Showing posts with label Drew Brees. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Drew Brees. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Week 11 Fantasy Football QB Strength of Schedule

When it comes to picking up or trading for players, one factor to consider is the player's fantasy football strength of schedule.

A player's fantasy strength of schedule is far from the most important aspect of his outlook. But if you're debating a pair of players and they are otherwise comparable in your view, a more favorable fantasy schedule could at least break the tie.

MORE: Our Week 11 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Post

Based on the fantasy points each team has surrendered up to this point, we average what each team's remaining opponents have given up to each position. The higher the number, the more favorable their collective remaining matchups are.

With that said, here are the QB Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule for the remainder of the year:

RankTeamPlayerCumulative PointsFantasy Playoffs
1New Orleans SaintsDrew Brees18.5556.42
2Los Angeles ChargersJustin Herbert18.0566.64
3New York GiantsDaniel Jones17.6959.09
4Kansas City ChiefsPatrick Mahomes17.6165.84
5Philadelphia EaglesCarson Wentz17.5460.29
6New York JetsSam Darnold17.4761.34
7WashingtonAlex Smith17.4464.33
8Las Vegas RaidersDerek Carr17.455.67
9Los Angeles RamsJared Goff17.3864.4
10Cleveland BrownsBaker Mayfield17.3357.29
11Baltimore RavensLamar Jackson17.0561.66
12Denver BroncosDrew Lock16.9261.79
13Pittsburgh SteelersBen Roethlisberger16.8457.1
14New England PatriotsCam Newton16.7956.02
15Miami DolphinsTua Tagovailoa16.7254.42
16Minnesota VikingsKirk Cousins16.652.64
17Chicago BearsNick Foles16.5863.25
18Dallas CowboysAndy Dalton16.5559.2
19Tampa Bay BuccaneersTom Brady16.5466.5
20Atlanta FalconsMatt Ryan16.4556.39
21Arizona CardinalsKyler Murray16.1955.55
21Tennessee TitansRyan Tannehill16.1960.13
23Indianapolis ColtsPhilip Rivers16.1456.02
24Seattle SeahawksRussell Wilson16.1255.64
25Cincinnati BengalsJoe Burrow16.0356.23
26San Francisco 49ersJimmy Garoppolo16.0159.73
27Jacksonville JaguarsGardner Minshew15.954.92
28Carolina PanthersTeddy Bridgewater15.7654.86
29Green Bay PackersAaron Rodgers15.7260.45
30Detroit LionsMatthew Stafford15.6654.91
31Buffalo BillsJosh Allen15.5352.94
32Houston TexansDeshaun Watson14.7351.63

* Note: Totals above are the average fantasy football points allowed based on their remaining opponents.

Full Strength of Schedules:

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Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Week 10 Fantasy Football QB Strength of Schedule

When it comes to picking up or trading for players, one factor to consider is the player's fantasy football strength of schedule.

A player's fantasy strength of schedule is far from the most important aspect of his outlook. But if you're debating a pair of players and they are otherwise comparable in your view, a more favorable fantasy schedule could at least break the tie.

Based on the fantasy points each team has surrendered up to this point, we average what each team's remaining opponents have given up to each position. The higher the number, the more favorable their collective remaining matchups are.

With that said, here are the QB Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule for the remainder of the year:

RankTeamPlayerCumulative PointsFantasy Playoffs
1New Orleans SaintsDrew Brees19.157.98
2Los Angeles RamsJared Goff18.7865.62
3Los Angeles ChargersJustin Herbert18.3469.36
4New York JetsSam Darnold18.1664.45
5Philadelphia EaglesCarson Wentz18.0860.22
6Las Vegas RaidersDerek Carr18.0456.75
6Kansas City ChiefsPatrick Mahomes18.0466.5
8Chicago BearsNick Foles17.9966.68
9New York GiantsDaniel Jones17.9659.07
10WashingtonAlex Smith17.9165.62
11Cleveland BrownsBaker Mayfield17.8858.44
12Miami DolphinsTua Tagovailoa17.5154.85
13Indianapolis ColtsPhilip Rivers17.4759.44
14Denver BroncosDrew Lock17.3260.07
15Tampa Bay BuccaneersTom Brady17.1568.95
15Baltimore RavensLamar Jackson17.1563.1
17New England PatriotsCam Newton17.0755.12
18Arizona CardinalsKyler Murray17.0656.95
19Pittsburgh SteelersBen Roethlisberger16.9755.5
20Atlanta FalconsMatt Ryan16.9356.87
21Dallas CowboysAndy Dalton16.6958.6
22Carolina PanthersTeddy Bridgewater16.5956.72
23Buffalo BillsJosh Allen16.5554.3
24Green Bay PackersAaron Rodgers16.5459.33
25Cincinnati BengalsJoe Burrow16.4458.51
26Jacksonville JaguarsGardner Minshew16.4154.6
27Tennessee TitansRyan Tannehill16.3861.13
28San Francisco 49ersJimmy Garoppolo16.3158.24
29Minnesota VikingsKirk Cousins16.2652.88
30Detroit LionsMatthew Stafford16.0355.22
31Seattle SeahawksRussell Wilson15.9955.52
32Houston TexansDeshaun Watson15.4650.79

* Note: Totals above are the average fantasy football points allowed based on their remaining opponents.

Full Strength of Schedules:

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Saturday, October 24, 2020

Fantasy Football Start'Em, Sit'Em: Week 7 QBs

The decision on which player to start, or sit, largely comes down to the options on your roster (and/or possibly the players available on your league's waiver wire).

As an example, Justin Herbert is listed below as a "start" for Week 7. And we'd certainly be comfortable going into Week 7 with him as our starting quarterback.

Then again, Herbert may be a "sit" for your team.

In other words, if you own both Patrick Mahomes and Herbert, you should start Mahomes and, in turn, bench Herbert.

For a more direct answer on whether we would start Player X over Player Y, check our Week 7 Fantasy Football Rankings. Instead of making those direct comparisons, the goal here is to highlight players that we like, or dislike, for the week.

Week 7 Fantasy Football QB Start'em

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers (vs. JAX)

Since becoming a surprise starter in Week 2, Herbert, the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations. In all of his four starts, the former Oregon Duck has thrown for 300-plus yards and/or accounted for multiple touchdowns. The rookie has scored 22-plus fantasy points in three of four games. Averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game (298.8), Herbert has accounted for 10 touchdowns -- nine passing and one rushing -- while only turning the ball over four times -- three interceptions and one lost fumble.

Perhaps negative game script will adversely impact Herbert's Week 7 fantasy outlook as the Jags have lost five consecutive games including three of the past four by more than 15 points. During five-game losing streak, Jacksonville has faced an average of fewer than 30 weekly pass attempts.

That said, no team has allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete a higher percentage of their pass attempts (73.44%) than the Jaguars and only the Falcons have surrendered more yards per attempt (8.56). The Chargers currently project to score the sixth-most points of the week based on implied totals from Vegas odds.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers (at HOU)

Tempered expectations entering 2020 (Aaron Rodgers' ADP) means that Aaron Rodgers often went undrafted in fantasy drafts. The future first-ballot HOFer had a dud in Tampa following Green Bay's Week 5 bye, but he was lights out to start the season.

Over the first four games of the season, Rodgers averaged 303.5 passing yards per game as he compiled a combined 13-to-none TD-INT ratio. During that stretch, he finished as a top-six fantasy quarterback in three of four games.

Heading into Week 7, no team is projected to score more points than the Packers, who own the week's highest implied total based on Vegas odds. Entering this week, the Texans have allowed the eighth-most passing yards per attempt (7.73) and sixth-most passing TD% (6.37%).

Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions (at ATL)

Entering Week 7, Stafford has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game this season. Before this year, the 12-year veteran has thrown for 300-plus yards in 48 (31.6%) of 152 games (counting the playoffs). This week figures to be an ideal scenario for him to reach that weekly milestone for the first time in 2020.

No team has allowed more fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Atlanta has allowed the most passing yards per attempt (8.67), second-most passing TD% (7.53%) and second-most completion percentage (71.97%).

The Falcons have allowed five 300-yard passers in their six games. The exception was Week 3 vs. Chicago, where the Bears benched Mitchell Trubisky (128 yards) for Nick Foles (188 yards) and the duo combined for more than 300 yards and four passing scores. In fact, that was also the only game that the Falcons did not allow 20-plus fantasy points to an opposing quarterback, but the duo combined to score a total of 28.84 points.

Week 7 Fantasy Football QB Sit'em

Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (vs. CAR)

On a positive note, Brees has either thrown for 300-plus yards or multiple touchdowns in every game this season, but he's yet to do both in the same game. Finishing no better than QB9 in Week 3, Brees has finished as the QB19 or worse in three of five games.

While he rushed for a one-yard touchdown in Week 5, Brees is mostly a non-factor as a runner with minus two yards on the season. Posting gaudy passing statistics appears unlikely this week as the Panthers have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and Brees will be without both Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders this week.

Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams (vs. CHI)

Goff has had three excellent fantasy outings (23.98 points or more) and three poor fantasy outings (14.92 points or less). In a matchup against the stingiest fantasy defense to opposing quarterbacks, this week's performance could be disappointing. Aside from the 49ers-Patriots game, no other game has a lower total than the Rams-Bears game (45.0).

Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns (at CIN)

Even in a week where the Browns are projected to be one of the top eight scoring offenses of the week, it's impossible to trust Mayfield. In fact, the former No. 1 overall pick is barely a viable starter as a QB2 in two-QB leagues as our 24th-ranked quarterback of the week.

The first time this season that the Browns faced the Bengals (Week 2), Mayfield scored 15.26 fantasy points to finish as the weekly QB20. That was nearly his best performance of the season as he has yet to score more than 15.58 fantasy points this season. He's finished as the QB20 or worse in all but one game this season and his Week 2 performance (219 yards) was one of only two games in which he exceeded the 200-yard passing mark.

More positions:

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Monday, August 24, 2020

New Orleans Saints Fantasy Football Projections 2020

In addition to viewing our 2020 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2020 fantasy football projections for the New Orleans Saints.

MORE: Fantasy football projections for all 32 NFL teams

QUARTERBACKS


PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Drew Brees546.1405.54341.529.766.0118.69.30.74286.05
Leading the NFL in completion percentage in each of the past three seasons, Brees posted a career-high 7.1 TD% in 2019 and he has posted a 59-to-nine TD-INT ratio over the past two seasons combined. The team's offseason moves will help Brees, the NFL's all-time leading passer, continue his high level of play into his age-41 season. Not only did the Saints use their first-round pick on the top interior offensive lineman in the draft, but they added Emmanuel Sanders as an upgrade opposite Michael Thomas.
Taysom Hill8.84.4660.350.3535.1193.11.7674.04
More gadget player than quarterback in terms of usage, Jameis Winston would likely step in as the starter if Brees were to miss time this season. That said, the versatile Hill has TE eligibility in ESPN leagues this year. If he were TE-eligible in 2019, he would have finished just outside the top 20 tight ends.
Jameis Winston32.320247.11.621.137.226.60.1117.42

RUNNING BACKS


PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Alvin Kamara196911.48.3374.5614.63.35222.68
Injury forced him to miss a couple of games in the middle of the season and limited his effectiveness down the stretch, but Kamara still finished as fantasy's RB9 on a per-game basis in 2019. One of the league's most talented receivers out of the backfield, Kamara has exactly 81 catches in each of his three seasons, but he averaged a career-high 5.8 receptions per game last year. Kamara, who scored a touchdown per every 15.35 touches in his first two NFL seasons, could be the benefactor of some positive touchdown regression as that number plummeted to one score per every 42 touches in 2019.
Latavius Murray123.8513.84.0222.8157.30.6895.31
Over a two-game span that Kamara sat out, Murray performed as fantasy's RB1. In those two games, Murray accounted for 307 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on 62 touches. If Kamara were to miss any time in 2020, Murray would become a must-start play.
Ty Montgomery23.7101.90.718.762.60.2622.27
Dwayne Washington3.111.20.032.113.20.022.74
Michael Burton0003.119.40.062.3

MORE: New Orleans Saints 53-man roster projection

WIDE RECEIVERS


PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Michael Thomas123.21404.58.93000194.03
Thomas has outdone himself every season of his young career -- 92/1,137/9 (2016), 104/1,245/5 (2017), 125/1,405/9 (2018) and 149/1,725/9 (2019). While keeping that streak alive will be challenging, the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year makes for an easy choice as fantasy's WR1 heading into 2020.
Emmanuel Sanders59.2751.85.0316.50.01106.07
Traded midseason from the Broncos to 49ers, Sanders played 17 regular-season games and finished with a 66/869/5 line as he averaged more than 50 yards per game with both teams. Joining the Saints on a two-year free-agent deal, Sanders slots in as the team's No. 2 receiver and approaching another 800-yard season would be a reasonable expectation for the 33-year-old receiver even if he's the clear No. 2 behind Thomas.
Tre'quan Smith26348.42.600050.44
Deonte Harris13.4123.30.544.125.40.0418.35
Lil'Jordan Humphrey2.828.60.110003.52

TIGHT ENDS


PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Jared Cook48.4636.54.8400092.69
In his first season in New Orleans, Cook averaged a career-best 16.4 yards per reception and scored a career-high nine touchdowns on just 43 receptions. The addition of Emmanuel Sanders in free agency bumps Cook down a notch on the targets pecking order and it's unlikely that he maintains his unreal efficiency levels from 2019, but he's a viable TE1 heading into 2020.
Adam Trautman16.5178.21.400026.22
Josh Hill1095100015.5

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Thursday, July 18, 2019

New Orleans Saints 2019 Fantasy Football Projections

In addition to viewing our 2019 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2019 fantasy football projections for the New Orleans Saints.

 

QUARTERBACKS

 

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Drew Brees522.9379.14235.528.768.3729.823.82.24283.54
Now the NFL's recordholder for passing yards, Brees needs just 20 touchdowns to overtake Peyton Manning for that record as well. Perhaps more impressively, Brees has been a model of consistency with 15 consecutive seasons as fantasy's QB9 or better. The days of Brees slinging it 600-plus times appears over, however, as his pass attempts in 2017 (536, 33.5/G) and 2018 (489, 32.6/G) are the two lowest of his Saints tenure. Could 2019 be the first season that Brees doesn't finish as a top-nine fantasy quarterback as a Saint?
Taysom Hill5.42.747.50.220.1934.4168.61.3827.54
Teddy Bridgewater10.8777.80.430.323.41.704.36

More Fantasy Football QB Resources:

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Alvin Kamara216.9986.910.377.7691.53.5250.64
Even though he has a total of only 476 touches through two seasons, Kamara has finished as a top-four fantasy running back (any scoring format) in both of his first two NFL seasons. Another top-four season is the expectation based on his ADP and our rankings. Kamara has scored 32 touchdowns -- 22 rushing, nine receiving and one return -- in his 31 NFL games with more than 1,500 scrimmage yards in both seasons.
Latavius Murray137.7564.66.8919.9135.30.2112.53
Before last season (RB32, RB38 in PPR), Murray had finished as a top-20 fantasy running back in standard-scoring formats for three consecutive seasons. While he's unlikely to bounce back to that level of fantasy production, we've seen the Saints offense support to productive running backs with Kamara and Mark Ingram so it's possibly that Murray flirts with back-end RB2 production in standard-scoring formats as a Saint.
Buck Allen11.543.70.236.640.30.2611.34
Zach Line4.615.20.143.212.80.325.56
Dwayne Washington11.547.20.120005.44

More Fantasy Football RB Resources:

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Michael Thomas108.51269.58.14000175.79
Three years into his young career, Thomas continues to improve each season -- 92/1,137/9 in 2017, 104/1,245/5 in 2018 and 125/1,405/9 in 2019. Since Thomas has been in the league, there have been 19 100-catch seasons and, of those, only Christian McCaffrey (86.3%, 2018) had a better catch rate than Thomas (85.0%, 2018) over the past three years. The only other wide receivers with 100 catches and catch rate above 70 percent -- Adam Thielen (73.9%, 2018), Larry Fitzgerald (71.3%, 2016) and DeAndre Hopkins (70.6%, 2018).
Ted Ginn Jr.44.7603.54.029.255.20.0990.53
Missing more than half of the season on Injured Reserve, Ginn (knee) still got at least six targets in the seven games (including playoffs) in which he appeared. While Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are the clear focal points of the Saints' offense, Ginn will have some big weeks as the No. 3, perhaps No. 4, option in the offense.
Tre'quan Smith25367.5300054.75
Smith had a couple of big games (3/111 vs. WAS and 10/157/1 vs. PHI) and a lot of quiet games (23 yards or less in 11 of the other 13). Even if he's more consistent on a weekly basis, it's difficult to trust any receiver not named Thomas in season-long formats.
Keith Kirkwood13.6191.81.3600027.34
Rishard Matthews101320.8500018.3
Cameron Meredith10.4133.10.8300018.29
Chad Hansen331.80.210004.44
Austin Carr2.628.10.210004.07

More Fantasy Football WR Resources:

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Jared Cook50.1663.85.1400097.22
Oakland's passing game had virtually nothing last season and Cook paced the team by leading them in targets (101), receptions (68), yards (896) and touchdowns (six). Setting career highs across the board, Cook finished as fantasy's TE5 last season. Perhaps his year-over-year target share dips, but there is also a major offensive boost with Drew Brees and the Saints.
Josh Hill11.9121.40.7100016.4
Dan Arnold4.351.60.430007.74

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Saturday, June 22, 2019

New Orleans Saints 2019 Fantasy Football Projections

In addition to viewing our 2019 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2019 fantasy football projections for the New Orleans Saints.

 

QUARTERBACKS

 

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDPoints
Drew Brees544.2394.54380.829.938.7129.823.82.24293.35
Now the NFL's recordholder for passing yards, Brees needs just 20 touchdowns to overtake Peyton Manning for that record as well. Perhaps more impressively, Brees has been a model of consistency with 15 consecutive seasons as fantasy's QB9 or better. The days of Brees slinging it 600-plus times appears over, however, as his pass attempts in 2017 (536, 33.5/G) and 2018 (489, 32.6/G) are the two lowest of his Saints tenure. Could 2019 be the first season that Brees doesn't finish as a top-nine fantasy quarterback as a Saint?
Taysom Hill5.62.849.30.220.234.4168.61.3827.59
Teddy Bridgewater11.27.380.60.450.343.41.704.51

More Fantasy Football QB Resources:

 

RUNNING BACKS

 

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDPoints
Alvin Kamara216.9986.910.380.97203.64254.33
Even though he has a total of only 476 touches through two seasons, Kamara has finished as a top-four fantasy running back (any scoring format) in both of his first two NFL seasons. Another top-four season is the most likely outcome based on his ADP. Kamara has scored 32 touchdowns -- 22 rushing, nine receiving and one return -- in his 31 NFL games with more than 1,500 scrimmage yards in both seasons.
Latavius Murray137.7564.66.8920.7140.80.21113.14
Before last season (RB32, RB38 in PPR), Murray had finished as a top-20 fantasy running back in standard-scoring formats for three consecutive seasons. While he's unlikely to bounce back to that level of fantasy production, we've seen the Saints offense support to productive running backs with Kamara and Mark Ingram so it's possibly that Murray flirts with back-end RB2 production in standard-scoring formats as a Saint.
Buck Allen12.647.90.256.841.50.2712.06
Devine Ozigbo10.342.20.21170.026.3
Zach Line4.615.20.143.413.60.345.76

More Fantasy Football RB Resources:

 

WIDE RECEIVERS

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Michael Thomas112.91320.98.47000182.91
Three years into his young career, Thomas continues to improve each season -- 92/1,137/9 in 2017, 104/1,245/5 in 2018 and 125/1,405/9 in 2019. Since Thomas has been in the league, there have been 19 100-catch seasons and, of those, only Christian McCaffrey (86.3%, 2018) had a better catch rate than Thomas (85.0%, 2018) over the past three years. The only other wide receivers with 100 catches and catch rate above 70 percent -- Adam Thielen (73.9%, 2018), Larry Fitzgerald (71.3%, 2016) and DeAndre Hopkins (70.6%, 2018).
Ted Ginn Jr.47.4639.94.279.255.20.0995.67
Missing more than half of the season on Injured Reserve, Ginn (knee) still got at least six targets in the seven games (including playoffs) in which he appeared. While Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara are the clear focal points of the Saints' offense, Ginn will have some big weeks as the No. 3, perhaps No. 4, option in the offense.
Tre'quan Smith26387.43.1200057.46
Smith had a couple of big games (3/111 vs. WAS and 10/157/1 vs. PHI) and a lot of quiet games (23 yards or less in 11 of the other 13). Even if he's more consistent on a weekly basis, it's difficult to trust any receivers other than Thomas (and perhaps Ginn) in season-long formats.
Keith Kirkwood152131.500030.3
Rishard Matthews12.9170.31.100023.63
Cameron Meredith11.8152.20.9400020.86
Chad Hansen3.941.30.270005.75
Austin Carr2.729.20.220004.24

More Fantasy Football WR Resources:

 

TIGHT ENDS

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDPoints
Jared Cook51.2678.45.2500099.34
Oakland's passing game had virtually nothing last season and Cook paced the team by leading the team in targets (101), receptions (68), yards (896) and touchdowns (six). Setting career highs across the board, Cook finished as fantasy's TE5 last season. Perhaps his year-over-year target share dips, but there is also a major offensive boost with Drew Brees and the Saints.
Josh Hill11.4116.30.6800015.71
Dan Arnold4.5540.450008.1

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Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Fantasy Football Rankings Week 2: Quarterbacks

What a performance on the primetime stage by the best quarterback in the league!

Leaving on a cart in the second quarter, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers returned at halftime to lead the Packers to a come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Bears.

Throwing all three of his scores in the fourth quarter, Rodgers completed 20-of-30 pass attempts for 286 yards to finish with nearly 25 fantasy points (24.94).

Although he returned in the second half, it's not clear yet whether he'll be available for the Week 2 matchup against the Vikings at Lambeau Field.



Assuming that Rodgers is ready to go in Week 2, he doesn't have the best matchup against the Vikings, but he's a must-start any time he's on the field.

Embed from Getty Images


More notes heading into Week 2:
  • New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw for 439 yards and three touchdowns as the team put up 40 points against the Bucs. The only quarterback to score more fantasy points than Brees in Week 1 was his opponent, Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw for 417 yards and accounted for five touchdowns. Things could be much more difficult for Fitzpatrick in Week 2 against the Eagles, but Brees is my top-ranked quarterback this week.
  • In his return to regular-season action, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck threw a week-high 53 pass attempts against the Bengals. Luck finished the game with 319 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
  • New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady threw for 277 yards and three touchdowns as he scored 21.28 fantasy points (eighth most in Week 1). Against the elite Jacksonville defense in the playoffs last year, Brady threw for 290 yards and two touchdowns. Including three playoff games, the Jags allowed only three games of 250/2 over their past 20 games. If you own Brady, you're unlikely to sit him, but I have the GOAT ranked just outside my top-12 weekly quarterbacks.
  • While he threw for only 197 yards and a touchdowns, Cleveland Browns quarterback Tyrod Taylor scored the sixth-most fantasy points in Week 1. Thanks to his dual-threat abilities, Taylor rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown. In other words, he generated 13.7 fantasy points from his rushing stats alone. One of the biggest underdogs of the week, the Browns could be forced to threw early and often. Listed on my Week 2 waiver-wire column, Taylor (still available in three-quarters of leagues) is a viable start in Week 2 against the Saints.
  • Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had a week to forget. Despite throwing for 335 yards, Big Ben threw four interceptions and only one touchdown against the Browns. Well-known for his home-road splits, Roethlisberger returns home to face a generous Chiefs defense that should allow him to bounce back in a big way.
  • Outside of the Saints-Bucs game, second-year quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the only other quarterback to throw four touchdowns in Week 1. With a talented quad of weapons (Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt and Sammy Watkins), Mahomes is poised for a breakout season and another strong week.
  • Technically, Mahomes was out-dueled by the quarterback on the other sideline. Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 424 yards and three touchdowns against a porous Chiefs secondary in the loss. Facing a Bills team that is a unanimous 32nd (last) in our consensus NFL power rankings, it's possible that the Bolts take their foot off the gas early against a terrible Bills team.
Our Week 2 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings from Kevin Hanson:



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Saturday, September 1, 2018

2018 Fantasy Football Projections: New Orleans Saints

In addition to viewing our 2018 Fantasy Football Projections by position, we will post our preseason projections per team.

Below you will find our 2018 fantasy football projections for the New Orleans Saints.

Quarterbacks

 

PlayerAtt.Comp.YardsTDINTRushYardsTDFLPoints
Drew Brees545389.7441528.311.433.7271.71.2277.5
After throwing more than 625 pass attempts in each of the previous seven seasons, Brees threw it only 536 times for 4,334 yards and 23 touchdowns, both of which were lows of his 12 seasons in New Orleans. Even so, his 4,334 passing yards still ranked fourth in the NFL behind Tom Brady (4,577), Philip Rivers (4,515) and Matthew Stafford (4,446).

More Fantasy Football QB Resources:

Running Backs

 

PlayerAtt.YardsTDRec.YardsTDFLPoints
Alvin Kamara195.31054.67.470.2666.92.90.8232.95
Due to efficiency (6.1 YPC and 10.2 Y/R) and 14 touchdowns (eight rushing, five receiving and one return), Kamara finished as a top-four fantasy back (RB3 in PPR) as a rookie. Even though that level of efficiency isn't sustainable (for anyone), Kamara was slated for a larger workload even before Mark Ingram was suspended for four games. An increase to 250-plus touches (from 201) could mean that Kamara repeats as a top-five fantasy back, especially in PPR formats.
Mark Ingram172.9812.67.138.4270.70.81.9151.93
Even with rookie Alvin Kamara finishing as fantasy's RB4, Ingram set career highs in 2017 with 1,124 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, 58 receptions and 416 receiving yards. Playing full 16-game seasons in back-to-back years, Ingram has rushed for 1,000-plus yards and scored double-digit touchdowns in consecutive seasons. Although he'll miss the first four games due to a PED suspension, that creates more fantasy appeal (to a certain degree) as there is a discount for his strong production from Weeks 5 to 16.
Jonathan Williams36.8152.71.12.113.70.1023.84
As the favorite to fill the Ingram role in the first four weeks, Williams could return flex value in the first quarter of the season.
Boston Scott4.519.40.13.327.10.10.15.65
Zach Line2.26.80.12.816.80.304.76
Trey Edmunds1.88.10.100001.41

More Fantasy Football RB Resources:

Wide Receivers

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDFLPoints
Michael Thomas941165.67.50000.8159.96
With 196 receptions for 2,382 yards and 14 touchdowns through two NFL seasons, Thomas has at least 92 catches and 1,137 yards each season. No player has more receptions through his first two NFL seasons than Thomas.
Cameron Meredith55.2723.14.40001.595.71
While he missed all of last season with a torn ACL, Meredith had 66 catches for 888 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games with the Bears in 2016. Even though he's the WR2/3 on the team behind Thomas, Meredith has some upside in a better offense with a much better quarterback.
Ted Ginn38.1552.53.85.4270.10.181.15
Finishing as a top-35 fantasy wide receiver, Ginn Jr. nearly set career highs with 53 receptions and 787 yards in his first season with the Saints. Given the team's acquisition of Meredith, duplicating last year's numbers seems unlikely as I expect Meredith to be the team's second-most productive wide receiver.
Tre'quan Smith18.3278.21.80000.138.42
Tommylee Lewis2.326.50.10.93.600.44.61
Tanner McEvoy1.111.60.10000.11.56

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Tight Ends

 

PlayerRec.YardsTDRushYardsTDFLPoints
Ben Watson50.3513.14.50000.178.11
Watson's last season (2015) in New Orleans was the best of his career from a fantasy perspective (TE8). Another 74/825/6 season on 110 targets (like 2015) is unlikely for the 37-year-old tight end, but there is a chance he turns into a fringe TE1/TE2 fantasy option in his return to the Saints. In fact, Mark Ingram says of Watson: "He's like the Under Armour mannequin. The oldest guy in there, but the most ripped up."
Josh Hill9.883.30.8000111.13
Michael Hoomanawanui1.410.50.10000.11.45

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