Wednesday, August 30, 2017

Season Preview 2017

I'm a little slow getting this put together after a 1-year hiatus, but this is my attempt at resurrecting my annual draft review/season preview post. I'm looking forward to seeing how my first fantasy team as a married man will turn out.

QB

Aaron Rodgers

What is there to say? Rodgers consistently rates as among, if not THE, best QB's in the league seemingly every season. The receiving corps looks to be as strong as ever, leading the LFB braintrust to expect another massive season from Green Bay's signalcaller. LFB relies on its returning veteran to lead the team on and off the field.


RB

Todd Gurley
Isaiah Crowell
Ty Montgomery
Jonathan Stewart
C.J. Prosise
Thomas Rawls

What the RB group lacks in a top round RB, it attempts to make up for with depth. The ultra talented (Former STL) Ram, Todd Gurley looks to escape from a putrid offense to once again torture defenses. The addition of Sammy Watkins and a change in offense coaches hopefully will give Gurley room to operate. Crowell looks to carry the early down work for a Cleveland offense not loaded with much talent to fear, but a well coached unit none the less. Montgomery looks to build on his success last season after switching to RB. He'll have plenty of help in that offense and the masterful Rodgers to hit him out of the backfield.  Jonathan Stewart looks to stay healthy and build upon years of success in Carolina, while holding off the young gun drafted to take his spot. Finally, the Seattle pair of Prosise and Rawls will battle for touches along with Eddie Lacy. Prosise should also handle the 3rd down duties. The hope around LFB HQ is that one or both of these RB's make the leap and demand numerous touches per game.

WR

Julio Jones
Sammy Watkins
Brandon Marshall
Jeremy Maclin
John Ross

The alpha dog here is obvious. Julio Jones looks to continue torching defenses as part of an Atlanta team trying to avenge the heartbreaking end to their season. Jones has all the tools you could dream of, a just good enough supporting cast to not steal his spotlight, and a solid QB. Health is the major concern for Julio. A healthy season should equal a special season from the former Alabama WR.  Health is a concern for Watkins as well. A special talent, Sammy has been nagged by injuries his entire career. Here's hoping the move to the warmer West Coast helps him see his first full season. Brandon Marshall, maybe the toughest WR around with Boldin retired, will look to continue a memorable career. He should have room to work with Odell Beckham on the other side, not that he needs much space to make plays. Jeremy Maclin looks to carry the load in the Baltimore passing game. He should provide a steady target for the self-professed elite QB Joe Flacco. Finally, rookie speedster John Ross looks to turn his combine record 40 time into splash plays in Cincy.

TE

Delanie Walker
Hunter Henry

A tale of experience and youth. The rock steady Tennessee TE looks to grow his bond with the electric Mariota. The safety blanket in the Titans offense looks to have good years left in those legs while providing veteran leadership for the LFB squad. Meanwhile, Hunter Henry looks to surpass the legendary Antonio Gates as the top TE for Philip Rivers and the Chargers. The ultra talented Henry should thrive if given the opportunity.

K

Matt Prater

The veteran Prater has proven himself a successful NFL kicker by this point. He looks to cash in drives Stafford and Co. stall out on. The strong legged K can also knock home kicks from long distance.

DEF


Arizona

The athletic, versatile Arizona defense will look to guide the Cardinals back to the playoffs, and LFB hopes to ride that defense back to our playoffs as well. A solid front 7 backed by some incredible DB's makes for a potentially scary unit.