Written by Timothy Lewis (@MrTeeLew) — August 30th, 2017

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Across the league there are players who parallel in skill set and situation. As fantasy football players, we fall victim to recency bias and name attachment. These irrational favoritisms launch certain players up draft boards while leaving others undervalued. Here, I’ve created a list of players who, due to their statistical, athletic, and situational similarities, project to give fantasy owners comparable production. The numbers next to each player’s name indicates their ADP (average draft position), comprised by averaging various popular fantasy football platforms (Yahoo, CBS, NFL, ESPN, Fantasypros) to approximate a player’s value in the eyes of the standard fantasy football competitor. Credit to playerprofiler.com for their stats and metrics!

Danny Woodhead (80) — BAL RB → Darren Sproles (134) — PHI RB

Video Courtesy of Laguna Productions

What is with the Danny Woodhead love? I mean, I get it — he’s a great football player. He’s also a 32 year old running back coming off of an ACL injury. There are other old running backs that excel in the passing game who will see a large opportunity share. Even at 34, Darren Sproles does not have the injury concerns that dog Woodhead. In terms of opportunity, both project to be in pass-happy offenses, while facing uninspired competition at the position in the form of Terrance West and LeGarrette Blount. Because of their respective backfields, the argument can be made that both will see the majority of their team’s snaps at running back. In the small sample size of the two games Woodhead played last season, he averaged 3 catches per game and 6 yards per touch. Compare to the 3.5 catches per game and 5.9 yards per touch Sproles totaled last year. There’s some serious PPR value for the Eagles scatback at #134 off the board.

Leonard Fournette (22) — JAX RB → D’Onta Foreman (167) — HOU RB

Video Courtesy of NFL Highlights History

Leonard Fournette projects as a two-down hammer that’s spelled by a passing back. While many see him as a workhorse, he’ll be limited by ceding 3rd downs to T.J. Yeldon, and the occasional series to Chris Ivory. D’Onta Foreman has a similar skill set, and will be competing for touches with Lamar Miller — a player that works best in tandem with a complementary back. The Texans and the Jaguars both wish to bring physicality to the front lines with a punishing run game, but will struggle with limited quarterback and offensive line play. In their peak college seasons, the LSU and Texas workhorses produced similarly. Additionally, they are both 6 feet tall, weigh over 230 lbs, and boast identical athletic profiles. Difference is, Foreman is much cheaper in fantasy football.

Alshon Jeffery (31) — PHI WR → DeVante Parker (80) — MIA WR

Alshon Jeffery Courtesy of Giphy

DeVante Parker Courtesy of Giphy

This one is too easy. Take Jay Cutler’s word for it: Parker is a “faster” Alshon Jeffery. The two are equal in height at 6’3”, have good leaping ability and a wide catch radius. Parker is faster and produced at a superior level in college. Both the Dolphins and Eagles have conservative offenses authored by gunslingers. And while said gunslingers need to acclimate themselves to their new receivers, week 3’s preseason game indicates a degree of chemistry already exists. Operating in ideal offensive situations, Jeffery and Parker will each see 110+ targets and a resulting bump in productivity from the previous year. Thanks to preseason heroics, Parker is screaming up draft boards. That said, he’s still a better value than his pricier duplicate.

Note (Because of extreme variance): Alshon Jeffery ESPN ADP: 16, DeVante Parker ESPN ADP: 36.

Tevin Coleman (83) — ATL RB → Duke Johnson (120) — CLE RB

Coleman and Johnson are both 3rd round picks, dominant college players, and exceptional athletes. They are both trapped behind unheralded, yet talented players that are more natural between-the-tackles runners. And they are both playing behind elite offensive lines. Last season, Coleman had 22 more touches than Johnson, totaling significantly more carries, but less receptions. He also scored a touchdown every 13.5 times he touched the ball, compared to Johnson’s single touchdown for the season. Neither of these contrasts are sustainable, and the two will have closer touchdown totals in their upcoming campaign. What’s most intriguing about drafting either of these backs is that they hold value in isolation, but step into 3-down workhorse roles if their running mate falls to injury.

Edit: Per ESPN ADP update: Coleman — RB#35, Johnson — RB#38

Keenan Allen (45) — LA WR → Jeremy Maclin (101) — BAL WR

Courtesy of the NFL (Top 100)

Keenan Allen and Jeremy Maclin are both going to be target hogs this year. Projected as their respective team’s go-to receiver, they are sure route runners with the ability to create after the catch. Despite their history of success in the league, both players are being overlooked because of recent injury troubles. What’s not being accounted for is Maclin’s change in scenery, where he’ll be joining the league’s most pass-happy offense. Joe Flacco could very well sling it another 700 times, supercharging Maclin’s volume and productivity. Don’t be surprised if these two finish close in catches, yards, and touchdowns. This tandem could be a league-winner in PPR, and Jeremy is a hot candidate for steal of the year at his ADP.

C.J. Anderson (67) — DEN RB → Thomas Rawls (122) — SEA RB

An undrafted running back who shot onto the scene and dominated, only to struggle with injuries the following year.

C.J. Anderson Courtesy of Giphy

Thomas Rawls Courtesy of Giphy

Undersized, his style is that of a bruiser, bouncing off of defenders with punishing brutality. A star returning from injury looks to threaten his touches. C.J. Anderson and Thomas Rawls parallel in stature, athleticism, and situation. Most would assume that Jamaal Charles is more cooked than Eddie Lacy, considering their respective ADPs. However, Lacy has not stood above his competition thus far in preseason, and therefore has no claim to the starting job. Meanwhile, Charles looked dynamic in his lone preseason appearance. Denver also has Devontae Booker and talented rookie, De’Angelo Henderson on deck. I personally prefer Rawls to Anderson, regardless of draft position.

Kyle Rudolph (77) — MIN TE → Zach Ertz (91) — PHI TE

Kyle Rudolph finally had the breakout season that’s been expected for years. What’s next, Zach Ertz? Exactly. The reason for Kyle Rudolph’s explosion last year is simple: Volume. He was targeted an astronomical 8.2 times per game, first in the league as a tight end. Ertz himself managed an impressive 7.6 per game. The Viking’s healthy offensive line and passing attack, along with the addition of second round draft pick, Dalvin Cook, makes it unlikely Rudolph is targeted as often. This includes in the red zone, where he also found himself paramount at his position. While the Minnesota pass catcher is due for a volume regression, Ertz will provide similar, and likely even better production thanks to superior efficiency. Last season, Ertz had a higher catch rate, contested catch rate, target depth, and a lower drop rate than Rudolph. The argument can me made that Rudolph wasn’t very good last year outside of sheer opportunity. Why chase last season’s breakout at it’s heightened value when its duplicate is available nearly two rounds later?

Russell Wilson (57) — SEA QB → Marcus Mariota (76) — TEN QB

Courtesy of the NFL (Top 100)

Marcus Mariota is an athletic prodigy at the quarterback position. He’s Russell Wilson, but also 6’4”. Their trajectories have been interestingly similar, both having slowly acclimated to the rigors of their position by leaning on a strong run game. Wilson, further into his career, has grown more as a passer and leader. This is reflected by his ADP. With the garbage offensive line he operates behind, he’ll scramble more often and throw more passes. Volume might not be on his side, but Mariota is remarkably efficient, particularly in the red zone. He’s also gained another year of poise and enjoys one of the most stacked offensive arsenals in the league. Russell Wilson has earned his place, but later in drafts, if you’re looking for an accurate passer who’s dripping with upside and can pick up yards with his legs, Mariota is a perfect discount duplicate.

Want to keep up with The RYM? Like us on Facebook or Follow on Twitter!