How to Dominate Your 2017 ESPN Fantasy Football PPR Draft

When drafting your fantasy team, the default settings on the site you use can frequently influence drafters. If you can look past the default rankings and simply choose the best player available, you will dominate your draft! ESPN made point per reception (PPR) leagues their standard league this season. Below, you will find my PPR rankings for the top 12 rounds as well as ESPN’s default ranking of that player.

You will also see a column labeled +/-. When you see a positive number in that column, it means I believe the player is undervalued by ESPN. When you see a negative number, it means I believe the player is overvalued. While drafting, avoid players with negative +/- numbers (unless they fall significantly during the draft) and select players with positive +/- numbers (as long as you don’t reach for them).

*Both sets of rankings are as of 9/1/2017 at 2:20PM ET

Round 1

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
1	David Johnson	ARI	RB	1	0
2	Le'Veon Bell	PIT	RB	2	0
3	Antonio Brown	PIT	WR	3	0
4	Julio Jones	ATL	WR	4	0
5	Odell Beckham Jr.	NYG	WR	5	0
6	Ezekiel Elliott	DAL	RB	30	24
7	A.J. Green	CIN	WR	9	2
8	Mike Evans	TB	WR	8	0
9	Melvin Gordon	LAC	RB	12	3
10	Jordy Nelson	GB	WR	7	-3
11	Devonta Freeman	ATL	RB	10	-1
12	LeSean McCoy	BUF	RB	6	-6

Analysis

ESPN did a good job ranking players in the first round. I don’t have many arguments. Melvin Gordon is the player I think they undervalued slightly. He should continue to see a high volume of touches in what should be an improved offense and an improved team.

Round 2

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
13	Michael Thomas	NO	WR	11	-2
14	Brandin Cooks	NE	WR	17	3
15	Doug Baldwin	SEA	WR	16	1
16	Keenan Allen	LAC	WR	32	16
17	Amari Cooper	OAK	WR	22	5
18	DeMarco Murray	TEN	RB	14	-4
19	Jay Ajayi	MIA	RB	15	-4
20	Rob Gronkowski	NE	TE	20	0
21	DeAndre Hopkins	HOU	WR	28	7
22	Jordan Howard	CHI	RB	13	-9
23	Demaryius Thomas	DEN	WR	24	1
24	Larry Fitzgerald	ARI	WR	36	12

Analysis

Keenan Allen has been a PPR monster when healthy. I think ESPN has built the injury risk into Allen’s ranking a bit more than I have. I’m no injury expert, but Allen’s injury history seems to be freak injuries rather than chronic issues. For that reason, I’m more optimistic on Allen than ESPN for 2017.

Larry Fitzgerald stands out as undervalued by ESPN in PPR drafts. He has 109 and 107 receptions in his past two seasons and has finished as a top 11 PPR WR in each of those years. Outside of David Johnson and potentially John Brown, there isn’t much competition for targets in the Cardinals offense. Fitzgerald offers a high floor and enough PPR upside to justify a late second round pick.

Round 3

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
25	Dez Bryant	DAL	WR	21	-4
26	Terrelle Pryor	WAS	WR	26	0
27	Alshon Jeffery	PHI	WR	27	0
28	Golden Tate	DET	WR	33	5
29	Lamar Miller	HOU	RB	25	-4
30	Leonard Fournette	JAC	RB	23	-7
31	Todd Gurley	LAR	RB	19	-12
32	T.Y. Hilton	IND	WR	18	-14
33	Michael Crabtree	OAK	WR	31	-2
34	Kareem Hunt	KC	RB	38	4
35	Allen Robinson	JAC	WR	52	17
36	Davante Adams	GB	WR	42	6

Analysis

Dez Bryant stands out as an overvalued player. I wrote an entire article on my thoughts about Bryant this season. You can view it on my Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fantasybeast15

Round 4

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
37	Emmanuel Sanders	DEN	WR	44	7
38	Travis Kelce	KC	TE	49	11
39	Jarvis Landry	MIA	WR	43	4
40	Martavis Bryant	PIT	WR	61	21
41	Stefon Diggs	MIN	WR	59	18
42	Isaiah Crowell	CLE	RB	29	-13
43	Tyreek Hill	KC	WR	53	10
44	Aaron Rodgers	GB	QB	47	3
45	Carlos Hyde	SF	RB	41	-4
46	Ty Montgomery	GB	RB	37	-9
47	Tom Brady	NE	QB	46	-1
48	Jamison Crowder	WAS	WR	50	2

Analysis

Martavis Bryant is reinstated and should beat his 6th round rank by ESPN. I have Bryant as a 4th round pick and wonder if ESPN is being cautious due to his off-field history. He may not catch as many passes as other top PPR WRs, but his upside is worth the risk in the fourth round. He has top 10 WR upside this season if he can stay on the field.

Round 5

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
49	Jordan Reed	WAS	TE	40	-9
50	Greg Olsen	CAR	TE	55	5
51	Bilal Powell	NYJ	RB	45	-6
52	Dalvin Cook	MIN	RB	39	-13
53	Mark Ingram	NO	RB	60	7
54	Willie Snead	NO	WR	68	14
55	Joe Mixon	CIN	RB	54	-1
56	Christian McCaffrey	CAR	RB	34	-22
57	Danny Woodhead	BAL	RB	48	-9
58	Sammy Watkins	LAR	WR	56	-2
59	Marshawn Lynch	OAK	RB	35	-24
60	Theo Riddick	DET	RB	65	5

Analysis

Willie Snead is one of my favorite picks in PPR drafts this year. I’m trying to draft him everywhere I can for a few reasons. He’s underrated as a receiver. In fact, according to NFL.com’s Matt Harmon, a wide receiver guru, Snead was the only wide receiver he charted “with an above average success rate on all routes.” Harmon’s Reception Perception methodology loves Willie Snead, and I believe this could be a true breakout season for Snead in PPR leagues.

Christian McCaffery is certainly a hot name in fantasy football and one of my favorite dynasty picks, but for 2017 redraft leagues, I have concerns. While he receives a boost in PPR leagues due to his receiving ability, Cam Newton simply hasn’t thrown to running backs in the past. While that might change this season, it’s possible Newton still prefers to scramble rather than check down to his running backs. I also question McCaffery’s scoring abilities. Both Newton and Jonathan Stewart are superior goal-line options, so McCaffery’s scoring upside is limited.

Round 6

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
61	Kelvin Benjamin	CAR	WR	51	-10
62	Drew Brees	NO	QB	57	-5
63	Pierre Garcon	SF	WR	58	-5
64	Frank Gore	IND	RB	62	-2
65	Adrian Peterson	NO	RB	66	1
66	C.J. Anderson	DEN	RB	72	6
67	Ameer Abdullah	DET	RB	70	3
68	Tevin Coleman	ATL	RB	84	16
69	Mike Gillislee	NE	RB	64	-5
70	Russell Wilson	SEA	QB	82	12
71	Jeremy Maclin	BAL	WR	73	2
72	DeSean Jackson	TB	WR	76	4

Analysis

Adrian Peterson stands out in the sixth round. This is likely the best offense he’s ever played in, and he won’t see as many stacked boxes with Drew Brees under center. There will be a clear committee at running back, but Peterson should have plenty of opportunities to score. Even with a crowded backfield, I think Peterson provides enough upside to be worth a sixth round pick.

Round 7

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
73	Brandon Marshall	NYG	WR	63	-10
74	Chris Hogan	NE	WR	102	28
75	Eric Decker	TEN	WR	75	0
76	Paul Perkins	NYG	RB	71	-5
77	Doug Martin	TB	RB	95	18
78	Andrew Luck	IND	QB	100	22
79	Jimmy Graham	SEA	TE	80	1
80	Tyrell Williams	LAC	WR	94	14
81	Kenny Britt	CLE	WR	83	2
82	Randall Cobb	GB	WR	97	15
83	Kyle Rudolph	MIN	TE	89	6
84	Terrance West	BAL	RB	77	-7

Analysis

Chris Hogan is a hot name in fantasy football right now. With the injury to Julian Edelman, Hogan is now undervalued. ESPN adjusted their ranking of Hogan, but I don’t think they’ve adjusted it enough. When you’re the WR2 in a Tom Brady offense, you’re going to have fantasy value.

Round 8

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
85	Donte Moncrief	IND	WR	81	-4
86	Devante Parker	MIA	WR	67	-19
87	Jordan Matthews	BUF	WR	106	19
88	LeGarrette Blount	PHI	RB	103	15
89	Robert Kelley	WAS	RB	74	-15
90	John Brown	ARI	WR	119	29
91	Duke Johnson	CLE	RB	78	-13
92	James White	NE	RB	87	-5
93	Adam Thielen	MIN	WR	85	-8
94	Delanie Walker	TEN	TE	88	-6
95	Tyler Eifert	CIN	TE	111	16
96	Ted Ginn	NO	WR	121	25

Analysis

In round 8, Delanie Walker stands out as overvalued. There are plenty of tight ends I like in fantasy drafts this season, but Walker is one I’m avoiding. The Titans likely will remain a run-first offense, and have a plethora of talented pass catchers. They drafted Corey Davis in the first round and signed Eric Decker, likely taking away some of Walker’s volume in the passing game. Additionally, Decker has always been involved in the red zone, and I’m worried he could take Walker’s looks in that area of the field. For all of these reasons, I’m avoiding Walker where ESPN has him ranked.

Round 9

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
97	Kirk Cousins	WAS	QB	93	-4
98	Marcus Mariota	TEN	QB	115	17
99	Corey Coleman	CLE	WR	109	10
100	Mike Wallace	BAL	WR	79	-21
101	Zay Jones	BUF	WR	110	9
102	Rex Burkhead	NE	RB	128	26
103	Matt Forte	NYJ	RB	90	-13
104	Darren McFadden	DAL	RB	91	-13
105	C.J. Prosise	SEA	RB	107	2
106	Kevin White	CHI	WR	117	11
107	Matt Ryan	ATL	QB	69	-38
108	Derrick Henry	TEN	RB	122	14

 

Round 10

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
109	Jacquizz Rodgers	TB	RB	113	4
110	Dak Prescott	DAL	QB	108	-2
111	Giovani Bernard	CIN	RB	105	-6
112	Cam Newton	CAR	QB	92	-20
113	Ben Roethlisberger	PIT	QB	127	14
114	Jack Doyle	IND	TE	132	18
115	Jamaal Charles	DEN	RB	192	77
116	Rishard Matthews	TEN	WR	99	-17
117	Jonathan Stewart	CAR	RB	96	-21
118	Corey Davis	TEN	WR	112	-6
119	Thomas Rawls	SEA	RB	104	-15
120	Darren Sproles	PHI	RB	101	-19

Round 11

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
121	Eddie Lacy	SEA	RB	86	-35
122	Devin Funchess	CAR	WR	190	68
123	Derek Carr	OAK	QB	116	-7
124	Martellus Bennett	GB	TE	126	2
125	Danny Amendola	NE	WR	123	-2
126	Philip Rivers	LAC	QB	140	14
127	Zach Ertz	PHI	TE	96	-31
128	Josh Doctson	WAS	WR	124	-4
129	Samaje Perine	WAS	RB	166	37
130	Marvin Jones	DET	WR	130	0
131	Jameis Winston	TB	QB	114	-17
132	Eric Ebron	DET	TE	154	22

Analysis

Devin Funchess looks like a value in the 11th round. He should see a massive increase in targets this season, as he’s expected to be the Panthers second receiver behind Kelvin Benjamin. Ted Ginn Jr., now with the Saints, held that role last season and received 95 targets. Funchess is superior to Ginn in the red zone, so if he receives a similar target share, I like his upside for a cheap price.

Round 12

Rank	Player Name	Team	Position	ESPN Rank	+/-
133	Sterling Shepard	NYG	WR	138	5
134	Alvin Kamara	NO	RB	146	12
135	Marqise Lee	JAC	WR	155	20
136	Hunter Henry	LAC	TE	122	-14
137	Robert Woods	LAR	WR	158	21
138	DeAndre Washington	OAK	RB	172	34
139	Matthew Stafford	DET	QB	118	-21
140	Nelson Agholor	PHI	WR	187	47
141	Tyler Lockett	SEA	WR	173	32
142	Chris Thompson	WAS	RB	120	-22
143	Cole Beasley	DAL	WR	178	35
144	Kenny Golladay	DET	WR	204	60

Analysis

Tyler Lockett is on many of my dynasty teams and is one of my favorite picks in the late rounds this season. Last season, Lockett had an average draft position of 76th overall according to Fantasy Football Calculator. This season, ESPN has him ranked as their 173rd player. While I’m more pessimistic than I was last season, Lockett is a steal in the 12 round. He should be fully recovered from his leg injury and provides a deep threat for the Seahawks.

 

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