With fantasy football season approaching, I feel like every year I have alternative takes on the players, but I always relied on the professionals to publish what they thought. This year, I am taking a slightly different approach. I am way low on some players and have some sleepers I am targeting later in the draft. So here is my list of guys to take before and after the 7th round. Why the 7th? Because those are the guys that can make or break your team. Late round fliers are important! So, get an edge and consider the following:
DO NOT TAKE BEFORE THE SEVENTH ROUND
Allen Robinson - ADP 47
As a Jaguars fan, this is rough to put here. I have a soft spot in my heart for this guy. But when the Jags got competitive, he dropped off and eventually, he tore his ACL. What is even more confusing to me was that he left Jacksonville to go to the Bears. Was it to make money? He didn't cash in (I feel like the Jags would have met the contract) and he is playing with a worse quarterback with Mitch Truvbitzkieystymc or whatever, who cares. He's currently the 19th wide receiver off the board, a year after an ACL tear, and a few years removed from real fantasy value, and with a worse QB than Bortles. I don't buy it. My bet: Less than 800 yards and less than 6 TDs.
Jerick Mckinnon - ADP 22
This guy is going 22nd overall. Never had a full workload. Never been proven to be a bell cow. This has Lamar Miller leaving the Dolphins written all over it. He might have a good year with the 49ers. He might even have a career year! Do you know what a career year would entail for Jerick Mckinnon? 160 attempts for 560 yards. For him to set a real, career record, he needs 10 touches a game, and he needs to average approximately 3.4 yards per carry. I think this guy is a real talent, but I don't think he can survive as a feature back. Lesean Mccoy is going after him. Take Mccoy. It's all the Bills have. My bet: Less than 700 yards and less than 7 TDs.
Dalvin Cook - ADP 13
This guy looked like the real deal. In my Dynasty draft, I almost took him second overall, but Fournette was there, so I took him instead. The guy had an outstanding start to the year, and I thought he was going to be unstoppable. But a torn ACL first way through your first season on a non-contact play is worrisome.
With Latavius Murray being a good option, why stick with the guy who is hurt if he is unable to produce? He is not Adrian Peterson, and he will not come back seamlessly from an ACL tear and almost set an NFL record. I think Cook will have a good year. I really do, but not 13th overall good. Julio Jones is going AFTER him. Odell Beckham is going one spot before him. Micheal Thomas is going TWO after him. Take the Wide receivers and don't buy the hype. My bet: Less than 750 yards, less than 6 TDs.
Any New England Wide Receiver - ADP post 7th
I say this every year, and every year I look like a moron. But I can't stop now. Let me start by saying that I think it's great he is drinking shakes and in the best shape of his life. I think it's great he wants to play. And I love seeing the Dolphins lose. That all being said, we have to see a decline in play. The guy is 41 years old. Remember watching Manning play in his final, miserable season. Manning was amazing, and then it was like watching my Dad play for the Broncos. Same thing. With a weak wide receiving corps, and an old man playing QB, along with no running game (I don't even know who plays for them anymore), how is this going to work?
RIP Brady. You should have retired when you beat the Seahawks.
