September 2, 2017, 2017 Indianapolis Erik
COACH: Bill Belichick – 9 PPG – Belichick was the top coach last year and I don’t see any reason he won’t repeat. Hoody does it again.
QB: Kirk Cousins – 33 PPG
How many franchise tags do you get till the team believes in you enough to actually sign you to a long term deal. Cousins lost two of his most dynamic receives in Jackson and Garcon. Cousins is going to have to prove he deserves a long term deal with an all new receiving core. The skins went out and got him a new younger receiver in Pryor. As much talent Pryor has I am not sold on him quite yet. Cousins will have his rock and one of the best TE in my opinion in Jordan Reed. Reed could have a big season this year but can’t do it from the bench. Cousins needs Reed to stay healthy this year. The Skins will also have Docston their number one pick back this year form injury. Docston is a BUST in my opinion, Mark you dodged a bullet when you almost gave up a 1 and 2 for this guy. Crowder is poised for a very nice year as I think he will lead the skins receiving core. Cousins back field is going to be a big question mark. Can Fat Rob carry the team or will the skins turn to their Draft pick Samaje Perine. Cousins is still playing for that long term deal and I think he has a great year again in Washington.
RB/WR/TE: Lesean MCcoy 25 PPG, Stefon Diggs 15 PPG, Travis Kelce 20 PPG, Frank Gore 14 PPG, Duke Johnson 11 PPG, (6th men: Eric Ebron 11 PPG, Martellus Bennett 9 PPG, Mike Gillislee 9 PPG,)
I think Houston really struggles on offense this year. He has five legit starters but after that he is in trouble.
MCcoy will have another solid year and rank top 10 in fantasy points this year. The Bills offense will be centered around MCcoy in which he will get plenty of touches. Shady will easily lead Houston in points this year.
Diggs will lead the Vikings receiving core this year. Diggs will catch a ton of balls this year but I see a ton of short yardage passes similar to 2016. The Vikings are going to spread the ball around more this year so I see Diggs hovering around the same output as last year.
The chiefs will lean on Kelce to have a big year. Alex Smith will continue to look for Kelce all year in the redzone. With a rookie RB and a second year WR starting for the Chiefs Smith will look for his reliable TE and find ways to get him the ball. Kelce should end as a top 5 TE this year.
Frank Gore will still have a decent year but at 34 can he still produce at a high level? Gore will still be the work horse for the Colts his year but I have to image his productivity and touches decrease this year. Gore will not duplicate his 320 point performance of last year. At age 34 Gore has to make Houston nervous this year as he can’t have much left in his tank.
Now here is where I struggle with Houston offense. I think he starts Duke Johnson but could end up starting Ebron if he stays healthy and gets the trust of Stafford. Houston just does not have a solid offense outside his top five guys. Houston’s top staring six all have different bye weeks which will help him during the season.
Pn: Jon Ryan 9 PPG – This is a toss-up between Ryan and Bosher
Pk: Cairo Santos 8 PPG – It’s a kicker no one cares. Houston will need a bye week filler.
DT: Sheldon Rankins 11 PPG
Rankins if he can stay healthy I think will have a very nice year this year. The number 12th pick last year started 2016 hurt but when he came back had a great year for a DT.
DE: Danielle Hunter 16 PPG, Jerry Hughes 14 PPG
Hunter had a great year for the Vikes last year and I think he will build on that year. Hunter had 12.5 sacks last year and led the league with 260 points . Hunter is hitting his stride and will have a very good year for Houston. Hunter may have a 15 plus sack year while being a top 5 DE.
The veteran Hughes has been about as consistent as they come. I don’t see why that stops this year. Hughes will put up solid numbers but not much more. He will have those games where he only puts a few points while having 20 plus games.
Houston has a solid backup in Akiem. Akiem can really play and may push Hughes for playing time on Houston’s roster. Akiem is in a contract year and knows he has to play lights out to grab some of that cash.
LB: Jarrad Davis 17 PPG, Jordan Hicks 15 PPG, Ramon Humber 12 PPG, Gerald Hodges 12 PPG
Houston used his draft picks to pick up some solid LB’s in Davis,Reddick and McMillan. Houston much like his offense has a mediocre defense with little depth. Houston has not had luck on his side with his LB core. His star rookie out of Ohio St went down with a season ending ACL injury. They Colts have parted ways with Sean Spence after a disappointing pre-season. With all this misfortune has left Houston in big trouble with his LB core. Houston is going to hope Spence finds a home soon and Redick finds his way into the starting rotation, otherwise he better start looking for some LB help.
Jarrad Davis will be a stud right out of the gate. I like Davis a lot and should anchor Houston’s defense for years to come. Davis will get better as the season goes along with plenty of opportunity to put up big numbers.
Hicks is another young star for Houston. Hicks had a great season last year and actually lead all LBs with five picks. Hicks will put up solid numbers for Houston as he will be the heart of Phillys defense this year.
Humber should hold down the starting weak side linebacker for the bills this year. The veteran will get his opportunity to start for bills to start the season. Humber has played for 9 seasons but never as the primary LB for a team. Humber should see enough action to be a relevant scorer for Houston.
Hodges is really the only other options for Houston at this point as Redding looks like he will be eased into the lineup in Arizona. Hodges who is behind Preston Brown on the bills depth chart will be limited in his production.
Reddick when giving the chance to play will be huge long term for Houston. Looks like Reddick may get a chance to start as Inside Linebacker for Arizona if Bucannon can’t recover from an ankle injury.
CB: TreDavious White 9 PPG, Jeremy Lane 9 PPG
Another week position for Houston as he only has two viable options.
White a rookie out of LSU should start for Buffalo Bills and contribute right away.
Lane will start opposite of Richard Sherman. The Seahawks are vocal about possible shopping Lane to see what they could get. This is something that Houston has to keep in mind.
S: Antoine Bethea 14 PPG, Jahleel Addae 15 PPG
The aging Bethea should still have a solid year this year for Houston. Paying him 4.5 million he better. Bethea may take a little step back from 2016 but should still have 200 plus points.
Addae if healthy could be Houston’s other starting safety, Addae had a strong start and finish last year. He should have a great year and will provide a nice bump to Houston’s safety position. Addae may exceed my 15 ppg estimate I gave him as I think a full year health he could be more in the 16-17 range.
Off: Seahawks 11 PPG
Total: 299
2017 Prediction: 6-6
With a unimpressive offense and a weak LB core I think Houston has enough to squeak out 6 wins. If he has any injury’s through the year that number could come down. Houston has a decent starting 6 on offence but his bye week / injury replacement players leave something to be desired. I still think Houston has enough to stay competitive in most games. He has a top 5 RB and TE. Houston has some great young talent LB’s but man he is going to need some help. I see his LB core costing him a few games alone. If Reddick can get in and start that would help tremendously but I don’t see that right away barring an injury. Houston does have some Young LBs that will solidify his LB spot for years to come. I feel between his lack of depth on offense and LB that he cannot be a contender this year. Houston has solid DE and Safety’s but not enough to carry him to a playoff spot.
