season stretches into mid-January. Aaron Jones made the Fallers list due earlier this month due to not having more than 15 carries in any game since Week 3, and much of that was due to Dillon’s presence and his ability to be a banger between the tackles when they need it. Since Week 3, Green Bay has had two games with a runner with more than 15 carries – Dillon at Arizona Oct. 28 and Dillon Sunday against Seattle. He will likely be a 1b option when Jones returns after spraining a knee ligament, but he has two weeks to make his case to be in a time share, if not the lead dog as weather in the Great White North deteriorates.

WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles

Consistency has been an issue with the Eagles offense all season, and it’s always an issue when dealing with rookie wide receivers. However, Smith has topped 60 yards in five of the last seven games. In the last two, he has been the big-play threat in the Philly offense, catching nine passes for 182 yards (more than 20 a catch) and has scored three touchdowns. For much of the season, he was showing promise, but it wasn’t translating into consistent big plays or touchdowns. Now it is starting to show, and his value is gaining steam.

RB Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints

Ingram was the leading rusher in Houston, but nobody felt confident that he could produce the kind of numbers needed to be in a fantasy lineup. When he was in New Orleans to start his career, once Alvin Kamara arrived, his role changed, but his ability to have big weeks continued. Running backs are the most difficult commodities to obtain in fantasy leagues. Ingram is the No. 2 guy, but Sean Payton is still the head coach and still calls the plays. He knows better than anyone what Ingram can do in his offense. He’s not a handcuff for Kamara, who happens to be out with a knee sprain of his own. He can post numbers as a rusher and receiver on his own. Playing alongside Kamara limits some of those opportunities, but look back at his first run in New Orleans. He will have his share of fantasy moments.

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RB Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos

The funny thing about Gordon is that those who have him on their roster get frustrated because he’s clearly in a time share in Denver’s backfield. In his last seven games, he has rushed more than 10 times just once. But, his bottom line is that he has scored a touchdown in five of his last six games. I wouldn’t want to have my fantasy season hinging on Gordon having a huge game, but, if you need someone who has consistently been putting up consistent weekly numbers as a runner, receiver and scorer, Gordon checks a lot of boxes in that regard.

Fantasy Football Fallers

WR Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks

In the first two games of the season, Lockett was on fire, catching 12 passes for 278 yards and three touchdowns. In the seven games since? 31 catches for 324 yards and no touchdowns. That works out to four catches for 46 yards a game. You can’t blame his lack of production on Russell Wilson missing time. In that same seven-game span, DK Metcalf has caught 32 passes for 493 yards and seven touchdowns. Lockett is still a talent who fantasy owners will have a hard time miring on their benches, but it seems like it is time to make Lockett a matchup-only type of play.

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

The best thing that happened to Roethlisberger owners is that he didn’t play last week due to COVID protocol against the Detroit Lions, because there may have been the temptation. At a time when quarterbacks routinely throw for 300 yards, Big Ben has done it just once – and that was in Week 3. More troubling is that he has 10 touchdowns in eight games – two games with two TD passes and six with one TD. Given that he is a glacier in the backfield and hasn’t earned a single point for rushing if you go on the point-for-10-yards standard. He has six yards rushing all season. I would rather take a chance with a QB left on the waiver wire gut pile than go with Roethlisberger with the expectations of having a big fantasy day.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight ends

In the first two games of the season, Rob Gronkowski scored four touchdowns. In his first three games, he caught 16 passes. He hasn’t caught a pass in the last six games due to injury, yet he leads Tampa Bay tight ends in receptions. Cameron Brate has played in all nine games for the Bucs and has caught 14 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown. O.J. Howard has played in all nine games and has caught 13 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown. Given how the Tampa Bay offense (and the Tom Brady offense) has routinely included a heavy dose of tight ends, it’s shocking that neither Brate nor Howard has filled in the void left by Gronk’s injury. They’re posting the kind of numbers glorified offensive linemen put up and have reached the point of not being able to live up to their talent or their past histories.

WR Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns

With all the upside the Browns came into season with, Landry may be the next disgruntled receiver looking to work his way out of town. He has missed four of the Browns’ 10 games due to injury and, in the six he has played, he has caught just 23 passes for 219 yards no touchdowns. That works out to an average of four catches for 37 yards and no scores. Futility like that is difficult to maintain over a long stretch, but he has managed.

RB Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team

Coming off a season in which he emerged as a fantasy threat with 11 rushing touchdowns, Gibson was taken in fantasy leagues to be a starter most if not all weeks. In his last seven games, he hasn’t rushed for 65 yards in any of them and, aside from a 73-yard screen-turned-touchdown as a receiver, he has caught 18 passes for just 85 yards in the other eight games. Instead of being a weekly must-start, Gibson is player who is in lineups more by force than choice. Granted, he has scored six touchdowns, but fantasy football is played on a weekly basis and, many more weeks than not, he has come up empty.

Antonio Gibson could be a surprising value in fantasy football this season

Antonio Gibson won’t shoulder the load for Washington, but he definitely will be part of the offensive plan going forward.

Some NFL fans are sitting back and trying to wait patiently while the rest of the 2020 offseason rolls by, hoping that the start of the regular season can come swiftly and without interruption. Other, likely crazier fans, who are already neck-deep fantasy football analysis, are trying to keep busy during this downtime and best prepare for the coming season.

While the past months have been spent recapping the 2019 season, and projecting how past stats will carry into 2020, a new class of rookies has now given analysts some new tape to watch, as they all try to state which player landed in the best position, and predict who will have the best rookie season.

There, of course, are a number of first-round draft picks who will have solid fantasy outputs in Year 1, but who might be this year’s Terry McLaurin or Mecole Hardman? Looking past players like CeeDee Lamb, or Jerry Jeudy, or Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who were the biggest mid-round steals?

For ESPN’s Mina Kimes, it may be Washington Redskins RB Antonio Gibson, a do-it-all back who isn’t shy about comparing his style to that of Carolina’s Christain McCaffery.

Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Washington Redskins. It doesn’t feel right to categorize Gibson as either a running back or a receiver; he can truly do it all, and is joining a Washington offense that isn’t loaded with skill players. Look for him to be a reliable outlet for Dwayne Haskins this season.

It’s a bit risky to project that Gibson will start out his career in the NFL with a major share of the offensive load in Washington, but offensive coordinator Scott Turner has already divulged that he is working to scheme some packages around Gibson, and essentially get the ball into his hands in space and let him work.

So as we all start to get bored with the doldrums of the offseason and begin our prep for the 2021 fantasy season, keep Gibson in mind. He may not be your bell cow, but he is definitely worth a late-round flyer.

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