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Or… Who To Take For A Sure Thing

With the NFL regular season approaching, Fantasy Football is heating up.  While first round selections are often made with high weekly point totals in mind, it’s later picks that usually determine if your team can sustain success over the long haul.  With that in mind, finding consistent scorers is key when making draft choices.  So Let’s break down a few good choices…

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[graphiq id=”fpC2UH6fe5L” title=”Carson Palmer Overview” width=”640″ height=”548″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/fpC2UH6fe5L” link=”http://football-players.pointafter.com/l/15820/Carson-Palmer” link_text=”Carson Palmer Overview | PointAfter”]

At quarterback, at the highest level you pretty much know what you’re getting with Tom Brady, Cam Newton and Aaron Rodgers, but if you’re looking for a couple of options who are sure to score consistently over 16 points games, take a look at Carson Palmer and Blake Bortles.  Palmer was actually the most consistent fantasy QB last season, scoring at least 20 points in 14 of 16 games. While Bortles achieved this level in 12 of his 16 starts.  Palmer’s numbers are no surprise when you look at his last three full seasons under center.  He hasn’t thrown for less than 4,000 yards and 22 touchdowns.  With Bortles, he passed for almost 4,500 yards and 35 touchdowns last year and there are no signs that the Jags offense is about to regress, if anything it’s quite the opposite.

[graphiq id=”jx7dXzywEDj” title=”Mark Ingram Overview” width=”640″ height=”548″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/jx7dXzywEDj” link=”http://football-players.pointafter.com/l/9875/Mark-Ingram” link_text=”Mark Ingram Overview | PointAfter”]

With running backs, two names immediately come to mind for the first round, The Vikings Adrian Peterson and Le’Veon Bell of The Pittsburgh Steelers.  But if consistency at a non elite level is what you’re after, draft Mark Ingram or Devonta Freeman.  Ingram scored at least 15 points in 10 of his 12 games last season and Freeman did it in 12 of his 15.  With Matt Ryan’s improved footwork hopefully leading to a stronger passing attack, Freeman should find more room to run in his second season as the Falcons top back.  With Ingram, he’s a consistent scorer, but that’s assuming he stays healthy.  Obviously this is an issue for any player in fantasy, but nonetheless you have to pay attention to his career stats, which show he’s only played a full 16 games once in his five year career.

[graphiq id=”7RbSZKB3WqV” title=”Julio Jones Overview” width=”640″ height=”548″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/7RbSZKB3WqV” link=”http://football-players.pointafter.com/l/10791/Julio-Jones” link_text=”Julio Jones Overview | PointAfter”]

When it comes to wide receivers, everybody wants a shot at drafting Odell Beckham Jr. and Antonio Brown, but keeping with our overall theme of reliability/consistency – and in this case at a very high level – Julio Jones and DeAndre Hopkins are better options.  Jones scored at least 15 fantasy points in 13 of 16 games last season, including seven games where he scored at least 25 points.  Hopkins had 12 of 16 games with at least 15 points and also hit the seven game mark with at least 25 points.  Jones’ stats suggest that his production will continue for the Falcons, and for those who are skeptical about Hopkins because quarterback Brock Osweiler hasn’t looked great, just remember that Hopkins was catching passes from T.J. Yates and Ryan Mallett last season when he produced the above mentioned fantasy production.

[graphiq id=”aBwFH0eAe7X” title=”Gary Barnidge Overview” width=”640″ height=”548″ url=”https://w.graphiq.com/w/aBwFH0eAe7X” link=”http://football-players.pointafter.com/l/1014/Gary-Barnidge” link_text=”Gary Barnidge Overview | PointAfter”]

Finally, we come to tight end.  It’s no surprise that everyone wants Gronk and Jordan Reed, but if you don’t get them, take a look at Delanie Walker and Gary Barnidge.  Walker was the most consistent tight end last season, scoring at least ten points in 13 of 15 games, while topping 15 fantasy points eight times.  Only one tight end surpassed Walker’s number of 15 point games and that was Barnidge, who hit 15 points in 10 games, while scoring at least 10 points in 12 of 16 games.  While Walker has already made a pretty big impact on the league, Barnidge’s play for the Ravens has flown somewhat under the radar, and could lead to a steel in some people’s drafts .

Sure, first round studs are important. I mean, who could resist taking someone like Bell and the potential monster numbers he could still put up for the Steelers – and will certainly make you feel good about your team – but have you seen ODB’s hair? Guy is like a new wave rock start.  

Consistency wins titles, and all of these guys can help you do it.

 

 

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