As an avid sponge for fantasy sports news, as well as a loyal Razzball employee, I make it a point to read Grey’s Daily Baseball Notes column. Not only is it full of fantasy gold, it’s also an entertaining read. His column has inspired me to start noodling on this one.
I’m about to set off on a journey through every AFC team (I’ll cover the NFC another day) and give you my thoughts on fantasy relevant players, calling it my “Swipe Right/Swipe Left” piece. You all know how that works, right? No explanation needed? Good.
I won’t hit all the skill players and I won’t cover kickers and defense, but I’ll put my focus on the offensive players that will be on your fantasy radar. Some deserve to be there, and some probably don’t. We may even agree to disagree, that’s ok – in fact, it’s encouraged.
Let’s have some fun.
Baltimore Ravens
- Lamar Jackson (RIGHT – kinda!) – I’m still a believer in the talent profile but he’s not flashing as a top fantasy QB anymore after posting a career-low average of 5 rushing attempts per game last year. Someone else will remember the good ‘ol days and draft him before I do…and I’m ok with it.
- Derrick Henry (LEFT) – The air is clearly seeping out of the tires after posting 300+ rushing attempts in 3 of the last 4 seasons. Nobody’s ever mistaken him for a receiving back but even those crumbs are being swept away.
- Zay Flowers (RIGHT – kinda!) – He’s obviously tied to the hip with Lamar so I give him a gentle right swipe as well. Targets, receptions and yards are all trending up. Touchdowns have been flat though. If only the Ravens start planting him more in the endzone.
- Mark Andrews (LEFT) – For anyone who knows me, this one hurts. I’ve always been a big Andrews guy for fantasy. Likely’s departure clears some space for Mark and some may see fantasy gold here, but it may turn out to be fool’s gold if he’s drafted too early.
Buffalo Bills
- Josh Allen (RIGHT) – Not much analysis needed here. He’s still the #1 fantasy QB…until he isn’t.
- James Cook (RIGHT) – Bell-Cow RBs are going to be a thing this year and he’s arguably right up there with the Chick-fil-A crew!
- DJ Moore/Khalil Shakir/Joshua Palmer/Keon Coleman (LEFT) – If you can pick the 1000 yard/12 TD receiver out of this crew, you’re better than me! I’ll certainly have some shares of all (well, maybe the first three) but it they’ll be my WR#3 or WR#4.
- Dalton Kincaid/Dawson Knox (LEFT) – TE appears to be deep this year so if you’re running out either of these fine gentlemen, the rest of your team must be STACKED! Don’t wait this long to grab your starting TE. Stash Kincaid? I can get behind that play.
Cincinnati Bengals
- Joe Burrow (RIGHT) – If only the Bengals O-line protects Joe for a full season…wow!
- Chase Brown (RIGHT) – I give him a right swipe but it’s not with a lot of gusto. He’ll be fine but definitely drafted higher than I want to take him.
- Ja’Marr Chase/Tee Higgins (RIGHT, RIGHT, RIGHT) Arguably the best WR tandem in the league, certainly on the AFC side. Either (or both) can be league winners if Burrow stays healthy.
- Every other WR/TE (LEFT) – Picture this…it’s closing time and you struck out all night. You don’t want to leave empty handed. If you need to grab a Bengal to have some dignity at the water cooler in the morning, I won’t fault you. Just don’t go searching in this area until the end is in sight.
Cleveland Browns
- QB (LEFT) – I’m not even going to put a name here. If your goal is to own the Browns QB that finally pops in fantasy, go get your guy. One of these years it’ll work out in your favor. If your goal is to win a fantasy title, keep scrolling.
- Quinshon Judkins (RIGHT) – He’s coming off an injury so his ADP will be reflective. He showed me enough when he was healthy to come back for more. Swipe the dip.
- WR (LEFT) – Again, no names here worth noting. I realize someone must catch passes in CLE and there’s some talent in the rookie class for sure, but your weekly fantasy starter here will be an ongoing mystery. Stay tuned for our WR Slot v Wide data/articles to help sort this one out. For now, stay away.
- Harold Fannin (RIGHT) – I’m swiping right here despite knowing I probably won’t roster him anywhere. If early drafts are an indication, he’ll go way before I’m ready to take him.
Denver Broncos
- Bo Nix (RIGHT) – “If only…” That’s the mantra of Broncos fans since Nix went down with the ankle injury during the playoffs. If 3900+ yards and 25/11 TD/INT ratio is just an indication of what’s to come, sign me up.
- K. Dobbins/RJ Harvey/Jonah Coleman (LEFT) – The dreaded RBBC. I expect Dobbins to get the lion’s share of work, but this is truly a committee. Grab one of them as insurance late but try to avoid needing one as your Week 1 starter.
- Courtland Sutton/Jaylen Waddle (RIGHT) – I prefer Sutton but I get the excitement of Waddle drafters. I’ll take either one if the draft capital is right.
- Troy Franklin/Pat Bryant/Marvin Mims (LEFT) – Not especially high on any of these WRs but I’ll likely stash one of them and see what happens.
- Evan Engram (RIGHT) – You probably think I’m off my rocker here, and maybe I am, but he’s only 2 years past a 114 Reception season. Let the others think he’s washed up and scoop him up for a bench roll on your squad. If things don’t turn around, he’s an easy cut. But if they don’t…
Houston Texans
- C.J. Stroud (RIGHT) – I’m not ready to throw in the towel here yet but he’ll need to show up looking top shelf if he wants a second date.
- David Montgomery/Woody Marks (LEFT) – The Texans didn’t bring Monty in to be in a 50:50 timeshare but I also thought he was past carrying a backfield. Perhaps his tutoring of Marks will pay off in the long run, but this is a backfield I expect to avoid.
- Nico Collins/Jayden Higgins (RIGHT) – Even 15 games of Nico should propel your squad deep into the playoffs. He should return top 10 fantasy appeal. I constantly see Higgins later in drafts and I’ll swipe right every time.
- Jaylin Noel/Xavier Hutchinson/Tank Dell (LEFT) – Depth in deeper leagues and maybe an injury away from a solid fantasy role, but not much here right now to get excited about.
- Dalton Schultz (LEFT) – He’s fine as a bye-week filler or traumatic injury replacement for the TE you took too early in the draft, but again, not much to get excited about here.
Indianapolis Colts
- Daniel Jones (LEFT) – I want to swipe right here but there’s just too much uncertainty right now. This might change.
- Jonathan Taylor (RIGHT) – He’ll go at/near the 1/2 turn in just about every draft. It’ll just depend on who like him most.
- Alec Pierce/Josh Downs (RIGHT) – Both of these WRs could show you a good time but they’re just sexy enough to draft the one that’s a little less expensive.
- Tyler Warren (RIGHT) – TE is deeper this year so maybe he’ll fall to a good price. I’ll say it, I like him better than Loveland or Fannin. To each their own…
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Trevor Lawrence (RIGHT) – Either Liam Coen is a magician or makeup artist but you can’t argue with 4000+ passing yards and a 29/12 TD/INT ratio.
- Bhayshul Tuten/Chris Rodriguez (LEFT) – I expect this RBBC to work itself out by mid-season and it’s not obvious which way it’ll go so don’t spend too much on draft night.
- Brian Thomas/Jakobi Meyers/Parker Washington/Travis Hunter (LEFT) – If my criteria was just looks, I’d be swiping right, but there has to be more to be on my fantasy team and I’m just not confident which one to spend my money on (Razzball note: Jefferson is going to crucify me on this take). Parker Washington is my preferred Jaguar but there’s a lot of uncertainty here.
- Brenton Strange (RIGHT) – He’s a late-round target for me. The only hesitation is the expected workload, but the talent is clearly there.
Kansas City Chiefs
- Patrick Mahomes (LEFT) – Sure he’s been cleared to practice fully but I’m swiping left because we all know it takes a full year on the field before the knee is truly 100% and his mobility is too important to his game. Someone else in the draft room will disagree and I’m fine with it.
- Kenneth Walker (RIGHT) – I love this signing for both Walker and the Chiefs. With Mahomes coming back to full health, how can we not think Walker gets extended action.
- Rashee Rice (RIGHT) – The hottest ones can also be the most dangerous and destructive.
- Xavier Worthy/Tyquan Thornton/etc. (LEFT) – Nah
- Travis “Swift” Kelce (LEFT) – He’ll have some big games here and there but not much consistency. In December, I suspect we’ll probably be saying he played one season too long.
Los Angeles Chargers
- Justin Herbert (RIGHT) – Expecting a HUGE year from Herbert.
- Omarion Hampton (LEFT) – He’s attractive no doubt, but he’ll garner business class tastes on a coach budget.
- Keaton Mitchell (RIGHT) – I’ve always been a fan of the talent here, just waiting on opportunity. He may not get it out the gates, but I want him safe on my bench for when he does.
- Ladd McConkey (RIGHT) – Ladd’s draft cost will be cheaper after last season’s clunker. I want all that action.
- Quentin Johnston/Tre’ Harris/etc. (LEFT) – I do think there’s fantasy gold here perhaps, but which one? If you need a late round flyer, you could do a lot worse.
- Oronde Gadsden/David Njoku (RIGHT) – If one of these TEs misses time, you definitely want to have the other. Either could be a Top 12 fantasy TE when the light comes on at the end of the night.
Las Vegas Raiders
- Kirk Cousins/Fernando Mendoza (LEFT) – I really like Cousins on the Raiders as an early season starter/mentor to Mendoza but this is one we should avoid in fantasy circles.
- Ashton Jeanty (RIGHT) – He’s another of the few true bell-cow RB…and we want as many of those as possible.
- Tre Tucker/Jalen Nailor/Jack Bech (LEFT) – I’m not opposed to one as my WR#4 or WR#5 but that’s as far as I’ll go.
- Brock Bowers (RIGHT) – The biggest question to me is how early he’ll go in drafts. Most likely, earlier than I’ll want to go.
Miami Dolphins
- Malik Willis (LEFT) – Good on Willis to land a starting QB gig but…No!
- De’Von Achane (RIGHT) – Can’t argue with the skills but he’ll be hampered by the added Defensive focus. Still a bell cow and #1 fantasy RB.
- Malik Washington/Jalen Tolbert/Tutu Atwell (LEFT) – Nah!
New England Patriots
- Drake Maye (RIGHT) – I was pumping him up this time last year and he even surpassed my expectations. He’ll be an expensive date on draft night, and I’m concerned he won’t be able to return the investment. I’ll take the chance somewhere though.
- Rhamondre Stevenson/TreVeyon Henderson (LEFT) – Remember last pre-season when Henderson was going to “take over” this backfield? That didn’t happen. Some will think the same this season. I didn’t then and won’t be one now.
- J. Brown/Romeo Doubs/Kayshon Boutte (RIGHT) – I’ll likely come out of every draft at least trying to draft one of these at the appropriate time. Wish me luck.
- Hunter Henry (LEFT) – Another TE where I like the talent but there’s just not enough there for regular playing time.
New York Jets
- Geno Smith/Breece Hall/Garrett Wilson/Kenyon Sadiq (LEFT) – I’m out on all the first-string Jets.
- Braelon Allen/Adonai Mitchell/Mason Taylor (RIGHT) – Ironically, I’m in on all the second-string Jets. That logic only makes sense with the Jets.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- Aaron Rodgers (LEFT) – Can he just retire already? I’ll admit, he was better last season than I expected, but I’m still out!
- Jaylen Warren/Rico Dowdle (LEFT) – I’ll take a flyer on the one that doesn’t turn into a pumpkin early in the season. If you know who that is, let me know.
- DK Metcalf/Michael Pittman/Roman Wilson (LEFT) – Ditto what I just wrote about with the RBs.
- Pat Freiermuth (LEFT) – ‘Muth is a solid bye-week filler, nothing more.
Tennessee Titans
- Cam Ward (RIGHT) – He’s on my late QB#2 radar. I hate to say year #2 is a make-or-break year, but that’s what it feels like here.
- Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears (RIGHT) – Across my fantasy teams, I suspect this backfield will be amongst my highest player(s) rostered.
- Carnell Tate/Wan’Dale Robinson (RIGHT) – I wouldn’t mind a Ward/Tate or Ward/Robinson stack on my bench.
- Gunnar Helm (LEFT) – He’s an interesting flyer candidate but not one I’m looking to invest in often.
That’s All Folks!
This was fun. Next time, I’ll tackle the NFC squads. As always, let me know where we agree or disagree. I can be a great wingman. There is enough to go around to make me happy but if we’re targeting the same top-shelf names, things might get ugly.
In the meantime, just know my colleagues and I at Razzball will be tracking all this and more throughout the NFL season. As always, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU to dive into the data each week of the season so you can better understand the trends your players are performing. This will help you immensely as you prepare to win your leagues.
Remember, our #1 priority is the CHAMPIONSHIP! Nothing else matters.
Don’t take my word for it. Go check out all our free and premium tools at https://football.razzball.com.
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Until next time, my friends.
