Fantasy Draft Day Targets

It’s never too early to commence preparations for your next fantasy football draft. Mock drafts are a year-round thing nowadays and an integral part of those preparations. Every year, we research and hone in on different players we’re targeting. Some players stand out more than others and perhaps warrant an earlier pick than the majority is giving them. Pulling the trigger earlier than league mates on certain players could make or break your draft and consequently your fantasy season as a whole. That being said, the following are five players I would be more than willing to reach for based on their current average draft position (ADP).

1. WR Jordy Nelson

Green Bay Packers

PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 28.28

Non-PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 26.93

PPR WR ADP: 12

Non-PPR WR ADP: 11

Where he’s going: PPR early round 3, non-PPR early round 3

Thoughts

Aaron Rodgers only played in nine games in 2013 and Nelson still finished as WR11 in non-PPR leagues and WR13 in PPR leagues. Rodgers and Nelson have only played one full season together since Nelson officially became a starting wide receiver in 2011 (he was technically a kick/punt returner in the two seasons following his rookie campaign). He was the second best fantasy wide receiver behind Calvin Johnson that season, so we know his potential. The fact that James Jones is gone and Jermichael Finley’s career is in jeopardy will give Nelson even more chances in 2014. The Kansas State alum does warrant more value in non-PPR leagues. He did catch a career-high 85 passes out of a career-high 127 targets last season, but keep in mind that Randall Cobb and Finley missed 10 games each while James Jones missed two. Nelson and wide receiver Jarrett Boykin were the only key offensive players to play in all 16 games for the Packers, naturally increasing Nelson’s targets and catches. This also begs the question: how good would his season have been if Rodgers was healthy? Where I’d take him: PPR late round 2, non-PPR early round 2.

2. RB Zac Stacy

St. Louis Rams

PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 29.5

Non-PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 20.2

PPR RB ADP: 11

Non-PPR RB ADP: 9

Where he’s going: PPR middle round 3, non-PPR late round 2

Thoughts

Stacy’s future is one I’m really psyched out of my mind about. Ideally, Sam Bradford and Jake Long will be healthy and the Rams will have drafted Greg Robinson with the No. 2 overall pick. Plus, Rodger Saffold is back after a failed physical with the Oakland Raiders. Stacy was all the Rams had last season, especially later on. He finished with RB18 numbers in non-PPR leagues, even though he played in just 13 games. He’s proved himself to be a workhorse back, capable of 1,500 total yards and double-digit touchdowns. Only Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy and Stacy averaged 19 carries or more per game last season. Where I’d take him: PPR early round 2, non-PPR late round 1

3. WR Kendall Wright

Tennessee Titans

PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 62.28

Non-PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 63

PPR WR ADP: 27

Non-PPR WR ADP: 30

Where he’s going: PPR early round 5, non-PPR early round 5

Thoughts

You know that feeling you get in your stomach after a day of unhealthy binge eating? That’s the feeling I get thinking about the lack of love Kendall Wright gets. He’s one of the most underrated wide receivers in fantasy football. Since his value lies mainly in PPR leagues, we’ll focus there. Despite scoring just two touchdowns last year, he finished as a Top 20 PPR WR. That number is sure to at least double and could easily triple under new offensive-minded head coach Ken Whisenhunt. The fact that he’s the 27th receiver being taken in PPR drafts is telling as to how under-appreciated he is. The numbers are there aside from the touchdowns. The catches and yards may even see an increase after the inevitable departures of Kenny Britt and Chris Johnson. I’m not too concerned about the Dexter McCluster addition. Wright is the obvious No. 1 receiving threat on the Titans this year and is primed for a big third season. Where I’d take him: PPR late round 3, non-PPR middle round 4

4. RB Toby Gerhart

Jacksonville Jaguars

PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 164.56

Non-PPR AVG. Overall ADP: 163.67

PPR RB ADP: 52

Non-PPR RB ADP: 60

Where he’s going: PPR late round 13, non-PPR middle round 13

Thoughts

The Gridiron Experts crew has already discussed Gerhart’s move to Jacksonville, but I want to reiterate how firmly seated on am on his bandwagon. Obviously, Toby Gerhart’s current ADP isn’t taking into account his new stomping grounds. Those numbers should sky rocket the closer we get to the season when the realization of Maurice Jones-Drew’s departure and Gerhart being the starting running back sets in. Gerhart has been under the radar his entire career. After four seasons of playing second fiddle to Adrian Peterson, it’s time for him to prove himself as a capable No. 1 NFL running back.

The most telling season of Gerhart’s four came in 2011 when he started in five games after Peterson tore his ACL. Gerhart totaled 109 carries for 531 yards and a touchdown on the ground while adding 23 catches, 190 yards and three scores through the air. Needless to say, Toby Gerhart isn’t just a skilled runner, he more than holds his own as a pass-catcher. He caught 44 balls in his first two seasons and averaged 21 catches through his first three years. Where I’d take him: PPR early round 4, non-PPR late round 4

5. QB Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys

AVG. Overall ADP: 112.92

QB ADP: 13

Thoughts

Death, taxes (April 15th guys) and people not giving Tony Romo enough credit are certainties in life. Year after year, Romo’s lack of “clutchability” gets taken out of context and thrust into his fantasy football value. HE IS NOT A BAD FANTASY QUARTERBACK. In 15 games played in 2013 he finished as QB13. Taking his season averages into account, had he played all 16 games he would have been QB8. Keep that in mind in regards to the graph below. When Romo is healthy, he has Top 5 fantasy quarterback potential. Where I’d take him: Early round 7