With New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady’s four-game suspension status still looming in the air, his current average draft position (ADP) has fallen quite low. While some fantasy football players would prefer to avoid Brady altogether, others still want the top-tier quarterback on their team.
Planning to target Brady and a sufficient backup later in drafting allows for some nice roster stacking at the other positions along the way.
Using eDraft's mock draft simulator, I had the fourth pick in a 12-team PPR league format.
1.4 Antonio Brown, Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Brown doesn’t last much past the sixth or so pick these days in mock drafting. He led all wide receivers in fantasy points, receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,698) in 2014. There’s no reason to believe his production is going to fall off this year.
2.9 Lamar Miller, Running Back, Miami Dolphins
Obviously since I chose Brown to start, several top-shelf running backs were already off the board. Miller is the leading back in Miami and he ranked ninth overall in running back fantasy points last year. He tied many other running backs for the third-most rushing touchdowns (eight) last season. He should be a higher-end RB2 moving forward.
3.4 Jordan Matthews, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Matthews had an impressive rookie season under rotating quarterbacks that had him ranked 24th in fantasy points among his fellow receivers. He’ll assume the No. 1 slot vacated by Jeremy Maclin making him a mid-tier WR2 to target in fantasy drafts. Whoever winds up quarterbacking in Philly shouldn’t effect Matthews’ value.
4.9 Julian Edelman, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
When Edelman meets up with Brady in the regular season remains to be seen. However, Edelman should continue to drum up the targets and receptions making a strong case for a solid WR2 moving forth. The shifty wideout tallied 92 receptions in 2014 which was the seventh-most among his fellow receivers.
5.4 Alfred Morris, Running Back, Washington Redskins
Consistency is Morris’ middle name. Since being drafted in 2012, Morris has consistently produced over 1,000-plus yards each season making him a fantastic RB2 option for fantasy owners.
6.9 Greg Olsen, Tight End, Carolina Panthers
Olsen’s fantasy stock for 2015 just went up due to the unfortunate loss of second-year wideout Kelvin Benjamin who tore his ACL in a preseason practice. Ranked No. 4 in fantasy points last year resulting from 1,008 receiving yards and six touchdowns, Olsen stands to better his ranking this year as quarterback Cam Newton’s No. 1 red zone target.
7.4 T.J. Yeldon, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars
Waiting for a finger injury to fully heal, Yeldon is expected to make his debut for the Jags in their Week 3 preseason game. The speedy back was impressive earlier in the offseason which would lead us to believe that he’ll eventually assume the lead duties ahead of the other Jags’ middling running back crew. If all goes according to plan, Yeldon should make for a quality flex player in fantasy lineups.
8.9 Tom Brady, Quarterback, New England Patriots
It was finally time to swoop in and snatch Brady after 10 other quarterbacks had fallen off the board. When Brady returns to action, he will be a slam-dunk top tier fantasy option. Deflategate and cheating aside, fantasy football players planning to target Brady hope that his suspension will be erased altogether.
In 2014, Brady passed for 4,109 yards and 33 touchdowns and had the fourth fewest interceptions (nine) of all starting quarterbacks.
9.4 Rashad Jennings, Running Back, New York Giants
For all intents and purposes, Jennings is listed as the Giants No. 1 running back. While this could change with Shane Vereen and Andre Williams in the picture, Jennings provides some decent bench depth at the very least.
10.9 David Johnson, Running Back, Arizona Cardinals
Johnson is gaining headway in Arizona and is outperforming starting running back Andre Ellington in my opinion thus far in the preseason. He’s bigger and better at blocking than Ellington which makes him a handy asset in both rushing and receiving plays. Johnson might just surprise those who acquire him in later rounds.
11.4 Teddy Bridgewater, Quarterback, Minnesota Vikings
While no one was paying attention to fine details late last season, Bridgewater achieved the highest overall quarterback rating during the last five weeks of the NFL season in 2014. Not straying off course, Bridgewater has looked exceptionally well during the preseason completing an average of 78.6 percent of his passes for a total of 219 yards and one touchdown. He has yet to take a sack or throw a pick.
Bridgewater will be armed with some terrific receiving options, making him a fine substitute to fill in for Brady, should he serve any or all of his suspension.
The remainder of my draft picks went as follows:
Others
12.9 Kenny Stills, wide receiver Miami Dolphins
13.4 Miami Dolphins Defense
14.9 Dorial Green-Beckham, wide receiver Tennessee Titans
15.4 Coby Fleener, tight end, Indianapolis Colts
16.9 Matt Bryant, kicker, Atlanta Falcons