Five Guys Burgers and Fries and is an American fast-food chain serving…well…hamburgers and fries. They were founded in Virginia by former 1982 NFL MVP (albeit strike-shortened), Mark Moseley, a placekicker for the Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Oilers, Washington NFL Franchise, and Cleveland Browns. Moseley is one of just three non-offensive players in league history to capture the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award. He was one of those straight-on kickers you see in the old films, the last since Dirk Borgognone in 1995 to defy the instep kicking movement.
Mark Moseley earned his MVP by converting 20 of 21 attempts in the ’82 season, a seasonal accuracy record, however, it wasn’t all roses for Moseley. He bounced around the league in his first two seasons, eventually heading back to Texas to install septic systems while practicing his kicking trade with his wife. He worked hard, returned to the league, won that MVP, and is still the Washington NFL franchise leader in points. Not to mention, he nailed it with the burger joint after his career ended. I mean, buckets of peanuts while you wait is just as American vintage as that straight kick.
Sticking with the free peanuts and 15 toppings theme Mark and his company offer, here are five guys you should leave your fantasy football drafts with this season. My favorite players to outperform their draft prices.
Aaron Rodgers QB, GB
Does Aaron Rodgers need more motivation to perform? If you think he does, the Green Bay Packers supplied it in the form of trading up to draft a 1st round QB, Jordan Love. I do not believe he needed that, but I’ll take it. Aaron is going at QB10 currently, after finishing 2019 as QB13 in fantasy points per game. That finish came with Davante Adams sidelined for five games. With Adams back and healthy, Rodgers is a near-lock to finish in the top 10 at his position.
His underlying metrics last season were right in line with his perennial top fantasy QB status. Aaron ranked fourth-best in total depth of attempt (5114 yards), fourth in red-zone throws (85), and seventh for accuracy rating (7.4). He throws it far, accurately, and when it’s time to score—all keys to a big year from your fantasy QB1. If you don’r believe me, he even made Donkey Teeth’s Top 10 Quarterback Rankings for 2020.
Damien Williams RB, KC
Rich getting richer is capitalism defined, so when the Kansas City Chiefs selected Clyde Edwards-Helaire 32nd in the 2020 NFL Draft, the fantasy football community went wild. CEH rocketed up draft boards to RB15, where he currently sits. We all forgot about the incumbent, the Super Bowl LIV MVP snub, Damien Williams. Williams is at RB30, selected behind rookies Cam Akers and D’Andre Swift, whose roles are as clear as mud.
Do not get it twisted, Damien showed off at the finish of the season and during the postseason. In four of his last five regular-season games, Williams averaged 15 carries and three receptions per game. Throughout the Chiefs’ magical playoff run, he garnered the same 15 carry average and seven targets each week. That is how you spell workhorse fantasy back in 2020. After being such an integral part of their Super Bowl championship, Damien Williams is not going away. He will lead this high paced backfield in touches to begin the season, and we know what he can do when he gets those opportunities.
Jarvis Landry WR, CLE
The statistics speak for themselves. Jarvis Landry has consistently performed at a WR2 level, five years running. Playing through a hip injury last season for the Cleveland Browns, Landry still drew the 9th most targets (138) and receiving yards (1174 yards). He was 7th in yards after the catch (419 yards) and 6th in team target share at 26.6%. You already know Baker Mayfield looks his way when he needs a first down; Boof told you in his First Down As A Predictor of Future WR Points article. Jarvis has declared himself healthy for 2020, and I am not going to doubt the hard work he’s put in to return from his hip procedure. It’s time to put some respect on his name.
Will Fuller WR, HOU
Scared money don’t make money (Grammarly hates this sentence). This Houston Texans wide receiver scored over 20 fantasy points in 5 of his last 18 games played. Sure, that was throughout two seasons, but both were playing behind DeAndre Hopkins. Where are those 160 throws Hopkins left behind headed? If they end up Fuller’s way, he could literally (and I dislike this fantasy-ism) be a “league winner.” He is a first-round talent with all the size and speed needed to dominate a team’s WR corps. Fuller is also the only returner to the Texan wide receiver room having the lone established connection with Deshaun Watson. Grab Fuller while the cost is cheaper than the risk warrants.
Tyler Higbee TE, LAR
In the last five weeks of 2019, Tyler Higbee finished no worse than TE7 and finished as TE1 on two occasions. My feelings for Higbee aren’t based on his breakout performance, but instead, his cheap 85.9 average draft position. The Los Angeles Rams throw the ball 6th most in the league, averaging 41 per game last season. Todd Gurley and Brandin Cooks have left the building, leaving more passes on the platter for Higbee to consume. Jared Goff especially loved throwing to his tight end around the goal, as witnessed by Higbee’s TE leading 14 red zone receptions. Commit the crime. Steal Tyler Higbee in the middle rounds of your drafts this summer.
Next time you are in a Five Guys, ask for a double burger In-N-Out style and bring a West Coast flavor to your Virginia-based meat patty. If you tell them NFL MVP Mark Moseley sent you, they may throw some from peanuts your way.
