Remember those guys last year that you were sure would breakout and win you your league? Then around Week 10 you realized you were wrong and you shouldn’t have taken Amari Cooper in the 2nd round after all. You’re not alone, certain players left a bad taste in fantasy owners mouths last season, and now you can draft them at a value. We’ll take a look at some players who have disappointed you in the past but now have a chance to bounce back and at their cost, even help win you a fantasy football title. While there are many candidates for this “Redeem Team” I’ll tell you my favorites or most likely to succeed at every position.
QB
Marcus Mariota (Ten)
The second overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft was not a reliable fantasy QB last year. Riddled with injury, Mariota seemed to never find a stride. After taking him at the beginning of the 7th round last year, chances are you were very disappointed by his fantasy production. What was wrong with Mariota? The most obvious concern was the touchdowns. Mariota’s TD rate was one of the worst in the NFL at a mere 2.9%. Play calling also looked to be an issue for the former Oregon Duck QB. The Titans fired their head coach and brought in offensive-minded Matt Lafleur. If Mariota remains healthy his rushing ability alone gives him a solid baseline for fantasy. With a new head coach and weapons around him, you can’t find a quarterback with a higher ceiling in the 12th round of drafts this year.
Honorable Mention
Matt Ryan (ATL)
ADP- 9.09
Mid QB1 upside.
RBs
Lamar Miller (HOU)
Lamar Miller has never lived up to the hype in fantasy football since signing with the Texans. Miller still finished as the RB16 last year even after Deshaun Watson missed most of the season with an ACL injury. Lamar Miller’s biggest question mark is his back up D’Onta Foreman. Foreman looked to be explosive and capable of taking over the full-time job in Houston before suffering a season-ending injury of his own. The Texans don’t look to be fully confident in Foreman after signing Miller to an extension thru the 2019 season. Lamar Miller is currently being drafted in the 5th round and brings tremendous upside at that price. After the first few rounds of your draft you look for upside on an up and coming offense. Lamar Miller should see the most carries for the Texans especially if Foreman ends up on the PUP list to start the season.
Marshawn Lynch (OAK)
The Marshawn Lynch hype got a little out of control last year. He was being drafted in the 3rd round in drafts last season which proved to be too high. Even after he disappointed Lynch still finished as an RB2 or better in 9 weeks last season. With an ADP in the 7th round, Lynch is the perfect boom/bust RB3 for your fantasy team this year. New coach John Gruden wants to bring back old smash mouth football to the Raiders and Marshawn is the perfect man for the job.
Honorable Mention
Giovanni Bernard (CIN)
ADP- 11.08
RB3 upside.
WRs
Sammy Watkins (KC)
Sammy Watkins has been disappointing fantasy owners for a while. Between the injuries and inconsistency Watkins has not been a player you can count on. With a low target share in LA last year the 24-year-old wide out may not seem very appealing to own. He did, however, land a huge contract in Kansas City to play with gunslinger Pat Mahomes across from field stretching Tyreek Hill. Watkins has never been in a better situation in his NFL career and with his draft stock falling to the end of the 6th round this may be the year Sammy returns value. If Watkins can remain healthy look for him to be a solid WR2 in a high scoring offense with weekly top 5 upside at the WR position.
Amari Cooper (OAK)
You can say a lot of the same things about Amari Cooper. High draft capital, low consistency, high upside. Cooper will benefit from Michael Crabtree out of town this season, freeing up 18% of the Raider’s total target share. More importantly, Crabtree accounted for 35% of the Raider’s passing TDs last year. Yes, they brought in Jordy Nelson and Maitavius Bryant, but Cooper is still the locked and loaded WR1 for Derec Carr. With high praise from new head coach John Gruden saying Cooper will be the “main vein” in the offense this year Cooper’s return on investment at 4.06 is one of the best values in drafts.
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Jamison Crowder (WAS)
Crowder was a breakout candidate for many last year (including myself). The Redskins offense struggled as a whole last season and their offseason changes show they want to improve. Crowder has always been a solid PPR option and that only looks to improve with Alex Smith behind center. With a current ADP of 7.11, which is two rounds lower than last year, Crowder is a safe pick with low-end WR2 potential.
Honorable Mention
Mike Williams (LAC)
ADP- 11.04
Flex play upside.
TEs
Jordan Reed (WAS)
In 2015 Jordan Reed finished as the TE2 in PPR format. At 8.07 Reed gives you by far the most upside amounts tight ends. Alex Smith has a history of producing top 10 tight ends and Jordan Reed has all the talent to be the next. The only concern with Reed is his laundry list of injuries. This is the only reason Reed is going so late in drafts, but if he can stay healthy for even 10 games Reed will be a steal at his draft price.
Honorable Mention
Eric Ebron (IND)
ADP- Undrafted
Low-end TE1 upside.
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