With fantasy drafts approaching, many are rushing to find the players they want on their team. Here is a list of the fantasy football targets for the NFC West division this season.
Todd Gurley
Arguably last season’s fantasy MVP, Gurley enters this fantasy season as a clear first round pick. While one cannot assume he will duplicate last season’s numbers, you can bet he will put up solid if not good RB1 fantasy points. Can’t go wrong with this pick.
Rams’ Receivers?
The Rams had a great offense last season and added Brandin Cooks via trade this past summer. Don’t put too much stock in any at the moment. Cooks is currently average draft position (ADP) has him being taken in the middle of the fifth round as WR number 25; this is most likely due to this being Cooks’ third team in as many years. How will the Rams use him? What’s his rapport with Jared Goff? Cooks’ ceiling this year will be WR2 territory.
Now, what about the other receivers on the Rams? Cooper Kupp was fantasy relevant in PPR formats as he led Rams receivers in targets, catches and yards last season. And Robert Woods was not anything to snuff at right on Kupp’s heels. Kupp is currently being taken around the seventh round while Woods is being taken in the ninth. That’s three receivers on the same team being taken in the top 45 at that position. A word of advice when drafting a Rams receiver: don’t expect the numbers to be consistently good every week.
Jared Goff
If you cannot decide on which receiver to take among the Rams, the best way to avoid the decision all together is by drafting Jared Goff. Goff will be distributing the ball to the receivers and Gurley out of the backfield which led to some big plays last season. However, this year’s QB depth in fantasy is as deep as it’s ever been. Avoid drafting Goff earlier than his current ADP (eleventh round). Goff needs to duplicate his 2017 season to show that it wasn’t a one season wonder.
Jerick McKinnon
The San Francisco 49ers signed McKinnon to replace Carlos Hyde and they plan to use him well and often. As a dual-threat back and on top of the RB depth chart in San Fran, expect Jimmy Garappolo to be checking down to McKinnon when things fall apart downfield; perfect in PPR formats. The volume of carries will also be there. McKinnon is currently being drafted in the RB2 territory around the third round. Since he hasn’t proven himself as more valuable than that, the ADP is justified. This season will be his chance to prove what he’s capable of without splitting touches with Adrian Peterson, Dalvin Cook or Latavius Murray.
Marquise Goodwin
The critics will say: “Pierre Garcon is still there.” While Garcon has had value in PPR formats in the past, Goodwin is the receiver in San Fran to own. Goodwin took over the majority of the targets among receivers and seemed to create a good rapport with Jimmy G. Garcon will get his share of targets, but Goodwin is the younger and faster receiver that has big play ability. ADP sides with Goodwin as well having him go in the fifth round as a bottom tier WR2 and that’s a good place to grab him.
Russell Wilson
One sentence can summarize what to expect from Wilson this season: He’s going to carry Seattle on his back. Expect good fantasy numbers from him this season as a QB. Wilson distributes the ball well, keeps the play alive when his poor excuse of an offensive line breaks down, and can run without endangering himself. What’s not to love? Wilson is currently being taken in the sixth round as the fourth QB off the board. With his upside, there isn’t any shame in taking him there.
Doug Baldwin
Wilson’s go-to guy, Baldwin is currently coming back from a knee injury and looks to be on pace to play Week 1. Baldwin has often been underrated, undervalued and a fantasy sleeper. His current ADP has him being taken in the third round as a top tier WR2. Baldwin has performed consistently and, as previously mentioned, has a great rapport with Russell Wilson. There will be nothing less than a good season from him.
Larry Fitzgerald
How is this man still playing at this level? What more can be said about the surest hands in the game and maybe of all time? ADP has him as the fifteenth receiver taken overall in the third round. Great in PPR formats no matter who his QB has been in the past; Fitzgerald will have his fifteenth QB throwing to him in Sam Bradford. Fitzgerald may even have a 16th QB throw to him should the injury-prone Bradford get hurt. The point is, it seems like ADP is finally giving the man some respect. At 34 years old, fantasy owners cannot ask for anything more from Larry playing at a WR2 level in fantasy.
David Johnson
Johnson injured his wrist in Week 1 of 2017, he is definitely fresh and a sure-fire first-round pick in fantasy. No matter the format, Johnson is another RB1 in this division. Johnson is absolutely in the same tier as Gurley, Bell and Elliot as the top RB1s in fantasy.
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