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When I was younger, I was into brand-name frivolity and what amounted to living my life for other people. I was fortunate to have come from a middle-class family and been able to have well-paying jobs. While I did enjoy some five-finger discounts from time to time, most of the time, I’d spend casually since I had the resources. After I matured and met my wife…Or was it the other way around? Anyways, at some point, I did both and have become more frugal and price-conscious over the years. Having two kids accelerates the process for sure. My wife is always looking for deals and is really good from that perspective. Is it because she grew up poor or is it in her Chinese blood? Probably both but it’s rubbed off on me, especially on the fantasy streets. I love getting production at a discount and two players who stood out to me when scrolling through the NFFC ADP data were Jakobi Meyers and Gus Edwards. Let’s break it down.
Meyers is currently being selected as the 62nd wide receiver off the board and 154th overall player. Rudy has him as the 41st wide receiver in his preseason projections.Â
So, why do I like Meyers?
In 11 games last season, he garnered 80 targets and caught 58 of them for 722 yards. He had at least five targets in 10 games with three games with at least 10. In those games, he went 6-for-58, 12-for-169, and 7-for-111. All indications from preseason reports are that he will be the number one receiver for the Patriots this season.
Now, the Patriots threw the ball 48.72% of the time last season. Only the Ravens threw less, but remember that Cam Newton was not 100% for most of the year. He ended up attempting 368 passes in 15 games. The running game and defense will be at the forefront this season for the Patriots but a healthy Newton should allow them to be closer to a 50/50 split.Â
Since 2000, there have been only three quarterbacks who have attempted fewer than 400 passes while playing at least 15 games: Lamar Jackson (202), Russell Wilson (2012), and Robert Griffin III (2012). The fewest number of passes that Newton has thrown in a season was 473 back in 2013. That season, the Panthers threw 51.8% of the time. Newton likely throws at least 400 passes this season since he’s healthy and the schedule will be adding another game.Â
More passing attempts should lead to more targets for Meyers. Last season, he garnered a 23.2% market share. That was the 21st-highest number in the NFL. Remember, the 80 targets he received were in only 11 games. He was on pace for 116 targets in 16 games. Only 35 wide receivers eclipsed the 100-target barrier last season.Â
Again, he’s being drafted as the 62nd wide receiver. That’s crazy. Newton’s arm has looked good so far this preseason and the Patriots’ offense should be much improved from last season.Â
You’re essentially getting the services of Jakobi Meyers at pro bono.Â
As for Gus Edwards, he’s being selected as the 43rd running back off the board in NFFC drafts. Rudy has him projected as the 47th running back, so the price isn’t egregious. That said, while he may not be sexy, he’s an enticing player (at least to me) with tons of upside if things break right.Â
First of all, the Ravens are the most run-heaviest team in the NFL. Granted, Lamar Jackson influences that but they passed at a 44.96% clip last season, by far the lowest in the league. Zooming in a little closer, Edwards had 144 rushes for 723 yards and six touchdowns. He’s been in the league for three seasons and he’s rushed at least 130 times and gained 700 yards in each of those seasons. He has stand-alone value in one of the most run-heaviest teams in the league.Â
Last year, both he and J.K. Dobbins had 25 red-zone carries. Inside the five-yard line, Edwards had nine while Dobbins had eight.
A good mantra is to follow the money. In the offseason, the Ravens signed Edwards to a two-year, $10 million deal. It’s not an exorbitant amount but it shows that the Ravens do value him.Â
Now, what if Dobbins succumbs to injury? Oh, Lordy. I’m not going to write it down for health reasons but you know the deal.
