The Sharks of Fantasy Football

Growing up marine biology was a dream of mine, in particular sharks. In honor of the 30th anniversary of Shark Week, I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to bring my passion for sharks together with my passion for fantasy football.

Mako Shark – WR John Ross

The Mako Shark is the fastest shark in the ocean. They have been recorded breaking speeds of 60 mph and leaping up to 30 feet in the air. They are not just fast for a fish, but they are the among the fastest animals in all of the animal kingdom. When I think of the pure speed of the mako I can’t help but think of second-year receiver John Ross. Not a lot is known on the mako just like not much is known yet on receiver John Ross. We know Ross is fast and aggressive in terms of his big play threat. Another thing the mako and Ross have in common is they are both “vulnerable species”. While the mako is being overfished, John Ross has to prove himself in year two to avoid being considered a draft bust and falling completely off of draft boards.

Tiger Shark – RB Le’Veon Bell

The thing you need to know about the tiger shark is they love to eat. They don’t care if it’s fish or mollusks or scavenging for whale carcasses these guys eat. They eat and they eat and they eat. They are often forgotten about in terms of large sharks just like Le’Veon Bell currently feels after not getting that contract as an elite offensive player. Just like the Tiger Shark, Le’Veon eats having 406 touches in 2017 according to pro football reference. Le’Veon doesn’t care if he’s running the ball or catching it he just wants to eat just like the tiger shark. Tiger sharks are an apex predator and even though people tend to fear this animal in all reality the tiger shark should fear humans as it is being overfished shortening their existence. Le’Veon Bell is being overrun which could run his free agent value in 2019 into the ground. Both of these need protected long term.

Great Hammerhead Shark – QB Aaron Rodgers

The great hammerhead is the largest of the 9 hammerhead shark species. The hammerhead is known for its great instincts and electroreceptors across their oddly shaped head. These receptors allow for the great hammerhead to find rays in the sand for food. Being able to find food that can otherwise be hard to find makes me think of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is known for being the best QB in the league and I would say this is mostly due to his instincts. Rodgers can feel the pocket and escape much like the great hammerhead can feel its prey and attack. Once Rodgers is out of the pocket, his strike is among the deadliest in the league as we’ve seen him make athletic throws time and time again. The odd shape of the hammerhead’s head also allows for the shark to see his surroundings inherently well. Once again Rodgers at the QB position scans the field and always find the open man.

The Megalodon – WR Josh Gordon

The megalodon is extinct, although there are still conspiracy theorists out there that believe this prehistoric beast still roams somewhere in the seas. The meg has been estimated at being over 60 foot long and being the most feared predator the world has ever seen. When I think about the megalodon and conspiracy theorists that are keeping it alive, I think of Josh Gordon. Josh Gordon has not been fantasy relevant since 2013, however, year in and year out the Gordon truthers are keeping him alive in the fantasy world. While there was a time where he was feared and not to be trifled with he has been nowhere to be seen for quite some time. Does he exist? If so he’s lurking in the shadows and when a sighting is confirmed there will be casualties.

Bull Shark – J.J. Watt

The bull shark, the most aggressive of all the animals in the world. This is because it also has the highest testosterone levels of any animal. Bull sharks hunt in murky waters and have even been known to swim up rivers such as the Amazon, the Mississippi, and other rivers around the world. These sharks are relentless hunters and are among the most dangerous sharks in the world. While I could match up and offensive player here, I decided this slot is best for my IDP guys. J.J. Watt. J.J. is a bull. He’s relentless, fearsome, and bites chunks out of the offense. He not only wears down the guy blocking him but the opposing coaches, QB’s and everyone else on the opposing offense. Just like the bull shark that can make even the most experienced diver worry enough to get out of the water, J.J. can cause panic among the highest of NFL coaches and players.

The Great White – DeAndre Hopkins

Last but certainly not least, The great white. Great white sharks are the greatest oceanic predator not only are they large, but they are fast and can get into the air. These sharks are fearless and continue to create highlight reel clips that people were unsure were possible. The guy that I’m choosing to represent this animal is DeAndre Hopkins. Off the coast of South Africa at Seal Island, great white sharks leap from the water in pursuit of an elusive meal. The images of these sharks going up to catch their meal immediately remind me of the highlights of DeAndre Hopkins going up over defenders to make highlight reel plays. Hopkins is strong, fierce, and athletic the same attributes the great white uses while hunting.

Just like anyone else I can’t talk about a topic I’m passionate about without mentioning a hot topic about it. I included a short paragraph about shark as an endangered species below. I know everyone is here for the fantasy aspect, but if you’re interested in sharks overall check out the paragraph below and check out this year 30th anniversary of Shark Week.

Sharks are an amazing creature than humans know very little about. Most shark species are currently in danger of being overfished which would permanently damage the landscape of our seas. Taking out the top predators allows the entire food chain to become skewed with all of the prey fish growing in numbers as plankton diminishes from the sea. The main culprit in the elimination of so many sharks is the black market on shark fins. These sharks have all their fins cut off and are left to drown. The only use to these fins are in shark fin soup. Do your part in saving the sharks.

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