We've made it to July, and that means the NFL starts this month. Nearly every team will open training camp by the end of July, and we're getting ever so close to the start of the season.
Fantasy owners are finalizing keeper decisions and making plans for their draft. This is your time to prepare, and we hope you're getting ready.
We'll continue to answer your Fantasy questions here leading up to training camp, and please submit your questions to me on Twitter @jameyeisenberg using the hashtag #fantasymail. We already answered questions on video (see above) for @Jbusch55, @dematthews, @joshlappin, @Homieggg and @ambenson.
Here, we'll address the following topics:
- Do you need to draft backup tight ends and quarterbacks
- Who are the top handcuff running backs
- Is Adrian Peterson worth the No. 2 overall pick
- What's the value for Marshawn Lynch in 2015
- Will Donte Moncrief produce this season
@AdamAizer @JameyEisenberg if u wait on QB/TE, is it better to take backups or loading up on 14 RB/WRs in a 10 team 1ppr? #fantasymail
— Barry Sato (@BarryHSato) July 1, 2015
Since you're in a 10-team league, I'm not sure you need to draft a backup quarterback or tight end unless the value is overwhelming. And since your plan is to wait on those positions, it's unlikely you'll find that kind of talent in a backup. Let's just say you end up with a quarterback like Eli Manning, Ryan Tannehill or Philip Rivers. You should be fine to start the season, and you should be able to find a backup off waivers if your starter struggles. Then at tight end, you'll have plenty of streaming options off waivers if you also don't hit on a good starter with a late-round pick. I'd rather invest in handcuff running backs or lottery-ticket guys at running back and receiver. That's a better plan for your league.
@JameyEisenberg #fantasymail who are some RB that you think will explode if the starter gets injured?
— Joel Vincent Merical (@JoelMerical) July 1, 2015
The obvious answer is Knile Davis, and he's been great for Fantasy owners every time he's started for Jamaal Charles. Alfred Blue showed some flashes last year when Arian Foster was hurt, and I'm curious to see what Montee Ball could do if C.J. Anderson missed any time in Gary Kubiak's offense. The backup in Seattle, likely Robert Turbin, could be elite if Marshawn Lynch went down, and Ryan Mathews could have a big role if DeMarco Murray missed time. Cameron Artis-Payne (Carolina), Buck Allen (Baltimore), Matt Jones (Washington) and Jay Ajayi (Miami) are lower-tier rookies worth monitoring given their expected backup roles, and I'll be watching closely the backup running back situation in Indianapolis with Dan Herron and Josh Robinson. Frank Gore is 32 with a lot of wear and tear, and his backup could be special if he's out at all this season.
@JameyEisenberg Would I be crazy to draft AP with the #2 pick in my 10 team PPR draft? Thanks #fantasymail
— Walter Rogers Jr. (@Wrj24Jr) July 1, 2015
Crazy? No. But I wouldn't do it just because of the other running backs who should be available at that spot. The upside with Peterson is obvious. When healthy, he's a monster, and you should expect him to be highly motivated after missing most of last season with a suspension. He appears in great shape, should get the majority of work in a potentially potent offense and will benefit as a receiver with Norv Turner calling plays. The downside is he missed nearly a year and could have some rust, and he's 30 with plenty of miles on his body. If you're set on Peterson at No. 2 then pull the trigger, but I like Charles, Eddie Lacy and Bell, pending his suspension, better. Just make sure if you draft Peterson to handcuff him with Jerick McKinnon with a late-round pick to lock up that Vikings backfield.
@JameyEisenberg has Lynch #8 in 2015 after dropping him to #12 in 14'. Finished #3 in 2014. Yr older/same system. Reactionary? #FantasyMail
— Jason Ramey (@ramey_jason) July 2, 2015
My problem with Marshawn Lynch this year is the same problem I had with him last year, and I fully realize I was way off on calling him a bust candidate because of his heavy workload from 2013. He's just got a lot of miles on his body the past few seasons, and while he's a tremendous running back, wear and tear catches up with these guys at some point. If you expect Lynch to again be a dominant force, and he certainly could be, then draft him as a Top 5 running back. I'm probably not going to draft Lynch in most leagues because I think he's a Round 2 guy, and he's unlikely to make it back to me based on how most Fantasy owners view him. If you do draft Lynch then just handcuff him with Turbin or Christine Michael depending on who wins the No. 2 running back job for the Seahawks in training camp.
@JameyEisenberg #fantasymail what expectations do you have for Montcrief this year now that Andre is there? Projected stat line?
— David Dupler (@superdoops74) July 1, 2015
I was really excited about Donte Moncrief when last season ended, but the Colts have completely ruined any chance of him having a breakout campaign. Forget about Andre Johnson because he's just stepping into the Reggie Wayne/Hakeem Nicks role opposite T.Y. Hilton. The thing that ruins Moncrief is the addition of Phillip Dorsett and potentially Duron Carter. You know Hilton, Johnson, Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener are going to be heavily involved in the offense, but Moncrief will be competing with Dorsett for playing time and targets. There's too many mouths to feed for Moncrief to be relevant for Fantasy owners, especially on a weekly basis. He's not worth drafting in most re-draft leagues, and he only has mid-round value in dynasty formats. His best chance for significant playing time could be the Colts moving on from Hilton as a free agent and going with Dorsett and Moncrief as the top targets for Andrew Luck, although that seems like a long shot for their franchise.