The 2017 fantasy football season is almost here – which means it is time for draft planning and scheming. It is time to show your football IQ and football know how to demolish every team in your path – take them down with your big named picks.
We all know the David Johnson’s, Antonio Brown’s and Aaron Rodgers’ are all going to be plucked off the board in the first 2 rounds. But at the end of the day – we all know it’s really about the later round guys you can snake in and grab in the ending rounds, is where champions are built. Those are the guys to watch for – those are the guys to quietly pick up and abuse your opponents his 2017 fantasy football season.

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
4386 YDs / 33 TDs / 6 games of 300+ YDs in 2016
Round to target him in; 10-11th
Reason to snatch him up;
The Chargers made plenty of moves to fix and upgrade their offensive line. Which keeping him standing up is going to be nothing but good news for you. The Chargers made sure they brought n a better team around him – not only with WR options – but taking offensive linemen Forrest Lamp – they want him upright, for good reason. His talent is always top notch, and the quality of the loaded weapons around him, have gotten even better. As long as Rivers stays healthy he is going to be more than a solid QB with enormous QB1 upside for your team.

Prediction for 2017; 4500 YDs / 35 TDs

Jameis Winston, QB, Buccaneers
4090 YDs / 28 TDs / 9 games of 2+ TDs in 2016
Round to target him in; 10-11th round
Reason to snatch him up;
Winston is one of the leaders of the new young bucks of QBs getting ready to start dominating the NFL, as well as in fantasy.
He is on the cusp to be a huge breakout and a beast in the fantasy world of QBs. The excellent additions of big YD WR DeSean Jackson, and talented TE O.J. Howard are going to help him. Both guys can move the chains in a hurry. He has had issues with his turnovers – but he is getting older and smarter – and his QB style will likely also get him 4-5 TDs on the ground, as well. He is growing into a true double threat that is going to score points one way or the other. Having a bunch of new threats to go along with Mike Evans and Cameron Brate is going to open up a new world for the 3rd year QB.

Prediction for 2017; 4300 YDs / 30 TDs

Jeremy Maclin, WR, Ravens
44 recpts / 536 YDs / 2 TDs in 2016
Round to target him in; 6-7th round
Reason to snatch him up;
When the Chiefs released him this offseason – I was left very confused. He is now back with his former coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, and the Baltimore Ravens, which means familiarity across the board. Good news for the FFB owner of this former 1300 YD WR. The Ravens have plenty of area to get him targets – with no more Dennis Pitta, who got 119 targets last season and Steve Smith and his 103 targets along with 5 TDs are the numbers to keep in mind here. When Maclin was on the Eagles between from 2009 – 2012, he led the Eagles in catches with 258, as well as TDs with 26, so he has the ability to light it up. He is going to be a great later round grab – with huge upside. He is going to lead the Ravens in targets, and with good hands, excellent rout running, he will most certainly produce yet again.

Prediction for 2017; 1200 YDs / 8 TDs

Carlos Hyde, RB, 49ers
217 carries / 988 YDs / 6 TDs in 2016
Round to target him in; 4-5th round
Reason to snatch him up;
He is going to be great this season – especially with a new start with Kyle Shanahan running game. He is an extremely effective RB, when he is healthy. He has more than deserved the opportunity to hold onto his spot as the man to lead the Niners on the ground. Hyde put up some top half numbers last season – and that was with missing 3 games. As long as he stays on the field – Hyde is going to be taking it to the next level in 2017. He boasted a meaty 4.6 / YPC, which is obviously a huge number that pops out. Hyde ended the 2016 season putting up 5 top 10 weeks. Shanahan’s running game – has steadily gotten RBs top numbers over many years. He is an awesome playmaker with powerful size, and he can split defenses very well. He won’t be regretted.

Prediction for 2017; 1200 YDs / 10 TDs

Mike Gillislee, RB, Patriots
101 carries / 577 YDs / 8 TDs in 2016
Round to target him in; 8-9th round
Reason to snatch him up;
When the Pats picked up Mike Gillislee from the Bills this offseason, I immediately thought this was going to be one of the sneaky moves to make in FFB. He is the perfect RB to fill the power TD role left by LeGarrette Blount. Gillislee gives the Patriots a really good ballplayer with great power – and he is a legit goal line threat, as he has proven in his 3 year career. Even though Dion Lewis is still there, and had his career high in carries last year with 64, along with his 4.6 YPC for the Pats in 2 seasons. Gillislee’s upside in fantasy is top ended. Gillislee is going to be the Pats goal line replacement for Blount, and with his nose for the endzone ability – I have no qualms grabbing him. Gillislee is going to have some of those games with the 40-50 YD rushing games, but will also get the vulture 2 score games. He has a very real double-digit touchdown upside and he can also catch some balls out of the backfield as well – something Blount didn’t bring. Blount was a steal last year, when he popped in, and led the league with 18 rushing TDs, this is your chance to get the sneaky grab this year.

Prediction for 2017; 880 YDs / 11 TDs

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings
ROOKIE
Round to target him in; 6-7th round
Reason to snatch him up;
The Vikes traded up for Cook for a reason – and they will be looking to him to produce this season. Cook brings the Vikings great versatility to the team, not only as a very fast runner – but he also is a great pass catcher out of the backfield. The ultra talented rookie, is coming into a great situation where they are looking to fill the RB spot. He brings an explosive running game where he can show his dominance – with a great ability after contact. He is going to be an elite playmaker who is going to get his carries and get his touches in the receiving department as well. The RB committee in Minnesota is a concern – with Murray and McKinnon – but by week 6, I fully expect Cook to be getting the lions share of carries/game.
It will be his chance to get a hold of the RB1 spot, and when he does – he is going to bring a great upside in fantasy.

Prediction for 2017; 800 YDs / 9 TDs

Written by TonyK for VegasTopDogs.com.