Coach: Jason Garrett 5 PPG
QB: Aaron Rodgers 31 PPG
There isn’t a more matchup proof option than Rodgers, and is widely regarded as the best quarterback in the NFL today. It’s a shame the Packers haven’t been able to build a better roster around him, as they have only brought in one Super Bowl during his tenure. Now 33, Rodgers’s has less than left than he’s played, but there are many great years ahead. No one I would rather have in fantasy, Rodgers just needs to stay healthy and he could lead Brian and the real-life Packers to the promise land.
RB/WR/TE: Ezekiel Elliott 30 PPG, Devonta Freeman 22 PPG, Doug Baldwin 17 PPG, Stefon Diggs 17 PPG, Brandin Cooks 15 PPG (6th men: Marlon Mack 15 PPG, Cole Beasley 10 PPG)
Beyond happy to be past the ridiculous Zeke suspension talk that plagued the 2017 offseason. Whenever Elliot is on the field, he is one of the highest floor guarantees in fantasy football. I would still consider Zeke the most valuable asset in our league with the salary inputted into his value and 3 more years of team control. The Dallas elite offensive line will take a step forward with a healthy season from Tyron Smith and 2nd round rookie Connor Williams at left guard. He’s gonna eat and the 30 PPG could easily be exceeded.
You need studs to compete and Freeman has shown he is capable to be a 400 point player. I’m not projecting him to reach those heights again, but if he stays healthy, he’s good for a cool 350. Freeman is as solid of a back as you can get fresh off signing a contract extension. Coleman is on his way out in 2019, so it’s possible Coleman is more involved in year’s past to get the most out of him. Freeman is still the starter in a potent offense. Brian should ride him until he does.
Doug Baldwin has been the model of consistency the last few years in Seattle, being Russell Wilson’s go-to option since emerging in 2015. Baldwin has one of the safest floors in the NFL and can weekly be counted on for a solid point total. This year will be interesting to watch as the Seahawks didn’t resign red zone threats Jimmy Graham or Paul Richardson. That opens up looks for Baldwin, who could see double-digit touchdowns for the second time in his career. Baldwin isn’t someone who is going to wow you with points, but he’s your prototypical solid 4/5 starter.
Every year, I hear Diggs is going to really go supernova this year, profiling the closest to Antonio Brown. We are still waiting for the elite breakout, but Diggs is still an adequate low-end WR1. Like all wide receivers in this format, he will struggle with consistency, but Diggs finally has an above average quarterback. If Cousins can come in and elevate his play from his days from Washington, the upside for Diggs is immense. Let’s just hope he stays off the trainer’s table.
Like his time in New Orleans and New England, Brandin Cooks is expected to fill the boom or bust deep threat position in his offense. Filled by Sammy Watkins in 2017, Watkins disappointed fantasy owners with a low reception and yardage total. That’s likely to also be the case with Cooks in 2018, with Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods occupying more of the possession roles. Cooks will be asked to stretch the defense and he will have his big games.
PK: Dan Bailey 7 PPG
PN: Lachlan Edwards 11 PPG
DT: A’Shawn Robinson 11 PPG
A’Shawn is poised to be the full-time 3-tech DT in Detroit under new head coach Matt Patricia’s scheme. Robinson’s opportunity puts him squarely in the low-end DT1 conversation, similar to Malcolm Brown. Robinson’s a stout run defender but isn’t an adept pass rusher. If he can improve that area of his play, he could easily be a top 10 option.
DE: Cameron Jordan 18 PPG, Jason Pierre-Paul 17 PPG
Mr. Jordan was a straight 300 point beast despite little help along New Orleans’ defensive line. One of the most underrated players in the entire NFL, he is a cornerstone piece on Brian’s team. Heading into 2018, Jordan will be looking to replicate his career best numbers, and should have a good chance to do so with 1st round pick Marcus Davenport coming to town to divert attention away. Sheldon Rankins is also expected to take the next step along the interior and Jordan has little injury history to speak of.
JPP has moved onto Tampa, a place where defensive ends go to die. It’s a sad reality, but we haven’t had much success at the position lately. Robert Ayers was a decent addition, but he disappeared in 2017. Now JPP is back to his old college town and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his elite production like when he was with New York. I think he will, but I’m cautiously pessimistic when it comes to Tampa pass rushers.
LB: Avery Williamson 19 PPG, Lavonte David 16 PPG, Kiko Alonso 15 PPG, Matt Milano 14 PPG
Avery Williamson is sliding right into Demario Davis’ old role with the Jets, which equated to big-time LB1 points. Williamson was a solid all-around linebacker for the Titans is primed to explode in New York. If Williamson stays healthy, it’s possible he finishes as a top 10 option, just like Davis in 2017. Williamson has flirted with IDP relevancy in the past, but was not startable last year. There’s a bit of volatility here, but tracking his opportunity makes this projection a safe one.
Lavonte David is a top 5 linebacker in the NFL, but he’s not put in ample tackle opportunities to succeed when Kwon is healthy. We saw this in 2016 when Alexander was fully healthy, as David averaged under 16 PPG. Can Kwon and David both be fantasy viable? Absolutely, in a Bobby Wagner/KJ Wright sort of way. One is the alpha dog and the other is a low-end LB2. That’s where David will settle into, with an upside for more if he can continue to deliver the big plays like last year.
Kiko Alonso has annually been a decent IDP player and 2018 looks no different. Alonso has been a below average NFL player the last couple of season and it’s possible the Dolphins move on from in to replace him with Jerome Baker full time. Alonso is the traditional 4-3 WLB which equates to solid fantasy production. He’s a LB2.
A forgotten man in many IDP universes is Matt Milano, the newly anointed WLB for the Bills. The 2nd year pro flashed last year when given the opportunity, but played behind Ramon Humber for most of the year. Now declared the starter heading into training camp, Milano is slated to be a solid LB 2/3 for IDP terms. That’s easy money, especially on his cheap contract. While Tremaine Edmunds will eat most of the tackles, Milano will be a fine secondary piece to fill out a linebacking corps.
CB: Ahkello Witherspoon 12 PPG, Donte Jackson 11 PPG
Witherspoon is projected to have one of the most acclaimed spots in all of corner fantasyland… the position opposite of Richard Sherman! That’s going to be huge for his value, and could make him one of the best corners to target in fantasy leagues.
Donte Jackson’s in line to be one of the prestigious rookie corners to target for IDP purposes. Opposite of above average James Bradberry, Jackson will be targeted heavily this season. Jackson’s performed well in the preseason and should be one of the many tangible assets at corner.
S: Devin McCourty 13 PPG, Tony Jefferson 13 PPG
Devin McCourty is one of the most underrated safeties in the NFL because he can do it all. Much like Malcom Jenkins, the Patriots ask McCourty to line up all over the field, disguising what he is going to do. McCourty’s role is not changing heading into 2018, and he is a solid low-end S1.
Tony Jefferson used to be one of the elite IDP safeties when he was the SS in Arizona, but his move to Baltimore saw him moved around their defense, placing him farther off the line of scrimmage. With fewer tackles opportunities presented to Jefferson, the regression could be seen from a mile away before the season, and Jefferson was hardly a startable option. There is a decent chance Jefferson increased his tackle numbers in 2018 and that is placed in the projection. He should be a solid S2.
Off: Kansas City Chiefs 12 PPG
PPG: 326
Outlook: For the third year in a row, Brian enters the season as the favorite to win the NFC East, but the division appears to be the best it’s been since the inception of the league. Brian’s team is very well rounded, with studs on both sides of the ball. Brian has plenty of draft capital to make in-season adjustments, and it’s safe to say that he won’t be afraid to make a deal if he believes his team is in the thick of it again. The goal of the 2018 season will be to take the next step and win a playoff game, with the upside to win the entire thing. Zeke and Aaron Rodgers is a fantastic offensive duo, and could drop 100 between them at any given time. Like we saw in 2017 before the Rodgers injury and Zeke suspension, Brian will boast a top 5 team in the NFC.
W-L: 11-5
